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

[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.

[marriedanidiot]

[ What is change and would it upset Nelyo or Father ]

I intend to. [ She agrees, lips pressed together, pale but determined ]

That is to be hoped, but ai, I wish such experience need not come!

[utulien_aure]

[Sometimes, Cano, it's ok to upset Russandol. He needs thumping on the head on occasion.

Going in for a hug]

What will come will come. All we can choose is how to face it.

[marriedanidiot]

[ BUT SAD NELYO MAKES HIM SAD TOO.

She hugs back ]

Wise words.

[ She manages a smile ]

You sound like your mother.

[utulien_aure]

[HE'LL BE HAPPIER IN THE LONG RUN FINGON WOULDN'T LIE.]

Do I? [A touch melancholy.] I don't think I noticed.

[marriedanidiot]

[ .........well if it's better for Nelyo in the long run Maglor guesses he could ... try... ]

You do. [ She nods and smiles at him softly ]

A wise woman, your mother. And a good friend.

[utulien_aure]

[He returns a small smile.]

It's kind of you to say as much.

[marriedanidiot]

[ She pats his hand ]

Kind, perhaps. True, also! Your mother has been a good friend to me, Findekano. I wish it had not taken ... what happened, as the catalyst for it, but I love her as dearly as if she were my sister in blood. She would be very proud of you.

[utulien_aure]

[He closes his eyes for a moment. He isn't really compared to his mother often, not with his father and grandfather looming so large in most people's memory; sometimes, in Hithlum, she feels like a dream. The feelings the comparison brings up are a lot to process.]

... Thank you, aunt. It... means a great deal.

[marriedanidiot]

[ She smiles at him, and if the edges are a little sad, well, so it is, in Arda Marred, that all joys are bittersweet ]

You're welcome, my dear.

[utulien_aure]

[And, apparently, more than a few places besides.

He looks pained for a moment, than nods to the harp in her hands.]

If you'd like a moment's rest, I can take over.

[marriedanidiot]

[ She looks relieved at that, offering him the harp ]

Would you? I fear playing Songs on the harp was never my particular skill.