================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Nighttime < About 11:48 PM >
IC day is: Orithil <Moon-day>
IC date is: 20 Rhiw <Winter>
Moon phase: Full <VISIBLE>
Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is: Loa 17 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3041>
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RL time: Sat Sep 08 20:16:16 2007
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Crossroads in the Forest
You've reached the part of Lorien where the Naith gives way to the Egladil of Lorien, or "angle", which stretches away for many more miles to the south. The pathways here are well traveled, a firm roadway of short golden grass, and lead off in many directions.

Of most notable distinction, it seems that up ahead to the East the forest gives way to some strange sort of hill, though you can't make out the details of it from this distance. To be sure, though, in all directions the Mallorn trees stand guard along the sides of this path, along with whatever it is that seems to have following you and watching you while you have walked through this blessed forest, this Lothlorien, this Dream-flower.

Contents:
Galharth
Nioniel
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The evening sky hangs as a dark blanket over the forest of Lothlorien. Within the circle of trees that surrounds the crossroads, the dark sky is speckled with brilliant sparkling stars. A cool, almost cold breeze blows from the north, hinting of a cold winter climate outside the protected realm of Lothlorien.

Wandering slowly along the path, the Tailor Galharth moves slowly southwards. His expression is one of concentration, and his posture one that is well guarded. As the crafter walks, he moves stiffly, hinting that all might not be right.

The night air not only brings a hint of coolness into the guarded realm of Lorien, but it also seems to blow in a maiden from the edge of the forest pathway near by. Dressed in a cloudy blue, airy gown, Nioniel does not blend into her shadowy surroundings very well as she steps lightly along her way. However, oddly enough, whenever she comes to a patch of moonlight she is hidden quite well. And it is here in one such patch that she pauses suddenly, gazing silently at the elf ahead of her. A hint of concern touches comes to her eyes upon seeing him moving so stiffly. For a moment she seems torn between stepping foreward and remaining hidden and silent. Being very shy, this is not an uncommon occurence for her.

Her mind is made up very quickly however, as she shifts from one foot to another, causing a leaf on the pathway to emit a distinct crunching noise.

Turning swiftly at the sound behind him, Galharth gasps in pain. For a brief instant his eyes shut tightly and he hesitates his movement. Through gritted teeth, he forces air into his lungs and with equal effort he opens his eyes. Catching sight of the elleth, he visibly relaxes. "Well met, friend," he says in a tone of relief.

Glancing around, as if searching for someone else, he frowns upon finding nothing. Returning his gaze to the elleth, he tilts his head. "What brings you to the North? Have you not heard the reports of Uruk?"

Nioniel fairly jumps backward at the sudden and sharp reaction of Galharth. Seeing him pained so visibly pained from it however, her expression changes quickly from surprise to dismay. She bites her lip and hurries forward to him, not answering his question at first but almost tearfully apologizing.

"I am so terribly sorry," she says upon reaching him, her face reddening with shame. "I didnt mean to cause you any hurt or surprise you ..." her voice trails off, and her gaze falls to the ground before she adds, "Please forgive me?"

Lifting a hand to ward off the elleth's apology, the Tailor offers his own. "Nay, it was my fault. I overreacted to a simple sound in a place I should know to be safe." Galharth says with sincerity. "To be fair, let us both agree to forgive eachother, and move forward from there."

Offering a half smile, the crafter steps forward. "I am Galharth, and while I'm sure I know you from somewhere, I must also ask your forgiveness in forgetting your name."

Raising her gaze back up from the ground as she listens to Galharth, the elleths face brightens noticeably into a sunny smile, being much relieved now at his words. Chuckling, she softly answers him in the same shy manner that everyone who meets her generally sees, "Nothing to be sorry for there. I mean for forgetting my name. My .. my name is Nioniel." she finally gets out.

Then, almost as if awakening to a sudden revelation, Nionial swallows hard and stammers out, her deep blue eyes widening noticeably, "R-reports of Uruk?"

Bowing his head to acknowledge the elleth's name, the Tailor smiles warmly, "Well met, Nioniel. It is a pleasure to meet you." As she makes mention of the Uruk, he nods his head. "Indeed, several attacks have occured on the North, and I suppose this is what makes me jumpy."

Tilting his head, and furrowing his brow, Galharth peers curiously at Nioniel. "Tell me, what brings you this far north of the city?"

Nioniel recoils a step at the sudden news, a light of horror glinting in her eyes. For a moment she seems to be lost in a world of frightened thoughts before finally returning her gaze to Galharth. However, chances are she doesnt make all that much sense as she cries in dismay, "I - I came this far because Ive lost Calion!"

"Calion?" Galharth says with a frown appearing upon his face. Stepping closer to the elleth, his crystal blue eyes dart around with worry. "Can you tell me something about this Calion so that we might begin a search or send out an alert?"

Tears starting to her eyes, Nioniel drops her face into her hands. "C-calion is my dog," she says in a very muffled manner. Then the words come pouring out far faster and clearer, "He was with me earlier tonight, but went chasing after something in this direction and ran so much faster than I could that I lost him!"

"Have no fear. The animals of these lands are far more intelligent than we give them credit for." Galharth says with a relaxed smile. "I would think he now waits for you in the city whilst you wander about with worry."

Taking a deep breath, the Tailor calms. "I had thought you came this far for your profession," pausing he peers at the elleth blankly, "What is it that you do?"

