RP Log 3

You enter into the grove of the oak trees from the clearing. Oak Grove(#14657RntMof)

You enter a clearing amidst towering oak trees, venerable and ancient as they loom over the grove. Wide spreading limbs, covered with the glinting ice of winter, spread and arch above protectively as they sway in the breeze that rushes high along the top of the Eryn Galen. Your breath hangs in the chill air and Anar's light does little to warm the frozen ground as she travels across the vault of the sky. To the west is an orchard of bare young trees that can me glimpsed through the thinning oaks. Bright light shines down to the north, where the large stand of oaks thins and eventually stops all together, giving way to a meadow whose snowy white field is easily visible. The sound of rushing water comes from the south, where the Taurduin flows on its course through the wood. To the east, the large oaks thicken, though perhaps there is a path through them.

Thin gray clouds course high in the winter sky, hiding the sun and chilling the air.

Contents:
Kaema
Arindelle
White Crystal(#15378XnM)
Obvious exits:
NorthEast leads to Healer's Lodge.
East leads to Sanctuary.
West leads to Orchard.
North leads to Meadow in the Holy Grove.
South leads to Mal Taurduin.

Kaema looks up at the new arrival, and drying her tears, says "Hi."

The afternoon woods are still, and what faint shadows are cast in the diffuse light from the hidden sun are growing steadily longer as the early evening creeps up. From the dimmness among the trees to the north comes Eilialhenel, stepping light-footed over the snow. She would be near hidden in the dusky grey of the cloak draped about her were it not for the silvery glint occasionally shining on her hair or the odd sparkle reflected in her eyes.

Eilialhenel's gaze falls on the young elf as she speaks, and a touch of concern creases her forehead. "Why the tears?" she asks gently.

Kaema says, "because bad guys want to come here."

Kaema sighs deeply.

"Bad guys want to come here?" Eilialhenel repeats, puzzlement evident in her voice. Rather than pursue the subject, though, she soothes, "This is the Grove, mellon. No evil penetrates here," in her low-pitched voice.

Kaema says, "his music was so pretty."

Mouthing the words that the young maiden has just uttered to herself, Eilialhenel sits down on the soft snow of the grove floor, pulling her cloak underneath her. "Sit and tell me of it, mellon," she suggests.

Kaema repeats, "Uhm, I'm Kaema."
Kaema plops on the ground and starts to cry.
Kaema says, "I think there are bad guys that want to come to AT."
Kaema says, "I decided to go for a walk. And I went to . C... it starts with a C...there was a bar there."
Kaema says, "Celebannon."
Kaema says, "and there was music inside beautiful flute music."
Kaema says, "i do so adore music you know? and i went in and there was a human boy there. no he said he was a man."
Kaema says, "and he could play the flute almost as good as me"
Kaema says, "and he said he made it himself."
Kaema says, "i rmmber his name because his music was so nice and the flute looked like it was made by an elf and he was a human."
Kaema says, "and his name was Nayron"
Kaema says, "but it isn't. he wanted to come "to my beautiful city" he said."
Kaema says, "i said that wasn't allowed"
Kaema says, "he said he knew that"
Kaema says, "he said he needed my help and i said how can you need my help and he said to fight evil minions and i said what can i do against evil minions and i wanted to run away but i didn't, i was afraid to run and afraid not to sortof."
Kaema collects herself a bit.
Kaema says, "Anyway he said again that he wanted me to bring him here. and i was not about to do that in any way shape form or fashion. and he said maybe i could find someone to go to him. and he said he needed "the best bowman" and swordsman to teach him and he said he needed someone to help him ..."
Kaema swallows hard and whispers, "help him go to Mordor!"
Kaema draws her arms around her knees.
Kaema says, "and i said that our Legolas was the best archer. And he said but isn't Legolas the Prince? He must not be told of this."
Kaema looks all confused and ruffled. "I asked him why not and he said because Elf friends of his would get hurt.
Kaema says, "and I don't think that if we are in danger that Legolas shouldn't know about it, I mean, he has to be told, right?"
Kaema says, "and he said don't tell anybody i don't trust and i don't even know you guys but i just spilled all the beans and why would he be so friendly to me like that and i just didn't know what to do but now it's out and i do feel a little better."

All the while as Kaema tells her story, Eilialhenel sits quietly and listens, ears and eyes attentive. At the mention of the human's name, her expression grows hard, and she nods as the story continues, as if she knows what is coming. "Kaena," she says softly to the elf, "The human, he will not enter our realm, unless it is to be thrown in the prison and to face the wrath of the king!" She mulls over the story for a moment, before saying finally, "I deem that he is a matter to be discussed with the guard, or perhaps the ernil. Why would he warn you not to tell Legolas..."

Eilialhenel reaches out to lay a slender hand comforting on the young one's shoulder. "Do not cry," she encourages. "No harm will come to you, or any of our kindred at the hand of that adan"

Kaema says, "My first inclination was to right away run and find Prince Legolas. I found you here instead and I just knew you were good people and would help me figure this all out."

