The damp route copy rests beneath a polished stone weight. Nearby, the archive bearer separates bread, fruit, butter, and venison into marked cloth parcels while the vault lamps burn steadily.
The inspection seal, the wardens’ testimony, the Caras Amarth folio, and the overwritten ledger copy remain together beneath witness marks. The older recovered warden and the younger recovered warden stand beside the evidence, ready to travel.
Maereth
I will seek the king’s authorization for the Dorwinion wine. No sealed cellar is opened merely because a journey seems worthy of a gift.
Maereth lifts the inventory slate and checks each provision against its mark. The archive bearer ties the parcels separately, keeping butter from bread and the stained route copy from further harm.
Galadriel
The evidence travels under seal, while the wardens travel as witnesses. Until the king answers, the wine remains a request, not an expectation.
Maereth prepares to leave the vault for the royal offices. Galadriel remains with Tuiwen, the older recovered warden, and the younger recovered warden beside the secured records, while the archive bearer continues packing for the road.
“"I don't think my father will refuse me a bottle of wine if I tell him why I need it."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Tuiwen
I do not think my father will refuse me a bottle of wine if I tell him why I need it.
Maereth studies Tuiwen across the marked provisions, weighing the request against the sealed cellar and the king’s authority. At last, she lowers the inventory slate.
Maereth
Very well. I will obtain your father’s authorization and have one bottle of Dorwinion released for this lawful journey.
The concession is immediate, but Maereth writes Tuiwen’s name beside the request as its guarantor. The wine will be granted through royal favor, and that favor will be remembered.
Maereth
You have secured the bottle, but you now owe the court a clear account of where it goes and why. I will attach that obligation to the travel record.
The archive bearer adds a fresh line to the inventory and reserves space for the bottle beside the separated food parcels. The route map remains dry beneath its stone weight.
✓ Quest Accepted
Obtain a bottle of Dorwinion wine
“With this accomplished, they are ready to leave.”
The archive bearer finishes tying the provisions into separate cloth parcels and places the dry route map with the sealed evidence. The inspection seal remains wrapped and secure.
Maereth returns with a single bottle of Dorwinion wine, its royal seal unbroken. She sets it beside the food and adds the authorization to the travel record.
Maereth
The king has approved the gift. The account of its purpose travels with it, as promised.
Galadriel gathers the evidence case while the older recovered warden and the younger recovered warden secure their packs. The vault’s records are closed under witness, and the western road remains their lawful course.
Galadriel
Then we leave with the evidence preserved, the witnesses beside us, and every uncertainty marked honestly. Rohan will receive a record it can examine.
The party departs the West Record Vault beneath the afternoon light. Maereth remains to restore the archive, while the travelers take the road toward Lothlórien, the Anduin, and Edoras.
Quest Complete
Obtain a bottle of Dorwinion wine
+ New Item Acquired
Dorwinion wine