^^ I once saw a card with a Shar-Pei made to look like a towl - Btw. I'd have a nice evil charrie too if there's intrest Not as a leader, but as a general/second in command. Rhan's first hubby Locien went a bit mental before disappearing so I could always have him turn up ^^Shall I post a bio?

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Rhavaniel smiled somewhat sadly. She knew what it was like to be caught up in moments long forgotten. Memories of Locien still sprung up in her mind when she was confronted by Morfindien. Her husband had been one of the only elves that the duke had ever really shown any respect for. His barbed words had stung for far longer than they seemed and his quick thinking had enabled him to outsmart many who matched themselves with him. They had fought together for years, pursuit being a game that the two had played in turn, enjoying the promise of love perhaps more than any thing else. During the Siege of Baradûr their company had been taken after a cave in. After many a day of torture he had bargained for the groups release in exchange for the whereabouts of King Oropher, Thranduil's father. So they had escaped, thinking to return fast enough to warn the royal family, but alas, the Dark Lord had anticipated that too and they had arrived to see the great Sindar lord fall.
It had scarred her, she had not been able to look at Locien again. Morfindien had shunned them all, proclaiming their treachery unbearable. Locien had disappeared after a few years and with the culprit gone, Rhavaniel had excepted the blame for the tragedy. She had not allowed him to take the blame- Of course they had been trained to serve and protect, but she understood why he had bargained for their freedom. Before he left he had become plagued by what he had done- Seeing her as the reason for his every growing insanity. He had broken pacts, become a menace to have at court, gambled and fought. She hadn't the heart to see him broken by the king or the duke. Morfindien had become a much crueler elf, robbed of his family's honour and the chance to gain it back- Forever in Thranduil's shadow, forever burdened by the fact that, in his eyes, Locien had destroyed him.

The duke's sister smiled "Never excuse yourself," she said "What happens to us stays with us for ever. It is the curse of immortality."
"Rhan," Sadron chided gently. He turned to Naerwen; "Morfindien is... More deeply troubled than it seems," he lowered his voice "His rivalry with Thranduil goes back to their childhood. I pray it will not extend to Legolas, but... We were never allowed to interact with the prince whilst growing. It was only that we reached maturity that we became friends."
His twin laughed "I expect he will want to throttle our dear prince rather thoroughly. But," Rhavaniel sobered and touched her friend on the arm "Perhaps you should attempt to calm him before he really does. He seemed to like you."
Sadron raised his eyebrows "Well, if you've met him and aren't beaten to a pulp- Or scarred for life, perhaps he does like you."
Rhavaniel slapped him on the arm: "He doesn't beat anyone, Sadron. Don't be a-"
"I apologise. Evelyn can back me up, he is actually a caring soul. once you get past all the.."
"Nonsense," his twin finished.

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. O r b i s N o n S u f f i c i t .

Sounds good to me. Locien and Durion stirring up trouble hehe!! I don't mind posting a bio. But maybe not posting a bio would add mystery to the two of them?

"I could try to talk to Morfindien. I can deal with his frustration better than most. I guess I have experience in that..." her eyes misted over as she, again, thought back to altercations that she had had with Durion years ago. Naerwen shuddered involuntarily. "What say you to allowing Evelyn and I to talk to your brother while you gather the others? I think it is time that a plan was put into place. I have my theories about what is going on. No theory will be confirmed unless they are examined and explored...so in a way time is of the essence." Naerwen sighed deeply. "How I wish Lord Elrond was here. His counsel would be greatly appreciated." Naerwen placed a small smile upon her face.

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Evelyn couldn't help laughing merryly at the sibling's overview of their brother. But she grew respectfully quiet as she listend, then added her own thoughts.

"Morfindien is...very good." She spoke softly, like one who knew much on the subject. "But very noble...and proud." He cares to much...she thought to herself, but continued out loud. "Which is why he is good at what he does...but perhaps could use wisdom in socilzation." Evelyn spoke carefully, but without blemish. She knew the thruth was the truth, and she was not afraid of it. "And I agree with my friend Narwen - we should see to calming your brother - Narwen is sweet and prudent, and can hold her own - " she smiled at her friend, "And i fear his moods not. And you two could see to gathering the others and visiting the princess. She is troubled as well...and wishes to see you."

