❧ VIDEO; 06 (BOTH COURTS)

[firith]

[ Thranduil is not in Caer Glaem for this broadcast. In the roughly hewn (to Elven eyes, anyway) new study where he has forsaken his usual super fab robes for a plain grey tunic and leggings, the fine sleeves are rolled up and his thigh-high boots look like they have a scuff or two on them. The clinking, clanging, and general chatter in the background is never-ending for the time being through the ajar door; the Fortress of the Many-Eyed, I Othrann-in-Heneb, is clearly under construction now that the united clans under his leadership are able to start shaping their new home and taking to it with relish. Just as he opens his mouth, a Silvan and a Galatath, fair and dark by comparison, stride in. ]

My Lord, three more poachers have been apprehended close to the foot of the mountain.

[ Anyone can see, by Thranduil's pursed lips, that the interruption isn't a source of irritation so much as the news it brings. He doesn't bother initially turning around, sifting through books on his desk. ]

Escort them over the river with the rest.

[ The Galatath, knowing less of his Sindarin king, speaks up as the Silvan immediately lowers his eyes. ]

That is a day's march for them. They are weary and in no mood to follow our orders, they do not recognise you as the lord of these lands.

[ Thranduil's gaze flickers sideways, slowly followed by his head and a cool, measured tone that makes the Galatath Elf straighten. ]

Then give them bread and water, allow them to cook whatever they killed prior to your intervention, and slow the pace of your marchwardens to that of the fastest Man. The others will keep time with their companion. [ He arches a brow. ] Are these not once again Elven lands, rightfully reclaimed?

Yes, Sire.

Then get them out of the Maechenibryth. Throw them across the river if you must or if you prefer, Captain, they may languish on just as hearty fare in the dungeons until winter's chill consents to better their manners and educate them on the situation. Have the guards exchanged hours?

Not yet, Sire.

Have them do it. Ensure all the mountain's sentries are well-rested on your rounds before continuing the combing of the forest.

[ Wood-Elves may not be as sweet and may be less wise, but they are dangerous and clearly, when pushed, Thranduil is not hesitant about making a point of it (he has too much shit going on to care about some dissenting troublemakers). The messengers come to attention after exchanging an uneasy glance. As Thranduil turns back to the locket, the Silvan gives the chastised Galatath a wide-eyed look of What is actually wrong with you? as the messengers leave, and then the door shuts and the lockets have one exasperated Elvenking to themselves. ]

That says quite enough, I should think, and far more succinctly than I intended to put it. The Maechenibryth is being cleared while the mountain's delving is in progress. If you wish to make yourself useful, do not venture south of the forest river in Glaschu or you will be escorted safely across its newly enchanted waters by marchwardens of the Eldar, who have better things to do with their time than ensure trespassers are not falling asleep under its spell on the way out.

[ Kicked out, when not in polite society. As fair and young as Thranduil looks, his air is one of a harassed old person who has no qualms about smacking people with a proverbial walking stick if they get in his way, not exactly harming them but neither crying over doling out a bit of rough handling if needs be. To the point, however; ]

Providing the greater part of the Halls are completed, there will be a midwinter feast for selected individuals, a celebration of the holiday of Yule that a number of the native Elves wish to implement. [ Because Middle-Earth Elves just sort of stick it out until Spring without that particular holiday, but Thranduil rather likes the idea of integrating cultures. ] If you are welcome you will be notified in due course, some time in Girithron. [ Oh. What do people tend to call that month here? ] December.

[ Also, on Orithils we wear green. ]

Comments

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[desperate_times]

The natives not cooperating? I guess that's to be expected.

[When someone comes in and claims a land they thought free to them, there's bound to be some backlash.]

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[firith]

[ Backlash can knock itself out in his sturdy dungeons. ]

Thieves and cut-throats poaching to sell hides in Daonna, by and large.

[ With the White Hart hunt underway, it seems like everyone who can carry a bow or build snares has opted to do so. Hunt fever? Urgh. ]

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[desperate_times]

It must take a lot of patrolling to stop them. Do you have that many men?

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[orcsurfing]

[ He... really has to smile at this, even if his grief is still fresh and his guilt chokes him up every so often. Though it's not exactly a positive thing, it's good to see his father in his... element, so to say. Doing what he does best, and- ]

Do you require my presence?

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[firith]

I would send word if I needed you.

[ He's enjoying himself, go and be all airy fairy as Gimli puts it!! ]

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[orcsurfing]

[ Oh if only he knew how much Gimli talks about him, and in what way!! Sweet Eru, but is he the grump! ]

Ah! Now I am unsure whether I should be relieved that I may do as I please, or troubled that there is ever so little need for me.

