Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Synesthesia"

Username: 
Password:    
Remember Me
  • Create Account
  • IJ Login
  • OpenID Login
Search by : 
  • View
    • Create Account
    • IJ Login
    • OpenID Login
  • Journal
    • Post
    • Edit Entries
    • Customize Journal
    • Comment Settings
    • Recent Comments
    • Manage Tags
  • Account
    • Manage Account
    • Viewing Options
    • Manage Profile
    • Manage Notifications
    • Manage Pictures
    • Manage Schools
    • Account Status
  • Friends
    • Edit Friends
    • Edit Custom Groups
    • Friends Filter
    • Nudge Friends
    • Invite
    • Create RSS Feed
  • Asylums
    • Post
    • Asylum Invitations
    • Manage Asylums
    • Create Asylum
  • Site
    • Support
    • Upgrade Account
    • FAQs
    • Search By Location
    • Search By Interest
    • Search Randomly

Anairë | The Silmarillion ([info]anaire) wrote in [info]thefeanorians,
@ 2013-04-24 03:57:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:!complete, anairë, fingolfin, yt: 1260

Anairë had taken her time on the walk to the palace in Tírion today. She had given herself plenty of time so that she could absorb how wonderful this new development in her life was. She had truly been asked to make the wedding gown for Findis, the eldest daughter of King Finwë! With all the seamstresses in Tírion, it had been her work that had caught the princess's eye, and her work that they had chosen to display in such a glorious way.

It was the chance, the break that she had been waiting for. It was what her family needed. Surely now there would be many, many orders of rich Ñoldor ladies wanting dresses from the girl who had made the princess's wedding gown! And her family would have enough, at last. Her childhood had not been a bad one, not by far! But they had also always had to be careful with money, and she had never been able to have the lovely things that she had always wanted; she couldn't even afford her own dresses.

But this - this one dress could change all of that.

It didn't matter that Findis was in many ways unpleasant or demanding, or that she was going today for the tenth fitting because of how incredibly picky the princess was. It was all worth it, knowing what this could do for her, and for her family.

Reaching the tower, she turned and looked back over the white city, and the sea beyond, hope soaring in her heart. She felt that she had reached the peak metaphorically as well, through her own hard work, and through the blessing of the Valar. She smiled, her eyes shimmering in the light of Laurelin, before turning to knock on the door, the light still illuminating her face.


(Post a new comment)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 08:24 am UTC (link)
There was someone waiting to admit the seamstress, for surely none of the royal line would do it themselves.

They were entirely too preoccupied with their own doings to personally see to every soul that passed through their halls for purposes that didn't extend to state or politics. Though Ñolofinwë had personally been briefly concerned that the arrival was another messenger bearing news of another son born to his brother and his wife. When had the last one come? They'd be due for another soon, if their penchant for producing one every ten years held strong.

He looked at the missives his father delegated into his hands - for all of Fëanáro's complaints he avoided doing anything concerning the state of their people, their family, or its wellbeing, and it therefore fell into Ñolofinwë's lap. He didn't mind, of course, as his father had prepped him well for such rule and he managed well enough unsupervised. He need not concern his Lord Father with the minute details of the every day, not when the Lord had so much more to be going on with.

But anyway, the missives dealt mostly with Findis' wedding preparations. The whole affair was overblown and outrageous, but Ñolofinwë said nothing as he took it upon himself to personally deliver the messages to his sister's hands. She was surrounded by a wave of elf-maids, most of them notoriously giggling away at some unheard joke that passed between them. Findis herself was swallowed up by a gown of great beauty, but probably also of great weight so done up was it. He paused near the doorway and gave a subtle bow to his sister in respect and stepped into the room, his eyes sweeping over their faces one by one.

"Greetings, sister," he said, his voice like music, "I've letters from your.. suitor," he teased, earning the ire and general amusement from the ladies in waiting.

(Reply to this) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 08:28 am UTC (link)
Findis was obviously well at home in the flutter of attention, and smiled rather imperiously at her little brother as he came into the room. He was, after all, exactly who she wanted to see at the moment.

"My suitor!" she said with a pout. "You know very well that he is more than my suitor, little brother. And if you do not stop flirting with my maids I shall...I shall tell father!"

Still, her eyes were warm with affection as she waved him inside.

"Tell me. What do you think of this? Is it too tight?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 08:35 am UTC (link)
"You should be delighted to tell him so," he replied, though true to his nature he did not indeed flirt overmuch, but they had all earned some measure of a smile from the prince. He was not overly friendly with them on most days, or indeed today, but there was a level of joviality and interaction that came about when surrounded by so many. The energy they put off was of delightful whimsy, chattering and socialization. It was infectious.

