All around the shouts of delight begin to rise. Gifts are being found, and delight and wonder take hold. Bells sound and the turtle calls them closer. Almost all seems merry and bright for it seems nearly all Helovia has gathered….Nearly. The gold stood back quite pleased with his genius, but it doesn’t make his smile last. For that he needs another. He waits, hanging in the crowd, looking about for her, but he does not see her join. Even @Deimos was here, surely she should be. He resists approaching the old friend though, the road was far too rocky, and the question already asked far too often (once was enough). As Haldir calls to him from further in the gathering of the turtle calling them together once more, it falls on more silent ears. She wasn’t here. The Laurelin grinds his teeth. She didn’t have to be…but rarely does she miss large gatherings, they were alike in that way.

His crowned head rises to the mountains barely visible through the snow clouds beyond. ”She’ll come? It whispers. The golden turns back to see his dark stag standing quietly among the crowd. He snorts at the deer. It was none of his business. Besides, the gold realized there were too many about to notice this moment.

Yet a glimmer from the mouth and the deer catches the golden’s eyes, and he halts from his intended exit. Curious the Laurelin comes closer. ”From turtle…” The deer offers, and the gold, confused takes it from his companion. The silver bell, rings, twice. Curious the gold looks to the stag, but he offers no explanation. Stepping up to grab his cloak and move on, the gold pushes through the crowd. The bell rings again, more intensely. Another step, another ring. The gold turns his head back to look at the bewildered deer behind him, and the bell does not ring. Not until he steps forward again. And again. Until he is at the base of the tree and the bell rings near constant. Confused but still wanting to exit, the gold motions the stag to grab the black cloak. As Haldir did, the bell instantly stopped. Earth eyes flash with gold, knowingly, and his mouth grins.

He places both the bell and his cloak in his satchel, pulling the wolven hide close. When he looks up again, Haldir is gone once more. Harks pin back, as fun as it was, he could wait no longer to journey north. His companion though was stepping forward to the tree, taking one last look, and thank you. The Laurelin sighs, in a bit of defeat, and stands behind his bonded, even giving a nod of thanks for the small gift.


"speech"