hadriel | (Text)

[ A chuckle. ]

If you can stand to hear your father's voice, I will sing to you.

Do you know I can play harp, viol, and reed flute? I didn't get much chance to do so when we were at war on the Marches, but you might remember from before that.

Besides, in the world I lived in before I came here, I learned how to play drums and bass, and I was learning guitar. [ Curufin in an idie rock band. XD ]

Why wouldn't I be able to...in your words..."stand" your voice? (He loves Curufin's voice and finds it soothing.) I would like for you to sing to me. The instrument is secondary, though I could...

Make you a harp, perhaps? Reed would be difficult to come by unless you could settle with a metal version for a flute?

(His eyes widen.) What is a bass? A guitar?

Edited 2017-01-29 09:39 (UTC)

I was joking. [ Smiles at his beloved son. Of course he knows Celebrimbor likes his voice. ]

You can make me a harp, if you like! [ An instrument made by the loving hands of his son would have a very sweet sound indeed. ]

A guitar is a stringed instrument distantly related to a lute or a mandolin. And a bass is a kind of guitar, but it only has four strings, and it isn't used for melody, but mainly for rhythm.

Is your workshop set up for woodwork? I've been trying to get mine together, but I was interrupted by all the mayhem.

A poor joke! (He teases, smiling helplessly, shyly.) I would like to, though it will take time. I need to decide what materials I will use. The sound will differ depending and I wish to discover which suits you better.

(Celebrimbor can play a harp too and the flute. He will test his creations extensively.)

Could you show me the parts? I like the idea of both! (It might be thanks to a certain uncle that he loves instruments so much.)

Not entirely. I could make it so by forging the right tools. Would you like to work there with me?

I try to make a bad joke every now and then. [ Grin. ] It's a kind of tribute to my childhood, when I was free to run wild and be as obnoxious as I chose -- subject to my dear elder brothers swatting me on the head and telling me to behave myself, of course!

We can explore for materials together, if you like. There is a lot of wood amongst the ruins of Hadriel; you just have to know where to look. We'll have to see what's available. Maple for the body, if we can find it. Spruce for the soundboard. And I don't know what we'll do for strings, but who knows? Maybe there's a wrecked music store somewhere.

Yes! I can make some drawings of both instruments, with diagrams of all of the parts. [ And of course, Celebrimbor and he were making this type of drawing when Cele was a young Elfling. It was one of his first lessons in smithcraft. ]

I would very much like to work with you in your workshop. I think that would be fun for us both.

I do enjoy them. (He won't be swatting his father over the head!) Why ever would a little Curufinwë be obnoxious? Shall I ask Uncle for stories?

(He will be doing that anyway.)

Yes, please! I am not too proud to admit that I need guidance. Not that...spending time with you...isn't incentive enough. (While he may not be as fiery and stubborn as Fëanor or Curufin, he can be very stubborn if he does not like another's company.) Strings I can make. I taught myself long before I encountered Annatar. It requires...braiding metal. You must be very delicate about it.

It will be like old times. (He switches to video, tucking a braid behind his shoulder.) I spoke to Uncle recently and I am making myself a battle staff. It will help me keep my balance and serve as a weapon.

(Maedhros had been a kind leaning point - something that isn't easy for his uncle, he knows. But Celebrimbor does not like relying on others unless he chooses to do so.)

You are welcome to work with me any time you wish.

[ Since Celebrimbor has switched on the video, Curufin does, too -- wishing for a sight of his beloved son. He is rewarded with Celebrimbor's sweet, humorous smile. ]

Oh, I used to work SO hard at being obnoxious! As I'm sure your Uncle Maedhros will be happy to tell you. [ A grin of mischief. ]

Guidance or no, I'll enjoy spending time with you, Cel! And I'll defer to your expertise in the making of the strings. Odd, I've made musical instruments, but I've never made either metal or gut strings. [ No animals to rob of their tissues, here! But metals -- there are plenty of those, if you know where to look. ]

