[Eric does not need to be told twice. He can feel his bondsmate's distress from where he stands now. So he finds the flet that Thranduil is in, feeling it out through the bond. And stops, frozen in the doorway, unable to enter. Damn. In all of this spaceship business, with the gardens being a public area, he'd nearly forgotten.]
[Eric steps forward, released from where he had been standing as if stuck behind a wall, making his way over to kneel by Thranduil's side, setting a hand on his arm as he does. His bondsmate did not know about the invitation. He is pretty sure he will have to address it to him specifically. Later, though. Now he can tell there are other concerns he should have.]
[He speaks quietly, not moving under Eric's touch.]
I think I have done the wrong thing. But if I remove Nuada from the regency, I can only replace him with myself. Tauriel is not ready, and I will not make Legolas a target.
[Ahh, yes. Nuada. If Eric didn't think that sighing would have made the situation worse, he would have. As it is, he shifts his hand to place it over his bondsmate's, even if his arms are still crossed. He knows how desperately Thranduil needs this vacation, and to just let go for a change.]
This fear is because of his announcement, isn't it. [As much a question as it is a statement.]
[A quiet brush over his hand again. He is counting on his touch and presence to help ease his mind a little as they speak. Perhaps it's playing dirty. It's for the right reasons, though.]
Well, he certainly is lacking in tact... But you have trusted him thus far. [There is perhaps a question in this as well. He's not quite sure why, after all (says the pot to the kettle).]
He has served me well till now. He is a friend. But now...now, he has sullied my image to the rest of the ship. I am afraid my bridges are already burning.
[There is a time and a place to point out that a good friend does not always make a good spokesperson, and Eric has enough tact to recognize that this really isn't either of those. He chooses his next words carefully, his hand continuing to rest on Thranduil's as he does.]
...you will wear yourself into the ground if you do not allow yourself the time away. [His ice blue eyes meet Thranduil's for a long moment, before he speaks again.] Is Nuada truly your only option of appointments, in this situation?
[Eric shakes his head.] Legolas and Tauriel are not the only others on the ship. Are they the only others you would trust in such a position?
[He pauses, for a moment, gathering his thoughts.] He has asked to speak with me, Nuada. Regarding what specifically I cannot say, although it does involve our topic at hand.
We will agree on it because it is the truth. [He meets Thranduil's eyes steadily.] Even despite Nuada's recent mistakes, that does not change the fact that you need a break. Even you should see that.
Thranduil. [Eric's voice is firm and steady, his hand moving to take his bondsmate's in his at the note of panic he is getting off of the other.] We will fix this. I can speak to Nuada, if you would have me. I would do almost anything you would have me. Not as your regent, but as your bondsmate. That is why I am here, is it not?
You are his king. Sometimes, it is not about what you say to him, but about you yourself. Advice, as told from one equal to another. If he understands that it is not his own reputation on the line, but yours, he will stand a better chance of making better decisions. [Maybe.]
By Him. [The capital H is nearly audible. He is not talking about Nuada. His shaking is becoming more violent, his voice more unstable. Angry, frightened, hopeless.] By my people. By the passengers. By the Valar. By myself, it does not matter. I fall short; how I am counted is splitting hairs.
[Eric's hands are gentle but firm when he reaches out to put one hand on each shoulder to steady him.]
Your people love you. The passengers are idiots. He does not matter. [Eric looks him in the eye.] You sell yourself short. You are better than you give yourself credit. But you are weary. After everything you have been through lately, you need a respite. And you will not get that by stressing yourself out about Nuada and his loose tongue.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2014-04-06 05:47 pm (UTC)[He's in one of the flets. Distraught.]
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Date: 2014-04-06 05:56 pm (UTC)I am here. Invite me in.
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Date: 2014-04-06 06:01 pm (UTC)[Thranduil is in a chair by a window, pale and shaking, arms crossed over his chest, rocking back and forth.]
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Date: 2014-04-06 06:40 pm (UTC)What is it?
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Date: 2014-04-06 06:42 pm (UTC)I think I have done the wrong thing. But if I remove Nuada from the regency, I can only replace him with myself. Tauriel is not ready, and I will not make Legolas a target.
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Date: 2014-04-06 06:50 pm (UTC)This fear is because of his announcement, isn't it. [As much a question as it is a statement.]
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Date: 2014-04-06 06:52 pm (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-06 07:02 pm (UTC)Well, he certainly is lacking in tact... But you have trusted him thus far. [There is perhaps a question in this as well. He's not quite sure why, after all (says the pot to the kettle).]
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Date: 2014-04-06 07:10 pm (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-06 07:30 pm (UTC)...you will wear yourself into the ground if you do not allow yourself the time away. [His ice blue eyes meet Thranduil's for a long moment, before he speaks again.] Is Nuada truly your only option of appointments, in this situation?
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Date: 2014-04-06 07:34 pm (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-06 07:45 pm (UTC)[He pauses, for a moment, gathering his thoughts.] He has asked to speak with me, Nuada. Regarding what specifically I cannot say, although it does involve our topic at hand.
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Date: 2014-04-06 07:47 pm (UTC)[He takes two deep breaths at the news.]
You both...will agree that I should not yet return to power.
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Date: 2014-04-06 07:56 pm (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-06 07:59 pm (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-06 08:20 pm (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-06 08:47 pm (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-06 09:57 pm (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-06 10:03 pm (UTC)[But Eric seems to have made him calmer. But calm brings him on the other end of despair. Melkor's work in him was masterful.]
And why would it make him behave any differently? We are not equals, Eric. He has no reason to respect my reputation.
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Date: 2014-04-06 10:50 pm (UTC)He respects you more than you realize. He values you, your opinion, and your reputation. He will listen. Do not sell yourself short.
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Date: 2014-04-06 11:21 pm (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-07 01:05 am (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-07 01:10 am (UTC)action
Date: 2014-04-07 02:19 am (UTC)Your people love you. The passengers are idiots. He does not matter. [Eric looks him in the eye.] You sell yourself short. You are better than you give yourself credit. But you are weary. After everything you have been through lately, you need a respite. And you will not get that by stressing yourself out about Nuada and his loose tongue.
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Date: 2014-04-07 02:39 am (UTC)action
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