ElfiqueI wanted to try and take a happier and more joyful view on their relationship. Usually they're all angst and doom, I think they had a sweet and loving courtship first. Please keep reading and reviewing!
Alassë : I used your name in one of my fic's, Exiled to be exact. Did you know that it means Joy in elvish? Well, it does. I know what you mean about bad up daters, sometimes I do fall in that category. I think the interest level is lower because there are no Silmarillion movies. Wouldn't it be great if there were? I would so want to be Elwing if there was.
BanbieBunny : Aren't you the one who never updates? Get busy girl! Your brother is always updating his stories. Fëanor says the combs are only for Nerdanel; but you can have the shapeless, useless blob from the last chapter. Think of it an original Fëanor! It might be worth something someday!
AnnamariahI have no idea how to write the plural for the planantir or however that is spelled. But yes, that was the general idea. So often men don't notice our anger and if they don't it sometimes melts away, especially when your in love with someone1
Chapter 3
I did not spend all of my time walking near and around Fëanor's forge hoping that he would notice me. No, as a young elleth of position I had other demands on my time. Today I was to go and study the music of the harp with Yára, Lady of the House of the Fountain.
I had grown up with her children and the two girls, Erumára, Táriel and their brother Ecthelion, were like my own siblings. While I loved music I was never very gifted with the talent myself. Lady Yára was sure that if only I would commit myself to the understanding of music and "the soul of harmony" I would master the art.
I confess that I did not try very hard to do so.
"Nerdanel, you're so fortunate not have your parents making you practice music continually." Táriel sighed. I was lounging against a pillar of the fountain and listening as the two girls played.
I tossed a fig at her and said, "Come on Táriel, everyone knows that you enjoy the praises and admiration that you always reap from such talent."
"I do like praise," she replied grudgingly and bit the fig in half. "But it would be nice if I didn't have to practice."
"I'll never quite understand you sister," Erumára said, "I love music and I am sure that if I was half as proficient at the harp as you I would be playing all day and night."
"But it's not the same thing you know." I said, "You may want something very much and have little time for it; when you do it is treasured. However, if you had unlimited time for it, the charm fades somewhat."
"Temperance in all things!" Ecthelion said sagely. He was perched on the fountain edge working his way around the rim.
"Exactly, when I have plenty of time to do what I want, I find I don't want to do it anymore." I continued, "Or not nearly as much."
"Well, if I had heaps of time to myself I would be at the stables all day!" Ecthelion said. He snitched some of the figs and winked roguishly at me. I threw a pillow at him which he dodged as it sailed by his head.
Surprisingly it was caught by a tall black haired ellon behind him. Ecthelion leapt up and said, "Why Fingolfin what brings you here today? I thought your Atar was keeping you in the forge."
"He was going too, but I spilled some silver and gold together and he said he rather have me out of the way. So here I am! Hello girls," he nodded in their direction and his eyes rested on me.
"Why hello, Ecthelion what are you about? You haven't introduced me to this lovely girl yet." I blushed as this compliment, but it felt odd because while Fingolfin didn't know me, I knew him.
Everyone knew who the two younger sons of Finwe were; even now I could see the resemblance. All of the Finwe's children had black hair but the youngest, Farafin, who was my age was a pure blond like Indis his mother.
"Of coarse, "Ecthelion said, and said, "Nerdanel, this is Fingolfin, second son of King Finwe. Fingolfin, this is Nerdanel, daughter of Mahtan."
Fingolfin bowed and said, "I've heard good things about your Atar's work my Lady. But no one ever seemed to mention that he had a very beautiful daughter as well."
Ecthelion nudged his friend while I looked away feeling a hot blush of embarrassment creep up my cheeks. Táriel and Erumára were trying not to giggle.
"Thank you, I am pleased to meet Fëanor's brother." I said. Fingolfin's brow furrowed a bit and he asked confusedly, "You know Curufin? He never said so, but…" He smiled and clapped a hand on Ecthelion's back saying, "He never tells me anything in any case."
Fingolfin leant over to me and whispered, "At least now I have something on him eh?" and winked
"Come on Fin let's go on down to the stables. You're staying to dinner as well?" Ecthelion hinted hopefully.
"Why not? I have nothing else to do." Fingolfin answered and the two of them trooped off down the garden and away to the stables. A moment of silence reigned and we all burst out laughing.
Táriel set down her harp and danced me around the garden fountain singing, "Fingolfin favors you! Fingolfin favors you!"
I pulled away from her and said, "But you see I don't favor Fingolfin, at least not in that way. Oh, do stop being an idiot Tar."
Táriel collapsed beside me, and Erumára said, "But you know that it wouldn't be hard to fall in love with such a noble young man. However…" she eyed me said, "If the second son of Finwe not good enough for you.." She let the sentence dangle and I held my breath praying that she won't have guessed.
"…then she must have her eyes turned to the golden flower of Finwe's home." Táriel supplied, "And I would not blame you Nan."
I lifted my harp into my lap and slowly picked out a simple tune as I said, "Indeed no, I have been far too busy to even noticed Finarfin. Besides everyone knows that he loves Earwen."
