#faelendis

Walking through these grand big halls she was so unfamiliar with, Vanifinwë was afraid that she had gotten lost in them somehow. On the verge of tears as they began to well in her big blue eyes, looking around at the many corridors and doorways that led into rooms that Vanifinwë didn’t know. It all was starting to look the same in her eyes- all the same gold crown molding and tapestries on the walls. 

But the deep smooth voice that spoke with such familiarity filled her with relief. Vanifinwë wiped the tears from her eyes immediately, not wanting to worry her Nelyo. So with excitement she ran towards the sound of Nelyafinwë’s voice, a big smile coming to her little cherub like face as her eyes landed on his imposingly tall figure. Though she found comfort in seeing her massively tall big hanyo. 

With him though was cousin Findekano and cousin Findarato, it didn’t seem important with how casual it was they were speaking with one another. Nothing like when Atya spoke to their Uncle and displomatticks… Or whatever they were called.

“Hanyo!” She squealed out gleefully, pulling the three ner from their talks and all smiled as they saw the frilly dressed little nis running right towards them. Her burgundy ruffled gown flouncing with every step, black curls bouncing and big blue eyes honed right in on Maitimo. Her bare little feet slapping against the marble floor as she ran right for him.

“Lady Vanifinwë it is good to see you.” Findekano said in a playful tone, knowing his little cousin liked having the title of Lady before her name. But he watched as the usually confident little nis moved to hide behind Nelyafinwë’s calves, looking up at him with big blue eyes that sparkled with wonder at the sight of him… Even more so when they landed on Findarato in all his sparkling gems and jewelry.

“My have you grown since I last saw you.” Findarato reminisced in a soft voice, with a warm smile, kneeling down to be level with little Vanifinwë who only grinned bashfully. Pressing her face into Nelyafinwë’s calf giggling softly,

“Mm she certainly has, I think she’s a full five inches taller than when you saw her last.” Nelyafinwë mused softly, looking at Findarato for a moment, before turning his head down to look at his littlest sibling and sister.

“What is it you need onorë?” Nelyafinwë asks in a gentle voice, though from her tone and glee to see him.. He suspected that she had been turned down one too many times by their brothers. That wasn’t an unusual issue that she constantly faced. None wishing to entertain her in the ways she wished to be, all wanting her to partake in their loves and desires. Unless it was simple games like Hide and Seek and Tag, but Vanifinwë was a frilly little girl and her elder brothers certainly weren’t interested in makeup and jewelry and having their hair done. 

But Nelyafinwë always indulged Vanifinwë in what she wished to play, and despite the importance of this budget meeting with their cousins, he found himself unable to deny her already. The words hadn’t even left her lips yet for her request.

“Hanyo will you let me make you pretty? Makalaurë said no… Carnistir was rude when I asked him and Curvo told me to ask you.” Vanifinwë asked, explaining her situation as she wrinkled her nose. Making all the freckles wrinkle and furrow as she did so, scrunching her face up into displeasure before folding her arms over her chest. Findarato and Findekano looked over at Nelyafinwë, expectantly. Waiting for him to deny her request gently, with promises of fulfilling this at a later date or hour.

They had important things to discuss, and it was urgent so their grandfather Finwë had said. Not to mention it was a good exercise of Nelyafinwë’s ever budding career in politics and as Prince. As well as one for his cousins, it was their first meager steps into the world of Politics, so it was imperative that Nelyafinwë was focused on the matter.

“Of course I will, onorë.” Nelyafinwë says much to their cousins shock,

“Cousin… We have business still to discuss, Findarato says with a healthy dose of skepticism in his tone. Findekano only furrowing his brows trying to decipher how exactly this was going to work, except overpowering the whole situation was the gleeful excitement of Vanifnwë’s shrill voice.

“YAY! Come on Hanyo! Let’s go!” Vanifinwë said, reaching for his hand, gripping his fingers to his large hand before tugging on his hand to follow as hard as she could.

