(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]

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.

[castintoflames]

Next time? (He chokes and shakes his head vigorously.) There will be no next time. That body and all of its scars is no more; I believe it was consumed by the flames.

[tar_minyatur]

There had better not be. [ Elros grumbles, and tucks himself close again ]

Elrond will never forgive me if I let you do something dumb on my watch.

[castintoflames]

Kano would be worse. (He gives an uncomfortable shudder and leans down to rest his chin on Elros's shoulder.)

There are certain aspects, unfortunately, that are beyond the scope of even the greatest Healers.

[tar_minyatur]

I think you might acutally kill him, if you do that again.

[ Elros sighs ]

Just... let me try. Please. For all our sakes.

[castintoflames]

I don't want to imagine a world without him present.

(He tilts his head and cradles Elros's chin.)

Seeing you has done remarkable things for me.

[tar_minyatur]

Nor do I. But I didn't much like a world without you either.

[ Elros smiles up at him ]

I'm glad I could help

[castintoflames]

When did you...know?

(He strokes over those handsome features.)

Never doubt that you do.

[tar_minyatur]

Gil-galad gave us news. Where he found out, we don't know, but Elrond always suspected Maglor somehow managed to send word, but although we searched, we couldn't find him. And... we were both busy. It wasn't as if we could spend forever looking...

[castintoflames]

If he did not wish to be found, you would never find him. (Maedhros knows he shattered his brother's heart beyond all repair.) You have lives to live and neither of us would hold that against you.

[tar_minyatur]

We knew that. But how could we have lived with ourselves if we hadn't tried?

[ Elros leans against him and sighs ]

We went on. We are used to being left behind, after all. It doesn't make it hurt any less. Elrond will probably never forgive me that last parting, when it comes.

[castintoflames]

Thank you. (He brushes his lips against Elros's brow tenderly.)

No, you should never become used to it. (It should never be a given. Maedhros pushes Elros back so he can frown down at him.) As if you can help it! Go into the dark peacefully, yonya. There is nothing to fear in it. I believe...

I must believe we will all be united one day.

[tar_minyatur]

We had to.

[ Elros accepts the comfort but looks up at him with dark eyes ]

Elrond and I... we've had to say goodbye too often. That's one of the reasons I chose as I did. I never thought he'd chose otherwise!

[castintoflames]

(He pulls Elros back to him, leaning down to wrap around him securely.)

I cannot imagine you so separated. Your choices surprise me, yet I know you are both sorely needed amongst the Men and Elves. What you have is too precious to keep to one race.

I sometimes think the Vala intrude and move your hearts to a decision.

[tar_minyatur]

[ he laughs ]

Fool. [ he says fondly ]

Can you honestly think of Elrond as a Man? He's always been one of you, same as I've always not been.