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Post by Eleanor on Mar 15, 2008 20:16:29 GMT -5
*Eleanor dismissed her bodyguards and stood in the battlefield, alone and unafraid. She didn't believe Leetah would kill her- if she did, her political chances would be blown to hell.*
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Post by Leetah on Mar 15, 2008 20:20:56 GMT -5
*Leetah came into the battlefield as well. She had no bodyguards. But her magic could protect her from anything. And if something should happen to her, she knew that all the Shamans of Lorien would make efforts to turn THEM loose. When she saw Eleanor alone on the battlefield, she walked over to her, while she removed her cloak. This to prove she was unarmed.*
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Post by Eleanor on Mar 15, 2008 20:23:11 GMT -5
"Leetah."
*She bowed her head in greeting*
"They tell me that there is a threat only you can guard against. They will not tell me what it is, or whether you will harm my husband. As you can see, I mean you no harm."
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Post by Leetah on Mar 15, 2008 20:31:38 GMT -5
"Eleanor"
*She bowed her head in an equal polite greeting.*
"What they tell you is almost true. Almost, because my cousin Wild also have powers to fight them back. But Wild, Haldir, Nessa and I are all High Elves. Ordinary elves should never come near THEM. "
*Her eyes were thoughtful, and her mind were wandering.*
"As for your husband.... I know that he murdered Orduag and Tearbird to get to the throne. There is no way denying it. I don't support Orduag, but Tearbird was innocent. However, this will fall back on him, eventually. There is no need for me to harm him. He has harmed himself bad enough by his evil deeds."
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Post by Eleanor on Mar 15, 2008 23:27:01 GMT -5
"My husband was elected king by your own council. Believe what you will about him, that much is true. If they thought he killed Tearbird, he would be dead by now."
*She looked her in the eye*
"I came here tonight in good faith. I don't think you want to hurt me, and I have no wish to do you ill. If I allow you back into Lorien, you will be given full protection and remain untouched by our forces. But you must swear to me you will not try to depose my husband."
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Post by Leetah on Mar 16, 2008 5:33:32 GMT -5
*Leetah studied this woman carefully. She was obviously blinded by love for her husband, not willing to see his mistakes. The evidence Leetah secretly had received after the murder cases had been convincing enough. There were no doubt about Steerpike's guilt. She smiled.*
"I know my council better than you do, human. They are testing him. If he is guilty, his guilt will get back at him. Slowly. And Elves are very patient creatures. After all, we can live forever. As for you, I have no intentions to harm you. You were innocent in all of this. As innocent as a woman like you can be."
*She calmly met Eleanor's stare.*
"As for the last thing you asked of me: Tearbird was my best friend. A beautiful, innocent woman, trapped in an unhappy marriage by a beast of a husband. She had no children, so out of love for her, I conceived one that she could raise as her own. I can have my own children later. She was so happy when I told her about the baby, and she adopted it at that moment. Then, she got killed. Her last wish was that my child, her adoptive child, should inherit the throne.
I have proof that Orduag's father dismissed Orduag from the throne because of his incompetence, and that Tearbird was the real ruler of Lorien. I also have the adoption papers Queen Tearbird signed before her death.
As Queen Tearbird's best friend, my loyalty lies with her adopted child, my son, rather than with her murderer's. I will tell my child this story, and then leave it to him, whether or not he choose to accept the Crown of Lorien."
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Post by Eleanor on Mar 16, 2008 8:43:36 GMT -5
"Regardless of the reason, my husband was chosen. Perhaps as a test, but it was still the vote of the council."
*She thought for a moment*
"If you will not offer peace, the best I can offer you is this: you may enter without my protection. I will issue no orders against you, but if my husband dows, you will have to manage as best you can."
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Post by Leetah on Mar 16, 2008 9:03:39 GMT -5
*Leetah smiled calmly. The thought of being threatened by a human in her own country was ridiculous.*
"And how does he intend to get my brother Haldir to arrest me? The Highest Commander of the Elven army? He might try. And lose the support of the entire army. I have fought with them in combat. They are all loyal to my brother and take orders from no others than him."
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Post by Eleanor on Mar 16, 2008 14:58:15 GMT -5
"Arrest?"
*She was silent for a moment*
"Do not underestimate me, Leetah. I would rather not have you as my enemy, but if you force me to, I will fight back. And I can be surprisingly resilient."
*Eleanor briefly wondered how she had gotten herself into this*
"You are allowed to enter Lorien, but at your own risk. Do not expect Steerpike to show you any more courtesy than you have shown him."
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Post by Leetah on Mar 16, 2008 16:07:53 GMT -5
"But I am showing your Steerpike all the courtesy he deserves - none!!! Do you really expect me to be friendly to the man who killed my best friend?"
*Leetah smiled calmly.*
"I am glad to hear that you are a resilient fighter. Since you obviously refuse me access to my country, I will leave it to you to fight THEM alone. Without magic powers on your side."
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Post by Eleanor on Mar 16, 2008 16:22:49 GMT -5
*She almost laughed*
"I just said you were allowed in! I won't give extra protection, but you said you didn't need it!"
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Post by Leetah on Mar 16, 2008 16:34:25 GMT -5
*Leetah smiled and lifted her head. She had alway been the wisest among the Elvens.*
"You said I was allowed to enter at my own risk. Which will mean I have no rights if and when I do enter. I am not so foolish to enter a land at those conditions. All I have to do, is to hang around elsewhere and wait for the situation in Lorien to be so critical that you all are doomed. It's your loss anyway."
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Post by Eleanor on Mar 16, 2008 16:39:48 GMT -5
"Let me get this straight- you wish to enter the kingdom with full protection, while you admittedly work to undermine my husband, on the pretext of a threat you can say nothing about."
*She kept from rolling her eyes*
"That's hardly a deal, is it?"
*Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she began to smile*
"You win. You will have full protection, and our royal welcome in Lorien."
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Post by Leetah on Mar 16, 2008 16:52:12 GMT -5
*Leetah raised her eyebrow, wondering why the woman suddenly changed her mind. But she didn't really care. She could defend herself, and she knew Wild and Haldir were loyal to her. She smiled back.*
"I appreciate it. And I must compliment you on your diplomatic skills. I was testing you to see how far you would go. I am proud to tell that you passed the test."
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Post by Eleanor on Mar 16, 2008 16:56:50 GMT -5
"I thank you."
*She looked her in the eye*
"After all, why would I let you in if I had anything to hide? The nation will see the full extent of my generosity. And if you take advantage of it, and raise false cries of murder, flaunting out kindness with your own ambition, where will the nation's sympathy lie?"
*She bowed her head, and was gone*
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