[center][h3][color=0054a6]The Children of Artemon[/color][/h3][/center]

While Palathan and the scouts were away, the Children of Artemon had gathered. Perhaps 80 people in total, some representing their families, others themselves. In a clear area only a short walk south they sat under the warm sun, conversing joyfully at finally having found rest. They were positioned in a circle, with an open space in the middle. The innermost section of the circle was mostly the elderly and people became younger the further back you looked. However one man stood out like a sore thumb, barely middle age and with long hair as black as the moonless night he sat among those of grey and white hair. His name was Halwen and many dubbed him 'the Black'. In every other way he resembled a good specimen of his people, with a long straight nose, fair skin, white eyes and a graceful physique.

As the sun rose to its height, priest Aleon rose among the crowd. He raised his hands, signalling the crowd and shouting "Silence! We have not come here for idle chatter!". They showed respect and conversations quieted down. But as they went silent, Aleon once more sat down and instead another rose and entered the centre of the circle. It was Halwen. "Brothers and sisters" he spoke clearly to the crowd "This anarchy does not befit us. We have all seen its results. We have felt it in our bellies. I witnessed it at the horrors of the battle of the river crossing and we all knew the fear." The crowd murmured in agreement. "We must all have the ability to practise our crafts, and that requires peace and resources, and an end to distractions like these. To that end I propose the recreation of our ancient guilds, to organise our work as they have in ages past."

In the old world, essentially every group of craftsmen, such as the carpenters, the masons and the warsmiths, had their own guild. These guilds were responsible for supplying materials to its membership as well as selling the produce. Authority within the guilds was often decided by seniority. They effectively operated a monopoly, but heavy handed intervention by the monarchy to ensure fair prices stopped them, most of the time, from exploiting this monopoly.

Halwen continued "Each of these guilds will provide a man to join a council. This council's primary responsibilities will be to manage our agriculture, military, relations with other races and any issue minor or major that might arise, fulfilling the role of our old systems. Among them they will elect a chairman to enforce these decisions." The crowd murmured, now less approving though not quite disapproving. Someone shouted "By what authority?!"

Halwen responded "By the authority of the people and their needs! We are all yet subjects of the king, but we do not honor him nor our traditions by wallowing in anarchy like some lesser race. Even in the absence of his sacred rule we must have order." As the crowd was starting to erupt in argument with each other, Aleon rose once again and called for calm. The matter would be put to a vote.

"All in favour?"
"Aye!" many replied, especially among those sitting further back.
"All opposed?"
"Nay!" a clear minority replied

Though a notable number had remained uncertain and silent, Halwen's idea was passed. The guilds were soon organised, the foundations had already been laid out in the homeland and the hunt for materials in Celebrimbor. They had soon chosen representatives who met and among them they elected Halwen to be chairman, few people really desired the authority and it was his creation.

Once Palathan and the scout returned and told of the other elves, they decided to await the return of the northern scouts before doing anything with the information.

A) One of the council's first decisions was on the organisation of farm labour. The willing farmers among the children were not enough to provide for all of them, so it was decided that each guild would provide part of their membership in rotation to supply the necessary workforce to turn the nearby fertile lands productive and ensure that their people would not go hungry again. Wheat, rye and barley were to be planted.

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The scouts were filled with conflicting feelings of ecstasy and sadness. They had finally found what looked to be kinsmen, but at the same time a terrible tragedy had befallen them. No matter, they rushed down to meet them. They wanted to know more about them, where had they come from? What were they doing here? Were they subjects of the king and worshippers of Orowuen? They must meet the others.

[hider=Summary]
Created guilds and council of guilds to act as government. Halwen the Black as chairman.

Draft people into agriculture, plant crops

Meet the refugees
[/hider]