The Gown
"It’s not fair, Ada!"
Aragorn sighed as he looked at Arwen, his eyes pleading for help. A red faced Miriel stood in front of him with her fists balled up in the oppositional rage that only a teenager could display. The King’s second eldest daughter was dressed in a gown that her father clearly did not approve of. It was a rather popular style that originated from Harad. Aragorn cringed when he had overheard Arwen’s ladies discussing how it would be the new trend. The fads came and went, and were either adopted into the classic fashion of Gondor, or were quickly discarded. It was gown made of lightweight silk and had a waistline that fell directly underneath the bust. It would have been a lovely style had the v shaped necklines not plunged to the high waistline. The gowns had split sleeves that left the arms exposed as well.
Miriel had turned eighteen that winter. And although the weather was certainly warm enough for such a gown, Aragorn was not comfortable with the idea of his daughter showing off quite so much skin.
"Fair or not, you will not wear that thing to court!" Aragorn held his ground as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. He had faced far worse things in the wilds of world, and he certainly wouldn’t cave to an angry, underdressed, teenager.
"But Ada, all of the most fashionable ladies will be wearing it. I had the trim and the silk imported directly from Harad! You have no idea how much time I spent on the embroidery!"
Aragorn was not about to relent. "And if all the other ladies were going to jump off a cliff, would you do the same?"
Miriel bristled as she glowered in frustration. She knew her father was right, and she had nothing to rebuttal such a question. Instead the Princess turned on her heel and stormed from the room. Aragorn cringed as the door slammed shut in Miriel’s wake. The king sighed as he shook his head. He never remembered Elarinya being this difficult when it came to clothing. But then again, Elarinya never had that great of an interest in the latest fashions. She wore whatever Arwen had the dressmakers create for her. But Miriel was far more independent when it came to clothing. It was true; Miriel had become a trend setter among the royal court in recent years.
Miriel had other interests of course. She was a talented artist, and possessed the gift of being able to craft breathtakingly beautiful things with her hands. But Miriel also had a heart for the less fortunate, and often lent a hand wherever she saw the opportunity. But the Princess was far from perfect. She had a hot temper on the rare occasions her ire was raised, and she had a true weakness for all forms of fashion and jewelry. Most of the time, Miriel was cheerful and giving, but she was not immune to the occasional spell of selfishness or superficial thinking. Thankfully Miriel’s eagerness to please often kept such uncomely traits in check.
Arwen reached out to place a hand over Aragorn’s. He looked up to see his lady give him a reassuring smile. Although a lightly humored look was in her eyes.
"I think it might be best if I handle this from this point. I may have an idea about how to solve this dilemma."
Aragorn sighed with relief and nodded. He was more than grateful for Arwen’s calm and collected demeanor. He watched as his wife disappeared to her closet. She returned with a silk gown the shade of a rich amethyst. It was a dress Aragorn had not seen Arwen wearing yet, but something told him his wife had other intentions for it. Aragorn did not question Arwen as she placed the gown over the back of a chair as she gathered jewels that would suite the richly colored garment. The items were placed in a shiny lebethron box before Arwen gathered up the gown once more.
"I shall return shortly." Arwen murmured as she flashed her husband another radiant smile. Aragorn allowed himself a sigh of relief. If anyone could sort this, it was Arwen.
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Miriel looked up as she heard a soft knock upon the door. Arwen entered carrying the gown and the wooden box. Miriel had changed out of the offending gown and into an older summer weight dress. She sat at her vanity table, staring blankly into the mirror, as if she wasn’t really looking at her reflection in the first place. Arwen recognized the look of genuine of frustration upon her daughter’s face.
"Why does he have to be so hopelessly stubborn?"
Arwen moved a chair over to the vanity table so she could look at Miriel while they talked.
"Because he loves you and wants what is best." Arwen murmured as she sat down. Miriel shook her head, her shiny dark curls bouncing against her shoulders as she did so.
"But he doesn’t even understand. I heard the style was gaining popularity among the ladies of the court, and I thought if I wore a similar gown that it might help relations with Harad. It would help to increase trade again. Both you and Ada have told me to use my influences in the court for good. I was just trying to help Ada."
Arwen could not help but smile. She had a feeling there was some deeper reason as to why Miriel was so upset about Aragorn’s disapproval of her attire choice.
"Maybe you should tell Estel that yourself. I would say you have proven yourself a clever diplomat, sell nín, if a bit of an unconventional one." Arwen reached out to take one of Miriel’s hands. "I think Estel will understand your point of view if you explain it to him just as you did now."
Miriel watched as her mother stood from the chair and went to exam the discard gown that caused so much controversy. Arwen noticed the gown’s back also dipped to the high waistline, just as the front did. She examined the split sleeves and already had an idea on how to make them a bit more modest. A panel could be added to the front and back to raise the neckline. It certainly wasn’t a hopeless garment. Arwen turned to face her daughter as she held up the dress.
"It is a lovely gown, and I have a few ideas how we could refashion it so it gains Estel’s approval. He does not seek to be unfair, sell nín. He is only looking out for your propriety and honor. Although it is a lovely gown, I’m not sure how the older ladies of the court would take it. You know how they are rather affixed in their ways. It is a fine line we walk, and we must be careful not to cross it. Your Ada has brought about many changes to better this kingdom for all. But there are those that still find change difficult and hold true to the strict traditions, especially when it comes to a young Princess’ attire."
Arwen placed the gown carefully into Miriel’s wardrobe. "Both you and Estel have sound reasons. We will work together to finish your lovely gown. But you will require something else for tonight."
Miriel’s eyes went wide as she watched her mother pick up the amethyst dress. It was a new gown the dressmakers had made for the Queen. Miriel had secretly admired it and wished for one like it. Ever since she was a small girl, Miriel often wore frocks that complimented the ones her mother wore. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough of the glorious amethyst colored silk to make two gowns.
"It’s a rather bold shade. I think it would suit you much better, sell nín."
A wide smile spread across Miriel’s face as she clutched the treasured dress jubilantly. "Oh, you really mean it, Naneth? I truly do adore it!"
"Then it is yours." Arwen murmured with a serene smile of her own. She helped her daughter change into the brilliantly colored garment. It did indeed suit Miriel perfectly as Arwen suspected it would. Just as the Queen finished helping her daughter dress, and had fastened the necklace around Miriel neck, a knock sounded upon the door. Arwen went to open it to find a rather dejected looking Aragorn on the other side.
Miriel gave her father a timid smile as he entered the room. Aragorn smiled in approval of the gown Arwen had chosen. It was a nice balance of a youthful silhouette, but still carried nobility. Arwen watched with approval as father and daughter sat down to talk out their disagreement this time instead of shouting at one another. They listened to eachother’s side of the tale, and at last came to an understanding. Aragorn apologized for not acknowledging Miriel’s willingness to help in her own way with the trade difficulties with Harad, and for failing to admire the hard work she had put into the gown. Miriel apologized for acting so brashly. The Queen smiled and breathed a sigh of relief as Miriel and Aragorn embraced. At last the battle over the gown was over.
Arwen’s gift was indeed a hit with the ladies of the court. Many admired the amethyst dress, and Arwen couldn’t help but have a feeling that brilliant purple would be the new fashionable color. But nothing was more in style than the sight of her Estel and Miriel once again happy and in harmony.