TEST DRIVE MEME #4

[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

[orcsurfing]

[ 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. ]

[gloinul]

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.

[orcsurfing]

[ 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. ]

[gloinul]

[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.

[orcsurfing]

[ 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.

[gloinul]

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?

[orcsurfing]

[ 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.

[gloinul]

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?

[orcsurfing]

[ 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.

[gloinul]

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?

[orcsurfing]

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.

[gloinul]

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?

[orcsurfing]

[ 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?

[gloinul]

I do not even know the name.

[orcsurfing]

One of them, Curufin was his name, was the father of Celebrimbor.

[ To start with. ]

Feanor and his seven sons, they are kinslayers. It was a long, and dark time in our history, full of suffering on both... sides, if you will. A story for another time and perhaps from someone more well versed in such lore than myself. [ He's never really been much for it, after all. He smiles a little humourless. ] What you must know is that two of them travel with me, Maglor and Celegorm, and their mother, Nerdanel the wife of Feanor.

[ Now comes the harder part. ]

Between Celegorm and I, there is violent history too and you may hear of it, from a time when we stood on opposing sides of this war. Yet I have put it behind me now, for the better good.

[gloinul]

[Gimli listens, frowning as Legolas speaks.]

Hmph. If you have forgiven him then I shall not press. But if anyone seeks to harm you I will not promise to control my temper.

[No one hurts the Elf, not on his watch.]

[orcsurfing]

Thank you, Gimli, to have your support and trust matters a great deal.

[ His relief is visible, very nearly palpable in the air around them. ]

I have never felt safer than with you at my side, it is not a promise I would ever ask of you to make.

[gloinul]

And why would I not trust and support you? Have you forgotten that I am your friend? Do I need to stay by your side at all times so you do not forget?

[Grumpy teasing? Oh yeah. It's fun, and he's smirking a little under his beard]

Foolish Elf.

[orcsurfing]

[ Now it draws laughter out of Legolas, bright once more, cheerful. As if all the worries he has gathered up until now were taken away in one sweep. ]

Never in my life will I forget this, no matter how many years pass.

[ His eyes feel hot once more with held back tears. ]

Yet each time I realise this, my heart will sing all the same. Do not deny me this expression of joy!

[gloinul]

[Something is wrong with the Elf, but that is not a conversation for tonight. That can come later. Gimli looks up at him]

That depends. Are you actually planning on singing?

[orcsurfing]

[ It's a quick distraction, instead of thoughts profound, Legolas allows himself to stray into teasing and mirth. His eyes light up at this question, eyebrows arching high, his smile sharpening. ]

I should, lest you think me ingenuine!

[ And with that said, he stands up from his seat with flail and theatrics. Immediately too, he begins singing a cheerful, light tune, further made lighter with gentle and light laughter that fills his voice and accompanies every word almost. It doesn't get in way of the song, though, rather adds to it. Of course it draws attention of a couple of other guests and many of the fairies. When he still dwelt in the castle, they liked him a lot as he loved to give them the time of the day, it's no different now this brief moments Legolas spends here. ]

[gloinul]

[And next to him is one mildly embarrassed Dwarf who is hiding his face in both his beard and mug, trying not to die of laughter and mortification. Why did he open his big mouth? Legolas takes everything as a challenge, foolish lad.

He is of course ignoring the fact that he does the same thing.

When Legolas finishes, Gimli pulls him down with a gruff "silly Elf".]

I am not drunk enough for this!

[orcsurfing]

[ Legolas falls back into his chair with a laughter, simply allowing himself to be pulled down. ]

Is this a comment on my singing? [ And most exaggeratedly he feigns offence at those words. ] That it is only possible to bear it while intoxicated?!

[ One hand he puts to his chest, over the heart as if Gimli's words were a true blow to his feelings. ]

So cruel, my friend, so cruel to tell that to an elf!

[gloinul]

Aye, I can only stand your high, clear voice when I am so drunk I cannot hear my own thoughts! No Dwarf could, it is much too birdlike to be proper music!

[He is plainly teasing. He likes Legolas's singing well enough, but half the fun of their friendship is the constant joking around]

Perhaps if you sang lower and more gruffly, then I could tolerate it easier!

[orcsurfing]

[ Lower and more gruff? Legolas considers that, averting his gaze from Gimli to think it over, seriously think it over.

Ah, is it doom of a sort Gimli has just brought upon himself?

Perhaps! As the next time Legolas opens his mouth it's to sing once more, but this time as per request, lower and more gruff, or at the very least what passes for such for an elf so bright and young like himself, so playful too. It's one of the dwarven songs he has learned in his time with Gimli, and he gives it his best, all talent granted him poured into this one song. It's still too gentle, too polite in a way, but far less delicate than anything else Legolas has ever sung. ]