#finarfin

“So, the Valar allowed all our family to return,” Finarfin explained, as he led Nerdanel towards the fruit gardens. “And...did I mention before that they are fruits now?”

“Yes Finarfin,” Nerdanel said warily. “I have mentally prepared myself, to be reunited with my husband”.

(Nerdanel’s preparation had included drinking tea infused with whiskey, and practising her Look in front of the mirror. She still did not feel prepared).

“Erm, Finarfin? Exactly what kind of fruit is Feanor?”

“You are about to see,” Finarfin said; his cheeks turning pink. He waved his hand towards a large, healthy chill pepper plant. There, scattering pollen from a small basket, was a moving pepper!

Nerdanel gasped; her hands flying to her mouth! For the pepper was actually a teeny elf-fruit hybrid. And for all his small size, he was instantly recognisable as Feanor.

“Feanor!” Nerdanel cried, reaching out and scooping him into her hands. Finarfin discreetly slipped away. Feanor looked all around in surprise; trying to figure out what was happening. He was being held in hands which were soft and warm. And he was still a little confused from being returned as a pepper.

“Amme?” he queried, peering up at the large elf holding him.

“Not Amme,” Nerdanel said, with gentle amusement. “It is Nerdanel, your wife”. And she lifted Feanor up, so he could see her clearly.

Feanor gazed at Nerdanel; with her red curls and bright blue eyes. He blushed, then smiled in delight.

“Now look at you! You’re as red as your pepper body,” Nerdanel teased.

“Ahem, it was...Yavanna said it would help us to heal faster…” Feanor tried to explain but he lost focus quickly. He nestled close to Nerdanel’s cheek, and kissed her freckly nose.

“I am sure it will,” Nerdanel was half-laughing and half-crying. “You do make a very sweet pepper, my love”.

“Or maybe a spicy pepper?” Feanor teased. He carefully wiped away Nerdanel’s tears; each one vanishing with a teeny hiss.

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A little later, Finarfin found Nerdanel relaxing on the patio, sketching a design for her latest craft idea. It appeared to be a swimming otter, for one of the garden fountains. Finarfin smiled and sat down next to Nerdanel.

“Here you are again. I say, what did you think of Feanor?” he asked.

Feanor popped his head out of Nerdanel’s apron pocket. Nerdanel laughed and gently petted his stem. “I find he is much easier to keep an eye on now,” she said.

“I can see,” Finarfin chuckled. “A pocket pepper!”

Feanor tried to glare at Finarfin. It did not work, because he was so happy to be with Nerdanel again.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

It could not be much longer.

The doors creak open. They suck away all the warmth of the sun, releasing a gust of wind as cold as a corpse.

He does not flinch. Has never flinched from these doors. He has never had cause to.

Slowly a figure emerges, clad in grey their dark hair loose and unadorned. It is strange how small they appear. Finarfin has always recalled them to be larger than life.

They step forwards into the sunlight. Finarfin gives them a moment to bask in the faint warmth before he speaks.

“Brother.”

Fingolfin startles. His eyes lock onto Finarfin’s with a sort of desperation. “Brother.”

“I have a gift for you.” Finarfin reaches up and, before Fingolfin can react, takes the crown and slams it down upon his brother’s head.

Fingolfin’s fingers reach up to touch the crown, slowly dawning comprehension

“There is precedent.” Finarfin says swiftly. “Maedhros gave up the crown in favour of the elder son of Finwë’s House, and all of us in Tirion have agreed that it is the fairest way to proceed.” He waves the scrolls in the air, as though they were a sword cutting through any arguments his brother might muster.

“But I do not want it.” Fingolfin sounds so very lost.

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Finarfin & Indis (Tolkien) Characters: Finarfin (Tolkien), Indis (Tolkien), Absence of the rest of the family Additional Tags: Grief/Mourning, Looking for comfort in the past vs moving on at any price, not understanding what having been a child means, Hopeful Ending

Summary: What has been, what could have been, and what will never be. A sketchbook and a discussion with Indis or : Finarfin cannot let it go, and Indis does not understand what having been a child means.

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An entry for @tolkiengenweek by Badlittlecream!

by StarSpray (@starspray)

Part 39 of Wisdom of the Evening Star

Eärendil has gone sailing again--this time through the skies--and Elwing is left to find a place for herself in Valinor, while the Valar prepare for war.

Teen, No Archive Warnings

by a_world_of_whimsy (@ms-trash-panda)

After yet another battle, Arafinwë and Ingwion talk about home and what it means to them both.

Teen, No Archive Warnings

by Sath (@sathinfection)

Out of all the difficulties Maedhros expected from re-embodiment in Valinor, Finarfin's sleuthing around for the family newsletter was not among them.

General, No Archive Warnings