third-of-finwe

[third-of-finwe]

The elfing boynced on their toes face lighting qith such joy they began to glow. "Aye! I very much wish you to have it! It took so many days but it was very fun! I like making things. Sometimes I get in trouble becauae I cannot stop making something."

Pausing to take a breath they fiddled with their tunic ties. "You said during our walk you did not get to see the gsrdens as much as you wished. So I made this small enough it can travel with you! And you do not need to water or plant them! Oh!!! I forgot. Sing to them! Its . surprise!"

Orna waited expectently face beaming with excited anticipation.

“Orna, where did you learn to make such a thing?” Maedhros asks quietly, holding the craft up so he can admire the plethora of different ways that it reflects the various light. He tilts his head, looking from his gift and then to the elfling then back again

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Orna beamed at the Prince having been reassure the momentary lapse in manners was alright. Digginf about through every pocket the elfling finally made a triumphant npuse. Pulling a small box made of wood.

"I made this for you! You visited our class and took us on a walk of the palace!" They dug their toe subconsciously at the dirt. "I remember the very pretty flowers in the garden!" Lifting the lid and handing the box to Maedhros they bounced excitedly. "It took so long to make! I hope you like it!"

Sitting within a bed of moss carved delicately from three different shades of wood were three flowers. Each one carefully crafted from fine jewels and detailed so elaborately they nearly pulsed with life.

Maedhros takes a moment to stare at it

This is not simply the work of a child playing with craft for the first time. It is delicate and detailed and complex.

“I can see how long this must have taken,” he says slowly, “If you truly wish for me to have this, I accept with much gratitude. It is beautiful.”

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The elfling finally caught up to the long legged Prince! Puffing out the deep breaths thry giggle a bit putting their hands on their knees. "You have very long stride Nelyo! Longer even than-um-something longer!"

Digging in their tunic they paused an looked up stricken by their own rudeness! "Aye! I forgot!" Bowing they took their hands to clasp in front of them. "Thank you for waiting Nelyo! I am sorry I did not introduce myself! Ammë always says I forget my manners." Taking a deep bresth as that was said all on one they continued. "I am Orna! I have something for you!" They begin to dig once more into their tunic

Maedhros bows as he listens to the introduction. He is amused by the child and also curious as to why he has been sought out.

“Your manners are perfectly in order,” he assured them with the hint of a smile, “How may I aid you?”

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I will try to respond tomorrow, anon, and thank you!

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"Nelyo! Nelyo!" The elflings little feet pattered frantically along the cobbles as they ran to catch up. "Wait! I have little legs!" Puffing and huffing the little hands flailed as they tried to move faster. "Please Nelyo!"

Maedhros pauses, suppressing a smile.

“Apologies, my friend,” he says diplomatically, waiting for them to catch up

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Hi! I’m so sorry I’ve been so inactive here! My inbox is currently clear but would anyone be interested in me returning here and to @hurin-son-of-galdor

[third-of-finwe]

Hos grin fades bit by bit as the words settle in his troubled mind. Finrod's eyes bore into Maedhros' own. Looking for the truth in the words spoken. Though his cousin is known for their conviction and lack of deception to most, the Vanya's experience with Feanorians has proven caution is more prudent than trust.

After several uncomfortable moments he takes a deep breath. "I know well your imprisonment. To whom the majority of your time was occupied. Few do not know of it." He looks hard at Maedhros daring him to deny it. To lie to him. To prove the distrust his instict insist will come. "I wonder. Selfishly. If it would compare to my own." He takes a breath tuening his gaze to his hands. Palms up his fingers curl into the flesh of his palms making fists. "Mairon is known well for his forms. Not the least of which his penchant for becoming a wolf. For all his cleverness, he was cruel beyond measure. Worse, perhaps, because of it. His presence. The torment. The feelings he envoked from places within me." His hands began to shake. "I cannot bury them, cousin." He looks to Maedhros again. Emotions swirling like a storm in his eyes. "He-turned me-"

(I am so sorry for the delay!)

Maedhros does not deny it. Not here, not now. His jaw sets though and he has to put in a conscious effort to relax himself.

“Mairon is cruel beyond measure,” he says quietly, “It is as you said, it was not with him I spent much of my time there but I did know him. And his penchant for form changing.” And wolves he thinks, but he does not say this

“Whatever he made you do or feel is no fault of yours, Finda,” Maedhros says gently.

