Honored By Rocks
A tale freshly told of the Galadhrim
The Marchwarden, Haldir, is immortalized in stone by two elleth, after they name him \"Rock Bane.\" A feathered visitor arrives to help Thoniel and Veredhiel in their building.
---------------------------------------------------------------- +ELF TIME ----
================== Eldarin Calendar
IC time is: Early Evening < About 6:39 PM >
IC day is: Oranor
IC date is: 35 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: Mon Nov 23 21:13:07 2009
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Calendar help: +ELF TIME HELP Quenya version: +ELF TIME QUENYA
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The Gates of Caras Galadhon
You stand now in the narrow corridor between the overlapping arms of the high green wall. Tall and strong and hung with many lamps, the great gates stand before you protecting this sole passage into the great forested city beyond. On the gate, the many lamps are lit, bathing the night bridge in a soft light. Atop the wall, sentries patrol their stations armed with bows of yew and shouldering quivers of grey feathered arrows. To the southwest, a white bridge arches across the misty fosse that encircles the walls.
Contents:
Haldir
Thoniel
Elven Sentries
Mallorn sapling
Obvious exits:
Gates leads to Green Roadway at the Gates of the City - Southern Arc.
Southwest leads to On the Bridge.
[Haldir(#25231)]
Sunlight, carried by motes of dust and mist, filters hazily through the emerald leaves as day turns to dusk. A bell rings high above in the treetops, its silver sound signalling the change of guard.
From the gates issues a company of grey-cloaked squires, venturing on a journey to the borders or some other errand. Behind them is Haldir, his white cowl briefly flaring in the darkening sunlight. Having herded them past the bridge, he pauses at the brink of the misted moat.
[Thoniel(#13349)]
The woods are alive on this bright day and it seems the sentry aren\'t the only ones out and about. Soon after they leave the gates a soft light singing can be heard though it grows lounder rather quickly if one was listening, and soft light footsteps mayhap be heard. Soon the noise begins to make sense as the elleth Thoniel crosses the bridge, her head thrown back looking at the sky and a jug of water sloshing in her hands. She seems to be paying little attention to where she is going as she skips along.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
From the opposite end of the bridge another grey-cloaked figure approaches, soft steps carrying her over the white surface. Veredhiel moves a little to the side as the elven guards pass by, and she continues to make her way toward the gates that loom ahead. A rolled piece of parchment is clasped between her hands, and she unfurls it now to gaze upon it.
Reaching the end of the bridge, the sentinel\'s pace slows the elleth\'s smooth countenance is lit with a smile as her grey eyes rove over the paper\'s contents. As of yet, she does not notice the Marchwarden standing nearby nor the other Elf\'s arrival.
[Haldir(#25231)]
Haldir\'s gaze is guarded as it lifts from the mist, flickering bright as stars from the jug-carrying to the paper-reading elleth. He steps back, so as not to be a hindrance to either.
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel doesn\'t seem to be paying attention to much of anything as she watches clouds dance across the blue sky. Her dark brown hair is ruffled by a stray breeze as she skips along. Slippered feet leaving tiny pockmaks in the beaten path. Though in most places the path is smooth and well used it seems a stray rock has began to poke it\'s jagged head out of the dirt right in the middle of the three. And the skipping elleth in green doesn\'t see it, nor her two companions. As her foot lands atop it\'s sharp peak a yelp of pain and surprise passes her rosey lips and the bucket of water is sent into the air as she flails her hands for balance, hopping on one foot.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
A gentle breeze wafts through the air to play with the edges of the parchment, curling the top of it downward. Lucky enough it seems, for it is then that the sight of soaring water catches Veredhiel\'s sight. Her gaze takes in all things at once: the rock, the jug, the airborne liquid, and both edhil, but her attention is primarily seized by the unsteady green-clad form. The paper is quickly forgotten for the time being, though still held in one hand, as she paces a few steps closer. Torn between elleth and tumbling bucket, Veredhiel dithers for an instant ere diving hastily to catch the plummetting container. \"Are you all right, mellon?\" The question is said more out of politeness and concern rather than ignorance--for surely tripping on a stone is painful no matter the situation.
