Gardening

Warm, nurturing golden light shines from the east as anor's rises into midmorning position along it's daily path. Glimmers of red and orange shine can be seen as the light weaves around and through wisps of clouds and both green and golden tree leaves that stand tall over the protected lands of Lothlorien. A strong breeze blows, spreading the newborn scents of spring. Those scents seem especially potent amongst the roses beneath the Healing Talan. As morning light touches upon the petals and leaves, a single ellon can be seen working feverishly upon a silky white fabric. Nimble hands guide a slender needle as thread is drawn through the silk to create a joyous pattern of white leaves, vines, and delicate humming birds. As Galharth works, he softly sings a song of joy, and it almost seems as if his song registers within the pattern he embroiders.

A figure emerges from above, skirt caught up in one hand while the other carries a long, straight stick-like item and a larger lumpier item, a tune softly lapping at the ears of those who might be present in this tranquil place at this particular hour. She moves with grace and purpose, eyes never once dropping to her feet and the narrow stairway that she travels, head held high and posture proud. It is Mia, and with her she carries a hoe that has seen much wear and tear (though still it gleams as though lovingly cared for), and a basket large enough to fit a full-grown goose.

Glancing up from his work, the sight that appears in the midst of sunlight is one that gives him pause. Lifting a hand from his work he shields his eyes, narrowing his lids slightly to offset Anor's glare. "At first the vision appeared as a mythical warrior maiden," Galharth says in a voice that hints of teasing, "And yet upon clearer sight I find the welcoming sight of Mia and her hoe." Lifting the hand that shields his eyes further into the air, he waves. "Well met, Lady."

"A warrior I am, for I am here to fight against the threat of weeds!" Mia pauses on the steps and raises the hoe into the air in a sign of victory. "Wherever a plant is in need of pruning, I will be there!" She takes a step down, a flair for the dramatic apparent. "When water is needed, and plants are thirsty, I will be there!" Another step, "When seedlings cry out for soil, I will be there!" As she reaches the last step, she drops the basket and wields the hoe, her hands moving quickly as she spins the tool. "I am the bane of moles and rabbits, leaf-eating bugs and drought!" She stirkes a pose, hoe whirling overhead, but a smile cracks the stoic expression on her face. "Impressive, isn't it?" she querries.

"Quite so!" Galharth says with enthusiasm as he begins to clap his hands. "Weed, mole, and all else that might wreck havoc within these hallowed gardens surely quiver in fear! Of that I have no doubt." A smile appears upon his lips and his clapping slows as it seems another thought reveals itself upon his expression. "I would have enjoyed seeing you in the days that you led in battle." Lowering his hands to rest upon his lap, he focuses upon the hoe held high. "Forgive me if I offend, but as gentle as you seem in both posture and pose, I can see something more at times." Shrugging, the ellon lowers his gaze. "I wonder if all are as multifaceted."

Mia shakes her head as she lowers the hoe, "Not nearly enough, I am afraid." She says this without a hint of irony in her tone. "I was something else back then, that is for sure..." She fades off slightly as she approaches the ellon, a whistful smile on her lips. "And I won't deny that it was fun, and I made some wonderful, fabulously close friends in those days. But then, blood and danger will usually forge bonds that others can't appreciate... though I suppose the same idea could be applied to healing. Blood and danger, I mean." She stops within a couple of feet of the seated Galharth and plants the end of the hoe into the ground by her feet. "Though as much as you may like to see what I was like then, I am glad that you cannot. What you think you can see in me now was not there. Nothing was, and I was a confused, dark and dangerous mess. I am happier now, sure of myself and my path."

She looks at his work, peering noticably and maneuvering herself so that she can see better (and by her expression, one can tell she is impressed). "There seems to be more to others, as well, and please forgive me if I should offend. I'm just not often suprised by someone, nor am I used to being wrong about them. Like you ,for example. When I first saw you, I would have said that you were far too quiet and introverted to be of any use to anyone. Yet you speak, and when you do some of the loveliest and insightful quips fall out! And yes, I would have thought an ellon too impatient for such menial work as you do, yet you create art with the simple flick of your hand, or skipping fingers. Amazing, and completely unexpected." She grins.

Another seeks the calm of the Rose Garden today. Lothenithil arrives, walking idly with her hands behind her back, and her eyes rest curiously on the two already present, yet she makes no enquiry now. Across her body a small leather bag is slung, softly bumping on her hip as she walks towards Mia and Galharth, making very little sound on the soft grass. Inclining her head, she finally greets them. "Good morning." she says softly, and an engaging smile plays about her lips, but she adds nothing more.

Fumbling with the needle that had held his attention only short moments ago, the ellon considers Mia's words. "Perhaps what is now seen as an unstopping passion was once raging untamed emotion. I am of the belief that the paths we take are not always straight and uneventful. Surely, we waiver throughout life to one side or another." As she speaks further, he looks up as Mia speaks about her initial impression. The corner of his mouth rises slightly and is quickly gone as if offering a slight hint of satisfaction. "Nay, you offend me not, and I assure you that you've said no less than my own mother and sister have said in the past." Again he shrugs.

At that moment another enters and Galharth gaze is drawn from the nearby lady. "Well met," he offers in reply. "It is good to see that others have taken a moment to enjoy these lovely gardens before the hoe begins to bring forth the scent of soil to overpower the fragrance of the flowers."