Kaema says, "But he seemed so nice."

Kaema says, "But I kept thinking he must be evil or up to something bad, because nobody would tell me not to tell Legolas something important."

Kaema says, "And he was the first human I ever met, too." "Perhaps we ought find the prince, that you may relate your story to him," Eilialhenel says. "Would you be willing? Any human who would by deception seek to gain entry in to the realm is /not/ nice."

Kaema gets wide-eyed. Yes, he must be told!

Eilialhenel chuckles, the sound echoing loudly in the snow-muffled glade. "Humans are not always to be trusted, my dear, as you will no doubt come to learn! Have you any other business here? Or shall we find Legolas now?"

Kaema says, "well i know humans aren't to be trusted, but when he flat out asked me to bring him here!"

Kaema shudders.

Kaema breathes deeply as the stars seem to light up her eyes.

Kaema says, "If he's anywhere to be found, I would like to, yes."

"Not all humans, Kaema, not all." Eilialhenel rises gracefully to her feet, and dusts the dry snow off the back of her cloak with a few quick shakes of its hem. She reaches a hand out to the young elf.

Kaema appears much calmer and more like her self.

"I hope we won't have far to seek before we find him," the healer says as she starts walking southwards, out of the grove. "My name is Eilialhenel, mellon. I live in this grove."

Kaema tries that one out. "Ei - li- al- hen- el"

Kaema says, "You *live* here? THe stars are so beautiful here."

Eilialhenel pauses to fix a withering look on Kaena. "It's not that difficult a name, dear. Yes, I spend most of my time back in the lodge. I do hope I'll never see you there unless it is for a friendly visit, as it is the house of healing and I've no desire to see you hurt!" she says with an emphatic smile. "The stars are beautiful everywhere, Kaena, but sometimes I think that in all our realm, they save something special for the grove."

Kaema says, "Do the stars sing to you?"

Kaema says, "They sing to me."

Legolas comes wandering through the trees from the south.
Legolas has arrived.
Something glows red faintly, then dims.

Kaema says, "I must talk to you it is very important!"

Kaema is filled with excited energy and she is buzzing with nervous excitement and you think she is going to make you dizzy even though she isn't moving.

Eilialhenel takes a deep breath of the cool winter air, her chest rising and falling slowly. "We'll have snow again before long, I think," as she smells the dusty scent hanging in the air. She is about to answer the young elf's question, when she sees the faint glow of the rune on the tree and glances towards the Taurduin.

Legolas comes into the grove, keeping tight to the line of trees. He gives a sudden blink at the attention and looks at the younger elf. "Important is it?" He calls, "then you had best come here and give it to me." No look on his face portrays whether he considers this a childish matter, however, as his visage is one of calm concern.

Arindelle sit's near Kaema and Eilial, idly listening to the conversation as she fiddles with several sticks and some string, her cloak wraped around her. As she hears the excitment sudenly in the child's voice, she glances up to see the source, a bright smile spreading on her lips, as she jumps off the log and bows exagerativly "Mae Govanne, Ernil, what a pleasure!"

Kaema says, "Oh, oh!"

Kaema courtsies too.

Again, Eilialhenel reaches out with slender arm to calm the young elf. "Kaena, go ahead, tell him your story calmly," she urges, with an scknowledging nod t othe prince.

Kaema says, "Prince, Sir, I, I think some bad guy wants to come here."

Kaema

;) dratted n/m

Kaema says, "I mean, this guy tried to get me to lead him here!"

Kaema pouts. "He had pretty music. His name is Nayron."

Kaema says, "He said he wanted to have the best bowman, which is you, to teach him the bow, and the best swordsman to teach him sword, and a map maker to make him a map,"

Kaema whispers "because he wants to go to Mordor"

Kaema says, "he said to fight bad guys."

Kaema says, "but he said not to tell you, he specifically said "Legolas must not know" and he said elfs would get hurt."

Legolas purses his lips, "Did he now? A bold and large human he must be to threaten the safet of elves in our own wood."

"An adan, Legolas," Eilialhenel adds to Kaema's story, the concern on her face clear. "She is not the first that he has tried to use as means to enter our realm, and he has in past weeks been involved in fights in the Dindraug with others of this land. Perhaps simple tavern brawls, perhaps not," she says, her voice clearly indicating which she favors.

Kaema says, "he said he had elf friends that would somehow get hurt if you knew about it but he didn't say how. but how can i not tell you when he said elfs would be hurt. and he seemed to be saying that we had trouble right at our borders"

Arindelle turns again to Listen to the child, a curious smile on her lips, as she slips the sticks back into her pocket, and retrieves a small goblett from another pocket

Kaema gets a perplexed look on her face again but doesn't cry.

"He is a young man," Eilialhenel states. "And no warrior, or I am a dwarf!"

