Chapter 5 - Behind the door

Chapter 5 - Behind the door

Arwen saw only the males feet as he walked around her, her small frame shaking with sadness at the acts of her mother and father. The male took one lap around her before she saw him come back in front of her then turn away. She should have been pleased the male hadn't spoken to her, after all, what would she say to this stranger? but she wasn't happy, sad or even indifferent to his actions. No, she was angry, so angry that her body began to shake even more, she was angry with the life.

She had been given the life that now belonged to this male, she was angry that for a lifetime she had lived in silence and now here she was again in silence, her hands began to tighten turning into fists, her knuckles going white. She had never felt this way before and it shocked her to her core. She had always known this day was coming and she had accepted her fate long ago but now as she stood there with this stranger looming over her anger bubbled up from the pit of her stomach.

Looking down at the floor she watched as the male began to walk away, taking a breath she was glad this was almost over until she heard that heavy footfalls again. They moved quickly this time his body coming so close to hers that she could almost feel the warmth radiating from his large luming form, moving behind her she felt his touch, was he touching her hair? it was all over as quickly as it began, she didn't know the rules for the first meeting ceremony, but she was pretty sure there was to be no touching, Clara had told her so. Had Clara gotten it wrong? This scared her a little as she wondered what else Clara had gotten wrong about the events to come, Finally, the moment was broken by whispering and then more loud booming voices.

Arwen was held by a firm hand on her elbow before the voices she had heard earlier spoke close to her ear.

 "Please come with me, miss. My name is Grayson, I will be taking you to your quarters" 

Taking her by the elbow they walked a short distance, she was lead throw the house watching her feet as they walked. 

"I will be taking care of you while you are here miss, if you need anything please ask for me".

 As they came to a stop Arwen felt the need to speak but wasn't sure if she should lift the veil from over her face or not, she looked at the little older man while leaving the veil inplace.

 "Please call me Arwen" 

"Oh no miss, I could never, but you can now remove your veil" 

Doing just that her interest peaked as Grayson started opening a small door he leads the way inside a single room with an en-suite bathroom. The room was decorated in a French fashion, the furniture was very small and orate, she could see no expense had been spared. Looking around the room she wondered why the room had an extra door and assumed it was a closet but as Grayson showed her around the room, he did not once open that door, Curiosity getting the better of her she was getting impatient and almost wanted to ask Grayson to leave so she could explore, but remembering her promise to her parents to be a lady and daughter they could be proud of. So she kept her mouth closed and followed Grayson over to the bedside table as he opened the bottom drawer and took out a large black remote.

"This miss, is to control your television. Its located in the ceiling. You press this button" showing her the remote " the TV drops down.

 Looking in ore as a panel in the ceiling moved aside and a large TV slowly slipped from the slot the butler continued "this button turn it on and in your cabinet you will find a manual should you need it. I will leave you now miss I have duties I must attend too"

smiling as the old man finished speaking she just had to ask, "Thank you Grayson, but could I just ask one thing before you leave?"

"I am always happy to be of help miss" Now he positively beamed.

"Where does this door lead?" walking towards the door her hand reaching for the handle.

"Please miss do not open that door until I leave, that is the communal area for yourself and the other females of the house to use as you please, but no male other than the king is permitted".

Making his way towards the door that they have both just come in from, he turned to her " one last thing miss, please wear your veil whenever you are summoned by the king, or in the presents of any male of the house or you will get us both in trouble, dinner will be served in the main dining room at eight I shall return for you then". Bowing he closed the door leaving her alone to explore her new surroundings. 

Arwen decides she liked the butler he had a gentleness to him that you couldn't help but like, his clothing was dated and ill-fitting but she guessed that added to his charm. She waited for him to close the door before heading back into her bathroom, it was still so strange to think this room was to be her new home. Looking in the room above a bright white porcelain sink, although her bedroom was very fancy her bathroom was simple and functional with its white matching suite and clean lines. Reaching up she swung the mirror to the left revelling a well-stocked medicine cabinet, moving items to one side and turning others around to read labels, lot's of which she had heard names of and some she had never heard of before.

Giving up on the reading lesson and continuing her tour she opened up two folding doors located next to a walk-in shower. As the doors opened she was presently surprised to see all her belongings had been removed from her family's home and placed here, all her dresses and shoes placed neatly on hangers and rails. On the floor was a black lacquer box, picking it up she took it to her bed before opening it up to reveal her hairbrush, a gold chain Clara had once given her as a birthday gift, a sea shell from her brothers and her families signet ring. Taking each of the items out she held them with care before placing them side by side on top of her bedspread. Her hands stopped a little longer on the signet ring, It had become a tradition among her people that a male child would receive this ring on his eightieth birthday, and a female child on her wedding day would receive to give to her mate, in exchange for his family's ring to make the marriage complete.

Biting her lower lip and trying to ignoring the ring she headed to the door Grayson had not long left through wishing to thank him for her belonging's only to find the door locked. Turning around she walked across to the door Grayton said opened up to a communal room, maybe there was a way out there. 

Opening the door, the first thing she noticed was a vast round room much like she had seen in old movies, populated by Concubines in the far east. Was that what she was a now a concubine? The anger started again but quickly disappeared when she saw the room had many doors all around the walls, each door was separated by a floor to ceiling bookcase filled with more books than Arwen cared to count. Walking to the door on the right of her own she softly knocked and waited as she heard someone coming towards the door, the door opened slowly by a tall female in the same black veil she had been wearing herself earlier, the female was dressed in a very bright blue ruffled gown, as they both stood in silence Arwen was the first to speak.

 "Hello, my name is Arwen, you don't have to wear that veil you know, we are on our own" 

As the female reached up to take off her veil she began to speak as another one of the 13 doors began to open " I am Alexandra, it is a pleasure"

Hearing another voice they both looked to the far side of the round room "I thought I heard voices, I'm Sofie". as the third female approached them Arwen smiled and was a little relieved she was not alone.

"Are you both here for the offering?" Alexandra asked

Sofie spoke up first "Yes, there are twelves of us. I've checked almost every door. Only found one locked so far" pointing to the door on the left of Arwen's room. "I'm guessing that's the king's room although I don't know for sure"

As they continued to chat more of the doors opened and females of all shapes and sizes came out to join the conversation, each one seemed excited to be here making her feel even more out of place. At least one of them must have felt as she did but as she looked around at all these beaming proud faces she started to question once again herself if she was ever going to belong anywhere. Once all the introductions had finished and the other females had began to settle on large cushions in the middle of the room, some with books from the many bookcases that encircled the room and others still happily chatting away Arwen headed for the 13th door looking at the old wood simply staring as if that would reveal the sercets it held inside.