Many, many thanks to Vana Tuivana for her insightful comments.
A/N I'm using Quenya names following HoME 12, "The shibboleth of Fëanor." I'm also considering Nolofinwë and Arafinwë's children as a whole family, so Itaril refers to his Atar's cousins as "uncles and aunt", (Silm chap. 4 referring to Finarfin's sons: "Those four were as close in friendship with the sons of Fingolfin as though they were all brothers")
NORTH MITHRIMNolofinwë and his children as seen through the eyes of Itaril –Idril- Turgon's daughter, at the time they were settling down in North Mithrim. Eight drabbles, Itaril's pov.
I. North MithrimIt was long before I was able to wake up and feel not the need to weep at the sight of a roof and walls around me, and birds on trees across the window.
The cruelty and despair of the Helcaraxë had cast a dark veil upon memories of light and happiness, until we were numb. Then, the light of Vása, the works of Yavanna and Elbereth's stars brought us back some comfort and sense of pride.
A carved chair or an ornate tool left behind by our kin would remind us of those who had moved south.
Exiles, too.
ºVása: "heart of fire" the name the Noldor gave to the last fruit of Laurelin at the time it first appeared
II. Grandfather
"Ingoldoº says Vásaº goes back to Valinor every night, to tell Manwë and Elbereth how we're faring. Is that so, grandfather?"
Busy as he was, he always found time to spend with me in the evenings, to talk about our things, or go for an adventurous stroll full of discoveries, like we used to do in Tirion.
Only it was Ar-Feiniel's voice to call us in for dinner, instead of grandmother's. He missed her dearly, though he never told us. He was the one everybody turned to for strength, and all I wanted was to comfort him in some way.
º"Ingoldo": The Noldo, Finrod's mother-name, said to mean "One eminent in the kindred" and "by it he was known among those who esteemed him."
III. The ValaBack in Tirion, I used to think Findekáno was a Vala.
He was tall and mighty, always gentle with the little ones; he wielded his sword gracefully and he glared at the elflings that played tricks with my plaits in a most menacing manner.
"I know you're a Vala, Uncle, but your secret's safe with me…""I'll be a Vala for you, sweetheart," he had promised, half seriously.
Even now, as I see him working restlessly, that grim look upon his eyes, sadness and guilt carved upon his fair face, I can't help but smile.
"You're still my Vala, Uncle"
IV. The NoldoºIngoldo always reminded me of my Ammë. Not only because of his fair mane, which he carelessly tied back in a loose tail. He, too, was patient, caring and loving, and I felt safe by his side.
He could mend broken toys, and bring laughter out of tears, and tell stories and sing beautiful songs…He'd carve figurines in the ice; when Ránaº first came he invented a tale about Tilionº, we still sing the verses he made up for Vása…
Atar was happier when Ingoldo was around, like everybody else.
And I wondered where he hid to do his crying.
ºRána:" the wanderer", the name the Noldor gave to the moon, due to his irregular course
V. I Wendiº (The Girls)Atar used to frown when I said I admired my aunts: tall and beautiful, skilled and determined, good riders and proven hunters.
He'd roll his eyes, too, when I asked for siblings I could order around like Artanis and Ar-Feiniel did.
Atar claimed that my aunts were reckless and stubborn, and that no daughter of his would ever be caught in such companies as they kept…
He must have changed his mind, though, for now he encourages me to follow them around the encampment, bringing help and comfort to those who have less than I do, or have lost more.
ºWendi: Quenya for "girls" Affectionate nick for Ar-feiniel (Aredhel) and Artanis (Galadriel)
VI. I Torni º (The brothers)
"Please, don't tell your Atar I let you ride my horse, Itaril, or I'm done!"
Aikanáro knows how much I love riding, and so he indulges me as often as he can.
He's the uncle I see as a brother, the most optimistic and energetic of "i torni", as grandfather affectionately calls Arafinwë's younger sons.
Angaráto and Artaher are different, sterner, as most of us are since the Ice. Yet the three of them can be found wherever there's hard work to do, always ready to give a hand, or a smile, to help dispel a passing cloud of despair.
º I Torni: Quenya: The brothers. AikanároAegnor. Angaráto:Angrod, Artaher Orodreth
VII. Atar
He's called "The Wise", and for most of my life I've turned to him when I've needed answers: Why birds can fly while I cannot, which is the best tool for carving limestone, why the Trees never sleep, why Fëanáro always looks angry, why some words sound better than others, where do my dreams come from…
I still burn with questions, but now I'm old enough to know that not even the very wise know all endsº, so I don't ask him why we're here, why Ammë died and where has she gone, or if we'll ever meet her again.
Atar: Quenya, for "Father"
A/N º purposely borrowed from FOTR, "The shadow from the past" cause it sprang to my keyboard and it seemed so in place.
VIII. AmmëShe was home to me. The cold began after she was gone.
She was tall and blond, sweet and caring; her voice was a summer breeze, her eyes as the mingling of the Trees.
When she danced, Nessa would stop to watch her. When she sang, Estë was reminded of Melian, a Maia who once taught the birds in her gardens…
When she spoke to me, I felt that Manwë himself could be no wiser. Atar and I felt happy and complete when she was with us.
She was home to me. I began to forget after she was gone.
Ammë: Quenya for Mother
Thanks to Unsung Heroine and Copper Arrow, for their kind reviews, and to Vana, too, reviewing South Mithrim was well beyond the call of duty! ;-)