Part III: DOOM.
*still in his forge probably beginning to work the metals for Finrod's necklace, in a good mood from Pan's visit*
*comes in, then, even if it's night, even if there are wolves, because Cele needs to know.* *A knock on the door*
*calls over his shoulder* Enter.
*so she does* Hello. *quietly, and throat very tight*
*gets a look at her and sets down his tools immediately* What's happened?
Vilya. *a breath, to be able to talk* It was stolen.
Vilya? *startled, then growing horror* Elrond?
Assa... *breath* Assassinated. *she probably has blood on her dress*
*eyes widening because no, it can't be, no...* Who?
*eyes wet* Celebrimbor... I'm sorry...
./Who was it/?
I'm really... I didn't... I could be wrong... *is crying, yes, even if it's dignified and quiet*
Artanis! *sharper, voice raising* /Who was it/!
... *Quenya name? WTF?* *very quietly* It was your uncle Moryo. I saw it in Elrond's mind. I'm sorry.
*had to get her to pull it together somehow* DAMMIT. *shoves past her and out the door, /running/ for the mansion*
*follows in his wake, she's assuming her help might be needed*
*so, is bleeding unhelpfully in the kitchen, yay*
*is just coming downstairs to look for...something probably food, a bit distracted and still pretty thoroughly shredded and - holy crap blood in the kitchen. ....and a heap of little brotherFUCK NO* *iiiis going to be next to him kind of uselessly trying to stop the bleeding and trying to use his hands to put him back together* Moryo - Moryo, look at me - /Artanis!?/ *panicking wheeeee*
That... bitch... she took Vylia... *is kind of feeling light...*
What - why did you - *gaaaah ripping shirt and trying frantically to bandage him* What bitch, what happened- Moryo, stay with me. ARTANIS!
*bursts in, running, stumbling to a stop as he sees Cara, maybe just soon enough to hear what he said?* .../Dammit/. I /told/ you.
*head whips around, a little wild-eyed* Cele - please, find Artanis, /please/- *gaaaaah little brother little brother not /okay!/*
Behind me. *at Cara again* You /killed/ him. I /told/ you that she should not have a Ring!
What - what the /hell/ is - Cele, /shut up./
He murdered Elrond for his Ring! And now that woman has killed him to take it! I warned him about the Rings falling into the wrong hands!
Shut up! *louder* *is still trying to put the brother back together but daaaamn and flailing* Moryo - please, say something.
*arrives behind Cele, and pushes a Tyelko out of the way* You two , stop yelling. *and is goint to try. But gut wounds, you know...*
*makes unhelpful gurgling noises*
*pushed and is still hovering kind of desperately and...yeah, crying. LITTLE BROTHER* Moryo-
*is really trying hard to fix this wound, but...* Tyelko. Take his hand. *quietly*
*paces off a few steps and punches a wall, trying to contain his temper* Valarsdamned /fool/.
*has his hand in a moment, holding it* No. /No no no./ /No/ erudammit /NO./
*looking at the brother* We really did die for nothing, the first time, did we?
*quietly, moving closer to Celebrimbor* Tyeleperinquar... please. He won't last long now. *very quietly*
Don't say that. *is probably wild-eyed and panicking and gaaaaaaah*
*angry, bitterly but quiet, not moving from the wall* Yes you did. And now you do so again. And Elrond has too. You /fool/. *more tiredly than explosive now, though*
*desperately* /Shut up./
*ignores them both, turning back toward the door. I am going to get my sword. If Vilya is retrieved, bring it to me, no one else unless Elrond returns. *starts walking*
*is unhelpfully DEAD. Yay.*
*there's really no way to describe the noise out of Tyelko other than a cross somehow between a scream, a wail, and a sob. just...utter grief and is going to be hugging a brother's dead body desperately, not even caring about the blood and mess and making that
noise and aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh*
*pauses briefly in his step before he takes a deep breath and heads out the door, picking up speed as he goes back to the forge to retrieve his sword*
*isss just talking to brother's dead body, yeah* I promise. I swear. I'll kill her. I'm sorry. I'm sorry- *and so on*
*so, storming back into the mansion, sword in hand, the Ring he made for Tyelko on a chain around his neck and hidden under his shirt so that no one can take it out of his forge*
*is probably still in the kitchen being a wreck and forehead against dead!Cara's and at least not making any noise anymore, just sort of breathing raggedly and totally at a loss*
*goes back into the kitchen, not exactly making any effort to be quiet, looking around with narrowed eyes to figure out where Mel may have gone*
*doesn't look up, almost harshly* He's dead.
