================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Late Morning < About 10:20 AM >
IC day is: Ormenel <Heavens-day>
IC date is: 33 Firith <Fading>
Moon phase: Last Quarter <HIDDEN>
Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is: Loa 16 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3040>
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RL time: Tue Apr 24 12:26:54 2007
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Long Lawn
You stand amidst a long lawn of shining grass. It ripples in the gentle river
breezes like tresses of golden hair, sprinkled too with hundreds of golden
elanor flowers which radiate with the light of the sun. The eastern edge of the
lawn fades into a white-stone beach, lapped upon by the deep and dark waters of
the broad Anduin river which flows from the north, continuing southwards forever
onto the sea. Joining the Anduin directly to the south is the Celebrant river,
which hurries towards you from between the groves of Mallorns to the northwest.
Northwards, the lawn is bordered by a high green wall of dense forest growth.
With your sharp elven eyes, you spy a small recess in the wall, perhaps a
passageway which leads through it.
Participants:
Galharth
Ostiel
Maglind
Daerlach
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Autumn is in full bloom, and though Lorien's beauty does not flutter with the
changing of seasons, the melancholy sky above and silver leaves attest to Arda's
lingering power, even here. However, in the Long Lawn, the grass is as
brillantly green as during summer, and lets off the scent of freshness, even as
cool winds stream in from the Anduin, chilling and emotionless. However, the
sunny elanor are not intimidated by any gusting blow...they stand fragile and
proud, dripping with lingering dew.
There is one who lays with her heart to the earth, sunlight-touched hair and
dress spread like an enveloping fan, mimicking the brown dirt below. Ostiel's
green eyes flicker, and close as a flock of birds soar above. Excepting that,
the lawn is silent and heavy with aura, as if time and atmosphere stood still,
unwilling to relinquish their hold on these mysterious lands.
Slipping through a passage in the living wall that protects the land of
Lothlorien from that which might be found at the joining of the rivers, the
clothier moves with a bounce in his step, and a tune hummed softly from his
lips. Galharth's hair rises into a dance as he turns into the cool breeze. Over
his shoulder, the ellon carries a net, larger than the test net he had carried
for weeks on end, and smaller than the hefty net woven for a large beast.
As he enters the lawn, he moves directly towards the river shore where he lowers
the net to the ground. "This should work out perfectly," he says aloud.
Remaining in a stooped position, he begins to gather fistfuls of net into his
hands.
The song of silence stops abruptly. Ostiel's eyes fly open, filled to brimming
with annoyance. Leaning up on her elbows, she peers over the tall grasses,
directly at Galharth, saying nothing.
Slipping the loop of the net's lead rope over his wrist, Galhart stands up and
peers up, and then down the shoreline. As he peers down the shoreline, he
catches sight of Ostiel. Opening his mouth to call out a greeting, he clamps his
mouth shut as he notes the lady's expression. "I'm sorry to disturb you!" the
clothier calls out, "but still, it is a pleasure to see you!"
Even as Galharth speaks, Ostiel lets out a soft sigh, negative emotion bleeding
away. "Nay," Ostiel calls back calmly, laying back down, out of view, "This is
an open lawn, mellon nin, and all are welcome to partake of it's beauty. Be at
peace."
A smile lights upon the clothiers face. "I am always at peace dear lady,"
Galharth says. Lifting the net to bring it into view, he winks, "I'll not be
long, I only intend to catch a few fish." Taking a few steps back from the
shore, his smile remains firmly set upon his face, "And if luck is on my side,
I'll share my catch and we'll both prosper."
"Thank you," echoes from Ostiel's lowly position, as well as a soft rustling as
she turns onto her back. "It is good to be at peace. That is something one
should hold onto with both hands."
Stretching his arms out, he swings both arms and net back. Taking a quick step
forward, he swings the net around, turning his body with the net. Taking a hop
and turning a second time, he suddenly releases the net out over the water. The
net snakes out, unfolding as it moves outwards until held by the line upon the
clothiers outstretched wrist.
"That should do it," Galharth says with no small measure of excitement. Standing
still, he watches as the net sinks downward into the water, and finally
disappearing into the murky darkness below the surface. "What do you think? Was
that good enough to catch a fish or two?"
"I'm afraid," Ostiel replies, brunette head once again poking up from among the
rashes, "That I did not see it. However, you are an edhel who does not do things
faintly, and therefore, I imagine it to be so." Perhaps she tires of yelling,
perhaps not, but either way Ostiel rises and moves closer to the Clothier.
