Borked elf is borked

[seawanderer]

Who: Maglor [OPEN]
What: Maglor is still recovering from being trapped
Where: All over the train but ending in the Standard Coach
When: Day 29

When a musician gets stressed, they tend to start playing. And have a hard time stopping. Ever since the door unlocked, Maglor hasn't been back to his cabin. Hasn't slept. Hasn't rest. Just took his harp and left. Who would go looking for him, anyway? He's just one broken elf! No one of consequence.

Random little chords can be heard, plucked along. But for the most part, he's fled when he's seen anyone come close. But it's a small train, and it's only a matter of time before he's caught.

And eventually, he gets tired enough to end up sitting quietly, staring out into the Void as his fingers pluck away at his harp.

Comments

[castintoflames]

He is careful with the harp, gently setting it aside with...a new hand. The metal shines, newly polished, and the fingers flex smoothly. Once the instrument is safe, Maedhros embraces his brother in what can only be termed a bear hug.

"You are not too big for me to carry."

[seawanderer]

He's not noticed the new hand just yet, too focused is he on holding tight to something real and someone who makes him feel safe.

"Maybe I need you to carry me a bit," he grumbles at his brother, voice muffled.

[castintoflames]

He needs no other reason to carry Maglor back to his cabin. They may not have complete privacy - such is the environment of living on a train - but his bed is comfortable and he tucks his brother against him as he sits down.

"I don't mind."

Never. Even if he had no hands, he would try.

[seawanderer]

He only needs his family. He's only ever needed his family. Privacy doesn't matter if Maedhros stays with him. Maglor hardly seems to notice the walk, only that he's as safe as he can be. His breathing eases the longer he holds onto his brother.

But eventually he returns enough to himself that he notices there are two strong hands holding him, instead of one. He pulls away to twist and look at the mechanical hand with wide eyes. "Nelyo?"

[castintoflames]

This is normal. This is the sort of thing Maedhros has done a thousand times for his younger brothers, carrying them home; carrying them to safety. What do they have to fear from the world? There will always be someone to guide them.

Until there wasn't. Maglor is the one who knows what it is like to be totally bereft. But not here.

He kisses his brother's brow before smiling faintly, holding up the hand in question.

"A gift from Father and Tony Stark."

[seawanderer]

From the moment Maglor opened his eyes as a babe, his brother Nelyo had been there. Carrying him. Snuggling him. Keeping him safe and happy.

Until fire.

He shifts until he simply leans against his brother, though still able to examine the new hand with wonder and joy, chasing shadows away.

"I told you atto still loves you." So there.

[castintoflames]

Who could resist a little Elf who started singing before he could talk? Maedhros had become attuned to those notes, understanding when his brother was happy or when he was scared or upset.

When had he stopped listening? He doesn't know. But his ears are open now and he gently, playfully, taps Maglor's nose with the new hand.

"I cannot explain it, but he did seem happy."

[seawanderer]

They'd both always had massive soft spots for children.

He wrinkles his nose at the tap but snuggles against his brother anyway with a quiet hum. "Because he could do something to help you."

[castintoflames]

He had tried so very hard to be cruel - to feel nothing towards children. But then the twins had appeared, so lost and so little.

The wrinkle makes him chuckle and he nuzzles his cheek over Maglor's hair.

"I did not ask them. I was happy for the hand Tony made you."

[seawanderer]

They're impossible not to love.

He relaxes against his protective big brother, fingers continuing to brush over the mechanical hand.

"I didn't ask for the glove he made me. But I am glad he figured out a way to make you a hand." And yes. He will be going after that kind man to thank him himself.

[castintoflames]

He holds the hand steady so Maglor can explore it as much as he likes. It is securely strapped to his arm and, amazingly, the fingers react to his thoughts.

"He likes to help with his talents. I will repay him somehow." which he fears will likely happen in battle. But he's good at fighting.

"Arda needs more prosthetics." or so that is what Tony called them.