*grits his teeth* I know.
Doesn't it /matter/ to you?
Of course it does! *snaps, then turns away* I warned him, I told him that his woman should not have a Ring. She has Vilya now, we need to get it back.
*flinch* --who /is/ she? *she's /dead/ dammit* No one said anything-
Her name is Melisande Shahrizai. He came to me and asked me to make a gift for her. I refused to put power into it. She must have convinced him to get one anyway.
*grits his teeth* She's /dead./ /Dead./ *more than a slight note of crazy in his voice* Damn - *slams a fist into the nearest cupboard, savagely*
Yes, yes she is. *a savage smile* If you find her, if anyone finds her and retrieves Vilya, bring it to me. I'll keep it safe.
*tense nod, taking short, shuddering breaths* I'll kill her. I'll /kill her!/ *howled, or almost*
*viciously* Only if you find her first.
I don't /care./ She'll come back, won't she? /One of these days.../ *seems to kind of register that he's covered in blood from trying to keep Cara together* --Eru. It's everywhere.
Yes. Yes she will. *everyone gets a turn!* *then looks at Cara* So will he.
*jerky nod, bows his head again, shoulders kind of shaking, crying again.* I'm sorry. I'm supposed to protect you. And you're dead again and I couldn't stop it- *kind of chokes on that*
*snarls* He'll be /back/. Apologize to him then.
*does flinch* Yes, he will. And what do you think this will /do/ to him?
*snaps* Well maybe next time he'll trust my judgement when I refuse to make something.
*yelled* You can't claim never to have made errors of judgment either! *--pales rapidly* I'm sorry. I don't mean that. *rubs his forehead* I just kept him from killing Daeron. And now /this./
*okay, ow, that hurt* *bitterly* Well then maybe you should have let Daeron die! *starts to turn away to go Mel hunting*
*curls up a little* Tyelpinquar... *gaaaah. no, really.* *stands, unsteadily* I'm...sorry. It's not your fault. None of this is. And I don't have any right to take it out on you. *heavily*
Celebrimbor> *stops* No, you don't! Because I warned him. He didn't listen to me, and now look what's happened. Elrond is /dead/ and Vilya is still gone.
If someone /might/ have said something to me-
And what would you have done, huh? *pauses* ...I never thought he'd attack Elrond. I didn't think he'd kill to take one. *another, longer pause* Maglor raised him, you know. Elrond. May as well be family.
I could have done /something./ *not quite desperately*
No you couldn't have. If he was set on doing something that stupid you couldn't have stopped him.
*clenches a hand* You can't be sure of that. Valarsdammit - *is going to slam a fist into something hard again. a wall, probably. repeatedly.*
And what would you have done?
*kind of beserking at it, really* Something. Anything. I would have killed that bitch myself if I had the least thought she might be dangerous. I would have locked him inside for a week if I had to. Away from her. /Anything,/ dammit, he's my /little brother!/
And he'd have broken down the door, fought you if he thought you meant to attack her.
I could win. I don't care. I - could - have - done - /something./ *wants to /break/ something dammit. and not his knuckles. stops with the wall*
*just grits his teeth, then reaches up to remove the chain around his neck, takes the ring off it and comes up behind Tyelko* Before I go, this is yours. I'd just finished it when Caranthir came to me.
*tense and turns* What? *because has completely forgotten about that*
*not that he'd actually told him about it. the ring is made from the gold and emerald he'd chosen though, and there is power in it*
*takes it, eyes kind of flicker* Are you sure this is wise? *almost bitterly*
Yes. I made it for you.
