An Unexpected Visitor [open]

[silvertree]

Who: Celeborn & Whomever joins him.
What: Swept away by a sudden current, an ancient elf prowls the halls of Cair Paradisa in search of answers.
When: Midday
Where: The Lobby of the Fortress
Rating: PG-13



Unfamiliar gray-stoned walls welcomed Celeborn once the Elf first opened his eyes. It wasn't very often that the regal Lord of Lothlórien ever found himself at a loss for words but today he was. Imagine walking through the moonlight canopy of the Golden Woods, surrounded by wild flowers and fireflies only to be suddenly whisked away to some stoney castle. Celeborn couldn't quite believe his eyes as he stalked down the hallways in total silence. His long gray velvet robes tailed behind him as he crept silently along the halls. Almost tempted to believe that this was nothing more than a mere dream, Celeborn suddenly found himself standing before a spiraling staircase. The white marble stairs caught his eye as his fingers caressed the smooth wooden bannister beside him.

Not a single word were uttered from the ancient's lips as he eyed the grand lobby of this estate with reserved wonder. While he's certainly likened to a "king" by his people, Celeborn never possessed much fondness for such gaudy decor. This castle looked like something out of fairytale yet oddly reminiscent to the grand halls of Minas Anor, the City of Kings in Gondor. While Celeborn had visited there once before many centuries ago, he remembered eying the lavish decor in great fascination much like now. Deciding to descend, Celeborn loosely held onto the bannister as he walked towards the lobby below. "Such a sight to behold." he said aloud with mild intrigue. "But is this a castle worthy of a king?"

Of course the Elven Lord doubted he was alone within this palace but so far he hasn't seen a single soul yet. With a castle as grand and luxurious as this, Celeborn expected to at least run into a servant or two during his languid exploration of this nameless estate. An explanation must be had, someone has to know why he was summoned here.

Comments

[inafadingcrown]

Passing through this lobby has become a daily occurrence for Galadriel. For nearly a year and half now she has gone about her business, doing what she could to find a way out and protect her fellow prisoners. Today had started no differently than any other. But then she spotted him.

She froze in place. The Lady of Light was very seldom taken off guard, but this- she had almost resigned herself to the fact that she would not see him until she was returned to her home. And now he was here, standing before her. It was enough to make her feel like a girl again, her heart pounding in her chest at the mere sight of him.

"My Lord?" There's doubt in her voice. She just can't help it. A part of her wonders if he isn't simply another look-alike or some cruel trick of the castle. But she hopes. She always hopes. And so, as she continues, her voice grows softer. More gentle.

"Celeborn?"

[silvertree]

His wife's presence was felt long before she entered the lobby. Celeborn could literally hear her near soundless approach, his gaze already focused upon the doorway. However, what he didn't expect was the troubled look of apprehension that settled within her bright blue eyes. His dearest queen was pale from shock as she gazed at him. It was almost as if she hadn't expected to see him here, if ever. This perplexed look within her eyes unnerved him enough to speak.

"My lady?" he called to her affectionately. "Galadriel, has something gone awry?" Deciding he would be the one to close the distance between them, Celeborn approached with worry. Typically he wouldn't be so bold as to show affection in public but Celeborn's gentle hand soon came to caress Galadriel's cheek. "A'maelamin?" He must've looked rather confused right now, an expression that isn't typically shown often. While he would like to question as to why they're here, Celeborn is more concerned about his wife's well-being above all things else.

She almost looked as if she was about to either sob or perhaps cry for joy. "Tell me what ails you." Believing that she's unwell, Celeborn's gentle caresses became more frequent now. The tips of his fingers traveled down from her cheek and to her shoulder before he leaned in fully to embrace her. Celeborn was silent as he held her, quite eager to hear her utter anything to him.

[inafadingcrown]

She leaned in to his touch, briefly closing her eyes. Such a simple form of affection and yet how she had missed it. She was in his arms again and that was a gift even she had not foreseen. Finally, she regained enough of her senses to utter a reply- and the first thing to spring from her lips was a laugh.

"My love, only you would shift your concern so quickly to another. I am well- better now, I think, than I have been in some time."

However content she would be to simply remain here like this, wrapped in his embrace, she owes him an explanation. Galadriel pulled back, watching his face carefully. "You have only just arrived, have you not? There is much I must tell you."

[silvertree]

His worries ceased to be once his beloved began to speak. Celeborn had feared that his wife was in some kind of jeopardy but it seems he has no reason to fret. Instead, he gathered more of her in his arms once her joyous laughter reached his ears. "Only you spark such selflessness in me, my love." He whispered softly before Galadriel could pull away. If there wasn't such urgency in her gaze, Celeborn would've acted quickly to steal a kiss. However the troubled gleam in his beloved's eyes halted him.

