bythewaves | iC: Inbox [Asgard]

It is not easy to speak of such things. [ he rejoins quietly ]

You honor me to share them, Alice. [ since she seems to want the touch he starts the carding of her hair again ]

Was there none to stand for you? [ such a cruel world, to leave its children without succor ]

No.

[ After a while, she grew used to it, often preferring her own company, even as she grew increasingly lonely. For as much as she hates touch, she allows him to fiddle with her hair. Or ether that, it's a conclusion that it must be a trait of his own kind, to fiddle with another's hair. Still, she finds it difficult to open up even more about Rutledge. ]

I want to shrink away and be gone again, but I don't want to be gone. I'm just a very strange person.

Strange is not always bad, gwilwileth. Men are strange to the Eldar, but that does not make us love any of you less - strange and wondrous thou art to me, fair and delicate as the first frost, but strong and hardy as the willow. I am glad you stay, yenya.

[ His own kind cared for humans so, even as they would do terrible things. Unspeakable things. Just like what Bumby had done to her family, especially Lizzie. As she leans into his side, her posture is relaxing. How can anyone care for beings so capable of pure evil? She holds that thought to herself, she doesn't blurt it out. She sniffs, wiping away the last remaining tears from her eyes. ]

I've kept my silence for ten years, I will not any longer.

[ Maglor, of course, would argue that he has done things just as henious, and his people are capable of deeds equally dark ]

I am honored that you chose me to break yout silence with me.

[ For a few more minutes, Alice keeps her head braced against his eyes, with her eyes closed. After some time has passed longer than she initially planned, Alice shifts forward. If anything, she would say he needed it more than her because of how many years well beyond the lifetimes of her family wandering alone. Just when she thinks she's finally stopped crying, she starts again. Alice pulls herself on unsure feet. ]

I forgot something. I was going to give it to you a few days before, but.

[ Suddenly the house became crowded with his extended family and Lizzie. She scurries off for a moment downstairs without giving him the time to ask. Alice is then seen coming back up, right there with a small paper bag. It's not a birthday, but the man deserves a present for his work and patience with these two. A tea and potion, although Alice doesn't say what it is, because it is a surprise. ]

Here.

Maglor will treasure those few brief days the rest of his life, for he knows full well that he will not see any of them in life outside of situations like this again. For those brief days, Asgard in general, and their house in particular, was treated to a faint glimpse of the joy and brightness that was Maglor's world growing up. It has settled him noticably, given him a strength and glow of peace in his eyes. Now he watches Alice with fond eyes.

"For me? What is the occasion, gwilwileth?" He blinks and accepts the bag, peering into it curiously.

It's good to see him happy; his grey eyes always seem to show that inner turmoil he carries. For now, this small moment has become worth the mourning. She watches him, hopeful that it will help him sleep more soundly. Alice voice cracks as she speaks.

"Tea," Here's to hoping that what she says next won't have him scolding her, "And something to help you sleep at night."

He smiles at her, fond and bright. "Thank you, yenya. It was kind of you to think of me despite your own cares."

He looks at the tea and potion curiously. "How does it work, do you know?"

Alice will do her best to explain from her memory of Roland's instructions. The only thing she dreads is his reaction of being told to take a day off. "Mister Roland explained that you can have the tea to unwind and then the potion to help sleep. He also recommend that you take a day off once I told him you help in the Citadel."

"A day off hm?" He laughs softly "I have had far too many 'days off', I believe. I suppose I might be persuaded, if you would consent to rest as well."

Hello, we are hypocritical and want you to take care of yourself, Alice.

Of course he would and Alice isn't really surprised. She lets out a soft huff of amusement. Being stubborn as she is, she gently shakes her head side to side, allowing her dark hair to fall in her face.

"Not unless you do," But that answer won't suffice for him. "Maybe."

He chuckles softly in return.

"Together then? I can do that. Perhaps I will 'take a day off' in two days time - I do need to tell my students, after all."

