OPEN RP POST

[mortalhalf]

Pretty straight forward. You have an idea you want to play out with Elros, throw up a starter or plotting comment and we'll go from there. Haven't threaded with me before but want to try something different than how you found this journal? That's fine too! I'm always open to new RP partners. If you have questions, feel free to shoot me a PM if you're more comfortable that way.

Comments

[castintoflames]

He liked to watch him. Elros was a far cry from the little child he had once held in his arms, but he wasn't so far changed that Maedhros wouldn't know him anywhere. Maybe he wasn't worthy of being called Elros's family, yet that didn't matter.

He would still watch over him. No one else had to know that he kept to the shadows - including Elros himself. The young King's life was far too exciting without a Fëanorian weighing him down.

Even if said Fëanorian only wanted the best for him. The absolute best.

Maedhros chuckled when his horse buried his nose in his thick hair. Yes, it was time to go. He couldn't risk being found out.

"Be well, star foam." he tugged on his horse's reins and set about making his way back to his camp. But as he followed the path, he saw a group of black-clad riders approach the city's gate. His current position on a large hill made it easy for him to count their number and he was mounting his horse before the next breath.

The pounding of hooves took the riders by surprise - as did his sword. Like hell was he going to let anyone touch his son -

No, not his. But close. Very close.

His blade cut deep and without mercy.

[mortalhalf]

There were days when Elros was sure he was being watched. But when he looked, he never saw who it was. None of his guards or people could answer the feeling either.

It didn't feel threatening though. More... protective. So he didn't worry about it too much, and told his people not to hunt down the source yet. To just keep the usual eye out for intruders or attackers.

Attacks were always possible, though it was his hope for peace. Hadn't there already been too much blood shed? Morgoth was defeated. His shadows were shrinking, going into hiding if not dead.

Sounds and cries gave away when one such attack came to his ears and Elros was one of the first to ride out to help whoever was already working to defend his people. There was...something familiar in the way the lone defender moved and fought. But the king pushed it aside as he launched himself into aiding the deadly blade into cutting down those who wished ill on his people.

Questions could come later. He issued orders and his guard leaped to his bidding without hesitation, and he kept them in mind only enough to know where his blade was needed.

Between them, the attackers really had no chance of success.

[castintoflames]

In the fray, he saw him. What a brave King. Elros did not send out his men to deal with this rabble. Of course he didn't. Maedhros felt a surge of pride.

His instinct to protect grew by leaps and bounds. The attackers were only Men - likely from the East - and he left only one alive by the end of the harsher violence.

Elros deserved a chance to question one.

With the Man's hands tied tight and his feet equally bound, he would be an easy target for Elros's Men to find. Then Maedhros remounted his horse and tried to back out -

But his way was blocked. Every way he turned, there was a guard.

They had made a wall around him.

He has taught them well.

Maedhros kept his helm on and sheathed his sword, showing he meant no harm.

[mortalhalf]

One left alive and bound. A gift, almost.

Elros noted the stranger was kept from running, but also the lack of a threat to his men. Taking just a moment to breath, the king sheathed his sword and murmured orders to have the prisoner taken to a secure room for questioning, dictating a few of his men to going with the Man.

It left him with the tall figure, helm still in place. But there was still that familiarity that tugged at his mind. He turned and approached, secure in the fact this was the first person to defend his people.

But the height... the way of movement and swordsmanship that was so like his own... Hopeful recognition lit his eyes and he firmly ordered the rest of his guards to return to the keep.

That he was safe with this unknown warrior. He could see their reluctance, but they believed in him - in him and the small smile that was forming as he looked at the taller figure.

Only when they were alone did he step closer again.

"I was angry with you for... a while," he quietly admitted. "Won't you show your face? I have missed it."

PART A: Elros is immortal

[seakingswife]

"Ellllllros~" A very familiar voice calls. "Where have you gotten to darling? We're going to miss dinner at this rate!"

Gaelil wanders through the hallways, looking for her wayward husband. "Do not tell me you are hiding because my brother is coming to dinner!"

[mortalhalf]

He wasn't hanging from a balcony this time but Elros was close when he heard his wife call for him. All because Thranduil walked their halls today in a visit. He'd never managed to resist her call though, and tonight was no different.

Still, that wasn't to say the peredhel would tamely walk to his doom heel. He watched her carefully, first to see where she was and where she was heading, then just to watch her for a moment, admiring. Then slipped out behind her, steps near soundless in his haste to catch her up into his arms for a playful twirl.

"Would I hide?" Innocently said, but not quite denying the accuracy.

keywords XD

[seakingswife]

At the moment, Gaelil is just wandering down the corridoors of the family rooms, certain that Elros is somewhere nearby - unless he's booked it to the stables, and she doesn't actually think he's that rude.