"Indeed, I have only just arrived." he replied quickly as to not delay her. "Speak for I shall listen." While he could somewhat guess what this was all about, Celeborn much rather push his thoughts aside for now and listen to what she has to say. They were both trapped here in a palace it seems but for what reason? Neither of them would willing stray far from the woods no matter what the circumstance.

[inafadingcrown]

There will be time enough for kisses later, something of which she intends to take full advantage. She was currently more concerned with trying to decide just where to begin. He wouldn't think her mad; he's one of the few with whom that would never be a concern. But she did not not wish to overwhelm him.

"There is a magic at work here beyond any of our ken." It was a logical enough place to begin. "How this place brings us here, I do not yet know, but none have yet been able to escape its grasp."

She paused before adding- "I have been here well over a year now."

[silvertree]

The time discrepancy of it all highly worried Celeborn, especially since just a moment ago he and his wife met with the fellowship at Caras Galadon. There without the Grey Wizard's presence, they gave counsel to the ring-bearer and his men, then even offered them shelter within their city. If Galadriel had been missing for a whole year before that encounter, then surely the fellowship would've never stepped one foot into the Golden Woods. It was Galadriel herself who chose to meet with them, a move that Celeborn wasn't quite pleased with. He desired greatly for the One-Ring to be cast out of his realm but his wife spoke of aiding rather than shunning them.

Now thinking more about this faithful meeting, Celeborn found himself somewhat distracted by his thoughts. "A year?" he repeated incredulously. "The magic that traps us is powerful indeed if it's capable of delaying you here for a year." Not even certain if such magic exists in their realm, the Elvenlord found himself yearning to learn more.

"What is the purpose behind our stay here?"

[inafadingcrown]

"Time flows strangely in this place." She said in response to his unasked question. "They say when we are returned to our homes, it will be from the moment we left them. I have reason to believe that this is so."

Others of their world have come and gone. They would have noted her absence, if that was not the case. His next question, however, caused a visible reaction. She frowned, her brow furrowing ever so slightly.

"Nothing is known with any degree of certainty. However... it is thought that the castle draws its power from us- from our spirits and emotions. We are not only meant to be pawns, it seems, but a meal as well."

And she did not take kindly to it. Even after all this time, her voice took on a tone of indignation when she spoke of it.

[silvertree]

The disgust within his wife's tone was obvious likened to the flicker of rage that passed through his gaze. It was one thing for them to be kidnapped as mere pawns but were also meant to be food as well? Whomever it is that rules this realm shall surely regret the day they reunited the Moon with his Sun. Celeborn didn't even need to speak to express his discontent because he was certain that Galadriel could sense it.

"Then it would seem we have much to do." His creed to escape from this den was murmured cryptically for only her elven ears to hear. "The night has bewitched us with illusions but the day shall uncover truth." Somewhat desiring to know if others have been returned home or not, Celeborn's thoughts suddenly strayed back to Arda. "Tell me-" he suddenly began. "Why is it that a paradise such as this would require our spirits or emotions to keep it stable? Are there no natives to this realm?"

If everyone else inhabiting the castle all hail from foreign lands, then who's keeping them here? There has to be someone here in Paradisa that knows the answer to this. No kingdom could possibly exist with no people.

[inafadingcrown]

She did sense it and, oddly enough, it was reassuring. She had allies, of course, and she had not been idle in her time here, but progress was slow. It was a comfort to have him here, for he was her partner in all things. They had faced so much together. It was easier to believe that this too was simply another obstacle they would overcome hand in hand.

"There is a small village nearby and, to our knowledge, most who live there are natives. However..."

She paused, searching for words to explain what she had felt. It did not take a mystic to see that there was something 'off' about the people in town, but to Galadriel it was even more obvious. They felt differently to her mind.

"They are not as they should be. Questioning them is of little use."

[hvic]

"There is no king or leader in this castle." Her voice was cold and bitter in response to his comment. She had heard it from her spot in the lobby, clutching her journal tightly in her grip, and looked up at him once he was in the lobby. She could hear every word spoken in this castle within eye sight, and it was annoying. She supposed Edward had it worse, though, hearing thoughts as well.

What she was wearing was in no way practical - a long, flowing dress in a shade of red that accentuated her pale skin - but she could wear what she damn well pleased.

