Hall of Fire, Imladris
Indralas places a soft hand upon Sogadan's shoulder, gesturing for his attention. A swift nod follows from Indralas, causing Sogadan to rise from his chair and make for his abode with purpose. Indralas gazes across the Hall, noting the disquieted aura. He unclasps the brooch holding his cape around his neck, and begins to fold it together neatly, picking up a sombre tune. Next to him, on a chair, sits Lasdal.
Lasdal closes the book and runs her hand across its cover, smiling at it before placing it on the table next to the other books.
Indralas places his now-expertly folded cape on the large table, before his gaze flicks over to the entrance to the hall in the hopes of seeing Sogadan return. He does not, however, and Indralas finds his eyes upon the book placed there on the table, in front of Lasdal.
‘I often take a quiet pride in recognizing books and tomes by the cover... although I cannot say I recognize yours.’ Says Indralas, peering at Lasdal.
Lasdal looks up at him, nodding briefly with a kind smile. She blinks shortly before responding. "This is not a book from the Library."
Indralas smiles wanly, placing one hand upon the table instinctively, his fingers absently admiring its fabric and texture. ‘I presumed as much. Do not keep me in the dark, though; what book is it, and what topic does it illuminate upon?’
Lasdal answers whilst glancing down at the book: ‘The book's content is very precious to me, it passed from my mother to me before she sailed west. It contains sumptuous illustrations and descriptions concerning herbs and other vegetables. Ever since I have been studying these.'
Indralas gives a polite, demure smile. "It must be ponderous reading, and thorough. Does it describe what the herbs and vegetables can be used for, as well?"
Lasdal nods twice, taking the book in her hands, gently. Before standing up to take place next to Indralas so he could take a closer look at the book.
'Take a look for yourself, but be careful. And yes, it does, she was a grand healer..' She adds.
Indralas arches a cusped eyebrow, directed towards the book's cover. With the granted permission now given, he seizes the book from Lasdal’s soft hands with evident reverence and respect. He opens the book, flicking from one page to the other whilst standing. He smiles with infrequency, his eyes lighting up in a gesture of familiar recognition.
'Grand indeed she was, for from what I gather, there is no detail gone un-touched or unspoken of. This is commendable work.' He comments.
Lasdal smiles briefly at the compliment 'I look forward on seeing her once again. I hope I have made her proud of being occurred in her footsteps. I should promulgate myself now, I am Lasdal, Baineth or Calien. Call me however suits you..'
Indralas purses his lips, forming a thin smile. He closes the book, content to let his manners take precedence over his curiosity. "I am confident she is proud of you... Calien. I am Indralas, from the havens, although I have yet to earn another name besides the one I lay claim to."
Lasdal tilts her head and smiles in ecstasy. She extends her hand to take the book again, to be kept safe in a satchel to her side. ‘It interests me that you are from the Havens, please do share some more with me if such does not cause any perplexity within you.’
Indralas gives a polite smile, though he rejects the wine lodged between Sogadan's fingers as he re-enters the Hall with Indralas' request. He muses thoughtfully, barely able to suppress a smile at Lasdal's courtesy. ‘That would not cause perplexity, no, but I fear if I am to speak of my home, I would rather beg you to take leave and see it for yourself - my words would err in the attempt to do it justice. Unless, of course, you would prefer if I break into song and alarm every resident within Elrond's home.'
Lasdal smiles yet cautiously before contriving an adequate answer to his words. ‘Then please try to explain it with the words you can muster, for I desire to hear more about the great Havens.’
Indralas procures a measured smile. ‘That I can do. The Havens are the last bastion of the elves that remains from our most glorious, and most sorrowful days - though I did not see them for my own eyes. It is a relic. High spires soar against the sky, a sight made greater by the calm sea that can turn perilous, if Ulmo wills it. Books of countless amounts decorate the walls of our homes, and the finest employed methods of wood-working and ship-craft are found there. Peace and quiet is presented to those who wish to sail beyond, and all tears that are wept there are wept out of the goodness of their hearts.'
