The Silent Maiden - Elayne's Story

Aldarwen motions to the audience and says, "Now, participating for the Fest of Story-Tellers, we will listen to Attendant Elayne, from the Cuigrithweg". She bows her head to Elayne and returns to the corner of the stage, where she had been standing.

Terridan smiles widely as the elves finish, then looks over to Elayne as Aldarwen speaks, listening intentively.

Charmat perks, straightening to give the stage and her Healer her undivided attention.

As Aldarwen's words fill the theatre, Gilsadron comes along the path slowly; eyes aglimmer as he glances about the gathering of elves. A smile spreads across his face, slowly, as he rests his hands on his hips.

Rising from her seat near the fringe of the Theatre, Elayne glides softly towards the stage, a slightly nervous smile fixed on her lips. Turning to face the audience, she chooses simply to perch on the edge, sitting, legs crossed neatly one over the other.

Althea steps into the crowd making her way toward Aldarwen

Ithilhin smiles, glancing at Elayne. Stretching a moment and listening to Aldarwen speak, he then stares attentively at Elayne. Smiling reassuringly, he listens for the story to begin.

Earsul looks up more attentively now, and sits up a touch, not wanting to miss any of her tale.

Althea leans into whisper to Alderwen, "do you have enough judges for this contest?"

Miriamele slips into the theatre, spotting Terridan she slips through the other elves and sits beside him quietly.

The nervousness melts from the maiden's features as her voice fills the theatre, soft and yet somehow clear. It carries through the air with an almost musical quality, difficult to tell whether she is singing, or whether or not she is even using words. Her voice paints the picture of nighttime in a wooded vale. Through the night walks a maiden of delicate beauty. Her hair is long and golden, a dress of midnight blue clinging to her as if made of liquid. In her eyes catches the light of the stars, and dainty slippers make no sound as she treds.

Terridan smiles widely as Miriamele approaches, wrapping an arm around her as she sits down, giving her a gentle kiss as he does, "Hello, my love."

Aldarwen leans towards Althea and says in a whisper, not taking her eyes from Elayne, "Would you like to act as a judge? It would be great to have you as one".

Miriamele grins and then looks at the elf who is singing and then smiles at Terridan, returning the gentle kiss.. a nervous anxiousness in her own face..

Althea nods, saying quietly "of course".

Terridan whispers softly to Miriamele, "It is Elayne, she is preparing to tell her story."

Althea turns to face the stage listening closely to Elayne

Miriamele smiles again and nods, finally getting a good look

The slightest of wavers in Elayne's voice, indicating something is amiss with this beautiful maiden who wanders alone through the night air. Her steps quicken, almost paniclike, looking about her with a frantic air. She is lost, and beginning to despair. Wandering, deeper and deeper into the wood, the maiden finds herself finally at a small pool, a reflection pool of the stars, water shimmering in the pale moonlight that bathes the ground below with it's soft glow. She falls to her knees by the pool, head buried in her hands as she begins to cry.

Miriamele almost has tears in her eyes at the song, she bites her lips and is still listening

Slowly standing, listening intently to the song, Ithilhin's feet slowly take him to the archway, where he stands just beyond it a moment before departing.

Terridan holds Miriamele tightly to him, his own eyes beginning to glisten softly in the light.

Miriamele seeks out Terridan's hand, resting her head and listening intently to the beautifully touching music.

Althea leans forward to better hear Elaynes story/song. A look of sadness passes over her face as the maiden weeps

But soft, a new presence enters the glade around the pool. A watcher, gazing in silence upon the maiden who cries by the pool. Stepping into the light, he is revealed, an elf clad all in gray, blending into the night. He is captivated by her beauty, a look of breathless delight upon his features as he approaches, soundless. Kneeling by her side, he places a gentle hand upon her arm, his words seeking the answer to her troubles.

Terridan grips Miriamele's hand, looking down at her for a moment, smiling warmly to her, his eyes now glistening obviously in the light; he then looks back towards the stage slowly, listening intently to Elayne's story.

The maiden's wide eyes gaze upon the elf before her with an awesome wonderment. She is confused, frightened by his word, in a strange tongue so foreign to her. So she speaks not, though she too is captivated by this presense before her, a mixture of bewilderment and fear on her pale features. Sensing that the maiden does not understand, the elf rises, extending his hand in a graceful gesture for her to take it, and aids her to rise. She does so, and follows him meekly through the wood, disappearing deeper and deeper into it's depths.

