Indis' plans for a grand wedding for Finrod are put on hold as news of his confrontation with Mornel reaches Tirion.

6. Best Laid Plans

"Amme, it is too soon…" Arafinwe frowned as he took in the date on the invite. He and his wife had been under the impression the wedding would be in a year's time. Vanyarin binding ceremonies always required that much preparation with the endless rituals and ceremonies. Perhaps there was still time to inform Olwe and the other guests the wedding would not be happening just yet. Findis' latest letter from Lorien has raised fresh concerns. He wished his sister had been more forthcoming in her letters but Findis probably did not wish to worry him.

More worrying was a terse letter from Amarie's parents requesting the breaking of the betrothal on the grounds his son was mentally unstable to the extent of having attacked an attendant in the Gardens. How could they entrust their precious daughter to such a ner? Findis' letter had glossed over the attack on Mornel as an isolated case of confusion and reassured him the cousins were now forming a firm friendship.

"They have been apart for so long…" Indis protested. "I cannot understand why her parents…"

"Amme, should they not have the time to rekindle their love first before rushing into marriage." Arafinwe coaxed. "My son is not well enough yet."

"All hurts are healed in Mandos," Indis insisted. "Why do you doubt the Valar?"

"I do not doubt the Valar, amme. Only that I feel Findarato needs more time to get used to being alive and back in Aman. Moreover, he has broken his leg in an accident and Lord Irmo will keep him there a while longer." The Noldoran was definitely going to send messengers with apologies post-haste to Olwe and Ingwion. Hopefully, they had not yet prepared the wedding gifts yet.

"H-how did they find out?" Amarie gasped. Her cousin Elemmire only shrugged. He had been tasked with escorting Ingwion's daughters to Lorien for their first lessons under Lady Este as the High King had decreed. Now he was getting a quick repast before returning to Valmar.

"The cousin of your amil has a neighbour whose son is a disciple to Lady Este. Sorry, Amarie. It is all over Valmar by now. Your atar petitioned the High King to forbid the union. His Majesty said he would consider it, which means whenever he is not busy leading prayers to Lord Manwe. Prince Ingwion has secreted the document away before his atar could approve it. His Highness feels you should give him a chance to heal first," Elemmire took a sip of his cordial. "You're still sticking with him, aren't you?"

"I-I don't know… He has changed so much… It's like a new ner I have to get to know all over again," Amarie twisted her hands in her skirt. It had been almost three weeks now but Findarato, or Finrod, was still reluctant to meet her.

Finrod allowed his aunt to fuss over his cushions and blankets. He agreed to speak briefly with Eldalote about her husband and son. When she pressed him on the detailed circumstances of her husband's demise, Finrod grew distraught and lapsed into Sindarin. Mornel translated that both Angarato and Aikanaro had fallen bravely in battle. Artaresto and his daughter Finduilas had fallen when the city Finrod founded fell. This much Finrod had gleaned from within the Halls. Eldalote had left Lorien soon after. Her family was not going to be released yet as the Doom still hung over them, Lord Irmo had informed her. They would receive the fullest healing they needed under his brother's care. Mornel questioned why Finrod had not been healed and was told it was the will of Eru Iluvatar he be released now.

It was with Mornel Finrod spent the most time talking with, Amarie thought with a twinge of envy. At least Aunt Findis was around to act as chaperone. According to Findis, Finrod was full of questions about Formenos and Mornel happy to answer his questions. Finrod was less forthcoming about answering Mornel's queries about her brothers and Mornel did not pry. Little by little, Finrod spoke of the lands he had explored and the races he had encountered – Dwarves and Men.

Finrod was speaking of his cave-city when Master Olorin arrived one day. He was not alone. With him were two nissi who kept their hoods up until they were indoors.

"Findarato, I bring guests from Tirion and Alqualonde."

"Grandmother? Amme?" Finrod gasped. He would have stood up to greet them but his leg was still healing.

"Findarato, it is so good to see you again…" Earwen would have embraced her son if it were not for Queen Falmiril's restraining hand. The newly re-embodied were uncomfortable with physical contact.

"Slowly, Earwen," the Queen of the Lindar chided. "We don't want to frighten him, do we? Now where is Amarie?"

"I-is it about the betrothal?" Finrod paled. His fingers twisted the leather string around his neck on which Amarie's ring hung. He had not got the courage to return it to her yet. Had the news of his breaking the betrothal reached as far as Alqualonde?

"Lady Amarie is with the student healers now, I believe. Ingwion's daughters are starting their lessons in Lorien and she would like to meet with them," Findis replied. Amarie had spent a few seasons back in Valmar tutoring the twins in music before Ingwe felt her style too Noldorin for his liking. The nissi were still close and kept in touch via letters.

"Don't fret about the binding or the objections of Amarie's parents," Falmiril said. "We have spoken and Indis agrees you need to heal first and we will sort things out with Amarie's folk. Osse's beard, you have not yet heard?" the Telerin queen's hand flew up to her mouth at the surprised look on her grandson's face. Her rosy cheeks turned even redder.

