Refuge of Glass (January 3010) - [Finlach]

Very quickly he realised his error as she tried to sound out and piece together what he had said. He mentally cursed himself for not writing it down for her. Still, she did a great job of working out his meaning.


”You want to take me to Dol Amroth?”

“Yes.” Fin replied earnestly, with a twinge if hope she would never hear. “If you would like to.” He added, not wanting her to feel pressured or cornered. After all, he was trying to rescue her from a situation she wasn’t happy with, not place her squarely into another one. She blushed lightly again and he worried that Niffy didn’t want to go with him. Yet, for her sake, he wouldn’t look too despondent, because he had no desire to guilt her into anything.

”I will need to ask Father,”

He nodded, it would be up to him whether she went or not, regardless of her wishes. It crossed his mind that he ought to be there with her when she asked, to mitigate his worries and promise to protect his eldest daughter if she was given permission to travel with him. Though, he wouldn’t lie and say the prospect of asking him made him feel nervous.

”Would it just be us?”

Thy stalled him momentarily. His plan had been for the two of them to go.

“Uhmmm.” Fin mumbled, now less convinced of his idea. What if she didn’t want to go alone with him? That would make him no better than the solider!

“Not if you don’t want it to be.” He suggested. His grandfather would likely go along too, if he asked him. It might be more modest and sensible if he did that, especially to protect Niffy and make her comfortable. He reached over and scrawled something else on the note he’d made before.

I could come with you to ask your father’s permission.

Fin pushed the note back to her, shuffling his feet. If she was willing, he would do his best to persuade the man. He glanced at her and smiled sheepishly, a glint in his eye that looked very much like excitement, that overwhelmed his nerves.

“I would like to go, I’ve heard the sea is beautiful…”

Fin couldn't contain the broad grin that spread across his face as she spoke. She actually wanted to go with him, and he was sure to show her the sea. They could even paddle in the waves, he knew a quiet little place where they wouldn't be disturbed. He bowed his head, already planning the route, the tavern they could stop for food, a meadow they could pause at, that was beautiful, in that it was bordered by spring flowers, and if they took some victuals, and the weather was clement, they could sit there and eat.

His heart was allowed to soar, when he saw her face light up. She genuinely seemed content with the suggestion, as she looked up from reading the note, smiling.

“I would like that. I’m sure Father would prefer to talk to you about it anyway.”

He nodded, still smiling, even though the thought of talking to her father about this was intimidating, it couldn't now dampen his mood. He'd travelled the road many times, always picking the safest route, even if it took him longer than necessary. He knew the men who ran the taverns on the way, and he was in no way concerned about the journey. Only that he hoped Niffy would not come to be irritated by his company.

“…You mean it? You are all right with me coming?”

"Absolutely." He said, replying to both questions. Fin couldn't be more elated, because whilst the errand was a dull one, there were plenty of things to see on the journey there, and plenty of things to see in Dol Amroth. It pleased him greatly that he could be the one to show Niffy around, and introduce her to things she had heard of, and read about, bringing them to life for her. He stretched across, jotting something else on the paper.

We can speak to your father once I have locked up the shop for the day.

Despite his excitement, and his grandfather leaving unexpectedly, Fin was under no illusions that if he shut up shop now, and Beorhtmund came back and caught him, he'd be for the high jump and no mistake. It would only be for a couple more hours that they were delayed for, but even that did not seem so great a thing now he knew for a certainty that Niffy was very open and receptive to the idea of travelling with him. And it got her away from that dreadful soldier that had been hounding her.

And all of a sudden they were both smiling, and blushing, acting like dizzy teenagers falling in love for the first time. He grinned, shying away for a second, conscious of betraying how happy this made him. After a moment to compose himself, he looked back to Niffy.

"Perfect!" He said, the grin reappearing on his features, and he wiped his mouth with the palm of his hand, as if he could wipe off the smile that wouldn't abate. His eyes travelled from her to her work, and he straightened up, gesturing his hand to her work.

"I should leave you to your... tailoring." He said, slightly hesitant as he knew not the first thing about making clothes. Having said that though, he didn't actually move back to the furnace, it was as if he was glued to the spot, or more precisely, didn't now want to be out of her company.

It was decided then, they would approach her father once they had both finished their respective business, and even though he was nervous, it could not dampen his spirits. Fin could not conceive of a reason why her father should refuse his permission.

“I just need to finish these measurement conversions,”

"Yes. Of course." Fin replied, watching her for a fleeting few moments. Then he went back to his work, with an understated spring in his step. He thought of the journey to Dol Amroth, and the scenery he'd get to show her, and the places they could stop, and even so far as to show her the coast by sunset. Even if she could not hear the birds sing their spring songs, there was so much to see and take in. He hoped the weather would hold out, it was possible to keep her warm should there be a chill in the air, but should it rain, that would hamper their enjoyment for trying to keep dry. Fin wouldn't risk her getting sick again. Should the weather not hold up, then there was always the return journey, he consoled himself with that.

However, his mind strayed to the reason he had proposed this trip. The soldier. Why had it taken her reticence to accompany the man alone been the motivation to make the suggestion? He cursed himself for not having asked her sooner to journey with him before. Then he pondered on whether her rejection would be enough to deter the man, was it not typical for women to play hard to get toward a prospective suitor. If the mystery soldier thought in this vein, he may make more advancements toward her. And should she accept, then what? Niphredil may develop a fondness for him. Fin nearly cracked the fluted wine glass he was making when he considered that.

Nor were his quivering hands helped when Beorhtmund returned. The old man seem surprised to still see Niffy within the shop, but he did not comment on it. He went about his business, seeing to the odd customer that entered the shop, and then balancing the finance books.

