A Sense of History: Thálatta! Thálatta!
While he never climbs the stairs of this Elf-tower, in Lothlórien Frodo Baggins descends a flight of steps to look into Galadriel’s Mirror, wherein he first sees the sea. This post examines the view.
A very tired Maglor wakes in an unfamiliar place. There, a familiar voice gives his diminished spirit the strength to live again.
Elrond stood in awe, transfixed by the beauty of the song and the lilt of the harp. He felt almost as if he could touch the music, if he bent his mind and will hard enough to the task. He felt Maglor’s voice in his chest, in his heart, in the pulse of the air around him. Everything listened, bending ear to the power of the song.
Together, Maglor and Elrond create visions with songs.
Celebrían takes Elrond to meet her friend the Riverdaughter, who has news for him about someone he thought lost.
Aragorn doesn't meet the hobbits in Bree. Maglor, however, does.
The Lost Road and other writings tell us : "Yet not all the Eldalië were willing to forsake the Hither Lands where they had long suffered and long dwelt; and some lingered many an age in the West and North, and especially in the western isles and in the Land of Leithien. And among these were Maglor, as hath been told; and with him for a while was Elrond Halfelven, who chose, as was granted to him, to be among the Elf-kindred; but Elros his brother chose to abide with Men."
Let's imagine that at some point during the War of Wrath, for safety's sake, Maedhros and Maglor send Elrond and Elros to Gil Galad... That there, Elros would learn to work with men, and would make his place among them...
How then would Elrond find himself back with Maglor for a time? And how long is a time anyway?
This is my answer.
This is a story about love's redemptive power, the restoration of hope and belief, it is a slow burn and deals with the the outcasts of society who don't fit in. When two lost and lonely people meet and fall in love they have to navigate an Elvish society that is not quite as fair minded and open as one would think, in fact its down right xenophobic and judgmental and prejudiced.
Elrond, looking back.
"...love grew after between them, as little might be thought..."
While wandering, Maglor reflects upon his decisions.