(Closed + Open)

[castintoflames]

Who: Maedhros & Family | Maedhros & Open
What: Quality time is good for the soul.
Where: All around the train.
When: Day 30
Notes: Usual warnings for Maedhros's issues. Other than that, I don't foresee any problems?

(For Nerdanel -)

(Thousands and thousands of years could pass, he could see countless battles, countless losses and his need for his mother's company remains unchanged. So Maedhros seeks her out, quietly approaching her and cautiously resting his cheek against her vibrant hair.)

Mother... (He saw a certain sculpture and it has weighed heavily on his mind.) How are you?

(/)

(For Fingon -)

(A bouquet of flowers in one hand, ears red, Maedhros approaches his cousin and presses gently against his back.)

For you. (He presents the colorful gift, tilting his head to give Fingon a small smile. This time, at least, he isn't planning on telling him horrible news. Of course that is no guarantee that their conversation won't drift in that direction.)

(/)

(FAM)

(If you are kin to Maedhros, he will be seeking you out. The visit can be brief - a hug, some words of encouragement and then he leaves you to your business - or it can lead to longer conversations. He is an Elf that can sense when he has overstayed his welcome, so don't worry about him becoming a large pest.)

(/)

(OPEN)

(With his family accounted for and settled, Maedhros is freely wandering, humming ancient songs under his breath. No, his voice isn't bad. Of course, next to his musical brother, a songbird would sound ill-trained. Perhaps that is why he rarely sings, though he does enjoy the pastime.)

(/)

Comments

[castintoflames]

He lowers himself onto the seat beside her, immediately resuming his position, his head on her shoulder.

"I'm worried about you, Ammë."

[marriedanidiot]

She reaches up and unbraids his hair, and sets about rebraiding it, the motions soothing and well-practised, even if they haven't been done in yeni.

"Oh? Why is that, my son?"

[castintoflames]

The gentle tugging is comforting and he closes his eyes, his shoulders relaxing.

"I saw your sculpture." he hesitates, adding, "What can I do?"

[marriedanidiot]

Her hands do not falter or slow.

"Oh." She murmurs, and her voice is sad. "Ah my son. Do not trouble yourself over this. Your father and I are... talking. What is between us has no bearing on our love for you."

[castintoflames]

Maedhros opens his eyes and glances at her, unwilling to interrupt the braiding. But the moment she finishes, he will cover her hand with his own.

"I love you and so I worry when all isn't right." he has no place in commenting on his parents' marriage, yet it pains him to see them struggling, "We are together; that is a miracle we must celebrate."

[marriedanidiot]

She smiles at him.

"Tis not your place to worry." She says firmly. "You are our son, Maitimo. Not our keeper. As glad as I am to see you boys again, things went ill for your father and I long before you left me. Until we settle those, neither of us will rest easy."

[castintoflames]

"Whether it is my place or not, there are emotions I cannot help." he wraps an arm around her and closes his eyes, "You were blessed with seven sons, Ammë. That is unusual. I think perhaps there is great good at the center of your love for Atar. But we know now that bright light casts long shadows."

[marriedanidiot]

"Dear Maitimo." She smooths back his hair and presses a kiss to his brow. "Always so responsible. It's alright, my darling. We'll work things out - your father has been trying very hard, and I appreciate that. But it won't be swift, nor easy. I... was badly wounded, my son, by first your leaving, and then your deaths. Such wounds leave deep scars."

[castintoflames]

"You shouldn't push yourself. I don't mean to make you feel poorly." he frowns and gently touches her hair with a scarred hand, "A thousand times I wanted to sail back to you. Each time I lost a brother or I was Oath-bound to kill, I wanted to escape." he looks away, pained, "Morgoth hung me by my wrist on the Thangorodrim. I wanted to die, but he refused me that fate. I prayed that my brothers would not follow me and perhaps my prayer was heard. Finno was the one who came and it was he who severed my hand to free me."

Maedhros takes a steadying breath.

"I wasn't the same. The torture and all the time I spent hanging left me terribly weak. But my brothers stayed with me, keeping me company during my nightmares. We are family no matter how much we hurt."

[marriedanidiot]

"Ssh. I know, I know, my darling boy." She soothes him.

"You did your best, I know. And I am so very proud of you. But the things between your father and I go back longer than that, and older. I need to know that I can trust him, Maitimo. He needs to know he can trust himself."

[castintoflames]

Trust is so easily broken and so difficult to fix. Maedhros hurts for his mother and his father. He can see them trying and he knows the efforts are genuine, but the hurt between them remains.

"I believe in him." he gives her a small smile, "And I believe in you."

[marriedanidiot]

She smiles at him fondly and brushes the hair from his face.

"My dear one. Your heart is so very great."