Looking over his shoulder, the clothier's smile fades, "I rank among those
considered a pest," Galharth says bluntly, "It was not my intent to interrupt
your rest and enjoyment of the lawn."
Turning back to the river, he begins to tug upon the anchor line. Pulling in the
slender rope, one arms length, he tugs gently, only to find it caught. "Hmmms,"
he muses aloud. "It seems to be caught." With those words, the ellon leans back
and gives a firm tug upon the line. Unfortunately, his strength is not enough
and the net remains well below the surface.
"Certainly," Galharth says as he offers a portion of his anchor line. "It's
probably caught upon some underwater grass," he mutters as he once more attempts
to draw the net out of the water with a hearty tug. "It's a bit stubborn," he
adds in complaint.
Planting both feet firmly behind her, Ostiel pulls upward sharply. From the
certainty of her stance, it appears she may have performed this task before. "It
would not be a suitable net if there was no strength built within."
"It seems to be holding firm," Galharth says with a grunt as he pulls along with
Ostiel's effort. "I don't think it's going to give way," he mutters after a one
final tug.
With his hand still on the rope, he gazes at Ostiel. "Might be easier if I just
took a dive in to see what's holding it," he says with a slight hesitation in
his voice.
Eyeing the river, Ostiel frowns. "If you are certain it is safe, I concur.
However, those waves, however small, could prove ungainly." Indeed, the wind
beginning to create strong ripples across the water's surface.
The ellon's smile returns in full force, "Whatever holds the net, will hold me
as well. Given time to free my net, I'll be back to shore in no time at all."
Slipping the net from his wrist, and leaving it in the elleth's capable hands,
he slips his robe and shirt from his shoulders. When his upper body is free of
clothing that might catch upon the current, he plops down to sit upon the ground
to remove his boots. "There, nothing to catch, and nothing to ruin," Galharth
says as he rises to his feet. Holding out a hand towards Ostiel, he awaits
delivery of the rope.
The rope is given. Ostiel settles down on the bank gracefully, observing
Galharth's movements with a keen eye.
Bowing slightly, Galharth accepts the rope and slips it over his wrist. "Wish me
luck" he says as he turns and runs for the water. After a few steps into the
blue liquid, the ellon dives in, and quickly disappears below the surface of the
water. All that remains is an occasional burst of bubbles mingled in with the
waves.
Ostiel watches where he disappeared, expression unconcerned. The other end of
the rope is held firmly in both hands, and seems unlikely to slip.
While the gentle calm continues on the surface of the river, a sudden burst of
bubbles reveals that the same can not be said far below. Long moments pass, and
still the ellon does not return. Is this the end to the clothier?
As if responding to the unasked question, Galharth's fair head breaks the
surface. Tossing his head back, he gasps for air and begins wading towards the
shore. "The net was caught," he calls out breathlessly, "I can not tell what is
down there, but I managed to break where it was caught so that I could free my
net."
Drawing up to the shore, he rises out of the water and turns to being reeling in
the net. "It almost seems to be a ship, or perhaps a raft, but clearly it is not
native to the river bed."
"How odd," Ostiel replies mildly, peering into the water while assisting
Galharth in pulling up the net. "Are you certain it is wood?"
"It was hard to tell exactly what the net caught upon, the waters in their
darkness do not reveal the same as a dark night." The clothier says as he works
along side the Attendant in the task of pulling in the net. "There!" Galharth
calls out as the net rises to the surface and draws near. Caught within the net
are several flopping fish, and a queer piece of wood.
Ostiel smiles upon seeing the fish, blowing a loose strand of hair from where it
dangles before her eyes. "I do believe your net worked very well indeed, mellon
nin. See your profit." The wood is looked upon with a mildness that yet betrays
a flicker of great curiosity.
The lawn waves blindingly, hiding the approach of one with hair as golden as the
grass. He is well hidden until the grass bends in the wind and he does not.
"What's this?" he calls laughingly from afar. "No elves this time?"
Nodding his head in agreement, Galharth continues to reel in the net. "It seems
we will both eat well this eve. And truthfully, there is enough for the both of
us and several of our friends to eat well." While the ellon might have said
more, the voice from behind draws is attention. Turning, the clothier smiles at
the sight of the Warden. "It worked with Guards, so of course I thought it would
serve equally well on fish." Turning to Ostiel, he winks and adds, "Though to be
honest the fish gave a bit of a struggle and I had to dive in to retrieve the
net."
Taking a few more pulls upon the line, the net is nearly upon the shore. "Come
Maglind, help Ostiel pull in the last of the net so that I might put my boots
and robe back on."
