Forge of stories
Ice Princess and The Great Garden.
Weiss left another room with frustration written on her face. Nothing again? That's just not possible!
All the rooms she went into were tidy and modest to a degree, showing that her host prefers cleanliness and that he preplanned beforehand where each chair, table and tv should be positioned, with clear order in mind. But nothing could prove that Annatar is hiding something, angering her further. And the long, red carpet she now walked on only added salt to the injury.
At some point, when she searched his living room and found nothing, she almost started to doubt herself, for a moment thinking that she judged the Smith too harshly. But she quickly refocused on the task, explaining to herself that she just probably didn't search well enough.
She now walked upstairs to the part of the forge she didn't visit yet, hoping that maybe there, she will find proof.
She knew people like Annatar, Atlas is full of them – at first they are friendly, charming even, but they act like that only because she has something they want – money, family name, favors, so on and so on, and back in her home, it was easy for her to call out their fake personas. But Annatar proved to be more difficult in that regard.
"Or maybe I am in the wrong?" A stray thought full of doubt again crossed her mind, but she quickly brushed it off. She just didn't search well enough.
She heard a gasp behind the door made of birchwood. She carefully opened it to not make any nose and peeked inside.
It turned out the room was a small library, and inside was none other than Blake, entirely focused on the white book she had in hands, now covering her mouth.
"Don't do this, please." Weiss heard a faint mutter from Blake. "Don't you see that she needs you?"
Weiss scoffed and closed the door. Even Blake started to trust that guy for some reason. Ruby literally started to trust that guy in seconds despite her warnings but that's understandable, she is still a kid, Yang isn't the brightest and he probably wrapped her around his fingers by now. But Blake?
Weiss shook her head in disappointment. She considered Blake to be the most intelligent member of the team, right behind her of course. Although they didn't talk much, she always had this feeling that her 'shy' team member is much more than meets the eye. And yet, she was also played on like a fiddle.
"Why only I have to think in this team!?" Weiss thought with anger. "Only I can see that this guy…"
"And you still continue your search." Weiss heard Annatar behind her, and she left a annoyed huff. Speaking of the Devil. "Commendable effort. If it wasn't so misguided, it would be quite adorable sight to behold." She could feel his amused grin.
"Don't you have someone else to bother?" She tried to cut off the conversation in its tracks, but Annatar persisted.
"Hmmm... No, everyone else is doing something meaningful, I wouldn't dare to interrupt."
"I am also in the middle of something, so can you leave me be?"
"Ahh yes, pretending to be doing something of importance, while in reality you do nothing, waste precious time and effort, which could be spent on something more worthy of its value." Annatar spoke. "In other words, you are being lazy."
"You really came here just to annoy me huh?" Weiss rolled her eyes as she walked, but Annatar remained beside her. He was as persistent as Jaune, but at least he didn't call her snow angel.
"Purpose of this conversation is different from simply 'annoying you' lady Schnee, but to achieve it, I need you to listen first." Annatar said "And since you are so insecure about yourself, angering you is simply the most..."
"I am NOT insecure." She interrupted him, only for him to burst out laughing, angering her even further.
"Then answer me this, my lady: Are you trying to prove me wrong, or prove yourself right?"
"That's literally the same thing!" She turned to face him, wanting to tell him to finally go away and get lost right into his face. "Listen you-"
"Oh it's not!" Annatar remarked with an shit-eating grin, not giving a chance to speak. "You must be right all the time, at every occasion, about everything. Those who you consider 'beneath your status' must listen to you because you obviously know better than them. And if they ignore you or worse, mock you, you get furious because it greatly hurts your self-esteem."
She rose her finger and opened her mouth to counter that, but words became stuck in her throat.
"You want everyone to acknowledge and admire you, because it is your way of proving your worth to everyone, of feeding your pride. And I reckon you do this because, for a long time, you were the one who had to listen and obey without question nor complaint." He leant closer to now fuming Weiss. "Am I wrong?"
She turned on her heel and stormed off. Annatar followed her with his gaze for a bit, then left a deep chuckle in his throat.
"There it is" He said and went after her.
She tried to ignore him as best as she could, and approached another set of doors. She felt it in her gut that he is trying to trick or manipulate her, and that friendly persona is a farce.
She tried to open the door, but it didn't move, something behind blocking them. She tried to push it, but to no avail.
"You are feeding a really dangerous beast, lady Schnee." Annatar was right behind her.
"Quiet you!" She tried to push the door again.
"Maybe you need a helping hand?"
"I don't need your help, I need you to shut up!" Annatar left an annoyed huff.
"Maybe because of such arrogant attitude you were unable to establish any meaningful relationships hmm?" This remark finally angered Weiss to the boiling point, and dust powder she carried in a pouch shined.
