Final Preparations

Riverside, Naith of Lorien

You stand riverside, in Dwimordene, amidst the grey boles of the mellyrn and the concealing underbrush on the eastern banks of the river Celebrant. It is here in these golden woods where the rolling foothills of the Misties come to an end and the Elven realm of Lothlorien, often called Dwimordene or Dreamland by men, begins. It\'s Winter, and the mellyrn\'s golden leaves fill their boughs as they sleep the winter away. Presently, the light in the wood fails rapidly as the sun sets beyond the peak of the Misty Mountains. Dusk sets in.

Contents:

Elnara

Haldir

Calriel

Galadhrim Camp Object

Raven

Barrels

Obvious exits:

UpStream leads to Upper Riverside.

DownStream leads to Harbor Pathway.

Northeast leads to Forest Path.

Across leads to Western Riverbank of the Upper Celebrant.

---------------------------------------------------------------- +ELF TIME ----

================== Eldarin Calendar ===================

IC time is:    Twilight < About  8:24 PM >

IC day is:     Orithil

IC date is:    20 Rhiw

Moon phase:    Waning Gibbous

Earendil:      Gil-Estel is not visible.

IC year is:    Loa 23 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor

---------------------------------------------------------------------

RL time:        Fri Sep 18 21:48:05 2009

=====================================================================

Calendar help: +ELF TIME HELP    Quenya version: +ELF TIME QUENYA

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Calriel(#24093)]

Long are the shadows cast by the mighty mountains looming in the west. The white crowns on the majestic snow-covered peaks of the Misty Mountains gleam a last time before the sun sets behind them. The young lass at the riverside, however, is crowned with a different circlet, one wrought out of simple leaves and forest berries - such as can still be found in autumn. It is Calriel, who seems to have taken a peculiar interest in the flora growing on the river bank. She is not alone, however. Many Galadhrim guardsmen enter and leave the area - some almost unnoticably through exits only the trained human eye might spot.

Some carry the light grey tents as the Galadhrim are wont to use, others a bundle of spears, and yet others baskets of provisions. As daylight fades, it seems that this locale, Dwimordene, becomes truly alive.

[Haldir(#25231)]

Out of the close-knit limbs comes Haldir, appearing discreetly like leaf on wind. His white cowl is ablaze among the grey settling gloom he reports to one Elf and gives instructions to another, shouldering a full quiver of grey-tailed arrows. He is occupied, no doubt -- yet in the corner of his eye stands the elleth Calriel, and he dips flaxen head briefly to her.

[Elnara(#30361)] Sitting in front of one of the tents is another of the Galadhrim, Elnara. She balances a sword against her silver hand, her fingers trailing over the jewels imbedded in the hilt for a moment. She doesn\'t sharpen the blade, simply looks at it. The hilt is different than most swords, however, for instead of a pommel, there is a small stud. The size of the hilt around it suggests that it could lock into the harness that holds the Sentinel\'s hand onto her arm.

Upon Haldir\'s arrival, Elnara starts from her thoughts, quickly standing and putting the sword back in her tent, moving to help the others. She nods to Calriel, though her mind still seems to be leagues away.

A third shadow-clad figure leans lightly against a neaby mallorn trunk, her raven her shifting softly in the chilly breeze. She carries naught but a smooth longbow and accompanying quiver, and both are strung about her back. Keen gray eyes watch as the camp bustles with activity perhaps she awaits for orders herself. The squire inclines her head in recognition to Elnara as Veredhiel spots her sitting nigh, and a respectful nod is also given to the marchwarden in turn. The remaining elleth she greets with a light smile, for this elf is less familiar to her.

[Calriel(#24093)]

Maybe the Laiquendi maid hasn\'t seen Marchwarden. After all, the areas is bustling with activity. Not the loud activity that one would expect at a human camp of course... nay, this is a like a well-oiled machine, where all parts work in quiet unison together. The occasional whisper between the guardsmen do not disturb the quiet of the oncoming eve. They, in fact, colour the atmosphere with their soft melodies. Then, Calriel draws herself up to her full length.

Perhaps she has seen.

