[Video]

[prophesiedone]

[This message is over a week overdue. Way to go, Anakin. Stellar life choices as always!]

If anyone saw me behaving oddly... [When doesn't he?] I was drunk. I won't be doing that again. [Because it resulted in a dislocated arm, a bitten tongue and lots of bruising.]

I didn't mean - I didn't want to - [He grits his teeth, frustrated.] I can't remember if I hurt anyone. I'd like to say I wouldn't, but -

[He has all the skills necessary to see to hurting just about anyone. Or worse.]

You're welcome to punch me if I did.

Comments

[prophesiedone]

You can only guide someone if they are around to listen. {Or if they want to listen.]

Actually... You remind me of two people. [He understands all the better why Maedhros is drawn to Fingon. It makes perfect sense.] Does Maedhros confide in you? About everything?

[utulien_aure]

[a slight, amused smile] One of the difficulties, yes. And you must inspire respect in them to lye worth listening to.

This comparison is becoming more interesting all the time. As to Maedhros...most things, not all. The past centuries have been difficult for him, and there are things he prefers not to discuss.

Many of them I can guess at, of course. But sometimes...there are some topics he needs to be the one to raise.

[prophesiedone]

Power alone can inspire respect. [Deference at the very least! One can blend into the other.]

Yeah... I know how he feels. [He can't tell Obi-Wan or Padmé everything. They would be horrified; broken.] What if he never raises them? What if they slowly eat away at him? What if he does something horrible and you can't forgive him?

[utulien_aure]

Not at all. Power alone- without kindness, wisdom, or justice- inspires nothing but fear and hatred and contempt. [Fingon presses his lips into a line, watching Anakin closely. He knows a Power who thinks like that- has Maedhros happened to mention him to Anakin?

He's been hinting at something along those lines. As has Curufin. [But this isn't really about Maedhros, is it?] As High King, the misdeeds of my people might come to me for judgement.[At least theoretically; in practice the High Kingship is proving to be a title without a lot of power. The only person who thinks the High King can judge the Lord of the Marches...would be the Lord of the Marches himself, actually. And that probably has to do with people rather than titles.] As his cousin Findekano, I might be furious at him for what he might have done- but forgiveness between us would not be the point. I would be angrier if he was unwilling to recognize he was wrong, and unwilling to change.

The former, at least, has rarely been his problem.

[prophesiedone]

Wisdom and justice I can agree with, but kindness isn't necessary. Too much kindness, in fact, can interfere with what must be done. [He glances at Fingon's eyes, trying to read his intent, his purpose.] What's wrong with inspiring fear? The people should fear rising up against those who are trying to better the galaxy. I've seen far too much interference from those who can't possibly know a fraction of what is happening around them. It's selfish.

Changing is not always an option, though, is it. [Changing means going back and accepting that he will spend the rest of his life a hollow, lonely wretch.] I've given up a lot for the greater good the Jedi envision; I've waited as patiently as I can for them to recognize that I am ready to face the trials and be awarded the title of Master. They are the ones who tied my hands. I had to find other outlets; other solutions. Sitting back and doing nothing is not a choice I can make.

[utulien_aure]

Fear in your enemies is one thing- but fear in your own men? I ruled a proud, curious, valiant people, and such a people deserve kindness. To rule them through fear would be to crush their spirits, and they would not be the Noldor I love then.

It is the Enemy who loves the terror of his minions and the torment of his slaves. I could not wish that fate upon my own people, or on any other to walk Arda.

[Fingon looks to take the measure of this Man, this friend of his dearest friend- wouldn't anyone in his place?

And he begins to wonder whether this youth isn't very, very confused]

Change is difficult to accept, but it is the way of the world. And if you are like the Men I have met, it is part of your nature; you change so greatly in such a short time. The Eldar endure, and it is harder for most of us- but if we do not, the world will leave us behind altogether.

[He tilts his head in a question] I rarely enjoy sitting on my heels when there is something to be done myself. But what you are telling me is near the end of a story, not the beginning; I can only follow you so far without the tale behind it.