"The Best Company" by Independence1776

[independence1776]

B2MeM Challenge: This fic uses “Books! Create something from the Library of Rivendell: Any kind of fanwork - story, art, craft - show us or tell us about a book/scroll/manuscript from Elrond’s library” and touches on two others (an injured Maglor brought back to Rivendell by Elrond and anything about idioms and translation).
Format: Ficlet
Genre: Gen
Rating: General
Warnings: None
Characters: Elrond, Maglor
Pairings: None
Creators' Notes (optional): Many thanks to Elleth for the beta and also to SurgicalSteel for medical advice. The title comes from this Sydney Smith quote: “Live always in the best company when you read.”
Summary: Books can keep people close even if they’re far away.

The Best Company

The book sat on a shelf in Imladris’ library, rarely touched. It didn’t take pride of place among the books of the Eastern languages; it was a copy and not in the author’s hand.

On occasion, though, on certain days of the year or when specific songs were sung in the Hall of Fire, Elrond would go to the library and pull the Variag-Westron dictionary off the shelf. He would stand there, slowly flipping through the pages. When the book had been made he did not know, nor why the trader who had overwintered in Imladris one year had it. But he could imagine the hot, dry air of the steppe surrounding the scribe as he worked, could imagine the time and care spent to make the book as useful as possible, could understand why Maglor would to turn scribing to make a living.

But he knew nothing more than that.

It was then Elrond would close the book, run his fingers over the camel-leather cover, and slide it gently back onto the shelf where it would remain until the next time he thought of his foster-father.

* * * * *

Maglor reached for the camel-leather book on the shelf, nearly hidden between two larger tomes, and carefully pulled it out. He nodded to himself when he saw the title and opened the book to a random page in the middle, recognizing his own handwriting. He turned when he heard footsteps on the flagstone floor behind him. He raised an eyebrow, but smiled at Elrond. “How did you come to have this?”

Elrond half-smiled. “A trader a couple of decades ago had it. I don’t know how it came to him; all he said was that he’d picked it up in Gondor.”

Maglor shut the book and slid it back onto the shelf. “The author hired me to make a dozen copies for her trade caravans. Tidir wanted there to be less chance of misunderstandings between her people and the Gondorians. Trade happens, but with the constant tensions between the countries, it was safer for them to have their own copies rather than be forced to rely on the diplomats for every problem.”

Elrond nodded. “How well did you know Tidir?” Maglor moved to the nearest chair and sat down, getting the weight off his ankle. Elrond sat down next to him. “And how is the boot working?”

Maglor said, “Very well.” He’d completely torn the ligaments when he’d slipped off a boulder near the sea, and despite Elven healing, his ankle would never be the same. The lace-up boot with its built-in supports would ensure that his ankle had the support it now needed. “I knew Tidir well; she was a dear friend. When I left Khand a dozen years ago, she was still the reigning matriarch of her house. But I cannot stay in one place overly long, no matter how friendly, and if I am away from the sea too long…”

Elrond frowned faintly. “The Sea-longing or--”

“The Silmaril.” Maglor rubbed the fingers of his left on the ugly scar that covered his right palm. “It calls to me sometimes.” He fell silent for a bit, trying not to think about why, and finally met Elrond’s eyes. “I know you worry about me, that you wonder how I am doing, how I am surviving, or even if I’m still among the living. But--” he looked around at the library, the people scattered around reading or researching, the garden and the mountains beyond the windows-- “I cannot stay among the Elves. Do not ask me to.”

“I won’t.” Elrond reached out and placed a hand on Maglor’s. “All I ask is that you write to me when you are able.”

Maglor thought about his lonely wanderings, his journeys in the empty parts of the world, and his occasional forays into larger towns and cities. “I cannot guarantee it will be often, or that my letters will be long, but I will try as best I can.”

“Thank you.” Elrond leaned back in his chair. “What is Khand like?”

Maglor smiled. “The stars are different.”

* * * * *

In Elrond’s library, there was a book in the section about the Eastern countries. It was not often read save by those who were curious about Khand’s history and culture, or those who wished to read about one merchant family in particular. For Elrond, though, it was a gift that both kept Maglor living in Imladris well past the time his ankle had needed to heal, and for the detailed glimpse of several decades of Maglor’s life it let Elrond have.

Comments

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this. I liked the idea of the dictionary.

[independence1776]

Thank you!

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

Oh, Indy, this is absolutely lovely. I want more than anything to believe that Elrond got to see Maglor again in Middle-earth. I also like to think of how Maglor might have spent all those years.

I really liked this beautiful imagery:

But he could imagine the hot, dry air of the steppe surrounding the scribe as he worked, could imagine the time and care spent to make the book as useful as possible, could understand why Maglor would to turn scribing to make a living.

