================== Eldarin Calendar in Sindarin ===================
IC time is: Midnight About 12:45 AM
IC day is: Ormenel Heavens-day
IC date is: 47 Laer Summer
Moon phase: First Quarter HIDDEN
Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is: Loa 3 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor TA 3027
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RL time: Fri Oct 18 08:15:04 2002
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Imladris Greenhouse
A wondrous sight greets your eyes as you step inside this long glass structure. Though it it hot outside, in the greenhouse the air is cooler, merely warm, and quite moist; when the air stirrs, the dampness is quite refreshing, and is surely the reason the plants thrive so. Plants of every variety grow here, most in full flower, and there are even a few small trees; tall, slender beeches with branches brushing the top of the greenhouse, and smaller, more squat and round almond trees, branches laden with nuts. There is some kind of shelving or tablework here, for the plants grow not only on the floor but are somehow worked into layers, each spilling down toward the next in a green curtain. Rosebushes fill one corner of the structure, and their great blooms form an eye-dazzling rainbow of every colour.
Further on, past the splendour of the flowers and plants, is a small work area. There, shallow wooden trays of seedlings lie on flat tables, and rough benches and worktables are available for use by the gardeners. There are also racks filled with small ceramic jars, built along and above the benches. Closer inspection would reveal that these are filled with seeds for the spring replanting. The moonlight streams through the clear glass roof, illuminating all in a silvery light. There are even a few nightbirds here, nightingales filling the air with their sweet song. All is peaceful, tranquil, here within the greenhouse, on this night.
"I think so many voices in conversation is song enough for this place, quite a chorus we have already made and startled some of the residents.." Faerlin smiles and raises the hand upon which the butterfly lingers, whilst following the path of the other silken creature with her hazel eyes. "Oh hello Olathlinn..I see you were befriended too.."
"Sorry!" says Olathlinn at first embarassed to jump in the middle of the place.
Then she giggles like a squirrel."I was quiet, didn't I! Mae govannen to all of you Mellyn, what captivate you to come here at night?"
Then a curious visitor enters the greenhouse. Haste commands his pace, for heedless of aught one of no more than twenty years, appears. The presence of others, however, greatly discomforts him. And as swift as the elven lad walked in, the swifter he turns around to flee out again!
A loud voice heralds of trouble then, stern words uttered as the door swings open once more, "Angailmar, I warn you! If I g..." hither stands Randinen, blinking now in wonder. Closing his mouth he swallows back his previous phrase, leaving it unfinished, replacing it with a greeting, "Mae govannen, mellyn."
Tentatively the Hirvaethor surveys the greenhouse, searching with the wariness
of an agitated hawk, ready to dive for its prey.
Thileithel smirks as the voices of his fellow edhil reverberate though the structure. "Perhaps we should let the plants grow in peace and retreat to the Garden? He looks at Faerlin and Gilathan. Just then Randinen comes in, preceded by his voice. "Greetings, Hirvaethor, I trust all goes well?"
Not far behind Randinen slips in Caelwen, a giggle-- careful but true-- tickling along her lips and laughing eyes obviously finding something humorous about Randinen. Her hand lifts to cover her smiling mouth, and she glances over those gathered with a bit of a censorious gaze, half turning to leave again. But she stalls, hesitates, then turns to face those within again, smile growing in full.
Greening, fading bruises cover almost every visible part of this maid, with superficial cuts accompanying many of them. The pale lace of her gown is thickened around her middle.
Lutha looks to the elleth, " It is beautiful out tonight, and I decided to take a stroll under the fair moon. I heard voices from this place as I walked from the gardens..." Lutha smiles at Olath " I dont believe we've met. I'm Lutha-Cartel, who may you be?"
"Well you say?" tilts Randinen his gaze to meet with the features of the Randir, and a light chime of laughter brightens the Hirvaethor's mood considerably, "Normally I would have affirmed your assumption, mellon, were it not this culprit has deprived me of one of my tools. Obviously the boy has not yet learnt it is unwise to challenge those in a field, who have the better skill."
