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

[walkingarsenal]

[It's good to see his friend again -- faring well. Returning Legolas's smile, Fíli almost indulges in playfulness that has had no place beside the blows dealt them since Thorin's disappearance, but Legolas guesses the meaning of Kíli's gestures immediately, and so the teasing will have to wait until another day.

Or not.]

Now that we have given the surprise away, I suppose we must think up another... [A slight shrug, then in less joking a manner:] We hope to greet you upon your return.

[orcsurfing]

[ So very overjoyed is Legolas to see Fili smiling, most delighted to have him engage in playful talk once more, after all that happened. In a way, it's a great relief. ]

Ai, must I truly live in wonder now until such time comes that I may return? [ Tsk, tsk, though smiling all the while. ] What a terrible fate you spare me, Master Dwarf.

[ A chuckle slips past his lips at the tail end of those words. ]

So do I.

[walkingarsenal]

[Legolas has played a significant part in that, really.

Fíli answers with a chuckle of his own after all, shaking his head.]

Perhaps not, knowing my brother. Even though he has lost his voice, it took him seconds to spill our secret plans.

[orcsurfing]

I could not be any more grateful for your brother's chattiness!

[ And to show it all too, he presses a hand to his chest, over a breastplate of fine elven armour. ]

My poor heart, I do not think it can cope with the excitement of knowing a surprise is coming, but not knowing what it is!

[ Which is... rather missing the point of surprises, but details! ]

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili scowls at his brother, giving him a light shove. He signs to Fili.]

I did not know that Legolas was to be kept in the dark too!

[orcsurfing]

[ Legolas arches both brows, looking from one brother to the other. He is confused, yes, and not understanding at all what exactly Kili is signing, but he doesn't mind it one bit. In fact, he simply continues smiling and awaits to see the outcome of the little argument. That much he can tell.

And he can figure out the reason for it, though still, he keeps quiet. ]

[walkingarsenal]

[Just going to roll his eyes at Kíli here.]

It was a joke. An Elf's sight and hearing, a magic locket -- if we meant to keep him in the dark until we arrived, we would have had to go about all of this a little differently.

[Looking between the image inside the locket and his brother, he remarks:]

The two of you have something in common, it seems, as far as surprises go.

[Though he would have thought that Elves knew how to be patient!]