{Video; UN: elvenking}

[tauraran]

{He is a king without his elegant trappings - but, really, he doesn't need them. The robe he wears catches the light with the smallest of motions, glittering faintly as if precious jewels are woven in the fabric. His hair is bound into a single thick braid that lays against his back and his circlet is elsewhere - as are his rings.}

How many parents reside in Lunatia? Are you separated from your children if so? {The flickering light on the table before him is all the illumination he requires as he works on a sketch. The drawing depicts trees and a variety of animal life beneath their mighty boughs.}

My fear for my son increases by the day and I have found no relief for it. I hardly realized how helpless I could feel as a father.

{His attention shifts from the sketch of the forest to a second sketch of a face much like his own - yet different enough that it must be his son.}

Comments

[tauraran]

{Anyone who holds that title knows the weight of a crown. Anduin's youth will not prevent Thranduil from showing him some respect.}

Do you think so? {Or will Legolas be glad to be rid of him?} I did not treat him as well as I should.

Tell me of your father?

[shalamayne]

[ Anduin will always show respect, it's the right thing to do. The question gets a small nod along with a flit of understanding.]

I think so. And what was my father like? Let me see. He was probably known as being as equally stubborn as he was a fearsome warrior in all of Azeroth. He used to have a bad temper and sometimes made snap judgements because of it.

[ Anduin pauses, well aware he's speaking in the past tense.] But, he doted on me as best as he could and would do anything to protect his people. I don't think I could have asked for a better father, good side and difficult side.

[tauraran]

{It might be, but Thranduil is a vain Elven-King...}

Mm he sounds like a Dwarf. {Is that a joke or is he being serious? It's difficult to tell.} A father cannot help loving their child and, unfortunately, we cannot shield anyone we hold close from our flaws.

[shalamayne]

[ That gets a small laugh.]

I don't think he could drink as much as a dwarf, no matter how large he was. Your words ring true, but I also believe that a parent shouldn't need to hide their flaws.

[tauraran]

Dwarves could never drink as much as myself. {An Elf can drink a Dwarf under the table.} Elves do not become inebriated, you see, unless the wine is incredibly strong.

Sometimes the flaws can be detrimental to the child.

[shalamayne]

Sometimes, but I feel they too are something to learn from. In seeing my father struggle with his own emotions, I decided I wanted to help more and in doing so found my own calling.

[ Anduin gives a small smile. Look, elves in his world have ears that are seriously long.....] Forgive my asking, but are you an elf?

[tauraran]

What is your calling? {He presumes a leader of some sort; the Man has that sort of bearing.}

I am a Sindarin Elf of Arda, yes.

[shalamayne]

I see, I am pleased to meet one such as yourself. Back in my own world there are many different kinds of elves, though they are different to you in looks.

[ Anduin pauses, wondering how honestly he should answer that question. Normally he would mention he was King of Stormwind, High King of the Alliance, but when landing in this place he knows that such titles don't follow so well.]

My calling is to follow the Light, as a priest though I am learning that some would consider that to be more religion orientated than we actually are. We are mainly healers.

[tauraran]

I met another with long ears. Are they the sort of Elf you are accustomed to seeing? {He can't help but feel ears of that size would be prime targets for Orc arrows.}

What is the Light? {The Light for him would include all that is good - the sun, the moon and the stars included.} Your calling is one of the finest I can imagine.

[shalamayne]

Very similar, if not the same. They do have some differences such as beliefs, cultures and appearances but long ears do seem to be one of their similarities.

[ The compliment has Anduin momentarily flustered.] The Light is... Hmm, it can be difficult to explain. It's grace, purity, benevolence. We follow the Light, it guides us to make the right choices and in return it allows us to wield it to heal and help others.

[tauraran]

The Vanyar, Noldor, Teleri, Sindar, Nandor, Silvan, Falmari and Avari are much the same. We hold to some beliefs that unite us, however there is a difference between those who stood under the glory of the Two Trees and those who did not.

{He is of a race that did not, though his people began the journey (and thus get credit for trying).}

Such ideals can be difficult to find in times of hardship.