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(and if everyone is ok with the Zombie Ruscian idea, can i make a profile for him and add him in at an approprate moment?)

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Sadron bowed his head in acquiescence "I would ask you not to mention my arrival to my brother. My party will arrive this evening- I will go to him then. I have business with the Prince. We must agree as to how to present this delicate matter to our people. We cannot return to a divided Eryn Galen."
His twin smiled wistfully at her brother: "You know what you must do," as the counselor turned to walk away she smiled at Evelyn "Be gentle with him, Effy."

They walked quickly towards the houses of healing, and arrived just as the Woodland Prince was leaving.
"Aaye, mellon!" Sadron called out, raising a hand in greeting. There was a slight smile on his face- Joy for seeing his old friend again- joy, and a diplomat's mind.
Rhavaniel squared her shoulders as they drew closer to the prince and met his gaze fearlessly,"Mylord," she murmured.
-
Morfindien stared out the window, goblet in hand. Standing with bowed head was his servant, Emerion. He had asked what he had came to ask- Why the duke had retreated so soon after his arrival; Why there was no news of the engagement; Why King Aragorn had spoken of Nostariel's engagement to Ruscien. The duke had not responded, not moved in any way. He had swallowed and his eyes had darted about the room, but he had not spoken.
It was another disaster, another burden for him to bear. There was no way he could deny Nostariel's engament- She was the king's granddaughter. Or could he? He was powerful, wealthy and smart enough to hold his own against Oropher's son. Once again.
The clouds out side seemed to be darkening; perhaps it would rain again. He let out a tiny breath as he turned back to face his servant:"What am I to do, Emerion?"
His voice was quiet and wavered slightly. Emerion bowed his upper-body so as not to stare in the duke's face. His eyes had been glittering with something other than wrath. He could not bear to see his liege so broken. He was older than his sire, had served his father and his father's father and never had he seen the duke at such a loss. Not even after the terrible tragedy so many years ago now. Morfindien had outdone himself; crippled by the death of his father, the betrayal of his brother in law and desertion of his sister, he had rebuilt his father's legacy.
Emerion felt a pang in his heart- All of Barathon's children had their talents and after the old duke's departure to the Halls of Mandos he tried his hardest to counsel and guide them on their separate paths.
"My liege-," he stopped himself "Morfindien, you must be patient. You must wait for news or go to your people."
The duke stiffened a moment then hurled his goblet at the wall. The bang made the old elf jump and he rose to look at the dark-haired elf.
"I must! I must nothing, Emerion! I have no duties to that accursed king or his prince! I owe them nothing! Nothing do you hear me?!"
Emerion said nothing, merely bowed his head again. Morfindien turned to the goblet. It lay dented on the floor and the last of the wine had spilt across the room. He placed both hands on his face and turned to the window again.
"Get out," he ordered shakily after a while.
"Mylord," the servant bowed and left the room, pulling the door too with a light snick.

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. O r b i s N o n S u f f i c i t .

Naerwen bowed her head to Sadron and Rhavaniel. "As you wish." She straightened and turned to Evelyn. "Let us not waste anymore time. I only hope Morfindien will be willing to accept us." Naerwen grimaced slightly, feeling as though she was placing her nose where it did not belong. However, she also knew it was necessary, she had lost count of the days she had spent away from Osgiliath. Who knew what she would be returning to if she went back to Osgiliath at all. The issue of Ruscien had to be faced. There was no doubt about that. There was no time for quarelling. Time was of the essence.

Naerwen pulled the hood of her cloak over her eyes so onlookers would not disturb her and force her to stop and exchange pleasentries. She hitched up the hem of her dress and made her way up the levels of Minas Tirith with Evelyn by her side.

