Orientation [Closed]

[huntingorcs]

Who: Maedhros, Maglor, Elladan & Elrohir
What: Welcome to Deep Space 9
When: Now
Where: Science Fiction Section
Warnings: .... well we do have Feanorions in this section POSSIBLY MENTION OF DEATH, MURDER, SUICIDE, GENERAL CRAZY THINGS

"Okay, that's different." Elladan leans on his brother and stares.

"Which, the bodiless voice, or the blue person that just walked past." Elrohir laughs and shoves against him fondly.

"What are we doing, grandfathers?" They ask as one, turning identical grins to the older two.

"Scamps." Maglor shakes his head. "What were we thinking, Nelyo, bringing them along?"

"I do not think we were given much choice." Maedhros retorts wryly, before fixing the two with a commanders glare. "You heard our orders. Medicines, bandages. I'm sure your father taught you what to look for. Don't get in trouble. Don't get caught."

The grins don't fade, but both of them straigthen, responding to the command.

"We know what to look for." Elladan assures them.

"Mostly. Medicines, we will have to guess."

"But ... we have no coin?"

"Other than of our own world, and I doubt they will accept King's Currency or Shire Coin."

"They might." Maglor shakes his head. "But not as coin - gold and silver will always have worth, younglings, no matter's whose face is on the coin. Have a care of who you ask, but I am sure you will find someone willing to trade."

"Be back here within two hours." Maedhros orders. "Or we will come and find you."

"And if you are not, we will seek you." Elrohir promises softly.

"We have only just found you." Elladan agrees. "We don't let family get in trouble without us."

"I think." Maglor says dryly. "That Maedhros and I are old enough to look after ourselves. But thank you."

"Go on with you." Maedhros' gruff order is mixed with the clear affection in his eyes. "Take care."

"We will!"

Comments

Maedhros & Maglor

[castintoflames]

Life has been given; chances renewed and Maedhros does not know what to make of it at first. Some deep instinct - connection - tells him that he has not been summoned to this strange place alone and he moves without thinking twice. He and Maglor have always orbited one another and his heart cannot help but pick up where it left off even though he knows what he did is inexcusable.

Unforgivable.

When he sees him, he stands very still, counting his heart-beats and his breaths. His voice barely rises above a whisper:

"Kano?"

[seawanderer]

It was strange how time could slow and move in reverse at the sound of a familiar voice. He'd heard all the Librarian had to say, but the magnitude didn't hit until that voice and that song struck his ears, stopping his breathing. Maglor knew he looked terrible. Thin, strangely a little older, and he hardly dared believe what he heard this time.

THIS TIME.

He'd arrived seated, harp in his lap, thankfully, along with the rest of what he'd taken to keeping on him at all times. Including a sword, and small bag at his back. His hair was tattered and poorly kept, but he'd long stopped caring what he looked like so long as people stayed away.

...But that name, that voice, that song! He slowly looked up, guarded look in his eyes. Which turned desperate before he stifled it and warily stood, battered fingers clutching his harp to him.

"Nelyo? Is it you?" this time?

[castintoflames]

All signs of how the volcano's fire had eaten away at his robes, his flesh, his hair had been erased. He was as he had been that day when he stood on the very brink of death and despair. His robes were worn, but clean, and his fiery hair was free to catch the wind wildly save for two small braids that joined at the back of his head. He had a sword at his hip and sparse pieces of jewelry - a ring on his only hand - and necklace hidden under his robes.

Maglor's eyes were not deceiving him, though it might seem so as Maedhros faltered, unsure if he should approach; if he should speak.

"...yes." he could not stop staring at his brother, "I thought no more than a day had passed since I -" he swallowed reflexively, mouth dry, "But you have aged."

[seawanderer]

His brother looked just as he had before burning away. On one hand it helped, but on the other it hurt. As if what happened after meant nothing.

Maglor drew himself to his full height, though it was nothing on his brother's. The old pain resurfaced, fierce and bright, but cold as his voice reflected. "It has been several Ages since you died." Since he'd been left behind, and he'd promised himself to stay in the shadows so he couldn't be abandoned like that ever again.

[castintoflames]

What his body didn't show, his mind remembered all too vividly. None of his actions were forgotten and each one had meant a great deal to him...and to Maglor. Of course his brother was hurt by them. Maglor's pain had echoed his own and he hadn't been able to see through any of it. The Darkness had swallowed him at last.