A battle staff! What a good idea. [ He's glad for this, both because his son will have another weapon to wield -- and they are needed, in this uncertain place! -- and because it will be less painful for him to walk. ]

I will come for whatever projects we devise in common, and the rest of the time, I will let you make your own discoveries. Which is as it should be. [ He smiles his softest, most radiant smile at his son. His pride in Celebrimbor shows clearly in his eyes. ]

Edited 2017-01-30 01:52 (UTC)

(His smile gentles upon seeing Curufin's face and he gazes at him fixedly, memorizing even the smallest nuances of his father's features. It frightens him that there are expressions he has forgotten - only to recall them recently. Aren't Elven memories supposed to be perfect? Had Sauron damaged that too?)

I think he must have forgiven you a long, long time ago. (He doesn't miss how his uncle changes when Curufin is near. There is love between the brothers.)

I can show you! (His excitement brightens him and takes away the strain that lingers around his mouth and eyes.) Once you see how it's done, it is very easy for someone of your gifts.

(Even his ears pink and he ducks his head.) What should be its design? I could use your creativity, Atar.

[ Curufin's problem is a little different. After Nargothrond, the two of them never met again. Curufin never got to see his son as a leader of Elves, as a friend to the Dwarves of Moria, as a founding member of a kingdom, as a fully matured artist and smith, and as a husband and father. He had missed all the nuances of Celebrimbor's expressions as he grew into these facets of his life and destiny. And he had never known him as the defender of Eregion. That, too, was lost to him. But he eagerly searched that beloved face, today and every day that they interacted, collecting the details of those facial features and all the myriad expressions of which that tender, mobile face was capable. It was compensation for what he had lost. ]

My brothers all forgave me at the time! -- even if they were angry. We did have that: the love. [ He laughs a little, to remember how they were, in those days. That little Curufin, a fifth son who wouldn't be left out, who wouldn't be content with a lesser level of adventure and achievement, just because he was younger than everyone but the twins. And how tolerant Maedhros and Maglor were, considering what an irritation their younger brother must have been at times. ]

I'll be most pleased to see you demonstrate how to make bronze strings. [ He's looking forward to their being in the forge together again. ]

Oh, the battlestaff? [ He's going to encourage his son to design it himself. ] Hmm, I guess the first thing to do is what you've always done. Think about what requirements it must meet, and make some drawings, and look at some materials.

(Celebrimbor had risen like a star after parting ways with his family. He had made connections with other races and seen to their people's protection; he had lived well and been very productive until Annatar darkened his door. Then his pride had been used against him; his pride and his naiveté. Of course he is ashamed. Of course he blames himself. He has been humbled and broken down; he no longer trusts himself to rule nor does he have the desire to rule any longer. A quiet life with family and friends suits him now and he hopes his father and uncle understand.)

I cannot imagine holding a grudge against you for long. (Not when Curufin smiles or laughs. Celebrimbor loves him too much to ever be that angry.) I have fond memories of everyone; there was never a time when I fell or became upset that warm arms did not find me. I love my uncles for that. No matter how distracted they were or how fearful of the future, they never pushed me away.

(He smiles in absolute delight.) We can see what other metals we may use too. Bronze is not the only type I have discovered. (He chuckles.) If only I could make you Mithril strings!

(Celebrimbor pulls a sheet of paper towards him and begins to sketch idly. He knows his measurements, so the height of the staff is easy to calculate. But the build of it is unknown.)

I like the idea of wood. It would be softer against my hand and if I can varnish it, it will last even in water.

[ They do! ]

[ And he smiles at his son. ] I imagine you do have fond memories! Your uncles all loved you exceedingly. When they came into the house, their very first question was always, "Where's Cel?" Or if they met me elsewhere, it was always, "What's the little lad been doing lately?" Their faces always full of eagerness to see you or hear news of you. And when they saw you, they ran to you to swoop you up in their arms and kiss your forehead and laugh with you.

[ His face, too, lights up with delight. ] Mithril strings! -- now that would be something to see! And to hear! And who knows. . . maybe it could be done. I have heard that the gods here will bargain with a person for items or materials.

