Meeting with the Lady

Open Talan

Here the ladder meets its first broad flet before continuing upwards through the overhanging boughs. The talan here is large and flat, supported around the trunk in a circle on six sturdy branches. Cushioned chairs sit arranged beside a sideboard filled with all manner of bread and fruit and cheese and drinks for guests. The platform is surrounded by leaves save to the southwest, where a rope bridge slips between the branches.

All about, you see intermittent flashes of silver from the undersides of leaves stirred in the wind. Sunlight feels its way along the tree\'s spreading crown, softened by its journey in the boughs.

Contents:

Veredhiel

Galadriel

Quilt of Memories

Obvious exits:

Southwest leads to Meeting Talan.

Up leads to Royal Chamber.

Down leads to Near the Great Tree.

[Veredhiel(#22564)] Here in the lower talan of the Great Tree a gentle breeze of summer\'s warmth filters in through the leaves that shelter the area like a cocoon. Shaded from hotter rays of Anor as she shimmers overhead from between the mighty boughs, a small collection of Elves are gathered on the wooden platform this mid afternoon. Judging by their shadow-grey garments and uniforms, these are members of Lorien\'s guard. Among them waits the sentinel, Veredhiel, as the gathering stands. Behind them a few more arrive, lightly crossing over the slender rope bridge.

Haldir produces, from beneath colorless cloak, a handful of parchment, and a small leather pouch. He hands the latter to Veredhiel, murmuring, \"This, perhaps, is something you may explain best.\"

[Galadriel(#19278)]

From the talan above, a figure descends the narrow stairs. It seems almost that the room brightens for a moment, as if an errant sunbeam had slipped the barrier of leaves. But it is Galadriel, Lady of the Wood, bearing an expectant look which blooms into a smile at the sight of so many long-missed friends. \"Haldir! You have taken your time in coming home. I feared that some fairer land had stolen your heart.\"

[Veredhiel(#22564)] With a nod of raven hair, Veredhiel takes the proffered pouch, and opening it, there is a glint of gold as something is withdrawn a small signet ring emerges, held between the elleth\'s fingers. On the smooth surface there are carved intricate disigns of golden flowers, and emeralds twinkle here and there in stray rays of sunlight. The thing is kept in her hand for now, as Veredhiel waits.

Then, comes the Lady of the Wood, and the sentinel smiles at the glad greeting, for it fills the room with a warm sense of welcome after such a long time away from home.

A rare smile touches the marchwarden\'s lips, and he bows to the Lady, saying, \"There is no fairer land than this, especially at this time. Myself and my kin who went far from the borders have returned to report upon the north and east.\"

Galadriel comes to stand before the Marchwarden, her eyes searching him as if she might garner his report by sight alone, but she then moves on to walk amongst the rest of the assembled guards, smiling at each and stopping on occasion to clasp a shoulder or hand with gentle welcome. \"Your report I gladly hear, brother. And,\" noting the item clasped within Veredhiel\'s hand, \"and reports from others as well.\"

[Veredhiel(#22564)] \"My Lady,\" says Veredhiel then, dipping her head to the tall Elven-lady as she draws nearer down the line of cloaked Quendi. The sentinel\'s gaze turns sideways to nod to Haldir, ere returning to the item she holds. \"I shall gladly tell the ring\'s tale, though I wish it were more fitting for the lovely welcome you have given us.\" She says nothing more for now, letting the Marchwarden speak first about the group\'s journey.

\"Would that I could tell it with such gladness,\" answers the marchwarden, and, taking a breath, begins.

\"The west is quiet. We traveled north to the Gladden, when a report came that Mirkwood was disturbed by some malice.\" Haldir unrolls a parchment, pointing to the sketch of the northern lands upon it. \"Crossing the Anduin and speaking with the Beornings there, we found that it was so, for heavy snow had fallen early in the forest and moreover, goblins were marching upon the roads.\" He pauses.

Galadriel nods at Veredhiel\'s affirmation before turning her attention upon Haldir. The smile is replaced by a quiet attention but the Lady\'s soft features do not harden too much, even at the mention of goblins. She studies the proferred map. \"Did you see the goblins yourself? Did you engage them?\" Her tone is one of business and not worry.

[Veredhiel(#22564)] Bright grey eyes brighten at the mention of the din-horde, but they are absent of the calm certainness that seems to dwell in Galadriel\'s. There is a dark shadow of sadness that passes Veredhiel\'s countenance, as she stands listening. A few of the other guards behind her add stern nods as the Marchwarden recalls the past events.

\"No, we did not. But a kinsman of Beorn, Mobeorn, was badly wounded by a being of great darkness and power, and I treated him. Furthermore, we met a traveling party of Men from Eriador it seems they were met by the same Man, and told to turn back from their journey to the East.\"

Haldir motions to Veredhiel, encouraging her to speak. \"Hir Gildor and some of his people were with them one of them had tidings to give to you, my Lady.\"

Galadriel listens with interest to Haldir before turning her attention upon the Sentinel Veredhiel.