Doors burst open after Weiss pushed it again with dust amplified strength. She took few heavy breaths to calm herself down, while Annatar looked at her with a hint amusement.
"Clean job." He said with a nod of respect. "I would never suspect such short temper within you."
Weiss just gave him a sideye, walked into the room and pressed the switch, turning the light on.
Inside, there was a laboratory with walls and the floor made of sturdy, heat resistant clay and stone, with tables covered in a heat-resistant substance. And there, on the largest table she noticed few dozen of carefully secured dust crystals.
"You work here on Dust?" She looked at Annatar, and he laughed in response.
"I assume it's way below average laboratory in Atlas, isn't it?" He walked past her and put his hand on the table while Weiss followed him with her stare. "But indeed, here I conduct my experiments on this fine material, both raw and purified by your company." He looked at her with curiosity. "Tell me, SDC use magnetic separation in order to purify it, yes?" It wasn't even a question, he basically asked for confirmation. She looked at him with disbelief as he picked up pure Burn Dust crystal. That's company's secret! He couldn't just discover it on his own... Or could he?
"Quite efficient method." He put the crystal down after he closely inspected it. "Your father invented it I presume?"
"My grandfather did it." She corrected him, both with clear fondness over a memory of her grandad, and a hint of spite for her father. "It was his gift to the world." Annatar again nodded with respect.
"He was really ingenious, many of your rival companies still use chemicals, which wastes most of the precious material and the outcome is of worse quality." He picked up the impure Ice Dust Crystal and weighed it between his fingers. "But those provided by your house are near-perfect, or should I say 'The Finest of them all'. " He chuckled and examined the dust crystal with admiration, while Weiss just listened, awaiting his 'well-thought' conclusion.
"Dust is… beautiful. It's a pure potential in a shape of a crystal or powder. And just like the World built itself on it..." He looked at Weiss through the blue crystal, and for him, it looked like she is imprisoned within the Ice Dust. "...Your family built its Name and Fortune on its extraction. Name, which so many resent and wish to either possess or utterly destroy. A fine Legacy, created thanks to your grandfather's dedication, vision and talent." He gave her a understanding smile. "You have quite a boots to fill, haven't you?"
"I-" Weiss bit her tongue. Why is she talking to him? Moments ago she thought of him a shady man, but now, why he appears to be similar to the portrayal of her grandad? She shook her head in denial, trying to stay focused and don't participate in whatever game he plays.
But Annatar kept talking.
"Is this why you look down on everyone? Because of your family's legacy?" He gave her a smirk. "Do you think such hard-working man as Nicholas Schnee would approve such behavior?"
"Of course not!" Weiss decided to answer. "I simply know my self-worth."
"And what is a source of this pride my lady? Your character, or your surname?" Weiss bit her lip and clenched her fists at this remark. "Because if you want people to respect you on a sole virtue of your personality, then you give a really poor first impression." Weiss crossed her hands on her chest.
"I don't want to talk with you about my 'family issues', my 'flaws' or whatever you think about me." Weiss finally snapped.
"And why is that? Is it because I speak the truth?"
"No, it's because you know awfully lot about me, even though we have never met." She said with stern look, in reality trying to hide how deep Annatar's words cut her.
"Is it wrong to gather information regarding daughter of one of the most powerful man in the world?" Annatar pointed out. "Admit it, I am not the first one to do so."
Weiss wanted to disagree, but she couldn't. From the very young age Atleasian upper class, public opinion, journalists - everyone carefully watched her every step, hoping for some controversy, scandal or anything.
Sauron crossed his fingers, staring down at Weiss, like he wanted to pierce through her with his fiery gaze.
"During my lifetime, I met so many like you, Weiss Schnee." Sauron's eyes flared up, and for a moment Weiss thought that they will spew molten flames. "Born into nobility, their hearts full of ambition, their faces full of arrogance, wearing pride like a blindfold." For some reason, Weiss felt smaller, while the man wearing white robes seemingly grew in size. "They always think that they follow their own destinies, not realizing that they are just dancing like a puppets on the strings to the tune."
"Are you implying that I am some puppet?" Sauron chuckled darkly.
"It was a statement, lady Schnee." He said, and she left an angry huff. "Even now, shackles around your neck are tightening." Weiss crossed her arms in denial.
"You are wrong -I freed myself from my father, I left Atlas to attend Beacon, I study to be a Huntress in a future." She said. "If that's not making my own path, then I don't know what is it."
"You 'freed' yourself, yet you chase perfection and the position of leadership at the expense of others just to please him, so he won't call you back to his side." Sauron pointed out, his words like daggers.
"Cut it out, I won't..."
"You left your home to study and finally 'make friends' who won't judge you on a base of your family's name, yet you proudly carry his family's insignia on your back, to remind everyone why they should pay a proper respects." Like needles, words started to fracture Weiss's heart, and he giggled mockingly. "You are woman full of contradictions, aren't you?"