[Haldir(#25231)]
And if Veredhiel goes for the jug, so does Haldir move swiftly to reach for the stumbling elleth with a gloved hand. A stern gaze shifts down to the offending rock. \"Good day, Thoniel, Veredhiel,\" says the marchwarden gravely, straightening.
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel\'s cheeks turn an apple red as her attention is brought back to Middle Earth, seeing the disruption and near calamity she almost caused. A small embarrassed smile flickers across her lips as the Marchwarden steadies her. Her poked foot barely touches the ground as she nods slightly to the other elleth, \"Mae Govannen,\" she speaks softly, more out of embarrassment then pain, \"I am sorry Marchwarden.\" she murmers tp Haldir before her gaze flickers to the elleth with the parchment and a bucket of water, \"Oh dear! I hope your parchment hasn\'t been spoilt!!\" She takes an careful step toward the elleth, looking for any damage to the paper.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
\"Mae govannen,\" Veredhiel nods her raven head toward Haldir then, and her voice is slightly breathless. \"That was a narrow call,\" she sighs in relief as the ellon moves to aid the other elf-maiden. The sentinel rises again, the bucket lifted in one hand, and she turns to peer at Thoniel. A reassuring smile is given in greeting, and Veredhiel holds her catch out for the other take back if she would. The other palm is shifted up and the paper is revealed to be dry.
\"Nay, there was no harm done,\" she says in reply to the elleth, grinning brightly once more. \"It is good as new. It would indeed have been a pity should it have gotten wet it is a short poem written by a friend of mine, whom I had just left on my way here. It tells of the stars and the moon, and is beautifully crafted. In song it would certainly be even more lovely.\"
[Haldir(#25231)]
Haldir\'s boot deftly prises the offending rock from its casing of dirt, sending it with a flick into the misted moat. There is no sound that comes from the depths.
\"Indeed, it is good that lore is not spoiled,\" echoes the marchwarden, straightening his own cloak. \"And I am glad to see that the Student is well. But you must excuse me -- an errand waits for me.\"
Haldir moves towards the bridge, eyes turning to the gaggle of waiting squires.
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel smiles warmly, her cheeks resuming some of their normal color at the kind words of her kindred. \"It is indeed wonderful news to know such a peice of work has not been damaged. Especially on the very day it first sees the warm light of the sun!\" her voice is soft and lilting as she takes the proffered bucket, mostly full of water. An impish twinkle comes to her eyes as the ellon removes the naughty rock. \"Thank you Haldir! You have saved many an elleth\'s delicate foot from the vile sharpness of stone!\" her thanks is sincere and her voice light but honest, only her eyes sparkle with some jesting. \"Haldir! where do you leave for? Who will protect us if you leave us here alone?\" She calls as the Marchwarden turns to leave. She shares a playful prying smile with the other elleth.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Veredhiel steps lightly to the side as the Marchwarden makes to pass, and the words of Thoniel spark a smile of her own. \"It would seem that the \'Rock Bane,\'\" the sentinel nods toward the retreating form of Haldir, \"has abandoned us for a flock of squires.\" Her grey eyes met those of the second elleth, and Veredhiel\'s tone is equally as playful. \"Shall we remove the rest of the rocks while he is away?\"
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel pouts slightly, in a playful way as the ellon leaves. A sparkle of myschief in her eyes as the other elleth speaks. A tinkle of laughter breaks her lips at \"rock bane\". She quirks a slender brow at the other elleth and quips softly, \"Did you say Squirrels?\" Merry giggeling is barely supressed in her voice as she faces the other more fully, \"What would Galadriel say if she knew one of the marchwardens abandoned two helpless elleths admist the danger of a rocky path to chase a gaggel of squirrels?\"
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
There is a small pause as Veredhiel blinks then her face is kindled with a fresh grin. \"Squirrels? Did I say that?\" she laughs. \"I meant the squires down yonder. I imagine the story of the squirrel-chasing Marchwarden would doutbless bring a smile to our Lady\'s lips.\"
Soft fingers fold the paper now, placing it carefully away inside a fold in her cloak. \"I can show you the verses, if you\'d like, mellon though I would wait until the sun rises again. It would be rather difficult to read it by lantern light alone.\" She casts a glance at the surrounding ground then. \"My, this area is rather filled with those troublesome little rocks, isn\'t it?\"