“We can still discuss things despite the play.” Nelyafinwë assured them both, but the pair looked between one another with uncertainty at his words. How could they possibly continue the discussion if Nelyafinwë was embroiled in the game of whatever… make you pretty was? Nelyafinwë waved for the cousins to follow, and with their own curiosity they certainly did.

Nelyafinwë having to lead Vanifinwë the many winding corridors as he sensed her being disoriented by all the closed doors in the winding halls. The chatter is mostly Vanifinwë telling him what she is going to do to him. Put him in make up, fix his hair, add pretty fabrics to his clothes and jewelry- failed creations from their Atya- to him and make him look very pretty.

Her eldest hanyo only muses along to her words, with their cousins the silent sentinels listening to their talking before they came to her room. With a small table in the center and little chairs that were certainly fit for the little nis who was leading Nelyafinwë to one of the chairs. He sat down immediately in the chair, expectantly before Vanifinwë turned to the others.

“Finda and Fino you come sit too.” Vanifinwë says pointing to the other chairs at the table that are empty, they’re both snorting as they look at eight foot tall Nelyafinwë comically sitting in these tiny chairs. Though they admire his duty to her as her brother to do as she pleased.

“Thank you Lady, but I am afraid I will stand.” Findarato said bowing politely to the little elfling, only watching as Vanifinwë scrunched her nose up at his refusal. Bringing the blond to raise his brows at her reaction, never having been on the receiving end of one of her adorable scowls.

“Ammë says it’s rude for a guest to not sit at someone else’s table.” Vanifinwë retorts out immediately, bringing Findarato to fluster some at her words. Damn whomever had taught her etiquette this young… Then again he supposed he could thank his Uncle Fëanaro and Aunt Nerdanel for such a thing as they truly only wanted the best for their children. Findarato only gave Nelyafinwë a pleading look for help, yet the elder Fëanorian only motioned for him to take his seat.

“You’ve heard the Lady, it would be rude not to.” Nelyafinwë says, still holding his hand out towards one of the small chairs, like the ones that he sat in. With his knees practically pressed to his chest as Vanifinwë was adamant he sat as close to the table as possible- that was the polite thing to do. Findarato hesitated that was until Vanifinwë grabbed his hand,

“Finda… Come on. Come sit while I make Nelyo pretty.” She said to him pleadingly and he can hardly resist as those big blue eyes are like doe eyes in their pleadingly. He melts at the sight and tone of her voice,

“Alright Lady, I shall sit.” Watching as at his words, a big grin spreads across those soft little lips and happily does she pull him to the table where she pulls out his chair. Findarato thanks her as he awkwardly sits in the chair, his knees practically in his chest as he blankly stares at his eldest cousin, trying to discern how he had been roped into this situation. Yet in comparison, Findekano seemed all too eager to let their tiniest cousin lead him to the chair.

“My what a good host you are, Vani. Thank you so much.” Findekano says gently, taking his seat without batting an eyelash even if it was uncomfortable to sit in the seat all squished up. Yet Vanifinwë doesn’t say a word, only going to her dresser and digging through her drawers, while the trio turn their attention to one another.

“Now that we are all here and together, did you have time to go over those documents I had sent over?” Nelyafinwë asks, as Vanifinwë comes marching over with several brushes, elastics, and bows setting them on the table. Seeing that Nelyafinwë wasn’t reacting to what she was doing, Findarato simply took it in stride, opening the pockets of his robes to pull out thick documents.

“Only part of them, though there were parts I didn’t understand regarding certain budgets.” Findarato answered as smoothly as he could, watching the way Vanifinwë smacked the brush into Nelyafinwë’s hair, thudding off his head, making even Findekano flinch at her lack of gentleness. Before they all heard the unmistakable sound of the brush ripping through his hair. But Nelyafinwë didn’t bat an eyelash despite the clear pain he surely must have been in at this!

