Video; Both Courts

[silme]

[ The locket turns on, allowing a glimpse of the bailey in Caer Glaem while Celeborn is figuring out how it works. He's been at court for a few days but keeping to himself. There are so many people in the castle, a babble of voices and stray surface thoughts, that he's spent most of that time just learning his way around and avoiding the larger gatherings. Finding this outdoor haven feels almost like a reward for his patience. There's still so much to absorb, and this - figuring out how the locket works - is one he feels he can put off no longer.

He stares straight ahead; tall, handsome and silver-haired, garbed in soft gray traveling clothes. The elf's expression is slightly wary (speaking to anyone and everyone, no matter where in the Drabwurld they are, reminds him sharply of Fëanor's palantiri and look how those turned out). ]

Le suilon (Greetings).

My name is Celeborn, lord of Lothlórien in my world. [ He trails off for a moment, not entirely sure what to say next. 'My world'. It still feels surreal, stepping through a fairy ring and traveling far beyond Arda. If he understands right, beyond Aman as well. This isn't his home. Although the little he's seen in certainly beautiful. ] I am a newcomer. Like many of those now here in this castle.

If there are any other natives of Ennor, I would be pleased to speak with you. My own people especially, but others as well. [ Celeborn pauses, then forges onward. ] While it grieves me that war against the long dark rages in other lands, I will do what I can to aid in its downfall.

Na lû e-govaned vîn. (Until next we meet.)

[ The locket feed darkens after a long pause, once Celeborn figures out how to turn it off. ]

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video (for now) 1/2

[inafadingcrown]

[Galadriel is stunned into silence for a moment when she sees that face. She had come to this world from the docks of the Grey Havens, fully prepared to bear the burden of a parting with him. But that did not mean that she relished the thought. Selfish as it was, a part of her could not help but rejoice to see him here.

And- the bailey. She knew that place. It was only chance that had her in Caer Glaem, a desire to see to a few errands, to wrap up some business here, and to give Arwen and Celebrían some time to themselves- but what chance! She will not second guess her good fortune, in this case.]

My Lord- my love- do not move one inch. [And with that cryptic message, she turns off the locket. Just trust her.]

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[inafadingcrown]

[And if he does stay put, it won't be long until he sees one very familiar figure hurrying towards him.

She's only slightly changed from when he saw her last- a little more calloused, perhaps, and a little more muscled. Reminiscent of the young woman he met in Doriath, in some ways. She hasn't had the luxury of commanding forces from a distance lately; she's been active- a rider, a swordswoman, a huntress- and it shows.

But her smile is the same as ever and she cannot help but aim one in his direction when she finally meets him face to face.]

I thought I recognized this spot.

[video / action]

[silme]

[ She isn't the only one reeling. It has been many years for him since he watched the ship taking her and the other Ring-bearers into the west. He has missed her terribly, though there are projects enough to keep him occupied. Her order only makes him smile, his expression falling when her locket winks out, and he waits. Well, he paces around his little portion of the bailey, every now and then staring at the locket, hoping it will start talking to him.

But then she is speaking again, inside the walls of the castle, and his chest tightens so painfully that Celeborn is half afraid it might burst. He takes in all the little changes, joy fading into an uncertain frown. How long has she been here? ]

It is quite lovely. Though now I fear its beauty pales in comparison to yours, Hiril vuin.

[ He takes a step forward, fingers flexing at his sides as if they want to reach out and tug her to him. ]

You are here. This is not a dream?

[inafadingcrown]

This is no dream, I promise you. [She laughs as she says it, but her eyes give her away- they are just a little more watery than she'd care to admit.

It doesn't really matter. She doesn't wait for his response anyway, not anymore than she waits for him to decide to tug her to him. She takes a step forward herself and opens her arms, pulling him into an embrace.]

Is this proof enough for you Hîr Vuin? I am here.

video (after mom hunts dad down)

[silvergift]

[Having her mother with her has been a blessing. One that she had never expected and sometimes questioned if she deserved. Arwen arriving is a heartbreak and a gift, one she isn't planning on wasting (though a part of her wishes now that she had gone to Caer Glaem) while they're in this world. And now her father.

Tears prick at the corners of her eyes, hot and persistent, at the sight of him and the sound of his voice.

Exactly like I remember, she can't help but think. But he's so far away right now and she doesn't want to leave Arwen. And she can't risk trying to bring Arwen to Caer Glaem in case what the Seelie might try to do. And the last thing she wants to do is make enemies of the court though there's no doubt that she would for Arwen's sake.

Still, it's nearly impossible to believe and she rubs at her eyes, wiping away the tears in the hopes that if this is a trick, it will disappear as her sight clears.

The view doesn't change though.]

Atto.

video

[silme]

Henig.

