CN accident, trauma, emotional abuse

Riding lessons

Maglor thoughtfully ran his fingers over the spines of the book. Spoils of war from Doriath. He shouldn't feel so guilty about it, he told himself. Better that way than if they had let the books rot. Then he gave himself a jolt and randomly reached for one of the folios. Brooding did not help him. He had two children with special gifts to look after. Maybe he found an answer in one of these books.

In the following weeks he spent every moment he could spare in the library. The books piled up around him as he searched through them one by one. To his greatest frustration, however, he found that the Doriathrim had hardly recorded anything helpful. The chronicle of the lost realm only recorded some dates when Díor had come to Doriath and when his sons were born. But this did not help Maglor. He did come across a considerable body of material written by Daeron, almost all of which sang of his hopeless love for Lúthien, but even there Maglor found no answers. He quickly put them aside again. He didn't want to have anything to do with this braggart. Daeron of Doriath, who claimed to be better than Maglor Feanarion. Pah!

Often Maglor would sit bent over the books until well into the night, reading by the light of a candle. His eyes burned. But the night hours were the time when he had the most peace and quiet to study. During the day he taught the two children to read, write, do arithmetic and of course music. They had a quick mind and had already received some basic training from their parents. Nevertheless, there was still so much they had to learn. History, politics, economics and finally how they ruled an realm. Something told Maglor that these children were destined for great things.

Perhaps it was foolish of Maglor to hope that one day they would stand at the point where they would actually apply that knowledge. But better the hope of a fool than to wander through the darkness without hope. He wished that he could bequeath them a world in which they could reach their potential. Then his thoughts wandered to the north and his hope faded.

He concentrated again on his studies.

"Brother."

Maglor startled. He must have fallen asleep over the text, because the candle on his table had almost burned down. He rubbed his aching eyes.

"Brother, why are you here?" he wanted to know sleepily.

Maedhros came to his side and put his hand on his shoulder. "Because I care about my little brother, that's why. You should sleep now."

Maglor was about to contradict. But then he sighed. "I guess you're right." Today he would probably not be able to concentrate enough to continue his studies.

Maedhros pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. "I am worried about you, little songbird. You are exhausted and you do not allow yourself to rest."

Maglor looked at him sharply. "And that from your mouth."

Maedhros put on an innocent expression. "I guess we should just take our own advice more often, huh? Still, you should look around for a tutor for the children, that would take the pressure off you. I have also arranged for ponies to be provided for them so they can learn to ride."

"You what?"

"I guess you can still teach them your music best. But for everything else they should have teachers," Maedhros said calmly. "You really should go to sleep now."

Maglor looked at his brother in astonishment. Then he smiled. Maybe Maedhros could warm up for the children in the end after all.

The next day, all four of them gathered at the stables that belonged to the manor house. That Maedhros had come too, amazed and delighted Maglor in equal parts. It was a development for the better.

Elros looked suspiciously at the large horses, while Elrond could hardly contain his curiosity. Until now, Maglor had only allowed them to approach the animals in his presence. Elros had never felt comfortable in the stables. Perhaps a pony would change his mind.

One of the stable boys brought two sand-coloured ponies that were already saddled. Questioningly, Elrond and Elros looked up at Maglor. He smiled. Then he pointed to a nearby elf and waved him over.

"This is Rochir, our stable master. He will teach you to ride," he explained.

The children's reactions could not have been more different. Elros made a long face, while Elrond expressed his enthusiasm loudly.

"I expect you to follow his instructions to the letter," added Maedhros. "Horses are not toys, but sentient, thinking creatures."

He waited until the children confirmed this with a nod, then he left. For a brief moment the twins had seemed uncertain, almost frightened. Maedhros had rarely spoken to them in the past, and when he had, his words had been harsh and unkind. They had never felt comfortable in his presence.

"The ponies are a gift from my brother to you," Maglor said. "Will you thank him afterwards?"

Elrond and Elros seemed to have to let that sink in for a moment. Then they nodded. "Yes, of course", Elrond finally said.

