faemused | Open To Anyone For Anything RP Post 2

Well then. She nods once, sharply.

"What needs done that I might lend my skills?"

She won't push Haleth to reach out to Caranthir.

It would do no good if Canien did. Pushing Haleth to do a thing is much like pushing against a mountain; it accomplishes nothing, and the mountain will take no notice. But even without further speech on the matter, Haleth will consider all that has been said before she chooses whether to act or not act. That much is certain. She has more questions, on many subjects. But she also has much to think on already, as a start.

Haleth too nods at the question, which seems entirely in keeping to her. "We may always use hunters and weavers, particularly the last, though we have few looms yet for weaving with. If you have skills at building or repairing the tools of your trades, that we could use above all."

Much like it would with Canien herself.

There's a proud gleam to her eye. "I am Caranthiriel. All I would need are the supplies, and I can go search for them myself if necessary." Everything she has been taught to do, she also can repair or make from what she either finds in the wild, or can trade or purchase.

Edited 2019-02-22 13:52 (UTC)

Haleth does not wince, but there is a moment's pause at the declaration. "So you are," she says finally. "Then if you are finished with your meal, come, and I will show you what we have."

The rest of the day is taken with practical matters. Haleth introduces her guest as a visitor from their Firstborn allies, which to her mind is not an untruth, and which will also be readily accepted; they often play host to Finrod Felagund's scouts, and a few times to Finrod himself. Canien rapidly proves her skill in all respects, working at whatever she turns her hand to with quick precision, as efficient as her mother and as talented as her father.

Or so Haleth thinks, and her eyes often rest thoughtfully on this wholly unexpected daughter.

Haleth keeps to her original offer, and Canien is given a bed in her own home. Again she cooks the meal, though she permits Canien to assist. "Do the Haladin still thrive, in your time?" she asks, following on from one comment or another. She has asked many more questions about the world Canien is from, though most were less personal, and they have not touched again on the subject of Caranthir. "Or do you know?"

She won't apologize for who and what she is. Ever. She will mute it, around those who don't know, ignore questions of parentage from anyone but those who know this truth. But she won't hide it from this woman.

Instead, she merely stands, indicating she is indeed finished with her meal, and follows where Haleth leads. Helping out, she is polite, if a bit distant and formal to the Haladin she remembers so well. But they don't know her. Not yet.

Canien's well aware of the frequent glances her mother shoots her way, but ignores them, knowing Haleth will speak up when she's ready. Until then, there is always work to be done. Each time Haleth asks a question, she's given an honest answer- perhaps not a full one, but it's carefully thought out before given.

But...she can never help the soft glimmer whenever she's spoken of Elladan, even if there is also often amusement or fond annoyance.

When cooking together, as she remembers they'd once done while she was growing up, she falls into the usual role she'd taken then. And there's a troubling question that has her mull over what to say. And what she has to say is not an easy thing, but Haleth will only get what truth she knows. "I have seen signs of their heritage in other tribes of Men. Peoples have been scattered and changed, merged, for survival."

Haleth has noticed the softness in Canien whenever she speaks of her husband, and it makes her very thoughtful. To her it seems to speak of a deep joy, one untroubled by their separation. It is not something she would have expected.

Neither would she have expected how easily Canien falls into the role of cook's assistant, knowing where things are kept and how Haleth would wish them prepared, before Haleth has opportunity to explain. A further, if minor, bit of evidence to support Canien's incredible tale, if evidence were wanted.

It is not. Haleth believes her, every word. In truth she has ever since she recognized Caranthir's smile on his daughter's face, a melding of familiar features haunting in their familiarity.

Haleth looks resigned at this unsatisfactory answer to her question, and nods, accepting it. "Such is the fate of Men," she murmurs. "And must be, if we are to survive in this world. So be it. We are bound by change, and perhaps that is well."

It helps that no matter what happens, Canien will see Elladan again. It might not be for centuries, it might even take until they're in Valinor, but she will see her husband again. And until she is reunited with her beloved, she keeps him in her heart. She's learned patience and self-reliance. She can wait. Does she wish he were with her? Every day. She misses his laughter, his joy and fierce loyalty.

And she's used to not showing her innermost thoughts and emotions. Used to seeming untroubled by anything, to being aloof and untouchable.

But she's enjoying her time, back with the Haladin, even if they do not know her as they had in her own childhood. And spending time with her mother is a blessing she'd never expected to have again. She won't waste it.

"There are those of the Firstborn who wish they had the gift of death, of an end." Not herself though. Not that she'd been given the choice, but she doesn't really resent it. "Elves have difficulty changing sometimes. It is not always a good thing."

Haleth snorts, keeping her attention on the food they prepare. "That I know."

Caranthir she knows is a one, for he foresaw a doom both inevitable and unending. If he could have given up his place to become mortal for her, she suspects he would have.

Or perhaps not, for he loves his brothers most dearly, and she cannot blame him for that. She cannot even blame him for the choices he made as a result of that love, dire though their consequences are.

All the same...she regrets it. For she might have chosen otherwise, were it not so. If Caranthir were granted a death such as Men face, if she had some assurance that he would not spent countless years after her own demise mourning her, with no way to move on...she might have chosen otherwise.

Impossible to spend time with this daughter from another life and not think of all the choices Haleth did not make, all the paths she did not choose. Impossible not to wonder if she chose incorrectly. She does not usually second guess herself, and dislikes it, though that dislike is buried deep within. It is not Canien's fault that she is...all that she is, and Haleth will not blame her for it.

Instead she tilts her head and examines her not-daughter. "And yet you choose their path. Why? What swayed you?"

Doom and Shadow are all around. It's part of life in Middle-Earth, and Canien's learned how to survive despite the odds. Perhaps even thrive, though later. Much later.

She's...almost even glad that her father hadn't lived to be the last of his brothers alive. Seeing what being the last had done to Maglor was enough that she didn't want that misery for her beloved father. He'd lived and died and hadn't been completely over-taken by the Oath as some of his brothers had.

She doesn't stop working, hands knowing what needs doing without conscious direction. But she does glance at Haleth, before returning her gaze to her work.

"I did not have the choice presented to me. This is the life given me, and I would not call it a bad one." A hint of a shrug and she slowly continues. "I believe I would have chosen the Immortal life. It can be lonely, but there is joy to be had, and endless possibilities.

"And now I know I will see my husband again, be it in Middle-Earth or when I sail west, for that is what we promised each other to do."

Open To Anyone For Anything RP Post 2

no subject

okay if we time skip a little soon?

Works for me!

They've probably discussed Elladan a lot more, if Canien was willing. Haleth is very curious.

Canien has no problem talking about him XD

Thought not. =) Does Canien have more questions of her own that she'd ask?

lol She asked the most important one

hauls this muse out of whatever stubborn corner she's been hiding in

Not as stubborn as this one /sobs