Open to both courts

[tawarwaith]

[Tauriel looks at the locket with more familiarity this time. This at least was something she was comfortable with and it made announcing her reappearance a little easier.]

To those of you who do not know me, I am Tauriel of the Woodland Realm, previously of Mirkwood. To those of you who do know me, I am glad to see you once more, though I cannot say it is with any great joy. I am not happy to once again know that I have been recruited against my will to fight against those I deem dear to me. But I am glad to see familiar faces and know I am not alone. Can anyone tell me how long I have been away and what has happened? The last I remember was being in the Station.

Comments

voice. private.

[orcsurfing]

[ Well now, talk about whiplash. They bring her and they take her away, then they take his father and now they return Tauriel. Where is any sense? Nowhere. And Legolas wonders idly, if this means father will come again, but neither does he have any hope for it - once forsworn allegiance will not be sworn again - nor does he wish for it, too terrible a time and place Drabwurld has turned out to be.

He doesn't bother introducing himself, he knows Tauriel will recognise his voice alone. ]

My father has returned home, [ He pauses here briefly. ] or so they say. I travel now, and if you wish to join me then head to the Station once more, that is where I will meet you in time.

[tawarwaith]

At once she was both glad to hear his voice and yet saddened to know he was still trapped here. The news that the king was also met with mixed emotions.

It gladdens my heart to know that our king has found a way home. I worried for the Woodland Realm with the both of you not there to tend to it. A part of me finds comfort that you remain, though I still wish you had been returned as well.

[Out of all of them, he deserved to return the most. She felt a little guilty that she had been sent home, only to be returned and once more thrust into the court of dubious intents.]

I will make for the Station as soon as I can but I must caution you, once more I find myself at Caer Scrima though it is not my desire to be here.

[orcsurfing]

It matters none what the monarchs of this world choose for you, if you stay true and loyal in your heart to my father and I.

[ A gentle reassurance, though his mood is still far from overmuch pleasant. For Tauriel he can spare it. And he's glad to see her, even despite the circumstances. A fast ally he can trust, a good friend, both equally important to have here. ]

I am glad to see you as well, though it is not the best place to be. When you travel be careful, ever is the forest of La Llorona a threat, and there has been battle recently; far from Caer Scima, but the soldiers may be returning now.

[tawarwaith]

[She smiles, glad that Legolas is once again willing to accept her as a friend and ally, even after she had admitted to being forced to this faction yet again.]

I will do my best to leave before the majority of them return. I remember the way well enough from my last journey there. With luck me traveling on my own will not attract too much attention and I can travel at speed.

[orcsurfing]

I have no doubt in your ability to get through it safely, but should you run into trouble do not hesitate to contact me.

[ In ways, it's a lot like Mirkwood at its worst, after all, the forest of La Llorona. More dangerous, yet if he managed to get through the way he had, in the state he had been, he's confident Tauriel will be safe as well. ]

We will speak at length when we see each other next. My plans, I wish not to speak of while using the magic granted by the monarchs.

video; private

[chromosomes]

Tauriel.

[ John is tired, but he nods to the familiar elf. ]

I've left the Station -- there are people I have to look after as they go on a quest -- but there are fairy rings, now, that can get you there faster.

[tawarwaith]

[She is glad to see you John and is shows as she smiles. He was an elf-friend after all.]

I understand, you must have many duties to occupy your time.

[She wasn't going to mention the tiredness to him as she was still learning to read that sort of expression on people. Plus, she is also distracted by the words faerie rings.]

These rings, where might I get one?

[chromosomes]

Always someone to look after.

[ Teenagers, in this case. ]

They're not rings you where. They're rings on the ground -- mushrooms in a circle, that sort of thing.

[tawarwaith]

Oh! [Ooops. Well she blushed feeling awkward.]

We have such things but they hold no special power on Middle Earth and we do not call them as such...

[Actually, she wasn't certain they had a name at all.]

I will look for more information regarding these and how it is best to use them then. You have my thinks for telling me of them.

[chromosomes]

They don't have any special power back home, either. These ones, though, have helpful signs.

[ Well. 'Helpful'. ]

Of course. Take care, though; tensions are higher than they were before.

[digophelia]

[ Oh, no, she's back here again? Alice seems to perk up immediately. ]

Tauriel? Tauriel!

