"Ready?" I was dressed in a nice emerald-green dress. My curls were fanned out and combed down. I wore Amil's mithril circlet and an emerald-leaf belt. My sapphire bracelet glittered as I took Nityo's hand and we skipped on the stage. behind us Telu "stalked" us, hiding behind "trees" and bushes. Running, and "crying" for my character. Telpe sullenly pouted at the edge of the stage.
"Why didn't I get a role?" He demanded. "I thought you were the best musician among us!" Telu exclaimed. "You actually wanted to play."
Telpe, my cousin sulked. Artanis, my father's cousin- and my mother's- clapped her hands. "No more talking! We have this last rehearsal, then we're live!"
We moved back in position. "Quick!" I exclaimed. "Before we're caught by anyone of them!"
"Let's move for the cave!" Nityo suggested. We hid in the "cave" made from paper. Shortly after, Telu arrived on stage. "Oh why, oh why did she run away from me?" He wailed. We stifled a snigger.
"Now only the golden-haired beast stalks and wants me. Why can it not be her? He moaned to the sky. Then freezing, he jumps and runs off. Maltariel runs forward.
"Oh I am so ugly that even wolves, sloths and slugs shall run from me!" She wept. "He wants the maiden of blazing beauty that he ignores her real love and runs away from his own!" She also ran off.
The last rehearsal went well. Ambarussa- Nityo and Telu- my father's youngest twin brothers hopped down from the stage. Maltariel and I had to support each other, holding our skirts. Telpe had a harp and flute on his lap. Artanis smiled. "Well done melloneamin!" She exclaims.
Maltariel and I smiled. She was a Vanyarin princess, Ingwe's youngest grandchild and born a few months older than me. We had decided to do a play during the Festival of the Trees of Light in Valmar, the story was about a young hunter and a maiden of Blazing Beauty- played by Nityo and me, who fell in love. But they had to run away as the hunter's brother- played by Telu- loved the maiden. In turn, he was loved by a maiden of Gold- Maltariel. Those lovelorn vowed to make sorry those who were loved and chased their loved ones all around Valinor. It was designed to make people laugh. Halfway Lord Orome the Vala and his steed Nahar arrive and at the end- to make things right.
Just then, family members arrived. I ran and laughing, my father scooped me up and swung me into the air. Then I hugged my grandparents, Finwe, my forefather, my uncles- and pretty much everyone. I happily explained our rehearsal. Finwe laughed and stroked my hair, "Well Little One, it seems we will have a great time laughing tonight." He smiled kindly. "She's a talented one Estela." he murmured to my grandfather, takes after you in that sense, and your mother. But she looks like the two of you- and her father- as well as her mother fused."
Feanaro smiled. "Yes," he said proudly. "And she's the most talented of all my grandchildren." I saw Telpe scowled at that mention. "And she'll grow to become the most beautiful elleth." They laughed, but I noticed when I ran to Indis- Finwe's wife- and was hugged, my grandfather's face darkened and he looked as if he would snatch me away from her. Why did he hate his own mother so?
I asked Ambarussa. They blinked. "Queen Indis isn't Atar's mother," Telu pointed out. "She's his stepmother." I was puzzled. I asked what that meant. "Who's my foremother then?" I asked.
"Queen Miriel." They both replied. I was confused. we had no queen named Miriel. They explained-
"She was King Finwe's wife, and a skilled weaver, like you. She died bearing Atar. She was really exhausted, bearing him took too much energy. After she died, Finwe married Ingwe's niece, Indis." I gasped. "People can't marry twice!" I exclaimed. But Finwe was given permission by the pitying Valar. Indis became mother to four more children- Uncles Nolofinwe and Arafinwe and Aunts Findis and Lalwen. "But what did grandfather say?" I pestered.
Before they could answer a group of maiar arrived. One of them was dark with a chiselled lean face. Glossy, sleek black hair hung to his lean waist. His mouth was twisted angrily. Another was hurrying in his stride. He had long fair hair hanging to his shoulders and a lean face too. Three more walked behind him. One had long, brighter golden hair, the other two were silver-haired, male and female.
"-couldn't even do things right!" The dark one declared angrily.
"Mairon." The second golden one warned. "They did their best. You can't blame them if they didn't succeed to your plans. It was too ambitious."
"It was perfect!" Mairon exclaimed. "Until they ruined it."
"Olorin." The first golden one said. "Mairon is right. A simple request for perfect performance, and they spoil it." He clucked sympathetically to Mairon.
Olorin sighed. The other two looked grim.
Then they turned towards us.
"Ah!" Olorin exclaimed. "King Finwe's grandchildren!" "Great-grandchild for me actually sir," I admitted while we bowed and curtseyed. Olorin shook his head "No need to bow at us young royals. What are you up to on this fair day?" I smiled, liking him. "We were rehearsing our play for tonight's festival." "Oh, a play." He smiled. "Well I look forward to seeing it. Is it funny?" I nodded eagerly.
He chuckled. "Then you shall see me in the audience. I hope you'll like my fireworks."
Nityo's eyes widened. "You're the one who makes the fireworks? They're awesome!" He exclaimed.
Olorin laughed kindly. The first golden one sighed. "Fireworks, Olorin? We set up a wonderful performance as Maiar, and all you can think about is your fireworks?" "Ignore Curumo." Olorin said. "He and Mairon are in a terrible mood this evening." "Am Not!" Mairon shouted. The silver-haired ones sighed. "But Ilwion and Alarcaniel seem pleasant today. Although I say, anyone can be sour listening to those two." Olorin said.
"You would be sour too if you worked harder than most to set things up correctly," Mairon grumped. "Then have your plans spoiled by various incidents that require a great deal of sorting."
Olorin, Ilwion and Alarcaniel sighed.
The evening went well. The performance was enjoyed by everyone. Tears were rolling down their faces from laughter. But not everything was well in the City of Valmar.
Top: Miriel Serinde, Finwe's first wife and Feanaro's mother. Her hair was supposed to be silver. Above: Indis "The Fair", Finwe's second wife. Right: Olorin, before he became Gandalf on Middle-Earth.
