All the characters seen, except Erestor are mine. He, the world, and the greater situations in this story were first written down by J. R. R. Tolkien.

This story is not meant to make any money, so please read and enjoy. :)

As the honey continued to melt in the Noldo's mouth, the older elleth began to speak. "Now, as you enjoy that introductions." She turned to the tall and "respectful" ellon of Arda. "This is the oldest child of my sister, born before the Valar found us. We call him Lastanann."

The ellon nodded. The Noldo's eyes widened as he returned the nod. This dark elf was far older than he himself.

The elleth then nodded to the disrespectful dark-elf. "And this is his oldest brother, born soon after the Vallar left us in the east when we refused to follow them into the west. We called him "Ranthalion."

The ellon gave a slow, cool nod while staring him down. The Noldo felt rankled at the thought this dark-elf might also be older than him.

The elleth then stood on her toes and called out "Melarbeth, come out of the shadows dear!"

The Noldo expected another elleth to step forth. Instead another ellon stepped into the light of the stars with a nod. His aunt continued. "This is my sister's fourth-born. He seemed her only child left after her only daughter was taken from us and her two elder sons went back into the east searching for their sister."

The Noldo studied this new ellon. He was shorter than his older brothers, but a little taller than the ellon who'd first dragged the orc-corpse over the cliff-edge. He was even more slender and far more silent than his brothers. the Noldo wondered if this "Melarbeth" could even talk at all. His name seemed to imply not.

The elleth continued to speak. "And this is my sister's fourth son "Manpalan" He was born soon after his sister and older brothers' return."

The shortest and seemingly youngest ellon, who'd first dragged up the orc-corpse bowed his head and seemed to blush. Before the Noldo was sure, though, the elder elleth called his attention away with more words. "And on your other side is my only niece, my sister's sweet girl-child once lost to us, but now returned to all her people. She is called "Lathwinn the Great."

. . .

Erestor's bored voice burst into the plot again. "Now I suppose we'll have a long recounting of her deeds."

Mellolaes' brows drew together before one rose slightly. "As a matter of fact, 'wise-one' …"

. . .

The Noldo froze. Then he blinked. He stepped away from both elleth while continuing to stare and then blinked at the younger elleth again. She stared back as he spoke. "I 'have' heard of you dark-elleth. Those from Doriath spoke of you once or twice, as did even the few dark elves I have met living outside Melian's girdle on these shores, but I mostly heard your name from the lips of orcs … They speak of you even now, more often than either Thingol or Melian herself."

The somber expression on the elleth's face did not change as she listened while meeting his gaze, but Ranthalion's brows drew together as he replied, "She is well protected."

Lathwinn's lips slowly drew up into a smile and then she replied as well with a nod. "And so, will you be also, Noldo." She stepped toward him, reached out, and squeezed his arm.

The Noldo raised a single eyebrow at her. "At least I can make you and your brothers' enmity with orcs no worse."

"And what can we call you sour-mouth?"

The Noldo's gaze turned sharp as it flicked to Ranthalion, but he replied, "Call me whatever you wish."

"Celuant."

The Noldo turned to the elleth at his left. The ancient elleth smiled at him. He blinked at her for he had no words. Someone else spoke for him.

"River-gift?"

The Noldo turned to see Lastannan looking at his aunt speculatively.

Ranthalion added "Shouldn't we get to know him better first?"

The elleth's tone and gaze turned hard as she straightened her back and raised her chin. "From this point on, all of you can call him whatever you wish. He has given you permission to do so. "But I shall forever call him 'Celuant.'"

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ScribeofHeroes