Becoming (Maedhros & Maglor Week 2025) by 0ur_Ouroboros

To become a leader

Day 2 Prompts: Maedhros’ abdication, Leadership, Power dynamics

Curvo is angry. Whatever, Maedhros thinks. Let him rage. The Ambarussa seem relieved. The others act exactly as he expects them to. There is a real comfort in that, he thinks, as he hears their reactions, stone-faced & unmoved. Spoken or not, their words pass him through, not even a chink in his armor. So be it, he thinks. Maedhros’ resolve is as hard as the iron he hung from. Let the other get of the spirit of fire burn themselves out, as he has.

It is the second brother’s reaction that weighs heavy on him. The one called Commander, a false prophecy, destined for failure – for Káno has many strengths, but leading men is not among them. But still, Káno had looked at Maedhros, silent, as if he was cursing Fingon for choosing his knife and not his arrow. It was not that Káno wanted the throne, Maedhros thinks. It was the knowledge that Maedhros never considered Káno for it, not really. If Maedhros had offered but a few words of recognition, some insincere thanks, even if only for Káno’s skill at keeping the seat warm upon his return. But Maedhros, scarred and silent, did nothing of the sort. Instead, he cast their father's dream away, right from under Maglor, without so much as a cursory glance. Maedhros should have acknowledged his service, spoken words in gratitude, however insincere.

No, Maedhros thinks, as he walks up the dais where his grim-faced uncle sits. He has no gratitude to spare.