Statue Decorating

---------------------------------------------------------------- +ELF TIME ----
================== Eldarin Calendar ===================
IC time is:    Late Morning < About 10:42 AM >
IC day is:     Oranor
IC date is:    18 Laer
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:        Fri Mar 19 19:54:16 2010
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Calendar help: +ELF TIME HELP    Quenya version: +ELF TIME QUENYA
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White Road - Southern Arc
As a white ribbon bordered on either side by a grey mist filled moat or by the encroaching forest of Lothlorien, the white road arcs to the northeast and northwest then disappears into the shadows of the summer's sun kissed forest. Worn over hundreds of years by the passing of many feet, the road is smooth and without flaw. Crossing the moat to the north lies a bridge and, rising above a high green wall that encircles its base, a huge hill. The hill is populated with towers of sky-high mellyrn graced with green-and-silver leaves. To the south, a hard packed dirt pathway plunges into the forest.

The dirt pathway, once studded with rocks of varying shapes and sharpness, has been divested of said rocks. The change seems to be recent, for the road is filled with small craters, and a pile of stones is heaped by the road, appearing to be in the shape of an elven figure, complete with a cloak of grey and stern composure.

Contents:
Ostiel
Obvious exits:
 North leads to On the Bridge.
 South leads to Forest Pathway.
 Northeast leads to White Road - Eastern Arc.
 Northwest leads to White Road - Western Arc.

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
The late morning sun dances in soft golden currents to flash of the green and silver mellyrn leaves. The hill and city of Caras Galadhon lies nigh, bathed in summer majesty.

Coming from the direction of the Gates is the sentinel Veredhiel, wrapped in raiment of shadow gray and sleeping longbow slung about her back. Light booted footsteps lead her onto the smaller dirt pathway that winds here, and the elleth stops before the elven stone statue. A grin flickers arcoss fair features as she looks up at it for a moment. Bright eyes playful almost, Veredhiel raises a hand -- a collection of flowers is held therein.

[Ostiel(#29320)] The Wood is full of life, abundant, awake, and busy. Therefore, Veredhiel is not the only eldar on the white road this morn. Ostiel of the Cuigrithweg also wanders down the path, a basket of herbs swinging from one hand. As she approaches elleth and statue, there is a peaceful, contemplative look on her face, as if she had be meditating in previous moments. Her expression does not change upon spotting Veredhiel, but when her gaze turns to the statue a strange look comes over her face. One might think she's either terribly bemused, or somewhat smirking, form her mouth forms a rather pensive 'o', even as her eyebrows lift and her eyes dance with inquisitive thought. Regardless of reason, she stops a few yards away from both, and puts a her free hand on her hip.

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Carefully picking out a few blue and yellow flowers from their sisters, Veredhiel leans forward, balancing on the tips of her boots to reach her choices high enough into the air. She fails to fully stiffle a small laugh of rememberance as her fingers work to place the stems behind the ears of the statue.

That done, she rests back to her heels, and regards it with titled head as though considering. "See?" the guard chuckles quietly -- a gentle melodous sound of water trinkling over rocks. "You look fine with flowers, marchwarden." She turns then, and her countenance shifts into a look of slight surprise as she espies the other elleth standing beyond. "Oh," grins Veredhiel, dipping her raven haired head in greeting. "Mae govannen."

[Ostiel(#29320)] "Mae Govannen," Ostiel replies dryly, abandoning strange expression in favor of mild interest, arms crossing and head tilting. "Forgive my ignorance, but why do you address that object as 'Marchwarden'? Is it a likeness? If it is," she giggles, covering her mouth. "It is a most...interesting one."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"Interesting indeed," nods the other, smiling once more, "with a rather equally interesting tale behind it." Veredhiel takes a pace closer to the healer, and she turns to point at the dirt pathway. "One afternoon, Thoniel and I were walking along there, and she stubbed her toes on one of the stones. The marchwarden, Haldir, came just in time to save her from spilling her water jug, and he kindly removed the offending stone." She pauses briefly to look back to her companion.

"Afterward, Thoniel and I removed all of the path's rocks that we could and built a statue in his honor. We named it 'Rock Bane', though Haldir knows naught regarding its sudden appearance, nor its identity. An Eagle even came, and aided us to lift the heavier stones."

[Ostiel(#29320)] Ostiel's laughter comes swiftly, her head falling back, face up to the sun. "Now that is a most fascinating story, mellon, and a touching one. 'Tis most kind to take the trouble to create this honor. Forgive my mirth," she pauses to breath, hand beeseeching the lady, "But I am well acquainted with the Marchwarden, and as you spoke if his ignorance, a sudden picture came into my mind, of him with wide eyes and open mouth, wondering how he missed such a landmark. Such a strange picture it was. But indeed," she calms down, eyes still sparkling, "This is a very thoughtful gesture. I commend both you and Thoniel for it."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Gray eyes brighten, and this next laugh is no longer held back, but let to flow freely. "He has inquired to me about the source and purpose of the structure, but I gave him answers in riddles. He as of yet is ignorant it is fun to let him guess." The remainder of the flowers she holds are held out to Ostiel. "Will you take the rest, mellon nin? I think I have put enough to halo the marchwarden for now," the sentinel grins anew. "The flowers are another tale as well. I watched the maiden, Nalas, plait an assortment of flowers into Haldir's hair. I do not think he was pleased, but he suffered it to be done. Arrayed in rainbow!"

[Ostiel(#29320)] "The poor Marchwarden," Ostiel sighs dramatically, even as she reachs out to take the bouquet, "So many maidens that admire him. What's an ellon to do? Alas," she winks a Veredhiel, tucking the flowers into her already bulging basket, "He shall have to put up with us a while yet, yes? It's good for him to be appreciated, even in such gentle, unusual ways."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"Yes," agrees the guard, nodding, a curtain of black hair shifting in the motion. "He is often so stern and worried as of late. It will do him some good to have a few ellith seeing after him."

Her delicate hands drift lower to clasp in front of her. "I fear he shall not see them, however," she indicates the flowers behind the rock Haldir's ears. "The marchwarden is gone for the present on a patrol mission. He returned recently upon an urgent matter and spoke to the Lady. Now he has departed thither, to Mirkwood, I have heard tell. Yrch trouble...something about schemes to sail across the River toward the horse-lands."

[Ostiel(#29320)] Ostiel frowns lightly. "That is troubling news, indeed...but fear not. All will settle, as it always does. For now," She begins to walk away, slowly. "We wait, and hope for the best."

[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"Wait and have hope," says Veredhiel, looking back up and extending a hand. "Farewell, mellon. I hope to see you again soon, but meanwhile I have found another to reveal the secret of the Rock Bane to." With a final glance to that stone sentinel that watches over the pathway, she too heads further on. A passing shadow of gray, she is gone amid the Wood.