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Journey Of A Butterfly	By : Mel99Moe Category: -Fourth Age to Modern times and beyond > Het - Male/Female Views: 5714 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or places of Lord of the Rings/Tolkien. No money is being made. This is for personal enjoyment only.

Chapter List
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Chapter 63 - Dressmakers and Goldsmiths

After a nice warm bath and a good night’s sleep, Feredir took Terrwyn to meet his mother. The young Rohirrim woman had been a bit nervous, but Laveth took her in her arms as if she was her own daughter and all fears subsided. Feredir spent part of the day with them making sure they were both comfortable in each other’s presence. As soon as the conversation turned to party planning, he graciously excused himself and went to find Horphen. It was not difficult to do. The elf was either in the dining hall gorging himself on sweet rolls, or seeking out some of the fine young maidens he liked to keep waiting for him. Feredir found him doing both in the dining hall where he was feeding a sweet roll to a lovely young elleth who seemed smitten with the brown haired warrior. Feredir watched Horphen as he tantalized the unsuspecting maiden. The roll had left a bit of honey on the corner of her mouth. Horphen pointed it out and acted as if she did not get it all. “May I?” Horphen said, Feredir reading his lips at a distance. Then his best friend leaned in, kissing the honey from her mouth and causing her left foot to lift slightly off the ground. Feredir smiled and shook his head when Horphen looked over and saw the black haired ellon waiting to speak with him.

“Perhaps we will run into each other again later this evening?” Horphen whispered in her ear.

The elleth giggled and quickly kissed his cheek before hurrying off to tend to some duty she was late for. Horphen crossed his arms and leaned his shoulder against the stone column next to him as he watched her hips sway while walking toward the kitchens. Feredir came up next to him and joined his friend, curiosity getting the better of him. Again, he laughed to himself and shook his head. “You have a girl every place don’t you?” Feredir teased.

“Ai my friend, it is good to be home,” Horphen sighed.

“She is a little young don’t you think?”

“She was the last time I saw her, but she has recently reached her majority. She is fair game now,” Horphen laughed.

“One of these days this behavior will catch up to you. Some elleth will capture you heart and you will find that you cannot let her run away.”

Horphen unfolded his arms and stood straight. “And until that day comes, I will have my sweet rolls,” he joked, picking up another treat from the silver tray and stuffing it into his mouth. “I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you would be off somewhere with Terrwyn.”

“I took her to see my mother this morning. They seem to get along quite well,” Feredir indicated. “I thought they might need some time together to get better acquainted.”

“And you left Terrwyn alone with her?” Horphen said surprised.

Feredir regarded him questioningly. “And why not? You sound as if my mother is some sort of tyrant.”

“All I am saying is . . . I remember the time when I took you out hunting and we decided to make camp instead of coming home like I promised her I would. Laveth would like to have had my head on a tray,” Horphen said remembering their younger days.

Feredir laughed. “I remember. It was a long time before she trusted your word again.” Feredir cupped his hand on Horphen’s shoulder. “Well, I am not worried about them. Actually, they will be busy for a while as women often are when they are planning a celebration.”

“A wedding ceremony?” Horphen asked excitedly. He knew that this sort of celebration meant a feast of food, drink and plenty of unattached ellith.

“Yes of course, what other kind would it be? However, before you get your hopes too high, you should know that this will only be for friends and family.” Feredir shoved his best friend in a playful manner towards the kitchen doors. “Perhaps you better ask that maiden to join you since there won’t be any to choose from.”

Horphen feigned discontent. “You make it sound as if I am some sort of deviant.”

Feredir laughed. “If the boot fits . . .”

Horphen pushed Feredir rather hard in the chest and the two elves pretended to rough each other up while they joked. Then the elleth Horphen had been talking with emerged from the kitchen and the brown haired elf stopped his roughhousing immediately. He straightened his tunic and captured her with his sultry eyes. “I believe I will ask her to accompany me to your feast.” Not wasting another minute, Horphen strode over to the lovely youth.

* * *

Meanwhile, Terrwyn and Laveth were enjoying each other’s company over a relaxing tea, a combination of jasmine and lavender. The conversation had gone quite smoothly, but now there was a moment of silence between them as Laveth was about to change the subject. “I must say, Terrwyn I was quite surprised to hear your story.”

