01 [Video]

[warmassummersday]

[To those who know him or are observant, Elrond looks perhaps a little stressed (more so than he usually might). Otherwise he looks quite well, though the image is just of his face.]

Greetings to all, met and unmet alike. I am curious to hear how everyone has managed through the most recent upheavals.


Closed to Castmates

[This was where he looked more worn, though still healthy and only a little bruised. He still manages a smile and holds the locket out a bit further to show he's dressed (unfortunately) in Unseelie colors.]

I am well. Rest easier, my locket of communication has been returned and I will be leaving within two weeks if all goes as planned.

[And he fully expects arguments about this, but won't shy from them.]

Comments

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[silvergift]

Elrond!

[She beyond relieved to hear from him. But it's short-lived at the news.] Two weeks? Why so long?

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[warmassummersday]

Celebrían.

[Just a breath, joy in that single word. His smile for her warms just a bit more and he reaches up to brush a fingertip along the edge of his locket, as if he could touch her that way.]

I have tasks here that still need tending to and may take longer. Far longer than I would like, but not as long as they could.

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[silvergift]

[She looks anxious more than anything but her happiness lies in her eyes. She lightly touches the locket before clenching her hand.]

What tasks? Celegorm and I had an agreement. You would be released when he received his ransom.

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[warmassummersday]

[He knows, and understands both emotions. Even being able to talk to her made this easier to deal with, knowing she's safe. But her words earn that faint frown, brows drawing together.]

I had already agreed to teaching a kind girl here, prior to you speaking with him. She gave me kindness, and I am returning it in kind. While I am now free to leave, I intend to stay until that is complete.

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[silvergift]

[Confusion is added to that.] You would stay among people who kept you as a prisoner of war? And held you for a ransom?

[Because Celegorm had made clear that's what Elrond had been. And he'd made it clear that Elrond would easily have been killed.]

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[warmassummersday]

[Confusion with merit.]

I feel I must, in this case. I ask you for patience, just a little longer.

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[aiwendil]

[He's had to dig his locket out of the nest under his hat but he still was able to catch Elrond's broadcast. He doesn't like this technology, he feels like he's being spied on every time he opens the locket.

When he speaks, it's in an urgent whisper, his eye practically pressed against the screen. He's never gotten the hang of this.]

Elrond, is that truly you?

video;

[warmassummersday]

[Hello Radagast. Elrond can recognize that paranoid eye anywhere - or because he knows the Istari. A brow raises and true mirth returns.]

Yes, my friend. I am here, though not where I was when last we spoke.

video;

[aiwendil]

[This isn't funny, Elrond!

Radagast looks a bit more alarmed because oh god this is just making him more on edge right now.]

Not where we last spoke, no, where might you be then?

video;

[warmassummersday]

[...Actually it kind of is. Sorry Radagast. He likes you, really.

But he can see just how alarmed his friend is getting, so he does try to put his mind at ease.]

The Unseelie court and the land surrounding it.

[And fails miserably because there's nothing nice about how he'd come to be here, really, other than no torture.]

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[aiwendil]

[This is why he lives in the woods and has little to do with Elves and Men usually, you all cause him too much stress.]

All the way up there? Elrond, that is dangerous territory to venture to, there are orcs and other foul creatures!

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[warmassummersday]

[Even when invited, Radagast didn't often visit which most of Imladris was thankful for.

He hesitates so very briefly, head tilting a little to acknowledge the points.]

I am well aware of what is here. I am well, and have an agreement of no harm with those here.

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[inafadingcrown]

Lord Elrond. [Concern is visible on her face.] I trust that my cousin has treated you reasonably well.

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[warmassummersday]

Lady Galadriel. [He responds in kind, inclining his head respectfully.]

Yes. I have not been ill-treated. [Even the orcs have been leaving him alone.]

[inafadingcrown]

I am glad to hear it. But what is this talk of a departure in two weeks time? Did not my daughter buy your freedom already?

[warmassummersday]

That...[He hesitates then, though briefly.] I will be riding for the Station sooner, within the next few days.

[Celebrían is so very persuasive and he can't stand her tears.]

I ask a favor of you. [Though he fully expects her to do so without being asked.] Ride with Celebrían when she departs? We are to meet there.

[inafadingcrown]

[She's very relieved to hear that for a number of reasons and, as a result, her expression lightens somewhat.]

You need not ask it. I fully intended to accompany her; I do not think it wise for any of us to travel alone.

[warmassummersday]

[As expected. Though the acceptance manages to bring a touch of a lighter expression to his own face. One less thing to worry as much over.]

No, it is not. Even the strongest of us should not travel alone.

video and private but only because you started it

[bythewaves]

[ Something is very, very wrong, and Elrond, who knows Maglor as well as any here now, is almost certain to pick it up. He smiles but his eyes are empty, and his light is gone. The music that always sang beneath his voice is strangely quiet. He is pleasant, and polite... and nothing more than that ]

Tis good news to hear Lord Elrond. [ 'Lord' he calls him, as if they are merely distant acquaintances ] I am glad that you have not come to further harm.

[ argument? what argument? ]

video | private sob

[warmassummersday]

Ada...?

[He almost doesn't recognize Maglor, so different he looks. No light. Empty. Distant.]

Have I upset you so much that you call me lord without jest?

[His heart hurt just thinking about it. Was this the product of that strange box he'd spied a few days ago in Celegorm's chambers?]

video | private crying

[bythewaves]

I have told you before that we should cut ties - do not call me that. [ the words he has never said should, it feels, come with tears and rage, but instead are kind and almost gentle ][ There is no fire in his eyes, no spark of that light that was before moon and sun. ]

video | private ded

[warmassummersday]

[Had he done this? For all Maglor has done for him, had he driven him this far...?]

This does not sound like the Maglor I know and love. What has happened to kill the light and music in your being?

video | private sobbing

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor tips his head slightly, curious but otherwise unaffected. ]

Kill it? I do not know what you mean Elrond. Nothing of significance has changed.

video | private Soooo dead

[warmassummersday]

[He slowly shakes his head, heartache clear in every line of his face.]

Missing, then. It is not within you now, shining out for all to see.

Action

[avisionofwar]

It's far later in the day, when they're saddling their horses for a ride out into La Llorna, that Celegorm looks over the neck of his tall destrier at his captive, pale brows arching to the half-elf in the other stall.

"I saw, by locket, that you had defended my honour to our kin."

It's a little too abrupt to be a thanks, and his pale-eyed gaze flicks back to the buckle his hands are working upon.

"I wish there were some easy manner of making them see sense..."