Reed followed Durin and Anta as they set out before dawn the next day. This young girl was very fond of Durin's ceremony—according to her, the ritual, the incense oil, and the sense of sanctity were all indispensable components of beauty.
According to her, she had already experienced a promotion just by watching, and it would be even better if she could have a second one.
As for Anta, this was truly the first time Lady Ailish had appeared before the eyes of the manor folk; she seemed to be there to make her presence felt.
For Durin, however, the ceremony was somewhat monotonous and left little to be desired. Children would bring their little heads close to Durin, and with hands anointed in incense oil, Durin would gently caress their foreheads.
The whole process was neither sacred nor particularly ceremonial, and how Reed found beauty in it was a mystery to Durin, one that he really couldn't fathom.
