mortalhalf | OPEN RP POST

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.

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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.

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."

The horse nodded at the request and gently turned - for such a mighty steed - towards the groom. He was tired, hungry and thirsty and he knew his rider was in good hands.

Maedhros eyed Elros warily, recognizing and not recognizing him. Flashes of a small Elfling danced before his eyes, mixing confusingly with the man Elros had become. What was real? He had to protect that child from the Silmaril!

"Don't touch it!" his voice was only a thread, desperate and hoarse, "Where?" he licked his lips, looking around at those gathered, "...Elros?"

Only two called him Nana and his heart sank.

"I've brought it to you?" the tears that fell down his cheeks could never be numbered, "Give me a new horse. I'll go." said the Elf who could not even seem to rise.

He smiled at the brave stallion, knowing he would be taken good care of.

Elros kept his hands out, forcing patience on himself. "I will not touch it, nana, but you must come inside with me. You need aid, and I will give it to you. But I will not give you a new horse."

The tears nearly broke him though. This was an elf who had always been so tall and strong. "Please let me give you strength and show you my love."

He shook his head with all the strength he had, struggling awkwardly to his feet. Thin was not a word that should be used to describe him currently; he was emaciated and feral. All of his Elvish dignity had been discarded and he spoke brokenly:

"It rejected me." which meant the jewels would reject his brother too, "I do not know how I came to be here."

His horse must have played a part, yet Maedhros knew he had thought of Elros and Elrond much. Often. All of the light had left his life with them.

"I have brought doom on your city." he glanced around at the people, almost apologetic, "I'm sorry."

And it hurt to see Maedhros so bad off. But Elros refused to back down, knowing the best bet was to do what he could to heal the elf's battered mind and heart. He stood, just as slowly as he'd approached.

"Meaning Maglor is in danger. But you cannot be of any help to him as you are right now. Let me help you, and we will find and help him.

His lips quirk. "You came to me because you know I'm too stubborn to back down." And that stallion was damn smart.

"What doom might be on this city, we will meet. If it comes knocking."

Elros knew without him explaining and he felt...grateful. Words were hard to come by and he was so tired. As he stood, he seemed ready to collapse in on himself again, but it was only through sheer will that he, instead, walked forward. Yes. To Elros.

To warmth. To safety. To all the things he did not deserve.

"You - are - "

Everything he wasn't. Maedhros's expression briefly showed a fierce, protective love before he lost consciousness, falling forward. The jewel fell from his hand, which was a blessing, revealing the hole it had burned in his palm.

Maedhros didn't need to use a lot of words. Elros could figure out what wasn't said. "I am here," he answered, firm.

And stepped forward to catch Maedhros, keeping him from falling all the way. He swallowed heavily, seeing the Silmaril fall. He hated how utterly light his foster father was.

But it made holding him up only a bit awkward, rather than difficult. He pulled a small bag from his belt and bent to scoop the Silmaril into it, tightening the cord around it and tucked it out of sight.

A nod from an attendant told him his requests had been fulfilled, and he shifted his hold on Maedhros to start the trek inside.

He wasn't a healer like Elrond, but he knew some. But when he got Maedhros to the bed, supplies were already waiting, earning a proud little smile. The bath could wait. He'd sing again while he worked, gently tending to the hole in Maedhros' remaining hand.

A familiar scent was the first thing he noticed and he breathed in slowly, deeply, memorizing it and trying to let his memory catch up. His hand was in poor shape and he was awoken suddenly the moment Elros tended to it. He managed to stifle a yelp, but the way his body tensed was telling.

Elros.

Maedhros opened his eyes and stared at the man - now King - emotion making his chest and throat ache.

"A King should not tend a mad Elf." he meant to attempt levity - so maybe Elros would not regret him being there - but it was more truthful than amusing, "Where is it? Do not let it go into the hands of someone who does not know of it."

Oh what horrors would befall them. Maedhros pitied them already.

Edited Date: 2016-09-16 11:13 am (UTC)

Elros had taken a seat beside Maedhros on the bed, supplies right at hand. The soft song didn't break, and he didn't let the hand jerk out of his.

The attempt at tease brought a fond chuckle, just for Maedhros' sake. "A King should tend those he loves, as I am now."

