Chapter Thirteen: The Smith and the King

So it was that, after only little more than a week at the Bay of Eldamar, Nerdanel and I rode the short distance to her home in the Pelóri Mountains. The woods that covered the mountains seemed the same as they had been when I had left it so long ago, and the feeling of peace and sanctuary was the same as well.

We at last returned to the small home hidden in the trees, and Mahtan and Falassë welcomed us once more into their home, though only briefly, for we told them that some matters--though we refused to explain yet what those matters were--needed their presence in Tirion. However, we did not have to lie to or deceive Nerdanel's parents further, as she had feared we would; they came readily with us, riding upon their own horses to Tirion.

Before we left, I made one last midnight journey to Mahtan's forge and made the two rings Nerdanel had asked for. It was the first undertaking I had made without Aulë's guidance, and my heart was tight with fear for every passing second of the task. But when I drew the cooling rings from the fires and saw how the light slid in artful runnels down their white-silver sides, I knew I had done well.

We left the next morning, leaving the cottage empty of people behind us. One night, when we had made camp in the Calacirya, only a day's ride from Tirion, Mahtan turned to me and asked wisely, "These matters in Tirion, friend Finwion, have they something to do with my daughter?"

I looked up, surprised to hear him speak. Falassë and Nerdanel had already gone to sleep, and only Mahtan and I remained awake, tending to the cookfire and gazing into the night.

"I--well, yes, I suppose," I agreed, wondering how much I could say without divulging the surprise of my betrothal.

"Why so mysterious, Finwion?" Mahtan asked, smiling in a way that told me he was not without eyes. He was close upon discovering the secret Nerdanel and I kept from him. However, he must have seen my torn expression and pitied my indecision, for he quickly changed the subject. "Have you received more word from Aulë upon your work as a craftsman?"

Ashamed that I had to disappoint him, I sighed and replied, "No. But he told me to wait, and not give up hope, though the time would be long before we spoke again."

Mahtan mulled over this, expression reflective. "I do not condemn him for this. The Valar hold eternity in their hands, and time is even less to them than it is to us. Furthermore, your skill needs time to bloom. Have you kept up practice of your talent?"

"No," I lied quickly, thinking of the rings that sat in my pocket, "But I was told I would not lose my gift."

"You are a strange child," Mahtan said musingly, almost as if he was speaking not to me at all, "Strange and sad, but talented beyond your years, and not only in the crafts of the forge. Perhaps you are the finest of your people--but your sadness chains you to the earth where you might fly."

I listened to this quietly, but knew better to ask. Mahtan spoke not again that night.

We arrived in Tirion the next day, and came again to my father's house. It was strange how often I came and went from, rather than dwelt in, the house in Tirion. Almost, it seemed, that each time I left the house of Finwë and returned to its gates, the stranger to me it became.

This time, the dooryard was empty, so I wasted no time in ordering a steward to lead our four horses to the stables and then myself leading Nerdanel's family into the house.

Ingoldo found us first, as he was walking through the halls, singing to himself quietly. He saw us and stopped, eyes going at once to Nerdanel and brightening in recognition.

"Nerdanel!" He cried emphatically, and ran to her side. She laughed at his enthusiasm and touched his golden hair with a fond hand. Ingoldo hugged her about the knees until she nearly staggered, but the expression on her face was one of pure affection.

Then Ingoldo looked up and saw me, smile dimming a little.

"You came back!" he exclaimed softly, with a bit of admiration, though it was touched with fear.

I felt myself warm when I saw his respect for me, but stiffened at once and said only, "Where is my father?"

"He was with Findis and Mother. . .follow me!"

Ingoldo darted off up a corridor, and the rest of us hastened as quickly as we could to follow. At last, he came to halt in the dining hall, where my father, Indis, and their daughter sat. The midday meal was long-finished and their plates empty, but they stayed on, deep in discussion.

As we entered, Findis was saying something in light, cheerful tones. Suddenly, my father laughed, eyes shining with mirth as he touched Findis' hand affectionately and murmured an answer that made both wife and daughter smile. I felt myself begin to burn with envy, and clenched my fists at my side.

"Father! Your son is back!" Ingoldo cried heedlessly, going to Finwë's side, swift as a flicker of light.

Finwë looked up and saw me, standing there with Nerdanel, Falassë, and Mahtan behind. I heard a sudden sound, and turned to see that Nerdanel and her parents had all sunk into deep reverences, eyes on the ground.

"Rise, my friends," Finwë said. They did as they were told. His face lit when he recognized Nerdanel, but he lifted his eyes to mine quickly. "What brings your return so soon, and with Nerdanel yet again?"

I avoided the gaze of Indis and her children, and answered to my father alone. "I come with Nerdanel and her kin, Mahtan and Falassë, to speak with you, Father, of a matter that I would rather go heard by less of my kin" I balked from the word, but forced it out "than I have with me now."

