Maglor

The staircase leading up to the battlements was wide enough for several grown elves to walk abreast; a ridiculous amount of space for just Maglor. Everything at Losselire was too large. Maglor slid his hand over the bannister and kept his gaze forward.

._.

It had been Curufin's idea, in those first few weeks after the Nirnaeth when Himring fell and the sons of Feanor forsook their lands in retreat. They had established themselves in a new place before, and now they would simply do it again. So said Curufin the crafter, who had a great love of the making of things and furthermore wanted to make up for everything that had transpired in Nargothrond. Celegorm, with no insignificant cause for guilt himself, looked up at Maedhros standing forlorn at the window and loudly agreed. Caranthir still had his riches.

Maglor strolled up to Maedhros and leaned against the sill. He muttered, "The seven of us, living all together. I don't think it's been like that since we were young in Aman."

Maedhros roused himself from his musings. His eyes, which had been blankly following the motion of the trees bending in the wind that kept Amon Ereb ever-cold, focused again on Maglor. "It will need to be large," he said slowly. "So many of us are headstrong and will need their own space."

"Good," said Maglor. "I'll wander the forest alone before I have to sleep next to Amrod's room again."

Maedhros, back now from whichever wanderings his mind had been lost to, smiled.

._.

A pang went through Maglor's chest, but perhaps that was the sudden chill as he opened the door.

The peredhil stood in the middle point between the two corner towers, atop the battlements. Elros' hair ruffled in the wind as he leaned over to peer at the forest below. His stomach rested on the stones and his feet dangled in the air. He must have jumped up and hoisted himself on top of the parapet; he would have had a limited view otherwise.

Next to him, Elrond stood on tiptoes to peer over the wall. Neither boy had noticed Maglor strolling towards them.

"All I can see is sky and a bit of trees," Elrond complained. "Help me up, too."

"In a bit," replied Elros. "I want to look around first."

"And who let you two atop the battlements unattended?" called out Maglor, walking towards them now with his hands in the pockets of his cloak. "Pray tell, so I may give them a flogging."

The boys turned to look at the noise. Elros furrowed his brow. "What's a flogging?"

"And if I tell, can I have one too?" said Elrond hopefully.

Tamblin appeared from behind Maglor, huffing with exertion. "Me, my lord. I told them I'd be a few moments; I thought they would wait."

Elrond ran towards the soldier.

"But Elrond may have my flogging, if he would like," Tamblin added. He ruffled Elrond's hair.

Maglor ambled to where Elros still lay perched on the ledge. "I'll admit, it is nice to see you two in the fresh air. I was worried you were getting a bit peaky, staying indoors all the time."

Elros shrugged. "It's colder here than it was in Sirion." He studied the scenery before him. Maglor hovered close, ready to catch the boy should he teeter too far forward. "A lot of trees here."

"Really? I hadn't noticed."

"Is your home awfully difficult to find, hidden here in the forest?"

"Not particularly. There are roads trodden into the soil, and well-worn paths between the trees."

"For people who already know where to look, though." Elros' gray eyes turned towards Maglor. "I expect it's hard to find your way around if you haven't been here before."

Maglor raised his eyebrows. "Not planning an escape, are you? There are no fried sausages out in the forest, and hardly any apple tarts."

Elros grinned, and then looked solemn again. His finger traced the caulk between the stones. "Is your home terribly far away? From … everywhere?"

Maglor leaned against the wall. "What is this about, Elros?"

Elros didn't look at him.

Maglor murmured so Tamblin and Elrond wouldn't inadvertently overhear. "I know there have been many changes for you lately. It's very different here compared to where you grew up. You've done a wonderful job adjusting, but still … is there something you had in Sirion, that you haven't been able to find yet up here in Ossiriand?"

Elros, confused at the question, frowned. "Um … salted dried fish?"

"Would you like some?"

Elros wrinkled his nose. "Definitely not." He looked out into the trees again, as if there was something hidden among the hundreds of rustling branches that he had not yet managed to spot. The great pines that surrounded Losselire swayed in the breeze. From up here Maglor could hear the wood groaning softly.

Elros spoke quietly. "I think it would take me a long time to find this place, if I was new here. Even if it was important, even if Elrond was waiting for me." He swallowed. "I mean, if I was out in the forest and got lost," he added quickly. "I'm just afraid of wandering into the woods by accident, whether I should find my way back." Elros' unease was palpable.

Maglor frowned. Perhaps Elros had been reminded again of Dior's sons, lost among the woods of Doriath. There was no need for the boy to have to dwell on that. "Speaking of the roads to Losselire, we get traveling merchants on occasion. Let's find you something that can remind you of home in a happy way, you and Elrond both. Would you like me to put in a word for anything specific?"

Elros slid down off the ledge. He tilted his head down towards his stomach as he carefully brushed away the creases in his shirt. "Maybe. I'll think on it."

Maglor felt disappointed. "Really? Nothing comes to mind yet?"

Elros was still fussing over his tunic and hadn't yet looked up. "Not yet, but I'm sure something will happen if I just sit on that thought. Any day now."