A/N: This is loosely based off of a headcanon I have that Maglor hates and is afraid of whips both for the damage they could potentially do and for the sounds they make. If the thought of a whip being used on someone makes you sick or otherwise uncomfortable then you may just want to skip this chapter since that's how I see the Nandor/Avari and Sindar demanding retribution for the death of their kin either directly or indirectly. The names used will be their Quenya names at first but as the story continues there will be a transition to their Sindarin names.
Carnistir had seldom hated anyone for any reason, oh he had disliked and disdained many but not hated, yet as he watched and heard the event occurring in front of him he found himself hating Elu Thingol, the once friend of his grandfather. Perhaps if it had been anyone else or any other thing going on he would have been calmer but not this. The sharp whistle of leather followed by a crack as it made contact with bare skin. The slight shudder as the victim of the blow reminded himself what he was doing this for and then the clear call of a number, one of a set amount but even one was too many in Carnistir's mind.
He wanted to run forwards, to demand that they stop but the eyes that stayed on him, his brother's eyes that were filled with pain and a soft request that he stay where he was, those were what kept him rooted where he was. He was what helped his brother remain focused, and if he moved then Macalaure would loose himself to his own fear and pain forgetting what it all was for. Carnistir knew he would hate himself more if he caused this all to be for nothing after having slipped and told his brother what the penalty for slaying another elf here in these darkened lands was. He couldn't even ask to take his place because of the line of rulership, doubtlessly why Macalaure asked him to join him rather than allowing Tyelcormo to do so.
Despite it all, despite his fear and the knowledge that really the balance was closer to equal than he'd agreed to, Macalaure stayed relatively calm and hardly flinched despite the blood that was running down his back already from the lengthy punishment. The ellon that held the whip was kind enough to make sure the lashes would cause as little damage as possible, though that could easily be because his selfless idiot of a brother had decided to take the full punishment all in one session.
Finally hearing a soft cry of pain from Macalaure Carnistir wished he'd gone with his initial instinct and told Macalaure that there was no way to make amends for the deaths at Alqualonde. The musician was going to kill himself at this rate, and all Carnistir could do was watch and meet his eyes while trying not to drown in guilt and hate at having caused this. Another crack and there was a soft splatter of water as sweat ran down the ellon holding the whip's face. Carnistir could see that he wasn't using as much force as he likely normally used and spared a thought to be grateful for it. If he had used his normal strength then there was little chance of him helping Macalaure back to their camp and his tent unnoticed.. if at all.
Once more his thoughts turned inwards as he tried to puzzle out why Macalaure was doing this. What did he hope to accomplish here? Not justice, certainly. Peace? If so then once the others heard then there would be little hope of- oh. Oh.That was it. He'd chosen Carnistir not only because he could and would do nothing, and he could help treat the injuries but because he trusted him to keep his silence. The others would not find out how their renewed peace was bought until much too late to do anything about it and Carnistir both hated and loved his brother for thinking like that because it was true he would keep quiet but he hated that it was one more injury that Macalaure would keep from the others much like the one he'd discovered fully healed a week ago.
At once a surge of love and fury raced through him. Love because it was fitting that Macalaure do this for them all, and Carnistir was so proud to be his little brother. Fury because damn him for being so selfless and so open to taking the burden upon himself even when the others would have gladly shouldered their share of the burden. Seeing movement he glanced towards the silver haired king and watched as Thingol approached Macalaure and the ellon whipping him. With an almost foreign gentleness he gathered some of the blood that ran down Macalaure's back smearing it into two streaks on his cheeks and one triangle upon his forehead. After drawing the lines with his brother's blood Thingol turned to the elves still present and spoke with a loud clear voice.
"The blood that has been spilled is repaid and our cousins no longer will be named guilty." Turning to the ellon that had been using the whip he nodded at Macalaure. "You may release him now and see to it that he is taken care of."
The ellon untied the cords that had helped support Macalaure during the whipping, the torture session Carnistir wanted to call it but no Macalaure would be angry if he called the 'punishment' that, and his brother turned his silver eyes cool and sharp despite the pain clearly written on his face and the way he leaned against the tree. The look on his face as he took in Thingol's face now covered with his blood was so painfully familiar that Carnistir spared a thought to how like their father he looked, and cursed the resemblance all the same because he knew what his brother would say next.
"Nay, you would give your own people no succor after a punishment of this sort, and so I shall accept none from you. My brother will see me back to our camp and this matter shall drop indefinitely else I shall demand a similar punishment from you for those slain at the hands of your kin and those who fell at the hands of you Lady's kin."
Macalaure straightened from the tree then collected his shirt and tunic, the dark red made far more sense now as they would show the blood from the lashes the least. Tellingly Thingol said nothing against Macalaure's observation but simply bowed his head in acknowledgement though his expression was more akin to one who saw a dearly missed person who they knew wasn't there and Carnistir wondered if it was Finwe or Miriel that Thingol saw in Macalaure's actions though it hardly mattered.
Knowing that right now Macalaure was running on pure pride and stubbornness Carnistir wove his way through the crowded clearing and met him just at the edge of the path leading out of the woods and back to their camp. Macalaure met him and gave him a tense smile, his face pale as Telperion's light and his hand shaking as he reached over to touch his shoulder as though conveying gratitude. Even so before Carnistir could move to support him Macalaure continued down the path leaving him to follow. Carnistir paused and looked over those assembled narrowing his eyes wishing he could simply snap for them to be on their way away from here for they had done enough, but he stopped his words and followed his brother until they reached a bend in the road.
Macalaure stopped and leaned against a tree, closing his eyes and trying hard not to make any sounds. Carnsitir moved to his side and touched his cheek gently to check his awareness. Macalaure smiled a little more genuinely as he opened his eyes nodding, reaching out to him for support. Carnistir swiftly was at his side an arm wrapped securely around his waist and Macalaure's arm across his shoulders with Macalaure himself leaning heavily against him, his blood seeping through his shirt and tunic as well as Carnistir's own clothes.
"That was… I never want to see another whip if I have any say in it."
"Then why did you do it?"
"You know why." Macalaure gave him a calm pointed look, clearly having seen him working out the reasons while it was happening. "I did it because we desperately need allies and they know these lands and can help us."
Carnistir said nothing angrily glaring at the ground in front of him. Once more the helpless rage and hate washed through him. Macalaure tightened his arm around his shoulders trying to get his attention.
"Moryo… please, I ask this from you as your brother if I can, please do not tell the others about this. They are already angry enough with the Thindar and with the rest of the Noldor and we cannot be divided now. Not now and not until Morgoth falls. You know as well as I that this is our best chance at it happening."
"Yes, I know… I will not tell them. I think they should know, but I figured out your reasons and while I disapprove of your decision I will trust you and keep this a secret between us."
"Thank you."