[seawanderer]

"Can you feel anything with it?" Because curious!

Maglor knows he'll be right there with his brother again when that time comes. So long as it's not on the train, where they're trapped in separate compartments again.

He glances up at his brother, puzzling the unfamiliar word over before nodding. "It could help."

[castintoflames]

"No, but controlling it is enough."

Having it is enough, goodness. Maedhros strokes back Maglor's hair, checking over him for signs of injury beyond a strained mind.

"Elves are not prone to losing limbs, however Men and Dwarves do suffer such wounds. It should not be the end of their service."

Or their lives in general.

[seawanderer]

Maglor only hums quietly in understanding and presses against his brother again. Maedhros won't find any new injuries, besides his hands showing...a lot of use. Though getting the glove off to look might be a challenge.

"Only the special ones," he makes an attempt at a quip. "Tony could do a lot of good on Arda."

[castintoflames]

Maedhros flushes, touched that his brother comes to his defense - even against himself. They both know that they are likely their greatest enemies. And since he has two hands now, he goes to work, massaging Maglor's poor hands.

"He could. Yet the lack of technology there would aggravate him." he smirks, "I think Atar considers him a friend - or at least an ally."

Which is saying a lot for Fëanor.

[seawanderer]

Always. Even when he'd been angry with his brother, he would defend him with his last breath.

He still flinches a little at the start of the massage, but doesn't put much effort in tugging away.

Maglor snorts out a little laugh. "He'd find a way to change it." He resettles against his brother, thinking about Tony. "...He has helped me from the very first day we met. He doesn't give up."

[castintoflames]

"Kano..." he coaxes gently, avoiding the scars as he focuses on relaxing the muscles, "I won't hurt you."

Never. Not on purpose. Not in his right mind.

"I believe he would." Maedhros settles back and gives Maglor a strong embrace, "He has my gratitude. I'm sorry I couldn't reach you."

When the compartments were shut tight.

[seawanderer]

That gets a whole different kind of flinch. But he only frowns down at his hands. "They are only sore, Nelyo...You know any massage will hurt at first."

Maglor snuggles into the embrace, inwardly shying from the reminder of being trapped even more than they all already are. "And mine." He shakes his head slightly. "It is not your fault."

[castintoflames]

He sighs and tries to tug off the glove, his brow furrowing in open concern. He wants to see the swelling for himself and locate some salve he has tucked away in his cloak.

"I was with the children in my compartment and I did not feel right leaving them to the Inspector." he grimaces, "They were frightened."

[seawanderer]

The glove comes off...and exposes old scars bleeding as if fresh, fingers raw and swollen.

"You were where you were needed. Children come first." And then there was the whole trapped in locked cabins thing.

[castintoflames]

He hisses and leans over, fishing around in his cloak until he finds the bottle. Habit leads him to uncorking it with his teeth. The spicy scent of herbs fills the air and when he places the ointment on Maglor's skin, it will numb some of the pain.

"Madoka in particular concerns me."

She is so small and she has no idea about her worth.

"I had hoped it would all pass without incident, but you and I are travelers. We don't like to be kept in cages."

[seawanderer]

His lips quirk, somewhat bitter, mostly resigned. "You thought the glove stopped the bleeding?"

But the care is enough and he nuzzles his brother's shoulder, watching him work.

"You will get through to her, given time." Maedhros always does.

[castintoflames]

He dabs at the blood with a handkerchief before applying the salve. Shaking his head, Maedhros nudges their heads together.

"I intend to protect her from the battles. She may not appreciate it, but that is right."

[seawanderer]

He hums quietly and rests his head on his brother's strong shoulder.

"They always protest being protected," he muses, letting his eyes close and just breath.

[castintoflames]

"This place deepens their misconceptions." by enlisting them and placing expectations on them. Maedhros scowls before he softens and rests against his brother in return.

"Any Elven parent would throw a fit."