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel\'s warm mischievious smile broadens at the elleth\'s words, her bright eyes flickering over the beaten path, pockmarked with troublesome stones, \"You are right. I never would have noticed before but they do seem to be everywhere.\" Her eyes flicker back to the elleth\'s, merriness rings in her voice and mischief in her eyes, \"It would be a terrible shame if any other mellons came alone and pricked their tender feet, especially if one was bare of foot! I think we would be doing the keepers a favor if we rid the path of the stones. What say you?\" One slender eyebrow raised in ornery question as her hand lightly swings the water bucket.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
\"Indeed it would be awful, and possibly dangerous,\" agrees the other. \"We cannot have our kin come and go with the threat of stubbed toes. Let us unearth every stone we can find, and rid the path of their hindering presence. Still,\" Veredhiel pauses for a moment, her expression thoughtful. \"It seems a waste to just do away with them all together. Perhaps we could put the rocks to better use then simply tossing them over the edge of the bridge?\"
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel\'s smile broadens as the other elleth speaks, the twinkle in her eyes brightening as their mischievious ideas feed off one another. \"Aye! I agree mellon! We could knock out two stones at once, so to speak. For I also think we should honor the great Rock Bane for selflessly saving my foot from that rock.\" Her voice tinkles with merriment and fun, \"We can make a statue to the great Haldir Rock Bane to stand here between the gate and the bridge. To always protect elleth\'s feet from sharp stones!\"
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
A mirthful laugh is yielded forth, and Veredhiel nods again to her companion. \"It is fitting, I must say: a statue fashioned from rocks to honor the great Rock Bane! Now he shall spare tender feet from hard stone even when he is summoned away to pursue his gaggles of squires, or even squirrels! Shall we start, then? I can take the left side of the path, and we can meet in front of the gates with the stones we find.\" She moves forward now to start the new task the two elves have devised.
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel grins and laughs lightly, a merry tinkeling sound as the elleth moves the right side of the path. \"This is a splendid idea! I think Haldir will love it,\" as she speaks she sets her water bucket in the grass near the path and kneeling down begins to pry loose the stones near at hand.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Likewise does the sentinel work, crouching on the opposite side, eyes searching the soil and grass for any signs of hiding rocks, and her own fingers brushing out to grasp the cold surfaces. Though it might seem like toil at first glance, Veredhiel\'s tone would indicate that she is rather enjoying the job. \"I am glad that my shift for the watch is not until later this night,\" she says, glancing for a moment over her shoulder to Thoniel, ere resuming her work. \"I would not wish to have missed this.\" One by one even the most elusive rocks are discovered, and she pushes them along with her as she draws closer and closer to the middle of the pathway.
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel grins toward the sentinel, giggeling cheerfully, \"Aye mellon neither would I!! Despite the pain \'twis well worth it! Can you imagine Haldir\'s face when he returns!?\" She carefully tucks a few loose strands of hair behind her pointed ears as she leans forward and works more earnestly at prying loose the stones and moving them toward the gates, gathering a large pile and leaving behind a rough, uneven, pock marked trail
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
Craters have begun to dot the place as the two continue in their labors. Holes of various sizes can be seen here and there in Veredhiel\'s wake as she crawls backward, still shifting her collection of defeated stones beside her. One pesky quarry in particular seems to elude her grasp, and she frowns a little, pressing her fingers more forcefully into the earth to remove the stubborn thing from its home. It is tossed into the pile with its brethren. \"The smaller ones are like pebbles they like to slip out from amongst your fingers!\" she calls.
Still, effort has paid off, and she comes to a stop then at the center point of the path, and Veredhiel begins to gather her catch into a large mound in that spot.
