Theoden: *mopes*

Artamir: *avoids*

Elfhild: What's with you?

Artamir: What do you mean?

Elfhild: You usually come in to the courtyard for your break

Artamir: ...I'm trying to do other things.

( Artamir and Elfhild bond, sort of! )


It is very clear I need to keep my distance from Theo right now. We're not making good decisions when we're around each other, and it ends up in making things worse around his family, as well as making things more awkward for us. Everyone else is fine, and actually I'm growing to be quite fond of Elfhild. She has a good heart, even if she's a little abrasive sometimes. It's her nature, certainly, but she's more caring than she lets on. I'm curious to see if she will ever take me up on my offer, but it will remain open to her if she chooses. I'm sure Hygd would enjoy it, too.

I haven't been avoiding Theo, per se, but I haven't been seeking him out since that day he apologized, either. He found me anyway, though...

Theoden: *peeks in on Thorongil and Artamir getting ready to go home* How was it?

Thorongil: We didn't find anything. Just tracks from the gates leading out. People from the city, no doubt.

Theoden: Well, that's good, I guess. No goblins is good. Haldir dropped by to look at the body.

Thorongil: How did that go?

( The conversation starts out okay, but there is arguing by the end! )


As fond as I am of Theo, he's so immature sometimes. My Theo had that problem too, every now and then. I didn't begrudge her that, though, because she didn't do it very often once we had Hygd. I just... yes, it became hurtful sometimes. Especially in the beginning, when she wouldn't tell Arvedui to stop flirting and pining after her. My own sister's husband! Eru. But this Theo, he's so young and he doesn't care to try to understand and he's just so immature right now.

I bought sweets today on my way home from the nap I took at work. Eru, night shifts are torturous. Anyway, half the sweets went home for my baby, the other half I took to Theo's house, thinking I'd say hello to his mother and the family... It didn't quite go as I'd hoped.


Theoden: *starts tugging off his shirt*

Theodwyn: What are you doing?

Theoden: It's a warm day and the house is too damn hot

Theodwyn: Oh! Can I take my shirt off, too?

Theoden: *weighs the options, decides she's wee enough* As long as you don't go outside.

Theodwyn: Kay! *pulls her shirt off and tosses it aside* Whee!

( It isn't as relaxing as they think it will be. )


I'm humiliated, and angry, and hurt. I've been trying my hardest to remain platonic toward him, in order to keep my promise to his mother, and to myself. Having him as a friend in our lives is better than not at all. It really is. But this? This is torture. This flirtatious nature of his, the one he knowingly inflicts upon me... It's so difficult. Eru, I'm going to need all the help, all the strength and will power I can get...

Thorongil: *sharpening his sword for a way to kill time before going off his shift*

Artamir: *sees Thorongil and brings his weapons over to clean, sitting next to him* Hey, Gil

Thorongil: 'lo, Art.

Artamir: How's it going? You look a little bored. Well, bored or on your way to go after someone.

Thorongil: Bored. Finished my patrol, need something to do

Artamir: *smiles* Want to spar a bit? It'll get our minds on other things.

Thorongil: Nooo. I'm feeling old today

Artamir: You can't feel old, Gil, you're younger than me. *pokes his shoulder*

Thorongil: Yes, well, I don't keep myself young chasing after young boys

Artamir: ...I'm not, any more.

( I really thought he'd be happy... )


This is such a mess. I created such a mess. A mess I can't even fix now... Morwen has gone off the deep end needing to give Theo a "regular" relationship, Thorongil is still as worried as ever, just he won't behead me for it, and I'm afraid I'm not doing a very good job of hiding my unhappiness from Hygd. She shouldn't be worried so much about this. She still has Theo's friendship, so she should focus on that and not that we lost something we could have had... And most days, I can't even face him.

Theo's been avoiding me, with good reason I'll admit... But because of that, I haven't really seen him since that night. Anway, I've been doing patrols by myself, and trying not to think at all about him...

Artamir: *making his rounds for guard duty, checking out a darker area of the street as he walks and doesn't see Maglor, bumping into her* Oh, I'm sorry. *surprised look when he sees her* Ah, miss Maglor... Sorry about that.

