(no subject)

[inafadingcrown]

[Thorin Oakenshield, video]

[Welp, there sure is an elf on your tablet. She gives a respectful nod of her head before speaking.]

If you have a moment, there is something I would discuss with you.

[Celebrían, video]

May I speak with you, pinig?

[Action for...a little plot of land near the apartments]

[Believe it or not, even ethereal elves get stressed. Working in the clinic almost nonstop since the battle has taken a toll on Galadriel and, even worse, Celebrían had been affected. Most seriously affected. It had only reinforced the fact that, however she might try, Galadriel could not protect her daughter as she wished to. Not unless she were to lock her in a tower and- well, Thingol’s example wasn’t something she wanted follow here.

Frustration, anger, and a deep seated feeling of guilt and failure fuel her lately. She’s aware that’s not exactly healthy, though, so she’s taking some time to herself- and what better way to sooth her soul than to do some gardening?

It’s nothing major, just a little empty lot near the holds that she’s taken charge of- and for the moment, it’s nothing more than a few vegetables and herbs here and there. Mostly what she’s been able to scrounge up in the marketplace or useful things that she’s found growing wild in the city. But it feels good to have some connection to nature, to surround herself with growing things again. And, of course, having Nenya with her means that the garden has a little boost. You can feel it, really- it’s a feeling of safety, of comfort, and of life. It’s not obvious magic, at least not to anyone who isn’t familiar to that sort of thing, but it’s there.]

Comments

[video]

[heirwithouthope]

[...It feels like he's being called to the principal's office. What the fuck did he do?]

I was not aware there was any sort of business between us.

forever

[inafadingcrown]

[For once? Absolutely nothing.]

There is not, as of yet. I am aware you are injured, but I recall you offering your services as a smith. Once your arm has healed properly, I would like very much to commission a sword, if you are willing. [Whatever she may think of him personally, she wants the best and there are no weapons finer than those of dwarven make.]

[heirwithouthope]

[Masterful as he trained his face to be like stone, to mask his doubts and vulnerability in front of elves and other races, his reaction is too quick to pull back.

A thread appears between his brows as he thins his eyes, and he opens his mouth before words come to it.]

You mean to fight, my Lady.

[inafadingcrown]

[She frowns. Why do so many have that reaction? Is it really so difficult to imagine her fighting?]

I have a sword already. I mean to arm my daughter properly, as I should have done before this.

[heirwithouthope]

[Yes.

Though granted he is also somewhat surprised she is asking him and not one of her kinfolk or the Men. But when she mentions Celebrian, he remembers when she came to him--and how he refused to arm her. Having it brought to his attention again doesn't bode well in his mind.]

...For the Lady Celebrian, I am surprised you wish her to fight, at all. What place do soft hands and gentle hearts have on the battlefield?

[inafadingcrown]

They have none; for that reason I had hoped to spare her. Yet when healers are slain as readily as soldiers, is it not best that they can defend themselves if need be?

[She hates it. She hates the idea of putting steel in her child's hands. But what can she do?]

No more harm will come to her here. Not if there is aught I may do to prevent it.

[heirwithouthope]

[It is a cold day in hell when Thorin Oakenshield feels his insides become heavy at the news of a dead elf. This fact remains attached to any other thought he has about her or the kindness she has shown him since he arrived in the city. It complicates his reaction, so Thorin tries to push his emotions from himself and not have one, at all.

Nor does he want to look at this elf woman and see a mother in the cross-hairs of wanting to protect her children when it no longer permitted her to be soft. How could he not know this, by now? He took both his sister's sons from her and could not possibly promise their safety, though he would die to keep them safe.

But to find anything in common with any elf feels like the first step to being taken advantage of, again. Proper leaders didn't succumb to their emotions.

Though his face is hardly as expressionless as he would've liked. Or his tone.]

And why would you come to me, and not a Man or one of your kinfolk that knows the forge?

[inafadingcrown]

I am Noldorin. My people learned much from Aulë in the West. We know something of steel and swords, even those of us who are not smiths.

There are no finer weapons than those of dwarven make and I trust the heir of Durin to know his people's craft. Is it not natural that I should seek the best for my child?

[heirwithouthope]

[Even Thorin has to lift his eyebrows at the mention of Noldor--so known for their skill and craftsmanship with gems that the Maker himself loved them.]

Though I am not sure how natural it is still considered for the elves to seek help from the dwarves. It has not turned out so favorably in the past.

[inafadingcrown]

We speak often of the failed alliances, but so seldom of those which had success. My brother looked to the dwarves of the Blue Mountains to help build the Halls of Nargothrond and he bore a version of the name they gave him from the rest of his days. Celebrimbor traded with the dwarves freely and learned much from them. There has been strife between our peoples, true, but it does not erase the good of what has been- leastwise it does not for those who remember it.

[heirwithouthope]

And those that still remember it are few.

[The perception of Thranduil's abandonment left a mark just as deep and scorched as the dragon fire he witnessed as a young dwarf. It stained all interaction since. Indeed, Elrond had done him a favor, but he had been right, hadn't he? He would've stopped them if Gandalf hadn't intervened.

He could not easily rationalize Galadriel and Celebrian's actions like that. The suspicion he sharpened in order to protect his people makes him feel like he was thrashing against stone, just making his own knuckles scraped and bloodied.

And for that matter, who was he protecting now with his resolve?]

...Even if I were inclined, there would be nothing that I can do for you until my arm is healed. And I need to think more upon the matter.

[inafadingcrown]

Your consideration is all ask.

[And if this had been almost any other elves? There would be a lot more suspicion from this end too. But Galadriel is, as ever, an exception to the rule. And her daughter, it seems, had taken more after her in this matter.]

[heirwithouthope]

You will know my answer if I speak with you, again.

[Thorin's way of saying that he would consider it--"his" way being blunt and somewhat egotistical. Regardless of the exceptional category of elves that Galadriel and her daughter belonged to.]

[inafadingcrown]

Until then.

[Yes, "until." She'll be speaking with him regardless, she's certain.]