❧ video; 01

[firith]

[ Tiny, delicate little hands are the first sight to be seen when the locket begins to broadcast, closely followed by a pair of bright grey eyes. A fairy flutters from Thranduil's arm to sit on his shoulder and, pointy-eared as he is with a river of pale blonde hair (not to mention a crown of red berries and leaves), they make a fine pair, though neither of them appears particularly human. It isn't locked to one court or another, singularly because he isn't aware it can be, displaying the brilliant golden walls of a private solar in Caer Glaem. A king's chambers.

The feed shuts off abruptly.

Minutes later, it clicks back on to the sound of the tinkling laughter of the same fairy; someone is clearly learning how to use the locket's functions via trial and error. Judging by the first glimpse of him, he needs the practice. The third time he speaks, the message runs along the screen like a river of inked words taking form: A charming tool. And they will be able to respond in kind, you say? I think I will, yes. How do I —? Ah. Thank you, little one.

Fourth time is a charm; the locket is held at arm's length, affording the best view yet of a fascinated elf. ]

I am Thranduil, Elvenking of Eryn Lasgalen, that which is the Wood of Greenleaves in the land from whence I hail. I would welcome those with greater knowledge of the Drabwurld and the creatures within it. Well do I understand the nature of being summoned thus — that is not a point of contention for me, as it is with many of you.

[ The fairy shimmers insistently, drawing a glance. ]

Lothdithen will visit any who wish to further discuss with me the matter of the war and lead them to where I will be in the castle until nightfall. The library will suffice with its maps of where we might strengthen this fortress with our differing experience and arts.

[ There is no thanks, no goodbye. The feed simply ends with the tone of one who is not accustomed to bandying idle words. ]

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[firith]

[ Thranduil finds him at the appointed time, his other business for the day largely concluded. ]

You are waiting on me I believe, sir.

[fizzlesfolly]

[Garth looked up, the voice familiar to him. He knew it was Thranduil, the lockets were small, but the pictures clear. He started to lift his hand to wave, then stopped. Why was he waving. He froze for a moment, hand in mid-air, he was taller than he'd expected.

What he knew of elves, and those he'd met here so far, told him that they were usually tall, but something in the way this elf held himself made him seem taller.]

Oh..yeah.. [He could now add stuttering to the mix.]

[Garth cleared his throat, his surprise slowly dissipating.]

I'm Garth, nice to meet you in person. [He stuck out his hand to be shaken. He stood there, smiling, not even considering that his way of greeting may not be typical behavior in Thranduil's world.]

[firith]

[ At seven-feet tall with his crown, there's an undeniably lofty air to Thranduil when he regards others. Not cruel, but contemplative, and his movements (unlike Garth's) are sleek and almost predetermined.

The offered hand gains a curious glance, though he clasps it once without shaking them, the contact brief. ]

You mentioned your knowledge of these creatures.

[fizzlesfolly]

[His fumbling behavior was long forgotten, he didn't embarrass easily or hold on to those kinds of things. Garth was all for having fun, except when it came to business, and this was business.]

Oh, yeah, I did.

[Garth gestured to the table in front of him, and the parchment paper covering it; little scribbles and drops of ink on them. He had attempted to take notes, and while they were legible to him, the use of quills and ink had made the process take longer than he had wanted and the result was a bit of a mess.]

I've made it a point to come here, and learn what I can of the creatures. It was my job, where I'm from, to know these things. So..I thought, I would make it my job here, too.

[He frowned. It was more than a job, it had been his life, but he supposed no one would know that here, so he'd just keep it simple.]

So far, a lot of the creatures are the same, just actually real and not a myth.

[firith]

[ Lifting one of the papers, he tilts his head and shifts his glance to Garth as the human talks. ]

Which would you say are the most dangerous and likely to attack the borders of Glaschu?

[fizzlesfolly]

That's the tricky part. Most of the creatures won't go out of their way to attack here. If you stumble across one while exploring the forest, that's different.

[Garth sifted through his notes.]

I think the trouble will be with the Unseelie. They may decide to utilize one of these creatures to attack us.

[firith]

[ Interested in the theory, he gives a slow nod. ]

Are there any which you feel a more direct threat, in their estimation?