Episode 18 What Are You Wearing?
What Are You Wearing?
Earlier that morning...
Elowyn wakes with the sun, a grin slipping across her lips as she stretches beneath the luxurious linens on the scrumptiously soft bed.
This is her bed now. Her home. A niggle of sadness filters into her mood at the thought of everything—and everyone—she’s leaving behind.
Her family, mostly. But she’s known all her life this day would come. This is what she was born for—to stand by the side of the future King of Nunia and ensure long-lasting peace between their kingdoms.
She stays here with Rominy so the people she loves won’t have to fight and perhaps die because of differences they could work to understand rather than fear.
And apparently, Rominy would face a dragon for her, so how bad could it be? She bites her lip at the memory of their conversation last night in his room.
On his bed.
What was she thinking, barging in uninvited like that?
Of course, she had just watched him die. Anyone would be thinking less clearly if a dragon killed their binding partner on their binding night.
Elowyn can scarcely contain her laughter at the absurdity of it all.
With a sigh, she pushes back the covers. She should probably get up so she can see her family before they depart—not that they’d leave without saying goodbye.
She eyes the water closet longingly, but there’s no time for a shower if she’s reading the contraption on her bedside table correctly.
She’s used to the water clocks they have at home, but this device seems to be powered by winding the gears with a little turnkey on the back.
She’ll have to ask Rominy how it works later.
First, clothes, though. She doesn’t even attempt to hold back her smile as she throws open the door to their closet.
To her surprise, Rominy stands there with a shirt in his hand, and she tries not to gawk at his bare chest. Not that she wasn’t running her hands all over him last night looking for wounded flesh.
Whistling wind, she should have knocked before she flung open the door.
“Elowyn.” Rominy quickly slips the shirt over his head. His heart is pounding again.
“Sorry. I should have knocked. Did you sleep well?”
He clears his throat, and the pink on his cheeks doesn’t escape her notice.
“More or less. I’ve never been killed by a dragon before. It was unsettling, to say the least.”
That’s quite an understatement.
“It was an unsettling thing to observe.” Elowyn turns to the gowns hanging beside her. “Which one should I wear first?”
“You’re asking me?” His voice comes out hoarse again, and Elowyn tries her hardest not to laugh.
“Who else would I ask? Do you know how it all goes together?” She fingers a satin gown as her forehead wrinkles.
“I have no idea.”
After a moment of thought, she holds up two of the gowns. A shimmery, light blue satin and a dark red one that’s almost crinkly and yet smooth. “Which one?”
Rominy looks like a deer blinded by an orb light as he stares at her, but Elowyn patiently waits for him to speak.
“You want me to choose?”
“You’re my binding partner. My husband. Your opinion matters most, I think. Doesn’t it?”
Surely he finds her at least a little attractive. He’s sent her a few admiring looks since they met. Or that’s how she interpreted his expressions.
Perhaps she was mistaken. The thought gnaws at her, but she pushes it aside. They just met. With time—
“The blue one. It...looks nice with your hair.” He studies his fingernails after he says it.
A warmth spreads within her chest at his words, and she nods. “I like the blue one, too. Now for the rest.”
She hands the gown to Rominy, and that blinded doe expression finds his face again.
After returning the red dress to the rack, she peers inside drawers and thumbs through hangers.
When she pulls out a stiff garment that seems designed for no other purpose than to cage its prisoner, Rominy lets out a strangled sound. “I’m not sure—”
“What the purpose of this is?” she finishes for him.
“Not sure I should be here. Those are...stays.”
“Stays?”
“They go around your...around you and...hold you in or something.”
She turns bewildered eyes toward him. “Hold me in where?”
“The dress? I don’t know. Seems awfully uncomfortable to me, but I don’t make the rules.”
“I’ll try anything once, but this seems like an odd thing to wear willingly.” With a shrug, she keeps perusing the drawer of undergarments.
“A maid. That’s what...I should...I’ll ring for one.” Without another word, Rominy shoots toward the door before turning back to hand her the gown. Then he’s gone.
She scared him off again. With a huff, she blows the strands of silver hair from her face and sits on the upholstered bench in the middle of the room to await the maid.
Elowyn had no idea the effort it would take just to get dressed. Stockings and shifts and stays, not to mention petticoats and whatever odd pants she’s wearing.
To think she imagined she could manage alone if Rominy told her what she needed. He was probably being truthful when he claimed not to know. She’s not even sure what all she’s wearing.
But the dress twirls in the most enchanting way, and Rominy’s eyes widened when he first saw her. The blue does complement her hair.