"Stop it." She simply said, but Annatar didn't budge to consider her request.
"Tell me, did you even made the decision to study at Beacon on your own, or he simply allowed you to go, because it would bring his legacy more prestige? So he can brag between other upper classman that his beloved daughter attends the most renown Academy in the world?"
"Shut up. " Weiss meekly stated, now growing more agitated, but Annatar snickered, and leant closer to her.
"You wish so much to finally follow your own path, yet deep down you know you can't do anything he won't approve. That you are forever bound to him, to your family's name, to the path he prepared for you, and currently, you are unable to free yourself."
"Shut up!" She nearly yelled at him, and Annatar in turn gave her gaze not full of contempt, but of compassion.
"And the worst part is." His tone softened "That I see myself in you."
The slap delivered to Annatar's face echoed through the room.
"SHUT UP ALREADY!" Weiss yelled at him with all of her fears and nightmares she had in those past weeks while Annatar recovered. "I KNOW I AM ALONE, I KNOW I CAN'T ESCAPE HIM, AND I KNOW IF I FAIL, I WILL FOREVER BY NOTHING MORE THAN ANOTHER ONE OF HIS ASSETS."
Annatar looked at her while she took few heavy breaths, her anger subsidizing every second.
"But I don't want to forsake my grandpa's dream either." She said somberly. "I don't want to abandon his legacy like my sister, nor I want to ruin it like my father does it right now." She stared at her feet. "I just want to make my own choices in life, to add something meaningful to the world. And being a Huntress is exactly that."
She sniffed, and after a short moment, a blue tissue appeared before her, which she took and cleared her nose with.
"Now you will say I am spoiled rich girl that doesn't know a thing about the world, do you?" She looked at the Smith fully expecting some harsh words.
"No, in contrary, I can relate to what you said." Annatar replied with soft tone. "Just like I stated, I can see that our stories are kind of similar." Weiss looked at him.
"You mean?" She asked, rising her left, white eyebrow.
"For one, I also had a rather rough relation with my 'Father'." Annatar stated with clear disdain. "And for two, I also wanted to do more than he preplanned for me."
"Care to elaborate?" Weiss inquired, and Annatar rose his eyebrow in slight amusement. "Look, you act like you know me, and I admit, you are not wrong in some parts." Annatar smiled, but he didn't interrupt her thought. "But it will be only fair if I know something about you, don't you think?"
Annatar touched his lip, clearly considering what she said.
"But only the truth!" She pointed out, and Annatar nodded.
"Yes, what you said makes sense." He agreed. "So, I came from a land in the far East, beyond the Great Ocean."
"You are from an uncharted islands?" Weiss asked with clear surprise. On Remnant, there are still many landmasses undiscovered by humanity, with potential wild human populations living undisturbed for centuries. But, due to the Grimm activity on the seas and oceans beyond the established sea lanes, few captains even dare to go exploring the unknown lands, knowing the risk they decided it is not worth the reward. Not to mention places like Dovaas are so hostile and dangerous, that even airships fell prey to the masses of Grimm living there.
Annatar continued, allowing the Schnee to make this assumption.
"And there was a King, or, as you may realize by now, my father." He continued.
"So you are born into a royalty?" Weiss asked. "That would explain his strange manners." She also thought, but Annatar dismissevly shook his hand.
"So far in the line of succession it doesn't even matter." He smirked. "Nevertheless, my 'father' was rich and a powerful king, who had a lot off land at his disposal, so much in fact that he didn't even know what to do with it. And then, one day, he got a bright idea – to build the magnificent Garden, unlike any other in the world."
"And he chose one of his holdings to build in it?" Weiss shook her head in disappointment. Atleasian upper class often spends so much money on needless projects, like Marigold's Mirror's Palace or Tanith's Golden Baths. Money, which could change so many lives in Mantle.
Her granddad knew that and actively helped as many poor as he could, for which he was looked down upon. And regrettably, after her father took over, the company distanced themselves from the 'selfless' charity work.
So far, Annatar's dad didn't give her the best impression.
"For this task, he gathered all of his sons and daughters, and gave them a general idea how the Garden should look like, allowing his offsprings control over the construction effort."
"He seems to put a lot of trust in his children." Weiss noted.
"That he did." Annatar agreed. "And so, the second oldest brother decided to adorn the sky above the Garden with birds, from lowly sparrows to the mighty eagles, while the oldest sister brought seeds of various plants to the garden, cultivating lowly bushes and mightiest trees, which allowed her brother's birds to create their nests in the crowns of the tall oaks."
"So each of them brought something to the project." Weiss commented. "What did you…" She paused when Annatar gave her 'you didn't realize it by now?' stare. "… I see it's quite obvious."
