Fanfic Of Raccoons, Kittens, And 🌟Star Princesses

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

To My Maitimo



Maitimo rolled around in his bed, squinting against the light of the bright light of Laurëlin which was seeping through the crack between his curtains.

Wait–
The light of what?

He shot up immediately, his clammy eyes looking around the unusually golden sight of his bedroom.
What was happening? Was the world coming to an end?

He looked at the window, where brilliant rays of gold were making his crimson drapes shine like rubies.

This…this had never happened before. Usually by this time, he had already had his breakfast after feeding his brothers, taken them to the institute, and gotten back home to get to his own studies.

Where were his brothers now? Had they brought down the whole kingdom already?
“Atar is going to kill me…”

He rubbed his head as the first hints of a headache started appearing.
Why had he slept in, anyway? Usually, Tyelkormo would have taken care of waking him up at the crack of dawn and he didn't even need–

“Wait…”
Where was Tyelkormo? Why had he not come? Had something happened to him? Why had no one woken him up?

He wasted no more time to think and bolted out of his room, still in his sleeping clothes. His brother could be hurt for all he knew.

Tyelkormo's room was placed very close to his own, thankfully, and he only had to run to the end of the hallway to reach it.

He did not knock as he usually did, and twisted the handle before rushing inside. Was Tyelkormo even there to answer him? He didn't care if it was impolite. Who in this house cares about that kind of stuff anyway?

Finding his little cousin there was the last thing he had expected, and he couldn't help but stand there for a moment before finally finding his voice.
“Sani…what are you doing here? Where's Tyelko?”

The little boy turned around, startled for a moment. He had probably interrupted another one of his daydreams.

Sanaro then ran towards him, hugging him, before starting to drag him towards the bed.
Maitimo was beyond confused now.
“Sani, can you answer me please? I'm worried about–”
“Well that's what I'm trying to do.”

He said as he let go of his hand and with a matter of fact expression, he pointed at the little creature Maitimo just noticed to be there.
He gave Sanaro a look. Why would I care for a raccoon now?

Sanaro sighed.
“You wanted Tyelko. This is Tyelko.”
Maitimo didn't know what to think, so he looked at the raccoon.

It did look like his brother in a way that he was wearing one of his sleeping tunics and practically swimming in it. It was also wearing Tyelko's Atar necklace, the one he never took off. The one their Atar had made for him as he had for the rest of them.
The aquamarine stone looked as radiant as ever, but more than out of place around the neck of a black and white creature who was probably getting all his fur on it too.

Probably the lamest prank his cousin and brothers(yes, brothers. Because why would Curufinwë not be involved when these two were?) had come up with.
He looked back with boredom at Sanaro who had been staring at him all this time, awaiting his reaction.
“Very funny, Sanaro. Now, I ask again, where is Tyelko?”

Sanaro huffed.
“Well I just told you. It's up to you if you want to believe me or not. I came here to play with Curvo and he shooed me away because he was busy, so I came to look for Tyelko and hang out with him, only to find this little guy sitting here on his bed. He's wearing Tyelko's cloth and his necklace, and he bites. If he's not Tyelko, then who is he?”

Maitimo resisted against the urge of reminding Sanaro that all raccoons bit, and it did not make any of them a member of their family.

But perhaps they'd accept Tyelko as one of their own.

He smiled involuntarily at his own thoughts before coughing and focusing back at the problem at hand.

Speaking of the problem. It was raising its arms towards him, asking to be picked up.

Well would you look at this? I might be going crazy after all. It was a given, of course, as Tyelko had made this his goal since his birth.

Despite his thoughts, he did reach out to pick up the raccoon in his arms.
The creature snuggled contentedly in his arms, licking his cheek as if to give him a kiss, and Maitimo couldn't help but coo. This raccoon not only looked like his brother, but he acted like him too. It was like hugging a toddler Tyelkormo. His brother had long outgrowned being picked up by him, and the feeling of nostalgia made his eyes water a little.

