My drawing for @silmarillionepistolary day 4, Friendship and Alliance!
It has been a long time since Finwë drew anything … it didn’t feel right without his muse. Besides, he has been too busy raising his soon, Fëanáro, whose tumultuous temperament lives up to his name - though, despite being still very young, he has shown great intelligence and creativity.
Finwë’s duties as High King of the Noldor have also filled up his time, but it has also opened up so many opportunities for learning more about the world and people around him.
On the top left is Círdan, a Telerin mariner and good friend of Finwë’s. Though his people came to Valinor later, Finwë was the first to welcome them - and since then the Noldor and the Teleri have been friends. The Teleri’s beaches are rich with jewels and pearls which they gladly trade with the Noldor.
What really inspired him to draw again is the Vanyar princess, Indis, a gentle and outgoing woman with hair like spun gold. Finwë tries to avoid her - and the feelings for her that have gradually been growing in him - but there is something in her smile that makes him want to smile too, in the way that only his late wife could before.
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Day 2 ~ Exploration & New Lands
AN: Companion piece to my contribution for @silmarillionepistolary day 2.
𓂃🖋 Characters/pairings: Fëanor x Nerdanel, Finwë
𓂃🖋 Synopsis: Fëanor receives a mysterious letter and finds himself quite intrigued.
𓂃🖋 Warnings: /
𓂃🖋 Oneshot (~1k) | AO3
"Here is a letter for you. Something private, apparently."
Finwë purposefully pulled an envelope out of the small stack on his desk when his son walked in. There was a soft smile on his face and a warm glint in his eyes, making Fëanáro pause and look at him in surprise. The way his father was acting made it seem as if the letter in question had to be something special, even though it wasn't exactly unusual for people, family members and others alike, to contact the crown prince of the Noldor.
Yet Fëanáro's doubts were soon dispelled when he saw the envelope that Finwë now handed him. It immediately stuck out, being smaller and differently shaped compared to the formal letters he and his father often received, apparently handmade by whoever had sent it, and not least because of the red and orange ribbon wrapped around it, rough and visibly self-spun, and a few dried, slightly crumpled wild flowers sticking out from every twist and knot.
Whoever had sent this letter had clearly put a lot of effort into it, and Fëanáro was intrigued.
He held it with both hands, taking his time to admire it. Instead of the usual formal listing of his names and titles, there was a simple "To Fëanáro" written on the envelope in sweeping, whimsical handwriting, suggesting the sender had addressed it to him with a certain amount of fondness or even joy.
Finwë, that much was clear, had made similar observations and was curious as well.
"The sender didn't provide their name, and the letter was apparently passed from person to person in the forges a few times before it finally arrived here," he said. "The only thing I could find was a tiny drawing of... I believe those are acanthus flowers."
It was at this moment that Fëanáro suddenly flushed a bright red. Acanthus? He turned the envelope and saw the drawing in question, immediately reminded of a conversation he had recently had with a certain travel companion of his.
She remembered? he wondered, the thought making him smile involuntarily, but he tried to suppress his excitement. There was no way of knowing for sure until he read that letter.
Finwë studied his expression with fatherly amusement. "May I take this as you having an idea who could have sent you this letter?"
Still red like the rubies he had polished earlier, Fëanáro shook his head reflexively. He was no fool; he knew that expression. His father was hoping that his stubborn, ambitious and reclusive son had been acquainted with a charming young lady that he could meet and accept into their family. Unfortunately for Finwë, however, the prince in question was not quite ready for that conversation yet, not to mention his uncertainty regarding his past encounters with the lady in question.
Who was no lady at all, in fact.
Finwë didn't believe him, Fëanáro could tell, but mercifully chose not to press this matter further for the time being.
"Very well. Let us speak of this another time then," he concluded their conversation.
Fëanáro gave a curt nod, forced a smile and practically fled from his father's office.
Only after he had reached the privacy of his own chambers, he went to work carefully undoing the ribbon and opening the envelope. Everything had to stay intact, he thought as he attempted to suppress his impatience as well as the excited trembling of his fingers, for if his suspicions were correct, he was going to keep it safely stashed away in his collection.
Finally, he was able to read the mystery letter.
Dear Fëanáro,
I hope you rested and recovered well after our last journey and that you don't mind me writing you like this.
When we parted ways near Tirion, I meant to tell you how much I enjoyed your company and that I would love to travel with you again — or meet up and show you all the projects we talked about, as well as seeing your works — though I must admit that I lost courage in the moment.
I am certain that you are in great company at your father's court and I don't want to overstep any boundaries, but if you feel the same way about the time we spent together, please respond to this letter and let me know where and when we could meet again.
Don't feel pressured, though — if I don't hear back from you I will assume you aren't interested and neither mention this nor bother you again.
I hope you recognised the flower signature — I tried my best to avoid getting you in trouble with your father too soon.
Yours,
Nerdanel
Her name was accompanied by yet another flower drawing, this time a few camellias and calla lilies.
Fëanáro's blush extended all the way to the tips of his ears now, and a huge grin illuminated his fair face.
It was her after all. Nerdanel who had walked up to him with such casual confidence that she had immediately caught his eye. Nerdanel who had offered her company, even though he had been too flustered to strike up a proper conversation. Nerdanel who had respected him and listened to him without the false and formal deference he was used to from the royal court. Nerdanel who had talked to him like a normal Elf and fellow artist and showed genuine interest in his passion. Nerdanel who was so capable, smart and wise, so much so that he could listen to her all day. Nerdanel whose eyes shone when she spoke about her art and whose cheeks turned as red as her beautiful hair when she gesticulated with her hands and feet while engaged in conversation.
And Fëanáro was going to see her again. He had decided that already.
Thanks for reading! ♡
Flower language explanation:
Acanthus: Fine art, artifice
Camellia: Longing, flame in my heart, adorable (depending on color)
Cally lily: Beauty, love at first sight
taglist: @asianbutnotjapanese @elanna-elrondiel @i-did-not-mean-to @saintstars @urwendii
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