I think my mind is turning numb, so, have another fraction: 5/6 (!)
25. winter
.
'It was in the middle of winter,' Maglor told them, and Maedhros was not there, not for this tale.
Elrond and Elros had heard parts of it from Elwing, and, even as they tried not to, vividly remembered the shadows of old pain on her face. And these were the missing parts, recalled and recounted by one who had been on the other side; and the picture was fuller now, near complete.
The Thousand Caves.
Celegorm. Caranthir. Curufin.
Dior. Nimloth.
Eluréd. Elurín.
'Maedhros just turned and left, without telling me or Amrod what he intended to do. He would not be back for weeks, we feared him slain, too. And then, eventually, he returned.'
The silence after these words was heavy, and they tried not to consider all the connotations (similarities) that the tale bore and that made their skin crawl.
( - would have grown up to be their uncles, yet remained forever as little children from a tragic story - )
(And years later, as they heard tidings which drove them out into the woods for a different search, also unavailing, they would once again pretend not to think of that tale.)