All of these were very cute, of course, but he still wanted to know where Tyelkormo was.
“Very believable cousin. Well done. You've really outdone yourself this time by finding a raccoon this suitable to play the role of my brother, but I still want to know where Tyelko is. Would you mind?”

The raccoon whined in his arms, before holding Maitimo's face between his paws and looking deep into his eyes. His eyes looked a little moist.
…What on Valinorë?

“...Tyelko?”
The raccoon looked at him for a second before slowly nodding, and Maitimo felt faint. What had happened to his brother?

“Sanaro…is this really-”
“That's what I've been trying to tell you.”

Maitimo spared him a glance.
“But how?”

The boy shrugged.
“He mentioned some disagreements with Oromë, but I never thought he'd go as far as to turn him into another creature. Who would have thought?”

The nonchalant tone was another nail to board of Maitimo's sanity. Did the little one think this was all a joke? He probably did. He was only young, after all.

“You…you mean Lord Oromë turned Tyelko into a raccoon? Why? How dare he?”
Maitimo was fuming.
“I know. I mean, it's Tulkas who is called the Valiant. I never took Oromë as the daring type.”

Maitimo shook his head, stopping himself from lightly scolding the boy for making light of this matter. He looked at his raccoon brother who, seeing his distress, nuzzled against his chest. Maitimo held on to him tightly.
“Sanaro…what should we do? Should I go to Atar? Show what has happened to Tyelko?”

Sanaro’s eyes widened briefly before he snapped out of whatever had occupied his mind. He shook his head.
“Uncle Fëanáro would not react to this well. You know how he doesn't like the Valar already. What if he offended Oromë more than he already is? That way, he'd never turn Tyelko back to his normal self. He might even turn Uncle to something unpleasant too!”

Maitimo huffed nervously, nodding before he sat down defeatedly on the bed.
If Atar couldn't help them, then who could? Should he…should he go and beg Oromë himself? Would he listen? What had Tyelko done to offend him so much?

“Sani…don't you have any ideas? We can't just leave Tyelko like this!”

Sanaro turned away from where he was watching the door intently.
“We do, in fact. Curvo went to look around the library for some time, and I just heard his footsteps. He has found something, I'm sure.”
And he gave him a smile.

And true to the boy's words, Maitimo also picked up on the light tap taps of bare feet echoing in the hallway and soon, the door was cracked to reveal his youngest brother.

Curufinwë was panting hard, clutching a book in his arms and Maitimo thought he saw his eyes light up when he saw him.

Maitimo was on his feet in a second, still holding on to his raccoon brother who was unnaturally still. He too, might have been shaken by these events to the point he didn't want to run around and cause problems.

“Curvo…did you find anything?”

Curufinwë glanced at him for long before nodding, holding up…was that a children's story?
“Are you kidding me? Tyelko is turned into a freaking raccoon, Curvo! It's not the time for silliness.”

His little brother only smiled.
“That was the only thing I could find. Instead of being cranky, you can go and try for yourself, though I doubt you'd be more successful than I am.”
“... what is it then? Do you have a solution?”

Curufinwë blinked before holding up the book and Maitimo finally focused enough to read the title and see the cover of it.
“It really depends.”

Maitimo’s eyes fell on the graceful painting of the white swan and the golden haired maiden, and immediately recognized it.
“Is that…Fimbie of the Swan Lake, Curvo?”

Curufinwë nodded before walking towards the bed. Sanaro soon joined him as they sat on the soft mattress, and Maitimo followed eventually.

“Can someone explain it? I don't think I know this story.”
Sanaro complained after a while, and Curufinwë did not leave his friend hanging for long.
“So, basically, Fimbie was a simple village girl from Cuiviénen. One day, she followed this horse who led her deep in a forest where the Dark Lord lived, begging her to help them and cast away the evil spirit of Melkor from there. She declined, at first, but Melkor, having been alerted of this, cursed her so that during the day, she takes the form of a swan and turns back into a nís during the night just after the mingling.”