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For a brief moment Finrod's eyes faze from a dsrker blue to the softer lighter color he is known for. "Aye. You speak true." His voice is soft. Almost small. Something dark passes over his face and the moment is gone. His face goes back to the impassive unsettling look. His eyes darkening.

Unsteepling his fingers he brings them down drumming them on his thighs. The fabric of which does not move at the touch as notmal fabric would. The shadows that joined those in the roof skulk around to near Maedhros' acting as though the movement was natural in the low light.

"Would you hear the untold parts of my story, cousin. Or would you recoil at the truth of the mighty brave Findaráto who gave his life for one closer to him than even his sister." The words grew in bitterness. The tones of his voice darkening. The room grew darker though the hearth fire remained as it were. A voice laced lightly around Finrod's own almost forming an echo of his words. Though only his voice spike. He smiles that unnerving way that set Maedhros on edge to begin with. "Or does your council only extend to those of sane mind?"

“You are always among those I will give council to, who I will listen to,” Maedhros says softly, “You are dear to me, cousin. No matter what has happened. I will not recoil from the truth. You can say anything to me.”

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Finrod watched Maedhros for several moments taking in the words. His eyes intense growing a darker color blue as his mind moved along paths of memory better left hidden. Moving again to the chair he grabbed it picking it up so it did not make such a horrid scraping sound and brought it closer to his cousin.

Taking a seat he steepled his fingers sll the while keeping that intense focus on Maedhros. "Properly said, cousin." The shadows seemingly following Finrod bresk off into those in the room seemingly vanishing. "The last of my moments are sung of by our people. By those of the one I had befriended. Saved. Given my life willingly for." He does not seem to breath as he speaks. "What those of musical talent do not sing of are the truths leading to the torments we are freed from." He tilts his head. "Mairon. Held me long before I was left to defeat his pet." He sputs the word venomously. "For all I suffered-it remains with me wrapped among my being in tangled poisonous webs I cann shed."

(I’m so sorry for the delay!)

“The truth is never in the songs,” Maedhros agrees bitterly, “Perhaps it is for the best. I would not want much of the truth sang around me. But,” he inclined his head towards Finrod, “It is as you know, you must be faced with those who know only the songs. Though they often mean well, their earnest ignorance can be its own torment.”

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For a brief moment his unnerving smile fades to a thoughtful frown. He did not miss the evasion of his question. He was not here for the answer though. No. His lips once again spread into a smile reminiscent of one he held in-happier times. "Ever have you been a willing ear to those with troubles, cousin." Setting his chin back on his fingers he stared at Maedhros for several moments. The feel of the shadows by his feet amusing his impatience at this game.

Standing without warning he flings the errant hair over his shoulder and moves along the creaking floors of the home. The hearth light catching unnaturally on his shirt fabrics. "One would argue the worst of our enemies was that of the Moringotto." His eyes looked out of the nearby window. "Those would be ones who did not have the pleasure of Mairon's company."

Striding from the area he moved again around the room the shadows curling arouns the sides and corners of the room, attempting to look natural as they followed the elf. "I was one of those who caught the interest of His mind." Bitterness crept into his tone. One hand curled into a tight ball at his side. But he soothed his emotions turning, again, an unnerving smile on Maedhros. "I assume to power of that one found you?"

Maedhros watched him, rather unsettled. But Finrod was suffering. He could not let his unease sway him. And he had indeed known the pleasure of Mairon's company, even if not quite so intimately.

"I knew the Lieutenant," Maedhros says carefully, "I know his power and its dread and agony."

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Lacing his fingers Finrod leans forward placing his elbows on his thighs. Settling his chin on the top of his laced fingers he catches Maedhros' eyes staring directly into them. "I know well, as do most, of your plight before our cousin found you." Strands of golden hair fall off his shoulder settling in annoying rivulets of light curls against his side. The hearth light twinkles in the sheer fabric of his shirt. Distracting.

"I-my fall was far more-gruesome I would dare say." The shadows curled around his feet like pet weasels waiting for a game. "What parts of my demise are not told are the events before my final choice. Those moments. Those haunt me."

His pale blue eyes lit with a glow reminiscent of fire bugs coming to life in the evening. "I find something-darker lives within from those moments. Something. Untameable. Do you suffer such, cousin?"

