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More Popular Reading
More Popular Reading
It is always interesting to see what people like to read. We have previously listed the most popular fiction for adult readers from our most recent fiscal year, so now we will scan other categories.
Top Adult Nonfiction
As is typical, the practical, the local, and the stories dominated use of nonfiction during 2009-10.
Many people recognize the need to obtain their GED, so the Steck-Vaughn GED manual was the single most-borrowed title in adult nonfiction.
Cookbooks are always heavily used, along with biography, animals, comics, history, social issues, true crime, and local history. These were the most borrowed titles:
America's Most Wanted Recipes: delicious recipes from your family's favorite restaurants, by Ron Douglas
Paula Deen's The Deen Family Cookbook
Yum-O! the family cookbook, by Rachel Ray
Going Rogue: an American life, by Sarah Palin
The Glass Castle: a memoir, by Jeannette Walls
Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America, by Judith Dutson
Hank Ketchum's Complete Dennis the Menace
Methland: the death and life of an American small town, by Nick Reding
Diners, Drive-Ins, Dives: an All-American road trip . . . with recipes!, by Guy Fieri
The Complete Peanuts, by Charles Schultz
Little Heathens: hard times and high spirits on an Iowa farm during the Great Depression, by Mildred Armstrong
Guinness World Records 2009
The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook, by Erin Chase
Paula Deen Celebrates!
Down Home with the Neelys
Slow Cooker: the best cookbook ever, by Diane Phillips
The Zookeeper's Wife, by Diane Ackerman
Family Collection Cookbook
Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts
Rachel Ray's Big Orange Book
Draw Horses, by Lee Hammond
Man of Constant Sorrow: my life and times, by Ralph Stanley
China Road: a journey into the future of a rising power, by Rob Gifford
Jewell Ridge: portrait of a coal town, by Louise Leslie and Terry W. Mullins
Tazewell County, by Louise Leslie and Terry W. Mullins
From 11th – 14th
I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced, by Jujood Ali
Making Rounds with Oscar: the extraordinary gift of an ordinary cat, by David Dosa
Tazewell, by Louise B. Leslie and Terry W. Mullins
Jack the Ripper's Secret Confession: the hidden testimony of Britain's first serial killer
Uncomplicated Guide to Diabetes Complications, by Marvin E. Levin
The Ultimate Diabetes Meal Planner, by Jaynie F. Higgins
Training Your Dog, by Dominique De Vito
Crocheting in Plain English, by Maggie Righetti
Listening Is an Act of Love: a celebration of American life from the StoryCorps Project
Burke's Garden, by Louise B. Leslie and Terry W. Mullins
Julie and Julia: 365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen, by Julie Powell
Drawing Down the Moon: the art of Charles Vess
The Murder of King Tut: the plot to kill the child king, by James Patterson
Give Your Heart to the Hawks: a tribute to the mountain men, by Winfred Blevins
So many books, so many ideas, so little time? Try listening to audio while you do other activities.
Ask us for suggestions to help you find the nonfiction that meets your needs and interests. Visit us at www.tcplweb.org or call 988-2541.


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Get excited about reading again with fun and interesting tips from our experts, including The M.D., our dietitians, and our fitness expert.
In our health library, you will find all of the information you need to achieve your goals of making a healthy lifestyle change. So, start reading and start losing!
Looking for a perfect recipe for tonight's dinner, or need something healthy and delicious to take to a friend's house for a party? Crafted by our award-winning chefs, and built on the nutritional foundation developed by Dr. Cederquist, these recipes are exactly what you're looking for!
One constant at Thanksgiving dinner is a side of cranberries. Cranberries are a tangy treat that have been around for years. Native Americans used cranberries for food, dyes, and medicine. Centuries before we ate cranberries at our Thanksgiving dinners, Native Americans were eating them fresh, ground, and baked into bread.
10.8 billion cranberries are consumed each holiday season. So what is it about these tiny berries that has made them such a treat for so many years?
Besides great taste, cranberries are also very nutritious. Cranberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Cranberries play a major role in the prevention of urinary tract infections. In addition, cranberries protect against some cancers, heart disease, and gum disease.
Go ahead and enjoy cranberry sauce, cranberry chutney, oatmeal cranberry cookies, and cranberry pie this holiday season. Because this is one little red berry with big benefits.
For a great cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving and Christmas, follow this easy recipe:
Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a medium saucepan.
Bring to boil and add 1 12-ounce package of fresh or frozen cranberries, return to boil.
Reduce heat and let gently boil for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cover. Cool completely at room temperature then refrigerate until serving time.
Just answer a few questions to figure out your weight loss goals and we'll provide
solutions to help you achieve life-transforming wellness. Our diet delivery program
is a real life tool to help you lose weight.
Win an entire week of bistroMD chef-prepared weight loss entrees.
Simply enter your information below for your chance to win!
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Excerpted from Never Go Back (with bonus novella High Heat) by Lee Child. Copyright © 2013 by Lee Child. Excerpted by permission of Dell, a division of Random House LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Lee Child is the author of seventeen Jack Reacher thrillers, including the New York Times bestsellers Persuader, The Enemy, One Shot, and The Hard Way, and the #1 bestsellers The Affair, Worth Dying For, 61 Hours, Gone Tomorrow, Bad Luck and Trouble, and Nothing to Lose, as well as the short stories "Second Son" and "Deep Down." His debut, Killing Floor, won both the Anthony and the Barry awards for Best First Mystery, and The Enemy won both the Barry and Nero awards for Best Novel. Foreign rights in the Reacher series have sold in more than forty territories. All titles have been optioned for major motion pictures, the first of which - "Jack Reacher" - will be released in December. A native of England and a former television director, Child lives in New York City, where he is at work on his next thriller, Never Go Back.


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This Martin conventional taper bushed sheave with an A/B belt section is made of 30 gray cast iron and comes with two grooves. It is a classical V-belt sheave that fits a variety of widely available, classical profile V-belts suitable for use in many existing power transmission drives. This pulley is made of class 30 gray cast iron for resistance to wear, corrosion, and galling. It has an A/B cross section and two grooves for use with multiple or banded belts. V-belt pulleys (sheaves) are used in a wide range of mechanical and electronic drives, including HVAC units, farm machinery, food processing equipment, and home appliances, among others.
V-belt pulleys (sheaves) are the component in a power transmission drive that transmits power to the belt. Typically made of cast iron, the pulleys and the V-belts that loop around them match in form – wide (classical) or narrow, single or multi-grooved. V-belt pulleys are found in drive designs in the agriculture, textile, printing, mining, and office equipment industries.
Martin Sprocket & Gear manufactures power transmission and conveying products. The company, founded in 1951 and headquartered in Arlington, TX, provides tools that meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI), National Aerospace Standard (NAS), and Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) standards.
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Be the first to see Nature Unleashed at the Natural History Museum of Utah!
Powerful earth processes have shaped our dynamic planet including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions. Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters explores the science behind these phenomena, the tools used to study and predict them, and stories of human responses to these events.
Celebrate Astronomy Day at the Natural History Museum of Utah! Meet local astronomy experts, learn the difference between comets and asteroids and explore magnetism, light and pressure through hands-on activities designed for adults and children.
By popular demand, Phun with Physics has returned! What do balloons, bicycle wheels, liquid nitrogen, flowers and a vacuum pump have in common? Find out at NHMU! These are physics demos like you have never seen before.
The Natural History Museum of Utah is funded in part by Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP).
301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
©2014 Natural History Museum of Utah.
For the personal use of students, scholars and the public. Any commercial use or publication is strictly prohibited.


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Please note that as of October 24, 2014, the Nokia Developer Wiki will no longer be accepting user contributions, including new entries, edits and comments, as we begin transitioning to our new home, in the Windows Phone Development Wiki. We plan to move over the majority of the existing entries. Thanks for all your past and future contributions.
Archived:Getting started with Carbide.c++ and Qt
Archived: This article is archived because it is not considered relevant for third-party developers creating commercial solutions today. If you think this article is still relevant, let us know by adding the template {{ReviewForRemovalFromArchive|user=~~~~|write your reason here}}.
Qt Creator is highly recommended (and Carbide.c++ deprecated) for Qt development. In addition, user interfaces for mobile devices should be created using Qt Quick rather than QWidget) as shown.
This article is for experienced developers who want to start development in Qt with Carbide.c++.
Before following the steps given here please make sure that Carbide.c++, S60 SDK and Qt are properly installed.
- Download and install the Qt
- Carbide.c++ 2.0 does not automatically locate your Qt installation, so you need to tell it where Qt is installed. This is done through the following settings:
Carbide.c++ preferences: Window > Preferences > Qt > Add...
In the above screen you will need to use the directory path for
the current version e.g. c:\Qt\4.6.0\bin and c:\Qt\4.6.0\include
First Step
Open the Carbide IDE and click File > New > Qt Project.
Second Step
A new window will open on the screen. This will show the application types that can be created. Click Qt GUI Widget and then click Next.
Third Step
Enter a name for the project and click Next.
Fourth Step
Select the SDK to create the project for and click Next.
Fifth Step
Select the module(s) and click Next. For our example, click Next without selecting any extra modules.
Sixth Step
The class name is required. By default it is the application name. Click Finish to proceed.
After finishing these steps, the project is ready. Several files are created automatically as shown in the following screenshot.
If you have more than one version of Qt installed on your machine, choose the correct version as shown here:
Include Qt Views
- Include views for Qt from:
Carbide.c++ > Windows > Show View > Other... > Qt
- View selection depends on the application. However, at least the following views must be selected:
- Qt C++ Widget Box
- Qt C++ Property Editor
- Qt C++ Signal Slot Editor
Adding controls
- Open Hello.ui and place the control from the Qt C++ Widget Box.
- In this example, two push buttons and one text label will be added.
- The display text of an object can be changed by right clicking on object > Change text...
- The name of an object can be changed as shown in the following screenshots.
Text label
- Open Hello.ui.
- Open the Qt C++ Signal Slot Editor view.
- Click to add an entry for handling events on control.
- In this example, we will handle events on the Exit push button
- The application will terminate when the user clicks the Exit push button
- exitButton is the sender of the signal.
- Select the signal clicked() to be sent by exitButton.
- HelloClass is the receiver of this event handling mechanism.
- Slot is the action performed when exitButton is clicked(). To exit from the application, select close().
- In this example, we implement the Hello button event by coding in the files Hello.h and Hello.cpp.
Header file
#ifndef HELLO_H
#define HELLO_H
#include <QtGui/QWidget>
#include "ui_Hello.h"
class Hello : public QWidget
Hello(QWidget *parent = 0);
public slots: //We have added this section to handle "clicked()" event on "helloButton"
void ShowHelloText(); // Fill the label text on clicking "Hello" button
Ui::HelloClass ui;
#endif // HELLO_H
Source file
#include "Hello.h"
Hello::Hello(QWidget *parent)
: QWidget(parent)
// Signal and slot mechanism for "helloButton"
QObject::connect(ui.helloButton, SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(ShowHelloText()));
//We have implemented the following function to display "HelloWorld!!!" text in TextLabel
void Hello::ShowHelloText()
Initial state
Example application
- Extract this example application: Hello.zip
- Import the .pro file from the previously extracted application in your Carbide.c++ IDE.
Carbide.c++ >> Import >> Qt >> Qt Project >> Hello.pro
- If you encounter any problems in creating your HelloWorld application in Qt, please enter your feedback in the Comment page of this article.
- Raise any other Qt related questions on the Qt Discussion Boards.