Laughter pours from Ostiel's lips, and she moves aside to make room for Maglind.
"Aye, it was a very frisky fish indeed. Fortunately Galharth was stronger." Her
leans muscles flex as she pulls. The last of net begins to inch up out of the
river.
"He found me quite the frisky fish," murmurs Maglind as he braces himself
against the dripping net; feet crunching in the white stones and shallows, he
pulls.
Pulling on his shirt, Galhart joins Ostiel in laughter. "Well, perhaps the fish
weren't so frisky, but there is something at the bottom of the river that gave
me a struggle." Shaking his head, the ellon pulls his robe over his shoulders
before dropping to sit upon the ground.
Smiling at Maglind, he chuckles again. "Indeed, you were a frisky one Maglind,
though at first your movement in the brush scared the life out of me. For all I
knew, you could have been some nasty beast lurking in the dark," the clothier
says as he begins to pull on his boots.
"Ah, there we are," Ostiel exclaims with smile as the last bit of net flops onto
the shore. "You have good timing, Maglind. My thanks." Hiking up her skirt to
mid-calf, Ostiel moves closer to the piece of wood, running a slim finger over
the edge.
"It is good to be wary at the marches," replies Maglind, dropping the thick
ropes on the stones of the beach. "But what is that? Is that of a mallorn-tree?"
he asks, peering into the middle of the net.
Pulling on his last boot, the clothier peers at Ostiel as she runs her finger
over the wood. "Do you sense anything?" he asks with a hint of curiosity. "I
felt something when I kicked it free, but it was a fleeting sensation." Turning
his gaze towards the Warden, Galharth shakes his head. "Something sits in the
murky depths of the river, and while I can not truely tell, it almost seems to
be a boat of some shape or form." Rising to his feet, the ellon brushes off his
pants, and offers a smile. "So, fish anyone? It seems there is more than enough
to share."
"Perhaps," Ostiel notes softly, cradling a small piece of the wood in her palm,
"But it is too soon to say for certain. As for fish..." She stands, smiling. "I
would love some."
THe long lawn's green grass whispers in the breeze around the small company of
elves.
Daerlach strides out of the arch in the green wall, shifting his cloak about him
as he strides. Caras Galadhon and the stresses of the forge have been cramping
him lately--he needs some fresh nature.
As he approaches the quietly conversing group of elves, he runs a hand along his
hair. He give them a graceful bows.
"Greetings, comrades. Ah... And did I hear something of fish?"
"Perhaps it was something from beyond the Falls?" muses Maglind, poking at it
gingerly. "But yes. Fish. Do you have need of my knife, Galharth?"
Shaking his head at the offer of a knife he digs deep inside the pockets of his
robes, "Nay, I'll not be cutting this net as I'd like to save it to be used
again." As the clothier withdraws several large scraps of fabric, he turns to
the sound of a new voice. "Welcome, and please join us. There are fish aplenty
for everyone."
Passing a cloth to each present, he sweeps his hand towards the net. "They're
yours for the picking," he says with a laugh. Reaching out for the wood now held
in Ostiel's hand, he frowns. "I'm sure it was a vessel, but perhaps the Lady, or
some other of older days will know what lays within the water."
"Aye, perhaps." Ostiel passes the wood to Galharth. "The wood is well-worked,
unless it has only been under for a short time. The structure is still firm." As
for the fish...hmmm. She eyes them with sympathy and interest.
Daerlach nods, twirling the crystal sphere at his neck.
Picking his way as delicately as a deer through the net, Maglind disentangles
his fish, a little silver one, and wraps it carefully in the square of cloth. "I
suppose there will have to be a fire?" he asks, turning to the other -- and
greeting Daerlach with a nod.
Accepting the wood, the Tailor turns it over several times in his hand, and then
offers it to Daerlach for viewing. "The net caught upon that very piece of
wood," Galharth says as he turns his attention to the flopping fish. "Go on
Ostiel, pick a few. Surely with your access to herbs, you'll have a mouth
watering dish prepared this eve."
Grinning at Maglind, he lifts a brow. "I have no means to start a fire here, but
if you do, we can all have a nice Lunch and save the rest for dinner."
A smile spreads across Daerlach's face. He shrugs, as he takes a silvery, smooth
fish from within the net, wrapping it in a corner of his cloak. He takes the
wood in his fingers, twirling it around.
"Indeed? That is strange. Is there something at the bottom of the river/"
"Uh huh," Ostiel replies absently, though it not clear to whom she is speaking.
