it begins...

[nerdeology]

Who: You! Us! Everyone!
Broadcast: ???
Action: All over! It's a planet/moon mingle!
When: 8/15-9/12, or until captcha kills us all

Show some spirit! It's a new system, and that means new people, new shenanigans, new adventures, savvy? You'd better have enough moxie to thrive in this one...

Or maybe you're just here for the food.

Comments

[twicewed]

"Because I am your grandfather. I am supposed to protect you- all of you," Finwe said softly. "That is what I will do here though, I promise you."

[bythewaves]

Maglor shakes his head.

"Morgoth is a force of nature. How can any predict the storm? I do not blame you, grandfather. I only blame myself for not being strong enough."

[twicewed]

"You are strong enough, please don't doubt yourself," Finwe said sadly. "Let me be your strength here, Ca- Maglor."

[bythewaves]

"If you want to call me that you can." Maglor says quietly, leaning on Finwe.

"I never felt strong."

[twicewed]

"I want to respect your wishes though," Finwe said as he kissed his grandson's forehead affectionately.

"You are. You have your grandmother's quiet strength and her kind smile. The way she wanted to be strong for others, even when she felt as if she was faltering."

[bythewaves]

"...You never speak of her, much." Maglor curls against his grandfather and lets himself feel young again, for a while.

"And besides, everyone says I take after mother."

[twicewed]

"Between your father's grief and my own it hasn't been easy." He still loved Miriel with all his heart and perhaps he would see her when he finally made his way to Mandos.

"You do take after your mother but there is still a great deal of your grandmother in you as well."

[bythewaves]

"... do you think... she knows... what we did? Will... she be angry?"

[twicewed]

Finwe was quiet for a moment, thinking back to his wife. He could picture her so clearly and if he concentrated, closing his eyes, he could hear her voice.

"She would never stop loving you. Not for a moment," he said after a moment. "I believe she would be sad, she would be disappointed, but she would know who you are, Maglor. You are not a bad Elf."

[bythewaves]

"But I am, grandfather. You... did not see... Falmariel was only the first, and not my worst sin."

[twicewed]

"No, I didn't see. But- " he took a deep breath, putting a hand on Maglor's cheek. "You're still my grandson, Maglor."

[bythewaves]

The eyes that look back are so, so very old (and mad, too )

"Thank you." Is what he says, and he sounds like he means it, but his eyes say "You don't understand"

[twicewed]

Finwe knew he didn't truly understand but he hoped to in time. For now, though, all he could do was be there for his grandson. "Nothing can change that, I mean it. I held you when you were born, you took your first steps with me. How could I disown you?"

And that had been his problem with Feanor. He couldn't turn his back on his firstborn.

[bythewaves]

A sigh and Maglor ducks his head.

"You probably should." He says quietly. "It would probably be better if you did not associate yourself with such as I."

[twicewed]

"As long as you wish for me to be here with you, I will stay." Finwe was firm on that. "You were once a baby in my arms, you trusted me to take care of you no matter what. How could I abandon you?"

[bythewaves]

"Because of what we are... what we have done. Grandfather, in many ways, I abandoned you."

[twicewed]

"Cana-Maglor. It wasn't your duty to protect me- it was my duty to protect you, your brothers, your cousins, and your father," Finwe said seriously, kissing the top of Maglor's head again.

[bythewaves]

"I ran away." He whispers softly, brokenly. "When the Dark came, I ran, and I left you there alone."

[twicewed]

"I would want you to run. You couldn't face Morgoth on your own," Finwe assured him softly.

[bythewaves]

"You did." Maglor says softly, voice empty and dead. "You were brave, and I was a coward, and you should never have had to face him alone."

[twicewed]

"I did and I would give my life again and again for your brothers, your cousins, and all of my children." Despite all mistakes Finwe would not hesitate to sacrifice himself for his family.

[bythewaves]

"I should have been there." Maglor turns to cling, allowing himself this moment of weakness.

"I'm sorry, grandfather."

[twicewed]

Finwe held his grandson tight, silent for a moment.

"I'm sorry too. I never wanted any of this to happen."

[bythewaves]

"Nor I." Maglor lets his grandfather hold him, and decides that it is alright to be a little selfish and stay here for a while.

"Will you stay?"

[twicewed]

"Always, for as long as you want," Finwe promised his grandson softly, kissing the top of his head. Maglor could be as selfish as he wanted, Finwe wouldn't judge.