Making Plans

Played by:
Jasper Dragonheart
Shawn Daysleeper

Miro stares, speechless, after the retreating figure of the great Teleri King. As Olwe disappears up the second flight of steps to the upstairs sleeping area of the Inn, he fumbles for the bench lest knees that seem suddenly rubbery fail to support him as Olwe's words flash again through his mind; "When we came to the West...", "... the Maia Osse gave us the knowledge.."

He swallows hard and turns his deep blue gaze to Nole, his eyes wide as understanding dawns on him. He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.  Flushing, realizing he is gawking like a callow boy, he clears his throat and finally finds his voice. "Olwe?  That.. that is THE Olwe?  Of Alqualonde and Tol Eressea?"

"...that is THE Olwe?"

Nole looks at Miro's awe and smiles to himself. His first impulse is to say, "Of course that is The Olwe!" After all, he travels with him nearly everywhere and stays by his side most of the time.  However he realizes he is in the mortal world. It is generally not well known Alqualonde has been moved to mortal circles. It would be quite a surprise to see the legendary Olwe here. He says gently "Yes, he is the Olwe" He smiles back, hopefully in a reassuring way.

He smiles back..

Miro blinks at Nole and turns his head to gaze around the familiar tap room of the Green Leaf Inn.  The well worn benches are the same, the floors, clean and polished by worn with the passage of many a traveler's booted feet.  The air is redolent with the smell of meats roasting in preparation of the evening meal, woodsmoke and the faintly yeasty smell of ale.  This is the same Inn it has always been, yet.. yet a legend has walked the floors, is now preparing for sleep upstairs.

Miro 's gaze finally comes to rest on the plans scattered across the table in front of him.  He groans as he realizes that he has stood boldly and told the very King of the Teleri himself that his ships are flawed.  "I called him 'ancient' and 'old King'," he murmurs. "I told him his ships are badly designed." He closes his eyes for a moment as he realizes his monumental audacity.

"You ARE a Master Shipwright, Miro.  You know a good design when you see it, and you know a bad one, lad."  For the second time tonight his father's voice echoes through his mind, and he opens his eyes and looks again upon his designs.  He nods, shoulders straightening, and he turns to look again at Nole. "But they ARE badly designed.  They may be good in Aman, but they will not work here in Middle Earth."

"...but they will not work here in Middle Earth."

Nole watches Miro's emotions flitting across his face. Nole feels somewhat concerned by Miro's discomfort, but he is pleased to see Miro recover his resolve and belief in his designs. He is interested in the new swanship design. "Yes, I agree, given what has recently happened, that our swanship is badly designed for these waters. Olwe is kind hearted and open minded. He is so, or I would not had brought you and him together to discuss these plans. He also approves of your ideas, Miro. So I ask, then, how these problems can be fixed?"

"So I ask then, how these problems can be fixed."

Miro 's lips curl into a small approving smile as he listens to the other elf.  Yes, such a one could not be a Master Mariner and be arrogant, for this shipwright has seen the effects of arrogant Ship Masters, unwilling to learn, upon the ships he has been called upon to repair. Yet of all the mariners he has seen in his time, this one would have most reason to be arrogant, for he is Master Mariner to the great King Olwe himself. Not only Master Mariner, Miro, but brother.  Miro's blue eyes widen a little as his thoughts recall how Olwe was introduced.  "Miro, this is my brother, Olwe," he had said.  By Ulmo's foaming beard!  Here he sat, so casually, next to a very Prince of the Teleri!

...a very Prince of the Teleri.

Miro swallows hard again and fumbles a little as he reaches for the plans, trying to gather his wayward thoughts.  "Focus on the task at hand!" he silently admonishes himself. "You are no gawking elfling.  This is business. Remember that.  Business."  He glances at Nole again as he starts to speak, warmed by his obvious interest and how kindly he has spoken.  Clearing his throat one last time he begins to explain. "I have deepened the hull, to allow a better footing for bigger, stronger masts.  But both the hull and the masts must be built of a different timber than has been traditionally been used."

...he begins to explain

Nole leans forward as Miro explains and is very interested in what he is saying. "What timber would you use? I am not aware of any stronger than in the current design."

Warming now to his subject and encouraged by Nole's question and obvious interest, he goes on to explain further. "Last year, I bought a beautiful ornate chest from one of the dark-skinned merchants that come here from time to time from Far Harad.  The wood that had been crafted for the chest was most unusual, so I asked the merchant about it.  It comes from a tree that grows in the deep damp forests of Far Harad.  The Haradrim mechant told me how the trees take many years to grow and are known for their tall, straight beauty as well as the incredible hardness of the timber that comes from them and, their unusual lightness in weight."

He pauses a moment in his explanation and smiles ruefully, his blue eyes twinkling. "The Haradrim are shrewd merchants and they like their gold.  But still, I could see that their timber they spoke of could be the answer to the problems with the Swanship design.  We haggled, by Eru how we haggled, but in the end, we came to an agreement, and over the course of that summer, ship by ship, my commission of Haradrim timber arrived.  It truly is as rock hard as they boasted." He smiles and looks down at the callouses on this hands as they rest upon the table. "It is also as lightweight as they promised, so I could build a bigger Swanship than is traditional, with a deeper hull, and stronger, taller mast, yet with another addition of my own design, it is still able to be sailed by just one mariner if so desired."