“If you wish to speak of it, I will listen,” Maedhros says cautiously to his cousin, his eyes never quite leaving the other, “I know why you have suffered is beyond what most can understand. Perhaps even more than I can. But I will listen.”

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He turns pale blue eyes alighting on the awakening elf. A smile pulls at his lips as the hearth light illuminates his features. "Tis late for a visit, cousin. I would apologize if I found fault in my appearance."

Fingers falling from the hearth he wanders casually about the room. "For one of your atandings I would think your tastes would run as lavish as Tyelko's." Golden hair fluttered in an almost unnatural movement as he turns and tilts his head. "I have something to speak to you of. As one who personally has been marred by-those beyond our standings."

The shadows shifted almost independantly of the elf grabbing a chair and scraping it loudly across the floor. He sat slowly crossing his legs. Keeping an unnerving smile upon his lips.

Maedhros blinks up in surprise. He should not be startled like this, in his own home.

He ignores this fact. For now.

He gets to his feet, looking at his cousin.

"Of course. Speak to me."

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The even was warm a breeze bringing in a subtle scent of earth outside. Baked dirt mixed with a strange sweet scent. Footfalls shift the boards along his living space making the faintest creak of noise.

Fingers pale as the surface of Túna's sands raise to investigate trinkets along the hearth. Golden hair wafts down shoulders covered in sheer turquoise fabric. The being turns looking at the dozing elf.

Maedhros stirs slightly in his sleep. He detects the presence of another though its potential malice or other intent is unknown. His eyes flicker open and the hearth comes back to him

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Her yelloww gold eyes watch the elf's home as she takes the treats. Her beak grabs parts of the gloves while doing so. Sharp enough to scrape the material her beak doesnt harm the flesh beneath.

She shifts on the sill her sharp long talons scratching the wood of the home. She takes in the various things inside this elf's nest. Cleaning feathers and taking in the needed break of stsying here.

As the cooler feeling of evening begins to approach she stretched her neck up and flapped her wings. Time to leave. Lifting her head she released a high yet soft whistle of her kind. Very rarely did her kind speak but this elf had been quite kind. Kicking off from the sill she flapped her wings hard and got lift as a gust of wind conviently rose under them. She flew off to the high forests of her home pleased to have found an interesting new perch to visit.

(I love her so much I'm sorry for the delay and for the short response!)

Maedhros watches her flight off from the windowsill, smiling at the soft sound, knowing their rarity and grateful he got to hear it. He will leave the bowl of water out with a few of the pieces of meat in case she nests nearby.

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Tilting her head this way and that so her eyes could properly take in the elf's movements she remains quiet. When the meat gift arrives she makes small sounds of happiness as she reaches out gently with her sharp beak and takes them down.

Tilting her head again she eyes the elf curious of him. She beaks his hand gently opening it just enough to gently feel the fabric of his sleeve as he settles the water. Turning she takes a few drinks of water the flight was long here.

Dunking her head she tosed so water to her back feathers cooling them from the hot sun beating on her as she sits on the sill. Shaking her feathers she flaps lightly. And turns her head to eye the elf again. She had no intw tions of leaving quite yet. She was interested in this one.

Maedhros smiled contentedly as the eagle settled, preening herself on his windowsill. He knew to be careful with these birds and so used a gloved hand to offer his treat and, if she would accept them, pets or scratches

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A golden eagle lands near Maedhros' open window its wings fluttering almost desperately as the open window's sill certsintly posed a challenge for its size.

Squawking around the basket in its beak it sets it down on surface close and stable to the window. Tilting its head it eyed the elf expectantly.

Inside the basket is several different colored pipe cleaners. Some carefully wrapped strawberry tarts. A few polished river stones. And a few pueces of colored clays.

Maedhros smiles in quiet awe at the gigantic bird's approach. He has seen her before though never so close. The gifts are beautiful and he makes sure the eagle is rewarded with a larger dish of cool water and some pieces of salted meat he has on hand for other creatures

#I love her!

[third-of-finwe]

Do you recall my preferred form of your hair, Maitimo. How I prefer to grio just the right patches to hold your head to the perfect angle. The control I hold with your tresses wrapped just so. The current appearance does not suit my needs. This defiance-for surely it is what you show with this appearance-is not to be tolerated.

(Not delayed at all kind host)

Your needs have no bearing upon me, Maedhros thinks and despite the anger in his words, he knows that if he is speaking to Him, real or not, he has already lost