Miriamele leans over and kisses Terridan on the cheek before standing and slipping away, she waves and blows a kiss toward Althea and Aldarwen and then departs quietly.

Terridan watches Miriamele depart, then turns back to the stage slowly.

Charmat watches on with a wistful dreamlike quality to her expression.

The two travel to the elven city, high amongst the trees. Strangely, as they traverse amidst the other elves, there is an odd sort of reverence for the one who leads the maiden, though they gaze on her with suspicious eyes. Coming to a tall tree in the center of the city, the elf leads her high amonst the branches, she following in still bewildered silence. They come into the presence of a stately looking woman, a stern and regal beauty hangs about her like a cloak.

Althea cocks her head listening closely as the story continues

Erinstar steps off from the courtyard, slipping along quietly on the lawn towards the front, weaving his way towards Althea.

Terridan listens intently to the story, he sits forward in his chair even more as Elayne continues.

The elf and the regal woman exchange words, and it is quickly obvious that the woman is angry. Approaching the maiden, the queen's eyes reflect a molten anger at her presence. The maiden becomes increasingly frightened, backing up until she is unable to move further, progress inhibited by the trunk of the great tree in whose branches she stands. Only the careful pleading of the elf, now revealed as a Prince, the queen's son, keeps the queen from harming her. With a look of distaste she orders the Prince to make her a servant. She cannot leave, having been shown the way to the city. The Prince agrees, with an air of sadness. But he is gentle to the maiden, leading her away, he speaks in a gentle voice that comforts her, despite her not understanding.

Charmat is deeply enraptured by the story, chin cast foward as her head tilts in a fashion that she can hear above the murmuring masses.

Althea leans forward again cought up in the story

Erana takes several cardamom cookies off the top plate of the goodie tray.

Gilsadron leans back against one of the trees, entranced possibly more by the elf who's voice carries the story than the story itself.

Zax listens quietly, without saying a sole word... As a single tear rolls down his cheek, he quickly wipes it with the back of his hand...

Tulgalad on the edge of his seat chin resting in his hands, gives the stage all of his attention

Gallia's lavendar eyes are afixed on the storyteller, as she lingers toward the back of the crowd, entranced by the story.

Erana quietly munches on some cardamoms, trying not to disturb the storyteller. Terridan wipes his own eyes quickly, then looks back to the stage, giving Elayne his full attention.

Elayne's words spin the passing of months, and even years, as the maiden lives in the village. She is a servant of the people, and they do not speak to her, though only the Queen is truly unkind. Eventually, she learns to understand the language, though she speaks to no one, still afraid. Her only joy is found when she is allowed to walk alone in the wooded paths of the city. Here she sings, in the songs of the elves, and only here can she express her lonliness, and the sadness of her heart. And it is hear where the Prince again finds her one day, and is again captived, this time by the beauty of her voice.

Earsul leans once more back in his seat, and his eyes half close as he listens, enthralled.

Althea's face shows sympathy for the lonely maiden

Erinstar crouches down beside Althea's seat, glancing around as the crowd of elves with their eyes plastered upon Elayne as he murmursto her, "You'd think it was a hypnotizing act. I fear I have missed something great indeed. Sorry for being late dearest... Where's the food?"

Althea blinks slightly and grins at Erin, giving him a quick hug before pointing out the cake table "bring some back for me would you love?

Erana fumbles around for a lemon square, not daring to take her eyes off of Elayne.

Erana quickly gobbles down a lemon square.

Crossing to the maiden, the Prince falls to one knee before her, professing his love with an eloquen simplicity that brings tears to her eyes. She too, sinks to her knees, touching his cheek with a sort of quiet awe as the gathered tears spill from the deep blue pools of her irises.

Althea smiles softly as the two decalre their love for one another, throwing a glance at erin as she makes him way toward the food

Charmat shivers, goosebumps dappling her gentle skin. The story has swept her off into the world Elayne has painted, her mind drifting amongst the very trees of the treed city.

Earsul smiles as the maiden's fortunes take an upward turn, and puts his arm about his fiance's shoulders, drawing her close.

