[Video, All Courts, shortly after the feast]

[sculptor_of_aman]

[The locket is held slightly askew, as the woman holding it has never done so before with this particular item. She's had experience with similar things, but she's still getting used to the locket. The Elven woman's face looks worried and a little sad, as if she's expecting bad news.]

Anyone who can hear me... I have heard talk of one who was killed recently. And the little I have heard... troubles me. The name I have heard is Celegorm, and he is described as an Elf with golden hair... among other things. I can only hope I am mistaken, but the description is very similar to someone I know. Someone I once called Tyelkormo.

If anyone knew him, and could tell me more about him... and how he died... I must know.

Please. ...He may be my son.

Comments

[audio; private]

[sculptor_of_aman]

...It does. Yes. Those were the jewels forged by my husband. He took all of our children to war for them.

[audio; private]

[waterbearer]

[ A war that continued here, then. ]

Then I will tell you what I know of it.

A friend of mine, Clarisse, had found a Silmaril, though I know not how. She showed it on the network, and inquired about it. Celegorm saw the post she made, much like this one, and demanded its return. Both were hasty in their anger, and Clarisse, as a daughter of the god of war in her world, refused to answer Celegorm's demands.

Celegorm then gathered an army, set to march upon the Seelie Castle, where Clarisse resided with the Silmaril, along with numerous others, many civilians and children.

Several other individuals of the "Seelie" Court saw that an army was marching upon the castle. They roused the rest of us, and while some of us went out to meet the army that many of us thought simply intended to attack and sack the castle, as they had intended before, with Celegorm also at its helm [ Kaldur had faced Celegorm then, too. Though Celebrimbor was still here, then. ] while others sought to evacuate the castle as best they could.

The battle went on for three days, and even though reinforcements came, the Seelie were able to rout the Unseelie army. While Celegorm and Clarisse faced each other in combat on the final day of battle they came to an agreement. For Celegorm's "shard", the green gem we obtained upon entry to this world that rest somwhere within us, Clarisse would return the Silmaril, and allow the routed soldiers to return home.

The next day, I and others stood witness as Clarisse killed Celegorm, for the shard can be obtained only with death. She then returned the Silmaril, and Maglor took both Silmaril and Celegorm's body from the field, and both sides of soldiers returned home.

[audio; private]

[sculptor_of_aman]

[Long silence there.]

...it is as was predicted, then. Is there anything else you can tell me?

[audio; private]

[waterbearer]

[ What was surprisingly cryptic. But Kaldur isn't really going to question it. ]

I have heard nothing of Maglor or Celegorm since. Beyond that, I cannot help you.

[ another pause, and his voice softens. ]

I am sorry, to be the one to bear this news to you.

[ First Celebrimbor, now Celegorm. Starting to become a habit, seems like. ]

[audio; private]

[sculptor_of_aman]

I thank you for your honesty.

Might I have your name, sir?

[audio; private]

[waterbearer]

[ A hesitation. Brief, but notable. ]

I am Kaldur'ahm.

[ He's becoming a little too well-known for his liking, but it is not as though he can not do what is right. ]

[audio; private]

[sculptor_of_aman]

Kaldur'ahm. You have shown me a rare and difficult kindness. I shall not forget it. Perhaps, in time, I might be able to grant a favor in return.

[A slight hesitation]

...did you know them well? My family?

[audio; private]

[waterbearer]

[ Have some stunned quiet. ]

I am honored and thankful, ma'am. [ Or, your ladyship? Weren't they all some sort of royalty or something?


As to the rest... ]

Of all of them, I knew Celebrimbor best, and even then for only a brief time. He was a good friend, and a good man. Noble, loyal, and strong, if sometimes proud, and it was clear that he loved his family deeply, whatever the troubles that lie between them.

Maglor had shown himself of similar mein, when I spoke with him, but also overweary with grief, I fear, and but I have not heard from him since. [ A bit of a restatement, perhaps, but Kaldur is worried. ]

Celegorm I encountered only briefly, and those times always in battle, but he struck me only as honorable, if over-quick to anger. [ Good thing Kaldur doesn't know he tortured people? Whoops. ]

[audio; private]

[sculptor_of_aman]

It is good to hear you speak well of them. It almost sounds as if you knew my grandchild better than I did. He was quite young when he followed them into exile.

[audio; private]

[waterbearer]

[ He tries to find the positive, when he can. His line of work is too grim, otherwise. ]

Perhaps. I was only able to spend about a week's time with him, and much of that fighting by his side to repel attackers in a previous battle. Nonetheless, I believe you would have been proud of him, and I was most honored to have met him.

[audio; private]

[sculptor_of_aman]

A mother always takes pride in her children, and her grandchildren. I know my boys have been driven to things that end in ruin. But knowing they have made others feel honored by their friendships... It brings a certain joy.