Once we're at the armoury, I take a look at the elf, whom I'm meeting for the first time ever since I came here. He looks at me and stops hammering a lump of metal, which seems to be a sword in making, once he seems satisfied with the result.
Then, the elf walks over to me and crosses his arms with a gruff huff. When he's this close, I can see an ore-shaped marking on top of his wrist.
'Those must be his powers. I know from the book that this one represents ore powers. In short, his powers allow him to manipulate any kind of ore and make it easier to smelt. It's very handy for blacksmiths like himself.'
"So, young lad. Did you come here for a new bow and arrows?" The gruff-sounding, older looking elf with unruly brunette hair and calloused and rough hands from presumably years, if not decades, of hard work, asks with a grumpy voice.
The way he looks at me makes me feel as though he's trying to gauge whether or not I'm suited for my weapon. These dark brown eyes are the eyes of a master...
But to he honest, it's not exactly my choice what sort of weapon I use. Merle chose the bow for me, and Ellirith seemed to roll with it as well, considering how she ordered archer gloves to get tailored.
"Yes, he is." Merle speaks up, which results in me shooting him a slightly reluctant glance. For some reason, archery doesn't really feel as though it's for me. But I can't do anything else as Merle has only taught me how to shoot.
"Would you be kind enough to make him a new weapon, Molaris?" Meanwhile, I only watch the exchange between Merle and the other elf, whose name I just learnt is Molaris. This is kinda intruiging to watch.
'Seems like Merle is used to dealing with Molaris and his grumpy attitude. I wonder if they have some sort of history together. Well, it's none of my business. Let's not meddle in this, just to be sure.'
Answering myself, my gaze falls back upon Merle standing in front of the slightly taller male elf. I can hear snippets of the conversation, piecing things together, and understand that Merle is trying to strike a deal with the old elf.
"Fine. I'll take it. You give me the materials, and I make the weapon. But the excess is mine." Molaris finally agrees after an almost 5 minute talk.
'Merle really does have a silver tongue, huh? He even persuaded a grouch like Molaris.'
Merle only nods and uses his wind powers to bring in some materials. I can see orange-brown coloured wood and raw, dark grey ores flying in a gust of wind.
He hands it to Molaris with a smirk, and the older elf seems satisfied with the quality as he eyes the raw materials, a small but pleased smile forming on his normally grumpy face.
"I hope that the yew will work well," said Merle with an almost smug smirk plastered on his face. Seems like he's proud of the quality himself.
Molaris only nods and eyes the wood. After a small pause, he speaks up. "Aye, this'll work very well."
After the whole commotion ends, we exit the smithy. 'Phew, finally... Those two are seriously something. And it was really hot in there.'
Letting out a small sigh of relief once I hear the cool air hit my skin, my eyes trail up to look at the clear, bright blue skies filled with fluffy white clouds that chase each other around in the vast space.
Hewie is occupying my shoulder, most likely resting. It seems like she doesn't want to talk about it any further. But I really need the answers! However, I know better than to push boundaries.
It takes almost the whole day for Molaris to finish crafting my new weapon. We visit the smithy again, and Molaris is already standing by the furnace, appreciating his new creation.
'I'm not really surprised that he takes pride in his work. Elves are known for being rather prideful, after all. Although I can't help but be curious as to why the process took so long. Did he perhaps make a ¹composite bow?'
He then lifts his gaze from the bow, and he smiles as he hands it to me. "The bow itself should suit you," he says and allows me to try out the bow. 'I wonder how he can be so confident about that statement...'
"He has a good eye for people. He's always been a sharp wight," Merle explains, and I just nod a bit. 'I see. But this bow is lighter than my previous one.'
My face scrunches up a bit, which Molaris immediately notices. "Don't worry, lad. I can guarantee that 'tis sturdy. Merle sure knows how to collect great materials."
Molaris answers while crossing his arms. "Thank you, sir," I reply and hold the bow, trying how it feels in my hand.
¹[A composite bow is a traditional bow made from wood, horns, and sinew laminated together. The construction takes a lot of time, even months taken for drying the whole thing, but the bow is sensitive to moisture. A self bow is made out of only one piece of wood, whereas a composite bow is made out of more layers.]