Maglor: *drops some papers as she's bumped and crouches to pick them up* Learn to watch yourself. Valar... if any of these are ruined...

Artamir: *helps her pick them up, handing them over carefully* I was just checking something out. Are you alright?

( Oh Eru, I bumped into MAGLOR )


She was actually surprisingly helpful. And now I know how to start going about it... I guess I first need to start with his mom.

Theoden: *muttering to himself about making pie out of little sisters*

Artamir: *thinking about looking for Hygd to check up on her and sees Theo, smiles and goes over to him* Hey... You look like you need cheered up.

Theoden: *angry air grabby hands* Little sister

Artamir: What happened?

Theoden: I don't even want to talk about it. It's such a headache

Artamir: Well, let's get your mind off of it, then. ( Want to get a drink? )





What an unexpected, disappointing, crushing turn of events.

Ecthelion: *waits until all the guards are assembled*

Haldir: *picks a spot near the back*

Artamir: *sits near the front, watching Lio closely*

Theoden: *sits beside Artamir*

Ecthelion: Thorongil? Elfhild? Will you be joining us?

( There are some major concerns... )


I understand that she killed two people and was on her way to kill a third, but she's a child. She was misguided and needs a person to help her back onto the right path, one to cleanse her past. I honestly don't think Feanor will be able to do that, judging by his own past. Or maybe he will be the best person to do it, since according to Theo, he's changed...

But I think it's best we're keeping an eye on him and Gaiala. Murdering a young girl without trying to stop it first.... it would be akin to watching Hygd be executed without doing anything and I won't stand for it, even if it involves being put in jail myself. I'm sure Lio understands my hesitation at her current state. I saw and heard how close he was to her, how he'd come to think of her, and my heart goes out to him. I know he will not want anything to happen to her, whatever she's done in her past, either. Hence, I will do my best to keep her safe and make sure Feanor helps her learn to re-introduce herself slowly.

*goes home first to hug and tell his own daughter how much he loves her*

Thorongil and I decided we should start the interviewing with Imrahil and just get that over with, so we headed out for that...

Thorongil: So you ready to not terrify them?

Artamir: No, but let's get going anyway.

Thorongil: *knocks hard on the door*

Artamir: *stands up straight, almost looming*

Imrahil: *answers the door* Hello?

Thorongil: We're here to ask you a few questions. You and your sister

Artamir: May we come in?

( Oh, there will be some bullying, yes there will. )


...Hygd is going to be mad at me for this. I possibly could have done things more tactfully. In the end, I think they should just be happy I didn't actually threaten the boy (aside from telling him never to hurt my daughter, but that is a father's right). He seems okay, a little wobbly and slow like she said, but okay. And I don't think he's the murderer, I just had to be sure of it myself since he's been seeing my baby. Now to find some nice flowers for her... Ah, I think these will do nicely. In her favorite color, no less! Perhaps this will soften the blow. >.>

I think I finally need to talk to Hygd about her new male friend and just how close they really are. As soon as she gets home from the market...


Hygd: *comes home from picking up ingredients for tomorrows lunch* Papa, I'm home!

Artamir: *looks out from his room* Ah, good. I'm glad it didn't take too long.

Hygd: I just needed some tofu and dye. *hangs up her cloak*

Artamir: *comes out of his room and kisses her cheek* Why did you need dye?

Hygd: It's a surprise *grins*

Artamir: Oh? *chuckles and hugs her to his side* So have you eaten already?

( And so they talk, there is yelling, slamming of doors, and making up )



I still don't think I overreacted at all. I have a right to be worried, especially about this boy who was in jail, and I need her to talk to me, else I will continue supressing her. I know that much is wrong, and her mother would have stopped me, but Hygd is my life and I have to take care of her, teach her to be careful herself.

Artamir: I'll take Artanis. Or we could do it together?

Theoden: If you're okay with Elfhild tagging along, unless you want to promise her

Artamir: I can do that. Promise to take care of you, that is...

Theoden: ( Good promise )

...that could have gone better. I'm hoping the dinner Noniel is hosting will be better. At least I can stop from making myself look a fool...

