Oaths

Green Roadway - Northwestern Arc - Crafters Path
Lamps of green and gold and silver shed light on the Green Roadway as it stretches around the arboreal city of Caras Galadhon, and on to the city gates. The trunks of the mighty mellyrn rise like massive silver pillars to either side of the roadway, and their great boughs buttress a vault of gold and green high above. Here on a leveled spot of the path, worn green stones meet red as a stairway threads  ts way further up the hill.

Across the road to the west, opposite of the hill, a wooden structure seems to materialize from the boughs overhead into a great talan. By the stylized flames wrought in silver and gold along the wooden frames, it appears to be the Hall of the Crafters. Not far beyond that at the base of the very same tree, a small low building rests with the white puffs of steam rising from its windows: the Smithy.
Contents:
Ormesir
Obvious exits:
 West leads to Smithy of Lorien.
 Up the Stairs leads to Redstone Stairway.
 Northeast leads to Green Roadway - Northern Arc - Quiet Residential Path.
 Up West leads to Hall of the Crafters.
 South leads to Green Roadway - Southwestern Arc - Library Path.

---------------------------------------------------------------- +ELF TIME ----
================== Eldarin Calendar ===================
IC time is:    Early Afternoon < About  2:24 PM >
IC day is:     Ormenel
IC date is:    33 Iavas
Moon phase:    New 
Earendil:      Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is:    Loa 25 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor
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RL time:        Sat Apr 17 21:08:22 2010
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Calendar help: +ELF TIME HELP    Quenya version: +ELF TIME QUENYA
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[Veredhiel(#22564)]
It is afternoon and the sun glints off of the canopy of golden leaves that stretch over this pathway. It is slightly chilly, for autumn has settled in. Elven music and laughter drifts from beyond the silver boles on either side of the road, and the halls of the crafters can be seen nearby.

Along the roadway comes a figure shrouded in gray cloak, a longbow unstrung and resting over her shoulder. It is the sentinel Veredhiel, her light steps taking her over the smooth green stones that line this walkway.

[Ormesir(#31473)] Another figure was moving another way. He was staring off through the leaves quietly, dressed in his shades of blue, a ponderous, almost serious look on his face. With the approach of the other, his eyes dart that way, focusing finally on Veredhiel and a smile breaks the look. "Good afternoon." he greets in his soft tones.

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Bright grey eyes flicker up as the soft voice speaks, and the elleth's steps slow as her path draws upon Ormesir's. "Yes, well met," she dips her raven haired head in like greeting, a smile gracing thin pale lips. But she pauses, a unfamiliar look coming into her gaze as she looks to the other. "I do not think we have met, unless memory fails me."

Ormesir straightens, and offers a short, courteous bow to her "I do not think so. I am Ormesir. I think i may have seen you before, but not met you. It is a pleasure to finally do so. what brings you this way?"

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"Ahh," the elf-maid nods, "I am Veredhiel." She raises a long sleeved arm to point westward into the trees. "It is the changing of the guard, and I was heading to the riverside observance talan." Veredhiel grins again, offering the same question. "What chances to bring you upon this road today, mellon?"

[Ormesir(#31473)] "My thoughts and wanderings. I was thinking of what I shall become in the years to come." explains Ormesir, eyes following her guesture "A guard is what I most desire as well, to be honest. If it will happen remains to be seen. Are you moving to duty or off duty? May I walk with you, either way?"

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"I would be glad for company. I go thither to replace another whose shift has now ended." The sentinel moves forward at a pace so that Ormesir can follow. Into the silver sea of mellyrn trunks she moves. "You desire to join the Order? Perhaps you should speak with the Marchwarden, Haldir then. He has recently returned from a mission..." Veredhiel quiets then, fair contenance dimming somewhat as if troubled.

[Ormesir(#31473)] "That was my intention. Although... what's wrong? " he asks his comment now forgotten as those dark blu eyes focus on Veredhiel's face, pace matching hers stride for stride.