"Even they needed tools, didn't they?" Annatar chuckled. "But you are correct, each of my fourteen older siblings brought something to the table, and my younger siblings helped in their endeavors."
"Wait wait wait -hold on." Weiss interrupted. "You have FOURTEEN SIBLINGS?"
"No, those are fourteen oldest siblings." He clarified, unfazed by her reaction. "I was like twenty-seventh? There are more younger than me of course." Weiss sat down and slowly processed this information.
Even the first king of Mistral, Geronimo Casanova, sometimes referred to as a "Lover King", had like twenty legitimate children during his entire life. The idea of one king making more than that was absurd!*. After a brief moment, when Weiss wrapped her head around this information, Annatar continued his tale.
"For some time everything was going according to the Second Son plans – plants flourished, animals multiplied in their new habitats, crystal clear water poured down from the waterfalls and formed first rivers."
"But from your tone I guess something's changed." Weiss inquired. "Natural disaster?
"No, even worse." Annatar's face sterned. "My oldest brother." Annatar paused and looked at nothing in particular, with a mix of anger, resentment and shame.
Weiss knew that stare all to well, her mom usually do it when she thinks nobody watches her, right before she start to quietly cry.
"What have he done?" Weiss asked after a minute, and Annatar looked at her, fire in his eyes toned down, cold.
"He was envious of the rest of his siblings, for he felt that the whole plan for the garden should be his, that everyone should obey his words bring his idea into reality. But, when he was rejected, he started to sabotage the efforts of the rest out of spite.
He clenched his fist. "He brought predatory snakes, capable of climbing rocks and trees, to hunt for young birds in their nests. Then, he poisoned the once clear waters with filth, so animals drinking from them would die in droves. He also brought parasites and planted weeds among the grass to infect the flora, make them weak and vulnerable to plagues. And many more deeds he had done to ruin the garden."
"He sounds like a douche" Weiss commented with a snarl, and Annatar left a sad laugh.
"Yes, I guess that he behaved like one." He laughed a little more and continued. "Soon, two conflicted sides formed – one wanting to continue the great work and stop the oldest sibling, while the oldest brother and those who joined him wanted to demolish the garden and built in its place something new."
"And which side did you choose?" Weiss asked, and Annatar looked her deep in the eyes, his eyes full of fire…
of Regret…
of Shame…
"You are a bright girl Weiss Schnee, don't tell me you can't you guess it by now?"
"But… that makes no sense!" Weiss jumped on her feet. "When you talked to Ruby, you were all about 'creating', 'smithing', and you apparently built an armor with aura! There is no way you would chose the guy who actively ruined everything!" Annatar looked away for a moment.
"If your father recalled you to his side, told you that from now on you will charm noblemen, wear shiny dresses and entertain important guests, would you be happy?" He looked at her again. "Wouldn't you rebel?"
"Of course I would be furious! The whole reason I am studying at Beacon is to not be that." Weiss answered with disdain. If not for Kurt, she would be like this, her father…
"Then, of all people here, you should understand me." Annatar pulled her out of her thoughts. He rose on both his feet and looked at the ceiling, presumably trying to look through the roof at the sky.
"BECAUSE THAT WAS MY FATE!" Sauron declared and his fist slammed against the table like a hammer, and it yelped under maia's rage.
Hammer in Ruby's hand repeatedly fell down on the anvil, its heat allowing it to achieve the shape she and the metal itself desired to take. Each strike of the hammer moving parts of the material, starting with huge masses and ending with almost microscopic clumps. Slowly, under the repeated, careful strikes, the blade was being reformed.
This part always brought Ruby satisfaction, for the more of care and effort she puts in, the better will be the result – a really simple rule she followed while making Crescent Rose. Sadly, it didn't work with making a relationship.
Luckily, this task didn't demand too much of her attention, her body worked almost automatically, like it naturally knew what to do, how to strike to achieve the best result, allowing her mind to ponder on the questions she asked herself few times already, one of which was how to be a good leader.
When Ozpin nominated her to be a team leader, at first she didn't knew what to do, she tried to follow of her book heroes, who gathered their friends and lead them to face evil together, but when she now thought of it, her childhood heroes were great leaders right from the start, rarely made mistakes, and, most importantly, everyone liked them.
She struck the heated metal few more times, the sound of falling hammer rung across the forge, and resonated with Young Rose. If there were any bystanders, they could swear that her strikes were rhythmic, like she smithed to a song in her head..
"Turin at first was no different." Ruby thought while her hands worked. He lost his parents because of the bad guy, He gathered a group of friends and fought against the Big Bad. She heard that story many times. And it should end in an epic battle in which everyone achieve their goals, celebrate their victory…
But instead, he lost.