Anew the Hirvaethor masks his mien in wariness, trying to espy the one he is after, "Surely you saw him enter? I need it back, the tool, to finish a piece to be used during the opening ceremony." Caelwen's giggle, stirs him to turn around and behold her.
"Ah, Caelwen, I see you fare better this day?"
Olathlinn give her hand to Lutha-Cartel, more to introduce herself than to get help to go out the place she is in.
"I am Olathlin, and yes, we have met!"she smiles.
"Although I was hidding, I joke about the fact that you, me and the Galadhrim have the sme color of hair, remember it?"
Faerlin blinks at the hawkish manner of Randinen and the butterfly, that had for so long lingered on her long fingered hand, suddenly takes off upwards to settle precariously on one of the supports that holds the panes of glass in place "Maybe the garden would be a more suitable place for a gathering such as this has blossomed into.." Looking past the edhil and in the direction of the giggle she adds "Greetings.."
Thileithel nods as Randinen explains. "Ah, I see your predicament. I'll leave it to you then. I didn't see anyone come in, that I know of." A smile has broken out across the Randir's face.
This earns the Randir a mighty frown as Randinen faces him anew, making as if to read the lines that form his expression, "Hmm, then perhaps this boy is more versed in stealth than I had thought. If he succeeds to escape the attention of a Randir. For I am certain he has walked this path..."
"The lad you were chasing heartened me considerably," Caelwen's reply comes soon after Randinen's question. "It reminded me of home, and my own little bane. He left again, you know." To Faerlin her attention is next given, and the Cennan grips the wall to attempt a curtsy, which ends up being shaky and ginger and prematurely done. "Mae govannen, mellon," she replies, then commences to stroll further into the greenhouse, curious eyes everwhere and fingers touching plants and testing dirt.
Olathlinn hop over some plant to land aside Lutha-Cartel.
She is quit overwelme and don't know to whom place her attention on.
The new friend she met Yesterday, her uncle that seems sad near the door, The Hivaden talking loud, The Galadhrim for her health or Faerlin?
Faerlin smiles gently at Caelwen "Careful, I don't require a curtsey in greeting anyway.." The darkhaired elleth laughs then and she turns quickly to Olathlinn "Are you quite alright mellon? It was quite a surprise wasn't it..finding so many in here all of a sudden." The tracker's hands clasp behind her back, her thumbs hooked in the gold of her belt.
Olathlinn nods.
"I was getting some rest and meditating on something...", she blinks to Thileithel.
"After a good training in staff maniment!"
She giggles again in her way. "No I was far than aware that the place will fill up with so many Quendi dear to me!", she finish to answer Faerlin.
"Hmm." grumbles Randinen, though with a faint smile he inclines his thanks to Caelwen, "The rascal is of nimble footing. I deem this little chase went on long enough. The Tournament will be in but a few days, I still have much work on my hands."
He walks to the door, turning as he straightens hither, one last glance to ascertain no boyish grin is hidden amongst the green and mock his person, "Since the boy left, so will I. Excuse me for the intrusion, mellyn. It might be best to let his conscience plague him now, so he returns the tool willingly and not due fear of wrath or chase. Also this running around made me weary and has earned me enough odd looks." Chuckling heartily Randinen shakes his head.
"I shall head for the training grounds to stay practiced."
"Well..." comes Caelwen's idle answer to Faerlin. "I was hoping I could do it again." She is peering up at the roof, throat long and night-darkened curls waterfalling down her back. Green eyes slide sidelong, and her face soon follows their glance to look to Randinen. "Namarie, then. I do hope to speak with you sometime, for I deem you to be a carpenter as my brother is and I am eager to meet the Gwaith-I-Thein o Imladris. Some other time, I suppose." She returns to her study of the roof."
"Wait, wait!"she says running after Randinen.
She excuse herself to Lutha-Cartel and Faerlin, nod to Thileliel and almost run into the Galadhrim that she move to pass with many excuse. All of that faster then she ever do, without dripping on the ground!
