Brilliant, original and moving, as always. Poor Maglor. Somehow he's always more interesting when he's unhinged, though. I like your theory on Maedhros and Maglor not fading . . . I could never imagine a Feanorian fading either. Ridiculous.

I have just discovered your stories Lipstick and so have the pleasure of reading the whole lot of them. Needless to say, it's difficult to face reality of my day to day existence with the option, at least here, to believe that the elven way is an option.
I love that some mortals unquestionaly see the 2 brothers as myths made real. The man bringing the box of groceries with the jewel was wonderful.

Reread the whole thing.

I am still moved to tears. I have no idea why so few people have reviewed you.

Lovely, lovely story. Wonderful characterizations of my two favorite Feanoreans and of their relationship. And the cynical sarcasm in the story nicely balances out the deep love and sadness in the tale. Nicely done.

Oh, lipstick. I am So Moved. So Moved.

We have come through bliss to woe. The other now we will try: through sorrow to find joy

They were father's words as we left Tirion. Do you know I really think that was all he wanted in the end, joy. Because I never think he knew happiness, not truly.

I don't think that any of the Eldar were ever truly happy, not even in Valinor when they did not have any reason not to. They are moved by fate, and most of them know it.

Oh, Lipstick. He is a poet, he should never have been mixed up in such.

I should have read this alone so I could cry.

Ba! Ba! Fluffy creatures, incessant baaing! :) Don't get mixed up with Feanarioni. Yes, very wise. That and you never know when a jewel might turn into a leaf the next day. Can't trust them fairy types. Better to just be nice to them and send them on their way. I'm glad Maglor seems to be recovering. And as always, much admiration to Maedhros, the ideal big brother. He can betray everything else under the sun, but he's a damned good big brother! *hugs*

Ten thousand years does nothing to diminish a sweet tooth huh? Oh boy. There's quite a few chocolate-mongering elves around. :b But I loved the way you followed that up with "concentrated glucose." Yes, Maedhros is a very modern elf, isn't he?

Maedhros has a knack for brutal honesty and facing reality. I'm sure he got it from his days in the First Age. Go see the Sea, yup, it certainly helps. And I like Maglor's tormented artist/poet bit. Maglor is in good hands even if his brother seems a bit harsh. Am glad Maedhros also knows what he's doing. It takes one to know one, and we know Maedhros has been there before. Maybe twice over.

Beautiful sleeping elf! :) Aw... And having him fall asleep on Maedhros's good arm. :b Very nice, very nice. Maglor's history was well-told, and the story of his wife was... sigh. Just too sad. I like the way Maedhros takes a kind of matter-of-fact tone because he almost has to.

Ah, Maedhros continues to be a delight. Refusing tea so as to not feed his more dramatic thoughts... yeah, reminds me of my sister (she watched too many cartoons). "We age well, us Quendi." Ah, that Maedhros sure is a clever one. He knows just how to play things off.

And am amused that he can't lose the accent. *smirk* Revenge! The Falathrim were always teased for their Falassian accent. (I know, I'm a cruel Cirdan.) And I do agree with the switch between languages. It's true that multiligual people will do that. By the way, I was surprised they didn't have a translator considering how they've started hiring Klingon translators! Or maybe Tolkien's version of Quenya/Sindar just didn't match up well enough to the real thing. :b

But poor, poor Maglor too. He just doesn't cope well. To go from being bipolar to being insane must not've been fun. Kudos to your doctor for not being a mad scientist or this would've become a parody.

Well, I've certainly enjoyed this though I've never had a chance to review it before now. Maedhros is always a very entertaining narrator. I guess I like the twist of jaded sarcasm that seems to tint all of his lines. He's great in the way he looks as all birds as servants of Manwe, flies Condorde because he's royalty, and talks about loony-lunatic-crazed by the moon. Considering how the moon was supposed to be the remembrance of the elves, I find it most appropriate. Very keen. Oh, and trying to see Maglor was funny too; ears like mine. It seems Maedhros is wonderful in any time.

Hey, thanks for reviewing 'Innocence' and also the Maeglin fic. It meant a lot to me. =)

I've come to realise that this fanfic was an influence (at least subconsciously) on me writing 'Innocence,' and I'd like to thank you for that as well.

I love this fic. To me, your Maedhros is the most 'true' Maedhros I can think of. He just works so well, even in modern day surroundings.

But what I love the most about it is the bittersweet element. Half the time I don't know whether to laugh or to cry, such as when the doctor writes 'Kwendy' instead of Quendi... It was amusing, but then it hit me how upsetting it also was.

It makes you think. That's why I like it. And it also manages to be the only truly convincing 'Elves in modern times' fic that I've ever read.

Lovely story, Lipstick. What impresses me the most is the way that your Elves still feel fundamentally unhuman, despite Maedhros's use of modern slang and his sarcastic, cynical attitude. It seems no matter how much your Quendi may fade, at least a part of their essence will always remain intact.

And the way Maedhros uses his cynicism in an attempt to disguise the real way he feels toward his brother is a nice touch, too. I'm glad that in the end, he knows he was lying to himself, and has never stopped loving Maglor.

this is a great story. please continue it!

god, this chapter made me cry! its so sweet, the way MAedhros is so protective. your writing style is wonderful, it reminds me a little of Frank Mccourt, so full of emotion.

*bursts into tears* that was beautifully written! and now I wanna cry because now I REALLY wanna go and find anyone that could possibly be an elf and hug them and cry and cry some more. Then... I'll cry more...

Hugs and Cookies =)