fifth arrow → VIDEO → both courts (backdated to the 10th)

[notyetlegend]

["Check for survivors. If there's any, we'll take them back to the fortress. They'll be safe there." "Yes, my Lady."

It's the early morning when the locket flicks on, the sun just beginning to peek but still quite dark, the silhouette of the creature in the distance. The sound of two voices comes over the network, one a familiar, if not thickened by emotions, Scottish brogue and what sounds like another woman. The way the locket is positioned shows a scene that's becoming all too common to some people - an entire village, ripped away by the path of the Jabberwock, fires lit and devouring the remaining houses. Bodies, rotted and decomposing thanks to the Jabberwock's aura, lay on the ground.

The image shakes as the sound of footsteps fades and Merida raises her locket to look at it. There's no denying the rage on her face and in her eyes, bright blue eyes usually so full of life and laughter narrowed to the point of seemingly glowing an electric blue in the darkness of the morning. Her voice comes out clipped and sharp.]

I hope th' lot of you are proud of yourselves. If you thought this battle would be kept to just th' opposin' factions, you're wrong. Innocent natives who have nothing to do with either side have been caught up in that thing's path of devastation!

[The more she speaks, the more it sounds like Merida is trying desperately to keep her anger under wraps, but it's obvious with the way her voice pitches higher and higher that she's about to snap at someone. She inhales, and by the grimace on her face it's obvious the stench of death and decay is starting to get to her. Raising her free hand, she pinches the bridge of her nose and sucks in her anger.]

I now have two children under my protection until I can get them to their uncle no thanks to this war. Gods know how many others. I want a headcount or a map with villages near Caer Glaem that I will send people to or investigate myself. An' for th' sake of all those above an' below, somebody take that creature out! I don't care whether it lives or dies at this point!

[The locket snaps shut with a mutter of "the Shuck's not going to be happy". but she'll respond.]

Comments

Video, Permaprivate

[gordianknots]

The rot of the Jabberwock will be a problem.

[notyetlegend]

No kiddin'.

[Sorry for the tone, Waver.]

Do we have a solution yet?

[gordianknots]

Nothing. Managed to get a lavender surplus and hopefully an experiment will come to fruition, but the rot itself? Not a thing.

[notyetlegend]

For th' sake of th' gods, it's like Balor himself was released.

[Merida threads her fingers through her hair, pushing it out of her eyes and over her shoulder with an exasperated sigh.]

We might end up having no choice but to kill it. I doubt Morla's goin' to be pleased, but if we can't get through that aura enough to trap it...

[video]

[bird_brain]

That is easier said than done, lady. [Never mind. He didn't mean to snap but. You know. Stress.]

[He takes a breath, nares flaring and ear tufts pricked forward. His tone is noticeably less hostile when next he speaks.]

I can go toward some villages.

[video]

[notyetlegend]

I know that.

[If she wasn't so angry at the moment she would have taken it to marvel at him. As it is, Merida cups her hands together over her face and breathes harshly into them, her shoulders relaxing as she speaks once more, tone not nearly so clipped or snappy.]

I would be grateful, m'lord. Even if you could just point me in th' direction of them so I can spend less time searchin' for them. There's so many smaller settlements...

[video]

[bird_brain]

Don't call me that. [His tone is weary, not sharp.] I am no lord. Just Aubri.

[video]

[notyetlegend]

[Any other time she would have teased back 'Just Aubri?', but now was not the time. Instead, she gives him a smile.]

Merida. I wish it were better circumstances we were meetin' under.

[She can't help but examine him, looking at his wings.]

I would be honored if you would help, though I understand if you have other matters to attend to.

[video]

[psalmed]

Do you need assistance?

[She offers before she thinks. About where the girl is or what she can do. But it's instinct to help, to offer to take the children or bury bodies or something because she's useless enough as it is. So she softens.]

What would most help you?

[video]

[notyetlegend]

At the moment?

[Merida has let her anger subside for a moment in favor of clearing her mind, collecting her thoughts. She looks perplexed for a moment, cupping her hands over her nose and mouth before dragging one through her hair.]

I would not want to trouble you, m'lady. I'm sure you have your own to worry about.

[video]

[psalmed]

I have only myself and that is not so very much.

[In service to others. That is how it should be, what she strives toward when she is lost in selfish thoughts.]

I am uncertain how much aid I can be but I will try.

[video]

[notyetlegend]

[Merida purses her lips together, considering, then inclines her head with a nod.]

If you would check those settlements near Caer Glaem I would be grateful, m'lady. I don't dare enter any further, but I'm sure there are ones in th' forests surroundin' th' castle that were hit. Ones hidden from view. They will need your help th' most if there are any survivors.

video;

[detoxifying]

[ Well. He couldn't exactly say what he expected when he began looking through his locket as he sat wounded in the Cothromach. Certainly not a lecture on the dangers of war (though perhaps it was something of a relief). ]

Such is always the nature of war.

[ He's reminded of the chaos that fell on the hinterlands. Mages, templars, and everyone else stuck in the middle. Who do you think is the real loser of the war? The banners might have changed, but the idea was the same.