Rochir now came to them and crouched down in front of the children. He was a dark-haired, sturdily-built Elf who smelled of horse even after he had bathed extensively. A single straw was stuck in his hair, which was tied back into a simple braid.

"So you want to learn to ride, children?" he greeted her.

Elros glanced quickly at Maglor. Then he said, "Wasn't our idea."

Maglor had to grin involuntarily. Then his heart was warm. It was so pleasant to see how the children seemed to be returning more and more to their true character.

Rochir laughed softly. "Well, come with me sometime." He stood up and took the ponies' reins. Then he led them to the riding ground. Maglor followed. He did not want to miss the twins' first riding lessons.

"These are Elanor and Mallos," Rochir introduced the two mares. One of them, Elanor, then stretched her head and nibbled his hand. Rochir stroked her across the pallor. "The girl is greedy. If you want her to like you, you just have to bring her carrots a few times."

Elrond listened intently and rushed next to Rochir. His brother kept in the background and did not seem too happy with the situation. That there really was something in which they differed so much!

Rochir led them to one of the riding arenas where the horses were led at the lounge. The two ponies already knew what was expected of them, and stood up well-behaved in anticipation of their riders. Rochir explained to the children how to mount them correctly and then helped them into the saddle. Maglor watched the action leaning against a fence. Elros looked at him as if he wanted Maglor to get him out of there as quickly as possible. Maglor meant he was doing a great job and smiled encouragingly.

While Rochir explained to the children how to sit correctly in the saddle, he attached the two lunges to the horses' harnesses. "I will now let Elanor and Mallos walk slowly; this walk is called walking. Do not be frightened. And ... go."

Elros was still visibly frightened and clung to the reins. Mallos, his ponny, was patient enough not to be dissuaded. Several children had already learned to ride on her.

Elrond enjoyed riding more. Eagerly he tried to implement everything Rochir had explained to him, even if he threw a few things around in a hurry. Patiently, Rochir corrected him, while at the same time gently removing Elros' fear. The ponies walked calmly and guided by the stable master in a circle.

So they rode a few rounds until the two children became a little more secure in the saddle. Elrond's eagerness finally seemed to spur Elros on and he was not quite so cramped in the saddle anymore.

"How do you feel?" Rochir asked.

"This is fun!" exclaimed Elrond immediately.

"Yes!" Elros immediately followed, but Maglor didn't need a special gift like Elrond to see that this wasn't really true.

Why did Elros not like horses? Had something happened? Or were they just not right for him? Hopefully Rochir could take away his fear of horses; riding was a necessary skill these days.

Rochir smiled. "A few more laps. Shall we go a little faster at a trot then?"

Elrond nodded, but Maglor kept his eyes on Elros. Apparently, he was anxious not to fall behind his brother. Maglor didn't want him to do things that made him feel uncomfortable.

Rochir seemed to have the same thoughts, for he let the two ponies go at a walk for quite a while until the tension had visibly eased from Elros. Only then was he called Elanor and Mallos to trot.

Although he announced everything he was going to do this time as well, Elros backed away so violently from Mallos' sudden new movement that he pulled the reins jerkily. Mallos snorted and threw her head back. This time she didn't react so well and bucked. Before anyone could react, Elros lost his hold and fell out of the saddle. His foot got caught in the stirrup. He cried out.

"Elros!" cried Maglor. Within an instant he had jumped over the fence and run to the boy lying on the ground and crying. Rochir was immediately with him, calming the ponies and at the same time helping Elrond out of the saddle, who instantly rushed to his brother. Maglor carefully pulled Elros' foot out of the stirrup, whereupon the boy only cried out louder.

"Shh, shh, everything will be all right," Maglor said gently as he wiped the tears from Elros' face. "You seem to have hurt your foot."

Elrond also wept as he held his brother's hand. "Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!" he stammered over and over again.

Maglor stroked his hair with a soothing gesture. "Everything will be fine. It's nothing bad, everyone hurts themselves once," he said, then he turned to Rochir. "Get Morroth, quickly."

