Catching up with cousins.

[forging_gold]

Aredhel: *brings Mae to visit his new favorite uncle Maglor, knocking on his door*

Maglor: *goes to answer* Aredhel! *surprised*

Aredhel: *smiles* Hello, Maglor! I hope we're not interrupting, but I thought Mae'd like to visit his uncle.

Maeglin: Hiiiiiiiiiiii unca Maglor!

Maglor: Not at all! Please, come in. *steps aside* Hello, Maeglin.

Maeglin: *grins and holds his hands out for "up"!*

Aredhel: How are you doing lately? I haven't seen you in some time.

Maglor: *obliges, propping Maeglin on his hip* I've been well. And you?

Maeglin: *happily looks around* Unca's house?

Aredhel: Quite well, thank you. *smiles at Mae* He took very quickly to you.

Maglor: Yes, Mae, my house. *to Ar* Apparently I'm good with children. *half shrugs and grins*

Aredhel: *laughs* I'm glad. He loves spending time with his uncles. *looks around herself* You have a nice place.

Maeglin: *wiggles to get down, wants to explore and search for animals*

Maglor: *sets him down - alas has no animals* Thanks. Can I get you something to drink?

Aredhel: Wine, if you have some. *calls out* Mae, don't knock anything over!

Maeglin: *giggles and explores!*

Maglor: *gets them both a glass of wine* Don't worry, there's nothing breakable within child reach.

Aredhel: Oh good. *smiles and sips her wine happily* What have you been up to lately? I think last time I properly saw you was at the festival.

Maglor: Nothing of note really... I amuse myself with music and do little of use. *sits on the sofa* And you? Anything exciting beyond raising that one? *nods to Maeglin*

Aredhel: *settles beside him* Not much myself. I do like to go riding now and again, but mostly it's raising Mae.

Maglor: *nods* He's cute.

Aredhel: He does love his uncles. You all seem to spoil him greatly!

Maglor: It's our job!

Aredhel: *laughs* It's true, that's what uncles do. *pats his knee*

Maglor: Speaking of that...

Aredhel: Hm? *sips her wine*

Maglor: Do you know much history? Or...future history?

Aredhel: You mean Mae's and my future?

Maglor: Actually, no. More...mine.

Aredhel: Oh! No, I don't. I only know mine because I forced it from Turu... Why?

Maglor: Weeeell... I took in two children, at one point. One has shown up here.

Aredhel: Oh? Who are these children?

Maglor: They're names are Elrond and Elros. Twins. Elros is the one who has appeared here.

Aredhel: That's wonderful! Is he here now? I'd love to meet him.

Maglor: *smiles* I've actually left him with Maedhros for the afternoon. But I would like that.

Aredhel: Oh, is he young?

Maglor: *takes a sip of wine* Yes. About seven, I think.

Aredhel: *grins* Mae could finally have an elf friendling! Oh, the mischief they could get into... We'll have to get them together sometime.

Maglor: *nods* They'll love that.

Aredhel: *smiles* So this must be very sudden for you, being a father now... Did you know about the children beforehand, or did you find out after he arrived here?

Maglor: *smiles* No, I knew about them. I remember all of that.

Aredhel: *nods* How far in the future are you from?

Maglor: Pretty far.

Aredhel: So is it strange being here again?

Maglor: Very! Especially since I never was here, in Gondolin.

Aredhel: Oh, I thought at some point... Well, I suppose that makes sense, with Turu's supposed hatred of your family. *little smile, teasing*

Maglor: *wry smile* Yes. And the whole secret thing.

Aredhel: Mhm. Celegorm and I talk sometimes about going away for a week or two to have an adventure. We miss the freedom. Do you?

Maglor: Not quite, not yet anyway. I can see why you and Celegorm do though. You should go.

Aredhel: *smiles* As soon as I can pry him away from his lover.

Maglor: *laughs*

Aredhel: *snickers* You know I'm right. I can barely steal him away for an hour!

Maglor: *grins* Is our dear Cele in love?

Aredhel: *smiles more warmly, truly happy for Cele* He is. Haven't you noticed? He's so much happier these days.

Maglor: I have to admit, it's odd, in a way! He's always been more a heartbreaker type.

Aredhel: *laughs* It's true! I thought he and Lio were just enjoying each others' company until someone else came along... But I'm really happy for them. They both seem so happy and in love.

Maeglin: *buzzing like a bee as he runs around*

Maglor: *nods* Absolutely. *amused by Maeglin*

Aredhel: *smiles at Mae and ruffles his hair as he passes* Are you seeing anyone yourself? Or no plans to settle down yet?

Maglor: No, I'm afraid not.

Aredhel: Afraid not to which question? *grins, poking him*

Maglor: *rubs his arm* The first! I'm not seeing anyone.

Aredhel: No? I heard something different.

Maglor: *arches an eyebrow* Did you now.

Aredhel: Mhm. From my brother. Not about actively seeing, but... there's been some seeing, yes?

Maglor: Does it even qualify as "some"?

Aredhel: Actually, I think you're right. I only mention it because he's a bit traumatized by it. *grins* Are you interested?

Maglor: Am I interested? What a question. *glances at her* Not uninterested.

Aredhel: *laughs* What a backwards way of saying it, Maglor!

Maeglin: *hands up, tired from running, wants in someone's lap*

Maglor: *lifts him up* Ar! I meant... It's a bit of both.

Maeglin: *happily snuggles on Maglor*

Aredhel: *laughs again* Okay. Well, just... be careful with him. He deserves someone to keep him happy, but he's still skittish about the whole idea.

Maglor: I'm not trying to mess him about, I promise. But if he can hardly stand to be in the same room as me, I don't see much chance of anything happening.

Aredhel: Oh sure, nothing soon. But he's had a crush on you on and off since he was young, so clearly it's not going away. If you are interested, nurture it. *smiles*

Maglor: *raises his eyebrows at her*

Aredhel: Just saying!

Maglor: We'll see.

Aredhel: Mhm. *pokes him again and brushes her fingers through Mae's hair* Have you composed anything new recently?

Maglor: A few things. Short pieces mostly.

Aredhel: Anything you could play for me? *hopeful tone, always liked his music*

Maglor: If you insist, spoiled little cousin. *grin*

Aredhel: *grins back and gets his flute for him, since Mae is currently occupying his lap* I am fairly spoiled, aren't I. It comes with being the only girl.

Maglor: *takes the flute, laughing* Quite.

Aredhel: Artanis doesn't count. *grins and settles again to listen, sipping her wine*

Maglor: *sets his own glass down* No? Too holier-than-thou, too uptight, too blonde?

Aredhel: *laughs* Exactly. To all.

Maglor: *chuckles* Terrible. *starts playing*

Aredhel: *happily listens, sipping her wine and tugging Mae over to cuddle him so he can sleep*