Video - Seelie locked - Forward-dated to the 3rd

[kingsdaughter]

I'm back!

[Sigrid has bathed and washed her hair and polished her skin and everything is braided and tucked and in place as she sits before the locket, sitting like a lady instead of a girl.]

I'm in Caer Glaem and I have presents for a lot of people. Treun is a wonderful city and I will go back, and not only for business. Let's see...

[She looks at something off-frame, ticking each item off on one hand by tapping each fingertip against her thumb.]

Sansa, Gendry, Arya, Jon Snow, Lancelot, and Fili, I've got presents for you all from Treun and I want to see you. But!

[She smooths herself out and looks a little more formal.]

I am Sigrid of the House of Dale. We didn't get any new alliances in Treun, but we've got something just as important happening.

[She can't help the smile that breaks out.]

Before the envoy was sent, Treun was struggling to trade with Caer Glaem. You and I, shardbearers, can use the fairy rings to travel safely from here to there and back, but those without shards cannot. Treun is a hub of trade--traders come from round the world and their goods ship along the Road of Eithne to Cothromach, and from there across the mountains to Caer Glaem. As you know, most of the major battles of the war in the last few months have taken place along the Road of Eithne, making it very dangerous to travel. We have been on the brink of losing trade not only with Treun, but with all those who come by the Road of Eithne--the eastern world, more or less, and a great many by sea.

With the Council of Treun, it has been agreed [her smile splits into a grin] that a new road is to be built south of the fighting that will allow merchants from Treun to travel safely not only to Caer Glaem, but to the western world.

Trouble is, I need people to help build it. I've got three lovely earthbenders who'll work it through the mountains, but we'll need as many as possible to help make this safe path happen for the merchants. The monarchs will supply most of the laborers, but I need foremen. People who know what looks wrong, mostly. We don't even have roads in Lake-town, so I'm not much good there. Oh--there will have to be a bridge over the river.

...Thank you. For listening, even if you can't help.

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[firith]

Someone has been very busy, I see.

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[kingsdaughter]

[Suddenly she looks like she's fifteen again; her eyes spill over with delight at seeing the Elvenking again, one of two elves she doesn't resent at the moment. And he looks proud. Of her. Someone is proud of her and she could cry for it.]

Someone has to be. But oh--you've come back!

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[firith]

[ In the wake of Bard, someone must be proud of the King of Dale's daughter. ]

I have. What is this about Treun of which you speak? [ His smile broadens, flatlining in mock-seriousness. ] Not running amok, I hope.

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[steeledskin]

[ for once (and perhaps only for now) sansa's response is not locked. but it's still careful. half-hesitant.

certainly more hesitant than it ought to be. ]

What efforts! [ ...now is not the time for shock and awe. now is the time for friendship, however feeble she feels. ] I cannot wait to see you again.

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[kingsdaughter]

[She sees that hesitation and her smile wanes.]

Neither can I. Whatever is the matter, my dear? When are you coming back?

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[steeledskin]

[ she takes a breath and remembers sigrid's shoulders slumped below the burden of her guilt in the woods. she thinks about what rides upon her own decisions -- and what she owes those who followed her father who might now follow her. and the more she thinks about it the sicker she feels. ]

Not as soon as I'd like. I need to stay here. A moon, mayhaps. [ -- a hard swallow. ] But Arya and Jon are coming back to Caer Glaem. Our little brother has come.

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[knightscode]

[ It's a long time before Lancelot's reply comes, in part due to his handling of the training session and in part because he isn't sure what to say.

He's relieved, of course, that Sigrid is safe... yet part of him is still angry at her. Even if he knows, deep down, a good part of that anger was fuelled by his own fear. He settles on speaking to her, finally, but keeps from showing his face. Easier to mask any emotion that slips that way, after all Sigrid had not known exactly what he was so upset. ]

Lady Sigrid. I am glad to see you return from Treun safely. What of the rest of your party?

[ Please tell him they are not all dead. ]

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[kingsdaughter]

Safe, last I heard. Faolan made me leave the moment my meeting with the Council was done. Where are you? I want to see you.

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[knightscode]

[ He lets out a slow breath of relief, hesitates for a moment before answering. In all honesty he is not entirely sure he wants to meet with her, but he knows that is cowardice pure and simple. He doesn't want to face the embarrassment that comes with pity. Does not want to discuss why he reacted the way he did, or even think about it.

This Faolan guy at least gets points for getting her out. ]

My rooms. You must be tired from your trip, though, surely whatever you want to speak of can wait?

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[gloinul]

[...Dale? Sigrid? The Bardling?]

Do you mean the City of Dale at the foot of Erebor?

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[kingsdaughter]

Yes, at the foot of Erebor. I am pleased to meet you, Master Dwarf.

[He looks familiar, but she didn't managed to really meet all the dwarves that took over her house, and certainly did not learn many of their names. Gloin she knows only as Red Dwarf.]

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[gloinul]

[To be fair, that is an accurate description]

I thought as much. Gimli, son of Glóin, at your service. I believe your family aided mine on the Quest of Erebor, though I could be wrong.

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[chromosomes]

I'm glad things went well.

[ god knows something ought to ]

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[kingsdaughter]

Thank you. Was your voyage safe?

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[chromosomes]

It was, though we turned back early.

[ who knows what it might have been if they didn't ]

And yours?

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[playmakings]

You seem to really know your stuff!

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[kingsdaughter]

[Kelsi has the greatest smile Sigrid has ever seen, and it gets her smiling right back.]

Good! Then I've got all of you fooled.

[She learned most of this in a weeks-long study binge.]

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[playmakings]

I guess you do. But it's a good thing to have all that knowledge, right? And even better if you share.

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[walkingarsenal]

[She looks much better than she did the last time they spoke -- being away from Caer Glaem must have been good for her. He's impressed by what she's been doing with herself, and some of that shows in his expression. The rest of his surprise is brought on by the announcement addressing him specifically.]

A welcome back is in order, then, but I've nothing to give you in return for your present.

[Not yet.]

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[kingsdaughter]

Doesn't matter--I'm the one who traveled, so I'm the one has to bring back presents. Where are you?

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[walkingarsenal]

[Perhaps it's a custom, or it's her own thinking, he decides. And so, he won't question it further, offering her a smile instead.]

Caer Glaem -- we've returned for the time being. Where will I find you?

[bullhorned]

Seven hells, when did you get so busy?

[Planning roads and buying gifts and treating with lords. What a mess! He was struggling just to keep up with the demanding work that came with apprenticing beneath a dwarven master who's stamina outclassed his own.]

[kingsdaughter]

Nearly two months ago. It's the whole reason I didn't go with you to Troichean Beann.

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[baseborne]

[Jon looks a bit flustered and flattered and pleased, despite himself. It's nigh on impossible to be dour when his little brother is here.]

Lady Sigrid, you did not need to get me anything.

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[kingsdaughter]

Why does everybody say that? It's like telling me I did something wrong.