Terrwyn felt herself tense slightly. They had talked about many things, Feredir being the main subject for most of the conversation. Now was the first time his mother was bringing up her rough past. “I wish none of it had happened, but had my path not led me this way, I may never have met your son. I truly believe everything happens for good reason.”

Laveth smiled “I suppose it does, though this path was a regrettable one.” There was an air of doubt in her tone. “I apologize, my dear. I do not mean to bring this up again, but this is my son whose heart you have captured and he is very important to me. I’ll admit, when he told me of you past I was none too happy. These were very serious accusations put upon you and I could not understand why he would allow himself to become involved with a criminal. I’m sorry, but this was my first impression. However, he explained in full and in detail every part of your story.”

“If there was something I could have done not to have had to live through those horrible days, I would have. My actions were in self-defense, as I hope you understand now. The visions and the memories of that time will never leave me and I must live with that,” Terrwyn admitted.

Laveth captured Terrwyn, her eyes steely blue and challenging. She was not through getting her point across just yet. Terrwyn did not flinch, but instead lifted her head and met Laveth’s summons for a final test of her sincerity. “He told me about the day he arrived in Rohan and found you at the gallows with the hangman’s noose about your neck. I saw that vision within his eyes. I felt the ghostly pain of his memory. Do you realize how close to death you both were? Do you understand that had your execution taken place, it would have meant my sons fading from this world? Even though you were not bound at the time, his love for you was so strong that he could not have endured without you. Love is never something that the elves take lightly.”

Terrwyn’s own memories of that moment came rushing back like a storm on the sea. “I know this Laveth and though the best thing in my life was to have Feredir’s love, it was also my bane. I would rather have been chained, left to rot and to ruin by the fell beasts of Mordor than to have Feredir suffer over my death. I saw the fading in his eyes for one brief moment as he realized that I was finally free. That alone was worse than any torture I could receive from my punishers. I never want to see that again. I know how important Feredir is to you, for I also feel that same need to love him and keep him safe.”

The two women sat unmoving, regarding each other with a new understanding. A connection formed between them and Feredir was the center of this melding of spirits. Laveth’s face softened as she came to accept Terrwyn into her family. “I see the pain you have had to endure and your sincerity and love for Feredir shines above all. I have my answer.” She smiled, then removed herself from the couch and went to a shelf that held books and other small trinkets. Among the items was a wooden box. She took it down from the shelf and looked at it longingly. She swiped her right hand across the top to remove a very thin layer of dust that had collected since the last time she cleaned. Laveth’s job was very demanding at times and housework always suffered during those busy days. As she walked back to where Terrwyn sat, a slight smile of a memory from long ago appeared upon her lips. She sat next to the young Rohirrim woman settling the wooden box in her lap.

“I think you are very worthy of my son. He needs someone as strong if not stronger than him. Both of you have suffered many difficulties in your lives and the fact that you have found each other proves to me that this union was meant to be.” She cocked an eyebrow towards Terrwyn as she delivered another slight reprimand. “I would like to have seen a proper elvish courtship and betrothal.” Laveth’s face lightened once more, satisfied that the young woman was aware of her expectations for elvish tradition. “But I understand the circumstances at the time. However, now that you are here, I will see that our customs followed from here on out.” She paused and looked at Terrwyn. “Do you know anything of elvish marriage?”

“I’m afraid I do not know much. I know that we are bound but nothing more,” Terrwyn answered honestly.

“Well, in the beginning, the couple would exchange rings, silver ones. They are worn during the betrothal period.” Laveth lifted the lip of the wooden box and revealed two simple silver rings. There were no jewels, no markings of any kind; just two smooth silver perfect rings. “These were mine and Alagon’s rings. I still remember the day we exchanged them. Ai, he was such a young and handsome ellon. Many young maidens would have liked to have caught his attention.” She smiled and laughed under her breath. “I made a few enemies after word spread of our engagement. You would have thought he was a prince the way some fell over themselves just to get Alagon to notice them. I noticed him, but I chose not to pursue him. I think that’s what drew him to me.”

Laveth handed the box to Terrwyn who admired them graciously. “They are very beautiful, something to be treasured I’m sure.”

“Take them to Feredir and give them to each other. You should have them now. You will wear them until the ceremony, at which time you will exchange them for gold rings,” Laveth informed her.

“Will you tell me more about the wedding ceremony? I want to do everything proper.” Terrwyn was quite enthusiastic about the upcoming event.

