Finwë and Indis' home, October 1999…

Tyelko and Írissë stepped out of the car and walked painfully slow to the door. Írissë fiddled with her flat cap, Tyelkormo pulled his black leather jacket over his shoulders, as though it would protect him from anyone who might find a good reason to wish him dead in the next hour or so…

They reached the doorstep. Both hesitated.

'Fuck Tyelko, I can't do this.' Írissë cringed, before making a swift dash for the bushes, where she spilled the contents of her stomach for no short amount of time.

Tyelko followed her and held back her hair, rubbing soothing circles into her back. 'Jesus Íreth, should you be puking this much, I thought you got meds for morning sickness?' He asked, concerned as any new, confused and anxious parent would be.

'That wasn't morning sickness.' Írissë replied after a moment, finally having emptied her whole lunch. 'That was one hundred percent stress and nerves.'

Tyelko raised an eyebrow. 'You can tell the difference, huh?'

Írissë nodded. 'Right now, I feel the same sort of nausea I felt at the '97 Valmar championships…'

Tyelko simply shrugged. And then…

'Well now I don't feel as guilty for doing this.' He said quickly, before dashing for the bushes as Írissë had, as scared shitless as she was. Írissë returned the favour of holding back his long, silvery hair, tying it playfully knotting it into the manbun Tyelko always refused to wear.

They slid against the wall. Tyelko pulled out his Mp3 player and shared a headphone with Írissë.

I'm worse at what I do best

And for this gift I feel blessed

Our little group has always been

And always will until the end...

...

Hello, hello, hello how low...

...

WITH THE LIGHTS OUT, IT'S LESS DANGEROUS!

SSSSSsSSSssSSSSssSSssSs

Half an hour later, after more procrastination, the two stood at the door again.

Írissë placed her hand on the doorhandle. 'Okay. On three.'

'One…' Tyelko began.

'Two…' Írissë continued.

They never reached three, the door flung open before them. Out stepped Finwë, looking delighted to see the two of them.

'Ahh the track stars! Finally you're here! Not like you to be late Íreth!' He embraced the two of them.

'Technically speaking, I am a field star, old man.'Celegorm gave Finwë a jovial pat on the back. 'And this isn't the first time this week Íreth's been 'late'.' He smirked, earning himself a punch in the gut.

'Happy birthday grandfather!' Írissë uttered cheerfully- between clenched teeth.

'What she said.' Gasped Tyelko, still winded.

'Come in, come in!' Finwë gestured merrily. 'We waited for you two! No easy task, all your brothers seem to have bottomless pits in their stomachs!'

'Tyeko!' Two voices called in unison. Tyelko braced himself just in time to feel both his legs slammed into by identical five year old redheads.

'Hey Ambarussa!' Celegorm exclaimed, unlatching the two from his legs and crouching down to their level. 'What are you two rascals at?'

Pityo and Telvo grinned as they recounted their day.

'We went to big school…' began Telvo.

'…and it was boring, so we went to the toilet…' continued Pityo.

'…and we decided to make a swimming pool…'

'…by turning ALL the taps on and letting it overflow…'

'…But it didn't work, 'cos even though we closed the door the water still went out of the door!..'

'…and then Atar and Ammë got called to take us home and they got mad at us and shouted…'

'…And Atar said were grounded… so no more jumping for ages!...'

'…And we got sent to our room… but we heard Ammë shouting 'THREE THOUSAND!? HOW DID THEY CAUSE THREE THOUSAND IN DAMAGE?!'

'...And that's all we did today really…'

'I… see…' gulped Tyelko, and stole a nervous glance at Írissë, who would usually laugh at a story like this… but now…

Look what is all ahead of us…

'Írissë! Can we race you?!' Ambarussa looked up at her with puppy eyes.

'Yeah, we are waaaayyy faster than Tyelko already!'

'I definitely didn't let the two of you win or anything.' Tyelko could not surpress his competitive streak for long. Írissë ignored him.

'He is so slow! Isn't he?' She crouched down to Ambarusaa's level and smiled, as Tyelko let out a 'hmmph'.

'YES HE IS A SNAIL!'

'HE IS A SLOTH!'

Írissë could not help but giggle as Ambarussa shamelessly antagonised Tyelko, who shot her a 'not impressed look.' He is a big child! She thought to herself.

'I will race you two later.' Írissë promised, leaving out the If I survive the most uncomfortable family dinner of my life…

'Yes, come on you two, everyone is waiting for us!' Tyelko hoisted an Ambarussa to each hip, and they made their way to the dining room, wherein waited ALL of their relatives.

