================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Nighttime < About 11:33 PM >
IC day is: Orbelain <Valar-day>
IC date is: 42 Ethuil <Spring>
Moon phase: Full <HIDDEN>
Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is: Loa 15 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3039>
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RL time: Mon Oct 23 15:11:14 2006
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Garden of the Silver Lights
You stand in the middle of a luscious garden filled with all colors and varieties of plants and flowers, whose sweet scent permeates the air. There are many hummingbirds here flying among the bushes, and even a few scarlet kirinki -- tiny Eressean finches with high pipingg voices -- are fluttering here and there among the flowers. The garden is walled, for the most part, by a tall green hedge; a number of tall, sturdy wooden trellises on which grow a type of vine adorned with large white flowers encloses the rest.

No trees grow here, and lanterns of different sizes and shapes hang from cunningly wrought sconces, their serene silver light giving a calm peace to the garden, illuminating the small benches that are set amongst the flowerbeds. To the west, grassy steps lead up the silver gates which provide the only obvious exit from the garden. There is a small brook here flowing down from the fountain at the top of the hill, and then running along the curve of the hill and disappearing into a deep green hollow to the east. A long flight of steps leads downward.

Participants:
Galharth
Curulomion
Elnara
Harma
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A soft breeze blows, filling the air with the sweet scent of life reborn. Above the lands, the evenings stars shine down, almost as if they shine alone for the satisfaction of the residents dwelling within Lothlorien. On this eve, a Clothier works feverishly with needle upon a pure white fabric while surrounded by the colors and scents in the cities most renowned garden. Life surrounding the ell on reflect upon the fabric, and are quickly added to the silky cloth. As he works, Galharth sings in a soft voice, as if he guides his hand to act upon the sweetness of the song.

Here, against a sturdy trellis, this apprentice sits, weaving his craft, seemingly drawn into his own world by both song and beauty of the fabric.

Curulomion is there as well, wandering about in the darkness as is his wont. His tall form spies Galharth at work and at once he bends his steps in the tailor's direction. "Good evening," he says softly, so as not to startle the poor man too badly, "It is a fair night, is it not?"

Looking up, Galaharth seems almost surprised by Curulomions arrival. Squeezing his eyes shut tightly, he seems to refocus his vision away from the work of art that rests within his hands. "Good eve to you as well, Curulomion," he says as a smile appears upon his lips.. Without looking down, he smoothes his hand upon the delicate fabric. Touching the fabric seems to cause the smile to grow even broader. "I was just working upon the fabric for your wedding outfit," he says as he glances down at the pure white fabric that contains a delicate maze of embroidered leaves, vines and hummingbirds.

Curulomion looks down and his mouth twitches in that strange way it always does when he is very pleased. "That is good. I hope soon to come for a fitting. It looks fair indeed. I had hoped for 8-rayed stars somewhere in there but what you have is fair to the eye and works well with my pleasure, for humming birds are one of my favourite birds, second only to nightengales."

Close behind Curulomion, jogging lightly as though trying to catch up with him, comes Elnara. She stops beside him, brushing some wayward strands of hair from her eyes. She smiles to Curulomion, the smile growing as she realizes that she's finally meeting the person who would be making their outfits. She takes Lomion's hand with a smile, standing next to him happily. "It is lovely, as much so, or more than Curulomion has told me it would be," she says with a smile to Galharth.

Tucking the fabric into a straw basket to his side, Galharth rises to his feet he pushes off from his place beside the trellis and steps forward towards the elven couple. Bowing slightly, with his hand upon his chest, the Clothier looks up towards the elleth. "Greetings dear lady, and congratulations upon you both for the upcoming union." His smile, a reflection of joy, seems to spread to include a sparkling within his eyes as he looks from ellon to elleth. "A handsome couple you both make, of that I can see. it will be a great joy to prepare the clothing for the event."

Lifting his hand from his chest, he sweeps his arm and palm to the right. "Lady, as I had a brief moment with your intended, I should like a moment with you. Could you bear to be parted for a few moments to discuss something about your dress?"

Smiling Elnara nods. "I shall return soon," she tells Curulomion, giving his hand a squeeze before walking to join Galharth. The silver of her right hand glints in the lights of the garden, showing the first obstical in her fitting. "Anything you wish, mellon nin. If my dress is half as lovely as my fiance's coat, it will truly be a sight to behold."

