ataraxion | first fellowship ◎ a bitter pill to take

[ For so long, Frodo's told himself to stay strong. He was in a place far away from home, away from a purpose and away from his dearest friend. He had friends here; many of them were from Middle-earth as well. But there were enemies out there as well, ones who haunted his very dreams when he slept. They were here, and they were real, and that's why he had to put on a tough face.

But the sudden news has stripped him naked, so to speak. When Frodo shows his face, he looks sickly. His face is pale and his eyes are red. He doesn't try to smile; there's too much weighing on him to make him even attempt one. His eyes are glazed with tears, that show a lot more about how much he hurts than he'd ever dare to let on.

Frodo can't hide it now. His limit's been met. ]

How do you go on, when you've met an end? [ His voice is raspy, and weak. ] When you've met your limit, what do you do?

[ His one hand is clutching to the Ring that hangs from his neck. It's heavier than ever, and the chains holding the necklace in place is cutting into his skin. It was like it knew that he was upset, and was feeding from it... ] Oh, Merry. My poor cousin...

[ A pause. ] How can I go on?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

When you've met an end, when you've found your limit, you keep going. You push on until you can see a new goal - sometimes it's an end, sometimes it's a new start.

Will there ever be an end to this?

Always. For good or ill, nothing really lasts forever.

Yes. That is very true.

...What is your story? If I may ask? The question just came upon me.

My story? Nothing special, not really. My name's Harry and I'm from a place called Britain.

I see. It is good to meet you, Harry. [ Despite just a few things. ] Frodo Baggins is my name.

What did you have to do? How did you continue through your hardships?

What I did, --

No, what I had to do, was to look around and see the people and places I cared about. With those in mind, you can do just about anything. You can keep moving.

[He pauses and there's a quite sound of something being moved in the background.]

There's nothing more potent, more powerful, than really caring for others.

You go on because you have to.

For those you've lost.

Even if you think you cannot.

[Fili has; losing Kili made him nearly lose himself. But there are others he has to live for, and so he does.]

Would Merry want us to continue living in a place like this? When will we be able to sail without fear?

...what would Kili do?

Yes, Merry would want that, Frodo. We may never be able to sail without fear. But we have to try.

[Well, he goes silent at that. Because it's hard. But--]

Kili would wish for us to try and find some sort of happiness. However small.

When you have met an end, you go on by finding a new beginning.

[ Her smile is sad, and she does not know if it offers as much comfort as she hopes it to. ]

Even if at times that road may be bleak and even hidden from your sight, it is there. And when you cannot find it, you must remember that, even in darkness, you are not alone.

[ Frodo listens, and nods along. He knew he wasn't alone here...but at the same time, he didn't. To bear the Ring of Power is to be alone.

That makes him think, though. And it brings up a very bothering question. ] Do you think Merry was alone?

[ The answer is enough of a surprise that she is left staring at the screen for a moment, a cold shiver passing her. ]

Alone in person, he may have been, but I can safely say that my heart at least was with him. It will always be, even now. I am sure it is the same for others.

[Her own heart is heavy and, for once, she makes little attempt to hide how she is feeling. Above all else, she looks...worn- tired and weary of heart.]

You are stronger than you know, Master Baggins, and you will go on, even if you do not believe it now.

[ Seeing the Lady like that is frightening. To know that she was just as affected by this as he was, and to know the cause and knowing the fact that it wouldn't end until this horrible ship landed...it was scary.

Frodo's eyes fill with tears. ] I can't do this, Lady Galadriel.

You can. [It's said gently but firmly- there's no doubt in her mind.] And you need not face this alone; take comfort in those who would offer it, those who care for you.

You just keep going. There's nothing else you can do. And eventually you'll realize that you've made it through, that you've gotten to the other side of it and you're stronger for it.

[ Peter might not feel as if he has the right to say anything about this, to talk to someone who's suffering in a way he can't really imagine, but he wants to help. Even a little bit. ]

[ His company is appreciated, right or no right. Frodo nods. ] What do you do when you feel as if you can't go on? How do you get back up?

By reminding myself that there's always a reason to. Sometimes it's enough to remember that there's someone to keep going for. Even if that's all you have.

[This is... basically her area. She needs to say something. She speaks gently, mostly just ready to listen.]

It's not easy. If it didn't hurt to lose someone, none of it would have ever meant anything. A lot of people find it helps to talk about the person. Share who they were with others so that they aren't forgotten.

And you carry on for their sake. Keep going until you find a little spark of meaning. Something new to help you forward.

It's okay to stumble a bit now.

[ through all of this, elizabeth has been heavy of heart and tongue-tied, not knowing what to say (because what good are words in the face of loss?) to anyone who had known and loved this man named merry. she had known him not, and still the loss of one of her own—her people hurts.

have they all not lost enough? and this is someone she remembers well, at that. a friend. she will do what she can for him. words are never good enough. ]

Live for the departed, as they cannot any longer. I believe it is what they would wish of us.

[ she closes her eyes, her smile both gentle and sad. ]

And remember them. Our memories keep a part of them alive in our heart.

I've always been a fan of ignoring problems until they go away

Depends on you.
No one is telling you to go on.

Dude. What happened?

first fellowship ◎ a bitter pill to take

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

no subject

no subject

no subject

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video

video

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

video;

voice;

text

no subject