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The Metrorail Station Feasibility Work Group was established in October 2008 and met over the course of a year and a half through February 2010. In order to ensure there is continuity between the previous initiatives and the implementation of the proposed Metrorail station, the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Feasibility Work Group will be re-convened as The Potomac Yard Metrorail Implementation Work Group (PYMIG). This group will assist in the review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), station concepts, funding, provide input to staff, the Transportation Commission and the City Council. For additional news and updates regarding the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station, visit www.PotomacYardMetro.com.
The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services staff will provide coordinating support to the Work Group and will be supplemented by a consultant team and staff from other City departments. The staff of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will also assist. The Work Group is anticipated to meet over the next phases of the project implementation through construction of the station. The first meeting was held June 30, 2011 in the City Council Workroom. The meeting agenda covered background on the project, an update on the scoping of the EIS and what the next steps will be. The public is invited to attend all meetings. For additional information, contact Lee Farmer at email@example.com or call 703.746.4146.
March 31, 2015
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May 15, 2014
January 6, 2014
June 10, 2013
January 30, 2013
October 10, 2012
June 30, 2011
October 26, 2011
February 6, 2012
May 16, 2012
Find neighborhood parks?
Start a small business?
Learn about new development?
Pay my taxes or parking citation?
Report fraud, waste and abuse?
Speak at a City Council meeting?
Apply for a marriage license?
Find information for retired City employees?
Get information about permits?
Search property and sales data?
Find visitor information?
Find volunteer opportunities?
Obtain and review public documents and records?
Find information about parking?
Learn more about Verizon FiOS?
301 King Street, Room 2100
Alexandria, VA 22314
Fax: 703.838.6393E-Mail
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.


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Debbie Crepe Peplum Dress
Style # 206771
With a classic silhouette accented by peplum detail at hip and a luxe crepe satin with luxe comfortable drape, this bebe dress is the epitome of sophistication. Makes a perfect suiting piece.
- 82% triacetate, 18% polyester
- Center back to hem: 35" (89 cm)
- Lining
- Invisible zipper
- Dry clean
- Imported
- Model 5'9" and is wearing a US size 6
Rated 5 out of 5�by 3 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5�by shanb13 Very happy with this purchase Fits true to size which I was worried about. Colors are exactly as shown(bought red). Fast shipping although paid for it. Nice elegant dress for work into evening or events. Not overstated. Has lining already and constructed well. Very versatile dress! Great compliment for any wardrobe. Thanks! February 6, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5�by PreferBebe Great versatile dress... I purchased this dress on-line in a size 2 in Crimson Red. It falls just above this knees and is semi-form fitted. It was a little wrinkled after it arrived but after hanging around in my closet for a few days, most of the wrinkles are gone. This dress is a great addition to my work wardrobe and can easily transition as a casual cocktail party dress. January 6, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5�by gasn The product has great quality It was everything I expected. I love the color it totally fits the image on the web, there is nothing different about it. December 18, 2012
1-3 of 3


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Henderson, TX — Residents of the Church Hill area drew one step closer Tuesday to having water service when the Rusk County Commissioners Court approved several motions that will allow County Judge Joel Hale to enter into contracts on behalf of the Church Hill Water Service Company.
About 65 households in the unincorporated area, which is in the northeastern portion of Rusk County, rely on well water for their residential water needs. The well water varies in quality and quantity.
"It's hard to believe that, in 21st century America, there are still some people who don't have access to a clean, dependable water supply," said Pct. 2 Commissioner Mike Pepper. "It's taken a long time to get this going, and we're not done yet, but we're definitely moving slowly in the right direction."
Read the full story here [1].


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Hear Music
(Est. 2007) The Hear Music label became a joint venture between Concord Music Group and Starbucks in 2007. The label develops emerging artists with inspired vision and extraordinary talent and also serves as a home for established artists with timeless resonance. Hear Music advocates creative control for artists and encourages musicians to stretch and take risks, which the new label believes will result in compelling music choices for consumers.
Paul McCartney
It is the eternal question for an artist of Paul McCartney's stature: what next? What next when you have… well, that list of achievements... MORE
Carole King
Carole King has firmly established herself as one of pop music's most gifted and successful composers, with work recorded by everyone from the Beatles to Aretha Franklin. MORE
James Taylor
James Taylor has sold in excess of 40 million units over his career and won 5 Grammys. He is an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind artist, and a true legend. MORE
Elvis Costello
"My friend and brother, T Bone Burnett, produced Secret, Profane and Sugarcane. He and I also wrote two of the songs together."Sulphur To Sugarcane" takes its title from two Louisiana towns and is written in the voice of a charming but disreputable political campaigner. He is the … MORE


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Participants will learn how to train their dog to sit, heel and respond on command. Participants should bring dogs with leashes and buckle collars to each class. Dogs must be at least four months old. Classes held at Sam & Boo's place.
Category: Personal Enrichment
Location: Greenwood
Course Number: 70045
Dates: Mar 09 2015 - Apr 13 2015
Days: M
Times: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.


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FREE month with PODS!
PODS is reinventing the way people move and store by making it less stressful, less work and more convenient, and, for a limited time only, the 4th month of storage is FREE. That's right. Use our containers to move and store your belongings for 3 months, and the 4th month of storage won't cost a thing.
Enter Promo Code: FREEMONTH


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All the benefits of the class of travel to which you have upgraded will apply. These include extra baggage allowance, lounge access and Chauffeur-drive, where available (Chauffeur-drive service should be requested at least 48 hours before flight departure).
Please note that the fare conditions of your original ticket continue to apply at all times. For example, if there are any fees or charges applicable to your original ticket, these will continue to apply even after upgrading with Business Rewards Miles.
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© 2015 Emirates. All Rights Reserved.


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CNN — Much like Luke Skywalker, director J.J. Abrams doesn't have much of a targeting computer when it comes to the Death Star-sized questions surrounding "Star Wars Episode VII."
"I don't know because we're just getting started," Abrams told Empire Magazine when asked about how he will take on the much anticipated sequel. "There are infinitely more questions than answers right now."
But for Abrams, "Star Wars" isn't the only beloved space saga that currently resides in his galaxy. With "Star Trek Into Darkness" rapidly approaching, Abrams has his full attention on The Federation rather than the Evil Empire, which is one of the major reasons that he passed on "Episode VII" originally.
"My knee-jerk reaction [to directing 'Episode VII'] was that I'm in the middle of working on the 'Star Trek' movie and I can't even consider it," Abrams told Empire. "But then time went by and I got further along working on the movie and getting to a place where I had done most of the heavy lifting."
He also goes on to say that after talking to Kathleen Kennedy (the producer of the upcoming "Star Wars" film and the new head of Lucasfilm) and Steven Spielberg that he became very "engaged" in the idea.
"I will say that Steven [Spielberg] was very encouraging of 'Star Wars,'" the filmmaker said. "It's funny, because I talked to him about it and it turned out he knew all about what was going on."


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October 2007 Challenge
Challenge Details
A collection of the drabbles and ficlets written for people with birthdays in September 2007. Every month HASA members may request birthday card drabbles (a story of exactly 100 words) on a topic of their choosing. See how much can be said in only a hundred words. This is an ongoing project, so if you would like to request a drabble or write a drabble for others, please feel free to join HASA and get in on the fun. Requests are made in the HASA Birthday Cards Forum.
Entries with Stories
We're sorry, there are no stories for this Nuzgûl.


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Julie is the managing editor of ScienceFriday.com. She is a huge fan of sleep and chocolate. Follow her @julieleibach.
by Michael S. Gazzaniga
You might be able to spot this bright, verdant comet with the naked eye.
If you really want a space mission to happen, you've got to do more than hope. You've got to sit down and seriously plan like th...
An excerpt from The Science of Interstellar, a new book by Kip Thorne.
A nebula and a star line up perfectly in the sky.
Sign up for SciFri in your inbox
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Science Friday® is produced by the Science Friday Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Science Friday® and SciFri® are registered service marks of Science Friday, Inc. Site design by Pentagram; engineering by Mediapolis.


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Surveillance & Security
Surveillance & Home Security Equipment: Keep Your Family Safe.
There's nothing more important than the security of your home and the safety of your family. Preventing burglaries and home invasions can help ensure that your family feels secure and comfortable at home with a peaceful state of mind. Shop the best in surveillance & home security products such as flashlights, recordable security camera systems, video intercom systems and more.


