starlightfaraway | ic ❧ open post.

Her face softens as her expression becomes one of awe. It is a story that all children know. The sons and brothers of Fëanor who sought the gems of starlight. What happened to them has never been fully known, as his story says. Tauriel may be young but she is not naive. The meaning behind his words is not lost on her.

"Except you know." Tauriel shifts enough to face him fully. "What became of him when he fell so far from the rest of his kin?"

The question holds many meanings. She wants to know what has happened to him, as it is obvious now who he is. She wants to know what will become of her after her own deeds.

"He wandered." Maglor says softly. "He kept himself away from all good folk lest his curse follow him. He went mad, they say, but he could never escape himself. So... one day he decided... that he would, at least, make sure no one ever forgot. So he started singing again - his grief, his regret, his loneliness, his pain. He sang them to the wind and the waves, and the fishermen heard him and carried his songs inland, and he knew that no one would ever forget. He wandered, and he came inland, seeking the family that he had left. He watched them and he sang for them, also, and did what he could to keep them safe from a distance. He knew... there was no forgiveness. But perhaps... he could keep them safe. And it would be enough, to know that somewhere, there were those who could still smile."

Her gaze remains soft as he continues. A protector from afar. Can she perhaps due the same? Can she fight evil and try to atone for what she has done? Perhaps there will be no forgiveness. It is a sin, a tarnish on her soul that will mark her forever.

Tauriel exhales slowly, letting her shoulders sink and her guard lower. He is no threat. If he meant her harm then that would have been done before his tale even began.

"I do not suppose this wanderer would again like the company of another." She speaks with such assurance and presence in her voice, but underneath is the understanding of rejection. His songs and tales had kept him company for so many years. Why tarnish what is left of him with another who bears the same sin?

He smiles for her then, the sun peeking out from behind the clouds, and he reaches with a hand (so very scarred) to brush a strand of hair from her face.

"I would never refuse my granddaughter."

His hand feels so gentle against her skin. Thranduil had always been so kind to her. She had repaid it with such betrayal. How does she deserve such kindness? Especially from her own family?

Still, a smile touches her face despite the tears in her eyes. "I would offer my bow in service... if it had not been disgraced."

"It has not" He says firmly. "I heard the tales. I listened to the stories. You struck in fear - an accident, a slip - not in anger or for an Oath too terrible to be foresworn."

Gently, he wipes the tears from her cheeks an presses a kiss to her brow.

"But if my grieving granddaughter thinks that to wander with her broken grandfather would ease her pain, then he would welcome her, with open arms."

Tauriel's gaze falls as he spoke. "The reasoning does not change how the outcome is seen, Grandfather." The word is so odd to say, but it also feels so natural to say.

She raises a hand to her face to brush the other tears from her face as he kisses her brow. "I have nowhere else to go."

"Maybe not" He agrees. "But those who love you know the difference. And you grieve him, hm? Who was as a father to you. Such an error is a terrible blow, but no stain, I think, lies on you."

He tugs her to her feet. "Not quite - you could Sail, you know. I am sure your parents would wish to see you again. And if you want to beg forgiveness of Thranduil, it is the only place you will be able to do so. The Elvenking would grieve if you do so without telling him, I am sure, but you need not Sail now. That door will always be open to you."

Her head tilts to the side as she listens to him speak. Even if he is true in what he says? Tauriel feels as if there is a stain on her soul. Perhaps it is because of her grief, or the apparent family history now at her feet, but whatever the reason? She feels heavier than she ever has.

Tauriel raises to her feet gracefully as any other elf. She tilts her head back and squares her shoulders to look at the elder elf evenly. "They would let me sail despite the Elvenking that is dead because of me?"

She thought that it was a chance that was taken from her the moment her arrow sang through the air.

"They would let you Sail." Maglor says gently, "Because you acted out of fear, through the impulse trained in you by long years of war, unknowing, and without malice. Thranduil himself would likely say the same."

He shrugs a little. "The exile was laid on me, and not you. I see no reason why the way would be barred. Besides. You are wounded sore, granddaughter, and where else does healing lie by in Aman the Blessed?"

Doubt settles into her heart about what Thranduil would say. Her king had been so against war and standing with the Men of Laketown and the Dwarves of Erebor. How could he understand that what she had done was not of malice? She defied him, broke her oaths, and ran out to her own. There was little reason for Thranduil to believe in anything when it came to her now.

"Some would say that time heals wounds." Tauriel replies with her eyebrows perked. "Or, that traveling and learning of a world much larger than yourself could provide the understanding to healing wounds."

Not that she truly has any knowledge of that either way.

"Time, it is true, heals many things" Maglor shrugs a little. "But there are things that go so deep that there is no healing them, not with time or all the beauties of this world. And this world is still very beautiful, granddaughter. And though in all lands, love is now mingled with pain, it does not grow any less so, I think."

He smiles at her. "I will let my granddaughter decide - if you Sail or if you stay, I will come as far with you as I can."

ic ❧ open post.

/well i was better for a bit

/pats gently

school needs to stop draining me so much. I want to tag!

/makes you plenty of tea

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