ataraxionlogs | Looking for arrowheads

CHARACTERS: Tauriel

longestnose
LOCATION: The Forge
WARNINGS: Talk of death.
SUMMARY: Tauriel goes to visit Fili in the Forge.
NOTES: N/A.

[ It’s quite rare for Tauriel to leave the gardens here. Part of the reason for that is that her duties with Thranduil keep her busy, and part is that the ship as a whole is so strange to her. She’s explored it, but carefully, owing to how easy it can be to get lost. Compared to the rest of the metal interior, the gardens offer some sense of relief.

But even a comfortable place can become too comfortable, and even in Mirkwood, she had itched for more than that. Having whittled a number of new arrows to add to her collection, she’s in need of fresh arrowheads. Rather than send for them, she decides to visit the forge herself.

She knows that Fili works here, and he’d said she should come. Ever since Kili disappeared, his brother has been very much on her mind. It must be so difficult for Fili to be without his brother, knowing that they will not go home to a peaceful life. That fact is the one she regrets most of all.

So it is that when she enters the forge, she doesn’t make a straight line for the fires, but goes in search of Fili himself. Perhaps she can help to raise his spirits a little, if she can find him working here. ]

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[Despite having a place with Thranduil now, in the forest, Fili finds himself spending more and more time in the forge. It's more home to him, the comforting sounds of fire and metal, than the forest, and the strange sort of litter in the trees Thranduil has made for him. While never truly raised underground, Fili is a dwarf, at heart, always. Being in trees is not natural to him and it times feels wrong at his core. But the companionship that comes with it can't be turned aside, so he tries to adjust, as he has always tried to do, here.

Hearing someone come into the forge, Fili puts down his tools, giving a bit of a raised eyebrow when he sees who has walked into their little area.]

Tauriel. Is all well?

[ Seeing him, Tauriel smiles, and comes over beside him. To be in the heat and relative darkness of a forge is as strange to her as living in the trees most likely seems to him.

Still, it's not unpleasant. ]

All is well, and thankfully so. I came here to seek arrowheads, if I could find them.

And I wished to see you again, Fili. How do you fare? It is long past time that I should visit you here.

We do not have any made, but I could readily make some, if you show me the shafts you need them for.

[Fili almost thinks it is for all business, but then she speaks again, and he frowns for a moment, giving a slight shrug.]

I am managing. As best as I can, I suppose.

And you? I know Thranduil has been...not himself, as of late.

[ She retrieves the shafts from her quiver. They are less perfect than the ones already made; she hasn't had her choice of materials here, but they'll fly.

Or at least they will, when they're headed properly. She lays them across her lap. ]

I know that it must have been difficult for you. I have not often seen you around the gardens. You must know that you are welcome there, Fili.

[ She offers him a slightly sad smile. ]

The King has been poorly, and so he remains. Only time can heal those wounds. I worry for him, but I also believe in his strength. That will prevail, in the end.

[Fili takes the shafts, examining them. He does a few quick measurements with his hand, then moves to quickly write those down in a small notebook he has.]

I live in the gardens, now. I...Thranduil has offered me to live in his litter, with him, and I do. But I am not made for high heights. Kili and I, we spent most of our lives out in the open, not underground, but I must admit that heights in the open air are still strange and foreign to me. The forge is a good place, familiar to me. So I try to spend time here, as well.

[He hands the shafts back to her.]

There is little else but to hope that he will prevail. I don't doubt him, or that he will.

[ She reaches to take the shaft back, and shows each of them back in her quiver. ]

Perhaps he shall return here.

[ Strange, how the idea of that now brings her hope. Strange how an opinion can change on the smallest of details.

She would do whatever she could to reach her home, but if nothing waits for Kili there, then she would have him be here. At least here, he has a chance to live. ]

If once he could be taken, then so he may a second time. I would not like to believe that you had given up hope.

Normally I would not wish this place on anyone--but on him...

[Fili shakes his head.]

He was happy here, for a time. It was good to see him enjoy things again. During the travel to the mountain there was little time for such things.

[He starts to rummage for metal, looking back at Tauriel with kind eyes.]

It is not a lack of hope--just the facing of reality. I am the eldest, the heir. I have been raised to let Kili have the hope, while I stay firmly on the ground.

You look after him before yourself. That is only natural when you are brothers, but no less kind. I only knew Kili briefly, before I came here.

Yet he seemed full of hope. I liked him. If he was happy here then I am glad. It seemed to me such a dark place at first, but perhaps there is light to be found even in shadow.

[ That's a more pleasant thought than any she's been having of the Tranquility of late. She likes it not at all, yet if she could, she would bring Kili back here right now to his brother's side. ]

I am glad you liked him--a good judge of character was judging how much they liked the lad.

[Fili smiles sadly, up at the young elf.]

There is always light. How can there be shadow, without it?

That is well said.

But what of you? Can you be happy here on this ship? My mind is never at rest here.

[ She always wants to go home, even though people are kind. Could this place ever feel like home? She doesn’t think so, but then she hasn’t been here as long as Fili. ]

There are quiet places, always. You have a place of green here. I have the forge. It is not like home, not quiet, not perfect, but it something. You have to find the quiet in yourself, as best you can. But we dwarves were never meant to travel far in the first place. We settle.

And we Elves belong in places of true nature - not a garden, on board a metal craft.

We must all make do, I know.

I hope that you can find your peace, Fili. I hope that very much.

[Fili gives her a nod, and a genuine, warm smile.]

I hope that as well. And that you can find peace as well, Tauriel.

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