She disappears pass the door.Olathlinn
"Namarie Randinen" Faerlin calls as the Hirvaethor makes his exit and makes towards the training grounds. She steps nimbly between the various Imladhrim that are gathered there to stand closer to the bruised elleth "I'm sorry I didn't catch what you do..that is if you said.." she grins "..I'm Faerlin, if I didn't say. I'm a singer and I'd be interested in hearing any songs that you might know, or if you could tell me who amongst your company I should speak to." Suddenly she frowns as if noting the bruises anew "That is if songs don't seem a triviality.."
Entering the greenhouse almost at the same moment that Olathlinn leaves, Glasiel spins out of the way and takes a moment to regain her balance before looking around.
Once she does look around, her gaze is drawn instantly to a copper haired elleth, clad in lace. Lace that is bulging in the middle of her form. "Caelwen! What are you doing this far from the infirmary, mellon? Please, give those ribs a chance to mend?" As she speaks, her tone goes from alarm, to scolding, and finally settles on concern.
Thileithel looks around at those present, smiling as the elleth of the Galadhrim is joined by a friend. He looks at Faerlin with a half-smile, then turns to slip out. As he passes her, he says softly, "I'll be in the Garden, the Greenhouse is nice for a solitary walk, but it is a bit close with so many present."
Looking after Thileithel, Lutha says: " I'd tend to agree. I will see you all around the valley later. Namarie!" That said, Lutha steps out into the gardens.
Caelwen flinches to the side, arms held protectively before her as an elleth nearly runs into her. "It's all right," she murmers in reply to the apologies. She watches her go, then smiles in welcome to the approaching Faerlin. She straightens again, relaxing her defensive stance. "I have two jobs. I am a Journeywoman Potter and I am the Indiri of my daernoss. I know Galena is a Minstrel, and she is travelling with us-- she is also a healer, which is why she was invited to come. I do not think we have other bards with us."
The young Silvan then startles as a voice calls out her name, earning a wince of pain from her. "But I walked all the way from the pass with broken ribs! For two weeks, I think it was!" Her chin is set stubbornly, but her eyes hold a guilty and pleading light in the darkness as she looks over to Glasiel. She sighs. "I am sorry, mellon. It is just so... blasted hot everywhere in the Outside World, and it is cool here, and I was tired of lying there and brooding about what sort of horrible things might be happening even now to my kin." Her hands clasp, and her head bows shyly.
Faerlin nods "Then I shall have to speak with Galena, I am always interested in a new song from somewhere else.." She sighs then "Such a pity that travel has become so dangerous..as you can appreciate. I would dearly love to hear the songs of my birth-place again.." The singer's accent faintly hints of that of Amon Thranduil, but it is a just a trace now. She glances at Glasiel and chuckles "Healers!" she exclaims as if that says everything.
A shadow crosses the doorway, then stands hesitating in the entrance. Tall, dark-haired, Lothdaimoth has set aside his cloak, but the clothing he wears is travel-stained and torn. Around his upper arm, a bloody cloth is tied, and his face is haggard and pale. Sable eyes go wearily from one to the other of those gathered within, lighting at last upon his cousin. Yet still he lingers, before with a deep breath, he leaves the sanctuary of the door and threads his way towards her.
The Olvaristdil approaches the ellith, her hand on her hip. "Two weeks' travel that were /necessary/, in order to get you here to safety and to those who can help you. But we can't help you if you insist on ignoring our advice, mellon." Her eyes soften, and she smiles. "Galena will be happy to know you've arrived safely, too. And I'm so glad she came with your group. Did you know, we discovered that we are kin! She's been very worried about you, and about. . ."
Glasiel's words die away as a shadow passes across the entrance, and the form of a elf, much the worse for wear, appears. Without waiting for an introduction, her attention is (momentarily) diverted from Caelwen. "Aiya! Who is this? You need assistance. Can you make it to the infirmary?"
Caelwen smiles weakly to both Glasiel and Faerlin and comments blandly, "Do you know? Galena was my healer the last time I was injured."
