Found And Settled

It was late when Ecthelion set foot outside the meeting room with his fellow lords. The sun had gone down and the stars twinkled in the sky as diamonds spread about a dark canvas. The moon shone brightly and full overhead, bathing everything in silver light.

Ecthelion paced through the gardens and found Hensilith. The fair haired elf was holding a slumbering A'numireth in his arms. The elfling was wrapped up in a dark blue tunic that belonged to Hensilith, her face buried on the fair haired elf's silver tresses.

"Well met Hensilith," Ecthelion whispered, stroking the elfling's hair.

"Well met iher," Hensilith answered rather sleepily. He had been drifting in and out of sleep along with the child in his arms.

Upon hearing her father's voice, A'numireth turned in her sleep and she automatically tried to reach out for Ecthelion. The elf lord took the elfling into his arms and gently tapped her cheek to rouse her. A'numireth opened her big grey eyes to find her father staring down on her. Ecthelion frowned internally, taking notice of how cold A'numireth felt to his touch.

"Come pia wilin, it's time to meet the prince," Ecthelion whispered into the elfling's ear.

A'numireth watched her father with trusting eyes. Her gaze never strayed from Ecthelion's face. The elf lord pulled her closer, pouring himself into her. A'numireth gained warmth under Ecthelion's embrace and that set the elf lord's mind at ease.

A'numireth came inside Turgon's house, carried by her father and Hensilith followed them closely. The second son of Fingolfin was waiting for them in the main courtyard of his house. Gold lamps stood about the airy room and illuminated the walls, pillars and floor with a warm, rich light. Turgon's robes were long and crisp, white and dark purple silk framed his slender figure. His straight, ebony hair was pulled back and secured with a golden circlet. His posture was stiff (almost as if he didn't quite know how to behave), but his face was kind and welcoming.

For a moment A'numireth didn't realise he was the same elf she had seen earlier.

Behind the prince, two elleths had been sitting on a bench. When Ecthelion came inside the courtyard, along with A'numireth and Hensilith, the ladies stood up and walked towards them, standing behind Turgon.

One of them had golden hair, white skin and positively flushed cheeks. Her strides were confident and elegant. The light that came from her back made her wavy tresses shine like liquid gold. A'numireth thought she looked like the sun.

The other elleth was very different but no less stunning. She bore coal black hair, but her skin was even fairer than the first elleth. This high contrast made her appearance sharp as a knife. But she moved about with ease and her eyes shone with a spark of freedom and will.

Ecthelion placed A'numireth on the floor and approached the three figures. He bowed deeply and then turned to the elfling at his heels.

"Icundu, this is the child I spoke to you about," Ecthelion took A'numireth's hand and led her to stand before the prince. The elfling bowed and extended greetings to the three adults and then stood very still, her eyes only darting upwards once and then down again, feeling as if she was being examined.

"Well met young one," Turgon said, with a small smile, "welcome to Nevrast,"

"Oh for Eru's love, Tur!" A female voice muttered, suddenly "She's a baby! Why do you have to sound so serious?"

The dark haired elleth seemed incapable of containing herself any longer and she came forward, kneeling in front of A'numireth.

"Don't mind him sweet one," she said motioning at Turgon behind her, "he was born with a scowl on his face,"

Turgon scoffed slightly at his sister's comment, but didn't reply.

Meanwhile the other elleth of golden hair, also came forward and knelt.

"Well met," she said smiling brightly, "what is your name, little one?"

A'numireth glanced back at her father, who nodded and smiled reassuringly, before facing the two elleths,

"Numi," she said softly.

"Well met Numi," the dark haired elleth said, "my name is Irissë, this is my niece Itarillë,"

A'numireth smiled shyly and replied in a tiny voice,

"Well met,"

"You've been in the gardens!" Idril said, pointing at the last few flowers that remained in the elfling's hair, "Did you like them?"

A'numireth nodded excitedly. She had enjoyed the flowers so very much. A shining smile spread over Idril's face at the elfling's animated reply.

"Would you like to see our night gardens?" Aredhel asked, delighted in finding that A'numireth must be very fond of nature.

And sure enough, the elfling's eyes lit up at the idea of something new. She looked back to her father as if asking for permission, and Ecthelion nodded reassuringly once more. His face irradiated pure fondness and love. A'numireth looked back at the elleths and nodded fervently, making both of them laugh lightly.

"Alright then!" Aredhel offered her a white, slender, but strong hand.

A'numireth trustingly let herself be led away by the two elleths that were delighted to entertain such a young guest.

Ecthelion, Turgon and Hensilith watched them walk away in silence. At length, Turgon spoke up with a bit of wariness in his voice.

"She is Sindar," he stated calmly but pointedly, looking directly at Ecthelion.

"Does that trouble you, iher?" Ecthelion asked with genuine concern.

"It is only that…" Turgon faltered ever so slightly, his eyes betraying uncertainty that was unusual in him, "I fear that her people might accuse us of abducting her, or something of the sort, that's all,"

"Well, we do not wish to spoil our reputation among Thingol's people, do we?" Ecthelion asked in a very diplomatic way, putting his emotions and desires aside for a moment.

"No, we don't" Turgon's brow deepened.

Behind them Hensilith's heart leapt and he bit his lip anxiously. He knew how loyal Ecthelion was. He also knew how suspicious and calculating Turgon was. He feared what would become of the elfling he had only known for about a year of the sun, and yet he cared for her more than he had ever thought he could. He tried to shut his mind, but he was sure that Turgon and Ecthelion had sensed his troubled thoughts.

"But she trusts you," said Turgon quite suddenly, turning to face Ecthelion fully, "moreover, she loves you. I assume you have bonded with her?"

Ecthelion took a deep breath, and looked away from the prince's face,

"I have, iher," he replied quietly.

"That must have been quite a feat," Turgon commented, side tracking the conversation for just a moment, "her fëa is strange and a bit evasive,"

A small smile worked its way across Ecthelion's face. It had been a bit difficult to get A'numireth to trust him. But it worked out quite nicely in the end. Turgon considered him with excruciating eyes. After a moment, his gaze gained warmth and he looked pleased.

"Indur," Turgon placed a hand on Ecthelion's shoulder and looked him in the eye, "if you wish to raise her as your own. You have my consent and blessing,"

Ecthelion felt as if he had been holding his breath and he was finally allowed to breathe,

"Thank you, iher," he said with a nod.

Turgon smiled kindly,

"You are most welcome, indur," he replied.

Secretly, Turgon knew that there had been something unique and even intended in Ecthelion finding this child. He couldn't guess why, but he was certain A'numireth had been meant to be found by the elf lord.

Only time would tell what was to become of the young child.

But for now, she would be safe in Ecthelion's house, being raised as if she was his own.

Translations:

Quenya,

Iher (my lord)

Pia wilin (little bird)

Icundu (my prince)

Irissë (Aredhel)

Itarillë (Idril)

Notes:

Well then. A'numireth is finally and officially settled among Turgon's people. I have a feeling like these are the last chapters of Part 1 in the story. Hope you enjoyed it. I know I did, describing Aredhel and Idril was super fun!

If you have any thoughts please leave a review :)