Open Post

[stonebird]

I. The sun is hot - swelteringly so - but there is an impressive spread under an ornate tent, waiting for a party to begin. Brightly clothed ladies and lords are wandering about like so many colorful birds, speaking of topics that are both light-hearted and threatening. Do not be fooled by the finery around you; this is a jungle filled to the brim with predators. In fact, lions, tigers and panthers might be kinder! At least they are more straight-forward. These are political predators and they take no prisoners.

On the fringes of the party, there stands a tall young woman with hair of auburn. She is looking towards the bay, her focus reaching across the water to somewhere else; somewhere better. Will you take your chances with the party or seek an escape with her?

II. Winter winds blow stinging crystals of ice against the faces, hands and any other uncovered body part of anyone standing outside of the dark castle. There are lights in the windows - a welcoming, alluring warmth - and the front gate is unlatched. Are you daring enough to enter?

III. The mountain is staggeringly high and the air is thin. Yet, at a seemingly impossible height, there is a fortress. Within the walls of said fortress, there is far too much silence. Your footsteps echo against the stone walls and floor - an empty, lonely sound. In the distance, a door creaks and your footsteps are not alone. Do you hide or confront the stranger?

IV. Create your own!

Comments

[stonebird]

She kneels down, skirt and all, admiring the colors and graceful motions of the creatures. His careful harvesting of the mussels warms her and she looks up at him, smiling.

"Is there a way to tell...age? I would rather partake of those who have lived a long life."

I had to google this lol

[bythewaves]

"Probably you do not, actually, as they get quite tough! They are essentially mostly muscle, after all."

He shows her how they are different sizes. "The larger they are, the older they are. You want ones that are roughly the size of your thumb."

What? You don't know everything about mussels? I am disappointed. XD

[stonebird]

"But shouldn't they be given a chance to...live?" Sansa flushes at her silly concern, "I know it is wrong to hunt young animals."

But perhaps there is a satisfactory middle ground? She frowns, focusing on the mussel sizes.

XD

[bythewaves]

"They do, and they have! But too large and they are too tough, and often already dead."

He explains. "They keep growing as they get older, but they are not young, as such."

[stonebird]

"I see." she wrinkles her nose at the thought of gathering already deceased mussels, "Then forgive me..."

Dipping her hand into the water, she chooses one of the proper size and lifts it out.

[bythewaves]

Maglor smiles at her fondly.

"Well done, little niece. Shall we see about getting enough for supper?"

[stonebird]

"But not too many from this tide-pool lest we deplete it." she echoes his earlier words, smiling almost impishly. There are times she thoroughly enjoys retaining what is said - and oftentimes what isn't said. While she is with Maglor, such a talent is a testament to her respect for him; not necessary for her survival.

[bythewaves]

"Even so." He smiles at her, pleased. "And then we can bake them in a fire - I saw some seacaves which should be above the tide, so we will have shelter tonight, as well."

[stonebird]

"I am content wherever you choose to sleep." Sansa dips her hands into the water, choosing mussels with care, "Do you mind if... I would feel safer resting beside you if you do not mind?"

[bythewaves]

"I do not mind." He smiles at her fondly. "Although the bed will be rather harder than you are used to, I think!"

[stonebird]

"I'd rather sleep on the ground than in a palace surrounded by people who hate me." Sansa murmurs and makes a neat pile of the mussels.

[bythewaves]

He reaches across to ruffle her hair fondly.

"No more need of that, here. But there, do you think we have enough?"

[stonebird]

She raises her hand to right any damage, cheeks pink from the affection.

"Middle Earth could never be Westeros and I am grateful for that fact with every breath I take." her blue gaze takes in the mussels and she nods, "I believe so unless your appetite is voracious?"

[bythewaves]

A fond smile and he helps her gather them up to carry.

"You know I do not have much of one! So I think this will be plenty. Come - we will build ourselves a small fire to cook them, and I will scout the caves and see which ones will be suitable for tonight."

[stonebird]

"Are you not feeling well?" she dries her hand on her cloak and touches his forehead, "Is it dangerous to scout? I could...watch your back?"

Comically so, most likely.

[bythewaves]

"I am well." He smiles at her.

"But I am seldom hungry, these days. And it should not be! Evil does not come so close to the sea - Osse would not tolerate it. So the biggest danger is a high tide or a wild beast."

[stonebird]

"You will be honest with me, my lord?" Sansa uses a strict voice despite smoothing over his hair affectionately, "Why is that? Is it because you miss your family?"

That is why she had stopped eating in King's Landing. Poor Maglor has her burden and then more piled on top.

"I shall keep an eye on the tide for you and wild beasts are seldom silent. Your ears should fare you well with them." since Maedhros had known the moment she rose each morning before she had even come down the stairs to greet him.

[bythewaves]

"I try to always be." Maglor smiles at her.

"I got too used to not eating, I suppose. I just do not get that hungry, nowadays. I promise I will not neglect myself! And thank you, but I will be swift! One of us needs to watch our supper, also!"

[stonebird]

"I appreciate the effort." more than he will ever know. She gives him a sharp look, silently judging how thin he is under his clothing. Don't make her force feed him!

"I was...the same. But the time I spent with your brother and you brought my appetite back." so it's clear she wants to do likewise for him. If not today, tomorrow or the next day or the day after.

Holding their supper safe against her cloak, she finds a dry place to wait for him, glancing around for any sign of danger.

[bythewaves]

He's not that bad, honest!

"Maedhros was good for you." He says fondly. "As you were for him. I am glad you had each other."

A smile and he disappears into one of the nearby caves. He isn't gone long before he appears at the entrace and waves her in.

"This one will suit very nicely, I think, although we may be a little cut off when the tide is very high. But it is dry and empty, and has a nice sandy floor."

[stonebird]

"I am glad I know both of you." she stubbornly uses the present tense, refusing to acknowledge Maedhros's death. His spirit cannot be slain by fire and as long as it survives, he survives.

"Good." Sansa breathes out in relief and rises, seeking out the best footing to join him, their dinner in her arms. She slips a little on a rock and catches herself with an embarrassed flush.

"I think I will be more graceful on dry floor!"

[bythewaves]

Well provided he was not stubborn, Maglor expects him to be in and out of Mandos' Halls and back to fetch them as quick as he may

"Easy!" He comes over to steady her if she needs.

"The rocks are quite slippery when wet." He agrees wryly. "Come in and sit, and we will get a fire going."

[stonebird]

She expects likewise. They need only look for him now and then.

"Thank you - " Sansa grabs onto his arm, knowing to avoid the painful scars of his poor hands, "Do you know how to start one? Do you have dry flint and tinder?"

Fires are the difference between life and death in the North. If one cannot make one before the night comes and protect it, they will perish.

[bythewaves]

"We'll need to find tinder. But there should be plenty not far inland. But I should have a flint in my pack, seeing as they returned me with my belongings!"

He smiles at her care fondly.

[stonebird]

"How kind of them!" Sansa sets down their dinner fare inside, brushing off her hands, "Since you found the cave, I shall find the tinder." she kisses his cheek before she sets out, balancing carefully on the rocks before she turns to head inland.