Looking?

[herstarlight]

So you recall my existence; that is promising, however we are in the same position as before, are we not? While I reside with you, I have no home - no kin or brethren - and you have little thought to change my situation.

Do I need to be clearer?

Find a home.

Comments

/shakes you. Lovingly.

[bythewaves]

[ A soft amused sound ]

Lady, he is the last of the Elvenkings of Middle-earth, for there are no others now who would - or could - claim that title. And he has held Mirkwood against the Enemy for many a long century - who amongst our people does not?

[ A long hesitant pause ]

Call me Etyangol. [ Exile, in Quenya, which he is sure she does not know ] I know your story, little firehair - I am but a simple bard, but it would be remiss of me not to record as many tales are there are of my folk, particularly ones which move the great events of the world.

;///; /flops

[herstarlight]

[He has a point - a good point - and she shifts uncertainty, glancing down at her feet. It's easy to forget that knowledge of King Thranduil's realm must - and does - extend beyond the forest. The degree must differ, but this stranger is an Elf. He would have an...interest...in knowing.]

I cannot say. I think no Elf is unaware of his presence.

Hail, Lord Etyangol. [She freezes, caught off-guard.] What I did...was not enough. Not nearly enough. My story -

I must continue it by making amends.

<3

[bythewaves]

No Lord I! [ He corrects almost sharply ]

I am only a simple bard, lady - use no titles with me.

[ A shrug ] Perhaps. And perhaps not. You did what you thought was best at the time. There are many in our history who have done the same - some to great fortune, others, to great disaster. We none of us know what will come - all we can do is our best... and learn, so far as is possible, from our mistakes.

<333

[herstarlight]

[She doesn't look convinced, but it is his choice; not hers.]

Then know I am no lady. I was a Captain, but now I am...a simple Silvan Wood Elf.

[He sounds experienced. She wonders about his age.]

I have learned. I know the pain of...love. But that does not mean my King will forgive me.

<3 <3 <3

[bythewaves]

All women are ladies, or so my mother once said. [ He retorts, amused ] But as you will it.

Will he not? Forever is a very long time, little firehair, even for such as us. You are young, and as the young will, you made some very foolish choices. But none of them were untractable, I think.

[herstarlight]

She's right to a certain degree. However it is more about comfort for me. I have many skills that I hope to improve as I grow older and my name is Tauriel; not Lady Tauriel.

[It's more about her position in the world. She isn't like the noble Ladies and she has never pretended to emulate them.]

I love...loved...a Dwarf. I aimed my weapon at him. He will not treat such actions lightly.

[bythewaves]

So? [ He shrugs ] At the least you have not actually slain any kin.

And love can be a strange thing at times.

[herstarlight]

I do not have any to slay. [There is that.] King Thranduil and Prince Legolas are as close as it comes.

[She tilts her head.] Do you think it odd to love a Dwarf?

[bythewaves]

Do you not? [ He says gently ] Are not all of us kin, in some form? We are all elves, after all.

And blood does not tell for all - family is what you make of it sometimes, even if in the end blood calls the strongest.

[ He shrugs ]

In my time, it was normal for there to be strong friendships between our peoples. Why should you not? They are Eruhini too, after all - even if by adoption.

[herstarlight]

In a broader sense, you make a fair point. But I always wished for something...closer. [A shoulder lifts under the curtain of red hair.] I needn't worry about being called, as you say; not unless my heart wills me to take action.

[She sits down with a sigh.]

How do I carry on after him?

[bythewaves]

I think, [ he says softly ] that perhaps you grieve as deep as you do because you hurt one you consider father as well. So perhaps the tie is closer than you claim.

[ a small, wry, secret smile ] As for the ties of blood...I wonder. With hair like yours, Tauriel, I might think you better orphan than anything else - there has only ever been one family which threw such vivid shades of red.

[ he sits nearby, and his voice is sympathetic ] The same way all who loose those they love. One day at a time. You will never truly loose them, not so long as you hold their memory clear. The pain numbs, in time, becomes a well-known yearning ache, one which is precious - because of the shining memory that produced it.

