Sometimes true connection can spring up right when we least expect it to.
[ Had it not been that way with her and Celeborn, at the start? She had hardly been in a position to consider marriage, much less any form of romantic commitment, and yet she recalls even now his persistence in winning her over, in convincing her that it was the best course of fate for them both. Perhaps, had she not been dancing in the glade that day, it would have turned out very differently — and now, she thinks, with a slightly sobered smile, who can say whether his fate, the disappearance, would have been the same?
She draws herself back from reflections on the past in favor of the present moment, glancing to Claire with a minute flicker of surprise in her gaze. ]
Certainly, when the opportunity allows for it. [ She nods, slightly, in the direction of the estate behind them. ] Is this your home?
[ Claire's smile is warm, and gestures to the seating around the outdoor hearth in an invitation to sit. Pouring tea for both of them, she can't help but look up at the house. Is this your home?
It should have been. ]
I lived here for a time with my husband, when we were both terribly young. It was supposed to be ours, but—[ Claire clears her throat, amazed after all this time that it's still so impactful to her. Lallybroch was where they were supposed to take Faith, it was where Bree should have been raised. ]—war intervened.
[ When she hands over the tea, Claire tries to rearrange her face into something not sad because she isn't. She takes a deep breath and lets it out. ]
It was a long time ago now, and it isn't as if the house is no longer in the family. His sister lives there with her husband and children.
[ That's enough to make her smile again, even if it's still on the smaller side. ]
[ Galadriel's expression, one of calm neutrality, adopts a note of clear understanding, one tinged with sadness, when Claire shares the truth of what had occurred to interfere with her ability to reside here permanently. ]
It is an event I know all too well.
[ For the elves would have lived out their existence peacefully, in Valinor, had war not come to their lands as well, leading to the destruction of the Two Trees and the beginning of what would come to be centuries of battle between elvenkind and the forces of darkness. ]
But it is good, also, that there are those who will see it kept safe in your stead. To protect it. And then perhaps one day your descendants will be able to return.
[ There's something like a direct hit to Claire's heart, and she falters for a second. It isn't anything Galadriel could have known, of course, but she isn't sure who the house belongs to anymore. Wetting her lips, her throat clears before speaking again. ]
Unfortunately, I know the future. I've been to the house hundreds of years in its future. Still standing, but the light has gone out of it. Everyone who lived here once is a ghost now.
[ Although she doesn't like to think of them as haunts very much. ]
I'm not sure I'll ever see it again, outside of here and now, honestly. All the better to appreciate whatever magic or science this is.
[ With that, she takes another sip of her tea and looks over at the other woman. ]
I'm sorry that you know that any facet of that particular pain.
[ For that is the only means by which Galadriel can comprehend the possibility of having witnessed such a thing — the woman before her does not seem old enough to be a hundred, and given what she knows of humans they do tend to show more visible signs of aging by that point, considering their shorter lifespan.
Anything else simply hasn't entered into her mind yet, and for the moment her tea remains forgotten in her interest to learn more about however Claire may have come to acquire the knowledge of how this house still stands after centuries. ]
It is a natural consequence of enduring. There cannot be life without some pain and loss.
[ It's understandable, the mistake, and Claire has no problem clarifying. ]
There are times I would appreciate it if pain and loss would take a vacation from my family.
[ Smiling a touch, she circles back to clarify. ]
I've never had visions, although I think my husband might, sometimes. No, I'm literally from the future where I'm from. It was an accident, and now that I've been here for a good while, I think it might have been magic gone wrong.
[ Something to do with the Druid dance she'd witnessed before disappearing the next day, magic that boosted the already present source. ]
But I know too much of what's coming and how it will impact my family. I've tried to change history once, and it only resulted in more pain. All that I can do, is try to brace for impact.
[ They can be as prepared as possible, but what about Jamie turning traitor in order to keep their land? It makes her head swim to think about him in a red coat. ]
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<3 <3 this is the crosscanon cr I needed!
[ Had it not been that way with her and Celeborn, at the start? She had hardly been in a position to consider marriage, much less any form of romantic commitment, and yet she recalls even now his persistence in winning her over, in convincing her that it was the best course of fate for them both. Perhaps, had she not been dancing in the glade that day, it would have turned out very differently — and now, she thinks, with a slightly sobered smile, who can say whether his fate, the disappearance, would have been the same?
She draws herself back from reflections on the past in favor of the present moment, glancing to Claire with a minute flicker of surprise in her gaze. ]
Certainly, when the opportunity allows for it. [ She nods, slightly, in the direction of the estate behind them. ] Is this your home?
hard same!! I'm mad I got sick, but I'm back now!
It should have been. ]
I lived here for a time with my husband, when we were both terribly young. It was supposed to be ours, but—[ Claire clears her throat, amazed after all this time that it's still so impactful to her. Lallybroch was where they were supposed to take Faith, it was where Bree should have been raised. ]—war intervened.
[ When she hands over the tea, Claire tries to rearrange her face into something not sad because she isn't. She takes a deep breath and lets it out. ]
It was a long time ago now, and it isn't as if the house is no longer in the family. His sister lives there with her husband and children.
[ That's enough to make her smile again, even if it's still on the smaller side. ]
oh no! hope you're feeling better
It is an event I know all too well.
[ For the elves would have lived out their existence peacefully, in Valinor, had war not come to their lands as well, leading to the destruction of the Two Trees and the beginning of what would come to be centuries of battle between elvenkind and the forces of darkness. ]
But it is good, also, that there are those who will see it kept safe in your stead. To protect it. And then perhaps one day your descendants will be able to return.
yes, ty! <3
Unfortunately, I know the future. I've been to the house hundreds of years in its future. Still standing, but the light has gone out of it. Everyone who lived here once is a ghost now.
[ Although she doesn't like to think of them as haunts very much. ]
I'm not sure I'll ever see it again, outside of here and now, honestly. All the better to appreciate whatever magic or science this is.
[ With that, she takes another sip of her tea and looks over at the other woman. ]
I'm sorry that you know that any facet of that particular pain.
no subject
[ For that is the only means by which Galadriel can comprehend the possibility of having witnessed such a thing — the woman before her does not seem old enough to be a hundred, and given what she knows of humans they do tend to show more visible signs of aging by that point, considering their shorter lifespan.
Anything else simply hasn't entered into her mind yet, and for the moment her tea remains forgotten in her interest to learn more about however Claire may have come to acquire the knowledge of how this house still stands after centuries. ]
It is a natural consequence of enduring. There cannot be life without some pain and loss.
no subject
There are times I would appreciate it if pain and loss would take a vacation from my family.
[ Smiling a touch, she circles back to clarify. ]
I've never had visions, although I think my husband might, sometimes. No, I'm literally from the future where I'm from. It was an accident, and now that I've been here for a good while, I think it might have been magic gone wrong.
[ Something to do with the Druid dance she'd witnessed before disappearing the next day, magic that boosted the already present source. ]
But I know too much of what's coming and how it will impact my family. I've tried to change history once, and it only resulted in more pain. All that I can do, is try to brace for impact.
[ They can be as prepared as possible, but what about Jamie turning traitor in order to keep their land? It makes her head swim to think about him in a red coat. ]