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The sun’s rays warmed you to your very core as you sprawled out on the grass beside Maedhros. When he’d asked you to spend the day with him, this was not what you’d expected. While you’d gotten to know him quite well since coming to Himring with your father, a diplomat, you still viewed him as rather intimidating and not the sort to spend afternoons lazing in fields with humans.
Perhaps it was the fact he was so ancient compared to you, having been born before the sun had even risen. Or maybe it was the stories that intimidated you the most. Maedhros was just as feared as he was respected, having a reputation for being somewhat unpredictable since his rescue from Thangorodrim; although he’d always been kind to you.
You shifted slightly on the ground. Maedhros was laying on his back beside you, a respectable distance away. He hadn’t moved in over an hour. You sighed in contentment, feeling more at ease than you had in ages. Maedhros didn’t look so intimidating like this, laying on the ground instead of towering over you, wearing simple clothing instead of his usually decadent robes.
“Are you alright?” Maedhros’ deep voice cut through your thoughts. You hummed.
“Can we stay like this forever?”
You looked over at him. Despite his scars and slightly sunken cheeks, he was still unbelievably handsome. His hair slayed out around him like a halo, expression far more peaceful than you’d seen him wear before. His eyes were closed and face so devoid of lines or the signs of his old age that you could’ve easily been fooled to think he was as young as you.
“I would like that very much órenya…” He murmured, eyes still closed.
You didn’t ask what it meant, not wanting to appear foolish. You’d learnt a little Sindar when you were younger but this sounded different and unfamiliar. There was silence again.
“I really like it here, thank you for inviting me.”
“It’s my pleasure, I thought it only fitting that you come here.”
“Why is that?” You sat up and looked around, leaning back on your hands.
“The view here is one of the best around. So I thought it would be even better to experience the two best sights in this land together.”
“What do you mean?” You were certain you looked stupid now. You looked back at Maedhros to see he’d opened his eyes and was staring at you. While he wasn’t smirking, there was a little smile on his usually downturned mouth. You thought the sight beautiful.
“I mean this place has a beautiful view, it’s the only place worthy of your own beauty, my lady.”
You blushed wildly and stared at him, unsure of how to take such a compliment. Maedhros just stared at you, completely calm before continuing.
“I understand that I am not the best at expressing my feelings so they may come as a surprise to you, but I wish you to know that I’ve fallen irredeemably in love with you.”
You just stared at him in shock, mouth open and gaping. Shifting, Maedhros sat up and shuffled a little closer to you. He took one of your hands in his, considerably taller than you even while sitting down. His gaze was locked onto yours and you found it impossible to look away.
“I brought you here today to ask a very important question. Now, I understand that you are human and I am not. While you will one day die, I shall linger. And when I do eventually die, I will not be reunited with you. That thought saddens me greatly and I have thought on it for a long while. But my conclusion is thus: I would rather spend all the years you have left by your side, confident that you are loved and protected, than see you in the arms of another or gone from my side. I understand that when you die, a part of me will die with you and I shall never be whole again – but it is a small price to pay for a few decades with you. So, dear one, will you allow me the honour of courting you?”
You had no idea what to say to that. While you usually found him intimidating, he was also fair and kind to those who knew him. Since arriving at Himring, you’d found yourself falling seemingly just in love with him as he was with you. Although you wanted to accept his offer, you found yourself hesitating. One day you’d grow old and wither while Maedhros would be strong and young forever. Could you deal with that? Could he? Maedhros noticed your reservations and tilted his head.
“Ageing does not bother me. I’ve known many humans and seen them go grey before my very eyes. Never once has it changed my opinion of them, nor shall it dim my love for you.”
“And what when I die? What then?”
“Your death will tear me apart inside, whether you accept my proposal or not. The least we can do is enjoy your time here while it lasts instead of it being wasted.”
“Then… I accept…”
You let out a breath as you allowed yourself to smile, Maedhros giving you a gentle one in return. He brought your hand up to his mouth and pressed a slow kiss to the back of it, keeping eye contact with you. His eyes were strangely happy, almost sparkling in the sun. You knew then that you’d made the right choice. Courting an elf, and on top of that, a son of Feanor, was a risk, but it was one you were willing to take.