Laveth pulled Terrwyn to her for an unexpected hug. “Of course I will, dear. This should be a day that neither of you will ever forget. Now, we have much to do. The first thing is to get you fitted for a dress. Do you have any plans for today?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Wonderful,” Laveth cried. “I know just the elf to go to on such short notice.”

Soon the two were on their way to a friend of Laveth’s, one of Eryn Lasgalen’s best dressmakers.

* * *

Horphen emerged from the kitchens with a satisfied smile and found that Feredir was still in the hall. He was sitting on top of a table, his feet on the seat of a chair and eating an apple. Horphen approached his friend. “I’m surprised to see you are still here.”

“Did you secure an accompaniment for the celebration?” asked Feredir, a crooked smile upon his lips as an eyebrow rose in curiosity while he took another bite of the sweet fruit.

“I have,” answered Horphen proudly.

“Good, then you can help me with something.” Feredir leapt down from the table with the stealth of a feline and roughly threw an arm around Horphen’s neck, apple still in hand.

“The last time you behaved like this and asked me to help you, we both ended up on the receiving end of Captain Glandur’s wrath,” Horphen pointed out.

Feredir laughed at the thought. “Nothing so dangerous this time, my friend. I was just on my way to see a goldsmith and thought--.”

“Feredir, selecting rings is not exactly something I think I would be good at. Besides, this should be solely your decision,” Horphen interrupted.

“I only ask for your opinion, not to pick the rings for me. Come now, where else are you needed right now? Your family is attending their duties and that little sweetling is busy in the kitchens.”

“Very well, let’s go then,” answered Horphen without resistance. He knew that once Feredir recruited him for something, there was no denying him.

* * *

“My, she is a pretty thing isn’t she?” the dressmaker said to Laveth while Terrwyn was in a small changing room being stuffed into yet another dress with the help of one of the dress shop attendants.

“She is half elven you know, just like Feredir. They really do make a lovely couple,” Laveth answered joyfully.

The dressmaker was a longtime friend of Laveth. Glothel was her name. She had very long straight silver hair, tall and thin and eyes as blue as the summer sky. They had met many thousands of years ago, before Laveth met and married Alagon. Glothel was there for every milestone and even during those hard years after Feredir was born. The dressmaker was a constant in Laveth’s life, someone she loved and trusted, which was why it was so easy to tell Glothel about Terrwyn.

“Well, I’m just happy to see that Feredir is finally settling down, especially since you will be sailing soon,” Glothel mentioned after hearing Terrwyn story. “Now if we can only get that older boy of yours straightened out,” she laughed.

“I’m afraid Orthorien will never settle, but he is happy and that is enough for me. Should he come to Valinor without a mate though, I will have a few lined up for him as soon as he steps ashore,” Laveth jested.

“Better have two separate lines,” Glothel said with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes, well as long as they are elvish, I care not about gender,” Laveth answered and they both laughed together.

Just then, Terrwyn stepped out of the small room, separating the curtain that covered the entrance. Glothel and Laveth both inhaled sharply as their eyes fell upon the beautiful young woman. The gown was a very pale shade of green made from the finest silk, floor length with a full skirt. The top was essentially a corset made of silk brocade, cinched tight to show off her waist. Upon it were tiny golden velvet ivy leaves outlined in dark green thread. Green and gold thread outlined the bottom edge of the corset, coming to a V-shape in the front. Crystals sewn along the neckline of the corset gave it just enough shine without being overwhelming. Her shoulders were left bare but for thin straps made of the same clear shiny jewels, two straps that went over her shoulders and two that ran down from her shoulder and part way down her arm where it connected to cuffs. The leaf pattern repeated here and long sheer flowing sleeves draped to her wrist.

Terrwyn looked down to her cleavage, which was pushed up due to the tight fitting corset. She smiled to think that she had enough to fill it, but was glad to see that she could. Her bare shoulders made her slightly self-conscious and she held her hands clasped together in front of her as the two ellith inspected her.

“I’ve never worn anything quite like this before. I’m not sure it is appropriate for such an occasion,” she said worriedly.

Glothel stepped forward. “My dear, it is perfect for a lovely woman such as yourself. This is the most important day of your life and you should look stunning.” Glothel stepped back and admired the young Rohirric woman.

“How does it feel?” Laveth asked.

