TEST DRIVE #6

[fairyfoes]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Considering apping to EACHDRAIDH? Why not give the setting a test run here! OPTIONAL SCENARIOS 01. ARRIVING IN THE DRABWURLD. The Seelie and Unseelie courts welcome you with mirthful revelry and hearty food. After you have been briefed on your purpose here, you will find an endless feast and a night filled with entertainment to placate your concerns. Mingle with new arrivals, sneak down the castle halls and make sure your eyes are always on your glass; fairies and imps have no bias when it comes to tricks! 02. THE STATION. Looking for a little slice of home? The Station gives you all that and more. Take advantage of the wifi, have a cup of fairy-brewed coffee (the one they didn't spit in) or sit back and relax on the patio. You can even move your things into one of the available rooms! 03. WILDCARD. Your own scenario! Explore the Drabwurld or simply take advantage of your Locket!

Comments

[elvenwise]

[ The station is something of a marvel. His wife and daughter have dragged him out of Caer Glaem into more neutral territory while they all decide what to do, but both have been called away to other things. Elrond doesn't mind exploring by himself, now that he knows his family is safe and sound.

The television and music systems are slightly tricky to work out, and the music itself isn't exactly what he's used to, so he decides to try cooking instead. Or what passes for cooking there. Which is why he's holding a plate with a sandwhich on it when he turns the corner, investigating the singing that sounds so much like a very old part of his life.

It falls from his hand, smashing against the floor, when he comes face to face with his former foster-father, expression so pale it might as well be moonlit. ]

Macalaurë ...

[bythewaves]

[ It really should not be possible to go any paler but Maglor manages it, backing up a step with a soft whimper of surprise (he looks ready to turn on his heel and run, or spring forward to crush Elrond in a hug, and instead he freezes, torn) ]

You... you are... [ suddenly sharp and angry ... and protective yes, a bit still, despite everything ] Damn the Queens and their manipulations! Why did they have to bring you here!

[elvenwise]

[ Elrond has not laid eyes on this man since the end of the War of the Jewels, as popular opinion likes to call it. Since Maglor and Maedhros slew a few guards, stole a couple of Silmarils and then summarily vanished from history. He swallows hard, also torn between conflicting desires: to scream, to hit, to hug, to just stand there and maybe cry a little. ]

I am here because my healing knowledge is required. [ Is that his calm voice? Wow. Occasionally Elrond manages to surprise himself. ] Their lies do not negate the fact that good, innocent people need my help.

[bythewaves]

[ an almost desperate shake of his head ]

You should be home you should be safe and away from here! [ Away from me ]

You... [ a tremble in his hands, but not ever in his voice, always perfectly controlled, and desperation in grey eyes (he hurts still, too many shocks to a fea already tipping on the edge) ]

They will use you Elrond. [ My son, he wants to say, but he is not allowed, he must not, they were never ever his to call that ]

[elvenwise]

Yes. I suspect they will try very hard to use me. What I can do.

[ His tone is still mostly matter-of-face, but there's a slight edge to it, noticeable to someone who knows him well. His wife. His children. His in-laws. The two Kinslayers who raised a pair of twins. ]

But I am here, now, and there is no going home, at least for the time being. It may turn out that my presence may be useful. [ He pauses and takes a breath, gentling his tone. ] It has been a long time, Maglor.

[bythewaves]

[ A small jerky nod, and Maglor retreats behind the mask of the prince, veiling all his emotions behind ice, but one last whisper slips out ]

We sent you away so you would be safe. [ So that they could grow up without being technical hostages, so they could learn to be good people, so they would not have the shadow of the Oath and the Doom hanging over their heads ]

It... I suppose it may have been. For you. Time is strange here. I was... they brought me here... after Maedhros... [ He still cannot finish that sentence, not even with his brother newly returned to him, and briefly the ice cracks before he masters himself ]

So you see, it has not been all that long, for me. You...should probably not associate with me where others can see, I think. I am... Maedhros, and amil and I [ he corrects instantly ]... we are in your opposing court. [ So is Arwen, technically, but considering the family moved her straight to Seelie lands, Maglor counts her as Seelie ]

[elvenwise]

[ Oh, Maglor. Elrond and his brother fell under the doom of the Oath the moment they were taken from Sirion, screaming out their mother's name as they watched her fall from the cliff. ]

None of us can undo the past, you know that.

[ He says nothing else for a good, long while, just listening to the words, and intent behind them, head bowed against the anguish and grief so potent in the Feanorian's voice. Instinct once again takes over. Elrond steps forward to pull the older man into his arms for a tight hug.

It doesn't matter that Maglor is responsible for the slaying of his grandparents - at least, not in this moment - and a host of other crimes so great they can never be fully repented. What matters is his pain; Elrond is the greatest healer of his kind, and refuses to turn his back on suffering, no matter the source. ]

But that does not mean we cannot influence the future.

nickname headcanon: Elros is his bold one, Elrond his wise one

[bythewaves]

[ He goes absolutely stone still when Elrond pulls him into his arms (and Elrond can probably tell - Maglor is too thin, still, a little too pale - he does better, with Maedhros here, but one cannot entirely ever reverse an attempt to Fade) and there is a long, long moment where he does not move, and then his arms come up in a tight grip and he bows his head to Elrond's shoulder ]

You should not. [ he whispers ] After all we did to you, my wise one. You should turn me away.

I cannot change the past but if never seeing you changes the future for your benefit then I would take that road again and again.

[ he forces himself to let go and pull back (quietly, the scars on his hand burn, but he is used to the pain, by now) ]

[elvenwise]

[ Yes, he can tell. Even a blind, deaf healer would be able to sense the neglect surrounding Maglor. He stuffs the burst of professional irritation down into the pit of his stomach and simply hugs his once foster-father until the prince pulls away.

(Dispossessed they may be, but he will always be a prince of the House of Finwe to Elrond.) ]

And is it your choice alone that decides this? Or am I allowed a say in the matter.

[ The master of Rivendell favors Maglor with a stern look when he finally pulls away, not unlike one he'd turn on his own sons for knowingly doing something foolish. ]

[bythewaves]

I... [ He falters at that ]

I will not... refuse you if... you seek my company. But even here our Curse walks, Elrond. It has already brought harm to those undeserving. It would be better if you did not.

[ But already Maglor knows he cannot refuse his fosterling. If Elrond asks it, he would move the world for one he hurt so badly ]