Ruby picked up the blade, still white because of the heat, with set of pincers, and lowered it to the water, which immediately started to violently turn into steam. She pulled out the blade, barely noticing that the water is almost out.
"He was betrayed by a friend." She tried to wrap her head around it while placing the blade back on the anvil. She was angry at Mim obviously, but at the same time, she kinda understood how he felt.
Turin pushed him aside, so focused on winning battles that he didn't notice the change in the dwarf.
Hammer again started to rhythmically fall on the blade, singing a sad tune.
"Leader has to take from both the ruler, and the commander." Annatar's words once again echoed in her head. Turin was a great commander, he fought his battles, but he couldn't manage his people. Story just showed consequences of not resolving Mim's issue, but what if there were other problems that Turin didn't resolve?
She could imagine that if she was there, in Turin' place, she would talk with Mim about Beleg, help them find…
Her hammer stopped before it reached the blade when she realized something – She was already in his position.
"What have I done while being a Team Leader?" She thought "What if my teammates struggle with something? Did I even noticed?"
Hammer started to fall again, but the ringing of steel didn't quell the storm in her mind.
Sauron left a heavy breath, calming his fury while startled Weiss observed, unsure what to think about him.
"Yes, I supported the Destroyer, but not because I shared his vision no. It's because they left me no other choice."
He looked at Weiss. "They built their Garden on what was once a fertile land, with rich soil, and the winter was not harsh. If they worked closely together, they could achieve so much more." He shook his head in anger. "But each of my siblings did whatever they liked without consulting their ideas with others – Sister planted her plants wherever she wanted to, only for another brother to dig his river in such a way that it swopped the seeds away. It was utter chaos."
"But don't you think that ruining everything is too much?"
"I hoped that, when everything turns too ash, I will build a new garden, with tall trees that will bore fruits, with fields of golden crops which would please the eye and feed the people, with flowing rivers that also provided water for the plants to grow, with animals of ever color and shape that would give eggs, fresh milk and tasty meat…" His eyes wondered, visualizing his ultimate goal – a world, in which everything is useful, in perfect harmony and order.
"Then why didn't you talk with your siblings?" Weiss brought Sauron out of his vision. "Maybe they would listen If you just talked with them."
"You really think I didn't try!?" He replied with a snarl. "They found my ideas horrifying, and rejected them right away, saying that I should stick to what I know best." He sat down again. "I was meant to provide them with tools, watch how they throw all of their random ideas into the disaster this garden was becoming without complaint, and then, when my usefulness is over, to simply fade into the background."
"And your Father didn't help you?" Weiss asked, now feeling sorry for the Smith.
"Father?" He laughed dryly. "He took their side, leaving me only with that moron as an ally. He didn't even listen to my ideas…"
They sat there in silence, Weiss contemplating what Annatar said, and, much to her surprise, she felt pity for him. The way he spoke, this anger and resentment – she knew that all too well. And she understood that he didn't lie to her. She thought what words will be best to say, to not insult him in some way.
"I'm sorry." She said after a while, and Annatar left a heavy sigh.
"This belongs to the past now, holding the grudge here…" He gestured presumably at the forge. "…Would serve no purpose any longer. But I must say, I envy you, Weiss Schnee."
"Envy me?" Now that was something she didn't expect to hear from him.
"I envy you found yourself more competent allies." Weiss frowned.
"You mean my team?" She scoffed. "They are not the best out there."
"Still better than petulant destroyer with anger issues, don't you think?" Annatar jested, and Weiss cleared her throat.
"I suppose. But I know they could do a lot better if I led them."
"Sometimes, you have to play with cards you have in hand, not wish for better ones." Annatar replied. "Of course, often you can make necessary preparations, but in your case, I think you won't get a better outcome."
Weiss wanted to disagree, but part of her brain reminded her that she could as well end with Cardin, which would be unpleasant to say the least, or with weak team like SABER. And, to be fair, in Emerald Forest, they worked together quite well, barely knowing each other. There was some potential, without a doubt.
But she only wished she was a team leader… That still annoyed her, like thorn in a side. And Smith noticed that resentment clearly.
"I can share with you a secret, if you wish." Annatar said, and Weiss looked at him curiously." Being a leader is not for everyone."
"Tell me about it." Weiss grumbled, but Annatar continued his thought.
"Leader has to share glory and prestige with his companions, care for them, be like another parent, but also she, and only she, will be blamed for every mistake or misjudgment."
"Then you agree that giving that position to a child is not a good idea?" Weiss inquired, but Annatar shook his head in denial.
"All I said is that if you really care about performance of your team, you can improve it without being a leader.
Weiss frowned, and Annatar chuckled.
"You said that your leader is a child. Is she incompetent?"
