thegreatlibrary | Welcome to the Library

Entry tags:

Welcome to the Library

Who: Open Post
What: Opening Post
Where: All over the library and its grounds
Warnings: [to be edited if necessary]

Today the Great Library opens its doors to all Patrons, who have come from many of the stories and books all available on the shelves.

For this first visit, Patrons will be restricted to the Library and its grounds.

Fortunate, then, that these are impressive indeed - large gardens set up for all sorts of activities, woods surrounding the area and in the Library itself? Cafes, internet access, and the best weapons in the universe: books.

Do enjoy your first visit to the Library, Patron, and always remember the rules.

The Rules of the Library
1. Patrons cannot read further ahead in their own stories than the time they have arrived from. Any attempt to do so will result in being met with blank pages.This lack of information will also occur if trying to find out spoilers online.

2. Patrons cannot tell other Patrons how their story ends. Any attempt to do so will find the Patron unable to find the words to explain it.

3. All books must be shelved correctly.

4. Do Not Harm the Books

5. Do not interfere with the nature of Narrative Causality

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The image of Eowyn appears so strongly in Faramir's mind that he could almost swear she stands before him, beautiful enough to steal his breath and so sorrowful Nienna would weep for her. Something tightens in his chest at the thought of her standing alone on the wall, her hair blowing gently in the wind as she looks to the East.

But he shakes his head, trying to dismiss the picture. "Concern for those left behind and for my duties left undone. But there is nothing to be done about either, trapped here as we are."

He looks around with a mixture of fondness and frustration. "It is an irony. If I had heard of this place in my younger days I might have thought it my heart's desire, for I never dreamed so many books could exist, much less be accessable to me. To have endless time and freedom to read them would seem a blessing. And yet it is a cage, and one I would be free of if I could."

Maglor is terrible at osanwe. Always has been. But he blinks briefly and politely pulls his own shields up at the image projected so strongly, thinking that the concern appears to be rather... er... individually directed, at the moment.

"No, I fear not." He says softly. "A cage's bars are wearisome, no matter how kind! I fear I have not been overly bothered about seeking an escape, but surely, if there is one, perhaps it may be found in the books?"

Faramir smiles again. "Such is my hope--or at least, such is my excuse for all the reading I have done since my arrival! And to a bard, I imagine this is a wondrous resource for tales and songs hereto unknown."

A little shyly, he adds, "I would be honored to hear you play, if you are willing. In good time."

"Even so." Maglor smiles, his eyes bright with real interest.

"There are many tales that I do not know - some from far distant lands that I can scarce comprehend, others much closer to what I know."

I could be happy here, Maglor thinks, Of a sort.

"My lord honors me with his request." Maglor says softly and bows, a pleased crinkle to his eyes.

"I would be glad to play for you, any time you wish."

Faramir too could be happy here of a sort, and perhaps half an hour passes pleasantly as they discuss tales found and stories told. Faramir recommends a particular book of poetry he has found here, by one named John Donne; Eldinn recites softly in Quenya, and Faramir stands transfixed by the beauty of his voice, the rhythm of the syllables.

Eventually they find their way to a garden, and Faramir's heart lifts as he turns his face to the daylight. "I am glad, at least, that our cage is not wholly indoors," he says softly. "Much would I miss the sun!"

Maglor lifts his face to the sun as well and hums happily.

"Aye. I will miss the sea, but sunlight does a body good, and I think I would struggle, trapped away from the stars. I wish we had more space than this, but it will do!"

Faramir nods. "I have seen the sea, though not for many years. Often does it find its way into my dreams! But it is the forest I yearn for. We are surrounded by trees, but..." He shakes his head. "No animals live there, nor birds or even insects. It feels too unnatural, as though someone saw a picture of a forest and hoped to recreate it."

And it is unnavigatable, with no landmarks holding their place, and whatever one does, whatever direction one choose, leads only back to here. If this place is a cage, those trees are the bars.