"It is a fine morning, and one that I will not be ruining with my garden implements," Mia says to both Galharth and Lothenithil. "I am off to another part of the city, there to do my part to keep things beautiful and fresh for spring, but cannot seem to tear myself away from the company I have found. Even if I am likened to a sister or a mother." She raises an eyebrow and purses her lips slightly as she looks to Galharth. "I would try to defend myself and argue that I am neither, and cry for a fast retraction of your words. However I am afraid it would be seen as improper, or perhaps be confused for something akin to jealousy, and my intentions would be misread. So I will say nothing and hope that in time I may prove myself to be neither sisterly nor motherly."

Lothenithil's smile widens. "I hope I am not interrupting anything?" she asks, loking from Mia to Galharth, brows raised in question. "Only 'tis such a beautiful morning, and this garden" - she sweeps a hand around - "is so inviting. I hoped I would find peace and inspiration among the roses". She glances at Galharth's work then looks at him rather admiringly, but says nothing more.

Mia narrows her eyes at the ellon, "Exactly what would you expect me to do with this instrument against rodents? Because there is nothing but bloodshed and horror in my mind's eye!" She advances, perplexity writ upon her features, "I mean, really, tis a hoe! Now the basket, I could see, but... but I'm not about to strike the creatures, no matter WHAT they do to my pea plants!"

She turns her head to Lothenithil, "You interrupt nothing, and can help me to prove a point. Well, actually, it isn't so much a point as it is an edge, and an edge on this thing would seperate a mole from his head with very little effort." She pauses for a second, then adds, "NOT that I have tried."

"A hoe, my friend, is used for preparing soil for planting, I feel I must tell you as you are so terribly wrong in your asessment. I am planning to go down to where my very first garden still grows to tend it and see it doing well this season." She shakes her head slightly as she shoots another look to Galharth, muttering softly and incoherantly except for the occasional "mole", "inhumane", and "massacre".

"I am Lothenithil" answers the elleth with her soft voice, and her blue-grey eyes lit up for a moment as she turns to Mia, then she cannot repress a loud chuckle, and in a moment she's laughing. "Indeed, you are right" she says to the healer, "a hoe is intended to prepare the soil for planting, and not to kill helpless little animals". Another chuckle, then she continues, this time adressing Galharth. "See what you've done? She's in a bad mood now, and she won't be able to work properly" she says, but her features tell she's only jesting, her eyes are bright and the corners of her mouth are turned up.

As would any army outnumbered, the ellon takes the most noble course. Holding his hands up, palms outward, in clear defeat. "I submit and withdraw in defeat!" Galharth exclaims. "T'is a lesson I've learned, I shall never speak ill of a hoe or imply it as a control for moles." Glancing from one elleth to the other, he offers an innocent pleading glance to both. "Can I ask forgiveness, and perhaps sweeten my request with an offer to submit myself to hard labor in the gardens for no less than a days time."

"No less," responds Mia, skeptically, "But far more, I can promise, as you have alot to learn and one day simply will not be enough to teach it all. And I am most definately not in a poor mood," she says, with undeterred confidence. "I am in the mood to work in my garden, and that is a mood that only brings joy. And while I would love to stay and while away the hours with whitty conversation, I would be missing so much..." She sighs, her eyes gently turning to the path that leads away from the Healer's tranquil gardens, "And so I must be going. It is with a heavy heart, knowing that I must part with you, and again I beg you both to forgive a possible misstep in wording, but such fun awaits me that I can assure you that I will not miss you for long."

Listening to Mia's departing words, Galharth takes a deep breath and releases it slowly. "A healer though she may be, I suspect that the promised day will result in many aches, pains, and earthy stains." he comments softly, in a manner that might imply that he speaks his thoughts aloud rather than to add to any conversation. Turning towards Lothenithil, he renews his smile. "Ah well, better to enjoy the wonders of the day then to consider the pains of the future, don't you agree?" Glancing to the bag resting upon the elleth's knee, he tilts his head with curiosity. "Are you a gardener as well?"

Lothenithil shakes her head. "Nay, I am only a would-be jewelsmith" she says, her cheeks colouring a little and her eyes dropping to the bag. She passes her hand over it softly, and looks up smiling once again. "I only keep a few scraps of parchment a one or two charcoal pencils in there" she explains. "What about you?" she asks then, bending her head a little to one side and looking at his face. "I saw you working on a piece of cloth earlier".

Mia disappears down the path, hoe and basket in hand.

"Would be jewelsmith? Then you must speak with Curulomion as he can bring you into the Guild, and guide your training as he is a Jewelsmith of Journey skills." Galharth says helpfully. "And yes, I was working on cloth. I'm a tailor by trade, and the fabric is to be used to make Curulomion and his lady's wedding wardrobe." Glancing to the bag that holds the long length of cloth, he sighs. "I've a long way to go to complete the embroidery on this and the other lengths of cloth before I can begin to construct the garments."

"And speaking of such," he says rising to his feet, gathering the bag as he goes. "I too must sadly depart, though unlike Mia, I shall miss the company." Bowing slightly, he continues to speak, "It's been a pleasure to meet you Lothenithil. Perhaps we will be fortunate enough to meet again soon."

Lothenithil remains seated. "A pleasure to meet you too, Galharth" answers Lothenithil with a nod of her head. "I will go and see Curulomion, and ask him to introduce me into the guild." she continues brightly, then takes out the parchment and a charcoal pencil from her little bag and places it on her knee. Soon she is concentrated on her drawing, raising her eyes only now and then to look at her model, a bush in full bloom.

Noting that the elleth is now engrossed in her work, Galharth turns and strolls along the path, leaving the garden in search of his own work.