Forward dated to June 2; video

[inafadingcrown]

[The woman who appears on the screen is sitting on the floor of a forest in what is obviously a makeshift camp. The chirping of birds and the faint sounds of horses can be heard in the background. Her first message is short and simple, open to everyone (though, admittedly, there are a few who she is particularly hoping to hear from).]


I am curious;  how many of you hail from Arda? When did you see it last?

For those who do not, tell me something of your world, if you will. I have time enough for a tale or two.

[Locked to Seelie]

Gi suilon. I am known to some of you already; for those to whom I am not, I will offer a short introduction. [She gives a little nod of her head- not a bow, but still with a slightly formal air.] I am Galadriel, formerly of Lothlórien.

I regret very much that I am not able to offer my greetings in person to those of you who have newly arrived, but, alas, circumstances necessitate my presence elsewhere.

Regardless of my absence, I would offer you- and those who have been longer in this world- use of the lembas and miruvor I received as a boon. Lembas, for those who are unaware, are Elven waybread. My supply of these is dwindling and even a little will provide nourishment for days, so I ask that you take only at need and sparingly. Miruvor is healing cordial, though it may also be used simply to renew strength. Of this I have more, but, again, do not use it needlessly. Both the lembas and the miruvor I keep in my quarters; my maid is likely to be about and able to show you to it. If not, you may contact me and I will find a way to make arrangements.

Upon my return, I will no doubt meet many of you for myself and I will be glad to offer what assistance I may, for I know well that this place may be frightening and strange, however welcoming our hosts may mean to be. Until then, keep well.

[Locked to Maglor]

[Ordinarily, she would deem this unnecessary, but she does know that he was traveling recently. And it's best he know as soon as possible.]

I do not know if you have heard, cousin, but yet another kinsman has found his way to this world.

Comments

[inafadingcrown]

[She softens a little, watching him.] Forgive me. I should have held my tongue. [Her hand goes to her forehead, as if she feels a headache coming on.] I think I know something of loving beyond reason.

[She should hate him, after all. And she should certainly hate Celegorm. But... it's not that simple. She can't forgive them, but she can't quite find it in herself to hate them either.]

[bythewaves]

I am sorry you were ever entangled with us so. [ It is the only apology he knows how to give ]

I... if you chose to cut ties with us here, I would understand. [ Celegorm on the other hand... but he could force the issue, maybe, unless Feanor intervened ]

I know Celegorm has been... less than politic, and for that also I apologise.

[inafadingcrown]

[She laughs bitterly] Of all the things for which you might apologize, you choose that which was beyond your control.

It would be wiser, maybe, to cut ties, yet I cannot. I could not bear it. I have so little kin left to me...

[Celegorm, though is another matter and one which prompts another pained expression.]

He has been more than impolitic, Makalaure; he has been mad. Abducting Lord Elrond is sin enough, but he saw fit to beat and torment the son of the Elvenking of Mirkwood for trespassing in your Caer Scima. My ally and friend now seeks his blood and, truthfully, I cannot fault him for it.

I fear for him, cousin. I fear that he will become as he was, before the end.

[bythewaves]

He what!? [ Ai, his heart! a hand goes to his chest and he cannot help the pained nose as he gasps for breath suddenly, face paling even more as he near doubles over in agony (his Light flickers, if she watches, in time to a rapidly racing heartbeat) ]

No, oh no, oh Celegorm, what have you done? Oh Turko, why? [ it is an agonised keen not directed at anyone in particular, really ] I should never have left him alone!

Oh cousin, I cannot do this again! If the Elvenking strikes against him I cannot, I will not want to restrain Father! I cannot loose him again, cousin! I cannot! [ Maglor is near hysterical by this point, weeping on his knees ]

[inafadingcrown]

[The strain of all this is visible on her face, but she does not cry with him. She has wept her tears already.]

Makalaure, listen to me. You are not to blame for what he has done. He is full grown and more than capable of making his own choices- and of bearing the consequences. Likewise, your father will do as he wills- as he has ever done. You are responsible only for your own actions. Do as you feel you must; no one could ask more of you.

