Tl;dr: Screw accurate calendars, let's celebrate anyway

[faithfulwisdom]

Who: Finrod Felagund
Broadcast: fleetwide
Action: Bishop
When: backdated a few days, let's say the 26th.

[Congratulations, Drift Fleet. You are being treated to a little tune of Finrod's own composition. Because some days, you just feel like announcing things in verse, apparently.]

When the night is at its longest, we gather ‘round the fire
Drink is shared and tales are told as the flames grow ev’r higher.

The custom comes to naught without a sun to mark the days,
But merry voices hold shadows of many kinds at bay.

Our journey is no garden path; we do not walk with ease.
Any reason for song and drink is one that must be seized.

[Okay, okay. He'll put down the harp and address the camera a bit more serious. Only a bit, though- there's nothing truly serious about any of this.]

In other words, my friends, Turuhalmë, an annual celebration of my people is, I think, here. It’s impossible to truly know, since I have no notion of how my calendar lines up with any other used here. Regardless, I think the occasion worth marking. According to tradition, we should gather around a fire, tell tales, and make merry long into the night.

However, as I am not precisely enthused about the idea of making a return to the planet and our ships are not equipped with hearths, I will settle for the making merry and telling of tales. You are all welcome to join me; I am on the Bishop for the moment, though if the group should grow large, we may have to relocate.

[ooc: With apologies to Tolkien and poets everywhere. It's been a long time since I've done anything that's not freeverse]

Comments

[dancingmd]

[She takes the seat next to him, resting the box on her lap and angling herself to face him.]

Truth is, I wanted to come a little early, to give you this.

[She holds out the gift for him. When he opens it, he'll find a simple but elegant gold bangle inside. Even she hasn't failed to miss your love of bling, Finrod.]

In my culture, we also have a holiday around this time of year, where we give gifts to our loved ones.

[faithfulwisdom]

[Finrod already has a smile on his face, but at that, the smile grows brighter, lighting up his face.]

I consider myself both honored and blessed to be counted among your loved ones, then.

[He accepts the package gladly and gratefully, opening it carefully. And, yes, Bev, you know his taste perfectly already. He slips the bangle on his wrist, continuing to beam back at her.]

It is lovely, truly. Thank you. You needn't have.

[dancingmd]

[Oh, that smile. It’s almost pure sunshine and wonderful to see again, in full force, after everything: after Tek, after the calibrations, after getting sick. Her own smile is almost as radiant, with only the faintest shadow of a doubt flickering across her face. One day she’s going to need to tell him, but not now, not in the midst of a celebration.]

But I wanted to. Your friendship means a lot to me.

[She takes his hand, in order to admire the bangle more fully on his wrist.]

I’m glad you like it - [She back up at him with another smile.] It suits you.

[faithfulwisdom]

As yours means to me. [If he notices that shadow, he says nothing of it- wouldn't, unless she brought it up; he trusts that she has her reasons for what she does and does not say.]

I only regret that I have nothing to give you in return.

[dancingmd]

It’s all right, I don’t expect anything in return.

Well… except maybe a story or another song might be nice, hmm? I do love music.

[faithfulwisdom]

As a matter of fact, I have already given that some thought. Do you recall the media files we received after the calibrations?

[dancingmd]

[She nods with enthusiasm.] Did you receive music as well?

[faithfulwisdom]

I did- a song about the friend you saw in the calibrations, in fact. But I must confess, I do not fully understand it- the end of the piece alludes to a tale that continues beyond my time.

[And he's glad of that. Relieved, almost.]

[dancingmd]

[Her gaze softens, but she is relieved to see the reminder of his passing doesn't seem to trouble him.]

Would it be all right if I listened to it?

[faithfulwisdom]

[With a soft smile of his own, he pulls out his communicator and pushes a few buttons. What comes out of the speakers is a more complete, more polished version of this, sung in a low, lilting Sindarin. Since Elven languages are translated by the augments, she should understand the words.]

[dancingmd]

[Beverly listens intently as the song plays, closing her eyes in order to pay better attention to the music and the story. It's beautiful and romantic, but it also reminds of her of Jack, in a sad, nostalgic way. Yet she's glad for Finrod, that he has something of home, something to serve as a connection to his friend. When the song ends, there's a moment before she opens her eyes again.]

Thank you. It's a beautiful song.

[faithfulwisdom]

It is. [He takes a breath and exhales slowly.] It was to win Lúthien's hand that Beren sought the Silmaril- the reason for our quest. It is a relief to know, at least, that it wasn't in vain.

[dancingmd]

[She does not understand what the Silmaril is or its significance, nevertheless, she takes his hand again, squeezing gently.]

I am glad, then, that this song brings you comfort.

[faithfulwisdom]

[It's probably for the best that she doesn't fully understand what a Silmaril is. The fewer people involved in that mess, the better.]

Thank you. [But there's more than just comfort there. There's curiosity too.] But those last few lines still have me puzzled.

The Sundering Seas between them lay
And yet at last they met once more
And long ago they passed away
In the forest singing sorrowless.

[He shakes his head.] One does not return from across the Sundering Sea. And "they passed away!" Lúthien is one of the Eldar; she cannot simply "pass away"- not peacefully, not "sorrowless." It is why her father objected so strongly to the match. Beren is mortal and she is not.

[dancingmd]

Elves are not supposed to marry humans?

[Part of her is offended, but part of her understands as well. It was something that concerned her about Odan - that Odan would keep living in host after host long after she died, and she knows all too well how painful that can be to have to go on without the one you love.]

Were Beren and Luthien the first then?

[faithfulwisdom]

It is not a matter of "supposed," but of what is commonly thought wise. [He hesitates, watching her expression.] Please do not take offense. We do not think Men inferior in any way- or at least no one worth speaking to does. It is simply too painful.

That Lúthien was willing to take that step says more than I can properly express. Yes, they would be the first.

[dancingmd]

[She nods, and her words come slowly.] I believe I can understand, at least a little. My husband died years ago, when we were still young. It's not a pain I would wish on anyone else.

[faithfulwisdom]

I am heartily sorry. [And from his expression, that's not just an idle platitude. He reaches over to take her hand and give it a comforting squeeze.]

[dancingmd]

[She squeezes back and gives him a small sad smile.]

I won't say it's gotten easier, over time - I miss him and I suspect I always will - but Jack is the last person who would want to see me still mourning twenty years later.

[faithfulwisdom]

Of course not. No one would wish their beloved to suffer. [His expression mirrors hers- a small sad smile.]

But forgive me- I did not intend this to be a discussion of sorrows and yet I have led us, once again, to the topic of loss.

[dancingmd]

That's all right - it's good, to remember.

[She takes a deep breath and releases it slowly, along with his hand.]

Would you like to hear a song from my world? I think... it is very appropriate to the conversation, actually.

[faithfulwisdom]

I would love to hear whatever you would care to share with me.

[dancingmd]

[She smiles and takes out her own communicator, scrolling to find the appropriate song: "Beyond Antares" (Only, you know, without Riley).]

[faithfulwisdom]

Beautiful. I am almost surprised how much it is to my tastes, in fact. What is that instrument, do you know? It is not quite a harp, nor a lute, but it bears some resemblance to both...

[dancingmd]

It's called a Ka'athyra - roughly the Vulcan equivalent to a lute.

[More proof you're a Vulcan from another universe okay]

I'm glad you enjoyed it... it is quite beautiful. And... peaceful.

[Much as she's loathe to praise anything Atroma's done, it was a good choice of songs for her.]