[ Curufin can't see the paper, of course, but he tilts the phone as though to catch sight of the drawing. ] Wood is a kindly material, isn't it? Not like metal, that is beautiful but unyielding in spirit.

(Color climbs up his cheeks, burning his ears and racing down his neck. He cannot meet his father's gaze, but his smile is surprisingly pleased. Sauron had darkened those sweet memories and his father is giving them back to him. He does remember his uncles holding him and calling for him as if...

As if he were the most important member of the family - though he has always known that isn't so.)

I remember. (His eyes are bright with a fierce, happy light when he looks back at Curufin.) I want to try it with the Mithril. If the gods can give enough of it to us, I could make the whole harp out of it!

(Mithril is special to him and he knows the sound would be unmatched. Besides, the strings would never break!)

I have enough that is unyielding in my life. I want something kind.

[ Curufin smiles softly at Celebrimbor's blush of embarrassment and happiness. If it makes his son this happy to hear tales of his childhood with his loving father and uncles, then Curufin will make a point of telling them often. And truthfully, it was only after Cel grew up that the harshness of the awakening Oath made it impossible for those who loved him to put him first, as they had when he was little. ]

I am glad you remember. Those were good times. [ His voice is soft and tender. ]

Very well, we will see about getting some mythril, then. [ He is already thinking of which god might be the most affable with respect to such a request. ]

[ Oh, so clear, the meaning of that statement. Cel's life was blighted by that which was unyielding. First the Oath sworn by his erring relatives, and the constant wars, and then the awful result of Sauron's advent into his life. ] Then we will make an effort to find what is kind, and make it part of your life. A staff of wood sounds like a good start, to me.

(The mere sound of Curufin's voice - gentle and sweet - makes him feel like a child again. He can almost forget all of those years between then and now. In many ways, he wishes he could forget them. At least the bad parts. There had been good moments.

When he was married... When his daughter was born... Becoming a capable leader for a time... Befriending the Dwarves... Crafting his rings...)

I am uncertain about the gods. I do not want them asking too much of you, Atar. (He pales and reaches up to gather his braided hair into a ponytail.) I think I will keep the design plain for my staff. Something recalled from memory.

(An idea occurs to him and he quickly adds to his drawing, biting his lip to hide a grin.)

[ Curufin, too, feels at these moments as though time has turned backwards. This is a magic he never expected to experience, and yet here it is. It is as though those long-ago events are somehow still here, not simply memory. As though he can hear Cel's childish laughter as he ran down the great hall at Himring, his small, swift feet pattering on the flagstones, his uncles guffawing and running after him, accepting the child's challenge to a game of tag. And those later years, the ones he had missed because he was dead when Cel lived on into the Second Age -- those, too, in a way, he has access to, though less directly. He can see them in Cel's eyes as his son speaks of them or thinks of them. ]

[ But back to this practical matter. ] I am not certain about the Hadriel gods, either. But perhaps it could not hurt to ask them. I will make no bargain with them if what they ask does not sound right to me.

[ And he waits with interest to see what his son comes up with as a design for the staff. ]

Edited 2017-02-04 09:56 (UTC)

(He is happy to share all of the memories that do not include Curufin with him. There is nothing off-limits - except for the obvious, of course - and Celebrimbor wants his father to know his life; to know his accomplishments and what he learned of Middle Earth.)

Please do not. Your well-being and contentment are more precious to me than all the Mithril that has ever existed.

(He glances at Curufin fixedly - protectively - before going back to his drawing. Once he finishes the outline, he holds it up. On the page, a wooden staff is drawn with the head of a horse. It isn't any horse - Curufin may notice it as the first horse Celebrimbor had ever ridden (under his father's careful eye). There is a marking on the carving's forehead that gives it away.)

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[ They are both fathers. They understand about being biased. XD ]

I remember. She did treat you like a son, didn't she? And I guess her son would be your brother. [ He smiles, too, loving to see Cel smile. ]

Do you remember when you and I and Uncle Tyelko used to ride all the way to Thargelion to see your Uncle Moryo? I was so proud to have you by my side. I, too, felt that all dreams could come true, then. And I feel it now, as I talk with you.

