video. open to both courts.

[orcsurfing]

[ 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 )

Comments

[orcsurfing]

[ Ah, it matters little now. Seelie, Unseelie, and Ariadne has proven a good conversationalist, a kind and intelligent girl. ]

There seems to be many unwilling and more will likely be driven away from both Courts, when they see how foolish it is.

[ Anyway, he sounds grateful for the information. ]

I will remember that.

[boutant]

There are some people who seem to love it. But they're not the majority.

[ Unfortunately, they also tend to be very skilled. ]

He's a smart man -- a professor back home. And he's been kind to me. I hope you'll get along, if nothing else.

[orcsurfing]

[ A concept he'll never understand, to love war. It's a necessity at times, to fight to protect home, to battle for the loved ones. But to love the war itself? He cannot comprehend that. ]

It is not their numbers that matter, but their skill in leading an army and doing battle.

[ But no matter, he doesn't plan on fighting. ]

If there is kindness and wisdom in him, then I am certain we will.

[boutant]

They seem to be pretty good at that, too.

[ Planning for it or not, Ariadne is all too aware that sometimes the fighting comes to you. ]

There is.

[orcsurfing]

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. ]

[boutant]

[ 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.

[orcsurfing]

[ ... that name sends a chill down his spine, there's a moment of silence on his side. ]

Ganondorf is a dangerous man, war or not. With him, Morla's choice of allies is questionable at best.

[ No matter which side, for Legolas he is a man not to be trusted, by anyone. ]

About war and politics concerning such? I have not either, in truth, the war I have known was different in nature, with lines clear cut and decisions easy to make. Even when they concerned matters grave, whether or not to throw my life away for the cause...

[ Thus why he is leaving the Courts for good; there is no right or wrong here, between the Seelie and Unseelie, and so he'll fight on neither side. ]

[boutant]

He's power hungry. He doesn't hide it. And if Morla doesn't think he's anything to worry about, then she must be more powerful.

[ She'd said as much to Waver. She still adores the Unseelie queen, but Ariadne fears her, too. ]

There are no wars with clear lines, where I'm from. At least, not any that I know about.

[orcsurfing]

Power hungry and cruel beyond measure, I feel. You are right however, the monarchs, on the other hand, are powerful beyond our measures. I cannot imagine the power they hold to be able to pluck so many of us, and so many powerful individuals, from our homes to bring and keep us here.

[ It's still a mystery to him, and one they perhaps will need to figure out if they ever wish to return to their homes. ]

The one war I have lived through nearly majority of my life [ As now he sees how much of it already began with the Great Spiders... ] was such. The line was drawn between utter destruction, slavery of all life and darkness reigning all of the lands, and peace and light.

[boutant]

I almost don't want to know. But- it's important, I think. I mean, they give power away freely, too.

[ She can walk through shadows, turn invisible... things she'd never imagined. ]

There haven't been wars actually in my country for a long time. But we've been involved in wars elsewhere -- though never me, and the lines were never that clear. You'd think they were, but... no.