(Open)

[castintoflames]

Who: Maedhros & Open
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Yes! On S.S. Huntress.
When: Early on the 2nd.

(Video)

(Maedhros is breathing shakily, unevenly as he peers at his reflection in a mirror. He pushes away from the glass suddenly, knocking over various odds and ends (a hair brush and hair ties) in the process.)

What...happened...to me?

(He cannot bear to be in a closed room for any longer. In a panic, he hurries to the door, opening it to find...more of the same. This isn't right. This isn't right!)

(Action)

(The tall Elf will be found in the corridors of the Huntress, stumbling as he takes in the strange environment. The blood has completely left his face, leaving him as pale as a ghost.)

Can anyone...help? (Fear makes his voice sound young. At least, that seems to be the case. Why else would he sound like an Elfling?)

Atto? Ammë? Kano?!

Comments

[bythewaves]

[ he pokes him ] While that may be true, you should not go seeking tomorrow's trouble today.

[ a soft fond smile ]

They chose well.

[castintoflames]

(His lips purse petulantly.) There is nothing wrong in being prepared.

You are biased. (But he likes seeing that smile.)

[bythewaves]

I am biased only because I have walked beside you all my life.

[ he agrees serenely ]

And there is being prepared and worrying over things we cannot change.

[castintoflames]

I am blessed. (He kisses Maglor's cheek, chuckling at his brother's serenity.) You sound so experienced! I must catch up.

[bythewaves]

Do not be in too great a hurry. [ Maglor's mood dips, grief creeping into his eyes ]

Tomorrow will come when it will and bring it's troubles with it. Do not seek it, Nelyo!

[castintoflames]

(The change isn't welcome. Seeing Maglor so upset hurts him deeply and he wants to chase away the shadows.)

...we have today, Kano. I'll remember today.

[bythewaves]

[ A nod, and Maglor banishes the grief behind a smile ]

We do, don't we? And I am spoiling it for you, forgive me.

[castintoflames]

No, you're not! (He frowns sadly, stubbornly.) You can tell me anything.

[bythewaves]

Not this. [ Maglor reaches up to cup his brother's cheek fondly ]

Not now. Do not ask me! You are happy, and I will carry this shadow for you until it is time to take it up again.

[castintoflames]

(Eyes closing, Maedhros turns his face against the gentle hand.)

All I wished for was to lead wisely and well and to be a good brother to you.

[bythewaves]

You were.

[ Maglor hums softly ]

And you did. I could not have had any greater brother.

[castintoflames]

(He notices the tense, but he bites his tongue.)

Will you sing for me, Kano? I will try to join you if I recognize the lyrics.

[bythewaves]

[ A mistake that Maglor would never make if he was not so off balance, and would be mortified if he realised! ]

Of course! Is there anything you want to hear?

[castintoflames]

(It's too much for him to think about - on top of everything else. He wants to retreat into the known, which includes his brother's beautiful voice.)

Do you remember your version of Narsilion?

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor smiles at him and nods ]

But of course! Here - come. We can sit here, where you can see the stars.

[ He tugs Maedhros to one of the small window bays where they can sit, and he leans against him as he sings, just for them, low and sweet.

[castintoflames]

(He is eager for the comfort and he wraps his arms around Maglor once they are settled, his eyes watching the stars in wonder. His heart settles to a comfortable pace and he smiles, resting his cheek against his brother's shoulder. As he remembers the lyrics, he tries to sing too, but never louder than Maglor; that would be a shame!)

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor shunts aside how odd it feels, to be the one doing the comforting, and he sings for his brother, smiling when Maedhros finds his voice to add to his ]

I love your voice Nelyo, I wish you would sing more.

[castintoflames]

I am greedy, Kano. I love listening to your voice so much that I fear missing even a single note by singing myself!

(Despite the oddities of their current circumstances, Maedhros is liking the fact that he is bigger and able to hug Maglor like he has always done.)

[bythewaves]

You are a flatterer, brother! [ Maglor laughs softly and fondly ]

And you have a perfectly good voice. But I will sing for you, any time you wish.

[castintoflames]

Rightly so! (He is brave and downright reckless in many matters, but singing awakens his shyer side.) I...will sing with you. If you like.

[bythewaves]

I will never refuse any chance to sing with you. [ Maglor smiles at him ]

You were the first to sing to me, after all. Even before Atar and Naneth worked out how to calm me down.

[castintoflames]

They did not hear you humming! (His little brother had been without words, but not unable to communicate entirely. Maedhros chuckles.) I heard you soothing yourself with music in your cradle not long after you were born.

[bythewaves]

Only because I wore them out with my screaming! But you always looked after me.

[castintoflames]

There was not enough music for you. (His expression gentles and he gathers his courage, singing for his brother softly.)

[bythewaves]

Not until you all worked it out. [ Maglor's eyes light up when Maedhros sings, leaning against him and humming softly in harmony ]

Thank you, Nelyo.