And he could humor his sister, for he adored her so.

He stepped closer, holding the letters in one thin hand while he examined her and the gown. "I am not certain," he said airily, giving her a Look that was both chiding and childish at once. He was not young by any measure of the word, but the life of siblings was always a game of play.

"I think you can still breathe," he said, then looked at the elf maid responsible, his eyes glittering as they alighted upon her. He paused, brow quirked. "... can she still breathe?" he asked, then tore his eyes away and distracted himself by handing off the letters to his sister.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 08:44 am UTC (link)
Anairë had been on her knees, pinning the hem of the dress, when the prince had come into the room, but she had not been one of the ones who had wasted her time looking up at him. She had no interest in royal flirtations, not when what she was doing was so crucially important to her future.

But when he addressed her directly she looked up at him, biting her lip thoughtfully.

"Aye, she will still be able to breathe," she said with a raised eyebrow, full of amusement. Of course, it would have been a precious gift to everyone if she had made it just tight enough that the princess could not talk at all, but alas. She herself would not be at the wedding, so such a thing would not be necessary. With some effort, she did not let these thoughts reach her face in any way, except for the slightly impish twinkle that entered her eyes. "It is not that tight, my lord, and I assure you it is very stylish."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 08:52 am UTC (link)
"You might make it a bit tighter then," he replied casually, "just to be sure." A backwards indication he thought the whole thing too tight as it was, but what did he know about the fashion choices of women? It seemed to change with every year--or century, as it were--so he never bothered to concern himself with it. And indeed, as the elf-lord he was not at all worried about women's dresses.

"But you look gorgeous, sister," he affirmed, reaching out to take Findis' hands into his own, holding onto them lightly.

"I shall have the last dance with you, promise me," he said, kissing her hands gently then releasing them. His eyes fluttered back to the seamstress, watching her do her work so studiously and unnoticed upon the floor.

"Do you also fashion the clothing of men?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 08:59 am UTC (link)
"If I make it any tighter, she will...how shall I say it...burst through the bust." Her eyes twinkled at him playfully, speaking a bit with her hands as she put her hands to her own bust and made a quick bursting motion with her hands while letting out a little bit of musical elven laughter.

Findis was not unaware that for a short moment, she was not the center of attention, and gave a very unhappy look first at Anairë, then at her brother. Shifting her weight and very slightly stomping her feet. Anairë turned her head away from the prince and went back to her work, finishing her work at pinning the hem.

"And yes, my lord, I do. I make men's clothes as well."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 09:09 am UTC (link)
"It shall certainly then be a memorable wedding!" he commented, giving his sister a Look of his own to counter her scowl. "And give everyone a thing to laugh about for the next three years," he smiled faintly. As always Findis wanted to be the center of attention, but he gave it to her or not at his own whim and so chose then in that moment to simply plop himself down on the chair nearest the seamstress.

"I should like a new cloak," he said, "I seem to have put the most mysterious hole in my own and need it mended or replaced entirely. Where might I find you in the city? What even do you call yourself?" he asked, watching her intently.

"You have time, I trust? I do not need it before the wedding, and you have much to be going on with with this lot, I have no doubt."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 09:15 am UTC (link)
"I live...not far from the fountain," she said finally, not making eye contact as she said these words. It put her in a decidedly less lovely part of town than she found herself in now, one with much smaller homes packed much more closely together, and little in the way of a view. "It is the third house from the crossroads, right beside the bakery. We get wonderful smells in the morning," she said, then blushed. There was no reason to tell him that.

"I can certainly make you a cloak, although it shall have to be after the wedding. After I finish your sister's dress, there are bridesmaids dresses to be made, and everything must always be perfect, for a wedding. But afterwards, indeed, my lord, I should be glad to. Although I shall need to have measurements if it is to fall as you would like it to."

Then, remembering the question she had not yet answered, she looked up at him, meeting his eyes. They were a lovely shade of grey, indeed. Slightly lighter than her own, like soft rain clouds against her own thunderhead-dark ones.

"Anairë. I'm Anairë, lord."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 09:21 am UTC (link)
"Greetings Anairë, and well met. The stars shine on this very hour of our meeting - In some place far away," he mused, then smiled at her, leaning closer.