[herstarlight]

[Now she turns a variety of interesting colors. Some of those colors clash with her hair.]

I know he is King. For me to presume... [But a child can't help it.] What do you mean by that? Better orphan...? Which family?

[Some details have been kept from her - or maybe they never seemed important to know. She is not one who studies or surrounds herself with books and knowledge. She has always retreated to the places she loves best - under the trees and under the stars.]

You have lost. [Like her King, perhaps. Are they stronger than her? In some ways, yes. But even if the exile remains in effect, she will live.] I have never known such pain.

[bythewaves]

Just because he is a king makes him no less a father. [ Maglor watches her blush in amusement and crooks a curious eyebrow at her ]

Come now - even the Silvan must know the story.

Seven brothers, oath-sworn
Damned and blood-stained
Mighty Maedhros, Iron-willed
Hair like blood, a banner of flame...

[ He sings it, voice as strong as the ocean, and then he sighs, old and tired, and lets the image of his brother go ]

I have, yes. All pain hurts, little firehair. It will slay you - or make you stronger. It all depends now on your own will to deal with it in all it's agony...or flee to Mandos' Halls. But even then you will be truly sundered from him, Tauriel - for there he cannot follow. And you cannot follow him.

[herstarlight]

To Legolas. [She makes herself sound distant and stern. Is it working?

Her stomach drops and she pales.] But he -

There are no recorded children. [Who would record them even if they did exist, though? Who would want to be associated...? She might ask questions, but his voice silences her. It's beautiful and even the short verse is a gift.]

Etyangol, your voice is your strength. I must find my own. [Whether it be with her bow, her daggers or something else remains to be seen.] I think I will. I must carry his memory with me.

[bythewaves]

AND to his fosterling. [ Maglor crooks an eyebrow at her ] Blood does not speak for all.

[ He shakes his head ]

Maedhros did not, no. But there are three of the brothers recorded who were wed, you know. And Maedhros was not the only red-head in our family.

[ He nods ]

Well said.

[herstarlight]

He...used to be kinder. [But then things had become complicated.]

You know a great deal about them. Is that common for a wandering bard? [She smiles a little, eyebrows rising.] A wandering bard with a voice that is as beautiful as the stars.

[bythewaves]

A king must balance kindness with practicality. Tis a sad thing, but true. I do not think he hates you, Tauriel. You are not the only one who hurts.

[ Another wry crook of the eyebrow ]

Ah now. Have you not guessed yet, Tauriel? Seven brothers there were. Do you not know the next verse?

[ Softly he sings ]

Might-voiced Maglor, poet and bard
lethal shadow by his brother's side...

[herstarlight]

I think I understand his pain a little better. I never meant to be cruel; I only wished to awaken him to the possible outcome.

[It never occurred to her that anyone could let another race suffer and die.

She stiffens and flexes her fingers awkwardly in her lap.] So you are -

Do you mean to kill me?

[bythewaves]

You were young. Foolishness is part and parcel of it - I am sure he knows.

[ He shakes his head ]

The Silmarilli are beyond my reach - there is no further need for me to kill anyone, these days.

[herstarlight]

I feel like...I should know better. [She has to be competent - or so she believes.]

I have nothing even close to their like. [Though pale, she tries to smile.] I never even saw the Arkenstone.

[bythewaves]

You will learn. [ He shrugs ] You are young - you have the time.

[ A wry chuckle ] I did. I had to be sure, you see. It might have been Maedhros'.

[herstarlight]

I have a lot of time. [Outside of hunting and finding a new home.] The Dwarves need to be laid to rest first.

[She narrows her eyes.] You would have had fierce competition for it.

[bythewaves]

[ The smile she gets in return has far too many teeth to be friendly, his eyes suddenly very bright and feral ]

It would not be the first time.

[herstarlight]

[She grabs her arms, shivering.] You would...fight regardless of the odds. For his Silmaril.

[bythewaves]

So I have sworn. [ Maglor says, as matter-of-factly as if he was discussing the harvest ]

So we have done. So I would do, if need be. And if I perish, I perish.