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faderift2017-12-04 12:28 am
[Open] Ready to Start the Conquest of Spaces
WHAT: Haldir is having a hard time going from the Utopia that was Lorien, to the S*ithole that is Kirkwall
WHEN: This month and the next
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: None at the moment!
I. The Only Tree Kirkwall
Haldir wandered Kirkwall for several days, trying very hard to make sense of it all. In Lorien, everyone had a purpose, a place. In Kirkwall however, it seemed like no one did. There were a handful men grasping at threads of power, climbing and pushing over one another for a chance to climb the next rung of the social ladder, while majority of the population lived in squalor, fighting over table scraps dressed up and sold to them as a full meal.
Besides the political and social climates, the overall structure of city was dreary to say the least. The walls looked to be little more than mud, mortar, and iron spikes slapped upon walls haphazardly. There was no thought to the lines of houses, to their architecture. It was just box, after box, after box. The walls seemed to close in on him, so he mostly spent times on the rooftops. It was easier to for him to move from place to place, especially at night. It seemed like every night, one gang or another converged on anyone who ventured out. Dealing with these ruffians was becoming far too inconvenient as it added at least 10 minutes onto every journey he made. Rooftops were much faster by far.
There also was very little in the way of greenery. In Darktown, Lowtown, and a place lovingly referred to as the Gallows, there wasn’t a speck of anything green anywhere. Hightown had some shrubs, and a few “trees” hardly taller than he was. In his wanderings on the first day, he came upon a large tree. Well, large in terms of what could be compared to in Kirkwall. In Lorien it wouldn’t be considered much more than a seedling. But, it had been far to long since he had stood under the calming shadow of a tree, or heard leaves whisper on a breeze. The residents here, who also were called elves for a reason Haldir couldn’t explain given their differences, had painted the bottom of the tree red, with curling white filigree. It obviously held a great amount of significance to these people, so out of politeness, he did not climb it even though he wanted nothing more than to feel the cradle of it’s limbs under him. So, he came every day, just to stand under it. As he was doing right now.
II. The Wounded Coast
Haldir thought he’d never be able to hear the ocean again. He needed to get away from Kirkwall for a while, and so he just walked. He followed his feet, letting them take him where they would. He came upon a bluff, and his nose was hit with the smell of salt and seaweed. He took a deeper breath, and followed the bluff down to the coast.
He toed off his boots, letting feet shift into the sand as the waves lapped at them. He hissed at the cold, but couldn’t pull himself out of it. He let his eyes drink in the sweeping seascape, and he felt like he could finally breathe for the first time since coming to this forsaken place. With no purpose, and no home, he felt more wraith than elf. He swathed himself in the cover of his cloak, just wandering, watching, existing. A ship without a rudder or sail. He turned left to look at the towering rock pillars that had slowly been eroded by the churning sea. He scooped up his boots, and then climbed the rock, very carefully due to the slippery surface. Once up on the rock, he sat and watched, finally feeling like Haldir again.
III. Speak Friend and Enter!
Got a random scenario? Wanna go climb some shit? Get a drink? Let’s talk. Haldir needs some friends.
no subject
"I have heard of the assistance you gave my Lady. For that, I thank you." He nodded his head, and bowed ever so slightly at the waist. "You aided her when I could not. An action I do not take lightly. If ever I may repay those actions, you have but to ask."
no subject
"I wouldn't ask for much," she explains. "But you could repay me now -- if you're not busy -- by telling me about yourself. I love hearing about Middle-earth, but I know there's both good and bad." Because Galadriel once told her of the Kinslaying, of Fëanor and his sons and their terrible Oath. Ellana knows that Middle-earth isn't an idyllic place, but Caras Galadhon sounds as close as a person could get. And since she can't visit it herself, she has to rely on stories.
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"If that is your desire. Although, I am not nearly as old as the other Quendi you may have met. Their experiences have been far more...colorful... than my own." He shuffled one of his feet a little, and rested an arm on his sword's pommel. "What is it you would like to know?"
no subject
"That's all right! In fact, it's kind of refreshing. When you meet people thousands of years old, it can feel a little intimidating. Let's start with age. I'm twenty-eight years old. How old are you?"
Oh dear....
"I am six....thousand... years old. Give or take." He cleared his throat, and anxiously awaited her response.
She's ruined it ;_;
But what does one do when they've said such a thing? A hand curls up against her mouth as she debates what to say, but then a giggle surfaces completed unbidden and she presses her hands to her cheeks.
"Oh, I've really stuck my foot in my mouth, haven't I? I didn't mean to make it sound bad. It's not; it's different. No one here lives very long, so the world changes a lot in that time and we only have stories to know what it was like before. But time to you and Galadriel and all your people, it must feel different to you." Her hands slide away to reveal a pink flush of embarrassment.
