{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

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[gloinul]

My thoughts exactly. So, you'll be leaving with me when Legolas arrives?

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[rangerandking]

I would not let you leave me behind. {They couldn't even get rid of him when he fell off a cliff, come on.}

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[gloinul]

Then what do you say to helping me find supplies?

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[rangerandking]

Shall we begin with weapons?

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[gloinul]

[Gimli glances over his back at his five axes]

Do you not have Andúril?

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[rangerandking]

I do. {He touches the sword at his belt.} But not everyone will arrive equipped.

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[gloinul]

If they need weapons, it's best to let them get it. We wouldn't know what they use or anything, after all.

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[rangerandking]

True, though if the court has a store... {It can wait. Aragorn would like to make a map of the court anyway.} Food and drink should suffice for now.

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[gloinul]

And medicines. I doubt they have plants you are used to here.

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[rangerandking]

It would be perilous to gather poison instead of medicament. {Trial and error are necessary.}

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[gloinul]

Yes, which is why we will ask the infirmary for them!

[Seriously, Aragorn. Common sense!]

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[rangerandking]

{His expression clearly says he didn't know there was an infirmary.

How convenient.}

What are we waiting for?

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[gloinul]

[Well, he's assuming there's one. Most castles and whatnot have them]

For you to catch up!

[Meaning mentally, of course. Gimli shakes his head, amused, and starts off in the direction he hopes leads to the infirmary]

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[rangerandking]

{They just arrived in a land of fairies. Give him a moment, Gimli.

He chuckles and lengthens his strides, following in the Dwarf's footsteps.}

What has Legolas told you of his current residence?

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[gloinul]

Nothing. I didn't ask, largely because I do not care. I have no desire to be part of a war for any lands not my own, especially when I am not given a choice in the matter.

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[rangerandking]

{He agrees with that logic. It's tiring to be burdened with new responsibility.}

I seek only to protect those I count as friends and those who are young.

{There are far too many children wandering around.}

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[gloinul]

Agreed. There seems to be no way of knowing who is on which side anyway, short of asking, and that seems a rather poor way of doing things.

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[rangerandking]

The answer to such an inquiry would mean little to me. Everyone deserves a chance unless they attack without cause.

{He looks around curiously, peeking into a room as they pass by.}

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[gloinul]

Agreed.

[Of course his idea of "attack" is a bit...wider than Aragorn's likely is. He'll take anyone to task who's rude, for example.]

Especially in a war that is not their own. I do not think we are allowed to chose sides, after all.

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[rangerandking]

We are free to respond as we like. {To withhold their skills or lend them to the opposition should the situation call for it.} For now, we are spectators.