The Small and Secret Things by Dawn Felagund

Evening in Alqualondë

The betrothal of Arafinwë and Eärwen. I tried here to capture the languor of Alqualondë in contrast to Arafinwë's restless anxiety at waiting for Eärwen's reply. This was tough ... in just 100 words!

Evening in Alqualondë
It was evening in Alqualondë, the city of perpetual gloaming at a time where the mist rolled off of the sea and smeared halos about the lamps. All was silent but for the distant notes of a harp, muted in heavy air.

But for my heart, pattering too-quick in my chest.

My hand extended, fingers pinching the silver betrothal ring tightly so that they would not quiver. Jaw clenched against a shy, hopeful smile.

It was evening in Alqualondë, when a second held a thousand heartbeats and felt as long as an age of the world.

Until she said yes.

Chapter End Notes

Today's word:

languid LANG-gwid, adjective:

1. Drooping or flagging from or as if from exhaustion; weak; weary; heavy.
2. Promoting or indicating weakness or heaviness.
3. Slow; lacking vigor or force.

Languid comes from Latin languere, "to become faint or weak; to droop; to be inactive."