He bent and kissed washed fingertips.

"It is safe. Will you eat something for me? Just a bit of broth." Because he knew how his foster father was, and it wouldn't take a genius to see much else would go down and stay down.

He wondered at this child - this King. How could such a bright, loving soul take pity on him? Love him? When had he become so blessed? Perhaps this was why he had not taken his life.

But Kano was out there; even now he might be -

"I ask too much of you. Yet Kano is out there still, suffering." he tried to push himself up, frowning at his own weakness, "..."

Food. When was the last time he ate? He couldn't recall.

"If... If you eat with me." he would try his hardest. He had a brother to protect - and a city to protect if anyone dared to threaten his Elros.

Once Elros' love had been earned, it was impossible to lose. He was so grateful Maedhros had run straight to him.

But Maglor was still out there. Needed them.

"You ask nothing of me. And I know. And the sooner we get you fixed up a little, we will go find him and tend to his wounds as well." Like hell he'd let his other foster father run.

"Of course." Eating with someone you cared about was always easier than eating alone. Elros finished wrapping the bandage around Maedhros' hand, then gently helped the Feanorian to sit up, fluffing pillows up in support.

Edited Date: 2016-09-16 11:40 am (UTC)

"Thank you."

Thank you a thousand times. A million. No, more. Maedhros felt the ice-cold inside of him begin to thaw.

"How do you exist?" he stared at Elros as if he couldn't comprehend him, "You look good, Elros." and that brought him happiness and a little pride.

Pride that he felt guilty putting his name to, of course.

As the King fluffed his pillows - something that flooded Maedhros with more affection - Elros would feel a tentative kiss pressed to his cheek.

Elros grinned, sudden and swift. "I exist because of mercy and love." A great deal of both.

He was proud to thank Maedhros and Maglor for how they'd raised him and Elrond. And he was proud of his people for following his lead, even if they were terrified of this elf of legend and horror.

And the shy little kiss to his cheek had him lean into it with a happy little hum. He pulled back only to press a fond kiss to Maedhros' forehead, fingers brushing gently over his cheek. "I am glad you came to me."

"A mercy I was not certain I would extend once." Maedhros had never shied from the truth, "It was Kano's wisdom that intervened." and he was so glad he had listened that day and carried the two little Elflings to their hidden home.

He smiled at the acceptance and leaned back against Elros, closing his eyes. This Elf of legend - this murderer - was turned gentle under his favorite King's touch.

"I thought of you so often. I must have told my horse." he had been delirious with pain on the ride, but his stallion was highly intelligent and so loyal that Maedhros often did his best to, at least, see him fed and watered even if he himself did not eat.

"Yet you did at the last, and here I stand. Elrond stands tall, too, thanks to you both."

Elros was proud to tame this wild elf with a touch. It made his people a little safer in the chaos of uncertainty. He would not be giving the Silmaril back. It would be flung into the seas before he'd give it to Maedhros, same with Maglor's if he could coax it from his other father's hands.

"I am glad you did! He is a loyal friend." He reluctantly pulled away, standing only to pick up the tray of broth and a small bowl of fruit, then he was back and gently set it on Maedhros' lap. "He is probably enjoying all the pampering my stables can provide."

"Kano watches over Elrond...or...he did." they had become so lost in searching for the Silmarils and time had passed, "How does he fare besides standing tall? How do you fare?"

He was starving - something he had learned to ignore - but he knew better than to force food on himself. Shakily, he tried to use his hand to pick up the bowl of broth. The smallest motion made him wince, however, and he peered up at Elros, unsure.

"Mm he deserves it. I shouldn't have pushed him so hard." but his friend had survived the journey and that was a relief.

Edited Date: 2016-09-16 12:35 pm (UTC)

The news warmed him. "Elrond is well, though I fear he is angry with me." Because they'd chosen different paths. "But I am happy here. These are good people." He just wished Elrond wouldn't have to watch him grow old and die.

Elros shook himself and after taking a bite of fruit, picked the bowl of broth up and simply offered a spoon of it to Maedhros. No judgement or disgust. Only love and a hope that he could help.

"He pushed himself hard. Let him enjoy himself a bit, rest. As I mean to ensure you do before we set out."

