Logfile from Uialuin.
Public
You
see a fairly large cave here with several different grottos, each with a nice,
warm hot spring flowing into a hollowed out pool with reclining seats carved
into the soft stone. One area over by the wooden door clearly seems to be
reserved for use by the healers when they bring patients here to benefit from
the soothing heat of the water. Steam rising up from each of the pools and
condenses and clings to the walls of the cave, giving them a shiny, softly
sparkling glow. Tucked away to one side are closets that hold drying cloths and
shelves to stow your belongings on while you soak in the warm, restorative
waters of the pools.
-----
Shaking
his head towards Mablung, the Tirith grins, his brows arched upon his shiny
forehead where a few droplets lay. "Aye, he hinted as much, though did not
explain these demons she seems to posess?.." Though his attention is again
drawn towards the Warden and Ernil, as his fingers play atop the water's
mirrored surface again, the splashes of his companions prompting further
laughter from full lips as he edges away to the edge of the pool.
Taking
a careful step back, the Arrimhir raises the hem of his cloak to shield the
scroll that he holds in one hand from the wayward splahses of water, his brow
flickering slightly. "I see this may not have been the... Best of
times," he remarks, with eyes for all three, "Perhaps I shall seek
out the Lord Celeborn later when he is not so... drowned in delight." One
droplet of water lands on the polished surface of his armour, and he flicks it
away scornfully with one finger.
Celeborn
wrinkles his nose at Mablung and says to him, "Oh, Captain, take off your
armor, lest it rust, and have a good time for once! I should have you ordered
to be tossed in here and dunked a few times!"
Tereincalar
smiles. "Trees don't talk back and demand things of you. I'll stick with
them gladly." he says as he again shields himself from the flickers of
water. Lifting an elbow up to rest upon the side of the pool, he brings himself
a bit further out of the water to raise a curious brow to one unwilling to
enter the water. "Yes, I must agree with Celeborn, take some time to enjoy
the water and the lightness of company."
Celeborn
says to Tere, "Ah, but trees do not keep you warm at night either!"
He laughs then at his caddish comment.
Turning
from the unwilling bather, Tereincalar shakes his head. "Nay, they do not
but a well made balanket does." Raising a finger he tilts his golden head
slightly. "And nay, do not tell me anything about the softness of the
tree's or how the blanket rubs. I'll not listen." he says firmly.
Celeborn
covers his mouth to stifle a laugh, his lavender eyes glittering mirthfully.
"I
do not think," replies Mablung evenly, though not without humour,
"That you could order anyone save listless aides to carry me hither into
the water's embrace. Or, perhaps Galadriel, though I doubt she would listen to
any such 'command', or agree to it as I am sure that her Noldorin pride is not
without sympathy for mine." At Tereincalar's words, one of the Chief
Captain's eyebrows rises slightly, in curiosity and evident confusion.
Uialuin
steps into the cave, hair and shoulders just slightly damp from the rain
outside. Gently, she wipes a drop from her cheek, before removing her outer
cloak. Pausing now, she takes a look around, nodding silently to the others
already in the room.
At
Celeborn's laughter, Tereincalar dips a hand in the water intent upon sending a
wave of water but falls still at the entrance of another. His mouth opens and
closes for a moment and slowly, ever so slowly, he lowers himself to his nose
into the water.
Remaining
at the far edge of the pool, the Tirith observes the banter of his companions,
laughter again finding his lips as he offers a perked brow to the Arrimihir as
he speaks. "Ah join us Sir, little time do you seem to take from
duty...you have even had the request of the Ernil here?..." The steam
fills his senses and veils much from view, yet brushing the droplets that now
sting his eyes away, he brings his wet hand to rest upon his brow at
Tereincalar's words, his eyes rolled with mirth. To the entrance of an elleth,
he straightens his composure, though he is sure to remain within the depths of the
water.
Celeborn
says to Mablung, "At least Galadriel knows how to have fun. I'm certain
she would push you in!" As the two are wed and he knows her mind more
acutely than any save herself, perhaps this is true... or perhaps he is merely
joking. Perhaps Celeborn is not a warrior by trade, but growing up taming
horses and running wild as he did so often has made him every bit as agile and
strong as any professional swordsman. He then spies Uailuin, but only looks
more amused as the others either compose or hide themselves. "Well-met,
elleth!" He grins in a silly fashion, like a little boy caught doing
something he should not, but feeling no remorse.