"Into your dreams?" Maglor raises an eyebrow at him. "You are a little far inland, I would have thought, to know the wavesong so! But your mother was from Dol Amroth, if I am remembering my genealogies aright. Perhaps... "

"She was," Faramir confirms, "and several times have I visited my kin there. I cannot say I share the longing she felt, or that I have heard your folk sometimes fall prey to, but I can at least understand it. It is beautiful, both terrible and majestic, and never failed to fill me with awe."

"In the sea there lives yet the echo of the Music of the Ainur more than in any substance else that is in this Earth; and many of the Children of Ilúvatar hearken still unsated to the voices of the Sea, and yet know not for what they listen." Maglor quotes and smiles a little.

"Although some of us know it a little better than others, I suppose." He says quietly.

"But then the tales are true, that the lords of Dol Amroth can name as ancestress one of the Galadhrim! That is well - it is hard to not be certain of the fate of those who ran afoul of the enemy in those dark days."

Faramir raises an eyebrow, his eyes drifting to the harp still held in Eldinn's hands. "Have you never thought to cross the water yourself?" he asks. "Or is it enough to capture what you may of the lost music with harp and string?"

Maglor does not flinch, but he looks down, and for a moment his left had curls on itself, as if hurting.

"I am Exile in more ways than one." He says softly. "The Road West is closed to me."

Edited 2018-07-22 15:53 (UTC)

Faramir's eyes narrow, almost imperceptively, as another piece falls into place. "I am sorry," he says quietly. "Such a sundering must be a source of great pain, and I apologize for reminding you of it."

Maglor smiles, but it never quite reaches his eyes.

"Tis fine - you did not know, my lord! I am accustomed to the grief."

"Have you?" An almost idle, musing question, though Faramir's eyes still rest thoughtfully on his companion. "I have known some griefs in my shorter life, and yet...I am not certain I could say I have become accustomed to any of them. And yours must be very great, and not lightly spoken of."

He shrugs wryly.

"They are - as much by virtue of a longer life lived, I should think. But if you know your histories, my lord, you must remember the tale of the Doom laid on the Noldor when we returned to these shores from Aman? Truth there was in every word the Doomsman spoke, although I think it brought him little joy, and bitter the dregs of the cup we drained that we filled ourselves. But being old, one has... time to grow accustomed, somewhat, to pain."

"I do remember my histories," Faramir says quietly, his eyes still very thoughtful as they rest on the enigma standing before him. "Well enough to believe I have solved the riddle of who you are, my lord Maglor. So I say to you again: your grief must be very great, however accustomed you are to carrying it, and I am sorry for it."

His breath stutters and he blinks at Faramir in startlement, and then his lips curl in a wry smile.

"A very well read scholar, I see. And a canny one, at that. I suppose I was less than subtle - I am unused to anyone knowing enough to recognise me!"

He bows a little, politely. "Thank you for your sympathy. But I do deserve it, you know."

Faramir shrugs a little. "I was always fond of history, and had the fortune to be tutored by Mithrandir for a time. Such tales gain more weight when told by such a one. As for deserve..." He spreads his hands. "The question of what a person deserves is a difficult one. But had I my choice, I would whenever possible choose to emulate Nienna, and grant mercy where I can. Or, at the very least, to offer pity and understanding, such as I am capable of giving."

"Fortunately or unfortunately, I have yet to encounter the Grey Pilgrim." Maglor shrugs wryly and looks away.

"You are mortal, and young, with a very kind heart." He says softly. "I would not say such things where any of the Sindar or Silvan can hear you. But I thank you."

Faramir smiles a little. "A meeting with Mithrandir is sure to be memorable for any, I would think. Were I you, I would hope for it. He has a deep well of compassion within him, under all his layers of eccentricity and wisdom. As for the Sindar and Silvan..." He sighs, and shrugs. "Alas, I am not likely to encounter any. But I assure you I am not unskilled at diplomacy, nor tact, should the event ever arise."

