Unlike most elves, especially elven maidens, Nerdanel did not put much time or effort into her appearance. She did not see the point of dressing in fancy garments and braiding her hair, especially whilst she was working. Instead she clad herself in simple sleeveless dresses, as they were practical and comfortable, and she adorned herself with no jewellery.

But still, Fëanáro thought she was the most beautiful being in Arda. He loved the way she tied her long copper hair into messy ponytails as she worked, not caring what anyone thought about her looks. He adored the way her freckles spotted her face like bright stars in the sky, and he fell in love with her carefree smile and her charming dimples. The way she dressed showed off her beauty even more, as it drew his attention to her lovely face rather than her attire.

There was great love between them, and in their free time they were rarely apart. Fëanáro would take his beloved riding through forests and they would sit under the trees, talking and singing. Or he would stroll with her through the city, holding her hand and smiling at her tenderly.

Sometimes they would walk through gardens together, and Fëanáro would pick Nerdanel up in his arms and spin her around, as they both laughed with joy. When Nerdanel visited him at work, they would dance together around the forges, as Mahtan watched from the doorway, contented by his daughter's happiness.

When they eventually married, Fëanáro embraced her and kissed her red hair, and he told her he would love her forever.

"You are more beautiful than all of the stars in the sky," he said to her, as he lovingly caressed her cheek, "More radiant than the light of the Two Trees, more precious than anything in this world. I could love nobody or nothing more than I love you."

Nerdanel had cried, being overwhelmed with her love for her new spouse, and her heart was warmed and her spirit was lifted by his words.

Then came her first pregnancy, and for a time Fëanáro was worried, remembering the tragic story of his mother and what had happened to her when he was born. But the birth of their first child went smoothly, and they had a son with his mother's red hair and lovely freckles, and Fëanáro named him Nelyafinwë.

Nelyo, or Maitimo as his mother called him, grew swiftly and happily. Soon Nerdanel gave birth to a second son, Kanafinwë Macalaurë, and five other sons after that, all different in many ways though there was an obvious resemblance between the seven sons and their parents.

And for a long time the family had peace, or at least as much peace as they were permitted, and they lived together with gladness. But the peace did not last, and soon it was replaced with desire, death and vengeance.