Locket post, Open to Both Courts

[tawarwaith]

[Although Tauriel is well rested from her extended nap, she still peers groggily into the locket, trying to come to terms with what had happened with her. Behind her, anyone who is familiar at all with the Infirmary at Caer Scrima would recognize almost immediately that was where she had found herself. It took her a few moments to be able to articulate anything beyond a blank stare. When she finally does, it is with a voice made hoarse by days of enchanted sleep.]

It seems I ended up not at all where it was I wanted to be. If I made you worry about me, I am sorry... [There was a certain bitterness and disappointment to her tone. This after all was the last place she wanted to be.] If anyone is looking for me I am back at Caer Scrima. I'm not certain what happened. One moment I was in the forest and then I woke up here... The novelty of waking up has worn off already and now I am seeking answers... Such as how did I come to be here again and where those I was traveling with are..

[She did not wish to address outright that she was traveling with people who were Seelie or potentially unaligned at this point, so she left her wording cryptic in the hopes that it would reach the right ears.]

(sixth lemon cake) video ✧ open to both courts

[steeledskin]

[ before the lockets sits a well-composed and well-turned-out lady: her face is set with discipline -- though below it she wants to crack and cry. but sansa stark has a duty -- some imperative -- to speak calmly of grave matters. nothing about this is comfortable; nothing about this is within her conventional grasp. she could compare it to her makeshift trials before the lords declarant or her audiences with the king, but this stage is far wider. out of frame, her fingers tremble. ]

Dear Shardbearers of either court --

[ if her voice shakes then it is by design. some honest fear is permitted into her tone, for what better to move the hearts of strangers than to express genuine dismay at this great knotted problem? she would not have thought to even sell it as injustice until living here and meeting many a person who appeared outraged over these alliances. these marriages. these common cages. ] One turn of the moon ago, High Queen Morla delivered onto me an ultimatum: to marry some Unseelie lord of her choosing, or else invite war upon the Cothromach. Whatever your loyalties, I beg you all to recognize the attempt for what it was --[ and do please fill that blank with your own outraged conclusions. ] I call for aid and support.

[ some words are permitted more of a quiver than others: morla; marry; aid; war. ] But I fear war has come already -- has long already been present -- and today I will refuse the proposal offered, because I fear it was only ever a blade's poisoned edge. I would prevail upon some soul from that queen's court to speak my refusal to her. [ powerful men have met her vulnerabilities with laughter, only to turn and shake their heads when she took small careful steps towards decision. what else is she to do? if she will not play the game by their rules, she must try to write her own. but even now, she hinges her action upon the passion of someone else's protest. someone else's judgement -- for better or worse. ]

The Lady Keeper of the Cothromach will not swear away her city to another court by marriage vows or by vows of any kind. [ except for other partial vows made in quiet rooms with would-be neutral parties. but those meetings are a secret and her announcement today comes instead to engage the hearts and sympathies of prospective champions who might grow incensed over a bully's tactics. lady sansa is not above playing upon their pity if said pity will protect her, her family, and her new city. anyone's pity will do: seelie or unseelie alike. ]

High Queen Morla's dogs are at the gate; let us be wolves when we meet them.

( ooc; i know some efforts have already been made re: the unseelie camps by lancer and others -- there's also a fresh log for the battle itself. )

[Video / Open to Both Courts]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[Private to Stefen.]

[Vanyel is holding onto a pair reins as he begins this video. It's clear he hasn't strayed far from the castle, but he is well-armed. Even his hair is tied back, ensuring that not a single strand crosses his field of vision and distracts him.]

Come outside, love. I have someone I want you to meet - though, sadly, she is no Companion.

[Yet the horses are white and beautiful in their own way.]

I do not wish to leave you behind.

[It clearly worries him to part from the Bard for too long. What if something were to happen in his absence and he couldn't reach Stefen in time?]

I can keep us safe.

[/]

The dead deserve peace. I cannot imagine denying them that - no matter their past crimes. [This is a matter that weighs heavily on him. He has lost many friends to war - though sometimes the war was waged within themselves.] We may judge foul deeds in our own way, but once a spirit passes on, their fate is out of our hands.

[His voice trembles as if he is recalling one spirit in particular.]

Find it in yourself to pity them and lay their remains to rest. I will be doing so until all bones are safely cached in places where they will not be disturbed.

Prayers are not my specialty - [Though he knows to ask the Shadow-Lover to see to their eternal bliss.] I hope good intentions are enough.