eachdraidh | Video; Seelie Locked and Locked to those with Shard Palantirs

[Zhaneel had been living in I Othrann-in-Heneb for the last two weeks, enjoying greatly the change of scenery. She knew there was enough denying the coming Void, and she was prepared to do her share to fight alongside others to hold it at bay, but that did not change the fact that she was enjoying having some time away; and Aragorn was as good of company as she could hope for.

She had been practicing her archery and by his hand was improving every day, and he had taken to teaching her Sindarin and Quenya at her request. As long as she was there, she thought it best to take advantage of the knowledge he had and learn as much as he could teach her. She was an eager student, and a fast learner and that eagerness brought her to the Elven courtyard as it had every other morning since her arrival.

Only Aragorn was not there to meet her. She had searched and when she'd come to his quarters, she'd found his belongings and his shard.

She gathered the items, donning his shard born palantir necklace and slipping Faramir's teleportation ring onto her unadorned hand. Elrond's picture, along with Maglor's letter and lockets belonging to Nuala and Arwen, were safely packed into a pocket of the Disillusionment Cloak she pulled over her shoulders. His shard went into a satchel that hung around her neck, the Elven made cloth fine, but strong.

She gathered herself and took to the skies, returning to the Cothromach first. She knew of the departure of the Starks that had ruled the battlement... most importantly, the departure of its lady Keeper Sansa. It wasn't until she tapped on his door and swung his door open, that she knew of the departure of one of her last friends, Dave Stutler, and his shard found itself tucked safely aside Aragorn's.

It's then that she activates her locket, her head held tall even as her throat tightens around the words.]

Aragorn, Keeper of I Orthann-in-Heneb... and David Stutler, sorcerer of the Cothromach... Both are gone from this world. Never could I have hoped for two finer men to call friend.

[She almost angrily wipes away the tear that slides down her cheek, tossing her hair from her eyes.]

My heart aches and they will be missed greatly... to those that knew them... [She looks at the locket again, this time allowing the tears to fall as they will.]

I am sorry. If you know of others that this message may not reach, I beseech you to share it.

[When she is through, she closes the locket and lifts the shard-made palantir, sending the same message across its confined channels to those that remain.]

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[Steve frowns at the news. He'd meant to visit Dave when he came back to the Cothromach. There just hadn't been time. Now it's too late.]

Dave...Dave was good. I'll miss him.

[Anorher face she's only seen around the lockets, but never been properly introduced to. Her smile is faint, but she nods.]

He was a good man... I hope he knew that in full before leaving this place. [She tilts her head as she studies him, brows knitting as she tries to put name to face.] You are... Steve?

I hope so too.

[Steve smiles, even if it's a bit sad. He remembers Dave using the magic that he was once a little bit unsure of to help defend. That's how he'll always remember him.]

That's right. I don't think we've actually spoken before. I wish we'd had the chance under better circumstances.

[She didn't want to consider that anyone might not know his name... that his sacrifices had been for less than he'd expected. She knew well how much he'd run himself down after the attacks on Cothromach and how seriously he took the repairs and re-warding of the battlements.

She dips her head in response, smile tired and a bit tight around the edges.]

Aye, I do not believe we have. [Her smile softens a bit.] Don't we all have such wishes... I'm called Zhaneel. It is a pleasure to meet you, Steve, regardless of the circumstances. [Because, seriously, what was the likelihood that it would ever get any better?]

Zhaneel

[He nods his head softly.]

I can't replace the friends that are lost, but I can offer a new one.

[A smile touches her lips at the offer and she inclines her head.]

I would be honored to consider you such, Steve... In these dark days, I believe we can all use as many as we can make.

[That tugs the corners of his lips up. It's a sad smile, but a smile nonetheless.]

I certainly agree with that.

Video; Seelie Locked and Locked to those with Shard Palantirs

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