eachdraidh | ❧ video; 01

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❧ video; 01

[ 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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[ Thranduil is not his CO but neither was Sarge, really -- and thank god, because that had turned out badly. Still, they are in a war, and John thinks he would rather listen to someone who was brought here instead of the natives for now.

Besides, it's not like he's got anything better to do, short of staring at the native guards and trying to memorize patrol routes. ("Trying" -- the synthetic chromosome makes it less trying and more doing, and rather easily. It'd be nice if it didn't make things so boring.) ]

I'll start to head up as soon as my guide gets here, sir.

[ Strangely enough, Thranduil did exactly the same thing this morning after breakfast, memorising as much of the castle's layout by exploring as he could before retiring to the sanctuary of the library. ]

I've not met with many soldiers since I arrived. [ Out-and-out soldiers, anyway. ] Did you arrive with any companions of a like mind?

[ Old habits die hard. ]

No, sir. None from home, at least. [ Of course, they're all dead, so John would be having a much harder time if they were here. ]

Though I've seen a few others around with military standing.

Perhaps, once we have spoken, you might avail them of the situation as you see fit.

[ It would do to have someone heading however many fresh-blooded troops they have and since John is the first soldier to answer the call ... ]

[ There's a nod. It will depend very much on what they speak of, and on a few of John's own questions. ]

If I could, sir -- have you spoken to the rulers of this place at all?

[ He wants to know whose orders he's following. ]

Can't say I blame them for not being at the feast, considering how unhappy plenty of people are about showing up here.

[ John would also rather not have the royalty reverse any efforts they make. ]

I've not, but I intend to find out whether I may as soon as possible.

[ Being royalty in his own right, even he thinks it's odd for their hosts not to have so much as welcomed them in person. Then again, the feast could have passed for an apology, undeniably generous. ]

If I do, I will be sure to notify you.

Thank you.

[ Could have, but plenty of them were nervous about it. And it had been loud. ]

Ah- think my guide's here.

[ He will now be as careful as possible to not squish the little thing. ]

[ Loud is definitely one of the words he would attribute to it. ~~Why did he dance? Because wine, it's always the wine. At least it wasn't a Dorwinion vintage.~~ ]

If your hair is pulled, I take no responsibility. I have told her not to do that.

[ Sorry about your locks, bro. ]

[ At least no one got video. Probably. ]

Noted. [ Note to self: get a haircut- ow. ]

I think I'm going to try to make this a very quick walk.

I would advise as much.

[ There's a hint of humour there, before he shuts off the locket on his end. Whenever the soldier arrives, the maps on the table will have been laid out for his perusal, the Elvenking reading a book as he stands nearby. ]

[ It takes less time than it should, but only just; John isn't willing to go as quickly as he can when he has a small guide (passenger, really; the fairy seems to have decided that the easiest way to direct him is to sit on his head and yank on his hair if he has to turn). Still, he does get there quickly, and after a cursory check of the room (no traps, not as far as he can see, and the fairy certainly seems happy enough to flit over to Thranduil) goes right to the maps. ]

Do we know how accurate these are?

[ He has to appreciate John's thoroughness. ]

Accurate enough, I fear, until one of our number decides to ride out and ink us a new one.

[ Are you offering to go and do that, says his look, because the world appears to be rather vast. ]

[ Honestly? He'd probably be faster running. ]

We'll need scouts, then -- ones that can be trusted. I would go myself, but there are too many civilians here. Kids. And no offense, sir, but I don't trust anyone here yet.

[ It's a lofty weight to put all on his own shoulders. It isn't the first weight, either. ]

Your preference does you credit. [ Remaining behind to protect those who can't protect themselves is something he understands all too well. ] Legolas will scout. My son is faster than most, even in lands as vast as these, and he has extensive experience in the matter. I, for one, know that I can trust his reports.

That will have to do for the time being, until we uncover new agents of similar swiftness.

[ Legolas. He's met him, he remembers; pulling him away from fairies that wanted him to dance. Huh. ]

I met him, briefly. He's a good choice.

[ As good a choice as any, really, but he does seem kind and Thranduil trusts him. That's worth something. ]

We're probably going to need to teach people how to ride. I'm not exactly good at it myself.

You will find me useless in that regard, for Elves do not use riding equipment. We do so bareback, as is our way. [ A hint of humour lights his eyes. ] You may have to teach them yourself, once you are through falling from a saddle.

[ He snorts. ]

Don't know, bareback sounds preferable. Not always going to have time to get the horse in a saddle.

It would take longer to grow accomplished without a saddle. Learn with one, and then shed it once you are confident around the horse.

[ It isn't falling off he's worried about. It's breaking the tack and the horse with it. But Thranduil doesn't need to know that. ]

Guess I'll have to make a visit to the stables.

You should go now, before anyone discovers there is riding equipment available and decides to assume ownership.

I believe we were going to talk about some other things, first.

If you cannot ride or shoot from a saddle, that tailors my suggestion. I think the castle would be better served by your experience if you were to grow accustomed to its layout and direct new soldiers to do the same. I do not intend to rely on the defenses already set in place, without knowing the guards or having cause to trust them.

Not that I trust you. As you said, we must discover whether that is a possibility through trial and error.

[ There's a nod. It all makes sense, even if he's not too thrilled about having to try and learn to ride. It's for the best, he knows that, but John can't shake the feeling that he's going to end up hurting someone. ]

Time to start with the trial part, then.

[ He apologizes in advance, horses. ]

Do you need anything else of me?

[ No nonsense, that's how he rrrrrolls. ]

[ can he start on a pony ride that seems safest ]

Nothing at the moment, sir.

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firith - 2014-04-17 12:11 (UTC) - Expand

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