France tightened his arms around Maglor just a little at the return of the hug, and the admission of having been missed. He knew it included so many others, but it was still good to hear at times.

And they both were paying that price, one somewhat more willingly than the other. The ache would never fully fade, he knew. But at times it was more bearable. Eventually he would show Maglor his secret room where he kept more private paintings he'd done of their friends and relatives at various stages of life, as best he could remember them.

Eventually he pulled back and away, half turning to quietly start cleaning up.