Gadriel's normal MO in situations like these (obvious newcomers demanding weaponry of the merchants) has simply been to...buy it for them. Transactional exchange is stupid, but that's how it works here and he has the currency and knows what it is like to want a weapon in a dangerous place and be denied one.

But they do not have what this woman wants, it seems. Not that there's anything wrong with a war axe. They are fine weapons. Very gratifying to wield.

And unfortunately, as Gadriel has learned from experience, not all problems can be hit with an axe. If only it were that simple. "They are still recovering from a recent...happening." Whatever you called a natural disaster that wasn't entirely natural in origin but the result of the demigod/captors of this place and their sorcery. "The forges might not be working yet." Or they might be being used to make repairs.

"Is there another weapon you can use in the meantime?"