“Which parts were difficult to understand?” Nelyafinwë asked, holding out his hand to take the documents from his cousins, who watched as Vanifinwë released the brush that dangled in his hair, turning her attention to the elastics on the table. Grabbing one before ripping the brush out of his hair,

“Uh- This part… Concerning the budget for the statue replacements for the large plaza in the markets.” Findarato said, wincing as he watched as Vanifinwë began to wrap a strand of his hair chaotically in the elastic. Looping it far too tight that they could see his scalp redden, yet Nelyafinwë took the documents from his hands to read them over as Vanifinwë grabbed another little elastic to loop in another part of his hair.

“I’m afraid even I had difficulty understanding the jargon that was used in it. Still struggling to understand, cousin.” Findekano adds as Nelyafinwë looks over the paperwork, reading it carefully even as Vanifinwë makes his head pull in certain directions with her brushing and elastic tying. Which she was utterly quick at as there were already four or five little pigtails sticking straight off the top of his head that were growing tangled.

“It is just a fancy way of saying how much we are going to pay the artisans and the nerri and nissi to remove the dwindling and eroded statues.” Nelyafinwë began to explain, as Vanifinwë left her place by his side to hurry to her dresser digging around in another drawer for stars knew what. Findekano began to try and bite back the smile forming on his lips seeing how utterly serious Nelyafinwë was with five little russet pigtails and loops in his air. All done at the scalp and fly aways cluing them in to just how tangled they were.

“Then why say them in such a manner? Would it not be simpler to state it out right than say it in this word play?” Findarato asked his cousin, watching as Vanifinwë came over with several cosmetic items. Opening one up to reveal a bright rouge for the cheeks and holding a big fluffy brush that she vigorously dipped into the crème make up. Expectantly she held out the brush and Nelyafinwë leaned down enough for her to apply it to his cheeks, only making their cousins begin to chuckle.

“I asked grandfather the same question, he answered back that was simply how things were done. It looks more professional that way.” Nelyafinwë answered who was looking far from professional with heavily red and rosy cheeks as Vanifinwë slathered on the rouge. It made even Carnistir’s rubicund face look pale in comparison, she even managed to cover the freckles on his face and nose.

“You look sooooooooo pretty Nelyo!” Vanifinwë beamed out to him, and now the nature of the game was making sense. She simply just wanted someone she could dress up, and put makeup on. Someone to spend time with, because being the littlest female elfling in a house full of nerri and one nissi got to be lonely. Especially when none of your older brothers wanted to play with you, and how you wanted to play.

“Thank you Vani, you are a wonderful stylist.” Nelyafinwë simply encouraged, despite how ridiculous he looked to his cousins, but to his sister he truly did look beautiful. The little elfling grinned widely at his words, before pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“Hanyo you’re so sweet.” She said with excitement before she rushed away from the table again and back to her dresser.

“It… seems hardly professional if you can’t understand it.” Findekano said, wearing a big grin on his face watching how once more Vanifinwë came back this time with a tube of dark purple lipstick. Surely Nelyafinwë was going to stop her now in this game, seeing as he had put on makeup and had his hair practically matted by little fingers. But even as she climbed upon the table, Nelyafinwë didn’t stop her. Leaving Findarato and Findekano to begin laughing softly at the ridiculousness of this game.

“Unfortunately grandfather seems unwilling to change in his-“

“Stop Hanyo! I can’t put on your lickstip if you’re talking!” Vanifinwë protested suddenly interrupting him in his speech. So he sat quietly for a moment, letting her apply her “lickstip” even if it was smearing dark purple streaks all over his lips, chin and just under his nose. Nelyafinwë just still continued to sit patiently, not correcting her, just letting her indulge in her moment of creativity.

“Vani, perhaps an eyeshadow would look lovely on your hanyo, yes?” Findekano teased, watching the little elflings look over her shoulder at his words in thought. Pursing her little lips for a moment as it was clear she was thinking while holding Nelyo’s face, who only sighed out through his nose at Findekano’s suggestion.

