Disclaimer: I am still not Tolkien, and I am still not making money from this.

I cannot believe I already messed up. I'll never be good at politics, was the refrain which ran through Arafinwe's head as he conversed with Olwe.

Arafinwe had been dragged away from his books and his comforting solitude and sent to Alqualonde to treat with the Telerin king. Feanaro has passed up this duty which normally fell to him in favor of completing his current project. Nolofinwe would have gone in place of his brother, but his wife was pregnant with their first child, and he was reluctant to leave her. Therefore, the task fell to Arafinwe who had little training in, less experience with, and no regard for politics.

Arafinwe had assured his father of his confidence, which had been difficult because he was naturally honest and lying was difficult for him. However, he craved his father's admiration. Arafinwe was not skilled at craftsmanship or diplomacy, and he was often lost among the forceful, talented members of his large family.

To impress his father, Arafinwe first needed to impress the Teleri. In a fit of anxiety, he had taken his normally healthy trait of punctuality to an insulting level and arrived a day ahead of when he had been expected. Olwe had been gracious, but Arafinwe knew he must have been annoyed.

The Noldorin prince was pulled out of his self-deprecation when he realized Olwe waited for an answer. Arafinwe paled when he could not recall the king's question. The entrance of the Olwe's children at that moment was especially fortuitous.

"Ah, here are my offspring now," Olwe beckoned toward three silver-haired elves. Arafinwe noted that they appeared surprised when they saw him. No doubt they were disappointed that he was here instead of Feanaro. Olwe introduced him to the two Telerin princes. "This," Olwe gestured toward the third elf, "is my daughter, Earwen."

She was lovely. Her blue-gray eyes sparkled, and Arafinwe thought they might change color with her mood. The princess's gown was the sort his mother would raise a disapproving eyebrow at, but it was perfect on the Telerin maid. Her long hair shone like Telperion's light.

Arafinwe was enchanted. He covered his awkward shyness with an elegant bow. He would have stared at Earwen all night if Olwe's wife had not called them to dinner. He offered an arm to the princess, and they entered the dining room together.

The youngest Telerin prince, Alagos, joined them. He was no more than ten and his bright, blue eyes studied Arafinwe curiously.

Arafinwe sat at the king's right-hand side next to Earwen and across from the crown prince. Olwe asked his guest about Tirion and his family. Arafinwe was unused to being the focus of attention, and he tried hard not to squirm. Olwe seemed to sense his tension and directed the conversation to his children, allowing Arafinwe to enjoy his meal.

The royal family dynamics fascinated Arafinwe, who had learned to carefully observe his own family interactions. These relations varied, but they followed similar patterns. Indis would do something to annoy Feanaro, who would retaliate subtly yet harshly against her. Nerdanel would silently chastise her husband, Findis would lay her fork down and stare quietly at her plate, and Nolofinwe would grit his teeth at his half-brother's rudeness. Finwe would bequeath a disapproving stare on his eldest, but would remain quiet. Lalwende would address Feanaro's rudeness, he would argue with her, and Nolofinwe would finally step into their debate, which may or may not end in a shouting match Eventually, Findis could no longer stifle her tears, she would throw her napkin down and leave the room. Lalwende would leave to follow her sister. Finwe would finally call an end to the uproar, Feanaro would smirk, Nolofinwe would glare at him, the children would shrink in their seats, and Anaire would drain her wine glass. Arafinwe observed these events. He decided when to intervene, which was almost never, and would take note of whose feelings were hurt and who needed to be checked on later that evening.

The earnest interest and friendly teasing shocked Arafinwe. He inwardly flinched several times during the meal expecting an enraged outburst to some comment made and instead observed laughter or a teasing reply. The Teleri were odd, informal people. Arafinwe liked them.

Sorrowful sniffling interrupted Arafinwe's intercultural studies. The littlest Telerin prince's cries drew the entire table's attention.

"Alagos! What is the matter?" the queen asked the child sitting next to her.

An incomprehensible, drooling wail was his answer. The only decipherable word was "Atto."