Maitimo's head was whirling. Was Curufinwë serious?
“So you're telling me we should wait until the mingling? We can't do that! What if the spell became permanent?”

Sanaro and Curufinwë shared a look before the elder spoke.
“Well I doubt it would make much difference now. There's only one hour left before Telperion’s bloom.”

Maitimo's jaw was hanging open. Had he really slept for that long?

Sanaro's words snapped him out of his thoughts.
“Should we ask grandfather Finwë? He's wise, and he's the king. He can go to Manwë and complain about this to him. Uncle Fëanáro would not have to know.”

That…why had he not thought of it himself? They should go, and they had to do it now.

“Well not so fast now, cousin.”
Sanaro commented just as he stood up to leave. Maitimo sighed. What did he want now?
The boy raised an eyebrow before pointing at some..thing on him? Maitimo looked down.
“Are you planning to leave like this? No one would take you seriously with your hair being such a mess and wearing a sleeping gown.”
Curufinwë nodded, confirming this.
“Why don't you leave Tyelko with us and go take a quick bath? This way, we can still wait for the mingling to be over, and you'd also look more presentable.”

Maitimo frowned. It was true. When he had first started his apprenticeship under one of the lords loyal to his father, he'd always dress up extra nicely. Noldor tended to take people more seriously if they were dressed in silks and adorned with jewels. And he really needed to untangle his bed hair.

Reluctantly, he passed Tyelkoraccoon to Curufinwë. His brother snuggled contentedly in Curufinwë’s lap, and then, he blinked at him long before waving his paw. Maitimo smiled tearfully before composing himself and leaving. He had to hurry. There was no time to waste.

________

“What about this dark green velvet tunic? Green always suits you. Oh, and you should definitely wear your circlet. You would want to look as imposing as possible.”
“Yes, he definitely should. We wouldn't want to give Oromë a chance to get out of this.”

Maitimo’s heart was in his throat.

It was past the mingling, and Tyelkormo had not returned to his elda form, and he was being driven to madness by these two who were more worried about picking an outfit than the fact that Tyelkormo was an animal now, and could as well remain like this forever.

And now, the nerves and anxiety of the fact that he was supposed to present this case in front of the court and complain to the Valar was eating at him too. Could he really do this? Shouldn't Atar be the one who did it? He had always been stronger than him, and more capable of swaying hearts to his own will than Maitimo. Besides, grandfather Finwë was more likely to listen to Atar than him.

He winced internally. This was all such a mess.

“Thank you, Sani. I think the velvet tunic and the darker colored robe and trousers shall do fine. And I will wear my circlet and the jeweleries you picked out, Curvo. Now if you please, can I have some privacy to wear my clothes? Take Tyelko with you too.”

The children looked up and then back at each other before nodding. Sani took Tyelkoraccoon who had lost the baggy shirt he was wearing in his arms and together, the young boys left his room.

Maitimo looked at himself in the mirror, gulping. Let's get this over with.

______

Maitimo did a double take upon reaching the stables.
It was late in the day, and most of the servants would have already left for their dormitories, but the stable servants were always around to help if an emergency arose, like now.

But there were the little ones, having brought out Maitimo's stallion as well as their own smaller mares. They had also dressed nicely and were wearing their matching circlets grandfather Mahtan had designed for them.

Was it their day off? Well, that didn't matter. The horses were taken care of, and they were ready to leave.
“All right boys…ah, where's Tyelko?”

A shadow moved upon Curufinwë's mare's back, and his little brother waved at him before jumping down to come to Maitimo. He picked up the Tyelkoraccoon, dropping a kiss on his head.
“Don't worry, brother. I'll fix you.”
Tyelkoraccoon chirped and snuggled in his arms. It was only later when he found the necklace was gone from around his neck.

