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 ]

Comments

[rapunzelf]

And those who say otherwise are not?

[HAVIN NONE OF YOUR CRAP TODAY, MAGLOR.]

[bythewaves]

[ sob Beleg, he's trying he promises ]

Less biased, I would say, for have not those I have bereaved the right to accuse me?

[rapunzelf]

One might say that by the same token, those who love you have the right to set themselves against accusations that you are not an elf.

They do, but... Is it only them?

[bythewaves]

And I would spare them the censure that comes with the same. [ a little short now, almost angry (mostly frustrated) ]

We are accursed, Lady. Our names become a byword for terror and madness.

[rapunzelf]

I would think that they would be well enough equipped to make their own choices with regards to such matters.

[bythewaves]

[ ... you know what, he gives up. Beleg can sort it out himself ]

As you seem intent on, Lady. [ on your own head be it ]

[rapunzelf]

[Her expression sets.]

I believe I am capable of making my own choices, yes, especially in a matter which seems so harmless as does this.

[bythewaves]

[ he shakes his head but shrugs ]

We are hardly harmless, but it is, as you say, your choice to make.

[ he tried Beleg, he's sorry ]

[rapunzelf]

Would you kill me, then? Do you so love killing elves that even to speak to you puts me at risk, though you are there and I here, and as I understand it would take you long to come to where I am?

[She's not buying it.]

[bythewaves]

[ there is a long. painful pause. Would he? Maglor wonders. They did not, before. Yet... this is not Middle-earth. ]

I... would prefer to never have to put that to the test. [ is all he says, in the end ]

[rapunzelf]

And so you would.

[There's a pause as she tries to take that in.]

Why?

[bythewaves]

[ he visibly winces but he does not deny it ]

We are Oath-bound, Lady - I have slain those I would rather not before for the simple expedient of the Oath. I do not know what powers our hosts may have here, but that they have might to bend time and space to bring my dead to me makes me wonder if they may force me in that way also.

[rapunzelf]

And have you, then, sworn to kill me? For I have never met you, and have no quarrel that I know of with you.

[bythewaves]

[ Not... you exactly, he thinks, and remembers Celegorm and Doriath and wants to weep ]

I have not. But as I said, I have had my hand forced before.

[rapunzelf]

How?

[bythewaves]

By the Oath.

[ keep it short, keep it simple, pray hard she does not ask for more ]

[rapunzelf]

Which is what, exactly?

[If she sounds sort of frustrated it's because, well, she is.]

[bythewaves]

[ good that makes two of us ]

[ He starts in surprise for a moment before remembering that she has likely never head the words of the Oath said, as anything more than vague rumour ]

We swore to reclaim the Silmarils, lady. By whatever means necessary, irregardless of who held them, however long it took. And we swore by the highest power, even Eru Himself, that we would succeed or go out to the Everlasting Darkness.

[rapunzelf]

[She hasn't even heard the vague rumor, really. Not before now, anyway. The words make her pull back a little.]

That seems a rash thing to swear by such terms.

[bythewaves]

[ As they should, for did not all the world fall silent when Feanor spoke that day and his sons followed? ]

[ The smile is sad and wry ]

Tis easy to say that now, but at the time...

[rapunzelf]

Even then, I think. But I suppose it is possible, to act before considering all the consequences. I'm lucky, I guess, that I've never been put in a position where anything of the kind is necessary.

[Yet.]

[bythewaves]

[ There is a small secret smile that quirks up his lip when she says that, but it fades swiftly ]

At the time... and even now, who can tell what might move one? We were mad, many say, and perhaps they were right. Perhaps we still are. I pray that you never need find out.

[rapunzelf]

Foolish, perhaps, or shortsighted, but there is no crime in that. And I have not seen madness in you.

[bythewaves]

Have you not? [ soft and quiet ]

I pray you never will then, but I do not trust to that.

[rapunzelf]

You don't trust much about yourself, do you?