Erulaitalë - Midsummer

[Arnyn]

Unfinished Tales refers to Midsummer as a great and holy day in Numenor: Erulaitalë (Quenya for 'Praise of Eru') (UT: 166).
Erulaitalë was also linked to the argicultural calendar; at Erulaitalë, when all things were growing, the King led praise.

The Númenórean calendar was continued by the Dúnedain of both Arnor and Gondor, and Aragorn Elessar introduced the New Reckoning after taking the Kingship - which was a "return to the Kings’ Reckoning adapted to fit a spring-beginning as in the Eldarin loa (LotR III: 390).” Erulaitalë or Midsummer would likely fall on the first day of Cerimë. Although there is no direct evidence, it would seem that on this day there would be feasting and rest from work.

Source: https://harp-tdm.info/other-hands/issue ... -of-gondor

***

Ted Nasmith

The Pelennor offered the perfect scene for the Midsummer celebration. The King had commissioned Alf and Hildy from the popular 'the Wayfarer's Inn' to make the arrangements and organize the affair, while he himself sponsored it.

It had been impossible for Hildy to prepare all the necessary food herself, of course - but she had tasted and judged samples from all the cooks and suppliers involved. Those who did not live up to her personal standards, were not hired. There were breads and pastries, hot meats and cold vegetables, fruits, cheeses and sweets.

Alf had overseen the provision of drinks, although the selection is more limited than one would be accustomed to at the Wayfarer's: there are ales and wines and water, and a more limited supply of juices - but nothing stronger than wine, and no hot beverages for the sake of keeping things manageable.

Long tables have been set up throughout the large field which had been offered by one of the estate owners, but not all those attending would be eating at the same time, nor would all those who would be eating choose to sit down at the table for the field was dry and the grass soft and inviting.

There is an area meant for music and dancing, where musicians are already setting up, and another for an evening bonfire. The wooden construction has already been built - but it has not as of yet been kindled.

~ All citizens and visitors are welcome ~

Please Do

• Follow plaza and rp rules

• Posts with interaction are highly encouraged! And for those among us who may feel bad about posts being "too short": They are not too short. Just go with the flow, interact, play off of each other and have fun!

• You are welcome to post as a guest, but also as a musician or a supplier.

Please Don't

• This is an informal affair; fancy dress uniforms will definitely be looked at with raised eyebrows!

• Lighting the bonfire prematurely is out of the question! Yours truly reserves that right as thread runner. Thanks!

[Karis Ziranphel]

Karis Ziranphel

Ziran had been looking forward to the celebration of Midsummer with the Erulaitalë party and bonfire. It wasn’t often that she could truly say that, but she had heard this would not be a formal affair, and several of her friends and family had indicated that they were planning to be present. It always helped to know a few familiar faces in a crowd, even if it was also generally good to meet new people at events like these.

Her attire was geared towards comfort with the warmth of the season, and she wore a long lightweight tunic top of dark blue over loose black linen trousers that were tucked into her boots. It was nice not being on duty for the event. She had left her sword and its weight behind, only hanging her knife and dagger from the silver-clasped belt at her waist. Across her chest a shoulder-bag was slung, containing a few small items and two instruments in case she felt like joining the musicians.

Arriving at the large field after the short walk from the city, she took a moment to look around and admire the setup, from the tables piled high with food, to the dancing green and the wood stacked high like a work of art ready for the flames. Heading to the drinks table first to get something cool to drink, she gave a smiling wave to the busy Hildy. She and Alf had definitely put on a feast production worthy of the King’s blessing.

[Arnyn]

Kaylin

Saying that Kaylin had looked forward to this, would be... putting it lightly.

After being wounded on a non-official outing to Ithilien, her mood hadn't been the same. Her usual spontaneity and joy for life had been muted, both by the need to heal and by how stupid she felt for taking Eryn out into those woods and figuring she'd handle whatever came at them, "no problem".
But recently she'd been cleared to more or less resume her regular activity level, without what she felt as undue restrictions and just the reminder to 'listen to her body' (or whatever). She'd been enjoying that freedom more and more the last few days, and Thûllir had off-handedly mentioned to his cousin that 'of course they would attend Erulaitalë', without even so much as a prompt from her - and that had lit a spark inside of her that was much more typically Kaylin.

This wasn't just Erulaitalë for her this year. She'd married Thûllir 5 years ago, and she was determined to celebrate that, as well. It had been with a light heart that she'd taken the opportunity to get ready while he was paying a quick visit to his parents. Whereas she would usually pick something she felt more comfortable in, like trousers and a sleeveless top, the nature of the holiday and the fact it was kind of their wedding anniversary, drove Kaylin to (only somewhat recalcitrantly) pick an off-white, sleeveless summer dress for the occasion. She still pulled on her supple brown leather boots, with the laces up the front. The party was on a field for one, and moreover these boots were probably the most comfortable ones she had. Her straight, long red hair was combed but left loose. If there was any wind, it would have free play.

She'd left Thûllir a note that she'd already gone ahead and he could join her when he was ready.

So it was that Kaylin arrived and spotted Alf first of all. She held up her hand in greeting as he almost ran her by, doing something or other. She spotted Karis next and quickly made her way to her cousin-by-marriage, with a spring in her step.

"Hey!" she greeted Karis warmly, pulling her into a quick hug before she'd had the chance to select a drink. "So what are we having?"

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Swanknight Silinde Merenion

He was in the city now for a day and learnt of a feast being held outside the city walls. It still took some days before the actual feast started in full swing and the city walked literally outside the gates into the open Pelennor Fields. What had been erected, was rather mind-blowing and too much to take it for a country fellow. The scale of it was huge, and it felt it anyone close by living had taken the opportunity to come and see at least the king and his lady. You could get lost among the numbers of Gondorians gathered here. Silinde left on the dress of knights he had arrived with in this town. The long road didn’t allow to bring fancy clothes than basic necessities. He had changed undergarments, when it was possible, in an inn with a personal room. Otherwise it was a long haul in the same clothes. He had a good bath in the ranger quarters and had been an oddity as a man between the washer women, who did the laundry. He preferred to handle his own garments himself and used his own flavour of soap for them.

He was on his own on this feast and got no idea where to start. Too packed with people and been scattering, it was really hard to find anyone out here. For him there wasn’t probably any chance to talk with someone. He loved to, but Dol Amroth didn’t venture out here often. Instead they held their own summer feast with their prince in their midst. He wasn’t there right now. But his sister would have a central place, as nurse over the young princely children. He smiled about those thoughts, while he wandered over half hour to reach the shores of the Anduin and left the whole feast on the northeast banks. The south of Minas Tirith lay pretty close to the river. He missed the shores of the sea out here, the smell of seasalt and the cries of the seagulls. Born in a town with mountains all around this was another land, where flatland ruled the surroundings.

In Sindarin Silinde sang under guidance of a hand harp of an young man who lost his love on the river and cursed it. He made it up himself, not relating to Anduin, but the flow of the Enqui in the south-west of the peninsula Andrast. Only after his death he would see her again for both were mortal. For the young man it was relief that life didn’t take too long to see his loved one back. Finally he fell silent and watched the gulfs of water wander upon the small beaches of the riversides. His dark hair fitted with shoulderlength perfectly under a helmet and formed an airy layer between the hide and the soft inside of the helmet itself. He looked across the river to Emyn Arnen, an area of hills coming from the Ered Duath. Har Ithilien lay south of them. The area was now home to Faramir and his new family. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. And he watched the river flow the south. He was a few days here and he was longing for home.

[Karis Ziranphel]

Karis Ziranphel

Ziran was still perusing the wide selection of beverages to see what might catch her fancy when she noticed a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye. Turning just in time to not be surprised by Kaylin’s hug, she grinned as she returned it and then stepped back again. “Hey, Kaylin.” It was good to see a return of her exuberance after the injuries earlier in the year. “I take it Thûllir is coming later.” Since he had been the one to mention their event plans to her, Ziran was quite sure he would be there as soon as he could.

Turning back to the drinks table, she pointed at a rather brightly colored juice in a glass with chipped ice and thin slices of the fruit as garnish. “I thought I would try this one since I don’t remember having it before. Perhaps you’ll know it since one of the fruits comes from the warmer climates? Strawberry and dragon fruit is what the label says.” The white fruit with black speckles was mixed in with the more familiar look of strawberry slices, and had peaked her curiosity. The rest had been easy for her to identify, and would be a good fallback if the exotic one turned out really strange. “Not sure what it has to do with dragons, but it looks interesting.” She picked up one of the glasses and took a cautious sip, rolled the flavor over her tongue with a contemplative look, and then smiled as she swallowed. “Not bad!”

Ziran wasn’t sure if Kaylin would be interested in the juice end of the spectrum, but she never knew what her cousin would choose. “What about you? What strikes your fancy?”

[Pele Alarion]

When Pele learned of the Midsummer celebration, she found herself both wanting to go and not. It was no longer painful to participate in events without Maldir - though she still missed him sorely - she could still spend the time with good friends, and possibly make new ones, and generally have a good time, so she thought it would be great to just relax. But then again there was a new issue that made celebrations somewhat bitter - safety. She still felt hunted, unsure of whether the enemies were nearby; and then - attending events with always present guards? Perhaps she could talk the guard into dancing... The idea made her laugh, though she would not do anything of the kind. However, a short discussion was held with a guard on duty for Pele to learn how he would perform his duties if she did choose to attend.

And so Pele eventually found herself getting ready. She exchanged her uniform for a pair of leggings with a green short-sleeved tunic with golden embroideries along the hems. It might make her look like she was a Rohir, since that is where the garment came from, but she found it very comfortable. It was long enough to be called a dress since it reached down almost to her knees, though the embroidered splits along the sides ran up high enough to make it clear that it was indeed a tunic and not a dress. She buckled on a belt with a sheathed dagger, and hid a couple additional blades in her boots. Fixing her hair into a braid, as she looked herself over in the mirror, Pele figured she was ready for some light-hearted fun.

On the way down through the circles of the city, she had to remind herself that she was not on Ranger business and keep herself from running, yet her step was brisk, as she whistled a merry tune to keep up the good mood she had started out with. Upon reaching the field designated for celebration, Pele stopped to take in the magnificent view, the tables laden with goods, the musicians, and the prepared bonfire.

"What do you think?" she asked, turning to the guard who lingered a few feet behind her. He only shrugged at her and maintained a neutral facial expression. Pele could not help but roll her eyes though she was very grateful for the professional approach at all times, even though she did try to pull pranks on her guards sometimes and was not a perfect client. An apologetic look and a smile later she went on further to approach the table with drinks where she had spotted Karis and Kaylin.

