bythewaves | IC inbox (Drift Fleet)

I understand. [Sorey sighs and scrubs a hand through his hair.] Don't get me wrong; we've seen those things before. Mikleo and I, we're not strangers to the kind of tactics you used, even if we haven't used them ourselves.

Back home, our purpose is to clean up after those tactics are used. Killing people, however justified, desecrating bodies, acting out of anger or revenge, [which maybe the elves have said isn't what they did but he'd seen Maedhros, he'd seen the hatred in his eyes,] those things turn people into monsters.

By defying you we were trying to keep all of you safe.

I know.

[ Maglor murmurs softly ]

But we are all so old, Sorey, and so tired of watching things we love burn. I am sorry we hurt you.

You should talk with a friend of mine, [Sorey says placidly, neatly sidestepping the opportunity to immediately forgive rather than denying it outright.] His name is Zaveid. He's much closer to your age than mine, but he's been traveling with Mikleo and I for a while so he knows us pretty well. Maybe you'll find some common ground with him.

I do not think any of your firends would talk to us. [ Maglor murmurs softly ]

Not right now, I think, perhaps never. Mikleo is very angry - I have asked if he would prefer us to leave.

Oh, you shouldn't do that, [Sorey warns mildly.] If you'd all like to leave because you're uncomfortable around us that's fine, but don't go because Mikleo's mad. That won't anybody any good.

He is the Captain of this ship. To stay when you are all angry...surely it will be too uncomfortable.

Mikleo isn't Captain because he asked- Look, just trust me on this. If you leave he's going to get really, really mad. He won't chase anybody down or anything but it'll put a huge dent into any possibility of making up with him.

He has already sent me away. [ Maglor points out doubtfully ]

If he cannot bear to even speak to me, then what good is us staying?

Well, he's angry. But he won't be angry forever. [Sorey tilts his head, smile unsure.] Are you worried about him hating you?

[ Maglor shrugs a little ]

I am used to being hated. [ He says slowly ] If... it helps him I do not mind. But ... it was my suggestion. He... I would that he forgives my kin.

Yeah, he definitely won't do that as a favor to anybody. Especially if they don't try to talk to him on their own. [Sorey sighs and scrubs a hand through his hair.] Mikleo can get really hot under the collar, but he calms down soon enough so long as something else doesn't happen to make him angry. Honestly if you just give it a little time, he'll be a lot more open to talking to you.

But it was my fault. [ Maglor says softly ] I know how my family works, Sorey. It was my suggestion - and I could have talked Maedhros out of it, if I wanted. That is my role, Sorey - I am his eyes and ears, but also his conscience. And whether or not Maedhros wants it, he has Father's ability to command, and neither Fingon nor Grandfather have the will to want to oppose him.

[Sorey's brow furrows. There's some kind of disconnect here that he's missing, he knows it.] Maglor...the way you talk about your family, it kind of sounds like you guys are all parts of the same soul. Like you're not completely separate beings.

[ Maglor blinks and then shakes his head ]

It was not my intent to give that impression! But we are... very close, Sorey. Too close, perhaps - but our family was always a little... strange. Maedhros and I fought together for hundreds of years, long after we were all that we had left...we... the way we were, at the end... Sorey, we were utterly dependent on each other, and very wrong for each other, but by then there was no one to tell us no. We have not... learnt how to untangle ourselves, yet.

Fingon and Grandfather... both of them hold much guilt for the way they died, although neither could help it. But their deaths... hurt Maedhros and I, and they both know it, how their deaths changed the course that we might have taken. In some ways, they both blame themselves. They will not gainsay us, even when they should.

[ Softly, almost to himself ] Finrod and Turgon were wise to leave, I think, although it did not save them, in the end. But Galadriel escaped, and that is something, at least.

[Oof. That sounds like fifteen tons of issues to unpack with a two-ounce spoon, but Sorey doesn't think he's even halfway near qualified to help out with that. Especially since Maglor's already aware of it and isn't exactly asking for his help.]

...if you like, I can explain what you've told me to Mikleo and it might help him understand, though he'd probably appreciate it more if he heard it from one of you.

[ He is the most crazy, sorry Sorey! ]

I... I do not know how to talk to him. [ Maglor admits ] I seem to only make him more angry.

Okay. I'll do my best.

-I really do think you all should stay, though. If you were that worried about Sora and the rest of us, being on a different ship if this happens again will just make you even more worried.

True.

[ Maglor sighs softly ]

Your counsel is wise, and I suppose if you think it will not hurt, I will stay. Thank you, Sorey.

Mmm. [Sorey nods, a quick bow of his head.] Thanks for explaining your reasoning to me.

No, thank you for listening. [ Maglor shakes his head ]

Your world is very fortunate to have you.

I don't know if I'm that important, but thanks for the compliment. [Sorey stands and rests a hand on Maglor's shoulder.] Don't worry too much about Mikleo. And...I hope that you and your family can find some semblance of peace here.

Every life is, in their own way. [ Maglor hums softly, startling at the touch although he does not pull away ]

But a light so bright as yours, a soul so generous - that is rare, and precious. Thank you very much, Sorey. You really do remind me of Master Frodo.

[oh my god stop]

Is this Master Frodo a friend of yours?

[ He but speaks the truth! ]

No - but all who live in my time know his name, for he was the saviour of us all.

Oh wow, he sounds really important. Is he an elf too? [Maybe some other kind of king? Or like, a religious leader, since he's a savior?]

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