eachdraidh | ❧ VIDEO; 04 (both courts)

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❧ VIDEO; 04 (both courts)

[ Thranduil hasn't vanished off the face of the Drabwurld again, contrary to popular belief, despite keeping his head down since Samhain. Ensconced in the Caer Glaem library pulling up certificates, maps, and all the other ridiculous paraphernalia required for a legalised contact to take place, he flicks on the locket from his desk in a corner of the vast halls, surrounded by stacks. There he sits sipping a goblet of the last keg of leftover Dorwinion ~~which is currently under strict guard in the cellars (looking at you Samhain revellers)~~. On the table are scrolls and books, all of which have been tidied, while in front of him lies a black leather-bound folder, ostensibly containing the point of the broadcast. ]

The High-King and I have come to an arrangement. In exchange for fair recompense, I have bought the rights to the woodlands south of the forest river and west of the Hidden Falls, within a crux of the mountain-range, to be easily identified on any common map. [ It's not quite as simple as that, of course, but he'll save everyone the pointless politicking. That, and he doesn't want to bring up Celegorm's shard in public; it would be bad taste. ] Aelfen and Elven tribes alike will be travelling to Caer Glaem over the next week or so to replenish their supplies, tools and gold, well within their rights to do so, before continuing on to their new homeland. Please show these former refugees every kindness.

[ As dapper as he looks, he clearly doesn't intend to faff about chatting idly about inanities; someone wants a nice long sleep. ]

If you have business in what will be renamed the Maechenibryth, come the turn of the winter season, or have done in the past which you wish to pursue in the future, you may bring the matter to myself, Thranduil, or to my son, Legolas, who will pass it on accordingly. There is much yet to do and I have little enough time to spare.

[ Sipping his wine, he shuts off the locket. ]

( ooc: if you'd like to continue anything from samhain just pop me a pm and i'll get on it, otherwise i'll take this opportunity to declare tag amnesty on that front as it broke my inbox and burned me out, sobs. tagging will generally be slow until after the weekend because of work. ty for waiting! )

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[ ~~Oh, hi, John's squeeze.~~ ]

Well met, Lady Sif. You also know my Aransadorien, John Grimm, I believe. He spoke highly of you and I gave him my word you would be welcome within the new Halls of my kin at his side, when they are fortified.

[ ~~Shush.~~ ]

I do know John, yes. Aransadorien, is that a name or a title that you bestowed upon him?

[ Seems to be a thing with elves, Sif has an extra name herself these days. ]

I thank you for your invitation, and will be glad to accept it when opportunity is given.

Both. It means Faithful of the King, owing to the loyalty he shows me.

You named him well.

It is an easily done thing, to name the honest and loyal. I fear I named him too blandly, for he means much more to me than that.

There is more to a name than its literal meaning, when given in such a manner. Do you know Nerdanel?

[ An odd segue, but — ] I know of the lady, yes. We have spoken, briefly.

[ Not to worry, she has a point. ]

She named me Elenmatharwen, and told me that I may consider it my mother-name from her. It is not the meaning of the name itself that gives it weight, it is her reason for giving it in the first place.

Mother-names are ordinarily given before their babe is born, with an inherent understanding of the child. She does you great honour, adopting you in such a way.

[ Or she takes great liberties and assumes much, which is really his opinion of Nerdanel. He won't sully the mood though, having the opinion that she means well. Thranduil simply wishes to distance himself and his son from the Noldorin faction of Elves skittering around. ]

My reasons for naming John have lost none of their weight, but I would hardly be surprised if he gained more titles in the coming years and not only from me.

She has been very kind to me.

[ If she had a more thorough knowledge of elven history, she certainly wouldn't blame him for that ambition even if she is very fond of members of said Noldorin faction. ]

And I agree with you about John, he will undoubtedly gather more titles whether he wants to or not. He is a fine warrior, and a good man. He'll not stay idle while there is still fighting to be done. If he follows you so faithfully, I think you must be a very good king. The son you raised could certainly become one.

