bythewaves | IC Inbox [Eachdraidh]

I was always meant to be forgotten. [ He says quietly ] To be nothing more than a warning to those who came after. But... I am a selfish creature, and I am glad for this chance, as well.

[ Fondly, he runs his hands through Aragorn's hair ]

Such a great heart. You really do remind me of Elros. If I Fade, it is too late to stop it now, Aragorn. I have lost far too much, too swiftly. I will stay for as long as I can, but if mother is right... I cannot survive her loss. I do not know if she would survive mine. She might, I suppose - she has done before. But I do not know. If in the end it is Men and Dwarves alone who will stand... well. That seems fitting, as well. Do not grow bitter, grandson. Elrond named you well. Do not lose that - it was what killed Maedhros in the end, the loss of the last of his estel.

Not by me. {Not by Elrond or Arwen or anyone else of that line.} I can see why the twins grew so well and became so strong. Despite what you did to their kin, you became a steady heartbeat in their lives.

{He wipes at his tears and glances at Maglor, feeling far younger than his eight decades.}

I have seen you suffer and it is difficult for me to... {He is a Healer. A Renewer.} I feel I have failed you.

No. Never. [ Fierce and firm ]

You have never failed me Elrondion. There are some hurts that you cannot heal. As a healer you know this. I am one of them, no more, and no less.

I will not believe that. {His voice is rough, dropping a notch so it sounds like a growl.} Call me a fool but I cannot stop searching for a better future for you.

Is he a fool who trusts yet in Hope? [ Maglor murmurs softly, the inflection suggesting he is quoting from someone or somewhere ]

There is no future for me, Aragorn. There can be none. Only the memory of the Eldar days. Let them pass. Look to the future.

...no. {His lips twitch, but the amusement dies as quickly as it comes to life.} You are welcome to Gondor at any time. I will open the palace to you.

If I survive long enough to see your kingdom, perhaps I will visit. [ He smiles a little ]

Survive to see it and your great-grandchildren. My son shall be named Eldarion.

No promises. [ Maglor warns ]

I do not know if... I will survive that long without Maedhros. But I will try.

There could be daughters too. {Lovely little girls that take after Arwen and dazzle everyone they meet.} Would Maedhros enjoy the chance to see them? Would he wish for you to see them?

I hope there are for you. You and Arwen deserve every happiness.

[ He shakes his head slowly ]

Maedhros is dead. I... before I was brought here... I watched him fall. His last ... the last thing he told me was... was not to follow. I... I could not... I could not catch him.

I would think far less of him if he ordered you to follow. {He holds Maglor's hand between his own, seeking the contact subconsciously.} He was beyond your reach. Do not blame yourself for his decision.

[ He does not fight, turning to grip fondly in return ]

Maybe. But I will always wonder... if I did something so terrible that he would not stay, and would not let me follow.

Your actions were mirrors of his, were they not? What right would he have to blame you so harshly?

{He shakes his head thoughtfully.}

No, he reached the barrier of his sanity. It was the same for Isildur when he took the Ring for his own. Deaths come in many forms.

[ Maglor shrugs, eyes far away ]

Not always. And... I still wonder if he blamed me for Thangorodrim.

An elder brother would not want to risk his younger brother even if it means he will suffer endlessly.

{He touches Maglor's cheek, trying to draw him back.}

[ Maglor blinks back at Aragorn and sighd quietly ]

I wish I could believe that he forgives me.

Family cannot help but forgive. {It's part of the package, especially when family is so close.} It has been long enough even if he felt anger towards you.

Maybe.

[ Is all he says, but Aragorn can maybe hear the words he does not say: 'Then why did he leave me behind?' ]

It was his weakness - his breaking point - and it had nothing to do with you.

{No one blames Elrond for failing to hold back Isildur; no one blames Maglor for failing to hold back Maedhros. Choices are made and consequences inevitably follow, but those left behind do not deserve guilt.}

[ Maglor only shakes his head ]

I was supposed to look after them. Be the moderating influence. I could not even change his mind.

And I am supposed to be a Healer and a Renewer. {What healing is he doing? How is he renewing anything?} Our talents cannot solve every riddle or save every soul.

You might yet be, here.

[ Maglor points out quietly ]

But they are all lost to me now.

You have not lost your talent. {Why else does he feel calm in his presence?}

Have I not? I think you think on me too kindly, Elrondion.

IC Inbox [Eachdraidh]

{Action} ;A; that vid

{Action} /silently imagining him saying that last line to Maglor

{Action} /weeps

{Action} /gets to this way late

{Action} /pats

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