TEST DRIVE #6

[fairyfoes]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Considering apping to EACHDRAIDH? Why not give the setting a test run here! OPTIONAL SCENARIOS 01. ARRIVING IN THE DRABWURLD. The Seelie and Unseelie courts welcome you with mirthful revelry and hearty food. After you have been briefed on your purpose here, you will find an endless feast and a night filled with entertainment to placate your concerns. Mingle with new arrivals, sneak down the castle halls and make sure your eyes are always on your glass; fairies and imps have no bias when it comes to tricks! 02. THE STATION. Looking for a little slice of home? The Station gives you all that and more. Take advantage of the wifi, have a cup of fairy-brewed coffee (the one they didn't spit in) or sit back and relax on the patio. You can even move your things into one of the available rooms! 03. WILDCARD. Your own scenario! Explore the Drabwurld or simply take advantage of your Locket!

Comments

[elvenwise]

[ His wife. His wife is someone he does not expect to see for a long time. It has already been centuries, and the truth of the matter is that he does not even know if her ship made it to the Undying Lands. All he has is hope, knowing that Cirdan's sailors are the best in the world (outside his own family), and the kind of determination born from a long, painful history to see things through to the end. One day he will sail West and join her. Until then, there's a war to see through.

It's her voice that gains his attention, otherwise in conversation with one of the keep's courtiers, talking about how the Seelie rulers are not often present in person, but still make a deep impact on their subjects. He turns automatically, an old habit deeply ingrained into his pysche and stares

-- at his wife. At his slightly scruffy, travel-worn, hale and uninjured wife. ]

... Celebrían?

[ Elrond moves forward, shoving his wineglass into the hand of a stranger, and pulls the silver-haired woman into his arms without conscious thought, silver-grey eyes still reflecting disbelief. ]

[silvergift]

[It's almost unreal, feeling him wrap his arms around her. It's been so long, between the years in Aman and how little time they'd had here in Drabwurld until now. She'd spent night dreaming of this feeling, just the thought of being held by him against kept her hoping.

After a moment, still fighting back the tears that being to burn at her eyes, she wraps her arms around him. She practically clings to him, burying her face against his chest.]

I thought an age would pass before I would see you again. [She's always known she would see him again but this war, the fact that they were brought and given no way to return home, had left her at a loss as to when.]

[elvenwise]

[ His arms tighten, tucking her securely against him, safe inside the protection of his embrace. Nothing can hurt her here. He won't allow that. It's been such a long time for him too, and their last parting, at least for him, was fraught with so much pain and anguish that he purposefully does not think of it very often.

Not this time. She is never leaving him again, not even if he has to move heaven and earth to accomplish such a task.

So Celebrian is welcome to stay where she is, one of his hands lightly stroking up and down her back in an attempt to be soothing, since he's still functioning somewhat on autopilot. ]

Perhaps it will. There are some things even I cannot see, hiril vuin.

[ His voice is low, stern in an effort to keep it from trembling. As the shock slowly wears off -- she is really here -- Elrond finds himself fighting a growing sense of anger, that someone dared bring his wife to this war-torn place in lieu of the safety in Aman. ]

[silvergift]

[She grasps whole handfuls of his clothing, breathing slowly, silent tears slipping down her cheeks and soaking into the fabric. It's hard to tell whether the tears are happy or otherwise; she's so glad to see him, she couldn't be happier but he's stuck here in a war not their own. Where family can easily be separated by the courts and already has been.]

I do not need the gift of foresight to know you will come to me when we return home. [When she'd slept at the Station, she'd seen enough. Lived through enough.

His hands rubbing her back is soothing, it calms her and the tears slow enough that she leans back to look at him, letting go of his clothes to reach up to touch his face.

Lightly:] I had hoped to be a bit more presentable when I saw you again.

[elvenwise]

[ Maybe it doesn't matter why she's crying, only that she is, and releasing tension that would otherwise fester. Sometimes there is no single reason to break into tears - you just do so and end up feeling a little better afterward. Besides, Elrond stopped caring about the state of his clothing long ago. There are better things to worry about, and if visitors can't understand that he has a family and often gets dirty, that's their problem.

Even here, it's their problem. He's not going to treat borrowed clothing with kid gloves.

Just the woman sobbing against him. ]

Always, always I will. Never doubt that.

[ He stares down at her, expression level, and lets his gaze travel across her face, taking in the state of her hair and dress, and finally cracks the smallest of smiles. ]

You will never be unpresentable to me, love. Banish the thought from your head, it is an untruth.