"Alas, it will be some time till anything is finished." Galharth admits as he moves to join the elleth for a moment of private discussion. "First, I would need some idea about your fabric expectations. I assume something of silk, delicate, soft, and with a flow that rivals the breeze. Perhaps something matching that of your intended?" Lifting a brown, icy blue eyes sweep professionally over the lady's form. Pursing his lips, he places a finger upon his chin as if considering something profound. "I would suggest a high, empire waist, but the neckline and sleeve is highly dependant upon how you might wear your hair, of that, and any particulars about the fabric, I'll need your decision."

Elnara shrugs a bit, pulling her long glove away from her dress sleave, taking her silver hand with it. She tucks the shining appendage under her arm as she thinks. "I really hadn't given it uch thought. I do want white, though. I would wear my hair down, perhaps held back by a circlet," she says as she stretches her arm out before rubbing the stiffness out of her wrist.

"Forgive me for appearing unawares or worse, ignorant," Galharth says as he turns his head slightly, clearly seeking to view the full extent of the lady's unique physical appearance, "but will you want a matching pair of gloves to go with your gown?" Holding his head upright, he peers directly at the lady's face and he smiles. "And if so, I will need to know if you prefer lace or something opaque."

"And," the Clothier continues without pause, "if your hair is to remain down, then I suggest a sweetheart neckline and long flowing sleeves. Classic, but most definitely complimentary."

Elnara pulls up her sleave more to show how her right arm simply ends at the wrist. "Yes, gloves would probably work best. The version I have right now is probably the one I will wear at the wedding. The one I usually wear for training with the guard is a full harness, and wraps completely around my chest and arm. This one, though, simply holds the hand where it should be, and relies greatly on the glove and sleave to hold it in place." To illustrate this, she pulls the glove somewhat awkwardly off the silver hand, showing a replica of a natural hand and a sort of cage that holds it to her wrist. "Opaque is what I would normally wear, perhaps even something that connected with the sleave itself, underneath somehow? Knowing my luck, my hand will fall off durring the ceremony." She smiles and sets her hand down next to the glove, scratching her head a bit. "That sounds quite nice, actually."

Holding out his hands, Galharth looks at the glove with interest. "May I look at the glove a moment?" he asks curiously. "Perhaps a light strapping that hooks into the bodice of the gown would seem decorative whilst still assuring that your silver hand doesn't drop in unannounced." Then as quickly as he had spoken, he hold his hand up and shakes his head. "Actually, inspection of the glove will be more productive within the Weavers talon than here. If you would indulge me, perhaps we can meet at a later date to discuss the details of your gown." With the last words uttered, the clothier looks back to Curulomion. "For the moment, I think we've kept your intended too long. Would you care to rejoin him so that we might discuss the full wardrobe expectation for the event."

Curulomion has been waiting patiently, falling into one of his dark reveries in the meantime, one hand holding the osprey pendant at his throat, fingers lightly running over the crystal surface of the skillfully carved gem.

Elnara smiles and nods. "Of course. Tomorrow perhaps?" she asks, moving back to Curulomion after gathering her hand and glove. She secures her hand back on her arm, then pulls the glove on over, tugging the sleave down over the fabric to make it more secure. She takes Curulomion's hand when she notes him holding his pendant, smiling and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Certainly," Galharth responds to Elnara as he follows her back to join Curulomion. Glancing from one to the other, of the couple, he smiles. "I appreciate the trust you've both placed in my skills." Taking a deep breath, the clothier glances upwards, allowing the starlight to shine brilliantly upon his face. "Is there anything else that I might do for either of you to assue that your wedding goes smoothinly?" he asks as he seems to focus upon a particularly bright star.

Curulomion comes out of his reverie slowly at Elnara's touch and at it his mouth gives one of its strange twitches. Quite disturbing to watch, actually. Then he turns his attention to Galharth. "Yes. If you can make it so that I may wear this..." His hand falls free to reveal his osprey, "I would be very much pleased. I could always stuff it down my shirt but I do not like that idea. It was a gift from Atto before he sailed...and I want it with me at my wedding. It will show up poorly against the...white," he says the word with some hesitation and a hint of displeasure in his voice, "but someone might see it if the light is right and I wish it to look well with my clothes." At Elnara's snuggling up the jewelsmith cannot resist taking her flesh hand gently in his own and simply holding it there.

Elnara looks up at his distaste at white, giving him a playful nudge. "It will look fine at the wedding. Besides, I wore dark for you at the betrothal, and we agreed we would wear white at the wedding. I was not pleased much with my dress at the betrothal, so it stands to reason that you will not be pleased with something along the way."

Drawing his hands behind his back and lowering his gaze to the couple, the clothier purses his lips and slightly furrows his brow. "I'm sure something can be done to achieve that which you wish, and I'm further sure that we can come to something comfortable for all." Galharth says in a drawn voice that hints of careful thought. "It will of course take some thought, but thankfully we have some time."

