8/9/2008
================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Mid Afternoon < About 4:04 PM >
IC day is: Ormenel <Heavens-day>
IC date is: 10 Iavas <Autumn>
Moon phase: Full <VISIBLE>
Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is: Loa 20 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3044>
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RL time: Sat Aug 09 09:01:43 2008
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Golden Roadway - Northern Arc - Garden Shelter
You stand in an exceptionally large clearing high atop the great hill of Caras Galadhon, and along the Golden Roadway. This
clearing is different than the others in that a sloping roof has been built over it providing many places to hang lanterns,
tapestries, or hammocks among the pillars and beams. It appears someone has actually left a hammock hanging from the roof,
though it looks quite small. Unlike a protected gazebo, though, there are no railings to protect careless creatures from
tripping and rolling all the way down to the bottom of the hill.

To the south, partially following the westward curving road, a great piece of the hill has been roughed out and flattened.
From this direction, the fragrant smell of flowers seem to pass through the area. As well, a small garden path lined with
low cut bushes and small violets disappears in that direction.

Contents:
Tolur
Elien
=====================================================================

The mid-Afternoon light filters down in lighted rays through the golden canopy that stretches out high overhead. Sounds of
song sung by unseen gatherings of Bards mingle with the natural sounds of birds and wildlife that make their homes. A gentel
breeze sweeps across the forest floor, dancing through the city, bringing with it the scent of roses and other delicate
flowers from nearby gardens. It seems yet another perfect day within the Golden Wood of Lothlorien.

A Grey Cloaked figure wanders the path on this day, pausing a moment, the golden haired figure moves to stand within the
gazebo. From there, he looks out over the city as it stretches out from below his vantage atop the hill. "Beautiful," Tolur
mutters softly aloud.

"Indeed it is." Her voice comes from deep in the back of the hill, under the sloping room. Elien clears her throat, but lets
a grin appear on her lips. She sits on the ground with her legs curled under her dress. The straight brown locks fly in the
breeze with some of her bangs hanging loose about her forhead and slightly hiding her green eyes. The rest of her hair hangs
heavily to her mid-back. Her dress that covers her body shimmers slightly in the light but with the overall color of
blue-green. No sleeves on this dress but the collar just meets her neck. The dress' decor is gold strands embroidered at the
hem, waist and neckline.

On her lap, she has a small bit of food on a cloth next to a book she has open. Her eyes flick up to look at the cloaked
figure, "And you have come merely to enjoy the view with me? I'm honored."

Turning as someone speaks, the Warden smiles. "Forgive me, I did not see you when I approached the gazebo. I hope I'm not
interrupting..." he says as his eyes flicker to the food upon the cloth, ".....your afternoon meal."

Glancing back to the view of the city, a soft sigh escapes his lips. "You've picked a wonderful spot to linger. When I
return to the city, I always find myself here at least once before returning to the border." Glancing back to the elleth, he
tilts his head. "What brings you here? Inspiration or relazation?"

"Relaxation. And yes my afternoon meal. I wanted to enjoy the breeze I found soft upon me here. Reading at this time feels
rather more awakening." Elien closes her eyes then opens them slowly, "You have interupted nothing at all. I enjoy anyone
how wants my company save for those who would prefer a bit of debate. I suppose then you came for the inspiration? One last
time of the view to remember vividly before venturing out beyond. Yet, you carry stories of the beyond which at times is
enjoyable to share." Her eyes peer at him and fingers close the book slowly.

Moving towards the Elleth, Tolur chuckles softly. "You do not like debate?" the Warden asks as he lowers himself to sit
cross legged a short distance from Elien. Shifting his position slightly, both his longsword and longbow are adjusted for
comfort in a seated position. "I do on occasion, but to be honest, most debating I do is with a Longbow upon particularly
stubborn Uruk that are fool enough to wander by the wood."

Tilting his head slightly, and lifting a brow, the Guard asks, "You find Guards stories enjoyable? Are you a bard, Elien?"

Elien watches him sit near, then picks up the bit of food left on the cloth. She gives a little shake of her head as she
chews a nibble of food. "I am not fond of debating at atll. My tongue is stubborn and my ears often don't want to hear the
other side too keenly. I just listen these days to others debate and watch whose tongue twitters sharper than the other."
She shakes her head again, "I enjoy stories because I enjoy hearing about the world beyond our borders. Tell me what you see
beyond Lothlorien? I rarely walk outside of the city of late."

"I fear that my own tales are limited as I travel little and infrequently." Tolur says as he turns to look out upon the
city. "Alas, for a listener, tales of travels is limited now, as those who venture to lands beyond are in fact travelling
now to the Bardic Congress." Looking back to the elleth, he smiles again. "But they should be back soon enough, and then
you'll have years worth of tales to be heard. Until then, there are stories of the beasts that are ever wandering past our
land. I could tell you of that if you wish?"

Elien pushes her book off her lap and sliding the cloth into a small pocket on her dress, she pulls her legs up so her chin
can lay on her covered knees. "I would love to hear stores you have to share, Warden Tolur." She smiles softly but her eyes
close again for awhile as another breeze passes by them. A long breath she takes is let out slowly. "That is why I enjoy my
time here. That breeze." Eyes opening. "There will be celebration with the home coming of those who ventured to the Bardic
Congress. Right now, stories from you are only wanted."

