[ Video; Seelie Locked ]

[knightscode]

[ Lancelot is doing a remarkable impression of someone attempting to look calm and competent. He's getting better at it, although the faint lines of tension and stress are likely visible to anyone looking for them. His surroundings, what can be seen of them, look as if they might be a study of sorts. ]

For those of you I have yet to meet, my name is Lancelot. I hold the rank of Field Marshal here in Caer Glaem. I have no doubt those of you newer to this land have plenty of questions, and if you have patience enough I will do my best to answer them.

As it stands, I have seen plenty of people offering training. I thought it worth emphasising that the training yard here in Caer Glaem is open to anyone of any skill who wishes to either help train another to defend themselves or improve their skill. You may have never held a weapon, may be considered the best in your own land. Either way, I am quite certain you will have something to learn and teach both, and we will find what is best suited.

When all of you were brought here it was because of something inside you, what they call a shard. A chip or piece of a gemstone of great power that found its way to your world. It carries power you can use, and some of us -- myself included -- have been taught how to do such a thing. I will gladly teach anyone who wishes to learn. It is better to be taught than to use it by accident, I think, as such things can be explosive.

Likewise, there is always plenty to be done around Caer Glaem that is not combative. If any of you wish to volunteer your skills, or to be pointed somewhere you might be of use, we will find you something. No skill is useless, no person lacking worth. A city cannot be manned by soldiers alone, it takes more than that to keep it running.

[ ... Is that it? Yes, he thinks he has run out of things to say. Lancelot inclines his head a little, offers a small smile. ]

Thank you for your time.

[ OOCly; A log if you wish to find him, train with him, fight with him, or just mingle in the training yard with someone else! Lancelot can also give out quests, he has q few open still but I can also create new ones to suit if you have an idea. If you need your character to be pushed into something for the war effort, or are unsure how to involve them, you are welcome to let me know and I will try to think of a way to recruit them! ]

Comments

[theywhowait]

Nor I, but neither would I chose one which throws soldiers unwilling onto a battlefield, abandons them there and makes no shift to rescue or send aid after they have been tortured. [ Faramir is very fond of Legolas okay ] Nor am I particularly pleased to have learnt that they would refuse to intervene in a situation caused by one of their own which resulted in an attack by their enemies which might have been prevented, let alone that the one of their own in question is a child. A child who was rewarded for their actions.

[ a shrug ] Terrible things happen in war, this I know. But neither seems guiltless. There has been not even the smallest attempt at peace, save by those who are unwilling drawn to their service. I go where Aragorn goes, and will serve as he directs, but I do not think he is happy with this situation either.

[knightscode]

[ There's a long, uncomfortable pause before Lancelot replies. His voice drops, from something calm and confident to quiet. Shaken. Perhaps angry, underneath, although it has little fuel yet. How could this man know? He doest not know him. Who would tell of it, when Lancelot has hardly told anyone? Waver, Faolan, does anyone else even -- ]

How do you know?

[ Then, more firmly. ]

Who told you?

damnit Farry

[theywhowait]

[ A pause, grey eyes carefully evaluating what he sees of Lancelot's reaction. They have not the piercing elven-light of his long-distant ancestors, but Faramir, they say, reads clearly the hearts of Men, just like his father. His answer when it comes is slow, and careful, almost gentle ]

Legolas does not speak of it willingly, but his kin and friends see and know, and I have eyes, as well, to read and learn what my friend cannot yet speak.

What did they do to you, Lancelot?

stop your elfy spying!!

[knightscode]

[ Legolas is not a name he knows. The context is not one he understands. Who is this man? Who are his kin? Why is Faramir asking him this? He struggles to hide the conflict in his expression. The fear and dismay, the anger simmering higher. ]

That is not yours to ask.

sob

[theywhowait]

[ Faramir bows his head in acknowledgement ]

Perhaps not. But whatever it is, it upsets you, sir. I look at you and I see the same trouble as crosses my friend's face (although Legolas hides it better), and I think that perhaps you are not as set in your loyalties as you might like folk to think.

FARAMIR NO

[knightscode]

[ Lancelot's anger simmers high, peaks in a flare of righteous grandeur at least as he twitches. It is true, in some ways, that he is loyalties have wavered before -- that he has friends in the Unseelie court. Yet Lancelot is loyal to this court in place of Camelot, has fought every month for eight long months and to have such a thing questioned by a stranger is intolerable. In a better state he might stomach it calmly, but he has been caught off guard, shaken, and memories he wished to suppress have been woken. ]

I swore an oath of service to this court, I have fought and bled for this court and I will not have my loyalties questioned by a man who is as a stranger to me. Do not presume to know my heart.

sob a-also I think. I think he is *testing* Lancelot

[theywhowait]

[ Beware of anger Denethor said to him long ago For anger speaks of hurts unhealed, and it is a dangerous weapon, my son. and Faramir bows again ]

Forgive me, for you are correct, but I see your anger sir, and wonder at it. You react as if some grievous harm has been done, and yet I spoke only of that done to my friend. If griefs you have still unhealed, I am sorry that I stirred them, but to hide them will only let them fester.

he probably fails the test

[knightscode]

[ Denethor is right in his words, for Lancelot's pain is far from healed, yet it also feels recent to him. It is not a years old pain, it is a pain that has not even had half a year to settle. A wound that has been constantly bumped and re-bled until Reynard finally fell the month prior. The tension in him is enough that he can feel his head begin to hurt with the pressure of control. ]

My grief is shared with those I trust to share it with, not with those who have not even given me their name.

whoops?

[theywhowait]

Then share it with them sir, for you are not healing, and it does not take a healer to see your pain, when you lash out at one who answered a question you yourself asked honestly.

[ But true, he has not, has he? ]

But if tis a name you wish, then Faramir of Gondor I am.

[knightscode]

Faramir of Gondor, then.

[ Lancelot's hackles are still up, though, and he is uneasy. His instincts racing in response to the perceived threat -- to memories re-awakened. To danger. ]

Keep your friend's secrets better, sir, for if I found someone used mine in a debate with a stranger I would not think kindly on it.

[theywhowait]

If it were a secret, sir, would I have raised it? I had thought that it was known. He does not speak of it, for it pains him, but it was no secret - I found the records openly on the network here. You asked me an honest question, and I answered you the same.