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"The marchwarden returned with a score or so of our guardsmen. I am not certain whither they had gone, but a friend told me it was beyond the Anduin, near Mirkwood. Orc trouble, and odd bahavior.." She looks thoughtful again as she keeps walking, trees passing steadily by on either side. "When Haldir spoke to me after he came back, he mentioned that the yrch have crossed the River on some sort of rafts. They are burned now, it would seem, but the creatures are now lingering nigh our Norther Fences."

Ormesir frowns deeply, eyes glancing to the floor now at this news "I see.." he notes softly "And they are trying to get closer. So every member of your Order will be called..." he trails off a moment.

"I guess then, that now is the time to decide if I wish to join or not."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Veredhiel cants her head. "I am not sure. I do not think they would dispatch all our guard, for the orcs seem to be moving westward along our borders. I do not believe they would try attacking the Wood directly, or let us hope not. The marchwarden said they aim to pass into the south, away from here after they move west and around our home. Two camps of their ilk there are..one from the East, from the Nameless Land. And the other is filled with the goblins from the Misty Mountains."

The elleth peers sideways to her companion. "Yes, now I think is a fair time for a decision. I wish you luck with chosing what your heart wants."

[Ormesir(#31473)] "My heart has already chosen..." and yet, there was hesitation in the young Elf still as he casts his eyes down away from her once more, lips thinned out. "... A paused hand helps nobody. I will do it."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
The sentinel nods in silence, gaze now fixed ahead as they continue their course, weaving in and out amongst the mellyrn. "Another ready hand will assist greatly. It is important for the Wood to be watched. May your aim be sure and your arrows swift. Soon you will get to learn many things, if you are accepted. There are secret calls that we use to communicate to each other, and that the enemy would not perceive as more than a simple bird song."

[Ormesir(#31473)] "I have heard of said calls. I have already been listening to birds and trying to mimic them." he laughs softly, following beside her with his hands behind his back "Thank you for your encouraging words. I will do my best, no matter... what."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Veredhiel grins anew at Ormesir's determination, and she suddenly quickens her pace, running lightly ahead a ways. "Come!" She calls back, pausing a moment so he may catch up. "If we are fast enough, perhaps you may find the Marchwarden there, and you can tell him your desire to join." She turns, fading more into the trees.

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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
Ormesir
Obvious exits:
 Up leads to Walkway.
 Southwest leads to Observation Talan.
 Down leads to Elven Path.

[Ormesir(#31473)]
        A few hours still before sundown, and the changing of the guard happens right on cue. Instead of one Guard coming to relieve though, two figures walk towards the Talan over the cobblestones - the dark blue dressed Ormesir, and the longsleeved Veredhiel.

A pensive look was upon Ormesir's face as he stared straight ahead, as though marching himself.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
Haldir is seated upon a barrel stacked in a corner of this large talan, one hand resting gingerly upon a branch while the other holds a few parchments. There is a great deal of writing and diagramming upon these sheets, and the marchwarden peruses them, not looking up when the watch is changed.

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Neaby, a hithlain rope ladder disappears into the tree overhead: the entrance to the talan. Veredhiel steps sidways as they approach, letting Ormesir climb first if he will. "Hopefully he is here, and we have not missed him."

[Ormesir(#31473)] "Indeed. " a pause as she lets him go first, and then Ormesir guestures "No, ladies first, I insist." he states to her, with a bit of a weak smile, having none of it as he puts his hands back behind his back to wait.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
The ladder drops, although the expected grey-hooded head of a guard is not prompt. Haldir glances over the top of his documents, a slender eyebrow raised upon an ever-calm face.

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"Oh, indeed?" The elleth turns her head, giving the other a grin that hints at amusement. "I thank you." With nary a sound, she reaches up and is gone amid the branches, stepping lightly upon the wood of the platform suspended in the mallorn. The sentinel glances around once inside. "Marchwarden."

[Ormesir(#31473)] He glanced away as she grinned at him, but smiled somewhat. He waited until she was up further and then climbed on after her easily, moving to stand to one side. His shoulders tense as she greets the man he sought, and he bowed deeply to the MarchWarden. "Marchwarden." Ormesir's voice echoes.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
The marchwarden puts away the parchment, head tilted. "There are ... two of you?" he queries, looking from Veredhiel to Ormesir. "Is there something I have missed?"

