10 ❂ Video

[elvenking]

[When Thranduil appears, his own quarters in the background, he looks pristine. All signs of hardship have been washed away. Lúthien has even regrown his hair, which lies in a shining braid over one shoulder. He has put extra effort into his presentation this time. No dark circles under his eyes, no glassy, haunted look. His hands are tucked away carefully out of view on his lap. If he can't make it for real, he is excellent at faking a full recovery. There is no filter on his message. He wants to be seen.]

My name is Thranduil. [He pauses for a beat as if that's significant. Which it is, to someone.] I am King of the Woodland Realm in Northern Mirkwood. If you have only arrived in this last jump, I extend to you my personal greetings and condolences. If among these stars you find a better life than that which you left behind, I am happy you are here. Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn.

Now to the heart of it. Some months ago, many of us experienced one another's feelings and memories. It is to those who had such a link with me that I wish to speak. I will ask nothing of your own memories, only of mine that you saw, though I have naught to offer but gratitude in return. I would prefer to speak of them on this network with no filters, but if you prefer, we may arrange to meet in person.

Finally, for there are many who have come and gone and come again since I announced it first, I am skilled in birdlore and beastlore. Should you have need of such aid, I would be glad to be of service.

For your time and patience, I thank you all. Be of good health.

[He lifts one hand from his lap to shut off the device. In the second it is onscreen, it can be seen to tremble slightly before the image goes black.]

Comments

[redheaded_rock]

Thank you for the welcome. [Pause. Uhm. Your Majesty? She doesn't even know. She adds a little awkwardly:] King Thranduil. I've been here for one jump, though. I hope it still applies. [She's a well-read kid. This name? Totally right there on the familiar-meter. Not saying it, though. Not even thinking it.] Can I ask what that phrase meant?

[elvenking]

It is only a pompous way of greeting someone. It means "a star shines over the hour of our meeting."

[redheaded_rock]

[She smiles.] I like it. And it's kind of literal in this case.

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[disfavour]

Your hair.

[ He worked so hard on that stylish moptop after Morgoth decided to play Barbie with Thranduil, wow. Rude, Luthien!! Aside from that, Nuada refrains from commenting further; he isn't fooled by the front his lord puts up, not after their talk, but neither is he going to discredit this broadcast.

So, yes. Hair. ]

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[elvenking]

[The carefully crafted facade slips noticeably at that. Thranduil raises a hand to gingerly touch the golden braid.]

A gift from the lady Lúthien. Her powers...

[He doesn't really have anything to say after that. Shaking hands draw his hood up, covering his new-grown treasure. He's going to take good care of it this time.]

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[disfavour]

She created a beautiful rose, the like of which I'd not seen in an age. I'm glad you have your hair back; you look very fine again.

[ Even if the damage is under the surface, the broadcast is a relatively solid one. Good job, sire. ]

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[longestnose]

Are you feeling any better?

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[elvenking]

I am remembering more.

[Not really the question he asked.]

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[longestnose]

...that is something, at least.

[Fili understands; but it is better than nothing.]

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[woodlander]

You look well today, my Lord.

[ That's mostly for the benefit of anyone who's listening. She didn't miss Thranduil's hand shake, nor is the message behind his pristine appearance lost on her. She won't compromise it. ]

If there is assistance I can give, I trust that you will speak the word.

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[elvenking]

I do have a task for you.

[An awkward silence follows as he tries to remember what it is. Tauriel. Tauriel and swords. Arya. Right.]

I would like for you to tutor a young girl in swordplay. She is called Arya. You will find her strong-willed and very likely rude, but if you treat her with respect, she will return it.

[He has the feeling Tauriel will understand her on a couple of levels. They will have a lot to teach each other.]

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[woodlander]

I have spoken with her before.

[ And if her tone is anything to go by, Tauriel had liked her.

She'd also suspected Arya had a tendency for mischief, but in all honesty, she likes that too. Children like that only need direction. ]

If she is willing, I would help her. What of her brothers? I know that she has family here.

[ Protective family, if their recent activity on the network is anything to go by. Tauriel watches. ]

[skjalf]

And mine is Elizabeth. It is good to finally learn your name, Your Grace.

[ this is the most she has spoken to him. from here on out, he may perhaps find her more than a little chatty. but it is only because she is gladdened to see that he is finally doing a little better.

and his hair is back! lizzie can guess it has something to do with magic, and so foes not remark upon it. instead, she asks: ]

That phrase was beautiful. Is that the language you speak in your homeland?

I confess I know not what you said, but--I should like to remedy that, and learn.

[ she pauses. ] And in return, is there anything you need?

[elvenking]

[Language lessons. Belle. Belle's language lessons have been neglected. And now there's another person wanting to be his student. His eyes slide closed and he slowly releases a breath. He can handle this. He is not going to break over someone asking to learn his language. He is going to contact Belle later and postpone their lessons. This is not a crisis.

His eyes open again, the carefully-crafted facade back in place.]

For now, perhaps it is best you seek such lessons with another Elf, fair child. But ever would your music gladden my heart.

[skjalf]

[ something she's said has distressed him. perhaps just a little, but even that is too much for her liking. for a brief moment, her own facade shifts so that her contrition and concern might be seen.

then, they are gone. and she is inclining her head in apology. ]

Of course, Your Grace. Forgive me, I did not mean to presume to burden you further.

[ ah, the music. she smiles a little. ] It is always a pleasure.

Would you prefer to listen over this device, or in person?

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[bitchcrafting]

What's birdlore? I'm guessing it's not just about taking care of birds.

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[elvenking]

All their ways, as well as their care.

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[bitchcrafting]

That's a pretty neat skill, but I haven't seen a single bird since I got here. Way too hot in the gardens for any of them to survive.

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[puppydogeyes]

Why?

[She didn't like talking about the links when they were actually happening, she'd rather not revisit it now.]

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[elvenking]

They are my memories.

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[puppydogeyes]

+ you have mine.
We didn't talk about this when it happened.
We don't have to now.

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[whenimdone]

Birdlore and beastlore?

[There's a curious look, a tilt to her head. This guy- well, he certainly looks like something else, enough so that she believes the 'king' thing. She makes a decision now to not even try and say his name, pretty sure that she'd mangle it as usual, and hey, he's offering some kind of assistance, it'd be rude.]

What kind of beasts? Like- just animals, or something more?

[elvenking]

Animals. And at least one dragon, strange though it is. [She doesn't look unfamiliar, but he's never spoken to her before. He headtilts inquisitively.] What is your "something more?"

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[wolfchild]

[ ahahaha what is talking about things. ]

Is Ethuil in the gardens?

[elvenking]

I think so.