================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Twilight < About 8:42 PM >
IC day is: Orgaladhad <Trees-day>
IC date is: 25 Laer <Summer>
Moon phase: Last Quarter <HIDDEN>
Earendil: Gil-Estel shines very brightly well above the horizon in
the western sky.
IC year is: Loa 18 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3042>
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RL time: Sat Nov 10 08:54:19 2007
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Northern Garden

These are the Northern gardens devoted to the enjoyment of those in the long process of healing and recovery. The air here is quiet and full of a peace hard to find elsewhere, even amongst the Golden Wood. Small birds chirp softly as they move towards their nests, and a warm breeze whispers through your hair. Off in the northern corner, surrounded by a bed of brightly colored flowers, a small, but healthy, grove of apple trees flourishes. A lone empty looking basket is nestled near the trunk of a particularly large tree. The aroma of hundreds of plants, glinting in the light, float upon the breeze as the scent brings comfort and relaxation. Often patients can be found walking or sitting in these gardens, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Nearly hidden to the west, a soft gurgling sound echoes from beyond a gate.

To the South, the ground slopes gently downward through a gap in a hedge of rose bushes to another garden beyond. And to the North, a path leads out to the Golden Roadway.

Contents:
Galharth
Lostiriel
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Twilight is a strange time of day--daylight has yet to fully surrender to the blanket of night, and for a brief, quiet moment, the two merge, two opposites joining together to work in harmony to form a strange mixture of shadows and highlights. Above, stars are just beginning to sparkle in the sky, and traces of clouds work their way among them, sketching their way among the dim silvery lights. Below, all is warm and quiet, without even a breeze to stir the leaves or cause the flowers to nod in gentle greeting.

Standing quietly amid the flowers, Lostiriel bends down to enhale their sweet scent more fully. As she eases down toward the warm earth, her cloak drapes about her carelessly, and for a moment, she enjoys the peace as day surrenders to night.

From the shadows created by the growth of night, a figure emerges. "Well met, Lostiriel," Galharth says as he comes into view. "How goes the planning for our trip?" With his staff in hand, he moves with an elegant grace that is much improved over the past weeks.

Glancing towards the north, the starlight shines upon his face and he inhales the scent of the Garden's flowers. "A final list of those who will travel must be presented to the lady within the week if we're to manage the travel in the season that you wish."

Gaze lifting upward, Lostiriel looks for a long moment at Galharth, then lowers her eyes again to study the flowers flourishing about her. "Well met, Galharth," comes the soft reply, and the elleth stands, brushing the dirt away from her cloak, replying, "The planning goes well. And the list shall be ready by then." It is strange that the Courier has so little to say--indeed she has been enraptured by the planning and the details of this trip since first hearing of her assignment.

"So you've made your decisions then?" Galharth asks as he takes several steps closer. "So would you tell me who goes on this venture north?" Gazing upon the elleth, the Tailor's lips press tightly for a moment as if in thought. "Or is something delaying your final decision?"

"No, Galharth, I believe that I have made my decision. Or, at least, mostly... I am puzzled as to what I should say to Pelliwen..." Lostiriel smiles sweetly at Galharth and adds, "It is strange, is it not, that you first thought of this trip, spoke of it, and then as I end up planning it, Pelliwen is sent to me, by you, to ask if she can join? Well, now I must decide, and having first said no, I am torn with indecision."

A wirey smile appears upon the Tailor's face. "It is my desire to go to Imladhrim, but I would not be permitted to go forth with only the prospect to search their libraries." Shrugging one shoulder, Galharth takes a few steps to the north. Turning his attention towards the sky, he takes a deep breath. "Just as I resolved to set aside my interest, this mission came forth to be assigned." Turning to look at Lostiriel his smile seems to have warmed. "The assignment came rightfully to you, and to me to monitor."

"Regarding Pelliwen, that is your decision, and I will not influence it. But...." The crafter says, pausing a moment to consider his words. ".....but, if the decision were mine, I might take her if only to expose her to a greater world than the small closed existence she surrounds herself with."