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel grins broadly as she joins Verehdiel in the center of the path, pushing her own sizeable mound before her. Large and small, smooth and jagged,they all roll before her small pushing hands, trained fingers deftly catching even the smallest pebble. \"They are stubborn but it is well worth it. No more daggers in tender feet!\" she remarks lightly, the faintest catch of her breath betrays the exhertion used to clear the path.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
\"All right,\" sighs Veredhiel, raising a delicate hand to wipe her fair brow. \"Now to see about building it...\" She takes a peek through the numerous stones the pair have amassed, and picks out a few of the bigger ones. Placing them carefully next to one another and a couple on top, the statue is starting to take form. Some of the more rounded rocks tip to the side and topple off, earning a new frown from the elleth. \"Hmm, the smoother ones are more difficult to balance together.\"
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel beams at her new companion, \"By the way, my name is Thoniel. What is yours?\" She moves closer to help sort the rocks and study the dilema of the moving rocks. Her eyes brighten and she jumps lightly to her feet. \"We can use the water and loosened dirt to hold the rocks to one another!\" she crys lightly and merrily as she runs to the bucket of water she left beside the path. Snaching it up she hurries back to where her friend fights with the rolly rocks.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
\"I am Veredhiel,\" the other replies, grinning anew. She nods to Thoniel as her friend explains the solution, and the sentinel struggles again to get the stubborn rocks ready to be stuck together. \"It is a good idea, mellon,\" Veredhiel says, \"but what happens when it rains? Would not the mud wash away, and our wonderful masterpiece be undone?\"
[Gilhonien(#26536)]
Though night shadow and gloom fill the skies over Lorien, stars twinkle brightly in the stillness - just as they have for eons, unhindered by clouds or mist. However, the tranquility of the night (save for quiet elven laughter below) is soon broken when a looming shadow passes briefly overhead, blotting out the stars as it rushes through the air. Passing on, enormous wings cut through the air, emitting a faint roar in the wind as the sky-borne figure turns and wheels again. This next pass drops lower - just low enough in fact that a wingtip brushes the upper bough of a tree causing it to bend back and whisper in its leaves...
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel\'s smooth brow furrows in thought at the problem the elleth places before them. \"We can use the smallest pebbles to pack the cracks, if we pack them in tightly enough and the sun is able to harden the mud on the marrow, then even when it rains it shouldn\'t come falling down...\"
The elleth\'s soft voice trails off as the faint moonlight is disturbed. Keen elven eyes used to the starlight at night are able to detect even the smallest changes, her eyes glancing quickly to the sky, her breath catching briefly as the large shadow blots the sky out again and bends a nearby branch. \"Mmmae Govannnen, Whoo.. Who goes there?\" She calls out loudly, keen eyes flickering over the darkness and shadows, her voice baring only a hint of trepedition.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
The other elf-maid looks on the verge of replying, ere the night deepens suddenly, and her gaze is flashed upward to peer into the sky, uncertain. Curiousity rests upon her features, and yet it is only slightly marred by the sense of unknown, and the descending darkness. The faint stirring of the boughs overhead catches keen elven ear, and Veredhiel shifts again from her spot on the ground to get a better view of the treetops against the gloom. She speaks naught yet, however, waiting to see if an answer is yielded to Thoniel\'s inquiry. Perhaps it is the sense of duty as a member of the guard that causes her wariness the longbow is not drawn from its rest across her back, but nevertheless Veredhiel\'s fingers twitch a little, ready to summon it if need be. The uncertain look is given again, for this elleth has never delt with a possible threat from the air...
[Gilhonien(#26536)]
The next pass of the monster in the skies brushes hard against the tree branches as a keen, glittering golden-green eye flickers in the direction of the two elven maids and the form of an enormous eagle becomes plain. With a great deal of care, giant wings arc to miss any more tree branches as Gilhonien pulls herself up carefully, fanning her tailfeathers to slow her all too rapid descent. Then with glittering talons outstretched, she makes the final thud to earth not far from the elves and closes her wings about herself. Giving her body a mighty shake, the great avian ruffles her feathers prodidgiously and turns to fix her gaze on the two stacking rocks... curiously.