[silvertree]

A woman clad in red spoke to him with a bitterness Celeborn heard often within the voices of humans. While he was certainly unaware of Rosalie's otherworldly powers, the Elvenlord could at least sense something is amidst about her. Gazing down at the young woman as he walked down the stairs, Celeborn came to an immediate halt once he reached the last step. She was indeed dressed rather impractically but he had no right to judge her for it. That lovely shade of scarlet suited her well and gave color to her unnaturally pale skin. She almost looked reminiscent of fair the Princess of Doriath if it wasn't for her bright blond hair. The lovely Lúthien was known and prized for her dark locks but also valued for the fairness of her near pearlescent skin. While this woman couldn't possibly capture the full essence of Lúthien's ethereal beauty, Rosalie certainly comes rather close.

Offering her a questioning gaze, Celeborn speaks once more. "I take it that this estate doesn't possess a master at all." Not knowing how right he was, the Elvenlord let's his gaze stray from the blond and up towards the impressive chandelier that hung above. "Rather wasteful. I see no need for such lavishness if they aren't being utilized."

[hvic]

"This castle is full of extravagances that are unneeded." Rosalie kept her eyes on him. The chandelier was something she was used to; a symbol of riches she had grown up with and had stayed with in her decades with the Cullens. Extravagances that were pleasing to the eyes rarely captivated her attention for more than a few fleeting moments.

"And with none of the necessities, like a proper calendar." She kept her gaze on him, unblinking. Blinking was a habit she hadn't kept, nor was breathing; she liked being the statue of perfection, unmoving and beautiful. Somebody... a memory kept it this way. She couldn't remember what or who, though.

[silvertree]

There's something mildly disturbing about this pale beauty. While she certainly seemed as average as any mortal woman, there's something almost surreal about her. Once Celeborn's gaze returned to Rosalie, the Elvenlord found himself somewhat unnerved by how still she was.

It's as if he's speaking with a statue rather than a living person. Not once did she blink her eyes and not once did she utter a single breath. She was cold and frigid almost if she was carved out of ice. Not quite sure what to make of this odd woman, Celeborn averted his perplexed gaze from her yet again as he spoke. This time he was focusing his sights elsewhere as he leisurely strolled around the lobby.

"Quite a shame that." he replied idly in hopes that this woman couldn't sense his mild distress. "One such as I have very little need for extravagance and in truth would rather have necessities rather than luxury." That's the honest truth. Celeborn sees no need in such fanciness and never will.

[hvic]

She noticed-- body language was not a foreign language to her. She had a vague idea of what it was, as well; her lack of breathing and blinking had been unsettling to many humans throughout the decades, she supposed. Before, she would have been careful to at least try to do it whenever she made eye contact with one. Here she felt no desire to try.

"Perhaps you will change your mind here. After all, this castle feeds on wishes of extravagance and luxury." She moved her gaze from him to her nails, sharp and as hard as her marble-like skin. "Your wish is its command."

[silvertree]

"Then I wish for nothing other than my freedom." he stated a little too quickly for someone who've only just arrived in this strange castle.

Not at all fond of the arrangements made here, Celeborn found himself already trying to think of ways to escape. Despite all the troubles that plague his homeland, the Elvenlord would much rather be in Middle-earth than here. Nothing about this castle interests him and he has no need to live out the rest of his day in idle comfort. His people needs him and the crisis that has overtook Arda beckons him to act. The Fellowship is in need of guidance and the fate of Middle-earth itself rests upon the hands of a noble few.

Feeling strangely anxious now, Celeborn decides to shift the conversation elsewhere. "I take it that your not a native here." he stated for the sake of learning more about this pale beauty. "If so, where do you hail from?"

[hvic]

She didn't bother telling him that it was useless to wish for such abstract things. Only physical possessions, nothing more. It was strange how the wishes had limitations. At his question she looks back up at him with piercing yellow eyes.

"I was in Alaska before I was brought here." Her eyes narrowed slightly. She could remember her time there, but ... something was missing. She couldn't place what, but it was there. Something missing in her mind. "I was born in Rochester."

[silvertree]

His stern gaze shifted into mild intrigue as she spoke briefly about her origins. Alaska? Celeborn certainly doesn't know of any realm possessing that name or any town nor kingdom by the name of Rochester. Quickly assessing that this woman hailed from foreign shores, Celeborn decided not to question her origins anymore. Perhaps it would be best that they kept the topic focused upon castle only but even that wouldn't be useful. Judging by how she hadn't answered his previous words, the Elvenlord knew that "freedom" wouldn't be possible in the form of a mere wish. Only these lavish luxuries could be wished for but nothing else.