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"I brought another hither hoping to find you," answers Veredhiel. "He wishes to speak with you about an interest." She quiets, letting Ormesir speak, and explain more.

Ormesir glances to Veredhiel in thanks, then back to the Marchwarden, his bow finished "Marchwarden. I wish to join the guard. It has been on my mind for many years, and now that I am old enough, it is what I know I wish to do. I have been told there are dangers closer than usual to our home, and so now more than ever I would become a Guard. "

[Haldir(#25231)] 
"Indeed?" asks Haldir, rising from the barrel-seat -- the hand is carried with the same care, a thick glove covering his fingers. He nods in acknowledgement to Veredhiel: "The sentinel, then, has told you of what the Order of Lothlorien is sworn to? It is no little oath that is spoken. How would you rise in defense of Lorien?"

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
For her part, the elleth merely listens, watching on with a smooth grey gaze. Her eyes for a moment stray to regard the thick and stiffness of Haldir's hand, and a tiny frown moves onto her face. But it is swiftly gone.

[Ormesir(#31473)] "... I would rise with whatever I had in defense, wether it be bow, sword, or my own bare hands. " responds Ormesir, his words carefully chosen and given. "I know what the Order of Lothlorien is sworn to. I have known it for a while, and I still would swear to it."

[Haldir(#25231)] 
To this Haldir gives a nod of approval. "You will be trained, then, in what weapon would best serve you. Tell me, what is your name?"

If the marchwarden spots the sentinel's tiny concern, he heeds it not, unless it were a slight movement to hide that offending hand within his grey cloak.

[Ormesir(#31473)]
        "My name is Ormesir and..." a pause. He knew he'd missed something, and continues on quickly to hide his hesitation, moving to kneel as well "The bow and sword, if it is approved by you sir."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Even as the hand is moved away, likewise does the sentinel remove the traces of that concern. She bows. "It is my turn for duty I shall take my post." She gives a wordless nod of good luck to Ormesir as she slips away, heading along another rope bridge to an adjacent talan.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
"Good day, sentinel." Haldir draws a longsword from its sheath, its handle simple and worn with use, the blade keen and bright. "Ormesir. Here is a sword to swear upon, though you may find that a bow is of more use in the trees." The marchwarden begins to recite words from long memory, its syllables not grown old with time or tired with use:

"I, Haldir o nos Dinlom, give my oath that I will protect the Golden Wood and to serve Lord and Lady and all that are charged to speak their words and desires. I swear to obey all orders given, even if the order means the sacrifice of my fea to the Halls of Mandos. I swear to honor the Lord and Lady in all actions and deeds and will do so until released from my oath by death or command of the Lord or Lady."

"Will you abide to that oath? Swear it, if that is what you wish, Ormesir."

Ormesir looks over the blade, and lifts a hand to place upon its' flat, fingers draped gently over the edge. He twitches his fingers a moment, and focuses instead on Haldir's own face, staring up at the older Elf.

"I Ormesir, give my oath that I will protect the Golden Wood and to serve Lord and Lady, and all that are charged to speak their words and desires. I swear to obey all orders given, even if the order means the sacrifice of my - fea to the halls of Mandos. I swear to honor the Lord and Lady in all actions and deeds, and will do so until released from my oath by death, or command of the Lord or Lady."

His voice had wavered at first, but then picked up quickly until it was strong, finishing word for word.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
Haldir nods to the words of Ormesir, the arm that holds the sword dropping -- though he frowns. There is a small drop of blood on the blade's edge, and he wipes it aside ere resheathing. "The mellyrn will hold you to that promise, Squire Ormesir. And I will oversee your training, though for now you should join the Sentinel on her watch, and observe her duties."

Ormesir lifts his hand, curling the fingers up immediately. He makes no complaint about the drop of blood, but his eyes saw it and followed it until it dissapeared. He stood slowly, bowing again to Haldir "Yes sir! I will join her immediately. Thank you." he adds, voice softening a little for the last two words, a pensiveness behind them.

[Haldir(#25231)] 
"I wish you well in your service," replies Haldir, his voice quiet and even as he heads for the walkway leading to the upper levels of telain.