Stopping near them, she looked over the available selection casually, as she said: "Hello, ladies. What do you suggest?"

[Arnyn]

Kaylin

"Yup, Thûllir is supposed to show up sometime soonish," Kaylin beamed. She didn't exactly know when, but as long as he didn't wait until the festivities were nearly over, she would be content. "He just had to go visit Nesta and Brennyn. They probably won't attend and as you know he likes to at least pay them a quick visit on special days like these."

She frowned thoughtfully when Karis asked about a kind of fruit she may know. "Umm... I don't think we bought this," she mused. Her face looked regretful. "Which is a shame, really. I mean, the name alone... dragonfruit. It has to be something special." She thought about her cousin's question what it might have to do with dragons while Karis was tasting the drink. "Maybe the person who called it dragonfruit had a painting of a black-speckled white dragon or something, who knows," she offered a simple explanation with a shrug. Karis decided the juice wasn't too bad, and when she asked what Kaylin might like, the redhead grinned. "Are you kidding? I definitely need to try this dragonfruit business."

After sipping from her own glass, Kaylin nodded. "It's good! Though I taste the strawberries more clearly than the dragonfruit." She picked one of the slices of the dragonfruit to nibble on, to get a clearer idea of the taste. Pele's voice drew her attention then, and she swallowed a bit of the exotic fruit before replying. "I would suggest you pick something you don't regularly have. After all, this is a special day." Her blue grey eyes fell on the guard a few feet behind Pele. "Anything for you, sir guard? Non-alcoholic of course, since you're on the job and everything."

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Eiliandreth Megilian

Oh yeah, seventeen years old meant running in a dress and on step-in shoes. She didn’t look really fancy, but as she owned no uniform yet, she came in her regular clothing, which was a white-lavender summerdress that fell to her feet and left her lower underarms free. Her mauve coloured hair she had done with sort of powder paint she had bought on the market. All of it was tied up with white ribbons at the back of her head. Running was way easier and faster and in that she was more a teenager girl than a grown woman. Elegance didn’t interest her much, even her mother had dressed her up to make her presentable. The rest of her family was coming too, but Eiliandreth had gone up front. She was just utterly curious. The high walls on the first level gave no view away what happened outside of them. But if you lived on the higher levels you actual a view. These were the areas for the better situated people.

In her haste she passed by the captain of the guard and even didn’t see her at all. She had met Pele Alarion once, but if she would become ranger recruit or not, she had to wait for that. So she came finally by the tables, totally out of breath with colour on her cheeks. “Hello..” she stumbled out to all the gathered there. What could an young girl like really say to all the much older women? She needed other girls of her own age. But where were they? Her old schoolfriends were somewhere, but too crowdy she saw none of them. Eiliandreth was still catching breath, when she was surrounded by a variety of people she hadn’t seen before, except for captain Pele Alarion.

[Arnyn]

Macardil

They had been looking for musicians, and apparently Turgil had been so audacious to do some name-dropping when the lady owner of the Wayfarer's had contacted several others in her trade. The owner of The Bay of Belfalas must have given a compelling review, or else his opinion held much sway with Hildy, for she had not even so much as asked him to play a song.

As he arrived at the Erulaitalë, his violin was safely stowed in padded, brown leather case strapped to his back. Hildy spotted him even before he had time to find where the others were setting up.

"Macardil!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands. "Come, come! People have already begun to arrive, but if you wish you can still find yourself some refreshments before you begin." She pointed out one of the tables. "I would perhaps even suggest you wait a bit with your violin. Let the people warm up a bit, first, so to speak, to some more laid-back songs. Yes?"

He smiled good-naturedly. "Of course, lady Hildy. Perhaps you would be so kind as to let me know when you deem the opportune moment has arrived. I trust your eye more than my own."

She returned the smile at the compliment. "Agreed. Just don't run away too far, then." She nodded at him, still smiling, and then hurried to the next person she needed to intercept.

Macardil looked after her for a moment, shook his head at her seeming boundless energy and then took in the set-up of the feast. His blue eyes focused on the table Hildy had pointed out earlier. Some people were already gathered there. A few in summer colors, and another clad in blue and black. Upon his approach, his blue eyes gained a gleam of recognition.

He gave those gathered a small bow. "Greetings, ladies." He knew Pele was not ill-humored toward him, and he nodded at the Captain with a polite smile, but this was the first time he had seen Kaylin since... well. The event. He gave her a nod as well, though his eyes were guarded for her possible reaction. Hopefully, Karis had shared enough with her cousin so she would be more or less friendly. The young girl in the white-lavender dress (Eiliandreth) was unknown to him. "Well met, miss," he said. "I do not believe we have met before. My name is Macardil."

Then he turned to Karis, and a different smile pulled at his features. He liked saving the best for last. "Hello, Ziranphel."

[Karis Ziranphel]

Karis Ziranphel

The rare coolness of the drink reminded Ziran of taking a drink from a stream in winter just after it emerged from the depths, except with an explosion of summer flavor that had her taking several more sips. It was a nice way to temper the heat and her thirst at the same time.

She nodded with a smile when Kaylin said that her husband would be arriving a bit later after spending time with his parents, and was pleased to see that she also was willing to try the same drink, although it did not surprise her that Kaylin would go for something exotic.

A few more people showed up then, as Pele and her guard shadow joined them at the table, closely followed by a young woman that was all out of breath but who greeted them cheerfully. Kaylin responded to Pele’s question as Ziran would have, so she stayed silent for the moment other than smiling at her friend and captain, but after a brief pause Ziran gave a tilt of her head and raised her glass in welcome to each. “Welcome to the Erulaitalë celebration.”

She would have moved away from the table at that point to move closer to the music, but her slight shift was halted at the sight of Macardil stepping up beside them and bowing to the small group. Her expression shifted as her eyes lit on his dark features, and her smile softened as she watched his greetings to each in turn before he turned to her. She was glad to see him, and happy that he had decided to join the celebration. “Hello, Macardil.” Ziran responded quietly. She had noted the violin case on his back and nodded to it now. “You are playing today?” It was with some anticipation that she awaited his answer, as she had been looking forward to hearing and seeing him play in public for some time now, but hadn’t expected him to choose such a large gathering. It would definitely add to her enjoyment of the event.

[Arnyn]

Kaylin

"Hello!" she smiled to the young girl who'd arrived breathless at their table. "Are you alright?" she asked with an amused smile. "What's your name? I'm Kaylin," she said, introducing herself without much pomp or flair.

She stiffened a bit when she heard Macardil's voice, but quickly reminded herself of the things Karis had told her. And if that hadn't been enough, her cousin's change in expression would have at the very least prompted her to be friendly. Kaylin returned the man's nod with a (for her) faint smile. "Greetings." She had yet to make up her own mind about him, but was willing to judge him favorably until she did, since both Karis and Pele had 'signed off' on him.


Macardil

Kaylin seemed a bit more reserved than he remembered, but friendly enough. It was a much better reaction than what he had prepared himself for, so he was glad. When he happened to make eye contact with Pele's guard, Macardil realized he had not yet acknowledged the man. The latter was not partaking in the conversation, but still. He gave the guard a nod as well. He mildly wondered why the Captain was still guarded, months after he had first taken note of it. He had supposed it was some temporary measure months ago, but it seemed to have become more of a permanent situation.

When Karis asked about his violin, it sounded like she was hoping for a positive answer. He maintained his earlier smile, although he really wanted to grin in response. It pleased him that she wanted to hear him play. "Yes," he said, looking into her eyes for a moment longer before moving slightly so he could pour himself a tall glass of water. "Turgil talked both Lady Hildy and myself into it somehow." It had hardly been fair. The man had even used his children, sending them his way to beg for his music at the celebration.

Sipping his glass, he gestured to her shoulder bag. "And what did you bring? It would be bizarre to bring food or drink to an event like this. And I do not take you for the type to take a tinderbox and secretly light the bonfire ahead of time." He smiled, not moving closer to her despite feeling the need to. "If I had to guess, you perhaps brought one of the several instruments you play, yourself."

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Eiliandreth Megilian

She was not homeschooled into disagreements or animosities among people, so Eiliandreth just wandered around without opinions or convictions. She was too young to have a closed mind at the age of seventeen. So when a quite youthful man spoke to her friendly, she smiled back innocently. “Nice to meet you, and we haven’t met yet, Macardil. I am Eiliandreth,” she said nicely introducing herself. She did have a job as secretary in a state agent in housing across Minas Tirith. There was always something as pluming problems, leaking roofs, broken windows. She had done the contacts and appointments and the billing. But she had quitted the job, because desk work the whole day was not her suit. She had some job experience now. Hopefully she would be accepted as a ranger. She noticed the curious case on the back of Macardil. “You play an instrument?” she asked.

The other women said nothing to her, which felt something awkward to her and she didn’t yet understand. But she used seeing that in the circles her mom and dad dwelt and the friends they had. So she made no remarks to it, than pointing her attention to the table filled with drinks and cookies and more. Her nose found apricot biscuits and she grabbed a handful of them. Being a teenager she was still constantly hungry. Most of physical growing was over, but she still found clothes were after a while too short or too tight somewhere. Eiliandreth was still somewhat skinny in some places as her arms and legs, where some body fat had yet to be formed. But she wore a long white-lavender dress, so her thin legs were hidden at least. A white pair of step-in stuck under the seem, which held her feet comfortable and clean. She put a lock of mauve coloured hair behind her left ear that hindering jumped before her eyes. And stuffed the first of five biscuits in her mouth.

But then one of the women did say a greet to her and said her name. Eiliandreth looked a bit awed to her. “Nice to meet you as well, Kaylin. Nice name really,” she said cheerfully and feeling happy. “Also an apricot biscuit?” she offered. “I am fine, thanks you’re asking. I have been running from town. I like to do that. How are you?” Could she make friends? She was eagerly to get to know people. Even they were way bits older as that had the look of it.

[Pele Alarion]

"Something not regular, hmm?" Pele said thoughtfully as she let her gaze take in the spread of drinks on the table. That left out water, apparently, since that was what she drank in great quantities each day. Yet, she frowned when she heard the guard respond to Kaylin's offer with a "No, thank you, I am fine". Picking up a glass of water she took the step towards the guard and handed it to him unceremoniously. "Water at least; it would not distract you from your duties, would it? Besides, nothing has happened all this time, so... even if something did happen, you could easily get rid of the glass. By putting it on the table, preferably," Pele instructed, and then returned to the table to pick something for herself. She selected a clay mug of spiced mead, since that was something she would usually not consider, and merely let it touch her lips without taking a proper sip, just to get a minimal taste of its spiciness and potency.