A smile breaks across her lips following his chuckle despite her tears. A faint memory is conjured from the deepest corners of her mind.

Whoever destroys a soul, destroys the world. There is much wisdom in that, Alice.

She nods. The answer is sufficient for Alice, as she pulls her hair out of her face as she speaks up. "All right," Her voice is still cracking. She'll agree because he will. "I will, but I still want to learn more. You'll teach me more, won't you?"

"I will. As much as you wish to learn, yenya." The Eldar never distinguished much between neri or nissi in terms of teaching - certainly not in Middle-earth, where they lived on the edge of a knife.

He keeps up the gentle carding of her hair, humming gently.

Alice will stay for a few minutes longer, settled right next to him. Of course she finds herself leaning against his arm, slowly becoming more accustomed to doing so. It's more tentative baby steps for her, to show physical affection. A few years earlier, she wouldn't have made it this far. She has come a long way, a far cry from the little girl who would hide underneath her bed in the asylum in fear. She's tired and eventually she has to sleep. Alice will likely fall asleep crying over losing her sister, huddled underneath the covers of her bed and toy rabbit.

She hates to do so, but Alice slowly pulls away, standing back up with her arms huddled to herself for security, "I think I will retire for the evening, Mr. Maglor. I'm sorry."

"Do not be sorry, yenya." He admonishes, watching her fondly although he does not yet rise, waiting until she is secure on her own feet before he does, knowing she dislikes him towering.

"Go and get some rest - I think me I will remain out here for a while. My cloak is in my room, if you feel you have a need for it."

She'll more than likely take it, as Kevin is likely to have a shirt of his already. She's silent, only offering a nod of acknowledgement as Alice starts to head back down for the evening. Thoughts are running through her head of her sister, but she stops to turn to him for one final question.

"Mister Maglor, do you think my sister will at peace now?"

He looks back at her, startled, the light of the stars and moon around him, and perhaps he looks like he might have done, in his own world.

"I do not know, Alice. The fates of Men are sundered from that of the Eldar, and where they go after death only two Elves have ever known, and they did not return to speak of it. Yet, I cannot believe that the One who sung the creation into existance cares nothing for his children. I believe she is, Alice. I believe she is Home."

Alice, who has lost faith in most things, needed to hear that after tearing herself up as Lizzie had left. It wouldn't be fair if she faded out into nothingness, with only three days breathing and thriving once again, warm in Alice's embrace. It will still not save her from a restless night.

She was on the balls of her feet, ready to descend down the stairs. Instead, she turns on a heel, with a slow approach towards him. It's easy for her to initiate affection with the little Alice, without hesitation. She can pick her up now and hold her, to calm the little girl who means much more to her than just similarity. So it's still awkward for her, to embrace him, especially with how he towers over her. She does, at least, brace herself against him in an awkward attempt in a hug.

It wouldn't be far from the truth to say she's forgotten how to. She hates it, but his words have given her a much needed piece of mind.

A startled pause - it is unlike Alice to initiate such contact, and Maglor debates for a long, long moment before deciding that she needs it, and bending, he folds her in his arms, ever so briefly, pressing a kiss to her forehead before letting her go.

(He would hold her close and shut out the world, but it would only distress her, he knows)

He would assume correctly; Alice had tensed from the initial display of affection, sinking her shoulders as soon as she's freed. It's her way of saying "thank you", since words seem to be lost on Alice at the moment. It's bedtime for Alice, who is dead on her feet, that she reluctantly staggers towards the stairs. She was going to say something else to him, perhaps a "goodnight" or verbalize her gratitude.

There is silence.

Alice just turning to him, as her dark hair falls into her face.

Unfortunately, Alice will not be coming out of her room for a few days after this.

He will be there for her - bringing a meal up and leaving it at the door. Singing for her when the nightmares get too much. Waiting, quiet and patient, as he did once for Elrond and Elros, terrified and so very angry.

iC: Inbox [Asgard]

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