eachdraidh | Voice, Open

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Voice, Open

[ Grief, as deep as the sea, as endless as the sky. Pain, like sheeting ice, in the voice that speaks... and for those with ears to hear, a tiny, quiet envy and relief. ]

For those who knew them, the list of those freed from this world now includes the Lady Galadriel and her husband, the Lord Celeborn, their daughter, the Lady Celebrian, the Lady Idril, and Maedhros my brother. Also, the Lady Sif, who counted us as family in lieu of those left in her own world.

Their things are with me, but they left no letters behind.

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Yes. He fears famine, and he dislikes the cold.

[ Maglor nods, and then Aragorn is hugging him and he goes very very still in surprise before very slowly his arms come up and then he is clinging and weeping into Aragorn's shoulder ]

Then we shall keep him well-fed and warm.

{Words of comfort have abandoned him. He knows it's selfish to ask Maglor to suffer and stay if his mother leaves, but that's precisely what he wants to do. Maglor is one he never imagined he would meet - nor like so well. Aragorn has always had a problem saying farewell - even when he knows it's for the best.

He breathes in deeply and lets the Elf spend himself of tears. A few slip down his cheeks too, but he pays them no mind. It's far more important to comfort now than be comforted - and Maglor has sore need of a shoulder to cry on.}

[ The worst of the storm Maglor spent in rage and grief at his mother's feet, so his grief is sharp and brief, if no less terrible for that ]

Forgive me. I did not mean to weep.

{Freeing a handkerchief - unused - from his pocket, he holds it out to Maglor.}

Why are tears a crime? Shed as many as the stars in the sky and I will not judge you for it.

[ He blinks curiously and nods in thanks, using it to wipe the worst of the tear tracks from his eyes. He even manages a quiet broken smile ]

I think there are even more than that, for was it not said to us that tears unnumbered would we shed?

{There are tear tracks on his cheeks too, glistening in the faint light.}

Tears do not always mean grief. They can be shed in joy too.

I fear I have long forgotten what such tears may mean.

You are equipped to feel them nonetheless.

Equipped? Maybe. But those are not for such as I, I think.

The day will come, I pray, when you will see Lord Elrond.

Perhaps. But I will not wish his return here, and I will not return home, if it sunder me from my mother again.

It is not our wishes that draws them here. {He gives him a curious look.} I sometimes think the lot of women is harder.

Maybe. But all my choices go ill, I will not add to them with this sin as well.

[ A quiet shrug ] Mother chose not to follow father. In the end, she chose aright, but her price is as high as any of ours.

{He gives Maglor a sad, tender smile, leaning in to rest their heads together congenially.}

Men can act - they can choose. Most women are forced to wait and be patient. I do not think I would be a dutiful woman.

[ A soft snort but he does not refuse the gesture or pull away ]

Mother chose. She always has done so - the only one who could meet and match Feanor's fire was always and only Nerdanel.

Then she is a remarkable lady indeed. {He can't help but think of Eowyn.} The life of an Elf offers time to make such matches, I suppose.

[ He smiles wistfully ]

She is. Father would never have been able to love anyone but his equal.

I am to wed my better and I am glad of it. {His smile says all.}

Hm. We always do, I think, but truly it was said of Feanor that he was both the best and the worst of us. Still, in some ways mother was always his better. But she could not hold him, nor any of us, in the end.

Holding is not the task for family and friends. We can love and accept and guide, but there is no cage. Everyone is free to act as they please as long as they are wary of the consequences.

I wish [ He says softly ] She had at least managed to hold the Ambarussa, although they were old enough to make their own choices and would have hated me for saying that. But... if I could have spared them what was to come...

You are one Elf. {One proud son of Feanor.} I cannot speak for taking on too many burdens at once. I am guilty of that crime many times over, but I caution you: you cannot see around all corners and know all outcomes.

The Ambarussa do not blame you or your mother, I'm sure.

I should have known that outcome. Evil ends have always followed us.

[ A long tormented pause ] I... wonder about that...

[ I forgive you said Ambarussa, but his eyes screamed Your fault ]

{An arm finds its way around Maglor's shoulders, steady and strong.}

What is there to wonder? They are family. Even if they speak out of pain, their hearts have a place for you.

[ At first stiff, slowly, almost shyly he leans into that contact ]

Perhaps. I hope so. Either way it is too late to know, now.

Voice, Open

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