"And while I should dearly like to visit your home, I think it would be decidedly better if I merely attended your shop? Unless you have no place within the city proper in which you sell your craft?" He asked, frowning. He knew which part of the city she suggested, and while none of the elves were ever poor or lower class there was definitely a division between the royal line and those who didn't fit the title.

He wasn't judgmental of that fact, for all the Noldor were his responsibility and he took it very seriously. He never looked down on or scorned them for not being born into the proper lines. It was by mere gift and chance that he had been the son of the king. Fortune smiled on his family, and the Valar had most assuredly blessed them.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 09:29 am UTC (link)
"Well met, my lord, indeed. And when the stars are shining, then surely they shall shine on our meeting," she grinned.

Anairë's cheeks flamed at the implication of his words, and she looked down and away. "I should like to get a shop, sir, perhaps with your sister's wedding, I'll find myself able to. But at the moment, I do work out of my home. We use the parlor for fittings, or I would be glad to come here to do so. You need not come to me at all."

It was true, Anairë was not poor. She had always had enough to eat, and her home was small, yes, but comfortable. They had simply never been able to have any of the extras, or the thousand little luxuries that she saw around her here. She put the last pin in the hem, and instead of looking at Findis, turned to look once more at her brother, her cheeks still a bit red.

"How does a proper prince like you end up with a mysterious hole in his cape, anyway, my lord?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 07:28 pm UTC (link)
"Good use of space," he said in response to her confession about the parlor. Then he casually raised his eyes to Findis' face, amused and annoyed at once by the clear irritation in her eyes. Ah she was ever impatient but her brother more stubborn than even an ox. He looked at the seamstress again, a smile brightening his features and glittering in his grey eyes.

"It's a mystery Lady Anairë, would that I knew. I went out with it whole and came back with a hole. But I trust your good work," he said, "after all you've done a wonderful thing with my sister's dress. Will this be the last time you mend it? The wedding will be soon and the other maids have yet to see their completed work," his eyes danced to Findis' own, amused in his chiding. He laughed another sound of gentle music.

"My sister will surely see that I do not have a place in her ceremony if I continue to disturb your work."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 07:37 pm UTC (link)
"Well, you should certainly be more careful next time, my lord," she chided playfully. "But aye, I am certain that I can make another, although not one immune to mysterious holes." She looked at him with such a twinkle of teasing delight that she nearly glowed with it.

"Ah, but only your lady sister may answer that, my lord. For you see, I believe strongly that the work is not done until she says it is. She is the one who must wear it when the day comes, and although I believe her to look lovely beyond measure, she must think so herself. It is, after all, a very important day, and I should not have it ruined for her for anything in all of Arda."

She smiled up at Findis briefly, and for a moment, the princess seemed rather pleased with her words - even if they had been directed towards her brother.

"Nay, nay," Findis said. "You must stay. You are a man, of sorts, and must tell me how it looks from your perspective, brother. Men are strange creatures and I cannot always know their minds."

Anairë stood at last, fiddling a bit with the fabric around her waist and around the neckline. There was little left to do, in her opinion, but until Lady Findis was content, she would not be either.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 08:03 pm UTC (link)
"But she shall only wear it once, no doubt, and that is the greatest tragedy of all," he said, rising to his own feet to walk around his sister and the seamstress, examining her. "Findis, you drive the lady every week with new demands, when shall you ever be satisfied?" he implored. Then he moved several steps back and regarded her plainly for a long moment, eyes sweeping over the dress to take in the thousand tiny details, the shape of it and the colors. It was a beautiful work, and it showed a certain dedication, passion and care in each of the details that spoke to the mind, the eyes and the heart all at once.

Ñolofinwë smiled and braced his hands together in delight, "The dress is gorgeous as it is, Findis," he said, "but you.. you truly make the heart of it. It isn't wearing you, after all, but you.. you wear it and it is beautiful. None shall outshine you on your wedding day, or ever after. And so I plead with you! Be done with the changes and the demands, the lady Anairë has given all that you ask for, and must turn her attention to the other dresses, less you have but one gown and the ladies have none to match it."

He folded his arms across his chest, tilting his head imperiously while his eyes danced around the women present who looked at or otherwise ignored him at their own desire. He was the only male presence in the room and for a moment he felt awkward and his ears tipped to show it.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 08:11 pm UTC (link)
Findis was obviously delighted at her brother's assessment. Truth be told, she was well aware that she looked beautiful, but she liked hearing it from the mouths of others. And, well, if her brother was the only one available, well, he would do.

