❦ Third - [video]

[marchwarden]

[Something was off about the tower today.

For starters, there seemed to be far more people prowling about than Haldir last remembered. Over the years, there's been a steady decline of new arrivals here to Animus. Much of the friends he once knew were either dead or dying. Not many races could out live the Firstborns of Ilúvatar. The Elves, for better or for worse, have been cursed with longevity. Most of Haldir's kind are truly immortal in a sense. Many Elves never aged at all, including the march warden.

So this would explain why he seems so baffled as of why there's so many lurking about here. Has the Administrators found other worlds to ravage? Perhaps. He always doubted that they were doing more good than harm.]

How uncommon. There hasn't been this many newcomers since the old days.

[A slight frown settles upon his lips. Just why is there so many people here? It's so...sudden.]

I bid thee welcome! We seldom see so many newcomers; for it has been thousands of years, but we welcome all. If you're in need of aid, do not hesitate to ask. There's many amongst us who would be glad to assist you.

[Forcing himself to rid himself of his frown, Haldir actually smiles somewhat, though it's an awkward one.]

I can assure you that no harm shall come to you here. Just be certain to stay away from the floors above. That is where the danger lies.

Comments

[elfstonestrider]

Of course. You need only tell me where.

[He's getting better with these devices. After Haldir mentions the location, and perhaps, after he gives directions up or down, Aragorn hardly has to muddle through the disabling of the video.]

[marchwarden]

Higher up upon the twenty-fifth floor is a meadow.

[It's much safer if they meet in person. Haldir could not claim that these Administrators weren't monitoring them now. This is why he tells the strider to venture deeper into the tower for this floor.]

In kinder times, the meadow is filled with flowers at the peak of Echuir. However, the approach of Rhîw changes it into a cold wasteland filled with endless snow. Shall we meet there? I could at least promise you some privacy amongst the cold.

[elfstonestrider]

[Aragorn is no stranger to the snow and ice and while he is more resilient than some, he chooses to return to his room for the cloak given to him by the elves before joining Haldir. He's easy to find, though the ranger knows this is, at least in part, to the Marchwarden wanting to be found. His smile is wide when he greets the elf.]

Vedui'.

[marchwarden]

[Neither of them were strangers to the cold here, but the frigid landscape still sends shivers down Haldir's spine. Even though he's properly dressed for this kind of weather; his cloak feels as thin as paper against the harsh winds. It's a wonder how anyone could stand the frigidness in this realm. Perhaps meeting here wasn't the wisest of choices.]

Mae g'ovannen, Aragorn. [He said fluently within his native tongue.] Ni veren an dhe ngovaned.

[He suddenly switches to the common tongue.]

I had feared you were no more than a reflection of a past long forgotten.


(ooc: hover over the elvish for the translation)

[elfstonestrider]

Is the Tower able to do such a thing?

[The warmth of the hug will due against the cold for now. They will simply need to speak quickly of the worst topics now or perhaps agree to meet later.]

The more I hear of it, the less easy I am towards this magic which has somehow saved only a select few of us.



(OOC: that's so clever!)

[marchwarden]

Tis capable of many wonders and many tricks.

[Never until the battle at Helm's Deep did the march warden ever been greeted so fondly. To say the least the sudden embrace surprised him. Haldir wasn't sure what to think of Aragorn during then, but at least he was humored enough to smile.

Now, Haldir doesn't seem to object too much from being hugged. Time certainly changes a man or rather an elf.]

Saved?

[He pulls away to look at the man.]

Heed my words, Aragorn. These people mean not to save us without a price.

[elfstonestrider]

[Realizing he's lost Arwen, his home, his duty, and everyone he's ever known for those that hardly remember him is enough to lead one to... Well. Moments like these.]

So I have been told.

I met with the Ringbearer yesterday...

[marchwarden]

[The look within Aragorn's gaze made his heart sank. This is too cruel of a fate. Everything that the ranger once knew is now lost to him, and everything he would've gained will never be.

It takes Haldir a moment to speak once such a realization struck him. He feels so...guilty now.]

You have spoken with Frodo? [Yes, the hobbit. It's been far too long since Haldir last seen him.]

...Your yesterday mustn't be the same as mine, Aragorn. For you, it's only been a day here. To me, centuries.

[elfstonestrider]

[He's heard this before. He knows Legolas is from further on than he. And Frodo as well. Gandalf too. Perhaps well beyond any of them. The wizards are more timeless than the timeless elves.]

Yes, to the one here, who has spent time on the starship.

[Which he doesn't understand but that doesn't bother him as much as Frodo's eyes do.]

[marchwarden]

How curious.

[A starship? Even that wins an awkward glance from Haldir. He doesn't know what to think of that.]

I never heard of such a thing before, but Frodo claims to have boarded one. When? I do not know, but I shan't doubt him.

[elfstonestrider]

Nor I, but Frodo would not make such a thing up. And his eyes, more than anything else, point to it's truth.

I can not say exactly what happened to him or for however long, and though I have been told that this place has it's dangers, but I am grateful he is no longer left adrift.

He's been here longer than I but I still hope time will fix whatever happened, at least for the most part.

[marchwarden]

[A frown settles upon the elf's face as he tries to make sense of all this. Frodo did speak of this starship once before, but Haldir's neglect to discuss this matter fully prevented him from understanding all of the harrowing ordeals the hobbit once faced.]

The Ring Bearer has been forced to endure too much, Aragorn. There's certain things that time itself cannot heal.

[He's speaking from experience.]

Frodo shall never be the same.

[elfstonestrider]

[Knowing it to be true does not make it any harder to abide by.]

I do not plan to give up. I let him go once and I will not again.

[Without a world or a journey or a destiny, Aragorn has chosen to dedicate himself to the safety of those here. He just has no idea yet what that entails.]

[marchwarden]

[A deep sigh passes through him once. Must you be so difficult, Aragorn?]

Then certainly you won't embark upon this path alone.

[He rests his hand upon the man's shoulder.]

We are all that's left of Arda, my friend.

[elfstonestrider]

[Because he's Aragorn?]

A small number, I know. Legolas, Gandalf... I'll admit to not being too pleased with the odds. And, perhaps it's a good time to speak of what we can not elsewhere and move to warmer ground?