"True, but still I think you would have made a lovely couple with your fiery hair and his golden tresses." Táriel sighed, and suddenly asked, "What do you think of Glorifindel?"
"I don't really know him Tar, I meet him at the Ball of course, but I didn't speak to him beyond introductions." I said, " What do you think of him, he visits your Father often enough."
Táriel's eyes grew dreamy and she said, "Oh, well, he's fine. He gave me a canary once."
"My dears, none of you will learn much if all you do is gossip." Lady Yára said. She came into the room like a sweet evening shadow. Her long black hair she wore braided like a coronet around her head, and her gentle manner was like a fresh breeze. She settled herself beside Erumára and we began our lesson in earnest.
Once the music of the four harps began I had no other wish then to listen for the rest of my life. The courtyard was still and the only accompaniment to our playing was the splash of water from the glistening Fountain. In the peace of the moment, my mind kept going back to Fëanor. I found that even if I wished to clear my thoughts of him I could not think of anyone else.
I wore my hair in the combs almost continually and had received many comments on their beauty. Every evening and every morn I would fix them in my hair, but they never looked as lovely as the day Fëanor had placed them himself. Oddly enough no one questioned me as to their origin, many assumed that my Atar had made them. If they wished to think so, I would not disillusion them.
The truth of the matter was that I was unsure of Fëanor. Love is not easily given among our people and many things must be considered before a pledge would ever be made. Marriage was for love alone and where there was no love no marriage took place. I knew that I loved Fëanor, but did he care for me?
Fëanor was well passed the marriage age normal among us, and he remained alone. And yet, Fingolfin was three time my age and still he was alone. Of the three sons of Finwe only Finarfin was wedding in the near future, we awaited the announcement of an engagement any year now.
"Nerdanel dear?" Yára's voice breaks through my thoughts.
"Yes? I am sorry." I said, I listen a moment and began playing again. She smiled at me and Táriel giggled, in what I cannot help but think, was a very childish way. Her Amme shot her look and Táriel subsided. The afternoon passed in a familiar fashion, it was often at times like this that I wished for real sisters of my own.
"Well, we return home and find the garden filled with the loveliest flowers in all of the blessed Realm!" a voice boomed. The young man had returned and they came in as the servants brought the supper things into the garden for the evening meal.
"Nerdanel, you will stay?" Lady Yára invited. Behind her Erumára nodded eagerly and Táriel looked pointedly in Fingolfin's direction. I knew that if I remained the evening would pass in matchmaking attempts and knowing that my heart was taken, it was something I had no taste for.
"Thank Lady Yára, but I think I must decline. My Atar expects me this evening, perhaps another time?"
"Of coarse, give your father my regards." she said and kissing me sent me on my way home. Leaving the courtyard, I carried my harp through the silent streets of the city. I was content to be alone, the solitude never bothered me.
"Lady Nerdanel, would you care for a companion?"
My heart sank, it was Fingolfin. "Why Prince Fingolfin I thought you would be staying?" I said. He shrugged and said, "I thought you should have an escort."
"I am sure that I will be fine thank you. Please I know 'Lon was hoping you would stay for dinner." I encouraged. Fingolfin glanced at me with his bright blue eyes, and said, "I get the distinct feeling that you are putting me off, is that right?"
"I am afraid so." I said, Fingolfin erupted with laughter that echoed over the high walled city.
"Fëanor did say I was over blunt." I apologized.
Fingolfin laughed again, and took my hand saying, "I am glad to have met you Nerdanel Mahtanian, come by the house someday and I'll introduce you to my mother. She'll like you I think. Good evening."
He kissed my hand and was gone running back up the street to Ecthelion's home. I liked Fingolfin, for someone so much older then I, he had a refreshing youth about him. I felt someone come up behind me and say,
"So Nan, what did you think of my brother?" Fëanor's calm voice spoke near my ear.
"He's quite charming, not at all like you." I said and then felt horrified at what I had just said. But Fëanor chuckled and took my hand loosely in his, "Come Nan, your Atar is worried about you."
"He sent you after me?" I asked amazed. I knew that Fëanor had been apprenticed to my Father at some time before my birth but they never spoke now. They were not enemies, just too busy to take the time.
"No, but I was coming this way for Fingolfin, and I offered to go." Fëanor replied. He smiled at me and said, "Nan…we are good friends are we not?"
"I hope so." I answered. I felt his hand tighten around mine and became conscious of how much larger his hand was compared to mine. He squeezed my hand gently and smiled again.
We walked on in silence, meeting no one . We left the city and through the fields of wheat and corn that rustled and whispered in the light breeze that swept off the sea. The soft sandy path crunched lightly as we passed on not speaking. I loved this little moment with Fëanor; I knew that if he never felt more for me then friendship I would always love him.
"Here we are Nan. Tell your Father that he is blessed with a quiet daughter." Fëanor said, "On occasion."
"Will you not come in?" I invited, but he shook his head, "I have work to do back at the forge. Give you Father my greetings though." Fëanor released my hand and walked slowly away. As I pushed the door open I thought I heard the words.
"Sleep well, gentle Nan."
I turned, but Fëanor was stilled walking away the wind tossing his onyx hair back from his face. I slept very well that night, very well indeed.