*shoulders slump* Thank you. *quietly*
*swallows the rage long enough to give the uncle a tight hug* Good hunting, uncle.
*hugs him back, even bloody mess that he is* And you.
*clasps his shoulder briefly, then heads off*
*looking down at a dead brother, is going to take care of that first. Picks him up, carefully, and is going outside if anyone else would like to talk to him*
*is striding out across the lawn, feeling proud of herself and darkly satisfied. so he's dead, that's kind of a pity, but oh well. he'd outlived his usefulness anyway. and her next move from here....she can do ~anything~ heeee*
*stupid woman walking outside at night when there are vampires around. Pan lands in front of her, without warning.* You. *her voice is deadly quiet*
*takes a quick step back, almost afraid, then just smiles* Good evening.
Only for me. *darkly* You have something that does not belong to you, evil-doer. *takes a step in her direction, fearless*
*doesn't step back* It belongs to me now. *has not yet thought that she has no idea how to work it*
It never belonged to anyone but the man who made it. *reaches to grasp at her neck, almost strangling her* I should have killed you when I had the chance.
*brings the hand up around her wrist, Vilya shining on her ring finger* Let go of me. I could destroy you. *arrogancewhat?*
*just a bit more of a vicious squeeze* Not quite. *her other hand moves to get to that finger, and bends it - she's just going to tear the finger off. Yes she is.*
*springs taut, hissed, but /wait/ why isn't it protecting me* Let /go of me./
*aaaaand tearing on the finger, yes, because she deserves a fair amount of torture before she dies*
*/ow! bitch!/* *bites down on the scream but writhing, yes, because owwww that /hurts/*
*grins evilly - fangs out as she throws away the shreds of Melisande's delicate digit, and pockets Vylia* Now, where should I feed on you, I wonder? *she's not using the spell gift - Pandora is being purposely cruel*
*trembling, eyes wide with shock and fear* /Bitch-/
That would be you, my dear. *And digs a hand into her entrails, pulling out some gut, and holds her tight, taking off at the same time*
*does scream, thrashing but can't really, mostly just quivering* I'll kill you-
You can't kill an immortal. *hissed, and now flying in the cold - she's looking for Draugluin's pack* I would kill you my self - and my family would as well.
But that is too noble for you. I do not feed on trash.
*shivering* I - am no trash. I - am D'Angeline. *through gritted teeth*
D'Angeline trash, then. *laughing, almost* I suggest you do your best to enjoy the view - it will not last very long. *another evil smile, and reigning in the Thirst - because that woman is too... she can't. Not this way.*
What are you going to do to me? *not quite desperate. not afraid. really.*
*deep in the woods, hidden in the trees*
What do people do to trash... they take it out, of course. *shifts her hold - to actually hold her upside down, yes - and she's breaking feet. Methodically.*
*screams again, struggling* Damn you - *but weaker, is losing blood from the gut wound and her missing finger*
*Heh. That's what you get for pissing off Sweet Pandora. Yup.* Oh, here they are. *almost playfully*
What? *breathless*
*they see her, one howls, then another*
The cleaners. *a laughter, deep, as she levitates down* Are we hungry, puppies?
*clawing desperately at Pan* Let me go - let me go - *AAAAAH*
Alright. *lets go. Ha.*
*tries to run, but /ow/ feet and falls to her knees, panting and still trying to move away*
*should be more careful what you say, Mel. the wolves surround her, growling, and it's not long before one lunges at her. another leaps, snapping at Pan's feet*
*screams, trying to kick out at them*
*laughs, a little, and levitates off - but she's looking from where she is - she wants to make sure business is taken care of.*
*one or two growl after her, then they all turn their attention to Melisande, leaping on her, not bothering to finish her off before they start to tear her apart to devour*
*is - yep, trying to fight them off, but really not working very well and her screams don't really take long to subside*
*Melisande might get a bit of a message in her head as she slowly dies* ::Stay away from my family. Consider this a warning.::
*occasional snarls and howls as they finish her off, not much will be left soon beyond cracked bones and bloodstains*
*is dead. wooo*
*one wonders, if that is a warning, what true vengeance will look like*
*and is now going to look for a Cele, then, Vylia safely in her pocket - and yes, she's covered in Melisande's blood*
*having found nothing inside, he's prowling back out, sword still in his hand, still looking pissed off and dangerous. Has a bit of blood on him, but it's Cara's from Tyelko's hug*
*he'll find Lydia sitting quietly on the ground, then - unwounded, but the silence is deathly*
*stops a short distance away, still for a moment before coming to her* Lydia?
