eachdraidh | video. open to both courts.

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video. open to both courts.

[ Legolas has waited several hours to make this announcement. Grieving, weeping with quiet tears for the half of it, gathering composure and thoughts for the other. He still hardly feels the strength needed to say what he has to say, hardly feels himself having the competence, yet it must be said and he makes a good show for it.

His shoulders squared, head held high no matter the shame he still carries with his hair cut short as it is, his face seems carved out of stone into an expression of firm neutrality, yet not without the soft edges of gentleness. What suffering there is is hidden deeply and out of view. The light in his eyes has dimmed, and with the usual cheer and laughter missing from the picture he makes, his presence seems hollow.

A shadow of his usual self, yet he holds himself together all the same. The Prince he should be, his father's son though not once in his life has he been truly prepared to take over his father's role.

He never wanted to either and especially not like this. ]

Elvenking Thranduil has vanished from this world, leaving behind his shard.

[ His lip doesn't tremble, there is no pause, his voice is even. ]

What he has set out to do, I will carry out in time. 'tis a promise to the shard-holders and the natives of the Drabwurld alike. What begs to be repeat now, with my own voice, with my own words, is that I have forsworn all allegiance with either Court and I will build a home for all who wish not to be drawn into the madness of this foolish war.

[ Time for play is over, time for growing up at last has just begun. He takes no title, names himself no Prince nor King nor anything much really. ]

Those who had unfinished business with him are welcome to bring it to me, his son Legolas Thranduilion.

[ A beat of a pause then in a tone far gentler, yet at the same time tired, he adds. ]

And to those who are to partake in the upcoming battle, I wish you luck.

[ Be safe, he wishes he could say, but the words get stuck in his throat. Then mimicking his father's attitude, he shuts the locket without another word.

In what little time he was speaking the sharp edges of the shard in his hand cut through skin with the force of his hold on it, blood trickles down, painting red flowers on the floor, but he barely feels it. Body numbed to pain with the agony of the soul, he feels himself cracking and crumbling and shattering all over again. What strength that returned over the weeks spent at the Station, seems to be now fizzling out with every quiet breath.

He feels more alone than he has felt in all his life, not knowing if he'll ever see his father ever again. Not even knowing what has happened, in truth, just that today he was simply gone and on bed there lay a shard.

This isn't Arda, this is Drabwurld, will they ever see each other at Aman again? Or has he lost his father for all the rest of his life? ]

( ooc: there'll be a delay before he begins responding and all responses to this post will be in voice only. Thrandaddy is gone, babyleaf's gotta grow up asap and pull his act together. :c )

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[ John isn't all that great with words -- Legolas is far better. But he knows this is important. ]

Of course. Any time you need me, and quite a few times when you don't.

[ . . . that's moving. That's actually moving piece of this food called chocolate that he's certain should not be moving quite like this. Unless it's made of these frogs of chocolate, but Hermione said it's the other way around. And so Legolas can only stare, baffled and bemused. He cocks his head, his frown of puzzlement quite... out of place, perhaps, given the circumstance.

Then he blinks rapidly, remembering she was saying something. ]

Perhaps so, he has always been very warm, very playful. [ Exactly where Legolas takes his own playfulness from. His father was his best teacher. ] The brave elflings that would ever approach him, I am certain would have the time of their lives. Their parents, perhaps, not so much.

[ Yet it's all assumption, since besides himself, Legolas had not seen his father around young ones as not many - if any at all - were born in Mirkwood all his life.

That said, his voice carries that thread of confusion in it all throughout, while his eyes flicker from the frog to the card and back. It's moving!!

Omnomnom, chocolate. ]

Is this a wizard from your... house? What ... do you mean by house?

