fairynuff | TEST DRIVE MEME #4

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TEST DRIVE MEME #4

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He had business in Caer Glaem, the last before no longer anything will be tying him to the place. To pick up armour crafted for him by Celebrimbor on his father's request, before the smith has been spirited away to a non-existence between worlds along with Thranduil. That armour he's now wearing. Fine, of obvious Noldorin make, fitting like a glove or even better. Like this, and with a thick, long braid swung over a shoulder and reaching nearly the waist, he looks every bit lord that... he had never quite looked like before. His posture speaks of both successes and failures, of having been forged anew through fire and pain.

And yet that gentle light and lightness he was so well known for remains. It shows in the swiftness of a smile, in the twinkle of an eye, even in a place most loathed for him, Legolas might just as well be a flicker of a flame on a candle, lightening up the room upon the sight of a face familiar and beloved.

Even in full plate armour he manages to be quiet with the approach, the noise of the feast dulling out what sounds the smooth metal does wind up making with every motion. That smile that stretched his lips is sly, that twinkle in his gaze mirthful as he stands behind Gimli and speaks with laughter and joy. ]

'tis not the disposition to have on such a lush feast, Master Dwarf, during which friends of the old may come across you. Sour faces, I should think, are not the way to greet them!

[Gimli nearly falls from his seat when Legolas starts talking and as soon as the Elf is done he is up on the chair. Better for nagging at certain Elvish Princelings.]

You! Don't you know better than to sneak up on a Dwarf when he's eating? If I were anyone else--!

[Nope, he's too busy laughing. He only saw Legolas last night at dinner for him, right before he woke up here, but he is so happy to see his friend]

I might actually care. You're here!

[ To see him, to hear and touch him - when his hand falls to rest on a shoulder firm and hard like the rock Dwarves so well adore - it is a feeling Legolas had not known before. This relief, happiness quite so intense that, when Gimli turns towards him, very nearly sweeps him off his feet. Like a gust of wind during the wild autumn storms it takes him, while offering the warmth and comfort of a summer Sun in the far North reaches of Eryn Lasgalen.

All those emotions pour into his own laughter, which comes out rich, and heavy with memories. How many years it had been? Far too many and his last memory is so very far from this, instead with hair and beard both having gone entirely white, like snow on mountain peaks, with no longer the same strength in the hands and arms, with all the troubles of a mortal bent beneath the weight of time and age. Here, before him now, stands Gimli in his best years, as Legolas had always choose to remember him after laying his body for eternal rest in a tomb in Valinor.

His brow too, seems unclouded by unnecessary worries or concerns, which gladdens Legolas only further. ]

I am indeed, my friend, and no other Dwarf could make my very soul sing with happiness upon the mere sight of them the way you do.

[ That is moisture gathering in the corners of his eyes, Legolas barely even notices. ]

[Legolas might not notice, but Gimli does. He's proud of himself, honestly, that he's able to pick up on Legolas's moods and see what it is he's hiding.

He frowns, reaching up to take Legolas's arms and study him closely.]

Why the tears, lad? Is something wrong? Are you in pain?

[ Struck with confusion at those words, Legolas blinks rapidly, and those gathering tears trail down smooth cheeks. It draws a laugh out of him, brief but hearty and his breathing grows a little shaky, his hands twist around to settle on Gimli's elbows.

He doesn't know. And he mustn't know, Legolas thinks, though it takes great effort to put aside what he resolves to keep to himself. On the other hand, though, he cannot quite lie to him either, thus Legolas settles on something vague enough, without any detail yet not false in the slightest. ]

No, Gimli, it is happiness, not grief nor pain! My months here, in Drabwurld, have been long though few, and further! It has been so long since the last time I have seen your dear face. Such is the power of the monarchs who ask our aid. Spiriting away souls from their homes when it serves them best, and so there are many you may be startled to see, and many, like myself, that have been gone for a time already yet without seeming so to you.

[Part of him thinks Legolas is hiding something, but that's most likely just a little distrust at the vague and airy words his friend uses. Gimli has been trying to get him to speak properly without any of that airy fairy nonsense he loves, but it's a work in progress.]

I see. [Maybe.] Well, do not cry! Sit, eat, and drink! And tell me about these months you've spent here--and where you got your armor. I do not recognize the maker.

[ Legolas nods at the urgings, smiling brighter though feeling it within himself that his honesty is not full, as it ought to be between friends. Yet how can he tell another, so dear to him to boot, that he had watched him grow grey and weak and then fall into sleep that had no end in sight? How could he lie such great burden on a dear friend?

He couldn't, and so this burden he will bear alone, enjoying the here and now instead, as he knows perfectly how to. He smiles effortlessly, spreading out his hands and stepping back just a little, so that Gimli may have a good look at the fine work he's wearing. ]

It is of a Noldor make, a Lord of the Elder Days, of the name Celebrimbor [ The same one who has crafted the rings of power, he thinks, but doesn't mention it. ] has crafted it for me on my father's request.

[ Though it's only been finished long past... when its use would be the greatest, and the maker is now gone. ]

But let us eat! And while we dine and drink, I will tell you the stories of Drabwurld as I know them.

The same Khelebrimbor who worked with Narvi on the Doors of Moria?

[Gimli whistles lowly, making room for Legolas on the bench before sitting down himself]

And at your father's request at that. How on earth did Thranduil convince such a skilled smith to craft armor for you? Not that you do not deserve it, my friend.

The very same, indeed, though he has been long gone from Drabwurld, similarly my father is no longer here.

