Author's Note: This s the story of how Earwen and Finarfin met. Any critiques or suggestions are welcome. Enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien, I simply trespass in his imagination.
Earwen caught her notes as a warm sea breeze blew through the window, fluttering the pages she had been writing on. She searched around the desk to find a suitable paperweight.
"He's here!" the voice inches from her ear startled her. She glared up at her brother, smacking him on the arm. "Arpane, I spent all afternoon writing a summary on yesterday's council meeting for Atto," she admonished her brother, who merely laughed. "And you, Volendo, you played party to this treason," she pointed at her oldest brother smirking at her across from his desk.
"That splotch is small," Arpane indicated the black spot on Earwen's previously pristine paper. "Atto won't notice."
Earwen snorted. "You're a child," she informed him, disgusted.
Arpane laughed brightly. "What does that make you little sister?"
"You're both children," Volendo informed them, still scratching at his paperwork.
"Then what does that make Atto's advisors who just voted her on the council?" Arpane asked.
"Nursury maids," Volendo said drily.
Earwen balled her ruined paper and threw it at her teasing brother. He simply caught it and kept writing. She groaned in frustration. She would rewrite the summary instead of passing it off to a scribe, and her brothers knew it. She was exceedingly proud of being voted onto the council the previous year, and she worked hard to please her father. She knew he was happy with her, but she relished the pleased wink he gave her when she had done a good job.
The novelty of attending council meetings had long-since abandoned her older brothers, but they were amused by Earwen's enthusiasm. The fact that she was a shrewd diplomat further entertained them.
"So who arrived brother?" Volendo looked up from his work to bring their attention back to the purpose of Arpane's interruption.
"Our friendly Noldorin ambassador just arrived. He's settling in now, but he'll join us at dinner." Arpane winced.
Volendo threw down his pen and rubbed his eyes. "Ulmo save us, he's early."
"Curufinwe's good manners are apparent," Arpane begrudgingly ceased his rant when he saw his brother's lifted eyebrow.
Earwen sighed. "I almost forgot about him."
"You were only a child when he was last here. I envy you sister. I have nightmares about Finwe's spawn." Arpane shivered.
Smiling, Earwen shook her head. "I wouldn't say that to anyone else," she teased.
"Fine," Arpane surrendered, "after all, every diplomat we meet with should be treated as if they were sovereign themselves. Even if said diplomat is Prince Curufinwe," he intoned in Olwe's voice. Earwen grinned at the perfect impression. "Also, Atto has offered to allow one of us to assist him in handling negotiations with the Noldo, isn't that nice?"
"I'd prefer catching lobsters with my bare hands," Volendo admitted honestly.
"Unfortunately that's not an option. So, who's up for the challenge?" Arpane lifted his eyebrow at his two siblings. Neither spoke.
"Fine," Earwen took charge. She tore three small pieces of paper from the waste beside her, marked one, and folded them. "We'll draw for it," Her brothers glanced at each other and then shrugged. Volendo drew first, smiling with relief when he unfolded a blank piece. Arpane took more time, wavering between the two remaining papers. "Just pick!" Earwen rolled her eyes. He did, laughing when he ended with the other empty paper.
Earwen muttered a curse that would have made a fishing-boat captain proud. She glared at her brothers, then left to speak with her father's councilor on trade. It was going to be a long negotiation, but she would be damned before letting a Noldor best her at diplomacy.
The arduous process began while she was dressing for dinner. Looking at her array of jewelry, she realized she had a problem. Choosing a circlet was easy. She only had two; one for formal affairs and one for semi-formal occasions such as tonight's meal. Picking her jewelry took every ounce of diplomatic intuition she possessed. She wanted to strike a balance between seeming standoffish and appearing overeager to the princely ambassador.
She fingered the pearl strand her parents had given her as a begetting day gift when she was younger. It was exquisite, but uniquely Telerin. She thought they might encourage the prince, renowned for his craftsmanship, to be patronizing and unwilling to work with her.
She glanced over at the earring and necklace set her father had brought back to her after returning from a trip to Tirion. The sapphires glowed amidst a lattice of mithril. Earwen sighed. Curufinwe probably made it. He might be amused if she wore it, but that was not what she wanted.
Realizing the futility of her situation, she decided to flaunt the elegant craftsmanship Eru had given her instead of relying on elven adornments. Earwen smirked at the dress her aunt had given her. It was low cut and highlighted her natural curves. It was perfectly acceptable for a young, single, Telerin lady to wear but not conservative enough to display at court functions.
Having solved this first set of problems, Earwen dressed, and began her walk to dinner. She met her older brothers dawdling at the top of the staircase.
"I suppose there is a reason why the sons of Olwe are not known for their valour," she said, causing them to turn to her.
Arpane snorted when he saw her. "I don't think Atto needs this treaty badly enough to approve of you attempting to seduce the crown prince," Volendo lifted an eyebrow.
Earwen sighed. "I'm not trying to 'seduce' anyone. I am simply attempting to build rapport. Look," she explained when she saw her brothers did not take her statement seriously, "I know that the prince appreciates beauty."
"Because he already has three children?" Volendo asked.
Earwen rolled her eyes. "No. I know he appreciates beauty because the Noldor say that Finwe's son is especially fair, and he certainly seems to appreciate himself." Her sound logic caused her brothers to howl with laughter.
Reluctantly, Volendo ended their conversation. "We are prolonging the inevitable. It's time to save Atto from the Finwion." He gallantly offered his arm to his sister, and Earwen accepted it.
The three siblings walked to the royal family's private drawing room. Tonight, they would eat an intimate meal with their guest. The official feast would come tomorrow, when Curufinwe should have arrived.
Earwen gracefully entered the room beside her eldest brother. Her father stood to the side, speaking with a golden-haired lord Earwen did not recognize.
"Ah, here are my offspring now," Olwe beckoned to Earwen and her brothers. The king smiled at her. "Let me introduce you to Prince Arafinwe Finwion,"
Earwen almost laughed at the shocked relief she felt radiating from her brother. Her father continued the introduction, "These are my two eldest sons, Volendo and Arpane." The three princes bowed to each other. "This," Olwe indicated her, "is my daughter, Earwen."
Earwen smiled at Finwe's youngest son. He looked at her then, his silver eyes meeting her blue, and Earwen was lost. Earwen curtsied out of habit rather than conscious thought.
The spell was broken when Earwen's mother announced dinner was ready.
TBC...
Curufinwe was one of Feanor's names. I thought it seemed more formal.
Earwen's brothers are my own creation. Their names are Telerin
Lobsters are like overgrown shrimp with huge, pinching claws.