Not partaking of the fish, she rises. "I will go in search of those herbs now.
Perhaps you will reserve a few for me?"
"Of course we'll save a few for you," Galharth says quickly, "A few and then
some. Perhaps yo can bring a few back to the Healing Talan for your fellow
Healers." Reaching into the net, the clothier grasps a large floppy fish that
seems to reflect a rainbow upon its scales. "This one is yours dear lady, so
hurry back or I may well have to use this net on Maglind!" Chuckling softly
towards the Warden, he adds in a lower voice, "Definately roasted!"
Turning his attention to the jewelsmith, he nods. "Something yes, but what I
can't be sure to say. The lady knows all, so I'm sure she'll be able to tell me
something." Glancing to those present, he adds, "If you should speak with her
before I do, please mention my finding and let her know that I seek knowledge."
The Jewelsmith nods. He runs a finger along the smooth grain of the wood,
studying it coriously. A glint comes into his eye.
"I am not a woodcarver, but this does look like a fine peace. And I do have some
experience with shaping.. He turns his head, eyes flitting over the gathered.
"Is there anyone else who would like to keep this?"
"I took the swim in the water to free the net, so I'll keep the wood." Galharth
says as he reaches out a hand. "If anything, I'll follow up with a few folks who
might be able to tell me something."
Looking back towards the water, he shrugs. "If anything, the larger net I have,"
he pauses to glance at Maglind with a smile before he continues, "is large
enough to retreive what lays in the bottom of the river."
Daerlach nods. He hands the wood back to the clothier as he sits down on the
lawn.
"I do like my fish roasted, yes," he says to Maglind as he waits for the elf
to-possibly-start a fire.
A tendril of smoke rises from the stones.
"Perhaps you could help clean them?" grins Maglind, turning from the rough
structure he has set up. "Here," and a sheathed knife flashes through the air.
Daerlach laughs, as he unwinds the corner of his cloak. He reaches out a hand
and snags the knife out of the air.
"I shall," he says.
He unsheathes the knife, carving a straight incision down the firsh's middle. He
isn't a sea-food expert, but there are some rudimentary skills all ellon
possess.
"Don't forget to gut them first," the clothier calls out helpfully as he kneels
down to pluck the remaining fish from the net. Capturing the wiggling creatures
with both hands, Galharth tosses them towards Daerlach. "Well done with the fire
Warden. Tell me, do you have a flint or some other tool? It seems you got that
fire going rather quick."
Daerlach nods to the taylor as he continues with the incision.
He sets the fish aside when he finishes, and begins to diligently work on the
remaining ones.
"Knives make a good flint, Clothier," says Maglind, prodding the little flames
with a stick. "But you must be careful not to cut yourself. It is a necessity
learned from travel in the rain."
Galharth chuckles softly, "I should like you to teach me that skill Warden.
Since joining the Royal Court, I've come to realize that one day my poor hide
will likely be stuck out in the pouring rain or falling snow, between home and
some wickedly foreign land, and such a skill will be quite useful."
Reaching into the net, another silvery fish is captured and tossed to Daerlach,
"With or without the herbs, we'll eat well for lunch this day!"
Daerlach has now piled a hefty five fish by his side. He neatly catches the
sixth that is tossed to him, and begins to gut it.
"Indeed we shall, Master Taylor. i believe i can already feel my belly
grumbling!"
"Haste makes burnt fish," recites Maglind deadpan as he thrusts a branch through
one, then two, and sets it on the fire. The flames stutter.
"Two each this meal is enough, don't you think?" Galharth asks as he glances
between Maglind and Daerlach. "The rest I'll wrap for us to return to the city
with. Oh, and a few set aside for the lady Ostiel." Quickly wrapping up the
remaining fish, the clothier sets a package by both ellon's present. "I need to
stretch and dry my net," he explains as he gathers up the mentioned tool.
Tucking the net over his arm, he strides towards the hedge. "The hedge is too
flimsy on this side, I'm going to find a spot on the other side," the crafter
calls out as he slips through the hedge.
Daerlach nods to Galharth as the ellon leaves. He picks up the now cleaned fish,
handing htem over to Maglind to put them on the now steady fire.
"And now we wait," says Maglind to Daerlach, steepling his fingers to watch the
smoke and aroma rise. "Do you come often to this river, mellon?"
Daerlach shakes his head.
"I do not. When I seek solitude, i usually go to the Garden of Silver Lights.
But I felt I needed toget out of the city today."
Fade to Black