Fanfic Tyelkormo's Fautuatar🎄

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

To my Maitimo
(Have a merry Christmas @Maedhros_Nelyafinwë!)

Tyelkormo's legs were cramping from sitting in that same position for so long.
It was not something he experienced often. Because…well…he didn't sit down this long …often.

But Tyelkormo had a mission. An important one at that. What would Atar think if he were to know Tyelkormo had given up on his cause just after a few hours. And over what? Some painful cramps? Childish and pathetic!
He could not give up now. Not when he was so close to catching his prey.

Fautuatar.

Just a couple more minutes and it would be Mettarë's Eve. Fautuatar would be here any minute now and when he came,there would be no leaving here.

Because this year, Tyelkormo was prepared.

These last couple of years Tyelkormo had not been as wise and smart in his plans to catch the elusive Fautuatar.
Trying to stay awake by the tree had not worked as the warmth of the fireplace didn't even give him a chance of winning this game as he had begun snoring not a minute after sitting there by the tree.
Neither did ordering Huan to stay awake to keep watch. The puppy had fallen to the trap of the sweet dreams by the fire much like he had.

The idea itself was stupid in the first place. Fautuatar would definitely see a big dog or a big strong elfling like Tyelkormo by the tree and put him on the naughty list.

Thinking, Tyelkormo figured he was already on the naughty list anyway for all the pranks he pulled on Laurë.

But for some reasons,he was still on the receiving end of Fautuatar's generosity.

Well,he wouldn't be any longer,if he was successful.
Not that it mattered. Once he caught Fautuatar, he could keep the man here with himself until the second music, forcing him into giving him gifts everyday.

Him and his brothers,of course. And if he behaved, maybe even Findekáno. Tyelkormo was just generous that way.

He eyed the ropes, laying innocently on their sitting room's floor by the Mettarë tree, covered by the fake snow Atar had made for them to play with so Tyelkormo would not rightfully request them(or throwing a tantrum,as Atar liked to call it) to go to Formenos.
The snow Atar made was even better than real snow as he could play with them without the overbearing presence of his gloves. It was not cold,after all.

Fake it was,but it offered him great camouflage for his trap. He thought with a mischievous grin.

And there was no way the trap was not going to work. Atar, the great Fëanáro himself, had made it. And when Atar was sure something would work,who dared to question him? He was always right!

Plus, even if Fautuatar didn't show up and Tyelkormo couldn't catch him, he had been able to make his always busy father to spend some time with him.
That, itself,was the best gift he had gotten in years.

When he had gone to his Atar, pleading with him to help him catch Fautuatar, Fëanáro had readily agreed with a rare grin of mirth adorning his face.
Tyelkormo was surprised, to say the least.
He had readied himself to go as low as blackmailing his Atar with the Mettarë cookies he snuck when Ammë wasn't looking,but that was not needed.

Good, then. He could use that another time when Atar wasn't so agreeable.

They had spent days planning and discussing the best trap they could set up in their sitting room where the tree was placed.

The lack of space was not a problem. Their house could very well be called a mansion and their sitting room was huge,like the rest of the house.

But frankly,he didn't want Fautuatar hurt...much. So the bear traps were shot down immediately.

A net, too, was out of the question. They needed a big one as Fautuatar was a big Maia. Taller than uncle Nolo, as Atar had told him so. A net that big could not be covered even by the well crafted snow his father had made.

Which left them with classic:

A snare.

That would not hurt Fautuatar much and was easy to hide. As Atar had explained to him.

So once everyone had turned off to their rooms to sleep,he and Atar had begun their work.
Well, Atar had begun his work. Tyelkormo was yet too little to be allowed to use the hammer or anything else Atar had been using.
Although, he had helped with the camouflage part.

And once everything was set, Atar had explained to him what he was to do once Fautuatar was in position.

"Just pull this rope I'm giving you and the rest of it will be done on its own. And remember to not be too harsh on him. We don't know what kind of sorcery he has up his sleeves."

For some reason, Atar had looked close to bursting out in laughter. But his Atar was weird that way and Tyelkormo had learned not to question him.

And as he had promised his father,there he was, hiding behind a couch but having a clear view of the tree and its surroundings. He just had to wait a little more.

Or not,he thought as his heartbeat sped up. There was Fautuatar, sneaking down their stairway with careful steps.

Wasn't he supposed to come through the chimney?
Well…maybe he had found a fireplace that was not lit.
Wise decision. He didn't know if Fautuatar's robes were fireproof or not. But better not risk it in the first place.

Thinking about robes,his eyes scanned the
Maia's clothing and was amazed to see just how similar it looked to how his eldest brother, Maitimo, had painted out for him.
He was wearing a red doublet,black trousers and a white tunic underneath. He was also wearing a funky looking hat that jingled quietly as he made his way towards the tree. His face was covered with his white bushy beard that was even more bushy than Haru Mahtan's, so he could barely make out the rest of his features.
Tyelkormo barely controlled the giggles as he heard the jingling sounds.
He was not carrying his sack of gifts like Maitimo had told him, though.
Maybe he had left it in his sleigh. Yet another wise decision.
Why did he need to carry all that burden for every elfling? It didn't make sense.