"I really would be interested to hear more about your world from your perspective, I mean, six thousand years old? You don't look a day over one thousand." Which is her attempt at a joke, to try and lighten the mood. Besides, he does look good for his age. In Thedas standards, he doesn't look a day over thirty, but she doesn't say that, because what if thirty to him is still a child? No need to stick her foot in even farther.
no subject
Ellana's was very different from the others. Refreshingly different. Although, why she would be interested in his history instead of the other Eldar with more colorful and interesting pasts he did not know. But, if she had interest, he would tell her what she wished, although it would take some time he supposed.
He moved to sit on the edge of the roof, still keeping a respectful distance, but he hoped it created a more friendly atmosphere. "6,000 years is considered young among my kind. Of the other Eldar here, I am the youngest." He paused and looked out at the landscape before him.
"What has my Lady told you of our home?" He asked as he looked at her with another shy smile. He did not wish to bore her with information she already knew, and wanted to get a sense of what Galadriel had trusted her with. If she withheld anything from her, there probably was reason for it.
no subject
"She's told me a great deal! Let's see... she spoke of Aman and the light of the Two Trees, and how Morgoth and his monster destroyed them. And how Fëanor had their light in the Silmarils, but he refused to share them to restore the light. And then Morgoth stole them, and Fëanor and his sons swore their Oath, and that led to the Kinslaying." There's a brief pause as she collects her thoughts. The idea of elves killing elves had seemed horrifying to Ellana, but Fëanor was selfish and that led him down a terrible path. It's a sad story that could play out anywhere.
"Galadriel told me good things too. She told me of the Valar, and of the elves who saw the Trees' light and those who didn't: the Moriquendi. She said I'd be considered that too since I'd never seen the light from the Trees." Not from the Trees, no, but she has seen the light, as Galadriel entrusted her with the Light of Eärendil the first time she was here. That, however, is something she hasn't shared with anybody, and she decides to remain cautious now and wait to see if Galadriel thinks that fact should be shared.
"She's taught me a little bit of Sindarin too, and I've taught her some elvhen." As she's sure other elves here have too. "I know Mae govannen, mellon nin, um, Ilúvamillë means All-Mother." There are others, but she won't wrack her brain to bring them forward now. "She's told me of Lothlórien and her garden there. Oh! I learned that in your world, the Eldar don't sleep, only take their rest. Here we sleep and dream. I'm afraid you will too, eventually. It took Galadriel a couple of weeks, but eventually she was so weary she needed to, so I had to teach her how." And wasn't that a strange thing, explaining the act of falling asleep to one who never had before.
"But I think that's a pretty good overview of what I know. Now I'd like to know about you, and your place in the world. If that's all right, of course." Ellana sees that shy smile, and hopes to get him to open up without being too pushy in doing so. He can't know how curious she is, and how much she desires to know about things beyond her experience.
no subject
"It has been hard for me to adapt to the necessity of eating and sleeping. I will admit, I was most reluctant to sleep at first after the concept was explained to me." He chuckled softly, and then continued.
"I too am one of the Moriquendi, as it happens. And she must think highly of you if she recognized you as one of our own. My lady doesn't bestow her faith in the undeserving, so take heart in that. She must see a great strength of spirit in you, for she has little time for those who do not."
"As for myself, I am a Silvan elf, not one Gódhellim, like my Lady, Lord Thranduil, or the Feanorians. Silvan elves are better known for their skill with a blade or bow rather than their skill with their whits. And as much as I'd like to say the assumption is inaccurate, if you ever met my brothers there would be no denying it. They are far from imaginative thinkers."
"Lorien was my home, and very much my haven." His throat got a little tight thinking about it, the grief at loosing it I was still fresh. "When I close my eyes and I can still feel the sun poking in through the dense leaves, hear the woods creaking and and animals scurrying about. Caras Galadhon, the great capital, was built within and around the trees. Very different from here." He swallowed, a little harder than he wanted.
"I was the Commander of Galadhrim. We protected Lorien's borders and were Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn's arms, eyes, and ears. We were the best archers in all of Arda, although do not tell Lord Thranduil that. Tis a sore subject for the Mirkwood Elves, as we usually trounced them whenever our skills were tested." He let out a chuckle, and rubbed the back of his neck a little.
"I must admit my past to be quite lackluster compared to the others. I was happy protecting my home, and serving my lady. What else would you know?"
no subject
The compliment has her straightening her back a little where she sits, absorbing the information with pleasure. Ellana doesn't think herself skilled at many things. She tends to dabble here and there, trying to find what fits. She'll never be a great battlemage or a wise leader, but being told she has strength of spirit? That makes her feel wonderful.
