Galadriel was as fond of Skyhold as any other place; it had a certain safety, a certain comfort to it, but she found that being within the walls she felt tired too easily. Whether it was the proximity of beds, the promise of distraction or rest, she did not know, but she felt more herself when she was outside of the fortress. She needed her focus for the task at hand and the guard hadn't been bothered when she left to the snowy wilderness beyond.
Her new staff was still bare, it lacked a proper grip and the blade had yet to be attached, but the armorer had assured her that it was sufficient to test. Unfortunately, with what she understood of magic in Thedas, she was uncertain how to test it. Given the overt nature of the native spells and how much power she could unintentionally wield if the staff truly did assist her, it had seemed best to be alone.
And yet...she was wary of traveling too far from the keep. There was danger in what she intended to do, for herself as well as others, and she had no desire to test the breadth of her immortality in the wilds of Thedas.
With care and a gentle, meandering gait, Galadriel searched the nearby wood for a glade that would serve her purpose. It should be secluded but not distant, calm, peaceful, and empty--it didn't take long to locate such a place but, sadly, it was not as empty. The man occupying the clearing was familiar, in a passing way. She had seen him among the healing tents, moving about the throng as Adelaide did, but he had not caught her eye.
At the moment he appeared to be picking elfroot.
"A long walk for simple herbs," Galadriel remarked and broke the silence. Her approach had been soundless, as walking atop snow generally was, and she felt the need to announce herself. It was only polite. "Though, I admit, it is a pleasant day and the mountains are quite lovely."
She stopped in the center of the clearing and held her staff at her side. Without its blade it came just shy of her shoulder. It was very close to the same height as the human she'd stumbled upon.
Just outside Skyhold.
Her new staff was still bare, it lacked a proper grip and the blade had yet to be attached, but the armorer had assured her that it was sufficient to test. Unfortunately, with what she understood of magic in Thedas, she was uncertain how to test it. Given the overt nature of the native spells and how much power she could unintentionally wield if the staff truly did assist her, it had seemed best to be alone.
And yet...she was wary of traveling too far from the keep. There was danger in what she intended to do, for herself as well as others, and she had no desire to test the breadth of her immortality in the wilds of Thedas.
With care and a gentle, meandering gait, Galadriel searched the nearby wood for a glade that would serve her purpose. It should be secluded but not distant, calm, peaceful, and empty--it didn't take long to locate such a place but, sadly, it was not as empty. The man occupying the clearing was familiar, in a passing way. She had seen him among the healing tents, moving about the throng as Adelaide did, but he had not caught her eye.
At the moment he appeared to be picking elfroot.
"A long walk for simple herbs," Galadriel remarked and broke the silence. Her approach had been soundless, as walking atop snow generally was, and she felt the need to announce herself. It was only polite. "Though, I admit, it is a pleasant day and the mountains are quite lovely."
She stopped in the center of the clearing and held her staff at her side. Without its blade it came just shy of her shoulder. It was very close to the same height as the human she'd stumbled upon.
"Do you require assistance gathering more?"