"Yes, yes, very well. Seamstress, you have done your job well, and I am glad for it. But I think that my brother is right and you should start at once on the dresses for my ladies. We have discussed the pattern already, and the colors, I believe, and I believe that you will still have enough time to finish if you work nights too. Which, I'm sure you will."

Anairë nodded, her eyes distant a moment as she did the calculations of how much time she would need for how many dresses.

"You may go now, Amarië," she said, not realizing she had butchered the girls name, but caring even less. "I shall call for you when you are needed again, or I shall send my girls to your shop - house - whatever it may be."

She dismissed her with a rather imperious gesture, and Anairë flushed again and curtsied, unable to keep her ears from falling slightly in embarrassment. She was but a servant in the house, and for a moment, teasing with the prince, she had allowed herself to stray a bit beyond her station, and the princess had seen that quelled at once.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 08:49 pm UTC (link)
"Eru be praised!" he said aloud once his sister have given her consent to let this be the final design. She was stacking up quite the bill for her ceremony and it felt as if the entire city of Tirion was celebrating the event on their dime. But what did it matter? It made Findis happy, and she was the daughter of the King. All of Tirion was invited. Or so it would seem. Ñolofinwë looked between Anairë and his sister, matching the imperious might of the King's daughter to the sheepish but steady spirit of the seamstress. How unlikely a pair, and likely why his sister had no use for her beyond her craft.

"Thank you, Lady Anairë," Ñolofinwë said, giving her a gracious look of appreciation. "You shall be rewarded for your services, and richly so." He stood back several paces, turning toward the door.

"You must now strip her out of it before she wears it about the house. Someone will escort you when you finish here." For, indeed, Anairë was a servant in the house of the King, and for the moment no matter how endearing Ñolofinwë found her he felt no inclination to invite her above her current station to stay. Though she had certainly caught his attention.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 09:07 pm UTC (link)
Anairë nodded gratefully to him, cursteying again. This time, she did not look up at him, but kept her place as she knew it to be - as a servant.

"Yes, my lord. Thank you."

After helping Findis from her dress and putting it safely away, she left the room as she was dismissed, waiting to be escorted out, taking a deep breath when she found herself back in the fresh air of Tírion. It was liberating, to escape the pressure that being in such a situation as that laid on her shoulders, and there was a load off of her now that Findis' dress was complete.

But the work was far from done. There were still dresses for the other ladies to be made, and though the design was far simpler, there were far more of them to be made. She would indeed be working long into the night, and likely getting little to no sleep before the wedding took place.

But it was worth it. Very worth it, because it could mean her entire family's well-being for generations to come.