Maedhros was pale, the sparse freckles that lightly touched his nose more visible than ever. There were dark circles under his eyes and he was thin. Thinner than he should be at his height. All in all, he was a poor sight when one considered who he used to be.

"Ages?" he choked, "How?"

No, no, that wasn't the important point, though it haunted him.

"Kano I - I wasn't - " his head ducked and he took a shaky step forward, "I abandoned you when I promised I wouldn't. I left you to live on in torment. I'm so sorry."

[seawanderer]

He'd been angry and hurt for a long time. The anger now was but a ghost, but Maglor's ghosts were...vivid. Cruel. Sought to strike out and hurt in turn.

He watched how his words affected his brother and felt the ice crumbling with that unsteady step closer to him. He swallowed heavily, drawing in a slow breath to try and keep his composure.

His hands clenched into fists, barely covered by his tattered clothes. "You have no idea what my path has been like." He wouldn't call it a life. They were both a poor sight to see. His ire crumbled without any help though and now he stumbled forward, hands unclenching to reach desperately for his brother.

"Don't do that to me again!"

[castintoflames]

He expected to be attacked; to be admonished and brought to a point much lower than the chasm in which he fell. There was no way for him to shield himself from the blows and he had no right to save himself some pain. Maedhros accepted that all of it had been earned long, long ago for Maglor. For him, it had been less than a day.

What have you endured outside of my sight; outside of my presence? We only had each other and then you had no one.

"No, I do not." he had no ground on which to argue and he would not. To do so would be disrespectful to his brother.

His eyes widened at the hands reaching for him and he hurried forward, catching them and pulling Maglor into his arms like he had done when they were children.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." the words were repeated softly against the dark hair he knew so well.

[seawanderer]

He didn't have the heart to attack his brother, no matter how much it may be deserved. It was centuries in the past. He'd thought he'd be alone for the rest of his days.

Maglor shook in his brother's arms, burying his face against the familiar chest as he clung desperately. If he could crawl into his brother, he would have. The years almost seemed to vanish, they nearly did in the remembered safety of these arms.

"Are you really here? I've dreamed..."

[castintoflames]

The shaking vibrated through him and he hated to have crushed his brother's heart so callously. Of all the people Maglor could have expected to hurt him, he was likely the last one on his brother's list. Yet he had harmed him the worst. Oh he could blame the curse and the Silmarils, but in the end, he was the one who had jumped.

"Everything is too raw for this to be a dream." he felt tears burning down his cheeks and he cradled the back of Maglor's head with his only hand, "I've got you, Kano."

Maglor & Elladan & probsl Elrohir later <3

[huntingorcs]

"Roh!" Elladan calls for his brother, walking through this strange place. He knows he is here, but he keeps getting distracted.

"C'mon, where are you, brother?" He spots the dark hair and calls out, cheerful and open, as any other child of the Third Age.

"Hail stranger!"

XD

[seawanderer]

A voice he'd heard occasionally from afar, from one of the shadows he'd found most recently. Never close enough for himself to be spotted, it was too dangerous (in his mind) but Maglor hadn't been able to help but keep an eye on Elrond and his children.

He froze though, shoulders itching as he recognized he'd been spotted. He looked terrible, he knew, but so too he knew this twin- Elladan, he figured- would only stalk him if he tried to run.

And that would then bring the other twin running, as there was certainty in that voice that both twins walked this library.

So he tugged his hood just a little lower over his face and turned, dipping into a bit of a bow. "Hail, youngling."

[huntingorcs]

Elladan crooks a curious eyebrow at the obvious move to hide.

"Well met, sir. Is something wrong?"

Careless and easy, and he comes closer, unafraid (and it is an act, of course, for Glorfindel was not an easy trainer)

[seawanderer]

"Ah, no. Nothing's wrong." He lied oh so easily when pinned! Maglor inched away despite himself, only glad that he'd long since discarded (or well-hidden) any sigil of his house. It would make instant recognition harder, especially as there were so few visible signs of who he was compared to any legend that might have been passed on.

"Are you well?"

[huntingorcs]

"Uh huh." Elladan eyes him edging away dubiously. "Sure, if you say so."

Where's Elrohir when he needs him, he was always better at the healing thing.

