Till end of Time

Most happy I jumped up the stairs to the back entry of the east wing of the palace. News had reached my ear, that a maid was needed for the house of the Mole. I had brushed my hair, had put on my best dress. Pinching my cheeks to make them appear more rosy, I had been standing in front of the mirror in my parents' room. Satisfied with my looks I had curtsied several times to be sure to do it right.

Arriving at the back door of the east wing, my heart started to pound noisily all the way up to my throat and I was shaking with excitement. Ithilwen, wife of Inglor of Nargothrond, was about to choose between many ellith that had come to find work.

I did not dare to look straight into her eyes, as the others did. I had seen Ithilwen before, but only brief and always a smile played on her lips.

Now, she walked the entire line of us thrice. She eyed each several times until she suddenly stopped in front of me.

"Show me your hands, Eäriel," Ithilwen demanded. Shyly I pulled the sleeves of my blouse up and revealed my empty hands. Her fingers brushed over my cool skin and then she grabbed my chin. She turned my face from one side to the other. I felt like a mare at Turgon's annual horse trading market. She curled a strand of my dark brown hair between around her index finger.

Ithilwen then turned to Aranwë. He nodded and pursed his lips. My excitement got even bigger when he got up from his chair and stroked the soft skin of my hands.

„He will like it. Your hands are soft and no rough skin will pull threads from his garments and sheets," Aranwë smiled encouraging and lead me out of the line of ellith.

Ithilwen turned to the others next to me and told them with her soft but piercing voice You are dismissed, your service is no longer needed - the position is filled."

I hurried down the hallway behind Aranwë. His big steps forced me to run after him until he stopped and turned to the right to open a hidden door. It was embedded between two big room-high columns chiseled from the white marble that was found in the valley around.

Once inside, it appeared to be a rather small room. Aranwë handed me a small pile of clothes and gazed over a list that lay on a small but beautifully carved table.

„You shall NEVER address him first, you shall wait until he speaks to you. You shall wake him an hour before sunrise. I will teach you this afternoon how to make his breakfast. Do not dare to change it. He will not eat anything else before sun rise other than a bowl of rye that you cooked in goat's milk, " Aranwë spoke quietly and looked deep into my eyes when he continued.

„You shall have prepared his clothes and unfolded them for him. Once he has finished his breakfast, he will undress and you shall assist him with his tunics and breeches, his apron or leather cloak. He might let you know in advance whether he will turn to the mines or to the forge."

Aranwë spoke for more than an hour and I had problems following him the whole time. I got confused and I worried I would not be able to do as I was told, when he took the parchment roll on which the list was written and softly pushed it into my hand.

Now go home and bring your belongings. I will meet you in two hours at the back door of the house of the Mole. Lord Maeglin, our prince, will not be home until late. So there is time enough to teach you all you need to know until he returns." Aranwë simply motioned me to leave and he blinked encouragingly one more time.