On elven feet a lot of ground had been covered and the two were soon climbing the stairs to Morfindien's room. Naerwen heard a sharp clang and retreating feet. Her hand gripped the hilt of her sword. Soon a man emerged and made his way down the stairs. Naerwen recognised him immediately. She had seen him lingering beside the duke. A servant perhaps? Naerwen shook her head and skimmed past the man on the stairs and made her way to stand in front of Morfindien's door. Suddenly hesitant, she exchanged a worried glance with Evelyn before raising her hand to knock on Morfindien's door.

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Evelyn gave Narwen a confiden, reasureing smile as she they waited for the nock to be answerd.

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Morfindien stared at the door. He had heard two sets of foot-steps approach and then pause. The knock had come as no surprise. He felt no need to answer. He was in no state to answer. His hands were still shaking and he felt flushed. Ever more often he had felt aggression rising up in him like a powerful snake. He was so old now, had seen so much, fought in so many battles- But never before had he been driven to such lengths. He had inherited his mother's temperament as had his sister- Quick to anger, quick to laugh. As of late he had changed- The war had changed him.
He smoothed his robes and adjusted his collar and swept the goblet off the floor. A glance in the long golden mirror confirmed him: He was the Duke. Ready for anything. Beaten by noone. He held the ruined cup for a moment before placing it on the parchment laden desk. Another problem to solve.
"Enter!" he barked sharply.

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. O r b i s N o n S u f f i c i t .

Evelyn gave Narwen a reasuring smile, her eyes twinkeling with mischeive...and hope. She enterd first, bowing as she adressed him, her unbound hair falling foward over her shoulders. "Duke." It was not insolent or begrudging, but genuine, for she knew her place. She was not of royalty, or title, mearly a common elf chosen to serve The Lady, for reason's she knew not.

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Naerwen returned Evelyn's reassuring smile before entering behind her. "Suilaid Duke," she bowed her head to him respectfully. Naerwen regarded the Duke curiously, she could sense he was in turmoil, but was probably too proud to talk about it. Her eyes fell to the remains of a goblet on a table strewn with papers. That would explain the smash she had heard as they were coming up the stairs. She frowned deeply. "Forgive me my lord, but are you alright? Do you wish to talk?" Inside she grimaced, wondering if she had spoken out of turn. She just could not bare to see a broken man.

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@Anyone seen Neniel lately?

The duke moved out of the way as the two women entered. Evelyn and Nostariel- The one he had known for years, the other was a closed book to him. He had not been kind to either. He had spent a long time in Lothlorien once, cleansing himself of his fear and worries in the Golden Wood. He had spoke with the Lady of the Wood and her husband and harboured only feelings of friendship towards their people. It had been with their help that he had entered the Mithril-trade. The thought of his past glory steadied him and he took a deep breath. Doubt was gnawing at the corners of his mind- He did not feel up to this new challenge.

Morfindien closed the door with a snap behind them and fixed the two elves with a cool stare. He was about to speak but Nostariel spoke first. He stiffened.
"What on earth gives you the impression I would be anything other than alright?" he asked smoothly, gesturing with his hands:"Or have you been speaking to my sweet flower of a sister?", he moved between them to stand in front of his desk, leaning back with a challenging look tinted with something seductive:"Or do you miss me? Have I touched your hearts so soon? You are most welcome to join my court you know," his smile widened sharkishly:"I am not so cold. It would be such a loss to see you gathered at the king's feet when you could be at mine. Perhaps you could sit with the dwarves, Evelyn, I'm sure you would get on like a house on fire."
He was the duke. He turned and poured more wine into the remaining goblet that Emerion had been using. The duke raised it to the two women and drank.

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. O r b i s N o n S u f f i c i t .

(So, so, so sorry guys for not getting back on here for a while. Life's been **** lately with the topper being that I dropped my laptop on my cordless mouse usb drive and had to wait for my next paycheck to purchase another one. Anyways, I'm back now and ready to continue on. Laughing at myself because I accidentally spelled Sadron's name wrong and called him Safron. Sorry, Rhav! )

The greeting halted Legolas in his tracks and he turned to see an old friend.
"Sadron!" He stepped forward and clasped the elf's forearm, a grin nearly splitting his face.
"Im gelir ceni ad lín! Tell me, what brings you to these parts of the world when our kindred are now so few?" Then his smile dimmed as he realized the message he must be bringing; it would be from his father, there was no doubt in that, he felt anger simmering just below the surface at the nerve of his sire.