[tawarwaith]

[Tauriel is sad to see that Alice is still here, but also very glad the girl is apparently alive and well. Or at the very least boisterous.]

Hello Alice Liddell! I am glad to see you. Where are you?

[digophelia]

[ What sets her apart from the other elves is that she's far more approachable. Alice is alive, but looks a little worse for wear. Honestly, Tauriel is a welcoming face for her. ]

Oh, I am still at the station, ever since Mr. Fëanáro lead us here. I haven't returned since.

[tawarwaith]

I wish I was there. I have found myself at Caer Scrima once more. I am leaving as soon as I am able however, but I fear it will take some time to reach the Station.

[She is still learning to read human emotion and expressions like tiredness, so all she senses is that there seems to be something wrong with Alice, which causes her to tilt her head inquiringly.]

Are you alright?

[digophelia]

By yourself? Is there anyone to accompany you? What about the fairy rings?

[ She remembers the last time they travelled there were plenty of things that went bump in the night along with the stranger features of this world. Alice sucks in a breath, lowering her eyes. For all of the people here, she actually feels a little trust in Tauriel to admit the truth. ]

I'm very tired. You have missed many terrible things.

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[inafadingcrown]

[Galadriel looks a little worn, a little more tired than when Tauriel saw her last, but she offers a slight smile anyway.]

I am sorry that you have been brought back to this place, Tauriel, but I am glad to see that you are well.

[tawarwaith]

[It is a rare thing when an Eldar looks tired and even more so when that Eldar is the Lady of Light.]

It is unfortunate that I h ave been brought here once more yes, but I am beginning to think that this is the place I am needed most.

[Though she isn't quite sure how that is possible since there is a lot of drama going on back home right now. Her expression shows that she doesn't quite believe it herself either.]

I wish I could say the same for you my lady. You look troubled.

[inafadingcrown]

I have reason enough to be troubled; much has happened since last we spoke, as I am sure you know already. [Which is, of course, an invitation for Tauriel to tell her how much she knows.]

[tawarwaith]

[Tauriel takes a breath as she thinks about all the things that have been mentioned to her in the short time that she has been back. There are a fair number of them, and most of them are giving her mixed feelings.]

I know my king returned in my absence but that Legolas remains. And I know that there was some altercation from which much of the more war-like unseelie went off to fight, but I do not know the cause of this. I also know there are magic rings which can transport us across the land. I think that is all of it.

[inafadingcrown]

The battle of which you speak was fought for the sake of a Silmaril. At least one has found its way into this world and my cousin, Celegorm, saw fit to attach Caer Glaem when the child who possessed the gem would not relinquish it. It cost him his life and the lives of many others. [And this is why she looks so worn. It is a dreadful sort of repetition for her, the First Age of Arda placed on repeat. And once again, it feels beyond her control.]

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[kilimanjaro]

Tauriel?

[He doesn't mean to blurt it out like he does, and a moment later the young dwarf's cheeks go pink. The last time he saw her, he was barely even alive. And to find out that she'd been here before and he hadn't even known...

It takes him a couple moments to close his mouth from where it's hanging open, and he smooths down his tangled hair self-consciously.]

It's good to see you. Or...not good that you are here, but... [He stammers over his words, his cheeks growing hotter. What a fool he was making of himself!]

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[tawarwaith]

[She smiled just a little seeing him. He certainly was enthusiastic, a far cry from when she had last seen him. The soft, almost smile does not diminish, even with the memory of seeing him near death fresh in her mind. If anything it grows a little bigger.]

I am glad to see you looking well. Even if it is here in this place.

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[kilimanjaro]

Oh aye! Much...much better. Er. Well. [He bites his tongue, embarrassed of his apparent inability to articulate words properly.]

How...how long have you been here?

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[tawarwaith]

[There was so much that she wanted to talk about with him, and yet it was hard to find the right words. At least she was more articulate despite being more than a little nervous.]

The first time... perhaps two months with much of it spent in travel. This time? Just a few days. What of you? I knew you were here before, Fíli told me as such.

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[kilimanjaro]

Fíli knew you were here?

[Kili's a tad affronted by that; Fili knew he had feelings for her. Clearly he'd have to speak with his brother about this.]

Oh ah...I've just been here for a while. [He glances down to his leg, rubbing absently at the old wound.]