I also like your description of/concept for why Maglor always returned to the sea:

But I cannot stay in one place overly long, no matter how friendly, and if I am away from the sea too long…”

Elrond frowned faintly. “The Sea-longing or--”

“The Silmaril.” Maglor rubbed the fingers of his left on the ugly scar that covered his right palm. “It calls to me sometimes.”

I really love your characterization of both Maglor and Elrond.

Thank you so much for sharing this here.

[independence1776]

Thank you! I like to think that Elrond and Maglor saw each other again in Middle-earth, but it doesn't always work out that way in my stories. And you know me and me perpetual wandering-Maglor stories…

I'm glad you liked that bit of description. Odd thing is, that's not my normal interpretation of why Maglor returns to the sea, but it fit this version of him.

You're welcome, and thank you for reading!

[zopyrus.livejournal.com]

I like this very much--if Elrond has a meaningful relationship with Maglor as an adult, despite everything, I think this is what it would look like. You write their interactions in a very understated way, but the affection between them is obvious and believable; and I like the reason you give for Maglor's exile, part choice and part compulsion.

I also really like the glimpse you give of Tidir, and her dictionary--it's a lovely bit of world-building.

[independence1776]

Thank you! I usually write Elrond and Maglor having a functional relationship, as I'm one of the people who thinks Elrond considers Maglor his father (my version of Elrond does not remember Eärendil at all, save for maybe glimpes in the War of Wrath). The compulsion thing is not my usual interpretation; it just flowed onto the page and felt right for this version of Maglor.

I'm glad you liked the glimpse of Tidir.

[rakshathedemon.livejournal.com]

A lovely story; I always enjoy stories about the familial relationship of Elrond and Maglor.

I've always thought that Elrond would not remember Earendil; in my headcanon Elrond and Elros were very young, babies or toddlers, when their natural father left.

Love it that Maglor comes to periodically visit Elrond in Rivendell.

[independence1776]

Thank you!

That's generally what I think, too, and also that they only barely remember Elwing as they were about four when the Kinslaying happened. (I ignore the timeline in HoME that says they're six or so; I didn't know about it when I decided their age, and I don't really have a reason to change my mind.)

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Ooh, a very artful incorporation of those prompts. I like how the two books bracket Maglor's stay in Imladris (great detail about the camel leather). The bit about the Silmaril is haunting; I hadn't considered it that way, but it makes perfect sense.

[independence1776]

Thank you! The first book section was-- if I couldn't get my writing mojo back-- would have been the fic I posted. And after I did get it back, the parallel structure fit in; it didn't seem right to end it with the conversation. I usually don't consider Maglor to be haunted by the Silmaril to that extent (I normally consider him ending the oath by voluntarily tossing the Silmaril into the Sea), but it flowed onto the page and fits this version of Maglor.

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

Two wonderful books for Elrond to have, holding a tangible part of his foster father's life for him. Lovely!

[independence1776]

Thank you!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

How skilfully those prompts have come together here - I, too, want to believe that they would meet, sometimes, like this.

I want more of Tidir's story now... perhaps that book that Maglor wrote before he travelled on.

[independence1776]

Thank you! Whether they meet or not varies story by story, but I like to think they do, too.

Sadly, I know nothing else about her.

[silver-trails.livejournal.com]

Beautiful story. I like Elrond's and Maglor's characterizations, and their interaction with each other.

[independence1776]

Thank you!

[suzll.livejournal.com]

This is positively lovely! I love the gentle, measured relationship you craft between Elrond and Maglor, and the idea for the book is perfect.

[independence1776]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed their relationship; it's one of my favorites to write about.

[hhimring]

I really like this.
It's sort of quiet and well rounded, I feel?
Eastern cultures was also a prompt, so you've touched on that one, too, as well as the others, and in a very effective way.

[independence1776]

Thank you! Quiet is definitely what I was going for.

The three prompts I listed are the ones I deliberately used. If it touches on others, it wasn't intentional. (Not that they're bad prompts; I was either unaware of or forgot about them.) Still, I'm glad you think it was effective.

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

Elrond has many useful books in his library it would seem, and I am not surprised that some of them would come from Maglor! I really enjoyed this :)

[independence1776]

Thank you!

[ladyelleth.livejournal.com]

I already gave you my thoughts on this, so just in brief - I like very much what you made of the final version, and will continue to be intrigued by Tidir. :)

[independence1776]

Thank you!

[ignoblebard.livejournal.com]

I love the idea that Maglor and Elrond kept in touch, as well as the idea that Maglor must always return to the sea. Also that Maglor would be compiling a dictionary for the trade routes. A very nice read.

[independence1776]

Thank you!