Introducing the People of Paradisa

[silvertree]

Who: The Lord and Lady of Lothlórien & Everyone
What: While the two love birds have a romantic picnic within the courtyard, several nosy imps decide to crash their little party.
When: Midday
Where: The Gardens
Rating: PG-13 and much embarrassment on Celeborn's part.

[The gentle autumn breeze welcomed the two star-crossed lovers as they dined together upon several blankets spun from the finest wool. It was the perfect afternoon for a picnic, one comprised of clear sunny skies damped in bright cyan and fluffy white clouds that rolled past in an endless march to the distant horizon. Such a day was like most others here in paradise but what made this day so unique from others was two lovers who sat under the shadow of a sturdy maple tree. They dined and laughed in unison, the two of them greatly enjoying their time together in the form of flirtatious quips and innocent kisses. It was quite ridiculous how in love these two were but anyone with eyes could tell that they're definitely take their vows seriously.

Gently brushing his lips against Galadriel's hand, Celeborn was honestly not aware of the small crowd that gathered nearby. It seemed that many of Galadriel's friends have taken an interest in their timeless romance, many of which seemed more impish than curious. While he most certainly welcomes any and all of his wife's dear friends, Celeborn might be the first to remind them that this sacred time he shares with his beloved is his and his alone.

The Lord of Lothlórien can be a tad selfish like that.]

The glorious shine of the day fails in comparison to your beauty, my eternal queen.

[He whispers quietly with a faint smirk curling upon his lips. Celeborn could go on for days in admiration of Galadrial's celestial beauty but he rather not embarrass her so in public.]

Comments

[wilder]

[He hears that, and cants his head a little. And he'll return a smile as they approach]

Good afternoon, my lady Galadriel. And this is...? [he knows already, but he'll let her introduce!]

[inafadingcrown]

Zelos, allow me to present my husband, Lord Celeborn. [And turning to her husband.] Zelos has been most kind to me in my time here. He is a trusted friend.

[silvertree]

[ "A trusted friend?" Celeborn smiled inwardly at that. It seemed that his beloved has made quite a few friends in his absence. This pleases him greatly. ]

Then it pleases me all the more meet with such a dear friend, my queen.

[ He replies with a hint of mirth in his tone, just a bare hint. ]

'Tis an honor, Zelos.

1/2

[wilder]

[Whoa did she just- what? His eyes betray a bit of surprise being addressed like that. To her husband no less. That...is pretty shocking]

[wilder]

[But he recovers, and smiles back at him in the polite manner]

The honor's all mine, Lord Celeborn! I hope Paradisa's been treating you well?

[inafadingcrown]

[Zelos, really. For an exceedingly intelligent man, you are a complete idiot. She had thought she made it plain enough in her words and deeds, but apparently Zelos needs these things spelled out for him.

She says nothing, allowing Celeborn to answer for himself, but she certainly caught that brief expression and it shows in her smile; she's rather surprised that he's surprised.]

[silvertree]

[ That look of surprise certainly doesn't go unnoticed by Celeborn who's intently studying the red-haired youth before him. Did he miss something just now? It seems that his wife's kind words have shocked Zelos into brief silence. Somewhat humored by the surprise that lingered upon Zelos' face, Celeborn briefly turned his gaze to Galadriel. ]

One of many trusted friends, my love?

[ He smiles as he turned to greet Zelos again. ]

All is well, I suppose. While I'm not certainly fond of the situation, I cannot help but confess that I'm growing quite used to these strange lands.

[wilder]

[Whatever you two, he can't help still getting used to having people say that and actually MEAN it!]

Heh...that's usually the case with this place. As long as you don't get too comfortable here, it's fine.

[inafadingcrown]

I would not say many... [She had many friends, yes, but she considers Zelos among the more capable of them.]

[A little chuckle] I do not think my lord likely to grow complacent. He has too keen a mind for that.

[silvertree]

How could a sparrow who once knew freedom become complacent within a glided cage?

[ He frowns somewhat. ]

Despite all luxuries given and all wishes granted, I will yearn for freedom more so than any gift this realm could grant me.

