eachdraidh | Accidental Video, unlocked to both courts, sometime during the event

[ The video flicks on to a song, soft and sweet and sad. The voice is familiar, it has been heard, in similar circumstances, before - the singer is also probably easily recognizable, and it is fairly obvious that the singer once again does not know that he is being recorded (this is something of a trend) There is a fearie who chitters at the screen before zipping off again ]

Hush now dear ones,
Rest your eyes
None will bring you harm
Sleep my sweet ones
Fear no noise
For I will keep you warm

[ It is a lullaby - an old one, sweet and gentle, but sung oh, so sadly. He wrote this, long ago for the youngest of his brothers, to keep them calm and help them sleep. He rewrote it, years and years later, when there was only one twin left, and sung it as a dirge. He rewrote it one final time, for twin peredhil boys, who he had stolen all joy from. He sings all three versions now, in a soft round, looping back on themselves - quiet peace, grief, and apology, all twining together to make something that says, as clearly as if he spoke the words:

I miss those days, when we were happy, for there is only sorrow now

Maglor is outside the station and he keeps his voice low, so as not to disturb those inside who might not want to hear one of the Feanorionnath. He does not look well (he will not fade, he promised, but he is so very close), but a bit calmer, perhaps (killing imps is good stress relief). He also has an audience which he does not appear to notice - namely, the faerie who turned on the locket (perhaps it was one of the Ainsel, before) ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ a faint smile ]

You sound very experienced there, Master Toki. Wise words, however. Tis true enough - the Eldar - my people, that is - we have often been accused of clinging too tightly to the past. We change but slowly, and the wearing of time is grievous to us.

Well, it can be really hard to let go of the past. If it's that difficult for um, your people to change, is it really that bad to do it slowly? Slowly is better than not at all, right?

Especially when you cannot forget it. [ Maglor nods ]

True enough - change is inevitable, I suppose - and we adapt, as we must, but it wears on us, all the same.

[Toki makes a small, surprised sound that is quickly cut off.]

Hah, especially when you can't forget.

When I think about it though, I know that lots of other people have to struggle to deal with change too. It doesn't exactly make it easier, but it does make it feel a little less lonely, you know?

[ That gets a curious crook of an eyebrow ]

True enough - I suppose that one advantage of being thrown so cruelly into a war such as this is knowing that there are many others in similar straits. Misery shared, they say, is easier dealt with.

[He only offers an embarrassed shrug and nod at the statement.]

Right, it's not great, but at least it's something that we all have in common. I'm really glad that someone else understands.

[ He gets a smile back, a faint faded thing, but still a little more solid, a little more real ]

True enough. Alas, it seems too many are unwilling to seek for the commonalities.