“No! He looks beautiful like this!” She said stubbornly, having the original intent to add eyeshadow, one that was a deep green one that sparkled because it made his eyes look pretty. But now that it had been suggested and no longer her idea… Well that simply wouldn’t do. Vanifinwë clambered off the table, satisfied by her lickstip look on his face.

“You can talk now hanyo I’m done with the lickstip.” She assured him with her back to him looking over all the dazzling little hair clips. Patiently Nelyafinwë turned his attention back to his cousins, who were wearing amused grins on their faces, as the more Vanifinwë did… Well the more silly their elder cousin looked.

“As I was saying, unfortunately grandfather seems unwilling to change in his ways. Preferring more jargon and antiquated terms than shortening them into easy to understand. Though I must ask, did you understand what the allotment was for the artisans payment?” Nelyafinwë asked, only leaning his head down as Vanifinwë approached with flowery clips and bows in hand. Clasping them to the longer strands of his hair in clear focus, while Nelyafinwë held statue still so she didn’t mess up.

“Mhmm I see.” Findarato says in an amused tone, and by it Nelyafinwë knows Vanifinwë has certainly gone overboard. As embarrassed as he wanted to be by it, he could see that his darling little sister is pleased and happy and mostly not disruptive to him working. Just by the grace of Eru he prayed to never let his Ammë ask him to bring her to work. For his Atya and the other Politicians might not be so forgiving like their cousins were about her doing this to him.

“That is certainly quite the shame.” Findekano says, exchanging a glance with Findarato before he watched her finish pinning her hair clips in his hair. Moving again to the dresser, curious to know what it was she’d bring out of it this time to decorate her eldest brother in. They could hear her digging around in it madly and Nelyafinwë could see that neither were focused on the task at hand.

“Findekano, Findarato? The question, please answer it.” He stated firmly, only making Findekano begin to laugh at how serious his face was despite its… adornment. Yet here came Vanifinwë with jewelry in her hand this time, lots of little earrings- surely clip ons- in her hands before sprawling them out on the table. Vanifinwë moved to open the big ones before going for Nelyafinwë’s ears.

“Oh right, forgive us… You are… distracting.” Findarato laughed, and he watched as Nelyafinwë raised an eyebrow at his words. Vanifinwë was clipping lots of big sparkling gemstone earrings all up his long ears. Trying to be gentle despite how truly rough she was being, Nelyafinwë only winced some as the earrings pinched his ears. 

When she was finished, Vanifinwë stood back to look at her handiwork. Smiling widely as she thought he was certainly the prettiest ner in all of Valinor, courtesy of her hard work. With Vanifinwë finally moving to reach for something from the table,

“Look hanyo! Aren’t you so pretty?” Vanifinwë asks with a big toothy grin holding out the mirror for Nelyafinwë to take. He takes a steady breath before taking the mirror and holding it up to look at himself, and by Eru he could certainly tell Vanifinwë was bored and busy. He could see why now his cousins were so distracted, and why they had been laughing and amused in retort.

He was so used to it, but for a moment he wanted to be embarrassed by what she had done in front of their cousins. Nelyafinwë wanted to be upset; she had made him look so ridiculous, until he looked down at those excited blue eyes waiting for an important answer from her hanyo. 

Nelyafinwë gently reminded himself that Vanifinwë hadn’t done this to be malicious. She simply wanted her eldest hanyo’s attention and time to spend with him. Even if it meant sharing him with Findarato and Findekano. He simply to a soft and steady breath before he smiled gently at the elfling,

“You’ve done a lovely job Vani, thank you.” And with that she squealed out happily moving to hug him quickly, so happy that he was pleased with his appearance. Only bringing him to wrap his arms around her tenderly and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

“You know Vani, you’ve done such a good job, I think you should make Findarato and Findekano pretty too.” Nelyafinwë said giving the two of them a smirk, watching them clam up as the little elfling began to excitedly clamber away. Reaching immediately for the elastics,

“Nelyo- Wait- But-” But it was too late little Vanifinwë had descended upon Findarato, with her brush and elastics in hand. Ready to make him and Findekano pretty too. 

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