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[disfavour]

Humans! [ Good, now that he has your attention. ] There is a sickness aboard this vessel, a Dark Beast that harbours rot and the ruin of any that approach it. I, myself, suffered injuries that have now healed. It is a skilled foe that walks in shadow, a warrior of the forsaken. It does not bleed when wounded or hesitate to give harm and it will kill you, should you be fool enough to challenge it. Unless, of course, it decides to keep you alive for sport — those mortals who deliberately put themselves at risk do so at their own peril. If you believe you are strong, I am here to tell you that you are not. Keep your corpses to a minimum. 

Specifically: it carries a great chain that burns like embers, knows your mind and moves at incredible speed. Thranduil is aware of this demon, as are all those of Elvenkind aboard. 

[ Nuada, who brings the network this message from the corridors where he is patrolling, peers into the camera with wolflike gold eyes. You may have seen them around recently, instead belonging to one massive six-foot hound. ]

To those who are not human, I say this; stay with your brothers and sisters, send word over a secure line if any of you are attacked. All manner of Aes Sidhe, from my world or not, are my concern.

[ What else? His manner eases ever so slightly, as it is wont to do between comrades. ]

Loki — we must speak concerning the forging of your weapon. It is time to take up arms worthy of your skill, my friend.

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[elvenking]

Did you challenge the creature?

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[disfavour]

[ And that's when he looks confused. ]

Did you think I would stand aside and allow it to fall upon you and your people? Yes, I challenged it.

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[elvenking]

Did it threaten me and my people?

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[disfavour]

It walks with death upon its breath and knows of elves, the demon found the look of me familiar. That was enough reason to put myself between the creature and and its escape.

In its language it asked if I was Avari.

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[elvenking]

...What?

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[disfavour]

Avari.

[ Frowning, he watches Thranduil carefully as he recites the word on a foreign tongue, the inflection as smooth as he can recall. ]

... You know this name?

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[elvenking]

...Come to me at once. I will call for the Lady Galadriel and the Lord Elrond. You must tell us everything, and spare no detail you thought unworthy of mention before.

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[disfavour]

I did not think it unworthy.

[ Cutting off the feed, he nevertheless heads for the oxygen gardens. There's one tense elf walking into what passes for Thranduil's inner court, summoned but resentful about it. ]

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[elvenking]

[Quit sulking, Nuada. Dad is not real happy with you. Evidence: he's wearing his crown and sitting on the roots that seem to serve as a throne. This meeting is so official it hurts. All he needs is his staff so he can wallop you over the head with it.]

[disfavour]

[ He glares askance and waits a moment more before dropping to a knee. Nuada has been in this place before; not here precisely, but before a king that feels wronged by his actions, surrounded by unfitting surroundings.

He loathes the comparison that immediately comes to mind. ]

I did not think it unworthy of mention, my lord. [ That repeated in person, he pushes on. ] It spoke as if it knew mountains. The weapon it used gleamed like blood. The chain — [ Here he falters at the memory, blinking at the ground. The jolting terror he felt in those moments swims up his spine anew and he pushes it deep, deep down inside a short pause. His voice strains afterward. ] The chain bound me and could not be broken.

That is all I recall.

[ And all I do not wish to, he bitterly thinks. ]

[elvenking]

[Thranduil's stern expression softens, seeing Nuada's fear of the memory. After a moment, he stands and approaches slowly to lay a hand on his vassal's shoulder.]

It is not my wish to ask you to revisit the memory again, but I must. It spoke of the Avari. What other words did it speak? In particular, words you did not know.

[disfavour]

[ Some of the tension eases, though not all. ]

Avari. Nothing more that I did not understand.

[ Head lifting, he does not make eye-contact but keeps his gaze somewhere around Thranduil's side, wetting suddenly dry lips so brittle words can pass. It's a shameful thing, for a warrior to be frightened and useless. It makes his oath to protect anyone worthless, in Nuada's eyes. ]

I am sorry, my lord, that I let it escape. I failed you on that day and know it.

[elvenking]

You bring me no shame. You were alone with a being of great might, and such things happen. But you must tell me: which of you struck first?