"Yes, Caras Galadhon sounds like a dream. I can't even really picture it in my head, but just the idea of it sounds like a place I wish I could go. I really love exploring and seeing new places, and that would be a place than none could match."
Giggling at his declaration that the Galadhrim were better archers than the Mirkwood Elves, she then tilts her head in thought as he asks what else she wants to know.
"Hmm, let's see... well, you have brothers. What are their names? How many are there? And are you the oldest, youngest, or in between?" She exhales a laugh and draws up her knees towards her chest, resting her chin on a knee. "I'm an only child. I suppose I get a little fascinated in sibling relationships. But you can tell me anything else you want. Really, I enjoy learning about people and new places."
no subject
"My relationship with my brothers was...strained to put mildly. My dedication to Lady Galadriel, although it was admirable to most I suppose, was seen as reaching to them. When I was appointed as Commander, it just confirmed their suspicions of me grasping at power. They were older than I, you see. It didn't matter how hard I trained, how much I scouted, how hard I tried. All they saw was me getting special treatment. I learned to speak the language of men, another unforgivable thing in their eyes. I thought it would be useful, but they thought I was lowering myself, not acting as I should."
"We did not see eye to eye on most things." He says softly. "But, I had a purpose in life, and I never wanted to loose that. Caras Galadhon was everything to me, because my Lord and Lady were everything to me. I never felt useless, until I came here."
no subject
"I can sympathize, in a way. At least, I know what it's like when you want to do something important to you -- something you love -- and others try and make you feel badly about it." She hugs her legs a little tighter, giving him a sad smile.
"Life in a Dalish clan just wasn't for me. I wanted more than what was provided there, and I feel better for having left. But there are some who think less of me for having done so." She thinks back to the cruel things Beleth said to her, as if Ellana's unhappiness was all her own fault and she was nothing but a selfish brat to dare think of leaving the clan.
"But with time, I've learned that you have to make yourself happy first, doing whatever you love whether or not others approve of it. It's no way to live if you're constantly trying to make others happy. You'll only make yourself miserable and they'll probably find other things to disapprove of, so the cycle will never end." There's a pause and a slight blush to her cheeks. "I don't mean for that to sound like a lecture. I just wanted to let you know that I understand some small part of what that's like."
no subject
"I understand the sentiment, I assure you. But I admit, I do not know much of the Dalish social structures or histories. If you would be inclined, I would like to know more of you as well. I am curious of you culture, but also of you personally. The calling you found must have been powerful indeed to take you away from others whom you obviously care deeply for."
He turned and cocked his head to the side in thought again. "If you did not care for them, their ire would not effect you as it does."
no subject
"It was powerful, yes. I hope you'll understand it when I get to that part, but I'll tell you our history first."
Now she lowers her legs, crossing them and dropping her hands into her lap before she begins to tell him about her people.
"Ages ago, the elves were the only sentient race in Thedas. We had a grand empire too. But then humans arrived, and were curious as to our secrets and our magic. They built their own empire: the Tevinter Imperium, and conquered the elves, taking them as slaves. For hundreds of years, we were slaves in Tevinter, and slowly forgot our history, our culture, everything. The only things retained were those things taught in secret. Then, an uprising of both elven and human slaves occurred, and they won their freedom. The elves were gifted with land in Orlais called the Dales, in order to rebuild their empire." Ellana pauses, releasing a sad sigh. Unfortunately, things didn't get better for the elves from there.
"Things start to get blurry here, because there are both elven and human accounts of what happened next. The humans say we isolated ourselves and refused to help them fight the Blight; the elves say humans tried to steal back territory and convert us to their god. Whatever the truth, the humans marched on the elves and conquered us again. They told us to integrate with them and worship the Maker. Those who did were called city elves. Though who refused, who wanted to live in isolation and worship our gods, the Creators, were left to be nomads called Dalish. The Dalish have no land they own, and so the clans stay scattered, moving from place to place every few years when the humans grow angry at us for being around."
Now she notices she's been picking at her cuticles as she speaks and wraps her hands around her ankles so she won't continue the gesture.
"All that said, I like to get to know an individual before I judge them. I don't think badly of a human for being a human -- you'll hear some elves call them shems too, but that's meant as an insult. I think judging all humans as bad people is just as wrong as humans judging all elves to be bad or lesser or whatever. Neither is right, so I don't do it. But elves in Thedas as a whole are looked down on by humans as a whole, because of our history. I'd be happy to tell you more about clan life as I experienced it, but do you have any questions first?"
no subject
He could not fathom what it was like to loose everything about your culture except for the tiny pieces scraped together after centuries, while having no where to put down roots for the future. And then to be divided farther into those who chose to integrate and those who chose to remain. It was a good way to keep them from growing enough in force to take back any of the land they had been given. Their enemy had been clever. A painful story indeed.
