Returning Hope
Lawn
Here the stairway through the mellyrn meets the top of a mighty hill, opening out into the middle of a great lawn filled with blue and yellow flowers. At the center of the lawn stands a great shimmering fountain which falls into a basin of silver. From the basin flows a white stream of water out into a small brook, which then trickles away down the hill. Further north there stands a mallorn tree of such magnificent height that it seems to reach even to the clouds. A path paved with white pebbles curves around the hilltop, leading west and east from the stairs.
Contents:
Elnara
Obvious exits:
West leads to Royal Court Mallorn.
East leads to Training Field.
North leads to Near the Great Tree.
Down the Stairs leads to Mallorn Stairway.
---------------------------------------------------------------- +ELF TIME ----
================== Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin> ===================
IC time is: Early Evening < About 6:34 PM >
IC day is: Oranor
IC date is: 5 Laer
Moon phase: First Quarter
Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is: Loa 24 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor
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RL time: Fri Nov 13 21:11:36 2009
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Calendar help: +ELF TIME HELP Quenya version: +ELF TIME QUENYA
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[Veredhiel(#22564)]
A gentle pale light sets upon the boughs of the mellyrn as the evening wanes it is summer now, and the silver-green leaves sway in the branches in a soft breeze. The wind this day stirs the grass in ripples upon the Lawn of the Wood, and the flowers bask in the warmth of Anor as she descends in the sky. Sitting on the green turf in the center of the plain is Veredhiel, and she rests still, grey eyes closed, with her back to the trickling fountain as if listening to its soothing melody.
[Elnara(#30361)] Up the stairs comes Elnara, a sheathe in her hand. The hilt of her broken sword can be seen at the end of the sheathe, held tightly so much so that her knuckles turn white. She purses her lips as she looks to the sword, and then sets it down next to the fountain. She sits down on the stone edge, her knees pulled to her chest, a slight scowl marring her features. She doesn't seem to notice Verehdiel, simply looks down at the broken blade, lost in thought.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
It is a moment before the other Elf stirs, and when she does Veredhiel speaks not immediately, first letting her sight lay upon damaged blade and fellow elleth. "I would say that all is well in the Wood, and yet is seems not so." Veredhiel shifts slightly to better face Elnara, and her own countenance dims. "Is the sword beyond repair? It is a pity to lose such a fine blade, for it served you well against the boldness of the wolves that night."
[Elnara(#30361)] "It can be fixed. But... I do not know if I would have it fixed. It is a distraction, a reminder of... of what I have lost." Elnara swallows heavily, looking down. "I would always know it was broken. Even our finest smiths could not make the break unnoticeable." When she looks up, tears shimmer in her eyes. "That night, it was eight years to the day of our wedding day... Maybe... it was a sign to let go... Broken blade, broken heart..."
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Though the fullness of the events of which her companion speaks is not known to her, Veredhiel leans forward then, soft hand moving to grasp Elnara's in a comforting embrace.
"You speak of loss," Veredhiel says, and a sadness weighs down upon her features as she lowers her raven head, eyes turning now to look upon the fountain again. "The world is filled with loss even here its touch it not withered. It is hard to let such memories go, to let them drift away upon their current, as the water beside us is wont to do." She moves back once more, letting the smooth stone of the fountain support her. "Then, perhaps it is best if the sword is not mended. Dwelling in grief...it is not good for the spirit."
[Elnara(#30361)] Elnara looks over as her hand is grasped, returning the grasp with a shaky smile. "Dwelling... It is what he would do... But not what he would have me do." She reaches into the neckline of her dress, pulling out a hidden chain from under the material, a jewel made falcon soaring at the end of it. With a sharp tug, the thin chain snaps, soon quickly tied to the sheathe. She glides her fingertips over a pendant that had been tied into the leather of her harness, one pendant of the two trees of Valinor but she leaves it. Perhaps this one doesn't hold as many painful memories. "I will love Curulomion for the rest of my life, of that I am certain. But I will not mourn him any longer."
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
The other elf-maid nods, and she watches as the chain is relocated then, the image of the Two Trees of Old catches her gaze, and Veredhiel manages a genuine smile. "They are beautiful gifts, as I take them to be...the falcon, perhaps it is a sign of his desire for you to be free, to not remain under the shadow of his loss." The gentle flowing of the water sounds loud as she falls silent, and Veredhiel sits with head bowed, ears harkening to its voice.
