The two boys lay on the grass, their silver hair mingling. The sounds of their playmates' laughter floated over from a nearby hill, but neither felt ready to join in the games that were doubtlessly being played.

"Look at the stars, Olwë!" one whispered.

"I am looking, brother," came the reply

"They are so bright and beautiful…I wonder if I could hold one in my hand. It would be like my own little light."

'You don't need a star for that! There are plenty of fireflies around right now. You could catch one of them to be your light. It would be easier."

The older brother propped himself up on his elbows.

"It wouldn't be right, to hold the firefly captive just so I can have light. "

The other boy looked at him questioningly, "But the stars are alive, too! They sing, just like we do. They are singing especially loud tonight."

'They are…"

There was a long pause.

The elder spoke up again, thoughtfully. "I would like to be a star…"

A third voice called, "You are already named for them, and you have them in your hair, what more do you want?" The two brothers turned to see another boy standing on top of the hill, brown plaits streaming behind him.

"Stop making vague comments and come play Stones with us! We need two more players. "

"Coming, Lenwë!" the younger brother shouted back. "Come on, Elwë! The stars will still be there when we are done with our game."

Elwë reluctantly turned his face away from the light and followed Olwë up the hill. Halfway up, he poked his brother's shoulder.

"Say, can I borrow your stones?"

"Yes, of course, but where did your own set go?"

"…I lost them to Míriel last time I played with her. She is too devious for her own good."

"Well…don't you go and lose my set, too!"

"You can always go and find more!"

"No! Mine are special! Look at how well polished this one is!"

Elwë rolled his eyes. "Alright, little brother, but I am still borrowing them."

"Hey! Why don't you find yourself more?"

"Because you have been too busy polishing your set to help me!"

Still talking, they crested the hill and joined their playmates in their circle.

A/N: Written for Prompt: Something about the time before the story begins