(Rhav, don't you mean Naerwen in your above post? Nostariel is stuck in the Houses of Healing waiting for everybody to arrive.)

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Zirakzigil ai menu Duzhuk! Zirakzigil, at your service!
[~^!?]

(Thats a real bummer! I'd better watch out with my laptop... I can actually see myself doing something similar... Yep, meant Naerwen- was thinking of you, obviously I'm having one of those days... Glad that you're back )

"Ah, well," Sadron felt his broad grin fading. His eyes slid to his sister, who made the faintest of gestures. Looking uncomfortable the elf continued "Yes, I believe you know of the matter we have to discuss. Your father sends his warmest greetings, my friend. He misses you dearly. The times have been hard on him, I think, very hard."
Rhavaniel smiled at Legolas a tad tightly. They too had known each other for many years, but the strain was apparent in her voice:"I am most apologetic for the confusion concerning my- the matter at hand."
"Rhan,"Sadron interjected quickly. He knew his twin had a temper to rival Morfindien at times and he was unsure as to what was going on in her mind. He himself had not been privy to the discussions she had had with their brother and the King of Mirkwood "Where you not on your way to see Nostariel?"
Immediately he felt her bristle. Rhavaniel shot him an insulted look and gave the smallest of bows "I shall let the men-folk do business then, shall I?"
"That's not what I meant and you know it."
"Yes. Of course. Pardon me, my lord," she said as she adressed the prince breezily "I believe your daughter wished to speak with me. I would very much wish to acquiesce as to her wishes."
As she made to brush past, her brother caught her arm and they exchanged heated glares for a moment. Then she pulled away and entered Nostariel's room after a short and very sharp knock.

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. O r b i s N o n S u f f i c i t .

"What on earth gives you the impression I would be anything other than alright?" he asked smoothly, gesturing with his hands.

Everything, thought Evelyn, staring at him as if she could see through his soul.

"Or have you been speaking to my sweet flower of a sister?", he moved between them to stand in front of his desk, leaning back with a challenging look tinted with something seductive:"Or do you miss me? Have I touched your hearts so soon? You are most welcome to join my court you know," his smile widened sharkishly:"I am not so cold. It would be such a loss to see you gathered at the king's feet when you could be at mine. Perhaps you could sit with the dwarves, Evelyn, I'm sure you would get on like a house on fire."


Evelyn closed her eyes breifly, her charming smile fixed on her face. She was so accustomed to his snideing habits it only took her a moment to gather her words, choosing them carefully. She was usually like a chamillion: his snide comments would elisit some of her own. But it was not the time for that. He needed to be supported, not torn down.

"Mmm, doubtless." She said smoothly in response to his last comment. "I could get on with them...but who's to say if they will get on with me? It seems some people do not wish to." She looked at him significantly, but her tone was not nagging; it was simplistic, innocent, almost pleading, as if asking him to get along with her. "As for kings...i sit at no ones feet; My dutiy is to what is right." Her voice was, clear, calm. She again staired at him significantly. She hated playing this game with him, this play on words that bore into ones soul. But she knew she couldn't give up on it - the one rule of the game was that Morfindien would play it weather you wanted to or not. Evelyn looked up, eyes glowing. She knew there was good in him -she had seen it.

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Naerwen stiffened at the coolness in Morfindien's voice. Although, it should not have surprised her, he had been the very same the first time she met him. "My lord, your sister means no harm. I cannot begin to imagine what has ran through your mind..." she stopped herself, knowing that any reminder of Ruscien would only anger Morfindien more. She steadied herself and fixed Morfindien with a challenging smile.

"Or do you miss me? Have I touched your hearts so soon" Morfindien had asked. Naerwen bit back a chuckle. "And what if we missed you?" Her brow raised delicately, her eyes glinting mischeviously.

