2: [video] Seelie and Unseelie

[silvergift]

[A few days could be excused. There was a lot happening, people were frantic, fires were burning and people had been hurt. So she hadn't worried for a few days. But a few days had passed and she hadn't seen or even heard from him.

Celebrían was understandably concerned. And maybe someone will have heard something that she hasn't.]

Elrond is missing. I have not heard of him since the attack and I worry for him.

[She's trying to keep herself composed but after everything that happened, a part of her is afraid and trying not assume the worst.]

Please. If anyone might know anything, tell me.

Comments

I am sorry to everyone

[bythewaves]

You have offered me comfort this day, and for that I am grateful. [ he corrects quietly ]

If there was... [ soft and soft ] I would seek it. But I cannot change my past, nor my fate.

[knavishness]

[Will reached into his bag and pulled out his golden bottle. The same bottle that had nearly caused him to leave his party during the sudden worm infestation. The same bottle that had cause Alice and then him so much frustration.

He held the bottle out to Maglor, making sure that the other three were well out of sight]

Then wish it away. Three wishes, that's it. No killing people, or bringing someone back from the dead. Can't make anyone fall in love and I can't change the past.

But you can wish the pain your feeling away.

[bythewaves]

[ His breath catches and interest sparks life back into his eyes as he stares at the bottle and then at Will ]

Like the boons the rulers grant. Will... you had such power? Yet if the past cannot change, how will my pain go? For they are tied together, inextricably.

[knavishness]

It's not...I mean...I'm a genie. Cursed to do the bidding of others.

[He was almost ashamed to admit such a thing to Maglor. They weren't friends, no, but Will didn't want the elf to think him less of a man because he was a prisoner to the bottle]

It's just the guilt and pain you feel that would be gone. Everything is clearer with that sorted, believe me. I'm not tricking you, in fact I'm kicking myself for even telling you, but I've felt your sort of pain before and it doesn't get better. Everyday you'll wake up hoping, believing that today will be better than the one before it, and it's not. Feelings leave you vulnerable and you make stupid mistakes because of them.

You want to help your family? Stop letting your thoughts be clouded by the past. It's no help to dwell on what you can't change.

[bythewaves]

There is no way to free you? [ Maglor tips his head to look at Will then looks at the bottle ]

I... [ For once the ghosts in his head are silent, but he can feel the weight of their gazes. ]

There are many who would say my pain is well-deserved. [ Himself included - but... he is so tired of all of this. ]

It would do you no harm?

[knavishness]

[Will can only lower his head before looking away]

A bottle must always have a genie. I was cursed because I wanted to keep a friend from her pain.

[He grin he gives to Maglor as he turns back doesn't quite reach his eyes]

It's sort of my job now.

[bythewaves]

I am sorry. Could the wishes not be used to free you? I would not leave any enslaved thus, especially not one who has been an ally and friend, and who has taken up this curse to defend another.

[ He cannot hide the longing in his eyes as he looks at the bottle ]

...It is tempting [ so soft he whispers ] To not feel this pain any longer...

[knavishness]

[Will shook his head]

Yeah, and then you'd end up here or your brother. Plus I'm not sure that sort of wish would work in this place.

Look, you don't have to wish for nothing dramatic. Oh, and you gotta be specific because magic has a price.

[Which is probably something he should have mentioned when he started this conversation]

Something like 'I wish I wouldn't feel this grief'. Specific.

[He sighed and practically shoved the bottle at Maglor]

Might not even work in this world, but it's worth a try. For yourself and your friends.

*does the thing*

[bythewaves]

I should not [ he murmurs softly, but his hand is already on the bottle ]

I deserve this pain but... Just for a little while. I am so tired.

I wish... for a reprieve from my pain and grief, just for a little while. A week and a day.

[knavishness]

[The slight rub of his hand on the bottle was all it took. Will's face suddenly broke into a smile as he straightened his back and repeated the words he normally hated to say]

Master mine, they will is thine. Tell me your wishes three.

[It made his sick to his stomach to suddenly have his own will work against him. Years had made Cyrus more comfortable saying these words, or maybe he was just better at faking it, but Will only had two 'masters' and both ended horribly.

He was going to do his best not to let that happen again.

At Maglor's words the smile returned as Will felt himself grant the wish]

Granted.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor has just enough time to look horrified at the way Will changes in response to the wish before the magic hits.

He cries out, once, as something tears from him, and if he hadn't been riding he would have fallen, but he's far too good a rider for that, and the pain is swiftly gone, leaving him blinking and feeling surprisingly... empty.

But the grief and guilt is gone. (So is the light in his eyes, that glow that has been ever present, that marked him as one of the High Elves, those who walked in the Light of the Trees) ]

Oh. That... that feels...

[knavishness]

[He should be happy for Maglor, the man was free of his burdens, but Will can't help the slight unease at how simple it all was to grant that wish. Silently he waited for the other shoe to drop. Maybe not right away, but eventually it would and it would be his own fault for talking the elf into wishing.

Will also kicked himself for so easily giving up his secret. Perhaps it was the hollowness within he was trying to fill with attachments he didn't need. The emptiness didn't change and as much as he didn't want Maglor to get hurt, he could bring himself to care too deeply. The elf had made his decision]

Better?

Now, 'bout them two wishes you have left...

[bythewaves]

Surprisingly so. [ Maglor blinks at Will in surprise ] I think I had forgotten what it was like to live without regret.

[ He frowns slightly ] Two? Will, what do you mean?

[knavishness]

[Will stares at him for a moment before nodding for the elf to check a pocket]

Genie. Three wishes. Unlimited cosmic powers.

[He was pretty sure he mentioned three wishes. Maybe]

You my Master until you finish wishing all your wishes. Although, if you don't mind holding off on the last one... Getting stuck back in that bottle is not the vacation one might think.

[bythewaves]

I... yes, you did mention something about three wishes, aye. I did not necessarily think that they were all mine, Will. And your master? I do not think you mentioned that either.

[ but the rebuke is mild, rather than the horrified upset just before the magic hit ]

I assume you mean that you will be trapped if I use all three.

[knavishness]

Right. [He thought for a moment before shrugging] Least I think that it'd work the same here. Not really looking to test it, so if you wouldn't mind...

[Maglor, even without his heart, was too good of a guy to make Will suffer without a toilet, right? Maybe Will shouldn't have been so quick to tell him about the curse]

[bythewaves]

[ He nods understanding ] Considering the size of your cage, I do not blame you. I will not use them, except at direst need, this I swear to you Will Scarlet.

[ Formal, precise. If he had a heart, he might wince, for no oath a Feanorionnath has ever made has come to any good end ]

[knavishness]

[There's blushing because these elves are so weirdly formal]

No need to get like that. Just asking for a bit of a break.

[He looks to see how far the other three have gotten]

Come on, 'fore we lose them.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor tips his head in agreement ]

And if you are sworn to me, then should I not also do my best by you? But aye, we'd best catch up before they wonder where we are.

[knavishness]

Yeah, why don't we not mention that bit to anyone. Don't want folks to get the wrong impression.

[Luckily Will doesn't have to actually call Mags "master" now that he got that who introduction thing out of the way]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor tips his head in acknowledgement ]

I suppose it would seem odd - aye, I will not mention that part.