"I'm alright - have you maybe seen someone who looks almost exactly like me? I'm looking for my twin."

[elrohir_elrondion]

Too much existed in this place that utterly fascinated him. A fact that got him to wander even when he shouldn't. In fact, he'd been watching spines of books as it seemed the writing shifted quickly so he could read it. Truly a wonder...

But he knew from the call of his twin, he had likely dailies too long and hurried to him. When he finally located him, he broke into a smile and clapped his hands on Elladan's shoulders with a grin.

"Muindor nin!" But the figure in the cloak caught his gaze and the grin faded slightly. "Did you make a new friend?" Of shady character it seemed. Why did he hide like that?

[seawanderer]

And there was the other twin. Whyyyyyyyy

Maglor gave a helpless little shrug at Elladan, not bothering to answer, though he couldn't quite help the fond little smile at Elrohir's enthusiasm.

He offered a small bow. "It seems you do not need my aid in locating your brother. I will leave you to it."

runawayrunawaaaaaay

[huntingorcs]

Because the Valar find it funny

"There you are!" Elladan reaches over to drag his brother closer.

"Yes I have! You still haven't given us your name, stranger!"

NO RUNNING.

For the Twins to frolic about on a space station!

[elrohir_elrondion]

The place felt colder in a way. Perhaps it was the lack of a real sky or being enclosed in steel. But this place felt remote and cold just as it felt to be teaming with life. Strange beings pulsed through the halls and corridors making them less out of place than one would expect with their own kind stepping into their world so to speak.

Elrohir looked about curiously as well as back at the bookmark expanded and softly glowing in his hands. "It seems many races and beings come here. Some hostile and some friendly. But they are expected to mind their behavior."

Looking over at Elladan, he was fighting back a bright smile as he felt a flutter of excitement in his chest. "It says they use something called... credits? I am unsure what they are, but I am thinking perhaps we can trade gold or silver coins for them? What do you think?"

[huntingorcs]

"Makes sense." Elladan looks casual disinterested, but he's standing close to his brother, and there is a slight edge to his voice.

"A bit like home, I suppose? So long as no one causes trouble..."

But he smiles at Elrohir's enthusiasm. "I'd say it's worth a try! But the only question is where...."

[elrohir_elrondion]

"True. I like that they seem to be accepting of any as long as they mind their manners." Sending his brother a smile, he looked out over the milling people with a new vigor to his excitement.

Without waiting, he caught Elladan with his free hand and pulled him. "To the I believe like any town, the best place to gather information is at their local tavern, yes? We should go and start our information gathering there."

[huntingorcs]

"The key being 'minding their manners', eh?" Elladan grins back. He follows along easily.

"Wise as ever, brother mine! So I vote we follow the crowds... that way!"

[elrohir_elrondion]

"Do you think they will not?" He smiled at the thought, his eyes still darting about to all the different types of people. Where he was used to seeing so many different races, there were so many more present here.

Turning his head to follow his brother's suggestion, he gave a quick nod. "I agree. Let us see if they will get us to our destination. It is quite good that we can understand other languages... I fear there are likely many here in this place. I simply hope they are friendly enough."

[huntingorcs]

"In my experience, there is always someone who does not." Elladan winks at his brother, remembering all the times it was them.

"They seem friendly enough - I see no obvious weapons except on a few. This seems, to all appearances, to be no more than your standard market, just... writ large! Look there, folk seem to be particularly congregating in that shop. Shall we see what it is they are selling?"

Elladan dear that is the casino.

[elrohir_elrondion]

"Yes, but in your experience it is often you and I that cause such disturbances. Unless there is another unruly duo running about, perhaps we will meet good fortune." He grinned back at his brother and lightly curled his arm through Elladan's as they moved.

"Most seem to be going about their own business." Looking over to the crowd Elladan indicated, he tried to get a good look. "Are you sure they are selling wares?" Biting at his lower lip he finally nodded as a thought hit him. "Even if it is not, it seems like a good direction to go in order to find a tavern. There seem to be many people going this way."

[huntingorcs]

Elladan spreads an open hand across his heart in exaggerated drama.

"Why, my dearest brother, are you suggesting that we are the only ones to behave so?"

"Well, that is true." Elladan allows as they get closer. "It... looks more like a... gambling ring, perhaps? A game of dice writ large. But... well. Where there is money..."