Together with his cousin and brother, Maitimo rode the short distance to his grandfather's palace upon the hill and all the while, he kept a reassuring hand on the soft fur of his raccoon brother.

They arrived after ten minutes or so, and Maitimo was surprised to see that many carriages and horses littered around the stable grounds. There were so many, some of them had to stay outside in the grassy field. What was going on here?

A young boy wearing a wooden mask covering his eyes scrambled to reach them.
“My Lords! You have arrived. Come, let me take care of these. The king and the rest of the princes await you inside.”
“... what?”

They were waiting for him? Why? What was going on?

“Catch!”
Sanaro yelled from where he and Curvo were standing now, tossing a small velvet bag at him.
Maitimo's reflexes saved him and whatever was inside the bag but before he could do more, the boys had run off, leaving him there, more confused than ever.

He and the stable boy stared at each other for a few seconds before Maitimo smiled awkwardly and dismounted with Tyelkoraccoon still in his arms, but it did not last long.
His little brother started squirming all of a sudden and Maitimo couldn't help but let him jump out of his arms, and was too surprised to do anything to stop him.

“Ah…why were you carrying a raccoon with you, my prince?”
Asked the confused boy as he took a hold of his stallion's reins. Maitimo didn't really know the answer to it at this point either. He only knew he couldn't let his brother or whatever it was run inside what seemed to be a masquerade ball in his grandfather's halls, with what appeared to be the whole noble population of Valinor inside it.

Giving an apologetic smile to the servant, he bolted after the creature.

The amount of time he had to apologize upon colliding with people in the hallway should be sacred like a record. Honestly, what was the occasion?

The raccoon left his sight just as he reached the great hall, which was filled with so many people wearing colorful garbs that he had to stop for a moment to close his eyes, overwhelmed. The great hall was more radiant than ever, if possible.

His peace was short-lived, though, as once one of the guests noticed his presence, so did the others and like a creature of prey, he was surrounded on all sides by people congratulating him.

For what? He had not done anything worth this much grandeur except…
“Happy begotten day, young one. Such a joyous day to see another generation grow to be adults of their own right. May the day come soon when you'd celebrate this day for your own children.”

The elaborate, pearl adorned mask covering the nér's face gave him a hard time to figure out just who he was but the silver hair eventually gave it away. One of the princes of Alqualondë. The oldest one, if he had to guess. The gracious smile was on Maitimo's lips automatically, and Lord Nortaro smiled back at him.

Maitimo's thoughts were a jumble, but what he knew was that Curufinwë and Sanaro were not going to have a good time if he came across them again. Sneaky little brats, both of them!

He nodded and bowed his head in thanks as the well wishes swarmed him from everywhere, not really capable of holding small talks with everyone. Not that he needed to, either.

The crowd parted as the king and the queen approached him. His grandfather's strong hands cupped his cheeks. Finwë's eyes were filled with tears of bittersweet joy as he had to get on his tiptoes to kiss his first grandchild’s noble brow. The first of his many flowers coming to fruition, others following him soon.

Maitimo, as if reading his grandfather's thoughts, felt his own eyes water a little as well. He put his forehead against Finwë’s, and there was a moment of silence, the whole crowd holding their breath, taken aback by the intimate sight between a proud grandfather and his grandson.

Finwë stepped back, his booming voice holding the attention of everyone in the hall.
“Today, the first of my grandchildren, my beloved Nelyafinwë turns one hundred years old, and I want to thank you, good people, for putting your trust in me and my friends and brothers-” He nodded at his fellow King, who smiled graciously at him, and Maitimo couldn't help but notice the ever present sadness the absence of one silver haired ellon brought to his gentle eyes. “-and for making our dreams come to fruition. A paradise, where our children can grow into adults and live in peace.”

And to Maitimo, he said.
“May the grace of Allfather be ever with you, my son.”
The crowd cheered, and Maitimo was pulled back from the surrealism of that moment by a dainty hand on his arm. Indis smiled at him, and Maitimo smiled back, if a little awkwardly. He and his step grandmother were never close due to obvious reasons.