But for now, she was going to relax for a few moments before heading home to begin her work. Sitting on the marble steps outside of the king's home, she bent down to remove her shoes. She had put them on this morning because they were lovely, and she wanted to look her best, but they were truly very uncomfortable and she was glad to get them off. Freed from that bond, she skipped down the stairs, her dark hair trailing behind her, and making for the closest gate. The flowers, and the winds of the hills, were calling.

~~~~

After she had dressed again, Findis sought her brother, giving him a bit of an annoyed look as she found him.

"Must you flirt with my servants? We all know that you are not in the least bit interested in them, and yet you insist on tormenting me."


(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 09:16 pm UTC (link)
Ñolofinwë raised his eyes to his sister's face, giving her an impish look. "I do not torment you! It isn't so bad to treat them with respect, beloved sister, they are after all performing a service for you. You might appreciate their hard work when they give it, less they short you on their design."

He rose and helped her down into a comfortable chair, sitting beside her patiently with her hand held in his own.

"Are you satisfied with your dress at last?" he asked, stroking her delicate fingers. For all their skill as Noldor, Findis had certianly gone through the years of her life without doing much of anything in terms of work. She soft, delicate and lovely as a flower but easily cut down as such, should anyone be so cruel. She wouldn't wilt by any means, but flowers were trampled and cut over time.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 09:23 pm UTC (link)
Findis relaxed as she sat, smiling at her younger brother with true affection. As harsh as she could be to servants, and as much as she thought of herself, family was something that she dearly valued. She squeezed his hand, and twinkled as she thought of the dress.

"It is a vision, isn't it? And I a vision in it. I am quite certain that I did make the right decision with my seamstress, although you will well remember what a difficult decision it was for me to make. Ama - Ana - whatever her name is - isn't much to be seen, and it always bothered me that her own clothes were so simple. But her work is truly stunning. Although I still wish I could have convinced our half-brother to do the embroidery. He is stubborn beyond measure and I would rescind his invitation if I might for that slight."

She pouted suddenly.

"And don't you dare try to get that girl to make you a cloak before all my wedding preparations are ready. I shall positively scream!"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 09:35 pm UTC (link)
"Anairë," he provided when Findis failed to produce the name herself. "She looks fine enough to me," he ventured after a moment of silence. "The point is for her to exist in the background anyway, is it not? You would be absolutely furious if she outshined you in your own home," he chided, giving her a look of clear annoyance, but it was softened by the affectionate smile that crossed his visage. For all his sister's imperious, impetuous nature he did love her so. She was ever at his side and a counselor in all things. Protective, adoring. All the things a sister should be to a younger brother.

"Do not speak of Fëanáro," whom Ñolofinwë sincerely doubted would even attend the wedding. He might send Nerdanel, or even his son Maitimo as representative, but he himself would avoid such a happy occasion as if it burned him to do otherwise. He shook his head then laughed at Findis.

"You worry yourself unnecessarily! I have no cloak that needs mending. I was merely being polite and giving her something to think about other than not pricking her fingers with the pins. You do not talk to her while she works, and I chose not to ignore her." Though now that he thought of it he might very well put a hole in his cloak and take it to her, if it would be excuse enough to get away and talk to her privately. It seemed a good idea, bu he could not say why if asked.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 09:46 pm UTC (link)
"Well, it is enough like you to destroy your things that it is not without reason for me to take you at your word, Aracáno! And what should I do? Ask her about her day? Do I really wish to hear what our servants do all day? It must be dreadfully boring, and they are servants for a reason. If they were wise enough or talented enough to be otherwise, it is certainly sure that they would not be. And I do not wish to distract her, when she is doing such important work."

She paused a moment and squeezed her brother's hand.

"You know it will be your turn next, to marry."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 09:54 pm UTC (link)
"They are still people!" he said harshly, rising to his feet before turning on her swiftly, giving her a wrathful look, "and you should treat them as such, sister. You are not better or above them in any fashion by divine right. You are there as princess because they so chose our father to be their king. Without their love and support you would be deposed and none should so blink about it."

He narrowed his grey eyes, the orbs burning with the fire of his Noldorin blood. Then he crossed his arms over his chest and quirked a brow. "Do not speak ill of them," then he lowered his eyes to the floor, "Our brother married the smith's daughter, you marry into noble blood, and I think I shall wait until Arafinwë marries before I do," it won a small smile, for their brother was still a child in many ways.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 10:12 pm UTC (link)
"Oh, yes, yes, brother. Do not get yourself into a snit. Of course they are people. And of course, of course, of course. But the truth is, brother, that they are our subjects, and there is nothing wrong with treating them as such. I do not mistreat them, simply because I do not spend my time socializing with them. I do not see you socializing with them, so do not criticize me for what you do not do yourself."

She stood and hugged him tightly.

"Nay, say not such things! You must marry, and be happy, and do it soon. You must find a woman who deserves you. And before Arafinwë grows up, or you shall have to compete with his golden-haired loveliness."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]nolofinwe
2013-04-24 10:24 pm UTC (link)
"You never see anything if it doesn't sparkle or fit around your throat," he said wrathfully, but he allowed her to hug him nonetheless but he returned the gesture with much less vigor than her. She'd angered him beyond words but he'd not take the frustration out on her more than he already had. He merely gave her a reproachful look and snorted his doubt at her words.

"It is not a competition," he said evenly, "what comes shall come. When I find one to love for the rest of my life I will surely marry her if she will have me, but I shall not go searching for it. There is much more to be doing than worrying about weddings and gowns and romance. That is the province of women such as yourself, Findis."

He wasn't one to believe that love was the end all. Many elves spent their lives alone and were perfectly happy to do so. He counted himself amongst them.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)


[info]anaire
2013-04-24 10:31 pm UTC (link)
"Brother," she said softly, still hugging him, even though she realized he was not reacting as she wanted. He was stubborn, her brother, and far too serious, and she was of the belief that he would be much happier if he would find a woman to bring him joy. Maybe her mind was on weddings and such at the moment, but that was because she was so happy. "There is also more to be doing than worrying all the time and spending all your time reading those dastardly boring reports like you do. Yes, yes, you are the eldest son, well, save one, but you deserve to have some fun too."

She pulled back, looking at her little brother a bit sadly.

"Fine, fine, as you will. But I will never stop hoping."

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Home | Site Map | Manage Account | TOS | Privacy | Support | FAQs