Hall of Song(#23973RVntA)
Here, on the first level of the Laiquendi Mallorn you find a lovely space, a large wooden room built into the branches of the tree. The room is sheltered on all sides, and in the trunk of the tree there is a door which leads to the staircase that goes further up in the tree or down to the Meeting hall. The only light comes from a few torches, creating a warm and dreamy atmosphere.
The room is filled with peace, and the fragrance of the countless wild forest roses lies thick here. Walls are adorned with many green leaves, red flowers and white blossoms. The eaves of the ceiling rise high above you to create a perfect sound barrier for all the music that wells up here. The Hall of Song is clearly the heart of the tree, and a few Laiquendi sit on the comfortable benches that are scattered about the room. In the center there is a small dais, on which songs can be performed. At his usual spot near the wall, sits an elf in the shadows. He's known as Alphlinn and it is said he remembers all songs that are sung to him. You might want to 'look Alphlinn'.
Alphlinn:
A welcome face is that of Alphlinn, one of the Laiquendi minstrels. As long as you can remember, the old minstrel has been spending his time here, sitting on the comfortable benches in the Hall of Song. His hair is silver-grey and shoulderlenght, and despite his age, his eyes twinkle brightly when he returns your gaze. It is said that Alphlinn remembers all songs that are sung to him.
Obvious exits:
Aelinwen <Ael> leads to Aelinwen's Talan.
Golden Stairs <Up> leads to Hiril's Talan.
Tirnannun <Tir> leads to Menelenon Tirnannun and Aeariel's Talan.
Galena <Gal> leads to Galena's Talan.
Caristia's <Car> leads nowhere.
Taursir's <Tau> leads to Taursir's Talan.
Circular Stairs <Down> leads to Laiquendi Common Room.
Eldarin Calendar <in Sindarin>
IC time is: Dawn < About 6:22 AM >
IC day is: Orbelain <Valar-day>
IC date is: 27 Laer <Summer>
Moon phase: Waning Gibbous <VISIBLE>
Earendil: Gil-Estel is not visible.
IC year is: Loa 6 o Yen 22, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3030>
RL time: Tue Oct 21 08:07:30 2003
Dawn graces Lorien - the summer sun's bright rays part the curtain of white mist to outline each dew-edged leaf in glimmering gold. A time of beauty, a time of joy; scarce wonder that the soft strains of some minstrel's song echo through the Laiquendi mallorn, bringing the gift of music to those elves who are about their business at this hour. Among them, at least one visitor (for her dark hair and silver-grey eyes proclaim her Sinda heritage plain to see). Ithilfein's tread is soft and hesitant, and she halts at the entrance to the Hall of Song now, her head tilted as she listens to the drifting threads of melody, and her expression ... pensive, to say the least.
[Alphlinn the Minstrel(#21367)]
From his seat near the center of the room, old Alphlinn smiles and sings in a warm voice
"Songs of present
Songs of past
All are known to me
Yet today
I will sing
one of these for thee."
Galena steps down from her talan on high, a billow of rose colored silks and chiffon. Her vedant gaze traverses the room, offering a warm smile especially to Alphlinn before falling on the visitor. "Ithilfein?" Her lips form the word as her eyes take on a sparkle of pleasure. She calls out to her Apprentice and steps quickly toward her, golden tendrils soaring behind her as she moves. "Have you come to hear Alphlinn sing?" Once before her, the Healer extends a hand of greeting.
Ithilfein's serious countenance brightens at the sight of Galena. "Healer!" she exclaims warmly, the sound carrying perhaps further than she intended, for she lowers her voice so as not to disturb others before adding an equally delighted, "Mae govannen." Her own hand extends to meet Galena's, and thin lips curve in a smile.
"That, among other things," she responds in a lilting whisper. "The Laiquendi seem born with song on their lips, and as you know it is an area where I have much to learn. Your language is so musical - that is what brought me here, actually," and the beginnings of a soft blush come to her cheeks. "I had wondered ..." The words fade.
Galena smiles warmly and motions to a small bench near one wall. "Let us sit and perhaps you will speak of your wonder? I do hope that the courior I long sent has brought you those songs I found and wrote for you.. I do not recall asking if you recieved them." She moves slowly to the bench, every motion a graceful near-dance.
Ithilfein moves to follow, glancing around her with the awe of unfamiliarity, and breathing deeply as she takes her seat. "I did indeed receive them," she answers, the little blush deepening as she realizes, "and I fear I may have neglected to offer my thanks! But - with the death of the Indiri and the grave wounding of Kathalis, my mind was .. elsewhere." The smile of earlier fades, some griefs are still present, even if much lessened by the peace of the Golden Wood. "She will be laid to her final rest soon," the elleth states into the silence - for the bard's song has ended - as she carefully folds her fingers in her lap.
Raising her head again, she attempts to pursue the earlier conversation, "If I did not thank you then, I thank you now! But it is not of song I sought to learn today, but of language itself. I would like to learn a little of the Laiquendi tongue - perhaps when I have learned something, I may surprise Calriel." The subtle hint of a smile returns at that.
Galena smiles broadly, the light of it shimmering upon her features. "I am honored by your esteem of the language of my House. However, I am not a teacher of languages. Arinkalya would be the one to seek if you wish to surprise Calriel. She is not of our house, but she has excelled in Bethur and the teaching of it." THe Healer's hands lace in her lap.
"Arinkalya," Ithilfein repeats, and as the dawn light strengthens outside, so does comprehension flood her features. "The Dancer. Yes, I know her - at least, I have met her a couple of times. I may indeed seek her out - perhaps another learner would know best how to overcome a learner's difficulties. Thank you for the advice." Appreciation becomes a full-grown smile to reflect Galena's own. "As to not being a teacher - you are the finest teacher of herb-lore I have known. Well are you named 'Master'." Light dances in her grey eyes. "But I cannot always be bothering the same elleth for all things, can I?" Speech is replaced by silence - until, that is, Ithilfein has one last afterthought. "You won't tell Calriel I asked, would you? I would like to surprise her with the knowledge," she gives a tinkling chuckle at that.
[Galena(#26675)] A laugh fine and soft falls from the Healer's full lips. "Of corse not, my friend. Your secret is safe." With that she stands and turns again to the Apprentice. "Come, I wish to sit at Alphlinn's feet as he sings. Will you join me?"
To that, Ithilfein nods eagerly. "I'd be delighted to. Truly your people have a rare facility for music." Thus it is that as the minstrel begins a new strain, a hymn to the light in the Sindarin tongue (perhaps in courtesy for the guest?), she follows Galena to sit at his feet, her pale features rapt as the melody lifts and soars, lifting even as the sun lifts above the treetops of the Golden Wood. Truly, those who listen to Alphlinn this morn are blessed ...