Accidental Video | Seelie & Unseelie | sometime during a break in worm fighting

[bythewaves]

[ The locket comes alive with a voice - deep and wild as the sea, it sings a lament in a language that seems made for music. The songs starts partway, and it is obvious perhaps that the singer is not aware that he is being recorded. There is the flash of one of the Unseelie imps, before it vanishes offscreen to reveal the singer - a man, or something like one, dark haired and grey eyed, with his face turned up to the stars.

To any who listen, the words of the song will paint themselves in the mind - white ships and blood on the sand, a tall and proud people with bright banners beneath a new-born sun, fire and blood and tears unimaginable, and three brilliant jewels that rival the stars ]

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[inafadingcrown]

[She knows that voice. Even before she sees his face, she knows his voice. And his song- it's as if the world slows around her, as if everything else becomes silent.

She has to answer, whatever else is going on. It does not take long for her to find someone to take her place as a healer. They all need breaks, after all; as far as anyone else is concerned, this is only a much needed moment of rest.

It's not. It's much more.

It takes her a few moments to work out the video function of the locket, but when she does, she'll appear on screen, her hair bound about her head much as it often was when she was young.]

Makalaure?

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[bythewaves]

Artanis?

[ No, not her as well, and Maglor's heart breaks in pain at the understanding of what it means, to see both Artanis and Elrond here ]

[inafadingcrown]

You sing as beautifully as ever, cousin. [And she's plainly been affected by the words of the song; the emotion is all too easy to read on her face.]

[bythewaves]

[ a trembling hand brushes the screen before Maglor pulls it back as if burned ]

And you as lovely as ever, little cousin. [ he tries for a smile but it is a pained, weak thing ]

I am sorry.

[inafadingcrown]

[And she gives a weak little smile in return.] Not so little now.

[But then even the weak smile fades and her expression becomes more somber, though there's still a gentleness about it.] I know you are, Makalaure.

[It doesn't really matter what he's apologizing for. She knows him well enough to hear the regrets in his voice and to see them in his mannerisms.]

[bythewaves]

No. [ Maglor thinks back to the fiesty young ellith of his memories and wants to weep ]

You...had best stay away from me, kinsman.

[inafadingcrown]

Do not ask it of me, I beg you.

[To her own surprise, her voice is thick with emotion. It's been so long. But some wounds never fully heal, she supposes.]

We both of us have so little family left.

[bythewaves]

It...will be better for you. I fear we are opposed and I cannot bear to face you this wat.

[inafadingcrown]

I am more than capable of deciding for myself what will serve me best, Makalaure.

[A little pause] If you do not wish to speak with me, I will not force you, of course.

[But she'd be hurt. Again. Perhaps it would be wiser to leave him be; he and his brothers have wounded her heart too many times. But it's hard. When she looks at him she sees the kinslayer, true. But she also sees her elder cousin- the one who could always be talked into a song and was all too easily persuaded with a sweet smile and a kiss to the cheek. She could not divorce the one from the other.]

[bythewaves]

[ a choked sound and Maglor shakes his head ]

You have ever done as it pleased you, and I doubt not that you will continue to do so. But Artanis, I am thy enemy, here.

[inafadingcrown]

My enemy in name, perhaps; I will not raise a hand against you. I cannot; I could not bear to, whatever has passed between us.

[bythewaves]

Nor I you, but I fear what may come to pass, that my hand may yet be forced. [ as it has been, as it might be ]

[inafadingcrown]

There is that risk. There is also the possibility that I may be able to help you.

[bythewaves]

There is no help for us. [ he says sadly ]

Promise me you will not let me harm you.

[inafadingcrown]

You do not know that.

[But... She gives a soft sigh.] You have my word.

[bythewaves]

[ bitter, bitter is the smile ]

I think I do, for are we not rightfully accursed? [ we, not I ]

Thank you.

[inafadingcrown]

Perhaps it will all prove in vain; I would offer my help all the same.

[And she catches that little shift there.]

'We?'

[bythewaves]

I do not want you hurt for our sins, little cousin.

[ a pause and something fragile and hopeful flickers fitfully in his eyes ]

Celegorm is here. My brother is returned to me.

[inafadingcrown]

[A bitter little laugh] Have I not been already? Keeping my distance has never proved sufficient protection before.

[At Celegorm's name, though, her expression shifts. With Maglor, her anger is mixed in with a profound sense of loss- loss of what was and what might have been. With Celegorm, it's messier. There's even more of that feeling of betrayal- for Finrod and for Luthien. Her brother and her friend.]

I am glad for you, cousin. [Carefully controlled expression, carefully controlled tone.] Does he- [No, too direct.] When is he from, Makalaure?

[bythewaves]

It is protection enough. [ if it keeps you alive ]

No. [ he answers the question Galadriel does not ask ] He does not know what he will come to, not yet. [ he does not yet know Luthien ] For him, the Dagor Bragollach is only a few years gone.

[inafadingcrown]

[She lets out a long, slow breath. It's better that way, really, but it's hard to dial back her reactions to that time. Hard not to blame him for things he has not yet done.]

And for you?

[bythewaves]

[ in answer he lifts his hands a little so she can see the bandages ]

I... watched Maedhros fall. [ slow, and painful, oh my brother, my beautiful brother, falling into flame ]

[inafadingcrown]

I'm sorry, Maglor. Truly, I am. [Her voice is soft and sad, but there's no hint of surprise. She expected as much.]

[She hesitates, just for a moment] I have seen Ages pass since that time.

[bythewaves]

[ a breath and he pushes the memory away, burying it deep (it will surface tonight in his dreams anyway) ]

It is no more than I deserve.

Elrond says the same. [ he whispers eventually ] And there is one who responded who calls herself your daughter - I doubt it not for she is as lovely and stubborn as you.

[inafadingcrown]

[She does not know what to say to that; she's not sure what she thinks he deserves, honestly. She's only certain that it's not her place to decide, so she keeps silent on the matter. But when her daughter is mentioned, she speaks, her face lighting up a little, despite the circumstances.]

Celebrían. [She says the name as only a parent could, love radiating from each syllable.] She is more blessing than I could hope to deserve.