eachdraidh | 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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[Nico has never heard such...concern and sympathy, and all of it is sincere. It cuts straight through his natural inclination to distrust and be wary of others. His defenses relax somewhat in response, even more so as he listens to Legolas' explanation.

The comment about his mother, though...yeah, he knows that feeling very well.]

...The one ghost I've never been able to talk to, even in the Underworld, has been my mother's. My sister told me it was because I was forbidden, and so was my mother. I don't know your mom, so I can't say for sure, but maybe she didn't want to be found because she didn't want you to hurt more than you already have. She may still be there waiting for you to join her when you're ready.

[Perhaps with a smile and open arms. This has been a thought that has haunted Nico. Wondering if his mother will be proud of him and still love him despite everything.]

[ Ah... the pain is dull now, it's been nearly thousand years since she has passed, after all, when he was but a wee elfling. Darkness doesn't linger now anymore as it had when he first arrived to the Station, when his first thought at the memory of his mother was the desire to follow her into death. This time a weight settles on his heart, yet Nico's words are soothing in a way.

He knows mother loved him, the little memories she has of her were all bright and full of happiness. He knows from his father too. ]

Perhaps so when I return again. [ There is a small smile in his voice and a great degree of gratitude once more. ] Your words once more have given me hope and brought comfort.

You have my gratitude and should you need aid, I will offer what I may.

[ A pledge of friendship and alliance. ]

[Nico is so happy this is voice because his blush is pretty stellar. Ugh ugh Legolas is just way too nice he can't even deal with this, other than to just let it happen.]

Um...same to you. I mean, if you need any help or just...someone to talk with. We can maybe trade stories....

[The urge to bury his face in his hands is strong in this one. Gods, he's so flustered.]

[ On the other hand, for Legolas it's quite too bad it's voice now. If only Nico could see his eyes light up now at the mention of trading stories. Ever inquisitive the elves, ever curious and the prospect excites Legolas, in spite of his current pain. There is still a thread of a smile in his voice, making it bright and light. ]

I would like that, when you have the time. To listen to stories and to share some of my own are some of the greatest pleasures for an elf.

[Nico will consider it a victory to distract the elf from the brunt of the pain.]

Then...when things calm down a bit, I'll tell a story. I've got a lot of them, and I'd definitely be interested in learning more about your world.

[ And it is one, a great victory that! Soothing hurts, distracting from what weighs on his shoulders and returning clarity to his outlook, all in the span of a brief conversation. This freshly kindled fire of gratitude will never fade, it's flame will never burn out. ]

It sounds like a fair trade, I too have plenty that I will gladly share.

[ He pauses then, a moment of silence stretching on, until he speaks again. ]

Be safe, while the battling lasts. I should hope you are not forced to partake in it...

[ And yet he has little hope for it, so many young ones he knows have been pulled into it. It's horrible. ]

[His merriment turns to seriousness at the comment.]

If I do join the battle, it won't be for any reason than to fight alongside the people I care about. I don't...want to sit back and wait for it to end like I did with my sister.

[Nico pauses.]

But I'll be as safe as I can be. You stay safe, too. An infirmary isn't the kind of place I had in mind to swap stories in.

I understand. I will not begrudge you this, for I know I would fight alongside my father no matter the cause, [ oh but does that not sound familiar, ] but never forget that even against the cruellest of the enemies, we should not forgo mercy.

[ Sometimes it's merciful and wise to kill, he will admit, but often it is a better choice to let live. ]

I am far from the battle, and I will not be drawn into it. But you have my thanks for the concern, we shall see each other next in good health.

Something I agree with. I can't stop what's happening now, but I can stop her from doing it again. I'm sad to say that the only person who could have stopped her before now both isn't here and is...well, is where all heroes go when their souls depart. Elysium. If I have to use her name to get through to Clarisse in the future, then I will and accept whatever consequences that brings.

[Whether he gets a punch for it or ruins the tenuous friendship they have or not, it'll be worth it if they don't have to go through another battle like this again.]

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. ]

video. open to both courts.

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