Prompts used: Aegnor/Andreth; "they loved the woods and the riversides". And aire suggested I'd write it fluffy. :)

**By the stream **

I stood in the water after our small hunting trip in the early morning. It felt icy cold against my bare feet, and Angamaitë asked me whether I was mad, for surely we could bathe our toes in some warmer water. I replied to him that it had been too long a time since I had set my feet in an open stream or any other body of water. He laughed. "I shall return in an hour to see whether you are still standing in here," he said before leaving. "I doubt you will bear the cold for that long." I told him I accepted the challenge and would be waiting in the water. He rolled his eyes and muttered something about his brother being childish. But I didn't mind. In these days I doubted I would still have that a long life ahead of me, so I could as well enjoy myself once in awhile.

As I stood there alone looking at the clouds in the sky, I heard someone approach. I turned to look into the direction of the sound and I saw her. Adaneth. She was carrying a basket on her arm, her hair was tucked behind her ears and hang on her back in a loose ribbon and on her face was a most surprised expression.

"Prince Aegnor, what are you doing," she called out.

"I am merely admiring the view on the stream and across the plains, lady Andreth," I said.

"Surely they are beautiful, but won't even the feet of Elves freeze from standing too long in icy water? It is hardly spring, my lord," she said. "Although your kin won't catch a cold, I wouldn't recommend it to you."

"It is a game between my brother and I," I said. She smiled, but if she thought we were foolish, she didn't show it in any way.

She came to stand by the stream, her grey eyes glancing at my shoes laid down to wait on the stone, before looking up to gaze into the same direction I had been looking into before she came. The plain was still covered with snow in some spots, but mostly it had already melted away in the bright sun that crept higher day by day as the summer approached. The pine trees had kept their needles, but the willows were would soon get their first buds.

"I like this river," Andreth said thoughtfully. "I like how it rolls far beyond the hills, and how, if you follow it, out leads to new woodlands. It is a pity it usually is so small unless it has been raining or the show is melting, such as now."

"I like this river because it is the closest body of water near to my home," I replied. "In Valinor I used to visit the seaside often, and we all would take walks on the beach. That is how I came to like water." I smiled at Andreth. She smiled back at me timidly. I half regretted for talking so much about such trivial things, but I wanted her to see that she could talk freely with me, not be shy only because we were of different kin, or because she thought I was far above her in rank. I honestly did not want her to feel that way, because we had already known each other for some time. Because I saw her as my equal.

"You are not in a hurry?" I asked.

She misunderstood my question and blushed. "I am sorry, my lord," she said, bowing her head, and turning away. "I'll be on my way."

"No don't!" I said quickly and reached out my hand. She turned to face me in surprise. "I mean, I would be honoured to enjoy your company, would you stay with me," I said.

She looked suspiciously at me, trying to guess whether I was jesting or whether I truly meant what I said. But when I still held out my hand towards her, she curtsied and took my hand. Smiling, she replied: "The honour would be altogether mine, Prince Aegnor."

"Can I make a request?" I asked her. She nodded solemnly. "Would you call me by my name?"

She raised her eyebrows on surprise and was momentarily silent. "I would be glad to," she said at last. I smiled. "Then perhaps I may call you by your name?" "Certainly, Aegnor," she smiled. "Aegnor," she said contemplative, as if tasting the new word on her lips. I decided that I liked the way she said my name.

The noon passed without us hardly noticing. We sat together on the stone, talking. I told her some stories of my own kin and she listened to them intently. I asked how her family fared and realized how much there still was for me to know about the Edain.

I had at some point taken my feet up from the water without even noticing, and wherever Andreth had been heading before we met, could wait. It was lovely. After some time we simply sat together, with me singing softly some Quenyan song and her absentmindedly plaiting together long grasses, a small smile playing on her lips.

"I should return home now," she said at last. "Of course. I mustn't keep your family waiting," I said. How I wished she could stay a while longer, I thought regretfully, but said nothing.

"And wasn't your brother supposed to return within an hour? Surely it is past noon already."

"You are right," I laughed. "He must have forgotten about me." I stood up. "But I am glad I had the opportunity to talk with you a bit longer."

She took her basket and stood up as well. She looked away and seemingly hesitated a bit before saying: "We could meet some other day." She looked back and smiled when I nodded. "Unless you have other errands to tend to."

"I will always have some time to spare," I said, bowing.

"You never came after me," I said when I met my brother. He was tending to his horse in the stables when I found him. "Did you forget your own brother? For all you know I could still be waiting for you. "

Angamaitë smiled. "I was on my way, Aikanáro, but I saw you had some company. We enjoy ourselves with friends all too seldom these days, so I did not wish to come to disturb you." I didn't reply anything. There was something knowing in my brother's eyes.

"Thank you," I replied quietly at last.

"But by the time I came to look for you your feet were no longer in the water," he said with a little laugh. I scoffed.