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

[silvertree]

[ Celeborn could easily sense that not all was well with the youngster but he didn't want to overstep his boundaries. Whatever ails poor Arya Stark must be something grave enough to warrant the concern of others. He could just tell from Galadriel's tone alone that something is amidst here but Celeborn didn't want to voice such a thought in fear of scaring Arya off.

Instead, he offered the child a reserved smile as he gestured for her to sit by them. ]

As my wife says, you are more than welcome to join us.

[persequor]

[ The look Arya aims at Galadriel is not a glare, but certainly wants to be. You've no right to knowledge of me. If I don't want to talk, I don't have to.

There might also be a "You're not my mom" thrown somewhere in there.

Before she can say thank you but no, her stomach decides to growl. Rather loudly. Arya can feel herself turning red up to her ears. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[Whatever effect that glare might have had is rather ruined by Ayra's blush. Galadriel just pats the ground next to her. She won't say anything more of it; she promises.]

[silvertree]

[ Now offering some fruit to the poor girl, Celeborn couldn't help but about the whereabouts of Arya's mother and father. Surely the girl wasn't separated from her family...]

Come sit. You are famished.

[persequor]

[ "No, I'm not" doesn't work so well after that. Arya sits where Galadriel motioned, folding her legs underneath her. She waits for the food to be offered to her instead of reaching out and claiming her share as is her wont.

Nymeria sits beside her obediently without need for command. There's nothing aggressive about her, but the direwolf is too alert and watching the elves too carefully to be relaxed. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[And Galadriel will offer her bits of this and that- say what you will of the elves, they are good hosts.] You have a most dutiful guardian, Arya. She has scarcely taken her eyes from us.

[silvertree]

[ Offering Arya some dried meats and cheese to snack upon, Celeborn casts his eyes upon the dire wolf. ]

Most dutiful indeed. However, will she simply watch us as you continue to dine?

[ He's tempted to offer some food to Nymeria now. ]

[persequor]

[ Arya glances at Nymeria as she's about to pop one of the cubes of cheese in her mouth. ]

She doesn't warm to people easy. Easily. But she knows to behave. [ Unless provoked. Arya holds out some of the meat and Nymeria eats it from her hand. With the same hand, Arya pets her neck. ]

[inafadingcrown]

That is apparent enough.

[She's a little bit fascinated with the scene and the connection between the girl and the direwolf.]

However did you train her?

[silvertree]

[ He's equally fascinated with the dire wolf but only because it reminds him of the connection he once shared with one of his prized horses. Elves tend not to be fond of wolves or any carnivorous beast that preys on others. However, there's something almost mystical about Nymeria that sparks his intrigue with the creature. ]

[persequor]

[ Arya opens her mouth to answer when she realizes she does not know. Nymeria would be stubborn sometimes and refuse to do what Arya wanted, but she never misbehaved really. Nymeria always seemed to know what Arya wanted, what to do, what not to. The dogs would act up as they were being trained, but not the direwolves. Well, none except for Shaggydog, but Shaggy was Rickon's and Rickon was still little. ]

Direwolves are smarter than dogs and wolves. They learn quickly. I'd tell her not to do something and she wouldn't.

[inafadingcrown]

[Somehow, that doesn't surprise Galadriel very much. Between the connection she could sense between girl and direwolf and what she had observed, she had already suspected the answer might be something along those lines.]

And I will wager she listens to you over any other.

[silvertree]

Fascinating.

[ The Elvenlord uttered under his breath. ]

I never thought that such a bond could be forged, but now I see I was wrong.

[persequor]

I raised her.

[inafadingcrown]

That explains much. [Not all. But much.]

[silvertree]

In truth, that would explain why she has taken to you so well.

Am I to believe that others of your house possess such companionship?

[persequor]

Only my brothers. My sister had one, but Lady died. [ Her voice remains even throughout. ]

[inafadingcrown]

I am sorry to hear it. [Her voice also remains even. If Arya isn't upset, then there's no reason to dwell on it.] Have you many brothers and sisters?

[silvertree]

[ While Arya certainly doesn't seem very troubled by the death of the wolf named "Lady", Celeborn couldn't help but wonder why the beast died. Judging by how tall and robust Nymeria is, Celeborn doubts that a dire wolf could be killed easily. It's not his place to pry however. The girl is already on edge around them and that dire wolf of hers seems even less fond of them.

Wondering if little Arya would actually be so willing to answer his wife's questions, Celeborn silently offered the girl more fruit to snack upon. ]

Eat your fill, young one.

[persequor]

[ "Seem" being the keyword here. Arya can speak of Lady easily and is even getting better at speaking of her brothers without wanting to scream, but the steady stream of questions only serve to put her further on edge. Her shoulders hunch slightly as she tries to think of a way to leave without appearing impolite.

Galadriel's question she answers with a simple, "Yes," and refuses to elaborate. Although she accepts the fruit with a wordless nod of thanks, she does not raise it to her mouth. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[Between Arya's simple answer and Celeborn's changing of the subject, Galadriel finally realizes she's been pushing. A glance at Celeborn is her wordless thanks to him; of course he was able to see she was going too far. He always has been.

She'll remain silent for now and allow the girl some space.]

[silvertree]

[ Now that his wife has ceased in her relentless questioning, Celeborn decides to drive the conversation with idle talk. As much as he would love to learn about the Starks, it would seem that this little one is unwilling to answer. ]

Tell me about your world, Arya. Surely there are wondrous locations there that cannot be easily replicated within Paradisa.

[persequor]

[ Winterfell. ]

There's the Wall.

[inafadingcrown]

[Her initial reaction is to dive in with a question about this Wall, but given Arya's reaction to her earlier questions, Galadriel opts to allow Celeborn to do the talking and takes a drink of wine instead.]

[silvertree]

"The Wall?"

[ The Elvenlord's brow arched high. ]

Now what would be so unique about a mere wall?