"I imagine you have much to do within the time remaining until your wedding. Food for celebration, music, decorations, guests, and your vows, and more. Have you commissioned the artists and crafters for all that you might need? Certainly it would be wonderful to gather with everyone to assure that we do not conflict with eachother."

Curulomion considers. "I have selected Urdusul to be in charge of the musci but more than that I have not done. In truth I have done little for I know little of such things. I have my luxuries and my taste is somewhat luxurious I will admit...it comes from having a skilled jewelsmith as a father who had much jewelry around the house. But I have given little thought to this for I know not what I am doing. I do not wish things to be ostentatious but I would like a touch of luxury."

"I plan on painting things for the wedding myself, and I have the feeling Curulomion will want to do any metalwork himself," Elnara says with a smile, stretching out a little once again. She grabs her sleave as her hand drops a bit, grumbling a little as she tugs the glove up again before retaking Lomion's hand.

"Perhaps you could speak with the Lady Mia," Galharth suggests after a moments consideration. "She seems well connected within the wood, especially as the Lady Galadriel's Companion. I'm sure she could contact or at least suggest others who might see to assisting you with your wedding." Shrugging his shoulders he looks around the garden as he continues. "Added to that, have you considered the place that you might exchange you vows? I could add something to the embroidery to compliment the location."

Curulomion 's eyes narrow in contemplation. "It might be well to hold it here, in the night-time wtih the lanterns burning brightly and the stars above. If space would be a problem...and I have no friends so I doubt that many will come...we could hold it at the Great Lawn near the Lord and the Lady's halls. Such would be my preferences and I seriously doubt there would be a space problem. More mock me than befriend me."

"I had not given it any thought either... Here would be nice, to be sure. There will most likely be visitors from Imladris to see me, as well as those in the guard here." Elnara frowns a bit as Curulomion brings up the touchy subject of how many in the wood view him, but shrugs it off. "Those who wish to bring you sorrow are unwelcome. And that is that."

Harma walks into the garden, a look of strange concern is on his face and he shuffles around restlessly. He notices the other Elves and his face seems to illuminate. "Greetings." He says, "How are you all on this fine night?".

"Times of joy draw even the most avid opposition, and certainly as Elnara has said, those who might bring sorrow would be unwelcome by one and all who join to wish you both well." Galharth says firmly. "Again, I advise you speak with the Lady Mia, it would serve you both well."

Turning to the new arrival, the Clothier bows his head in greeting. "Well met, friend," he offers with a welcoming smile. "I am Galharth."

Curulomion dips his head to Galharth's words and to his fiancee's. "Many will be unwelcome then," he says in his grave tones. Then Harma's greeting catches his ear. He half-turns to give the other Elf one of his proud, reserved, down-the-nose glances. He has to look down...he is on the tall side for a Quende. "Good evening, Harma," he intones. "I am quite well, thank you. The night is fair, the stars are bright, Feanor's Jewel gleams in the heavens and my fiancee is with me. I would be hard pressed to think of something that I lack now."

Harma returns Galharth's smile, "I am Harma, Galharth." he says "I am new in these parts and it is a joy for me to find companionship." He then turns to Curulomion, "You I have met before, however last time we met I was torn from conversation by a pressing errand.", he then turns to the fair elf maiden and bows "You however, I have not met my lady, are you perhaps Curulomion's fiancee?"

Elnara blushes at Curulomion's words, smiling to Harma. "Good evening," she says with a smile, resting her head on Curulomion's shoulder, or as near as she can get to it. "I am, my name is Elnara. A pleasure to meet you, Harma."

Harma says, "Last time we met Curulomion, I noticed a ring on your finger, I had no idea then of it's true meaning.""

'A good meal and a fine wine often add to any moment." Galharth offers in joke to Curulomion, and to Harma he smiles, "It is a pleasure to meet you Harma." As Harma speaks of a ring, he glances towards Curulomion's hand. "Do you speak of the silver of promise?" The Clothier asks without knowing or even seeing what the newly arrived elf speaks about. Looking up into Curulomion's face, a brow lifts. "I am curious. Are you to make your own gold rings?"

Harma changes the subject, "Perhaps one of you would know of work for a travelling bard." he says, and looks at each in turn.

