Empty-eyed Calimiel drifted into the dungeon with mincing steps, face upturned, arms held out protectively. Though it would do her no harm to misjudge distances, still she shielded herself from passing entirely through solid objects without warning.
She hummed an off-key tune. When a stray beam of light glanced off the flickering form, Anna and the prisoners could faintly discern her disheveled dark auburn hair and faded gown of blue velvet interwoven with pure gold thread. The gown, too large, trailed along behind her on the floor.
She wore a lace veil to cover her face, and did not know whether the veil matched the gown. For the Orcs, objecting to the brightness of her eyes, had blinded her and marred her beauty.
Anna, you're ... here. Well met. What are you doing? Calimiel smiled a greeting, being within range of sensing her friend's presence.
Anna came away from the rusty iron bars. The two prisoners fortunate enough to obtain a meal of not one but two burned rabbits had clung onto the meat-laden bones and retreated with them to the back wall to see if anyone in the back had strength enough to eat. Muffled sobbing ensued from the two strongest prisoners. Did you know we have guests? They need to be fed. I'm doing what I can. Two of them I've given rabbits for supper. Three of them have not moved in a long time.
Fed? Why of course! There's my herb garden ... and those old apple and pear trees that I've forgotten about for centuries. Calimiel passed through the iron bars to check on the prisoners. Though they whimpered and moaned, she did not leave them be until she had placed her hand on five different ones. Her touch only made them cry out the louder and draw back. Two along the back wall are dead. That leaves three, a man and two women. One is mine, of course. Celumëomaryu told me she wanted one … But there's not enough to go around, now, Anna. For what about you?
What are they for, Calimiel? Why are they here?
Whilst they live, they can tell us tidings of the outside world. But Anna ... I want to see again! Calimiel shrieked these last words with all her spirit, so that the prisoners heard a menacingly wailed, "I waaantt sseee agaaaain!"
Anna, about to wrinkle up her nose and go in search of pears and apples, hovered, intrigued despite herself. I am as deserving as Celumëomaryu. Why not ... a contest between us two? A singing contest? Something to pass the time. Somehow, the topic of conversation always came back to passing the time. Anna sighed.
[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]
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