Queen Indis left a fluttering kiss on Maitimo's cheek, and congratulated him with a kind tone. She stepped away quickly, though, once she noticed the imposing presence of the Crown Prince and his wife following closely behind him.

Fëanáro looked radiant in his red robes and the jewel covered mask he was wearing, his eyes like pieces of Mithril, a shadow of the blazing fire inside. Nerdanel looked as beautiful as her husband, with her fiery hair l bound in many braids and her white dress making a striking contrast with it.


The crowd had dispersed around them, going back to their own conversations as more wine was served, and also to give some privacy to the family.


Maitimo gulped, opening his mouth to calm down the storm brewing inside of his father, but it was not needed, after all.

Fëanáro had a rare smirk of mirth and pure happiness adorning his fair face, and Maitimo was about to find out the reason very soon. He did not look at Indis even once.

“How did you like my little distraction plan for you, órenya? Curufinwë said you and the raccoon bonded very nicely with each other.”

Maitimo didn't know what expression he was making, but it was enough to make his serious looking father bite his lips in order to stop himself from laughing.

“You're…you're impossible Atar.”

He said at last, not quite able to hold back the smile from his face, his father's mirth contagious.

Nerdanel rolled her eyes with fondness before passing by her husband and embracing him fiercely, which Maitimo returned, not quite caring for his mother's slighter figure and the chance that he might be hurting her, his heart full of swirling emotions.

She backed away after a moment before leaning upwards to kiss both of his cheeks. His father then embraced them both, kissing his brow.
“Happy begotten day, my son.”
The unspoken pride in Fëanáro’s voice brought tears to Maitimo's eyes.
“Thank you, Atar.”

“Ahem.”
The small part of the family separated, hearing the voice of none other than Makalaurë. He was, only for this occasion, absent from the group of many musicians huddled in one corner of the room, not feeling like showing off his talents as it was a special day.

Maitimo smiled and opened his arms wide, and his little brother did not hesitate for a moment before running into his arms.

“Hey! What about me?”
Carnistir exclaimed before colliding with them, and Maitimo's hand fell on his back, bringing him into the hug.

His eyes fell on the two rascals then, hiding behind Nerdanel and Fëanáro. He glared at them for a moment before sighing.
“Come on then.”
Fëanáro laughed before taking his wife's hand and stepping away, joining the crowd as a new song started, leaving the children alone with their antics. Yes, the children, because Maitimo would always be his child too, no matter how old he had become.

Curufinwë and Sanaro shared a look before running towards him as well.
“We had orders, Timo-”
“Just vassals, the pair of us-”
“It was Uncle's idea!”

Maitimo chuckled helplessly.
“I know that already. No need to throw Atar under carriage to prove your innocence.”

Sanaro smiled and Curufinwë shrugged with a smirk, and they both wiggled between the bigger figures of Makalaurë and Carnistir to give him a hug.
“At least we made it memorable.”

Maitimo huffed in amused annoyance, before realizing something.
“Where is Tyelko? And the raccoon Tyelko? What happened to him?”

“Tyelko is…is around I guess. He's been running around like a bunny high on miruvor all day, because apparently, his gift for you had gone missing.”
Makalaurë spoke up, pulling away and grimacing as Sanaro stepped on his boot.
Their cousin gave him an apologetic look.

Missing? How could Tyelko miss a gift? Well that wasn't really unusual.

“And the raccoon?”

Curufinwë answered him this time.
“Sanaro somehow acquired himself with a Maia friend, who agreed to play the role.”

Their cousin just wiggled his eyebrows with a smug smile.

Maitimo shook his head with an exasperated curve of his lips. Just as he thought the little one couldn't get any weirder.