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If you are looking for a ski resort, you will surely be overwhelmed by the abundance of choices, especially if you do not care wherever in the world your adventurous spirit will take you. With this, it is wrong to decide in haste or to just choose a resort offering the cheapest rates. It is also wrong if you use the pictures alone as the basis of the decision you are going to make. If you want to try freestyle skiing in a resort that will give you memories you will treasure forever, make sure to consider the points raised in the rest of this article.
Feature and Facilities
This will prove to be amongst the most important factors to be taken into account. More often than not, this will also be indicative of the price you will have to pay. Bigger resorts with bigger and better facilities, as common sense would dictate, will be normally more expensive. Some ski resorts will also offer their own accommodations, while there are some with outside hotels, which will normally be cheaper. Most of them will offer ski rentals and lessons for beginners. Make sure to check the website of the resort first and see what they can offer and how they can possibly contribute to the experience you are looking forward for.
For sure, it is tempting to consider going on a different country for a ski holiday. However, this will be costly for you. The plane ticket alone will already prove to be very expensive. In this case, especially if you are just a beginner, it would be better to start with a local ski resort or the one nearest the place where you live. The vacation will be more realistic as it is planned. Once you have already spent years in skiing and you have saved more than enough, this is a time where you can go abroad to fulfill the ski vacation you have been always dreaming of.
Time of Visit
In trying to choose the best ski resort to go, it is also important to consider the timing of your vacation. There are some resorts wherein there will be no snow year-round. It is better if you can check their schedule so that you will not be frustrated once you arrive at the resort. There are some areas where there will be guaranteed snow anytime, while there are some wherein only the Christmas season or specific months will be best.
At the end of the day, it all boils down into asking how much will the resort charge for your stay or for your skiing sessions. Not all of us have the luxury of financial resources, which makes it important to be mindful of the rates they are offer. Longer stays may allow you to enjoy discounts, but this can also lead into ballooning of the expense from other aspects, such as for your food.
When you are shopping to buy a towel or towels, it is important to know what purpose you will be putting, the towel you buy, to efficiently achieve. Towels can be used for a variety of reasons and when I say that, I don't mean the variety which is distinguished by the name of the towel, a beach towel for use on the beach or a bath towel for use after a bath. I mean that even within those types of towel, towels can be put to different uses, no more so though, than the versatile face cloth.
The face cloth can be used as a wash cloth in the shower, a make-up remover in the bedroom, a sweat cloth outside or in the gym and as an oil remover in the mechanic's shop. All of these different uses require that the cloth be made from a different material to perhaps perform most efficiently and that is why you must know a towel's role before you purchase it.
There are many places like http://www.thetowelshop.co.uk/face-cloths/ which can provide towels in a variety of materials to ensure that you can get a towel which is ideally suited for the task for which you wish to use it.
Face towels that require being the softest are ones that are intended for use as make-up removers. These towels will be removing make-up from the delicate features of a ladies face and so softness is of the essence but I that is to be their only use, the absorbency of the towel is not important whereas with a wash cloth it is different. A wash cloth, as it is used all over the body, must also be soft but in this case, as it has to be capable of having soap lathered up on it and then delivering that lather to all parts of the body, it must also be very absorbent and so that is its major factor, perhaps even more important than its softness.
A sweat cloth, used outside when the sun is hot, to wipe sweat from a person's brow or used in the gymnasium where it wipes sweat from the arms and legs as well as the brow, needs other qualities to those used in the bathroom or perhaps in a ladies dressing room. A sweat cloth need not concern itself with being particularly soft and gentle as the salt from the sweat will soon render these qualities redundant any way, what it must be concerned with is though, the ability to be absorbent enough to be used frequently.
Another use for which a face cloth can be put to, is as a hand wiper in a mechanic's shop. Here the towels softness or absorbency are not the major concerns but as it will be used to wipe oil and grease from hands on possibly a regular basis, it must be tough, rugged and durable.
Different materials possess these required qualities and so you should be looking for a towel which is made from the correct material to best suit the purpose for what the towel is meant.
Many people would love to have a soft towel when they just got out of the shower or tub. The softness of the towel is what typically attracts you to buy a certain kind of towel but the softness of the towel you get from your local or online stores may start to fade away as you use and wash your towels. To make sure that the towels you buy from http://www.thetowelshop.co.uk/hand-towel/ are kept soft as they were when you first got them is a challenge but here are a few ways to do them.
Despite bathrooms having a bad reputation in almost all Feng Shui practices, because of the numerous drains that let valuable chi energy flow out with the water, this is less applicable to modern bathrooms with elegant room-like designs. In fact, in contemporary Feng Shui, the bathroom has a special place in your home's energy circulation and should not be simply closed off and forgotten, but arranged to enhance chi flow throughout the house. Here are 7 simple things you can do to transform your bathroom into an energy-rich, positive and relaxing room.
1. De-clutter and freshen up
Before you can think about arranging any room into a Feng Shui vibrant energy center, it is important to start off with a clean and simplified interior. There are numerous sources online offering tips on how to improve your bathroom storage options and clear the surfaces through clever organization. If you have a dozen threadbare mismatching or discoloured towels, throw them out and look for an online sale for beautiful towel or bath sheet sets to match your décor. We recommend looking through the selection at http://www.thetowelshop.co.uk/bath-sheet-large-size/ for cheap bath sheet sets to neatly fold and arrange around the bathroom. Replace your mats and toilet seat cover or get rid of them entirely. It is a smart Feng Shui move to cover your drains with a nice rug or a fresh mat.
2. Balance the elements
Usually there is plenty of water in the bathroom but you might struggle how to bring the rest of the five basic elements into your décor. You can accomplish that directly, by placing a plant to symbolize earth, a few candles to represent fire, a metal and a wood decorative element to stand for the respective elements (picture frames accomplish this just fine), or look into color solutions for element representation. Most Feng Shui stores offer framed pictures and artwork that incorporate all elements though shapes and colors.
3. Hang a crystal
According to the principles of Feng Shui, a good method to divert chi energy from flowing out through the drains is to balance it with a crystal hanging from the ceiling, about 9 inches off-center, to attract energy upwards.
4. Close off energy escapes
Don't forget to close all drains after a shower or a bath. As we already mentioned, a cleverly positioned rag can stop the energy escaping through floor drains. Keep the toilet seat closed at all times.
5. Mind the doors
As you probably know by now, Feng Shui recommends that all bathroom doors are closed tightly shut, especially during the night. In fact, if you have already created a vibrant and uplifting Feng Shui space out of your bathroom, why not enjoy it to the fullest by keeping the doors open. Of course, there are a few cases when it's better to keep the bathroom door shut, despite the changes you have incorporated: if it is directly facing your bed or your front door, or if it is situated close to your kitchen.


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Lightweight and quick drying, the Outdoor Research Women's Echo Tee is a good choice for hiking, backpacking or running in warm temperatures and can also work well as a base layer in cooler weather.
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OpenGL accelerated video renderer
One of the most important components of a video player or a multimedia framework is the video renderer. The quality and performance of the playback greatly depends on it. Despite this, many video players still use obsolete techniques, which cannot fully take advantage of the enormous processing power of modern GPUs.
GStreamer is a powerful multimedia framework, but it lacks a modern video renderer, which could rival similar solutions provided with popular proprietary operating systems. The goal of this project is to develop such a component using OpenGL acceleration.
The project would consist of two major components:
- the video renderer itself, a standalone library, which would be completely independent of GStreamer
- a GStreamer plugin, a video sink, which would use the video rendering library
The library would use OpenGL 2.1 with GLSL shaders to accelerate all video processing stages (color space conversion, color correction, de-interlacing, high quality resampling, compositing). Both on-screen and off-screen (texture or system memory) rendering would be possible, so the library would be also usable for intermediate processing (as a filter element).
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European Classic Seersucker Crib Bumper
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With its delightful combination of smooth and textured stripes, seersucker's happily wrinkled appearance lends a casual, relaxed look that's perfectly at home in the nursery.
- A family-run company in Portugal weaves and tailors the fabric with meticulous care
- Woven of soft, yarn-dyed cotton; 100% polyester fill
- Features piped edges and matching ties
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How Does Technology Transfer Work?
How Does Technology Transfer Work?
- Faculty, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students come up with an invention.
- The inventor(s) contact the Office of Corporate Engagement and Commercialization (OCEC), and OCEC works with them to understand the invention.
- The inventor(s) complete an Invention Disclosure Form and Invention Abstract.
- A patent board, comprised of faculty, inventors, technology transfer experts and legal advisors, determines the inventions in which the university will invest. (It can cost $5,000-$10,000 to file a patent application, most of which are legal expenses.)
- OCEC conducts research to see if any similar inventions have been patented and how the technology may potentially fit into the marketplace.
- OCEC conducts market research and obtains leads from inventors about companies that may be interested in the technology. It then contacts them to discuss a collaboration.
- This often results in a licensing agreement, which allows a company to use the university's intellectual property. The company, in return, pays royalties to the university. Royalties are used to cover expenses, reward inventors and invest in further research.


