1810 (For lack of better title)

[Eglaneth Alatáriel]

I've been working with the smiths to repair all the weapons and armor that were damaged or broken during the battle.
"So I have heard," Alatáriël said. "I also have heard that you do some fine work as well." Alatáriël knew Ellroher had desired to fight but since he was not allowed to yet, he wanted to put himself to use in any way he could, so he repaired weapons and armor.

But maybe you can tell me what happened and what's going on.
Alatáriël laughed. "I am sorry to say but I do not know anymore than you do, Ellroher. If Lord Elrond wanted me to know, he would have told me."

Alatáriël looked at Ellroher, who was looking at her. He was looking at something on her then she realized he was looking at her hair, noticing the change. "It will grow back," she said.

Your sword is repaired by the way. I personally helped the head smith repair it. I was going to bring it to you myself, but your father came and took it away before I could return it to you.
"I am aware that he took it, in fact, he told me," Alatáriël said. "Adar thinks I may grow stubborn and attempt to train despite I lack an arm. So he hid it somewhere, I know naught where. I would have to turn the house upside down to find it." Although she was nearly 2000 years old, her parents still try to guild and teach their only child.
"I do thank you for reparing it though," Alatáriël said and smiled. "If you ever learn crafting, you will to show me your work because I would love to see it."

Alatáriël then lookedat the sack Ellroher had carried, wondering what was in it. Coincidentally, he raised his sack and said, Alatariel, would you like to join me for lunch? Alatáriël then laughed. "Sure, I would be honored," she answered.
I'm really anxious to here about your part in the fighting.
Alatáriël looked at Ellroher. She knew he would be the first to ask her about it. He was always fascinated with battles and stories of them. She did wish he would loose the high interest. It was nothing to be fascinated about. She grew serious.
"There is nothing glorious about war," Alatáriël said. "Even when victory is achieved, there is no glory, just death in it's wake. Every soldier who marches to battle knows there is a chance that they will be killed. Those who survive are lucky. It is frightening."

[Ellroher]

If you ever learn crafting, you will to show me your work because I would love to see it.
Ellroher smiled. "I'm trying to learn it. But their are few smiths left in Rivendell who know how to forge weapons like in the days of the Noldar. There are plenty of texts and writings in Grandfather's library on forging. But most of them just say what kind of material is needed and how long it takes. It doesn't really describe the whole process. I don't yet have the skill to try to forge anything on my own, at least nothing really high quality."

Ellroher pulled up a small table and began to lay out the contents of his lunch. A half a loaf of bread, some dried meat, and a few pieces of fruit. He also had a wineskin for drink, but no glasses. He hadn't originally planed on having company for lunch. "I've also learned," He continued as he cut the bread into slices. "That to make a really good blade, you have to inscribe ruins on it as you go along. I've found a few manuscripts that show a bunch of different types of ruins, but they don't say how or when the ruins are to be engraved on the blade."

There is nothing glorious about war. Even when victory is achieved, there is no glory, just death in it's wake.
Something in Alatariel's voice made Ellroher uncomfortable. He had always been fascinated by war. "But even Grandfather has told me stories of the Last Alliance and how glorious it was. He described the armies as a forest of spears and banners, almost worthy of the armies of the Gondolin. How can you saw there is nothing glorious about war?" Ellroher was confused. "You always wear your sword, even during times of peace? Isn't a sword part of war?"

[Eglaneth Alatáriel]

"The days of the Noldor are long over," said Alatáriël. "Those that still dwell in Middle-earth, only few still know to forge weapons like they once did. As their time passed when they left this world, it seemed that their ways had as well."
Most of the Noldor race had already returned to Aman long ago. Many had become to the downfall to the elven race, particularly the line of Fëanor. "Lord Elrond still may have some of those documents hidden somewhere."

I've found a few manuscripts that show a bunch of different types of ruins, but they don't say how or when the ruins are to be engraved on the blade.
"Hmm..perhaps you had not found those manuscripts yet," Alatáriël said as she reached for a slice of bread and took a small bite. "Lord Elrond has countless books, scrolls and other documents. I am sure there is more to find."

But even Grandfather has told me stories of the Last Alliance and how glorious it was. He described the armies as a forest of spears and banners, almost worthy of the armies of the Gondolin.
Alatáriël frowned. Elrond saw things different than she did, of course, he was older and had lived through much more, but he was not proud the Last Alliance, for what they had set out destroy still existed. All because the race of men were weak. With her voice stern and serious, she said, "The battle may have been won and Sauron defeated but he is not gone for good. It was the greed of man that the One Ring still exists. It may be lost now, but it can be found." Men were too hungry for power. "You still cannot possibly think that there is honor and glory in that battle."

