I was only 48 when Fëanor called to seek permission to court me. I was hurried off into my room when he came calling that day. It was certainly not seemly for a young elleth to be seen when the young elf made his plea. I sat in my room nervously waiting for my Atar to send for me. I knew my Atar would never give his consent without his assurance that I cared for Feanor.

I most certainly did care for Fëanor, as I grew to womanhood his was the only face I looked for in a gathering or party. I even made up reasons to walk passed his forge and even peek inside. Then the day finally came when he caught me watching.

He was working with moonlight and silver fashioning something that looked truly wonderful. It was curved and made with teeth like a comb but the edge was wide and flat and as I watched he made places for sapphires in the metal. I had unconsciously crept forward from my place on the path and he looked up.

"Nerdanel wait!" he called as he saw I would have gone. I waited and he beaconed me closer.

"Come and see what I made." he welcomed and clutching my basket of fruit tightly in my hand I did come closer. He offered his hand and gave me a seat on his high stool. Picking up the piece he perched next to me on another stool.

"Well, I have been working on the design of this pretty little thing for a while and now I need do is place the gems and polish it." He glanced at me and asked, "What do you think of it?"

"I think that it's lovely…but what is it?" I asked. He threw back his head and laughed the sound ringing through the forge. I felt embarrassed for not already knowing and he quickly stifled his laughter.

"I am sorry Nerdanel, I wasn't laughing at you. No indeed, I would never laugh at you." He toyed with the piece a moment his eyes looking away from me. We sat in silence a moment and then he said, "I meant it for an ornament for the hair. If you'll let me…?"

"Oh please!" I sat still as a stone as he gently loosened my hair until it fell around my shoulders. I felt his hands falter a bit, "Is something wrong Feanor?"

"No, I just never noticed how…beautiful your hair was. What a splendid color." his voice was thoughtful and when he touched my hair again it was slower, almost reverently. I felt…wonderful and nervous and afraid of the feelings that coursed through me.

I was speaking to and spending time with one who I admired over all others and I felt like I wanted to run around and shout out how happy I was. He gathered my hair over my right ear and using the metal ornament he worked it carefully into my hair. It felt curiously light in my hair and then he took his hands away and stepped back to get the full effect of it. He rested his chin on his fist and walked around and around me silently taking in the sight from all angles.

"D-doesn't it suit?" I finally asked. I looked up into his face and found that his was watching me with an expression of confusion on his handsome features.

His expression didn't change as he said, "It's perfect, it suits you wonderfully well. Would you like to see yourself?"

"Very much if you please." I said and he lead me to a large bronze mirror in the corner. He stood behind me as I saw the way the delicate comb rested in my hair holding it in a graceful wave.

"Oh, Feanor it's beautiful…you're right, the making is just perfect." I touched the silver carefully, it was smooth and curiously warm as if it burning with an inner fire.

"I think the wearer makes it more beautiful Nerdanel." he said quietly. "It's only metal." I sought his reflection in the mirror but he was already walking away. I was flattered at his words yet afraid that I had offended him somehow.

He sat on the sat and began to draw a picture of the comb, his black head bent over his work. I stood there uncertain of what to do, should I leave him to his work? Should I even bother him to say goodbye? Finally I pulled the comb from my hair and set it down on his worktable.

I kept looking back to see if he would notice that I had gone, but he didn't give any sign. I walked home alone and slightly disappointed. I should have been glad for I had spent time with him alone without another demanding his time or attention. I was listless and moody for the remainder of the day and when my Atar asked why I merely answered that nothing was wrong.

However, that evening as we finished dinner we had a caller in the shape of Finwe's pageboy.

"Yes? Have you a message for me?" my Atar asked. The boy shook his hair and answered, "No, my Lord, I have a package for Lady Nerdanel from Prince Feanor."

My heart leapt and my Atar's raised eyebrows and questioning look were lost on me as I received the soft bundle. The page left and I hurried to the living room and set the package on the table and looked at it for a moment afraid to open it and see what it contained.

My Atar came in behind me and said, "Well, Nerdanel aren't you curious as to what the great Prince might have sent a little girl like you?"

"I am not a little girl Atar, and I want to…"

"Savor the gift? I understand. I will not be wanted here, I can see that." he said in mock offense.

"Oh Father, you know that I always want you...but this is…well it is.."

"Quite different, I know. Call me if you want me." and he left.

Slowly ever so slowly I pulled the cords lose and the cloth fall away to show in shimmering glory two of the combs that he had made earlier! Tucked into the teeth of one was a thin note when I opened it ran,

My Dear Nerdanel,

I am afraid that I was very remiss in my attentions to you this afternoon and ask that you will accept these combs as an apology for my behavior. I regret to say that I consumed the fruit that you left as well and wish to make it up to you as soon as may be. Could I possibly convince you to accompany me on a picnic tomorrow noon? If so, I await your word tomorrow morning. Please keep the combs, for once I saw them without your beautiful hair to rest in I thought their beauty diminished a great deal. Very sincerely

Your servant

Curufinwe

I took up the combs and went to my room passing by my Father who merely smiled and said nothing. I fastened the ornaments in my hair as he had. I would accept them and his offer if Father was willing that I should. And then as I gazed at the gift I realized that I would accept even if he didn't.

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