Olwe sighed, laid his fork and knife down, and gestured to his youngest, who hopped from his chair, dashed around the table and launched himself at his father. When the elfling was settled in his father's lap, his tears soothed and his nose wiped, on his father's court robes, he was able to answer his mother's question.

"I… don't…" he hiccupped and continued, "like… it," he pointed at his plate of artistically arranged crab legs. The queen rolled her eyes as her older children snorted discreetly into their napkins.

Arafinwe flinched. He had attempted this behavior when he was a young elfing. Once. He had been informed that a prince of the Noldor did not behave in such a manner. Being oblivious to his uncle's lesson, Turkafinwe recently repeated the offense. Once.

The Telerin king looked at the child on his lap and nodded. He removed his slimy sleeve from his son's grasp, took his cloth napkin and wiped the elfling's face. "That hardly seems like a reason to cry so pitifully. Are you not hungry?" he questioned quietly.

Alago's lips quivered when he nodded his head. Olwe gestured to Earwen to pass him her younger brother's plate. He dipped the meat in the buttery sauce, and held it in front of the child. After another sniffle, the elfling took the offered bite, chewed it, and swallowed.

"Olwe," the queen chastised her husband, "you will spoil him," she said. Her criticism was unconvincing with the smile she could not contain.

He grinned at Arafinwe over his son's head. "I hope you will forgive us. My son is not used to eating so late, and it is already past his bedtime."

Arafinwe had to clear his throat before answering. "I do not mind," he assured them. He went back to his meal, blinking hard at the food that had grown blurry in front of him. He could feel Earwen watching him.

"Your father wishes to negotiate a new trade agreement?" Olwe inquired of his visitor.

Feeling the king's gaze upon him, Arafinwe looked up and blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

"Atto," Earwen reprimanded, "our poor guest has not even settled in yet. He cannot be expected to talk politics at this hour." Arafinwe twitched her a grateful smile.

Olwe shook his head. "Forgive me, Prince Arafinwe. My daughter is wise. I believe it is past time for all of us to retire," He indicated the elfling nodding off in his lap. "Earwen, would you escort the prince to his quarters?"

"Of course Atto." Earwen rose gracefully from the table.

She smiled and Arafinwe had enough sense to stand and follow her. He took his leave from the king and his family and walked beside Earwen. She led him down a hall that opened to the sea on one wall.

"I will take you the scenic way. I hope you don't mind."

Earwen walked slowly giving Arafinwe enough time to enjoy the balmy temperature. He stopped, leaned against the balcony railing, and closed his eyes. He heard the waves crashing on the shore beneath and breathed in the salty scent. He could just feel cool sea spray carried by the wind. He looked up to see Earwen standing beside him gazing out across the unending horizon. Her expression was serene and her silver hair blew gently in the breeze.

"You are so fortunate," he flushed when he realized he had spoken out loud. Earwen frowned her lack of understanding, and Arafinwe reluctantly clarified. "Your family is wonderful. You are fortunate to have them."

Smiling warmly, Earwen nodded. "Indeed. Although as you saw, there is hardly a dull moment. I am certain you can understand with two brothers and two sisters."

Arafinwe surprised himself again when he spoke. "I'm practically invisible to them." He saw Earwen glance at him, but she stayed quiet, allowing him to talk without pressuring him. He felt compelled to continue. "I worshiped my eldest brother when I was young. He never noticed me; I was beneath even his contempt. He despises us. My oldest brother, Feanaro. He lost his mother when he was a small child, and I think he is terrified he will lose Atar to us. It is nonsense, Atar loves him deeply," he stopped talking.

Earwen listened intently.

"Sometimes I wonder if Adar regrets marrying my mother," he whispered, sharing with her the deepest worry of his heart. He had never spoken these feelings, he did not even admit them to himself. "I know he cares for me less than he does my brothers, but I can accept that. I just want him to be proud of me. I try so hard, but I cannot help but disappoint him. He never says so, but I can see it." He drew a long, shaky breath and stared at the ocean in front of him.

