================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Early Night < About 9:01 PM >
IC day is: Orithil <Moon-day>
IC date is: 31 Firith <Fading>
Moon phase: Waning Gibbous <VISIBLE>
Earendil: Gil-Estel shines very brightly above the horizon in the
western sky.
IC year is: Loa 16 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3040>
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RL time: Mon Apr 23 16:00:30 2007
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Elven Path
The path continues onwards through the mighty mallorn trees. The trunks of the great trees provides you with enough cover to avoid being seen by those on the main path yet still be able to watch what occurs on the main path. A bird pecks at the dark rich loam of the path, trying to find a worm for breakfast...

Participants:
Galharth
Maglind
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The stars gleam brightly in the early evening sky, offering enough light to illuminate the northern path that lays far below the elven path that hides within the trees above. A dry wind blows from the north, bringing a strange scent which is far from the more pleasant fragrances that can be found within the city.

On this eve, a Tailor haunts the path. He kneels before a strange contraption, folding and packing a large weighted net into what looks like a large bowl attached to a long arm. Nearing completion, he pauses his work to look towards the path below, and then to the trees opposite his location. "Should work..." he mutters.

The bushes rustle. What is it? It could be an animal -- but who knows what animals roam the borders, so close to the world outside...

The nearby rustling sound draws Galharth's attention, and his hands freeze where they lay and he peers about with narrowed, nervous eyes. "Hello?" he squeaks out.

Nervously lowering his hand as if to stand, using the hand for leverage against the Catapult frame, the device suddenly snaps and launches it's payload. Galharth's eyes grow wide, and he swiftly glances downward and visibly cringes as he sees that his actions had depressed the lever.

Turning his gaze to watch the final motion of the net stretching out, he finds himself mesmerized by its actions. Reaching it's full size, it suddenly begins to dropping downwards as the weighted edge reacts to gravity, landing atop the once rustling bush. "Oh my," the clothier mutters.

Watching the wild motion, Galharth clasps his hands together and draws his fists together to cover his mouth with concern. With narrowed eyes, and a tilt to his head, as he strives to see what causes the motion, he begins to approach that which has become ensnared. "Poor thing," he mutters, pausing his words as the still hidden figure speaks.

"Ummmm," he says louder, "T'is no hunters." Dropping his hands from his mouth and hurrying towards the net, he begins to pull the woven trap away from the bush. "I'm sooooo sorry," he continues with a hint of embarrassment, "I was positive that I could test this without disrupting anything."

"Well," the netted one replies cheerfully, reaching a pale hand up to help Galharth, "now you know it works."

"Sorry I startled you," says Maglind, picking leaves from his shoulders. "I meant to ask nicely. But -- what is that thing?

A grin appears on the clothier's face. "Indeed, it does work well. And to answer, it's a net." he says, clearly pleased with the outcome. "It'll take some time to get the aim correct each time, but I do say it'll be well worth it."

Fumbling with the net, it seems to fall in on itself, making the task a difficult one. "It won't be easy getting you out." He mumbles as he tries to figure out which part of the net to pull upon next. "It's intended for a larger prey, a troll in fact."

"It is rather effective," agrees Maglind, tenderly touching a spot on his head where a weight hit him. "But trolls have very great strength, don't they? Are you sure one of them cannot tear the net apart piece by piece?"

Continuing to work towards freeing the Warden, Galharth shakes his head in response to Maglind's words. "The rope is the same as we use for our bridges across the river, only of a slightly thicker design." the clothier explains, "While it may not hold completely, it will certainly act to delay the beast long enough for warriors to strike without fear of an unrestrained blow in response."

Galharth shrugs his shoulders. "I can't argue that I'd also prefer to avoid having to use anything that rings of a conflict," the clothier says as he pushes the net up over the Warden's head, "I myself would be content to use the net to catch fish in the river so that we all might eat well at a feast."

With the mention of a feast, the ellon narrows his gaze, "I am reminded of something." he says slowly, "When did you return from Imladhrim? Certainly it's only been a few days, for this is in fact the first I've seen of any who traveled afar."

"Only a few days, though I have tarried at the Fences," replies the warden, shouldering the weights of the net as he struggles. "Had you need to speak with anyone?"

"Well, then, I welcome you home," Galharth says warmly, "And no, there is no urgency to speak with anyone. I would like to speak with Niinaeth, as was directed by the Lady when I recently joined the Royal Court.'

Still collecting the net, the clothier falls silent for several moments, "The Lady bids me to test this net within our borders, but I feel that it's true test would be better performed in conditions that might better mimic the strenth and power of it's intended victim." He pauses long enough to shrug his shoulders. "My joining the Court might well teach me of my surroundings and the peoples that border our home."

Maglind ponders for a brief second, resting his elbows in the dirt. "There are not very many beautiful things outside," he says finally. "Perhaps you could test the net on a large stone? Trolls are made of stone."

"From what the Ranger Annaiel has said, their strength is the key to the net working in our favor." Galharth explains, "A large stone falling into the net from a high point such as a cliff, is, in my view the best means to test the net." Taking a deep breath, and releasing it slowly, the clothier pauses his work to look along the length of the elven path. "I know of no place in Lorien where to test such strength, other than to have an eagle drop a large bolder into a net stretched over the river or between larger trees."

"Let us hope they are accurate in boulder-tossing," remarks Maglind dryly as he wriggles free. "Were there trolls here recently? I don't believe you would make a net for no reason."

"There was an incident some weeks back between the Ranger Annaiel and the elven adolescent Rhibi," the clothier says as the Warden frees himself from the last trappings of the net. "Discussions with Mia regarding her concerns and inability to put forth any effective means to protect the child inspired this," Galharth says as he begins to fold the large maze of rope. "It can be deployed by a non combattant whilst those with weapon skill can go forth to defeat the trapped enemy."

Again, the ellon shrugs, "At least that's the theory at the moment."

"I see," says Maglind, shaking leaves from his tunic. "In any way, I wish you luck with your... testing. I'll be going back to my post now."

"Thank you," Galharth says with a smile. With his arms full of net, he looks down at it and then back to the Warden, "And I am sorry that you were caught, I assure you that I'll take better care next time."