[Open: To the homeless, a haven.]

[thehiddenking]

WHO: Thingol & Open!
WHAT: He is coming to grips with his new situation and planning for the future.
WHEN: Guardian, 9:43 Dragon
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: You can reach me on Plurk @ tiger_eyes or through PM/DM for plotting. I am happy to write starters.

He had thought, initially, that he was dreaming. Death had surely fallen upon him - thus freeing his spirit from his body - but instead of him stepping into the Halls of Mandos, he encountered a vicious demon bent on not only annihilating him but all around him. Thingol wasn't a coward - despite what popular opinion might say of him on Middle Earth - and so he had drawn his blade and fought side by side with a few that showed nothing but bravery in the face of a monstrosity.

The entire experience had felt unreal to him - even as he cut into the beast - however the moment he was wounded, he had begun to realize that he was not dreaming. He was not even dead! His body had traveled with him - thanks to gods or a spell - and, by Eru, he was alive again. The shock had remained with him as he traveled to Skyhold and it lingered as he made himself acquainted with the Inquisition and their actions.

Once he had been a mighty King, proud and ready to face any and all who threatened his kingdom. The Dwarves, the Nauglímir and the Silmaril had broken him of his pride - a positive change some might say - though it left him at a loss as to what to do with his time or where it should be spent best. For now, he walked the full expanse of Skyhold, breathing in the mountain air and letting his spirit and body settle into this new way of life; a life where he was not a king or even a lord. A life where Elves were valued very little.

A small smile touched his lips as he paused, peering out over the lands to the north. The Elves deserved a fine leader; someone or someones who could unite them and give them back their worth. Oh yes, that would be a fine use of his time indeed.

For now, all who approached him would be met with a piercing, calculating stare. If you think this Elf will be dominated or belittled so easily, you have the wrong idea. Aranrúth was loyally sheathed at his hip and Thingol took full advantage of his six foot and eight inches of height.

Comments

[thehiddenking]

He did have that effect on others; an effect he was accustomed to when he entertained the company of those who were not Elven. Kirk was clearly a Man - young by his appearance, but mature - and Thingol inclined his head faintly, his hands relaxed at his sides. Aranrúth would not be drawn if someone approached in friendship.

"The view is breathtaking." his low voice reverberated powerfully even though he spoke quietly, "I have never sought mountains; only forests, yet this one tempts me."

[universal_charm]

Mature might be up for debate at times, but if that's the first impression he would gladly take it. Kirk approaches a bit more when he sees the other relax, but keeps a respectful distance. Not quite a swords length, but it still gives him time to dodge in case Thingol changes his mind.

"Yeah, it's pretty impressive," Kirk agreed, leaning against the stone. "But I think that about practically every place here. Even that desert we have to crawl through one time. Thedas in general is a beautiful place, I think."

[thehiddenking]

Mature in age, Kirk. Thingol knows nothing of his mental and emotional maturity...yet. He stands absolutely still, glancing between the Man and the view, his wary demeanor slowly ebbing away like the tide.

"My forest was more beautiful." but he admits he is biased on that account, "Why did you crawl through a desert?"

Thingol has never encountered a desert and he is curious why anyone would go to a place so desolate. Of course, like his encounter with the Pride Demon, it is likely Kirk didn't have a choice.

[universal_charm]

The comment makes Kirk laugh, though not cruelly. It's an amused sound, touched by an empathetic warmth. He felt the way when he looked at ancient halls of stone, thinking instead of his beloved Enterprise and her gleaming halls. Yes, he much preferred them.

"Well, we didn't really crawl, but it felt like it. We had to go investigate something to do with Corphyeus and the Rifts," he launched into the explanation, keeping it fairly brief for want of not boring his companion (and for that reason he also included the sighting of the dragon). "I don't have a desire to go back anytime soon, that's for sure."

[thehiddenking]

Bias does tend to color one's vision - and memory for that matter! Yet Thingol is very stubborn about the kingdom he founded with Melian at his side. No other Elven-King had wed a Maia before him and it had been...

A good marriage. His mistakes had been the ruin of Doriath, but Thingol trusts that, somewhere, Melian is waiting for him. Wherever she is, there will be his kingdom.

"What did you find?" oh on this topic, he cannot be bored, "There must be life in such desolation. Hardy life. Said existences are not comfortable and I am accustomed to comforts."

