Tainted

Main Guard Talan
This Talan is right in the middle of the main thoroughfare for the Order of Lorien military network. Dozens of elves move silently about, stern looks in their eyes as they hurry to deliver reports or stand their watch. They are all dressed in Elven grey cloaks, but wear an assortment of differently colored cowls - all grey, black, and, on a rare few, shining white.
Contents:
Haldir
Obvious exits:
 Up leads to Walkway.
 Southwest leads to Observation Talan.
 Down leads to Elven Path.

---------------------------------------------------------------- +ELF TIME ----
================== Eldarin Calendar ===================
IC time is:    Mid Afternoon < About  3:17 PM >
IC day is:     Orgilion
IC date is:    35 Iavas
Moon phase:    Waxing Crescent
Earendil:      Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is:    Loa 25 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor
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RL time:        Sun Apr 18 13:25:50 2010
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Calendar help: +ELF TIME HELP    Quenya version: +ELF TIME QUENYA
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[Haldir(#25231)] 
All is quiet upon the borders, although with the passing-by of the orcish camp there is a certain tension in the air that cannot be shaken. There are a few more cowled heads to be seen in the main guard talan, conversing over plans and maps and scrolls. Haldir is here, though he sits away from others, sharing an alcove with several barrels and a few propped-up spears. The marchwarden is watching the ground below, his arms crossed carefully.

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Among the gathering of grey forms stands the sentinel she seems to be listening more than speaking, and gives a nod as one of the knights makes a suggestion as he gestures to a spot on the section of parchment he is holding. A songbird calls from beyond, and Veredhiel's gaze strays thither to glance through the branches of gold that shelter the talan like a cocoon.

Her eyes firstly find the secluded figure, and she slips quietly away from the conversing guards. "You are not taking part in the planning, Marchwarden?" Her voice comes as a question as the elleth draws near.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
Haldir raises his head, tilted in a nearly indolent fashion: "No. I have already advised them to give caution, and in the end will carry out whatever is decided. In the meantime, someone must keep watch."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"Yes," Veredhiel merely nods, her regarding somewhat distant. She pushes aside a wandering strand of black hair from her cloaked shoulder. "Have they moved any further westward? It will be suspisious if the yrch linger by our border for too great a time." She shifts her neck slightly, letting her eyes drift lower to catch a sight of Haldir's hands.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
"The sentinels I ordered to keep watch have not reported much movement," replies Haldir, shifting his hands gingerly to prop himself upright. "Our attack destroyed some of their supplies, and they were wounded. Perhaps they are gathering food, and planning and healing -- as are we."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"Gathering food," the elleth frowns, wrinkling her small pale nose. "What they eat would be enough to turn a rat ill. The sooner they are gone the better, lest their hunger turn to more..fairer and taller things." She sighs.

"Planning and healing indeed. You are still hurt," Veredhiel states finally, indicating the ellon's stiff movements.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
Haldir regards the offending hand critically. "It is not of great concern. They seem to have found some poison to smear upon their shafts, such that the flesh is tainted and will not close. Nevertheless, I shall be ready when it is time again to go abroad." He lowers the limb, then looks up to the elleth. "I hope none of our kin were affected by this."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"I do not know," replies the other. "I have not seen too many of the others who had participated in the ambush. The healers would know more if there are more bearing your infliction." Veredhiel gives the hands a sharp glance, as though she would behold what is beneath. "It will not close? That is not well. I hope the poison is fading, for you have not dropped in a faint yet." Her frown returns, quite serious this time. "You should have it tended to, just in case."

[Haldir(#25231)] 
"That would be quite alarming. I hope it does not happen," Haldir says mildly, turning the bandaged hand over to contemplate the palm. "I have tended it with what knowledge of herbs I have if it persists I shall visit the Cuigrithweg. You do not intend to bring me there perforce, do you?"

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
The sentinel's lip twitches as if she struggles to conceal a grin. "Well," she says, crossing her longsleeved arms. "You do not appear to be in any immediate danger of collasping...however, you must promise me that you will indeed see Ostiel and the others if the wound worsens, or fails to improve. If you do not," Veredhiel manages a true smile at last, "then I might verily be forced to bring you thither myself."

[Haldir(#25231)] 
Haldir raises the injured hand in the fashion of taking a promise, his expression one of mock long-suffering. "Yes, Sentinel. I shall. It is but a scratch..."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"A scratch that is tainted and will not close," she flashes him another half-amused, half-stern expression. "Very well, I will hold you to your word." She gives an inclination of her raven haired head. "Good day, Marchwarden, for I must see to something before the sun begins its descent." Veredhiel turns, only her grey cloak fluttering softly as she makes her way down from the talan along the rope ladder.