Fautuatar neared the tree with careful steps and after another moment,he was in the place Tyelkormo wanted him to be.
He let the poor man put down the gifts by the tree first. He didn't want his gift ruined if it was breakable stuff.
But he spared him no more. As the box was put down, Tyelkormo pulled on the rope and with a shriek of terror, Fautuatar was hung upside down.
Tyelkormo finally let go of his giggles as he ran out of his hiding place, standing in front of the man.
His jingling hat had fallen from his head, revealing red curls. Red curls like his brother's.
Weird,but he liked the contrast between the red hair and white beard. So he let that slide.

"Finally, I have trapped you!"

Fautuatar's eyes focused on him as his confusion turned into an annoyed look.
He huffed,but did not say anything.
"You have been avoiding my attempts to imprison you for far too long. I'm sorry about the snare,but you gave me little choice. If you were a bit more cooperative, I wouldn't have been forced into such basic ways."
Tyelkormo said with a wise aura around him, looking down at Fautuatar and shaking his head in disappointment.

The annoyed look slowly went away as Fautuatar's eyes crinkled in what seemed to be like suppressed laughter.

This time,a voice that sounded suspiciously like Maitimo imitating Fautuatar answered him. His brother knew this man too well.
"Tis not but my own fault, then. I have underestimated you, young Fëanorion. But tell me,is there any way we can come to an agreement so you would let me go? I'm afraid I cannot linger here for far too long. There are many more children awaiting me to go and give them their Mettarë's presents."

Tyelkormo thought about it. No, There was no way. He had spent so much time planning to trap this man,only to let him go? Why would he?

"I'm afraid this is non negotiable,my friend."

He tried to sound like Atar did when talking to the courtiers but his voice was still too childish and high-pitched. When would he grow and be as big as Atar?

This made Fautuatar chuckle and Tyelkormo's cheeks to flush in embarrassment. How dare he laugh at him!

"Are you sure? What if I promise you a big adult bow for the next Mettarë,hm? You can actually go hunting with that! Oh! What if I gave you two presents?"

Only two? Fautuatar was supposed to give him presents everyday for the rest of his life. Why did he think he could convince Tyelkormo with two presents?

"You are to remain here and give me gifts for the rest of my life. Two gifts are nothing compared to that!"

This made Fautuatar laugh out loud and Tyelkormo to grow angrier than before.
"For the rest of your life? That would be too many gifts. How am I supposed to bring you gifts,then, If I'm trapp–"

But then,Fautuatar gasped out loud, causing Tyelkormo to jump back a little in fear.

His eyes fell on Fautuatar as he desperately tried to cling on his beard as it fell,but it was already too late.

For the identity of the Maia was revealed at last.

There was Maitimo, looking at him sheepishly as he finally let go of the beard, giving up in trying to keep the facade any longer.

Tyelkormo could only watch him,eyes wide in shock.
Was…was Maitimo Fautuatar? That didn't make sense.

"...Nelyo?"

"Tyelko…I …I can explain–"

"Are you Fautuatar?!"

Maitimo's eyes widened before they softened like they always did when he looked at him.

"No…I mean yes! But–oh Eru! How do I explain this?"

"Explain what?"

"Just…can you put me down? I'm starting to feel dizzy. My ankles are hurting too."
Tyelkormo nodded but then realized he didn't really know how to do that.
Atar had forgotten to explain that part.

"I don't know how. Do you know?"

Maitimo looked even more miserable if possible.

"Didn't you make this? Come on Tyelko…you are hurting me. Not the right time for teasing and being naughty."

Tyelkormo shook his head,hurt by the fact that Maitimo thought he was hurting him on purpose.

"I swear! I didn't make it! Atar did!"
Maitimo was speechless as he heard that before his eyes hardened in annoyance.

"Well can you go and get him? I'm starting to feel nauseous."

Tyelkormo nodded and threw a final worried glance towards his brother, before he took off towards the stairwell but was,once again, stopped on his tracks as he found Fëanáro standing at the top of the stairwell, leaning against the wall.
His father was holding a palm against his mouth, suppressing his laughter as tears of mirth fell from his eyes.
Tyelkormo ran all the way up and threw himself in his father's embrace, Fëanáro catching him with practice ease.

"What is it,pitya?"

The laughter was clear in his voice, making Tyelkormo feel a bit giddy. He loved when Atar was happy like this.
He had the most beautiful smile in the world too,in Tyelkormo's opinion.

"Atar! Nelyo is Fautuatar!"

Fëanáro's eyes widened in shock a bit too much, exciting Tyelkormo that he had managed to tell his Atar something he didn't know. Atar knew a lot so catching him off guard was very hard.

"Is he now? I never knew that!"