Curulomion nods his head. "This is so but pressing errands are forgiven. I have had my share of them, perhaps more. It is hard to say. With the forges at times you have several things going at the same time and therefore must keep on running from one to the other, tearing yourself from company to different company and back again." He looks down to his ring and rubs it thoughtfully. "I did not think to tell you, Harma, so the fault would be mine." Then one longfingered hand reaches up to stroke through Elnara's hair, gently and discreetly. That is one thing Curulomion is...always discreet with his affections and emotions. Then he nods to Galharth. "Yes, the silver of promise." He holds out his right hand, letting Galharth see the amber stone with a strand of Elnara's hair set in a silver band. "I will be forging my ring for Elnara and I will forge both of ours if it is her wish."

"I forged yours myself, and did not hurt myself doing it... I should have little problem with forging another." Elnara smiles and looks at her own ring, on her left hand rather than the metal of the right.

Curulomion looks to Harma. "I know if no work for a bard. The one you should ask is Faelion. He heads the Glirdain and would know if there is any work for you." His tone has cooled noticeably. Could he and Fealion be on bad terms with each other?

Harma smiles, "I thank you for the information Curulomion."

Harma says, "Tell me something Elnara, when are you and Curulomion to be wed?"

"As Curulomion advises, perhaps the head of the Girding would serve your needs." Galharth says towards Harma, "But then any and all throughout the wood could use a well sung verse." Turning to Elnara, "You forged the ring yourself? How cleaver, the ring is lovely. Are you a Jewelsmith as is your intended? Or are is it but a short termed hobby?" Glancing towards Elnara as Harma poses his question, he adds his own voice to the curiosity. "Yes, tell us. When are you to wed."

"Just after the Bardic Congress, so my friends in Imladris may accompany us here. The ring.... The amber is something my parents made when I was a child, for this purpose. The silver is a piece off of my father's flute, which I cannot play any longer. I was happy to put the metal to good use, though. I am an artist, musician, and Sentinel. I will likely never forge jewelry again, though I would not mind learning to repair my own swords." Elnara sighs and tugs her silver hand off again, clearly fed up with needing to hold it in place all the time.

Harma looks at Elnara, "A fellow musician, excellent." he says with a grin, "The story of your ring's composition is worth a song, perhaps I will be allowed to put ink to paper and compose a worthy poem to accompany it, if it is not too imposing my lady." he continues.

"The Bardic Congress? Alas, time is not as long as I had hoped." Galharth says with concern. Gathering up the straw basket containing the fabric, he holds it tightly under his arm. "I've a few things to do this eve so if you will forgive me I must depart." Glancing between Elnara and Harma he nods his head. "Perhaps we can speak again soon." With that the ellon departs.

Curulomion comes out of another reverie and dips his head. "You will do well, Galharth. Had I not the faith in you I would not have commissoned you." He raises a hand in farewell as the ellon departs. Then he drapes the arm about Elnara's shoulders. "I can teach you to repair swords, Mire," he says softly. "It is not generally known but I can do a little weapon-smithing at need. Atto taught me, just in case there should ever be need. Swords I can easily do and I can teach you a little of the craft."

"Not at all. I do not mind, though it is his ring... Perhaps you should ask him." Elnara smiles to Harma before putting her arm around Curulomion and looking up at him. "Yes, you made me the sword for my harness. A beautiful one it is, too."

Harma says, "Very well then, Curulomion, I was just telling Elnara that the elements that make up your ring and how they harmonize with eachother is well worth a few verses, perhaps you would allow me to create a poem thereof. I will be able to give it to you and your fiancee then as a token of my friendship.""

Curulomion considers and then nods his head. "That would be most kind of you, Harma. I have a good ear for music and enjoy a well-played harp or well-crafted piece of verse. You have my leave to do so and I wish you good luck on it." He looks down at Elnara. "That I did and one of my more difficult pieces. I am unused to working in steel, it is far different from the metals jewelsmiths commonly use."

Harma 's face lights up, he then suddenly walks towards the direction of the mithril gates and glances back at Elnara and Curulomion, "Thank you, my friends, but I cannot stay any longer, my mind must be in solitude now to think over some lyrics. On our next meeting I will present my song to you, untill then." With a last bow, Harma exits the garden and heads towards gates.

Elnara smiles and nods. "You still did beautifully. I have been teaching myself the harp, though I am not very good." She smiles at his reference to music. "We met at the singing contest, remember? We would not have met if you had not been mistaken on the theme of the songs." She waves to Harma on his way out, turning to smile up at her fiance.

Curulomion raises his hand in farewell to Harma as well before turning his attention to Elnara. Little does she know of some of his inclinations nowadays for he keeps time carefully concealed. "I do enjoy spending time with you, when it is but the two of us," he says softly, raising one hand to brush Elnara's hair back from her face. "I do remember how we met and at the next Bardic Contest I will get it right. Again will I sing of Feanor...but on the correct day."