[Veredhiel(#22564)] \"Yes,\" says Veredhiel, speaking at last. \"It was one among our kin, the High Elves, who spoke to me one night in our camp. Narthalion Celairuth, he introduced himself as, and he had arrived seeking tidings of another called Eilian, who was dear to him. She had gone into the forest of Mirkwood but had not since returned. I had no news of his companion, nor could any of the other guards lighten his heart we had heard nothing of much else besides the movement of the goblins.\"

The ring is then held aloft, for Galadriel to take if she would. \"Narthalion then gave me this, and I assured him that I would see it delivered to you, my Lady. It is a tolken, as he said, of the loss of Eilian, and of the boldness of the Orcs of that dark wood. He implored that you would turn your far-seeing eyes in that direction, to help with the ill events that are unfolding in the gloom of the leaves.\"

\"More ill tidings were borne to us by those who came from the East,\" Haldir says quietly, setting his map down. \"Dale has been marched upon Iach Celduin has fallen, and Lord Gelbard, an Elf-friend, has been slain. It was not safe to travel there, and our company retreated to Beorn\'s house to the west of Anduin.\"

Galadriel accepts the ring and turns her ancient gaze upon it. \"Dread tidings these are indeed if they can touch those who live so far away as Narthalion. I understand his grief and his desire for action. My eyes, and my thoughts, I will indeed turn swiftly to the North...and East...to perhaps understand the movements of the enemy. However, I speak for my Lord and myself when I say that any action of the Galadhrim will not move so quickly. For all the troubles of the world, our own borders are not without the need for our wardens.\" If she has more to say, her tongue is stayed for a moment as a courier trots across the bridge and murmurs something to the Lady.

[Veredhiel(#22564)] The story now told, Veredhiel relaxes a little, heart relieved for having carried out her promise to Narthalion that she would tell the information. \"Verily,\" she bows again as the Lady takes the golden object, \"we must first ensure our own borders are not without their protection before we think to deal with outside matters. Ill it would be if the Guard departed and trouble befell the Wood whilst they were away.\" She falls silent as the arrival enters.

\"I am of like mind,\" states Haldir, retreating with a bow to allow the courier to speak.

[Veredhiel(#22564)] A hint of the humid air outside wafts into the talan, and it mixes with the low murmuring of the messenger, ere setting itself to place with the edges of the Elves\' hoods and cloaks. Slender fingers are extended up, and Veredhiel pushes back a strand of dark hair that has been cast astray in the faint breeze.

[Galadriel(#19278)]

After some back and forth between the courier and Lady, Galadriel offers a nod of finality to the former and the young elf departs again. The Lady\'s gaze does not immediately return to the detachment of the Order surrounding her, but instead traces the intricate woodlines upon the floor of the flet. At last she says, as if the previous conversation had never been interupted, \"Did any of the parties that you met have word from or of Thranduil?\"

Haldir\'s attention returns to the Lady, and he replies with a shake of his head. \"No, we did not venture that far. If any news is to be had, it must be from the Eagles of the West.\"

[Veredhiel(#22564)] There is a nod as Haldir answers, and Veredhiel says, \"Their mighty wings bear them far and wide, and not much seems to elude their keen eyes. I am sure the Kings of the Sky will seek the land of Lorien should they have news they would impart to us.\"

From the end of the line, a bright eyed squire looks up, and his voice comes then in a melodous ring. \"Then you desire us to stay for now, my Lady?\"

[Galadriel(#19278)]

At this voice which, to the Lady, seems tinged with a true earnestness, she smiles again, though it be gentle. \"Yes, for now, I request that the Marchwarden station you all within or upon our own borders. I shall consult with my Lord about what aid we are able to lend, but until then I bid you all rest and welcome home.\"

She turns to Haldir, \"It is not my place to give orders here, but I hope that you can forgive me, for my heart is overfull just now and may have escaped into my mouth. Truly, I am glad you are all returned.\"

After a moment, the Lady turns again to the Sentinel Veredhiel and extends to her the ring of Narthalion, \"You completed your task well. I would return to you this token if you wish it. Not as reward, merely as a reminder of why you carry that fine bow.\"

\"It will be so,\" states the marchwarden, bowing again. And a small gesture indicates that the guards ought to take their leave.

[Veredhiel(#22564)] \"Thank you, my Lady,\" says the other elleth, bowing once more. The shadow has gone from her fair face, and now a fresh smile graces it as she receives the signet ring. \"It shall serve as a fine reminder, as you say, of a good rather than the wings of ill it was borne here bearing.\" The gold band is stowed away safely in a fold on her cloak. Veredhiel turns then to depart at the Marchwarden\'s gesture. One by one the gathering dwindles as the guards bow, then slip nimbly along the rope bridge.