Thread: LoTR Second Age: The Downfall of Men (darkangel76/BennyQ)

Sakalkhr and his family collected themselves in the grand courtyard outside the mansion of his betrothed. The doors of the carriage were shut behind them and to Sakalkhr, it felt like the door to his current life had been closed forever and he had been thrust into a whole new world. Everything around him seemed dreamlike, as if he were intoxicated on some fiery spirit. His father and mother stood ahead, speaking to each other and fixing little oddities in their dress that was caused by the long ride. Behind them a little ways apart stood Sakalkhr and his sister. She was beaming and looking around, admiring the beautiful trees and the distant lolling of the sea. Everyone seemed calm besides him, making Sakalkhr wonder whether this was simply a game they were playing on him or it actually was a dream. A small part of him wanted to flee into the woods and never return, whisked away back to his independent life of sailing the seas and exploring the far lands to the south and east. Deep in thought as he was, Sakalkhr was jerked out of his thoughts by Elenw, who had a mischievous smile upon her lips. Why the long face, brother? She cooed at him, always teasing, always joking. You know why. Sakalkhr replied in a low voice, casting a glance towards his parents. Mithrellas was correcting some wrinkle in his father's collar while they whispered together. You know Mriel has a sister, right? Why should that matter to me? Sakalkhr said. I'm just saying, make sure you know which is which. It wouldn't do good if you got them mixed up. Elenw said with a small smile. Since you know so much about them, why don't you tell me so I don't make a fool out our family? I don't know that much. I know both the daughters of Orod are staunch admirers of the Eldar and they both have dark hair. Elenw told him, before their parents finished up their minor adjustments and turned to them. It must have been a strange conversation had anyone not known the brother and sister. Elenw spoke in Sindarian while Sakalkhr spoke almost entirely in the Adnaic tongue. This was exactly the type of oddity that Amrod wanted to avoid. With a nod of his head, the four of them approached the tall front doors of the mansion and waited patiently. It wasn't long. The doors were thrown open by smiling servants who bid them enter with excited motions. Amrod and Methrellas went first followed by their children and they were greeted with much respect and flourish by their counterparts. Amrod and Orod embraced, having been great friends in their youth. Sakalkhr did not tire to hear tales of their days together, having served with a great explorer before the war with Sauron. The ship they had served on had been the first to round the great southern cape of Harad, bending northward as they visited new and strange lands. The tales they brought of the cities and peoples there were amazing and almost every sailor and mariner knew of their journey. They were already sharing a number of private jokes with each other as Mithrellas hugged and kissed Elanor on the cheek. Sakalkhr and Elenw bowed their heads in greeting to Fallloth and for a moment Sakalkhr thought she was his bride-to-be, until when they were out of hearing Elenw leaned over and told him that was the younger sister. She looks like a elf. Sakalkhr commented back, the disgust in his voice barely concealed. Would his bride be the same way? They exchanged greetings with the parents now, Sakalkhr firmly shaking the hand of his father-in-law and in line with Amrod's wishes, speaking only Sindarian. Yet, where was the bride? It was a question that seemed to be in all of the visitor's eyes as they were invited to sit, though no one voiced it. They moved towards some couches around a grand oak table, with single seaters on the north and south edges while couches fitting three were on the east and western side of the table. Sakalkhr was made to sit in the north chair while Amrod sat on his right and Orod on his left. Their respective families filled the seats beyond, with the daughters in the middle and wives on the far end. The southern seat was left open for Mriel. Perhaps she fled , Sakalkhr thought with some hope, though despair still held sway within his heart. Drinks and nourishment were provided for them while they each made small talk with each other. Amrod and Orod of course were in their own world while Sakalkhr sat patiently between them, listening to their talk with scant attention. The ladies spoke of the garden and how wonderful it was. Time seemed to drag on forever for Sakalkhr, feeling out of place with his military tunic while everyone else wore such fanciful and exquisite clothing.