Video PSA

[so_dark_a_road]

[ This is the morning of Day 5 of the month of Domino. Curufin is in his cabin, having just awakened from an extremely vivid dream -- by falling out of his bunk and landing on the floor with a THUNK! Sorry about the racket, roomies! He climbs to his feet, and since he slept in his clothes, getting dressed is simple. He pulls on his boots, throws on his jacket, and goes to the ICP. ]

Good morning, all. Hate to bother you, but I've just had yet another prophetic dream.

I thought I was trapped inside a block of ice. Ice walls, ice floor, ice ceiling. I was freezing, and it was hard to start walking through this frozen passageway, but I did. The ice was so clear and transparent that at times it almost seemed. . . not there at all.

I spotted what I assumed was a gap or an exit up ahead, and I stepped towards it. But suddenly the world shook under my feet and the block shuddered and lurched, and I was thrown off my feet and crashed into the walls. It felt like the structure was tumbling, with me in it! The cold struck through my bones like knives every time I hit the ice.

I don't know what this means, but the dreams I had before the last two missions were true visions. I dreamed of goblins and flying wolves and a burning city, and that's what we found. The next time, I dreamed of a volcanic planet that was self-destructing, and that's exactly where we went.

So, I must believe we're going to a very wintery place this time.

I suggest to everybody, get your cold-weather gear together! [ His shoulders shake briefly with silent laughter. ] And bring a flask of vodka or whisky if you can.

Comments

[marriedanidiot]

You dreamt as well Atarinke?

[so_dark_a_road]

Yes! You too?

[marriedanidiot]

Aye, I did. Although mine was not so detailed as yours. You know the foresight runs stronger in your cousins.

[so_dark_a_road]

Can you tell me what you dreamed? It might help us to compare and see if anything was left out of one dream that was present in the other. Yes, I know my cousins have foresight too. I wonder if Findekáno had a dream?

[marriedanidiot]

I dreamt I stood on a mountain, and the winds were that of a blizzard the like of which is only seen on Taniquetil's highest peaks when Lord Manwe is in a playful mood, and the snow underfoot was deep.

[ Speaking of Findekano ]

Be kinder to your cousin.

[so_dark_a_road]

I remember climbing Taniquetil. [ Smile. ] The snow crunching under my feet and the wind trying to blow me off the mountain. [ It was FUN! ]

I'm trying, Mother. I'm pleased he's willing to talk with me at all, and when I speak to him, I try to remember what he's been through.

[marriedanidiot]

The Ice is no joke for your cousins. [ She reminds him ]

I know you mean no harm, but you only make him angry, to make seeming light of his people's hurts.

[so_dark_a_road]

No, it's no joke to Fingon, I'm sure. [ He doesn't in fact need reminding. He knows very well how wrong it had been to take the ships and leave his cousins and their people to cross the Helcaraxë on foot. ]

I make light of my own hurts, but I guess that's not the same as making light of his. All right, than I'll be serious when I talk to him. I don't know if it will make any difference, but I guess it's the least I can do.

[marriedanidiot]

I know you smile to cover your pains, dear one, but not all do.

[so_dark_a_road]

You know that about me, do you? [ Tender smile. ] No, Fingon doesn't smile. Sometimes he make ironic comments that might be taken for humor. I have never known whether he means them that way.

[marriedanidiot]

You are my son, Atarinke. [ She says tenderly ] I remember the boy you were, and I see him still, in the man you have become.

[so_dark_a_road]

You are my mother, Nerdanel daughter of Mahtan! That makes me the luckiest Elf in the world. I love it that you still see the boy I once was. What else do you see about me, besides the way I conceal my pain with humor?

[marriedanidiot]

I see that you raised a son who was strong enough to say no, and to make his own way in the world. I named you well, I think, Atarinke.

[so_dark_a_road]

I did love being a father. I strove to give my son confidence and as many skills as he might need. I hoped it would be enough. Yes, he was strong enough to say no to me, and that was a very good thing. If he'd followed me from Nargothrond, he'd have died with me in Doriath, and that would have been a very bad thing. I am grieved that he died later in Eregion, but proud of him for his creation of an Elvish-Dwarvish alliance there, and for the making of the Three Elven Rings, and for standing against Sauron to the best of his knowledge and ability.

[marriedanidiot]

He did very well. [ Nerdanel agrees ]

But that father's heart should understand then, Atarinke, that some hurts need a gentler hand. Your cousin deserves better from you.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ He looks at her for a moment. ]

You are right. From me, he deserves everything. Everything I can give.

[marriedanidiot]

[ Nerdanel smiles approvingly ]

I know you always do your best, my Atarinke.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ He smiles back at her, thankful for her support. ]

In this case, I want to do better than my best.

[marriedanidiot]

Then I am sure you will succeed.

[so_dark_a_road]

You have faith in me. I have always felt loved, valued, and trusted by you. I didn't live up to your belief in me during the years of the Oath, and I regret that and will always regret it.

[marriedanidiot]

My Atarinke... I am glad you have returned to me.

[so_dark_a_road]

I am glad, too. So very glad.

[marriedanidiot]

Come back to me safely, my dear.

[ ooc: end here? ]

[so_dark_a_road]

I promise. And you as well, dear Mother, come back safely. [ He gives her an adoring look. ]

[ OOC: Yes, good place to end! <3 ]