She turns around, and the last rays of sunshine dance on her long golden tresses. Gleaming like arrow tips in the moonlight for a moment, until she moves. She walks past Haldir as she presses the leaves of a plant into his hand. \"Good for healing minor injuries,\" she murmers, glancing over towards the other elven maidens. She is not the only one here this eve...

[Haldir(#25231)]

Haldir\'s glove curls about the offering, taking care not to bruise the herbs.

\"It will serve well,\" murmurs the marchwarden tightly, the arrows swinging about as he turns his head from Calriel to camp. \"We intend to need no more than this.\"

Gathering a wrapped scabbard and unwound bow from a nearby pack, Haldir raises his voice among the well-organized frenzy. \"We will leave under starlight, soon as the sun has set. Be prepared.\"

[Elnara(#30361)] Elnara disappears into the woods for a moment, returning with a pack of supplies. She bends to set it with the others before moving back to her tent. She picks up the sword once more, carefully sliding it into a scabbard. The dark haired elleth glances to the marchwarden, nodding silently at the command before beginning to pack her belongings further.

As Haldir\'s voice rings out over the movements of the camp, Veredhiel glances up and steps a pace from her prone spot. A small sack is picked up from beside her feet on the grass, and she moves forward to a nearby tent to set it inside. It seems provisions are held important in such a journey.

There is no word uttered as she sits gently down in front of her tent, and her hand feels the dark yew wood of the bow across her chest absentmindedly. Perhaps Haldir is not alone in his troubled thoughts this eve...

[Elnara(#30361)] Elnara picks up her sword again, pulling the belt around her waist. She buckles it with practiced movements, making the one handed task look far less awkward than it likely is. Her silver hand is twisted off with a very faint click, tucked into her pack. Once more, she runs her fingertips over the hilt of the sword, feeling the jewels and engraving there.

[Calriel(#24093)]

The short blonde haired elven maid stops in her tracks and turns around. Her eyes, blue like the waters of the Celebrant by nightfall, now trained upon Elnara. A moment of silence passes, and in the branches above Calriel, one of the small birds that has found a welcome rest in Lorien\'s mighty mellyrn, quietly lands. \"Haldir,\" she now says, her clear voice loud enough to carry a short distance, but by no means loud enough to jar the ear, \"If you intend to get by with only that, then you might as well give your sentinels proper equipment! Is that a broken sword, shieldmaiden?\" she asks Elnara in a calm, yet slightly emotionless voice, as she gestures with one of her pale hands to the other elleth\'s sword. Then her eye turns towards Veredhiel\'s bow, to subject it to a brief inspection of her own.

[Haldir(#25231)]

Another brief silence, punctuated by the discreet glance given Elnara\'s sword-arm by the marchwarden.

\"Nay, he replies quietly, turning to tie and re-tie the laces upon a small pack, \"it is not.\" He retreats with a nod from the question, as if to let the shieldmaiden herself explain the quiver of arrows upon his shoulder is handed to Veredhiel without word, and his gaze does not meet the elleth\'s troubled own...

[Elnara(#30361)] Elnara smiles, placing the wooden edge of her harness against the small metal shaft. It slides into the harness with a faint click as she turns her arm, and then slightly draws the sword. \"It was made so I may fight with my stronger arm,\" she explains softly, pushing the sword back into the scabbard. She turns her arm again, sliding the sword off of her harness.

Calriel\'s inquiry catches the squire\'s attention for the moment, and Veredhiel peers over toward the elleth and the marchwarden, her fair face turning again to glance at the sword in question. The thin delicate fingers stop running along the smooth surface of the longbow as Haldir holds out the container of arrows, and she leapts gracefully up to take it from him.

[Calriel(#24093)]

A brief expression of amusement passes over Calriel\'s face. The slight upward curl of her pale lips... \"I have half a mind to join you, so at least there will be someone here that knows what they are doing,\" she says in a matter-of-fact way. A light breeze catches the ends of her hair and plays with it momentarily until the Laiquende\'s hand brushes it back once more over her shoulder. \"Do you have any idea what is out there? Last news I heard is that the Great Warg is out there once more, and even darker things have come from the North...\" She shivers briefly as she takes a closer look at Elnara\'s sword. \"Do explain, please, how this makes you more apt?\"

[Haldir(#25231)]

\"No, not the Great Warg,\" calls Haldir calmly across the preparations. \"We go without expectations.\"

But the etched line between his brows is not removed by a simple denial indeed, his step is slower for but a moment, ere it resumes its usual quickness. He sees to a sentinel\'s shield, his mien faithfully devoid of concern.