“Very elvish, like there is a part of me I have not discovered yet.” Terrwyn looked down to the floor. “As if I belong,” she added, understanding what Feredir meant when he told her the same thing once.

Laveth and Glothel smiled at each other before the dressmaker went to Terrwyn. “Well, it seems that we have found the dress. Now I just need to take a few measurements and we can have it fitting you perfectly. I presume there is still time,” she said turning to Laveth.

“Oh why yes, there are many arrangements yet to make and we must see when the hall is free. We are in no hurry and I’m sure Terrwyn would like to become accustom to her new surroundings first,” Laveth answered.

“I would like that very much,” said a shy Terrwyn before she stepped back into the changing area where one of Glothel’s maids waited to help her out of the dress.

Laveth whispered to her friend. “Do you think you could put together some daily outfits for her? She came with only a few things. Just some simple dresses and perhaps something a little fancier for the upcoming spring festival would do.”

Glothel nodded in agreement. “I have a few pieces that will fit her now and the rest I can have by the end of the week.”

The friends hugged. “Thank you, Glothel. You are always such a help,” Laveth whispered.

* * *

“I think I have what you are looking for,” said the goldsmith. He was a very wise looking elf, probably most ancient. His hair hung down below his waist, a dark golden color. Feredir noticed how his fingers delicately held each piece of jewelry as if they would turn to dust. Much thought and personal fondness went into each piece that he made.

After looking over his regular pieces, the goldsmith picked up a wooden case from low on a shelf and sat it on the counter. He opened the lid and Feredir was met with an array of golden rings in sets of two, one for the husband to be and one for his soon to be wife. The dark haired warrior looked at them carefully. Some were plain gold rings and some had quite a bit of detail with tiny jewels embedded in them. Feredir knew that he and Terrwyn were simple people and he wanted rings that would signify that.

“They are all quite exquisite,” mentioned Horphen, as he looked the case over carefully.

Feredir nodded and kept searching for something to catch his eye. Then there it was, a set of rings with an intricate detail engraved into them, interweaving lines with no beginning and no end. He took the smaller one and carefully pulled it from its protective bedding. He held it up to the natural light coming in from a nearby window and noticed how it shimmered where the design was. It looked as if it had diamonds in it the way it sparkled so.

“What do you think of this one, Horphen?” Feredir asked his friend.

Horphen looked at the ring Feredir held and then back to the fancier rings still in the case. “Are you sure she would not like one of these?” he asked pointing to a ring adorned with emeralds.

“It is too much. She would not want something so extravagant and neither would I for that matter, but this is something I think she would adore.” Feredir turned the ring over in his fingers.

“I do like the unending design,” Horphen commented.

“It holds some significance does it not?” Feredir smiled. “Through all eternity.”

“I could engrave that on the inside of the rings if you so choose,” the goldsmith spoke up.

“I like that,” Horphen said.

“Perfect,” Feredir added with a gleam in his silver eyes. “I will take them.”

Feredir handed the goldsmith a pouch containing the correct amount for the purchase of the rings. The goldsmith told him they would be ready in a week’s time. Now there was one less thing to worry about and more time for Feredir to concentrate on Terrwyn and introducing her to his begetting place.

* * *

That evening, Feredir and Terrwyn came together after a long day separated from each other. They sat on the floor in front of a fireplace in their guest quarters at the palace. Feredir took a glass and filled it with a rich red wine, handing it to Terrwyn before he poured his own. He moved closer to her and she cuddled into his chest, sipping slowly on the potent drink.

“And what did you do today?” he asked after their bodies warmed due to the fire and partly because of the wine.

“Well, Laveth took me to see her friend Glothel. She fitted me with a few outfits. And it seems that I also found a dress for our ceremony.” A smile spread quickly as she thought about Feredir seeing her in it for the first time. “But you will get nothing more out of me. You will see soon enough and I think you’ll be quite pleased.” Terrwyn laughed and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “So, what did you do today?”

“Horphen and I visited the goldsmith. I think I found the perfect pair of gold rings and that is all I have to say about that,” he teased.

“Oh, that reminds me--.” Terrwyn jumped up from her spot in his comfortable arms and went to a table where she put the small wooden box Laveth had given her earlier. She instantly felt lightheaded, probably due to the wine. She floated back to the fire, dropped easily back to her spot beside Feredir and handed him the box. “I suppose you already know what is in here.”