"I mean…" Weiss wanted to say that Ruby is bad leader, but that wasn't really the case. After all, Ruby gave it all to her studies and got better score on a test than her. "…She is just undisciplined."
"Then you can teach discipline, make her a better leader." Annatar advised. "Your position allows it." Weiss looked away.
"I think she won't listen to me." She confessed. "We already argued quite a few times."
"Although I know he for little time, I think I can tell you that Ruby Rose is not a person who holds grudges." Annatar said. "Nor Yang Xiao Long, she is too free-spirited for that." Annatar thought for few seconds. "Unless you do something really horrible."
Weiss thought about it and yeah, no matter how many times she gave Ruby a cold shoulder or tried to ignore her, Ruby always tried to make conversation with her, or make her laugh. It's not something you do to a person you hate. And Yang? It seemed that brawler's only issue is her treatment of Ruby and her 'not seeing past her nose' attitude, as Yang calls it. Sure, she annoys her with nicknames, but other than that teasing, she is not acting hostile.
When she thought of it, all of the arguments starts because of her, sure, because they annoy her, but often what she says leads to that.
"You are lucky, Weiss Schnee." Annatar rose up from his seat and opened one of the drawers. "For there are still people who wish to be your friends, and don't care about your family's name." He pulled out something out of the drawer, and hid in his hands. "But often your words spark unwanted arguments, right?"
"It's not like that!" Weiss replied, but when Annatar rose his right eyebrow, she left a sigh. "Okay, maybe sometimes I say something I shouldn't. But is this relevant to the discussion?"
"Yes, because I have something for you." He approached Weiss and swiftly put something in her hand. "You may call it a Gift."
Weiss looked at her hand, in which now lied an earring. It was small blue jewel encrusted in meticulous silver-gold net hanging from short chain made of some white, yet not silver metal. The jewel itself looked and shined like a miniature star and, when she looked inside it, it seemed like it had a nightsky captured within.
"I made Ohvaalel from the crystals brought from the far north, from the continent of Solitas, where they, for eons, absorbed light of the guiding star."
"From my home?" Weiss asked with surprise. "It probably cost a fortune to ship them here."
"True, but the result is worth more than any coin, don't you agree?" Weiss looked at the earring, and slightly nodded in agreement. "But, I must confess, this wasn't suppose to be an end result." He said, surprising the heiress.
"What do you mean? It's beautiful." Weiss tried to reassure him, but he just chuckled.
"Of that there is no doubt, but it still doesn't match the originals. But, aside from looking beautiful, it will help you find good words in future conversations."
"Wait, you are giving it to me? Why?" Weiss realized while Annatar moved to the door.
"Because I like you, and when I like someone I want to show my appreciation." He gave her a knowing smile. "Also, Ruby Rose just received a Gift, I would be a poor host if I left you empty-handed."
"I can't take it." Weiss looked at him as he stood in the doorway. "Not for free." And Annatar gave her a concerned face.
"Of course you can, it's a gift. Unless it's poorly made, then I can…"
"No no, it's beautiful." Weiss reassured him, then left a sigh. "It's just..." Annatar bowed to her gracefully.
"Weiss Schnee, as a humble smith I can tell you that I would be the most honored if you had one of my creations in your possession. So please, accept this token of my appreciation."
After a brief moment of consideration, Weiss once again looked at the earring in her hands and finally nodded in agreement, which made Annatar smile in relief.
"I am really thankful for this talk, Weiss Schnee." He once again bowed to her. "But if you excuse me, I have important matters to attend to."
"Wait." Weiss stopped him, and Annatar looked at her curiously. "Last question. You said there are only four 'broken things' in your forge. Was I getting closer to any of them?"
Annatar chuckled. "No, but I can tell you that now, there are only two such things left." And with that said, he left baffled Weiss alone.
She again looked at the earring, and couldn't help but admire it's beauty. She wasn't sure about the 'finding good words part', but she was more than certain that Ohvaalel, or whatever it was called, was a piece of art.
She put the earring on, and it was surprisingly light. She looked for a mirror, and when she found one on the table, she watched her reflection. And she had to admit that Annatar has a great taste in jewelry.
She looked after the smith, but he was long gone.
"Maybe you are not that bad." She said, and a stray thought circled in her head that maybe she should spend more time with her team, and that maybe it's not too late to make amends.
Meanwhile Annatar walked through the corridor with wide smile on his face. Story he told her wasn't the one he preplanned, but every good plan must allow for some improvisation. And it seems that the end result is far more than satisfying.
And, much to his surprise, he started to like the heiress. When she drops the act, she is not that bad. She wasn't of course Penny Polendina, but Schnee reminded him of someone from the past.
He chuckled, remembering the old warrior-king – unlike many, he was reliable and capable servant, who Sauron trusted more than many of his greatest thralls. After all, when returned to Mordor, he entrusted him his old home.