Lasdal curves her lips into a sumptuous smile. Then speaks whilst glancing aloft, as if day dreaming. ‘Yes, the sea. I assume you are a Sinda, is it true what your kindred say, that the music of old can still be heard within the waters?’
Indralas offers naught but an empty, although not indifferent shrug of his shoulders. ‘I hear the music you refer to wherever I go, friend. It is often said it is most frequently heard near our shores, but I am not one to attest to that.’
Lasdal nods slowly. ‘So far I have only seen the dulcet love of the Aínur. It would relish me to hear such aswell, prolonged. Though I do see it every single day, the elaborated sight of a smile warms my very heart.’
Indralas smiles fondly at that, though he is futile to match the statement with anything of his own. Maintaining his smile, he says, ‘Then there is warmth all around you, wherever you choose to extract it. May I ask what brings you to Elrond's house?’
Lasdal pulls a rather fascinated glance when she is being questioned about her tenancy within Imladris. ‘I habitually fell in love with this vale, and the library is auspicious for my study. Even after watching all the ages pass by.’
Indralas nods in agreement. 'The vale has left many under its potent spell. I daresay I may be bewitched myself, but for the warring in my heart that has me disposed to travel between both here, and the Havens.'
Lasdal smiles now again, glancing at Indralas. ‘A spell I highly adore. Here in Imladris, I am feeling exalted with joy. To see peace and tranquillity among the children of Ilúvatar.’
Indralas grins broadly. ‘Peace and tranquillity alike reside within the vale - and no amount of joy can see it banished. Every visit I make here is one that leaves me elated, just as you," he says, before smiling mournfully, his gaze resting upon his folded cape. "If only the sensation would carry all the way to the Havens!’
Lasdal tilts her head with slight nescience. ‘Tell me then, Indralas. What caused your grand desire for the Havens, aside from, what I assume, your origin?’
Indralas knits his brows in a frown. It is retracted with the immaculate expression the elves are famous for as quickly as it appears, however. ‘Good company. Even for those who come there, bent on the purpose to leave the hither shores behind, we all shed our woes and plights behind and find consecration aided by the aforementioned company of friends and the sea.’
Lasdal blinks, her long and stunning eyelashes moving down and upwards rapidly before she nods slowly in understanding. For a moment she seems voluptuous with more questions, yet she restrains her words before she uttered any. She merely adds ‘Friendship and the overwhelming waves of the sumptuous Sea. Such combined must be a beautiful thing.’
Indralas nods sagely. ‘Undisputably so,’ he says with a distant air, and his eyes betray that he is, for a lingering moment, far away. ‘Should you dispel the trance the vale has bequeathed you in cease... then I urge you to hasten to the Havens, if but for once. It is a jewel that should not be denied any eyes, be they in wanting or naught.’
Lasdal curves her lips into a smile once again before she speaks. ‘I shall surely see the Havens, yet the love for Imladris keeps me here, Indralas.’
Indralas perks a glance at the woman currently found within the hall, before he mulls over Lasdal's words. ‘Let the love blossom, then, and do not leave until it bids you’
Lasdal tilts her head to the book, smiling placid. ‘Like my mother loved the creations of Yavanna..’
Indralas smiles with evident taciturn. ‘I would not speak out of turn were it not for the love I bear the craft your mother too held in discipline, but I am sure you have done her well with your study, and honored the work she left behind," he says. "I should let you return to that study, Calien. I pray we meet again’
Lasdal smiles now brightly, in joy and enchantment. ‘Your words warm my very heart, Indralas. I surely hope we will meet again, may Estë bring peace upon your path. Wherever you will go.’
Indralas returns the smile in equal abundance. ‘Go with the blessings of the firstborn, Calien. Farewell’ then picks up the folded cape from the table, and inclines his head before departing.
Lasdal follows the movement and inclines her head at Indralas before their meeting comes to an end.
