Neder

[inafadingcrown]

[Room 304 has undergone quite a few changes. Most noticeably, it’s not really so much of a room anymore, as it is its own little world.

Anyone who enters will find themselves in a beautiful old forest, surrounded by Mallorn trees, their golden leaves shining as the starlight hits them. And starlight it is, for there is no moon. But it should not be

Comments

ahhhhhhh lateeeee

[payback]

[This would be one of the few rooms Rin is interesting in venturing into.

She's close to the entrance, though, staring with fascination and hesitation at the surroundings. She's intensely curious, but... this feels like an invasion. She's waving as to whether she'll leave.]

But totally welcome!

[inafadingcrown]

[Ah, but the forest already knows she's there. It's guarded and holds its secrets well. But at the same time...it's not unwelcoming.

As she's considering whether to stay, the starlight may just grow a little brighter and the singing a little sweeter. And if Rin is paying attention, she may notice a silver-haired little girl running barefoot through the woods. She pauses, just for a moment, and looks at Rin- as if to ask "are you coming?"- and starts to sprint towards the clearing.]

;w;

[payback]

[Ah! She catches a glimpse of that running figure, and it makes her jump - and persuades her a step deeper into the trees. Tentative:]

Galadriel?

[inafadingcrown]

Rin.

[Galadriel comes from the direction that the little girl ran off in. But she does so quickly and quietly-inhumanly so; there are few who may move as swiftly and silently as an elf-queen in her own woods.]

You need not fear this place; you are welcome here.

[payback]

[Rin jumps. She wasn't expecting the elf woman to come so suddenly to her. But the tension on her face eases a little, at Galadriel's words.]

The trees are beautiful.

[inafadingcrown]

[Galadriel smiles and places her hand on one particularly large tree. It's a fond gesture, almost a form of communication.]

Many I planted myself, centuries ago. These are mere shadows, of course, creations of my mind, as is all here. But they are images well made.

[payback]

This whole forest, really?

[inafadingcrown]

[She laughs a little and gestures to one of the trees with particularly bright golden leaves.] Nay, the Mallorn trees alone.

[Which...is most of the forest.] And they have grown and flourished and spread since then. Yet I it was who planted the first seeds and you will pardon me if I am overly proud of my hand in it.

[payback]

They are really beautiful. [An admiring glance at the golden boughs.] How long did it take?

[inafadingcrown]

Thousands of years. The seeds were gifted me by a kinsmen and he fell before the end of the Second Age. The Fourth Age will soon dawn upon my world.

[payback]

... Could you plant some here?

[inafadingcrown]

...I do not believe they would grow. From the Undying Lands, the Mallorn comes, and it seldom sprouts in lands less sacred, save under a greater power than I wield here. ["Here" being the keyword in that sentence.]

[payback]

... That's what this place is, then? The Undying Lands?

[inafadingcrown]

This is Lothlórien, my Golden Woods, one of few places in Middle-Earth where the Mallorn grows. [She just smiles, somewhat mysteriously.] Had the castle not limited me, it would be well within my power to see these trees flourish in this world. Alas, unless it returns what it has taken, it will not be.

[So, as powerful as she is now? It's just a fraction of what she's normally capable of.]

[payback]

Ah...

[... What a shame. It would be so wonderful to see Paradisa flourish, full of these beautiful trees...]

Can we go in further?

[inafadingcrown]

If you wish.

[And, if Rin will follow, Galadriel will lead her to the clearing and in view of the beach, the sea, and the land beyond.]

We have spoken of the Undying Lands. Would you see them for yourself? [Just the shores and the trees, of course. There's no way to get there from here, something which says a lot about Galadriel if one thinks on it.]