*stands, fluidly - she's very pale, paler then he's ever seen her, and her eyes are golden and brazen - that also, she has never let him see before* It is done, my love. *her hand goes into her pocket, her eyes don't leave him*
*lifts a hand, fingertips brushing her cheek. there's probably a bit more of the Feanorian crazy in his eyes than she's seen before, having been left
to stew in it since leaving Tyelko, but there's also concern for her* Are you all right?
I'm fine. *quietly, leaning into his hand like a tamed predator does with a master's* I have something for you. *she pulls her hand out of her pocket, slowly, and her outstretched palm reveals Vylia, bloodied and gory, but there, nonetheless.*
Thank you, Meleth. *isn't going to ask about the blood, can figure, just takes Vilya from her hand and wipes it clean with a handkerchief, then strings it on the chain he'd used to wear Tyelkos and puts it around his neck*
You are welcome. *quietly, and she observes him as he strings the ring* So much death and pain, for a small thing that you smithed, my love.
Sometimes it is the smallest and most insignificant things that can cause the most pain. *cause who'd expect so much destruction over a plain gold band? He carefully doesn't think about the other Ring as he tucks Vilya beneath his shirt.*
*she nods, and only looks at him, not at the ring, as he tucks it away - she has no such greed* I... your uncle has been avenged. *very quietly*
Thank you, Meleth. *pauses, then offers her his arms. he needs a hug, and she looks like she does too*
*she nestles in his arms, a bit helplessly, and between Melisande and Cara's blood on them both, she's having to try and not be driven mad by bloodlust - her eyes are still brazen.*
*he'd offer her more if he knew, for now he just holds her close, stroking her hair* Are you sure that you're all right?
*she makes a bit of a hissing sound* The blood, Amor... it ... *drives me mad*
*kisses her, briefly* Take some, then, if it will help.
*siiighs, but kisses his neck, very softly, ready to drive her fangs in, but this time she is weilding the Spell Gift, to mar away the pain*
*leans his head back to bare his neck, giving permission and encouragement*
*so she does bite, very slow and careful - it's a matter of painstaking control, but when the first gush of blood fills her throat, she gives a small shudder of relief*
*tightens his arms around her with a small groan as she drinks*
*is going to manage to stop herself before it's too much, and it does give her some control. She licks and kisses the wound, tenderly, reverently. Her
eyes are no longer ablaze.*
*can probably take losing a bit more blood than a human. he sags against her a little as she seals the wound and kisses her cheek*
*oh, certainly, but she can't stand the idea of hurting him. She'll hold him close, kissing his skin where ever she can* Are you alright?
I'm fine, Meleth. *steadies himself, nuzzling her and stroking her hair*
*is kind of happy he doesn't ask what she did with Melisande - it shames her, even if it did her good to be as vicious as she can be* I am glad. *a
pause* We should... we should go home.
*small sigh* Yes, we should. *kisses her lightly and tucks an arm around her waist to walk back to the mansion with her.
*so walking back, then, quietly* I'm sorry, love. I hope they come back.
They will. *sighs* Eventually. *puts a hand over the ring hidden beneath his shirt* When Elrond returns, I will return Vilya to him. But if this
happens again, I /will/ melt down the metals and shatter the stone.
Hush, hush. *soothingly* It will not.
But she will return as well. *sighs, looking up at the sky, towards the Silmastar*
And I will be waiting for her. *is pretty much determined to kill her as many times as necessary.*
So will we. *grimly and viciously determined*
*a nod, and a chuckle - she's pretty sure just her face will be enough to make Melisande run away*