[ And yet he is laughing, because certainly that will put some force behind this upset he speaks of! ]

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[fiercestwarrior]

[ Sometimes you really remind her of Odin, Thran, which would be why there is an ever so faint hint of amusement on her face as she speaks. It's mixed in with all the sadness over Thor's disappearance that is still writ large all over her, but it is still there and she is rather grateful for it. ]

Trouble, my lord?

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[firith]

Nothing grand, and none harmed. [ Yet. Maybe he could just start having trespassers tossed into cold ponds, that might work. ] The hunt for the White Hart has stirred up a fever unrestricted to the creature itself.

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[fiercestwarrior]

[ It would probably be funny, at least? ]

Hopefully things will calm down once it has been felled, then. It is good to see that you have claimed your lands.

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[silvergift]

You keep busy, lord. [A polite understatement.] But I would expect nothing else, I think. Especially as I have heard little mention of your and yours of late.

[A pause and then an offer:] I can offer you little help, I fear. The skills of those you have doubtlessly gathered more use than my own, but should you need, I hope you will ask.

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[firith]

Old habits are hard to break. We walk in shadows with our ways and means, until there is something worth mentioning. [ Unlike a lot of people in the courts, it seems. He tilts his head at her politely. ] The generosity of your fair presence and the grace of your smile at any festivities this winter is all I ask of you and yours, my lady.

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[silvergift]

They are, I am the one of the last to argue that. I am glad to see you well though and so busy. [Hopefully not too busy that he exhausts himself but he's a king and doubtless knows when to take it easy.]

You flatter me. I could not deny such an invitation and I wil be sure to bring what gifts I can. I believe that is the tradition here?

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[amplified]

( hello old friend! ) Some of the natives have grown restless and tired of us. I didn't know how far it extended... ( she frowns. ) Have you tried allying yourself with the wanderers you've come across? I'm sure you're no stranger to diplomatic process. But it might be worth consideration.

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[firith]

I will ally myself with those who heed my commands in my own lands. I do not care about a handful of liars and thieves.

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[seidhe]

[ The lovely backdrop of trees accompanies Iorveth's image, he still looks as harsh as ever. ]

You let them live.

[ It is clear by his tone that Iorveth would have done differently, but hey he is a jerk so... ]

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[firith]

My apologies, I shall begin the slaughter henceforth. The river will run red and the night will reverberate with the shivers of endless screams.

[ DO YOU HEAR HOW DEADPAN HE IS, IVY. Do you. ]

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[seidhe]

[ Oh, yes. He can hear it and the response brings a smile to Iorveth's face. ]

Ah, to be serenaded so each night. The sweetest dream given life.

[ Two can play this game, though he might actually be somewhat serious. He would enjoy that. ]

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[brainiest]

[ Hermione's eyes flicker a little as she - well. This is a lot to take in and it's quite a lot to go from knowing he's making his own space to see and hear it with her own eyes. She's pleased, though, and she does smile. ]

It looks like you're doing alright, Thranduil.

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[firith]

And you, Hermione? [ He tilts his head, wondering what Harry has said to her but keeping the topic light. ] How do you and your friends fare?

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[baseborne]

What sort of things do they do in celebration, for this Yule?

[Special foods? Music? Jon should prooobably figure out this stuff so they can do something for the elves in Cothromach.]

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[firith]

They make wreaths of holly and ivy during their winter solstice, burn a great log and many great candles, exchange gifts and eat together. Aside from that, my own people have found themselves caught up in the excitement and have expressed a wish to watch the stars by snowfall.

[ Elves are weird, Jon, don't worry. ]

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[cerebral]

[Charles looks faintly bemused on the other side of the locket.] And to think I believed the renovations to the mansion were a pain. I hope it all goes to plan. [Really he's really just commenting out of curiosity towards the one-sidedly new acquaintance he'd made the night he arrived.]

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[firith]

It should, unless we happen upon some nonsense like the heart of the mountain in jewel-form. That seems unlikely, however.

[ See, he's annoyed but he can still joke. For Charles. ]

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[bethmoras]

You display far more patience than I would have.

[ Nuada's expression is almost entirely neutral, save for a small spark of curiosity in his gaze. He is currently settled in the library, lounging in one of the more comfortable chairs, dark garments contrasting with the room's warmer tones. ]

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[firith]

I know where you are, I spent the first seven days of my stay in that library. There are some informative books, it's worth staying a while.

[ With a nod to the background on Nuada's side, he says it. Thranduil moves the topic along with what would be a shrug, if he was prone to giving them. ]

I have patience in droves, it rarely runs out.

[ But it might with the poachers, honestly. Eventually. ]