Appropriately attired, they race through the corridor toward the guest wing. It’s well past eight—surely her family didn’t leave without saying goodbye. It’s odd that no one came to fetch her.
As they turn the last corner, relief fills Elowyn at the sight of her family standing outside Cerian’s chamber.
Elowyn catches the tail end of Rominy’s apology as he nearly blurts out that she had trouble getting dressed, and she quickly covers for him. “It was quite the adventure.”
Is Arisanna wearing Cerian’s clothes? They look like they just woke up. And not in his chamber, if their arms full of blankets are any indication. A smile grows on Elowyn’s face at the thought. Is Cerian going on adventures with his human princess already? That bodes well for their future.
“It seems we aren’t the only ones running late,” Elowyn says.
“Stars above, Sanna.” Rominy’s brows draw together as he looks his sister over. “What are you wearing?”
Arisanna’s eyes slide closed, and Elowyn struggles not to laugh at her new sister’s expression of long-suffering. “Something warm. We went stargazing and overslept.”
Rominy doesn’t seem to know what to make of that, and Arisanna’s mother ushers her into Cerian’s room before Rominy manages a response.
How intriguing, though. The castle has a telescope, doesn’t it? Did Arisanna show it to Cerian? No wonder he seems happy. Well, happy for Cerian. He’s not scowling, in any case.
Maybe Rominy will take her stargazing soon.
“Look at you,” Tharios says as he takes in Elowyn’s gown.
“What do you think?” Elowyn twirls, and Tharios laughs.
“You look lovely,” Mother says softly, and Elowyn can barely mask her shock at her mother’s improved appearance. Even Rominy is struggling not to stare.
“Thank you,” Elowyn says. “You seem so strong.”
“I feel my health returning, though it may take time for me to regain my full strength. Your father has been helping me.”
Elowyn smiles at the expression on Mother’s face. That’s the look she saves for Pera. The one full of love and devotion and longing.
Will Elowyn gaze at Rominy like that someday?
Mother drapes her arm around Elowyn’s shoulders and gently draws her away from the others. “How was your night? You and Prince Rominy seem to be getting along.”
Elowyn glances back at Rominy in time to catch him watching her before he turns away.
“We visited the heartlanding again.”
Everything Elowyn attempts to say lodges in her throat, but she eventually manages, “Rominy is quite heroic. I wish I could say more.”
“It is a place meant only for you and him. Cherish that, my darling.”
Elowyn nods.
“Do you feel safe here? Your father doesn’t show it, but he worries about leaving you behind with people we know so little, though I have complete faith in your ability to protect yourself.”
“After...last night, I have no doubt I am safe with Rominy. At least as far as it’s within his power to protect me.” She watches Rominy as he speaks with Pera. What are they saying? Not even her elf ears can make out Pera’s words.
Mother follows her gaze. “Don’t worry. Your father won’t embarrass you. I wrested a promise from him last night.”
Elowyn chuckles at that. Mother probably smiled as she threatened to douse Pera with her water magic, much to his amusement.
“Your father has discussed setting up a mail exchange between our kingdoms. Soon, we may be able to send letters to you. I hope you’ll write.
And visit, though your father plans to travel as soon as Princess Arisanna is settled.
It’s been many years since we last visited the far reaches of Lostariel. I’m eager to see the Outerlands again.”
Elowyn nods as the reality of their imminent separation settles into her heart.
Especially if Mother and Pera will be traveling.
Their own heartbinding prevented Pera from trekking far from Nunia since Mother couldn’t maintain the heartbinding between the four young ones from afar.
This must feel freeing to them both. And Elowyn is happy to see this burden lifted, from Mother, especially.
But she’ll miss them.
Mother turns Elowyn’s face toward her. “No matter what anyone says or does, remember that you are the daughter of the King and Queen of Lostariel. You are an elf, and you—”
“Are not ashamed.” Elowyn finishes the familiar phrase with a smile. “I know. I am who I am, and who I am is enough.”
Mother pulls her close, her embrace firmer than Elowyn has ever experienced it. It’s comforting.
Soon, Pera strides toward them, and Mother lets her go as he wraps his own arms around Elowyn. Few words are exchanged. Few words are needed.
“I love you,” Elowyn whispers.
“And I you, my elfling.”
Arisanna emerges from Cerian’s chamber in her own clothing, and Cerian gathers his belongings.
Rominy steps to Elowyn’s side, compassion in his eyes as he turns to Elowyn’s parents. “We’ll walk you to the station.”
To Elowyn’s surprise, Rominy offers her his hand as they make their way out of the castle, and she clings to it.
Soon, he’ll be her only lifeline in her new home.