hadriel | (Text)

I used to sing in a band. Never learned to play anything except a tambourine, though. Mine showed up here a while back.

Would you mind lifting your voice for your fellow captives?

[ 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.

I can sing. I'm really good.

(The voice that comes over the device is probably just a little strange sounding.)

I don't sing or play any instruments myself, but I must admit I am also interested. (Art of any sort is a thing they're passionate about.)

Edited 2017-01-29 22:28 (UTC)

[ 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.

(His head tilts at the sound, curious about its origin.)

Would you enjoy a concert too if I organized one?

I should like to hear you very much.

[ ask and you shall receive. Cashmere switches from text to audio so he can hear her sing.

Cashmere picks a traditional song from home, and though it won't be familiar to anyone else, it's catchy and kind of sad. as promised, she has a strong, pretty voice.]

I don't think I'll know anything you know, but I learn quickly.

[ 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.

(He listens silently, enjoying the flow of the music even if the style is foreign to him. She does indeed have a clear gift and he smiles to himself, happy to encourage it.)

It matters naught if you know the style of Arda. Your voice should be lifted as often as you feel like singing. I have discovered I am not the only one who longs for music.

[ 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.

"Oh, yes!" (Can you hear the excitement in that odd little voice?)

"I've never actually been to a concert before. It would be nice to have the opportunity."

I ... I mean, I guess not. I never really sang without a band, though. Or music of some kind.

[And at least a couple of strong drinks in her.]

[He still doesn't trust the Elves here any farther than he can throw them. But at least he can answer the question with some civility.]

I know of several here who have the most melodious voices. As for myself, I only sing when supremely happy or supremely miserable.

[Fetch, a raven of enormous proportions sitting on his shoulder, caws in a corrective tone.]

You are right, my avian friend. I also used to sing to my madlings to comfort them.

I can make a flute or a harp to accompany you if that will help? (It has been a long time since he played for the simple joy of it.)

(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.

Then I will see to it most gladly. (How can he say no?) You deserve to enjoy music.

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