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 ]

Comments

/sobbing

[rivendell_lord]

As have you ever been to me, past those first early days.

[Taking two helpless elflings in when he didn't have to. When he could have continued killing. That mask, oh how well he remembers it. Elrond straightens to his own well earned pride.]

For you to say that, who else is there with you? I have missed you these centuries.

you can blame Big!Alice for finding that one

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor blinks, startled, surely he had not lost that much time between watching the silmaril sink and being brought here? ]

It has been a while but I did not think it as long as that?

[ distraction and he shakes his head ]

Celegorm. My brother Celegorm is returned to me.

XD All the blame

[rivendell_lord]

[It's not often that he manages to surprise the older elf, it's enough to make him pause as well. The question alone sounded strange. Just as Celebrian did not have all the years of memories with him. A wry half smile touches his lips. Only to fade at the mention of Celegorm.

Ah. Understanding is clear in eyes and posture.]

There are people here whom have been lost as well. [Quiet words to show he really does understand. Another pause.]

It is 2941 of the Third Age, for myself.

[bythewaves]

[ and the mask cracks from sheer incredulity ]

But... [ Elrond doesn't lie Maglor remembers from raising them. He may dissemble, but he does not lie outright. Searching his face he realises that this is not the young headstrong ellon that he said goodbye to not that long ago and watched from afar as he grew in stature by Gil Galad's side. No, this Elrond is older, wiser. A Lord in his own right ]

I... [ Celegorm is here Maglor reminds himself If the dead may walk then may not time be bent in the other direction? ]

I last saw you staring at us. [ he whispers in the end ] With horror in your eyes and your brother one one side, and your King on the other, as Maedhros and I left the camp of the Valar.

[rivendell_lord]

[Not a lie, Maglor. Not here. Not with Elrond, to you. Not so plainly, nor at all with the date. He waits patiently, giving the other elf the chance to adjust to what should be impossible, which he had already discovered with Celebrian's brightness of spirit, where it had been dimmed the last time he'd seen her.

That memory, of when he'd last seen Maglor, had him bow his head a little, eyes turning down. The ache of the memory of that day strikes him anew, and he has to take a moment to regain his dignity and composure, though even what he manages to get is thin as he looks back up.]

I will never forget that day, nor the days since.

[bythewaves]

It would have been better if you had, maybe. We...I...never brought you anything but sorrow, and I grieve that I could not see clearly enoigh to avoid tangling you and your brother in our family's doom.

[rivendell_lord]

Never. [Vehement. Even if all Maglor said is true, there was more to it.]

You also gave us love. There is no use in what could have been. Only what now is.

[bythewaves]

Love? [ Maglor breathes a laugh that is almost a sob ]

Aye, I loved thee, yet such love is tainted, little star. I only bring pain to all I touch.

[warmassummersday]

[He hears both. And shakes his head a little, gaze remaining firm and refusing to be swayed.]

Life may have a taint, but that does not negate the joy to be found if you just allow it! Your voice in song only brings joy.

[bythewaves]

I do not know if I have the heart to sing much longer. All paths are drowned in sorrow Elrond, I cannot see my way out.

[warmassummersday]

Even for me?

[Perhaps it was selfish of him, but the words slip out before he can stop them. Not something that happens often, but...sometimes it happens.]

[bythewaves]

I... [ a catch and Maglor looks down, and the answer is long in coming, and ever so soft ]

If... you wish for it.

[warmassummersday]

[He lets Maglor take his time. He hears that soft allowance and lets out a breath of his own.]

I do. I always stopped to listen when I heard your voice on the wind.

[bythewaves]

[ That gets a tremulous smile ] I live then? [ a soft murmur ] I ... wondered.

[ mostly about if he should follow the jewel into the sea ]

[warmassummersday]

[His heart clenches at that uncertain voice and he smiles, though Maglor has to be able to see the ache in the gesture. The smile is for him.]

Yes.

[bythewaves]

Well. [ a breath and he tries for a matching smile, just as pained and so very tired ]

I suppose I will have to try and survive this, then. [ since he apparently found reason enough to live at home ]

[warmassummersday]

[An attempt is better than nothing at all.]

See that you do. I am here, even if only in this form.

[A limitless offer to always be ready and willing to talk. To help, as best he can.]

[bythewaves]

[ A laugh - a sad, broken thing, but something of genuine amusement all the same ]

You have grown up so well Elrond...

[warmassummersday]

[That gets a flash of a smile, broken as that laugh had been, it was still a laugh.]

You did your best by us.

[bythewaves]

We tried. [ It was the only thing they had left to do, after all ]

I am glad that at least this one thing I did right.

[warmassummersday]

You succeeded.

[Warm and earnest.]

[bythewaves]

One light in the darkness then. [ a soft murmur - well. One light is enough, for now. He can try to live on for that, perhaps ]

[warmassummersday]

I hope you will find other lights to live for.

[bythewaves]

[ a small sad shrug ]

We will see, I suppose.

[warmassummersday]

[He nods. Wishing he could know, but knowing he'll never really know. Unless Maglor finally lets himself Sail, and they meet again.]

Yes.