Tyelkormo nodded with all the seriousness of an elfling his,his own eyes wide.

"He is! And I caught him and then his beard fell! And he said he is feeling sick so I came here to get you! I didn't know how to undo the trap!"

Fëanáro nodded, biting his cheeks to stop himself from laughing out loud and upsetting the child.

"Then let's go and let him down. He has much to answer. I want to know why my son dresses up as a Maia with silly hats,too."

Holding Tyelkormo in his arms he walked down the stairs and soon,was standing in front of his eldest who was hanging upside down, his face almost as red as his hair.

Maitimo threw him an unimpressed look causing Fëanáro to raise his eyebrows,but he let his son down anyway.

Maitimo fell with a wince of pain as his head hit the ground but other than that,he did not complain as the fake snow had broken his fall.
"Well. What do you have to say for yourself, Nelyafinwë?"
Tyelkormo wanted to know as well. So he squirmed in his father's embrace until he was let down.

He ran to Maitimo as he tried to sit up.
"Are you Fautuatar?!"

Maitimo took a few seconds to compose and free himself from the ropes before looking up at him.

"Um…no."

Tyelkormo frowned. That didn't make sense! Why was he dressed like him then?

"But you are wearing his robes and the jingly hat! If you are not him,then why are you pretending to be him?!"

Maitimo sighed and beaconed him over. Tyelkormo was a little mad at him. But that didn't mean he was going to refuse his hugs so he went and sat on his brother's lap with little complaint.

"I'm not Fautuatar…because..
Fautuatar is not real."

Tyelkormo gasped and looked up at his brother who was avoiding his gaze, looking guilty.
Had Maitimo been deceiving him all along? Why? There must be a reason behind this.

But the more important question was, who had been giving him gifts all along?

"But…where were all my presents coming from then…"

His voice got weaker towards the end as realization dawned upon his face.

"Were you the one giving me all the presents?"

His small hands gripped on to the fabric of his doublet, awaiting answers with baited breath.

"Yes…it was me--"
Fëanáro cleared his throat and gave him a pointed look.

"-- And Atar. He bought you all the presents."

Tyelkormo stared at him wide eyed and Maitimo too,stared back waiting to see his reaction with a nervous look on his face.
Tyelkormo's arms circled around Maitimo's neck, giving him a fierce hug.

He couldn't believe it! So that was why he kept getting whatever he wanted for Mettarë even though he had stopped writing his letters to Fautuatar long ago. He was displeased as to why the man never wrote back to him.
Maitimo returned the embrace with a small smile of his own. They stayed like that for a while, Tyelkormo stroking Maitimo's head and playing with his hair.
Maitimo's question had him cease what he was doing.

"Were you really going to keep Fautuatar here if he was real?"

Tyelkormo leaned back to look Maitimo in the eyes,a mischievous smile on his lips.
"I'm still going to do that! You are not going anywhere!"
And he gave his brother a kiss on his cheek.
Maitimo's smile widened as he squeezed Tyelkormo much more fiercely in his arms.

Fëanáro shook his head. His son's mind was a world of its own.

"So…you are not upset that Fautuatar isn't real?"

Maitimo asked,the note of anxiety back in his voice.

This made Tyelkormo ponder for a few seconds.
But at the end he came to this realization that,no, he wasn't upset. Even if Fautuatar the Maia wasn't real, Tyelkormo had a Fautuatar of his own that no other elfling in the kingdom had.
Not even Findekáno.
One who he didn't need traps to keep with himself all the time.
And he didn't have a beard either.
What was there to be upset about?
"You are my very own Fautuatar. Why would I be upset about this?"

His brother laughed out loud hearing this and Fëanáro watched them both with a fond smile.

"Alright. Time for bed. It's already late."
Their father told them as he helped Maitimo to his feet and kissed them both on their foreheads.
Tyelkormo nodded reluctantly,but remained attached to Maitimo even as Fëanáro went to take him in his own arms so he could tuck him in.
Maitimo reassured Fëanáro that he would do this himself. Their rooms were both in the same hallway anyway.
Fëanáro nodded and bade them both a Merry Mettarë before heading towards his own shared bedroom with their Ammë.
~~~~
"As my Fautuatar, you have to grant my every request."

He told Maitimo, arms circled around the elder's neck as Maitimo gave him a piggyback ride through the stairwell and the hallway.
Tyelkormo had been so busy playing with the jingly bell on Maitimo's retrieved hat that he had just realized they were nearing his own room.
Maitimo smiled helplessly at his brother's cuteness but went along with it.

"And what would that be?"

"Hugs and cuddles, of course! And I want to sleep in your room tonight!"

Maitimo nodded his head,face serious but eyes twinkling with mirth.

"As your Fautuatar,I have no choice but to comply. One sleepover for my very naughty little elfling."

Tyelkormo giggled and hugged his brother close, letting his head fall on his shoulder as they reached Maitimo's room.

"Can I still have that bow?"
"No."