When Eiliandreth arrived, rather out of breath, Pele looked at her with some concern, but it seemed that the young lady was not in need of immediate medical attention and had only hastened to get here. At least she had not missed out on all the delicacies offered. Pele's eyes smiled a greeting at her, when she watched her engage in a small talk with Kaylin. Then she returned Macardil's silent greeting with the same too, a small smile touching her lips.

For the time being, Pele chose not to get involved actively in the conversation, and gave herself up to quiet contemplation as she still listened to the talking intently. Then she looked over at the available food, the prepared bonfire structure, and once again back at the conversing group of people of which she practically was a part, even though she did not say anything.

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Two highwaymen from Harad

They had both been dispatched north for a good reconnaissance. It had been a long way from Dûsalan where he and his brother settled these days. Dyando and Angar were men in their own essence, but except just common people more they were not. Their father had originated from the southern lands of Harad. The arid lands were notoriously dangerous and death came swift. The laws of Gondor didn’t apply out here. Even they were in their forties somewhere, they were just sailors on a vessel without any authority. They lived from plunder and mayhem, where ever their captain decided to go. They had been released in the town of Methir in the delta of the Anduin. And so travelled way north through south and north Ithilien to reach the ruined town of Osgiliath. And they found a merry feast on the other side of the river. They knew it was near midsummer. Did they celebrate that in these parts? “Nay,” spoke Angar in their own southern dialect Sakal. “Remember that rebel king here married that a member of the long breathers.” “I recall,” sniffed Dyando disrespectful. They had changed their southron garb for some Gondorian fashion to fit in better. But being black-haired and deeply tanned they couldn’t hide their faces or hands.

“What can we catch here?” coughed Dyando wandering around starting from the east side. Maybe there was pocket with gold to lift? It was always a good thought. Grand feasts like these attracted both good and bad folk. And they switched to Westron as they spoke that well also. “Let’s first roam around, gather up info and not do something rash,” said Angar. Except there were festivities, there was also a market you could get what you liked to have. “The good times have returned here,” said Angar in thought. Since the days their dad had taken them to sea, their lives had been around plunder, robbery and more. Fair trade was not in their blood. But first they had to gather up useful information. Their captain had a mission to see if a fruitful summer was hiding up north. The brothers with Numenorean blood wouldn’t be particular in the picture there. “Yes, they have returned,” said Dyando. “Plenty to own.” They laughed and just looked out of their eyes, but not taking suspicious actions yet. If there wandered a heavy pocked around?

NB: These two can be taken prisoner in time... but I wait with some action until later.

[Karis Ziranphel]

Karis Ziranphel

Ziran’s smile took on a pleased tilt when he responded affirmatively. Macardil had promised to play for her sometime, but her own schedule and duties had been problematic for actually finding the time for a musical evening. She took another cool sip of her drink as Macardil retrieved a glass of water, and listened to his explanation of why he had brought the violin.

She nodded once in approval. Turgil seemed like a decent man from her brief encounters with him, and she appreciated that he had influenced Hildy to agree to a violinist that hadn’t often performed. She’d have to thank him, she mused.

Ziran’s smile transformed into a grin as Macardil continued by joking about what she likely had in her shoulder bag, and she raised her eyebrows momentarily. “No, I’m not planning to light the fire prematurely. You guessed correctly that I brought instruments, although I hadn’t yet decided if I would play or sing. I wanted options, so I brought flutes in two different styles, and some music.” She glanced at Kaylin briefly. “I could always lend Thûllir one of them if he is in the mood to play.” They had occasionally played duets, but it would depend on how sociable her cousin was feeling.

Belatedly, she turned to the young woman that had joined them and offered her name. “Welcome Eiliandreth. I am Karis Ziranphel, and I am glad to hear you like running. It will serve you in good stead.”

Her gaze then continued over to the food tables, and she decided she wanted to browse them to restore her energy before the event kicked off fully. The scent of roasted meat was making her mouth water. “I don’t know about you folks, but now that I’m not as thirsty from the walk, I find those tables of amazing food looking pretty good. You are welcome to walk with me, but otherwise please excuse me for a moment.” She looked at each in turn to gauge their interest, and then moved away with a smile and a light touch to Kaylin’s shoulder followed by a brief brush of Macardil’s arm.

[Arnyn]

Kaylin

She didn't hide her disappointment when the guard refused a drink. "Oh, come on," she mumbled, rolling her eyes as Pele ignored the guard's response and basically pushed a glass of water into his hand. It was a warm day; not drinking anything would simply be dumb.

She was happier talking to the girl rather than think about the guard's stiff attitude. "Why thank you," she replied to the compliment about her name. "And yes, I will have that cookie. Eiliandreth is an original name. Pretty, but long." Tapping a finger to her chin in thought before taking another sip of the juice, Kaylin slanted her head. "Have you every had any abbreviations? Nicknames? Eilian? Andy?" The redhead grinned, knowing she had used a lot of... artistic license... on the last one.

Meanwhile, she picked up on part of the conversation between Karis and Macardil. Karis had mentioned to her that he played the violin - and the redhead had noticed how interesting Karis had thought that was. Kaylin hid an amused smile at the recollection, but her face betrayed nothing when Karis glanced at her and mentioned she could lend Thûllir one of the flutes she brought. She shrugged. "Can't say I know if he will be. He liked to say my mood turns with the wind - which, to be clear, I know it does - but he doesn't seem to realize it is often true for his own, as well."

Noting Pele's silence, and refusing to let the woman fell into a cocoon of silence, Kaylin softly prodded Pele with her elbow. "Do you have any thoughts on something shorter for Eiliandreth?"

Karis excused herself in favor of the food, and Kaylin smiled at her cousin's light touch of her shoulder, but let her go.


Macardil

He nodded to Eiliandreth's question. "Yes, I do. I've played the violin for many years. It's a demanding, but very rewarding instrument." You couldn't fake a smile like the one that settled in his eyes at that.

For a moment he saw nought but the grin on Karis' face when she responded to his question. He would like to listen to her, as well. And he always enjoyed watching people he knew play - it added to his image of them. Kaylin's response about both her own and Thûllir's mood swings made Macardil's lips twitch into a brief smile.

Her excusing herself in favor of the food tables almost made him want to protest, but the look she gave everyone in turn to see if anyone would join her, appeased him. She was not escaping everyone to be alone. She was, perhaps, escaping the larger group. He remembered how she was not one for small talk. When she brushed against his arm, he bowed his head to the rest of the group. He would not forget his manners. "Excuse me as well, ladies. While your company is enjoyable, the food does look very appealing at the moment."

Without any hurried motions, he followed after Karis, drawing up next to her after a number of long paces. "Was that an escape, Ziranphel, or is it indeed nothing more than the food calling to you?"

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Eiliandreth Megilian

She had something of a social butterfly. Eiliandreth didn’t mind that a few people did excuse themselves for the food. But when Karis responded, she smiled happily. “Nice meeting you also! I have too much energy I guess,” she responded promptly. “I always run to somewhere, goes quicker. My mother doesn’t want me doing that, but I do it anyway.” Being rebellious felt great for her. That had to be her age, she knew. Her dad had often said that, as he had been like that as well when he was sixteen years of age. She frowned at something what Karis said: “How will running serve me?” she asked dumbfounded. “Just takes me from point A to B quicker than slow walking.” Karis went to hunt for some snacks, so their conversation would commence later.

But Kaylin seemed to stay and Eiliandreth didn’t wander away either. She did have three other biscuits and her perhaps newfound friend could pick another. Offering something was a way to lay friendships, that much Eiliandreth knew. She frowned about the question of her name. “I have it,” she shrugged, never had thought about it to change or shorten it up. Was it a mouthful? She shook her head about the abbreviations. “Is yours short for something longer?” she asked in a wise sense. “I like my name,” she said. “Eili doesn’t sound special. My parents gave it, because it was rather unusual. Eilianu means rainbow in Sindarin. But I don’t speak the tongue further. I only speak common Gondorian.” She waited on Pele's response to Kaylin's thought question about her name. Eiliandreth had never considered something shorter. But it was not she was not open for it.

[Pele Alarion]

It appeared that food had its appeal too, and Pele nodded with a smile and briefly looked after Karis, and Macardil who excused himself soon after to follow. And, even if she heard all the talk on shortening Eiliandreth's name, she would not have said a thing if not for Kaylin's prod.

"I do like Eili, though. And not sure what you mean by it not sounding special, Eiliandreth," Pele then said and shrugged lightly. "Suppose it is a habit to shorten long names. At least my name is short enough not to require any abbreviations. And I have managed to escape any nicknames this far," she chuckled, and touched the mug to her lips, taking a small sip of the drink. She wondered though if Rangers secretly called her some name or other, even if she was not aware of any such thing going on.

Perhaps the guards did? They had been keeping an eye on her for so long already, and she liked to tease them occasionally... With a small grin she glanced over her shoulder and caught the guard emptying his glass thirstily - as if he had just waited for her to turn her back to do so. She knew he would be thirsty wearing all his gear in the warm sun, but it did not make sense to her that he would then act tough and refuse a refreshing drink at first. "Don't make me act as your butler, sir!" she exclaimed, snatching the empty glass from his hand and replacing it with another, full one, while careful not to spill her own rather full mug. "You make sure to keep yourself hydrated. I'll make it an order if it helps," she gave him a stern look to show that she meant business.

[Karis Ziranphel]

Karis Ziranphel

No others had looked ready to join her yet, but Ziran was quietly pleased when she heard Macardil give his excuses as she moved away. That he chose to accompany her brought a slight smile, and she glanced over at him as he drew up beside her easily with those long legs. At his teasing question, she reached to slip her hand into his as she paused a moment and then answered. “Well, I am hungry, as the walk wetted my appetite, so it is primarily the food, but I suppose it is a little of both.” She glanced at him again. “I am very glad you decided to come today, and look forward to spending time with you especially at this celebration…but I also admit it is going to take a little adjusting to figure out the meshing of how I am in public with how I respond in private to where it seems comfortable.” Her step faltered slightly and her voice dropped as she offered words that seemed inadequate to explain what she meant. “Still pretty used to being very self-contained and rather a loner even when surrounded by friends and in the middle of the festivities, so this is very new. Welcome new, but…new all the same.”

