Fingon and Maedhros' interactions here are meant as very close friendship, not slash. I do ship Russingon, but I do not write it(yet). It could probably be interpreted as slash if you like, but it is meant as friendship and is most easily interpreted as such. :))

A Simple Delight

"How much longer will the sausages be, Ata?" a very small Nerwen asked, wriggling with excitement in her mother, Earwen's, arms.

"Not much longer." he replied, leaning forward to give his wife a quick and tender kiss before going back to turning the browning sausages over the flames.

"Don't you just love family barbecues like this?" asked Maitimo as he cut the great yellow watermelon Makalaure had grown himself into neat slices.

"Yes. I can't believe you were able to convince your Atar to come, though." Findekano snickered in reply, Angarato and Aikanaro resolutely clinging to him. Maitimo and Findekano had given up on getting a private moment, as the bright-haired brothers just wouldn't let Findekano, their favorite, go.

"Well, I think he only came to make frying the potato-cakes a competitive affair with uncle Nolo." he sighed long-sufferingly, motioning to their fiercely grilling fathers with his head as he handed pieces of the honey-sweet watermelon to Anaire and baby Arakano, who ate the juicy fruit greedily, resulting in the juice dribbling down his chin and all over his new robes, much to his mother's chagrin.

"Where did the twin-cousins get off to? They will miss the food." Nerdanel asked them as she took a piece of the bright yellow watermelon for herself and another to feed to her competing husband, eyebrows raised in concern.

"They're lying down on the grass over there, planning Findarato and Amarie's betrothal ceremony." Irisse supplied as she toddled over, motioning to where Turukano and Findarato were sharing a great cob of corn and speculating over which type of flowers would look best for the ceremony.

"Ata! Ata!" the little red-headed twins cried, leaping at their father and attaching themselves to his thigh as he attempted to flip the potato patties faster than his half-brother.

"Go pester Moryo, dears, I'm busy." he grunted, sweat running down his brow as Nolofinwe got one cake ahead of him.

"I think they are going to make at least 100 of those before someone's able to reel them in. I bet this sausage on it." Tyelkormo muttered to Curufinwe, and he nodded, agreeing to the bet as he accepted a cup of lemonade from a smiling Indis.

Tyelkormo cursed softly under his breath as Finwe put his arms around his two eldest sons, suggesting that they stop at only 89 cakes.

Aikanaro and Angarato finally left as Arafinwe called them all over, running to get some of the steaming patties first, leaving Findekano and Maitimo to themselves at last.

Findekano stood on his tiptoes to give Maitimo a light brotherly kiss on the cheek, drawing back with a soft smile.

"You taste sweet."

"Must be that watermelon."

"Yes, the juice is all over your face. Want to go get a potato cake?"

"Sure, did your Amil bring any of her apple paste to go with them?"

"Mhm. Come on, Russo, let's go get some."

"I love family barbecues."

"So do I."

ok, now for the part you've all been waiting for...all the name translations...

Arafinwe-Finarfin

Findarato-Finrod

Angarato-Angrod

Aikanaro-Aegnor

Nerwen-Galadriel

Nolo/Nolofinwe-Fingolfin

Findekano-Fingon

Turukano-Turgon

Irisse-Aredhel

Arakano-Argon

Maitimo/Russo-Maedhros

Makalaure-Maglor

Tyelkormo-Celegorm

Moryo-Caranthir's nickname

Curufinwe-Curufin

Yup. Yellow watermelons are a real thing. They are just like reg. watermelons, except they're yellow, and have a sweeter, honeyed flavor.

Well, now you all know about the epic House of Finwe family BBQs, including yellow watermelons, bratwursts, potato latkes with applesauce, corn on the cob, and Indis' super-duper special lemonade. You're welcome. XDXD

Anyway, thanks, and please review!