Written for Maedhros Appreciation Day on tumblr. :)
"Nerdanel's late," commented Findis as she patted her mare on the back. "She said she'd make it today. It's been so long, after all."
"Her son must be nearly three or feet now, right?" said Írimë. "Getting big. They're cute when they're that age." Her tone implied that they were not indeed very cute at all.
Findis threaded her fingers through his stallion's long dark mane. "I'm just glad our dear brothers declined. Having them here together would shatter our peace, I think."
Írimë shrugged. "I won't deny it, although perhaps we shouldn't say it."
"Wait up!"
The siblings turned their heads together as a figure raced towards them, carrying something quite large in their arms. As the figure approached, it appeared as though it were carrying a red mop.
"Nerdanel," greeted Írimë, figuring it out first. "You brought your son?"
Nerdanel skidded to a halt in front of them, using the hand not carrying her child to try and tame her dark brown hair. "Sorry I'm late, Fëanaro's been trying to let me bring him into the forge, and he's not ready for that, so I had to bring him with me."
"Hello," said Findis, grinning at the child, who was hiding his face behind a mop of reddish curls. "What's your name?"
"N-Nelyo," said the child, sucking on one pudgy finger. "Or Maiti...maiti..."
"Maitimo," said his mother, laughing. "I had a dream before he was born that he'd grow up big and tall. I'm not the prophetic sort, so it must have been a very strong message."
"What did Vána have to say about it?" asked Írimë as Nerdanel clambered onto her horse, setting Maitimo on the ground, where he tottered and promptly sat down.
"I didn't ask," replied Nerdanel. "I don't much care whether or not it comes true, as long as he's kind and good."
The other two stared when he stood up again, unable to believe what they were seeing. Nerdanel furrowed her brow and looked at her family. "What? I know his hair is unusual, but my father's got it too..."
"How tall his he?"
Nerdanel blinked. "Why?"
"He's, uh," said Findis.
"He's tall," finished Írimë.
"Is he?" said Nerdanel. "I hadn't really noticed. We've been traveling, I wanted to show Maitimo the ocean and the mountains, so he would grow with those memories in his mind."
"He's very tall," said Findis insistently. "How tall is he?"
She scratched her head. "A little under five feet, I think?"
They stared.
Maitimo toddled over to Nerdanel's horse and began to tug on its tail. It was a little unsettling, such a young boy in such a big body. Findis quickly lifted the boy onto Nerdanel's horse before the poor creature got mad.
"He's a sweetie," she promised. "He won't be any problem, I promise."
"Of course now," said Írimë, desperately hoping it was true.
"Nana," mumbled the big toddler, reaching his arms around his mother's waist.
"How do you carry a kid that big?" asked Findis, climbing onto her own horse. "He must be heavy."
Nerdanel shrugged. "I do a lot of heavy lifting. He's light compared to a block of stone."
Maitimo peeked out from where his face was hidden in the folds of Nerdanel's shirt. "Hi," he said solemnly.
"Hi again," said Findis. "Do you like riding?"
Maitimo nodded.
"Good," said Findis. "Because that's what we're going to do."
Maitimo blessed the beginning of their ride with a bright smile, and all four Elves felt good as they rode through the crisp air.