I hope my son never becomes Elvenking, as does he, for that would only be possible in the event of my death.

[ Which would suck, lbr. ]

Even then, the title need not fall to anyone, if he wished to refuse it.

[ It would suck hardcore let's not go there pls. ]

I too hope that it is a choice he will never have to make. I have offered him my sword before, I will offer it to you as well should you have need of it.

You have my thanks, yet I would urge you not to offer your sword to the Eldar in the Drabwurld based on the goodly members of their family. You may come to regret such allegiance, if allying yourself to one or the other.

Would your sword not belong to the Lady Nerdanel, before me? She and I stand at opposite sides of a great chasm.

Your words are wise, but what I offer is aid in times of need should I be able to give it, not service. I am oath-sworn to my own king and will so remain. My first allegiance is to Asgard, always.

What is this great chasm that divides you?

[ A nod, for that he approves of whole-heartedly, and to hear she has a king to whom she remains loyal is a positive mark in her favour. ]

Her sons, the Feanorionnath, wrought terror and hatred in the First Age, many thousands of years ago. The Noldor slaughtered my people, the Sindar, and slew my king for a gemstone, exiling us to live amongst their number some years later. My family journeyed far and wide to rid ourselves of these kinslayers.

[ So when dealing with their mother, he is civil but trusts her not at all. Some, like Galadriel, he trusts implicitly, but she stands alone in that; even Gil-Galad had owned no great love from Thranduil after Oropher died. ]

One of her children, Celegorm, tortured my son. Legolas still bears the scars, physical and otherwise, though he hides both well.

He does indeed, for it was when traveling in his company that I met Celegorm.

[ Who she now very dearly wishes that she had never called a friend. ]

[ A soft noise of wry acknowledgment is given to that. ]

If you will offer my son your sword, you see, I would have you know where I might require you to place it.

[ Like the belly of one of Nerdanel's sons. Or all. ~~All would be great.~~ ]

These are Elven affairs. I would not speak of them but for the fact you are highly regarded by two of my closest confidantes. You ought to know the length and breadth of the matter.

I might be inclined to oblige.

[ She's Asgardian, inserting themselves (and their swords) in other people's affairs (and bellies) seems to kind of be a cultural thing for them. ]

I agree with you that these are things that I should know, and I am grateful that you are willing to speak of it.

An honest truth that is harder to swallow is preferable to a lie that flatters. You seem honourable to my eyes, and that is what I am told repeatedly besides, so I will naturally have all who follow me treat you as you deserve.

[ It saved faffing around with politics, which he can deal with but prefers to settle firmly and fairly. ]

I am of the wood-Elves of Rhovanion, those of the Eldar who are called less wise than dangerous, and I do own my faults; but to deceive is not one of them.

[ Sif sucks at politics anyway so his approach suits her excellently. ]

I vastly prefer danger to deception.

You would have lived a very full life in Mirkwood had you grown up with Legolas, in that case.

You flatter me, my Lord.

Do you know, if I may ask, why Legolas allowed Celegorm to travel with him in spite of what he did?

[ I would have seen you a warrior, but a sad life of fear and endless fights it would have been. He picks what to let slide. ]

Legolas has a soft and forgiving heart. Too soft, perhaps, and too lenient, even with one who repented and swore to serve after committing such heinous acts. I ask you not to speak of this matter with my son; it took all his strength to recover. I do not wish him to revisit such pain, even in memories.

[ A warrior she is, and she has indeed fought long and hard, but that is not a sad life to her. It is the life she wanted, the life she has chosen, and she does not regret it. ]

You have my word that I will not speak to him about it, but know that I do not have a soft and forgiving heart. This will not be forgotten even if I remain silent.

If you believe you need apologise to me for that, you must think me a poor father indeed.

[ Not a dig; just a wry reminder. Thranduil, of all people, has no forgiveness in his heart toward anyone who harms his child. ]

❧ VIDEO; 04 (both courts)

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