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

video.

[brainiest]

Are you at the Station?

voice.

[orcsurfing]

Yes. For a time still, I will remain.

[ This was too sudden. He knows what his father's plans were, they were not intending to stay much longer at the Station, but he's too shaken to really decide much of anything for now. ]

Video.

[amplified]

Where are you? ( Lydia doesn't like seeing him distraught, and he smacks of it even if he doesn't intend to. ) I'll come find you.

voice.

[orcsurfing]

[ It's hard to muster humour when he feels more like lying down never to rise again than laughing, but he tries. ]

I am in a place of thunder and rain, you do not want to be by my side right now, Lydia.

[ Though his act apparently convinces no one. ]

But I am in my room, if you wish to find me.

voice.

[brainiest]

I'm coming to see you, okay? I mean, if you really don't want me to then I won't, but -- I'd like to.

[orcsurfing]

[ At the very least he gives her an honest response. ]

You are always welcome, Hermione, but I fear I will not make good company tonight.

[brainiest]

That's fine. I'll be there soon, okay?

[orcsurfing]

I will be here.

[ And as he said, he will be in the room beneath the Station they have claimed together with Thranduil. At the door the dryads posed as guards, fiercely protective yet knowing who to trust, who to let in. The blood, at least, he would have cleaned up, the cuts cleaned, his hand wrapped up in stripes of linen. ]

voice.

[amplified]

Legolas. ( she is firm but tender, because she wants to get the point across )

Give me fifteen minutes. I'll be there.

[brainiest]

[ Hermione doesn't waste time; she's been busy, of course, with other things, but she doesn't think anyone can blame her for dashing away to take part in this, to help her friend -- one of her dearest friends. She slips through the opening that the guards give her, closing the door behind her. Reaching out, she moves and wraps her around him instantly, not even hesitating. ]

I'm sorry.

[orcsurfing]

[ It's a genuine answer, though. He's grieving, he's angry, he wants to focus on the pragmatic, but his thoughts keep running in circles and worries and few will truly understand them. Few know how elves of Arda are. ]

You are welcome to as much time as you need. I will be here.

[ Perhaps with a map spread out before him and staring blankly at it. The dryad guards will let her in when she comes, fretting with concern of their own and protective. ]

[orcsurfing]

[ He has no more tears left, so no more tears fall. These were always private anyway, always alone or with no one but his father there to see them. Though he sinks into the embrace anyway, finding himself comfortable with the contact.

Hermione has offered to be a family to him, of a sort, and he has accepted. This is it. ]

When I sailed from Middle Earth to Aman, I knew that one day he would follow. I could go because I knew he would live through all and join me, after a time. I could wait.

[ What he doesn't say is only implied: I have no such certainty with this. ]

Locked voice

[avisionofwar]

Uicalan!

[ It has the ring of a pet-name, but the cry overflows with grief and empathy. The voice that speaks it is rough and harshened by weariness. ]

Hold fast to your light and your spirit, Prince! The loss of a beloved father is far from unknown to me. Recall well all he wished for you, and though the weight is great and the way seems dark and full of trouble and pain, know that the stars shine ever on! And you may shine on with them, a token to your father's memory, an honour to him in all things.

voice

[kingsdaughter]

I'm sorry he's gone. He carried me to safety in his own arms, once. I wish there was something I could do, but if you need someone to listen, I'm very good at it.

Locked voice

[orcsurfing]

[ If there is one message that surprises him most of them all, it's this. That it comes in the first place, the content of it and the raw feeling behind it. Why, he wants to ask first and foremost, the first drop before an avalanche of more questions spills through to crush all uncertainties, wipe all confusion off his mind.

What he says in the end is different. He has but barely recovered, barely has the pieces been brought together, the cracks filled and the gold set, if you will, when another grief struck and threatened to shatter him. ]

I will not disappoint him, I never could bear that. This much you may be certain of.

[ With more conviction that he felt while addressing all the Seelie and Unseelie alike. Odd how strength comes from the most unexpected sources. And yet there is still a worry to confess and it slips past his lips before he may think better on it, before he realises who it is he's confessing this fear to. ]

Yet I fear... I may not see him again. He was ever the single one constant in all of my life.

[ Unchanging, unwavering, a pillar he could always count on, regardless of the time that passed between one time and another that they have seen each other or the space even as vast as the sea between Middle Earth and Aman that separated them. Knowing that Thranduil was out there was a comfort. This is different now.

Ah, but it catches on quickly enough what he said and to whom. Legolas says no more, all silent but for the sharp inhale of realisation. ]

[amplified]

I'm not the one who needs something right now.

( She closes her locket, and heads in his direction. When she arrives, she walks up to him quietly. It's been since before he was injured that she actually got to see him, and that it's a Legolas in pain that she's seeing now bothers her. Lydia cares about him very much. Her eyes sweep over the map briefly, but they are studying him closer than anything else. She reaches a tentative hand out and places it over his. )

No one should have to weather a storm alone.

[orcsurfing]

[ It surprises him none to hear that, in the end he was the one who knew his father best. He knew how deeply his kindness ran, no matter what many may have thought Thranduil was everything but that. ]

Father was kind and wise, and I hope that is what you will remember him by.