Another step closer to the big reveal Tyelko cringed.

SSSSSsSSsSsSSSSSSSsSssSs

Tyelkormo and Írissë grabbed the final two chairs at the extravagantly long table set up to accommodate the large extended family of Finwë. Their presence went more less unnoticed, save for a few punches and fist bumps from Tyelko's brothers, so absorbed the whole family seemed to be in the little blonde bundle in Elenwë's arms.

Huan, who had made his way to the house himself, padded over to Tyelko enthusiastically, and Tyelko scratched his ears. 'I need you cover me tonight boy, there is a chance I will have to run for my life…'

WOOF! Huan answered, as though he understood perfectly.

Tyelko grinned nervously. 'Knew I could count on you boy!'

Dinner was served, courtesy of Arafinwë, and not even Fëanáro could find a fault to the perfectly cooked roast beef, with fluffy mash, gravy and veg.

It tasted like sandpaper in Celegorm and Aredhel's mouths…

Conversation broke out, most of it centred around Itarillë.

Tyelko and Írissë were given many opportune moments to spill the truth.

'Oh! She is gorgeous! You are such a pretty little baby, Idril!' Nerdanel exclaimed. 'Where have the years gone!' she gazed at each of her sons with nostalgia. 'Can you believe, boys, you all used to be that tiny!'

'No, Ammë, I always just assumed Nelyo was born 6ft something.' Curvo muttered, at the age of 13, where everything he said was sarcastic.

'Well, Ammë…' Tyelko decided to bite the bullet. 'If you want another baby around…'

'…Nelyo and Finno should be next!' Írissë finished, looking apologetically at Tyelko immediately.

I'm sorry, I panicked!

The two neri in question choked on their drinks.

'No cough thanks…'

'Not until we're well into our thirties, if even.'

'We can't all be perfect like Turgon, married and settled at the tender age of twenty-two!' Fingon elbowed his brother as he cradled Itarillë to his chest, waking up the little doll in the process and earning him a look.

Tyelko slumped in his chair and whispered to Írissë 'I hate people like that, I mean, just enjoy your twenties and don't be worrying about 'settling down', like who wants to settle down? Live wild and free, it's the best way!'

'Tyelko!' Írissë hissed. 'By the time we are twenty-two we will have a five-year-old!'

'Oh… shit yeah!' Tyelko began to fidget with his hands.

Írissë grabbed his hand and stilled it, squeezing it reassuringly. 'We will always be wild and free Tyelko, no matter what.'

Tyelko smiled, and had to refrain from kissing Aredhel there and then.

'Well, my children, and nieces and nephews.' Anairë looked around, and the whole table listened. Anairë had that kind of effect on a room. 'Know that there is no rush to have a family. Take your time, think it through. Get married first! And you will all be as happy as Turukáno and Elenwë someday!' she beamed at her second eldest son and law daughter.

'But Ammë!' eight year old Arakáno began. 'You and Atar got married after Finno was-…'

'That was different, Argon!' Anairë snapped, silencing her youngest. 'I had known your Atar for years, and we were very much in love!' She squeezed Nolo's hand, and Findékáno caught Arakáno's eye and made a gag gesture.

'Well, speaking of knowing someone a long time…' Írissë began. 'And knowing their family very well too… and well, falling in love I guess, eventually…' she looked around falling silent as she felt all eyes on her. She panicked again. 'Uhhh… A toast to Finwë and Indis! From friendship to romance! And…Happy birthday! DRINK!

She received some funny looks but most of the table complied to her toast. A notable exception being Fëanáro.

However, it did not go unnoticed that Aredhel did not drink to her own toast.

'Írissë! It's not like you to avoid alcohol!' Finwë laughed heartily. 'Has the coach got you on some crazy nutrition plan for the Olympics… go on moina, one drink won't slow you down! In my day we all used to go to the pub after our training sessions!

'And that is why all the records your generation set have been broken, grandfather.' Tyelko replied smoothly, earning a few chuckles. Írissë silently thanked him for averting the attention from her.

One person was not fooled.

Írissë almost jumped as saw a familiar pair of all knowing eyes piecing into her very soul.

'Uhhh… Artanis…?'

'You have big news to reveal. You are happy and excited deep down… and yet you are afraid… strange…' she muttered, lost in her own world, not realising she had an audience before she suddenly blinked awake.

'You have news, Írissë? Spill!' Finrod demanded.

'Are Nike going to sponsor you?'

'Did you get a P.B., but are worried you've peaked too soon?'

'Do you have a boyfriend?'

'Uhhh… how to say this. Okay… now don't freak out, please. This may come as a big shock.' Írissë began steadily.