Tucking
the scroll into his belt, Mablung seems to almost glance over his shoulder in
worry, as if fearing that Galadriel might be waiting the shadows to send him
hither into the springs. His eyes are met by the newly-arrived figure of
Uialuin, however, to whom he nods his head in reply. His words, however, are in
reply to Celeborn, "Fun is not something I am unacquainted with, as you
well know, but I cannot make it my lot in this hour, I am afraid. By the time I
removed my burdens and set them aside to enter the springs, I would but have to
begin putting them back on again. Thingol would not be pleased ere his Arrimhir
arrives covered with water."
Uialuin
smiles softly at Celeborn's enthusiastic greeting, nodding her head once more.
"Well-met," she replies, looking amused at the bit of banter she's
overheard. After folding her cloak and setting it on an empty shelf, she
ventures a little nearer to the pool, though is careful to keep her gaze well
above the water level. Mablung gets a curious look, then a nod of
understanding. She keeps quiet for the moment, listening idly to the
conversation.
Rising
up slightly to put his chin above the surface of the water, Tereincalar eyes
the elleth carefully then turns his gaze to the ellon. "Too bad
really," he says to Mablung, "possibly another time when your duties do
not interfere."
Glancing
back to the elleth he smiles weakly. "Will you be joining us then?"
he asks politely.
Llyrfin
presses the Arrimhir no more, his words firm and clearly decided upon the
matter. Easing himself a little deeper into the hot waters, his broad shoulders
now only visible, he hearkens nearer to where Tereincalar and Celeborn are
positioned, the water rippling in motion and catching the muted light. Noting
the elleth draw closer, he smiles warmly, though his brow is slightly furrowed
as he settles against the rock edge, his arms again rested to maintain his
decency and balance. "Maer dana mellon..." His soft tone echoes in
greeting towards the elleth, as the Warden's invitation meets his ears and a
smirk lifts his lips.
Celeborn
also lets Mablung be, disappearing under the warm water again for some time
before surfacing some distance away as he takes a short swim.
Mablung
also moves to the waters edge, though he positions himself halfway between
where Uialuin stands and where Tereincalar, Llyrfin, and Celeborn rest, perhaps
out of respect for the elleth should she decide to enter the springs and bathe,
and innate suspicion for the sometimes mischievous Ernil. One hand is extended
to brush through the warm water at his feet, and Mablung smiles slightly in
pleasure.
Uialuin
considers a moment, before nodding. "I do think I may well," she
replies to Terincalar, returning his weak smile with a subdued one of her own.
"The rain is chilly, and the waters do look inviting." She turns now,
returning to where she left her cloak.
The
talk of elleth's catching him and the weakness of being rather unclothed in the
waters cause Tereincalar to take advantage of the elleth's turned back. Quickly
he launches himself form the water to grab a towel. Wrapping it tightly around
his waist, he smiles to the others. "Thank you for the interesting
conversation." he says a bit faster than needed, hinting at the discomfort
he might be feeling. Grabbing his clothes, he lifts a hand in farewell. "I
hope to see you all soon." he says quickly lowering his hand to hold
tightly to his towel.
With
is bare chest glimmering with droplets of water, he bows his head to Vialuin.
"Enjoy the water, it is without question comforting." he says as he
slips out and disappears from sight.
Celeborn
grins at Llyrfin at Tere's antics at the presence of the elleth. "I think
he probably is more comfortable around trees, now that I think about
it..."
Stifling
a chuckle, the Tirith's hands rest upon his sides from the dull ache of too
much laughter his head shaken lightly, droplets from his flaxen mane splashing
on the reflective surface. Though as his mirth subsides, he too feels a slight
bluch creeping upon his fair cheeks, though dipping further into the pool, he
nods at Celeborn's observation. "These Wardens...spend too many hours
alone in the forest, with little to occupy them I fear..."
Celeborn
is not at all embarrassed by Uialuin's presence or any others', but he does not
look at her out of politeness, rather concentrating on Llyrfin. "It is
true, but I think I prefer the gentle life of the court and the presence of the
fair ones than to squirrels and trees. But Galadriel does not let me stray too
far these days."
Uialuin
returns now from her corner, having used the steam to slip discreetly from
clothing into a wrapped-around towel. Watching Tereincalar leave with such
haste, she offers a wave to the departing figure. "I did not mean to
frighten him away. I hope I am not interrupting..." She smiles
good-naturedly, but does now seem a touch hesitant to join the others in the
pool.
Celeborn
says, "Tsk, Llyrfin, close your eyes so the lady can enter the pool!"
