Grey

Grey
******
Why was the world so grey? Was it the result of the less than adequate light
provided by Vása? Or was it just him?  The elf’s mind dwelt on these thoughts
as he stumbled towards the hut made of sticks and clay.
What was that? Laughter. Innocent laughter of beings who had never done anyone
any harm. A kind of laughter so rare here in marred Endor that he almost did
not recognize it. He stopped his progress towards the hut. The laughter undoubtedly
belonged to the twin half-elflings and he doubted whether either of them would
continue laughing in his presence. So he stood where he was, listening to the
merry laughter, trying to remember when he had last laughed like that.
The deer hide flap that served as the door to the hut was pushed aside as the
two elflings in question strode out, covered in flour and with honey staining
their cheeks, their faces alight with joy. They held a large basket between
them. The sweet and savory smell of honey cakes rose in tantalizing whiffs and
teased his senses: there could be no doubt as to contents of the basket.
The joy dissipated immediately when they laid eyes on him. Both of them went
defensive and defiant, their legs planted firmly to the ground and their chins
tilting up so that their eyes locked with his. One was more defiant and the
other more defensive but it was beyond his skills to tell them apart. “Were
you making cakes?” he asked the children.
“You know we were, why ask questions to which you already know the answer?”
wondered one of them. It had to be Elrond, for he always wanted to know the
why behind the what.
He did not answer, he could not answer. How could he tell him that he hated
the uncomfortable silence that arose each time they met? How could he tell him
that he longed for them to think of him as their friend?  Knowing how futile
such a wish was, he could think of nothing but of filling the cold silence with
anything that came into his mind? He simply did not know how to talk to these
children. ‘But perhaps,’ he thought as he watched Elrond’s eyes fractionally
enlarge. ‘I don’t have to. Perhaps he senses it, feels it. Like his ancestor
Melian would have.’  He turned his eyes towards Elros, and asked as softly
as he could, “Why were you making cakes?”
Elros’s eyes narrowed, “Because today is Ada Maglor’s begetting day,” he reminded
Maedhros. “Something you would remember if you were a good brother,” he declared
flippantly, and Maedhros flinched, “We made the cakes for him. They are his
favorites.”
“I know that,” snapped Maedhros, “And I did not forget that it was his begetting
day. That is why I came to see him.”
“Well you came to the wrong place,” Elrond told him. “Ada Maglor is not here.”
“Where is he than?” wondered Maedhros. Neither of the children seemed forthcoming
with the answer. After a moment Maedhros angrily said to them, “Fine! I shall
find him myself.” With that, he strode away.
In truth, he went just beyond their sight and melded into the shadows with
the aid of his cloak. Within moments, the two children went past him, and he
began to trail them. He did not have to trail them long. Soon enough, the children
came to a clearing in the forest filled with flowers that reflected all the
colours of the rainbow. White butterflies fluttered about. One came to rest
upon the crooked finger that his brother held out. Maglor was sitting in the
middle of the flowery rainbow singing softly.
Hearing the children approach he stopped his song. The butterfly flew away
as he turned to greet them with a warm loving smile, “Hello little ones.”
“Ada!” they called in unison. “You are going to love what we have made for
you,” they declared as they uncovered the basket.
“Honey cakes, how delightful! Thank you, but you need not have gone to so much
trouble,” said Maglor as he took a large piece of cake and bit off a mouthful. 
His eyes drifted shut as he savored the taste. When they opened again they were
twinkling with joy, “Though I am glad you did.”
The children smiled and threw their arms around Maglor, hugging him tightly.
“It was no trouble at all,” they assured him, “We were happy to make them knowing
that you would be so very happy to receive them.”
Maglor laughed and drew them in for a warm hug, “Indeed little ones. I am happy,
very happy.”
Maedhros turned away from the joyful scene, filled with light and colours.
He had his answer, the world was not grey. It was him. It was just him.
******
Translation:
Vása – Noldorin word for the sun
Endor – Middle earth