"T-they no longer think me worthy of her?" Finrod asked in a quavering voice.

"They think you have not healed enough and should not rush into things just yet," Mornel corrected in a firm voice. She gave her cousin's hand a reassuring squeeze. "The leg should mend and you will be up and about in a month, if not sooner," Mornel promised.

Findis went to fetch some refreshment for the visitors and returned with a tray of biscuits and lemonade. Olorin had added a few more chairs to the room so that they might all sit comfortably. How he did it was anyone's guess. There was even a settee which was just right for both Falmiril and Mornel to sit on without having their feet dangle like some elfling's. There was still space for the Maia to add a small table for the refreshments.

Finrod admitted in halting Quenya that his brothers were both in Mandos, likewise his nephew and grand-niece. Earwen nodded. She had already heard the news from Eldalote.

"What of Nerwen? What of ner she chose as her lord?" Earwen asked. "Does he treat her well?"

"Amme, set your mind at ease. Galadriel chose him well. I granted my permission in atto's stead for them to be wed," Finrod chuckled. He had been scandalized as any other elf when his sister declared she would be wed to Celeborn after dancing with him at a feast in Elu Thingol's court. The Sinda was patient enough to indulge his often wilful sister despite being a warrior in his own right.

"Who is Galadriel?" Earwen asked.

"Artanis, Galadriel is the epesse she took when she wed Lord Celeborn of the Sindar, Granduncle Elu Thingol's people," Finrod added. "We tarried with him for a time before venturing out to found our own realms. Galadriel remained in Doriath with her lord."

"Have they children?" Earwen asked eagerly. If her daughter had children, would they take after Nerwen?

"None that I am aware of."

"Really," Findis shook her head, whether in disapproval of her niece's choice of spouse or her decision to remain with the Sindar.

"She still lives in Beleriand," Finrod looked away guiltily. After Elu Thingol had closed his borders to the Exiles, he had invited her to visit Nargothrond on occasion. They had been close as children but they had drifted apart over the yeni. She had warned him of opening his gates so freely to the refugees of Himlad and he had accused her of being blind to the sufferings of those outside the protection of Melian's Girdle. Still, they had made their peace in a way, the last time she came to visit with her lord.

You have two vipers in your court, brother, she had warned him before riding off with her husband and their escort for Doriath. Curufin had accused her of meddling in the politics of the city when she recommended that Gildor, Finrod's fosterling, remain his heir in favour of his nephew. She had warned Orodreth against trusting a son of the Edain whose line will be cursed by the Dark Lord. Galadriel had always been wary of her dealings with the Feanorions, although she did soften when faced with young Celebrimbor. The youngest of the House of Feanor was as likeable as a puppy. It was a blessing the Oath which tainted his father did not seem to touch him. If it were not for Orodreth and Gildor, Curufin might have pushed his son forward as a potential heir to Nargothrond.

"Findarato, your grandfather and I were wondering - would you like to visit us when your leg has healed?" Falmiril extended her invitation. "You can also visit your Uncle Lindo in Avallone – it's a newly-founded town on Tol Eressea he is living in."

"I would love to," Finrod beamed. He was close to his Uncle Lindo as an elfling and spent many lazy Minglings by the sea listening to him sing.

Olorin was pleased both queens treated Findarato gently. They had witnessed the confusion in Prince Earlindo on his return. Olorin had warned them but nothing could have prepared them for the actual meeting with Findarato. To their credit, they did not cry out at how wan he looked or how his Quenya was oddly stilted. It was only after the visit ended that Earwen allowed herself a few tears in the privacy of her room. Finrod was not at ease opening up his mind to anyone just yet, not even his amme.

Mornel was good at calming Finrod when he got distressed, Olorin acknowledged. She made him smile with amusing anecdotes of life at Formenos. Already his dark moods were less frequent. However, Mornel was not his soulmate and unable to heal his fea completely. That was Amarie and Mornel knew it. Mornel was gently steering him back to her with each visit. It would be many weeks before Finrod could withstand the public scrutiny of Tirion and swear his fealty to his father. Arafinwe had to make do with reports from his wife and sister till then.

Now, to Formenos or Alqualonde? Both are distant but Tirion and Valmar would prove too crowded for Finrod's liking at this point of his recovery. I can imagine all those nobles hanging about gawking at him. The weather in Formenos is clement now but it might turn chilly soon. I do hope it is Alqualonde. It has been a while since I visited amme and Serelinde. Can I trust Tatie to oversee the apple harvest before the frost comes? Hope Lord Manwe doesn't send a flurry of snow our way this year. We will have to leave the decision to my cousin if he is up to choosing.

Author's Notes:

In the original Silm version with Gil-galad being Fingon's was a bit problematic as he was skipped over in favour of Turgon after Fingon died. Perhaps he was underage at that point. After much consideration, I have decided to go with this version too.