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]

[ Likewise, Legolas can hardly be offended when the banter is so delightful. He still sounds ever amused, laughter in tone. ]

Perhaps then I shall lend you my box to step on, at times, so you may speak with me at the same eye level, when I am not using it to do the same when speaking with the other elves.

[goldsickness]

I need not be at your level to look you in the eye, elf. I've no need for your box.

[ A moment, then all too mocking. ]

Though I see you do, seen as you call it your box. Are you often accustomed to using it when you are with others of your kin, is that it?

[orcsurfing]

Does it not hurt your neck to always have to look up? I find it vexing at times, and the muscles of my neck and shoulders stiff and unpleasant.

[ Exaggerating as usual. ]

A box is merely one of the means, my creativity goes far beyond just that.

[goldsickness]

Perhaps you lack the strong muscles we dwarves are blessed with.

[ Or maybe he just doesn't care that much about looking at elves or men in the eye. ]

Keep your creativity for the times you wish to look upon the ones of your kin in the eye yourself. Seems to me that you need it.

[orcsurfing]

Perhaps so! Such is my luck, not only do I lack the height but also the stubborn dwarven neck.

[ He shakes his head. ]

I will not run out of it, worry not! Though your concern is appreciated, Thorin.

[goldsickness]

[ ... how dare you. ]

I know not where in my words you have understood that I was concerned in any way, but I assure you I am not.

[orcsurfing]

You are not? I beg forgiveness for my assumption in such case.

[ Ohoho, yet he doesn't sound like he believes Thorin one bit. ]

[goldsickness]

Are you often this insincere in your apologies?

[ Elves! ]

[orcsurfing]

I am merely not convinced, though I am sincerely apologetic for my assumption nevertheless.

I still am, even now.

[ Though he still sounds so very amused at the entire thing. ]

[goldsickness]

I see you still carry with you the habit of calling me a liar.

[ And Thorin sounds all the more frustrated because of it. ]

[orcsurfing]

Calling you stubborn is more like it now.

[ He thinks you have warmed up to him, but he says nothing of the sort, but the genuine frustration at least makes him ease up. ]

This is no cause for concern, in any case, whether you have it or not.

[ Easy way out right here. ]

[goldsickness]

So you simply change from one insult to the other.

[ But he doesn't sound all too offended at that. At least that one is no lie. ]

Then that settles that. I shall spare my concern for those things which truly matter.

[ Basically, not you. ]

[orcsurfing]

Stubborn seems more amicable with you, upon the first look of your reaction! Perhaps because it rings true? And truth cannot be an insult.

[ In the end, elves are just as stubborn. ]

As you should!

[ Encouraging that entirely! ]

[goldsickness]

It can be as much of an insult, depending on who it comes from.

[ And Mirkwood elves aren't up there on the list for Thorin, really. ]

[orcsurfing]

What if it is one who acknowledges both the good and the bad sides of it?

[ Like himself! ]

[goldsickness]

And you would spare praise to a dwarf?

[ Colour him surprised, though also curious. ]

[orcsurfing]

I have done so before, I would do so once more.

[ There's such an obvious smile in his voice, such delight, and not a single trace of falsity. ]

Is it truly such a great surprise?

[goldsickness]

As much of a surprise as it was to learn that you have come to consider one of my kin as an elf-friend.

[ And perhaps, knowing that, if Legolas praised Gimli he would not find it so surprising. But to praise Thorin of all people? That is a whole another matter entirely. ]

[orcsurfing]

Staggering, then!

[ Always most generous with compliments when given a reason, Legolas would not hesitate once. For now, though, he continues the conversation lightly, with laughter and mirth in his voice. Ever teasing. ]

Though I should hope the blow will lessen with time, or perhaps I should hope otherwise? Seeing as I may have found the perfect manner in which to confound the dwarves.

[goldsickness]

By praising us? [ Surprising as it may be at first, Thorin can imagine something as that easy to get accustomed to, or at least easy to ignore. ]

And this has been your plan all along, to find ways to confound us?

[orcsurfing]

A part of it, the first step to one greater and more... profound.

[ His grin bright like the stars themselves, and equally teasing and smug. ]

[goldsickness]

[ This really is only feeding more into the idea in Thorin's mind that all elves are tricky and deceitful. ]

And what would that plan be?

[orcsurfing]

A plan to fluster them for I have found them to be most endearing when so.

[ Such deceit, much tricky. ]

[goldsickness]

I beg you pardon.

[ No, he doesn't sound too happy about that. ]

[orcsurfing]

You do not think so?

[ While Legolas still keeps up this most friendly tone, conversational and most sincerely curious. ]