She gasps and shrieks when picked up, throwing her own arms around him and kissing him fondly.

"There you are! And yes, you would, you rogue!"

XD

[mortalhalf]

She knew him well. The stables had been tempting - but no. Gaelil would surely murder him if he tried!

Elros laughed, kissing her back as he gently set her back on her feet, though didn't release her. "I would, but you found me so I suppose I cannot!"

PART B: Elros is mortal

[seakingswife]

Gaelil sits at her window and looks out over the palace, and wonders that she sits where she sits. It seems so strange - not that long ago she was nothing more than a soldier's daughter. Never would she have thought that the King would even realise who she was, but how things change. In the beginning, with the newness of Elenna, all hands had worked together - noble and common alike - raising the walls, ploughing the fields. She had not realised that the handsome young man who worked beside her was her king - and not as young as he looked, either! But sitting here, looking out over the work their hands have built...

No. She cannot regret it either.

"Oof!" She looks down and laughs softly at her stomach. "Patience, patience. Soon, you will have plenty enough to do, child of mine. Now. Where is your errant father, I wonder?"

[mortalhalf]

"Not so errant," he quipped from the doorway. "I do occasionally recall I should spend as much time with you as I can!" Elros swept into the room and sat beside her, curling a gentle arm around her waist. "How is the little one today?"

Elros might be king, and busy with maintaining the peace, learning and teaching and building, but he was also a happily married man which a child on the way. He still could hardly believe his luck that Gaelil had wanted to wed him.

[seakingswife]

"Elros!" She laughs and turns a little to kiss him, melting happily into his arm with a sigh.

"Active! I think that you will have a son, milord, if only because he certainly kicks like you do!"

[mortalhalf]

Elros smiled into the kiss, rubbing her side gently and rest his free hand on her stomach.

"Should I be offended?" He teased. "Or shall I be delighted our son will be able to protect us!"

[castintoflames]

Life was ironic and full of surprises. Maedhros thought he had released his son - adopted son - from his company long ago, yet circumstances demanded that he contact Elros and, if need be, stand guard. The horse he rode was large - befitting his height - and he hid his bright hair and face under his helm as he entered the city.

No one would dare halt him; he truly paid the guards no heed. Once he was in the palace's courtyard, he dismounted and entered the building at a run, desperate to see Elros safe and sound.

[mortalhalf]

Time had passed but Elros kept an ear turned to any hint of any of the surviving Feanorians. Any news at all. He'd hoped to be visited by either or both of them in time, but as time passed with no word, his suspicion they wished to avoid him seemed confirmed.

Until a rider came, and his guards were reminded of the standing order to not hinder this one. Elros stood waiting, brow furrowed as he tried hard not to shift from foot to foot.

[castintoflames]

The helm was removed swiftly and Maedhros soon had Elros wrapped in his arms. His heart was hammering in terror and he forced himself to breathe. This precious, precious Elf likely did not know the danger.

Not yet. There had only been whispers thus far, but Maedhros had heard them and not taken them lightly.

"Sauron seeks your life. He must go through me first."

[mortalhalf]

He leaned into the familiar protective warmth he'd learned Maedhros was an excellent source of, arms wrapping around the older elf in reassurance and welcome. He could feel the terror in his foster father and it worried him, until Maedhros spoke.

Elros frowned, eyes narrowing. "I heard whispers." It didn't surprise him. "I am not his to claim." He wasn't Elrond, but nor was he a fool. He tightened his embrace on Maedhros, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "I could hardly be better defended, with you here."

Because early morning ideas are the best.

[castintoflames]

Somehow he had torn himself away from the volcano. He had been so close to the edge, but then he had stepped back. One step turned into two, three; then he was on his horse and riding hard and fast to Eru knew where with the Silmaril burning a hole into his hand. It shocked him when he arrived in Elros's city and he barely noticed that people were running from him in a panic.

His horse reared and he fell, landing in a broken heap before the palace. Shaking and sobbing, he still refused to let go of the Silmaril.

;.; Mae baby

[mortalhalf]

Gil-Galad had told them the last of the Feanorians were gone. Dead. Elros hadn't wanted to believe it, neither had Elrond. But there was little they could do, they were both still desperately needed.

They were still building a life, Elros was still learning so many things. But one day his new home was sent into an uproar and he feared a new war was on them again. He was already donning armor and strapping a sword back on even as he ran out to see what was attacking them.

Only to find a very familiar elf in a heap on the ground, an equally familiar horse half-wild. And Maedhros an utter wreck, clutching something desperately in his remaining hand. Something brilliant, and bloody.

