memory/video- open to all courts

[inafadingcrown]

[A dark tower looms before the owner of this memory, filling the screen of the locket-as it had filled her vision- but only for an instant. There is no time to stand and contemplate it. There is too much that must still be done.

The last vestiges of battle still rage around her, the sound of steel and the singing of bows echoing in her ears. But a quick scan over the battlefield reveals that she nears the end of it. Only a small number of Sauron’s soldiers- orcs and other foul creatures- remain. The rest lie dead or dying, slain by the combined armies of Mirkwood and Lórien

The video settles on two men, both unmistakably commanders. The first man, for those who know him, is easily recognizable as Thranduil. But it’s the second man who is the focus here- tall, strong, with handsome features and silver hair that can just barely be seen around the edges of his helm. He turns to look at the viewer and gives a solemn nod, communicating without saying a single word.

It is time.

With slow, deliberate steps, she moves forward, coming to a halt once she has positioned herself directly in front of the tower. Then and only then does Galadriel speak, her calm, clear voice ringing with power.

The words will be strange to most; there are not many in the Drabworld who speak Sindarin, after all. But, as it so often is with elven tongues, the meaning of her words somehow remain clear. With utter confidence and certainty, she declares her mastery over the tower, dissolving the fell magic that has seeped into the very stones of the building.

And the tower listens.

She raises her arms in one final, dramatic, gesture and the walls of the tower begin to crumble and collapse upon themselves. In only a moment, nothing remains but a pile of rubble and a cloud of settling dust.

The memory fades to the sound of cheers.]

Comments

Video, with apologies to The Professor

[bythewaves]

[ He is silent a long long moment on his end, and then ]

Galadriel! Galadriel!
More noble than word or deed may tell;
Wisdom and strength in your white hand;
Unmarred, unstained is leaf and land
In Dwimordene, in Lórien
More fair than thoughts of Mortal Men.

So great you have grown, little cousin.

video; glkajgkl

[inafadingcrown]

[She smiles and bows her head slightly in thanks.] I did not think to discover that I had inspired song when I awoke this morn. [It's rather startling, to say the least]

video; he loves you, little cousin

[bythewaves]

[ he manages a soft chuckle for her ]

Oh? And what else should such deeds inspire, I wonder? [ I am so happy he does not say That you grew so wise and wonderful, that one of us, at least, has found their joy for he saw the way the video lingered on the silver-haired warrior who looks like Celebrian ]

[ quieter ]

I hope you enjoy the places Celebrian found cousin. Be well.

[inafadingcrown]

They inspire nothing, if they are not known, and it was not my intention to air them. [But she's not particularly troubled that they were aired. There are much worse memories that might have been chosen, after all.]

[But then she sombers a little] I am certain I will. Take care, Maglor.

text

[avisionofwar]

If only the towers of Morgoth had fallen so easily. So much would have been different for us.

So much.

I beg you flee the castle that harbours you, cousin. The Oath moves me against it, and this time I will not fail.

text

[inafadingcrown]

'Easily' is not a word for this. What you see was only the end of a much greater trial. [Impressive though it may be.]

My daughter and I were abroad when first we heard news of the Silmaril, cousin, and we have not returned. We are safe. [From this, at least.]

Re: text

[avisionofwar]

[ A trial smaller than the destruction and death of dozens of kingdoms and more than half of their people, he thinks, sourly. ]

Keep so.

[ He ends it there, clicking the locket closed and looking out to the army stretched around him. ]

[orcsurfing]

I have never thought I would have the honour of seeing with my own eyes how it has come to pass.

[ She had all his respect prior to this already, but now the reverence - that rings clear like a sea breeze - grows even more fierce. ]

The fall of Dol Guldur. Words alone will never do it justice, my Lady.

[inafadingcrown]

[It's humbling, in a way, that reverence. Perhaps ironically, it makes her all the more aware of her own fallibility. She smiles and gives a solemn little nod of thanks.]

High praise indeed, from one who witnessed so many great deeds.

[orcsurfing]

[ That, in turn, gives Legolas something of a pause. A beat in which ducks his head sightly, but there's a smile on his lips. Ever present, ever laced with sadness and melancholy (they have all suffered, they are all gone now) when speaking of the War. ]

It was a time when such were necessary, after all. That there were enough individuals to shoulder them against great peril was a great... luck? Perhaps, fate.

[inafadingcrown]

It oft seems so- that fell times create great men and great deeds. Perhaps they are shaped by the misfortune of the world, hardened, as a sword is forged in the flames. Or perhaps it is simply that we see them more clearly, as we see a candle better against the dark of night.

action because she's probably still sticking by mom

[silvergift]

[She shivers and moves just a fraction closer to her mother at the orcs in the memory but with her close by, and the sight of her father, she calms. Especially at the sight of her mother and her gifts, her power. There are so few people that could make her feel so safe while others would be afraid.]

I wish that I could have see it for myself.

[inafadingcrown]

[Galadriel smiles softly]

I am glad that you did not; I would prefer that you never set foot so near a battlefield. [Not likely to happen, especially now. But that doesn't keep her from wishing it.]

[silvergift]

I would prefer neither of us do. [But she still would have liked to see her mother tear the fortress down. She would have just liked to have found a way to remain with her.]

[inafadingcrown]

As would I. But, alas, I fear that is not likely to be an option.

[video]

[kilimanjaro]

[Kili isn't entirely sure what's happening here, but he does know one thing for certain.]

Remind me not to anger the Lady Galadriel.

video

[inafadingcrown]

[A low chuckle] Never fear, Master Kili. I do not do such things lightly.

video

[kilimanjaro]

I had hoped so. [He grows thoughtful, speaking after a moment of thought.] What is that place?

[inafadingcrown]

[Her tone changes with the explanation. It's more serious, more solemn.] It was the tower of Dol Guldor, Sauron's base in the south of Mirkwood.

video.

[impeaches]

I find myself promising not to get upon your bad side, my lady.

video.

[inafadingcrown]

[She makes no attempt to hide her amusement.] Fortunately, very few have given me cause for such drastic measures. Unless you intend to wage war against me, you need not worry.

video.

[impeaches]

I would hardly think to, lady. I wage war on wrong doers, not gentle queens.

[inafadingcrown]

You would call me 'gentle' still, after what you have seen? [Not that she minds, but it's a bit incongruous.]

Video

[peeta_bread]

[Peeta watches, astounded. And as the memory fades, he can't help but exclaim] Holy crap!

Video

[inafadingcrown]

Shall I assume that is meant as a compliment?