How can you saw there is nothing glorious about war?
"And what is glory?" Alatáriël said. "For that matter, what is the price of glory? Bloodshed? You…" Alatáriël pointed a finger at Ellroher. "…may think war is glorious but I do not. You have only heard the stories, Ellroher, you have not lived it. I did not want to ride to war, it was the last thing I wanted to do, but I did because I had to."
Alatáriël sighed and stared at the floor, her eyes focused. Only after a moment, she suddenly looked up and faced Ellroher. "You will face war one day, Ellroher, and your views about war will change, once you come close to losing something you hold dear."

[Ellroher]

You will face war one day, Ellroher, and your views about war will change, once you come close to losing something you hold dear.
Ellroher was silent for a long time, pondering what Alatariel had said. He still wanted to know about the battle she had been in, and still wanted to fight himself. But her words made him pause and think. Finally he said, "I guess I still have a lot to learn about war, and why one goes to war." He wanted to ask why Alatariel had gone, and what it was that they had fought up there in the northern kingdom, but he decided that this wasn't the time.

Ellroher took another bite of his bread and decided to change the subject. "You've been through a lot of Grandfather's books. Have you read any mention of ruins in your studies? Grandfather says that I should travel to Lothlorieon sometime with aunty. He says that there is an elven-smith of Eregion. One of the few that survived the destruction of Eregion when Sauron made his one Ring and attacked Eregion, seeking to find the Three." Ellroher paused. It seemed that, unintentionally, he had came back around to the subject of war. "Well, I'm not allowed to travel now because of this fight in the north. But when I'm able to, I'm going to go and learn from this smith how to make real elven blades. If I get good at it, I'll remake your sword so that it's as good as Grandfather's sword, Hadahfang, If you'd like me too." He added hastily.

[Eglaneth Alatáriel]

I guess I still have a lot to learn about war, and why one goes to war.
Alatáriël sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Indeed you do," she said. She did not know how to really explain it any more to him. He still had a lot of growing up to do even though he was an adult by Elven standard, but he still lacked a lot of understanding. Alatáriël did not want to speak of the matter, it was all still fresh in her mind. She just wanted her space for a while. Although a brave elleth she is, but while on the battle field, she was frightened.

You've been through a lot of Grandfather's books. Have you read any mention of ruins in your studies?
After Alatáriël had calmed down a little, she shook her and spoke again. "I have not," she answered. "Ruins were not a part of my study so I have never looked at them."
Well, I'm not allowed to travel now because of this fight in the north.
"The battle is over," Alatáriël said. "It has been won, but the Witch-king cannot be killed and Arnor is no more, for much was destroyed."
If I get good at it, I'll remake your sword so that it's as good as Grandfather's sword, Hadahfang, If you'd like me too.
Remake my sword? Alatáriël repeated in her mind. She did not think it needed to be remade. She carried the High Elven sword like most Elves had but have it remade? She was unsure about that. She liked it the way it was. "I will think about it," Alatáriël said.

[Ellroher]

"You don't have to." Ellroher said quickly. He felt like he had accidentally insulted her. "Your sword is really a great piece of work. But if I ever get good maybe you'd like your name engraved on it or something." Ellroher fidgeted. He had a lot on his mind at the moment and wasn't sure if it had been a good idea to bother Alatariel right now. He really wanted to hear about the battle that had taken place in the north and had hoped that Alatariel could tell him all about it.

Ellroher stared out the window. He had a lot of work still to do, and Alatariel seemed tired. "I should probably get back to the forges." Said Ellroher as he gathered the remains of his lunch back into his sack. "I hope your arm heals soon." Ellroher paused by the door and looked back at her. "I think that Imladris would dim a little if you were gone. I know I'd be very sad if anything had happened to you. I'm really glad your alright."

[Eglaneth Alatáriel]

But if I ever get good maybe you'd like your name engraved on it or something.
Alatáriël thought for a moment. Her name engraved on her blade was an idea, however, she thought of something better. "Perhaps not my name, but a name for the sword itself," she said. Many warriors often named their swords but Alatáriël never thought of one for her own. Most did not name them until they have been put to use in battle. "I will have to think of one," she thought outloud to herself.

Alatáriël watched as Ellroher stared out the window, most likely with thoughts in his mind. She knew he was thinking about what she had said earlier about war. She also knew he really wanted to hear her story about the war, but she was not ready to talk about it yet.
I should probably get back to the forges. Alatáriël nodded as he gathered his items, getting ready to leave. There was still much more weapons and armor that needed repairing. "Give me some time," she said. "You will hear about it eventually."