He is obviously teasing, but his covers his own eyes with his hand and says to
her, "Is that better?"
Llyrfin's
crystal eyes widen with renewed glimmer, his head cocked with interest as the
Ernil speaks. "A kept ellon?...She must have your heart indeed, to curtail
your movements so...I have left the city little since my duties began in
earnest...yet, I look forward to the planned excusions with my cousin and the
festival..." Yet, his words cease as Uialuin draws closer and following
Celeborn's example he diverts his gaze, shielding his eyes with respect with
his palm.
Having
seating himself beside the waters, hand trailing back and forth through the
warmth and moisture, Mablung also turns his gaze aside so that Uialuin might
enter the pool unoffended.
"Thank
you," Uialuin says with a soft laugh, slipping quickly from towel to
water, the removed article kept within easy each by the pool's edge. After
sliding deep into the water, leaving only the very top of her shoulders and her
head exposed, she notes, "I am in now; and though it was more for his
discomfort than my own that I worried, the courtesy is very much
appreciated."
Celeborn
opens his eyes and smiles at her. "No need to worry from me, elleth. I am
wed, after all. It is Llryfin here you have to watch out for. I think he was
peeking..." He laughs again as he teases them both.
The
Tirith waits for a moment after her words of affirmation before lifting his
hand from his eyes, a glisten of welcome evident in silvery hue as nods
wordlessly to her statement. His hand idlysweeping o'er the surface of the
waters, ripples following his fingers path, Llyrfin sighs at the Ernil's
accusation. "I was doing no such thing...would you tarnish my reputation
as a gentleman Celeborn?..." An innocent smile offered to Uialuin, he
shrugs and narrows his eyes to the teasing edhel.
Celeborn
says to Uialuin, "I promise you, Llyrfin is so great a gentleman, he
closes his eyes in the winter so he does not see the trees in their
nakedness." He then winks at Llyrfin and swims out into the deep section
again.
Mablung
shares wantonly in Celeborn's jest, laughter spilling from his lips freely, the
Arrimhir apparently glad not to be on the receiving end of such mirth for once.
"Alas, you should not all be so modest. I have seen scribes, wardens,
minstrels, and Beleg's daughter no less all sit in joy within these springs at
once." But still, Mablung resists the temptation to enter the springs.
Uialuin
gives another soft chuckle of laughter, waving a hand at the reassurances as if
she does not need them. Yet, a faint blush creeps into her cheeks, though it
could be accounted to the steam and heat of the water. "I am certain you
are all perfect gentlemen. I fear no indignity here."
Rolling
his eyes once more, Llyrfin allows a soft chuckle to fall from his parted lips,
though replacing a wet braid behind his ear, he raises his open palms in
apparent surrender, not even lending a response to the retreating form of the
Ernil. Breathing deeply, the edhel turns his attention between Mablung and the
elleth. "I did not catch your name I fear mellon?...I do not believe I
have had the pleasure?..."
"Nor
I," adds Mablung softly, though his gaze remains averted from Uialuin's
direction out of politeness. The steam and moisture that hangs in the room has
already begun to cling to the Chief Captain, however, adding a faint dew-like
gleam to his cloak and armour, tiny beads of water crawling down his face.
Vanyalin
steps slowly into the cave. With a nod to those assembled around the pool, she
says timidly, "Mae govannen." She wanders over towards the closets,
her eyes taking in the patterns made by the steam upon the walls as she walks.
"I
am called Uialuin," the elleth in question responds with a soft smile and
a slight nod of her head. "And I apologize for not offering the name
sooner." Her attention drawn by the greeting, she now casts a glance over
towards Vanyalin, lifting an arm free of the water to give a gentle wave.
"Mae govannen," she echoes.
"It
is my honour Uialuin, I am Llyrfin, Tirith of the Royal Guard..." Taking
his towel from the side of the pool's edge, he again wipes his dampened
temples, blond hair clinging to his shoulders and back. A soft sigh is released
from his lips as he regards the arrival of another and his thoughts are led to
the hours he has spent here languishing in the steaming pool. "I must
depart unfortunately, though It has been a pleasure meeting you, despite the
frequent teasing of our friend..." Gesturing to Celeborn with the
inclination of his head, Llyrfin offers a smile to his superior and swims to
the otherside of the pool. Once there he swiftly emerges, and within a flash
draws the towel around his waist. Water drips from his tall frame, though the
mists of steam veil his form as he collects his clothes and disappears behind a
screen to dress.