She follows the Healer's glance to the door, and squeaks. "Lothdaimoth!" As fast as she dares to go, with face set against pain, she slips past Glasiel to approach the battered edhel. She does not stop until she is against him, arms strewn about in a weak and careful hug. "Did you...?" She pulls back again, and studies her cousin mutely. Her face falls into despair, and her cut up hand lifts to tuck a bit of sable hair behind his pointed ear. "Nevermind," she murmers, then looks to his arm, fiery brows furrowed. "You have seen battle? Ai! I hope you are not badly hurt." She turns to look for Glasiel.
Faerlin's eyes widen at the appearance of the edhel who has just appeared and at the reaction he receives but she then smiles and looks out of the door "I think I have to agree with the Randir, so many in her makes the atmospher seem a little close..I will brave the warmth of the night. Namarie mellyn." The Tellenistril nods in gesture of farewell and slips through the door.
A dismissive glance is given to the unknown Imladhrim who, however, appears to be a healer. With a shortness very unlike his usual manner (as those who know him could tell), he says only, "I need no assistance." At that moment, Caelwen's arms go around him and his own, uninjured arm curls over her shoulder. For a brief moment, he bows his head, resting his cheek on her bright hair. Eyes closed, grief deepening; before all is banished to stillness. And softly he murmurs, "As you see, cousin. This promise at least, I have kept."
In a daydreaming trance, Galena o nos Laiquendi steps from the path into the greenhouse. Her steps are accented by the tinkling chime of the bells at her wrists. Verdant eyes gain lucidity, then great joy, followed by a healers concern as she surveys the scene before her. Automatically, her hands go to the large black pack perched upon her back and she slings it around, moving quickly to Caelwen and Lothdaimoth. "Mellyn! What has happened! I am glad you have returned, yet you must both seek attention. Loth, you first. To a bed!" The apprentice gingerly takes Loth's arm, giving it a studious glance.
Glasiel nods in answer to the edhel, stepping back to give room for reunions. At Galena's entry, and her words, she brightens. "Aye, sir. You at least need some healers' attention. Please, will you not follow us to the infirmary? Your wounds must be cleaned and dressed, and. . ." she frowns lightly at the tall edhel. "It is no weakness to take the proper precautions. No sense waiting for things to get worse, is there?"
The touch on his arm brings a wince to the tall Counsel's face. Almost, he manages a smile for his friend, but it dies stillborn; no more than a passing twist of the lips containing nothing of joy or humor. Dark eyes, now flat and shuttered, return then to Glasiel. "No." There is a long pause, mayhap he will not speak again, but then a few more words are spoken. "It will heal."
Caelwen slips her arm behind her cousin's back, a glance given to both the healers. She stands a tip-toe, a low sound of hurt curling beneath her breath in almost a whine, then speaks softly to Lothdaimoth. "You have done all that was possible to do, I am sure of it. Do not..." she swallows and her words trail off. She returns to her heels, then looks up to him again and speaks louder. 'You are sure? Lothdaimoth.. what if it has a sickness in the cut? Remember what happened to Celebrian...' The young cousin watches him anxiously.
Galena nods yet turns now blazing chartruese eyes to Lothdaimoth's face. "Aye, with attention. You will come now, you do no one any good by allowing yourself to go on this way. You are acting worse than..." the apprentice's words fall away and she takes a closer look at Caelwen and Loth, noting a deeply saddened look upon them. Her eyes go confused to Glasiel. "My cusion, were these the only two who returned?" Wells of unfathomable tears threaten at the corners of her gaze.
The familar sweet scent of herbs bears forth the arrival of yet another quendi, tall in stature, almost 'ecclesiastical' in looks. His countenance is almost demure-like but the warmth in his voice soon dismisses any doubt if there were any... "Mae Govannen Mellyn nin! Looks like we have guests from home..." his voice came across clearly with a warmth that could only be felt ..Dunedhelgur
Lothdaimoth's eyes go briefly to Caelwen's face. "Had I done all, I would have found him. There is no poison." Galena's bewildered inquiry hunches his shoulders and deepens the lines seaming his face. And in a whisper almost unheard he says, "Erin.. Erinstar did not return with us." Another's arrival, no matter the warmth and welcome in the voice, only lands on him like still one more blow, and he only bows his head, turning not in greeting.
