Canad

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

[Kaito]
It has been long since last we spoke. How have you fared?

[Felix]
You need not answer me if it will be difficult for you. However, it would put my heart at ease to hear how you have fared since last we met.

[Deathwing]
[There is a small bouquet of roses outside your door, delivered via castle ghost-no note or anything. Do with them as you will; she has made her point. And yes, she's perfectly aware that your room was invaded recently; it's why she figures you'll be keeping an eye on it.]

[One of the few benefits of this place was the borrowed time with her granddaughter. So, it should be no surprise that Galadriel once again finds herself wandering up to Arwen's room. When she gets there, however, she is met by a blank name plate.

She just stares for a moment, waves of emotion washing over her- sorrow, relief, anxiety about what Arwen will face in their own world. Eventually, she opens the journal and dictates in a voice devoid of sentiment; whatever she's feeling, she's not about to broadcast it to the entire castle.]

The Lady Arwen Undómiel has been returned to her home. [There's a long pause] It is for the best. I would like to personally extend my gratitude to all who showed her hospitality and kindness while she was here. I cannot thank you enough for making her stay a little less trying.

[And now you can find her under Alexstrasza's tree, brooding thinking. Bother her if you want, but she's feeling a little melancholy.]

Comments

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

[What. the. Hell. You just continue to surprise her.]

May I ask why you think so? I was scarcely expecting such a compliment.

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

You touched my mind back in the library, didn't you?

[ His body may be weak, but his memory's still pretty good. ]

I'd say that qualifies.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

You did notice, then. I was not certain.

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

You shouldn't go poking around in there without permission. You could've lost yourself, or worse.

[ Not that he's worried about you or anything... ]

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

I had little choice at the time; you were not in control of yourself. I could not allow harm to come to others when I may have prevented it. Besides which, I am not without experience in such matters.

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

...I'm glad you did it.

[ Shifting uncomfortably. Dignity, he has none remaining. ]

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

I am glad I succeeded.

[You could have fought her, you know.]

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

It probably won't work again.

[ Deathwing doesn't fight girls not named Alex, sorry. ]

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

[A slight smile] I have lost the element of surprise.

[Hey, she has no problem with that.]

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

No, I mean...

[ How to put this? Even he has barely come to terms with it himself. ]

I'll probably be lost to this world soon.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

I fear I do not entirely understand.

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

The madness has not overtaken me entirely.

[ That's a lie. ]

But it will. And when that happens, everything will burn.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

You speak as though the future is set before you, fixed and immutable.

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

Even one such as yourself cannot hope to stem off this form of corruption.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

I cannot. But mayhaps you might.

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

You have great faith in me.

It is misplaced.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

Do not mistake hope for faith.

[In other words, she expects nothing.]

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

Your words are like a dagger to my heart, fair maiden.

[ Wonderful, now he's feeling well enough to smirk just a--

Coughhackwheeze. Nope, false alarm. ]

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

[Someday, applying that term to her will cease to amuse her. Today is not that day. People don't usually call grandmothers "maidens."]

Which would seem to be the least of your concerns.

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

I'm livelier than I look?

[ Sort of... half-grinning at her. Yeah, he's not really buying it, either. ]

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

At the very least, you have retained your sense of humor.

[Which...is kind of unusual for Big Bads in her experience.]

[deathwarder.livejournal.com]

[ Something he picked up in Paradisa, actually. ]

I live to please.