Rochir bowed narrowly. "Of course." Then he hurried away.

Maglor continued to calm the two children, examining Elros for further injuries. But apart from a few minor abrasions, he seemed to have suffered no further injury. The injured foot remained.

Shortly afterwards Rochir returned, with Morroth at his side and, to Maglor's astonishment, Maedhros as well. He must have heard what had happened. Maglor thought he saw a touch of concern in his features.

Morroth, on the other hand, showed no trace of sympathy. When the children saw him, they immediately fell silent. Elros tried to suppress his sobbing.

At least Morroth was professional enough to get to work immediately. Rochir must have told him what had happened, because he didn't ask any more questions. He examined Elros' injured foot with expert eyes while Maglor still held the boy in his arms and stroked his cheek.

"You are very brave," Maglor assured Elros.

Morroth palpated the ankle. Elros whimpered and flinched. The sudden movement must have caused him further pain, however, because with a pitiful sound he buried his face in Maglor's shirt.

"Probably just sprained," Morroth finally made his diagnosis.

"For a sprained ankle, however, he seems to be in a great deal of pain," Maglor considered.

"I am the one here with the medical training."

Maglor's eyes fired silver flashes. Maedhros, who stood up behind Morroth with his arms crossed, cleared his throat severely. This was apparently enough to make the healer come to his senses. Rochir held himself in the background, his gaze scurrying nervously as he continued the ponies.

"Still, men are weak and far more prone to pain than elves," Morroth continued. "So even a sprained ankle can seem more dramatic than it actually is."

Only that the children were not human...

"He's still in pain," Maglor emphasised, while at the same time holding Elros protectively close to him.

"I'm just saying that you don't have to worry too much," Morroth clarified. "I will bandage the ankle and give the boy some willow bark tea. With honey this time, if you wish, Lord. Everything will be all right tomorrow."

Morroth bandaged Elros' ankle firmly with a bandage. This time the boy bravely held still, though he still whimpered. Maglor was not convinced that this was really just a sprained ankle. Morroth did indeed have some experience in healing human injuries, but Maglor's worries were not calmed.

When Morroth had finished, he went to prepare the tea and a clean, damp cloth to wash away the scratches. Maedhros stayed and watched him gloomily. But when he turned back to his brother, his face became soft - unusual for him of late.

Elrond swallowed. "Sorry ... sorry to cause trouble again," he stammered with a lowered look.

Maedhros astonished his brother as he knelt down on the floor with them and - smiled! The children apparently didn't really know what to make of it. They were quiet and watched Maedhros attentively.

"Let me tell you a story", Maedhros began. "Once upon a time there was a little elf boy, the younger of two brothers, who loved to sing and romp about the meadows of his homeland. There he found horses and became their best friend. But he was still small, hardly bigger than you are now, and the horses were huge. They ran and he wanted to run with them, but because they were so big, he could not keep up with them. So he asked one thing, if he could get on his back. But he was so small that he fell right back down."

Elrond and Elros had listened to him carefully. The shock of the fall seemed forgotten. Maglor smiled inside himself. He knew how the story ended.

"And?" Elros asked when Maedhros did not continue. "What happened next?"

"He hit his head, broke his leg and never sat on horses too big for him again," Maedhros finished dryly.

The twins looked at him with irritation. Then they looked at Maglor.

"I had been really clumsy on my first ride," he admitted.

"You were the child?" Elrond asked cautiously.

Maglor nodded smiling. "I hadn't listened to my father and I wanted to ride the big horses so badly."

"Accidents happen," added Maedhros, "whether you are good or disobedient, like my little brother was then. There is nothing wrong with that."

His words filled Maglor with an infinite joy and warmth embraced his heart. Maedhros finally seemed to remember the time when their own brothers were still children.

In the meantime, Morroth had returned and brought the tea and the cloth. He set about cleaning Elros' abrasions, then gave him the tea. Elros hesitated, apparently remembering well the last time he had had to drink this brew. But then he noticed the sweet aroma of the honey and still dared to take a hesitant sip.