"Farewell,
Tirith," offers Mablung, nodding wordlessly as Llyrfin departs beyond,
though his gaze swings now to Uialuin - pausing briefly on Vanyalin as she
enters wordlessly, seemingly engaged with her own business. "I am
Mablung," he states simply, though in welcome, for the Chief Captain of
Thingol is well known enough that he need not give length exposition as to
himself.
"It
is a pleasure to meet you, Llyrfin, even if our first meeting must be so
short," Uialuin bids with a smile. "I do hope I will see you again
soon." Leaving Llyrfin now to get dressed in the privacy of the steam, she
looks to Mablung, giving another smile, and inclining her head slightly.
"And it is nice to make your acquaintance as well, Mablung, though I have
already known you from afar."
Mablung
responds after a slight pause, "Then my service to Thingol is a blessing
upon me, to make the acquaintence of so many edhel unknowingly. What do you do
here in the springs at such an hour?"
Uialuin
smiles, now reclining further in the pool, so that the water barely touches her
chin. "I had spent the day cooped up in my studies, and decided to go for
a short walk, getting caught by the rain. In passing by, it came to me that
this would be an ideal place to warm up, though perhaps not to dry off so
quickly."
Mablung
chuckles, "Indeed, I am glad that we can still wander beyond the gates of
Menegroth at will, for I am one who adores rain, so long as I am garbed
appropriately."
Celeborn
splashes toward where Mablung lurks near the edge. "Well, Captain, I
daresay if you remain in here much longer, you shall be as wet as if you had
ben pushed in, yet with steam and sweat instead of warm water!"
The
elleth emerges from behind the vapor's covering and slips into the pool.
"Mae govannen, mellyn" she says again, with a small smile hovering on
her lips, her eyes sparkling with a mischevious fire.
Uialuin
nods. "The rain can be beautiful, indeed. And I was in little rush to
return, and found myself damper than I had intended. So I am certainly glad
such lovely pools were available. And such company to enjoy them with." As
Vanyalin joins them in the pool, Uailuin offers a smile and nod of greeting.
Celeborn
says with some amusement, "I suppose Galadriel will walk in now and find
me in the pool with two ellith. Ah me..." Celeborn laughs and paddles in a
circle, his silver-white hair falling in wet waves to his shoulders.
Mablung
quickly raises his cloak, preventing the light fall of water - courtesy of
Celeborn - from running along his armour, though it nevertheless casts dampness
over his face and outer attire. Grinning ruefully at the Ernil, Mablung
nonetheless continues to speak to Uialuin, "Tis a fine place to relax,
indeed." Then, he diverts his attention to nod to Vanyalin, "Mae
govannen."
Vanyalin
sweeps her dark hair behind her shoulders impatiently and laughs at Celeborn's
words. "I am certainly glad to be in the company of such amusing elydh! I
naturally know Celeborn, but may I enquire the names of my other
companions?" Laughter dances in her eyes.
"I
do wholly concur," Uialuin agrees with Mablung. She then offers Celeborn
an indulgent grin, before turning her attention to Vanyalin. "I am
Uialuin," she offers in introduction, smiling pleasantly.
"Mablung..."
The word drifts through the veil of steam, from where the Arrimhir is seated
beside the water.
Celeborn
says with a melodramatic sigh, "I can never slip in incognito..."
Being so tall and silver-haired, naturally not. But then he says, "Alas,
ellith, I should depart. This bath has been refreshing, but I am certain my
wife is wondering where I have gone." He exits the pool and wraps a towel
around his waist, throwing his robe on over his shoulders. "And Mablung,
try to relax a bit, eh?" He grins and jogs out of the baths.
Vanyalin
cranes her neck, peering through the steam. "Ah, Mablung... I did not see
you clearly through this cloak of steam hovering about us!"
Celeborn
opens the wooden door and goes into the Cavern of Este.
The
sun sets in the west, turning the walls of the light shafts golden.
Uialuin
lifts a hand from the water to offer a wave to the departing Celeborn.
"The steam is always rather thick in here, isn't it?" she says with a
grin, now returning her attention to those remaining. "But it is nice to
have the curtain of privacy in such places, I do suppose."
Mablung
watches Celeborn depart, his grin turning derisive at the Ernil's final words
ere he dissapears. "That is fine, mellon," offers the Chief Captain
from where he is seated, "I can fain see Uialuin through the mists, even
though we are but nigh to each other, and you are on the other side of the
springs and to my eyes are but a shadow of an elleth, such is the strength of
the steam." At the mention of privacy, Mablung's smile grows to one of
amusement, perhaps at the thought of the 'privacy' that Celeborn, and the now
departed edhil Llyrfin and Teleincalar, shared before.
