{Video}

[rangerandking]

{Open to Both Courts}

{It's easier to dress like a Ranger in the midst of battle. Aragorn is unharmed - even some Elves cannot match his skill with a sword - but he looks tired. For the time being he is camping under a rocky outcropping, his sword across his lap as he cleans it of filth.}

Our time runs short. Will we let this world separate us and bend us to its will or will we look beyond our differences and stand together?

I have spoken of such a possibility before and my hope has not dwindled. Animosity will not serve us - nor will contempt.

{He breathes out and returns his sword to its sheathe.}

I ask for compassion and if you wonder how it will serve you, you need only imagine a future where you need not look over your shoulder warily as you travel this land.

{His words are strong and he is fighting to remain undaunted, but he can see a rift growing. The monarchy have chosen the members of their courts well - those with turbulent pasts - and he knows there will always be a strong reaction when it comes to ideas of compassion and peace.}

{/}

{Closed to Arwen.}

I am weary of heart and body. I say I have not lost hope - {But...} There are many questions I cannot answer. How can I reassure everyone that we have the strength to defend ourselves against the Fae?

I want to believe we do; I want to see peace come to both courts...

My dreams are restless. There is no clear path that I can see.

{/}

Comments

[video/private]

[athousandcurses]

My work at the Station is moving slowly. I have received advice to wait until the hostilities are over before approaching with peace, to use as an example of why it is important.

[video/private]

[rangerandking]

I owe you much, Lady Grainne. Conflicts have taken me elsewhere to aid King Thranduil, Legolas and the Elves. When I return, I shall aid you.

{It's a relief to see she is continuing forward; it inspires him to tap into his energy reserves.}

[athousandcurses]

[On the other hand, Grainne herself looks a bit worse for wear trying to do so many things at once and prepare for whatever uncertain future is coming for them at the Station. She's made of stern stuff, however, and keeps her shoulders squared.]

I have not heard of those people, but I am sure they are in good hands. I would very much appreciate any aid you can bring.

[rangerandking]

They are dear friends and I cannot leave them to face battle alone. {He is beginning to think a fast travel boon would serve him well. Ehtyarion is swift, but not quite swift enough.} I urge you to rest in the meantime. Time may be short, but you will serve no one exhausted.

video

[theywhowait]

They do not seem intent to listen, my lord. [ Faramir sounds tired and weary ]

Have you and the Lady Arwen given thought to your own safety, if it comes to that? [ Because you are his King, okay, and you need to be alive to look after Gondor ]

video

[rangerandking]

I shall not wrest their free will from them, though I hope they think of the future. What will become of us when the war ends and we are filled with memories of regret?

{He presses his lips together grimly.}

Her safety I shall see to above my own.

video

[theywhowait]

I wish more would look upon this coming conflict with such wisdom, sire.

[ he nods ]

Is there ought you would ask of me in that regard? I have offered to help one Sir Lancelot in training those who wish to fight, although I fear it suits me ill. But your safety, and hers, comes first.

video

[rangerandking]

Why do you fear it suits you ill? I cannot agree with you on that point, Faramir. {Denethor may have done nothing to boost your confidence, Faramir, but Aragorn will. Particularly when it's the truth.} Train everyone you can and you serve us all well.

video;

[pontificus]

Do you not think the time has passed if both sides arm themselves? [She doesn't know how she feels on the matter. It is not a war that benefits her, and she is in a relatively neutral place, though she's been asked by the Seelie Marshall to help with aid.

It is a question worth answering though, and he voices it better than she. Lucrezia tilts her head in quandary, searching herself for the answer. What does it mean to go to war here? And for what?]

video;

[rangerandking]

No. {There is hope yet - even if it grows dim.} The monarchy and the natives may encourage us to turn against one another, but the choice lies with us.

video;

[pontificus]

And if we choose to help our friends who decide to take up arms? Some choose neutrality, and I should hope to align my beliefs so, but then I've been asked to aid with supplies. [Lucrezia has lived through battles and countries warring, but she has never had an active part. This war is not hers, but her life has slowly melded to something else here.]