[ It is, frankly, more of a shock to see his daughter there than his wife, although that was a huge one. Celeborn just stares at her, silently, for such a long time that it might appear he's forgotten how to breath.

The last time he saw her, she was battered and broken and sailing for the Undying Lands, her only hope of recovering. Now? She looks ... she looks well. Whole. The most beautiful thing he's seen in a long time. Eventually, he does take a shaky breathe.

And smiles. ]

You look ... you take my breath away, iellig.

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[silvergift]

[Her throat constricts as he stares and she wonders for a moment whether he believes she's really there or not. There's no reason for him to disbelieve it, it's been so long and she knows how broken she was when she'd left. How hopeless it had seemed that she'd ever feel like herself again or that she'd ever seen her parents again.

But here they are. And she'd seen her mothers ship in the distance, seen her mother on the ships deck as it approached. She knows she will.]

No more than I ever have, I am sure. [She smiles as well, resisting the urge to cry.]

I have missed you. So much.

video

[silme]

[ She's supposed to be safe and sound in Aman, hopefully with his wife's family protecting her like the treasure she is. (Yes, Celebrian is Daddy's girl okay and he will fight people on that.) For now, though, all he can do is watch her in the little mirror and bring his fingertips up close. Like he can touch her through sheer willpower. ]

And I you, daughter. But seeing you so ... hale, is worth the long wait.

[Video]

[sculptor_of_aman]

[That she speaks Quenya with a pre-Exilic lilt is probably a dead giveaway that she is not of Middle-earth, but the brightness of her eyes, filled with the Light, is a clear sign as well.]

Amatúlië. Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo. (Welcome. A star shines upon the hour of our meeting)

I understand your wariness in this place, Celeborn, but may it please you to know there are many others here of your kind.

[Video]

[silme]

[ After living with a Noldorin princess for thousands of years, Quenya is not a foreign tongue to him. Although it probably should be, considering his uncle's long ago edict. But the accent is archaic, and a few moments pass before he's able to place it. Galadriel sounded much the same when she first arrived in Doriath.

So Celeborn repeats the greeting in Sindarin, before switching to her language out of politeness. ]

Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn. (A star shines on the hour of our meeting)

Hantanye. (Thank you) It does please me, my lady, though the cause of their presence is obviously a serious one.

[sculptor_of_aman]

What have you been told of your circumstances, Celeborn?

[silme]

That there is a great battle against evil forces and that, as a shardholder, they need my assistance.

[ There was more to it than that, of course, but he's still working out all the finer points for himself. ]

NOT HERE

[bythewaves]

[ Celeborn of Lothlorien Maglor hears and sees the silver hair that marks those of Thingol's line.

Now that I see him, she does resemble her father, also

But the memory of blood and tears rises up to choke him, and Maglor turns away and does not respond to the post.

Let his cousin and his niece have their joy - he will not spoil it ]

1/2 ( not here )

[firith]

[ Imladris has become a quiet ruin, Lórien is silent and still, even Fangorn is said to have entered a new slumber that will last for no one knows how long — these days, in the Age of Eldarion's death and the fading of Thranduil's kind, when people speak of the Elvenking it is always his seat in Eryn Lasgalen to which they refer, and even then without much belief that the Elves still exist. The forest renamed with Celeborn after the War of the Ring still keeps the mountains as its southernmost boundary and before returning to the Drabwurld, Thranduil cannot recall a single mortal venturing into his realm for at least a hundred years. Keenly does he feel how being one of the oldest Elves left behind, by his own choice, separates him from Celeborn and the rest in Allaidh Darach. Even Legolas. He is a thing that sinks in its roots and does not like to be shifted, will bear the passage of time well and not feel his own autumn in Ennor for many Ages yet — because of that he thinks, I would not know what to say, when he sees Celeborn on the locket and wonders idly in disconnected emotions whether he will look upon the necklace and one day see his Elvenqueen smiling back at him.

There is a distance in me, it separates her from my heart and I cannot mend myself so she will find me here. I know she will not. I feel it.

If Thranduil feels a dull pang of something like a wound in his chest when he observes Galadriel instructing her husband to not move an inch, it could very well be the reason the Elvenking does not immediately reply to Celeborn. There are so many reunions in the Drabwurld that it makes him long to see his lost love and fearful of the possibility of ever laying eyes on her again. He has not been jealous of that easy intimacy for longer than he can remember. It is the strain of trying to protect his son from torture and an ever-present shadow that looms on Legolas's heels which causes Thranduil to wait an hour before responding to the locket; he supposes his friend has met and comforted his lady by then, and the timing will be better suited to all. ]

2/2 video; (hover for translation)

[firith]

Mae g'ovannen, mellon nîn. Gi nathlam hí.