'A VERY BIG shock.' Tyelko chipped in.

'See… okay now I want to make it clear that I WANT THIS. I am young, and this probably would be seen as… nontraditional…but I am happy.' Írissë smiled at Tyelko, who took the baton from her.

'And, I am as happy as Írissë is. And I promise I will always be around for her and…'

Silence.

'Oh! Will all of you stop torturing the two kids already!' Indis exclaimed, before smiling fondly at the couple. 'Celegorm and Aredhel, we know, and don't worry, you have all of our full support!'

'Really?' Írissë breathed, not at ease. This seemed far too good to be true...

Indis nodded. 'You two were very obvious! We all know you two are dating, you silly geese.'

'..OH…OH…' Tyelko bit his lip and didn't know what to say.

The table bustled to life again.

'Where did you have your First date!? Spare no detail!'

'I don't know what you're doing with my stinky little brother Írissë!'

'Hurt my sister and I will end you.'

'Break my son's heart and you will wish you were never born, Nolofinwiel…'

'Are you gonna share a room at the Olympic Village?'

'NO ONE IS ALLOWED A ROOM TOGETHER UNTIL THEY ARE MARRIED.'

'But you weren't married Amm-'

'MORYO… I am this close to losing it.'

'ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!'

All heads turned in the direction of no other than Curvo, who shook his head, and rolled his eyes.

'How is it that I am the only one who knows what is going on here?' He was met with silence, and so continued, as calm as ever. 'Tyelko and Írissë presumed you all knew they were a couple. Which, to be fair, you did. They have been trying to tell you something else all evening, so will you all please just listen!' He turned to face the couple, who seemed frozen in terror. 'Will I tell or will you?'

Tyelko gulped, looking around the table. It was now or never. 'Íreth and I…'

'Tyelko and I, we're…' Írissë continued.'

'…We are...'

'…Pregnant.'

'…going to have a baby…'

…

Silence.

…

...

'Congratulations…' Artanis spoke dreamily after a moment, as though she was commentating on the weather.

Then the silence was broken, and all hell broke loose…

Finwë screamed. And then choked on his wine. Indis patted his back a little too hard, completely distracted.

Tyelko's brothers seemed to all be amused, restraining from laughing.

Ararfinwë, Eärwen and their children, save Artanis, felt a little uncomfortable, as though they were intruding on some private milestone.

The Nolofinwians, however, were absolutely terrifying.

Nelyo had to hold the back of Finno's shirt, to save him from lunging across the table towards Tyelkormo.

Elenwë hastily grabbed Idril from Turgon's arms, not trusting the dangerous glint in her husband's eyes.

Argon was the least menacing. He simply stated 'Ohhh damn… shits gonna go down.' And joined in with the Fëanorions, snickering.

Nolofinwë stood, and clenched his fists, in shock, shock that would soon become rage…

The atmosphere so tense, it felt as though all the malice in the world was contained within its walls.

'Run… RUN Tyelko…' Írissë whispered.

'I'm not leaving you Íreth-…

'If you wish to someday meet your unborn child, then RUN!' Írissë snapped.

Tyelko stood up, too slowly.

Too late…

'I AM GOING TO SKIN YOU ALIVE!' A slender body turned the corner of the table and full-on rugby tackled Tyelkormo to the ground.

Anairë proceeded to whack Tyelkormo with her spoon. 'HOW. DARE. YOU. GET. MY. BABY. GIRL PREGNANT!'

That very moment, Findékáno broke free of Maitimo's grasp, Turukáno broke free of Elenwë's, and Nolofinwë broke free of his shock.

'MY. ONLY. DAUGHTER! A. TEENAGER!

All made a beeline towards Tyelko.

WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!

Huan pounced on Anairë, quite possibly saving his owner's life, allowing Tyelko break free and sprint out the door and down the street. Huan stood in the way of the Nolofinwian's path for a moment more, but not even Huan was brave enough to restrain Anairë for long at that moment in time.

All sprinted after a petrified Tyelko, Anairë the fastest of all.

The table was silent.

Nerdanel turned to Fëanor, concern on her face. 'Should we go after them?'

Fëanor smirked, then shook his head. 'All boys who get seventeen-year-olds pregnant must go through this rite of passage… if you remember…'

'How could I forget.' Nerdanel shook her head. 'You are lucky Atar didn't throw you into the furnace!'

sSSSssSSsSSSsSSSsSSSS

I CAN'T GET THE IMAGE OF ANAIRE RUGBY TACKLING TYELKO OUT OF MY HEAD!

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