Sons of Feanor

by Son of Serinde

"I was young, and the world had not yet lost its luster. I saw my father and all my brothers take the oath, and so did I, one after another. It felt so simple. And for that I have been hundreds of years far from home, and I will never see my mother again. Do not swear such oaths rashly as I did." Book 1: The Kinslaying at Sirion. Book 2: A Brief Respite. Book 3: The War of Wrath.

59. Book 2 - Whips and Scorns of Time

Maglor

" – foam-riders, wave-masters

Folk of blue lagoons strewn with silver light

Thrice drove back the house of the star

Until the jeweled sands of Aman shone red under torchlight.

Fell were the deeds of the sons of Feanor

Great but not good

(For the Noldor had become fierce and desperate in their grief)

A swift stroke seemed poised to fall upon Maedhros

But Maglor, mightiest of singers and now mighty in his fury

Lifted his sword aloft – "

Maglor heard the tap of feet on stone, and stopped. Elrond still snored reassuringly on the couch. Maglor looked up to see Elros leaving through the open door.

Maglor set his harp down. Perhaps Maedhros, visible through the window, had come back again. He sped off to follow Elros.

The wide stone corridor was dark except for a pair of flickering candles. Elros was striding down it.

"Elros!"

Elros turned around as Maglor caught up to him. He was breathing heavily. "It was you."

"It was?"

"The Kinslaying at Alqualonde. The Kinslaying at Doriath. My uncles. It wasn't just Celegorm and Maedhros that did the killing, was it?"

Maglor's stomach dropped. "I'd assumed you knew all this. Perhaps it was difficult for you to link everything together – "

"Everything bad that's ever happened in my life has been because of you!"

Elros' eyes were wide and terrified. Maglor thought about stepping closer to comfort him, but thought better of it. He knelt down instead, closer to Elros' eyeline. "Yes," he said softly, "But that was a long time ago and I regret it very much – "

"My home wasn't! I expect you felt guilty about Doriath too, and then you went on to attack Sirion. You'll probably do it again, and feel sad the whole time. Do you think that makes it better?"

Maglor froze. Suddenly, he didn't trust himself to speak.

Tears were gathering at the corners of Elros' eyes. "I suppose you feel very proud of yourself for raising us so kindly. 'Look at Lord Maglor;' do people say that? 'Taking those boys in when they have nowhere else to go. Isn't he so nice?'"

Maglor inhaled sharply. A feeling long-dormant uncurled within him, ancient, inevitable, and full of malice. He pushed it away like he always did. Maglor fought to see clearly through the blur that clouded his vision.

Elros wiped self-consciously at the tracks on his face. Normally, this was Maglor's cue to open his arms and let Elros step within, safely tucked away from the whips and scorns of the world. Maglor automatically leaned forward.

Elros flinched.

Maglor stopped and looked away. "What will you do now?"

Maglor could hear Elros shivering. He glanced back up.

Elros was walking away from Maglor down the corridor, but backwards as if afraid to leave Maglor behind his back for even a moment. "I need to leave this place."

Elros froze for a moment at the doorway, and then dashed down the stairs.

No matter how upset Elros is feeling, the woods are no less dark and deep. Swearing under his breath, Maglor rushed after him.