The end of the working day came around quicker than he could credit. Upon the cooling stone slab were an assortment of fluted glasses, steins, vases, jugs, rose bowls and a medley of glass beads made from scrag ends of glass. He turned around, leaning against the counter top, regarding Niffy whilst she was bent over her work, taking in the rich brunette of her hair, the way loose strands framed her face, and the locks behind her ear curled toward her cheek, rich and creamy in its complexion. From this angle, her eyes were impossible to see, but he knew their liveliness, and the way light danced from her bright hues. The curve of her lips when she smiled, the softness of her brow.

Swiftly he realised he was staring, and he dropped his gaze, a timid smile on his face. It didn't matter then, that Niffy would find and marry a man far more grand than him. She would always play an integral part in his life, forever being a close friend, sister even. And he would devote himself to her health, and happiness, protecting her like a brother, and cheering her whenever he saw her feeling blue, or catching her lips down turned. That would be enough for him.

Then Beorhtmund appeared from the back of the shop, and hastily Fin pushed himself from the stone slab, he approached the work bench, going about tidying up after himself. Smoting the furnace, and preparing for the following day. Nerves and excitement allowed him to work more rapid than usual.

"Grandfather." Fin called to the old man, who looked over at the summons. "I need to take Niphredil back to her shop." The old man said nothing, regarding Fin with an expectant air, for her sensed there was more than just the polite gesture going on. "I also wish to ask her father if he would consent to Fred- Niffy coming with me..."

"Indeed?" The old man replied, crossing his arms, and Fin's cheeks coloured instantly. He averted his gaze, swallowing hard before looking back up. "Well get on with you both, I'll finish up here."

Fin opened his mouth to protest, Beorhtmund held up a hand and cut him off, before he could splutter a single word. "Go on. I'm sure her family shall wonder where she has gotten to." He cajoled, and Fin nodded, grinning as he moved back to Niffy. For a split second feeling guilty that she hadn't heard a single word, nor knew they had been talking about her. He clenched his teeth for a second, before regaining his resolve, and standing near her elbow.

"Ready?" He asked, once he had her attention.

The closer they got to the shop, his hands got sweatier and clammier. It had been a while since he had gone to the tailor's shop, and not in the best of circumstances. Today, though, was a brighter day, and a happier errand.

“Ah, Niffy, Fin! Haven’t seen you here in a while, not since—“

Instinctively his lips parted to say something, then closed and he bowed his head, a look of consternation upon his face. He knew it wasn't meant to be a criticism or slight, but it left him wondering if he should have visited before now.

“Father,”

"No... It's good to see you again, Mr Tailor." Fin looked up, briefly, an awkward smile curling the corners of his lips. There ought to be no reason for this family to feel embarrassed on his account, not when they had suffered enough already.

“Come in, Fin! Please.”

"Thank you." He'd been dithering on the threshold to the shop, and finally took that decisive step in, closing the door behind him, befor turning around and seeing Niffy approaching her father with the pouch of beads he had manufactured for their order. Thankfully, Niffy, somehow ever bright spirited, leapt into the fray, albeit unknowingly, and diffused the atmosphere she was blind to... Well deaf, technically.

“He finished the beads. They’re beautiful.”

For a split second, as Niffy showed off the beads, he wondered if she even knew how brave she was. There were so many who would've cloistered themselves in their homes, becoming recluses had they the same malady or affliction as Niffy. And yet, here she was, continuing to support her family, and even daring an adventure out of town with him... Should Lathron consent.

“I wouldn’t doubt it. You never disappoint, Fin,”

"Thank you." He said, again, his cheeks colouring a modest pink, though he hadn't noticed he was repeating himself. Nerves had a funny way of affecting Fin, and whilst they effused compliments over his work, he was trying to plan exactly what he would say to Lathron by means of asking permission for Niffy to take a few days absence to join him in Dol Amroth.

“Look at this, girls!”

The sisters moved over to the table to inspect his creations, which seem to inspire awe and admiration in others, though he didn't see what was so special to earn such enthusiasm.

“Oh! Fin, they’re so pretty!”

She looked up at him, and he grinned back at her.

"Why, thank you, Rovain. I always value you're good opinion." Fin really wasn't aware of how many times he had said the words 'thank you' in the last few minutes, until that final time. His ears felt hot all of a sudden, as did his cheeks. It wouldn't do to keep saying the same two words over and over, and be thought of as a simpleton. To impress her father, to gain his trust, he would have to be seen as a competent young man. Fin swallowed hard, lifting his chin, and doing his best to adopt the posture of a trustworthy gent.

"Actually, sir, I had something to ask of you." Fin began, stepping from the girls, toward Lathron. He came to a stop as a reasonable distance, and had to fight to stand still, and not wring his hands. He wetted his lips with his tongue, and made eye contact, holding it longer than he ever had before, which inevitably ended by him glancing over Lathron's shoulder.

"I uhm, I wondered if you... If it would be possible for you to spare Niffy...Phredil. It'd only be for a couple of days next week. But I did require... want, your permission to, uhm, ask if she could be allowed a couple of days, with me." Fin's mouth abruptly went dry, and he covered his mouth with a fist and coughed, before dropping it and trying again. At this point he didn't even dare to look at Lathron. All the mental rehearsal of what he would ask had unravelled as soon as he had tried to give breath to the words.

"You see, I have a delivery to make to Dol Amroth, sir, and if you agree, and she is agreeing, that she could come with me. If it pleases you? And her, of course, her." All this he said with such speed, there was no time to draw breath, let alone allow any between words. Once he had finished, he inhaled a deep breath, a light frown had appeared on his face as he chanced a look at Lathron, whilst trying to wear a most reassuring expression, that made him look more than a little anxious.