A warm hand wrapped itself around his.

She was quiet for a long time. "We have awful storms during the summer. Occasionally some of our ship will be caught at sea, and the crews ride them out as best as they can. When I was about twenty, one of my brother's friends was hit by a broken spar. He did not die, but he lost his vision, although the healers did what they could. I remember hearing about the accident. I was watching Laurelin's light sparkle on the water. I wept. I could not imagine living without seeing the golden light every morning." She turned and faced the elf beside her. "I pity them. I pity your father for his blindness."

She lifted Arafinwe's hand to her lips, and kissed it tenderly.

Earwen blushed when she realized how forward her impulsive behavior was. But she enjoyed the feel of Arafinwe's hand in hers, and she did not want to let it go. The timing and the mood were not right so she smiled softly and stepped back.

It was perfectly timed. A second later they heard footsteps. Earwen hoped she managed to not look guilty. She turned and faced her eldest brother, who was walking toward them.

Volendo studied them carefully, then cleared his throat and held out the garment draped over his arm. "Sister, you left your shawl behind. I thought you might want to have it."

Supressing an eyeroll, Earwen reached for the cloth. "Thank you brother. How kind of you to walk all this way to bring me this."

Arafinwe ducked his head. Earwen thought she saw him smirk.

Her brother lifted an eyebrow. "I am fortunate to find you here. I thought you must have retired to room by now," a small dose of censure permeated his voice.

Chivalrously stepping forward, Arafinwe addressed the prince. "It is my fault that your sister was delayed. I got lost staring at the sea." His gaze skimmed the horizon once more.

Arafinwe's new tack proved to be an excellent course, and Volendo took his words as a complement of his father's realm. The crown prince smiled and looked out across the waters. "I cannot fault you for that."

Earwen watched her brother place his hand on Arafinwe's shoulder, guiding him towards the guest quarters. "Nevertheless," the Telerin prince said, "you must be tired. Come along. The sea will be here when you awaken. The two men began walking down the hall.

Earwen hurried to join them. She was slightly annoyed with her brother's interference but could not truly be angry over his protectiveness. Earwen felt disappointed she no longer strolled arm in arm with Arafinwe. It was, however, somewhat easier to breathe, and her heart had stopped racing.

The three royal elves meandered their way through the palace's spacious corridors until they reached the room which had been prepared for the Noldorin prince.

Opening the door, Earwen walked in, looking around to make certain everything was in place. "I hope you will be comfortable here, my lord. In that room is a terrace overlooking the sea. Will that upset you? Sometimes our guests have trouble sleeping because of the waves crashing." She chewed her fingernail nervously. It was a bad habit she could not break despite her brothers' teasing.

Without looking at the room, Arafinwe kept his eyes on his hostess. "It is perfect. Thank you my lady." He gave a small bow.

"If you need anything…." Earwen began. Her sentence drifted off at Arafinwe's gentle smile.

Earwen missed her brother's exasperated sigh. "Come, let us leave our guest in peace," he gestured to his sister.

To Earwen's dismay, he opened the door for her to exit into the hallway first. She glanced back at the golden haired prince. She was unsure what she had wanted to happen, but this was not it. The evening was over too quickly, the goodbye much too abrupt. She glimpsed Arafinwe gifting her one last smile before she walked down the hall, waiting for her brother to join her.

Volendo did not leave right away. He stood at the doorway, facing the Noldo.

A silent conversation unfolded between the two men. Earwen bit her fingernail again. She was about to interrupt and address her brother when he spoke.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince Arafinwe." He stuck out his hand. When the Noldo took it, the Teler gripped his arm and pulled him in for a warm, brotherly hug, obviously surprising his guest.

"I am glad you are here." Volendo caught his sister watching them. "I think we are all glad you are here."

"The pleasure is mine," said Arafinwe.

The End

Alagos appears in a chapter of "Golden Hearts"

I let Arafinwe have his sometimes there/sometimes not sisters. I thought it would make the family dynamics more wild and fun.