Sceptre in a Bottle, by Kaylee Arafinwiel

[kayleearafinwiel]

B2MeM Prompt, Card and Number: O68 Echoes in the Water, First Lines, Economy, Crack Pairings Femslash, Artifacts and Weapons, Art Supplies, Numenor, Women of the Silmarillion

Format: ficlet

Genre: femslash, mystery

Rating: PG

Warnings: relationship kind of in the closet

Characters: Lothiriel, OCs

Pairings: Elwing/Gilmith (if not quite the crack pairing the card had in mind)

Creator’s Notes (optional): yeah Lothiriel’s very sheltered here, and if I remember right still a teenager during the War of the Ring. She’s got no idea what’s going on, with all those protective big brothers to keep her innocent.

Summary: While the men of Dol Amroth fight for the Free Peoples on the Pelennor, a mystery unfolds at home.

One midwinter day off the coast of Dol Amroth, the crew spotted a bottle with a note in it. The Earrame was only a fishing boat, really, and not a big one - only Elwing and Gilmith were aboard. The majority of Dol Amroth’s menfolk were away, fighting under Prince Imrahil’s banner - so it was to the Princess Lothiriel that they brought their find.

“What is this?” Imrahil’s daughter examined the bottle closely, and with great interest - as much interest as the two fishwives showed in it. “Is it a letter, or something more?” She questioned Elwing and Gilmith closely, about who they were, where they had found it, and so forth, and they answered as best they could.

Vanimelde, the wine-steward’s wife, going to fetch a bottle, paused as she spotted the proceedings. “Highness, if I may?”

“Hmm...oh, of course,” Lothiriel said. Carefully, Vanimelde worked the cork free, and Silmiel, one of the chief archivists, removed the rolled up canvas just as carefully. When they realised what it was, all five women exchanged excited looks.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Sea had spoiled it,” Silmiel grumbled, as she led them back to the Great Archive for a proper viewing.

“The Lady willing, all will be well,” Lothiriel murmured, and they exchanged nods. When it was safe, Lothiriel unrolled the canvas with Silmiel, the other three watching closely. Elwing and Gilmith, holding hands tightly, were practically dancing with excitement.

“Behold!” Silmiel said reverently, “the Sceptre of Numenor, of old lost with her drowning. See how it has been rendered here faithfully, in the hands of Tar-Miriel the Last!”

“I see it,” Vanimelde murmured. “But rendered by whom, and how came it here?”

“As to whom, I could not say. But it was brought by these two sisters, Mistress Elwing and Mistress Gilmith,” Lothiriel said. “Or sisters-in-law?”

“Our brothers have followed your father and brothers to war,” Elwing said for them both as Gilmith bristled. She gave Gilmith’s hand a quelling squeeze.

If Lothiriel noticed it was a non-answer, she didn’t comment. “Then may they all return safely, and see this with their own eyes.”

“May it be so,” the women murmured together.

Comments

[erulissedances]

Nice, evasive answer the fisherwomen gave - LOL.

I would have thought the sceptre would weigh too much to be floating. Perhaps they spotted it as an unusual item resting along the tide line on the shore? Just my brain overthinking things as usual. But weight aside, it's a charming story from a location that doesn't get enough credit or wordage. I adore Dol Amroth.

- Erulisse (one L)

[kayleearafinwiel]

Maybe I wasn't writing too coherently! I didn't mean they discovered the actual sceptre itself, but artwork of it being held by Tar-Miriel on the rolled up canvas inside the bottle.

Perhaps one day the Sceptre indeed might be recovered, though, who knows?

I'm glad you liked the fisherwomen's evasive answer, lol!

[erulissedances]

Ah, I'm sure you were coherent, it's just been one of those days. It would be an excellent challenge for the smiths though, wouldn't it?

- Erulisse (one L)

[kayleearafinwiel]

It really would!