It is a guarded expression that the Courier wears as Galharth speaks, and, nodding, she replies, "Of course. And, you know, I respect you greatly, care for you even more, though I do not entirely trust you." A smile is upon the elleth's face as this line is delivered, and returning to the subject of Pelliwen, she adds, "I think you are right. Pelliwen, for all her quiet and shy nature, seems to hold a questing spirit. It would be enriching, I think, for her to see and experience a greater world. Then next I see her, I will tell her my new answer."

Surprise registers upon the Tailor's face. "You do not trust me?" Galharths asks with confusion. Lowering his head slightly as if to consider the elleth's words, he shakes his head. "Have I not been upfront in admitting that I found a way around my own inability to form a trip?" Lifting a hand, he shakes his head again. "Nay, you don't need to say, for certainly you've wounded me already."

Lifting his head, he peers at the Courier with a guarded glance. "I am sure that she'll be thrilled with your words. Now what of Winuvielle?" he asks.

Her head tilting to the side, Lostiriel replies, "I did not mean it sincerely...or not quite. But tell me now that you had no hand in my promotion, none whatsoever, and I shall not mean it at all. This is all I ask. Because, you see, I was at first so thrilled with the promotion that it did not seem strange to me until later that it came with an assignment, an assignment that you admit your own interest in. But I began reflecting on it, and now...now I do not know what to think. I do not mean to wound you, but surely you can see how I came to this confusion." Indeed, even as she says this, betrayal seems to flicker in the elleth's eyes.

Sighing, Lostiriel answers his other question, answering, "If Winuvielle truly wishes to come, then I will allow it. Maglind, Thorhur, Winuvielle, Pelliwen, and you and I... Surely that is a good number?"

A frown appears upon the Tailor's face. "I promoted you as was my assignment, and I gave you your Diplomatic mission, as was also my assignment. But I assure you, these events did not take place to serve my own needs. They were earned outright." Galharth says flatly. "Suceed in delivering your messages to Imadhrim and you'll likely see another promotion. Fail, and there is a good chance that you'll end up being a book keeper for a few hundred years."

Considering the number, and names mentioned, the Tailor nods. "Three trained well with weapons, and three new to the art of defense. Small enough to manage, yet strong enough to defend ourselves."

There is still uncertainty in the elleth's eyes, but seeing Galharth's response, she attempts to ease it away. "If my suspicions are totally unfounded, then I apologize. I do trust you, but I also know that you desire answers, desperately. And while I do not think you would use your influence negatively, I do think you would bend matters to fulfill your own desires, though you would do so believing that you did it with a good purpose for everyone." Her gaze is softer now and she steps a bit closer, saying, "I am sorry if this hurt you. But...thinking that you perhaps swayed my promotion also stung deeply. I want to earn it, just as I want to earn the next promotion by doing well in this mission. And, with your guidance, I am sure that it will."

"Anyway, I am glad that you approve. I think it should be a strong mix, and I also think that all will learn much. I look forward to this trip."

Closing the steps towards the elleth, Galharth reaches out a hand to touch the Courier's arm. "Have confidence in yourself Lostiriel. Have the same confidence that others have in you." Tilting his head to one side, he smiles weakly. "It is true that I'll use what I am given to achieve my goals, but I would not manipulate others to my will. I am a Crafter at heart, and truely, we are a crafty lot."

"Now I will see to gathering the messages to be delivered, and you see to setting the dates for departure." The Tailor says as he steps back.

Eyes and smile completely warmed, Lostiriel nods, replying, "Thank you, Galharth. I look forward to working with you on this trip. Together, I am sure it will go very well." As he steps away, she nods in mild disapointment. "Very well. I will see to it, and soon, I think, we will be venturing out." Her eyes look up as the darkness grows deeper and she breathes deeply. "Let us hope that we do not run into trouble." These words are spoken mostly into the shadows as they grow darker and more consuming, and sighing, she looks at Galharth and nods, "When next we speak, hopefully we will be much closer to having all the details finished."

Nodding once, the Tailor backs away a few more steps. "I'll leave you to it then, and see to my own efforts." Lifting a hand to his chest, Galharth bows his head. "Till we meet next, namarie." With that he turns and moves northwards, moving towards the roadway and out of sight.