[silvergift]

[It does help, she does feel better for crying and for his soothing gestures. She never realized just how much she's missed him until this moment, never imagined how much more at ease she'd feel with him close by again. She doesn't want to let go, doesn't want to let him out of her sight. Not even for a moment though she knows the monarchs may send them on quests that could take them to separate ends of the land.

At least she has some comfort in the thought that, outside of Caer Glaem (which tended to be the target of too many attacks) they could seek refuge in Thranduil's realm.]

When you say as much, I cannot doubt it. You have ever been honest with me. [Except those first couple thousand years. Lies by omission.]

Flatterer. [As he smiles, so does she and she leans up to kiss him lightly.] I have missed you. So much.

[elvenwise]

[ Letting emotions out, whether negative or positive, in a healthy way tends to make people feel better, yes. It's one of those tricks he learned as a young man and never managed to forget (as if he could). He returns the kiss, then drops another one against the top of her head, and tucks his wife against his side now that she seems to be feeling better. ]

No, just the truth. [and speaking of which: ] How are you here, in this place?

[silvergift]

[What better place is there, in any world, than in Elrond's arms? She only spends a moment giving that question some thought and can't think of anywhere, letting herself be tucked against his side. She loves this feeling, loves having him near. She loves that this is real.]

The fairies came to me, almost a year ago, and asked for my help. [She laughs quietly, not an entirely amused sound.] When have you ever known me to refuse anyone help? They failed to mention that there was no way to return.

[elvenwise]

[ How about in her husband's arms, but safe in Valinor? Elrond would vote for that one if he could. Then again, he'd vote for everyone to be safe in Middle Earth at the very least, and leave Valinor as the fallback option. ]

A entire year. [ His voice hardens subtly. The Drabwurld has much to answer for. ] My escorts failed to mention that detail as well. It would seem the natives are a little absent-minded about some things.

[silvergift]

[Something they'd both vote on given the chance. She has so many things she'd show him if they could be in Valinor now; the gardens, the libraries, her room everything. To be back in Middle Earth though-

She misses it so much. Imladris and Lothlorien, her children, her parents, husband and friends. Though she manages to resist saying as much, Celebrían again thinks that she should have been able to find the strength to remain there. However much her mother had nearly scolded her for it.]

It is alright. [She tries to sooth him, hearing the change in his voice and reaching to brush at his hair calmingly.] I have not been alone nor will you be.

I imagine they are less absent-minded and more manipulative. How many would truly come if they mentioned there was no way back?

[elvenwise]

I have no doubt that some would be compelled to answer the call for help, even if they knew there was little chance of going back home.

[ Elrond does not mention whether or not he'd be one of them, and his tone is neutral enough to give no clues as to his thoughts. ]

[silvergift]

[Celebrían isn't sure whether she'd have still gone or not. And she doesn't want to say one way or another but she feels as if she might well have. Her mother had always said she care too much for her own good.]

Nor do I but it would have been far less than what we have now. Though I suppose it is the only option they have when the Unseelie's imps simply kidnap their Shardbearers.

[She fights back the anger that rises at the thought of the imps kidnapping Arwen. This is a happy reunion, she wants it to stay that way.]

[elvenwise]

That is what you risk with the truth. But it is not better to have those willing to step forward and voluntarily aid? I think such a force, no matter the size, might accomplish tasks that those who come unwillingly may never dream of.

[ He shakes his head, a touch of sorrow in his gaze for those who are not given the choice. ]

[silvergift]

It is better, I agree. I imagine the Unseelie may in time find rebellion among their ranks for their methods. At least we were given a choice. [She reaches slightly and threads her fingers through his, giving a light squeeze.]

And I know we will get home, we have to. [That statement brings a question to her mind.] What is the last thing you recall from home, my love?

[elvenwise]

Having that choice is always preferable, even if you decide to turn away from it.

[ His fingers curl protectively around hers, but keeps the touch light so that she may withdraw her hand at any time. ]

I was out with Elladan and Elrohir taking care of an orc infestation near the ford. Then I was bid to come here.

[silvergift]

[She doesn't want to let go. Not anytime so or ever if that were reasonable. Sadly she knows she'll eventually have to let his hand go for something or other. Not right now though. They've had people in worse shape be brought here and still attend the feast, she doesn't need to tidy up. Yet.]

Still in Middle Earth then. [She can't help but sound at least a little sad. Galadriel is closest to her in terms of time but she had hopes.] I suppose it matters not. I am just glad to see you again.