(Video)

[handofsilver]

(Housework is rather boring, but it needs to be done. Celebrimbor is setting the rather chaotic mostly-Fëanorian house to rights, frowning faintly at the odd bits and ends he comes across. There really is no explaining his father and uncles, but he loves them dearly.)

Man cerig?

(Of course the shoe in the bathroom has no answer for him. Tutting, he picks it up and tries to determine which of his family members it belongs to. And, more importantly, why there is only one of them.

Quite the mystery! What? Not every day can be filled with sorrow and wonder and madness! Though Celebrimbor's day is about to become a little more complicated based on the playful chitter that follows.)

Elbereth above! What are you? (No, he has never seen a raccoon and this one is rather...large. And animated! But who can blame her - definitely a her - when Celebrimbor spies two little faces peeking out of a cabinet.)

...ah... I think I might need assistance.

Comments

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin cannot think of any crueler fate for his son than returning to Arda, to the point in time from which he was taken. He will do everything in his power to make sure that doesn't happen. But who knows, if the Hadriel residents can get control of the Door, maybe they will be able to choose the point of return -- in which case, look out, Sauron! Celebrimbor's father is coming with him, and they will raise an army. Maybe bring others from Hadriel with them! Those seeds Cel planted will not only flower to the destruction of Morgoth's servant, but they will be watered and nurtured in a way not predicted by history. ]

I agree. We must help this little raccoon family.

[ Curufin drapes an affectionate arm around Cel's shoulder as the son leans his head against his father's. Yes, it is too bad that the Noldorin mothers were so burdened with fates they could not control, and had to carry the weight of their children's fates as well. ]

[ And then he watches as Cel cradles the two little ones in his arms, wrapped in the towel. ] They do seem healthy. [ He murmurs softly to the cubs. ] Your mother has certainly worked hard to keep you safe and fed! [ And to the mother. . . ] As my son says, we will help you now. You will not have to fend for yourself and your children alone.

Cel? When we have cared for this mother and her offspring, fed them and found a place for them to be comfortable, I have some gifts for you. As I promised when you gave me the ring. [ He holds up his hand. He is wearing that very ring. He often does, even though he does not normally wear much jewelry. This beautiful work he is proud to wear, and when anyone admires it, he eagerly tells them that his son crafted it. ]

[handofsilver]

(He tries not to think of what awaits him. To do so would be a waste of what he has been given in Hadriel. Being in the presence of family he has long missed will give him the strength, he hopes, to meet a quiet death no matter what Sauron does to him. However if - if - Curufin can return with him, he knows he will live. His father will assure it and Celebrimbor will not leave him behind again no matter how deep and extensive his scars.)

We shall! (He smiles softly under the weight of the strong, warm arm. Maybe the Noldorin mothers could be helped too if they returned together. Celebrimbor would be eager in that task too.

The raccoon pups squeak and settle into the comfort offered. He has some experience with cradling little ones - his daughter had been a small babe once - and Celebrimbor's hands are skilled and steady.)

She did well by them. (He watches as the mother shifts the towel to lick over the tiny face of one of her cubs.) Once they are big enough, we can encourage them into a small house of their own. But if they wish to stay, why should we turn them away?

Mm? (He hums and blushes, blinking at the ring in wonder. Curufin will be given a fleeting, yet sweet smile.) You give me a gift everyday. What more do I need?

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin would second those thoughts! ]

[ He continues to observe how tender his son is with the little ones. It is a dreadful thing that Cel never got to see his child grow up. But in a way, she is with him still -- in the tenderness of his heart, in the gentleness of his hands, and in the sacred spaces of his memory. ]

[ And the raccoon mother! How gentle and careful she is with her cubs. No wonder Celebrimbor is fascinated by such creatures. ] We will do as you say. They can have a little house of their own -- but if you want them to stay with us, and they want to stay, we won't turn them away. [ A few more residents in this crowded, interesting house? -- couldn't hurt! It will just make it all the more interesting. ]

It is you who give me a gift every day, my son. And I want to show my appreciation in many ways. So I made some jewelry for you, since I know how much you like silver.

[ His satchel is still dangling from his shoulder by its strap. He reaches into it and pulls out a hinged box made of polished wood. There is no rush, the raccoons are important. But when Cel has a hand free, he can open it. Inside, he'll find three necklaces and three bracelets. They are all formed from silver links with silver charms dangling from them. The charms are very small, but delicately crafted in the form of birds and animals. Two of them are all birds, of different kinds, with their wings open in the act of soaring, their feet trailing behind them or reaching for a twig or branch. Of these two necklaces, one necklace is songbirds, the other is seabirds. They are so lifelike that one wonders not to hear them chirping or crying in their lovely, yearning, musical voices. The third one is all animals, of the kinds that ranged the woods of Himlad where father and son had lived together long ago. Deer, elk, rabbits, marmots, beaver, mice, squirrels, and many more creatures. They too are expressive and lifelike, as though they might at any moment meet your eyes with their bright dark animal gaze. The bracelets are similarly formed to match the necklaces. And of course, all of these pieces can be mixed. The necklaces are fine enough to be worn in multiples if desired, and likewise the bracelets. ]