I think that Imladris would dim a little if you were gone. I know I'd be very sad if anything had happened to you. I'm really glad your alright.
Alatáriël looked at Ellroher and smiled. All his life, Ellroher had admired her and he still did. She fully understood why he would be very upset if she had falled in battle. When you know someone all your life, you feel as if though you had lost a piece of yourself when that person had been taken away. "Thank you, Ellroher."

[Ellroher]

Ellroher smiled back. "I'll see you later." Ellroher left and headed back to the forges. He still had a lot of work to do and even though he didn't get to hear anything about Alatariel's fight, he was glad that he had gotten to see her. He sang as he headed back to the forges.

It took Ellroher and the smiths of Rivendell another week to repair all the weapons and armor that were damaged in the battle in the north. By listening to the talk of the solders, who picked up their repaired armor, and the smiths, Ellroher was able to get some idea of what had happened. It wasn't good. The King of Arnor, Arveleg I, had been slain and the kingdom or Arnor, right down the the great Watch Tower of Amon Sul was destroyed. Ellroher had been to the Tower of Amon Sul may times. You could see around the country for miles. But what bothered Ellroher most was that the Watch Tower wasn't that far from Rivendell. If the enemy had come that far, then they were a lot stronger than he had thought. Some had survived the attack and were trying to regroup, but they were few and Ellroher didn't think that they had much chance at rebuilding their kingdom.

Ellroher had wanted to ask his grandfather about it, but Elrond had been very busy. Since he was finished repairing the weapons, and had nothing else to do at the moment, Ellroher decided that he might stop by and see if Alatariel wanted some company. He had thought a lot about what she had said and had spoken with his father about it. Ellroher still had questions, but he felt like he had a better understanding now of Alatariel's feelings about the battle.

[Eglaneth Alatáriel]

Alatáriël had quickly grown tired of the wrappings around her arm and the sling that held it and it only had been a little over a week. She was to have the sling removed soon but the bindings were to stay longer. Although Elves were very capable of going about their lives with just a single arm, but it didn't mean that they enjoyed it. Alatáriël was just stubborn and did not like being held back.

She had spent the morning with more language study with Lord Elrond. Her ability to speak Westron was good, however, she still needed some improvement. Today, he tested her memory and her ability to understand the language. Elrond would ask Alatáriël a basic question in Westron and she would have to answer it in Sindarin. The lessons went much better now than eariler ones where she did not fully understand Elrond's questions and made mistakes with her answers.

When Alatáriël was done with her lessons, she was free for the rest of the day. She was unsure of how to spend the remainder of the day. She walked out of Elrond's home and decided to walk aimlessly around the realm, perhaps something would catch her eye.
As Alatáriël walked, she glanced all around her, as many of the Elves of Imladris went about their activities. She past the Elven Smiths at work. She saw Ellroher among them. It appeared that the smiths had finally finished all the repair work on the weapons and armor, which was good, they had been working almost nonstop. Alatáriël wondered if Ellroher was busy with anything at the moment.

[Ellroher]

Ellroher finished putting away his tools and headed outside. He thought he might head to the stables and take his horse out. The poor thing hadn't been out for a ride in two weeks and Ellroher believed that the horse enjoyed the ride as much as he did. But something else caught Ellroher's attention as he started along the path. Smiling broadly, Ellroher changed directions and headed toward Alatariel. "Good day lady Alatariel. You must be getting stronger if your out and about. And down here at the forges?" He looked around and then lowered his voice, as if he was about to tell a big secret. "I'm sorry, but your father did not hide your sword here. I've been keeping an eye open for it."

"Where are you off to, lady Alatariel? I've been stuck in the forges for the last week and wouldn't mind having some company. Would you like to walk down to the stables with me? I was heading that way to check on my horse. I know he's alright, but I like to visit him every now and again."

(OOC: I just realized that my last post is compleatly inaccurate. Weathertop was destroyed four years before Ellroher was even born. Just ignor that bit of history up there.)

[Eglaneth Alatáriel]

Alatáriël waved at Ellroher when he saw her. You must be getting stronger if your out and about. Alatáriël laughed. "It is only a broken arm," she said. "I am still very well able to be outside and walk around." Alatáriël looked at her bound arm. "I think you worry too much, Ellroher."

