[Introduction] And cursed be thy name ! (From ashes to flesh)

[i_hate_valar]

He went down cursing the Dark Lord - the Enemy, and reminding his sons of their Sacred Duty, now sacred twice over.  He went, then, out to a place unnamed, and his spirit for a time remained in an unexplored and untold limbo.

When Feanaro Finwion finds himself suddenly in a forest, he is quite lost, though loath to admit it, even to himself.

Comments

[mostcraftiest]

Curufin is still trying to reconcile two sets of conflicting (sort of) memories, though he's getting more stable - gathering that yes, he died there but also here, although he doesn't think about that former at all, because if he lives here than he might well live there, somehow, no matter what memories may be trying to tell him.

However, that's one memory he knows well. Kneeling beside his father's body and crying his first, last, and only tears as he watches death come for him. If he were holding anything, it would drop from his nerveless fingers. Standing just in front of the Mansion, Curufin's expression goes from astonished to awed in barely moments.

"--Ata?"

[i_hate_valar]

.... "Curufinwe." A pause, and he looks at his son again. "What are you doing here, boy?" His tone is gentler than to any other of his sons - but not by any means gentle. Likely, Curufin can recognize that nuance, though.

He's certainly more corporeal than last time Curufin saw him - as his body turned to ashes, disintegrating as Feanor's fiery spirit left Beleriand forever.

[mostcraftiest]

Curufin recognizes it, and ohEru, that name he hasn't used since that last time - he kneels, bows his head, even more respectful than the usual and he almost can't keep from shaking. An emotional response? From this one? Well, this is one of the few people who can get one, and he's -

The shock is inexpressible. "--I know not, father. I came here without intention and have been seeking for an answer to that question since." The dying bit can come later. This is not lying, just putting things off.

[i_hate_valar]

-- Weakness. Unbecoming and unacceptable, particularly from our favorite boyo. "Rise, son. Mandos' tricks are not something you may be blamed for." He sniffs at the air, scornfully. "Yet another treachery of the Valar, no doubt. Rise, son."

He'll even so much as lean and drag him to his feet by the tunic, if need be. Father is that nice. Well. To his pet, anyway. And his pet's kid.

[mostcraftiest]

He doesn't want it to be there, but all the same, this is - this is shocking. He stands, though, at the first word and looks probably up at his father. "--no doubt so." He can agree with that. "And all the same, if it brings me to you then I cannot but be a little grateful."

[i_hate_valar]

Aaaaw, Curufin. What a good little lapdog you are to your papa. Not that he doesn't appreciate - on the contrary. The model son in his book, of course - that's what you always were.

"If you are here, then I have hope," he replies on the same tone, and puts a hand on his shoulder.

[mostcraftiest]

Of course he is! Curufin loves his daddy very, very much, and the hand on his shoulder even wins a smile from him. Barely, but a smile just the same. "--we are all here," he says, after a moment. "But Nelyo and Cano, but I - am disappointed to tell you that too many have strayed."

[i_hate_valar]

"Was your guidance not enough?" His tone is deliberately even - which is not a particularly good thing. And what do you mean, strayed - he's not asking because he understands strayed from what. Strayed into what, though, is one thing he'd like to know.

[mostcraftiest]

Honesty, here, he knows, is best, and bows his head, slightly. "If I have disappointed you, it is nothing to how I have disappointed myself. They were in this place for some time before I was, and in that time appear to have forgotten their purpose, their loyalty, and their drive." A pause, and a breath. "Carnistir - I have heard to reject you entirely. Turco is married to Irisse, Nolofinwe's daughter. Ambarussa waste their time on nothings."

[i_hate_valar]

"I know who's daughter Irisse is," he replies tartly. "Do not presume to instruct me on my brother's children, Curufinwe."

This is just his manner of covering his wtfage, can you tell?

[mostcraftiest]

He inclines his head, slightly. This is vindicating, can you tell? "I would not seek to do so. Only to demonstrate to you what the situation is as it stands." Quietly, yes, but calm enough, now. Familiarity, particularly of this kind, is comforting.

[i_hate_valar]

"And who married them?" Because this is Out of Order. And Not Done. And he is going to annul this marriage immediately.

[mostcraftiest]

"I wasn't here at the time," Of course, or it wouldn't have happened, "But I would venture it was Findarato. Neither of your brothers are here, and he would be the most reasonable choice." I tried, he almost wants to say. I did my best to end it. But even me, they would not listen to.

But it's all right. Daddy's here now.

[i_hate_valar]

... "Findarato." Hmph. This is going to call for an explanation - that Tyelkormo would act like an idiot, well -- that is unsurprising. But Findarato certainly had a mind of his own.

[mostcraftiest]

Curufin nods, barely. This is just how it should be. Just how it should be. "--I am afraid, however, that that is not the worst news I am impelled to give you."

[i_hate_valar]

"Is that so?" His question is carefully measured - as if it were of the utmost importance, which, well, it is.