paradisalost

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galadriel

Canad

[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.]

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[Her stubborn kindness brings a touch of life to his lips. He keeps his eyes on the forest this time, closing them halfway.]

[wryly] Even if I did not enjoy your company, there is very little I could do to protest. Would that I had a harp so I might hear what music you bring from unfamiliar lands...

[His soft sigh betrays his age. He is very, very old, and quite tired of Deathwing's mischief.]

[Oh, as if she needs a harp. She sits in silence beside him for a moment, before she begins to sing softly, her voice low and clear.

It is an old song (http://tolkien.cro.net/talesong/s-berenl.html) and one she doesn't sing often, but she's thinking of Arwen still and it sprang to her heart.]

[His eyes widen briefly as she begins to sing. It's not a song he's familiar with, but it is very loving. There's a sad note to it, and it gives him some thought as he lets his thoughts drift to his beloved.

His pale fingers touch the carpet of flowers once more. He recalls the first flower he had picked for his queen as they walked through endless verdant forests. The bloom had been short-lived anyway, and though it seemed unremarkable at first glance, he marveled at the scent, the way the markings on the inside of the petals had formed if one only gave it a second glance. A cousin of the Eon Rose he would later give to her, but no less beautiful in its own way.

It's probably a trick of dew and light, but the bed of life around them seems to be glimmering all on its own—as if a thousand tiny stars nestle within the leaves and blossoms.]

[As she finishes the song, she notices the glimmering plant life and grows silent for a moment, awed. Eventually, though, she shakes her head and speaks, almost as if coming out of a trance herself.]

It is more fair still in the Elven tongue, but I would have you understand the tale, even should something be lost in translation.

[He returns his hands to his lap. There is one thing he doesn't quite understand in the translation.]

What was the doom that fell upon Tinúviel?

[And that is why she sang it. She smiles, a little sadly.]

For her love of Beren she was granted the choice of a mortal life, which she took. The same decision now lies with her descendants, the line of the half-elven.

So the fabled immortality of elves is but a choice in your world. Our worlds are alike yet unlike in ways. Are half-elves treated differently by humans and elves? They belong to neither people on my world, and this has been the cause of some difficulty for them.

It is not a choice available to all. I could not forsake my immortality, even should I wish to.

Indeed, they are not, though there have been very few in our history. Lord Elros chose a mortal life and became a great leader among men. His brother, Lord Elrond, chose to remain among the Eldar and became no less great. [She pauses and smiles fondly.] He is also my daughter's husband-Arwen's father.

That doom could also be considered a blessing if one loved a mortal more than himself. The pain of such a loss would certainly sour any immortal life...

[He has seen what it does to people like Kalecgos. Anveena wasn't even human, but she wasn't immortal either. Not in the way that dragons live. She was something larger, more transcendent... and it ripped Kalec apart to see her become something else.

Drawing himself from his dark thoughts, he notes the smile. If Galadriel's granddaughter continues to meddle in the affairs of mortals, he has a feeling about how her tale will end... and also why that song was so appropriate.] With such courage as she was born with, Lady Arwen will surely be great as well.

I know it well. But the song was written by those who remained behind and mourned the loss of one of the fairest and greatest among us. I do not envy the choice; to remain with one love, one must necessarily be sundered from others dear to one's heart.

[He's sharp enough to realize that she's not just talking about the story, but she'll go ahead and state it openly.]

She is well on her way. If all goes well in our fight, she will be a great queen among men, for she is betrothed to the heir to throne of Gondor.

[There's a mix of pride, approval, and sorrow there.]

That is something I understand all too well. [Yeah, that's definitely a sore spot for him. He's always spending time away from someone he cares for so that he might do his job. It's only in Paradisa that those things overlap and he really wishes they didn't.]

... Ah. So she has already made her decision. She is wise for her youth. [And the young can be foolish, but this isn't a reprimand... Being open-minded means she can deal with humans easier.] Treasured as she might be to her family and people, there are likely few others who could fill the role she has deigned for herself.

