eachdraidh | video; both courts

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video; both courts

Are the women in this world and your own given as much opportunity to defend themselves as the men?

[ she doesn't wait for any answers, giving a humorless snort of laughter at the locket before continuing. it's not a directly related addition to her question, but it's certainly on the same train of thought: ]

Ridiculous that those already holding power are given the privilege of training to the highest levels of their skills, but those most in need of it are left to rely on the protection of others.

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[ His baby cousin is rather awesome, yes, he's so pleased she managed to escape the family curse ]

Well - I suppose what I describe is how we Eldar see it. I do not know, it might be different for Men, but those Men that I have known are good folk, loyal and honorable. The Lord Aragorn is obviously very much in love with the Lady Arwen, and what I see of her I do not think her any wilting flower to allow herself to be bound to any unwilling or unworthy.

I am sorry that it is different in your world - and I wish you joy in your freedom.

[ a soft tired sigh ]

It was never about the Silmarils, except, of course, it was. The Oath we took in anger bound us to recover them til death and perhaps, even beyond it. They are our people's most priceless treasure... and also our Doom.

Perhaps you misunderstand my meaning. Or I misunderstand yours. [ katsa sighs. she doesn't know aragorn or arwen, and she wonders if it's even worth asking. ] I certainly don't understand the rest of that. You're determined to speak in riddles, and mislead me, and one day you'll say something that makes full sense and I'll be so unused to it I'll think that's even more confusing than the rest of it.

[ she doesn't say aloud that maybe her own intelligence is the problem, but it's there. katsa tries to change the topic, a thought occurring to her that she expresses in a way that's probably... not very tactful. ]

You're no stranger to violence.

Ah do we? [ Maglor shrugs a little and smiles apologetically ] Well, they do say that we Eldar can be frustrating to talk with. [ 'Go not to the Elves for they will say both yes and no' etc ]

I am sorry - my family always did tell me I need to speak more plainly. I will try harder.

[ his eyes fall and he nods once at that ]

No. None of us are, but... perhaps my family, more than most.

They would be right.

[ but it's not said sharply. for katsa, it's almost friendly. ]

I've only seen you in danger once before, with the dogs, and then your weapon was a song. Are you skilled as well with a blade or a bow?

[ A sheepish smile answers her at that and then he nods quietly ]

Yes. Father made me twin blades, but with my hands as they are... I do not think that style will suit any longer. They did not follow me into the Drabwurld in any case. I know the use of both the great War Bows as well as the smaller hunting ones, although twas Celegorm and the Ambarussa who were the hunters of us - and again, I ... do not think my hands will allow such any longer. I can use a spear, as well, although not so well as Celegorm, who when he did not use his sword was fond of a halberd.

Hmm.

[ katsa thinks about this. she's still deciding on her final opinion of maglor, but if there are two things katsa knows far better than words it's a blade and a fight. ]

I suppose my question is better asked about your skills as they are now, not how they used to be. What happened to your hands?

[ he lifts his hands so she can see the burn scars on his right - they have not had a proper chance to heal, butbut look to have been very deep, covering his whole palm. The left is also scared but far less so ]

They were burned. [ he says softly ] by the very treasures we sought, for we proved unworthy of them

[ she leans in and squints, looking at the burns best as she can through the locket's feed. ]

These are dangerous treasures you chose to hunt. What sort? How could it deem you worthy or not?

[ a soft sigh ]

The tale is a long one, and one which, forgive me, is difficult to tell. In brief - when we were young, in Valinor long ago, my father found a way to capture the Light that was before Moon and Sun, the Light of the Two Trees, in crystalline structures. The resultant gems were, are, the most beautiful jewels in all the world, and their light was, is, alive. The Lady of the Stars herself blessed them and made them holy, that no evil thing would be able to suffer their touch. But... they were so lovely that the Enemy of our world desired them and... he came while we were at Festival, and slew the Trees from which the light sprang, and so we knew Darkness for the first time. When He came for the jewels... we ran... but Granfather defied him, and for that he was slain, and the Silmarils taken.

Father... went a little mad that day. He ... there had been tensions, family troubles, which I will not go into here, and being as that day was a Feast day, the Valar, the powers of the world, summoned him to make peace with his brother... and so... he was not there, when the Enemy came. He... blamed the Valar, for not stopping one of their own, for taking him from where he was needed, for allowing his father's death and the theft of his most priceless treasure. And... he swore an Oath. We... all did.

I will not repeat it here but suffice it to say... we swore by the highest power and called down the worst of fates, that we would reclaim the Silmarils, no matter who or what stood in our way. Such an oath is unbreakable, and will pursue oathtaker to world's end, for so we swore. And so we went to Middle-earth... and as was foretold on our leaving, our every path turned to evil.

Three times, we made war on our own people, and through loss after loss we strove against our Enemy and could not overcome. And in the end... when Maedhros and I laid our hands on them... our souls were so stained that they burnt us. And so we knew that in the end our very Oath had destroyed us and all our chances...

The life of an elf hardly sounds real, Maglor.

[ but she is somber: neither laughing nor intrigued as though for amusement. katsa is staring at her locket without really seeing it. ]

I cannot imagine any treasure being worth so much or how it could cause so much madness, but... I am sorry for the things that have happened.

[ A tired sad shrug ]

I suppose it might - but live as long as we do, Katsa, and you may well find your life equally storied.

It was never about them, except that it was, in the end. [ he sighs softly ] Thank you for your kindness.

My life has a few stories, only mine perhaps not so fantastic. [ she mimics his sigh. ] I should like to show kindness and not be thanked for it if I do.

It comes to such as I so rarely that every glimmer is as a light in a dark room - so I will continue to thank you for it, Katsa. [ He will even refrain from teasing her too much ]

And perhaps you underestimate yourself - every story is a precious one, I think, and I would be glad to hear yours if ever you wish to tell it.

[ she's unsure how to respond to that, so she chooses to ignore it. ]

It's not that it's a secret; I've just found it unnecessary to tell. [ though maglor's been more than generous with his own stories ] Have you heard stories of any kind of our land from Po?

He has only told me a little - of... Gracelings, is it, what you are called? But we have not had time to talk more on such things.

We can tell you all sort of stories about them at some point, if you like. [ a half smile ] Though yours aren't the only stories that end in blood.

I would like that. [ He nods ]

And many tales do, it seems.

Then let's plan to gather together soon? [ her voice is hesitant. she isn't great at the whole friends thing, especially since her first few impressions of maglor have been unnerving, but she promised po she would try. ] To cross stories and blades, for I'm curious to see what skills you may yet have hidden.

[ He smiles faintly ]

I would like that. [ He admits ] It has been a while since I was able to ... simply spar for joy, rather than for war. And I never refuse a good story. Where are you planning to travel? It is probably easier for me to come to you, I think.

Soon to The Station. I've not an idea of how long I'll stay, but I'll be glad to be on the move again.

I can be there easily enough. [ He nods ] Then I shall make sure to come and visit, while you are there.

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