eachdraidh | {Video: Open to Both Courts}

The King is optimistic!

{The musical lilt of the voice is caught somewhere between male and female. Further questions concerning the Fae's gender are introduced when they lift the Locket to peer into it playfully. Eyes the color of sparkling emeralds greet anyone watching until the Fae holds the Locket further back.

They are clothed in the finest of gossamer, yet it hangs just so to keep the mystery alive - not that Aragorn minds or is looking.

He is sitting on a rock nearby, sorting herbs - of the healing sort most likely - for his use should he need them in a hurry. There is a small smile on his face, though he doesn't spare the Fae a glance.}

Am I?

There are many Kings.

{At that, he shifts and looks up, breathing in deeply through his nose.}

Are they ever happy?

Only when a war is won.

And their people are safe. {He finishes and rises, brushing off his pants. Moving to stand beside the Fae - whom he dwarfs in height - he grits his teeth.}

Boe? {"Is it necessary?" The war, that is.}

Who can say? We abide; we keep our home. Would you see it ravaged so?

Û. {"No."}

Rise, Estel, Elessar, Elfstone! Sharpen your blade and show them what peace means to you.

{Aragorn makes a soft sound in his throat and holds out his hand. The Fae drops his Locket onto his palm, flashing a smile.}

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Your grace--

[ she seeks to win his attention for a moment. steal it from the task at hand. she waist. ]

My lady? {He gladly gives her his attention, expression gentle.}

[ lady keeper, she thinks. but it's never her prerogative to correct a king. besides, what she is or isn't any longer isn't appropriate to this conversation.

she merely wants to know one thing: ] Are you marching with the Seelie host?

{He admires her progress in this world and he would gladly correct himself. However her question distracts him:}

I march with friends. Their court alliance means little to me. {Though most are Seelie.}

It must mean enough to know who you intend to fight, does it not?

I fight those who threaten them and myself. {He frowns thoughtfully.} What is it you seek, Lady Sansa?

That looks nice.

[ The place, she means. The sight of it. ]

Much of this world is beautiful. {Which makes the chaos all the more heartbreaking.}

[ A hum. ]

But you sound distracted.

I fear what lays before us. The Fae encourage me to fight without reserve.

You think it's worth it?

The preservation of life is worthwhile.

By taking others?

Only if I must. I do not revel in shedding blood or taking a life.

But you're willing to do it.

[ It comes out mild, like an observation. She's not suggesting other alternatives -- it would be hypocritical at best. ]

I don't think I've met a king before. [ Not, actually, true. ]

Give me another path that will ensure their safety and I shall gladly follow it.

{He has wracked his mind for other ways for months.}

I am not crowned. {Yet.} It is in my blood...and my future.

Duty or destiny?

[ Not that she believes much in either. ]

Both.

I am the last heir of the Gondor line and it has fallen on me to lead them into battle.

[ It wouldn't surprise her if the last heir's name was Reve Stogers. ]

Tough break.

[ It's not unkind, though. Or at least not obtusely cruel. ]

I was hoping my future might have a few more scenic routes in it.

{Hey now, honor is timeless.}

I do not regret it. {He smiles a little.} You are here, are you not?

[ And apparently really handsome. ]

I don't know. War usually keeps you pretty busy.

[ It's a little bit of an evasive non-answer to give, even if it confirms the fact she'll be sticking around at all. ]

{Wait until she sees the Elves.}

It won't last forever. I have seen many wonders in this world. War will not consume it all.

{He hopes; he prays. The Drabwurld is a gem of many shades and contours.}

People are capable of anything.

[ It's not so much a pessimistic view of the world that drives the response as it is a certain fact: Natasha's moral center moves, but so does everyone else's. Compromise fuels conflict. She doesn't expect anything less here, magic or otherwise.

Her tone shifts a little. It suggests a smile, though not exactly because something is funny: ]

You're in the Seelie court, aren't you.

They, more often than not, sell themselves short.

{Confidence and support can have a profound effect on just about anyone. The King of Gondor has taken on a role of guardian and parent to the Gondor people - as well as ruler. He finds that he enjoys his roles; they come to him naturally. Which shouldn't be surprising considering his nature.}

I am. How did you guess?

[ The are...beautiful. Lavellan's gaze is transfixed on them, their beauty ethereal, far beyond that of any creature she has been able to see in Thedas. In the Fade, perhaps, as spirits and illusions of times that once were, but this is extraordinary.

She realizes, of course, that she has been watching and staring, and averts her gaze for just a moment before visibly straightening to address the human there. ]

It shouldn't have to be like this.

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