Axe 01 - Audio - Open to Both Courts - Forward-dated to October 2nd

[gloinul]

[Not a video, just audio. It’s clear, however, that the person on the other end is inspecting the locket]

--hmph, thought as much. "Say a phrase and the magic will work", hm? Ridiculous. Who ever heard of speaking over distances with a locket.. Not even Legolas with all his fanciful Elven stories would have come up with something so foolish.

[More tapping and poking can be heard]

There’s nothing special about this at all. No gems, not even made of precious metals...and those creatures expect me to believe their stories? [A snort] I’d sooner believe there’s a man in Rohan afraid of horses! [He pauses, and then scoffs] Bah, listen to me, talking to myself. Legolas must be rubbing off on me more than I thought!

[Click goes the locket.]

Comments

[wroughtsteel]

[ Only a few hours ago did she arrive at the Court, brought by magic most powerful of young Hermione's doing, to find that Legolas indeed had fallen to his enchanted sleep and rested now on one of the beds meant for the injured and ill. Yet not much could she do. She stood by his side and made sure he was as comfortable as he could be, but that done, she decided to go for a walk around the place, her own arm still bandaged and resting on a sling that hung from her neck.

This is how she comes to find him, at first only seeing him from behind but his stature, along with his hair, giving him away, and before she can think that perhaps it is not him, she is already calling out, a relieved smile on her face. ] Gimli!

[gloinul]

[He spins around as soon as he's called for and--oh, it's Lady Éowyn! He smiles and heads towards her.

Her arm is broken. Did she come straight from Pelennor?]

Lady Éowyn! I did not know you were here as well.

[wroughtsteel]

[ Her smile broadens even more as he comes closer, and when closer she does not hesitate to rest the hand of her uninjured arm on his shoulder. ]

I was brought here only recently. As you have been, Legolas has told me. [ A soft noise resembling a gasp or a laugh escapes her. ] Oh, it is so good to see you well, my friend.

[gloinul]

And it is good to see you again. I haven't seen you in several months, by my count!

[wroughtsteel]

I've last seen you a much shorter time ago - no more than days. [ Still a strange thing to think, but the expression on her face is more of relief than anything else. Still, some sadness lingers in her smile. ] Though like months they might have felt all the same.

[gloinul]

What was happening, when you were taken? Do you remember?

[He has an idea, of course, but best to ask]

[wroughtsteel]

Yes, I... [ She glances at her own arm. Months since he last saw her, he says, so clearly... he must be from a time long after that battle. ]

The Pelennor Fields. The battle outside of Minas Tirith is the last I remember.

[gloinul]

I thought as much. You can be relieved, then, to know that your efforts were not in vain and that the world is now free of the horrors of the Witch-king, and of Mordor.

[wroughtsteel]

Mordor? [ The Witch-king, that she knew. She had seen him wither and fade at the end of her blade, but the rest she is yet to learn. ] Oh, but then you tell me-- the Ring, it was destroyed, truly?

[gloinul]

Aye, it was. The world is safe.

[wroughtsteel]

[ She lets out a long exhale, shaky but relieved, as her smile widens. ]

Then you are the bearer of the best news I could hope for.

[gloinul]

I've been that for several people now, I believe. Perhaps I should change my name to Gimli Newsbearer.

[wroughtsteel]

[ She laughs a little. ]

Perhaps you should, Master Dwarf, and a fitting name it would be. [ Then her tone drops that hint of amusement as she continues. ] Have you yet seen Legolas?

[gloinul]

Aye, he is supposed to be here soon. We will travel together, as will Aragorn and who knows who else. The lad seems very popular.

[wroughtsteel]

Soon? Oh... [ It dawns on her then that Gimli mustn't know yet. Of course, how would he, when the one who would surely remember to tell him is lying asleep in a bed right now? ]

He is here already, though not as you would expect him. He fell into an enchanted sleep - he is at the infirmary right at this moment. It is the reason why I am here as well.

[gloinul]

[Gimli's face falls when he hears that, staring at Éowyn in disbelief.]

An enchanted sleep? Can he not be stirred? It is not like Elves to sleep, even when exhausted. Surely...

[wroughtsteel]

I know, however this enchanted sleep goes beyond the skills of Elves or even the Ainur, from my understanding. Upon the desire of the land, they will fall asleep, and wake when due time comes.

[ She offers him a small smile. ] But he is safe and well. I have come here to look after him, and make sure of this myself.

[gloinul]

[Gimli nods]

Where is he?

[He trusts you Éowyn, he really does. But...well. This is his Elf. He has to be there to look after him. He has to.]

[wroughtsteel]

[ She would expect no less, of course, as she would too want to at least see the person dear to her for herself if their roles happened to be reversed. ]

At the infirmary, as I said-- I will take you there, if you would like to see him.

[gloinul]

Please. I'm not sure I trust these faeries.

[wroughtsteel]

Of course. Come, then, it is not too far.

[ Gesturing down the hallway, she turns to go back the way she came from, waiting for Gimli to catch up so that they walk side by side. ]

[gloinul]

[He follows]

Are there any others from Rohan here, do you know?

[wroughtsteel]

Not ones I've seen so far, no. But I have arrived only days ago, perhaps there are those I've not yet encountered.