In which Grima finds out who I am

[caranthir]

I was sitting calmly in Celegorm's garden...

Grima: *overheard at work the strange conversation between 'Loras' and Celegorm, and decided to follow him today*

Caranthir: *is sitting outside Celegorm's house, thinking of the meeting with Turgon. He still fels a bit hurt because Fëanor didn't tell him about the Silmaril...*

Grima: why, Loras, this isn't your home, is it? *looks up at the well-appointed house that Turgon gave Celegorm to shut him up* That's a bit much for a scribe.

Caranthir: *starts a bit, then frowns* No, this is not my house. I am just visiting a friend. *comes out of Celegorm's garden* Now you follow the scribes around?



Grima: I have business in this side of the city *smiles smoothly* Who is this friend? Was it that elf from the other day? He certainly cut an impressive figure.

Caranthir: What I do after work s not your business, Grima.

Grima: I'm just trying to be friendly. You've kept so much to yourself, I worry you don't feel welcomed

Caranthir: Yaban is my friend. I feel welcomed enough, so you don't need to worry *doesn't believe in Grima's words*

Grima: *snorts* The Easterling? I didn't know they could have friends.

Caranthir: He is a Man, like you. Can you have friends, Grima?

Grima: I have friends. *has people he hasn't backstabbed yet* I'm sorry, I'm still curious about your friend. He looks so familiar. *taps his chin, making a show of thinking*

Caranthir: *doesn't know if Grima knows about Celegorm being in Gondolin* I am going to my apartment now. Good night, Grima.

Grima: Oh! I know! He's a son of Feanor! I saw a painting of his family in the records. *smirking, looking Caranthir right in the eye* And he called you brother.

Caranthir: *stiffens* I'm a Noldo. Of course he would call me brother.

Grima: The whole family was in the portrait. Does the king know you're hiding in his city?

Caranthir: Damn you! I'm not hiding!

Grima: Oh, of course, 'Loras'. *low bow* If you'll excuse me, I suddenly have business elsewhere.

Caranthir: *grabs Grima's arm* You'd better stay silent if you know what is good for you, Grima.

Grima: Why, Loras, are you threatening me? This is a whole new side of you *shocked look*

Caranthir: *lets go of Grima's arm* What do you want, Grima? *fears his family will get entangled in the mess*

Grima: Nothing from you.

Caranthir: I don't understand...

Grima: As I said, I have business elsewhere. *another bow* Do enjoy your day with your brother, family is so important.

Caranthir: I hope you know what is good for you, Grima.

Grima: I always do. *leaves, not heading directly to the tower as long as Caranthir can see him*

Caranthir: *still wants to live with Celegorm, but for now he decides to go to his apartment. He has to bring his things anyway*

Grima: *went straight to Turgon, weaseled his way past Gelgannel and told everything to the king and was thanked for his service*

Turgon: *comes with some guards to Caranthir's apartment after determining he wasn't at Celegorm's*

Caranthir: *sees the guards, decides he won't run away from Turgon*

Turgon: *irritated at his cousin's disrespect, but knocks*

Caranthir: *opens the door, tries to look older than his age* Turukano.

Turgon: ...you're a child. *rubs the bridge of his nose* This may explain some of my questions.

Caranthir: I'm not a child. I'm of age, cousin.

Turgon: *waves his guards away* Of course. Why didn't you come to me? I just found out you've been living in my city secretly. My own family.

Caranthir: *is surprised that Turgon sent the guards away* Come in, cousin. Sit down. *sits down too* At first I was simply too confused. I was in Valinor in the year Father created the Silmarils, and then I was in the House of History, in some secret city and you were the king. I wanted to understand, so I started to read... I didn't think you would want to see me after all that happened. I read about the kinslaying at Alqualondë, your wife's death... What does it matter if I am young? In the future, in that future, I did terrible things.

Turgon: *sits across from Caranthir, looking patient* ...you haven't. I accepted this with Maedhros. You are both innocent of the crimes that occurred, and it would be wrong of me to hold you responsible for them. Now... *frowns* I will tell you the truth, it is not easy to look on the faces of you and your brothers. But excepting Celegorm and your father, you are without stains.

Caranthir: I understand, cousin, but Turko and Father are my family, no matter what they did. And it seems I helped them in that future, so if you want me in jail now... *shrugs* Do what you have to do, but Turko and Father didn't hide me. They only found me today. Maitimo doesn't even know I am here.

Turgon: Right now? I'm just disappointed, not angry. I'm not going to imprison you, but I am going to keep in mind that those two hid you. They didn't come to me immediately as they should have.

Caranthir: *angry* They did not! Turko just offered me a place in his home, and Father said we woud go to see you tomorrow so you knew I was here. You brought guards, so you were going to imprison me. Leave them out of this.

Turgon: I brought guards in case you turned out to be violent at being discovered.

Caranthir: *is apalled* I was never violent with you, and I was older back then. Was I later...? *feels sick at the thought*

Turgon: *holds out his hands* Being king means planning for every eventuality. *does not mention that Grima told him Caranthir had been threatening*

Caranthir: *aware that he can be quite short tempered* I love my father, and I would do anything he asked, but I would never try to kill you. The Teleri... they had bows and arrows and they fired on us. I am sorry Elenwë died, cousin, ad I am sorry we... that future me burned the ships... but my first loyalty is still with my father and brothers.

Turgon: That didn't work out so well for you, historically.

Caranthir: No, I died. I could not stop Dior from killing Turko. *closes eyes, headache building*

Turgon: Speaking of that. His mother is in the city. I would... be cautious if you encounter Luthien.

Caranthi: *nods*

Turgon: Do you understand that you've been given a second chance? To not make the same mistakes as last time?

Caranthir: I hadn't made those mistakes when I was dragged here, but yes, I understand. What don't understand is why we were brought to your city, where everyone who nows what we did is bound to hate us, or dislike us.

Turgon: I look to find that out myself. *looks at Caranthir* You're innocent, as I said. And now that I know you're here, I'll watch out for you. You're family. Come to me if there's anything you need *gets up*

Caranthir: *stands up too* Thank you. I won't be returning to the House of History, not after what Grima did.

Turgon: I believe he was acting in the interests of the city. But if that's your will... I rather liked the idea of one of us having an honest job, I admit.

Caranthir: I like working there... As long as I don't have to work with Grima...

Turgon: I can arrange it to limit your encounters with him.

Caranthir: Thank you, cousin. That would be kind of you.

Turgon: And I meant it. Come to me if you have problems.

Caranthir: I will. I think now that maybe we came here so we could learn to be a family. I hope it works.

Turgon: I'd like that.