memory. open to both courts.

[orcsurfing]

[ All around is white, snow whips across the picture along with long strands of pale golden hair. A pace or two away a couple figures stand huddled together, pressed against a wall of a mountain. Two tall men, four hobbits whose heads barely stand above the surface of the snow, A DWARF* that stands a little taller yet still, and a greying man dressed in greys in a pointed hat. The image, oddly enough, shows them from somehow above all. ]

If Gandalf would go before us with a bright flame, he might melt a path for you.

[ For some, perhaps a familiar voice, for others perhaps not. Light of heart and little troubled by the storm. The man in the pointed hat answers him. ]

If Elves could fly over mountains, they might fetch the Sun to save us.

[ But no matter the wizard and elf exchanging jabs at each other, there are still Men with ideas here. One speaks: ]

Well, when heads are at a loss bodies must severe, as we say in my country. The strongest of us must seek a way. See! Though all is now snow-clad, our path, as we came up, turned about that shoulder or rock down yonder. It was there that the snow first began to burden us. If we could reach that point, maybe it would prove easier beyond. It is no more than a furlong off, I guess.

[ Another - the tallest - answers him: ]

Then let us force a path thither, you and I!

[ And for a moment there it seems that would be the end of the conversation, the camera - so to speak - follows the toiling men, the way they work through the snow with great trouble yet also with some success. Yet not before long, Legolas speaks up again, his voice rising easily in the noise of the snow storm. ]

The strongest must seek a way, say you? But I say: let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow - an Elf!

[ With that said, he springs forth nimbly. The camera briefly showing his feet on the snow, sinking but only a little, leaving little imprints in the cover of snow. And he runs light and easy. ]

Farewell! I go to find the Sun!

[ He says with a last look to Gandalf first, then to the toiling men, Aragorn and Boromir. For them, he has a wave of a hand, before he speeds off. ]

( ooc; paraphrased book excerpt, sassing off to a maia, have at! visual aid, I mean what. *blanche is a loser kill me now I FORGOT GIMLI )

Comments

[orcsurfing]

And then there are those who do not wish to partake in a foolish war, such in which the lines of the right and the wrong are blurred further day by day.

[ He doesn't speak with any particular haughtiness or self-importance, but rather weariness. ]

This was never my war, though I offered my help. I have no desire to raise my sword against another elf ever again.

[ Not only because he was bested, but because simply: it never should be asked of him. He was bested, because not even in a thousand years he could give it his all to fight another elf to death. ]

[caditquaestio]

At ease, yes? It is not for your like to take the sword.

[ Women and children should be kept safe. ]

Look here: talk of peace becomes the virtue and modesty of your kind. But... men cannot shy from war.

[orcsurfing]

Oh but we have taken up swords and bows alike, for war, for battle, to protect our homes from harm. For harm came to it time and again. Yet it has always been for a cause just, unlike this war.

[ Elven women and men both do battle, if they so desire, if they so feel their calling. ]

Have honour not to harm the innocents or the unwilling, on either side, and butt heads as much as you like otherwise.

[ Sad smile in his voice. ]

Though I will always wish you did not.

[caditquaestio]

You have a kind and tender heart. I thank you your wishes.

And I do not envy you your wars. We have been spared in Roma for years on the count, but it was a gift won hard, and the times come dark. And whatever comes after them will be darker.

[ Laughter now, maybe true. Maybe not ]

But! Small matter. Your pilgrimage - who leads you in journey?

[orcsurfing]

Then I wish you light for the future of your home, to brighten the shadows to come.

[ And he means it genuinely, with a nod of his head though the locket doesn't carry that. It's... a habit, if you will, speaking with others on the lockets is still a foreign thing, after all. ]

A need for a safe home will lead us when the time comes to set out, and perhaps for a time the elves of the Drabwurld will too for they came asking to be reunited under one monarch.

And... of course, they know these lands best.

[caditquaestio]

...you mean to tell me you all walk on equal footing, and there has yet to be question, guidance or quarrel?


[ Elf, please. ]

[orcsurfing]

Ah, I did not say any of that! Though quarrel would be near impossible to find among the elves, especially so when our goals align the way they do. We all wish to live in peace and safety while we are trapped here.

[ That's elves for you! ]

[caditquaestio]

All of you do. And not the one gives objection?

[orcsurfing]

Our marchwardens are loyal to us, our desires are theirs.

[ A beat of a pause then: ]

Besides, such desire - for a place to call home, away from the wars - is not overly outlandish to be so common, I should think.

[caditquaestio]

No, you misunderstand - wholly. You misunderstand me. Who leads?

The body does not walk without head, the hand does not point without finger. Who leads, donna?

[orcsurfing]

[ Or maybe just teasing! ]

Nobody does, for we are not journeying but resting at the Station.

[ But he'll stop being a dick now and answer the question straight- and maybe soon ask what a donna means. ]

When we set out it will be the King who leads.

[caditquaestio]

The... king. And who is he, and who has given him crown?

[orcsurfing]

[ Short and sweet: ] Thranduil the Elvenking and it was his people who have given him the crown. Perhaps it matters little here, yet now that we pledge allegiance to no one, the elves of Drabwurld have taken interest.

[caditquaestio]

...ah. The father. I recall his - proclamation.

What leads you to trust in him?

[orcsurfing]

His wisdom and his kindness. He has kept our people safe for all of his rule, I have no doubt it will be the same here.

[caditquaestio]

Wise and kind, this elven king. Truly, or have you known no better?

[orcsurfing]

In my life I have known other elf lords, I have met the High King of Noldor himself, and I find he lacks none at all. He ought not feel any shame standing among the greatest.