"You are most welcome to join my court you know," Morfindien continued. "I am not so cold. It would be such a loss to see you gathered at the king's feet when you could be at mine." Naerwen listened to Evelyn's answer. She grinned to her companion, a tint of pride in her eyes. "Yes, Morfindien we do not gather at anyone's feet. One should be so lucky." Naerwen could sense Evelyn was growing weary of the Duke's games, but surmised that his character was not about to change. "I could barter with you all night my lord, but we have more pressing matters to deal with at the moment. I was hoping you would accompany us and share your knowledge and guidance on the matter?" Naerwen tilted her head to him, her cool mask gone and a genuine smile upon her face.

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(Hey guys I'll probably not be on 'till Tuesday- Going to visit my grandmother and get to set up her internet connection for her Hoping I can manage, but... Not too sure about the cables and the ... stuff )

Morfindien raised his eyebrows to the heaven's:"That is so very-" he paused for a moment "Noble of you. I do wish I had your resolve. I suppose things are different in Lorien nowadays. As to knowledge... It is most vast;" he licked the wine from his lips wickedly and continued in a low purr "Let me tell you, sweet maidens, the woods of Eryn Galen are growing darker even now, with the Dark Lord vanquished. One can only wonder," he leant forward slightly and offered the two women his goblet "Where the true evil of this world lies. It used to be that things were easier to discern. I fear for my liege. His ways grow ever stranger- he bargains and pressures and gifts me with all I wish; Then he takes it all away to leave me stripped and resourceless in this new Age of Man," he lowered his arm slowly and considered for a moment "When the damms broke that had been keeping Sauron's evil in Dol Goldur, when Thranduil needed his counselors- I was there. I sent my finest warriors, mothers, fathers, all of them, to his aid. To aid his people- Our people. I promise you, Eve," he gave a sulky smile "Had I known him to be so two faced, Illuvatar is my witness, I would have spared them their pain. Mirkwood would be kingless and I would be a good deal better of..."

Again he paused- Took a deep breath and stared hard at the two women. His heart was telling him he was wrong, that he was being unkind und cruel, but he felt a strange sort of thrill from speaking what he felt. So many had died. He too had lost friends. Perhaps it could have been averted, if he had not given in to the king's demands, if he had denied Rhavaniel and Ruscien his blessing. As he looked at Naerwen and Evelyn he felt ashamed of himself though and turned once again to the window, placing his goblet on the ledge. He moved his upper body out of the window, relishing the strength of the cool wind that blew from the west. Straight ahead lay Osiliath- It seemed a black mark on the landscape leading up to the mountains that formed the border to Mordor.

"Perhaps it would be better if you left," he said much quieter than he had spoken before "I am not myself. I cannot undo what has been done and I have no means so as not to disappoint my people. I-," he stopped himself as he felt his defenses waver. He faced them with a carefully guarded expression "Tell me, how is my sister? She will not visit me now. I cannot help her in her grief. I do not think I am cut out to feel what-" again he broke off "I think perhaps she awaits my
brother- her twin. He is to arrive today. He brings news from that fool. If you will not play," his eyes found Naerwen's quickly and he allowed himself a small smile "Then I must find something else to do, my dear. Tell me, who wishes to see me? Someone light hearted and nimble? Perhaps I shall see fit to accompany you, perhaps not."

His eyes glittered dangerously as he pulled himself up, shrugging of the shadow that had been on his mind. His insecurities were growing ever stronger now. He had nowhere left to run, but he would not cower, would not bow his head for one moment.

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. O r b i s N o n S u f f i c i t .

(Hey, Rhan, do you want to continue Legolas and Sadron's conversation or focus on Rhavaniel and Nostariel?)

Nostariel heard the knock and blessed the Valar that she had finally been able to tame her hair back into a tight braid.
"Come in." She wondered what she would say to the others, but only Rhavaniel entered her chamber alone. Nostariel suprisingly felt no anamosity towards the elf, instead she felt empathy. Here was someone who shared her grief, who really understood her.
"What a pair we make." Nostariel said, then she wrapped her arms around Rhavaniel and sobbed.

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Zirakzigil ai menu Duzhuk! Zirakzigil, at your service!
[~^!?]