[disfavour]

[ Quietening, he thinks back. If Thranduil feels a shudder, it's a closely guarded one. ]

It ... I felt it take hold of — something, in me. [ He closes his eyes, grateful for the long hair that covers his face. ] As it moved toward me it refused to back down when I issued warnings and it seemed to touch me without ever raising a hand. For a moment, I was laid bare to it.

[ Deep in the depths of his worst deeds, stirring them and finding Nuada's strength wanting. ]

It would not stop. [ Approaching or probing, it matters just as little now as it did then. ] I cut its face to the bone but it bled strangely, blackly. Like a creature long dead.

[elvenking]

[Then, in Thranduil's eyes, Nuada was provoked. Thranduil's face is very grave as he listens. By the time he finishes, the elf-king is nearly ashen.]

This...is more dire than I first believed. The Lady Galadriel must hear of this when she arrives, for she knows more of such beings than I. But it is my belief that this thing is of Arda, or it would not have asked if you were of the Avari. And there are very few creatures of such powers in Arda.

[One of them is aboard for sure...and yet not in the form he would use to strike such terror into people. No, Sauron is here from his days of fair face and sweet words. He is not yet the Necromancer. But it had a face, so it was not one of the Ulairi. What does that leave? Some sort of wight, a creature of the Necromancer now under Sauron's control? Do such beings have such power? And what's with the chain?

Elrond would know. Why isn't he here yet?]

Very few indeed. But I can guess no more. The other elf-lords have great experience in these matters. Further questions will wait until they arrive.

[disfavour]

[ Arda. The realm of Thranduil's elvenkind, then? Nuada has no qualms awaiting the arrival of Galadriel or Elrond. The only issue that sits ill with him is how he was defeated by a demon, again, and the foul hot breath that painted down his throat as the creature moved in while the great chain choked Nuada of breath. The sensation of a blade driving home so seemingly close to his heart, white-hot and ruining the sanctuary of shadows so nowhere feels safe any longer, no place brings him respite. He hates the light and dark equally, now.

Belatedly, he nods in agreement with his king. ]

As you wish, sire.

[inafadingcrown]

[And, as if on cue, Galadriel makes her entrance. She gives a nod to each man.]

Thranduil. Nuada. [She seats herself.] Let us not waste time with formalities.

[Four of them- only four. Her eyes flick briefly in the direction she came from, half expecting Elrond to round the corner. Strange that he should not be here already.]

[elvenking]

[Thranduil watches as well, but they should get started immediately. Elrond can be brought up to speed.]

Lady. It is my belief that the being that attacked Nuada is of Arda. It asked him if he is of the Avari. But the features he described to me are ones I do not know of any creatures.

[disfavour]

[ And with that segue, he reiterates all he has spoken of so far. It's odd that Elrond isn't as prompt as Galadriel, purely because he expects to see the elven healer walk in moments later.

When scant minutes have passed, Nuada frowns. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[Galadriel is frowning from the moment Nuada begins describing the creature further. She is silent, thoughtful, grave.]

I know of few beings with such power. [She says slowly] One of whom is accounted for here already. I think it is clear enough that this is no ordinary demon.

[elvenking]

I did not think it could be he. That is not the form he takes yet.

[Thranduil glances toward the door.]

The chain troubles me. You spoke of it as though it had a power of its own.

[disfavour]

[ Not pleased about being out of the loop, he nevertheless comports himself with an obliging quiet until addressed. ]

Yes. When it took hold of my neck, it lifted me like an extension of his arm. It could have been alive, for all that it looked like dark blood had bathed the links once too often.

[inafadingcrown]

Agreed.

[And then after Nuada continues.] There are few also who could forge such a chain. If it were enchanted after it were made, a few more- yet in either case, the possibilities are not encouraging.

[Her gaze shifts to Nuada and turns thoughtful.] If you would give your consent, Prince Nuada, I might learn more if I were to see this memory of yours for myself.

[elvenking]

[Thranduil's eyes go from Galadriel to Nuada. His face is impassive. He trusts Galadriel, but the question is whether or not Nuada wants someone poking around in his brain.]

[disfavour]

[ It's not something he jumps at the chance to offer up, but neither does he shrink from his duty; he's the only one who directly met with the creature and if it is something from their world, this is their best chance of recognising it.

He inclines his head in a nod after a moment's pause, feeling the weight of Thranduil's stare on his peripheral vision. ]

Do what you must, Lady Galadriel. I wish to help.