Uniana (prime)/Mapping The Future
He watched her for a moment from the archway that led into their solar, which in the past weeks had turned into a makeshift research and cartography workshop. Tomes and maps were occupying every seat and the console table was absent of its normal vase filled with roses and covered in parchment and an assortment of vaalorn mapping instruments.
Uniana was leaning over a large piece of vellum, a stick of charcoal between her fingers as Teveriel went to stand behind her. He bent down to press a kiss to her temple before replacing it with his cheek, gathering himself around her as he observed her work. She paused to smile and absorb the shelter of his embrace, but only briefly, her dark-smudged fingertips running out of a line of charcoal against the page, softly darkening the surrounding area.
Teveriel furrowed his brow and pulled his head away from her to cant it in the opposite direction. He began with some hesitation, “Darling…”
Uniana continued her shading, seemingly oblivious to what was about to be a protest.
“Darling,” Teveriel repeated, “this is quite comprehensive though a bit untidy for any formal presentation.”
“This is a seabed topography map,” she responded, dipping down under the table to rummage through an open knapsack. She stood up once she had found a rolled piece of pale leather. With a methodical effort, Uniana overlaid the rectangular piece of leather atop the charcoal-dappled parchment while pressing down. She pulled it up to a faint transfer of dark colors while continuing, “a method recommended by Celothor. He will tool the leather to give a better visual representation of the depth measurements we’ve been collecting.”
Teveriel grinned in an expression of confident pride, “wise of you to consult the Ardenai. It seems his prowess of the sea is not just contained to boarding Loenth–”
“High Legionnaire Aureliano Tiberius,” the familiar voice of their butler called from the hallway causing Teveriel to halt his statement and take a few steps towards the entry to greet his friend.
“Lord and Lady Anduin,” he greeted politely and without waiting for them to respond, he continued, “I’ve run the calculations on the next set of depth markers.” The robust elf placing a set of rolled papers on the already cluttered console table with an apologetic look.
Teveriel nodded gratefully, “I believe we are just waiting on the edge of the bay. My cousin Lintarith has a colleague who can apparently make contact with a water-based familiar. Once we can confirm the drop off based on our estimations of where the currents change we should be ready to finalize the maps.”
Aureliano pulled his lips into a broad smile, speaking in disbelief, “our efforts hanging perpetually in the Guardian Keep.”
The Anduins returned his smile, the trio pausing a moment to enjoy the promise of prosperity.