Accidental Video | Seelie & Unseelie | sometime during a break in worm fighting

[bythewaves]

[ The locket comes alive with a voice - deep and wild as the sea, it sings a lament in a language that seems made for music. The songs starts partway, and it is obvious perhaps that the singer is not aware that he is being recorded. There is the flash of one of the Unseelie imps, before it vanishes offscreen to reveal the singer - a man, or something like one, dark haired and grey eyed, with his face turned up to the stars.

To any who listen, the words of the song will paint themselves in the mind - white ships and blood on the sand, a tall and proud people with bright banners beneath a new-born sun, fire and blood and tears unimaginable, and three brilliant jewels that rival the stars ]

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[bythewaves]

[ that gets a wry, almost bitter twist to his mouth ]

That may be harder than you imagine, Lady Deedlit, for unless I miss my guess, you are in my opposing court, and would be best warned to stay away.

[ Say hi to your first Unseelie Elf! ]

[friendofspirits]

[Now -that- earns a look of shock.]

You...must be joking.

[Sure, she didn't remember seeing him at the feast, but still...]

There's no way that someone who made such beautiful music could truly belong to that court. I don't think that I have to stay away.

[bythewaves]

[ Now that reaction is curious, because where else would a Feanorion be, but damned? Perhaps she truly has not heard his name, but how could that be, unless she were from some far distant time or land? He tips a head, curiousity warring with the bitter acceptance that he is beginning to develop ]

I fear that I am not, lady. But tis passing strange that you react that way, for most of my people would say that it is only just, that one of Feanor's bloodthirsty sons be in such a place as this.

[friendofspirits]

[She just can't believe what he's saying to her. Never in all of her years had she ever heard someone who was truly horrible describe themselves as bloodthirsty. No, this sounded more like someone who had a bad family that he blamed himself for.]

I've never heard of Feanor. I'm from the Forest of No Return, which is likely a much different place than you're from. I was last on the cursed isle of Lodoss before I came here.

[She shakes her head then.]

I don't know what you've done, but I find it hard to believe that you truly deserve to be with the Unseelie.

[bythewaves]

[ a curious eyebrow goes up ]

Then our lands are far distant indeed, Lady, for I do not know those names. I was born in Tirion-on-Tuna, in Valinor long ago, but I dwelt for a time in Beleriand, where my brothers and I held the March of Maedhros. But that was long ago.

And to not know of Feanor is strange indeed, for Feanor was the greatest of us, in body and mind, who has ever been or ever will be, but as high as he climbed, so great also was his fall, and he was my Father.

[ the names roll off his tongue with the lilt of a storyteller, for he is first and last still a bard, and stories are his blood ]

My hands are not clean, Lady Deedlit. Those of whom I sung were my brothers, and my men, and my hands are no less stained than theirs.

[friendofspirits]

[She hums quietly. Yes, it's very obvious that he's familiar with storytelling. He has the gift of the bard. But still, the subject has her a little concerned.]

I'm not familiar with any of the names you said, so you must be right. How strange...

[She pauses for a moment.]

There are very few of us whose hands aren't stained in some way. I couldn't judge you for it.

[bythewaves]

[ passing strange indeed and he shrugs a little ]

You will learn them, I think, for there are many of my people here and the story is widely known if you wish to hear it.

[ quietly ] But how many of those can say that it is kin whose blood is on their hands, I wonder?

[friendofspirits]

I hope I do learn more. I haven't had such an opportunity to talk to other elves...well. Ever.

[She offers a small smile, then shakes her head. Really, he is being terribly hard on himself...at least, she thinks.]

Humans, as I've found, do the same thing frequently. It's their way of settling conflict that can't be solved by words. So you aren't alone in that.

[bythewaves]

[ that garners a curious look ]

Truly? Are there so few of us where you live then?

[ But you remember what they said, don't you Makalaure? murmurs memory That the might of the Elves would fade and that of the Secondborn supplant it ]

Well, you will have your chance at discourse with many here then, it you will it.

Men may do much, Lady Deedlit, but the Eldar had never before raised hand against each other until we. Accursed we are, and rightfully so. Have a care! For it was fortold to us that evil would follow in our wake, and so it has been. I would spare you that, if I can.

[friendofspirits]

The high elves retreated to the forest and have stayed there for years. And I was the only elf born in the last thousand years.

[Of course, she isn't counting dark elves. But they are abominations and are hardly to be counted.]

I appreciate your concern. But I would rather make a friend of you than an enemy. And I'd like to judge for myself, not based on your past deeds.

[She gives a small smile.]

You deserve another chance.

[bythewaves]

[ ask him about dark elves and she will get some very odd looks considering what they use that word for in his world ]

Like our Sindar and Silvan kin then... [ he murmurs quietly ] A far different one to ours it seems, although tis true that even in my time there are few who are happy to bring forth children in the uncertain times of war. [ a curious look, he wonders how young you are, although he won't press ]

There are many who would say that our chances are long ago wasted, Lady Deedlit. [ he looks old for a second - ancient and weary beyond counting ] I have seen too many brought to ruin by my hands.

[friendofspirits]

[Deedlit is actually thinking about how much they seem to be alike, though they are from completely different places.]

That's very true. But if they keep going as they are, they'll find their demise. I'm 160 years old and even I can see that. Or maybe they can't because they have so many years to them...

[It was only a matter of time before someone--or something--found the power to get through the barrier. Just because something hadn't yet didn't mean it wouldn't. Deedlit sighs heavily.]

Well I'm not one of those who would say that. Though I can appreciate your stubbornness in trying to make me wary.

[bythewaves]

160! [ so young, and it startles a pained smile from him ] Oh, young one, you must be precious to them indeed! You should be home with your family, not fighting in a war like this.

[ he shakes his head ]

Tithen pen*, please be careful - to loose one so young would be grievous indeed.


* little one

[friendofspirits]

[She can't help but laugh softly, shaking her head.]

This isn't even the first war I've been involved with. Staying buried in the forests isn't going to do anyone any good.

[She's happy that he seems to be concerned for her, though. So she does her best to seem completely confident.]

I'm always careful. [Kind of.] But I'll do my best to stay safe here.

[bythewaves]

I grieve that war is seen even in your lands, lady. [ and he looks so very tired, for a moment - old and weary as if time was pressing down on him ]

And I thank you for at least that consideration.