Nole glances down and notices the callouses on Miro's hands. But he also sees how long and shapely his fingers are. Probably more suited to a musician than a shipwright. However the subtle play of muscle in his forearms would speak of the strength that lies in his clearly fine build. He then nods in reply to Miro's explanation. "I have heard of the Haradrim of the South," he says hurriedly, and tries to hide his thoughts. "And you said that 'you could build.' Does this mean that you have already started work on the new design?""

"I have heard of the Haradrim.."

Miro nods and ducks his head to run a thumbnail along the grain of the table top. "Aye. I.. I have at last been building the Swanship. My father would not hear of it while he lived, but, well, now I have been building it, in my spare time." He shakes his head a little as if to shake off the melancholy of the memory of the one thing he and his parent ever fought over and then turns his eyes to again look at Nole. "There is only some internal kitting out left before it is complete and of course, some sea trials. When would you need it by?"

"We have come here to pick up the dwarves from Gamifun, whom Olwe has offered refuge to. It had been Olwe's intent, before the storm crippled my ship, to return with them to Alqualonde as soon as we had found them and resupplied our ship, so that the dwarves could begin their lives in their new home as soon as possible. So, we will need your ship as soon as it is ready."

Miro's eyes widen again in surprise. What would the legendary Olwe be doing offering refuge to dwarves? As is the way in a town such as this, rumor has run wild about the arrival of a group of dwarves with what seemed like all their worldly goods packed upon a solitary cart. Speculation is rife as to the cause; a clan dispute, famine, their town wiped out by disease? It has also been speculated if it were their intent to settle in the sea port, as odd as this would be for they had arrived and not budged since. Now it would seem they have been waiting for the arrival of the legendary elven King.

Miro lifts a hand to rub at his chin absently as his mind works rapidly.  While he thinks his eyes take in the gentle grace of the elf before him.  The firelight from the hearth behind them casts rosy tints on the long silver strands of his hair, and his soft blue eyes carry the serene timelessness of one used to gazing upon far horizons.  He would give much to know more of this one, of the life he has led by Olwe's side, of the knowledge that shines from that gentle gaze.  Maybe, just maybe, he might have a solution.

...he might have a solution.

He drops his hand to the table and smiles warmly at the other elf. "I would not rush the outfitting of the Swanship, for I believe a job worth doing is worth doing well.  However, I believe I may have a solution, if you are willing.  I keep a ship of my own in port for times when I wish to seek supplies or investigate a new technique I have heard of from another shipwright.  It is not fancy, but sturdy and serviceable, and I believe it would carry you and your dwarves to Alqualonde safely enough."

He pauses as his mind sings. "Alqualonde! How blithely he says it!"  He drops his gaze bashfully as he continues. "I would be willing, under your direction, to take you and the King, your brother, and his passengers back to Alqualonde with this ship, while my workers finish the outfitting of the Swanship.  We could then return, and I believe it would be complete, with no delay for yourselves or  your passengers.  I would do this as a service to the mighty Olwe, with no charge." He pauses again and glances at the plans for the swanship on the table before continuing. "However, I do not believe a price should be agreed upon for the swanship until you and Olwe have seen it for yourself."

Nole listens thoughtfully at what Miro proposes. It all sounds logical. Additionally, it means that Miro will be coming along with them: at this Nole is secretly happy. They would not have to part ways for a little while longer. "This is a wise course of action, Miro. Perhaps we could come see the ship first thing tomorrow?"

It all sounds logical.

Miro swallows hard again as he realizes that his childhood hero, the legendary King Olwe, would be seeing HIS Swanship on the morrow. There is so much he suddenly wants to check and double check.  His stomach tightens with nerves, and the thought of eating now, as appealing as the company might be, is beyond him.  He reaches out and gathers his plans and rolls them into a hasty bundle as he rises to his feet.  He tilts his head and smiles at Nole, "First thing tomorrow, then. You cannot miss my shipyard. It is on the right, just past the northern lighthouse." He blushes bashfully as he continue., "I know we had planned to dine together, but I beg your pardon as I feel there is much I must check and be sure of before you and your brother see the Swanship. I.. I would hate to disappoint."

"..I would hate to dissapoint."

He fiddles with the rolled parchments in his hands a moment before adding, "If it is agreed that we travel together, there will be many more nights other than this one to dine together, if it is your wish." Wanting to reach out and squeeze Nole's shoulder to reassure him of his warm intent, nonetheless he settles for the course of lesser valour and sketches a deep bow instead, before turning on his heel and, without even giving Nole chance to reply lest he give in and stay, he strides swiftly to the door.

Nole can only stand while Miro leaves the room. He is bemused at his sudden departure. He also feels a little empty at the thought of dinner alone. But as he settles back down he begins to think of seeing Miro first thing tomorrow. And his ship. Feeling a little happier, Nole looks forward to the dawn.

..Nole looks forward to the dawn.