Fanfic A Gift for Brother

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

To my Findekáno




Írissë let the arrow loose and it missed the target all together, again.

Usually, she would have screamed in frustration, thrown her bow to the ground and sat down to sulk until Tyelkormo picked up her discarded bow and brought it to her, coaxing her to get up with the promise of a hunting trip once she was skilled enough.

Today, though, she was not merely frustrated or angry after a fight with Turukáno, or having to sit through a long session of history lessons and lore with her tutor alongside Artanis. She was sad and disappointed with herself.

You don’t even know him well enough to know what he would like. How do you think you can beat me to this?


Damn Turukáno and his ridiculous calm confidence. It always made her feel small and unworthy.
And this time, at least, he was right.

She was unworthy of him, because he was the best.
He always knew what to do or say to help her calm down, he gave the best hugs in the world and he’d give them to her more freely than the others, which made her feel special.

Írissë wanted to show him he was worth the same to her, she just didn’t know how.

She sighed again, feeling like crying.
He wouldn’t have struggled so much to even come up with an idea for a begotten day gift. He was just that good.

She winced as an acorn hit her in the head. She turned away from the target, glaring daggers at her archery master as he fell down where he was sitting, dying in laughter.

“You’re the most unfunny person I’ve ever met, Tyelko.”
Tyelkormo sat up again, wiping his eyes as his laughter finally calmed down.
“I beg to differ. In fact, a lot of people would beg to differ.”
“Until they’re targeted by your wonderful sense of humor, of course.”
“You speak fairly, cousin.”

Írissë shook her head, exasperated and just a little amused.
Her best friend always had a way of making her feel better in the most stupid ways possible.
Tyelkormo looked a little too serious all of a sudden, patting the spot next to him, and Írissë complied, walking towards him and flopping down on the grass, pitting her bow on her lap.
“So, are you going to tell me what is wrong with you today? You’ve been in a mood since you got here.”

She whimpered pitifully in frustration, putting the bow away and lying back down on the grass.
“That bad, huh?”
“Mhm.”

Tyelkormo peered at her above, before booping her nose. She kept looking up at the clouds, ignoring him, sighing again.

“That did not help.”

He sounded a little offended. Eventually, he, too, laid down on the grass, watching the sky.

“I know I’m not the most helpful person, but maybe talking about it with someone can make you feel better.”

He didn’t seem to be hurt by this, waiting patiently for her to decide if she wanted to talk or not.

“It’s Finno’s begotten day next week.”
“And are you mad at him for being born?”
“Tyelko!”
“Sorry. You may continue.”

She glared at his smirking face before continuing.
“I told Turo I’m going to get him the best present ever, and he told me I can’t, because…because I don't even know what he would like. And.. he’s right. It’s been weeks and I haven't even come up with an idea, let alone the gift itself.”

She sounded desperate, and she felt even more helpless than she appeared.
Findekáno would think she didn't care about him if she failed. The thought of it made her want to cry.

“This comes from experience, but Maitimo usually prefers handmade stuff for begotten days and Mettarë. Something I've made myself, like carvings or drawings. But even with those, it has to be something meaningful, to remind him of a good memory, or small thing he likes.
With Tufrin, for example, he told me how he had wanted a kitten since he was a small Elfling, but Ammë and Atar were always busy having kids or working on other projects to really listen to him, so he stopped bringing up after Laure was born.”

She started to turn to him slowly the more he spoke, his words making so much sense, strange as this occurrence was.
He kept looking up at the sky until he had finished speaking.
He turned his head a little then, addressing her.
“Has Finno ever told you something like this before? Something he has wanted since forever?”

This was helpful. Beyond helpful. Why had she not thought of it before?
That wasn't important at the moment. She had a clue now.

