eachdraidh | {Video}

{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.

{/}

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There might be other ways. [While she understands that he would willingly give his life for peace, it's not something she wishes to see unless there are no other options.]

I shall see what I can learn from the natives.

Arwen, what is on your mind? {He gazes at her fixedly, worry warring with curiosity in his eyes.}

[Her lips purse for a moment as she thinks, tries to find the words.] I have heard there are those here who can remove the shards without the pain of death. Once I know more about them and if there might be a way to harness the power enough to make a difference before losing it... [She heaves a sigh, everything still muddled.]

There is so much we don't know. Much that has been kept from us by the courts. [As tends to be the case with such things.]

Arwen, Uin edhel. {"I am not an Elf."} I do not know the pain you feel being sequestered and dominated by these courts, however I will not stand for you to do this task alone.

{There is too much at stake. The Shards are...dangerous. He doesn't like possessing one either, but the thought of losing her is like reliving a nightmare.}

I saw your death once; do not make me see it again.

Nor would I wish to, melamin. [Her voice softens, his words earning a pause. She has no wish to die, though it's something she'd accepted some time ago, the moment she gave him her heart.]

I made my choice at home. I accepted my fate, my mortality. We are of different courts... If they decide that my actions, my love for you and my family are against my court - [She lets her head hang for a moment, eyes closing before refocusing on him.]

Rest assured, I would not put you through that... [Unless I had no other choice.

She will not ask the same of him, though losing him isn't something she's sure she's ready to face.]

There is a difference between mere days, weeks or months and decades. {Her life is shortened because of him, but she is young yet. She will out-live him - and she should.} We shall remove them together.

{He can't stand by and let her endure the pain alone. This way, if she does experience death, he will too.}

[And every moment once she loses him will be darkened. It's not something she looks forward to. The longing, the feeling of her heart breaking with each passing day.

Though, his response surprises her. She is stunned silent for a long moment, wishing he were with her so she could hold him.]

Only if there is no other option, but I would never ask this of you. [Beyond him, she had her family to consider, their reactions... This would not be something entered into lightly, nor should it be.]

Will you be returning to I Othrann-in-Heneb or Caer Glaem once your task is finished?

I promised I would return to you. It is your choice where I go. {Because the desire to hold her has overtaken him as well. These are painful decisions, but he can't say he will be sad to be rid of his Shard. He doesn't like being marked by a Queen he doesn't understand.}

You need not ask it of me. {She gave up her immortality for him and she needs to know he would do the same if their situations were switched.}

I Othrann-in-Heneb might be safer with how the troops seem to rally. [How others are seeking solace in neutral territories while others that had previously claimed to be neutral start to change and shift alignments with the time.

She can only smile at that, even as a tear escapes.]

I do not know how the others will react should it come to that.

Then I shall direct my path towards those walls. {And gladly spend time with her and her alone.} It is our choice. Where your path leads you, I will follow. Have you not done the same for me countless times?

[Some much needed time.] I have and I would again and again... [To the end of time and back.]

I will need your help telling my mother if this indeed becomes the path we take.

She is welcome to put the blame on me if it lessens her pain. {Or Arwen's pain for that matter.} I have heard some have been successful in the removal.

Should she hold any pain or anger, it is a burden I shall willingly bear. [He isn't the only voice in this decision. Taking that on isn't something she can ask of him. Not truly.]

Have you heard how they managed this? [Or if they were able to succeed without death?]

I will make my own inquiries. {He gives her a small, comforting smile.} This is only the beginning, Arwen. We have time to make our case to all concerned parties.

Diola lle... And it is. We can compare the information we've gathered later. I will continue trying to learn more about the shards and the native herbs in the meantime.

It is I who should thank you. {For far more than the events of the Drabwurld.} We will be together soon. War or not, I will take a respite with you.

I look forward to it. [To a quieter moment, a chance to steal away even if just for a few hours.] Stay safe - I will see you soon.

Na lû e-govaned vîn, Arwen. {"Until next we meet."} The hours cannot pass quickly enough.

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