Calelia leans up against Earsul, engrossed in tale Elayne tells. She reaches for his hand.

Erinstar chuckles softly and nods before slipping through the masses once again, having to duck occasionally so as not to block the view with his considerable height. Upon reaching the table, he nudges Erana's hand towards the snack she seeks and finds a few for himself

She repeats his words, softly, her words causing a look of delight to infuse upon the face of the Prince, hearing her speak for the first time. Taking her hand, the Prince leads her back to the village, raising the eyes of the villagers. But they smile secretly to themselves, for inside they truly love the quiet maiden. He brings her before the Queen, whose eyes remain full of an unsettling hatred. But suprisingly, she agrees to let the pair wed, as long as they do so in a grand ceremony in the treetops, in sight of the whole village.

Erana smiles a little at Erinstar and munches on her lemon square.

Althea glances at Erin hoping that he remembers to bring her back some

Time passes more swifly now, the maidens lonliness fading from her eyes to be replaced by a quiet joy. The village flutters with preparations for the wedding, a grand affair, and at last the day arrives. The maiden is dressed in a gown of purest white, her hair shining like spun gold in the morning sunshine. Birds herald her as she stands by her Prince before the throne.

A brief look of longing passes though Althea's eyes, but is gone as quickly as it came

But something is again amiss. The Queen's eyes blaze as brightly as the first day the maiden came before her, and again she advances. The maiden shies away, in desperate fear, and her steps take her precariously close to the edge of the landing. In a single moment, the Queen shoves the maiden backwards, sending her falling to the forest floor below. The Prince cries out in anguish....

Charmat gasps, eyes casting wide in shock.

Terridan listens to Elayne tell her story, he sits fully forward in his seat, and his mouth falls open as he hears of the queens actions.

Erana's mouth opens wide and some lemon square drops out onto the floor. She does not notice it.

Calelia grips Earsul tightly in apprehension.

Zax is sitting on the edge of his seat, bitting his nails...

Althea gasps softly at the queens actions. She shakes her head in shock before refocusing on the song

Earsul lets out a short gasp, and pulls Calelia close.

Erinstar looks up suddenly, a cookie half-raised to his lips as he blinks a few times at this new twist in the tale. Apparently, he has just determined that this tale is not one of his own dear wood.

Tears pour unabashedly down Elayne's own cheeks as she finishes the story, speaking of how the Prince rushed to his maiden's side. Alas, it was too late, his bride lay broken and dying upon the forest floor. With all of her reamaining strength, she lifted a hand to stroke the Prince's cheek, her gentle whisper choeing the words, "I love you...." before falling silent evermore.

Terridan looks down towards his lap, his eyes pouring out tears slowly. Calelia briefly hides her eyes in Earsul's arms, clinging to her love.

Aldarwen lets tears fall from her green eyes as Elayne finishes the story.

Gallia appears a bit stricken by the end of the story, but nods slightly in approval of the skill of the storyteller.

With the softest of sighs, Elayne bows her head before the audience, removing herself from the stage and spotlight. She looks across the crowd, seeking someone....

Crystal droplets like jewels shimmer as they streak down Charmat's cheeks, puddling on the fabric of her dress. Lifting her hands, she cheers and applauds Elayne's ability. A strange mixture of emotion.

Earsul's eyes are not alone as they begin to glisten, and he does his best to comfort Calelia, although he himself appears less than composed. He manages to applaud Elayne as she leaves the stage, for her skill is obvious, and to be lauded.

Althea is distracted by a grumbling in her belly and cranes her neck to see what is taking Erinstar so long

Terridan joins Charmat in applauding for Elayne, though tears still fall from his eyes.

Erana closes her mouth and starts to applause. She spots the lemon square, picks it up, and eats it before anyone says anything.

Althea turns her eyes back to the stage and beings to clap obviously moved by the song.

Nodding once, softly, Gilsadron turns away as the Lady leaves the stage; slipping almost unseen into the woods.

Zax applauses loudly the storyteller, obviously trying to hide the flow of emotions inside him...

A soft blush graces Elayne's cheeks as she acknowledges the applause, though tear tracks still streak her features as well. She watches as Gilsadron departs, looking confused, then retakes her seat beneath the tree.