Her brown eyes sought his blue ones for a moment as she gave him a crooked smile. They were only a few steps from the still sparse crowd around the food tables, and she gave his hand a squeeze before releasing her grip. Turning to survey the loaded table she asked lightly. “So what are you hungry for, Macardil?”

[Arnyn]

Kaylin

"No, my name is not short for anything," she said thoughtfully. "And I don't think my father would have agreed to a long name for me, even if my mother would have liked a particular one." Meanwhile, Eiliandreth was giving her the impression that she wasn't open to an abbreviation of her name. After all, Eiliandreth had just said her full name sounded special and the abbreviations did not. "I guess we can continue to use your full name, if you prefer." She grinned. "Although I make no promises for after I've had a number of properly festive drinks."

Pele's response only made her grin bigger. "Oh, you think you have managed to escape nicknames so far, Captain?" she asked simply, her tone not denying nor admitting the truth of her friend's statement.


Macardil

While she was casting glances, Macardil was giving her longer looks. Unembarrassed, he gently closed his hand around hers and listened to her reply. The honesty of her words and the slight falter in her step was... endearing. He had no time to return the squeeze of her hand before she let go of his hand. Her tone had turned light.

He stayed still for a small moment as he pondered whether or not to react to her earlier, more serious words, in addition to her light-hearted question. Then he moved, running a hand through his hair as he surveyed the food. "Hmm..." HIs eyes returned to her for a moment, and he smiled in silent amusement before looking back to the tables. "While I was not lying when I said the food looked very appealing, the food was not what drew me here." He didn't look back at her yet. "But you said you were hungry. What is calling to you?"

His thoughts were still on what she'd said earlier, and he debated once more whether or not to backtrack to it. "I am glad you are here, also," he finally said quietly. At least that way he had acknowledged her words without focusing on them. Since she had so quickly changed the subject, he assumed she preferred it that way. Yet, he suddenly realized that her changing the subject might not actually be what she wished to do, but rather what she couldn't help doing. "Ziranphel," he said, taking her hand again in such a way she would turn back toward him, ignoring the small clusters of people relatively close by. He kept his voice low, so she would be the only one to hear him. "You said you are still used to being a loner, even among friends. Is that because you want to be? Or because you don't know how not to be?"

[Karis Ziranphel]

Karis Ziranphel

She had turned her attention only partially to the tables, and looked back up at Macardil at the motion of his hand and thoughtful hum. Her lips twitched briefly in a smile at his words. He was good at his oblique comments, and she liked his allusion to having followed her rather than the call of the well-spread feast.

The way he took her hand as he said her name was a request for her attention, and she heeded it by shifting to face him. She lifted her eyebrows at his question. It was a good one, and she had occasionally thought about it herself, as her answer had changed over time. Her reply was equally quiet. “It is more that I don’t know how not to be after these many years, although there have been times that I chose to be, especially after my return from captivity. I am naturally introverted, and it takes great energy to not seem so among strangers. Among friends…I still prefer observing, although it takes less energy to participate.” She glanced back at the small grouping they had left that was a mix of both, and then met his gaze once more. “For years I didn’t have the option, because as commander I had to keep myself contained even in the middle of the crowd. Now, I suppose I have the option of not forcing interaction and take it reflexively, but it doesn’t mean I won’t interact.” Her face had been serious, but now her eyes smiled to match the tilt that appeared on her lips. “I just take people in smaller doses, and family and friends don’t count.”

[Arnyn]

***

Some of the hired musicians were ready and Hildy had gone over to give her instructions.

"Hello, everyone. As previously agreed upon, I would like for you to start with calm summer tunes. Pleasant music to have on the background, so to speak. So people can get acclimated first. I will send another musician over when it is time to get people's feet moving, yes?"

They smiled and nodded to her. One of them started a relaxing, positive tune - and the others gladly joined in.

***

Macardil

He smiled softly back at her and brought the hand he was holding up to his beardless chin, just looking her in the eyes a moment before responding. "Do not worry, Ziranphel. I only ask because I wish to know my own best course of action. If you wish for me to facilitate mingling for you, I will. If you prefer to stand back and observe, then I will join you in doing that. When I am not required to play." He gently moved his chin against the back of her hand. "In other words, if you wish to stretch your comfort zone, we can do that. But if you prefer not to, we can do that as well. I simply want to spend time with you."

After a pause, to perhaps let his words sink in, Macardil looked at their hands, then back to her face. "And if you feel I take too much liberties in public, please take me aside and tell me - and I will adjust my bearing. Although I must say that, in this regard, I am being self-contained already." The two of them seemed to have the unspoken agreement to limit their public displays of affection, which fit with how he had been raised to mind perception and to always be in control of his actions, and which made sense for them in other ways, as well.
Her friends, colleagues and family as well were still getting used to seeing them together, even though Ziran and Macardil had spent much time in each other's company the past few months. They hadn't happened to come across many people in her inner circle when they had gone out to eat or when they had shared a morning run. And many of them would still think of him as the former officer who had - albeit against his will - committed a terrible crime. Exonerated or not, it would take a number of positive interactions between him and her family and friends to make them feel comfortable around him. And to make them feel comfortable about the idea of him with her. It was very understandable.

"I would very much like to take today as an opportunity to improve the way your friends and family view me," he said quietly, not sharing his entire thought process but trusting in her intelligence to fill in what he left unsaid. She was very good at that. He lowered their hands, but did not let go just yet.

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Swanknight Silinde Merenion

Having spent some hours in quiet by the water, as he sat often by the sea himself listening to the rushing waves. He had a good honourable life he was content with. And some day he hoped to find a lass and have a few kids himself. He was not that young anymore, just in prime of life as could be said. At some point you were rather ageless, until the elder days of wrinkles and grey hairs settled in. He felt rather magnificent and proud, but not at the cost to be greedy. He had given an unknown girl some gold to make her despair vanish to happiness. And on the road he had done to other people the same. It was gold he could take for the needed on the road, even it belonged to the lord of Dol Amroth. Gold was worthless when it came to loving friends and family. Of the first Silinde had quite much, the second he had rather little. He smiled at the thought why on the backside of his head were a few strains - out of the blue - braided hair. Back in Edhellond a fortnight ago two small elven girls had practised their braiding talents on his hair. Little more over a meter tall were the two kids and he still remembered their chatter in Sindarin how precise a braid had to be done. It was the work of a child though, not a professional. But Silinde had left the braids and put his helmet over it. Now he wore instead the hood of his cape over it, so it had no strange looks.

He stood finally carrying the handharp with him and headed back for the festivities. On the grounds were also cubicles found where men and women could refresh in private, without having going back to town in search of a toilet. It was simple design with a square bucket under the seat and a bin with earth to cover all dirt and smells. At the end of the day you had fertiliser for the future that after fermenting changed to dung. Simple and practical and hygienic too. Outside a woman sat who looked after the cubicles and he gave her coin for his use. All had some way a function in this system how humble it could be. He practised his Numenorean on her and asked. “This is my work, sir knight. I work for a collector service in town that pick up all organic waste people have in their homes and we process it into dung for the fields.” Silinde had no idea if Minas Tirith did have a underground system for human sewage. It could be dirty, and fresh water was needed for that to sweep all from the highest point to the lowest point. And where would it go then? This ecological method was much better, as he left the cubicles behind. Nobody could get sick and no rats roamed around either.

It was still a stiff walk to get more the north side of the town, where the tables with the foods waited. There were all sorts of games Silinde had never seen practised before, there were activities for children, and there was a full market as well with all the good you wanted, except the things that were available in Umbarian towns, slaves and stolen loot. The summer festivities back home were not this scale as on the Pelennor Fields. Was all food free to get? Or was it against some value? He couldn’t find a card with prices on them, so perhaps the foods and drinks were free to take for citizen and visitor? He didn’t watch the few persons he got to know on route to this place, nor paid attention to anyone else than the usual evil breed that wandered about.

*********************
Eiliandreth Megilian

She shrugged at the possibilities with her name. “I can’t promise I listen to something shorter. It is not in my hearing to listen to,” she said grinning with some teenager rebellion to both Kaylin and Pele. She couldn’t have proper festive drinks. Just some lemonade or fruit juices. She was a long way from twenty years of age, but her parents forbade to take anything of alcoholic on pain to the banned from visiting feasts like these. So Eiliandreth would not go against the verdict of her parents. There were plenty of people who kept an eye on her and report back to their folks what their daughter did. Then she saw walking someone odd (Silinde). “Kaylin look!” she pointed between the crowds. “You ever seen a man with swan emblem on the chest? I had no idea the rangers and the guard had a division with swan members too.” Eiliandreth had never seen or heard about other noble armies. She knew there were Lord Faramir, but all his men were Rangers. “And why would anyone put the hood of a cape up?” Would it be odd to ask if the man that? But he seemed far more interested in the foods and drinks on the tables than anyone close by.

[Arnyn]

Kaylin

"Well, we will see then," Kaylin laughed at the girl when the latter said she couldn't promise to react to any abbreviations. The way she excitedly pointed someone out to her, made Kaylin grin and shake her head. "Why yes, I have," she replied, amused. "He would be a Swan Knight of Dol Amroth, Eiliandreth. Not a Ranger, thus, nor a guard of the White City. It was strange, however, that the man had his hood up. "It's definitely not cold or windy enough to pull up a hood," she mumbled. "He wants to hide his face? Maybe trying to avoid someone he knows or maybe he has a very ugly scar," she said with a smile at Eiliandreth. She did not recognize the knight, since she hadn't been able to see him when they met. Moreover, it had been months since her wound and return to the city to go to the Houses of Healing. Her wound had basically healed, with only the smallest of reminders with certain movements.

[Karis Ziranphel]

Karis Ziranphel

Ziran nodded wordlessly at his explanation, taking in the look in his eyes and the import of his words as he brushed his chin against her hand. She couldn’t help the quiet laugh when he said she should let him know if he took too many liberties, but she nodded again when he continued. She also wanted people to get to know him again as she had, and see the honor that was intrinsic to his nature. “You do not take too many liberties, Macardil, and yes you are quite self-contained as it is.” Her eyes twinkled with quiet merriment. “You hardly take any liberties at all.”

She wished she didn’t have a glass in her other hand still, but it was what it was. She would need to do a balancing act once they picked out food. Looking down at their hands, she paused as she heard quiet music begin, and then looked back up with a quirk of her lips. “Let's get something light and then go find a spot over on the grass to sit and listen a while before it is your turn to play. Others might choose to join us, but I wouldn’t mind sitting and watching for a while. If you are yourself I am sure there will be plenty of positive interactions…especially if you are playing dance tunes later.” Kaylin and Thûllir were likely to appreciate that, and she might even let loose enough to dance while watching the violinist. Thinking about that, she lifted up on her toes and kissed him lightly before stepping back and tilting her head toward the table in invitation.