I'm sorry, but your father did not hide your sword here. I've been keeping an eye open for it.
Again, Alatáriël laughed. She must have been full of laughs this day. "I would not think he would hide it here, I think he would have know that you would be the one to return it to me. Do not get yourself into trouble just by looking for it. It is not like I am never having it returned."

Where are you off to, lady Alatariel? Alatáriël shrugged. "To be honest, I am not really sure where I am heading to," she answered. "I am finished with your grandfather's lessons and I am free for the rest of the day but I am not really sure how to spend it."
Would you like to walk down to the stables with me? I was heading that way to check on my horse. "Sure, I would like that," Alatáriël said. "I think I should pay my horse a visit as well."

(OOC: Oh okay, I actually didn't even notice that so worries.)

[Ellroher]

Ellroher smiled. "Ok. I'm glad to see that your back to your old self." It wasn't a long walk to the stables and even before they got there Ellroher let out a high whistle. From the corral next to the stable a tall bay horse raised his head and neighed. Ellroher smiled and pointed at the bay. "That's Fingal. He always answers when I call him. Sometimes, I think that the horse can read my mind." Ellroher walked up to the fence and held out his hand. Fingal trotted up to him and rubbed his nose against Ellroher's hand. "Fingal, this is Lady Alatariel, a very good friend of mine." Fingal reached his head over the fence towards Alatariel nuzzled her. "I think he likes you." Ellroher laughed. "Usually he's very shy around others."

[Eglaneth Alatáriel]

I think he likes you. Usually he's very shy around others.
Alatáriël smiled as Ellroher's horse nuzzled her. It was obvious that his horse not being shy at the moment. "So he does," she said. "Hello Fingal," she greeted, smiling. "How long have you had him for?" she asked. Elves go through many horses in their years. Even humans can go through several in their lifetime. Alatáriël already had a number of them so far. It was never easy to start over with a new one.

Alatáriël then looked ahead and another horse trotted it's way over to the two Elves. An old grey one that once was her father's, but he had given him to her since she no longer had her own horse. "This is Fuidhroch," Alatáriël said and petting his nose. "He is actually my father's horse but he's mine now." Her father had given her his horse after they had returned home from war. "Mine was no war horse," Alatáriël told Ellroher. "But I could not just take any of the war horses that belonged to the realm. I think I now wish that I did." Her own horse was too frightened of war. "Adar said he would find me another good and well trained horse, or if I wanted, I can have one that is still very young and train it myself."

[Ellroher]

How long have you had him for? "Oh, around eight years I'd say. He's a very good horse." Ellroher answered. He loved horses. His name told that. Elrohir meant Elf-knight. And he had his father's name, just with a slightly different spelling. Ellroher turned to see another horse come trotting over. This is Fuidhroch. Alatariel introduced. Ellroher patted the horse and looked him over. It was a fine looking horse, one trained in battle. Ellroher never had trained one of his horses to fight in battle because he himself had never been in one. And he wasn't likely to be in one anytime soon.

Adar said he would find me another good and well trained horse, or if I wanted, I can have one that is still very young and train it myself. Ellroher turned to Alatariel and smiled. "If you get a young horse, I can help you train it. I know a lot about horses and have trained several." He looked back at Fuidhroch and rubbed his nose. "Although I've haven't trained a horse how to act in a battle, I can learn. Eventually I'll need to know so I can train my own horse. When I'm old enough to fight."

[Eglaneth Alatáriel]

Oh, around eight years I'd say. He's a very good horse. Alatáriël nodded. "He looks like a strong one too." It was not easy for Alatáriël to lose her horse. Sure, you can always get another one but it was never the same. You become one with the animal. If you get a young horse, I can help you train it. I know a lot about horses and have trained several. Alatáriël looked at Ellroher. "I have not decided what kind of horse I want," she said. "I suppose that is something I will have to really think hard on. I am not in any sort of rush right now anyway. I do wish to ride again, but I think I would find it a little difficult trying to climb up with only one arm, so I have not tried."

Although I've haven't trained a horse how to act in a battle, I can learn. Eventually I'll need to know so I can train my own horse. When I'm old enough to fight. Alatáriël shook her head. "You still desire to fight, don't you, Ellroher?" she said. "I wonder if your father had given you a different name, you may see it differently." Elf-knight was his name. He was going to become warrior, Alatáriël saw that. She then laughed. "For the grandson of Elrond, you are not very wise, you do not even listen to me anymore." Alatáriël smiled. "Such a pity really, I could always get you to listen." She then looked over at his horse, Fingal. "Adar battle trained his horse, perhaps I could speak with him and maybe he could help you train yours."