================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Early Afternoon < About 2:52 PM >
IC day is: Oranor <Sun-day>
IC date is: 50 Ethuil <Spring>
Moon phase: Last Quarter <VISIBLE>
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: Thu Oct 26 12:17:30 2006
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Oak Garden
Here nestled deep within the towering mallorn trees is a grove of oak and yew. Grown for purposes of resource and armament, this crop of trees looks oddly miniature, for though normal-sized, they are dwarfed in comparison to the mighty mellyrn surrounding them. The stands of lesser trees continue on eastward, their leaves forming a second lush canopy of green beneath the silver mellyrn. A pathway leads westward, back to the vineyard area.

Participants:
Galharth
Mia
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Anor's brilliant light weaves through a spartan field of clouds as it shines down upon the pure, untouched lands of Lothlorien. Outside the city, an almost strange calm whispers through the canopy above as leaves and branches dance upon the breeze, allowing the light of early afternoon reach the garden floor surrounding majestic oaks. Here, amongst the oaks, with a backdrop of taller golden malloryn trees, an elven figure sits peering at a long cloth covered item sitting upon the ground before him. "I know not if this would be a dishonor, disappointment, or something that would bring smiles of joy, but after speaking with the human, I feel it's time to consider possibilities." Galharth says as if fully expecting the item hidden under the cloth to answer back. Pursing his lips, a hand reaches forward to touch the outer cloth.

"I prefer to work in probabilities, myself," a voice replies. "It narrows the scope and breadth of an issue ever-so-slightly, yet leaves the chance for the unexpected, still." Mia steps out from behind the trunk of an oak, appearing naturally and as if she were meant to be there. "After all, anything is possible! It is possible that I might grow wings and fly to Valinor this evening, however it is not very probable that it will happen. I think there are a great many other places I might go if I were to grow wings..."

She walks a bit closer, looking around the seated ellon at the cloth-covered item. "But probabilities are fun, too, as I think a few days ago I might have answered that it was improbable that you would seek and take the advice of one of our human guests, yet here we are! Impossible? Nay, just improbable... see, much less restrictive in the negative with that one, too." She looks at the cloth closely, mouth scrunched up slightly, and then nods. "Yes, I like my way better."

Snatching his hand back from the cloth, he looks up at the elleth with a hint of guilt upon his face. That glimmer of emotion, lasts only but a second, as it is quickly replaced with a smile. "Well met, Mia." he offers in greeting, followed by a soft chuckle and a shake of his head. "Your words are many my friend, set to confuse, befuddle, and lastly, and perhaps most successfully, I might add, distract."

Reaching forth once more, to lay a hand upon the hidden article under the cloth, his mirth mellows, and he offers Mia a serious gaze. "Do you recall the story told by the human? The one in which the old woman wandered unawares of the dangers surrounding her?" He pauses and takes a short breath, allowing an even shorter glance at the cloth under his hand. Looking back up, he shakes his head. "No advice was given, yet indirectly I found a similarity between myself and the old woman. Indeed, several times since that telling I've wondered what I would do if confronted by such a foul beast."

Mia uses the back of her hand to airly flip her hair over her shoulder, lips pursed as she replies, "You say distracting, others say charming. Who is to say who is correct?" Bu curiosity has her in it's grip now, and so it is a short momen later when she also replies, "Of course I remember the story, though I can't say that I see the similarities that you do. And you seem to do quite well in stressful situations, as I have seen: for you have been confronted by myself on a number of occasions, and you bear no scars as of yet."

She steps back slightly and looks him over with a critical eye, her head nodding slightly. "You may never be the warrior guardian of the Lord and Lady, but you look as if you might be able to learn quickly and well... defend yourself, at least, should the situation arise."

"Charming? Perhaps this could be so, but at the moment your words are moreso fit to be distracted." Then, as Mia speaks of the old women from the story, he offers her a queer glare with narrowed eyes. "Surely there is no comparison to a confrontation with you and that of a Troll! I am being serious, and while the similarities are not obvious, I see them in spirit for I too feel as if I go through life missing all but that which I prefer to see."

Softening his glare, and looking down once more, he beings to draw the cloth away from the item underneath. "I seek no post of Guardian, and I find comfort in remaining far from the light of attention bestowed upon the more bold or outspoken. Yet ....." he reveals an old sword, tarnished and seemingly forgotten in time. " I do wish to learn to defend myself, and perhaps be able to lend some help to those I hold dear." Looking up, he tilts his head. "Do you know of anyone that could tell me if this is still usable?"