I tried to evade Indis' expression. But still I saw the hurt but unbroken pride and will to reconcile that lay in her eyes anyway. Finwë turned to where she sat, but when he spoke, he did so only for the ears of his other children.

"Findis, could you go tend to your brother for a time?"

Findis stood obediently in a rustle of skirts, gently taking her brother by his hand, and leaving the room in silence. Finwë smiled kindly at Mahtan and Falassë.

"You are welcome in my home. Please, be seated."

Looking both nervous and delighted as their daughter had upon meeting the King, Mahtan and Falassë quickly took chairs and sat, leaving Nerdanel and me standing together, yet alone. I looked to Nerdanel, and she nodded reassuringly, taking my hand in hers, and I took a deep breath before I spoke.

"Father and Indis; Mahtan and Falassë. Whether it had been to your knowledge or not, Nerdanel and I have been meeting each other many times over the past ten years, and we have come to the decision to wed, at your consent. We shall await your judgment, however long it may take."

There was a surprised silence in the hall, and Nerdanel squeezed my hand. I glanced at the faces of my father and the others, but all of them seemed to only convey astonishment.

Mahtan spoke first. "Young as you may be, Finwion and Nerdanel, I consent to your request, with full good will."

Slowly, Falassë nodded assent. "It would be our honor to accept you into our family, Prince Finwion."

"So young, though," Indis murmured. Her heavy blue gaze fell upon both of us, but lingered on me. "Can they be trusted that this choice is made in full awareness of the weight of this matter? I mean them no ill, but while betrothal can be undone, marriage is everlasting."

"Finwion has ever been wise beyond his years," Finwë replied to Indis, and I was surprised to hear sadness as well as joy in his voice, "And, from what I know of her, Nerdanel is prudent as well. In their matchlessness they may have found each other, though it be in youth." He turned his gaze to us, dark eyes wise but lenient. "If it is your wish, beloved son, it shall be so." At his words, Indis nodded slowly as well.

Happiness fluttered up in my heart with the liveliness of a bird. I turned to Nerdanel and saw the delight in her eyes as well, and in a heartbeat, I took out the two silver rings.

Unable to repress a smile of pride and love, I gave one to Nerdanel, and slid the other upon the index finger of my right hand. Her dark eyes glowing with gladness, Nerdanel took her ring into her hand, gazed upon it for a moment, then put it upon her own finger.

It was done, after so long, after so many years. Nerdanel and I were betrothed.

Because of our youth, Nerdanel and I both agreed that we would wait until we both reached our fortieth year to be married. But we already stayed long together in Tirion to make our plans, ideas flying back and forth like gulls over the water.

"A summer wedding would be wonderful," Nerdanel sighed one day, eyes bright, as she absently twisted the silver ring upon her finger, "What do you think?"

"Summer, yes," I agreed, "But where?"

"Here, I think," Nerdanel murmured thoughtfully, "And who shall come? The Kings of the Teleri and Vanyar, with their kin, and perhaps--would the Valar come?"

"Possibly," I decided, pacing while Nerdanel sat on a chair nearby. Seated as she was, my future wife looked near ready to leap off of it in excitement. "They visit my father often, so this would surely be no trouble."

"But what are we going to wear?" She said, leaping to another subject. I grimaced at the thought. "And the gifts--Oh, Finwion! A wedding is nearly as much trouble as it is a blessing!"

"Perhaps we should think of other things then," I suggested gently, sitting in a chair beside her, "For we have nearly fifteen years to plan our wedding."

She was silent for a minute, but the notion I had brought up was not what she was turning over in her head.

"I want seven children," Nerdanel said suddenly, voice strangely certain, "Seven. Seven sons. Or maybe seven daughters. I would love all of them so much, and love you the better for their sake. Yes, seven, I think."

"Seven?" I echoed incredulously, "No one has seven children!"

"Well then," Nerdanel replied determinedly, kissing me on the cheek, "We shall be the first, you and I. Just wait."

Author's Note:

Just some special notes for my faithful readers. . .

RavenLady, I'm just glad that I'm not wearing the notion of Fëanor into the ground. A little novelty never hurt anyone, right? Thanks for the compliment!

Unsung Heroine, you can join in me in throwing an online bridal shower for Nerdanel. :-)

Shemyaza1. Wow. There isn't much I can say besides thank you so, so much. I am deeply honored.

Mizamour, glad you like it! I wish you the best of luck in continuing to write those angsty stories which so contradict the personalities of their cheerful and happy authors (like you and yours truly!).

Again, thank you to everyone who has reviewed or is yet to review. I wish all of you a happy summer! Until my next posting (TBA - I can only hope to keep your interest by promising a cute Elvenwedding that will occur some time in the next two chapters!), farewell.

Blodeuedd