[universal_charm]

"We took a fortress," he said, in a tone that suggested he was not at all happy about that. "And we found some.. disturbing things inside. Bad magic. And to top it all off, we ended up in what is called the Fade. I would say it's another dimension alongside this way, and it..." He paused again, his face paling a shade, his hand touching the stones and curling so his knuckles turned white.

"Pray you never end up there," he finished, shaking his head. "The desert itself, though, is quite alive. Everything there seemed intent on killing us in one way or another, but it was definitely alive with flora and fauna if you knew where to look."

[thehiddenking]

"I would argue that all magic is questionable. There are some Wizards on Arda who are respectable sorts, but..." he trailed off meaningfully, "You encountered the After-Life." his eyes widened and he moved closer, curious.

"My people are not meant for those lands." but they sometimes travel there nonetheless, "You have a strong spirit to notice such in hardship."

[universal_charm]

He questioned magic for far different reasons that Thingol, he thought, but there wasn't much point in arguing that. "Magic is a tool, no more and no less. It's the people who make it good or bad," he shrugged. "So I misspoke there. We found the remnants of magic some very bad people had done." He shook his head and shuddered, remembering he scents of blood and death and wondered what it said of him that he he no longer felt the immediate need to retch and the thought of it.

"Ah, no, I don't think it is the After Life. It's the Fade and it's where what the people here call demons come from," he clarified. He was not versed enough in spirits to make a comment except that he knew they to were connected to the Fade, as was magic itself.

He laughed softly. "I wouldn't say that. We have deserts on my home world too, and life is resiliant. It adapts. You just have to keep your eyes open and you'll see it." He cocked his head at Thingol curiously. "Who are your people exactly?"

[thehiddenking]

"I suppose." he did not look convinced, "When temptation is within easy reach, even those with good intentions can falter." and that was where he had his doubts, "There are horrible sights and smells in the Dark. Do your best to avoid all contact with it lest it gain an interest in you."

This Man was bright - a leader - and Thingol thought it would be a shame if all of his good - his bravery, his trust - was turned to ill. He had seen it happen again and again. It was difficult not to be bitter over such transformations.

"These demons live in a place that is kept separate from where souls reside?" he had to admit that was a comfort. No soul deserved such wretched company.

"They truly are akin to Morgoth's creations." his lip curled as if he tasted something foul, "The Elves of Arda. More precisely, the Sindar of Doriath."

[universal_charm]

He didn't want to get in argument, despite what the other saying just proving his point. Magic was a tool, like sword. It was neither good nor bad, just wielded. Admittedly, there were some types of magic that he could find nothing but a horrible uses for or only had horrible ways of making them work, but even then, it was a tool. It had to be made to do what it did, and it could hardly have blame put on it. Rather, the people who decided to turn it to such dark purpose should be the ones blamed.

Kirk was not quite so easily corrupted. Especially not with recent events in his memory, of seeing what he might have become given enough time lost among the stars.

"I believe so, but I am not an expert, so don't take my full word for it," he shook his head. "I think it is that spirits and mages draw power from the Fade, but I don't think they actually reside there." Again, it was just trying to make a sense of what he had been told and still had trouble wrapping his mind around because he was disinclined to like the term 'magic' in the first place.

He blinked at the string of words announcing who Thingol was, clearly them meaning nothing to him except to confirm what he thought - that Thingol was elvish, but clearly not of this world.

"Guess that means you're a long way from home, huh?" he smile sympathetically.

[thehiddenking]

"It sounds...grey." a color he should be well-acquainted with considering one of his names/titles was Greymantle, but it was such an unsatisfactory hue when one was trying to determine the nature of a place like the Fade, "All of this power sets me ill at ease. Not all Mages or Spirits surely mean well and use it wisely."

In fact, he guessed it was often used recklessly.

"Yes. I was ripped away from my home before I was summoned here, however. Death found me at the hands of petty Dwarves."

[universal_charm]

"It was colorful. Far to colorful," he shook his head, not quite understanding what the other meant by grey, but even so that place had left to many marks to call it something as dull and unobtrusive as grey. He cocked his head at him and shrugged. "Not everyone who has a sword or wears a crown uses them well or wisely either. Like I said, it's a tool."

Not to mention he felt the instinctual need to defend his lover, who was a mage.

"Do you mean in your home world, or here?" he asked. "The Dwarves, I mean."