◎ｆｏｕｒｔｈ ｊｏｕｒｎｅｙ

[ringbearer]

[ it's been a considerably long time since frodo made any contact with the network. times before he asked for companions, questions on stories, but instead there is silence. it's no secret he's kept much to him self in the passing months. even to those he'd call friend.

there's no denying that the person on the screen is haggard, shadows beneath his eyes and overall looking far from well. when he speaks it's distant, as if not quite present. frodo knows the risk, especially with him on board. his voice is like brittle paper. ]

I know some of you have magic. I'd like to know..

[it seems as if even coming to thoughts is difficult. a pause. ]

Is there any magic on this ship capable of weakening something else? Making it less potent -- anything that could restrain an object even a little..

[ wearily: ]

Should you know anything, anything at all .. I'd like to discuss it. Privately.

Comments

[ video ]

[tailcrook]

[It really is a face Konoe hasn't seen in a long time, and he's certain when he last did Frodo seemed so much better.]

I don't know a way to do that, except... hiding it away. [He's managed to resist looking for his mask again from long ago this way, after all. But something about this sounds all the more difficult to deal with if it must be asked about like this, and Konoe's concern goes unhidden.] But... I suppose you've tried that before?

[ video/private ]

[ringbearer]

[ there's a pause. he remembers this face, time spent in the gardens, ears that are unmistakable. but it's been some time, so it takes a moment to recall the name. the suggestions are the only thing he's been able to do and it still takes so much more than any regular ring should.

but it isn't a ring. since truly knowing it's weight it's been far more than that. ]

It's about the only thing I can do, on my part. Even now I speak too much.

[ → private ]

[tailcrook]

[It takes him a moment to remember how, but he shifts his message into a similar setting of secrecy, having difficulty imagining what could call for such a thing. Is it a curse...? He doesn't get to ask.]

Frodo... ["Too much" is enough for him not to dig.] There's more magic in this place than people talk about, I think... and people who'd know about it. Someone's got to find you.

[Unfortunately he can't say so without sadness. Only able to offer encouragement, as he did for someone else with such a familiar face....

He hopes for light to return to Frodo's eyes again someday, too.]

But - until then, do you have... time?

[ → private ]

[ringbearer]

[ his voice is grim, glancing up with eyes steeped in exhaustion. there's no real assurance in that gaze ]

..They've already found me. Which makes this all the more perilous.
[ but sauron doesn't seem to recognize the ring. the last question makes frodo pause a bit, before something like the ghost of a smile appears on his lips ]

Perhaps I did at the beginning, but -- it's hard to tell now, Konoe. I mean to endure and bear things as long as I can. But..it grows difficult.