Idril focused on the little clutch of children running away to the back of the house. He looked at her and grimaced. "So it starts. I guess everyone is at the backyard. Come on."
She had forgotten all about what was coming her way during the kiss. Now the apprehension returned full swing. He saw it. He slipped his hands in hers and dropped a flitting kiss on her forehead and reassured her in a soft voice, "Don't worry. I am going to be there every step of the way."
"You promise?" she asked, her eyes trusting and expectant that did something funny to his heart.
"I do." He promised.
They walked around to the back of the house. She stopped in her tracks. The backyard indeed. The whole area has been converted in one big carnival, or a beach side festival. There were at least a hundred canopies littering the wide beach. The azure of the sea a perfect complement to their white. Everywhere she looked; it was either white or silver. Right from the small chairs to the silver of the buffet tables. Even the people loitering about seemed to have worn mostly white. The whole effect was quite, breathtaking.
She stood taking in the whole scene in front of her, mouth slightly open. Feanor wanted to really give in and laugh out loud at the look on her face. Instead he consoled himself with only commenting when she finally looked at him, as if seeking some explanation, "Ostentatious, is it not?"
Weird, more likely, she thought. "That's an understatement. I can understand the décor, but why have people color coordinated with the furniture?" she asked in genuine bewilderment. For now she could see that the fifty or so persons milling around, were indeed wearing white in form or other, including the children. She looked down at her own attire. Big flowers adorning her dress in bold oranges and pinks.
"Don't worry about what you're wearing. Once I introduce you to my family, what you're wearing will be your least concern."
"What do you mean by that?" she whispered nervously but he tugged her towards the biggest canopy at the far end of the beach. The table consisted mostly of women. Feanor went and kissed one of them.
"Mother." He embraced her warmly. "Let me introduce you to Idril." He tugged her gently from behind him where she was attempting to hide. "Idril, meet Mother."
"Hello Mrs. Frazier. It's nice to meet you." She said in a rush, nervous in front of the handsome lady with shrewd eyes.
"Likewise dear." But her voice was gentle. Turning to her son, Mrs. Frazier said, "What have you old the poor girl about us Fea? Look at how nervous she is." To which her son just smiled mischievously.
"Come on Idril. Let's get you a drink and then we have rest of the cast for you to meet. The extended family is here."
As they approached the front door decorated flanked by two primrose trees/shrubs, it opened before he knocked.
"Don't you have to go back and tell everyone how nice it was to know me and my family?"
"For god's sakes, would you stop throwing that stupid note on my face all the time? And if you were so convinced that will sell this story why the hell did you bring me here in the first place?"
"Oh, we aim to please, my lady. After all, you went to such great lengths for this, I confess I feel… flattered."
Before she could answer though, he stopped them. "C'mon you guys. Let her breath. Look how you have confused her."
"Oh yes, poor thing. Look, she looked so dazed. You come with me darling. Sit down here. You must be hungry. I just made this soup. It's still hot. "
The next hour was spent with Feanor's family. She was introduced to all the ladies around. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to meet her and some even teased her about Fenaor. By the time the ceremony started she was feeling quite comfortable. The feeling was increased with the help of liberal dose of whiskey which the gathering seemed to consume like water.