(But the dawn is brief and the day full often belies its promise.)

[castintoflames]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Maedhros
RECIPIENT: Anyone with a crystal.
WHAT: Manic? Did anyone say manic? This can't be good.
WHEN: Spanning a week? (7-10 days?)
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Someone is afflicted with a strange Flu.

(The fires are high in the Forge and someone is working at all hours. Have they come out for food? Water? Air? Well if you wondered, he does make a quick message.)

Whoever thinks knocking on the door is a good idea, will not leave unscathed next time!

(There is a strange light in his eyes - and if anyone knows of his father, they will recognize it immediately. Abort mission!)

I am on the cusp of making something spectacular and I do not need any interference. Do I make myself clear?

(What happened to the gentler Maedhros? Some might claim he has been swallowed by the flames of ambition.)

Comments

[tar_minyatur]

[ .... fffffffffffffine ]

And mine is that I'm from a family that makes doing the impossible a routine achievement.

[castintoflames]

Don't waste your efforts on me. Save them for when you need to cross the heavens in a ship. (He smiles and nuzzles Elros's neck, trying to brighten his mood.)

[tar_minyatur]

[ Elros snarls, abruptly incensed, pulling back to glare ]

Don't you tell me what to spend my efforts on! Who was it who saved us, who housed and fed us, who taught us everything we needed to know? I can choose who I want to love! I know who it was who chased away the monsters at night and tucked us into bed, and it wasn't Earendil!

[castintoflames]

(That temper. Maedhros falls back a step, wary.)

...that was not his fault. (He tilts his head.) You are his son; he must prize you and your brother above all others.

(He would, he reasons.)

I am honored to have your love, but I do not pretend to be worthy of it.

[tar_minyatur]

It might not have been his fault but it does not change the fact that he was not there. I don't remember Earendil. I remember you.

[castintoflames]

And I remember you. (He smiles faintly.) So small and yet extraordinarily brave! I thought you a treasure.

[tar_minyatur]

[ Elros leans against him again ]

You were a steady rock for us to break ourselves upon, and later to brace against. Don't ever think that we are not grateful. You could have been cruel to us, you could have put us to torture or left us behind. Elrond and I, we know how much you've done for us.

[castintoflames]

(He welcomes him, embracing him.)

I thought about being cruel...at first. I thought it would be easier. How could two kinslayers raise children?

(But he remembers Maglor's immediate affection for the twins. "Nelyo, they are like the Ambarussa!")

Kano stopped me and I am eternally grateful to him. The first time I held you and Elrond, I could do nothing but care for you as I had my brothers.

[tar_minyatur]

You could have, but you didn't. Please stop pretending you don't know how to be kind.

You loved us well. I know it isn't right. But it is what it is, and we love you.

[castintoflames]

Elros, what you feel is right. You feel it. We did not make you feel it. (He frowns.) Do not be ashamed.

[tar_minyatur]

[ Elros deals him an unimpressed look ]

Does it look like I am ashamed I am hugging you in public. Do I need to get on the crystals and proclaim it loudly because I will.

[castintoflames]

(He flushes and smiles briefly, shyly.)

Yes, please do so. While you are at it, will you please paint a target on your forehead? (He is teasing, but there is something solemn about his words.)

[tar_minyatur]

The only person who cares is cousin Thranduil and he already knows. Cousin Galadriel has long been resigned to it. You keep seeing danger for me where there is none, Maedhros.

[castintoflames]

My feet have not yet learned the pitfalls of this land. I will stumble and gain enemies. I do not wish for you to share them.

[tar_minyatur]

If they harm to you they will not hesitate harm to me. You cannot keep them all from me.

[castintoflames]

I can try. (Fiercely. He cannot allow himself to fail in this.) I had thought about spending my days protecting you anyway.

[tar_minyatur]

And you wonder why we love you!

[ Elros shifts so he can lean their foreheads together ]

You are an idiot and a fool, a murderer and a kidnapper. But you are also the strong hands that held us when we cried, the swordarm between us and the dark, our teacher and the father of our choice.

But you cannot protect us from every thing, Maedhros. You cannot even protect us from yourself. But love dares, Maedhros. You taught us that. I take that risk on myself.

[castintoflames]

(He stills, surprised, eyes widening. But the contact lulls him into contentment and he strokes back Elros's hair with a loving hand.)

I wish I could. (Even if it meant dying or giving up a limb or two. So what? If he could see Elros smiling and laughing, it would be enough.) Kano had spoken of splitting apart for a time after we recovered the Silmarils. He would watch over your brother and I would go to you.

One way or another, he and I would have been there for... (The end that all Men must face. He embraces Elros tighter.) I was half-convinced I would have stepped into that darkness with you. A star needs protection when it shines so bright and so alluringly.

[tar_minyatur]

I know.

[ Elros leans into that hand ]

That, right there, is a far better plan than the actual one you took.

[castintoflames]

I let despair conquer me. (He forgot all except the Dark voice of Morgoth that had never really left him.)

I should have dropped the damn jewel and went directly to you.

[tar_minyatur]

Clearly.

[ Elros says dryly ]

I wish you had! We'd have looked after you, you know.

[castintoflames]

I know. (He sighs and nuzzles his temple.) I would have dragged Kano with me. His poor hands.

[tar_minyatur]

At least he had two. [ Elros sighs and hugs him ]

You only had the one!

[castintoflames]

I am not a Bard. (Thus is his reasoning anyway. He smiles fondly.) I made do.

[tar_minyatur]

No - but your injuries... if you had come to us, I think Elrond might have well been able to help! Don't be dumb, next time.