Glasiel mirrors Galena's concern, but can offer no new insight. "I knew only of Caelwen's arrival until just now. Can you not think of a way to get this edhel to the infirmary? If Hir Elrond found out that I saw one of his guests injured, and failed to tend his wounds, well. . . I don't want to be in that position, Cousin."
Galena backs away from her friends shaking her head. The threatening tears spill over onto her alabaster cheeks as slender hands fly up to wisk them away. "No! I have seen the edhel cheat Mandos' Halls from his presence to many times! He is not gone from us. Simply on another fool adventure!" Her blazing eyes dance wildy about the room, falling on nothing at all. "You will not act as he does, Loth. For my own sake, do not be foolhardy! Come now to the infirmary, Erin!" She pauses, realizing what she has said. The tears are unstoppable as they flood her cheeks. "Loth... I meant Lothdaimoth.. I.. I am sorry." Her tone has simmered to a barely heard whisper and she buries her face deep into her hands.
At Galena's question, Caelwen's face crumples further, the bruises twisting with her grief. Arm still behind Lothdaimoth, she turns her face toward his shoulder as though hiding, and struggles to swallow her tears as Dunedhelgur arrives. "I am sorry, Galena," the young Cennan murmurs. "I tried.. I didn't.." she sniffles. "I am sorry." After a moment, she adds behind Glasiel's fair voice, "Well, mayhap 'twould be all right to give my cousin a little time ere seeing his wounds, aye?"
"Muinthell..you are here??"his quiry seems to question her purpose in the Greenhouse and not in the infirmary, tending to sick. Perhaps a quick stock-take on the herbs even.. nonetheless, he finds her in the presences of three other guests, one of whom he recognised from her bandages.. Dunedhelgur
Glasiel sighs, nodding reluctantly at Caelwen. "Aye, that could be permitted, 'though it worries me." She flashes a look to her muindor, a mixture of worry and apology, and then inclines her head toward the injured edhel. "My apologies, sir. I mean only well, and if I sometimes seem overly persistant, it comes from a sincere heart and a desire to see the injured back to health. I suppose I should give you some space to recover yourself from your journey, as your Cousin suggests. Even though it troubles my healer sensibilities to say so."
Each of Galena's words fall on Lothdaimoth like cast stones, bringing his head lower until nothing of his expression can be seen. Silent beneath her accusations, he stands, before turning blindly back towards the door. Caelwen, Glasiel's apology, all are ignored.
Loth's footsteps are heard and Galena rends her face from her hands as swift steps take her to stand before him. Half tripping over Dunedhelgur, she moves, eyes never leaving the bloody edhel. Once before him, her pale hands clasp either side of Lothdaimoth's face. "Look at me, my dearst mellon. You and I have been through much together. You aided me through my own torture and it seems as though I may go through that again. I need you with me. Let me help you now as you once helped me. Do not leave me to worry." Her dulcite voice holds the aching sorrow of a thousand deaths and yet seems to offer soothing nonetheless. Eyes of emerald rung jade implore the edhel to listen.
Caelwen's arm falls from Lothdaimoth, a step taken with bare feet behind him ere she stops. Tears slip in silence down her cheeks as she watches her cherished cousin with heartbroken eyes, but she says naught right now. A shaking, abraised hand raises to cover her mouth, and a wrenching cry of pain slips from behind.
Glasiel stands back, clutching herself in an attempt at comfort during the tense moment before her. She doesn't speak more, however, and merely hopes with all her might that Galena's efforts find success. Subconsciously, she starts humming softly, a healing melody aimed at calming the fea. And there is no calm fea in the greenhouse presently, so such a song is dearly needed.
Caelwen's cry brings the counsel to a halt, and his mask slips. Behind it a depth of anguish and guilt, mar his face and show in wounded eyes. "Caelwen.." The words are jerked out hoarsely and Galena is still ignored under the influence of this greater pain. Stepping around the Galadhrim healer, his face still turned to the ground, he runs full into the other edhel. A single haunted glance upwards in what he can summon of apology and he stops again. The way to the door is blocked on two sides now.