Kaema says, "i just dcouldn't help but think if he doesn't want you to know, Sir, that you simply must be told."

Kaema giggles at that.

Kaema says, "A dwarf? Ewwww."

Kaema says, "He said he was 18, and a man, though I thought he looked like a boy."

Legolas gives Eilialhenel, "I shall not comment on your bedside manner at this time, Master Healer," he says with a slight smile, "But it would seem that this Human is a threat. If he threatens our kin, and speaks the name of the Shadowland allowed, he is most likely up to no good. Especially since he asks not for me. Why would he avoid me of all people, in my own realm? Indeed, though, he may think it for a better purpose," he head shakes a little as he sighs, "It is so hard to judge the heart of a human--it is not so purely evil as the yrch, not so predictable as the dwarf, and not so light as one of the Firstborn."

Kaema says, "and i just keep thinking what a waste of good talent in music, too."

Kaema is just utterlly relieved that she was able to tell her story to the right people.

Kaema says, "Now can I ask a question not related to all this horrible stuff?"

Eilialhenel chuckles softly, condensation hanging in the air in front of her as shemutters, "Can we stop you?" whisper soft to herself.

Kaema says, "Do I call you Prince, or Legolas, or Sir, or Your Highness, or, or, or, what?"

Legolas furrows his brow, "Most call me Prince, but if you so wish you may call me 'Or What', though this is a strange title I have not heard in our tongue."

Kaema bursts with giggles!

Legolas looks down at Kaema, and adjusting how the bow is slung against his back, he knees down on the grass, "And what shall I call you? Perhaps 'Or When', though some from far away lands may not appreciate the name."

Kaema giggles again. "I'm Kaema.

"Ernil, I find that perhaps 'What' is a very becoming title, if not a trifle confusing," Eilialhenel says, eyes reflecting starlight merrily. "But," she says slowly, "Perhaps it is a matter to be discussed at leisure later. For now, I wonder what you may suggest? I do not know how you plan to deal with Nayron, but I hope that you will? It seems not right that even such young ones as Kaema be accosted and that such a one as this human be allowe dto remain in Celebannon to work his deception on every one of our kindred that visit."

Legolas says, "A beautiful name, Kaema," he turns to Eilialhenel, "Forgive me, Healer, if I take the time to comfort a child who has been through an experience unbecoming of her age." A brief pause, as though thinking, "He remains in Celebannon? You did well, little Kaema, to not allow him within the wood. I shall seek him out there, and have a few select words with him."

Kaema cocks her head to the side, and watches the stars twinkle.

Kaema says, "IF each one is a different note, a song would go like this...""

Kaema sings random notes, each with a twinkle of a star.

Kaema continues singing her star song.

A wry smile grows on Eililahenel's face as the prince speaks. "And I don't think that I should care to hear what words you select, Sir What! He asked for the bowmaster and it seems that is what he will receive. Kaema," she says, now addressing the young one, "I think Varda with her stars must smile upon you."

Legolas laughs and stands to his full height. With a sweeping bow he says, "Indeed, they smile upon us all! And 'tis the time of night that I like best to travel when I do not wish to be seen."

Kaema says, "Now its all dark and I don't want to go out of here to go back to the city."

Kaema says, "Now it's all dark. Do I have to leave this pretty place?"

Arindelle jumps up from her log, stuffing everything back into her pockets, bows to all, and dances off, calling out "Namarie! I must be going!" brushing snow from her cloak as she dissapears

Arindelle walks off to the south towards the river, the trees seeming to part for her so that she may leave the holy grove. Arindelle has left.

Kaema looks at the spot where the woman just was. "Does she have those attacks often?"

Legolas laughs and says to Kaema, "No you shall stay as long as you like and entertain her," he says with a nod towars Eilialhenel."

Kaema says, "wait"
Kaema says, "she danced with him..."

Eilialhenel's laughter rings through the grove, echoing silvery with the moonlight. "Leave? Why on arda would you suppose you had to leave, dear Kaema? Sit here under the twinkling of niothluimi and other stars and listen to their song all night, if it pleases you!"

Kaema says, "Oh it would please me so!"

Kaema pouts, just a little. "I danced with him too..."

Kaema says, "DOn't you see though, as the stars twinkle, one by one, that they make notes?"

Kaema sings, "Bom, bom beem bom, ...."

"Well then you shall stay, little one," Eililahenel says. "And," she adds, "You will not darken your thoughts mulling over the human."

Legolas nods and says, "Listen to the words of your elders. It is now mine to deal with. Listen to the stars!"

Kaema says, "I have always been able to hear music where others did not.""

Legolas adjusts his bow upon his back, "Perhaps you will become a great bard one day!" He straightens the rest of his outfit and then says, "I must be going before the night wanes."

Eilialhenel smiles down towards Kaema. "You say that he made beautiful music, but I suspect it held not a candle to your songs," she says.

Eilialhenel looks back up, nodding. "I thank you, ernil," she says simply.