08-[Dictated/Action]

[heal_theworld]

[Martel isn't quite sure what to say to him, but she needs to make sure he's all right, even if it does seem if he's ignoring her. She is worried about him. She knows he's still here, he just hasn't been around, and there's a lot of things she needs to tell him.]

...Are you all right? You haven't been around lately at all. You never answered my message earlier this month, either.


[Martel is sitting in the courtyard in a green winter coat she had the Castle magic up for her so she could be outside. Feel free to approach her, though she might be distracted.]

Comments

[heal_theworld]

I try not to despair either. The war has ended, and even though the tree had died, it has left us a seed to grow a new tree. [And even know she knows that things get worse before they get better, she is happy to know that.]

[inafadingcrown]

[The mention of the tree gets a visible reaction- her eyes widen and she turns to better observe the other woman. Martel's words bring back something that happened in Galadriel's own world long ago- a memory from the time that formed her.]

This tree you speak of- will you tell me more of it?

[heal_theworld]

Of course. The tree...The Giant Kharlan Tree, is the source of all mana in our world. Mana is in everything, from a blade of grass to the largest creature. So therefore, the tree is the source of all life. The elves planted the tree when they descended to Aselia from their comet, Derris-Kharlan.

[inafadingcrown]

[Somewhere between wistful and amused] Trees and stars- are there any worlds in which the elves are not drawn to them?

My own world has seen the destruction of sacred trees. The tale is quite different and yet, I imagine, much the same.

[heal_theworld]

...Could they have been the same type of tree? [Maybe they were the same type of elves, but then again, maybe not. Galadriel didn't have the right...feel of the elves she used to live with.]

[inafadingcrown]

I think not. You say your tree was planted by the elves. Mine were sung into existence by Yavanna herself, Giver of Fruits and Queen of the Earth. [There's a sort of awe and reverence in her voice when she speaks of any of the Valar, noticeable even to those who do not know of what she speaks.]

[heal_theworld]

[She senses that it is something very important to her.] ...Were the trees very beautiful?

[inafadingcrown]

Mere words may not express their radiance. Those were the days before the sun and the moon; the Two Trees alone lit the sky of Valinor.

[heal_theworld]

They...radiated light enough to shine so bright that you didn't have a sun or moon? That does sound rather beautiful. [She smiles softly.] Our tree did not radiate light. But even dying, it could be seen for miles upon miles from where it grew in the center of our world.

[inafadingcrown]

They did. The world was young then, and still a place of peace and starlight. [So long ago...] Your tree also sounds a sight most fair.

[heal_theworld]

It was. [She sighs.] I have never known peace. I don't remember the beginning of the Kharlan War, I'm much too young for that.

[inafadingcrown]

You said this war had lasted a thousand years? [If so, you are quite young, at least in her eyes.]

[heal_theworld]

Yes. I'm not sure if anyone alive remembers the beginning of the war. Maybe a few elves. Elves can only live at most for 1,000 years.

[inafadingcrown]

So short a time! My youngest grandchild has seen twice as many years. [She's still not used to the idea of other elves not being immortal. It's just strange.]

[heal_theworld]

And yet still long enough. Most humans find it unnatural. Which is one of the reasons why they persecute half-elves so. The elves keep to themselves, but...half elves generally don't. I've found that humans don't like to see what they cannot understand or what they don't like. [She's found that out the hard way.]

[inafadingcrown]

A trait not limited to the race of Man, I fear.

[heal_theworld]

I know it's not. Half-elves can be just as distrustful of humans and elves as humans can be of them. And the elves don't care as long as they are left alone. As long as nobody threatens their isolated way of life.

[inafadingcrown]

I am pleased to see you are an exception, then. [Or if you are mistrustful of her, you are, at least, courteous enough to hide it. And something clicks with her, rather suddenly.] Tell me, are you acquainted with Yuan? For he has expressed many of the same concerns. I believe he is wary of me still, though he would not admit as much, I am sure.

[heal_theworld]

[Martel blinks, and then starts to laugh.] Know him? I would hope so, since he is my fiance.

[inafadingcrown]

[Oh! Well, then! Galadriel will join in that laughter.] Forgive me, I did not know. May I offer my congratulations?

[heal_theworld]

Yes, you may. We've been engaged for a long time now, though. [She laughs.] Long before we both came here.

[inafadingcrown]

Then let the congratulations be on your reunion. It is a trying thing to be separated from one's beloved. [And Yuan has been here for quite some time.]

[heal_theworld]

Thank you, again. He's been separated from me longer than I have from him. Before I was brought here, he was right there. [He held her hand as she died. But that's a bit morbid right now.] ...Are you separated from your beloved?

[inafadingcrown]

[She holds out her right hand, drawing attention to the plain gold band on her index finger.]

My husband remains in Lórien.

[heal_theworld]

I am so sorry. If Yuan wasn't here, I'm not quite sure what I'd do. [Her other hand goes to the finger where her engagement ring used to sit.]