How quickly we become entwined here.

video;

[boutant]

No matter how many shardbearers will not fight -- and many do not want to -- the natives will. They will fight for their king and queen and they will kill others like them, they will try to kill us, they will destroy homes of people who are between them and their goal.

[ Her arms are crossed over her chest, eyes flashing. ]

My hand is being forced to defend my home and the people that live near it because of people who cannot hear your plea for compassion. Maybe you should go out and talk to them instead.

video;

[rangerandking]

I speak not of natives or rightly defending yourself, my lady. I speak of showing compassion to those who find themselves in the same position as you.

{i.e. from a different world, caught up in a war, etc. etc..}

video;

[boutant]

The natives are who will strike if we cross into areas controlled by the other court. Perhaps you should be speaking of them. Or at least make sure your sword is out of sight before you start talking about these things on the network.

[ She's tired, stressed, irritated. ]

I haven't met many Shardbearers who want to fight in this war. I have friends in both courts. They aren't who I have to defend myself against.

text.

[sangilak]

If only everyone thought that way.

text.

[rangerandking]

Fear drives the thoughts of many. It is hard to think of compassion and peace when one is only trying to survive.

But we must.

video. private.

[gloinul]

You know you will have my axe, Aragorn. I will not fight the war of these Queens for I do not trust them, but if I can aid you in anyway you need only ask.

video. private.

[rangerandking]

Aid those who call for help, my friend. Do not let the courts separate our hearts and minds from doing what is right.

video. private.

[gloinul]

Tch, trust me I would not let these Courts have half as much control over me. I do not trust them, Aragorn. Not in the slightest.

audio;

[vrykolakas]

Oh gods, is that all we had to do? Is that all we ever had to do? Stand with each other? Join hands and say to the monarchs, no?

[His voice is cracked, as if his anger might bring him to tears.]

You simple fucking fool, you shit-stupid cunt—

If only someone had thought of that before—ah, if only we hadn't all been so selfish, so small-minded, so damned unimaginative, as to never think of just not fighting! Sing gratitude, that you've come to grab us tight and raise us up from our unsanctified ignorance.

Pry open your eyes. Before someone takes them out for you.

audio;

[rangerandking]

{Incendiary words spoken out of frustration and desperation. Aragorn steadies himself and replies calmly. One does not fight fire with fire.}

Who does your anger serve? {It's not like the words hurt him. He has likely been called worse under the guise of Strider.} Calm yourself. I know that the path to peace is treacherous and that not all fighting can cease. What I speak of is unity.

We are stronger than we imagine with the courts combined, yet a rift grows ever greater between us each time we are led to harm one another. I wish to see that rift lessened a step at a time.

audio; private

[vrykolakas]

[He just about manages to stab the locket into going private. Best not to broadcast this. Bitterly:] My anger serves no purpose at all. It's one of the few fucking things I'm allowed to have which isn't practical, which isn't necessary.

If wishes were pennies, I'd own Laethann by now. What practical measures are you suggesting? Have you got any bright ideas?

[video; private]

[stillhope]

There is much we do not know. Do not let it sway your resolve. [She sighs, taking a moment to look up at the sky.]

I should learn more from the clan, perhaps some of their history with the monarchs might give you a new direction.

[She knew they had been devastated by the war, would more than likely have additional information that cannot be found through shard bearers or books. And then they can rest and regroup - plan a new path if his own is still unclear.]

[video; private]

[rangerandking]

If I do not make my resolve known now {again, rather}, I fear I will never have the chance to plead for unity. {And peace. He aches for peace.}

Stay safe, Arwen. I will lose far more than my resolve should ill befall you.

[video; private]

[stillhope]

[The call to arms has not been made quietly, the construction and delegation of citadels and spires solidifying what she'd feared.]

And if this land is too ravaged by war to entertain the notion of peace? Would you forsake your shard to remove the hold of the court?

[The thought had crossed her mind, a way to remain truly neutral so she could help those who could not help themselves.]