[ Calm and composed, all a feign with the greatest hope it'll become real. ]

There is no need for any others to bear my burdens, though it is kind of you to offer and I thank you all the same.

Re: Locked voice

[avisionofwar]

[ Celegorm's breath catches in his throat, and in the dark of the Unseelie encampment, his eyes squeeze tightly shut.

Have I honoured you father? Have I honoured you?

His men have shed enough blood to make a river, all for his Oath, and the shadow of it seems deep and dark and stretches far behind him. And this, what's happened to Legolas, seems like an echo of The Oath's Beginning.

His father's father's blood a red swath across the floor, a gemstone.

So he pours what light and his power he can into his voice, clutching so tight to the locket that his knuckles go white. ]

He was not the only constant, Prince of the Wood. What of the earth beneath your feet? The light of the stars through the leaves? The wind in the boughs, and all thought of home?

Whenever you see these things, you will find a touch of your father there. The memory of him as he was, supporting you, sheltering you, lighting your way. For not a thing exists which is ever truly beyond us: we are all a part of the strange fabric of form and life, and as all flesh that dies becomes again a part of the earth, so too your father will always be a part. A part of you. A part of all that is.

[ His belief in this is a powerful thing; and the sound of his voice is rich with the force of his conviction. ]

And you are never alone.

[orcsurfing]

[ He lifts his gaze at the touch to his hand, and offers a smile albeit a small one, weary. This world is most set on not giving him a break. This war he offered his help with turned far more tricky, way beyond his imagining, so very unlike the clear cut lines of their battles against Mordor and the Enemy. ]

Sit with me, if you will, then. Your company is a bright ray of starlight among these clouds.

[ No one ever will replace his father, yet... after Hermione, now with Lydia, he feels the friends he has made, dear and precious, are like specks of stars in a night sky. Always, always to be cherished. ]

video

[walkingarsenal]

[What does it mean when people brought here disappear without warning? When a shard is left behind?

But it seems clear despite his manner, or perhaps because of it, what this particular disappearance means for Legolas.]

We've had thoughts not unlike yours and your father's. [Legolas has allies here, Fíli tries to remind, friends -- no doubt many.]

[orcsurfing]

[ Oh he feels this power, he knows it already. It tickles and tugs on his thoughts, weaving between them and leaving an impression. So strong and clear it may just as well be the perfect mark of Celegorm's conviction, branded upon his very soul. Much in the same fashion he had branded his skin, yet bringing comfort instead of agony. It soothes like the sweetest balm and his breath trembles now. No longer does he have any tears that could fall with this relief, with this realisation that Celegorm is right. With time Legolas would realise it himself, not without stumbling, not without wavering, yet he's spared this trial and error.

He sits back, with a sigh, eyes closing. ]

Even here, on this land that carried him, in the face of the Sun that touched him, though it is not Arda. Even here holds memories good and precious, after ninety years that I have not seen him.

[ No matter though, there is a thought that nags him and finally Legolas voices it, looking at the locket once more, though his voice grows uncertain. ]

You are weary, your thoughts should not be with me. Waste not your power, for you may need it...

[ He trails off, biting the inside of his lower lip, his expression set into a frown, confusion apparent yet the locket only carries the silence that follows. Finally though, he breaks it again to add. ]

Though once more I owe you my thanks.

voice.

[orcsurfing]

[ It means death to him, it means punishment. (And he is wary, so wary to be tempting fate just so, or perhaps it's all on purpose.) He doesn't know what to think, but such reminders - that he is not alone - are precious, though not ever will anything replace his father to him. Not after all that they have lived through together. ]

It gladdens my heart to know that you will not throw yourselves into this war.

[ Because he wants them to live, though this world is not their home. ]

[avisionofwar]

No son worth his salt could have heard you, and said nothing.

[ The words are soft, rough still, but very certain. ]

You owe me nothing. But... I shouldn't tarry. My men...

[Voice | Private]

[fell_to_hell]

[Nico has only spoken briefly to Legolas once before, but his heart does go out to him. He knows what it's like to have family abruptly torn away from his life. He doesn't plan on talking to anyone, though...he thinks that he can make an exception. His voice is hesitant, like he's not sure this is going to help at all or just make matters worse.]

I, uh...I don't know how souls work for elves, but I think I can sense them if they...leave their bodies.

[So awkward, but he pushes through.]

I didn't feel anything like that, and neither did I get that feeling when a human from my world left.

[The demigod hesitates again.]

...I'm sorry for your loss, anyway. It's...never easy.

[orcsurfing]

[ For a moment he remains silent. ]

Even so, a thank you is all that I can offer for... concern. [ No matter how inexplicable it is for him at the same time. His uncertainty a clear note in his voice, so clear it may just as well be a question. ] And kindness.

[ And more silence follows, the weight of those words palpable at least for Legolas. ]

I wish it had not come down to this and that a peaceful resolution has been possible. I pleaded with Clarisse myself, but at the time I had thought you would push through with the attack regardless.

[ He thinks he knows better now, thus the admission. ]