Tears Unnumbered Shall Ye Shed

[bythewaves]

Who: Elfhouse residents + anyone who would like to drop in
What: They've lost family, and are in quiet mourning
Where: Elfhouse
When: Nowish
Warnings: Loss, Depression, Grief.... all that sort of stuff

It was Celebrimbor they lost first. Curufin had noted that the tie between father and son had been getting thinner, as if the distance between them grew. And then one day, he simply wasn't there, the forge-fires cold when Curufin went to greet him, no sound of hammer on anvil, his bed cold.

And then the next was Maedhros, the same story again, an empty bed, the place where his presence sat silent and empty.

All of them grieve differently, in private, and together. But loss is still loss, especially knowing what potentially Maedhros, especially, goes home to.

Maglor can be found sitting by the little indoor fountain, empty eyed and quiet, although he rouses for family, instincts as old as himself to try and comfort his kinsmen.

Comments

lup l ota

[restinglichface]

[This is awkward for Lup. This place is too emotionally charged. There's too much grief lingering in the air, so thick she feels like choking.

But the elf cares about Curufin, about his family because of him. So even if comfort isn't exactly her best skill, she at least slips in to drop off some food for the family, a couple of fresh pies, a hearty vegetable stew, and some homemade bread. Comfort food that fills the belly and warms the heart, aroma heavy and thick in the air.

She means to slip in and out unnoticed, but Lup's never been as stealthy as she thinks she is.]

[bythewaves]

[ She's not, and despite his preoccupation, one does not survive Three Ages of Arda without being aware of his surrounds, and Maglor has people to protect, here.

He comes to his feet when the wards warn of an intruder, reaching instinctively for his blade before he registers that the stranger is bearing gifts, and he halts, blinking at her in confusion ]

Your pardon. [ He bows a little awkwardly and takes a step back ]

Did you... come here seeking someone?

[restinglichface]

[And there we go. It's one of the elves. The other elves. The ones who actually act like elves, celebrate their culture, live in their truth. Not like Taako and Lup, who ran from that life, who are really only elves in body alone.

The woman's long ears jerk upwards at the man's voice, surprise flashing across her face before Lup's mouth is pressing into a tight line.]

Uh, Curufin? I guess. Not that I need to see him. I was just - [Her hand gives a little wave, back to wherever she's dropped off her food.] Wanted to drop some shit off, since, y'know, y'all lost some folks. Thought it might help to not have to worry about food for awhile.

[bythewaves]

Ah. [ He smiles at her and gestures for her to come sit, if she wants, the mask of a good host smoothly sliding into place, centuries of drilled manners imposing themselves ]

Thank you - my brother is fortunate to have such good friends. I fear I don't know where he is, at the moment. But you are welcome to come and wait for him, if you like?

[restinglichface]

[This isn't exactly how she saw this whole thing going down, but Lup's not opposed to sticking around and socializing, getting to know more of her friend's family than she has before. She takes the offered seat, plopping into it.]

Thanks, guess it wouldn't hurt to stick around for a lil' bit. [A pause, because gods, she's awkward at these things.]

How you holdin' up?

[bythewaves]

[ The smile wobbles, but does not quite crack, although his eyes are tired and sad ]

About as well as can be expected, I suppose. I'm... used to being left behind. It's not as if we did not realise this was not a ... permanent arrangement.

[ But it still hurts, as if his heart was once again carved out, and every night since he has dreamt of watching his brothers die ]

Thank you for coming though. Curufin has made so many good friends here... I'm glad. Ah, and I'm being a terrible host. Could I offer you something? Tea? Something stronger?

[restinglichface]

[It's the kind of look she expected. She's sure she's been there too, during those times her most treasured friends or family leave Hadriel.]

Wouldn't ever say no to a stronger drink, but maybe I could get your name first? I dunno if we've ever been introduced. I'm Lup.

[bythewaves]

Oh! [ He starts at that ]

Your pardon... my manners are so lacking, these days. Maglor, at your service. [ He flusters a small, polite bow ] Well met, Lup - your pardon, once again.

[restinglichface]

Hey, don't even worry about it. I know you probs got a lot on your mind.

[More than she'd ever like to fully understand.] Can I grab something for you? Just point me in the right direction an' I'll fix you somethin' up, thug.

[bythewaves]

I... [ He brushes a hand across his eyes briefly, a moment's weakness ]

... could probably use a cup of tea, or even something stronger. [ he confesses ]

If you'd like, we can head to the kitchen?

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin spots Lup trying to slip out after having left the food. After she's been so generous as to come, he's not going to let her get away unthanked! He'll understand if she is troubled by the atmosphere; it is rather heavy. ]

Lup! Thank you for coming. The food smells delicious, and I'm sure we will all be grateful. We haven't had much energy for cooking lately, and if it weren't for Sansa, we'd all starve.

