It was warm and sunny as the Kokiri stepped out of the academy. Overhead beautiful willows and conifers draped over the crowded streets. Saria had never seen so many Kokiri in one place before she arrived in Firimar Tal. She, with Duradar and Elegbor, and Legolas and Galandrim began walking toward the market in the middle of the city.
"There is a lot to do there, lot's of music, and wares, and lots of Kokiri. It essentially is the center of the city", said Lossenisel knowingly.
"The perfect place for you my friend", said Legolas looking at him with a smirk.
"Oh yes, and the food is wonderful! We can find something to eat at the Bras D'or tavern, its a nice place built into the mid-city wall", he said pointing to the high cliff-like wall the ran like a half-ring along the city's mid-section. Atop the wall was where the rest of the city was built up from, directly behind it was rock (the mountain).
They rounded a corner to find themselves in a large market, which was a wide open area with many stands and outlets where countless products were sold. The place was crowded with Kokiri and as Saria looked around, the culture seemed to explode in front of her. There was a stage nearby where some Kokiri were performing music with strange instruments. Some she recognized, drums, a flutist and another played an ocarina, but they played odd looking instruments as well. The music itself was unlike what Saria had expected of the graceful, sorrowful Kokiri she knew thus far. This music was had a fast tempo with a lot of drums and beats and rythyms. They sang too, in words Saria could not understand. Three girls, with beautiful voices, then reprises with all the group. They did not have deep voices, yet they were beautiful. They seemed quite popular too, there was a sizable crowd gathered around them.
The market was the center of Kokiri economy and marketing in the city. There were numerous workshops and businesses elsewhere in the city, but the bulk of all their products were sold right here, in the market or in elvish called the Mainyamen (men-ya-men). The Kokiri economy was not unlike those seen in today's modern world. Though it was in tatters having had years of decline in the empire. As Saria and the others crossed the market it became known to the young sage that it was mostly weapons and armor that were being sold at the moment, likely in preparation for the impending battle.
They arrived at the Bras D'or inn at length and stepped inside to find a large stone room with many tables and chairs. There was a large welcoming fireplace in one end with a crackling, warm fire, and some Kokiri lounging there. It was a slightly different environment than the rest of the city. It was a cozy warm place instead of the sunlit warm feeling of the rest of the city. In one corner there was a large counter where on could get a drink, and drink the friends did. Lossenisel bought drinks for the grouo and they sat, and talked.
"Well Saria, what is your take on the city thus far?" Asked Duradar as they sat by the fire withg the others.
Saria looked up, "Its beautiful, very lovely. And nearly no tension of a fight to come", she remarked.
Elegbor laughed, "This place is beautiful. My girl you should have seen the Great City", he seemed to drift deep into thought then, "You remember it Dur? The white granite towers piercing the sky like the tip of a sharpened blade? Do you remember the music that would ring down through the wide halls and streets on a crisp summer morrow?" He asked. Duradar smiled faintly, looking almost sad then.
"I can only imagine its beauty", remarked Legolas.
Elegbor looked up, "One day my friends, we will reach that city again. And our home shall be restored, and our empire to its former glory. And our wealth will spread to Calatia, and we shall build another city, one that we may boast in its beauty to the Elves and Hylians and all the mortal world", he said confidently with a smile. Saria began to feel new motivation within her, she deeply wanted to see what her peoples' homeland truly was.

******************

Later on in the eveining Saria was returning to her room back in Alagbor's Villa. She noticed Alanol walking about in one of the halls and she decided to stop and talk a bit.
"Hello Saria", he said in a friendly tone. Saria smiled.
"Hello Alanol, how are you?"
"I'm doing fine, thank you. Do you like the city?" He asked. He had his father's bright eyes.
"Yes, its lovely. And everyone here is very kind", she said smiling.
Alanol was quiet for a moment, then looked at Saria, "They always unite for battle", he said,
"I have always dreamt of fighting alongside my father, and conquering the Golden Realm. I'm going to see it with my own eyes someday", he said enthusiastically.
"You're fighting with Alagbor", Saria asked looking at him, they were walking through the villa now.
Alanol looked down, "I'm not old enough to fight yet", he said with a saddened tone in his voice, "But you're going to fight, aren't you. Are you afraid?" He asked curiously.
"Oh yes, I am always afraid. But the fear of losing what I have come so far to achieve is more fightening than fighting... or dying. Sometimes Alamol..." she befan resting her hand on his shoulder, "We have to put our courage on the line, for the good of all things", she said. Alaonol pondered this, and would continue to throughout the night. It meant a lot to get such useful advice from the sage herself. And the guilt inside of him was surmounting ever more in his mind.