And what are you dreams now, my son?

(It comes with the territory. ♥ )

I had a sweet brother for a time! (He chuckles, touching the staff's drawing tenderly.) I do. I thought I was an adult then and I was certain Uncle Moryo would want to recruit me! I tried to think of what I would tell him on the way.

(Children have silly ideas!)

To live in peace with my family. To run a successful Forge making what I wish with plenty of materials. To...have a garden. (He murmurs the last bit.)

[ <3! These two are so adorable. ]

You did! A brother who ran like the wind and adored you! Well. . . in some ways, you were an adult. Serious young person whose brow would furrow in thought, pondering some question of vast importance, your silver eyes averted to look into the distance. Always concerned to find things to do that made you a working member of the family, whether it was taking care of the horses, or practicing with your weapons, or tracing the tengwar (which you learned with amazing speed, even for a Noldo child!), or reading your books and writing letters to you relatives.

Of course you wanted Uncle Moryo to recruit you! [ He laughs softly. ] Did you know, one day he said to me with a laugh, "Curvo, be careful I don't steal that capable young guardsman from you!" I think he was only half kidding.

We shall have peace between us three, in this place. I wish we could live in peace, but it looks as though fighting is going to be a normal part of our lives. But by one another's sides, it won't be so bad.

A garden. [ A kind memory drifts into his mind, and his eyes grow softer than ever, looking upon his son. ] Tell, me, what would you grow in this garden. [ Very interested. ]

Edited 2017-02-07 12:53 (UTC)

(Curufin started it!)

With a fluffy mane who would race to me for embraces and treats the moment he saw me! (Even as a tiny foal, the baby had rested in his lap, tail wagging. Celebrimbor had finally gotten some rest between his "brother" and the mare who mothered them both.) I enjoy study and I like to see it in practice. I never saw a point in doing a task if I was going to be lazy about it.

(A trait he inherited from Curufin and Fëanor.)

Did he? (Even now those words are dear - precious - to him. Nothing makes him happier than being sought out and valued by his family.) I would not have left you, Atto! No matter what he offered me!

(But his Uncle would have been embraced.)

I will fight and not consider it a steep price. If there is one activity we excel at, it is battle. (He takes a breath and bites his lip.) Herbs to heal first. Then...flowers. Trees. Natural beauty can be as healing as the herbs. I want to sit amongst them and breathe in their scent.

[ He did. It's all his fault. XD ]

You used to sleep in the stables, not to be parted from your fluffy-maned equine family. [ Oh yes, Curufin remembers coming in to check on him. He never made his son come back in, but he did make sure there was a heavy soft woolen blanket over him, even though of course two horses are a pretty good warming device! ]

I liked to study when I was a child, too -- though, truthfully, it was very difficult for me to sit still for long! I had to learn fast, in the intervals between running about like a squirrel and banging away at some project in the forge. But you are more of a scholar than I, and I am proud of you. And as for your uncle Moryo -- I know you wouldn't have left me. But who knows? -- it might have been fun for you to spend a summer with him now and then. [ Again, the road not taken. Caranthir had joked about it but had not made the offer, and Celebrimbor had thought about it but hadn't wanted to leave his father. This family. . . they were who they were. Fierce in war and fierce in affection. It was not such a bad way to be! ]

We will all fight, and you are right, we are good at it.

But I think you would be a good gardener. I think the plants would thrive under your nurturing hands, the flowers bloom in profuse beauty. I can see you now, sitting amongst the herbs and the blooms, enjoying their rich sweet scent. I wonder. . . maybe such a thing could be done, even in Hadriel?

(He's not even ashamed! ~~Nor should he be. Let the cuteness reign forever!~~)

Uncle Tyelko taught me how important it is to listen to animals. I could not understand them as he did, but I tried. (His mare made herself clear with him and her little foal had been simple enough to not confuse him. The pair had been happy - even his uncle had said so when he met them briefly! Celebrimbor glances up at Curufin, smiling softly, curiously:)

Like a squirrel, hm? (The phrasing has him chuckling.) I never had trouble finding my calm. Perhaps I inherited that from Ammë?