[Elnara(#30361)] \"When I first came here, it was with the Imladrim. We were attacked by orcs... Three attacked me at once, one took my sword hand.\" Elnara\'s voice is soft as she begins her explaination, pushing up the sleeve of her dress to show more of the harness. Wood and leather encase partway up her lower arm, while straps disappear up past her elbow and into the dress. She also tugs aside the neckline of the riding dress, showing the shoulder support and the straps that would cross her chest, securely holding the harness to her body. \"My... former... fiance Curulomion designed this for me so I might be able to fight... He wanted to give me my hand back, as much as he could.\"

The quiver of arrows is placed along with the remainder of the equipment, and as Veredhiel stands again a quick look is flashed at Haldir at the mention of the wolfish beast, but she says naught, the faint traces of concern vanishing once more as she glances away. The elleth observes the other sentinel as she lifts her injured arm, and the resoureful contraption draws forth a small smile. \"He must have toiled hard to design such a wonderous device. It serves you well, I hope, mellon?\"

[Calriel(#24093)]

Unlike the soldiers, Calriel is not clad in any sort of harnass. In fact, her dress is very simple, yet elegant, woven of a light fabric green as the verdant grasses of the Lawn atop Caras Galadhon. And over it, to protect her from the early winter breeze is a warmer cloak of a deeper green, which she wraps tighter about herself as Elnara tells her tale. \"I seem to recall,\" Calriel mutters as she glances over the camp. \"Perhaps I shall not join you after all. What good is the sword of a poor elleth like myself, compared to the trained hand of the fierce members of the Order of Lorien? I wish all of you well!\"

[Elnara(#30361)] \"Indeed. He was a jewelsmith by trade, but...\" Elnara trails off, turning away for a moment, the faintest traces of pain showing in her emerald eyes. \"It does serve me well. He had made an attachment before he left across the sea that would allow me to hold pencil and draw again... Though there was nothing he could do for my flute playing. It will remain silent,\" she finishes, turning back around again. Her eyes flicker to Calriel, smiling faintly. \"Every bit helps, though. And not all help is in swords. We are hoping to move unnoticed, after all.\"

[Haldir(#25231)]

The final preparations are made: the tents tied and bundled upon the elven-grey packs bows are readied and swords polished. An elf crosses the rope bridge stretching across the river.

At the words of Calriel, Haldir raises his head. \"You have done much for us, Hiril Laiquendi,\" he calls. \"Be well until we meet again under Lorien\'s eaves!\"

And, slipping the herbs into the folds of his cloak, the marchwarden raises his hand to signal a beginning to the journey.

\"I am sorry,\" comes the squire\'s soft reply at Elnara\'s words, her own gray eyes conveying heart-felt apology. \"I did not wish to recall such a saddening memory.\" At the marchwarden\'s voice, she looks up again, and glances around the encompassing tent to see that all is well and prepared. A silent nod she gives to Haldir as he makes ready.

[Elnara(#30361)] \"Do not apologize, for there is nothing to apologize for. Every mallorn leaf holds a memory, both painful and sweet. Only time will help to heal this wound.\" Elnara looks up as she hears Haldir, turning to grasp her own pack. Almost as an afterthought, she pulls another sword from her pack, this one finding a home at her back. The belt is buckled with some help from the elleth\'s teeth, though she seems quite used to doing things one handed. She reaches behind her for a moment, grasping the pommel of the sword in her hand for a moment, testing the ease of drawing, and then lowers her hand. She lifts the grey cowl over her hair, partially obscuring her face as she turns to follow the marchwarden.

[Haldir(#25231)]

The maethyr form a line, the earlier frenzy subdued to a solemn whisper of feet. It is a small patrol: no more than a score of grey-glad shades disappear across the slender rope that stretches across roaring Celebrant. For now, they head west.