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Eiliandreth Megilian

“Swan Knight of Dolamros?” she repeated , but catched only part of the unspeakable name of what was a land or town. “What is Dolamros?” Eiliandreth had never heard of that name. Kaylin shook amused her head at Eiliandreth’s exclamation and the girl got colour on her cheeks. Was she a bit too enthousiast? She didn’t really overthink her actions, just acted instantly. Kaylin said a few things under her breath, and Eiliandreth took point to talk softer too. Could the man have heard them? She hoped not. An ugly scar? “Oh that would be nasty, not?” hooked Eiliandreth excited on the mysterious subject. “By who or what?” Could there be someone he knew and didn’t want to be recognised? That made it all the more mysterious. What kind of story could behind it all? “I love mysteries,” she said. “Do you think that is true what you suggested?”
*********************

Swanknight Silinde Merenion

That he was sudden subject he was complete oblivious to. And even he knew he would not be interested at all. He was already close to be middleaged, and the days of eternal youth were nearly over for him. He had seen and experienced too much on the battlefield more than a decade prior. He had lost in the innocence of life there, fighting against a foe that robbed them all from the freedom they knew if they lost. So there had been no option that to fight hard and win the battle. The source of all evil was gone, but the tools of evil not yet. And as it looked, also by history, that would never go away. A pity he knew. They could live entirely without. A tranquil society where no weapons of war were needed. Ignoring the beastly foods he ventured to a bowl of deliciously decorated fruits. That was far more tasty on a pleasant day like this. He found cherries of darkred colour and filled up a small bowl with good amount of thirty cherries. Much perhaps, but he was fond of them. Then he looked up if there were any faces to talk to.

[Arnyn]

Macardil

He noted the twinkle in her eyes, aware she was open to him taking more liberties than he had so far - at least when not surrounded by people as they were now. He smiled at her further words and nodded his agreement to her suggestion, and before he could say anything, she surprised him by kissing him. It was brief and light, but still entirely unexpected.

He delayed a moment in letting go of her hand, but let go nonetheless as she stepped back. Perhaps he was taking too few liberties. There was a part of him that was starting to revolt, demanding that he should take the lead at some point. She was new at this, he was not. Should he not take her on a journey, then? At present, he ignored such emotional thoughts in favor of what he rationally deemed was right.

"Aye, dance tunes are what Lady Hildy ordered," he said quietly, after overcoming his surprise. Despite the more regular distance between them now she had stepped back, he did not shy away from serious conversation. "Which is not what I had in mind when I first suggested playing for you. So, I will have to play you something more... personal... later. Today. Or tonight. Before we part ways, at the least."

Then he split his focus between her and the table. "Be that as it may. Something light, was it?" He picked one of the pastries holding a cooked sausage on the inside for himself. "Can I be of assistance?" he smiled back at Karis, nodding at the glass in her hand. "What would you like?" He was planning on holding her chosen food for her while she chose them a place to sit and appreciate the music, as she had suggested.

[Karis Ziranphel]

Karis Ziranphel

Ziran knew she had surprised him, and she enjoyed the slight pause before he released her hand and replied. She was delighted to know he wanted to play for her personally later, and was curious about what music he had chosen. She nodded slightly. "Tonight." Something to look forward to for sure.

Following his lead, she also picked up a stuffed pastry, but hers contained a mix of mashed potatoes, cheese, onions and ham that she knew was delicious from previous experience with Hildy's cooking. At Macardil’s offer to assist, she handed him the wrapped pastry and chose a clump of fresh grapes to share. Hooking it over a finger on the hand holding her glass so that she had a hand free, she took another glance at the loaded tables.

Deciding that was enough to stave off her hunger for now without being too heavy, Ziran led the way to an open patch of grass that had a good view of the crowd but close enough to the musicians to hear the tunes clearly and not be in the way of dancing later. It was an afternoon for relaxing, and it was a welcome change to enjoy the grassy field rather than the tables and chairs. "This looks like a good spot." She smoothly dropped down to fold into a cross-legged sitting position without spilling the remainder of her drink, and waited for him to join her.

[Pele Alarion]

For the time being, Pele left her guard alone to do the guarding to respond to Kaylin restating what she had said about nicknames.

"Why, yes," she said with some certainty and would have stuck her tongue out at her friend but refrained from it as it would be most unbecoming of her given the circumstances. "I'd rather you not shorten my short name to anything less than it is!" She couldn't help but laugh softly at the idea.

The gathered musicians had started playing some music in the background, and Pele tried to listen to it and did not say anything for a few moments, though she did look up at who Eiliandreth was pointing at. Seeing that it was just a swan knight, she shrugged lightly to say wordlessly that the sight didn't surprise her.

"Dol Amroth," she corrected the girl in addition to comments Kaylin had provided, and tilted her head. "I am sure you have studied the layout and history of Gondor a bit?" she remarked, hoping for an affirmative answer.

However, Pele avoided commenting on any scars the knight might have as she had a plenty of her own, some more visible than others, though none that would have to be hidden by a hood. She found herself satisfied that only her arms were uncovered, and the clothing hid her collection of scars from view. In her opinion, such matters were not an appropriate topic for light-hearted chit chat in public and were better reserved to be shared in private. Almost unawares, her blue eyes gained an icy quality which warned of anger simmering beneath the calm exterior and threatening to break loose.

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Two highwaymen from Harad

The eldest of the two disguised men from Harad found enough information to bring back to the fleet. Angar was content, he had seen enough. No longer deciding on thievery or robbery he looked at his brother and said softly: “I have to go back. You come to or still walk around a bit?” he asked. Dyando shook his head. “You go.” And so they split up, Angar headed back for the horses they had left behind just outside the bridge town on the other bank. Maybe it was a bit odd to see a Gondorian walk that way, but he shook that disguise off in one of the ruined houses. And sneaked further unhindered until he reached his horse, mounted and headed south. It was more dangerous to ride along than with two, but his brother had his own mind, and Angar felt he had an obligation to make to his lord to bring the necessary news back for what could become a good expedition north. Out of sight of old Osgiliath he went over to gallop and rode swift southbound, leaving Ithilien’s forest soon behind. Somewhere downriver was the ship waiting on him.

Without his brother around Dyando went after the rich purses. He could forget about the task to observe now his brother was going back to report. And there wandered a lot of riches around, on wrists, around necks and in the belts. He had a very common appearance with a face that was not easy to remember, unless you were trained for that. He lifted that way freely a mug when nobody was looking and a forgotten purse contained a few dimes, but it was not much. He did have to look further. He got the dimes and let the purse drop under a table between the many legs and feet. Who did look to feet and legs? Dyando felt a thrill when he was able to lay his hands on a better purse without the owner even was aware of it. Much later the person would discover, but Dyando was long gone then, vanished in the crowds. The loot was slowly growing…

[Arnyn]

Macardil

He took the pastry she had chosen and watched her pick out the grapes. She was quick, but not hurried, to find a spot in the grass. A good one, at that. He nodded his agreement to her statement that reflected his own thoughts about her choice.

Macardil was a quiet spectator as Karis sat down on the grass effortlessly. He slowly but fluidly sat down next to her, keeping the food aloft in his hands as he did. Once they were both comfortable, sitting shoulder to shoulder, arm to arm, he held out her pastry for her. His eyes found hers, displaying a soft smile. He was... strangely content to simply be here with her. As far as he was concerned, they could sit in silence for a while. They were comfortable with one another and had food and music, and people to watch. Although it had to be said that he rather frequently found his gaze straying back to the woman next to him.


Kaylin

"Oh come on, Pele," Kaylin grinned. "I'm sure we could come up with something you like. Although it might not have anything to do with your name at all." Perhaps it was something she needed to ponder, although she was looking for things to do much less now that Thûllir had traded in Ithilien for Minas Tirith more permanently. Sarge used to be her nickname for Pele, but that was back when they were in the army and Pele was a Sergeant. It didn't seem right to stick with it, for some reason. Something else, then...

When Eiliandreth asked wher Dolamros was, Kaylin blinked. Pele corrected the girl and asked if she had not studied Gondor and its main locations a bit, and put words to what felt so bizarre about that question. The girl seemed very excited by her comment about the knight possibly having a scar, which had been meant as a joke. Kaylin wasn't immediately sure how to respond, torn between just going with it or trying to make clear she was just being silly. She looked to Pele with some amusement, to see what her friend thought of Eiliandreth's... enthusiasm, when she noted the look in Pele's eyes. Kaylin paused. Oh. What had just happened there?

"Umm," she started saying to Eiliandreth. "I don't know if it's true, it's just something that might explain the hood, you know..." Kaylin took a step closer to Pele. "Pele? You okay?" Or was she seeing things?

[Rillewen]

Erynneth

Eryn had never actually attended anything like this, except that thing she and Unalmis went to in Rohan. She was sixteen now, having had a birthday since the ill-fated adventure in Ithilien. In fact, quite recently. She was very curious to know what sort of things people did at a summer festival thing. Would there be anyone there that she knew? She wasn't opposed to making new friends, but it would be nice to see people she was already friends with. Whatever the case, nothing was going to stop her from coming, although she had to finish up with the milking first. Despite it being named a holiday, cows still had to be fed and milked. Once all of the cows were tended to, she hurried to change into her nicer dress*, the one she wore when going to town, not when doing everyday chores. She already had her hair done up with a thin braid traveling the crown of her hair, acting as a sort of 'headband', while the rest hung freely down her back in waves and loose curls.

Arriving at the spot where the festivities were happening, she could hear music playing, and there were already plenty of people there. Hopefully, she hadn't missed anything! It was too bad, she thought, that her dad wouldn't come to things like this. She knew why, because he disliked being around a lot of people, but she still thought he was sure to be missing out on a lot of fun. Turning around with curiosity, the girl tried to take in all of the goings-on, but she couldn't see everything at once. She watched the musicians for a moment, impressed by their skill, and then turned to find the source of a delicious smell. There was food nearby, and she hadn't taken the time to grab lunch. Naturally, her feet carried her in that direction, while still looking around with excitement and wonder, pleased to have been able to come.

