Chapter Text
“You cannot be serious.” Maglor stated when Elrond informed him that he expected his foster father to come with him to Valinor. He had mentioned it before, but back then it had sounded more like one of those empty threats one made to get children to behave. But apparently Elrond was indeed serious.
“Oh, I am deadly serious.” Elrond replied calmly, confirming Maglor’s thoughts.
“You do remember that I am exiled, yes?” Maglor asked. “Forbidden from returning to the Blessed Realm forever.”
“Yes, but now that the ring is destroyed and Sauron defeated for good, the Valar have issued a pardon for all the remaining Noldor who rebelled.” Elrond told him. Most of them had been forgiven at the end of the First Age, but not the leaders, like Galadriel, like Maglor.
“I still do not believe that.” Maglor said. “That Galadriel has been forgiven, yes, she did good in the last two Ages, and she resisted the lure of the ring, but me? What have I done that would warrant a pardon? A pardon that I did not even ask for or want.”
“I understand that you still think you did nothing wrong, but that is not the point here.” Elrond stated. “I am leaving the mortal world behind forever, I am leaving my daughter and a son behind forever, I want at least my father to come with me.”
“Earendil is surely eagerly awaiting you in Valinor.” Maglor muttered.
“I hope he is, but I still want you to come with me.” Elrond replied. “And Mithrandir assures me that you can return to Valinor. And I am sure we can agree that he would know best.”
“Does he? He barely remembers his name.” Maglor pointed out. The one he had had in Valinor was hardly more than a rumor to himself, and here he had so many that Maglor would not be surprised if he had forgotten a few of those too.
“But he does remember it.” Elrond smiled at him triumphantly. “You can argue for as long as you want, Atto, you are coming with me.”
“And if you keep being such an idiot about it, we will just drug you and carry you onto the ship.” Celebrian added with a pleasant smile.
“I am sure that is not allowed.” Maglor pointed out.
“Maybe, but who would gainsay me?” Celebrian asked. “Besides, anyone tries to harm you once we are in Valinor will have to answer to me.”
“Ah, now I feel completely safe.” Maglor said. “Though I am not sure who would win a battle, you or my mother. She will be very cross with me.”
“Not your wife?” Elrond asked surprised.
“I very much doubt she will want to have anything to do with me anymore, and I do not blame her for that.” Maglor shrugged. “Which is why it is better if I stay here.”
“No.” Elrond stated.
“Celeborn will be staying too.” Maglor pointed out.
“Father is just being stubborn.” Celebrian said. “He will come eventually, probably with Elladan and Elrohir.”
“If they can stay, why cannot I do the same?” Maglor asked, again.
“Because you might use the opportunity to disappear again.” Elrond told him. “I will not risk that again. You are coming with us, so we can keep an eye on you.”
Maglor sighed. “This is a bad idea.”
But he was outnumbered and no amount of protest was going to change Elrond’s plan of dragging him to the Undying Lands, therefore, after a couple of days, Maglor acquiesced and helped with the planning. And there was a surprising amount of organizing to do. Who would come along right away, who would stay behind for now, who would bring what? Maglor had not had to keep so many minute facts in his head since the last time he had gone to Caranthir to trade with him. His little brother had had a mean streak when it came to negotiating, especially with people who came unprepared. And that included his brothers.
“Have you thought about where you will live?” Maglor asked a few days after the official announcement that the lord and lady of Imladris would sail west had been made.
“Tol Eressea, probably.” Elrond replied. “At first, at least. Most new arrivals stay there for a while. Glorfindel says that is helps them get acclimated to Valinor. After that they can go wherever they wish, though many just stay on.”
“We will make a final decision once we are there and see how it goes.” Celebrian added.
“You know, your families will probably want you to stay with them.” Maglor pointed out.
Celebrian chuckled. “Yes, but since there are bound to be many of them living all over Valinor, that might be a bit problematic. Getting our own place will be the most practical solution. And yes, you will be staying with us.”
“That may not be allowed.” Maglor said. “I might just be executed the moment I step off the ship.”
Elrond gave him a long-suffering look. “Stop being so dramatic. No one is going to execute you. We will not allow it. Nor will we allow you to be arrested, or incarcerated. At least not without a fair trial.”
“That is comforting.” Maglor dead-panned. “And who will decide whether the trial is fair? If they even bother with one?”
“Well, us, of course.” Celebrian replied with utter confidence in her voice. “Now, stop worrying, it will be alright.”