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

[rangerandking]

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.}

Comments

[bullhorned]

So you say, now. You might say another, when it suits you. [But the man could say whichever court he liked. There was no way of knowing.] It's true what I said, though. You're not like to find a way back, no matter who you are.

[rangerandking]

I encourage you to hold me to my words. {It's a challenge and his eyes sparkle with thinly veiled mischief.} Then I will set my energies towards aiding those in need.

[bullhorned]

The needy, eh? That will please them. The needy always like having a king about.

[It reminds them of who's usually responsible for them being so needy: kings.]

[rangerandking]

I take it that you do not have good experience with kings. {Is it obvious? Yes. A little bit.}

[bullhorned]

I couldn't say I've ever met anyone who has.

[rangerandking]

A shame indeed. It might help you to know that I am not a king yet.

[bullhorned]

So you said. I know what an heir is. Shame that. Princes don't get rooms as big as the kings do.

[... Gendry should know. He has a prince's room.]

[rangerandking]

I was not raised a prince. {Assumptions, Gendry.}

[bullhorned]

Me neither. It don't stop them from calling me one. [So. They have that in common.]

[rangerandking]

We carry the same burden. {And it is a burden.} I ran from it for many years.

[bullhorned]

[Gendry could go into how it's not the same, because he has no claim, and there's plenty of people who would call bullshit if he went around saying "My name is Gendry, son of Robert and I am the rightful heir to the Iron Throne." But his dislike is tempered by curiosity.]

Aye, I did some running myself. Different reasons, I think. Why aren't you a prince?

[rangerandking]

{In Aragorn's case, he ran from his name, his throne, his obligations because he feared repeating the wrongs of his ancestor. No matter where he goes, his name carries weight. Everyone knows the connection and now he has finally accepted it.}

My father was not a king. {That is a simplistic answer.} My ancestor was the last to sit on the throne of Gondor. He fell under the control of powerful magic and lost his life.

[bullhorned]

How does that make you heir?

[He's no expert on monarchy, but if someone else has since claimed the throne...]

[rangerandking]

It's in my blood. Isildur and his brother Anárion - my ancestors - founded the city. The one who claims the throne currently is only a steward. He did not win the throne through combat.

{Denethor would stand no chance against Aragorn in combat.}

[bullhorned]

So you plan to go find him and kick him off his throne with a fight?

[There's a word for that where he's from. It's called usurper.]

[rangerandking]

He has chosen not to protect his people. I will not fight him, but I will defend the people of Gondor.

[bullhorned]

And if he falls off his throne and kills himself, you won't mind helping yourself to his seat, eh?

[rangerandking]

I do not pursue the throne with desire in my heart. It was originally founded by Men who were blessed with long lives. They were called Númenors and they were given two gifts from the Valar; one was their long life and the other was an island that they could call their home.

I am the last direct descendant of that line.

{He wishes he had his pipe. This talk would go easier.}

The throne of Gondor cannot be given to just anyone; not as long as one of the Númenor bloodline lives.

[bullhorned]

Seems to me that thrones aren't given. They're taken.

[His father had take one. And now an entire country fought to sit in from the very moment the fat drunk could no longer sit in it.]

[rangerandking]

One must defeat me to take it. {A hard feat. Aragorn has been hidden and trained well by the Elves.}

[bullhorned]

Any someone? [Because there's a follow up in his mind that suggests Gendry might just consider that.]