[Elnara(#30361)] Elnara chuckles, shaking her head. "His father made the falcon... It was one of the last things he had to remember his father by... Gave it to me about a week before he finally told me he loved me. He made the trees... Gave them to me when we were first friends. I have always had them on my harness, ever since he and my friend from Imladris, Tirloth, made it for me." She smiles now, the memories no longer painful, as they were from before she'd fallen in love.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"My heart is glad to hear you laugh again," Veredhiel glances up at Elnara, a fresh grin of her own tugging at her thin lips. "I hope your injuries have recovered as swiftly as your mirth." A colder wind creeps over the hill now as darkness claims the sky, but the elleth heeds it not, instead enjoying the renewed sense of joy. "The day dwindles, and yet the it returns anew let our hearts be the same, to spring back when all seems forsaken. Then we can find hope and the strenght to go on."
[Elnara(#30361)] Elnara rubs a hand across her still tender ribs, shaking her head slightly. "The physical damage still lingers, though it is little more than some soreness here and there." She stretches slightly, her bare toes digging a little into the grass, smile widening. The long sleeves of her gown whip around her, her hair swept to one side of her by the wind, though she pays no heed to it, or to the vanishing light.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
The quiet stillness seems to communicate more than words, and Veredhiel is content to rest upon the cool grass beneath, caring not as the darkness lengthens all around them. The unearthly tune of harps floats in the air, and elven laughter rings out from the trees encompassing the hill--a sound at the same time both gay and melancholy as only the voices of the Fair Folk can be. She smiles again, and lets her fingers brush against the surface of the sparkling water of the fountain.
[Elnara(#30361)] Elnara listens to the laughter, standing and walking a little further into the middle of the lawn. "I apologize... My emotions nearly got me killed, and put you in danger with the wolves. And I am truly sorry." She turns, looking to the other elleth with a small smile, her fingers moving over the smooth silver of her other hand.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
A small shake of her head is given to Elnara as Veredhiel looks up. "Nay, do not apologize, mellon. We have returned, and are well. If you feel regret at that night, then hold that you served your duty well. I do not think those creatures will soon venture as far, now having tasted the point of your sword." A light bound heralds the other as she takes to her feet.
[Elnara(#30361)] "Seems almost a pity that they are the last to feel that blade... I had hoped to test its worth on something a little less... innocent, almost. They were simply mad with hunger. If they hadn't been trying to eat -us- I would have pitied them." Elnara moves to the sword on the ground, the toes of one foot pressing underneath. She quickly kicks up, the sword flinging into the air, to be caught with practiced ease. "But... I think of it as a reason to try out the other things the harness was fitted for."
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"Indeed, it seems a most useful invention," nods Veredhiel in reply."If you do not mind my asking, what other things is it suitable for? Are you able to write with it?" The glance she gives is curious, though not purposing to prod into personal matters. "It is good it can give you back a little of what that injury cost you."
[Elnara(#30361)] Elnara nods, turning back to Veredhiel. "There is. It was originally made for another who lost his hand in the battle when I came over the mountains with the Imladhrim. He is more of an archer, and it would allow him to hold a bow. I also have a dagger and a hook I never used them much, because I never liked getting that close to those I fought. And of course, there is the hand." She holds out the silver hand a perfect replica of her other hand, reversed in silver.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
"Ah," Veredhiel grins again as she listens, her own nod mirroring that of Elnara as the other elleth explains. "And you said he made this for you?" There is a hint of hesitation as this is said, not wanting to force any painful memories over her companion. "It is wonderful so simple in design and yet at the same time so complicated, and capable of many things." Grey eyes peer up at the encompassing tree-line that borders the lawn, and Veredhiel inclines her head toward it. "I think it is time I returned to the guard talan. We can make our way over together, if you share in the same watch tonight."
[Elnara(#30361)] "He helped design it. Tirloth did most of the actual building on it. Curulomion is a jewelsmith. A very talented one." Elnara's gaze follows Veredhiel's, her sword getting tucked under her arm as she pushes aside the shoulder of her dress so she can dig her fingers under the shoulder support to give her shoulder some relief. "I am off duty tonight. I do not think the Marchwarden would appreciate his guards wearing white in an attempt to blend in with foliage." She smiles, turning to the stairway down to the rest of the city. "Thank you, mellon, for making my night go a little more smoothly than it might have if I'd been allowed to simply be lost in my thoughts."
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
A bright laugh comes forth, and grey eyes twinkle. "No, I expect not white as a swan in the midst of a flock of crows," Veredhiel says, giving a final nod of depart ere she turns toward the boughs which now dance in shades of grey under the veil of night. "It was the least I could do. The comfort of a friend is often all I find that I need in times of doubt or dismay. Fare well!" And with a graceful bound, she is gone, heading into the Wood and through the cover of golden leaves that linger upon the ground.