Something he's wanted since forever?
Írissë rummaged through her memories, but no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't really pinpoint a conversation with her brother when he had mentioned something like this.
Her parents were far more attentive than her Uncle and Aunt, after all, so she doubted if there was anything Findekáno wanted that they had ignored.
She didn't voice her thoughts out loud. It would be like rubbing salt to the wound.

"I…I don't think there's any, and if there is, he's never mentioned it."

Tyelkormo hummed and began thinking again.

"Well…what does he like? What are his hobbies? It can give you a start, at least. The rest will come. Turo is an idiot. There's no way for you to not know Finno. He's your brother too."

Írissë laughed a little at that, her heart and mind eased a little by the encouragement of her best friend.

What did Finno like? What were his hobbies?

"Adventures. Going outside, exploring, hunting,...these stuff in general. Those are his hobbies. But…how am I supposed to get him those? They aren't exactly gift material."
"Anything else?"
She frowned.
"Well …he likes to read."
"So does Timo. But his books are boring. What are Finno's favorites about?"
"He likes adventure books. He's read each and every book in the library of grandfather's palace, written by those who went through the great journey. And Atar says he would pester grandfather to tell him stories whenever he visited."
"Oh I remember it now. He used to be really annoying."
"Be nice to my brother!"
"You can't tell me what to do."

He stuck out his tongue and rolled away before she could smack him, chuckling.
She didn’t go after him like she usually did, still thinking about the gift.

Adventures…

Hunting…

books…


“What about a Travelogue?”

That was it! That was the best gift!

“You’re a genius Tyelko!”
Tyelko just shrugged nonchalantly, trying to hide his small smile caused by her compliment, but she could see it despite it.

She rolled around on the grass in glee. The only thing she had to do was find a good one.
It should be well written, engaging and one he hadn’t read bef–

She stopped mid-roll when she came to this realisation.
One he hadn’t read before. But her brother had read through all the archives of Tirion’s library. There was not one left unread.

There was not one good enough for him.

“But… there’s not one he doesn’t have or hasn't read already. Even if he likes it, it wouldn’t be the perfect gift.”
“Who said there isn’t a single one he hasn’t read? Who do you think he is? My Atar?”

She turned to glare at him.
“Instead of making fun of him, give me a solution. How can there be another Travelogue, but the ones from the Great Journey? I don’t think my brother has any particular liking for your cheesy diaries from Formenos.”

Tyelko rolled his eyes, but answered her.
“Do you think it was only us, the Noldor, who took this journey west? Why would you look for these only in our own libraries? There were the Vanyar, and also, the Teleri, who came west alongside us. And if you’re asking me, the stories of the Teleri are much more exciting.”

Irisse looked at him, a little intrigued. Much like his father and most of the population of Tirion and Valimar, Tyelkormo used to look down on their peaceful fishermen kin, who possessed no craft but to fish and sing and dance upon the deck of their ships and boats.
His sudden change of attitude was welcome, but surprising.
She couldn’t care much for that at the moment, so she asked him, impatient.
“Are you going to help me or not?”

He gave her a deadpan look, done with her attitude.
“I was getting there. I happen to own one which has been published recently, and only in Alqualondë. It’s not likely Finno has heard of it sooner than me.”
“How did you get it then?”
“It was a gift. From a friend …ah… from the hunt.”
He looked down, inspecting his nails for a moment before turning to her again.
Írissë nodded. That sounded good enough. But what about its context?

“Have you read it yourself? Is it any good?”
“My friend has read it and liked it. She said the writer was a close follower of grandfather’s friend, Elwë Singollo. He must have written about his disappearance there.”

Írissë hummed, noting with a sly smirk how Tyelkormo’s friend happened to be a lady. Not the time to bring it up, but she would certainly do, in the near future.
“And are you ready to give up the book for Finno?”
“For you, not him. And I can get my friend to bring me another copy. You’re in need of haste.”
“I’ll make sure Finno knows it was a joint effort.”
She smiled and leaned down to kiss his cheek.
Tyelkormo shrugged again, acting like he couldn’t care less.
“Do what you want.”