[ He's making a joke, in order to match the style of their past exchanges. Even when they had fought the Null together, they had laughed. ]

[restinglichface]

[It's true that humor is just Lup's natural way of dealing with things. It's the element she feels most at ease slipping into, laughing instead of mourning. Curufin takes to their easy banter with such grace that Lup can't help but follow, managing a grin his way.]

Yeah, I figured. My boys are the same way. Shit goes down and they suddenly forget all about taking care of themselves. I thought you could use a competent woman kicking in your door and saving the day.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin responds to that grin with one of his own. He too is at home in the element of laughter and banter, and it is easy to slip into it, particularly because he knows it will please Lup. ]

Save us, Lup! [ And he really does have to laugh at the image her words evoke. ] I'm seeing you diving out of the sky with your hero's cape flaring behind you, and in your arms are the Amulets of Protection, pie, stew, and bread! The items which evil can never abide, and which banish all trouble and sorrow! BAM! You kick the door in and are invincible!

[restinglichface]

[Lup's grin is all amusement at the man's words, even if she playfully rolls her eyes, reaching over to bat his arm with her hand.]

Yeesh, you're comin' off a little strong, bud. You know you don't gotta put up an act for me or anything. Whole point of me poppin' over was to check in on you.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ He grins again and gives a mock-cringe at her batting his arm, and then he laughs and bats back. ]

I know. But I can never resist making you laugh, because you like my idiotic sense of humor. [ His eyes soften, and under the laughter, Lup may be able to see the sorrow. ]

Thank you, my friend. I can hardly say how much it means that you came here for us.

[ And if she's in the mood to give a hug, Curufin would greatly appreciate one. ]

[restinglichface]

[The sorrow would be hard to miss, even if it looks so foreign on his face.]

Sure, hun. That's what friends are for an' all, right?

[Hugs aren't too much of a Lup thing, but she slips an arm across his shoulders and tugs him in closer.] Anything we can do to help?

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin leans gingerly into the hug, not wanting to ask for more than Lup would be comfortable with giving. But when he feels that the embrace is given genuinely, he sighs and relaxes into it. ]

This is good. . . [ It's hard even to describe just how comforting this is. ]

You could give me a ten, next time. [ He grins, still leaning against her. He can't resist making a reference to that silly hotness-rating net post that he found so entertaining. The twins have a gift for involving others in activities that are enjoyable, and if they can create so much fun and laughter, then they deserve credit. Always. ]

hope this isn't too late!

[roseofthetyrells]

[no, she hasn't been. of course, she could have made it in and out with none the wiser if Margaery hadn't been going from one room to the next, a tray with a tea set on it in her hands.

when she sees the amount of food the new elf is carrying, she immediately sets the tray down on a small end-table and goes towards her, hands outstretched]

Come, you must let me help you carry all of that inside. It smells delicious.

Never BOO!!

[restinglichface]

[Like Lup could ever say no to a woman as gorgeous as her.]

Oh, sure! Thanks. I was trying to be a little more stealth, but - [She shrugs, passing off a large bowl. The elf can handle the rest.]

Yay!

[roseofthetyrells]

[gorgeous, hmm? if she heard herself described as such, she'd be preening]

There's no need to hide your concern for your friends. I'm sure they'll appreciate your efforts. [she takes the large bowl from Lup and is ready to follow her wherever she plans to take the rest of the food]

Re: Yay!

[restinglichface]

[Look, it's probably because of Lup's player being hopelessly in love with Natalie Dormer, but gORGEOUS.]

It's less about hidin' my concern and more about not wanting to embarrass 'em, you know? Elves never wanna talk about their feelings where I'm from. They wanna keep up the prim an' proper act an' pretend everything is all great, even when it's not.

Re: Yay!

[roseofthetyrells]

[who isn't hopelessly in love with Natalie Dormer? <3 <3 <3 ]

Ah, I see. I can understand the similarities between your homeworld's Elves and the Elves here, but such is their loss this time, I'm not sure they'll be able to maintain the mask.

[restinglichface]

[Even Lup can't hide the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth, the tick downwards, the soft crease of worry between her brows. Knowing elves as well as she does, she knows just how hard a blow this must be to be hurting them this much.]

I'm Lup, bee-tee-dubs. I'm a pal of Curufin's.

[roseofthetyrells]

[and Margaery is in one of her more subdued dresses. no showy amount of cleavage, no backlessness. she's been fetching tea and sitting with those who need a companion for some time. anything to feel like she's contributing]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Lup. My name is Margaery Tyrell, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. [a short, mirthless laugh] Not that it means much here. But I, too, am a friend of Curufin's and of Maglor's. I was a friend of Celebrimbor's.

[restinglichface]

Hm, not the first queenie I've met in this place, but I guess you're right. The liches in charge don't seem to give a damn about title. We're all kinda tossed around to their liking no matter what.

[A friend to all of the elves, huh? That must make this so much harder.] Sorry for your loss. I didn't know the guy super well, but. Losing family like that is never easy.