Audio

[fearsdaughter]

[Where she's tucked herself away is unimportant, which is why she's not giving that bit away. Mother Nature sounds more resigned and contemplative than anything, and there's the faint sound of crowds in the background.]

Death is like gravity, it cannot be stopped or all of the universe begins to go out of sorts. Things unravel when people come against such things, more than they believe they are already. Things die, it is a part of existence and a rule of the universe that should never be broken.

And yet here we all are, being forced in to a fight that will be ultimately lost. Forced to take a side and prepare ourselves and others for what? To be felled in battle? To fade out of existence?

[She sighs.]

I don't know how many of you have seen war, but it is not anywhere near so glorious as anyone wants you to think. It is blood and death and terror for little more than bragging rights over some pile of dirt or another.

It is people sitting at windows waiting for their lovers to come back with scars that will never go away if at all.

It is those you love leaving and never coming back.

It is watching everything you love burn to ashes in your fingers for some ideal that will never fill the hole they leave.

[She sighs, shaky.]

Worlds have died before, entire civilizations and people have been erased from existence and yet... here we are, still alive, still existing despite all of that.

We should be planting a new tree, making new homes, not trying to save a burning ship... but what do I know about anything. I'm no god, no war hero.

I've just been dragged here and forced against my will in to a fight I've no interest in. So please; sell me a reason to fight, give me something to believe in that will work.

Comments

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor looks... weary, but there is a fell light in his eyes (he does not like war, but the Feanorionnath are very good at it, and his father's famous fire stirs at the call to battle) ]

War is never glorious, and yet... [ a small shrug ] I cannot countenance staying behind and waiting either, kemenamil. The horns of battle call, and e'en if it is in vain, I must go, for the chance that these hands might save even one life. I do not look for glory, for you speak truly that there is none to be found - yet, I look towards morning, still. That you would stay and guard the seeds of tomorrow is a comfort also.

[ A shy smile ] I go for those who cannot, I go to buy the rest even a little more time. Will you give me your blessing to go, kemenamil, although I leave you behind?

[fearsdaughter]

If you truly wish to throw yourself on some sword for such a thing then that is your choice. I will not stand in your way.

[She sighs.]

I will not bless your leaving, but I will plant the stones for the path of your return and keep a light for it. It is up to you to follow the way back.

[bythewaves]

[ He smiles sadly and her and bows ]

What is the life of a kinslayer worth, if not to save those who have not stained their hands beyond redemption? And I am very good at killing kemenamil. I will look for your light then, and set my steps by it, that it might give me courage and hope in the darkness. And if I return not you will know that I tried.

[fearsdaughter]

Stained hands does not a monster make, Maglor. Your life is worth not being tossed aside like this, despite your opinion of it.

[bythewaves]

Even if the stain is that of kin, and deliberately so? [ Soft and sad ]

But I will not throw it away easily, kemenamil. That much I can promise you. None of my kin have ever sold their life cheaply, and I will not be the first, not so long I have those who wish for my return.

[fearsdaughter]

You regret what you've done; monsters don't regret they simply keep going.

[She's got a few opinions on that.]

Just... do not return changed beyond what war does to someone.

[bythewaves]

Perhaps - yet it removes not the stain.

[ He bows again ] I cannot promise you that, you know that kemenamil. War and I are old friends, alas - but if the Valar still heed the prayers of the Exiles, then I will do whatever I can to return Maglor, and not another.

[ quiet and firm ] So long as there remains even one light in the darkness, will you not hold on to hope for me?

[fearsdaughter]

[She lets out a soft sigh.]

Hope is something that has long since lost my faith in it, too many have not returned for me to lean on it for support.

[bythewaves]

[ He smiles for her at that, bright and fey and wild, but his eyes are gentle - he, too, has lost far too many ]

'Oft hope is born, when all is forlorn' - Morning will come, kemenamil - I have to hold on to that. I grieve that I cannot promise you more than empty words. But I will try to return to you, if you will only wait for me.

[fearsdaughter]

Morning comes whether you believe it will or not, the sun does not need belief to rise.

[bythewaves]

I know. I do not need to see it, I simply need to know that it will - on such fragile truths is my Hope hung - aure entuluva - day will come again.

[fearsdaughter]

Inevitability is not a fragile thing, day comes but it does not always bring hope. It also brings despair.

[bythewaves]

Perhaps so, and yet, truly it was said that all shadows will pass. The rising sun is only our promise of that truth. All things end, you said - aye, this is true. But all endings are only new beginnings. Auta i lome - the night is passing.