*the outfit/hairdo in this picture, exactly

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Eiliandreth Megilian

She was pretty excited and dreamy about the swan knight she developed in her head based on the man’s image that walked into her view. He seemed not to have heard her after all, so that was alright. He looked at least as twice as old as she was, and any real love fantasies she hadn’t yet. Few months ago she was only sixteen still. She loved hanging out, discussing dreamy future candidates, how fantastic they could be without having eye for the reality of relations. She got what Kaylin meant and her youthful enthousaist subdued a bit, but would come back quickly enough. Pele answered her as well. It was something like Dol Amros then.Two words instead of one. But still she didn’t know what Dol Amros was. That wasn’t explained. Bit disheartened she frowned on the maps and history question, and saw no relation to the earlier subject. “What is interesting about history?” she asked at the rather commanding accent in Pele’s voice as Eiliandreth perceived that way. On a day as this Eiliandreth didn’t want to be too serious. She liked mindless chatter, serious she could be when she was past twenty years. But that was still three years away. She knew something of the local maps, what Osgiliath was and Mordor on the opposite of the river, and that the neighbours were the horselords from the plains. Eiliandreth like learning in a casual way. Perhaps she was not cut out to be a ranger, but that was a worry for later. She could do the training though and learn something from it. Eiliandreth looked a bit dumbfounded when Kaylin suddenly asked to Pele if she was okay. Was the other feeling unwell?


************

Silinde Merenion

With his bowl of cherries he looked over the heads picking out the face of young Kaylin, but Baerden he didn’t see, and another familiar face he saw, Eryn. He raised a hand for the girl to direct where Kaylin was standing. But there were couple of other faces he hadn’t seen before, or ever met (Pele, Karis, Macardil and Eiliandreth). He smiled faintly when two loved ones snugged somewhat together and he diverted his attention leaving them to their own devices. Even a much younger girl seemed to struggle with the name of his hometown, and he interceded: “Dol Amroth, town smaller than Minas Tirith, sure. Habour of the swanships lays directly on interception route for corsairs, from the technical and commercial harbours more inland. Town faces north, with a wall of mountains south. It is a peninsula,” he explained roughly as he could in Annúnaid. “Dol Amroth has one and four zero’s people, about that number.” He had the word Sindarin word for tenthousand in his head, but couldn’t call up the Numenorean word. “My home town on the Lond Cobas bay.” He nodded to the others. “Honoured to meet. My name is Silinde Merenion, swanknight from Dol Amroth, son of Merenia.” He looked at Kaylin. “Good to see you back at the feet,” he said at the friendly tone he had spoken all along with combined with a strong Sindarin accent. He was kind and courtenous, as was highly expected from swanknight.

[Rillewen]

Trevadir Thôrmaetha

He couldn't resist venturing within the walls of the Rammas Echor, though it had been quite a while since he had felt bold enough to do so. Trev was quite curious about this event that he'd heard spoken of, and it sounded like it might be nice. Living just outside the walls, in the area of Harlond Harbour, Trev had done his best to sever all ties with his pirate associates, trying very hard to get away from that unfavorable life. They were reluctant to let him go, and it was all the harder, given that his father was the captain, but he wanted to return home. He had wanted to since about a week or two after deciding to run away with his father. Life didn't always let you have what you wanted, though, he thought with a remorseful sigh.

Still, here he was, though he couldn't help feeling nervous. He'd been told, for the last couple of years, that he couldn't return to the city, that everyone he once knew would know that he'd become a pirate, and they would be ready to arrest him. Whether that was true, he had no idea... still, he felt edgy as he glanced around the gathered people. At least he looked significantly different than when he was last seen around here, but apparently, he also looked just like his father. Therefore, he had put on a straw hat, partly to serve as protection from the sun, but mainly to sort of hide his face.

Something about this field looked familiar. Was this where he and the guys had once played hide-and-seek in the owner's cornfield, and cutting down cornstalks to turn it into a maze... when they were supposed to be harvesting the crop? Or perhaps it was another place... maybe the one where they were supposed to be harvesting apples and ended up staging a re-enactment of some historical battle, using the apples as ammo for their imaginary catapults... it was really hard to tell, actually. Trev, Ryn, and Nal had done a lot of silly, mischievous things growing up, he thought with a small, reminiscent smile. That might have been the same year they'd 'tested' quite a lot of apples for worms to "ensure they were all worm-free"... which for some reason had quite upset the owner of the orchard who had hired them to pick apples.

Inevitably, Trev was drawn toward the musicians. He smiled, watching them play, wishing he could play along with them. He had his flute, of course.. that never left his possession. Fingering the polished metal tip of the instrument poking out of the inside pocket of his vest, Trevedir reminded himself that it would be out of place to ask if he might join them, and besides, that wouldn't be 'blending in'. He sat down cross-legged in the grass, contenting himself with merely watching and listening to the music. And for a while, he forgot to be wary, or worried about running into anyone who would recognize him.

[Pele Alarion]

Kaylin's question made Pele stop before she travelled too far along the path of dark memories and reacted inadequately to people who had nothing to do with it. She reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and then passed her hand over her face as if clearing off imaginary cobwebs.

"Meh, no worries, Kaylin," she responded with a phrase that really did not express much. Then she looked at Eiliandreth and shrugged. "Without history there's no future," she simply said without further explanations, as the knight that had been the subject of discussion joined them and provided a short explanation on Dol Amroth.

"Nice to meet you, Silinde, My name is Pele," she remembered manners when he introduced himself. Her own introduction was rather curt though and did not reveal much about herself, while taking note that he apparently knew that Kaylin had been injured. Still feeling somewhat disgruntled and not into conversational mood, she sipped her mead and looked towards the food table thoughtfully.

[Arnyn]

Kaylin

Pele said not to worry, although Kaylin wasn't too sure. The answer was vague and unsatisfactory. Yet she stifled a laugh when Eiliandreth asked Pele what was interesting about history. Pele's answer was short and Kaylin was unused to her friend and Captain talking in such a fashion, but she was distracted when the knight approached and explained more about Dol Amroth. He must have caught Eiliandreth mentioning it.
The moment he had spoken his first sentence, Kaylin realized he had to be the knight she hadn't been able to see (Silinde) from her supine position in the wagon. He did seem to recognize her, which she supposed was perfectly possible. He might have positioned himself to look inside of the wagon at some point on the road, and she hadn't been actively watching just in case he should move into view for a moment.

His identity was confirmed when he gave the group his name and told her it was good to see she'd recovered. "Greetings, Silinde. And aye." She grinned at him. "I much prefer moving around on my feet than being stuck in a wagon."

Speaking of such, she was hoping the musicians would turn to a more lively tune soon, instead of the background music they were playing at present. She was feeling energetic, probably after having to take it easy for such a long time, and was looking forward to stretching her legs to the music. Kaylin finished her glass of juice promptly; the sun was warming the field effectively, after all, and would doubtlessly ensure that the drinks provided would not go to waste.

Her eyes wandered over to the food table, where she saw Eryn. If Eryn looked over, Kaylin would give her a wave - but her friend was rather preoccupied looking at the food. Rather understandable. It all looked delicious.

[Karis Ziranphel]

Thûllir Bregedýr

Erulaitalë was a celebration that Thûllir had actually been looking forward to since he had heard the King’s announcement. Upon reflection he found it amusing, as he never used to enjoy large gatherings, but it made all the difference in the world to have a wife that loved being around people. He drew enjoyment from seeing her joy in the festivities and interacting with people of all sorts. Hence, he had told his cousin that they would definitely be attending, and he would look forward to seeing her there after visiting his folks. Thûllir’s father, Brennyn, wasn’t up to walking long distances anymore, so he had brought his parents flowers from his own garden to celebrate the occasion. After sharing a glass of tea and conversation, he eventually excused himself to make the walk out to the celebration field.

After a quick visit home he saw that Kaylin had gone on ahead, and merely took the time to add a clasp to the shoulder of his sea-green shirt that bore a few white rosebuds with a red blush to the tips of the petals, and selected the carefully bound ones to carry along. Thûllir’s light grey trousers were tucked into boots that were not the well-worn ones he had worn on patrol, but rather recently acquired ones of dark and supple leather that felt light on his feet. Good for dancing. He was looking forward to that, and the walk down through the levels and out over the fields went quickly.

Approaching the gathering, the music drew him in, and he scanned the clusters of people for familiar faces. He saw his cousin seated off to one side with Macardil, and raised his hand in a wave but did not join them, as Kaylin had caught his eye and he was anxious to continue on. She was with Pele and her guard and a couple others that Thûllir did not know. Changing his direction so that he approached from her right side, he nodded a greeting to the group. “A joyous Erulaitalë to you all.” Reaching out to Kaylin, he grinned as he stepped up beside her.


Karis Ziranphel

Ziran smiled back at Macardil as he sat beside her and offered the pastry. It was comfortable to be able to sit in companionable silence and eat together while enjoying the light breeze and the music. His shoulder was at just the right height, and she leaned against it slightly while sharing the fruit after their pastries had disappeared. She could feel his gaze on her and let her own stray back now and again with a quiet smile. Thûllir passed, and she returned his wave with a lifted hand and a small grin. It prompted her to wonder how long she might have with Macardil before he had promised to play. “Thank you for sitting with me, Macardil. I have been enjoying it immensely, but if you have to play soon I won’t hold you back.”

[Arnyn]

Macardil

He was quietly taking pleasure in the moment, thinking to himself how it still surprised him that he would have such an experience with someone again. Karis raised a hand to wave at Thûllir as he passed them by, but Macardil was too late to make eye contact with him, as he had been... distracted. There would be time to offer greetings later, however.

Karis broke their mutual silence then, and her words made him look for Hildy. They weren't that far away from where she had seen him last, but they were sitting down, and she might not spot him if she wanted to. He found her between the people in a moment or two, as he replied to Karis. "I was to wait for Lady Hildy's signal, but I do not believe she has seen us sitting here." His blue eyes turned to his companion, and he moved to lightly graze her chin with his index finger. "You do not need to thank me for being with you, Ziranphel. It is my pleasure. I would stay here... but you make a good point. I should see whether I am yet expected to play."

He raised an eyebrow, slightly amused, as he leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Are you chasing me away, perhaps? Or do you simply wish to watch me, rather than these other musicians?"


Kaylin

The deep, familiar voice coming from her right brought a smile to her eyes and lips even before she turned her head to find him already reaching out. She reached out as well, to slide her hand up his arm and curl her arm around his as he stepped close and she gently drew him against her, so they were standing side to side. Her heart tripped at the grin on his face, even after all this time. "Hervenn," she said, the word quiet but spoken with the smile she reserved for him alone as she looked up at him a moment longer.