I would have liked to spend a summer with Uncle Moryo if... (Curufin had come too.) You know I would have used all of his parchment to write to you otherwise!

(He sighs, hiding a small grimace. Celebrimbor is not a fond fighter, but he can do it. He will do it.)

Will there be enough light? Or are there plants we can find that prefer low light and shadow? I think those native should be a good starting point. I shall examine them before attempting to replant them.

[ Nor should he be. Long live cuteness!!!! ]

Nobody could understand animals as Tyelko did. [ He chuckles. ] We were all amateurs compared to him. But you did well, with the beautiful mare and her lovely son.

Oh, yes. I was always in motion. But you, yes, you had a marvelous calmness. And I think you are right, you inherited it from your mother.

I would have liked it if we could have spent more time in Thargelion together. [ Another chuckle, as he imagines Cel scribbling letter after letter, rushing to thrust them into the hands of the waiting errand rider. ] If you had been there without me, we'd have had to establish a professional postal service, just to keep up with our missives.

[ Celebrimbor does not love fighting, but he does it very well. His father does not blame him for not being a born killer, and he respects him greatly for all his hard work acquiring the skills. He knows Cel did it for his family. ]

I would guess there must be plants that can deal with the low light. The orchard manages to grow and thrive in it. And so do the grasses we find all over the lawns and fields around the city. I haven't seen a flowering plant yet, except for the trees and grasses, but I think there might be some. And where does our food come from? -- surely there must be fertile fields somewhere? [ He doesn't think in terms of Hadriel itself creating their victuals out of thin air, although he reluctantly supposes it's possible. ]

Your mother was a gardener. Maybe you resemble her in that, too?

Edited 2017-02-08 11:03 (UTC)

He was like Uncle Kano - except with animals instead of music. (His family has such strong talents. One of the reasons Celebrimbor works so hard is so that he is worthy of calling them kin. He never feels quite worthy enough - especially since he repudiated them (even if said repudiation had not been out of hate but desperation).)

I wanted you to be proud of me. I could not accomplish that goal if I was running about wildly. (He had been one of those children that had been born with an old soul. He had never been truly frivolous or thoughtless.)

Me too. (The image of Celebrimbor writing letter after letter and hurrying to send them off - only to have Curufin doing the same! - makes him laugh too.) Or we would have had to entice one of the Eagles to help us!

(The fact that his father approves of his desire to garden - as silly as it may seem for a Fëanorian to do so - warms his heart.)

Can we...look together? In the forest? I would like to start with seeds. That way I am not risking any plant that has already begun to grow.

(His cheeks pink and he nods.) I remember watching her harvesting herbs. I liked chewing on the mint.

That he was! [ Curufin thinks of them the same way, except he as never doubted that Celebrimbor had the same talented nature. Nor does he think that any of them would hold it against Cel that he struck out on his own instead of opting for the path of destruction that the rest of them were on. ]

We were proud of you. And we are. [ That's exactly how Curufin would describe him -- as an old soul. Those thoughtful silver eyes were wise and loving from the moment he first opened them. It was always as though he knew more than a one-time-around soul could know. ]

Eagle-post! Yes, that would work. [ Grin. ]

[ He doesn't think of gardening as silly. His ex-wife had expanded his horizons, even though the relationship hadn't lasted. ]

Yes, I'd be very happy to go with you to look for plants! [ He's pleased to be asked for his help. ] If we look carefully, we'll be able to tell which of the Hadriel plants are in which phase of their lives. Maybe some are seeding now? We'll find out.

[ A tender smiles spreads over his face. ] I remember that, too. I remember seeing you carefully picking out which herb you'd like to taste. She never stopped you; she knew how important it was for a child to explore. And I never stopped you for the same reason. I remember picking you up when you got tired, and laying you on my shoulder, and smelling the mint on your breath.

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