“I'm here! I'm coming! Oof-!”
A loud voice yelled and Tyelkormo practically jumped down the last stairs to reach them. Maitimo's eyes widened for a moment, seeing the color of his choice for his dress robes. His brother rarely wore blue, and one as light as that and he looked quite angelic, if one were to put it. The white mask brought out the silver of his hair very nicely.
Kind of like Manwë, he thought. That was probably why he never wore these colors then.
The image was ruined once he saw his mischievous smile though.

The little ones got out of his way as Tyelkormo forcefully collided with him, but Maitimo was prepared. He caught his little brother in a bone crushing embrace, pulling him off of his feet in the process.
“Here's my giant raccoon!”
“I haven't even bit you yet!”
They stared at each other for a moment before bursting out in laughter. Maitimo put Tyelkormo down, fixing his robes.

Tyelkormo took into his appearance, frowning. He turned to Curvo.
“Don't tell me you lost the mask.”

Curvo rolled his eyes, and Sanaro answered for both of them.
“We didn't. It's in the bag.”

And Maitimo realized he was still holding on to the mysterious velvet pouch.
Tyelkormo took it before he could do as much as pull the strings, and from it, he pulled a beautiful ebony black mask covered with gold adornments. And then, Tyelkormo put it on his face with a satisfied smile.

“I think it's time.”

He heard Makalaurë say, and Tyelkormo snapped out of admiring his perfect job to look at their brother. He nodded and without a word, he took a hold of his hand and started dragging him away from the group of his siblings and cousin.

“Where are we going, Tyelko? I've had enough surprises for today.”
“We're there!”
“In the middle of the dance floor?”

Tyelkormo raised his eyebrows.
“What is that supposed to mean? I thought you liked dancing.”
“I do, but with you?”

His brother huffed.
“What, am I not good enough for you? I am a very good waltz partner, I'll let you know.”

Maitimo shook his head with amusement. Very well then. One more silly thing before he became a boring adult.

He went to take his brother's hand but paused as he saw the mischievous smile light up his face again.

Tyelkormo's hands were on his arms and in the span of a second, he had been turned around, catching the lady who was shoved into his arms at the same time.

He heard the familiar sound of a gasp, and resisted the urge to take her hand and get out of there at that moment.

Aranya looked up at him, and Maitimo gulped.
Dark brown eyes shone like the stars on her silver mask, and in that gradient purple, pink and navy blue, she was the nothing short of perfection.

“Maitimo…”
“Aranya…I-”

The first notes of the music began playing and as if the movements were ingrained in their very soul, their hands grasped each other, the pull between them nothing short of magical. At least, that's what Maitimo wanted to describe it like.

He led the dance with ease and she followed. His hands grabbed her waist and he lifted her up as the music went up a note.

It was so easy to forget they were not in their usual meeting spot in the woods, but in his grandfather's halls. He, Maitimo, was dancing with the love of his life his parents disapproved of in his grandfather's halls, in front of his parents and every noble lord and lady of the realm, and no one could stop him.

He felt invincible.

His eyes caught his brother's gaze standing up on the staircase. Tyelkormo made a silly kissy face at him, and he smiled despite himself.

Well maybe not that invincible. Besides, it was not for the other's eyes to see.

“Did you know, or Tyelkormo made an elaborate plan to get you here too?”

Aranya grinned and shrugged.
“I knew some things, but not all. Just that this would be a masquerade ball, and I could get to spend your begottenday night with you.”

Maitimo laughed lightly.
“Does this mean I'm getting more than this one dance, my lady, or are you going to run away like Calima and leave your prince charming hanging here?”

Aranya pretended to think for a moment before answering.
“You have begotten day privilege, so I believe I can spare more of my time here. It's not like there are s litter of patients waiting for me in your uncle's house.”

Maitimo had never been happier to be born.

________

“So, you have to paw here, here and here, swearing to be meowlyal to your kitty parent.”

“Can you just give me my kitten, Tyelko?”

“I'm sorry, but it's protocol. Here, I even have ink and pen for you.”

“Is that Tufrin’s paw print?”
“Who do you think is adopting you?”