bythewaves | IC Inbox: Hadriel

He blinks at in weary confusion, but automatically gathers him close.

"Eaten?" He says slowly, eyes creasing as he thinks about it.

That would be a no.

He loves Uncle Kano hugs and even though he's grown, he can never turn them down.

"Yes. Sustenance, mainly." he sighs over the answer and kisses Maglor's cheek, "Will you try something for me?"

"I..." he turns to look back at the room

"I...suppose? "

"Alright." Celebrimbor lets go and walks from the room for a moment. He returns with a bowl of stew.

"I think this tastes fairly good, but I'm not sure."

Maglor is standing at the room entrance as once he stood at another, long long ago. But he isnt the king regent, holding strong, anymore, but the brother too often left behind.

He halts in his progress and his gaze softens. He understands the weight of ruling; of leading even when you're not sure what to hold onto anymore. Maglor has suffered more losses than an entire kingdom should suffer and Celebrimbor cannot undo them.

But he wishes he could.

"I see you." he sets the bowl on a table and walks to stand at Maglor's side, grabbing onto his hand.

He starts, surprised, and it is so hard to sneak up on him normally, turning to Celebrimbor with weariness in every movement.

"He won't wake."

He says softly, brokenly.

"What if he never does?"

He is moving far easier thanks to Elrond. Surely that makes him quieter too?

"Not yet." he agrees, squeezing Maglor's hand, "You cannot think that way, Uncle. His body hasn't disappeared; he is still tethered to us, which means he has to return."

That Celebrimbor moves with less pain brings joy to Maglor's heart, even now, and he leans against his nephew's strength, for he is close to the end of his.

(but not yet, not yet)

"Grandmother Miriel did not." He says softly.

He wraps an arm around his dear uncle, more than happy to support him. Somehow, some way, he will get him to eat and rest. That is what Maedhros would want.

"This isn't the same situation. His life is bright and strong. Something has caused him to sleep. We just need to be patient." and pray. Celebrimbor doesn't mind visiting the temples if it helps.

"Is it not?" Maglor pulls away, takes a step towards the room only to stop again at the doorway.

(He stood like this once before, until Maedhros got fed up and ordered him in)

"He's already left me once before." He says softly.

Two steps forward and one back. Actually, it might be the other way around. Celebrimbor watches his uncle intently for a sign of how best to help.

"It isn't." he repeats, firm, "That was a different situation. Uncle Nelyo was hurting in the same way you were...are." he amends, "He did not choose to slumber. The magic will not last."

Maglor stands at the doorway, a haunted look to him.

"I don't know if I have enough hope for believing that."

He can't stand seeing him so lost. Celebrimbor hopes that he has enough Light left in him to guide his uncle home.

"Then you can rely on my hope."

Maglor's arms are around himself, as if he can hold himself together.

"I am never strong enough to save him."

Celebrimbor's arms will join the effort as he hooks his chin over Maglor's shoulder.

"Maybe you are not meant to and maybe that is simply part of his journey. I know it hurts."

Maglor leans against him and a dry sob escapes.

"Just once, I wanted to be able to believe he wouldn't leave me."

Celebrimbor holds him securely, offering his body as a safe place to rest.

"You shouldn't look at it like that. Your paths are no longer merged, but you should look forward to when they meet again. You have seen that is possible."

Edited 2018-01-14 10:37 (UTC)

Maglor accepts that comfort, but his eyes never leave the room.

"I... don't know if I can."

"You are not alone this time." Celebrimbor murmurs, "Rely on us until you can believe."

A long moment Maglor is still, and then he sobs, collapsing as he weeps, leaning against Celebrimbor.

He will be caught and held, gentle hands smoothing over Maglor's hair and back. Empathetic tears well in Celebrimbor's eyes and he doesn't pay them any mind as they fall.

"You have us. You have family."

Edited 2018-01-14 11:15 (UTC)

Maglor weeps as if the world is ending, and perhaps for him it is - how many times, after all, has he been the one left behind?

(Not enough, never enough, always too slow, too afraid, too weak)

He weeps himself to sleep.

It breaks his heart; of course it does. But he can't soften this blow for his uncle. For whatever reason, Maglor has been cursed with this burden. The least Celebrimbor can do is ensure he is not alone under its weight.

Once he feels his uncle slumbering, he lifts him and carries him to his room, tucking him into his bed.

Maglor looks young, when he sleeps, pale with tear tracks still damp on his face, curled protectively as if to ward away the world.

"Nelyo..."

IC Inbox: Hadriel

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