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel smiles tentativly but warmly as the form of a great eagle takes shape and lands before her. She reaches a small hand, slightly moist with sweat from the tension to pat the other elleth on the hand, a warm, tension easing laugh escapeing her lips, \"\'Tis only one of our friends from the sky!\" she says lightly with some relief evident in her voice. She bows her head slightly before the winged king of the skys, \"
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
There is a sharp exhale of breath as the great winged form bears down upon the ground, and it is a moment before Veredhiel can find her voice again. \"Mae govannen, my feathered guest,\" she says at last in Sindarin, bright eyes taking in the majestic sight of the Great Eagle. For now the rocks remain forgotten nearby. At the reassuring touch of the other Elf, her own shoulders relax, and she offers a gentle smile to the arrival. Veredhiel listens as Thoniel greets the creature in its native tongue, a language she understand not, and for now harkens she to its strange sounds.
[Gilhonien(#26536)]
Gilhonien\'s feathers slowly return to their rightful place, and she shuffles her clawed feet in the grass to turn and face Thoniel. A glitter of surprise, perhaps, shines in those pale green orbs as a few simple words reach her mind in her own native tongue. Tilting her head slightly, her sharp beak opens and she speaks: \"
[Thoniel(#13349)]
Thoniel\'s smooth brow furrows softly as the eagle speaks and she gives a gentle, puzzled shake of her head, she turns breifly to her companion, \"I think she understood some of what I said, I can\'t be sure how much I said correctly. But she at least seems to know we are friends. But I can\'t make out anything she said.\" her voice is soft and calm. Her bright eyes flicker between the eagle and her companion as the sun rises. Noting the attention the eagle has paid to the pile of stones that will soon be Haldir Rock Bane\'s monument she smiles warmly. Rising slowly she mimics stepping on a stone and injuring her foot, then points to the holes where the pair have removed all the stones from the path. \"
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
The curious glance of the avian is not missed by Veredhiel, and she laughs a little: a sweet, merry ring that sounds in the night, heedless of its muffling shadows. \"
Turning to face the massive feathered form once more, Veredhiel attempts to explain. \"The Marchwarden removed a rock which had tripped my friend, and we are fashioning a statue to honor him for his deed it is a monument and at the same time we have been able to clear the path to prevent further stubbed feet.\" In case the words are not enough to convey meaning, the elf-maid then reenacts the whole scene as Thoniel had done: beginning with the lone offending stone, the tripping, the saving, and how the pair had toiled to gather all of the rocks together.
[Gilhonien(#26536)]
Haldir - honor - jest... and a twisted ankle? Well, that\'s puzzling enough to start with for Gilhonien. If only she had been a more astute eagle when she was a youngster, she might already speak in the elven tongue. She really must learn. However, she leans in as Veredhiel begins acting out the whole drama for her in more vast and engulfing detail, tilting her head now and then as if trying to decipher it all.. Then, blinking, she raises her head and a sound comes from deep within. Unearthly and far from human, but still quite telling - the eagle laughs in her own animal-ish way - even if it does sound more like a rasping chuckle than anything else. \"I see, friend.\" She says at length, picking out a few precious words of elvish that she knows.
Then, peering at the ground, the eagle reaches over and picks up a large rock with her beak and effortlessly moves the thing to the growing statue. Once she sets it down, she holds her beak there to balance it - perhaps so Veredhiel can pat some clay around it to hold it in place.
[Veredhiel(#22564)]
A surprise shines in the elven-grey gaze as the maid hears the Eagle answers a few choice words in Veredhiel\'s own tongue. There is relief also, and Veredhiel grins, glad that her and her companion\'s efforts to communicate have paid off. \"Oh!\" comes the brief puff of breath as the Elf watches Gilhonien clasp the large stone in her beak and position it as if it were light as a feather. Stepping forward quickly so that the bird doesn\'t strain to hold it there for too long, Veredhiel works to fill the gaps around the connecting rocks with the mixture of dirt and water from the jug.
Finished with that, she draws back to look upon the developing statue. \"Thank you, mellon,\" she flashes a warm nod to the winged helper, then pointing to herself and then to the rocks to indicate that she will resume her own work on the project. Veredhiel crouches again beside the other elf-maid and delicate hands begin to raise and lift, to pack and to stick together. At this rate, and with that great amount of hands (and beaks) laboring cooperatively, the statue will be completed soon.