Gillhach and Lin-Gilmiel by the Nimrodel

Falls of Nimrodel
The crystal clear and cold waters of the Nimrodel burble over a small waterfall here into a large pool. You can see a myriad of colored stones on the bottom and an occasional fish dart amongst them. There are some large flat rocks at the base of the falls which can be stood upon so that you are almost touching the falling water. At the downstream end, many white waterlilies lie pristinely on the glassy surface. You realize that this must be where the elf maiden, Nimrodel, must have come to sing, as the tale says. The only thing marring the scenery is the remains of a very old talan that now lie on the ground, fallen from the treetops above.

Set high above, the last fruit of Laurelin; blazes its holy light down upon the world. On dwimordene, the dreamland; and is filtered in the crystalline waters of the burbling, icy Nimrodel. Which runs down to it's union with the Silverlode in the south; Celebrant, whose roaring white-waters can be heard far off, the sound dampened by the tall mallyrn that stand all about.
It is a scene remembered still by the silvan kin of Nimrodel in song and tale; a rushing fall is here, it fills a wide pool in which small, silver fish swim carefree. About the pool, and near the falling waters, great stones are laid, cracked and broken; flat, such that one might stand or lay upon them. The grass is a lush, verdant green. Only one imperfection is to be seen, the wreckage of a broken, ancient talan strewn across the ground.
Sharp, elven eyes might espy a figure layed in calm repose, asleep it seems (as men might think it) or in deep thought. And clad in the grey synonynmous with those of the Galadhrim.

Lin-gilmiel approaches slowly to the sleeping figure... her steps hesitating.  Seeing that she is sleeping she sits down, awaiting for her to wake, and watches the water waves. Lin-gilmiel whispers an ancient song, as it the broken talan could be healed and restored, just by singing the old perfection back into the world.

Stirring from her reverie, (such as men might call sleep and dreams), forsooth; Gillhach was layed down with eyes open, dreaming whatsoever dreams the elder children of Iluvatar are wont to. Standing then and stretching her long, slender limbs after long rest; she does not note the other, or at least seemingly.

Lin-gilmiel stands, "Mae Govannen, I was watching over your sleep"

Starting at the voice, and whirling roundabout; her cowl flying all awry as she (a woman, her fair visage revealed from out of the shroud) does; the maiden quells some rebuke; managing a polite smile and a nod, "My thanks," Says she, "Forgive me, I had not seen you there... 'twas quite a surprise."

Lin-gilmiel, smiling, approaches the woman, "Are you awake now? and were you dreams pleasant, if I may dare asking?"

Gillhach touches an unassuming smile to her breast, "Pleasant? As pleasant as may be, in truth. Forsooth, I am awake." Her rosy lips curl up to a smile, and she looks roundabout. "A lovely eve, I find." She drinks deep of the cool, clean air. "Ah, but the air is better than long sleep..."

Lin-gilmiel moves to the river bank, "it is, indeed... as lovely as a day can be... although I was almost lost in here, before I met you... you have a sword with you, are you a Guard?"

Gillhach stifles a laugh, "Lord, no... not I." The maid shakes her head, "Not any more... though I serve m'Lord Celeborn and his Lady as I may."

Lin-gilmiel looks deep into her eyes, hesitating, "My... my name is Lin-gilmiel... I came to Lorien not too long ago". Lin-gilmiel turns to the girl, "May I dare asking your name?"

Smiling brightly, amused as she is. And resting a dainty hand 'pon the other's shoulder, Gillhach presses her to sit. "Come," Says the huntress, "Sit, pray... and no more talk of daring. I am free with my name, as are all." She waves a hand, "I am named Gillhach, Serenwen, the master of the hunt..."

Lin-gilmiel sits by Gillach, "I came here wondering through the forest... Thus far I only heard tales about this place... pray, will you tell to whom did the wrecked talan belong? I can still hear a faint echo of the songs that were sung in it..."

Gillhach looks to the wreckage strewn all about, "This?" Her eyes are questioning as she asks, "Aiya, this was the home of Nimrodel the fair... as any of the silvan folk might know. But," And she heaves a heavy sigh, "She is gone, and has not returned... nor ever shall."

Lin-gilmiel sighs, "no, return she shall not... ant still she left her songs in here... the water still remembers them..." smiles, suddenly happy "can you hear them? the words are gone, but her voice and the tunes are still here..."

Gillhach smiles, her eyes squinted tight shut. "Aye... something of them. The waters themselves do sing, and the birds and the beast too, their lamentations."

Lin-gilmiel says, "yes, indeed they do... there is a deep memory of her in this side of the forest..." Lin-gilmiel turns to Gillhach, "why are you not a Guard anymore?"

"Memories..." Gillhach's breast heaves with a sigh. But she shakes her head dismissively, "As for that," She bunches her shoulders up to a shrug, "I resigned my comission for my own sake... it is a thing not befitting a lady. Besides, I would that I might live a while longer..."

Lin-gilmiel nods, "yes... I thought that, too... and yet you seem to hunt for danger, even more than for prey... I can read it in your eyes, if you pardon my honesty"

"Honesty need never be pardoned, m'dear." Gillhach smiles, "And, mayhap that is true. I hunt... and there is danger in that." She shakes her head, "I have hunted many things... but I seek not death. Nor hope for it."

Lin-gilmiel smiles, "no... and neither death seeks you... That is also well written in your eyes. You seek life at it's fullest depth, and life only" leans on the grass, watching the sky "and I can see why you'd seek it here". Lin-gilmiel stands, "Now I shall go... the time has come for me to head to Lorien again" smiles "we shall meet again, I am firly sure"

"Your insight serves you well, child..." And the huntress smiles a sagely smile, "Life is sweet, for those who savour it... and mine has been long. Even in my childhood I saw Nimrodel here... her song I heard long ago." She sighs, "Even now it is as sweet, as I listen." And the huntress stands, gathering up her stuff, "But life goes on... and I must leave too, it seems"

Lin-gilmiel says, "Namarie my friend, I wish you a good journey"