eachdraidh | video/OPEN TO BOTH COURTS

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video/OPEN TO BOTH COURTS

[When Elincia appears, she looks a little bit...frazzled. Definitely out of sorts. The circlet on her forehead is missing and her armor doesn't seem to be quite complete]

Ah...I don't suppose anyone has seen a couple of healing staffs lying around, have they? I found this--

[She lifts a giant axe (something big enough and heavy looking enough to look like it should cause Elincia some trouble but she handles the weight well, all things considered) up to the locket and looks a little bemused. She knows who the axe belongs to at least. All the more reason to get traveling soon]

---in their place. As nice as this axe is, I don't think I'm going to find much use out of it.

If anyone finds my staffs, I will be waiting in the stables for their return.

[She can't run off to travel without her staffs after all.

People can find healing staffs all over Caer Glaem. In trees, random suits of armor and so on AND MAYBE IN YOUR THINGS thanks Kow.]

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He vanished?

[That seemed alarmingly common here. She frowns over the thought of his cleg]

It must. The clegs become so attached when they are tamed.

Aye - Doctor House found the Cleg untended for, which is unlike him, and his room quiet. He does like his solitude, but he would never leave his Cleg so, certainly not while it is still wounded.

That is indeed troubling.

[Elincia's frown grows as she considers this]

...perhaps contact with another cleg will help calm it.

Aye - he is not the first to vanish. One of my kin did so shortly on arriving at the Station, and I know the young Lady Deedlit awoke from an enchanted sleep to the loss of her companion. I wonder if our rulers' hold on us is not so firm as they would like us to think. Alternatively... well. There are more sinister explanations, to be sure.

[ Ones Maglor does not want to think about - because it might mean that Elrond is dead and nonononono he can't bear that no and he pushes the thought down viciously ]

Perhaps? I will do what I can to aid House in calming the beast, but my brother would be the better option here, and he is... well. Tis probably better if my brother comes not to the Station right now.

It is still something to investigate, to be sure.

[She frowns, glancing over at her cleg. Maybe she could ask hers to calm the other]

...why is it better if your brother does not come to the station?

[ there is a long, long, pause, then... slowly, painfully ]

Did you hear about the Woodland Prince? He was captured. Tortured. Released to bear a message to the Seelie. And... twas Celegorm's hand that did it.

["The Woodland Prince" is an unfamiliar term to her ears but she recognises the incident and puts the pieces together]

...I understand. [It must be a painful burden to bear, knowing your loved one had done something so terrible] Then, I shall do what I can for this cleg. If you can bring the locket to it, we shall see if communication can happen between the two creatures through it.

[And perhaps the cleg knew something of Daud's disappearance]

[ The smile is brittle and fragile and the mask cracks enough for her to see just how unwell he looks briefly - almost translucent, as if he is literally fading - before he manages to pull himself back together ]

I will see if it will let me approach - or, perhaps, if House will consent to allow me near his patient.

That seems the best way to handle matters.

[Elincia stares for a long moment, hesitating over her next words. When they had met in the forest, he had seemed so strong, with centuries of knowledge over her--but now, it seemed like that strength was fading. She did not know him well, but Elincia was not without compassion]

...are you blaming yourself for his actions?

[ Not only his strength but his very being - as if he is being poured out onto cold ground, fire dying from lack of fuel. He pauses before he tips his head in a small, slow nod ]

In part. If not for my absence, after all, he would never had fallen so far.

[She had never seen anyone like this before. If Leanne or Reyson were here, perhaps they could put his soul at ease with a song. Elincia had no such abilities however, and would have to make do with words]

You cannot blame yourself for circumstances beyond your control.

[ Perhaps, or perhaps not - as his family are swiftly learning, there is a part of Maglor that believes this is right and just - there is a part of him that has simply... given up ]

Were they, though? I could easily have said no to the journey. I could have stayed - I should have known that he was not as stable as he seemed.

You could not have predicted the Seelie and Unseelie monarchs would send us into battle the moment you began on your journey.

[Elincia's frown deepens]

I understand it is a heavy burden to carry when your loved ones do terrible things. [She is a queen. She carries the sins of all her people] But dwelling on what you could have done for them does nothing for either of you.

I suppose not. Yet, I cannot help but feel that if I were at his side, none of this would have happened.

[ quiet, dull and already so, so very hopeless ]

It is difficult to move on from regrets, I know.

[She hesitates] I have many of my own, all born out of my own indecisiveness.

[Her country had come so close to civil war because of it]

But we should not lose ourselves to it. We can only move forward and do what we can to change things.

Wise words. [ he says softly ]

But I cannot see a way forwards - Celegorm has burnt too many bridges, and I would go down with him, rather than abandon him, you see.

[ For I did so once already ]

[Elincia can't quite bring herself to deny that. She knew what softness could do to people; leniency could be taken advantage of, sow more seeds of dissent and divide people further]

Yes, he has made an enemy of many. But there is always a way forward. Taking him away, keeping him and everyone else safe that way...as long as there are those who care for him. Like you.

Perhaps. [ slow and sad ]

I thank you for your kindness Lady Elincia. I will do what I can. But he is long past the age where I could distract him with the promise of treats later - I do not know if I can reach him, but I will try.

I hope things will turn out for the best.

[She smiles, sad and sweet. She knows in the end only one person can do anything - and it's not either of them]

If there are any who would heed me, I will pray that your hope is not in vain.

[ He bows to her in gratefulness ]

[She bows in return, one smooth motion. Concern is still present in her eyes but this would have to do for now]

People are unfortunately very stubborn. But they can still change.

[She hesitates before speaking]

I must take my leave now but if anything comes up--and it is within my ability to aid you--do not hesitate to contact me.

Let us hope that it will be so. Go with whatever blessing remains in me to give, Lady Elincia. I will remember your kindness with gratitude.

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