Haldir turned to her, placing his hand on the roof top between them so he could see her better. "I do not know what it is like to not have a home. You lived like this? Always wandering? How did you keep yourselves defended?"
no subject
"Well, we have scouts that protect the camp. Usually humans stumble upon us, or simply get lost in the woods, and the scouts threaten them or even just mess with them until they back off." She thinks back to certain clanmates who would seduce human men, sleep with them, then steal their clothes for a laugh, sending them home naked where they wouldn't dare admit to a male elf seducing them. "Unfortunately some clans are more vicious, and it's said they torture and kill any humans they catch, stringing up their bodies from the trees as a warning to others to stay away." She shakes her head in disappointment and frustration. "It's clans like those that keep the stereotype that we're savages going. But to continue: if the humans start growing more bold, or our scouts hear news that they want to drive us out, that's when we move camp again. We have halla that we care for, and they pull our aravels for us. They're like carriages with sails -- so, land ships. That is how we move."
no subject
"My role in Lorien was similar to these scouts, although we never sought to entice or trick our enemy, we simply killed them swiftly. However, if a man or dwarf wandered too close to our border, I can't claim we did not have a little fun at their expense." He looked a little guilty, especially after her speech earlier of tolerance and acceptance. "But, I do understand what it means to have to be constantly vigilant to protect those who depend on you."
"I am intrigued by these land ships-these Aravels. I would like to see one someday, if possible." He looked at her a little hopefully.
no subject
"I wish I could show you one, but there are no Dalish clans around Kirkwall." Not anymore, that is. "If any Dalish here have built their own, I don't know about it." Merrill had one she built back at Skyhold, but she's been gone from the Inquisition for awhile now.
"Some Dalish clans are friendly, so there's always the chance they would allow you entry to visit. There is one in particular in Rivain that I'm friendly with, and I'm welcome there anytime." But not, perhaps noticeably, with her own clan. She's officially left them now, and no longer considers herself Dalish. The Rivaini Dalish, however, are far more welcoming, and she's happy to visit them when she can.
no subject
He lifted his hand in front of himself and waved. "Worry not. It was simply curiosity. What is it you have been called to now? It must be something you have deemed important."
no subject
"Of course, ruins can be dangerous. The ancient elves often left traps to deter robbers, or placed puzzles to solve before you can go farther in. It's not always easy, but I think it's worth the risk to reclaim a bit of what was lost. It's my hope that if the elves have more of our story, we won't look towards the past with such bitterness and anger. We'll move forward and look towards a better future."
Suddenly realizing how sentimental that sounds, she exhales a laugh. "I mean, I don't expect results overnight, but it's worth it to lay the foundations, at least."
no subject
"Silvan elves have always had a longing for adventure, but with my duties being what they were, I rarely was able to give into that desire. Not that I felt like my life lacked anything by any means." He could picture her tinkering away at a puzzle in some dusty ruin fairly easily, now that it was in his mind.
"But, reclaiming one's history, while also exploring new places would be exciting. I admit to being a little envious of your endeavors. Do you go alone into these dangerous places? I hope you do not."
no subject
"I take notes on all my journeys. I don't know if you'd be interested in seeing any of it? I detail the ruins and artwork and puzzles. Just-- just everything I can, really. I hope to write a book someday. I have a friend -- he's a famous author here -- and he said he'd help me get it published because it's pretty hard for elves to get taken seriously with this sort of thing."
no subject
"And... if you should have need of help, I would be happy to assist you. Although, I will admit I will be quite useless at opening puzzles and the like. I'm sure the team you have assembled is more up to task. But, I would like very much to see one of your adventures for myself eventually." He cleared his throat a little.
no subject
"I would love it if you would come! It would be the perfect way to see the world that was, long ago." But now she flips through her journal before scooting closer, setting one side of the journal on his leg while the other remains on hers.
"Now, in this ruin, there were mosaics on the walls portraying Elgar'nan's sun. He's one of our gods: the All-Father. As well as statues of Fen'harel, our trickster god. That was very unusual because he's usually not depicted among the other gods since he betrayed them. So I have some theories on that, like perhaps the ruin had been used after the fall of the empire during the elves' time in the Dales, since that's where this ruin was. It's possible they used the place to store a lot of statues because usually a temple was dedicated to one god, and here there were statues of Fen'harel, Ghilan'nain's halla, and Andruil's owl too." She pauses, glancing up at him and biting her lip. "Am I going too fast?"
no subject
The sketches were very well done, and he ran a long finger over the haphasard lines. He listened intently, teying to keep up.
At her question, he turned his head. "Perhaps a little, but I am usually a quick study. Please, continue."
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