[wilder]

[Oh Celeborn, he likes you. He doesn't get to hear too many people think of this place as a gilded cage, even if that's what it is]

Heh, wise outlook. I think your Lady said something similar when I first got here.

Fortunately, there are people who are looking into finding a way out. Unfortunately, it's slow going.

[inafadingcrown]

Then it is well we have more patience than most. [Because, you know, immortality. You look at time a little differently.]

[silvertree]

As long as the search continues, then the hour of our eventual victory draws ever nearer.

[ He then turns to Galadriel with a meaningful gleam within his gaze. ]

All that has been lost shall be returned.

[wilder]

Right.

[Man he notices that look and suddenly feels like he's by one of those awkward personal moments where people have deep and meaningful losses and...he does not]

[inafadingcrown]

[She just slides her hand over and brushes her fingertips against Celeborn's, grateful for that bit of quiet reassurance.]

And until that day, we must care for one another as best we can. We should all be allies here, for have a common enemy.

[silvertree]

[ A solemn nod was his reply regarding the secretive promise he made to his beloved queen. ]

Indeed, I see no need for any of us to be forced against the other. Our focus should lie in our safe return to the realms we've unwillingly forsook.

[wilder]

[a slight frown on his part. ]

As nice as that would be...I'm not sure how possible that'd be. We got a lot of people from all sorts of backgrounds and viewpoints, you know?

And with the castle's tendencies to pull people with connections to one another, there's a lot of history of past grievances and clashes. And that's even before you even think about the typical loon that likes to cause problems for the hell of it.

[inafadingcrown]

Oh, I am well aware. Do not think I have been here as long as I have without noting such things.

Yet I still think it something to aspire to; our personal grievances should wait. I do not speak of peace for its own sake, but for the sake of productivity. But, alas, I am also aware that not all will listen to reason.

[silvertree]

Only a fool would allow their personal standings with another blind them from the goal at hand.

[ Those words were said rather sternly from Celeborn. ]

Our petty grievances mean nothing when the real threat looms overhead.

[wilder]

...With all due respect, I think if say, the murderer of your family were to show up here, it would goes beyond simple petty grievances and foolishness - don't you think so?

I mean, I agree the higher goal should be to get out of here, but...[not that simple. Never will be that simple]

[inafadingcrown]

[She bites her lip in thought, remembering her brothers. She put their deaths at the feet of Morgoth and he would be a danger in any world. But she remembers the anger and the hurt.]

I do understand. And such scenarios show more clearly than any others the inadequacy of the systems we have in place here. [Because just killing someone for revenge is not an option for her. Justice is different from revenge.]

Yet the majority of the conflict I have seen here has not been of that nature. The few times I have seen the castle erupt into outright hostilities, it has been some senseless grab for power or an insistence on wanton cruelty without reason. [She's thinking of Riful here, and of Legato.]

I do not expect enemies to ignore all that has passed between them. I would expect that they refrain from committing atrocities on the general public or otherwise involving them in their conflict.

[silvertree]

Any further atrocities should be avoided at all costs, but--

[ His eyes close for a brief moment. ]

But perhaps I spoke too soon when accessing all grievances as petty. Not even the wisest of men could forgive so easily and quickly, therefore I do not have the right to suggest others should.

[wilder]

[Yeah, he sorta lost any faith in any system here when he arrived and found out who was heading the now deceased Peace Patrol, but he won't mention that]

Yeah, but I wish luck to anyone who does come up with a system for this place. [Sure won't be him]

[He shrugs at Celeborn]

It's alright, you aren't wrong that some are rather senseless and petty. Especially if they get other people caught in their crossfire. There's no excuse for that, even if your reasons for hostilities are valid.

[inafadingcrown]

As do I. The last attempt ended in something of a disaster. [That meeting. Things would be much easier if they just let her rule them.]

[silvertree]

Yet, it would truly be impossible for all of us to gather in unity when many of us aspire for individual goals. This is a fact we must accept if we yearn to bring unity amongst us.

[ He paused briefly once Galadriel mentioned something about a "last attempt". ]

Has something gone awry prior to my arrival here?