So, after helping Thorongil and Noniel, I decided to do some investigating for work since we were in the area. Hygd, sweetness that she is, accompanied me while I searched a bit. I remembered from the notes that there were a few attacks in this area, so I decided to look around somewhat more closely. I ended up finding a few pieces from arrows that were buried under the snow and earth. I admit, I dug a bit, hoping I'd find something... The case is kind of cold. Anyway, I don't remember much description written in notes about the arrows found in the victim's home, whether the arrows he was found on were his own or from someone else's stash, so I'm going to do some comparisons tomorrow at work. See if these are the same arrows as those and if they actually belonged to the victim.

Hopefully, we'll have a break soon. It's been so long now that everything is cold. I imagine by this point, the murderer is happily convinced he or she will go free.

Speaking of going free, I still worry about my daughter's choice in boys. The one who was in custody for possible aid in this murder? It's a little worrisome. I suppose I'll find out for myself next week when she brings him to see me like she promised.


((I've been making stuff up for Artamir to do in the investigation. If this is stepping on toes/not where you wanted it to go, I'm sorry and let me know so I can take it down. Thanks.))

I have the best daughter in the world. Most of the time. >.> Observe!

Hygd: *carefully finishes packing the food and ties up the box with a ribbon before going to grab her cloak and boots* Dum dee dum dum, it's cold out, dum dee dum doo, time to see dad, dum da dee dee, if I slip on ice, Eru will pay, dee doo da doo. *heads out*

Artamir: *sitting with Thorongil and going through the list of suspects and people to question* Hmm... Well, at least Theo got a *start*

Thorongil: I'm not sure if ( 'everything in creation' )

...well, the princess is certainly pleasant. I suppose that's what we expected anyway, though, after hearing Theo's stories about her. She doesn't like humans. @.@ Ah well, she'll come around one of these days. I don't think she was responsible for the murder, but her brother is rather suspicious. And no, I'm not just saying that because he leers in earnest at my daughter.

Thorongil I can handle because he is teasing me. Of course, if he does try to go after my Hygd, I'll break his hands and feet before moving inward from the extremities. And like I said before, there will be another murder to investigate. Hygd is all I have in this world, I will do anything to protect her!

So, I have been a little bored at work, what with just patrolling or training. I understand these things are important, of course. I would just like to do more with this murder case. And Thorongil and I seem to have more experience with this sort of thing than most of the elves, so we'd be able to help more. So, I dragged Thorongil to get more work with me.

Ecthelion: *working in his office*

Artamir: *nudges Thorongil* We should go ask to help with this case. I think they could benefit from our help.

Thorongil: You're just bored, aren't you

Artamir: ...yes. Aren't you?

( 'Let's go ask anyway.' Artamir and Thorongil get more work. )

Artamir: *goes to the palace to find out where he might find the general and goes where directed*

Ecthelion: *is down at the training yard, watching the guard perform*

Artamir: *heads down to greet him, pausing to watch the guards until they're done, then goes over to him* ...excuse me, sir

Ecthelion: *looks up* Yes?

( Artamir gets a job! )

I caught sight of Theoden at the ball, so I risked going over to ask him to dance... It's probably dangerous I'm around him.

Theoden: *enjoying his wine and getting a leeeetle tipsy with his mask resting on top of his head*

Artamir: *sees and goes over* Hi. Nice mask.

Theoden: Oh. Um. *pulls it back into place, not recognizing Artamir* Thank you

Artamir: *smiles, thankful his mask is in place* Enjoying the wine?

Theoden: It's... very nice.

( And they dance! )

Hygd: Alright, this is the place. No more doing dishes at that inn. *goes up to Noniel* Hi... me and my father need to talk about housing

Noniel: Ah. Sure, hold on a sec. Let me get your names and some information, then you can go in and talk to King Turgon.

Hygd: *gives it quickly, trying to figure out why Noni's face looks familiar*

Noniel: Thanks. *goes to knock on Turgon's door* Sir, we have newcomers in need of housing...

Turgon: Aiya. Can't you handle that? I'm trying to get through these reports.

( Artamir and Hygd get a house! )