His steps slowed and he gestured for his people to stay back. And one of the braver attendants to ready a healing bath and fresh clothes, and to arrange for food. Then he approached, humming an old song that Maedhros had to recognize, for he and Maglor had often sung it to recalcitrant twins when they were particularly upset.

;n;

[castintoflames]

He was sobbing from pain and anguish, choking on each breath. The jewel was burning through his flesh, his muscle and his bone, but he still couldn't let it go. After everything they had endured - all the lives lost - the jewel rejected him as if he were no better than the fell creatures of Morgoth.

His hair was fiery and tangled and there was no sanity in his eyes. He looked around for help - someone kind enough to perhaps end his life - and, instead, he heard a song.

Kano?

Had he run to his brother? But why were there so many people? His ears ached from the sound of them and he clutched the smoking jewel to his chest.

His horse was in a better place - mentally, though ragged from the ride - and he calmed almost immediately when he saw and heard Elros. The stallion gently nudged the now mortal man's chest, sighing.

[mortalhalf]

Elros kept singing, adding familiar words to the humming tune. He gently scratched behind the horse's ears, offering reassurance and comfort before wordlessly asking him to go with a groom who inched closer.

He had Maedhros to worry over. He knelt before the crazed elf, hands held out to show he was not pulling a weapon on him.

Maedhros had a Silmaril. The awareness sent a bolt of fear through him. Fear, and awe. Mostly utter terror.

"Nana, all is well. Come with me."

[bythewaves]

He came on the boats with the others, refugees and soldiers turned farmers, people all looking for a new start, a new life, following a new king. No one questioned a bard, nor why the King kept him close, but he kept to himself, for the most part, and everyone was mostly far too busy building a new home to care so long as he did his share - which he did.

People do wonder, of course. But there is more than one, in Elros' following, who wants to leave the past behind. No one asks.

But he is always near the King, in one way or another, and those closest to him whisper rumors that the King has been heard to call him father. Most of Elros' following are Edain, and many remember the old tales, and look upon the seven pointed star he wears, and wonder.

But no one asks.

As the frenzy of building slowly subsides, people start to settle down, and rather than a camp, it begins, at last, to look like a city. And the King's eyes often follow a certain lass, of late, and his people rejoice. She is no great lady, no grand house. But they are starting afresh, after all - and she loves him in return. A good match, people murmur, and are pleased when the King announces his wedding.

The wedding is lavish, nobility coming from far and wide, even from both sides of the Sea.

(One is the King's twin brother, and he takes one look at the bard and punches him before hugging him tightly, but Numenor is used to politely not saying anything, by now)

And at the wedding, when the speeches are done and the toasts are made, the Lost Bard of the Noldor stands, and looking at the Man and Elf that he considers his sons, he sings for them all, and rather than the laments that legend reports he sings, he sings only joy, and it catches all of them up in it's spell.

[marriedanidiot]

No mortal ships may sail West beyond sight of the shores of Numenore, but their elven neighbours can come East, and do, ships plying the long distances to meet and trade and learn from and with each other.

On one of those ships she comes, just another neri amongst others. She wears a Master's braid, and a Stonemasons gem, and her hair is a shade of red that very few of the Noldor bear. She is quiet and polite and does not stay in the Eastern Ports, instead following the few who tread the road inland, heading towards the capital, where she sets up a small market shop in the main square, setting out her wares - little sculptures so realistic that they might caper to life at any moment, and there she waits.

[mortalhalf]

No mortal ship, maybe! But Elros has ensured peoples from both shores are welcome if they wish to make the journey.

He has a habit which drives his advisors crazy, in that he tends to 'get lost' in the markets every so often. New shops get a proper examination, wares are exclaimed over (or encouraged into how to better whatever it happened to be), hands are clasped, friendships formed...

But he hears of one particular new master of stone-craft that has something in him nudging to meet. So he slips through the crowds of happy chattering people, buying up sculptures that look so very realistic to dazzle the senses!

Red hair. Just a shade from Maedhros'. And he can see something of that foster father of his in this woman that it catches his heart and breath.

He doesn't need introductions to wait until people wander off, then he saunters up and -

"Good Morn', Grandmother!" Does she know of him? He almost doesn't want to ask.

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel would find it amusing, if she knew! Her whole family has never sat easily with the trappings of royalty, Nolofinwe excepting, perhaps. And Finwe himself, of course.

"Ah, little scamp." She looks up and smiles. "Who are you calling grandmother?"

[mortalhalf]

She may well learn!

Elros grins, plopping down right on the floor unless there's a convenient stool or chair.

"You! I know the look of a relative of my foster fathers, and you have it. And atto Maedhros' hair, if a bit brighter. Which, seeing as you are not male, must mean you are my grandmother, and I name you thus."