faderift | (Deserves it! I daresay he does.)

WHO: Maedhros & Semi-Open
WHAT: The grumpy Forgemaster is suddenly missing - or, at least, rarely seen. If you do spy him, you are in for a mild surprise.
WHEN: During the second part of the illness plot.
WHERE: Kirkwall - in/near his room or out in the gardens.
NOTES: He's blue - and not just emotionally.

I.

All of his work stopped holding sway over him the moment he looked down and saw that his hands were a pale shade of blue. Maedhros knew, from his conversation with Beleth, that he was likely ill. Quite ill, in fact. Yet, until this moment, it hadn't seemed to matter. Fear made his chest clench and he dropped his tools without any regard to where they fell. In the next moment, he had left the Forge, cloaking himself as best as he was able.

He needed to find his family. He needed to...

Not be seen. Eru knew his vanity was nearly nonexistent after the variety of tortures Morgoth had exhibited on his body, but he was blue. As such, he kept to the shadows and cursed each inch of his incredible height. Oh and every strand of his copper hair that had escaped his hood.

His hands shook as he opened doors, searching silently for familiar faces.

Eventually, his will-power would fade and he would bar himself in his room. Even there, he kept himself cloaked. On his door, there was a simple note:

Unwell. Stay away.

II.

Occasionally, he had no choice but to take in some fresh air. Elves were not meant to be cramped indoors and he had never imprisoned himself so. Despite his size, he found a way to slip through a window and into a garden nearby. There, he would sit and let the wind soothe him as much as it could.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The pile of blankets hisses irritably at Maglor's fingers and twitches backwards only to run into the immovable wall of Maedhros.

"Not hungry."

Unamused, Maedhros lifts the blankets and tickles behind Elros's ears and down on his neck. He is taking no prisoners! If he must, he will tickle Elros's feet next.

"Why should we reward such a brat?"

"Hmm...You're right, Nelyo. He is rather spoiled."

Maglor doesn't let up either on the tickling. "We won't let you sleep until you give in, Elros."

That nets a growl, Elros squirming to get away.

"I'm not hungry, damnit! Just let me sleep!"

Maedhros sighs and leans in, kissing Elros's nose. He then presses their too hot foreheads together.

"You will eat when you wake up." he speaks as if it is a done deal. Deal or no deal, foster-son?

Maglor reluctantly follows his brother's lead and stretches out on his side, snuggling against his fosterling. He won't be surprised if he gets a few elbows to the side, but he's not budging.

"We love you, yonya."

Elros eyes him and then Maglor settles in to box him in place.

It's comforting, and despite everything he relaxes, and nods.

"Alright."

Maedhros reaches over Elros to grasp his brother's hand. It is so blue and his stomach turns with worry.

And nausea.

Unfortunately he will not be staying still as a result. He releases Maglor's hand and rises from the bed in one smooth motion, hurrying to the attached bathing room.

Maglor smiles and kisses Elros on the forehead. "Thank you."

He clasps his brother's hand in return before frowning in worry when Maedhros flees to the bathroom. He looks uncertainly at his fosterling before sighing and rolling off to get back to his feet and stumble a few steps after his brother before regaining his balance.

Elros won't be going anywhere right? And his brother needs him... So he hurries after him to hold the red hair out of the way.

Elros lifts his head as they both stumble out, wearily contemplating if he's going to be of any use right now.

Nah.

Back under the blankets he goes.

He retches as quietly as he can, his body shuddering unhappily. This is disgustingly embarrassing. Thankfully nothing comes up - though that is not from lack of trying! He finally scoots to a corner, drawing his knees to his chest.

"...sorry."

Maglor sings softly to his brother and follows after to wraps his arms around him again when Maedhros is done.

"Hush, Nelyo," he kisses his brother on the forehead. "It is my turn to care for you."

"Need me?"

Elros calls groggily from the bed. He's no Elrond, but he can try.

He motions with his head at the door, immediately regretting the motion.

"Elros - ?" he calls, voice less than steady, "You better stay in bed. We don't need you getting worse."

Shakily, he embraces Maglor to his chest, forcing himself to breathe deeply. His ribs ache under the strain.

"I'll be alright, Kano. Just - Never felt like this before."

"No, I can handle it." Until he gets worse too, naturally!

Maglor snuggles close and rubs his brother's back to try and help soothe and encourage easier breathing.

"...Let's get you back to bed."

Elros lifts his head and reaches to drag Maedhros and Maglor back to bed, sleepily pushing healing at them.

He nods, swallowing roughly. Carefully - with Maglor's aid - he rises and makes his way back to the bed.

"Are you cold?" he frowns worriedly at his brother, lowering himself onto the bed without much coaxing. Elros will soon have the combined warmth of his foster-fathers nestled around him.

Maglor helps his brother to bed and tucks him in before letting Elros tug him in on the other side. He snuggles against their fosterling again before huffing fondly at the energy he feels from him.

"Elros...Save your strength." He blinks at his brother at the worried frown. "...No more than usual," he quietly admits.

"Worried about you." Elros grumbles in return, but stops - he's too tired to push too far.

He sags against the bed, gritting his teeth against how his body wants to shiver and shake. Stubbornly, he shifts the blankets so that they completely cover Maglor too.

"We can withstand it." he mutters, stroking back Elros's hair before he touches his brother's cheek, "Stay close. We will be warmer that way."

Maglor rests his forehead against the back of Elros' head and makes himself comfortable under the blankets his brother tosses over them all.

"Focus on healing yourself, we will follow."

He smiles softly and nuzzles his brother's hand. "Not going anywhere, Nelyo."

"Am pretty sure that's not how it works."

Elros grunts, but his eyes flutter shut under the attention.

"Must you continuously argue?" Maedhros murmurs and reaches for one of Elros's hands, squeezing it under the blankets. He then uses his free hand to check Maglor's temperature, stroking over his forehead.

"Rest, Kano. Your skin is too hot."