Simple Conversation

Chapter Three: Memorium

Maglor sat in his tent, the only barrier between him and the bitter cold. He wore a heavy cloak to keep out the chilly damp, and sighed every now and then. After what seemed forever, the tent flap opened and Maedhros stumbled in, clothes and copper hair dripping.

"I could not find them," he whispered, letting go of his sword as if it stung him and casting it to the ground. "I looked everywhere. I could not find them."

Maglor didn't reply. He took hold of Maedhros' shoulders and led him into the tent, sat down beside him.

"I could not find them," he said again. His face was wet, but whether it was from rain or tears, Maglor couldn't tell.

"Shh," Maglor commanded. "You are wet through, and ice to the touch." He wrapped Maedhros in his cloak, and was about to get up when his elder brother caught his wrist in his hand.

"Did you not hear me?" he demanded. "I searched for Dior's sons! They were nowhere to be found!"

"I heard you, brother," Maglor said, pulling his hand away. "There is naught you can do. At least you tried."

Maedhros seized Maglor's shirt. "Why can't we stop this? Celegorm, Curufin, and Caranthir are dead! We are murderers! We have spilt more blood than there is water in the seas! Our own kin shuns us! When will it end? We can never cast aside this oath!" His voice broke with sobs.

"I know," Maglor said quietly, pulling Maedhros close. He held Maedhros as he wept, and outside, the sky wept with him.

Maglor sat up in bed with a gasp. He'd dreamt of Maedhros again. Though his heart broke over and over every time he did, he couldn't stop the dreams from coming. He remembered that night so well that it might have happened the night before. With a sigh, he dropped his head into his hands and wept as Maedhros had ages ago.

Maglor was always an early riser, and today was no exception. He sat at his window, plucking ancient songs out of the harp in his lap, watching the sun rise gold and blood-red over the sea. Outside, two little boys ran down the sidewalk, dark hair poking out from under knit caps as they giggled and chased each other.

Elros climbed into Maglor's lap, causing the harp strings to jangle as Maglor struggled to keep his balance.

"What do you need, Elros?" the harpist asked, laughing.

"Ada, can you ever play anything other than those old ballads?" said the Elfling, tweaking a couple of discordant notes from the instrument.

"Well, what would you have me play?"

"I know not what exactly. Perhaps those lively tunes the Men play? The ones where they dance like this!" Elros demonstrated by sliding off the older Elf's lap and doing a little jig in front of him, his bare toes stirring the sand as he kicked and hopped.

Maglor laughed. "You could be a Man yourself, the way you leap about like that."

"Ada, you are changing the subject!"

Maedhros sat next to them with Elrond in his lap, his scarlet hair rippling in the sea breezes. He grinned. "That is because your Ada does not wish to play music that he considers so…undignified."

Maglor smacked his shoulder. "That is not true. I just enjoy the old ballads."

"Indeed," Maedhros said solemnly. "Or you simply do not know how to play the new!" He leapt to his feet and fled as Maglor chased him, leaving the Elflings to giggle in the surf.

Maglor laughed at the memory. He and Maedhros had shared many moments like that with Maglor's foster sons Elrond and Elros. And now he was probably the only one to recall those things. Maedhros and Elros were long dead, and Elrond was now in Valinor. He sighed. Their oath had destroyed so much, had left him cursed for eternity, yet some good came out of it, as well. He'd had Elrond and Elros, for one thing. He had experienced another land, and had watched the history of Arda progress, had seen its wars and dark ages, its advancements and peace. He'd known Leonardo da Vinci and had sat in the Roman Forum. He'd seen the Crusades and slavery in Africa. He'd witnessed friends die. He'd watched sunrises and sunsets, had known every day and night. But he was weary and his Elvish glow had dwindled.

And he was trapped.

Glorfindel strolled down the sidewalk happily, his hands clasped behind his back, whistling a merry tune. He and Maglor had had to postpone their museum visit until Monday, because the harpist had forgotten he had to perform that night.

"No Mr. Hobbit to deal with today!" Glorfindel said to himself, watching cyclists roll past and joggers go by, headphones in their ears. Despite the chill, it was a bright day, and the buildings cast long shadows across the streets. It was Saturday, and most people had the day off. But not all.

He headed off to the café and stopped by the window, peered in.

He sighed in relief. Evana was at work, looking much cheerier than she had the night before. She gave one man a mug of coffee with a smile, and as she turned to go back behind the counter, she caught sight of Glorfindel. She grinned and waved, then beckoned him in. With a nod, he obliged.

"How are you, Lor?" she asked as he approached the counter.

"Fine. And you?"

"Better than last night," she said honestly. "I've already got a few tips put away."

Glorfindel raised an eyebrow. "How much?" he asked.

Evana sighed and blew a strand of hair from her face. "Twenty dollars," she said.

"And when is your rent due?"

"Monday."

"So you intend to raise two hundred dollars by Monday, when it's noon and you only have twenty?"

"Yes!" she said defiantly.

Glorfindel looked at her determined face and tried to stare at her sternly. It didn't work. Instead, he burst out laughing. She glared at him, but he could tell she was trying to hold back a smile.

"Don't try to fool me, child."

"Child?" she asked, looking confused. "You're not much older than me, or you just look really young."

"I just look really young," Glorfindel said. "I've been through a lot. More than you know."

"Well, you get out of here and do whatever it is you're supposed to be doing," she said, scowling. "You're keeping me from my work."

Glorfindel pretended to look hurt, then bowed chivalrously and said, "I am most sorry, fair lady. I shall take leave of you now and let you complete your duties."

Evana giggled and waved him off.

Reviewer Responses:

BanbieBunny: Okay, then. Just wanted to clear that up. You need to update soon! And I'm glad you like this.

Ellfine: Aw, thanks! (blushes) I appreciate it. And you'll find out more about Evana soon. I'm keeping her.

Rhys: Yay, you like it! (hugs) Thanks for pointing out that typo. Embarrassing, it was. Whoa. Yoda-mode kicking in. And don't worry, there'll be much more!

Mirfein: Thank you! (bows) I think I'll just keep Maglor, though. Glad that you like Evana. Here's your update! And thanks for reviewing "Befuddlement"!

Kalayna: Ah, yes, to torture the siblings with things they have no idea about… I do it all the time. Glad you like her name. I'm thinking of just leaving him Maglor. And thank you for reviewing "Befuddlement"!

Tindumiel: My, you're very clever! Yes, Evana does come from Evenstar. Great job! And I was planning on having Celeborn and Daeron show up, and the twins will wander in eventually. They travel a lot. But who's Jeff Buckley?

Ithiliel Silverquill: I'm glad you like it so much! (hugs) It's good to see you here. Yes, Glorfy the coffee addict. I'm not too fond of coffee, but I do like French Vanilla. Mocha's so-so, but otherwise, give me tea. And more Evana! Here's your update!

Cyhiraeth: Happy to see that you like it. I think I'm just gonna leave Maglor's name Maglor. People will probably just consider him foreign. It should work. Thanks!

A/N: Thank you all! Seventeen reviews for just two chapters! I really appreciate it!