005; Voice (Backdated to the Seventh)

[utulien_aure]

Private to Elfhouse residents + Anakin

Check in, all of you. And Curvo, Kano, you should come home.

[A pause, then] There's something wrong with Maitimo.

Comments

[utulien_aure]

It didn't feel that way. It still doesn't, sometimes. But the truth was that what he did wasn't about wanting to leave. He just couldn't stay.

[He'd come to this realization here, admittedly, and the ghostly father he'd spoken with and yelled at to get there had probably not been the real Fingolfin.

But if that was the case... then somewhere, he must have known that already?

Either way, he meets Maglor's eyes now, gaze as firm as he is sympathetic.]

Maitimo loves you, and hates that he failed you. Of all the people he loves, you were with him the longest. You defined him the longest.

If he can come back to you, he will. If he doesn't, it will not be by choice.

[bythewaves]

[ The flame of madness (of loss, of grief, of despair) flickers like an unsteady flame in Maglor's eyes ]

I... don't think I can believe that, Finno.

[ He left me, he left me he left me ]

[utulien_aure]

I suppose I can't blame you for that.

[And Fingon had thought that the Feanorians might have managed to be hear-breaking enough for today...]

Would you mind if I believed it for your sake as well?

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor closes his eyes and shakes his head, dropping to hide against his cousin's shoulder ]

I can't stop you. If you ... want to. Then... I don't mind.

[utulien_aure]

Then I am going to keep hoping, for both of our sakes.

[He wraps his arms around Maglor. This is Maedhros' place, really, and Maedhros' task... but while they wait, Fingon will try to fill the gaps.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor huffs against his shoulder but makes no move to pull away ]

Always the hopeful one. [ He murmurs tiredly ] What would we do without you?

[utulien_aure]

Someone needs to be.

[That's good, because Fingon isn't going to let go]

You? Mope terribly, I expect. [He offers, in a weak attempt at teasing] Take in wandering children. Compose.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor huffs a laugh this time, a weak, watery thing, but it is amusement ]

Ah, you know me so well.

[utulien_aure]

[Well, at least it's something. And Fingon's heart is a little lighter to hear it.]

That does happen, sometimes. Just as you know all of us.

[bythewaves]

We all know each other.

[ He sighs ]

I missed you around so much. I missed all of you.

[utulien_aure]

Family. Terrible, isn't it?

[He gently bumps their heads together.]

I can't speak for everyone, Kano. And I can't promise you my presence- I'm sorry, blame the Balrogs.

[One day, he will stop making that joke.]

But wherever you go, whatever happens, you will have my love. I think your brothers would tell you the same, but you should hear that from them.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor manages to smile back ]

I know. It wasn't your fault. I'm just... so tired of everyone leaving.

[utulien_aure]

I would be more concerned if you weren't. And possibly a bit insulted as well, depending on you reasoning.

[As to what's to be done about it, well, he'll have to have a long chat with Elrond some time. When he's feeling less drained himself.]

[bythewaves]

[ That earns another watery laugh ]

I promise, you don't have to be insulted. But shouldn't you be resting too?

[utulien_aure]

[Fingon stiffens slightly.]

Later, perhaps. If I can.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor lifts his head enough to look at him ]

Finno, you can't tell me to look after myself if you don't look after yourself in turn!

[ He can still sing you to sleep, even as heartsick as he is right now! ]

[utulien_aure]

I never said I wouldn’t! I simply don’t know how much I can, right now.

[He sighs and brushes a hand uneasily through his hair.]

I’ll rest when I can settle down enough for it.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor hums understandingly ]

Do you want me to sing you rest?

[utulien_aure]

Not right now.

But later, I'll ask. I promise.

[bythewaves]

Alright. Just don't neglect yourself, please? I can't... I need to know you're well too.

[utulien_aure]

[Fingon smiles slightly] We are all going to be fussing over each other terribly, aren't we? Very well. I will look after myself. And we'll wait together.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor huffs softly and nods ]

Mm. Together. Just... like before.

[utulien_aure]

We lived though before. We can manage again.

[And then he'll come back to them. If the parallel holds.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor takes a shaky breath in and sits up to squeeze Fingon's hands, pulling his shattered masks back together again.

Fingon needs him. Maedhros needs him. Just a bit longer. He can hold on. He has to ]

We did. We will.

[utulien_aure]

[Those masks are a little too familiar now, and Fingon watches in concern as Maglor reassembles them. Do they help, he wonders? Perhaps- Maglor is not the longest-lived of Finwe's grandchildren for nothing. And yet the grief he has accumulated....

He shakes his head. For now, the only thing that will suffice is Maedhros' safe return. He squeezes back as reassuringly as he can.]

We'll wait together. You won't be alone. I promise.