"Because of your choice." he could not blame Elrond for his anger - it stemmed from pain and fear, "I pray he does not spend too many days angry with you or else I fear he will spend the rest of his days in regret." and he would not have that for Elrond or Elros.

Maedhros was pleased that both had chosen the path that suited their hearts and their interests. He also knew he would not outlive Elros. The day this child left Arda was the day he would leave too.

Thus far, he had avoided telling anyone his plan. Maglor would be heart-broken and he knew he needed to prepare a better existence for his brother.

The spoon was eyed with the same wonder he had given Elros, yet he did not pause long before taking in the broth, sip by sip.

"Am I keeping you from your duties? Your family?"

Elros simply nodded. He didn't blame Elrond for it either. "You should see Imladris, nana! It is beautiful!" His city was as well, of course, but he could see the appeal of Rivendell.

Maedhros wouldn't have to tell him. They were similar, enough so that sometimes they didn't need to say a word for the other to understand. But also, Elros wouldn't pass it on. Not yet. If ever.

Sip by sip the broth was fed to the elf, making Elros nearly glow with quiet pride. But he also made sure to nibble on the fruit that had been left for him.

"My duties are right here. Do not worry about my family, Gaelil will keep my little ones away, least until you have a bit more strength to handle them." If the Oropheriel let them near.

"As ironic as it is for me to say my presence in Imladris would endanger your brother..." whilst he was deep within Elros's city, "...that is the truth. I wonder if I could see it from afar?"

His eyes had not failed him...yet. One of his ears was nearly cut in half (a gift from Morgoth) and at times he found it less capable than his other and then, of course, there were his hands (or lack thereof in the case of the right). His body was failing under the strain he had put it under and he knew he needed to slow down.

The broth went down well. His stomach didn't writhe and try to be rid of it, at least.

"How many?" his voice was breathless with barely concealed joy. His Elros had children! And a wife! He shifted and murmured:

"I fear my hair is a lost cause. Will you cut it short for me? I think I can bathe before I see them."

No, no. The babies would not be kept from him.

Mirth danced in grey eyes and Elros snorted teasingly at him. "We will ride near. I am sure Elrond will ride out to meet us."

He was grateful Maedhros had managed to somehow pull himself back enough to run. To run to him. To run back towards life, near enough to be shored up. When the bowls were empty, the king went to the table where he'd spotted a pitcher of water and two glasses, which he was quick to bring back and pour Maedhros a glass. Then held it gently to his lips in wordless command.

"Two," so far. His wife was pregnant again, in the early stages but even he could tell. "I will wash it for you. If I cannot rescue it, I will do as you ask. And I will help you, if you let me."

Oh good. He wanted his babies to meet their grandpa.

"He likely already knows our plan." Maedhros would not put it passed the Elven Lord! He did seem to have a touch of the very same gift the Lady Galadriel possessed.

The water was sipped as he had the broth and he felt his body rejoice. Elros had given him a second wind for his mind, body and fëa. He would show his gratitude over the coming days.

"Two." he repeated, smiling for the first time in what felt like ages. His face was unused to the expression.

"Do they like stories?" oh very few on Arda could tell a story like a Fëanorian. Maedhros rose out of the bed with care and nodded.

"I warn you, I am not a handsome sight." and he felt guilty for exposing Elros to what his body had become, but he knew it was not safe for him to bathe alone.

"Probably," he quipped back cheerfully. Elrond could be irritating that way, but also a blessing. "We will likely be given an invitation we can hardly decline." Because Elrond.

Elros smiled back, delight and joy and love shining that he got it from Maedhros. "They love stories." He helped his foster father up, wrapping an arm around his waist. "I was in war, too. I have seen ugly sights. You are not one of them."

"Hardly decline." Maedhros snorted at Elros's wording, "I would not think to decline if he is cautious where we meet." that was one point on which he was not budging.

"Good. I will tell them -" he stopped short when he felt the arm, amazed at how strong his foster son had become, "You say that now." but he was touched that Elros did not equate him with such atrocities.

Though he likely should. Carefully, he walked to the bathing room with Elros's help, shakily stripping off his clothes. He was indeed not a pretty sight - scarred and far too thin.