8/22/2008

Rim of the Valley

From here you can look out over a large expanse of verdant valley floor. Some primeval alpine lake has emptied, leaving
sheer walls hundreds of feet high. It looks several miles long, and perhaps a mile across at its widest point. On the
opposite cliffs you can see pine forests. Far off in the middle of the valley you see a large house with a broad open meadow
around the nearer side. The house has many windows facing in all directions and many chimneys. There are built-up terraces
running along the river's northern side from the house, and a forest rises behind them. You are at the top of a zigzagging
trail that works its way down the cliffs towards the less difficult forested slopes leaning against them. The trail is quite
treacherous for large or heavily laden people or animals. If you are mounted, you would think twice about trying to ride
down -- and forget about taking a wagon down.

To the southwest and southeast, the beginnings of paths across the moors can be seen.

Contents:
Galharth
Thorhur


The camp of the Galadhrim perches on the ridge of a canyon. Far below, the land of Imladris lies, a utopia amongst the wilds
of Eriador.

Thorhur, Knight, Minstrel, and babysitter? Yes, this is the case. The ellon stands at the edge of the camp, smiling down at
the young boy who pulls at his cloak. "Now there," he finally says, "Don't disrobe me. What would people think?"

"I would think that mischief is ever present in the presence of human children, much like it is with our own." Galharth says
as he approaches the Knight. Pausing a few feet from the child and Knight, the Tailor stoops down so to minimize his height
before the child. "The healers are giving your sister cookies, little one. I was asked to bring yours to you." A smile
appears upon the Craftmasters face and he puts forth his hand with two tasty cookies cradled on his palm. "Are you hungry?"

The boy smiles and wheels around towards Galharth. He laughs and nods. The Knight looks on with a grin. He watches as the
child devours the cookie, getting more on his face than his mouth, before resuming his vain attempt to pull Thorhur's cloak
off. "They're really such sweet children," he says, "It's amazing how similar they are to our own children in their younger
years." The boy yanks particularly hard on the cloak and howls with amusement.

"Indeed, similar in personality, but so unlike eachother in other means." Galharth says with a chuckle at the boys antics.
"Our own children would be singing and speaking with some level of proficiency at this age. By comparison, these children
seem slow." Laughing louder as the boy tugs on the Knights cloak, the Tailor shakes his head. "Still, they've been a joy and
I'm sure their mother and father will be anxious to see them both." Looking up to the Knight, he tilts his head slightly.
"When do you think we'll arrive so to turn over our charges to their parents?"

The Knight waves a hand behind him. The boy has now taken hold of his ankle, and after a vain attempt at walking he simply
stays where he is. "I'm not entirely sure when we will meet the parents. We simply need to make our way down the cliff. Is
it odd though. I have been to the Valley many times, and in each instance there was a guard to escort us."

"Whoa," he gasps. The boy is attempting to trip him. The Knight manages to pry him off and then squats down to be face to
face with him. "Here little one," he whispers, "Wouldn't you rather play with your Uncle Galharth?" he winks at the Tailor.
The boy simply stares.

Galharth nods. "It is the same for those who come to our wood." He says as he glances out over the land, "It is not that we
may not know the way, but more as a show of honor to welcome guests."

Turning back to look a the child, the Craftmaster laughs. "Do not let me take your entertainment, Thorhur. He's certain to
keep you active and on your toes." Glancing back to the land, he shakes his head. "I think I would wish to meet the parents,
if only to assure them that those who cared for the children enjoyed their efforts. I know I did."

"Ah, the joys of parenthood," he says. He turns to the boy and smiles warmly. "You do really love my cloak, don't you?" he
points to the cloak and watches as the boy nods. The Knight removes his longsword and cuts a small piece of the fabric from
the bottom. He presents the strip of cloth to the boy slowly. "Something to remember me by," he whispers as the boy takes
the cloak and begins playing with it as if it's the greatest toy ever.

A glance is given to the Tailor. "There must be something in your clothing that is irresisitble to young children."

"Perhaps his father wears one, so he finds comfort in playing with it." Galharth says, though his eyes grow wide and
disaproving at the Knights disfiguring of his cloak. "Ah, Thorhur, that was unwise. Better the child remember you whole than
cut into little pieces."

Pausing to look down at his own clothing, he chuckles. "Both the colors and the flow of the material attract the eyes.
Certainly even a child would appreciate that."

"This child doesn't know how lucky he is," the Knight replies defensively, "Being cared for by elves is a great honor. I
simply wanted him to have a memorial of us. In some way, I will miss caring for him." Thorhur ruffles the kid's hair, then
stands. The child is on the ground now, chewing on the piece of cloth curiously.


The Tailor laughs again. "We are by nature nurturers and preservers of all that we see and interact with." Looking to the
child and then back at Thorhur a smile sits firmly on Galhart's lips. "The feeling might be the same if we'd be asked to
bring puppies."

"They are much better than puppies though," the Knight replies. Seeing the child preoccupied with other things, he sneaks
away. "I need to attend to some things. Please keep an eye on him," he whispers, disappearing into the camp.