10/18/2007
================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Late Morning < About 10:18 AM >
IC day is: Orgilion <Stars-day>
IC date is: 10 Ethuil <Spring>
Moon phase: Full <HIDDEN>
Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is: Loa 18 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3042>
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RL time: Thu Oct 18 13:26:18 2007
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Stables
Nestled deep within the woods here is a small clearing, used as a boarding area for horses. A rustic-looking barn with a thatched roof and simple gates is situated across the field from you.

Contents:
Galharth
Nioniel
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The mingled smells of a stable might be unpleasent to some, many in fact, but to those who adore horses it is a home-like scent that makes for a relaxing astmosphere. A few mid-morning sunbeams dapple the ground surrounding the stables in bright golden patches of light, and the air is very quiet and still, save only for the nickering, snorting and occasional pawing and pattering noises made by the horses who live here.

Inside of one stall, Nioniel, clad in a green riding dress with her honey-coloured hair pulled back and away from her face, is picking bits of straw out of her mare, Alphiriel's silky white mane. Singing softly as she does so, Nioniel grins as she notices Alphiriel's head drooping sleepily while she is being groomed.

Moving with purpose, Galharth enters the small clearing near the barn. Pausing, the Tailor leans heavily upon his staff as his gaze sweeps the surroundings. His inspection halts when he catches sight of the Seamstress Nioniel, and he begins to move forward towards her. "Well met, Nioniel. How goes this lovely day for you?" Drawing near, he halts his step as he looks upon the mare. "What a lovely animal," he comments softly.

Both elleth and mare are surprised out of their own little world belonging soley to themselves up to this point by Galharth's approach, and Nioniel smiles bashfully. "Good morning," she replies quietly, "It goes very well with me, sir. How goes it with you?" View of her within the stall is blocked off as she speaks, however. The mare arches her fine neck over the stall gate and holds a friendly nose out to Galharth, nickering softly and blowing a little through her fluttering nostrils.

Nioniel chuckles and calls over the horse's shoulder, just barely able to get her head above them, "This is Alphiriel, my mare ... she's very freindly and rather vain when you compliment her."

Reaching out a hand to lightly touch the horses nose, the Tailor draws nearer. "All goes well, and will be even better once I hear news about the blankets that were needed for the stable." Lifting his hand he places it gently between Alphiriel's eyes and slowly pets downwards. Focusing fully upon the mare, he smiles. "I see no vanity in this animal, just a deep acknowledgement of her own beauty." Looking over the gate towards the elleth, his eyes sparkle with teasing, "Do you not think she has a right to acknowledge what nature has given her?"

Gently pressing a hand to Alphiriels shoulder, Nioniel asks her to back up so she can leave the stall without having to crawl under her belly to do so. She grins back at Galharth as she unlatches the gate and comes out. "Well, I suppose you are right there," she pauses and laughs, "Shes prettier than her mistress, and thats a fact."

Coming around to a wooden chest outside of the stall, the elleth lifts the lid and takes a large blanket (obviously horse sized) of silvery-green material, complete with silver leaf shaped buckles out to show to Galharth. "Here is the one I just finished for Thalasul there," she nods in the stallions direction. "Ive done ten others thus far."

"I did not say that, Nioniel," Galharth laughs. "Only a fool compares beauty of living things, and I assure you. I am no fool." Backing up slowly, he allows the elleth room to move from the stall gate.

When the lid to the chest opens, he draws near once more. "Lovely," he says as he reaches out to touch the blanket. Glancing towards the stallion he smiles. "Certainly he'll be proud to wear this when the weather turns cold." Peering into the chest, he nods. "Five more and the task is done. Well done Nioniel."

Beaming with a little pardonable pride, Nioniel says, "Thank you for your praise of my work, Im glad that Ive pleased you ... I hope I go on doing so." Here she pauses and glances down the aisle of stalls and grins, "Ive even made sure to leave a seam allowance on the blankets for those who are apt to grow a bit more." She is of course referring to the younger members of the stable. "But some will no doubt out-grow whatever Ive made them before long!"

"Did you see the colt?" Galharth asks as he turns his attention to the paddocks, clearly searching for some sign of the youngest horse. Disappointment flickers over his face as there is no sign of the small equine. A heavy sigh, and he looks back to the Seamstress. "So tell me, do you make the blankets out here?" Pausing a moment he looks around again, clearly impressed with the peaceful nature of the surroundings. "You seem at home here."

With a smile, Nioniel nods, "I saw the little fellow not too long ago hence. He and his mother were headed out to the pasture for a run I believe." She seats herself upon the chest containing the blankets, holding one on her lap for hemming. "I am very much at home out here ... it is so calm and utterly peaceful at all times. Its much simpler to be here near the horses so I can work on fitting the blankets as I work. That way, I can be sure of them being right."

Feeling around in the knapsack resting near the trunk, she mutters, "Oh dear, how could I have come without a new spool of thread!"

"It makes perfect sense for you to stay out here consider your work is focused upon these animals." Galharth says with a half smile. "And it seems they are more than pleased by your company. It says a lot about you," he adds as he glances towards Alphiriel.

At her comment about thread, the Tailor frowns. "Perhaps I have some," he says dipping his hand inside the pockets of his robe. Withdrawing a small bobbin of thread, his frown remains. "Alas, not nearly the amount you need. I'm sorry." Sighing softly he looks back to the animals. "I'll just spend a little time wandering around here. If you happen to return before I depart, perhaps we can talk more."

The elleth laughs, "Seems were all short on thread today. Ah well, no matter." Rising from her seat, she turns to kiss Alphiriel on her velvety nose before leaving. The mare returns the gesture by nudging Nioniels cheek fondly.

"I shall try to hurry as quick as I may then," she replies to Galharths last comment, obviously hoping to return before he leaves so that they can speak more. "I will not be over long," she smiles and hurries off down the pathway, raising her hand to wave before disappearing among the trees.