A
curious expression comes over Vanyalin's face for a brief moment; as if a
shadow had quickly covered the light illuminating it. However, it is quickly
replaced with her familiar merriment. "Sadly, my newfound friends, I must
leave you now as well. Namarie; I hope to see you again soon!" With this
she quickly slips back into the misty veil and disappears into the dusk.
Uialuin
gives another wave to Vanyalin as she departs, before reclining again in the
pool. "It nearly makes me feel so idle to be spending such time here while
others do come and go," she says with an amused smile, not really serious.
"But then - I have done my work for the day, and must await the coming of
the stars before I can continue."
Mablung
raises his hand to bid Vanyalin farewell, so that through the curtain of mist
he might appear to be only a dark form waving to the departed, but he speaks to
Uialuin once the other elleth is gone. "You are an Elenathithir
then?" His praise for such folk, and love of the stars, is evident in the
ardour of his voice.
Uialuin
smiles softly, nodding her head as she bobs slightly in the warmth of the
water. "I am, yes. To me, there is little else in the world to equal the
beauty of the night sky, blanketed with glowing stars." She speaks
wistfully, giving a quiet sigh.
"What
is it that you do with your service, then? Do you seek it out purey for
beauty's sake, or is there an aim and desire behind your work?" As he
speaks, Mablung removes the golden clip at his neck so that his cloak falls
back from his shoulders, the heat evidently growing too great for the Arrimhir.
"It
is a labour of love for me," Uialuin replies with a gentle laugh.
"Although I do aspire to further the understanding of the skies, both for
myself and for the community as a whole. There is much studying to be done and
recorded, though there is plenty present already."
"Indeed.
There are always things some eyes might perceive differently than others,
though all things are of equal note." The Arrimhir continues to free
himself of burden in the heat, though it is apparent that he does not intend to
go back on his word and enter the springs. Slipping both arms out of the ornate
bracers that cover them, he rolls back the sleeves of his tunic to expose his
forearms.
"To
look upon the stars with understanding is to see them in an entirely different
way, as well," Uialuin replies with a nod. "Though many look upon the
night sky for its simple beauty, and there is no fault to be found in
that."
The
greaves about his legs are also removed, though Mablung does not bother himself
with the task of removing his vest of scale mail, instead relaxing in his
present state now that he has at least been freed of half of his burden.
"Well spoken. I would agree that there is worth in pure adoration of
beauty, though I cannot help but feel that such knowledge is better served if
it is put to good use. I had much a similar discussion with one elleth in the
gardens not long ago..." His mind flits back in curiosity to the encounter
in question.
Uialuin
considers this, nodding, but shrugging. "I seek to attain knowledge for
the sake of knowledge itself. If there is a good use to which it may be put,
then that does make it all the better." She suddenly reclines to submerge
her head under the water for just the briefest of moments, before straightening
again. She runs a hand over her hair, now straightened with the weight of the
water.
Mablung
nods wordlessly, though his faint expression suggests that he still does not
entirely agree. Nevertheless, the Arrimhir is not one to press arguments -
especially ones of such a mild nature when seeking repreive - and he leans
forward to idly dip his land further into the warm water of the spring, now
that he does not have to worry about getting the armour that once covered his
forearm so wet.
Uialuin
smiles, eyebrows raising curiously. "I sense that you do not agree,
mellon. And I am most curious as to why. But I think such a debate shall have
to wait for a later time, as I still have some errands to do before I may get
to work, and I do not want to miss the darkness." Grabbing her towel from
the side of the pool, she discreetly slips out of the warm waters, immediately
wrapping the towel around herself, and heads for where she left her clothing.
"Indeed,
perhaps we might discuss it when we are both suitably relaxed. Fare thee
well," responds Mablung with a wave. However, the moment Uialuin is gone,
it seems that the Arrimhir is swiftly freed of his armour with stunning ease,
and then - clad only in a simple under-tunic and under-breeches - he slips into
the warm water of the springs. Though he is almost invisible through the
shifting veils of mist, one might see and hear the Chief Captain sigh slightly,
and then sink below the water.
Uialuin
quickly replaces towels with her clothes, tossing her cloak about her shoulders
and fastening it in place. "Farewell, new friend," she bids with a
smile, before heading for the exit, unaware of his final giving in to the lure
of the water.