Now he walked in total silence, his steps leaving no sound, towards the library, knowing that Xiao Long is probably filling one of two buckets by now, while Blake is probably finishing her book. If she is really fast reader, she might have started another before he arrive. And Ruby Rose is still fully committed to her craft.
It's time for the third actress to shine.
Flames in the furnace grew again, melting the iron within, and Ruby sat closer to the flames to overwatch the process.
Blade was nearly ready and now needed to cool off, so in the meantime Ruby decided to make replacements for the parts Annatar showed as flawed. This allowed her to make a rather short break, which she decided to use to gather some thoughts. And she thought about her team.
"Weiss and Blake argued about the White Fang and Faunus in general." She reminded herself while staring at the flames. "I wanted to talk with Blake about it, but when Yang offered to resolve it herself, I immediately accepted it. And then, I didn't talk about it with Weiss." She shook her head in disappointment. "And then, when they returned the next day, I didn't even ask how it went."
"Argh!" She hid her face in her hands in shame. She didn't even thought about asking!
"Leader must understand his men, often more than they know themselves, what drives them and what they desire." Annatar's words circled in her head, and Ruby left a heavy sigh.
"Great job with that, fearless leader Ruby." She muttered with sour. "At least you could ask If everything is okay."
All that little moments when she saw her teammates arguing, in a bad mood or doing everything to avoid spending time with each other came crushing down like an avalanche. And the worst part is that, Ruby wasn't quite sure what makes her teammates angry. She was afraid that if she ask what's wrong, she will just start an argument. Or that she will accidentally rub a really personal matter. Or that she will make a catastrophic mistake.
She looked at the Crescent Rose, awaiting for the replacement parts on a table. Tools and weapons are simple, you can't accidently anger them, and she was really good with them. But with people, she didn't know exactly what to say or how to approach them. When you make a mistake while crafting, you can repair it or start anew. With people, it's not that simple.
"Why Headmaster picked me?" She thought while iron slowly melted in the furnace. "I don't know how to lead outside of a fight. I am not sure if I even can learn to do that."
"You will make mistakes, for humans are not perfect, but you can learn from that, and from the mistakes of others, to make better decisions in the future." Again, Annatar's words reemerged, and she made another realization.
"What he said is that making mistakes is natural, but I can also learn from them." She thought. "Not paying attention to my teammates was a mistake, but it doesn't mean everything is over. Maybe if I…"
Suddenly, door's to the forge's interior were kicked wide open, revealing Yang carrying a bucket full of water.
"Special delivery!" Yang tried to jest, but from her face Ruby could guess that her sister isn't really happy. "One bucket full of water, maybe with few drops of sweat."
"Thanks Yang!" Ruby replied while Yang put the bucket beside the anvil.
"Always a pleasure." Yang looked at her sister. "How it's going? Everything good? That guy didn't try something sneaky?"
"What? No!" Ruby replied. "I just wait for the iron to melt, and Annatar told me a story before he left."
"Oh, okay?" Yang leant on a table. "Was it at least a good story or…"
"It was good." Ruby immediately answered and again looked at the flames, noticing that iron is nearly melted. "It gave me something to think about."
Yang nodded. "In this case, I will get going, I have to bring another bucket." She turned on her heel and wanted to leave. To save some time, before she went to Ruby, she already attached the second bucket and threw it down the well in vein hope that it will reach the water before she returns.
"Yang, can I ask you something?" Yang stopped in the doorway.
"Sure, what's up?"
"Are you okay?" Ruby looked her sister deep in the eyes. "I mean, really okay?"
Yang looked at her surprised, but then scoffed. "Of course I am! Why do you ask?"
"It's because for two weeks, after classes you go to the town alone and return either late at night or early in the morning." Ruby explained. "I didn't want to stick my nose because it probably something really personal, but know that if you need help…"
"Rubes!" Yang approached and affectionately rubbed Ruby's short hair. "It's nothing really! I am just looking for someone, that's it!"
"But, if I can help in any way…"Yang left a friendly chuckle.
"I really appreciate you are worrying for me but I am fine, for real! You know that no one in this town wants to mess with me. And I visit places that are not for adorable younger sisters!"
Seeing that Ruby wasn't satisfied with the answer, Yang left a heavy sigh. "Okay, I will explain everything to you when I finally find the guy I am looking for."
"Can you also sent a message each hour where are you, so I won't worry?" Hearing this, Yang laughed out loud.
"Now you sounded just like dad!" She laughed while Ruby smiled and almost giggled. "But, if it will make you stop worrying, then sure."
"Thanks Yang." Ruby said, and Yang gave her a nod, and went to the door.
"If you need something else Rubes, just call me." Yang said from the doorway. "I will be with you in no time." And with that said, Yang closed the door behind her, leaving Ruby alone with her craft.
