Dappled shadow and sunlight move in circled spirals across the clearing as the trees sway in the breeze overhead. This late morning light moves over the group of miners that stand near the mine shaft entrance - grey rock and dust spill from it greying and blighting the clearing's bright green grass.

One voice out the murmuring says loudly, 'I tell you that we will need at least twenty hands to begin the clearing." Several of the miners turn to the only elleth in their midst, the mirdan Gilrowen pushes her braid back over her shoulder thoughtfully as eyes turn to her. "Thalarion is right. We may need to ask the Order to help us."


A stubborn set of a jaw, a mute look of rebellious disagreement; these melt at last under resignation as Daeridro looks again at the gaping black hole still partially obscured by piled rock. "Perhaps," he says grudgingly. "It is not so bad here, but farther in..."


The breath of spring is upon the air even here, where the ashes of the earth trouble themselves to rise in fury from the pit below. Even here... in the realm of Galadriel where elven mastery holds sway on the very passing of time (or so it would seem), and yet some notion of hazard, of fear, lays a pall upon the bright glittering of the mellyrn.

To the side of the knot of workers, grim resignation draws harshly across the pale face of the craftmaster as he stands surveying the devastation before him. He nods absently at the mirdan's words, and as if in response, his iron gaze shifts to the south, seeking one who would come in response.


As if on cue, the brush on either side of the small trail leading to the clearing rustles to announce the arrival of two elves. One is dressed in black and the other in shining white and they step off the trail and move across the clearing towards the gathering of miners without hesitation.

The Knight Protector Talia walks slightly in front of the Knight Legarwin at a quick, but not harried pace and they stop in unison between the miners and the pensive Craftmaster.


The arrival of the knight protector does little to abate Daeridro's scowl. "I still think we could do it ourselves..." It is little more than a mutter, under his breath, not meant for any to hear. Turning away from the clustered elves, he walks over to the mine's entrance and peers within, trailing a hand along a particularly large boulder. "Do we not work with the rock every day?" he asks no one in particular.


With a nod of self-satisfaction, as if the guards appeared at his very will, the noldo breaks his stance and steps toward them. That the recent events of this peaceful place weigh heavily upon him is barely veiled, but his usually impassive facade is loosened slightly as he approaches the white-clad Protector. "Long have been the days since last we met, Knight Protector," murmers the ancient edhel with the genuine respect and fondness deserved of one who serves his kin as well as has Talia nos Dinlom, "too long, were it within my power to decide. Yet here you are now, my messages received - as I had hoped. That, at least, bodes well." He turns slightly then, and nods formally to the attendant Knight.


Standing quietly as he gives a return nod to the craftmaster, Knight Legarwin lets his his wander to there the mine lays in its currect condition. He was the Knight who was present at the time of the collapse and had given the order for the excavation to rescue the miners. The Aderthad has a feeling that the Knight-Protector will do much of the talking at this time and acts as the listener of what will be conversed.


The Protector inclines her head respectfully to Aegraum. Her countenance bears the marks of deference and humility in such company, an unfamiliar coutenance to any who know her well. "Yes, your message was received. I regret I have not been able to come inspect the damage prior," she pauses to allow herself a long, critical look at the wreck. Her gaze rests briefly upon the elf Daeridro who stands nearby, but she only nods politely towards him before directing her attention again to the Craftmaster. "The Knight Legarwin," she motions at her companion, "is already familiar with the situation and has been aiding me."


"That is well," replies the craftmaster as he nods once again toward the junior officer. "The Knight and his charges have the thanks of the Gwaith-I-Thein for their response when the collapse occurred," he continues, looking between the two before finally resting his gaze upon the Protector, "and further response was the intent of my summons to you, mellon. The miners of the guild are skilled indeed," he asserts, casting his eyes back toward the handful who even now begin to assess the job at hand, "and yet they are few in number. Their toil would be long were they to face this task alone. I ask, therefore, for the continued involvement of the Order - for it is indeed to their need of arms and armor that the fruits of our miners' labor are largely harvested."


Daeridro turns, a somewhat dour figure in the shade of a nearby tree, until Talia's nod brings an unexpected smile to lighten his face. He takes a step forwards, blond hair blazing suddenly as he steps from shadow to light, and nods firmly at the craftmaster's words. Pride in his skill straightens his shoulders and wipes away the last of the resentment that has lingered. After all, it is no shame to ask for help. The breeze ruffles his short straight hair, and tugs playfully at his shirt before dancing up to shake the tree brances again.


Talia begins a nod even before Aegraum has finished speaking, predicting what he will say. Again she looks long upon the remains of the mine and folds her arms across the crescent emblazoned on her breat. "It is true, the mine is as important to the Order as the trees that provide our blessed bows. Thus it weighs heavily on me." She turns her steel-tinged gaze to the elder elf, "I will provide as many as I may to help with the rebuilding..." the Protector pauses and looks again at Daeridro offering him a look of regard, "But this is not our craft, so I defer to the miners for direction in the execution."


Aegraum nods appreciatively at the wisdom of the Protector's words, and, angling his gaze for a moment, motions for Daeridro to attend the conversation. "Direction you shall have," he offers to the guards with satisfaction, "and humbly given. Is that not so, Daeridro?"

Clearly the craftmaster's tone is rhetorical.


Humble. The miner takes a few more steps in obedience to the master's beckoning and attempts to change the set of his shoulders, the angle of his head, the very twist of his lips to something that might be considered acceptable. For a moment, he simply stands there, at a loss now for what to say, and then with a shrug, visibly gives up. "As you can see," he says, and his deep voice is pleasant with no remnant of quarrel remaining, "The entrance has been partially cleared. Within, much still stands secure, but two ladders down the tunnel has collapsed completely." Rather square, sturdy hands sketch a graceful echo of his words; lining out the small obstructions between the entrance and the main cave-in. "The tunnels must be braced and strengthened so that it will be safe to bring the fallen rock out."


Talia narrows her eyes and shifts her stance, trying to follow and form a picture of what the miner explains. As he finishes she gestures toward the Knight Legarwin standing silently, "I have asked the Knight Legarwin to focus all his energies on this. He will arrange to have as many guards as we can spare here as soon as you are ready. It sounds like you will also need help fetching lumber as well as clearing and rebuilding," the Protector finishes reflectively, to noone in particular. She then inclines her head to the miner and offers the Noldo a half bow, the afternoon sun glinting off her elf-stones, "I am always near the Naith, should you need anything else, but I trust that the Knight will do fine in my stead."


"As do I," agrees the noldo, inclining his head once more to the white- and black-cowled guards, his tone now a subtle mixture of confidence and expectation. "Daeridro will direct the strengthening of the tunnel supports and excavation activities. My trust in his abilities is no less than yours of the Knight. Even so," he adds, his eyes flickering once more to the strangely foreign cloud of dust emanating from the mouth of the mine, "I will likely stay upon the borders for some days, for Gilrowen is still not in full health, and the gwinthaer Lothdaimoth lays yet in the field hospital. If there is need, I will seek your counsel."


Daeridro's eyes warm with pleasure at Aegraum's words, then flicker towards the Knight. He nods towards the mine. "Come, I will show you what needs to be done first..." Without waiting for a response, he turns to retrace his steps towards the tunnel.


Talia nods, considering the matter solved. "Then I leave you to it, for it looks like you have plenty to do." With another respectful nod to the Craftmaster, Talia turns back toward the south, the edge of her tabard catching in the breeze as she moves away.