Legolas was stunned.

It had to be a trick of some kind. Maglor was coming with them? He put the brooch back in its case and into his bag. "We have another with us, Glorfindel of Gondolin, he was also a captain of Rivendell." Maglor's expression couldn't be read by Legolas, but he nodded curtly. Legolas lead the way back to their small camp, and Glorfindel looked up. Legolas stepped aside and Glorfindel's mouth fell open and he stood. Maglor flinched, and Legolas turned toward him. "He's just surprised, Maglor this is Glorfindel."

Glorfindel nodded to him, stunned. "How did you-"

Voronwë showed his torn side, "I fell down and he saved me."

Glorfindel nodded and put his hand out toward the log he was sitting on. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

Maglor shook his head and sat nervously on the log. They sat in awkward silence, and Glorfindel eventually rose and lay down on his bedroll. "Goodnight, I need some rest."

They nodded, and Legolas was on watch and stayed up with Maglor. "You can use my bedroll- if you'd like." Maglor shook his head. Legolas rose and rolled it out, and waved his hand to Maglor. He walked over hesitantly and Legolas nodded to him. "Please."

"I will not take anything that is yours," Maglor said softly.

"I'm staying up to keep watch, and do not need it now. You're not taking anything."

Maglor stared at him a moment and Legolas sat on the log. Maglor climbed into the bedroll, and tossed and turned for a time before falling asleep. In the morning, they packed and readied to head back.

"I'd like to stop and bathe, get fresh water and wash some clothes if that's alright," Glorfindel suggested. Everyone nodded, and Maglor remained silent and thoughtful. They walked to the nearby stream. It was in a small clearing, surrounded by berries and flowers alike. Birds sang quietly nearby, and Legolas smiled at the familiarity of the beauty. Glorfindel pulled off his shirt and leggings and waded into the water. "Legolas, the water is so clean," He smiled.

Legolas smiled in return, "It is my father's doing." He looked over at Maglor and he was picking at his leggings. "Do you wish to bathe? I have another set of clothing for you."

"For me?" Legolas nodded. "My hands, Legolas-"

"I'll help you." Voronwë said with a small smile. Maglor stared at him. "Come, I'll help you." He obliged, and Voronwë helped him out of his torn trousers and shirt, and he waded into the water with him. He scrubbed the dirt and grime from Maglor's torn hair and used Glorfindel's soap to wash the years of grime from his body. Maglor looked bewildered, but Voronwë was gentle and kind with him. Legolas felt nothing but pity for him. It had been centuries since he'd had interaction with another, and it was evident. Voronwë was speaking quietly to him in quenya, wiping soap over his face. Maglor would occasionally respond with few words. Once they were finished Legolas handed Voronwë a towel and wrapped the other around Maglor's shoulders. He wiped his body from head to toe and then dried his hair. Even through its abuse, his hair was stunning. It was so dark, blue shone in the glittering sunlight. His eyes met Legolas' and their transparent sky blue color was breathtaking. He was certainly of the high elves of the first age, there was no doubt in Legolas' mind. He'd heard stories of the feanorians and their fair beauty, and they were becoming true to Legolas' eyes. Legolas pulled the silk robe and cotton leggings from his bag and helped Maglor into them. "Do you have a comb?" Voronwë asked as he pulled his shirt on over his head. Legolas nodded and dug his comb from his bag. Maglor sat in front of Voronwë on the ground, and Voronwë sifted through the tangles of his hair. Legolas was sitting next to him.

"Your hands," Legolas said. "Do they always hurt?"

Maglor nodded. "They are also hard to move, my fingers do not really bend."

Legolas frowned, "may I see?" Maglor nodded gently, and Legolas took his hands in his. They were slightly curled, and Legolas gently unfurled them. They were destroyed. Blackened flesh covered his hand from fingertip to wrist, and it was not recognizable as a hand. It looked like blackened timber in a roaring fire, and they could not be moved on their own without Maglor cringing and groaning.