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The novelty, as far as I've understood, is that GCC is baking better support for error-reporting directly into core GCC itself, by exporting more of its internal data (à la LLVM) instead of post-processing the output through an external script.
Phoronix: GCC 4.9 Diagnostics Will Begin Playing With Colors
While GCC 4.8 was released less than two months ago and GCC 4.9 isn't likely to surface until 2014, there's already a new feature to the next major update of the GNU Compiler Collection. GCC 4.9 introduces support for colored outputs in debugging...
The novelty, as far as I've understood, is that GCC is baking better support for error-reporting directly into core GCC itself, by exporting more of its internal data (à la LLVM) instead of post-processing the output through an external script.
About time!
Good with some healthy competition!
It's funny how people who requested this in the past, or even provided patches, were ridiculed and laughed at.
What changed?
People can hate on the license all they want (personally it doesnt bug me too much but thats not the point) LLVM is producing similar-quality binaries, with better diagnositcs, with better integration to IDE, with faster compiles at less memory, AND a cleaner codebase. GCC could laugh at Clang for a little while, but Clang caught up while GCC stayed lazy. Now (4.7 and 4.8) they realized they really do need to get their shit together. If LLVM has a feature, then GCC wants the same feature. If GCC has a feature, LLVM wants it.
Quite frankly...I think LLVM is gonna win out, and the GCC developers have already said why:
LLVM has a better architecture and a cleaner code base. GCC wants that architecture now, but they cant GET that architecture because it would mean shelving GCC development for like a year while a small team refactors the entire codebase, and thats not feasible. So any changes to GCC are going to have to be done by either 1) a lone developer or two who integrates the changes back in via a massive patch or 2) Much smaller bit by bit conversion from one architecture to another that could be more error / bug prone way, but its the easier to get done with the whole community involved
I suspect after C++14 file-system libraries, all hell will break loose and some radical changes will start happening all over the board...
Last edited by c117152; 05-05-2013 at 12:11 AM. Reason: typo
If you compile with "-std=c99 -pedantic" or "-std=c11 -pedantic" (or the associated GNU modes "-std=gnu99" and "-std=gnu11") then you'll get no errors or warnings regarding VLAs. If you only compile with "-pedantic" then C89 mode is used, and therefore you'll get errors of course. What did you expect? :-/
Last edited by RealNC; 05-05-2013 at 01:24 PM.


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A Timeline: Sandy Aftermath
To report fallen trees or other damage: call 311 or text 311-692 Crews are may not be able to respond right away.
Get the latest on mass transit info here.
Friday 11/2
6:18 PM: Metro-North opens another section, by tomorrow morning, trains will run from Croton-Harmon to Grand Central.


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WeatherBug New Media
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The WeatherBug app for Samsung Smart Fridges provides current conditions, alerts, and the upcoming weekly forecast. Multiple locations can be added and saved so users can keep track of weather across the country.
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Now Is the Time Campaign
Since 1882, Whitman College has provided an exemplary education that immerses students in ideas, confronts them with challenging problems, and nurtures their ability to become leaders. In today's increasingly complex and globally connected world, the demand for broadly educated, critical, and innovative thinkers has never been greater. Whitman's Now Is the Time Campaign is helping to secure the resources necessary to perpetuate and build upon the College's historic strengths and to ensure a brighter future for its students. Read the Case Statement »
Enhancing Our Academic Program
Observatory opens the universe to students
Recently, a gift helped install a telescope and field station at Braden Farm near Wallula Gap, which will provide Whitman students and others with opportunities for research, education, and community outreach.
Read more about the efforts to strengthen faculty, provide experiential learning opportunities, and globalize our curriculum »
Improving Access through Scholarship Support
Diamonds in the Sidewalk
Barbara Sommer Feigin '59 understands what it means to dream big and how scholarship aid can change the course of one's life. Her journey – from escaping Nazi Germany with her parents as a toddler to a successful career in advertising in an era when few women were afforded such opportunities – inspired her to create a legacy at Whitman with a unique scholarship and internship program.
Read more about the efforts to increase access and affordability, endow need-based aid, and bolster merit-based scholarships »
Strengthening our Financial Base
In recent years, alumni, parents, and friends of the College have stepped up their collective efforts to support a variety of targeted initiatives and made record gifts to the unrestricted fund -- the foundation on which Whitman builds its academic and co-curricular programs. Graduating seniors are joining these loyal supporters and getting a jump start on paying it forward to future generations with their gifts to the Senior Fund Scholarship Endowment.
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FRIDAY MORNING & FRIDAY NIGHT May 28th
Start your Friday with Ice Cube on the THE TODAY SHOW with Kathie Lee Gifford & Hoda Kotb on FRIDAY MORNING at 10AM ET on NBC.
And end your Friday with LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON and see Ice Cube perform with The ROOTS. LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON airs at 12:37AM ET/PT on NBC.


