[Video; Forward dated to June 1]

[lightbranded]

[A small boy in a battered sheepskin jacket stares solemnly at the video. He pokes at the locket, an expression of mild curiosity on his face, before starting to speak.]

Ah, hullo? Is this thing on? Quite a strange little device. Not quite like anything I remember seeing before, I think.

[Will blinks, and smiles a little foolishly.]

But then I’m getting off topic. I've only just arrived here, you see. And I thought it would be terribly rude if I didn't introduce myself.  I am Will Stanton.

I don't suppose anyone would be willing to explain a bit more of what's happening? I've heard something about a war, but it all seems terribly confusing.

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[lightbranded]

[Will would never feel quite comfortable with just abandoning titles. There was a part of him that was absolutely certain that names and titles were important. They held power and meaning of their own. It wouldn't feel right, just calling this person by his given name.]

If you don't mind, I would rather call you by a title. Being proper when it comes to names is important, I've always thought.

I suppose I have rather a lot of questions. Mostly about the war. [The boy grimaces.] I don't suppose I mind being pulled into another war, exactly. But I would like to know more about the why.

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[firith]

[ Such a solemn child. ]

Elvenking will do, then.

You were lured into a war between two factions that have fought for a very long time. The details of this stretch back in the library of Caer Glaem, you will find, as did I. [ Terribly young as Will is, Thranduil doesn't lie. ] They want us to kill those on the other side and take a missing shard of a gemstone from them, imbued in the body of every Shard-holder, to relinquish to the kings and queens.

They offer up the Seelie and Unseelie alike as soldiers, nothing more.

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[lightbranded]

[As Will listens, his expression stills and becomes completely blank. Almost as if he was waiting to hear all of the facts before he chose how to feel about it. When Will finally answers it is with words that have obviously been carefully thought through.]

I see. I suppose war never truly changes, no matter the purpose.

[There was an odd oldness to the boy's eyes as he spoke.]

Thank you for the advice, though. I hadn't thought of checking the library.

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[firith]

[ At the very least, it isn't a Radagast-like oddness. Tilting his head at the mortal child (he supposes, as it's hard to tell in these lands), he almost equates Will's intelligence and youth with that of an elven child's growth-rate; an older mind in a slow-to-mature body. ]

You will find it a vast museum of antiquities and had best ask the fairies for assistance. [ Also, just because it's true, ] And take something to eat, if you intend to stay awhile.

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[lightbranded]

[The boy grins suddenly. He had always been rather find of old places and of old books. Even in such a serious situation, he couldn't help but feel his spirits lift at the prospect of spending time in such a place.]

It sounds quite marvelous. Don't worry, I will keep your advice in mind. I expect it will be quite useful.

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[firith]

Indeed. Let me know if you find something of use, then I shall feel all the better for my recommendation carrying weight.

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[lightbranded]

I will. And I thank you very much for all your help.