Following that other one... [video]

[runs_on_batteries]

If there are any kids- both big and small- who don't want to be alone right now, I'm making hot chocolate and blanket forts in the dining room.

Also, bring a blanket.

Comments

[Action | OTA ]

[marriedanidiot]

[ Nerdanel quietly arrives with hot chocolate, and her son's silver harp, so old and well loved, wound about with enchantments for preservation and for music.

She is not one of the Arafinweans, skilled in mind. Nor is she her golden-voiced son. But she is a mother.

Sitting down, she begins to play, soft lullabies to comfort and to soothe, the musical version of a hug.

She's also available for actual hugs, if people want ]

Re: [Action | OTA ]

[laurefindil]

Glorfindel will show up and play with her on his flute, radiating the warmth and ease that was given to him by the Valar's gift.

[marriedanidiot]

"We might need your special gifts before long."

She murmurs to him quietly.

"Ai! What kind of fool broadcasts such acts proudly? The young ones are all terrified."

[laurefindil]

"I think it was someone who was far too bent on revenge, who wanted others to know it had been obtained, who was not thinking of the results of their actions. A very singularly focused person who was blinded by their own need," Glorfindel said honestly. They both knew people like that. It didn't make what had been done any easier to bear, though.

"I will share my gifts with any who need them. I was not given this power to hoard it away," he assured her. "If you spot anyone who looks especially stricken, please let me know." His glow was already throughout the carriage, but it needed to be allowed in by the person to do them any good.

[marriedanidiot]

"Far too familiar." She sighs, and shivers. "At the least, no Oaths were sworn. There is that, at the least."

No Oaths, no Arafinwe white faced and hollow eyed, suing at the feet of Olwe for pardon for his people, no Anaire sitting quiet and furious in her house, no Elenwe screaming in rage and grief...

"I will. Would that this had not happened!"

[laurefindil]

"We will do our best to help. With luck we will come out of this stronger and closer as a community," Glorfindel said. "Though the mental and emotional trauma may take more time to heal in our more vulnerable population." He was not just referring to the children.

[marriedanidiot]

Let's be honest, to Nerdanel and Glorfindel pretty much 99% of the train are as good as children.

"I hope so." She nods. "But I fear more that the wedges will drive us all apart."

[laurefindil]

"Some of us have learned that lesson well and will be harder to drive apart than others," Glorfindel said seriously. "We need to speak softly, wisely, counsel kindness, and remind them that this is not permanent, for all that we do not know anything else."

[marriedanidiot]

"But will they listen?" She sighs. "Well. All we can do is try. Emotions running hot is a dangerous time for all."

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin is here, too. He brought some blankets and his flute, but he'd love to either play Maglor's harp or just listen and hum or sing along, softly. He's up for hugs, too. ]

Mother, you do play sweetly!

[marriedanidiot]

[ She smiles at him fondly, keeping her voice low ]

Who do you think gave your brother his first lessons, my dear?

[so_dark_a_road]

[ He smiles back. It is a small, pale smile, but a very genuine one. ]

You, of course.

[ He sets the blankets down on a bench and then comes to Nerdanel and wraps an arm around her briefly, so as not to cause her to set the harp down. ]

[marriedanidiot]

[ She leans into the hug and shifts enough to press a kiss to his cheek ]

You will not speak of your past any longer saving only to those you are sure you can trust. [ She says firmly ] Not until we know who it is who would act so precipitously.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ He is tempted to just sink onto her shoulder, but he refrains. He smiles at the kiss and reaches up a hand to stroke her red hair. ]

Are you afraid that that shadow-being who seized Xue Yang might be tempted to treat others similarly? Namely, me? For my very dark past actions.

[marriedanidiot]

You, and your father. [ She says quietly, worriedly ]

Both of you have stained your hands in ways I think this being would take issue with.

[so_dark_a_road]

I"ll be careful about what I say on the network, then. And I'll watch what I say to anyone at all, in person.

[He hopes that this promise will alleviate his mother's fears. About her son, anyway. Perhaps Fëanor will be willing to promise as well. ]

I agree. [ He looks briefly at the palms of his hands, as though he could see the bloodstains there. In fact, his memory is so acute and his imagination so vivid that he actually can see them. ] If this being thinks Xue Yang is a criminal, what would it think about me? Or Father? But we'll do our best to stay safe, Mother.

[ He is still stroking her red hair softly. ]

[tinkerheart]

[When Fëanor can no longer occupy himself with what he chose as his mission in this madness, that is making cocoa for all that ask and even that do not. When the simple act of lifting a cup is a strain.

Then he just goes to sit at her side. There are no words because there can be no words from him who have committed atrocities and failed to atone for them.]

[marriedanidiot]

[ They don't truly need words anyway, between them. She leans against him and her heart is open to him, fierce with protective fire. He has learnt his lesson and is doing his best. Any who try to gainsay that will have to cross her first ]

[utulien_aure]

[Eventually, Fingon ducks in to check on things and comes over to say hello.]

Are you all right? [he asks, bending down to kiss her on the cheek.]

[marriedanidiot]

[ she smiles up at him, but her eyes are troubled, even as she greets him fondly ]

Ai, Finno... I do well enough but I worry... the young ones did not need to see that. And it troubles me greatly that one would seek to exact revenge without any oversight or trial.

[utulien_aure]

No, [He agrees in a soft voice,] they did not.

[He looks around, eyes lingering on the particularly young.]

It was troubling, but not.... [He pauses, looks around again, decides not to mention the Noldor's special contribution to the concept of revenge.] We come from many worlds and many difference circumstances. Perhaps we should not be surprised that at least one person would see no difference between revenge and justice.

[He shrugs]

It can be a hard lesson to learn.

[marriedanidiot]

[ Maglor apologises for all the shit he constantly put Fingon through. And he especially apologises for his brothers ]

No. [ She sighs, and admits quietly ]

It reminds me of the Darkening - the rage and the confusion. I fear... what it might presage.

[utulien_aure]

[Cano, Cano, Fingon sometimes wants to say, you weren't so different in kind, really. Just in degree... and with this cousin, less than most.]

More bureaucracy?

[He offers, a small, dry joke.]

And just when Stark had tired of his paperwork collection, too. Something to dread, indeed.

[A pause, and then Fingon shakes his head.]

I don't know. The Darkening... that was the first time many had ever been frightened. In Beleriand, the youngest children of Men had more experience of terror than we did then. They did not always handle it well, mind you, but they knew how dangerous it was to let that fear control them. Stark and the rest... they remind me a little of them.

[marriedanidiot]

[ He's sorry anyway. It's usually safer to be sorry.

She snorts, amused ]

I had not thought of that, but you have a point.

[ She nods ] Are all humans so ... resilient?

[utulien_aure]

[You could, you know, resolve to change your behavior in the future?]

Be prepared to resolve that murder is wrong at the next council session, aunt. We want it on records so blatantly obvious and terribly dense that even the Lambengolmor would approve.

[Shaking his head]

Not all, no more than all elves are. But I suppose there's often a wisdom which comes from experience.