[ ... and he looks like he has so many more questions about Hermione and where she comes from if his glance to her is anything to go by. A pleading look of a sort, please explain. ]

[ Hermione, of course, is completely nonplussed by the moving frog. She just offers it up to Legolas, snapping the lid closed on it and trapping the little enchantment back, pushing it into her friend's hand with a bright smile. She remembers, of course, when all this magic, this world, was just as strange to her -- because she had been a muggleborn in the wizarding world and she'd had to learn fast or make a fool of herself (and that was one thing Hermione couldn't bear).

It's easy to focus on the conversation, though, hoping to urge Legolas away from his sadness and into more smiles. ]

I think I saw a little of that, when he teased about the archery to get you out of his hair. He's... Lovely, really. I'm going to miss him. [ At least Legolas will be able to go home and see his father again. When she goes home she'll never see any of her new friends ever again. ] Those poor kids - coming home screaming about dragons and fairytales with them as the hero or heroine.

[ Godric, in the card, seems to look up and nod at them and Hermione just smiles, looking pleased at the chance to go ahead and impart some knowledge. She loves talking to people, telling people things. It's why everyone imagined she'd be a teacher, though she knew her plans were different. ]

Well. In my school each new student is sorted into a house - there are four: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Each of them is named after one of the witches and wizards that founded the school and each House has a particular kind of student. Slytherins are cunning and determined, Hufflepuffs are kind and loyal, Ravenclaws are intelligent and witty and Gryffindors are brave and a little bit headstrong. I was sorted into Gryffindor, though it was a very close thing - I think I could have easily been a Ravenclaw if I wasn't so insufferable.

[ Idly Legolas wonders if Gandalf would be capable of something similar. After all an almost live looking fireworks were a non-issue for him so perhaps neither were edible frogs. Or rather frogs made of food.

Gratefully he takes the box offered to him, yet still with a much distrustful look levelled at it. ]

Indeed. Not many see it, that is not many beyond our Realm, the people we lead and care for. Beyond them, not many are willing to see past the surface... and perhaps it is for the best, for a King ought to be respectable, but they think him heartless at times.

Or at least, they used to for a time.

[ He shakes his head, these people could not be any more wrong.

The explanations, however, have his rapt and undivided attention. A story, of a sort, something new to learn and something he has an actual interest in. Much like he once upon a time listened to Gimli speak of his people and his culture, now Legolas listens to Hermione speak of similar. ]

I see. Who it is that decides which house a student belongs to?

[ Hermione settles against his side again once she's burdened him with chocolate, planning to leave him with a little bit more before she dodges off to go and let him get some sleep. Maybe she can ask for the King and Queen to set Legolas up with a regular supply if he seems to like it - it couldn't hurt, after all.

Still. He doesn't look entirely pleased with the frog. Less of that, maybe. ]

I think that people often see what they want to see. You can be the nicest person in the world, or the most broken, and sometimes people can be so blinded by prejudice or misunderstanding that they don't see all the good inside of you, even if it's a tiny little piece. That's one of the downfalls of people, though, I suppose.

I never thought him heartless, though.

[ She really doesn't mind babbling on about her school, not when Legolas looks so rapt and interested. She's almost preening with the attention -- and how had her attempts to comfort him turned into a lecture again? ]

There's an enchanted hat - the Sorting Hat - that the founders created way back when. You put it on your head and it kind of... Reads your mind, almost? And it tells you which house you're best suited for.

I will hope, above all else, that it will not be necessary.

[ There is a quiet understanding in his voice, though his response is brief and short, it's genuine and carries all of his desire for not being given the reason to use drastic measures.

A vain hope, but he will hold on to it even so. ]

And if it is, then you will not be sacrificing a friendship for the sake of it.

[ Though he still finds it admirable that Nico would be willing to do so, anyway. A child, yet already wise and kind beyond his years. ]

[ There is not much Thorin can say to this announcement. He'll not spare condolences, neither any comfort or even a kind word. The most he can offer is a softer tone, quieter when he asks, though still just as solid as usual. ]

This world is large enough. Yet, you are certain he is gone?

