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[handofsilver]

What you have seen in the mirrors is no different from experiencing a nightmare while you slumber. The images need not be reality, though if that must be so, I encourage you to face them bravely. They are the worst, are they not? All else is, therefore, better, by comparison, at least.

(He, for one, refuses to give his enemy (one of the Enemies of his world) power over him. It helps that he is surrounded by his kin and they are daily reminders of why - and how - he can overcome.)

You are not alone in your suffering.

Comments

[so_dark_a_road]

Nor are you in yours, my dear son.

[handofsilver]

Are you well, Atar?

[so_dark_a_road]

I am holding up. Like you, I refuse to be overcome.

[handofsilver]

I was overcome, but -

No more. Such vile images do not deserve a place in my thoughts.

[so_dark_a_road]

It is all right, even if you faltered. To rally is to resist.

Indeed, they do not! Your mind is your own.

[handofsilver]

Are you alone? Do you needwant company? (His father is strong. He doesn't like presuming.)

[so_dark_a_road]

I do, if you are free. I'm in the orchard. Where are you? [ Curufin is strong, but even he is shaken by his own vision. He has a longing to see his son. He needs to see him. Cel can presume all he wants! ]

Voice

[bythewaves]

So brave and kind.

[loveathousandyearsgone]

Wiser and kinder words would be difficult to find.

[am_i_a_monster]

It feels different. I can wake up from a nightmare. And the fear that they might come true seems as bad as the visions themselves.

[handofsilver]

I'll find you. (The journey is worthwhile despite him being more fatigued than usual. He leans against his staff, taking a break once he steps into the orchard.)

Atar?

Voice

[handofsilver]

There is a lot of kindness in Hadriel, Uncle.

[handofsilver]

I am sure you could manage them.

[handofsilver]

I know. But you are strong. The visions do not decide how we spend our time here or how we are changed by it.

Voice

[bythewaves]

Perhaps. But you were always kind, nephew.

Voice

[handofsilver]

I can be cruel too.

Voice

[bythewaves]

That capacity exists in all of us. But you were never cruel.

Voice

[handofsilver]

People can change. I was not my best self before -

But I learned better.

Voice

[bythewaves]

And even that self was not cruel! You will not change my mind of this, nephew.

Voice

[handofsilver]

You would not have been very proud of me, regardless.

Voice

[bythewaves]

Untrue. That is his lies, speaking. I was proud of you. I am proud of you. Never doubt that

[utulien_aure]

The best and wisest of responses, cousin.

Voice

[handofsilver]

He said a lot of things. Why is it that I remember those most?

[handofsilver]

You have brought me strength to respond, cousin.

Voice

[bythewaves]

Because he was ever good at that. [ Maglor reaches to card soothingly through his hair ]

Just like his master. At speaking lies that seemed so reasonable that the shadow lay deep on you and you never realised until too late. But lies they remain.