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]

[ So like his father but Maglor would never voice that aloud - he only shakes his head ]

I cannot leave here, Celebrimbor. And e'en if I could... I would not put you in such a situation.

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[lastoftheline]

[Celebrimbor's hand clenches into a fist, angry, futile.]

Are you just going to give up? Just like that? [His lips thin, his voice turning harsh in his upset.] There should be a fire under your skin, Feanorian!

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[bythewaves]

That fire was burnt out of me in Beleriand when Maedhros fell. [ old and very tired it is also a lie ]

And... there is someone here I have to protect. [ someone you won't like to meet again ]

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[lastoftheline]

[Despite for all his angry repudiation of them, despite his bitterness towards them, the fire of Feanor still burns hot in Celebrimbor. Hot, passionate, arrogant and impetuous.

But with his uncle's words, he pauses, stilling, breath trickling out.]

Who is here, uncle? [He asks, his voice soft and still, and far more steady than he thought it would be]

[bythewaves]

[ a breath, then Maglor admits quietly ]

Celegorm is here. My brother is returned to me.

[lastoftheline]

[The fire's out in an instant at mention of Celegorm, the blood draining from his face. Celegorm who had raised him alongside Curufin, who had taught him how to hunt and all the woodlore that Celebrimbor could absorb (which admittedly wasn't much). Celegorm who had plotted against Finrod, who tried to force the Lady Luthien to marriage, who had tried to kill Beren.

Celebrimbor's eyes slipped shut. For a moment, his ears rang with a blow, a familiar voice screaming harsh and cracking in it's anger.

Traitor!

Celebrimbor's eyes slipped open.]

Here. [It comes out as a bare whisper. He gnaws at his lower lip.] Does he know what happens in Doriath?

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor flinches at Celebrimbor's reaction but his voice is (almost) steady ]

No. He... he remembers only the Dagor Bragollach. He has not yet sought refuge in Nargothrond. [ Maglor's eyes plead - let me be the one to tell him what his madness will do ] But... I told him of his death. I could not help it.

[lastoftheline]

[Celebrimbor's eyes widen with this confession and he shakes his head, violently.]

You cannot do that, uncle! There are others here, in the Seelie, Galadriel, her daughter, an elf of Doriath. Of Doriath, Maglor. Do you think that you can keep the truth from him? To keep him living a sweet lie? You know you cannot and it will be all the more cruel when another tells him what he has done. Others who will be far less careful with him. [He draws in a ragged breath]

And do you want me to lie, when I eventually see him? Tell him that I never left the family, spin a beautiful tale for him to devour? [He shakes his head again.]

You cannot save him from his folly. You cannot keep him half-blinded like this. It's almost crueler to do so than not.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor flinches again, yes, he saw. ]

I know, I know. And I... I will tell him. But please, he is... he is so happy right now.

[ but no, he can't keep him blind forever ] I swear to you, I will tell him. Only let it come from me.

[lastoftheline]

[Happy. Celebrimbor remembered when Celegorm had been happy, when he had taken him out on the hunt with him, when laughter would sometimes echo through the cold halls of Himlad, sharp and silvery. Before the Oath consumed him, before home was consumed in dragon's fire. His eyes slide shut.]

I'll keep your secret. [His voice is quiet] But you must keep up your end of the bargain as well.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor sags in visible relief ]

Thank you. I will tell him.

[ soon ]

[lastoftheline]

[Celebrimbor nods, slowly, sighing.]

Of course uncle. [His mouth twists bitter and ironic.]

You are family of course. Or well, you were.

[bythewaves]

You will always be family to me, nephew, irregardless of your choices. Having seen what my choices have come to, I envy you your freedom.

[lastoftheline]

[The bitterness fades from the cant of Celebrimbor's lips, leaving only sadness behind.]

You know, clearly that I did not agree with the choices of our house. But...it eases my heart that you still think of me as family.

[bythewaves]

Blood is still blood. [ Maglor says simply ] And I am glad that at least one of us was able to escape our curse.