eachdraidh | {Video/After the Feast: Open to Seelie & Unseelie}

There is a magic here that I have never encountered in all of my journeys across Middle Earth. I do not know what to call it or even where it originates. {His anger over having been taken from the final battle at the Black Gate has diminished. In its place, Aragorn looks solemn and paler than usual.} I can only ask that it returns me from whence I came. It is of the utmost importance that I do not -

{For the first time, his voice cracks and he falls silent.}

There is a battle. It will decide the fate of my world. If I do not fight within it; if I do not lend my strength to my men, more of them will perish. {Perhaps they will lose heart. Perhaps all of them will die in the face of their greatest fear. All of the possibilities are incredibly grim.} I must return.

My name is Aragorn, son of Arathorn and I am the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor. My place is with my people and my friends.

{No feast can distract him; food is naught but a texture against his tongue. Now isn't the time for joy and festivities. Rather, his entire attention is fixed upon that which he can't see anymore.

The Black Gate.

How far has he been transported? And by what sorcery? He holds onto his sword - the reforged Narsil - tightly, ready and waiting to draw it free from its sheathe.}

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[Yet another person who knows him. His list is growing faster than he feels comfortable with if he's being truthful.

But he manages a smile, sincere and a little tired.] As well as I can hope. This place is fond of throwing surprises our way. [Like encountering all these people from the future.]

... My nephew? Oh surely that is a mistake! I don't have any siblings, at least none I am aware of. [Unless he's in for a huge surprise when he returns to the Shire...]

I am beginning to understand that. {Much to his aggravation.} I believe he is adopted.

{Let's be honest, the Hobbit family trees confuse him too.}

You are quite close. {Something to look forward to?}

Adopted? Ah...

[That's not terrible, but he can only wonder why.]

Well... if you speak so highly of him I'm sure he must be a wonderful lad. I can't wait to meet him one day. [He smiles briefly before a thought strikes him and it falters.]

He isn't- with you... was he? [He fumbles over the question, uncertain and suddenly nervous at the thought of his future (?) nephew in the midst of what is obviously a huge battle, but is it even his place to know such a thing? Bilbo shakes his head.] No- I'm sorry I shouldn't ask such things. What good would it do? Oh bother...

The reason is unknown to me. Yet I know he thinks highly of you. {From what he can gather, the two share more than a few traits. He hopes Bilbo can meet Frodo - though that means the Hobbit coming here.

Perhaps not.} He was not with me.

{Despite Bilbo's backtracking, he knows he can't leave it at that.}

The outcome of the war rests on his shoulders.

Oh. I- I see.

[That seems far too much for such a small hobbit to carry alone, but he bites his tongue and moves to a different topic.]

You are from the future so does that mean you are familiar with Master Gimli and Prince Legolas?

I give you my word that I shall do all in my power to protect him.

{Like draining the Mordor lands of Orcs and drawing Sauron's gaze onto him.}

They are amongst those I call friends.

[Quietly] Thank you.

[... Well that's one way to do it.]

Then you are in better company than most who arrive here. I hope you have already found them?

The strength of your kind - the strength of Frodo - is enough to make me love him. I am told he triumphs, though there are scars he must bear.

{All of them are scarred from the war.}

I have indeed. Have you too found yourself welcomed into the Seelie court?

I would be more surprised if... if he didn't. Such a heavy burden would leave its mark on anyone. [But it has to be this young hobbit - his nephew. Why him?]

[Bilbo inhales quietly.] That's right, but I'm only here for a time. I've taken residence elsewhere although when we will return I'm not sure.

As would I - even if it pains me to think of his suffering. {Hobbits in particular don't deserve that.} You would do well to keep your residence quiet. The less who know; the safer you will be.

{Video/After the Feast: Open to Seelie & Unseelie}

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