[Envinyatar]

Eärnil

Eärnil heard the familiar knock. ‘Well, it’s time, I think, Huan. We must remember what Gaeradan said and be on our best behavior.’

Megilwë opened the door and announced the arrival of the boy’s mother and father. Miriel rushed forward smiling, her arms extended toward her son, thinking to give him a hug. Eärnil, his face a mask of grave formality, took one step back and made a slight bow to her. He reached for her proffered hand, and taking it in his own small one, brought her fingers to his lips for a brief kiss.

‘Mother,’ he said, his voice well modulated, ‘so very nice of you to come to walk with me to the King’s dinner.’ He offered his forearm to her, indicating she was to place her hand there as he stepped up beside her. ‘May I escort you to the dining room?’ He bowed slightly toward Tarciryan. ‘That is, if you don’t mind, Father.’ Tarciryan acquiesced with a smile, and a look of pride mingled with some surprised regret passed between him and his wife.

He followed behind his son and wife as the made for the small dining room on the main floor. His hands were clasped behind his back, a thoughtful look on his face, as he watched his son practice his new role.

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Anticipation mixed with a little anxiousness grew in Eärnil as they neared the entrance to the dining room. And he breathed an inward sigh of relief when he went in and saw all was arranged just as Gaeradan had described for him. The King and Queen had not yet arrived; they would make their entrance once their guests had come.

The King’s high backed chair sat at the head of the small sized table, the Queen’s at the foot. Eärnil would sit to the King’s right, his mother and father opposite him, with Miriel to the Queen’s right. Huan would be allowed to lie down just inside the door, and Eärnil smiled as he noticed the cushion that had been placed for the dog there. He led the hound to his seat and spoke to him in a quiet, serious voice.

As they entered, a server discreetly approached them from the serving entrance behind the King’s chair. A tray of drinks was offered – wine for Tarciryan and Miriel, a smaller glass of highly watered wine for Eärnil. They stood, holding their drinks in their hands and passing the time in idle conversation as they awaited the arrival of their host and hostess . . .

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Huan’s sharp nose took in the scents of the room. Human mostly, and the rich odors of food from the kitchen just beyond. And cats! His head swung round the room as he sorted out the scents, his eyes and ears alert for any movement . . .

[ August 09, 2003: Message edited by: Envinyatar ]