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[rowancrowned]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Thranduil
RECIPIENT: Anyone with a Crystal
WHAT: Thranduil tells a very elfy bedtime story for the benefit of any and all. Mostly all.
WHEN: Evening of Solace 10
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: ELF STORY TIME: BY ELVES, FOR ELVES (AND OTHERS)

It seems that there has been a bit of cultural exchange occurring lately. I would not have it said I did not do my part, so I offer the Inquisition a story. It is true—I was young when Beren came to our halls, but I vow that I speak only truth, if prettied to make it more appealing to all sorts of ears.

And if I stumble during the telling, I ask for forgiveness, for I know the Lay best in Sindarin, which so few speak here.

[ he settles into a more melodic tone of voice, one that rises and falls as he works through the story in an unhurried pace: ]

A king there was in days of old:
ere Men yet walked upon the mould
his power was reared in caverns' shade,
his hand was over glen and glade.
Of leaves his crown, his mantle green,
his silver lances long and keen;
the starlight in his shield was caught,
ere moon was made or sun was wrought.

[ for nearly two hours thranduil speaks for the benefit of all who care to listen. recalling from memory, he speaks of thingol and melian, of lúthien, with a fierce fondness that hints at a connection deeper than historical. of beren, he is less fond, clips the verses. he tells of their meeting, of thingol's reluctance to allow the marriage, of an impossible bride-price held by the deceiver. of trying, and failing, and the lovers succeeding once they came together. of the mortal fear of death, and the triumph over it.

the sun, hovering above the horizon when he starts, is set and skyhold's ramparts crowned with stars when he finishes. the heroes return to thingol and melian with the silmaril, healed the king, and looked to the queen: ]

His daughter returned to his halls,
his grief lifted, she was absolved.
When King turned to his Queen,
expecting joy at what they had seen,
Melian had naught to say,
knew where her daughter's Doom did lay.
She turned her back to Luthien,
and spoke no more of her again.

[ however unsatisfying the ending is to listeners, he ends it there. very faintly off to the side, there's the rasp of a glass against the wood as thranduil pauses to drink and recover his voice. the noise breaks the illusion he's spun so carefully, and sounds begin to filter in. crickets from the garden, a whuffle or two from bill the pony.

his voice rasps, a bit, when he speaks, despite best efforts. ]

Goodnight, Skyhold. May we all dream well.

Comments

[fledglingenchanter]

[Sadira was never one to fall asleep during her lectures in the circle, but his melodic voice was oddly soothing and more than once she found herself drifting off-- a rare feat given her difficulty in sleeping at night. When the melodic speaking finally ends, the slight rasp of his farewell stirs her mind enough from drowsing, she lightly fumbles for the Sending Crystal.]

Thank you for that.

[rowancrowned]

You are quite welcome, lady...?

[fledglingenchanter]

You need not address me as such, as I'm not noble born, but Sadira will suffice, messere. Might I have your name in return?

[rowancrowned]

Thranduil. Recently of Mirkwood, but as of late, less so. And 'Thranduil of the Small Room Beside the Garden with a Window' does not have quite the same beauty to it, I fear.

It is a pleasure to meet you, Sadira.

[fledglingenchanter]

[She isn't certain if he meant to be funny or not, so she did her best to muffle the soft giggle that slipped out.]

Alas, it does not. however, whatever your accommodations might be, it does not take away from the elegance of your words.

[rowancrowned]

[ he delivers much of his humor too dryly; straight-faced and with cues only an elf could notice. but he gives himself away with a soft laugh before he next speaks. ]

I like my room well enough. I have the luxury of a roof and window both. It does well enough, and whatever injuries my pride suffers for it, they are healed by the compliments of fair ladies.

[fledglingenchanter]

[His laughter puts her more at ease. Although it is unseen, there is a smile evident in her voice.]

That is a rare commodity here. If you have a door that locks, it might very well be a suite.

[rowancrowned]

Hush, my dear, or you will give it away.

What were you up to before you joined the Inquisition?

[fledglingenchanter]

[Sadira grins, though it cannot be seen through the crystal.]

I won't mention it to anyone else. [Her playful tone grows a little quieter as she answers more slowly] Studying mostly. I moved around for a little while too. What of you?

[rowancrowned]

I am a Rifter. You are interested still?

[fledglingenchanter]

Of course. You're all people brought here regardless of origin, and here for a purpose.

[She knew better than to include the Maker in what she said, knowing some rifters took exception to it.]

[rowancrowned]

Many things.

[ probably best that she didn't mention the maker. someone has opinions on that. ]

I was a steward, of sorts. But I had a very fancy hat.

[fledglingenchanter]

I'm sorry you were taken from that life. I hear Orlais is the place to go for a new hat, if you were so inclined to get one that is.

[rowancrowned]

I think I am quite done with hats for now, my lady, but perhaps I will be more inclined in the future. Especially for these Orlesian ones.

[fledglingenchanter]

Perhaps you can schedule a shopping extravaganza should the Inquisition ever decide to take action in Orlais.

[rowancrowned]

I fully intend to.

Good night, my lady. May your dreams be untroubled.

[fledglingenchanter]

Good night. And again, thank you.