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Dwarven Gems
Playlist Navigation Bar
Middle row links go to story overviews. Bottom row links go first chapter of a story.
At Playlist Start
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Speak, Friend, and Enter: 1. Speak, Friend, and Enter
Two stories in three parts
Part One- Elves
Our friends were not unearthly beautiful.
Erebor, Fourth Age, Year Three
The Elf leaned back in the chair, leather-shod feet crossed on the nearby desk. Long pale fingers idly twirled an exquisitely formed chalice, its contents mostly imbibed. Close to the Elf's shoes there was an equally intricate jug with wine should the drinker care for more, but the immortal's interests were currently focused on a book cradled in his lap. Legolas focused on the runes, alternately staring, then turning pages, none of it making any sense whatsoever. He lifted the silver cup to his lips and drained the last of the wine, then placed it gently on the table, lowering his feet and the front two legs of the chair to the floor. His pale eyes lit on the ewer, and he leaned in to pour himself a half-chalice full, resituating the ancient text on the wooden surface. After another swallow, he rested his elbows on the desk, index and middle fingers pressed against his temples, gazing incomprehensibly at the yellowed pages.
The combination of wine and warmth from the nearby fire had little effect on the Elf, and he turned to greet the visitor whose steps he had heard approaching for some time down the stone corridor.
"Gimli!" Legolas smiled warmly in welcome.
"Legolas?!" Gimli replied, his eyes wide in shock. "What are you doing? This is, this is - " He tripped over the words until he saw the book on the table. "Who showed you to my library? And where did you find that?" He jabbed a sturdy finger at the leatherbound tome. "That is the only surviving copy of Narvi's original writings. You had best be careful."
Legolas raised his eyebrows and then gazed at his arms and hands, which were not actually on the pages. "Though nothing like Lothlorien, we do have some ancient texts in Mirkwood, my friend, and I know how to read a book without abusing it."
Gimli's dark brown eyes looked at the book, currently untouched, then at his friend. A small smile caused small creases to form at the edges of his mouth, barely visible amid his thick auburn beard. "Yes, I am sure you are right. I apologize for assuming otherwise."
The Dwarf moved in closer to look over Legolas' shoulder, his eyes scanning the writings.
"What does it say?" Legolas asked, perplexed, waving his fingers above the brittle parchment. "These stick-like symbols are incomprehensible. Does each figure stand for a letter, or a-" he said a two-syllable word in Elvish that sounded like a sigh of wind, "or an entire word?"
Hearing the Elvish word, Gimli raised his eyes from the book. "A letter or a what?" he queried. "I did not understand your word. And those are runes, they are not like-sticks."
"Stick-like," Legolas corrected him, then found himself under the brunt of an accusatory glowering stare. He said the Sindarin word again, but its translation remained elusive. Leaning back into the chair, Legolas repeated, "Techtar. Vowel." Looking quickly around him but not finding what he wished for, he gazed back at Gimli. "Do you have paper and ink?"
"Of course," Gimli replied. "Are you going to try and teach me Elvish? I thought you wished to be able to read the words in front of you. Though even if you master that, you still would not be able to understand all that is spoken around you here in the Mountain."
Legolas's normally taciturn face bore a thinly veiled haughty expression. "No, Gimli, the lessons in our language would take a lifetime. And all of the Dwarves with whom I have met during our time here have spoken the Common Tongue, or your Dwarf-speech. I have not heard any secret whisperings in a third language, and my hearing is far greater than that of mortals."
To his surprise, Gimli laughed, an unexpected throaty sound which filled the small room.
"Come, Legolas!" he chuckled, taking the Elf by the elbow. "We need not come to blows over words you could not begin to hear." Still smiling, he nodded his head toward the door. "There is a royal feast going on and your absence has been noted." After walking a few steps, he turned his head and said, "Bring that wine with you, should you care for it. We will be having ale."
Legolas took one last quizzical glance at the ink scratchings on the pages, sighed, then picked up his chalice and jug and followed the Dwarf up a stone passageway, leaving the merrily cracking fire behind him.
Khazad-dûm, Second Age
The Dwarf leaned back in the chair, leather-shod feet crossed on the nearby desk. Short stocky fingers idly twirled an exquisitely formed gold snifter, its contents mostly imbibed. Close to the Dwarf's shoes there was an equally intricate decanter with cordial should the drinker care for more, but the engineer's interests were currently focused on a book cradled in her lap. Narvi focused on the runes, alternately reading, then turning pages, assessing the writings that had been penned by her own hand. She lifted the delicate cup to her lips and drained the last of the zhîkomir, then placed it gently on the table, lowering her feet and the front two legs of the chair to the floor. Her peridotic eyes lit on the decanter, and she leaned in to pour herself a half-goblet full, resituating the newly-bound text on the wooden surface. After another swallow, she rested her elbows on the desk, index and middle fingers pressed against her temples, gazing intently at the stark white pages.
The combination of liqueur and warmth from the nearby fire made her rather sleepy, and she turned in shock at the visitor whose silent steps she had not heard approaching down the stone corridor.
"Celebrimbor?!" Narvi's eyes grew wide in shock as she welcomed the visitor.
"Narvi!" The Elf smiled warmly in greeting.
"What are you doing here?" The Dwarf exclaimed, almost knocking over the cordial. "The other engineers have gone to bed hours ago. Who showed you to my library?"
Bright teeth gleamed in the fireglow as Celebrimbor smiled, his hair neatly combed, intricately braided plaits falling over his shoulders. "I am here to find out why our chief Rockwright is not at the celebrations. There is but one who can appreciate both song and stone to such great depths, and his absence is missed keenly."
The Elf's eyes, a most disconcerting shade of amethyst, looked fondly on the Dwarf, then to the book on the desk. "Though it is but short time to us, I know that these two years have been a challenge at times. You have kept writings?"
Narvi shut the book, blushing slightly, grateful for the relative dimness of the room. "Of course," she replied, gruffly. "I cannot speak for the Elves, though my Elvish has improved since our first meeting." The Dwarf stood at full height, hands defensively placed on hips. "This project has been one that comes along only once in many generations." A passing look of regret traversed her features, though none but another child of Mahal would have recognized it. "We Dwarves have a long history of writing, and the intricacies of these doors warranted the details being put down for those who come after me."
Celembrimbor stepped softly toward her, his gaze still focused on the brown leather cover, its branded runes painted in with gold, an external indicator of the value of the contents within.
"May I look at it?" he asked, reverently.
Narvi was ambivalent. That she felt a deep respect for this Elf who had worked with her day upon day, month after month, for over two years, was unquestionable. But they did not - could not - see eye to eye, in any sense. The Dwarf wavered, Celebrimbor gracefully towering over her. For all of the famed farsight of the Elves, there was still a staggering amount to which this Noldo was blind.
Pride, however, won out.
"You may," Narvi replied. "I do not expect that you can read any of it, though the drawings I am sure you will recognize." She chuckled, running her skilled, calloused fingers over the familiar etchings. "But perhaps you would care to pore over it tomorrow. You say that your errand was to come and find me. Here I am. I would be glad to join you and the masters of the moonlight-mithril."
The Elf bowed, then waved a long arm toward the door. "We artisans of the mountains need to raise our voices together. These seamless doors should be lauded by all craftsmen, whether Elf or Dwarf, who have brought them into being."
Narvi smiled as she reached out for the small snifter and tossed back the cordial. "To the craftsmen who brought them into being."
Celebrimbor was unsure why that statement was funny, but he placed an affectionate hand on the Dwarf's shoulder, which was shaking with mirth. The two walked up the stone corridor to the blazing bonfires outside under the stars.
I keep to myself such
measures as I care for,
daily the rocks
accumulate position.
Eregion, Second Age, Two Years Prior
Narvi had never felt cold like this. Though wearing layers of leather and wool, much less the self-insulation of warming body hair, the Dwarf was chilled to the bone. She was grumbling to herself every other step, teeth chattering in the frigid wind, sure that the King had sent her not because (as she knew) she was by far the best engineer in Khazad-dûm and, therefore, the most logical choice to send to look for an Elvish counterpart who would be both competent and tolerable for months on end. No, Durin had sent her because he felt that she would be charming.
"Proxgróg!" she swore, remembering her appearance with King Durin. His manners had been impeccable, to be sure, but deep within herself, Narvi knew that he was getting his vengance because she had shown no interest in his son, and Durin had wished for exactly such a match. Pulling her cloak more tightly to her, the Dwarf contemplated other choices that she could have made. It wasn't that Thwalin was unattractive, nor was he unskilled. Truth be told, his bronzeworks seemed to be half-alive, his very breath somehow pounded into each cup and shield. It was more that he was a poorly cut gem. She knew that in the right hands he would be fiery indeed, but she was not interested in being the tools involved to hone him.
As she mulled this over, Narvi also acknowledged that she had been sent because her knowledge of Elf-speech was at least passable. But now, her bright orange braids full of ice and her eyebrows freezing even under her tawny hood which signified that she was a high-ranking member of the stonemasons, she wished she were back in her workroom, the feel of silver under her fingers. Her ability to plan out large, carved structural projects was second almost to none, but when she could, her passion was to work with silver. Not as pure as mithril, but silver was more pliant, less resolute. It responded under her delicate hammers and incessant humming, almost as though the metal could hear her love for its substance. From time to time the Dwarf discovered that she was jealous of the Longbeards who wore hoods of dark green, the Silversmiths, but she had made her choice.
Looking up, Narvi could see the houses of Ost-in-Edhil not far in the distance, and was grateful. The Dwarf's glance journeyed briefly upward to the darkening sky, her gaze captured momentarily by a sickle-shape of stars newly blooming in the heavens, Durin's Crown. The evening hues seemed cold and brittle, like ill-tempered iron which would crack with the first resolute hammer-blow. She lowered her head again against the bitter wind and plodded forward until she reached the tall gates of the Elvish city.
Standing guard were four Noldo Elves, their hawkish gazes focused on her. Despite the cold, they wore the same garb as they did in summer, at least that was how it appeared to her. "Unnatural," she thought to herself, though on second glance, their capes did seem to reach further down than those she had seen on the few Elves passing through the Dwarvish kingdom when the weather was warmer.
Though a cursory look would deem the doorwards unarmed, Narvi knew much better. Relations between the Dwarves of the Misty Mountains and the Elves of Eregion went far beyond civil; it was positively accepting. And yet, the cultures of the two remained somewhat shrouded in mystery despite their goodwill, and no one worth the iron in their axe or the steel of their sword travelled defenseless between the two realms. Narvi shuddered against the nipping winds as she opened her cape to show that her hand rested on her axe, then bowed to the gatekeepers.
"I am Narvi, of the house of Oban, messenger of King Durin, here to attend the presence of the King Silverfist of Eregion," she said in stilted Sindarin, mostly to the frozen ground. As she stood upright, all four Elves strode forward two steps, and placed their hands to their left hips. Their capes, the color of moonshadow, fluttered in the chill breeze, making immediately visible the previously hidden sheathed knives at their waists and daggers buckled to their thighs.
"You are expected, Narvi Longbeard."