Írissë's smile remained on her lips throughout the rest of the evening and long after she bade her cousin farewell and made her way back home. After weeks, she finally had nothing to worry about.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tyelkormo left her that evening with the promise of bringing her the book the day after, meeting her at her house.

When he didn’t show up, she put it in the account of his forgetfulness, promising herself that if he didn’t show up tomorrow, she would go by their house, much to Uncle Feanaro’s displeasure, and take the book from him herself.

He didn’t show up the day after, so she went to him instead. But he wasn’t there. His brothers or parents didn’t know where he had gone, nor did they seem to care. He will show up eventually, Curufinwë told her.

But she needed him to be there then, not later. Not after Findekáno's begotten day, certainly.

By the fourth day, she began searching for him around the city, going to his favourite spots, but to no avail. Her cousin had vanished into thin air.

She considered sneaking into his room with the help of Curufinwë, but remembered she didn’t know if the book was still there, or what it even looked like.

The next two days, she began looking around, trying to find a gift for her brother, not caring if it was perfect or not. She didn’t want him to imagine she had forgotten or something.
At the end, she managed to find him a brand new set of hunting knives, and even Curufinwë had to admit they were well-made. But it did not feel perfect, not like the book.

Damn you Tyelkormo!

She cursed him as she took a bath. She cursed him as she put on her dress. She cursed him as she did her makeup.

And she cursed him out loud once she saw him there, cleaned up in nice robes, ready for Findekáno's party, as if he hadn’t ruined her plans by taking off to Eru knew where.
“Damn you, stupid ghost! Where in Utumno have you been?!”

He jumped a little at her tone, before turning around to look at her with an apologetic grimace.
“Íri… I…I can explain…”
She punched him in the arm before dragging him away out of there. It was a small gathering with just their cousins and siblings being present, but she still didn’t want to make a scene in front of them.
Findekáno and Maitimo had yet to arrive, with the latter being appointed to distract her brother so the rest of them could assemble this small surprise party.

she pushed him inside an empty guest room, before turning to look at his guilty face, eyes ablaze.
“What good will your explanation do for me, unless you have the book? You have it, right?...right?”

Tyelkormo shook his head slightly and Írissë scoffed.
“If you didn’t want to give it up, you could have just said so. Could have saved me a lot of trouble.”
Tyelkormo shook his head, looking offended.
“Of course I would have given it to you, if I still had it! I…when I went home, I found it ripped to shreds by Huan. I've been away to Alqualondë, looking for another copy.”

Írissë felt shocked, and then guilty. She couldn’t find an ounce of deception in her cousin’s expression. He was telling the truth.
She couldn’t face him anymore, so she turned away before asking.
“So, you couldn't find it, I assume?”
He shook his head, but didn’t appear all too disappointed, which she found out why as he continued.
“My friend is on her way here, having found another copy. Hopefully she’ll be here before Finno and Timo arrive.”

Írissë nodded, hope returning to her heart.

Please Nelyo…please keep him away a little longer...

She looked at Tyelkormo then, who was gazing at her warily, unsure if he was forgiven or not.
She smiled at him before throwing herself into his arms. After a few seconds, her embrace was returned just as fiercely.
"Sorry I doubted you…"
"It's all right."
He whispered back, stroking her back.
They parted just as Aikaráno knocked on the door, calling them out.

Her heart sank. Had her brother arrived?

"Tyelko? Are you there? Someone's looking for you."
They shared a look and relief washed over Írissë. The mysterious friend was there.

Tyelkormo walked out of the room, finding Aikaráno there, waiting for them.

Their cousin raised an eyebrow.
"What dealings do you have with my cousin?"

His cousin?

Tyelkormo flicked his forehead, making him wince.

"None of your business kiddo. Where is she?"
Aikaráno pouted but pointed at the ballroom where the party was going to be held.

Both Írissë and Tyelkormo didn't tarry any longer and headed there.

