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. ]

Comments

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.]

action 2/2

[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.

[silme]

[ Alright. She's crying, or the closest he's seen her do so in many years, so he doesn't have to. Celeborn opts to fold his arms around her, resting his head against her shoulder. They could stand like this until the castle around them fell to dust and he wouldn't care. ]

Proof enough, my lady. A gift unlooked-for is the most precious of all.

[ Of course, his voice may be a little muffled, but Galadriel should get the gist. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[One hand goes his hair, gently running her fingers through the silver strands. The other, she rests between his shoulders, holding him close.]

I had not thought to see your face again for centuries. [She pauses to kiss the top of his head] There is so much I have wanted to tell you.

[silme]

[ He leans into her touch unconsciously. It has been so long, and he would be a fool to let this opportunity pass him by. ]

It has been ... many years. How fare you, my love? And your family across the Sea.

[ Those in-laws he will someday meet. ]

[inafadingcrown]

['Many years? 'Your family across the Sea?' With a rush, she realizes just far apart in time they must be and, startled by the sudden realization, she pulls back and examines his face.]

I would not know how they fare, Celeborn; I never sailed. To my eyes, it has been half a year or so since I left the Grey Havens, not for Valinor, but for this world instead.

But I know well that time flows differently in this place. "Many years," you say. [There's a sudden pang in her heart as she thinks of him without her for so long, She knew, of course, that it was inevitable, but when she had imagined it, the parting had been equal. Here, he had suffered the separation so keenly, so harshly. In comparison, she had scarcely begun to long for him. She cups his face in her hands, her thumbs stroking the sides of his face.] How long has it been? Tell me truly.

[silme]

[ His face remains impassive beneath her fingers for only a few seconds, struggling valiantly against his lady's wiles. It doesn't last, of course. It never does. ]

More than I like to think about. Close to one hundred years of the sun.

[inafadingcrown]

[She closes her eyes for a moment, a brief expression of sorrow.] Too long, my love. Far too long.

[But they are both here now. And, as fickle as circumstances may be in the Drabworld, Galadriel knows better than to take a moment of that for granted. When she opens her eyes again the sorrow has passed, her expression softening into a fond smile. Without moving her hands from the sides of his face, she leans forward to kiss him.]

[silme]

I know, but there are tasks I must complete e'er I depart my home for yours.

[ He's not sure she will understand what they are, or why, but he does have every intention of sailing to Aman when his time in Ennor is done. And it will no longer truly be his home.

That place has long been symbolized by the remarkable woman in front of him. She who leans forward and gifts him with the taste of her kiss. He returns it warmly, if somewhat chastely, considering they are in the domain of another and Celeborn has no wish to offend. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[She doesn't understand entirely what it is he wishes to do. But she does understand why, at least in her own way. For over seven thousand years, she was an exile from her own homeland; when she had left, she had not fully understood what it was that she was forsaking. She would not have Celeborn do as she did- depart in haste, before he was ready. Not even for her sake. She wants him at her side, yes, but she wants him there fully and truly- not with a piece of him always longing to be elsewhere. It was better, however long it took, to wait for him. And he would come back to her. She did not doubt that.

And she certainly does not mind the kiss being kept chaste. It is enough, for now, to give him this tangible expression of her love, to start to close whatever distance that century may have left between them.]

I know. I do not begrudge you your time, Celeborn. [She drops her hands from his face, reaching to take his hands in her own.] It is only chance that has me here today; my intent was to return to Caer Glaem only for a few days before continuing to the Station. [There's a pause, a careful pause, before she continues.] Celebrían and Arwen await me there. [It will be strange for him to hear, she knows, and a great shock. So she stops to watch his expression, to gauge his reaction.]

[silme]

[ Where they in Lorien, or Rivendell, or long-lost Menegroth, Celeborn would simply pick his wife up and carry her off to show her how very much he has missed her. How every second of every day is spent knowing the keeper of his heart is not there, at his side.

So he watches over his grandchildren, and the House of Telcontar, until the time comes when they will not need him.

But his head jerks up at the mention of one grandchild, she that guides the people of Gondor as ably as her ancestors, and his precious, only daughter. ]

Celebrian? Our Celebrian?

[inafadingcrown]

No other. [A broad smile spreads across her face and she leans forward to rest her forehead against his. She shouldn't be so pleased to have them all here; it would be safer for her family to have remained in Arda. But it's been so long since they've all been together.]

She is not unchanged by her ordeal, of course. She could not be. But she has healed well, my love. She is strong. You will be proud.