"I think Legolas should braid your hair. He is phenomenal," Voronwë interjected. Legolas looked up from Maglor's hands and smiled and Maglor nodded. Legolas let go of his hands gently and sat where Voronwë was sitting, and took Maglor's damp hair into his hands. He decided on the most elaborate but comfortable braid he could think of. It was a warrior's braid, that never fell out or felt uncomfortable. It kept the hair from the face and looked beautiful. "Are your clothes ok?" Voronwë asked him.

"Yes." Maglor said softly, staring at his hands. "They are similar to how my clothes used to be." Voronwë looked at Legolas and Legolas looked at him fleetingly. He had no idea what to say to him. He wasn't even alive when Maglor was in his prime, wrecking havoc in Beleriand.

"Your clothes used to be far more beautiful, as they will be again when we return," Voronwë offered with a smile. Maglor nodded, continuing to stare at his hands.

Once Legolas was finished, he tied off the braid and touched Maglor's shoulder. "Finished."

Maglor raised his hand and gently touched the braid. "Thank you." Legolas smiled and stood. He decided it was his turn to wash the forest's grime from his body, and removed his clothes and got into the water with Glorfindel's soap. The water was cool and crisp, and Legolas dunked his head and shook. The water pulled what dirt and sweat clung to his scalp, and he felt refreshed for the first time since leaving Rivendell. He waded for a few more moments and washed the rest of his body. When he got out he dried off and went to his clothes. "What route are we taking?" Maglor asked him as Legolas returned to his seat next to him.

"We will take the high pass to Rivendell. There we will meet Elrond's sons and they will accompany us to Valinor," Glorfindel said from where he was tying his boots.

"Elrond's sons?"

Glorfindel nodded. "Elladan and Elrohir. Twins."

Maglor grinned, and Legolas couldn't help but smile with him. "Funny. The twins that run in that line."

"He had a daughter as well, she was Queen of Gondor some years back."

"Elrond did so well for himself," Maglor mused.

"Elros became the first king of Numenor," Glorfindel said.

Maglor grinned, "really?" His smile faded, "he is dead, then."

They nodded. Legolas knew little of Elros, he was painful for Elrond to recall. "He chose his path and was happy with it. However, Elrond is very much alive, and hoping you'll return," Voronwë pressed.

Maglor nodded with a small smile, and they started on their way again. They travelled the entire day, making it halfway up the high pass. But as they began their journey over the mountains, Maglor's demeanor began to change. He was scared, and his fear flooded Legolas' senses. They stopped for rest just after dusk, and it was Voronwë's turn to keep watch. Legolas couldn't sleep, and lay silently as Maglor's terror pulsed through his soul.

After Maglor thought Legolas was asleep, he crawled over to Voronwë against a nearby tree, "I cannot stay," he whispered fearfully. "I cannot go back. I cannot face them."

"Maglor-"

"Cousin, I cannot. What will become of me?"

"You're going to return to Valinor, and see your family again. I do not know what will happen, but it will finally end this misery you've put yourself in. Yes long ago you did wrong. Terrible, horrific wrong. But pretending it did not happen helps no one. Face them, earn their forgiveness. Move on. No one wishes you harm. Legolas is quite taken with you, Glorfindel likes you, the boys will like you."

"It's because they were not there. You were safe from me and my wrath-"

"I walked the Helcaraxe." Voronwë said sharply. "I saw Alqualonde and what you did. I've seen much of the work of your hands, and sometimes I wondered how you were capable of such evil. You were so kind and gentle. Then you took in Elrond and Elros, and I truly began to understand the hold the oath had over you. But that's all over now, and I've forgiven, as have others. Now the only person punishing you is you. You cannot go back and undo."

Maglor blinked away tears. "I do not think I can ever forgive myself."

"You shall when you have returned, and you can begin to heal."

Thanks for reading, please review. Next up we return to Rivendell for some angst...