Voice, Open

[bythewaves]

[ Grief, as deep as the sea, as endless as the sky. Pain, like sheeting ice, in the voice that speaks... and for those with ears to hear, a tiny, quiet envy and relief. ]

For those who knew them, the list of those freed from this world now includes the Lady Galadriel and her husband, the Lord Celeborn, their daughter, the Lady Celebrian, the Lady Idril, and Maedhros my brother. Also, the Lady Sif, who counted us as family in lieu of those left in her own world.

Their things are with me, but they left no letters behind.

Comments

voice;

[arla]

I was afraid that, under the context, 'freed' meant something...much more dire. That they have possibly escaped is good, I'll agree with that. Though I wonder if they are still safe. Do we know what rests beyond this place?

voice;

[bythewaves]

I suspect that for some, death might be as much a freedom, but it is not final, here, and so not a means of escape.

Ah, as to that, it will depend on who you ask... and if you believe them. I have heard it said that those who leave are lost to the void between worlds, but also that they go home. The Elvenking was gone from here, and we all thought him lost, but when he returned he said that years had passed for him at home and so... I do not know. Perhaps some are lost, and some are not, but...if there is any strength in my kin (and they are very strong), then I must belive they made it to safety, and I am glad.

voice;

[arla]

The Elvenking? He is also from your world?

[ His faith is admirable. She respects it, even from afar, even from a stranger. ]

I have hope, then, that they made it back to their worlds and to a peace away from the war of these lands. And still, I offer my sympathies for you and yours. I hope you will be able to rejoin them one day in better times and under better circumstances.

voice;

[bythewaves]

He is, aye.

And I thank you, but even should I return I am sundered from my kin. This will be the last time I see them.

voice;

[arla]

Sundered? Forgive me for prying, my lord - and you do not need to answer my question - but why? Surely your family would not cast you from their care so idly.

voice;

[bythewaves]

[ There is a long pause, and she must think that he is not going to answer until ]

Do not call me lord, for I am no lord of anything, these days. And that... is in part why I say that. I made a decision once, that I would refuse none my story, and so... I am Exile, Accursed and Dispossessed, lady. My family are, for the most part, dead, and those who remain are beyond my reach on the other side of the Sundering Sea.

voice;

[arla]

[ Many of these things she does not understand, but she can recognize that he is exiled, has lost any titles he once had, his family is gone, and he can no longer go back to them. ]

Forgive me for asking you to share these truths. I did not realize the depth to which you'd lost so much. You have my condolences just the same, whether you are Accursed or not, for no one should be without those they love.

voice;

[bythewaves]

You are kind, lady, and I thank you. Do not grieve overly for me - many of my losses came from our family's folly, and most would say them well deserved. I pray you never know this pain.