... fixed it... went with gardener - while I agree that it would be rare for an elf to use a shovel, I don't believe it is a purposeful choice, but merely due to the fact that he's more likely to have the shovel in hand than a sword or axe or some such.

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‘What will my death be like?’ he thought- and knew at once
with abrupt certainty, that it would be just like his life:
... the same balance of bearables.
~Amis