Which is to say that he's honest, not a complete idiot.

[[ ooc: obviously nothing quantifiable in canon, but /gestures at Maedhros and Maglor, and in fact, all the brothers. Look you don't get that sort of loyalty if you were a tyrant or abusive (and I get very irritated with fics that portray him that way). And it is implied that in the beginning anyway, Nerdanel and he were very much in love (I mean seven kids yo), so he must have been nice to her, at least. All seven brothers are raised to be the best of their whatever profession, which implies a father who was concerned with making sure his kids got the very best education he could get them, even if they didn't share his particular interests (and then he has a very obvious favourite, but well Feanor is very much the opposite of perfect). Mae & Mags are clearly good foster parents, considering how Elrond & Elros turned out, and yes, obvious we don't know how long the E's were actually with them but 'at least a few years' is a pretty safe bet, and they'd only have had their own parents to model, so Feanor can't have been THAT bad a father. Even Curufin SOMEHOW managed to raise a son with enough backbone to go SCREW YOU DAD YOU ARE WRONG and Daddy's Favourite almost certainly emulated his own father in his parenting. Is Feanor an Asshole? Absolutely yes. But I really honestly don't think he was cruel, or without redeeming features. ]]

Maglor winces. "To you perhaps. But my family's track record with the Ainur has not been particularly good or favourable. I am as pleased to avoid him as he must almost certainly be to avoid me!"

Faramir shrugs a little, holding out a hand in a submissive gesture. "I think you underestimate both him and yourself--but in any event the question is a moot one, unless he too should come here." He sounds a little wistful, for Mithrandir's wisdom would be most welcome in this strange place.

Even so, he shakes his head. "Enough of such musings. I, at least, am glad of your company, my lord. Whatever name you choose to bear in this place."

He shrugs wryly.

"You might as well use my real name! It will be nice to have my true name heard for a while."

"My lord Maglor, then. Or--" Faramir frowns a little. "--forgive me, I cannot remember what title you should have, to accompany your name."

The Steward's sons were raised to be very aware of such protocols, since anything else would court diplomatic disaster.

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bythewaves - 2019-06-11 02:02 (UTC) - Expand

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Welcome to the Library

Don't mess with The Library, man.

D= SAVE ME

Sorry. Even a librarian cannot protect you from The Library. Though we can help you navigate.

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Bwahahaha. Also I got blocked, so let's timeskip over some small talk.

\o/ oh good that way I don't have to make up stuff lol

we'd better think of a direction/goal for these two's interaction though, or I will flail

HM. Well Faramir could be nosy and try and ferret out "Exile"'s true name?

Alas, he doesn't do nosy. Especially not with an elf! Drat. At least they're introduced.

Damn. Uhhhh. HM. I NEED TO PONDER but damn Farry be a bit more nosy XD

Oh, he's curious as hell, he's just also subtle. 'Eldinn' is a walking riddle, can't resist that.

lol well he can have another clue then

damn it I only just got to Feanor in Silm, I have NO idea what Faramir might know. Phooey. Will BS.

lol BSing is good!

oh my god Maglor YOUR DAD I SWEAR...!!!

he's sorry HE PROMISES DAD WASN'T ALWAYS THIS BAD....probably...

LIES ALL LIES HE SO WAS also uhhh yeah I didn't lose this for ten months honest

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN FATHER WAS KIND? AND NOT CRAZY? lol I forgive you

THE HELL HE WAS s'okay Mags Faramir will be more kindly disposed than I am

WELL I MEAN LOOK AT THE LOYALTY HE COMMANDS SURELY AT ONE POINT

SHOW ME ONE KIND THING HE EVER DID. SERIOUSLY. EVEN ONE.

Re: SHOW ME ONE KIND THING HE EVER DID. SERIOUSLY. EVEN ONE.

My interpretation differs a bit but that's for plurk rather than here I think!

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