"Hold on there my young lad.." half restraining, half looking slightly cross with his 'antics'. "An apology would at least be in order here..?!" his voice now sounding quite stern.Dunedhelgur
Lothdaimoth's hoarse cry of her name spurs Caelwen forward, and the younger cousin throws firm looks to both Galena and Dunedhelgur. "Leave him be, leave him be," she pleads. "He will surely be better for a bit of time alone." She shudders with the tension, shoulders hunching, and finds a calming hum working into her nerves. Her eyes briefly search for it, and a grateful look is given to Glasiel.
Galena offers a relieved and thankful glance to the new edhel beside her. The soothing song her cousin sings finds her and strengthens her resolve. A gentle hand motions to Caelwen, though her eyes are trained upon Lothdaimoth. "Talk with me, mellon. Let us, Calewen, you and myself, walk together and speak. Surely you will not deny me that. I care for you and your cousin. This you surely know. Lothdaimoth. I will not leave you." Her gaze and words are soft and melodic, though her eyes still cling to her sorrow. Yet it is clear a greater purpose than herself is risen before her.
Agony of spirit, despair, guilt - all these vanish in the instant behind a wall of implacable reserve. Formally, Lothdaimoth bows his head and then lifts his eyes to Dunedhelgur's face. "My apologies. I .. was distracted. If you will excuse me." Still no heed to is paid to those behind him, even the song is denied and his gaze goes meaningfully to the door and back.
Glasiel continues to hum, the melody growing louder and gaining strength. Not loud enough to overpower speech, but rather more full in intensity. The linnor's eyes close with her effort, and she sees not the edhil before her any longer. Only her song is there, working what good she can despite opposition.
Caelwen's brows lower at Galena, and the young Indiri looks at her, obviously faintly irritated. The soothing song stays any further speech from her, and bright peridot eyes look to Lothdaimoth, almost as though searching for a clue about what action to take.
At the prompt apology of the young edhel, the salaphir relented and released his gaze on him. "Before you are excused, would you tell me why are you is such a rush??" dune presses for an answer, but he knew all too well what happened from the expression on his muinthell's face.
With the look of someone mourning, Olathlinn re-entered the greenhouse, part hoping that now she can get back at here meditative exercice.
"Well, not yet it seems!"she mumble than change her attitude for a bright smile.
"Good day Mellyn!"
Lothdaimoth's eyes close again. But when they open, still no expression can be discerned in their depths. And his grave even voice goes on. "I would prefer not to speak of it. I thank you for your concern." Once more he looks at the door - through which still someone else is arriving, and an almost frantic light flickers through his eyes.
Galena grips her hair and shakes her head. "Mellon, I shall detain you no longer! I am here, I offer my services, find me or have me found if you need me or die!" With that she storms through the door and all who stand in her way, barreling into the path beyond and hurling herself onward. Her sobs mingle with her bells as she flees.
Caelwen's jaw drops, her mouth a perfect circle of shock at Galena's behavior. Her own tears have waned, and she eases closer to Lothdaimoth, a hand tentatively reaching toward him. "Mae govannen," Caelwen replies in a small, sad voice to Olathlinn, and she attempts an apologetic smile to Dunedhelgur.
The salaphir steps aside say naught further and let him pass. Then turns to greet Olath, "Mae govannen. " :) and nods curtly at the elleth.
Something finally gets through Glasiel's trance-like humming. It is the outburst of her cousin that breaks the spell. Her song dies away into silence, and she gapes after the departing Galena for a moment, before regaining her power of speech. "Wait, Cousin!" And with that, she follows swiftly, leaving the other visitors to their grief.
Lothdaimoth flinches as Galena runs past him, her bitter words echoing in his ears. And seeing that the path out is now open before him, he also leaves. Long legs taking deceptively slow strides that nonetheless carry him out of sight quite rapidly.