She'd gotten better at remembering her manners over the years. "This is Eiliandreth - we just met." She indicated the girl with a gesture of her free hand. Another gesture towards Silinde preceeded her next words. "And this is Silinde, the knight from Dol Amroth whom Baerden, Eryn and I encountered on the road from Osgiliath, a few months ago." She didn't have to mention more specifics for Thûllir; he would remember it was when she had gotten wounded. "I was just saying it was good to be back on my feet." With a glance at her husband, she nudged herself into him just a little, leaning in. "They are feeling a bit restless," she entrusted to him.
"And you know Pele, of course. Not in her capacity as Captain today, but with her perennial plus one. We could hardly convince the man to have some water, even though he was almost changing color from dehydration."

[Pele Alarion]

"Good to see you out here for some good fun, Thûllir," Pele said in greeting to the man, exchanging the threat of anger for a sense of quiet joy as she observed interactions between him and Kaylin at his arrival. It did her heart good to see them together just enjoying life.

At the same time, Pele could not deny that at the same time she still also felt a tinge of loneliness and loss at not having Maldir here to share her life with. But then again, she had only herself to blame for not letting him go for years and not letting herself live a life more fully.

"Well," she said, choosing to focus on present moment, and glancing at the guard who stood with his face as expressionless as a stone wall. "At least he has maintained his normal colour this far, though apparently doesn't know how to combine being watchful with a little bit of entertainment."

Taking another sip of mead, Pele then nodded towards musicians. "As for restless feet, perhaps there'll be a chance for them to move around a bit. Or it is to be assumed so," she said with a soft chuckle.

[Rillewen]

Erynneth

All of the food looked delicious, and she could hardly decide what she'd like to have. After looking for a few moments, Eryn decided to take just enough to sample a little of each thing. She could come back for seconds later if she wanted more, she figured. Once she had her plate made up, she took a look around, then smiled as she spotted a couple of familiar faces. Waving to Kaylin, she smiled and headed over there.

"Hello!" She greeted everyone in the group. She knew Pele and Kaylin, and she was surprised to recognize the knight from Dol Amroth, although she was surprised he would still be around. She didn't know anyone else there, but didn't mind meeting new people. "Kaylin, how are you?" She figured she would say she was fine, but still asked anyway. It seemed like just days ago that she had been worried sick about getting her to the houses of healing, and yet, so much time had actually passed since then, it seemed strange.

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Silinde Merenion & Eiliandreth Megelian

Kaylin introduced them to the new arrivals. Eiliandreth obsorbed the words of both the swan knight and got finally the explanation she was craving to. And Kaylin told who they all were. She was not in the dancing essence, that was something for grownups to do. She was frank and free to do what she liked. She sighed having a bit enough of all these niceties. Perhaps there was a chance to light up some fireworks already? She was looking towards the particular wagon that stood a bit apart from the tables. It had to be that one. But as she scanned around over Pele’s shoulder, she saw something odd… a rather inconspicuous man (Dyando) was feeling his way around people’s waists. Was it a robber? Wearing Gondorian garb, he still was darkerskinned than them around. “Is it normal that people wander around here, touching people’s girdles?” she asked to nobody particular. But then a body blocked off her view from the person she saw and after that the likely robber had vanished.

Silinde nodded thankfully for the introductions to the lady Kaylin. The mention of Baerden clicked back other memories. As feet came on the table, he could not leave it behind. “A lady care to dance with a knight?” he asked. He could elaborate a lot about being a knight, but the sphere was not asking for it, so the subject immediately veered off to the fringes of conversation. Most of his business was done in Minas Tirith, and the fallen had gotten respect after such long time. The time was drawing near to get back home. But the feast of Eru he couldn’t skip. Maybe there was a chance to speak with Lord Aragorn as well? He hoped for it, but as knight he was not into all court rules. The sharp system of ranking was missing in Dol Amroth. Swanknightship was lifestyle. Once you were knighted, you remained your whole life. A ranger could say goodbye to his function, but knightship was a life commitment. The group disperged a bit for other acitivities and Silinde placed his empty bowl of cherries on the tables.


***********

Two highwaymen from Harad

Like a snake Dyando moved through the crowd. Standing here and there looking he didn’t attract more attention than any other person. But his pockets were quite heavy now with the lifted purses and jewels he had gotten his hands on. It was a fruitful day. The thrill was undeniable, the success was lifting his spirits. Dyando felt rather well, that he decided to leave finally with the trophies. His brother had gone ahead, and had perhaps reached the ship by now. Angar had more loyalty to their master, that Dyando had. Although quite old, both never married or had any children by a woman they knew. It was possible there was offspring somewhere? Perhaps it was possible to plunder the city once more? Dyando had never felt any morals when it came to raids with deadly results. He was what you could say, a member of the worst kind of human. His brother was like his father, loyal to the master he had given his word. Yeah it was time to leave this feast. But if he would get that far, remained yet to be seen.

[Arnyn]

Macardil

He did not wait for her reply and fluidly rose to his feet. He bowed slightly to Ziranphel, with a mixture of regret that the moment could not last but also trepidation that he was about to play for so many, both known and unknown to him.

It did not take him long to search for the lady Hildy, and with a glance at the tables and the people gathered Hildy decided that, yes, Macardil should join the musicians.

Nerves nipped at him as he joined the musicians when their current tune was drawing to an end. They agreed to let him start the next tune, and they would fall in. There was one other violinist present, but she admitted she did not like being first fiddle and preferred to lend support to the general tune. He spoke with her separately for a bit, before opening his case. With great care but also practiced habit, he took the instrument and the bow in hand and took up position amidst the other musicians during the last notes of the flute player.

He stood with his back straight, yet loose and flexible from the knees up to his neck as he readied himself. His eyes did not search the guests for Ziranphel just yet. He kept his focus within himself. First he needed to find his comfort zone, before allowing himself to venture outward.

He only left a heartbeat between the flutist's last note and his first, diving into a spirited tune that wasn't too intricate, but fast enough hopefully to get people to switch into a mood more suitable for dancing.

[Karis Ziranphel]

Karis Ziranphel

It pleased her to hear Macardil’s comments about staying with her, and her lips twitched into a slight smile once again. She had been torn between wanting to stay seated with him, and wanting to watch and listen to him play. The current musicians were, of course, excellent, but his references to his love of music and devotion to playing the violin had piqued her curiosity.

It seemed he might be prepared to leave immediately, but then he leaned in to whisper in her ear. She caught his amusement, but didn’t have time to reply before he rose swiftly to his feet and bowed before moving off. She whispered to his retreating form as he moved off to join the musicians, “Nay. I am not chasing you away by any means, Macardil.”

Drawing up her knees, she wrapped her arms around them as she watched his brief discussion and setup. The first strokes of his bow over the strings brought a grin to her lips, and her fingers tapped her arm to the beat as the drums joined in. The sound of the violin was sweet but combined with a jaunty flair that made her want to move. Rising after the first pause in the tune, she kept her eyes on the musicians as the second violin joined in to echo Macardil’s line. Watching the sweep of the bow and the concentration on tune was fascinating, and she didn’t turn as she might have otherwise, but stepped lightly to the beat in place with her hands linked behind her.




Thûllir Bregedýr

Kaylin’s gesture drew him close, and he smiled at both the motion and her quiet greeting as he met her gaze. “Hervess” He replied in an equally quiet murmur. She was introducing the others then, and he changed his focus to the small group of those gathered around.

“Well met Eiliandreth and Silinde. Pele, it is good to see you as well.” Thûllir inclined his head to them with the slightest of bows, and nodded to the silent guard behind the Captain. He remembered Kaylin mentioning the encounter with the strange knight who had briefly accompanied the wagon during her return from Osgiliath to the houses of healing. Another young woman joined the group then, and Thûllir recognized her from Kaylin’s description and the immediately preceding reminder of that particular excursion. “Hello. You must be Eryn. Welcome.” He had not yet met her, but had been gone at their return and not had a chance to do so in the intervening time. He nodded greeting to her as well.
The knight’s comment about dancing, followed by a spritely tune with a strong lead violin had Thûllir looking back at Kaylin with a grin. She had mentioned restless feet. “If you will excuse us, I’m going to claim this first dance with my wife. It has been far too long since we set our feet tripping to a tune such as this.” Their time in Pinnath Gelin had been filled with lively tunes, and they had learned many a dance to such, but it had been months ago. Placing his hand to his heart, he bowed to the company and then drew Kaylin away towards the more open area. “Shall we?”

[Arnyn]

Kaylin

His quietly murmured greeting warmed her heart. As she watched him while he offered his greetings to the others, the warmth spread through her chest. Something had been on her mind of late, and her cheeks warmed a bit at the thought of speaking of it to him, but Eryn's arrival distracted her effectively enough for the color to fade quickly.

"Ah, I am doing infinitely better," she told her newest friend. "It's already turning to a distant memory and soon I am sure it will be quite forgotten." She had a tendency to forget about her own mishaps - she remembered Thûllir's much better.

Silinde asked whether someone wanted to dance with him, and while Kaylin might have agreed if Thûllir had yet to arrive, she very decidedly did not now. There was simply no way that she could leave her husband standing here all alone, not when he had just arrived and given that he tended to only enjoy crowded events like these because he could share them with her.

It seemed like the musicians had heard Silinde as well, because the music grew lively. Hopeful, she glanced at Thûllir and found him already looking at her with a grin. His words about claiming this dance with her caused a smile of pure delight to light up her face.

She was already following him as he drew her along, and her smile said more than words, so she left the verbal reply behind. They found their spot with only half their attention on where they were - if it was even half. Kaylin was too busy focusing on the music and on her man than on other things. Without needing verbal cues, they stepped into a dance they had learned on their travels, and she revelled in the joy of the moment, lights in her eyes and a spring to her step. It had always felt right to dance with him, even that very first time - years ago. She recalled how she'd never been good at following someone else's lead before, and how weird she'd found it that he should prove an exception. By now, it had become a given, but every time they danced she remembered the night they met, and many of the dances they had shared since. It was something they both enjoyed immensely.


Macardil

He let the music guide him. About halfway through the tune, he was where he loved to be. It was a strange experience; the vibrations of the notes travelled from his instrument to his chin and to his fingers and into him, and tune made him feel more and more alive the longer he played. Perhaps he loved the violin as he did because it required control to play it right but at the same time he could lose himself in the music he was creating. In the latter sense, there was no control, no holding back. He gave the music all of him, without inhibition.