[ A lot surprises her, even her guard can be knocked down, but little does much to shock her. Hearing of this does just that. She hasn't the shard, and she can still smell the Elvenking, so nothing had felt particularly amiss to her. If she still had a better view, or grasp, or sense of things, she wonders if she would have been able to predict it. Prepared both of them for it to happen.

It's not her place, is it? Sometimes, oftentimes, she can't help wanting to soften blows.

Not before much longer, twenty-minutes or so, he'll hear her descending the steps to the lower section of the Station to come seeking him. Or, she assumes he'll be down here. Weren't father and son resting below before? If she does find him here, without any sort of projection, she'll merely approach to place her weight against his side, or drop her heavy head onto his shoulder.

If she can't, then back up the stairs she'll go, quickly, and she'll be trotting with keen determination all over the Station until she's finally found him. ]

[ There are many different ideas about what may have happened, most say he has gone home, Legolas himself... he will cling to that hope, that this is exactly what has happened, yet... it's faint and barely there. ]

Why else would I find a shard in our room? When the last we have spoken this morning he was right there and content to remain at the Station for a time still. He would not... leave [ me behind ] of his own will.

[ Easily she will find him, because he is right there where she first seeks him out. The dryads posed as guards easily let her in by now as well, cooing and ever glad for someone to come to cheer up the one they consider a brother. They too tried, and in some extent they too succeeded, yet there's still a long way to come from the lingering thought he has lost his father to punishment from the Courts and to accepting the fact.

If it's something he'd be able to accept at all. The locket as it chimes and chimes time and again he ignores, but the white wolf that comes and presses into him with great familiarity now, he cannot and would not ever ignore.

Without a word he buries his face in Amaterasu's coat, though no more tears fall, his face is scrunched up, mouth crimping, eyebrows drawing together in a frown. There are others here, of course there are, and friends good and dear to him by now, yet this is different. When he came he never expected matters to be quite this complex, this uncertain, this random. Legolas doesn't know when he will return, or if he ever will, in truth. He can be strong and hold on to the hope, because dying is the last thing on his mind now, not after the promise he's made.

He has been touched by war and cruelty in many ways, yet in this, with this, his father has ever treated him with great gentleness and care, spoiled him nearly with his constant presence much like a safe haven for Legolas at all times. ]

Thank you.

[ For coming, for being here. ]

Perhaps, nothing is certain in this world anymore, too many things unclear as if behind a thick cover of fog.

[ This hope however, he will cling on to. ]

The hope is little, but it is something to hold on to.

Not of his own will, he would not.

[ Not entirely purposefully, his words may not come as great aid or comfort, but at least he is honest in voicing his thoughts. ]

And yet many of us are kept here against our will and wish to return home. And we see things happen to us which we do not want.

[ Harsh truths, in part. Though their coming has been willing, not many things in this world turned out quite so. ]

Then he has been made to leave, returned home for no reason at all.

[ Not reassuring at all, but that's what it is in the end. ]

Like true family, regardless of all the differences?

[ No blood relation, different people and cultures and worlds, yet still, it seemed to matter little. Hermione already told him he is like a brother to her... kind words, those. He sounds... hopeful, somehow. ]

Which is the more troubling part of it. Drive and skill are a most dangerous mix when it comes to war.

On either side.

[ While he has the quiet thoughts - though made clear in his words - of building a third option. ]

[ He shakes his head, the short hair brushing his cheeks. ]

No, I must ride out to meet them in their own territories. And it is important that I come personally to negotiate with them.

[ With the recent introduction of the fairy rings, it may make the travel a little easier, but from what he can tell, it may only win him by only two-three weeks at the most. Otherwise... he's looking at months long travel. Which, in truth, given the recent moods and circumstances regarding the Courts, perhaps it's for the best. ]

I would not say it was for no reason. Was your father not planning to welcome whoever wanted no part of this war into his future haven?