"How many days has past since you've been summoned here?" Still content to keep the conversation pinned upon the statuesque blond, Celeborn allowed his thoughts to stray elsewhere. If he couldn't wish for his freedom, then how shall he achieve it? Until now, the blond hadn't mentioned any names or spoke of any reason as to why they're here. Instead, she looked quite reserved and seemed almost at some kind of nonchalant peace with her fate here. Most captives would show more distress and emotion at being ripped away from their homes but Rosalie almost acts as if this gilded cage is quite pleasant.

[radiantwingedone]

Not that he could say he was familiar with the steps of everyone in the castle, but there was something a bit... different, about the way this one walked? Duke could, occasionally, start taking guesses as to gender, or at least height, by listening to walk now...

Of course, the voice was a very clear pointer for one or the other. Duke makes his careful way about the edge of the lobby, waiting until the sounds of movement were closer to lobby level before replying.

"Castle seems to believe it is. Although whether worthy of, or the king itself, different matter."

[silvertree]

A silence settled between the two as Celeborn searched for the origin of that reply. Uncertain what to make of that answer, the Elvenlord held his tongue once he spotted the white-haired man nearby. Not too many humans in the the prime of their youth possessed white hair and crimson eyes. The young man's appearance was somewhat alarming but not enough to cause emotions to stir upon Celeborn's stoic features. Instead, the elf simply stared at Duke with an impassive gaze.

"Oh?" he eyes the young man with hint of curiosity. "Do you know much about this castle?" In hopes of finding someone who could explain why he's been summoned here, Celeborn decides to indulge himself in some much needed dialogue about this strange realm. Whether or not Duke's words will be helpful has yet to be known.

[radiantwingedone]

"Not as much as some, more than a few. Not quite... current, with knowledge." Now that Celeborn has talked, Duke can focus more or less on the right... area, not quite looking at him.

"Seems to be sentient, to be both malicious and whimsical, providing and uncaring. Those who find themselves here have room provided, a kitchen well stocked, and grounds to explore. Simply not within own power to leave."

[silvertree]

It didn't take long for Celeborn to suspect that the young man was blind but he chose not to speak of it in worry of offending him. Instead, the Elvenlord listened intently to what the pale-haired youth had to say. If he could at least make sense of his arrival here, then maybe Celeborn could possibly find a way to escape.

"Trapped within a glided cage with all the luxuries we desire but for what reason, I ask?"

[radiantwingedone]

He doesn't particularly mind when people figure it out - although those who like to wave their hands in front of his face to double check are a little annoying.

"Emotions. Every so often, something happens and ....shakes the cage. The castle alters to other locations, something more is taken, forms or memories are altered. The reactions of those who are involved provide fuel of some sort to it."

[silvertree]

Duke certainly won't have to worry about such foolishness now. The Elvenlord would hardly ever be that rude to anyone even if they are Men or Dwarves. Celeborn prides himself in his humility and typical treats others with the respect he would demand for himself. While he's certainly not perfect in any sense of the word, Celeborn at leas tries to keep his haughty nature at bay. Whether or not he's successful is another matter all by itself but Duke has no reason to fret.

Somewhat wondering if this man was born blind or was blinded by accident, Celeborn had to force his gaze away from those blank crimson eyes once he realized that he had been staring. "Therefore the castle feeds off of our emotions?" he had to arch his brow at that idea.

"What kind of sorcery is this?"

[radiantwingedone]

"A complicated sort, if followed the laws I am familiar with." He can't really say he's relieved when that sensation of being watched shifts.

"Theory seems to be that it is off of 'life force', and the fluctuations caused by high or low emotions produces energy that the castle needs to survive. Thus those who find themselves here. .... Although this is mostly second-hand knowledge. I have not gone to these 'expeditions', to explore for further answers." Not quite bitter, but clearly aware that it was because he can't see.

[silvertree]

For a moment, Celeborn said nothing. He merely watched the blind youth would a look that would never be seen by those sightless crimson eyes. A tinge of anger filtered within the Elvenlord's gaze, one that would've spoke of his dislike for this magical castle and its unearthly power. However, no such gaze could be seen by Duke and so they were missed completely by him. Yet if Duke listens closely, he might be able to hear the slight anger in Celeborn's tone instead. "Sometimes the answers sought are right under our noses and not aboard."

Mentions of the expeditions certainly sparks great interest in Celeborn but he decides not to speak of it. Instead, he focuses his thoughts upon the theory purposed. "You mean to state that this realm would surely crumble had it not been for us unwilling souls to pass through these unseen gates?" He nearly scoffed at that idea. "Quite strange that such a realm would need the aid of others in such a way. Are there no natives to this realm or are they simply not worthy enough as a sacrifice?" As far as he's concerned, it would seem that Paradisa itself seems to desire to use them all as sacrificial lambs for its wayward whimsy.