Fëanàro would have liked to say that his Ambarussa's first word had been for him, like it had been for most of his sons.

After all, since long before the first years as the babes in his arms were complete, he never ceased to encourage them to repeat 'Atya' or 'Atar' back at them.

The only exception had been Kanafinwë, back when Neylo became a big brother for the first time and had only just adapted to his new, important role for the new addition in their family.

Their minstrel son's first word had technically been 'Ne-Ne' for his brother's name, and the two of them had been the closest of brothers ever since (Fëanàro, ever proud with words, had once pointed out that it wasn't technically a full name or word, and Nerdanel pinched him for that, before assuring their eldest that it counted).

'Ammë' or 'Amil' had been a close second on Nerdanel's part for most of them, not being as passionate in the linguistic teachings of their children as her husband was.

Nerdanel maybe complained once or twice, good-naturedly, about being second in place, but Fëanàro could feel her disappointment whenever their infant sons' first word had not been for their 'Amil' (he could only relate back when Kàno was a babe).

But this year, for once, when Fëanàro had been stepping out the forge (working in secret on more of the swords the Valar would have banned the moment they received word) and back into the house, he heard the sound of laughter coming from his wife's studio and the babies' high-pitched voices.

There, he found a dust-covered Nerdanel with Neylo and Kàno (one posing as a model and the other practicing his harp), kneeling on the ground with them next to the playing twins, surrounded by all her half-made sculptures, the atmosphere light and giddy with their giggles.

While his two eldest sons were praising their baby brothers on the floor, saying 'Very good, Ambarussa," a beaming Nerdanel caught her husband standing at the doorway and smiled wider and beckoned him over to join them on the floor.

"Fëanàro, come look, they spoke," she exclaimed, and took his hand when he knelt down slowly (his mind still swirling between the present and the fire in the darkness).

Then she encouraged their babies, who were seated in their brothers crossed-legged laps like chicks in their nest, "Can you say it again, my darlings?"

"Say her name, loves," crooned Neylo, with Kàno repeating the same.

Then the twins, at the exact same time in their happy high-pitched voices, squealed, "Amm-ee!"