Once there, Tyelkormo scanned the room, before making a beeline towards a stranger.

The elleth's curly, chestnut brown hair reached her hips. She still couldn't see her face.

Tyelkormo called her name as he came near her.
"Lindiel."
She turned around once she heard him, a small smirk on her lips. The pair greeted each other with a hunter salute, grasping each other's shoulders, before Lindiel's smirking face softened, embracing her cousin gently, and the two of them began conversing like old friends

Írissë decided to approach them at last.

Their voices grew quieter once they saw her.
Lindiel smiled at her before reaching into her bag, bringing out a wooden bookcase.
On the cover was a painting of a wolf, howling on a cliff side, illuminated by the silver light of Telperion.

Findekáno's favourite animal.

"As promised. Sorry it took me so long. All of the copies were sold, so I had to go to the writer himself. My grandparents know him, and once I told him what I wanted this for, he was generous enough to let go of his own copy of it so I can bring it to you. But please, keep Huan away from it. This is the last."

Írissë felt like she could cry at any moment. She took the gift with trembling hands and offered the kind elleth a small smile.
"Thank you. You don't know what this means to me. My brother is going to love it."

Lindiel's smile widened and she turned to Tyelkormo, opening her mouth to talk to him before a hush fell over the crowd of her cousins, making her forget whatever she wanted to say.

Arakáno ran into the room and closed it behind himself with a quiet click.

Findekáno and Maitimo were finally there.

Írissë ran to put the package in her hands on a table, alongside the rest of the gifts, before taking her place next to her brothers.

The sound of Maitimo and Findekáno's muffled conversation could be heard from outside.

Írissë's heart began beating faster.

The door handle was moved downward.

Just a few seconds…

The door was opened and Findekáno stepped into the room, greeted by the shouts of their cousins and brothers as they wished him a happy begotten day.

His shocked and then happy face was worth every second of stress she had gone through these last couple of weeks.
Her brother was worth more than anything.

She stepped forward and threw herself in his arms and he laughed in delight, catching her before twirling her around.

He put her down to look at her properly. She got on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek, causing his already big smile to widen.

"Íri! What have you done? I never asked for such a big event."
"But you deserve it and more! That's what I care about."
Came her feisty response, and a chorus of laughter and agreement could be heard around the room.

Maitimo clapped Findekáno's shoulder, nodding towards Írissë in agreement.

"You do, brother. Your sister is the wisest third child between all of our families. She must know something. Sorry, Angaráto."

Angaráto just shrugged and Tyelkormo made an offended noise, throwing an apple at his eldest brother which he caught with ease.
Everyone began laughing again, and Írissë was the happiest she had been in months.

Findekáno picked up little Arakáno in his arms, kissing his head before Maitimo began leading him towards the centre of the room.
It was time to celebrate.

They danced and sang to Findekáno's favourite songs, accompanied by the sound of Makalaurë's flute and Findaráto's lyre.
She danced with Findekáno the most, both of them with the biggest smiles lighting up their faces, and his brother laughed every time Írissë missed a beat and stepped on his foot, not bothering to correct her.

It was magical.

Soon came the time for the cake.
She led her brother towards the cake their chefs had prepared and Turukáno lit up the candles.
"Don't forget to make a wish…"
She whispered and he closed his eyes.
Then, he blew out the candles as their cousins cheered. They started singing him a happy begotten day, making him blush.

Írissë clung to his arm before dragging him away towards the gifts table.

"Time for the gifts!"

This was met with the agreements of the others as they began chanting for Findekáno to open them.

Findekáno rolled his eyes fondly before picking up the first gift. An adorable carving of him with his bow, made by Arakáno's still inexperienced hands.

Findekáno's eyes were filled with tears as he dropped a kiss on his little brother's forehead who beamed at him.

The next one was a bow from both Maitimo and Tyelkormo, the sigil of their houses entwined together on the curve of it, with the arrows being made by Maitimo himself.