[ The first hint of sadness to enter his voice, especially deep and grievous with the recent knowledge of what becomes of those who disappear and leave behind a powerless shard. ]

The details of their agreement have been kept secret from me! I have not known of it at all until the armour has been set and ready for wear.

[ There must have been a payment of a sort involved, he's certain of it, or at the very least payment for the resources used. Anything else? How it came to be at all and why, Legolas didn't know. ]

Ah, a shame. I would have liked to meet him.

[Celebrimbor. Not Thranduil. He has met Thranduil.]

Do these faeries have money that they pay their "soldiers" with, then? Or was it more likely a favor for a favor?

I would have liked you to meet him as well.

[ He gets that, he does! He knows too, after all, that Gimli and Thranduil have met all by his own devising. ]

No, we are not rewarded in this manner, however... there never truly is a need of payment at the Court and all other lands, barter and favours are as well accepted as gold and other valuable metals and gems. How it was between father and Lord Celebrimbor? I know not!

[ Mirth now again becomes clearly visible in his gaze, his smile sly. ]

Do you approve of this work, Master Dwarf?

[Gimli gets up to properly inspect it, poking at it and trying to find fault with it just on principle even though he knows full well that he's not going to find anything wrong with the armor.]

...could stand to be less...elaborate.

[It isn't flashy or overly elaborate in the slightest but it's the principle of the thing! He sits back down]

But it suits you, even though I have never seen you wear aught but leather and cloth before.

[ A pair of curious, bright eyes watches as Gimli inspects the armour he wears, a private smile playing at his lips at all times until Gimli offers his judgement and Legolas simply chuckles in response. ]

I am still not keen overmuch on heavy plate armour, [ he dips his head lower, his eyelashes drop low over his eyes, ] but this war of the Seelie and Unseelie manages to change matters that not even the great War of the Ring had come close to changing in an elf.

This protection may become necessary.

[ Already once he could have made good use of it, when it had not yet existed. ]

Necessary? Why would a Prince of the Woodland Realm need armor more fit for a Dwarf? Not that I am complaining, mind, you could have stood to wear more protective armor during the War [if only because it'd have kept Gimli from worrying quite so much that he'd get a sword to the side] but I do not see how some war in some strange world could be more dangerous than the War of the Ring.

[ His lips part and close again and for a moment there, buying himself seconds precious to gather his thoughts, he picks up a glass of wine to sip. It burns on his tongue, though it's hardly potent in a way he's used to. It's whispers that leave his lips now, quiet and hurried, meant for the ears of Gimli only and no one else. ]

Because the Prince is not infallible, he is not invincible, [ and once already he had fallen to the abuse of another's hand, ] and there may be elves on the both sides of this war. It is not orcs, trolls, or even the uruk-hai that we battle here, there are no lines as clear cut as they were then. It is not evil that we fight, but folk like you and I, merely chosen to the other side.

[ What has happened to him, personally, it seems he still cannot talk. ]

[Gimli frowns as he listens to Legolas, liking this place less and less with every word. The food is good and the people friendly, but to what end? What has happened here?]

Surely we are not forced to fight. Not even against the forces of Darkness were we forced. There must be neutral parties who will have none of this nonsense.

[ His gaze lifts then, swift and filled with certainty, a kind of strength and definite conviction. ]

There is me and those who go with me, though it is my father who began this work.

[ Legolas straightens in his seat. ]

That I am here right now, is no more but a stroke of luck. I have come to collect this that you see me wearing, beyond that... my allegiance to the Seelie Court is severed.

I see.

[Gimli takes a bite of whatever meat is on his plate (it tastes like pork but he isn't entirely sure), thinking. After a moment, he nods]

Well, can you wait a few days so I can gather what I might need to join you, or is it best if you leave soon?

[ The smile that blooms on his face is slow, but genuine. To have Gimli's support, it gives him new strength, it steadies him in this difficult time, when he feels uncertain and wavering like a leaf on the wind. ]

For you, I will always wait, my friend.

Hmph, good, because I am hungry and I am not foolish enough to turn away a warm meal and good ale!

[He chuckles a bit]

So! What is this task of yours, my friend?

[ It's impossible to not laugh then, bright and strong. A melodic sound that now carries far into the feast hall. ]

I would never take it from you! Enjoy the feast, for it is in your name that it has been prepared!

[ He feels little qualms about enjoying the food and drink himself, if despite his opposition, he is still welcome at the keep. ]

My task! Ah, it is to build a safe haven for those who do not wish to ally themselves with either court and it is also to offer what protection I may to the elves native to Drabwurld. Forgotten or merely used as tools they are by the monarchs, in ways different than we, yet similar enough. They must be united, so that their survival may be assured.

Hm, a good idea, though are you sure the natives want to be united? They might prefer it the way it is. And have you thought of a place for this neutral territory? Have the rulers here agreed to such a thing, or will it be beset by angry queens and kings?

They have come to us, Gimli! They have come to request aid in this, when they have learned of what my father set out to do. For the rest, I am on my way to survey land that my father has deemed fit for the task, amongst the trees of the Great Greenwood that we are surrounded by, yet a fair distance from Caer Glaem.

[ Quieter then, in tones hushed, once more meant for Gimli's ears only. ]

The monarchs... they care for little else but their war. I wish not to ally with either court, and I will disappear from their sight.

Hm.

[Gimli takes a drink of his ale before muttering so only Legolas can hear:]

And how many others share your view? Are we alone in this?

[ Legolas has to smile at the use of the word we, unsurprised, but delighted nonetheless. ]

We are not alone. Others travel with me, and others yet support it.

[ And here he pauses, needing to prepare Gimli for what awaits him during the upcoming travels. ]

Have you any knowledge of the sons of Feanor?

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