"Then let me tell you of the recent Troll attack," Tolur says as he settles his arms comfortably atop his knees. "This tale
however, does not begin with me, nay, it begins with the innocent searchings of a Craftsmaster seeking a new location for
our forges." Turning his attention from all that might distract him, the Warden looks deeply into the emerald green grass
that lines the pathway. "This tale began with the Lord Celeborn, who made mention of a place, not far from the borders, that
might be found suitable for the forges. All seemed well when the Lord and the Craftmaster first inspected the site, but the
matter turned quite foul when Galharth returned alone." Looking up to Elien, he adds, "Or as alone as one might be while
traveling upon the borders, for eyes always watch and linger, always ready to protect...." Taking a deep breath, the Guard
looks carefully at the elleth. "What is it that you do, or wish to do. It might help me to tell the tale if I know what to
compare things against...."

Elien hmms as her concentration has been on each word he speaks. Her eyes widen at his question, then narrows in thought. "I
help my parents as I can currently but I've had leanings to a craft and yet I have thought of help within the Royal Court.
My family has not pressed the matter only have been supportive by letting me speak to others whose position I have interest
in. Therefore, as of now I'm not sure what you will compare things to, but only advise be as elaborate as you desire." Her
smile widens a moment then fades so her ears concentrate back on his words again.

"Ah, the Royal Court. Should that be the path you take, then be wary for all that I say may well find its way into your life
as it has into the life of my dear brother-in-law." Tolur says softly, with a hint of amuzement in his eyes. "Did you know
that the Craftmaster is of the Court as well? Perhaps you should speak with him upon his return."

Shaking his head, not waiting for a response, the Warden looks once more to the ground and the beautiful soft grass. "As I
was saying, Galharth went to inspect this potential site for the forges, but on this day the site was not empty. In the
midst of the wooded vale a giant troll lingered. Now..." he says, pausing his words for drama before continuing, "...this
was no ordinary troll. This was Grot, the giant beast known as an Olog-Hai, one that could stand in the light." Shaking his
head, as if the memory was unpleasant, it takes the Guard a moment to continue. "Well, at that moment, it was found that the
Craftmaster was not alone, and as he might have slipped away, the Troll threatened to bring great harm to the Guard Maglind
who had come to help. Ah what a terrible battle ensued, for both Galharth and Maglind gained injury, and of the two, one
remained in the hands of the enemy."

Elien nods her head once when she lifts it briefly from her knees. "I will speak to him upon his return. Thank you."
However, this time as he tells the story, she lays the side of her head on her knees, staring out past her storyteller, "Who
was caught?" Her breath is held when she waits for his answer. "How long ago was this? Do they both have endured injuries?
And are they willing to speak of this event openly if I ask about it?" Then a quick chuckle. "Sorry, Warden. This is why I
do not debate often. I get lost in the moment of words."

"Such friends they are, Maglind and Galharth, both would freely give their life to save the other, but at this meeting, the
Tailor was the one captured, and the other left to tell the demand for return of out lost one..." Tolur pauses soft, sighing
and clearly working to hide the discomfort of memory. "Ah what battles continued after that, this great beast was one that
brought fear into the hearts of many. In the end, after days of effort, it was Aragorn who drove the troll away." Looking
up, the Warden tilts his head, "And when it left, it did so missing an eye, for while I had no remarkable skills to drive it
off, I did manage to put an arrow into the beast's eye. For as long as it lives, it will not forget the Golden Wood...."

Elien looks at him a moment that is averted quickly to look at the ground, "I am proud that you assisted in that battle and
that Grot will know not to venture near our lands. Do you hope he spoke of the battle and that it is best not to come here?"
She straigtens up and looks at her lap, "I'm sorry to have asked for a story that would bring a stinging memory to mind. I'm
glad that Maglind had been save. Yet, when was this?" She lets her knees down so her legs twine about each other.

"Nay, do not be sorry, for my own part was nothing compared to the suffering of others." Tolur says with a shadow of a
smile. "For some it pushed them to better themself, for others it inspired protectiveness and dedication. But...." he says,
pausing his words to look out over the city, "...,but it affected everyone who saw or heard in what has been over a year
later."

Elien nods a few times, "A year back. Then it is too fresh to ask about then. I'll not talk about it with the others." She
smiles at him. "I don't want to linger on such an emotional event though. Tell me how you are doing and this past time you
ventured out, what was the scenery like?"

"It is summer over the lands, so shades of green that flourish within the wood, do so outside as well." Tolur says with a
smile "The season I find the most remarkable is that of winter." A hint of wistfulness enters the ellon's voice and he looks
skyward into the golden leaves. "The land seems to enter into death, and nature lays a soft blanket of white snow over all
as far as the eye can see."

Turning west, his hand sweeps upward towards the distant mountaintops. "The white that lingers in the mountains works its
way to our border, stopped only by the delicate powers of our Lady Galadriel...." Looking back to Elien he smiles. "It is a
sight to behold, you should come visit it one day when winter comes."

Elien chuckles at his telling of winter. "Yes, when it does come, you'll send me a message to come out of the city to visit
this winter. White snow. I've had others tell me of it but I haven't seen it for myself truly outside of paintings and
pictures of the event. What is it like though to touch it and walkin it?" She seems rather bewildered and yet in awe.

"While we can walk atop the crystal coating, there is a delicate crunch that we firstborn might hear where others can not."
Tolur says with a smile, "It is cold, and each flake is a thing of great beauty as if one of our crafters has taken a hand
in their design. One can spend a lifetime marveling at the designs...."

Tilting his head to the elleth, his smile grows wide and knowing, "Should you venture into the Royal Court, you'll find
yourself traveling, and such things you will see....."

Elien stands slowly, rising with her book in hand. She bows her head to him, "I will remember that Warden Tolur. Please
visit here again even if I'm here and I will enjoy your company once again. It was a pleasure to see you though. Send good
feelings from me to your wife as well as your brother-in-law. I should visit my mother since she will need help with sewing
for the day." She waves a hand to help, "Take care."