[bythewaves]

Am I not? [ Wild and fey, and desperate, as they were in Sirion, in the wreck of Beleriand, ghost pale he seems to already be almost translucent. That hand never leaves hold of his chest where it clutches, as if to hold his heart in place ]

I knew that he swore loyalty to the queen, I knew he loved her! You remember how he gets when he loves something! And I left him, I left him, when I should have stayed and tempered him. If I had been there, you cannot tell me this would have happened this way, he is not so far gone yet that he would not have heeded me if I bade him stay his hand! It is my responsibility, for am I not his elder, who he looks to? And I cannot bear it, to loose him again. Neither can I bear to go to war again, and that is what this will come to! All roads are evil.

[ soft and utterly despairing ] I should have slain us both when I learnt where we were, and before Father came. But now he is here even that avenue will be closed to me.

[inafadingcrown]

Do not say such things. [Her voice is firm, unyielding. Much else may have changed about her, but she is as stubborn as ever.]

You cannot know what he would or would not have done. His elder you may be, but he is not a child; he should not need minding.

[Galadriel exhales softly, the long years suddenly showing in her bearing. She is old, worn, and tired; it is too much, far too much.] I would ask you to come to the Station, which I have been told is neutral ground, and even to bring Fëanáro, but I know Celegorm would not come. And I know also that you would not leave him.

All roads are evil, for me as well as you. They call me wise, cousin, and I have dared to think them right. Yet I cannot see the path my own feet must follow. Perhaps when I learn what I must do, I will be of more use to you. Now, I fear I am only the harbinger of more pain. I am sorry.

[bythewaves]

How can I not, when it would have solved this problem before it started? [ so very, very bitter ] This world would be a better place without the sons of Feanor.

I... I was on my way to the station. This is why I was not there to stop him. He would have listened, cousin. I know he would have. But it is too late now. [ He is younger than her now, in this strange world where time is but a plaything to their rulers, but he seems broken and tired beyond all strength of endurance now, as if he were still the elder ]

'To evil end will all things turn.' and so it is. History is repeating itself cousin. There is no longer any hope for us and I begin to think there never was. If there remain any who would heed the words of a kinslayer I would pray only that I could spare you more suffering, but Valinor is closed to me, and I do not think our queen would care.

[inafadingcrown]

[Softly, but earnestly:] There is hope yet, Makalaure, even if you cannot see it.

[bythewaves]

For you, I think. But not for me. [ soft and sad ] It is far too late for us now.

[inafadingcrown]

[A sad little smile] Have you developed my gift of foresight, cousin? I have seen much come to pass that I would have thought impossible.

[bythewaves]

[ There is more than a little desperation in the laugh that she gets in return (and a good deal of hopelessness in his gaze) ]

When have good things ever come to the Feanorionnath? I had thought... I had hoped to escape that here, but it seems that the Doom will pursue us until the end.

[inafadingcrown]

I confess that I had hoped the same for you. [But- is it really too late? Just because things have turned one way, does not mean that they must continue in that direction.] I hope it still, truth be told. Your path is not set in stone, cousin.

[bythewaves]

It feels like it is. History repeats cousin, and I do not know how to stop it.

[inafadingcrown]

[She sighs. This argument is going nowhere and she knows it.]

Promise me you will do nothing foolish.

[bythewaves]

[ he hesitates before offering ]

I promised to be here when Father arrives. [ so he can promise to be here for at least that long? ]

[inafadingcrown]

When do you expect him?

[bythewaves]

He... he said he was riding out as soon as might be - and being father, doubtless he will push as fast as he can so... perhaps three weeks?

[inafadingcrown]

We will arrive before he does, then. You will meet with us, will you not?

[bythewaves]

[ He nods, yes, he can do that ]

I will be here. [ He promises ]

[inafadingcrown]

Good. We will see you then.

[bythewaves]

[ he manages to dredge up a smile for her from somewhere ]

Ride safe cousin. I will see you soon.