Taking a few deep breaths herself, Nioniel finally seems to relax a little once more now that she is not so certain that Calion has been eaten by an Uruk. Wiping the tears from her cheeks and sniffing, she stares almost as blankly back at Galharth as he asks what her profession might be and replies slowly, "Why ... I dont suppose I really have one. A profession, I mean. I can do a great many things, but I dont work, so to speak." She lowers her eyes once more, blushing a little, rather unsure if she should be ashamed or not.

"Feel no sorrow my friend," Galharth says softly. "We all do something within the Wood, and each who lives here," he pauses to smile, "...even Calion," he adds, "contributes something to our home."

Shrugging his shoulders lightly he takes a step southwards, "I ask as some do formalize their contributions so that they receive support and training from their guild. "Worry not. you will declare your profession when you are ready."

Smiling once more, Nioniel nods to what Galharth says. But then, as though her mind is wandering back to a former subject, her eyes darken and she asks, "What about yourself? I hope that I am not intrusive and rude in asking ... I ... I just wondered how you came to be hurt? And, well... dont you need to sit down somewhere to rest?

"Uruk," Galharth says simply. "I was faced off with one, and was attacked by another from behind." Leaning against a tree, he carfully finds a comfortable postion. "I took a battle axe to my back, and was fortunate enough to escape into the border Guard Talan."

"And no, rest is something I've received plenty of of late. I wander now so to gain some exercise." The Tailor says with a half smile.

A stunned expression leaps to Nioniels eyes as Galharth explains his incident with the Uruks and she gasps, wringing her hands as she glances briefly in the direction of his back. "That must have been terrible," she says in a scarcely audible voice finally.

After a moment of silence, she adds, "If there are Uruk nearby, isnt it dangerous for you to walk here, then?"

Offering a patient gaze, Galharth smiles. "There is no fear within the wood, for our borders are secured by our Guard." Pausing his words, the Tailor turns to the north, and his expression turns to sadness. "Alas, many a guard has been injured of late." Turning towards Nioniel he sighs, "Including a dear friend of mine who now lays within the Field Hospital."

Looking now towards the south, and to where the city lays, the crafter lifts a hand and points towards the hidden location that serves as the home to their people. "It is perhaps best if you head back, Nioniel. Safety lies within the city."

Her expression falling more to sadness now as Galharth talks of his friend, and of her heading back to the city, Nioniel folds her hands behind her back and lets her eyes wander to the ground once more. She digs at the pathway thoughtfully with her toe before replying softly, "I shouldnt like to leave you here by yourself, while going to safety for myself."

Foot steps can be heard coming from the south, the mere fact that they are so readily present should tell any who know Calsir something was amiss. She is not one who's steps are heavy, yet today in her haste she heeds not the graceful inclination of her stride. Golden hair bounces with every step, green silks flutter behind yet a look of determination overrides this elleth's normal smile. Seeing the two on the road, the Dancer slows her steps while lashes widen as she sees the Tailor. "Are you well enough to be out of the hospital without help Galharth?" Her words might sound recrimatory but they sincere concern that bleeds into her voice softens any that might linger. A swift nod is given to the other elleth, not in dismissal but more out of a sense of urgency. "Have you heard the warning? I am hoping to find the Lady or Commander Legarwin at the very least."

"Worry not, Nioniel. I must return to the Field Hospital or the Healers will come forth in search. I am still under their guarded care and I'll not venture too far." Galharth says as he takes a step northwards towards the hidden santuary. "It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope we can meet again soon."

Catching sight of Calsir, he frowns. "I was just returning now. Have no worry Scholar. I've had the misfortune of injury more than once or twice now, and know fully the routine." With that said, the Tailor moves northwards and quickly disappears from sight.

Startled by the sudden arrival of Calsir, Nioniel returns the swift nod given her by the elleth, only too late as shes already turned her eyes from her. Glancing between the new arrival and Galharth as they converse and he makes ready to leave, she gets the strange, overwhelming feeling that shes always about two steps behind everybody else in the wood.

Waving after Galharth as he leaves, she calls after him, "I was glad to meet you too ... rest well." Turning then to Calsir with a puzzled and worried expression, she asks, "What warning is this? Please tell me theres not another besides the Uruks?"

Calsir quirks a brow and watches the Tailor as he makes his way back to the field hospital, almost as if she expected him to run off in the other direction. It was not until the Tailor had disappeared that she turned toward the other with little of the normal warmth that is usually so prevalent within this Scholar's gaze. "Worse then Uruks..A band of Uruks riding wargs have come upon our borders." Her voice was lilting as she spoke, the words devoid of inflection to reveal what she thinks of such news. Blue eyes turn toward the north, squinting as if she were trying to see through the dense foiliage right to the northern fences. "I saw them arrive...I am afraid we have not even begun to experiance the conflict with these last few squirmishes.."

Nioniels own face and voice hardly hide a single emotion, as she is a very expressive personality with high-strung moods for an elf. The worry and sinking feeling of sadness are quite easy to make out in her eyes just now. "But ... but surely they cannot come far within our wood. Surely it will pass in time and things will once more be as they were," she says, not with much over-confidence.

Deciding swiftly to change the subject, it seems, she asks suddenly, "Why were you looking for Legarwen out here? I hope shes not lost like my dog may well be right now."

Giving the other a half a smile, even a chuckle before an actual laugh bubbles forth from her throat. "Did I need that." A smile is left upon her lips as Calsir turns toward the city. "Come I am sure you dog will be fine, the Uruk wont make it this far in I promise you that. Our guard is on the border as we speak. Come lets walk back to the city and I will regale you with the tales of the Commander Legarwin...he is fo my house Aderthad you know..." She continues her tales of the battles Legarwin had fougth as she walked back toward the city...not really looking to see if the other was following.