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

[child_of_bhaal]

[She is clearly pleased with herself that she got him to laugh. But it doesn't stop her curiosity from pursuing the topic.]

But a long is higher rank than a lord. How do you denote the difference?

[faithfulwisdom]

Context, primarily, I suppose, and etiquette. I might give bow at the waist to another lord, but I would not kneel save to one to whom I owed allegiance.

[Pretend this makes complete sense. I'm still rather confuzzled by inconsistent titling tbh]

Gotta love seeing typos way too late

[child_of_bhaal]

Well, that's a way to do it I suppose.

[Far be it from her to judge the system if it works.]

I could have guessed you were nobility though. You have that way about you.

I understood anyway

[faithfulwisdom]

They do tend to drill that into you when you're young.

[child_of_bhaal]

It's nice though, seeing someone who doesn't let it go to his head.

[She tilts her head, giving him a thoughtful look.]

Where most would think of themselves as a king, you are Finrod, who happens to be a king. It's...refreshing.

[faithfulwisdom]

It helps, I think, to keep perspective. Arrogance helps no one and has been the downfall of many a ruler.

[child_of_bhaal]

Truer words.

[She leans forward, elbows on her knees, interest keen and a little playful, as she sightly changes topics.]

So, since you're in a story telling mood, should I ask to hear about your adventures, as I'm certain you've had some, or your family?

[faithfulwisdom]

Oh, I have had a few here and there. [An understatement.] But few are the sort that make thrilling tales. [Or at least the kind of tales he feels like telling.] Better to ask me of my kinsmen. Or of the valar, for that matter. Or even of great heroes of the race of Men! Why limit yourself?

[child_of_bhaal]

[She can take a hint.]

Alright then. Tell me about your sister. What's she like?

[faithfulwisdom]

[Now that is a topic he likes much better. A fond smile settles across his face almost immediately.]

A little spitfire- well, not so little now. She is nearly as tall as I. But I have met few so willful and none so determined. There were five of us, you know, and Artanis- [He stops, shakes his head and corrects himself.] Galadriel is the youngest and the only girl. But whatever any of us should do, she must do it the fastest, the longest, in the best way. And she often managed to.

But underneath it all, she is a kind and generous soul. Perhaps that is why she has always been drawn to healing. She has also calmed, somewhat, in recent years- or at least become more focused. [A little laugh] I still would not cross her, not willingly.

[child_of_bhaal]

She sounds formidable. Though note I have a question. Twice you've mentioned people who changed their names. Is that common?

[faithfulwisdom]

Very much so. In fact, I will add a third to your list. Most properly I am Findaráto Ingoldo, son of Arafinwë. The first is my Father name- that which I was given at birth. My sister's Father name is Artanis. The second is my Mother name, which is typically given in childhood and is often prophetic- though mine is not.

'Finrod' is simply the Sindarin translation of 'Findaráto.' It is easier for the Sindar- and most others, I have found.

[He gives a little shrug] Our people have always been excessively fond of names and naming. One of the earliest names for elves is 'quendi,' 'the speakers.'

[child_of_bhaal]

[Well they have come to a part that is both puzzle and intriguing. Syeira gives him a look that is a little intense, like if she peers hard enough, it will all tumblr out of him and make perfect sense. She does this to books sometimes too.]

So what do the names mean, and which do you go by when? And wouldn't it be jarring just to switch, even to a different translation of the same name? I understand the meaning is the same but it's a different name.

[faithfulwisdom]

[He tries not to appear too amused at that look. There is not going to be a quiz later, he promises.]

Which name one goes by is a matter of personal preference. There are some who never stray from their Father name, some who prefer their Mother name, and some who have no Mother name at all.

I did not personally find it jarring- the names are close enough in sound as well as meaning that it was simple enough to answer to both. You may have noticed I struggle still with my sister's new name. Hers is not simply a translation, but something new altogether. It is not unheard of and certainly within her rights, but it will take time for those who know and love her to adjust.

As for their meaning, in my case, both 'Finrod' and 'Findaráto' translate roughly to 'mighty descendant of Finwë," and "Ingoldo" means simply "the Noldo." [Yes, he knows. It's not his fault.]

[child_of_bhaal]

[But why not? Quizzes are great.]

[So she can just...pick a new name? And everyone just goes with it? And gosh they just gave up on Finrod's second name. :| That's rough friend. But why name any one at all at that rate. Just toss out a list of suggestions, and ask what the child likes best!

But this is not her culture. And she is thinking very uncharitable thoughts about a clear way of life that surely they must have thought through, before instituting it. It might be quiet clear that some of this confusion and consternation is going through her mind and then also that she decides that it's not actually her place to judge. It's not like he's asking her opinion on the state of it or anything. So back to things she can actually talk about without getting into potentially circular, and offensive, debate.]

Well at least your first- um father name is obviously accurate. You've got to be pretty powerful to found your own kingdom after all.

[faithfulwisdom]

[He wouldn't mind if she asked more or voiced some of those opinions, honestly. He likes debate and he's secure enough that he really doesn't care if other people think the way he does things is silly or strange.]

Less so than you would think. In my case, it was more about establishing a safe place for my people to dwell than aught else.

[child_of_bhaal]

Now I'll admit I've no experience with this, however, I have read an obscene amount of books in my life. And based on that accumulated knowledge, I can easily guess that [She's going to start ticking off points on her fingers now.] finding a location suitable for the foundation of a large settlement, building said large settlement, sustaining it, and then ruling it, are actually rather large, grand feats that not just anyone can actually pull off. In my educated opinion, you're underselling yourself.

[u_u]

[faithfulwisdom]

[Okay, okay. He laughs and gives a little shrug.]

You have me there. I did not realize I was up against such a scholar.

[child_of_bhaal]

I was raised in a library. What else did you expect? I'm exceptionally learned.

[She's half teasing. She's not that arrogant.

Also she pronounced it learn-ed. Just to be clear.]

[faithfulwisdom]

Were you truly raised in a library? This does explain a great deal. [Half teasing.]

[child_of_bhaal]

[Playfully suspicious!]

And what exactly does it explain?

[faithfulwisdom]

I can think of few environments more conducive to nurturing a love of stories than a library, for one thing.

[child_of_bhaal]

Actually it's even odds to make a person hate them as well. There were moments I could have stood not to see a book again. But I got past them, thankfully.

[faithfulwisdom]

And we are all fortunate that you did!

But I must confess, I thought also of your love of song when I answered, for if I had lived in a place where one was meant to be silent, I, too, would wish to raise my voice.

[child_of_bhaal]

[That gets a chuckle out of her, a smile as she remembers.]

Oh I raised my voice. I ran in the halls. I made messes. Climbed out windows, and terrified half the scholars the first time I got up on top of the battlements. The look on their faces when I jumped was priceless.

I was fine. I was practicing a spell I'd learned, called Feather Fall. Not even a scratch on me. But that was the first time I felt like I'd really touched the wind. Like I could fly.

[Oh wait, she really ran with that didn't she.]

Sorry. I took us really off topic.