Mia's eyebrows rise as she looks upon the weapon. "Like you," she says with a momentary glance at the ellon, "The sword has potential, but alot of work is needed. It could be the right choice for you, but the training tobecome proficient in this weapon... well, for personal reasons, I would suggest so many others. Now, don't get me wrong," she says, lowering her voice and bending down to be closer to the weapon (all the while, her eyes never leaving the sword, a hungry look deep within her gaze), "A sword can be a beautiful thing in the hands of a master. It is... art. And it takes neither a bold heart nor an outspoken soul to wield it with grace. No, what it takes is desire and passion."

She pauses in the midst of a quite serious moment and looks at the edhel. "And you don't know me well enough to say what I am like in a confrontation. But let me give you some adivce: You are better off not finding out." Mia grins and motions to the sword. "Where did you get it?"

"Art I can do, if I hold it in that light." Galharth says quickly, "Beyond that, there are others who seem glad to stand forth with passion, defending hill and vale, or whichever willowy maiden or fumbling sire needs protection." Shrugging his shoulders, he reaches down and lifts the sword, turning it so that the least tarnished edges can catch the light. Pausing he glances at the elleth. "Was it not you who said I did well when confronting you? But in reflection, perhaps I should count myself fortunate that I met you as you are, and not as you were."

Stretching his arm with the weapon extended, he unfolds his feet and rises from the ground, "This belonged to a cousin, or at least it did till he was gifted a finer one. According to my father, this should do well to train with as long as I promise not to use it to cut fabric." He pauses and glances at Mia, "It dulls the blade rather fast I'm told." Turning back he stretches slightly as if testing the steel. "I've no skill, and yet even I can tell it's not weighted properly. Do you suppose it's worth the effort to get it tidied and perhaps reweighed for use? I wonder who might be able to do the work" Lowering the blade, and letting the tip drop into the soil, he glances once more and frowns. "Who do you suppose might bother to train someone such as I? Or should I consider something less flashy?"

"You have confronted this elelth, who is a delight," Mia says with a chuckle, "And free of burdens. Free of weapons," She reaches out and barely touches the sword, her hand jerking back as if burned, "Which can be crippling to the soul." She smiles now with irony, her head nodding slightly, "And with a little work, your weapon will be fine. The hilt will need to be reworked to fit your hand, and the blade honed and buffed until it shines, but that is all fairly easy to do. I can take you to those whose art is war, and ask their favor in making this a workable piece."

She stands, hands planted on her knees as she rises, "As for those who might train you," Mia pauses and sighs, "I wish that I could offer my services, but it cannot be. Upon my return to Lothlorien, I swore upon all that I hold dear that I would never again shed blood, nor would I dabble in the practice. I teach to fight and defend using the body or a simple wooden staff, but I avoid bladed weapons alltogether now."

Nodding, a look of concern flashes within his eyes at Mia's reaching. "I am so sorry," Galharth says, in a voice breathless, and filled with remorse. Withdrawing the weapon, he drops it unceremoniously onto the cloth, and bends to cover it's form. "I will do as you've advised, lady, and I'll not burden you with it's sight again." Fumbling, he flips the steel within the cloth to fully cover it. Leaving it lay upon the ground, he rises to his full height.

"I will find someone, or perhaps slip into some group training. It'll be some time I suppose till this weapon is suitable for use, so I've time." Tilting his head, "I must admit, I'm somewhat suspect of defending with just the use of a body. It seems childs play." Glancing at a nearby branch, he shakes his head. "And a staff? What use is that against something such as a Troll?"

Mia laughs, her head tossed back in joy, "After you have satisfied your curiosity with the sword, come to me and I will show you how. And do not fret and hide the weapon away so! It is my own fear and loathing that keeps me from grabbing it and trying it out for myself." She smiles, a little sadly now, "Sometimes self-restraint does not come easy. A long-nurtured habit has proven to be difficult to break, and I must struggle daily not to pay it any mind." She pats the ellon on the shoulder and turns, as if to go. "So please allow me some pleasure, and share with me what you learn along the way. I would be grateful, and would welcome the opportunity for friendship and conversation." And once more, a grin rests on her lips, "And, I am sure, a healthy bit of amusement at your expense."

"Clearly, you hold a greater control over your impulses than most I've seen," Galharth says, offering a bow of respect as she turns to leave. "It would be a peasure to offer some entertainment as I strive to obtain even the smallest portion of what you've already achieved and grown beyond." Bending, he lifts the cloth covered weapon and tucks it under his arm and starts along the path to return to the city. "I'm sure you'll hear the hysterics of my attempts to train, long before I show you anything that I might have learned." He says with a deadpan voice, "I'll escort you back if you don't mind...." With that he begins to walk along the path.