Macardil could spare some glances around now he was encased in his play. He spotted Thûllir and Kaylin when his tune was almost over, and seeing how much fun they were having, he let them inspire him in the choice of his next song. Macardil almost grinned. Might as well give them a bit of a challenge, yes?

[Rillewen]

Trevadir Thôrmaetha

Trev was intrigued to watch a new person walk up to join the musicians, and soon a more lively tune started up. He smiled a little, listening, but when a few people came along and started dancing, Trev swiftly got up from the grass and moved further to one side, not wanting to be in the way. It wouldn't be much fun to get trampled, after all.

If he had ever heard that tune before, it had been a long time and couldn't quite place it. Still, he couldn't stop his foot tapping along as he mentally tried to pick out the notes so he could try and play it again later. By the end of the song he was fairly sure he had it figured out, and was looking forward to hearing the next one. When it came, he smiled a little more. That was a tune he was more familiar with, and while he watched the folks dancing, looking happy, Trevadir barely noticed his fingers tapping against his leg as if playing notes on the flute. He kept off to the side of the dance area, content to watch and listen. Maybe later he'd grab some food, but there was music to enjoy, now.

[Pele Alarion]

"Good to see you again, Eryn," Pele said when the girl joined their little group, and then took on the role of a listener and observer yet again, though Eiliandreth's question about someone groping people's girdles made her frown in thought. "Hmph," she huffed in response, but did not comment any further thinking that if she found that someone would attempt this on her they would surely regret it, and the guard as well.

The music became both louder and lively, so Kaylin and Thûllir went off to enjoy it, and Silinde asked for company to do the same. "I am not sure you would find any ladies here, sir Silinde," Pele retorted, a grin on her lips. "At any rate, I am not sure I am one, nor am I sure that I want to dance."

Any events which included any form of dancing reminded her of Maldir, and in her grief she had made a promise to herself that she would never dance again, and she was not sure whether this was the time she would dare break her own promise even though she had not expressed it in words to anyone else. However, the music was so merry that it made her wish to move - at least change her location if nothing else.

"Well, would you think of that," she murmured, turning towards the musicians and finding that Macardil was among them. She was not aware that he played any instruments, and even less that he did it so well. Attracted by the music and the sight of dancing people, Pele almost imperceptibly drifted away from their small group step by step - towards the dance area. Though she would definitely not step onto it, she told herself.

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Silinde Merenion & Eiliandreth Megelian

Perhaps stealing was allowed this day? Eiliandreth saw nowhere a guard coming, and perhaps she had talked too soft. She shrugged about it and let the tiny issue go. Perhaps she had seen a phantom? As most were drifting to the dancefloor, she kept standing at the side, not joining at all. What was the fun to dance alone? She watched asking, but then diverting his attention to other matters and placing his empty bowl on the table. She shrugged again. She found a chair and settled down, not really liking the music she heard. She liked song much better than only instrumental.

Silinde nodded to Pele, but didn’t respond to her as she walked away. With no lady to dance with and some were way too young for the floor, he searched for another occupation. He had heard the small question Eiliandreth was asking, some kind of observation, perhaps it was good to search it out. “You like some detective work?” he asked her. “What did you see exactly?” As a knight he was obliged to go after wrong, even it was rumour. He waited on her answer.

Eiliandreth looked up when sudden the knight was talking to her, and asking about what she had seen. She wasn’t sure, but? “Well, I thought I saw between the others, beyond Pele’s shoulder, a Gondorian feeling people’s girdles. But then somebody blocked my view and the person was gone, if some kind of shadow. For a Gondorian he was blackhaired and darker skinned than us. But it can be the summer heat and a phantom I saw, and there is no robber at all,” she told him.

Silinde listened quietly to her, a slight frown on his face, but not one of annoyance. A Gondorian with southron looks? This was a feast that attracted people from far and wide. And all with peaceful intentions were welcome, as King Aragorn said. It didn’t surprise him that the usual vagabonds came as well. “Not a bad description for a phantom,” he said with some humour. Maybe what Eiliandreth had seen was really true? Weren’t people finding themselves being robbed? Or were they drunk with wine not to notice it? “Come and let’s see if what you have seen is right,” he said, waiting for the girl to stand up. She was a witness and could recognise him, if the potential thief walked in their view.

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion

Erynneth

It didn't take much to make a guess at who the man standing with Kaylin was, and Eryn smiled back at him. "Yes, hello. And you must be Thullir," She had heard plenty about Kaylin's husband, while they were traveling and chatting, before the orcs came along and ruined an otherwise very nice outing. "It's very nice to meet you," She added, a little unsure what he might think of her, for she felt that the whole thing was her fault, even if Kaylin didn't agree. She was glad, however, to hear Kaylin say that she was doing "infinitely better". She did look much better, that was for certain.

Before much else could be said, they left the group and went to dance. Eryn glanced around, but stayed put. "Nice to see you too," Eryn answered Pele with a smile. She sampled a bit of the food from her plate, shrugging at the talk of dancing. "I don't know how to dance," She mentioned, in reply to Silinde's comment. Hearing a murmured comment from Pele, she tilted her head. "Think of what?" She wondered, unsure if she was meant to hear that or not. She couldn't help being curious, however, and since she didn't really know anyone else around, she didn't know who else to talk to.

[Ercassie]

Iole Ishen and Unalmis Raxëlilta
Locating Trevadir Thôrmaetha and acknowledging Erynneth Raedor

“Do not even think about it !” Iole planted a hand on either of Unalmis’s arms, and turned him away from staring at the unlit bonfire.

“I’m fairly sure that what I was thinking, and what you are thinking I was thinking, were not the same thinking at all,” he assured her. And couldn’t keep a straight face as his friend frowned with confusion over the statement. Still, lacking any evidence to the contrary, Iole maintained she had better keep him out of trouble. In fact there was a matter she felt ought to be addressed.

“Come on, I’ve just seen Trev,” the young woman willed his distraction to notice, if not their mutual acquaintance, then at least the new, sun-yellow dress she had bought and worn especially for this occasion. The bold colour choice was far from typical for her but at least fell to a length half down her shin, so that she was not too self conscious. Ilisys had informed Iole that she would never be seen if she was ever as she had been seen before. The young woman had not known at first what this meant, was not entirely convinced that she wanted to be overly noticed, but she was at a point in her life where new doors were opening and it seemed that a new chapter was about the brink of beginning. And so the chance remark had led to a shopping expedition of all things with the lady, of all people. And her second day of ‘working’ for an employer who seemed strangely intent on keeping her away from their actual shop premises. Tucking her dark hair behind both ears, the Undertaker’s daughter sent a silent prayer for this to be a good day. “It is a shame that Cali is too busy else we’d all be here,” she remarked, half to herself.

“Cali will be here,” Nal corrected her, decidedly. “Sooner or later.” And as though he had arranged to meet her on that very spot, the young man did not budge then despite Iole’s sigh.

“Did she tell you so ?” the young woman did not believe him. “For she definitely told me that she was working today.”

“It’s a holiday !” he protested, elbowing awkwardly out of the hold she had clutched at his forearm. They were both entirely shoeless, and uncaring of the fact, having spent many years running all about the Pelennor for laughs. Though the girl stood now in her unspoilt sundress, and the boy in dirtied blue-grey for his shirt and, darker, trews ; there was still a semblance about the pair of the children they had once been. Iole had, as always, worn her hair down in an effort to keep the warm sun from burning her pale neck. But already her cheeks were beginning to pink with colour. Unalmis already bore dirtied fingers without explanation, and his own dark hair shrugged around each shoulder as he glanced about at no ends of entertainment.

“I’ll fetch us something to drink,” the young Ranger declared, and wordlessly his friend moved to accompany him. Her wide blue eyes pooled and he relented, as though even the threat of their tidal wave had washed all alternatives away. “Come on then,” with a none too remorseful shake of his head, Unalmis offered back his arm, knowing full well why she was so hesitant to be left alone at such an event. Even for a moment.

Tapping Eryn on her left shoulder, as he passed behind her, Nal was at her right before she’d have a chance to react. “Morning, Yellowhammer” he smiled, even as Iole led him again over toward the musicians. And he tried to head instead towards where they might find refreshment. But she was content to let him have his way, glad that he did not complain when she picked up a drink for Trev as well. Surprised, when he was adamant about picking up a drink for Cali. The smith had definitely told Iole that she was not coming out today.

"You need a drink on a day like this," he chastised with no real malice, and handed Eryn his drink. Then handing the other from his hands to a protesting Iole, the young man turned back to fetch yet another as replacement. And face accusations from Alf that he ought to be a waiter if he insisted on fetching drinks for so many people at once. Left for but a moment with the younger girl, Iole smiled, shy. Their mutual friend was not but feet away yet it might as well have been a league where society dictated courtesy. She could not be sure, but she could not recall ever having any conversation with Eryn before. She smiled again, and made much of trying to hold all three cups at once, without spilling them.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Erynneth

Her attention was diverted from all else when Eryn caught a glimpse of a friend through the crowd. But he was standing with another girl, someone closer in age to him. A slight frown found its way onto Eryn's face, without her quite realizing it. Nal and the other woman looked awfully close, and Eryn couldn't quite put words to explain why that bothered her slightly. She turned her gaze away and tried to focus on something else, attempting to put it out of her mind. The music was nice. The food tasted good. It was a lovely day.

And suddenly there was a tap on her shoulder. Glancing to try and see who had done it, she found no one there, until she turned the other way and spotted the culprit. She grinned with a little laugh, despite the earlier feeling of upset. "Good morning Nal," She replied to Nal with a smile, amused at him calling her 'Yellowhammer', obviously due to the bird call whistle he had given her. But then he was still with the other girl, who stuck close to him. She had a pretty dress, Eryn noticed. Nicer than hers, and it looked new, or at least not often worn. They went on, arm in arm, toward the refreshment table.

Eryn let out a silent sigh and was looking thoughtfully down at the remaining items on her plate, when Nal suddenly reappeared, pushing a drink at her. Surprised, Eryn blinked as she took the glass, and watched him wander back to the table once again. Taking a sniff at the liquid in the cup, Eryn wondered what it might hold. She glanced at the pale young woman who had accompanied him like a shadow thus far, yet now remained near Eryn. Slightly awkward for words, Eryn managed a shy smile back to her. "Hello," She attempted to be friendly, despite whatever she was feeling about the whole matter. "It's um, a very nice day, isn't it?" She might have offered to help Iole, who was juggling three glasses, but Eryn had her own hands full now, with her plate and now the glass of what seemed to be juice.