Signs of Spring, by LadyBrooke
Nov. 17th, 2021 10:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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tolkienshortfanworksAuthor: LadyBrooke
Title: Signs of Spring
Characters: Finwë, Elulindo
Pairing: N/A
Text type / Format: Ficlet
Source / Fandom: The Silmarillion
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Angst with Hopeful Ending, Severe Cold, Implied Hunger/Starvation Issues
Word Count: 500 words
Summary: Even the coldest winters end in time.
Oromë may have left the Elves alone, but hope returns with the first flowers.
Author notes: Written for the February Thematic Prompt, “First Flower”, along with 31 days prompt “I reach for the light cautiously — a gift rising at my cold door.”
Finwë’s hands trembled beneath the scant furs that lined the bed he had claimed for himself in the hut hastily built near the tree cover when it had become clear the Valar’s protection had been withdrawn, at least for now.
There was little warmth to be found in the camp, and the cries of those who disagreed with every decision that had been made to this point pierced through the mask of calm Finwë was determined to hold. There was nothing to be gained by despair, not when Cuivinien was so far behind, and Valinor still so far ahead. They had come through this chill before, at least those of them who could remember life before Oromë’s first appearance, and they would cope with it again.
There was another muffled shriek, and finally Finwë drew himself up from the bed and stepped out the door. He draped the furs that had been on him around Olwë’s son’s shoulders. Elulindo was huddled by the fire outside, as he had been every morning since Elmo had arrived on his brothers’ behalf with his nephew behind him.
Neither Finwë nor Elmo had spoken of what desperation had driven Elwë and Olwë to send Olwë’s youngest son to Finwë’s camp, where there were fewer elves and more food. There were some things that did not need to be said, and this was one of them.
“Do you know what is the matter this morning, Elulindo?” Finwë asked.
Hopefully it was not another lost to the cold. The light was already rising, and that would keep some enemies away.
The light would also let them discover those lost in the night.
Before Finwë could worry further, Elulindo broke into laughter. “Nothing is the matter! Uncle says he thinks spring comes, and we will soon have warmth and more food. Did you not see them when you left your hut?”
Finwë shook his head, already turning to look.
At first, nothing appeared different, and then his eyes caught sight of green poking through the snow under the trees and around the door.
“Flowers,” Elulindo said. Laughter once more escaped him as he jumped up from his seat, revealing a handful of blossoms clasped in his fist. “Flowers! They grow again. Uncle went to see if he could find more in the woods, or a sign of other changes. Perhaps the Maiar are returning to help us.”
It was with a cautious hope that Finwë knelt by the door and pushed aside the snow.
There were more, tiny blossoms scattered throughout the snow like stars in the night sky. Finwë had not known he could welcome flowers as much as these.
“Do you think Uncle is right?” Elulindo asked, standing beside Finwë.
Finwë knew hope came more easily to the young, and Elulindo was still young enough to only barely top Finwë’s height while Finwë knelt in the snow.
Still, Finwë smiled.
“I know he is,” Finwë said as he plucked his own blossom from the snow.
Story on Ao3
Title: Signs of Spring
Characters: Finwë, Elulindo
Pairing: N/A
Text type / Format: Ficlet
Source / Fandom: The Silmarillion
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Angst with Hopeful Ending, Severe Cold, Implied Hunger/Starvation Issues
Word Count: 500 words
Summary: Even the coldest winters end in time.
Oromë may have left the Elves alone, but hope returns with the first flowers.
Author notes: Written for the February Thematic Prompt, “First Flower”, along with 31 days prompt “I reach for the light cautiously — a gift rising at my cold door.”
Finwë’s hands trembled beneath the scant furs that lined the bed he had claimed for himself in the hut hastily built near the tree cover when it had become clear the Valar’s protection had been withdrawn, at least for now.
There was little warmth to be found in the camp, and the cries of those who disagreed with every decision that had been made to this point pierced through the mask of calm Finwë was determined to hold. There was nothing to be gained by despair, not when Cuivinien was so far behind, and Valinor still so far ahead. They had come through this chill before, at least those of them who could remember life before Oromë’s first appearance, and they would cope with it again.
There was another muffled shriek, and finally Finwë drew himself up from the bed and stepped out the door. He draped the furs that had been on him around Olwë’s son’s shoulders. Elulindo was huddled by the fire outside, as he had been every morning since Elmo had arrived on his brothers’ behalf with his nephew behind him.
Neither Finwë nor Elmo had spoken of what desperation had driven Elwë and Olwë to send Olwë’s youngest son to Finwë’s camp, where there were fewer elves and more food. There were some things that did not need to be said, and this was one of them.
“Do you know what is the matter this morning, Elulindo?” Finwë asked.
Hopefully it was not another lost to the cold. The light was already rising, and that would keep some enemies away.
The light would also let them discover those lost in the night.
Before Finwë could worry further, Elulindo broke into laughter. “Nothing is the matter! Uncle says he thinks spring comes, and we will soon have warmth and more food. Did you not see them when you left your hut?”
Finwë shook his head, already turning to look.
At first, nothing appeared different, and then his eyes caught sight of green poking through the snow under the trees and around the door.
“Flowers,” Elulindo said. Laughter once more escaped him as he jumped up from his seat, revealing a handful of blossoms clasped in his fist. “Flowers! They grow again. Uncle went to see if he could find more in the woods, or a sign of other changes. Perhaps the Maiar are returning to help us.”
It was with a cautious hope that Finwë knelt by the door and pushed aside the snow.
There were more, tiny blossoms scattered throughout the snow like stars in the night sky. Finwë had not known he could welcome flowers as much as these.
“Do you think Uncle is right?” Elulindo asked, standing beside Finwë.
Finwë knew hope came more easily to the young, and Elulindo was still young enough to only barely top Finwë’s height while Finwë knelt in the snow.
Still, Finwë smiled.
“I know he is,” Finwë said as he plucked his own blossom from the snow.
Story on Ao3
no subject
Date: 2021-11-18 09:40 am (UTC)I love the description of the flowers coming out among the snow.
The responsibility must indeed have weighed heavily on the leaders like Finwe!
I like the use you make of the material from Nature of Middle-earth here.
Also, it is a nice reminder of their friendship that Elulindo gets sent to Finwe and they don't need to discuss it!
no subject
Date: 2021-11-24 04:55 am (UTC)I think the responsibility had to weigh on them, especially since so many of their early actions seem motivated by nothing except wanting the best for their people! So when it starts to go slightly wrong…
Nature of Middle-earth has been great as inspiration for me, and really bad for me getting my to write list shorter, lol.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-18 09:46 am (UTC)And also thank you very much for filling the wish from my wish list!
(That is, I think you probably saw my wish list and this is not just a coincidence? And if it is a coincidence, then thank you anyway!)
I have now added an author tag for you.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-24 04:58 am (UTC)It was meant as that! I kept seeing the prompts all year and meaning to post, only to never get anything done. But I saw your wish list and was determined to finally get something written.
Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2021-11-30 08:31 am (UTC)Also, I have been enjoying your "31 Days" pieces, as well.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-18 05:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-11-24 04:58 am (UTC)