And this went on until Turukáno and Írissë were last.

A cloak from Carnistir, a set of matching knives from the twins, a new travelling pack from Aikaráno and Angaráto, a compass from Curufinwë, a lyre from Makalaurë, a tunic woven by Artanis and a pair of matching golden hair clips from Artaresto and Findaráto.
Whichever gift was opened, Írissë became more sure her gift was the best. The uniquest.

Findekáno picked up Turukáno's before hers, and she waited with baited breath.

It was a brand-new leather armour.

Huh? That was it? Is Turo serious?

She smirked, but it fell once his eyes fell on Findekáno.

"Turo?…how? I never told you about this."

Turukáno shrugged, blushing a little.
"I know how much you admire Haru Finwë, and I saw your eyes brighten when he showed us the armour he wore in Middle Earth once. I've been taking tannery classes and I thought I could give this a shot. Do you like it?"

He asked, his nervousness hidden behind his nonchalant attitude.

"You made it yourself? Oh little brother! I love it! Thank you."
And he embraced his brother fiercely.
Turukáno patted his back awkwardly and Findekáno eventually let go of him, wiping the couple of tears he could not help but let fall.

He cleared his throat, composed himself before turning to Írissë, who didn't feel as confident as she used to before.
Turukáno's gift was perfect. And he did know their brother well.

"Is this from you, sister?"
Írissë nodded numbly and Findekáno picked up the bookcase, eyes lighting up when they fell on the beautiful painting of the wolf. He ran his finger across the pattern with a delicate touch, a soft smile on his face.
Írissë's nerves eased a little at his reaction.

Findekáno took out the book and opened the first page.
His eyes widened because of whatever it was written on the first page, and then, he read it out loud with a trembling voice.

"To Findekáno, prince of the Noldor. May the Valar be with you.

-Sornion of the Teleri."

The twins, Angaráto and Aikaráno gasped out loud.
"Sornion? Do you know him, Íri?"
Findaráto asked, his tone surprised and amazed.
She shook her head, confused. Why did it matter? It was just an author.

"Why? Who is he?"
"Who is he?! Are you ser-"
Maitimo elbowed Ambarussa before he could continue. Then, he turned to Írissë with kind eyes, noticing her confusion.

"Sornion is a Telerin lord, and good friend of Lord Elwë and our grandfather. He is also …uh…how do I put it? A heroic figure among our youths. Especially for Tyelkormo and Findekáno. You didn't know him but got his book signed for Findekáno?"

Írissë was shocked. So that was why Tyelkormo was so sure Findekáno was going to love this. That loveable jerk!

"Tyelko recommended this. I thought he would enjoy the story regardless of who has written it. Why…why is he a heroic figure? What has he done?"
The boys shared a look before Findaráto answered her.

"He was the one who trusted Oromë the hunter first and brought him to our people. He is honoured by The Hunter because of this. So, basically, if not for him, we would have never gotten to Valinorë."

Írissë nodded. That did sound significant enough.

Findekáno finally stopped staring at the book and looked up at her.
He put the book and its case on the table with such a care Írissë had never seen of him, before bringing her into his arms for a hearty embrace, chanting thank you over and over.

She hugged him back after a few seconds.
She could hear Findekáno inquire Tyelkormo's whereabouts, meaning to thank him too for helping Írissë to get him this but she couldn't care much about it at that moment.

She was too focused on sticking out her tongue at a fond yet annoyed looking Turukáno.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"So…how are you going to pay me back? I looked all over the city for that book and rode all the way here from Alqualondë to get it here in time."

"It was for Finno, not me. Why do I have to pay for anything? I didn't even have my own copy anymore."

"So, are you saying you want me to ask him for the price of it? You know I care not about your fathers' coins and prefer other ways of repaying, if you get what I mean. So, should I demand payment from Prince Findekáno now?"

"...No."