"Tomorrow everything will be fine again," said Morroth. "You must still be more careful. Men are so incredibly weak..."

"Watch your tongue," Maglor said sharply.

Morroth said nothing. He just looked at him silently, then bowed and left.

Maglor sighed. He could no longer tolerate how Morroth talked to the twins. But he was the only one here who knew anything about the diseases of mortals. Unfortunately, he was also convinced of the superiority of the Eldar, and probably played into his rejection that Earendil was the declared enemy of the Feanorians, and many of those who remained loyal to them even now had internalised this view. Maglor should urgently consider what he could do.

For now, he should take care of the twins. He carefully lifted Elros up and carried him inside so he wouldn't have to put any weight on his injured foot. Elrond followed him and stayed close to him so as not to lose sight of his brother. It was touching to see how the two never left each other's side. They had no one else to turn to ...

Maglor shooed the thoughts away.

The riding lessons were suspended for the time being and it would probably be difficult to get Elros to get back in the saddle after this accident. But that was a worry for another day. For today he wanted to pamper the two boys with a few niceties. They had earned it. And tomorrow the world would look different again.

This assumption was to turn out to be a fallacy. Contrary to Morroth's diagnosis, Elros' pain had not got better the next day, it had even got worse. His ankle was swollen red and felt warm. Elros flinched at every touch, no matter how small.

Maglor found it hard to hold back his anger when he saw this, although he feared the children would take it personally again. Maedhros also showed some degree of displeasure as they both stood beside the children and watched Morroth look at the injury again. Elrond held his brother's hand and was visibly struggling with the tears. Elros also wept and held his head down.

Just what had broken these delicate souls so much?

"Well ...", Morroth finally said hesitantly. "It... is a fracture after all."

"Please, what?", Maglor snapped at him. "How could you have missed that yesterday?"

"Lord, I..."

"No more excuses!" Maglor interrupted him angrily. Morroth actually kept his mouth shut. "You are dismissed, because obviously you are no longer able to do your work with the necessary care. Your personal views overshadow your abilities as a healer. Get out of my sight, I never want to see you here again."

Morroth looked up at him speechless and with eyes wide open. Maglor stared him down.

"Brother, hold on. Wrath speaks out of you", Maedhros threw in a calm voice. Then he turned to Morroth: "This was indeed an unacceptable mistake, moreover I dislike your behaviour. You are not dismissed, but transferred and will from now on look after the soldiers at the border. Take care of Elros' injury - appropriately this time - and then pack your things. The transfer is valid until further notice."

"I..." But then Morroth obediently lowered his head. "As you command, Lord."

Maglor clenched his hands into fists and gnashed his teeth. None of them spoke a word as Morroth did his work, and all were glad when he was finished and finally left. The children were no longer crying, but had fallen into their silence. As if they were trying not to make a sound to avoid attracting attention ...

"Do you really think that was a good idea?" Maedhros finally asked when Morroth had left.

"You basically agreed with me when you sent him away," Maglor objected. His anger was far from over.

"Still, he is the only one here who knows anything about the diseases of mortals," Maedhros reminded him. "And the twins have proven many times now that they need someone like him."

"Sorry," whispered Elros. "We'll get better, I promise. We won't make any more trouble."

That made Maglor's anger go away all at once. He gently stroked Elros' hair. "This is not your fault," he said forcefully. "Have I ever scolded you for something like this? Remember the story my brother told you yesterday. Accidents happen, that's the way it is. It is nothing to be ashamed of.

He looked deep into the eyes of each of the twins. They nodded reluctantly. His words reached their minds but not their hearts. Then he would repeat them until they did.

With a sigh he stood up again and turned to Maedhros. "You are right. But ... Ah. We'll find a solution, somehow."

The solution was soon to show itself in a most unusual way.

I'm back! Woohoo! Many thanks to Eremon, who helped me with some details about riding.