================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Late Night < About 2:05 AM >
IC day is: Ormenel <Heavens-day>
IC date is: 39 Rhiw <Winter>
Moon phase: Last Quarter <VISIBLE>
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: Mon May 14 09:41:59 2007
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Silver Roadway - Southeastern Arc - Fountain Stream

You are standing on a cool Silver Roadway, nearly white in comparison with the other roads. Decorative carvings are etched
along the road's borders as it circles around the hill, and it is along this path that the four Great Houses have their
meeting telain and living quarters. You are surrounded by light and song and laughter, the strumming of harps and elvish
lutes trickles down to your ears on a soft breeze from above. Nearby, the great Marble Stairway passes through the roadway,
not far from where a small bridge is built across the Fountain Stream.

Participants:
Galharth
Rhibi
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Letter to Rhibi's Father:

Dear Sir,
It is my understanding that Rhibi is currently restricted to activities within the cities boundries. I write you now for an
exception to this restriction. Rhibi has assisted me with the testing of the captapult and net, and as a result of his aid,
the live testing was sucessful. I am proud to know one such as him, and look forward to his furture activities with the
Crafters of our fair land.

With this said, I ask for an exception to Rhibi's current restriction in two areas. First, all further testing must take
place outside the city boundries, and I ask that Rhibi's restriction be expanded to include short ventures within the
surrounding forest if escorted by an adult. Second, I will be venturing forth to retrieve the catapult, and the remains of
the net. As one of only two edhel experienced and capable of dismantling the catapult, I am in dire need of Rhibi's
assistance. I assure you the trip is a short one, and we'll be safely surrounded by skilled Guards as granted by the
Marchwarden Haldir.

I await your approval.

Galharth


And so the letter receives a reply:

Stars stud the black sky overhead; turning waving tree leaves silver. A tall elf walks slowly along the roadway from the
Dinlom Courtyard; a smaller quick-silver version of himself dancing about him. The elder, a vintner, holds a bit of white in
one hand. Rhibi and his father walk through the night, searching for someone?

Wandering the Silver Roadway, along the Fountain Stream towards the Mithril Gates, Galharth seems lost in the beauty of the
late night stars. The sound of song seems strong along this pathway, and he smiles softly, clearly enjoying the vocals.

Lowering his head a moment, the clothier catches sight of Rhibi, and he lifts a hand to wave a greeting. "Well met!" he
calls out.

"There he is!" Rhibi cries, darting towards Galharth, then back again to take his father's hand - as if he can somehow hurry
the laconic vintner along. "I see that," rumbles Iaurhanc's deep voice, and he stops and nods. "Well met," he says, deep
eyes considering Galharth. "I understand," he says after some time for thought, "That you wish my son's ... assistance?"

The Crafters gaze shifts to the older ellon with Rhibi, and he nods his head in respectful greeting. "I see that you've
received my letter, and yes, as I've said, I need Rhibi's assistance." Sweeping a hand towards the younger ellon, Galharth
smiles as he speaks. "As it turns out, your son is the only other edhel in Lorien, other than myself," he says, pausing to
move his hand to rest upon his own chest, "that knows anything about the captapult and net that has been under testing over
these past weeks."

"And," the Clothier says in a lower voice, "due to injuries I received whilst testing the net outside our borders, I can not
dismantle, nor transport the device home."

Rhibi stands still, perfectly still. Only the blaze of his green eyes show his internal excitement. Finally, he quivers
under the strain. "Please, Father!" he begs, and then falls silent again at a look from the elder. "And none other can do
this thing?" Iaurhanc asks. "Of all the elves in Lothlorien?" Is there a slightly ironic tinge to his voice? Perhaps it is
only directed towards his son.

Sighing heavily, Galharth shakes his head. "While I have a good number of advisers who've lent information that lead to it's
construction, there are only two who've actually participated in it's functioning. Time however won't allow me to wait until
I'm fully healed enough to retrieve it." He pauses and looks northward, as if seeing the capapult where it lies. After a
moment, the clothier glances at Rhibi and then to Iaurhanc to continue. "We've the cover of winter hopefully protecting it
under a layer of snow, but that won't last long and it has to be retrieved. The Marchwarden has sworn to provide me with an
escort, as his own guard know not how to dismantle nor transport the device."

Tilting his head, and peering at Rhibi's father with concern, he asks, "I will see that he is escorted, sir, and I assure
you, I would not ask if not for the overall safety of our home."

The boy doesn't plead again, not by voice; but his eyes, his tension-filled body - a spring wound up ready to be let loose --
all ask what he does not. Please Father, let me go. And the vintner, glancing sideways at his son sees all this - and more.
"Very well," he says finally, as the stars whirl in their endless dance overhead. "He may go. This one time," he says to
Rhibi firmly. "And then you must come and speak with me again in the City, and we shall decide about afterwards."

A shout of delight rings from the stones of the road, and all Rhibi's pent-up glee explodes. "I will," he promises. "I will
be very good, you will see!"

Galharth releases a breath, that had been held as Iaurhanc made his decision. "Thank you," he says with sincere gratitude.
Turning to Rhibi, his expression takes on a serious note, "We will need to leave in a few days. I'll send word to Haldir to
let him know of our plans so that he might forward notice to the border guard." He smiles, "And I thank you Rhibi, I do need
your help and you will be providing a great service to all who call Lothlorien home."

"I am sorry that I can not say how long the trip will take, as that is to be left to the Guards, but I can not believe that
it will take more than a few days time." the clothier says to Rhibi's father.

Rhibi is not listening to Galharth, or so it seems. "Father," he says urgently. "I will need... may I have my bow again?"
The vintner again seems to listen to more than Galharth says, and he nods in reply to the fellow Crafter before turning to
look once more at his son. A long considering look, as it seems Iaurhanc does everything. Slowly and with deliberation.
"Yes," he decides. "You will bring it to me when you return." The child nods: a promise.

Lifting a brow, the clothier looks embarrassed for a moment, "Ah, you're right, Rhibi, it is wise to bring your bow, though
I expect that the Guards will do what needs done should we encounter anything." Taking a short breath and releasing it
slowly, he adds, "I suspect he'll have a few more things to teach me before our trip is done."

With that the Clothier smiles. "I've got to go to gather up a few supplies, and I suggest Rhibi do the same. Thank you again
Iaurhanc."