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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[Oh now really? Gimli is torn between smiling and swearing that they got the lad as well, and right before one of the battles.]

Then you'll be pleased to know that you win the battle, aye, and your throne!

{The transformation of his demeanor is like night and day. Tentative hope enters his eyes, but this too could be a trick.

Then again, why would the enemy lie about that? They would want to cause him despair - not joy.}

How did you come by this knowledge, Gimli?

Being there myself, of course. It was four years ago by my count that the Ring was destroyed and King Elessar was crowned.

Four years. {He finds a place to sit, reaching back to hold himself steady against a tree trunk.} Frodo lives?

Ah.

[He shifts]

Yes, in a way. I believe he sailed West with the Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond not long ago.

[ cue sparkle eyes. she is a fan of yours already.]

They only return us when they want to.

They sailed from the Grey Havens. {Mithlond, rather.} I cannot blame him for seeking peace.

{Though there is something sad about it.}

Are you well? What of Legolas?

It will be trying to agree to that arrangement. {He smiles faintly at her. Ah children.}

I am well, for having just been kidnapped from my home!

[Still pissed about that]

Legolas is here as well, though he seems to have been here for several months already.

They don't give us much of a choice. [ they took her father away and little does she know, brought here instead, her little brother.]

We find ourselves in a similar situation, then. {He understands that pissed feeling all too well.} How can that be?

{Yet if Gimli is from the future, anything is possible.}

I fear the answer would only serve to confuse me further.

I have been told it is the work of magic and I am inclined to believe it. Legolas is here, as is Lady Galadriel and her daughter and several Elves I am told are "Fëanorians" though what that means I could not tell you. And Bilbo Baggins is as well, though he is much younger than I remember.

Of that, I am intimately aware. {And he wishes he wasn't.} What is your name?

[ because his introduction was so impressive, she wants to copy that. so she straightens--] I'm Arya Stark of Winterfell.

Fëanorians? {That name brings him pause before the other presences sink in.} Lady Celebrían. She is beloved of Lord Elrond and mother of his children.

{This is getting more and more interesting.}

I should like to encounter all of them.

Thank you for welcoming me, Arya. {He does appreciate the effort.} Were you taken from your family?

Keep your locket open long enough and you will be beset by them! Which Court are you in? I do not understand what these Courts mean, but I do understand that it is important and that Legolas will be here at the Seelie Court soon enough. If you aren't there, I suggest you get there!

[ that is a tricky question because, yes, in a way she was but before she arrived here.] My elder brother and sister are here as well. [ in case he's a bad guy and thinks she doesn't have allies!] And my lord father was here but he was... he has been sent back. [ and is now dead.]

[A battle to decide the fate of Middle Earth? This sounds terrible and worrisome, but it also reeks of future shenanigans he is sure he shouldn't be apart of and so he hesitates to say anything at all.

Curiosity wins out in the end.]

Unfortunately those that rule these lands don't care much for our own troubles. I have seen others try and find a way back home to no avail. Some have left, but it would appear completely at random.

I am sorry, I wish I could be of more help to you.

I will consider it an honor. {A small smile curves his lips, but there is wariness in it still. The Fëanorians in particular worry him if the tales are true.} I have been welcomed into the Seelie Court as well. It seems the quality that brought us together in fellowship is recognized by these courts.

Thought so.

[He smiles]

Perhaps you should join me, whenever Legolas gets here. I am not sure what he's doing, but it has to be more productive than sitting around here.

Are they much older than you? {Children raising children in a place fraught with dangers doesn't set well with him.} I'm sorry.

{Those two words are heartfelt. Loss isn't something that should be treated lightly because it's "common".}

I lost my father when I was far younger than you. The pain has not lessened over time, but I have grown stronger so that I may bear it.

{Now there is a familiar face, but, yes, much younger. Just as Gimli said.}

Bilbo. {He inclines his head in greeting, expression soft. Hobbits are remarkable.} Your presence is enough. I trust that you are faring well?

Time is... {His brow furrows thoughtfully.} hardly stationary in this land. I am from a point in your future. Your nephew, Frodo, is one I am honored to call friend.

Yes. [ no. only a few years. but it's enough.] My brother serves as my sister's commander of the guard, she is now the keeper of the lands here called Cothromach which were granted to my father before he left.

[ she pauses at his words, fighting against any pain that may show on her face but her expression falters.]

My lord father is dead back home, here he was alive again.

One would hope. {It's easy to fall back into conversation. His smile grows as his tone becomes teasing.} I don't believe I have ever seen an Elf sit around and do nothing.

{Thanks to visual cues - and his Ranger skills - he soon comes upon the Dwarf. Clapping Gimli on the shoulder, he sighs.}

I was afraid I would never see a friendly face again.

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