[ He can easily imagine neither Courts would want an option such as that presented to their shard holders. ]

[ For a long moment Legolas is silent. ]

So you too think it may be a punishment?

Or removing a threat...

[ It was his first thought, though many wish to make him believe otherwise. A hope that Thranduil has been returned home is a thin thread, and he'll cling to it for the sake of his own sanity, yet... ]

[ She's a warm weight against his side and he doesn't seem to mind the contact at all. The box rests in his lap, while he finishes the piece she presented him even earlier. Eating it in small nibbles and savouring the flavour that spreads with each one. ]

I am glad you had seen him as he truly is and think of him so.

[ What she said? It's all true and it goes not only for the Men, but for the Elves, for the Dwarves and likely even for the Hobbits. Odd as it may be, with all the differences among the people, there was this single quality they had all in common.

The mention of the enchanted hat though... ah. That's truly bizarre and his puzzled look at Hermione says just that. ]

Enchanted items are not unknown to us, though I would never have thought to enchant a hat. Though it sounds a powerful skill to know one's heart inside out.

These people have no right or place to cast punishment on any of us, regardless of what we decide to do. Much less so when we choose to do no more but to stay away from their own petty affairs.

[ Said resolutely enough, with just the proper amount of disdain he holds for both Courts. ]

It is a possibility, however. Cowards as they are, the easiest way to handle the nuisance that your father could have become in the future would be to send him back home entirely. I would wager they did not expect you to continue what he started.

[ On his side, it's no video, yet he straightens his back nonetheless, he holds his head up and high and he puts strength and conviction into his voice, such that he feels. Like a wave it washes over him, along with words he heard from Celegorm, the reassurances and the certainty in them, he can suddenly feel that he does have the strength. It has always been here, after all, it was what lead him through La Llorona here, and it was what pushed him no matter all thrown their way in Middle-Earth during the War of the Ring.

He is a Prince, he's his father's son. Among the kindness, the gentleness, there always has been great courage and pride. ]

Then they have made a great mistake.

[ And he feels no fear admitting that openly. Regal, strong, almost he sounds like Thranduil for a moment there. ]

For I will carry out what Thranduil wished to do, and I will not bend to their wills ever again. What warning they wished to send falls on deaf ears.

[ Hermione is watching him carefully, prepared to all but shove more chocolate in his mouth if he doesn't help himself to more. Chocolate is a proven aid, after all. She wants him to be happy, even if it seems like it might take a little while, seeing as she adores him so completely. She can wait. ]

He was very protective of you. I saw that, and - it could only have come from love, I'm sure of it. He loves you so much.

[ She lifts her shoulders, unsure of his thoughts and letting him have them to himself. She can't help but reach over and break a piece of chocolate for herself, though, taking a bite out of it before she hums, swallows and continues with her lecture.

Even she has to admit the Sorting Hat was particularly special. ]

There's a song about it, actually, that he sang during one of the school opening feasts. "While still alive they did divide their favourites from the throng. Yet how to pick the worthy ones when they were dead and gone? T'was Gryffindor who found the way, he whipped me off his head. The founders put some brains in me so I could choose instead!"

Most things in life are often not clear, however, there is nothing wrong with holding on to a little hope.

[ Secretly, she's envious of all of these people having loved ones here. She wishes she could have something like that, too. It's better to hope for the best for them. ]

I'm sure everything will be alright and you'll see him again and he'll have his arms open for you.

[ Under her breath, without quite realizing it, Ariadne murmurs a name. ] Ganondorf.

[ There's a shake of her head, then she focuses on the locket again. ]

I can honestly say I never expected to have to worry about these things.

[ Oh. It's a hard question if John thinks too hard -- thinks about his parents, before and after they died, and his sister before they were thrown back together. But he's already speaking before his brain gets that far. ]

Right.

[ Brothers in arms, and then some. ]

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