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]

[She actually wasn't expecting a real offer.]

You have a kind heart, but my question was more rhetorical than not. There is little that can be done for troubles such as mine. I sorrow at a parting, nothing more. Time will bring me to myself again.

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

Sometimes the most that can be done is having a friend to confide in. I would not be so arrogant as to assume myself that position, but I am here if you wish.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

[She's quiet for a very long time, until it almost seems like she's not going to answer. When she does speak, it's softly and with some hesitation.]

My granddaughter has returned to her home. While I am grateful that she no longer faces the dangers of this place, her presence here was a great comfort to me and I know not when we shall chance to meet again, even in our own world.

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

Every day she was here, was an extra one granted to what you may have had at home. Count each of those as a blessing, instead of lamenting over the loss of future ones apart.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

I do treasure the time we spent together and hold the memories close to my heart.

Not long ago, I advised another against despair, for in all lands, love is now mingled with grief. It seems I would do well to take my own counsel.

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

The advice you give yourself, is often the hardest to take.

[He knows from experience; having advised countless people to put slug pellets down as early as February, and yet always managing to forget his own until his lettuces were half eaten.]

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

Then I am truly fortunate to have others wise enough to hold me to the task.

[She wouldn't know about that. The protection and preservation Nenya provides to Lórien extend to her gardens, so it's rather inevitable that they flourish.]

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

Captivity often breeds strong ties, that may not have been forged otherwise.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

And in the midst of darkness, what light there is burns all the brighter.

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

A very true saying, Miss Galadriel, where did you hear it?

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

[She laughs a little.] I did not; it merely sprang to my mind, though the sentiment is shared by many of those whom I most highly esteem.

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

Ah.

Then you should certainly publish it for posterity, it's worth remembering and sharing.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

You give me far too much credit. Besides which, there is little need. Even as my time in Middle-Earth comes to an end, my words will not be readily forgotten. There are some who will remain who will see to that. [She's speaking of Arwen again, of course.]

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

[He briefly wonders how she can be so sure her time is ending, but it wouldn't be polite to ask.]

Such is true of everyone, I find, no matter how inconsequential they may seem.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

[It's a lot less morbid than it sounds.]

You speaks as one who has seen much.

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I get around.

[It just happened, if you'd been there since creation's start.]

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

[She laughs, rather suddenly.] And delightfully enigmatic as well! Are you certain you have no elven heritage?

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

Definitely not.

I'm a Principality, certainly not elvish.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

I am afraid you use a term unfamiliar to me, at least in this context. "Principality?"

[You are most definitely not a nation, so...?]

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

[He sighs, a little disappointed that term was so uncommon now.]

An angel, a celestial body.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

[He's just lucky she's been talking to people. If she hadn't been compared to and/or asked if she were an angel multiple times by now, she still wouldn't know what he was talking about.]

I see. In truth, that term is new to me as well, though I have come to understand it somewhat in my time here; we have not such beings in my world.

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

Do you have a religion, Miss Galadriel? Gods or creators?

An angel is a being created by them, present at creation to do their will throughout time.

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

Indeed I do, though I should not have described it as a religion until my time here. [It's simply the way of things. At his description she makes a little interested hum.]

Something akin to the Maiar, by the sounds of it.

[Particularly the Istari, but their work depends on some degree of secrecy and it is not her place to out them, even here. But she is thinking of Gandalf as she looks at him.

And it is quite a look. She's not probing; there's no reason to and it would be terribly rude at this point. But she is observing him with all of her senses, just to see if there is anything easy to detect. He can probably feel it and tell that she's capable of more, though.]

[madetothwart.livejournal.com]

[She would be able to feel something ancient, he had been around since creation was made, and comfortingly warm and good.]

I would be most interested to hear more of the Maiar, if I may?

I apologize in advance for Tolkien's confusing cosmology

[inafadingcrown.livejournal.com]

[And that does further the comparison in her mind.]

That would require a better explanation of the Valar as well.

The Valar are beings sprung from the mind of Ilúvatar before the beginning of time. It is they who, in the past, have had direct dealings with the people of Arda and continue to watch over it.

The Maiar are of the same nature, though lesser in power and majesty. Which is not to disparage their might and wisdom; it is far beyond what elf or man could hope to achieve. I have been fortunate enough to count a few as dear friends and I have learned much in their company.