video | backdated to the 23rd

[walkingarsenal]

[Fíli seldom uses the lockets to make announcements for all shardbearers to hear, still reluctant to rely on them without restraint, but there is something that needs mentioning even amidst the mounting tensions. He comes into view, beard closely cropped, and begins with a nod in greeting.]

Cothromach has housed us for some months, but my companions and I will be taking our leave of the city. Our lockets remain open to any who seek us -- that is, my brother Kíli, our cousin Gimli, and Mister Baggins.

[In the background, Kíli gestures wildly, making muffled sounds until his brother turns to look his way. Then his fingers move in a series of quick, precise motions, and Fíli faces the locket again with a small smile resting on his lips.]

Our cousin has friends and acquaintances all over, if we're not mistaken... Should you have a moment, Kíli and I would be grateful for any help in reminding Gimli that today happens to be his birthday.

[From Fili’s opposite side comes Bilbo’s voice, quietly surprised.] His birthday! My goodness that is a cause for celebration - a party may be too much, but I wonder if he would like a birthday cake?

-- And no Kili I do not need your help with the baking! Eru knows you’d only devour half the batter before I could even finish...

Comments

[muscovy]

Has Cothromach become a bad place to live in?

[walkingarsenal]

[There's a surprised look for the question. Making children uneasy, that wasn't their intention.]

Ah... Not at all. It may even be one of the best.

[muscovy]

Then why are you leaving?

[walkingarsenal]

[That's slightly complicated to get into.]

A change of pace, I suppose. The decision was our gift of sorts to our cousin.

[muscovy]

So he wants to leave and you're going with him so he's safer?

[walkingarsenal]

[He smiles, glancing over his shoulder and then back at the locket.]

That as well. After all, we're family.

[muscovy]

What are the other parts?

[He likes stories about families.]

[walkingarsenal]

Behind our decision? Simply to surprise him.

[To come to think of it, how old is this child...]

Do you live here in this city, then?

[muscovy]

No. Everyone else in my house is Unseelie, and Mr Jón said that my lord father is not allowed to live there. But it seemed like a nice place.

[Not technically father, but it is the descriptor that comes the closest to actually fitting in this strange situation that he has found himself in, where he isn't really a nation but also... not anything else.

[walkingarsenal]

I see... [Seelie, Unseelie, he doesn't think that the courts are as clear-cut as they seemed at first, but the Cothromach's Captain of the Guard must have orders to follow.] But you are Seelie?

[The only one among his family? Luckily it hasn't been an issue, from the sound of it, beyond being barred from settling in the Lady Stark's city.]

[muscovy]

It seems so.

[He didn't wake up in the Seelie castle, but he saw fairies when arriving, and the one boon that he has received so far was from Solais. So it seems almost certain that he's Seelie.]

But the station is neutral, and I was told that Redgate is open to anyone.