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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[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.

[bythewaves]

She is beautiful and I am glad that you have such happiness. She tells me she is bethrothed to Elrond.

[inafadingcrown]

And so she is, in her time. In my own, she was wed long ago and has raised three beautiful children of her own. [Yep. Your baby cousin is a grandmother.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor raises a hand to his mouth and makes a choked noise that might be joy or grief (it is so intermingled in him that he can no longer tell the difference) Elrond is a father! ]

I am so glad that you have found such happiness [ he manages in the end ]

[inafadingcrown]

Thank you, cousin. [Her voice and her smile are both soft.] There has been much sorrow for me since last we spoke, but also much joy.

[bythewaves]

It is ever that way, it seems, that all paths are drenched in sorrow. I am glad that yours, at least, has led you back to happiness again.