dictated

[waterbends]

So the guests we had during the festival -- one of them was Avatar Roku, a.. well, sort of celebrated hero from my world. Maybe - well. It's complicated. But he's still kind of a hero of legend, and I also kind of chickened out while he was here.

.. and I'm not entirely sure why I'm telling the whole castle this, either. [A small puff of irritation.] Just, um. If you have a chance at something here, I guess, don't chicken out and let it get away. I guess. Agh, I'm rambling worse than my brother.

[And, sounding slightly embarrassed, she shuts the journal.]

Comments

[inafadingcrown]

[And she will accept it gracefully, waiting for Katara to begin eating before she does so.]

The food shall be, I am sure, for the hospitality offered me here has already won my favor.

[waterbends]

[She seems a little embarrassed by that.]

It's just no fun eating alone, and I was getting ready to cook.. that's all.

[inafadingcrown]

It was kind of you, nonetheless. [Moving on.] You said you cook often at home?

[waterbends]

I did! Um. My mother passed when we were very young, and my dad went off to war.. my gran-gran and I did a lot of looking after our tribe, with the men gone. So it kind of fell to us.

[inafadingcrown]

A heavy responsibility for one so young. [But there's no pity in her voice. If anything, she sounds impressed.]

[waterbends]

[Katara smiles at her, glad to hear someone sound impressed instead of apologetic for once.]

I did my best. That's what tribes and families do, right?

[inafadingcrown]

It is what they should do, yes. Alas, it is not always so.

[waterbends]

-- I guess you have a point. I was lucky.. it's what mine did.

[inafadingcrown]

And I am glad of it. [She offers a slight smile] Of course, I would know little of tribes myself. My people tend towards kingdoms, historically. [Government is so much easier when you have the final word.]

[waterbends]

Mm. The Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom were both set up as kingdoms. And even the Northern Water Tribe had a leader and princess. We were just a little -- small in the South, thanks to the wars.

[inafadingcrown]

That I understand better than I would like. I fear many here do.

[waterbends]

It'd be nice if most of us had more than war at home to bond over.

[inafadingcrown]

We do, though some may not see it. Do we not all love? Have we not all felt the pain of loss? Be they kith or kin, we have all been parted from those we hold dear.

We are not so different as we may appear, I think.

[waterbends]

I guess you're right. It's hard to think that way sometimes; people here tend to be pretty private about that sort of thing. Not that I blame them.. I'm the same way.

[A pause. Belatedly, she realizes she isn't eating and hastily does!]

[inafadingcrown]

As am I. [Galadriel pauses to eat for a moment, as she has been during the lulls in the conversation.]

Yet I am certain of it, for it is true of all beings who have still light and goodness within their hearts. Long have I lived and many things have I seen, both fell and grand, but this is as constant as the stars.

[waterbends]

[Galadriel's words relax her a little bit and she puts her eating utensils down, folding her hands on the table.]

You seem very wise. [And it's not facetious or scornful. Katara is earnest.]

[inafadingcrown]

[Galadriel smiles faintly in response] What wisdom I have comes with time and much experience.

[And being able to see into people's minds and hearts, but that tends to disturb people when she mentions it, for some reason.]

[waterbends]

[Yep! That would probably bother her a little bit, too.]

My grandma is just as wise. [A pause.] -- not that I'm comparing you to my grandmother!

[inafadingcrown]

[She laughs] I would be honored had that been your intention. I have grandchildren of my own; I know how deeply the bond runs.

[waterbends]

You have grandchildren?

[inafadingcrown]

I do- twin grandsons and a granddaughter. The latter has graced these halls with her presence. Did you chance to encounter the Lady Arwen Undómiel?

[waterbends]

I haven't seen her -

[And you seem way too young to have grandchildren, but Katara won't bring that up.]

- but Arwen is a beautiful name.

[inafadingcrown]

I find it so; I am glad you agree [A soft smile. She will dote on her grandchildren forever] It means "Noble Maiden" in Sindarin.

[waterbends]

My mother was named Kya.. I think it's one of my favorite names. It's simple, but gorgeous. [She's kind of just pushing her food around on her plate at this point.]

[inafadingcrown]

It is beautiful indeed. [Her eyes flicker from the plate to Katara's face, but, other than a slight softening of her tone, she makes no indication she's noticed that anything is off.] Katara is as well.