#this logic will extend to Elrond's kids but not to Galadriel or Earendil

[fuckingfinwions]

Scene: Alqualonde. The ship is docked, and most of the people are off it. There is a large happy crowd at the edge of the dock centered around Galadriel. Maglor and Elrond are walking briskly away trying not to attract attention.

A messenger stopped them, wearing a Finwean sun that marked her of the palace staff. She spoke in Quenya, “Excuse me lords, are you Prince Canafinwe and Lord Elrond?”

Maglor stood stock still.

“I am Lord Elrond, yes.”

“I am here to invite you both to the royal palace in Tirion. There’s a carriage ready, and a cart will be sent back to the ship to collect the rest of your things.”

“Hardly worth it for me,” Maglor said. “I have little, and I doubt I’ll need any of it much longer.”

“As you say, your highness. King Nelyafinwe made it clear to the palace staff that we are not to dispose of anything without your order, but that you likely have been living in circumstances below your station. There is a room set aside for you with a basic wardrobe including jewelry, and of course any member of the royal orchestra would be honored to lend you an instrument.”

Elrond said, “King Nelyafinwe? I had thought Maedhros was dead, and King Finarfin ruled Tirion, has the convention for titles changed?”

“Oh, not at all your lordship. King Nelyafinwe, known in Beleriand as Lord Maedhros, indeed died at the end of the first age, but he returned to life several centuries ago. Arafinwe returned the crown to the eldest line of the house of Finwe, as is proper.“

Maglor forced out a whisper, “And my younger brothers? Have they also been permitted to return?”

“Yes your highness, they have. All five of the other high princes dwell in the palace, as do most of the house of Finwe. I must sadly inform you that your father King Feanor is not yet returned to life, nor is your grandfather King Finwe.”

Elrond said,“The return of the House of Finwe, and the house of Feanor in particular, allays more worries than you can believe. I had been prepared to travel with Maglor through all of Valinor in disguise until we plead our case to Manwe himself, but I am glad not to need to.”

“Oh, certainly not your lordship! Manwe is quite content to leave elves to manage our own affairs these days, especially when we have such a skilled leader as King Nelyafinwe.”

“As grateful as I am for the offer of a carriage, would it still be available tomorrow? It has been long years since I was last in a elven city on the sea, and I find it nostalgic.”

“The carriage will be available whenever you wish it. But If I may be so bold as to offer advice, I would recommend that Prince Macalaure at least travel today. The city of Alqualonde will be far more welcoming to Lord Elrond on his own.”

“Even after so long? Have none in Tirion been willing to bend their heads and apologize, or none in Alqualonde willing to hear it? ”

“Restitution was made back in the First Age, and King Olwe accepted it. He objected though to King Nelyafinwe resuming the kingship, seeing an insult to his son-in-law and grandchildren. He also objects to a lot of customs that differ from Alqualonde, and the King sees no reason to force the Noldor to give up our traditions. Some Noldor visit Alqualonde, and a few Teleri visit Tirion, but official diplomatic visits are far between. The final son of Feanor preferring to stay in another city rather than return to his home will be an incident of some sort, though perhaps not a violent one.”

Maglor was on the edge of tears, whether of joy or fear even he could hardly say. But he would not show weakness in front of this stranger, not while he didn’t know if it was true and he hardly recalled how a prince should behave if it was.

“Is there an inn with private rooms in this part of the city?” Elrond asked. “This has been a very tiring day, and I would like a quiet place to collect my thoughts for an hour or two.”

“Of course, right this way.”

They reached the inn, and Elrond payed for a room. The messenger made to leave, but Elrond stopped her.

“Is there a noticeboard or town crier for reconnecting with those who sailed earlier? I stayed long in Middle Earth, and there are those I would dearly like to see again.”

“Each city has records of it’s citizens for taxes and other official purposes. All will confirm if someone resides in the city or not, and in TIrion they will also pass on a message. If whoever your lordship wishes to find is not a citizen of Tirion though, there’s no way to know if they’re in Tol Eressea, Alqualonde, Valmar or New Doriath without traveling there. If they were noble or famous I might know; its a messengers job to find people.”

Elrond swallowed. “My wife, Celebrian, sailed five hundred years ago, to seek what healing could be found in Valinor. Is she...”

“The Lady Celebrian recovered from her wounds and lives in Tirion. I don’t believe she resides in the palace itself, but I can certainly show you her house when we reach the city.”

“Thank you.” Elrond was relieved, though also a little surprised. Celebrian had always considered herself Sindarin, and found even Imladris to be annoyingly urban at at times. But he had never actually been to Tirion; perhaps it was a mix of all the elven kindreds with parks as common as forges. 

The messenger left Elrond then, promising to be back in two hours once he had a chance to rest and make a decision.

Maglor was incredibly tense in the room. “Do you think it’s real?”

“If a lie, it was be a risky one. There are many who would react poorly to learning that Maedhros is once more alive and in command.”

“She did ask first, who we were. A Feanorian is likely to approve of other Feanorians wandering loose.”

“Perhaps, though there are rumors that have all seven of you slitting each other’s throats. Someone would have to talk with a soldier of yours at the very least to find out otherwise. And she called you a prince, even before she was certain.”

“Yes. Prince Canafinwe, the most formal address possible. I haven’t been him since before my father died.”

“Being accustomed to Sindarin names can’t be that rare; I expect they’ll call you whichever name you wish. I certainly don’t want to go by Elerondo.”

“Maybe. If they’re telling the truth, I suppose I can just order all the staff to call me Lord Maglor instead. And if they’re lying, I’m sure they’ll switch to a ruder address soon enough.”

“I really doubt that they’re lying.”

“Maybe, but still I am nervous. I know you have already done much for me in Imladris and on the journey, but would you do me one favor more? Would you come with me to Tirion and stand with me before the king? I know that you have things to do first, reuniting with your wife for one. I could wait in this inn while you do so, and not leave the room to avoid being recognized.”

“That is hardly necessary. The messenger informed me that Celebrian is in Tirion, and after five hundred years we can both endure another hour easily enough. I will speak to the king, and Maedhros will make me feel like a very skilled child, and you will see your brothers again.”

“He doesn’t mean to condescend, it’s just habit from being the eldest sibling.”

“I know, I’m just out of habit to speaking with people older than me this past Age.”