Molten iron fell into the prepared heat-resistant bucket, which she grabbed with her pincers and carried it to the anvil. Then, she carefully spill it into the prepared form.
"I still don't know what troubles Yang." She thought to herself, promising herself that she will resolve this topic. "But I hope it's a good start."
She again prepared her hammer to strike, still lot needed to be done. But her thoughts were much clearer now.
Authors note
When I wrote this chapter, I realized two things - one, writing and editing takes heckton of time and effort. Not to mention rewrites. Second - even if you are prepared and dedicacted to write something, your plans still can get messed up. For example, Covid can return and give you a terrible headache and runny nose.
But when I was reading what I wrote I thought "Hey, Ruby got a full chapter dedicated to her, and now you want to just throw Weiss, Blake and Yang into one bag? That's not how you treat the main cast bro." So yeah, this chapter is for Weiss. Noticeably shorter true, but I don't want to stretch the things that shouldn't be stretched.
I think that giving each member of the team one chapter will first highlight them as a character, AND show the passage of time. Time will tell if I was wrong.
And maybe I will add something extra for characters I already wrote, because why not?
To answer some of your reviews:
In response to vastoisshin:
Thanks for your kind words, but Turin's tale took like, half of the chapter? But yeah, I really pray that one day, someone will make a GOOD series about Silmarilion, with passiona nd care it deserves.
Sauron will never back down from a human, and yeah, I try for characters to be more than 'plot points'. AND I want characters to act like a person.
I hope I do a good job at characterising each member of the team.
In response to Jjohn34:
Thanks man, I'm loving it too.
Hope that you will like this one too.
In response to Dhestrya:
Dhestrya! You wrote this review two hours later than normal! For a moment I thought you died or something!
Nonethless, it's NICE to have you here.
In response to RedHood001:
First off, I really appreciate that you took your time writing this review, I really love when are engaged with something I do. Now to answer it:
Thank you! To be honest, I dreaded that people won't like it, because it's not what you usually expect when the protagonists meets the antagonists.
It's the big bad who terrorized Middle-Earth for years! And they are having a nice chat? Get some life lessons from him? Drinking tea!? It's Sauron, not uncle Iroh!
When I reread Silmarillion, I couldn't exactly decide what stories should be picked. But then Konsilio came and told me that 'Turin will be the best'. And he was right!
And I thought that Sauron will tell another part of Turin's story, until Weiss threw the script. I kid you not, when she asked Annatar something about himself, she left both me and the maia confused.
And that's why Annatar approached her - to clear her doubts. Was he successful? I guess so.
Fun fact - Blake is cat faunus, and Sauron, in Tolkien's first scripts, was a Prince of Cats. So, considering her animal side, she stands near the giant tiger.
I will spoil a little - the materials she is reading will bring parrels not to her past, but to someone really in important in her life.
I won't tell who exactly, and how.
And why he is kind to them? It's because he is such a kind guy! He don't want to make enemies! He wants Team RWBY, and other Hunters to be his allies.
People are more useful when they work for him out of their free will.
"The way the former Dark Lord reacted to Jaune's flawed ring really made it seem as if he's trying to do good but still act as he does when he's The Deceiver." - I really like this take. Even in Middle-Earth, Sauron viewed himself as a hero who wants to build a better place for everyone, but for milennia, he schemed, lied, betrayed and fought. Does he even know how to do it the other way? To be good without being a Deceiver?
Now he took this appraoch because it's not only efficient, but also safe - he doesn't know everything about Remnant yet, so it's better to gather necessary knowladge while posing a humble smith in Vale.
And, like you noticed, Penny is someone whom Sauron didn't account for. Not to mention that finally, he is in the world that is not out-right hostile to him.
It's hard for his character to remain static in this environment, isn't it? He isn't Melkor.
Is Yang's task more than it appearsto be? Probably.
And I thank you for leaving this review, I really love it. I hope you stay well!
In response to Oystermcnutty
You had me in the first half, not gonna lie.
Rereading Silmarillion is always a good read, and it's real shame that Tolkien simply run out of time. I am more than certain that he wanted to write the story of Beren and Luthien like he wrote Lord of the Rings.
"...Cannot wait for Sauron to start actively manipulating..." I mean, isn't he doing it already? Nah, I know what you mean, but I prefer to take things slowly. We will get there, but it might take a while.
For your advice regarding reading "the Song of Ice and Fire" - funnily enough, Konsilio currently looks for time to do so.
I hope stay happy and healthy!
Side note at the end - Today, 10.08.2024, was a preview for the first episode of the "Dust Queen". If you didn't hear about it, give it a watch. I think it has a really good quality. I can only admire talent and dedication of this fandom.
Hopefully, see you next week.
DJ out.