[ The quiet of the Desolate Lands is behind him and not too far beyond that a company of assorted Elves, some of his own people and others not. Thranduil wears his armour, somewhat scratched, and is clearly nowhere near Caer Glaem by the sorry state of the land on view.

Nevertheless, he shows Celeborn an easy smile, heartened to be able to speak with his friend again. ]

It has been some time for me since last I was able to enjoy your company. I have not an ounce of surprise to show for your placement with the Seelie, Celeborn. [ It's pretty flash there, bro, he likes the decor if little else. Thranduil tips his chin and sends him an enquiring glance. ] How do you find the castle — are the other Shardholders to your liking?

video

[silme]

[ Celeborn has not had a permanent home, in his estimation, since Doriath's fall. Instead, he has wandered from settlement to settlement, over the mountains and back again, most often in the footsteps of his wife. However, Lothlórien has come the closest. He loves the Golden Wood, has tended the mallorn trees and streams winding their way across his territory with all the energy of a father. It is always so, until the time comes to pick up and move on.

Surprise flickers across his face, and he does not bother to hide it, when Thranduil appears on the little screen. Another unexpected gift. His friendship with the elf king, however tenuous it may be at times, is not one he takes lightly. ]

Mae g'ovannen, mellon vrûn. (Well met, old friend) Guren *glassui. (Thank you from my heart) [ It is a miracle, he thinks, for something to pry this particular Sindar from his kingdom. The shards must be far more serious than he has given them credit for. ] And I, you. Decades in the reckoning of Men.

They seem pleasant, so far. [ A light shrug. He does not have nearly enough information to give a solid opinion. ] Very courtly, though I do not recognize all the customs.

You are well, I hope. [ The land behind Thranduil, or what can be viewed on a tiny screen, seems suspiciously like a martial encampment. ] That armor could use some cleaning.

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[firith]

[ Not a miracle to have pried him here, but the safety of Legolas. Arguably, it is the only thing that could have tempted him back a second time. Decades in the reckoning of Men. Nodding, he gives an obliging shrug, somewhat, to the mention of courtly customs. ]

They tend to appear quite frightened when they realise they are standing next to an Elf. I rather enjoy not mentioning it. [ And seeing how long it takes for a curious party to ask, Your ears ...? ] I am well, yes. Legolas slumbers in an enchanted sleep at Caer Glaem, it consumed him when the moon was taken from the sky. I am abroad with the Elven and Aelfen company he and I have collected, fighting alongside the Seelie to reclaim it.

[ But not necessary as one of the Seelie, for that matter. ]

video » hover for translations

[stillhope]

[There's no hesitation in turning on the feed, a mixture sadness and joy shining in her eyes. Her arrival had left her exhausted - though not exhausted enough to be unable to greet one she cared deeply for. The darkness that had once been slowly been stealing her strength was lifting with every moment she passed here, though her features were still somewhat paler than they should be.]

Grandfather... Nae saian luume'.

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[silme]

... Arwen.

[ He swallows, working very hard to keep a neutral expression. First his wife, then his daughter, and now his granddaughter. The one woman he will never see again in his world. Celeborn finally clears his throat and offers a small, but warm, smile. ]

It has and I am very glad to see you.

video

[stillhope]

Where are you?

[Not that she could go to him. Not yet. She was still attempting to get settled into a place herself, somewhere far away from the Unseelie castle. If her mother's words were true, of which she had no doubt, she could be at the station for as long as she was allowed.

There's so much she wishes to tell him of her brief time here already, trying to keep it all from pouring out.]

video

[menelluin]

Celeborn, lord of Lothlorien. [Idril dips her head in greeting, genuine welcome shining in her expression. Galadriel will be, of course, happy; she has spoken now and again of her husband in their travels together.] I welcome you to the Drabwurld.

video

[silme]

My lady. [ A startled expression crosses his face before he remembers to mask it. It has been many thousands of years, but elven memories are nigh perfect, and he knows her. ]

One can hardly hope to be welcomed anywhere with such warmth. I thank thee in turn.

video

[menelluin]

[She smiles, touched by the comment.] Have those whom you love answered your summons yet?

{Video}

[rangerandking]

Le nathlam hí, hîr vuin. {"You are welcome here, beloved lord."} I will answer what questions I can, but, like you, I am newly arrived in the Drabworld.

{Times differ and he isn't sure what Celeborn has experienced. What matters first is reunions. Then...the rest.}

How do you fare?

[video]

[silme]

Gi suilon, Aragorn. Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn. (Greetings. A star shines on the hour of our meeting.)

[ The reverential tone catches him off-guard, but Celeborn recovers quickly and favors his grandson-by-marriage with a warm smile. Kin is kin, no matter the shape it comes in. ]

Of all the people I might have expected... [ Such a gathering of Ennorans. ] I am pleased to see you.

And I fare well. You, I trust, fare similarly?