It is always difficult to watch one's children and grandchildren roam...

Her part has but begun, even as mine is coming to an end. Her talents will be needed in the rebuilding of our world. And, difficult as it will be to be parted, I would not see her removed from her beloved and what joy she has found.

[She pauses and looks at him.] We know very little of each other in some ways. Do you have children of your own, Krasus?

May she weave such joy throughout the world that you do not regret letting go overmuch.

[He nods, though he doesn't meet her eyes.]

Yes, I do. Most have grown and have children of their own. Some became fighters, healers, protectors. All have made me proud in one way or another. [He's seen a lot of his kids die, man. Only about 1/4 of a dragon's brood sees adulthood, if they aren't killed or enslaved first.] My people's time is ending, but the joy of life far outweighs the bitterness.

It is all I may hope for.

[If she knew that, she would feel for him. There's a reason she doesn't talk about her daughter much-she was captured and tortured by orcs and lost all will to live in Middle-Earth. So she's very sensitive to that type of thing.]

I feel much the same; children are a great gift. [But that last bit catches her attention as well.] The time of my people is also waning, yet I do not despair of it. [And this is almost said to herself.] I have lived long in Middle-Earth and I do not repent of it, but the call of the West and the Sea grows ever stronger. I should like to see once again the land of my youth.

[She starts to say more, but she cuts herself off. This was a dangerous topic; he didn't need to know about her banishment and her uncertainty of whether she would be forgiven.]

[Ack. That could have been his mate, once. But they have seen so much... and they have each other. For now. Krasus needs to stop getting into trouble.

Pfft, like that'll happen.]

That is the hazard of realizing one's age. At some point we will leave things in the hands of those who came after us, and then hopefully find rest.

[Krasus is old but far from weak. He's still needed to protect, to meddle, to watch. And so he remains. He shifts against the tree awkwardly. He continues rather dryly:]

At this rate, I will be around for a very long time.

[Asking him to stay out of trouble is like asking her to keep her mind to herself.]

And I shall remain as long as I am needed. [Possibly longer due to said banishment, but yes. She closes her eyes and leans back against the tree.]

Rest is as elusive a creature as peace. I may require someone to remind me of the meaning.

[Pretty much.]

I hope the reminder does not come with much pain. There are far more constructive ways.

[This is him complaining about being hurt.]

[And that gets another look of concern.]

Are you certain there is naught I may do for you? I have not the mastery of Lord Elrond, but I am not unskilled in the arts of healing.

[He shakes his head.]

The Life-Binder herself tended to me. What her gifts cannot reach is beyond the healing arts of any creature. Only time and rest will aid me now. [He smiles wryly.] I decided a small excursion was of no consequence. I am not fond of idling, even in this state; I have suffered worse and still fought.

Time we have plenty of, at least. [Is she talking about the nature of Paradisa or making an immortality joke? It's difficult to tell.]

[Sigh. She's heard that before. Men.] In some ways you remind me a great deal of my husband. I have heard him say much the same.

[It's true in either case.]

Is that so? I hope he has less foolishness about him than I... Your gentle expression is not one I would like to see disappointed.

I count him as the wisest of our kind in Middle-Earth. Seldom has he given me reason for disappointment.

[Which is another reason for the comparison. It's a high complement, really.]

[He recognizes that.]

You honor me by likening me to one of such reverence.

I do not give idle praise.

Neither do I.

[oh my god old people not!flirting ;;. Unfortunately this Precious Moment is ruined by a spasm of pain darting across his features, but he doesn't give in, doesn't cry out, just tenses against the tree for a minute.]

... Now I must consider how to repay you for the song...

Canad

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i had to go look up a cover of that with a woman singing, thanks to you

You found one? I looked

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTHzY_TYMMc by some group called Caprice

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