The Dwarf narrowed her eyes, but none of the guardsmen before her had opened their mouths. Then another Elf, clad more warmly against the cold in a thick brown cloak, stepped between the two gatekeepers to her right and walked toward her, then knelt.
Narvi blinked. Twice.
The Elf stood, his plaited silver hair tied behind his neck. "The chill is biting. Please follow me to Celebrimbor's study; our evening meal will soon be served." Looking at the Dwarf's axe, still resting under her hand, he said gently, "You may retain your weapon while we walk the streets, but once we reach the inner city I must ask that you entrust it to our keeping."
Narvi stared at him, her olive-colored eyes seeking subtle warning. Finding none on his calm face, she nodded, gathering her cloak around her again for warmth.
"My name is Hithuldîr."
"I am Narvi, though you know that."
As they passed down the uncharacteristically quiet street in silence, Narvi absorbed the organic shapes of the buildings, the artisan within herself trying to commit every curve, every terrace, every serpentine turret to memory. While they walked toward the town center, the structural craftswoman within herself rioted, drawing her vision far beneath the exteriors of the houses and public buildings. Within her mind's eye she saw the living skeleton of the city as a whole, the unexposed rock thrumming with joyous life as blood in the vein. The carvings and curvature, so Elvish, were unfamiliar to her, but she could read the beauty of the underlying bases, so inherently Dwarvish in the way that the rock had been treated; not as something dead, but a substance which could whisper hidden mysteries in the night.
Narvi found herself on the verge of tears. Embarrassed at such a show of emotion, she rationalized to herself that it was the knife-sharp wind which caused her eyes to water.
Soon they climbed several steps to the king's dwelling, and two more guards appeared. Their light eyes raked over the Dwarf, focusing on her axe clutched under her chin and hidden under her cape. Coming to herself, she stood straight and withdrew Gormgloine, turning it until the blade was horizontal and parallel to the ground. "May he reside faithfully in your care." Narvi handed it to the Elf who walked forward, ensuring that he had looked her in the eye before relinquishing her axe.
After passing under an arched doorway, the frieze ornately carved with figures of birds and tree limbs, Narvi found herself in a chamber more beautiful than any the Dwarf had seen. Hithuldîr motioned Narvi toward a door with more scripted markings above it.
"Celebrimbor is still at work, but he assured me that you were welcome in his study."
Narvi stood stock-still, horrified. "But that is déandorkh!"
The Elf didn't seem to understand.
"Makes dark. Unacceptable. We don't show such things to outsiders!"
Hithuldîr patiently shook his head. "Our lord awaits you." He turned and went down a side corridor, leaving Narvi no other choice than to enter the silversmith's private domain. She walked to the wooden door, then paused, her hand fisted, intending to strike it, but unable to do so.
Within Dwarvish custom, artisans were given the widest of berths. It was not out of lack of respect, but rather of awe. Only if one chose to take on an apprentice, or if one had a child, did a dwarf share his workspace with another. Tools, always handcrafted, and metalworks in progress, were held in highest esteem, not to be used or seen by anyone other than their creators. To walk into the sanctum of even a fellow smith, or forger, was unheard of.
Narvi hesitated, swallowed, then beat on the door.
"Enter, messenger of Durin!" A melodious voice carried through the sturdy closure, and Narvi opened the door.
She walked through, her eyes taking in every detail of the warm room. An Elf sat on a well-made bench, his upper body curled snail-like over his work, an apron draped appropriately over his blue tunic. Long braided auburn hair lay flat between his wide shoulders, his gaze fixed on an impossibly delicate silver brooch. As she heard the resonant tang of hammer on tracer, the silversmith in her knew that the pattern he imbedded came from within an inner vision, and not from something previously drawn. The Dwarf sank to her knees and closed her eyes, her heart throbbing with the sound; repetitive, and yet each stroke of the hand unique.
She sat for awhile as the Elven-smith worked, then there was silence.
"You are Narvi, I take it?" The Elf arched backward, stretching tired back muscles, and wriggling his aching fingers.
The Dwarf scrambled to her feet, then bowed as low to the floor as possible. "Yes, Lord Silver-fist." Raising her bearded face only slightly, she added, "Your work sings, Elf of Eregion."
To her surprise, Celebrimbor began to laugh, husky and deep.
"So why has Durin sent you, if you know such of silverwork? In his letter he said I should expect an engineer, not a sycophant."
Narvi knew a lot of Sindarin, but she was unsure of exactly what this silver-singer had just uttered. She was sure only that it was uncomplimentary, based on the tone.
"I was sent to secure an overseer for the project of the Doors," she replied crossly. "I am not included in Guild of Silverworkers, but the material is not unfamiliar to me."
The Elf smiled, all intrigue fleeing from his features. "Then you shall not mind if I take just a few moments more to finish this? It begs for completion."
The Dwarf allowed a shimmer of a smile to cross her face. "One would be strong, indeed, to resist the song of an unfinished work."
Celebrimbor raised an eyebrow. "Do Dwarves truly sing, then?"
Narvi walked to a bench and sat down, mouth twitching. "Perhaps King Durin should be the one to answer such a diplomatic question as that."
She quickly memorized each of the Elf-lord's gestures, his furrowed brows, fingers cradling his tools, a lone tear of sweat making a long trail from his temple down to the hollow of his neck as he began to hum a tune of unspeakable melancholy.
The guest engineer from Khazad-dûm was held in high esteem and sat at the right hand of Celebrimbor at the rather light evening meal. She spoke as well as she could, and embarrassed no one of either race, at least not that she knew of. Afterwards, she was shown to a room with a bed of proportions appropriate to her kind. She bowed low to the chamber-servant, thankful that she could cleanse herself alone. Narvi soaked in the scented warm waters, clothed herself in her usual sturdy jerkin and trousers, and slept soundly.
During her morning appearance with the Lord Celebrimbor, she was astounded to learn that he had decided to take on the role of co-engineer with herself in fashioning and installing the Doors. She had made the original designs, and there had been no doubt that they would be followed, but Narvi was sure that all involved, Dwarf and Elf, had assumed that someone of lower rank would have been the actual representative from Eregion over what was sure to be a multi-year project.
But Curufin's son would entrust no one but himself to oversee the work. He knew the Dwarves of Dwarrowdelf to be extraordinary artisans; yet this had been his idea proposed to Durin; his symbolic open gate for such historically sundered peoples.
His responsibility.
His potential failure.
He could not bring himself to be the bearer of an unsuccessful message to the other ruling Elf who had been able to see the naugrim for the honorable race that they were.
Narvi the Dwarf returned triumphantly home, buoyant in her steps despite the midwinter cold. She met briefly with King Durin, who was as shocked as she had been that the Elf-Lord would oversee the project himself. Then she returned to her room, had a celebratory swig of zhîkomir, and sat at a small table carved by her father. Narvi unearthed some blank pieces of parchment found under a teetering pile of sketches, cursing as her fingers knocked over a small inkpot which she recovered before its contents ruined the unblemished pages. Finally, with quill in hand, she dipped it in, letting it rest for a moment as she remembered the sounds of Celebrimbor's fine hammer hitting against the tracer, and hearing again the quiet melody which seemed to flow more from his fingers than through his lips. With weight of exquisite memory, the quill touched the paper, deftly marking short lines and cross-hatchings, giving angular voice to such liquid song.
Erebor, Fourth Age
With weight of exquisite memory, the quill touched the paper, deftly marking long curves and short flourishes, giving rounded voice to such fluttering song. Then the quill was set down to rest for a moment, as the Elf remembered sounds of wind-caressed leaves turning in autumn's breath, delicate whispers of deer tracks seen when he was only a child. Suddenly inspired, Legolas leaned in, then cursed as his elbow knocked over the inkpot which he recovered before its contents ruined the embellished pages. Once he reestablished order to parchment, ink, and wine-filled chalice, he continued to write, humming faintly to himself.
After a while he stopped, taking a moment to glance at the phrases on the page. Feeling rather pleased, Legolas took a congratulatory swig of the wine, then gathered up his pieces of parchment, tucking them into the front page of Narvi's book. He pushed back from the writing-desk and paused before leaving the room, still amazed by the number of tomes organized neatly on the shelves. He had made the mistake of saying so out loud, soon finding himself on the accusatory end of a rather long lecture by Gimli, given enthusiastically with indignant tone and zealous gesticulations.
Moments later Legolas was striding purposefully toward the Great Hall. He entered and quickly scanned the room for Gimli, who was noticeably absent. Flames smouldered in a large fireplace at the wall opposite the entryway, and there a few Dwarves stood, drinking a steaming beverage of something that Legolas had not quite been able to determine. They stopped speaking as he approached, not that Legolas would have understood what they were saying. Even Gimli did not speak Khudzul around him, aside from his battle cry, which Legolas knew well.
"I am looking for Gimli, my friends," Legolas said, smiling.
There was a silence as the Dwarves looked at him, then to each other and back again.
"He is working," one replied, running his fingers through his russet-colored beard as he gazed thoughtfully at Legolas.
"Where should I find him?"
Legolas endured another round of meaningful glances among the Dwarves before receiving an answer.
"He is in his workroom. Does he expect you?"
The question seemed to be asked more to the book in the Elf's arms than to Legolas, as the Dwarf who had just spoken was staring focusedly at it.
Legolas shifted, cradling Narvi's book protectively to his chest. "No," he replied, "but I do not believe that he finds my company an intrusion."
More unspoken messages passed among the trio as the fire popped and crackled cheerfully behind them. Finally the Dwarf with the reddish beard gave Legolas a steely, disapproving look, and Legolas was a bit surprised to realize how well he now could read the Dwarves' expressions. "He is on the corridor with the silversmiths. It is up to him to decide whether or not to let you into his chamber, but the request is most unheard of."
The conversation appeared to be over. Legolas bowed slightly, then turned and left the room, trying to remember the locations of the different paths that Gimli had indicated to him when they had first arrived. Having been raised in Mirkwood, Legolas was familiar enough with caverns, but the dimensions of things in Erebor were, not surprisingly, Dwarf-centric, and he found himself stooping even when there was a comfortable distance between the top of his head and the ceiling.
The corridors were hushed, though not silent. Following instinct and memory, Legolas eventually found himself in front of a wooden door with a rune on it that he recognized as a "G," and rapped soundly on it. There was no reply, although Legolas could hear noises within.
He knocked again, vigorously.
No answer.
Seized by impulse, with a cheeky grin he called to the door, "Mellon!," then stepped back a few paces.
He heard pounding steps, then Gimli threw open the door.
"What?" the Dwarf roared. "Haven't I taught you anything about Dwarvish manners? You don't simply barge in…" Gimli's rant trailed off as he stared at Legolas, who was beaming and clutching Narvi's book in one arm.
Gimli shook his head in resignation, then looked up at his friend and nodded, backing against the door and gesturing for Legolas to enter. "You look like Meriadoc or Peregrin after finding an unexpected barrel of pipeweed," he said suspiciously, closing the door behind Legolas. "What have you been up to?"
The Elf made a quick tour of the room, his long fingers about to trace a pattern on a helmet when he heard Gimli speak in a quiet, authoritative way he had never heard before.
"Please don't touch that."
Legolas whirled around, placing his errant hand back on the cover of the book, then looked for a place to sit. "I have been writing, and thinking," he replied as he leaned against a mostly-empty counter. "I would like to invite you to join me in Greenwood in a few week's time for a feast of cleansing and renewal."