And this time, there was no Inquisition. ]

At the very least, I managed to alert one of the cities, should the creature venture there.

video;

[notyetlegend]

[Sometimes people needed to be reminded that actions led to consequences. It was bad enough that people didn't seem to know the stories about the fae like she and a few others did.]

Aye. I'll grant that.

[Merida pinches the bridge of her nose with a small sigh. She looks exhausted, frazzled, but she gives him a smile when she hears that.]

You have my thanks, my lord. [There's a slight glance off to the side before she returns her attention to the locket.] Its actions are sporadic, given it's only a child. It looked like it was heading east, when I could see it.

video;

[detoxifying]

[ When he hears "my lord", he almost laughs, despite the circumstances. ]

Please, just "Cullen" is fine. I've never been a lord, here or otherwise.

[ Nor does he think he'd be a particularly good one, if given the chance. Better to leave it up to those who actually care about politics.

As she continues to speak, he begins to frown again. ]

If it is, the Cothromach is at least aware of its presence. [ thank the Maker ] Still, if that is only a child, I hate to imagine what the grown beast could do to these lands.

[ Perhaps it would be even worse than an archdemon. ]

Voice

[starspangled]

[At first there's just a heavy sigh, one that Steve probably didn't mean to be heard. Innocent people always die in wars. He hates it more than he can put into words.]

Do you know what areas are already being covered?

Voice

[notyetlegend]

[Her lips quirk into a small smile when she hears his voice, a bit of relief flowing through her. Good. He's alright.]

At the moment? Just this village. I'm goin' to have someone head east, since that seems to be th' direction it's headin' in. I'll be goin' north, see if I can find any settlements hit.

[Her voice sounds less angry now than it did before, just mildly defeated and tired.]

You should rest, Steve. People are goin' to need you.

[Seelie. Ariadne. There's a lot she means behind the word.]

Voice

[starspangled]

Soon. That thing's still out there.

[He can't rest while it is, knowing that people are still in danger, innocents and people he cares about too.]

If it turns your way, make sure you find a safe place for you and the kids.

Voice

[notyetlegend]

Our fortress is well warded. They'll be safe there.

[When did it become ours?]

I won't take them anywhere until it's gone or otherwise. When I got here, th' beast seemed to be headin' east.

video »

[skjalf]

( U g h. This is what she has been afraid of, and precisely what has come to pass. Herein lies just why she cannot blame the people of this world for their hatred toward any and all shardbearers. What have they wrought here for them? Death, rot and destruction. )

I am assisting a goodly amount of refugees in an area called La Llorana, procuring supplies for them. Let me know what is needed, and I will acquire as much as I can.

( She makes it a point to speak calmly, to hide her own anger in her voice at least, keeping it leashed and controlled. But it is evident in her gaze. )

One should not speak of felling the creature. It knows not what it does. ( The latter, at least, she can believe. But it has destroyed the lives of countless people. She will say naught on that score, and wisely so. )

video »

[notyetlegend]

[Merida herself would not blame the natives for their dislike of shardbearers, just the way some of them went about it. How could they hope to bridge that gap when there was a creature like that, made with the intent of turning the tide in the war when it was older, released prematurely by some idiot?]

I'm headin' north myself, seein' what villages have been hit along the western border. I will let you know when I have an approximate headcount an' will meet you somewhere, Lady Elizabeth.

[Formality is necessary in order to quell the burning rage in her. Her anger has dropped by now, replaced with exasperation and exhaustion. She shakes her head, a look in her eyes saying she made a mistake talking like that.]

I am aware. I heard its cries when I arrived here an' it was far from me. It was not unlike th' pups I have been rearin'.

[Her stomach had churned at the thought.]

video »

[skjalf]

( Everything is tricky at the moment. And effort must be made on both sides to cultivate a solid base of trust and respect. It will not occur overnight. Perhaps it might even take years. Years well-spent, though, should they lead to a fruitful outcome for everyone. )

I thank you, Merida. For my part, I shall acquire as many supplies as I might afford. And please, simply call me Elizabeth.

( Her own tone is curt, and cool. Not because she is angry at Merida, but rather the entire situation. She has had just about enough of it. )

As did I. ( More like ungodly, but she does not remark upon that. ) From whence did it come? I have never seen such a beast before. Nor shall I ever, methinks.

( Yeah, ditto on the feeling sick part. )

voice

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor sounds flat and empty. He knows he should care, but all he can summon is faint disgust ]

It always is, that the innocent are those caught between hammer and anvil while the mighty squabble. I........ I am no fit state for company, and there are kin who need me. But. if you truly need my help, I will lend what aid I can.

voice

[notyetlegend]

Please, take care of yours an' yourself first, Maglor. Make them your priority. They're goin' to need you more than I will. Focus on that an' work on helpin' others later when you're able.

[Her tone is gentle, understanding.]

voice

[bythewaves]

Thank you, brave heart.

I... do not know how long it will be, before I can care again for others. Arwen... has not taken Aragorn's death well. But call me, if you need me. For you, I will try.