Maglor and the Twin Stars by tinni

Grey

Maedhros wonders if the world is grey for everyone or just him

Why was the world so grey? Was it the result of the less than adequate light provided by Vása? Or was it just him?  The elf’s mind dwelt on these thoughts as he stumbled towards the hut made of sticks and clay.

What was that? Laughter. Innocent laughter of beings who had never done anyone any harm. A kind of laughter so rare here in marred Endor that he almost did not recognize it. He stopped his progress towards the hut. The laughter undoubtedly belonged to the twin half-elflings and he doubted whether either of them would continue laughing in his presence. So he stood where he was, listening to the merry laughter, trying to remember when he had last laughed like that.

The deer hide flap that served as the door to the hut was pushed aside as the two elflings in question strode out, covered in flour and with honey staining their cheeks, their faces alight with joy. They held a large basket between them. The sweet and savory smell of honey cakes rose in tantalizing whiffs and teased his senses: there could be no doubt as to contents of the basket.

The joy dissipated immediately when they laid eyes on him. Both of them went defensive and defiant, their legs planted firmly to the ground and their chins tilting up so that their eyes locked with his. One was more defiant and the other more defensive but it was beyond his skills to tell them apart. “Were you making cakes?” he asked the children.

“You know we were, why ask questions to which you already know the answer?” wondered one of them. It had to be Elrond, for he always wanted to know the why behind the what.

He did not answer, he could not answer. How could he tell him that he hated the uncomfortable silence that arose each time they met? How could he tell him that he longed for them to think of him as their friend?  Knowing how futile such a wish was, he could think of nothing but of filling the cold silence with anything that came into his mind? He simply did not know how to talk to these children. ‘But perhaps,’ he thought as he watched Elrond’s eyes fractionally enlarge. ‘I don’t have to. Perhaps he senses it, feels it. Like his ancestor Melian would have.’  He turned his eyes towards Elros, and asked as softly as he could, “Why were you making cakes?”

Elros’s eyes narrowed, “Because today is Ada Maglor’s begetting day,” he reminded Maedhros. “Something you would remember if you were a good brother,” he declared flippantly, and Maedhros flinched, “We made the cakes for him. They are his favorites.”

“I know that,” snapped Maedhros, “And I did not forget that it was his begetting day. That is why I came to see him.”

“Well you came to the wrong place,” Elrond told him. “Ada Maglor is not here.”

“Where is he than?” wondered Maedhros. Neither of the children seemed forthcoming with the answer. After a moment Maedhros angrily said to them, “Fine! I shall find him myself.” With that, he strode away.

In truth, he went just beyond their sight and melded into the shadows with the aid of his cloak. Within moments, the two children went past him, and he began to trail them. He did not have to trail them long. Soon enough, the children came to a clearing in the forest filled with flowers that reflected all the colours of the rainbow. White butterflies fluttered about. One came to rest upon the crooked finger that his brother held out. Maglor was sitting in the middle of the flowery rainbow singing softly.

Hearing the children approach he stopped his song. The butterfly flew away as he turned to greet them with a warm loving smile, “Hello little ones.”

“Ada!” they called in unison. “You are going to love what we have made for you,” they declared as they uncovered the basket.

“Honey cakes, how delightful! Thank you, but you need not have gone to so much trouble,” said Maglor as he took a large piece of cake and bit off a mouthful.  His eyes drifted shut as he savored the taste. When they opened again they were twinkling with joy, “Though I am glad you did.”

The children smiled and threw their arms around Maglor, hugging him tightly. “It was no trouble at all,” they assured him, “We were happy to make them knowing that you would be so very happy to receive them.”

Maglor laughed and drew them in for a warm hug, “Indeed little ones. I am happy, very happy.”

Maedhros turned away from the joyful scene, filled with light and colours. He had his answer, the world was not grey. It was him. It was just him.

Chapter End Notes

Translation:

Vása – Noldorin word for the sun

Endor – Middle earth