Gimli puttered around another counter, hanging up some tools and wrapping others that were more delicate in small pieces of cloth before placing them gently in an unornamented box.
"Well?" Legolas queried, as he watched Gimli take off his work apron and hang it on a hook on the door.
The Dwarf huffed and sat down, playing at one of the plaits in his beard. "Yes, alright," he agreed. Raising his gaze, he asked, "Are you still trying to read that book of Narvi's?"
Legolas could see the smirk under Gimli's thick moustache. "Perhaps," he replied, smug. "Once again you have underestimated me, my friend. I am making progress. It is, after all, rather easy to read once you learn the runes."
Gimli raised a bushy eyebrow. "But the content! I thought Elves cared only about trees, and song, and stars." Glancing at Legolas' ever-present knives, he quickly added, "And killing orcs. Not how to carve giant doors out of stone and the intricacies of working with mithril."
The Elf's pale blue eyes gleamed like polished agates. "Narvi also wrote much about Celebrimbor, the greatest of the Elven-smiths. It is rather interesting."
Gimli's mouth opened, then shut.
"I must say that I was surprised as well," Legolas continued, amused at his comrade's reaction.
"I think you had best leave that book with me," Gimli growled, extending his arm.
"But I have not fin-"
"Give it here," Gimli said. "It belongs to the Dwarves. Apparently I did not read it thoroughly before."
Reluctantly, Legolas handed the book to Gimli, who now looked at it with apprehension. The Dwarf opened the cover and Legolas' sheets of parchment slid into his lap. "What's this?" he asked, gathering the pages. He recognized the writing as Elvish script, but nothing more. He held them out for Legolas to retrieve.
Legolas quickly crossed the room and took the proffered parchments. With a slight flourish and nod of his head, he said, "You will find out in Greenwood, my friend." He smiled so widely that his teeth showed. "Mid-summer's Eve. Do not be late."
"So you are leaving, then?" Gimli stood, scowling. "I thought that you were enjoying your time here."
"I am, but my father has summoned me, and I wish to return the favor of hospitality to you that you have so generously bequeathed to me."
Gimli nodded. "Good. So Dwarvish manners have made an impression on you after all."
Legolas tipped his head slightly, rolled up his parchments, and walked to the door. "Thank you for allowing me into your workroom," he said quietly, his hand on the metal knob. "I had not realized how uncommon that was."
Gimli shifted from one foot to the other. "We are both uncommon," he gruffly replied. "Mid-summer's Eve it is. Be sure they know to expect me," he continued. "I would not care to repeat my father's experience in King Thranduil's home."
Legolas stared, appalled, as Gimli burst into a throaty laugh. "Go on, Legolas. Dwarvish humor. Maybe someday you will understand."
Legolas shook his head as he opened the heavy door and walked into the corridor.
The Soul selects her own Society--
Then-- shuts the Door--
Khazad-dûm, Second Age
Within a month of Narvi's return, Celebrimbor and a few Elves from Ost-in-Edhil had fashioned a small camp not far from the western entrance to Khazad-dûm. A few days after their arrival, King Durin escorted the tall Noldo and his companions to the Great Hall where feasts were held, and led them to a banquetcommemorating the beginning of the West Doors project. Aside from Durin and Celebrimbor, however, there was little mingling between the Elves and Dwarves during the feast.
Narvi intently watched the dark-haired Elves as they picked at the hearty fare before them, seeing them glance surreptitiously upward several times as though they wished to be back above ground as soon as possible. The Dwarves seated around them, mostly lapidaries and swordsmiths, ignored their company. In contrast, Celebrimbor seemed to be completely at ease, enjoying several tankards of ale and engaging in animated conversations with the King and stonemasons at his end of the table. As the evening went on, instruments appeared almost like magic and there was music and song. The fire blazed in its huge hearth, and the flames from dozens of torches lining the walls chased away the flickering shadows.
Narvi was comfortably full, sitting off to the side of the Hall with her feet on a small stool, smoking her pipe with her eyes mostly shut when a voice above her head startled her out of drowsiness.
"May I join you?" Celebrimbor's voice was husky, and Narvi wondered if he had been adversely affected by the smoke drifting through the air. Now that she thought about it, she was struck that she had never seen any of the Elves that passed through the Dwarf city carry a pipe.
"Of course," Narvi replied, straightening up and moving over on the bench.
After sinking next to her and resting one boot-clad foot on his knee, Celebrimbor turned and gave her a grave look. "One of the questions that has been burning in my mind since your visit has now been answered." The Elf stopped for dramatic pause, putting a strand of his burnished hair behind his ear. "Durin's folk sing quite well indeed, it appears."
Narvi closed her lips around her pipe for a moment, eyeing Celebrimbor for signs of a smile, which soon blossomed across his expressive face. After releasing a smoke ring, she grinned, her fingers playing with one of the leather thongs in her plaited beard. "Indeed," she said, then surprised herself by affectionately patting the Elven lord twice on his thigh, which she discovered was well-muscled. "We Dwarves are not the most forthcoming about our talents to others."
Celebrimbor laughed. Narvi was again surprised that such a hearty, amused noise came from such a seemingly refined being.
"Yet you have honed the art of understatement, master mason!" He, in turn, patted Narvi on the thigh. "We shall get along like moon and star, my good Narvi. I am sure of that."
Narvi nodded her head. "Yes, Lord Silver-fist," she agreed. "We shall."
The days that followed were a flurry of activity. Busy days turned into weeks, and then months: the quarry was selected; the stones cut to precise specifications and carefully brought to their future standing-place; the Elves embarked on a rather secretive and complicated process to modify the qualities of mithril. It was only at this point that tempers flared and Narvi found herself almost coming to blows with the Lord of Eregion. It was October, and the seasons were changing. Several of the Dwarvish silversmiths had come down with a similar illness, and within the engineer's camp, rumors raged that they had been poisoned by one of the Elves to keep them from learning how to make the ithildin to be used on the doors.
Narvi had been suffering from a foul temper and a three-day's fever when she stormed into Celebrimbor's dwelling. "What is the meaning of this drawing?" she exclaimed, shoving a parchment on his untidy table. The Elf stared at her in stunned quiet. "Surely King Durin has not seen this. He would never approve of such on doors which mark the entrance to the greatest city of the Dwarves." She took another breath and steadied herself before continuing to yell. "Elvish symbols! Elvish trees! Elvish script! Not a rune to be seen! This belongs outside your city, not Khazad-dûm!"
Celebrimbor began to rise and had opened his mouth when Narvi growled, "And do not point out Durin's crown. Even it is under an Elvish arch. I was foolish to believe that you had begun to see us as your equals."
Narvi turned on her heel and stalked away. Soon she had returned to the doorway and stood atop a ladder, chiseling the upper corner where the junction of stone to its niche required intense attention. Her head throbbed, and she found she frequently had to wipe her forehead and under her eyes where she was sweating due to the fever. "Arrogant. Presumptuous," she muttered in Khudzul. "And they say Dwarves are secretive! Pah!" Suddenly dizzy, she leaned her head onto the cool stone, then everything went black.
As Narvi regained consciousness, her body registered a throbbing pain above her left ear. Cautiously she raised her hand to her head as she opened her eyes.
"Narvi! You awaken."
Celebrimbor was looking worriedly down at her, violet eyes focused on her face.
Narvi experienced a shock of pure terror as she grasped for her tunic, adrenaline rushing through her until she patted herself and discovered she was still fully clothed. Bliss of Mahal's beard! she sighed, only slightly relieved.
Celebrimbor smiled. "I have been given quite the hasty lesson in Dwarvish medicine, which seems to be to keep Elves as far away as possible from the one who is injured. Your fellows brought you to your room and established you had not broken anything in your fall, and cleaned up what is a rather deep gash on your head."
Narvi closed her eyes. "That would explain the pain, then," she muttered.
"Thank goodness for the hard heads of the Dwarves!"
Narvi winced, scowling at the Elf's comment. "We are a sturdy race," she said, gritting her teeth as she slowly sat up. "Do not forget that we are the true First-born."
Celebrimbor diplomatically ignored the slur. "You are sturdy and hard-headed in more ways than one. You should have told me you have been ill; your skin felt as though you were on fire. I cannot allow my most trustworthy and articulate rockwright to continue falling from ladders because he is stubborn."
Narvi's fingers traced the bandages around her head. "The fever will pass."
She began to feel uncomfortably exposed as Celebrimbor gazed kindly at her.
"I wish to explain the door markings."
Narvi growled, and Celebrimbor raised his hands in a gesture of peace.
"We have both been guilty of focusing more on the mechanics of this project, instead of the meaning. That is how it should be, for without such attentions, the great West Doors would not now exist."
Narvi crossed her arms across her chest, wishing that the Elf would leave her to investigate her aching head wound in peace.
"I will not trouble you much longer, only state that while the doors are indeed an entrance to Khazad-dûm, and a symbol of friendship between our kinds, they also represent the edge of our lands. Dwarves will usually approach the doors from the inside, while Elves will approach from the outside. My great hope, and that of Galadriel, our far-sighted sovereign, is that those doors will remain ever open."
He paused for a moment, and Narvi was surprised to see a wistful look flit across his face.
"That is why I wish for you to design the figures and messages to be carved on the inside of the doors. It will be those which face the lands to the west; those which will catch the rays of sun and starlight to grace the sight of all Elves before they begin the underground journey through Dwarrowdelf. Will you accept this request?"
Narvi sat, blinking in surprise and shock.
"Does King Durin also wish this?" she asked tentatively.
"'With every hair in my beard,' is, I believe, how he phrased it," Celebrimbor replied, resting his hand briefly on Narvi's shoulder. "You should rest."
Then Celebrimbor left the room, his unbound hair flowing over his shoulders like liquid jasper.
Overwhelmed to the point of nausea with pride and pulsing waves of pain, Narvi drank some water which had been placed by her bed. After a few moments her stomach ceased roiling, and she fell into a dream-filled sleep.
Eryn Lasgalen, Fourth Age
Gimli tramped down the path under the trees, his gloved hands clutching the leather straps of his pack to his chest. A bird trilled a lengthy call and he stopped, looking up into the nearby branches. He couldn't see the creature that had made the sound, but as he gazed around, off in the distance he saw that the trees became more orderly, and there, further off, a tall hill.
"Well," he said under his breath, "Legolas did describe the route accurately. Not long now, and a good thing. I could use a hearty meal!"
He stood for a moment to readjust his trappings: leather pack, waterskin, axes. Before leaving the Lonely Mountain, he had paid a visit to the relatively new King, Thorin Stonehelm, who had requested that he visit Esgaroth on his way to King Thranduil. Thorin sent Gimli off with a beautifully wrought jewel-encrusted box to be given to Bard II, along with his continued gratitude for all of the Men of Dale who had fought and died with the Dwarves at the end of the War of the Ring.
There was another birdcall and Gimli looked up once more in time to see a finch fly above the path from one tree to another. Returning his gaze to the ground, he continued walking.
Within an hour, he was at the entrance to the caverns of the Elven-king, and to his surprise, there were several wood-Elves standing there in welcome, Legolas included.
"How did you know when I would arrive?" Gimli asked, suspicious.
Legolas laughed as he walked up to the Dwarf and clasped his hand. "And a very pleasant day to you as well, Gimli! I have missed your forthrightness."
Gimli muttered something about having bird spies in the forest and Legolas stood, looking earnestly at him.
