A friendly chat

[irisse]

Aredhel: *pokes her head in Turgon's office* Brother?

Turgon: Come for your son?

Aredhel: Mhm. How was he?

Turgon: there was a tantrum around noon, but food fixed it

Aredhel: Ahh, good. *smiles and scoops her son up, snuggling him* Hi, darling. Mommy missed you. Were you good for uncle Turu?

Maeglin: *sleepy noise and droops back into asleep toddlermode*

Aredhel: *laughs and kisses his head, hugging him close* I'm glad you two are getting along. *sits in an empty chair*

Turgon: I like kids. It's been a long time since I had one to take care of. For some reason Idril doesn't let me confine her to a pen for my own amusement

Aredhel: *smirks* Yes, she's a bit old for that now... You seem less lonely these days. What's the reason for that?

Turgon: well, I've been keeping company with a human woman, and I've got Fingon, Finrod, and Lio to keep me out of trouble, and Maglor keeps stopping by...

Aredhel: And you're not so confined to your office lately... *smiles* Who's this woman?

Turgon: her name's Eowyn. She's a healer. *pleased smile*

Aredhel: *warmly* I'm glad you've found a companion, Turu

Turgon: I wouldn't call her a COMPANION...

Aredhel: No? What then?

Turgon: a friend

Aredhel: Are you sure that's all it is?

Turgon: hmph. Interrogated by my sister. What world is this?

Aredhel: *grins* Your sister loves you and likes to see you happy, that's all.

Turgon: good. I feel the same about her

Aredhel: *smiles and reaches out for his hand, squeezing it* So tell me more about this friend of yours

Turgon: well, she's from the future. Her people deal in horses, primarily.

Aredhel: Oh? And she's a healer here?

Turgon: *nods* And... *frowns* she had a husband and children in her time

Aredhel: They were left behind when she came here, or she outlived them?

Turgon: left behind. *sighs*

Aredhel: Oh, I'm sorry... And you really like her... *rubs the back of his hand with her thumb*

Turgon: I didn't say I liked her!

Aredhel: *amused look* I can tell, darling one

Turgon: sure you can. *sour look*

Aredhel: *sighs* Do you want to pretend that you don't?

Turgon: it's not pretending

Aredhel: *gives him a look that she knows* Stop lying, Turu. It's time to move on...

Turgon: We're not supposed to 'move on'. 'Moving on' led to the kinslaying

Aredhel: *sighs* You can't mourn her forever, either.

Turgon: I'll see her again one day

Aredhel: And until then? She wouldn't want you lonely all that time.

Turgon: Let's talk about where your son is picking up barking habits

Turgon: he was barking at poor Idril3, who I know did not teach him because Idril3 yips

Aredhel: *shakes her head, amused, and lets him change the subject* Probably from Huan. He's around too many animals. He needs other children...

Turgon: Eowyn, she has a little girl, but... too old for Mae and scared of elves

Turgon: Celegorm is a terrible influence

Aredhel: He is not! He's been really good with Mae. *rocks her baby* Find him some playmates, though. Surely there are other children in the city...

Turgon: I'll see what I can do.

Turgon: We've got enough humans that if you wait a year or two, he'll have playmates

Aredhel: *small grin* Okay. Spread the word for me, though. *kisses Mae's forehead, taking a moment to look at him, noting Eol's features in Mae's face* ...he looks a lot like his father.

Turgon: ...mng. Hopefully that'll fade

Aredhel: ...mmn. *soft sigh*

Turgon: he'll be much better looking if he takes after you

Aredhel: Perhaps. *brushes his hair back* Anyway, friends. He needs them. As do you. Lady friends. *grins*

Turgon: he's ten!

Aredhel: I didn't say he needed lady friends!

Turgon: oh

Turgon: I do NOT

Aredhel: You do too!

Turgon: You hush

Aredhel: *grins and blows him a kiss* You love me.

Turgon: I do love you. But stop meddling

Aredhel: I don't meddle. *pointed look at him*

Turgon: mng

Aredhel: This woman makes you happy, so enjoy it.

Turgon: I will. Now go take him home before he gets awake and realizes he has to leave.

Aredhel: *nods and gets up, leaning over to kiss his cheek, and smiles, heading off to put Mae to bed*

Maeglin: *snuggles in his sleep, hand holding onto the sleeve of Ar's dress*

Aredhel: *sits next to him and brushes his hair back fondly* I love you, my tiny one

The longer I'm here, the bigger Maeglin gets, the more I'm finding I miss Eol... He manipulated me to gain my love, but in the end, I did love him. His death was abrupt and truly unexpected. I know why Turu did it. I know he worried about me, wanted to save me, and finally did. But I miss Eol still. As Mae grows, I know he'll continue to remind me of Eol... I hope he never asks where his father is. I won't know how to answer him...