“I do,” he said as he looked at the wood grain pattern on the lid. “Mother gave these to us?”

“To borrow until we exchange them for our wedding rings,” she answered.

“I have not seen these in many long years, not since I was an elfling. She always kept them tucked away on a shelf and never spoke of them to me. I remember seeing her gazing at them one time when I had snuck out of my room. I had heard a strange noise coming from the living area and found my mother kneeling with her legs tucked beneath her, the open box in her lap as she wept. Despite their differences, she loved Alagon very much. It was difficult to understand all of that when I was so young, but Mother never let me feel like a burden. She always made it very clear just how important I was to her, and how important my father had been to her during their short time together.” He paused, smiling as he took the rings from the box. Taking the smaller of the two, he gently slipped it onto Terrwyn’s finger. She watched as his hand carefully caressed hers until the ring slid all the way on. Then she took the other ring and slid it onto Feredir’s finger. They intertwined the fingers of their ring bearing hands and watched as the flames from the nearby fire danced in their reflection.

“A proper elvish betrothal?” Terrwyn asked teasingly.

Feredir leaned forward and kissed her deeply, lowering her until she was lying beneath him. “Well, at least partially proper,” he said slyly and captured her lips again before ravishing her neck and moving lower to her breasts and other parts that needed personal attention. They made love by the fire that night, all the while their hands clasped tightly, the feel of the silver rings rubbing together signifying their promise to each other and a bond between them that would never break.

* * *

The next morning, Terrwyn woke early and dressed in one of her new outfits. She was sitting at a vanity, tying back her hair and tucking in a few loose curls when warm hands and strong arms surrounded her waist. Feredir took advantage of her exposed neck, kissing it tenderly. “And where are you off too at such an early hour. We are not here but only a few days and already you have somewhere to be. I thought I would show you around the woodland city today.”

“And we can still do that, but it will have to wait until a little later. I am to meet with Horphen’s sister, Irneth this morning. She may be able to help me find something to do during my stay here in Eryn Lasgalen.”

Feredir wrinkled his brow. “You do not need to do anything. You are a visitor.”

Terrwyn turned to face him. “No Feredir, I am about to become your wife. Well, I already am but . . . oh, you know what I mean. I want to contribute in some way and Irneth is helping me.”

“And just what are you going to do to contribute to the King’s land?” His question was not at all serious as he seemed to tease her. He reached for her again, but this time Terrwyn warded him off.

“I cannot just sit around and wait for our wedding day and if we are going to be here for a while, I must find employment somewhere. Ever since I can remember I have held a job of some kind. Master Curuven taught me much about medicine and healing so Irneth is going to introduce me to one of the palaces head healers. Remlas is his name I believe.”

Feredir looked confused. “Remlas? I can’t imagine him taking on an apprentice. He has not had dealings with anyone since the dark days. He is not exactly the most outgoing elf in Eryn Lasgalen.” Feredir shook his head. “I’m afraid you will have to look elsewhere for employment. I believe Remlas will refuse.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Terrwyn said with an upbeat tone. “Irneth told me his story, how he lost his wife and almost succumbed to his grief. There was a reason he stayed in Middle-earth. I believe he has a passion for his art and Irneth thinks I am just the person to bring him out of his shell. She says his knowledge is infinite when it comes to healing. And I want to do this, Feredir. I do love the craft and I think I can become quite good at it.”

Feredir kissed her. “I will never stand in your way. Besides, once you put your mind to something there is no stopping you. Go on then, and I will meet you later. I’ll show you the gardens and maybe one of my old hiding spots.” He wiggled his eyebrows and winked at her.

“And I’m sure I am not the first girl you have taken to this place,” she inquired.

“Well, you are the only one I have ever loved that I have taken there,” he rebutted.

“You always have an answer, don’t you?”

“And I always get the last word.”

Terrwyn rolled her eyes. “Some things never change.”

Terrwyn walked past him on her way to the door when Feredir slapped her on the rear, making her jump. “And you like it that way.” She started to speak, but he held up a finger. “Ah, ah . . . remember . . . last word.” He kissed her just to make his point and Terrwyn was left slightly dazed. Feredir’s kisses were like that, especially the quick and fiery ones. She smiled and without a word, slipped out the door on her way to start her day.
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Journey Of A Butterfly