"While the great War is over, we do feel it is not inappropriate to have guards. Since you entered Greenwood I have known of your whereabouts."
"So you have been spying on me!" Gimli spluttered, then, glancing around at the other Elves, simply shook his head.
"Come, my friend," Legolas said. "Now is not the time for arguments. I would like to escort you around my father's halls and show you to your lodging in case you would care to rest before our early evening meal, which promises to be a merry one."
Gimli agreed, and the small entourage walked through the gates, following the path up to King Thranduil's caverns.
"In regards to bird spies," Legolas said, leaning down to speak more directly to Gimli, "as far as I know, it is the Dwarves who are known for communicating with birds, and ravens in particular, not the Elves."
Gimli snorted appreciatively. "You learned much at the Mountain. I suspect that your kinsmen find you rather odd for your interest in Dwarvish lore!"
Legolas laughed. "You should have seen the expression on my brother's face when I told him I had thought of taking up pipe smoking!"
Gimli stopped in his tracks. "You had thought of what? After your experience in Fangorn?" He looked incredulous. "I assumed that your one attempt at smoking mine was quite enough."
Legolas tipped his head toward the open doors. "Come on, Gimli. Elvish humor." He smiled as they continued through into the inviting entrance. "Maybe someday you will understand."
After the evening meal, Legolas accompanied Gimli through the many corridors to his room, explaining that the Elves of the recently-renamed realm of Eryn Lasgalen would gather in the forest at twilight and sing songs of renewal as the stars came out. "It is in celebration and gratitude for Galadriel ridding Mirkwood and Dol Guldur of the evil forces which plagued these woods for centuries."
Gimli made a slight sighing sound.
"Gimli?" Legolas asked worriedly, and in a rare show of affection, placed his hand on his shoulder.
The Dwarf looked back at him. "Galadriel. I wish I had been able to see her once more before she sailed to the West." He patted Legolas' hand, then noticing that they were in front of his door, he said, "Do you have a moment to visit? I…" He looked down at his boots for a moment, then raised his face, which was slightly flushed. "I brought a gift for you."
Legolas looked surprised, but nodded. "There is still some time before the sun will set."
Gimli opened the door and the two went inside. Legolas stood just inside the wooden door while Gimli rummaged through some small bags which lay on his bed, near his leather pack. From a dark green bag he pulled out a carved wooden box, and after running a stocky finger over the top, he straightened and held it out in his hand, offering it to the Elf.
"You have been as true to me as any of my kinsmen. You stood at my side in battle, and for that and your unexpected friendship, I am most grateful."
Legolas stepped over to him and took the box, holding it carefully in his hands. "I did not know that the Dwarves took to - Oh!" he exclaimed, bringing it closer to his face. "But this is Elvish work!" He looked perplexedly at Gimli.
"Just open it," Gimli chuckled, an amused tone in his voice. "I will explain in a moment."
With his long, pale fingers, Legolas pulled open the lid. Resting on a square of pine green felt was a wrought silver band; a cuff, with an intricate pattern of leaves and twining stars around the edges. Inside the border were etched symbols, Elvish script. It was heavy and wide, obviously meant to be worn by a man. Legolas stared at it, the expression on his face growing more confused by the moment.
"Tengwar?" he asked, dazed. "Gimli, it is beautiful. Is this what you were making in your workroom?"
"What I was making?" Gimli stammered, almost choking. "Mahal's beard! First I am able to find Peregrin on the battlefield when you were unable to see him and now this. Perhaps it was wrong of Aragorn to count so much on your Elvish sight."
Legolas gave him an affronted look. "It seems that only a Dwarf can give a gift while at the same time insulting the recipient."
At that comment, Gimli grew serious. "My apologies. It was your interest in that book that Narvi had written about the making of the Western Doors to Khazad-dûm that made me look for this particular piece of craftwork." He motioned for Legolas to sit on a nearby chair, and the Elf did, holding the box in one hand and the silver cuff in the other.
"That band has been handed down through my family for many generations, though it was unclear why such a thing, despite it being very well crafted, was held in such reverence when it was clearly Elvish work. After your comment about Narvi and Celebrimbor in my workroom, I reread some of his tale. I believe that it was this 'Lord Silver-fist' who made it for Narvi, in appreciation for his work."
Legolas gazed wide-eyed at the silver bracelet in his hand, then back at Gimli, who was looking fondly at him.
"You and I are unlikely allies, it is true," Gimli said, one hand playing idly with a thick plait in his beard. "But it seems that in a different age, friendship between Elf and Dwarf was not so rare." He briefly bowed his head, then continued, "I only hope that it is not too wide for your arm. We Dwarves are of a more stocky composition."
Legolas sat, temporarily overwhelmed by the generosity of Gimli's gesture, given with typical straightforwardness which continued to catch him off-guard.
"Well, put it on!"
Legolas placed the carved box on a nearby table and then slipped the cuff around his right wrist. It was indeed fashioned to Dwarvish proportions and was too big to wear right above his hand, so he slid it back a bit further on his forearm where it rested securely. He ran his finger along the Elvish script, rendered mute in the realization that he was wearing something made by the greatest craftsman of the Noldo, and it had been given to him by a Dwarf. He shook his head at the irony.
"Thank you, Gimli," he murmured, continuing to stroke the metal.
"After all this time, it seemed fitting that it should go back to the Elves," Gimli replied. "Now go on and let me rest my feet for a bit. I shouldn't admit this to you of all people, but it has been awhile since I have done so much walking and I, well…" he made shooing motions to Legolas, "I wish to have some time alone."
Legolas stood and walked to the door, his long tunic flowing around his knees. "I will return when it is time to go to the ceremony."
Gimli had already begun unlacing his sturdy boots when he heard Legolas' voice float in from the nearby corridor.
"Should I wake you if you are asleep?"
"I only said my feet were tired, wretched El….." Gimli retorted, then censored himself. "Yes."
Legolas grinned as we walked to his rooms, his left hand still tracing the ancient Elvish letters on the silver band.
There was already a large cluster of Elves speaking in subdued voices in the appointed clearing when Legolas and Gimli arrived. Above the lush and verdant canopy of Greenwood, a deepening richness of velvet twilight settled across the sky. Soon the first stars would appear and the Elves of the Woodland Realm and one lone Dwarf would sing praises and thanks to Varda.
"You don't really expect me to sing, do you?" Gimli asked once they made their way to an area in which others of Thranduil's house were standing together. "Not that I have an ugly voice, mind you, but unless Galadriel herself were here to ask it, I do not…"
Legolas patted him on the shoulder, the second time that day. "No, Gimli. But there will be a new song that I wrote while visiting you in Erebor, and that one I will translate for you. I may have learned to read your runes, but I cannot sing in Khudzul, and I do not expect you to sing in Sindarin."
Gimli looked noticeably relieved. "Good."
Legolas turned his gaze skyward, focusing on the half moon glowing brightly above the trees. "How beautiful evening is!" he sighed, letting his eyes rove across the heavens. "Soon the sky will be awash in glittering stars, lights of promise in the darkness."
"Elves," Gimli muttered. "Do you all spout off poetry at every moment?"
Legolas turned to glare at him, then his face softened as a lyric melody was played on a nearby harp. A lone voice began singing, then another voice, lower, sang in harmony. Then another voice, then Legolas joined in. Within moments, the glade was filled with the chanting of Elvish song, a lilting caress of sounds that crescendoed into a wave of conviction; gratitude and supplication and fathomless longing.
Gimli stood with his feet apart, hands on his hips, his hands twitching where usually they would be comfortably resting on his axe or holding his pipe. Legolas had encouraged him in the most diplomatic manner shy of a demand that he leave both behind. Legolas' eyes were focused on the trees around them, though for a brief moment he caught Gimli's eye and smiled. The singing rose, crested, then fell back to a susurrative echo, ebbing away as Legolas sang the last phrase alone. A respectful silence hovered in the clearing, as though the trees themselves were absorbing the last of the notes, their leaves glimmering as a slight breeze stirred the boughs and branches.
Gimli found himself inexplicably moved by the music, and though unable to grasp the message of what was being sung, he found that his eyes were damp with tears. Some of the Elves came up to Legolas, thanking him for the words of the paean, and Gimli rubbed at his eyes.
"Are you faring well?" Legolas asked, seeing the Dwarf's movements.
"Yes, quite," Gimli replied, embarrassed at the attention. "Just a bit of bark."
Legolas nodded solemnly, then looked up at the gathering dusk. "Ah! Some of the stars have come out." He pointed with his right arm, and Gimli stared at the armband as it caught the light of the moon.
"Legolas! The band!"
The Elf lowered his arm, inspecting Celebrimbor's silver cuff as he did so. "I do not see anything out of the ordinary."
"Back in the moonlight. Put it back in the light!" Gimli ordered.
Legolas did so, stepping over a pace into a bright swath of moonbeam. Across the widest part of the band, framed by the Tengwar script, were Dwarvish runes, glistening like quicksilver. Both companions stood in silence, staring at the message of ithildin on the relic from the Second Age.
To Narvi : Rockwright : Elf-Friend
"So. What were the words that you wrote after being so inspired by Narvi's book?" Gimli asked as the Elvish entourage made their leisurely return to the King's caverns.
"They were not inspired by his commentary on the making of the West Doors," Legolas retorted. "I was intrigued by Narvi's writings in general. He had an almost Elvish eye to detail."
Gimli made an indignant sound. "We did not blunder into becoming master craftsmen, my friend. You have nothing on Dwarves when it comes to the finer points of observation."
Legolas sighed. "Fine," he acquiesced, turning his head to look again at the silver armband.
Chastened, Gimli quickly added, "But it is true that you are better poets."
Legolas looked down at him, and smiled. "This is a translation, but you will understand the meaning." His expression grew thoughtful as he spoke quietly.
What stood will stand, though all be fallen,
The good return that time has stolen.
Though creatures groan in misery,
Their flesh prefigures liberty
To end travail and bring to birth
Their new perfection in new earth.
At word of that enlivening
Let the trees of the woods all sing
And every field rejoice, let praise
Rise up out of the ground like grass.
They walked in silence for a ways, then Gimli spoke. "I have no doubt that Galadriel would have appreciated your words." His voice was wistful. "I should finish my poem. It is not nearly as well written as yours, of course." He focused his eyes on their path, fingers again clutching at the phantom space where his axe was normally found.
"Do not be so sure of that," Legolas replied quietly. "I surmise that anything you gave to her in love she would have accepted readily."
Gimli choked. "In love?" he reiterated. After a couple of deep breaths, he gazed up at Legolas, and found the Elf's blue eyes were staring intensely at him. "Well, I don't know what to call it." He made a malcontented grumbling sound. "Doesn't matter. She is gone. I could write poetry until I go blind and my hands can no longer hold a quill and she will never read them. I am no Elf. It's not as though I will ever get on a boat that could take me to her."
Legolas glanced up at a bright sickle shape of stars, then down at the silver band clasped on his forearm, a contemplative expression on his face.
"Do not be so sure of that either."
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Get caught up on these last-minute Bloodborne changes and read our review!
Photoshop Phriday showcases the tremendous image manipulation talents of the Something Awful Forum Goons. Each week they tackle a new theme, parodying movies, video games, comics, history, and anything else you can think of. If you want in on the action, join us on the Something Awful Forums!
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