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In his relatively young life, Turukáno had faced many hardships, not too few of them having to do with his family. His grandfather, the King, had once said that even if there were no issues, Turukáno would create one. Turukáno himself did not agree. It was not his fault that he cared about what others chose to ignore.
A recurrent difficulty that Turukáno hadn’t found a solution for yet concerned Fëanáro’s eldest son. On the surface, it was so absurd that it would and had made people laugh, but the truth was that Turukáno still had no idea how to address his eldest cousin. Sometimes he felt like Fëanáro and Nerdanel had chosen the names for their firstborn specifically to give Turukáno a headache.
Maitimo was the one most commonly used in the family, but there was no way Turukáno would willingly pay a compliment to Fëanáro’s son. He had enough people fawning over him already. It was bad enough that Turukáno called him Maitimo in his head to train himself out of referring to him as that bastard. It would not do to have a fateful slip of the tongue.
Nelyafinwë was the most appropriate option for their level of closeness, but Turukáno would never slight his father by using it.
Russandol implied an even closer relationship. Besides, the way his brother said it made Turukáno break out in hives, so it was a definite no.
Nelyo was for family only, reserved for his brothers, father and their grandfather. Even Findekáno didn’t use it.
Cousin would not do because they were half-cousins, but calling him half-cousin was unnecessarily antagonistic and would only create more problems.
Kinsman seemed a simple solution, but Turukáno would rather pull out a tooth with his bare fingers than acknowledge that they were blood relations.
So he had to resort to calling Maitimo hey or ahem and hope no one would notice.
Of course, that was a slim hope, since fate had it out for Turukáno, and more and more frequently he found himself in increasingly contrived situations where he had to call Maitimo something and didn’t know how to do so. It seemed the entire world was conspiring against him.
If only Maitimo would settle on a craft, then maybe Turukáno could call him Blacksmith or Architect or Loremaster or whatever he chose, but no, he leaped from this to that just to spite Turukáno.
“Maybe you should get closer to him, so you will not feel uneasy calling him Maitimo,” Ingoldo suggested once good-naturedly.
They were in Alqualondë’s market together with Findekáno, waiting for Maitimo, who for some reason also happened to be in Alqualondë. Obviously, Findekáno had all but abandoned them after finding that out on day one, spending all his time with Maitimo instead, even though he was the one who had insisted they visited Alqualondë. And now, he had even invited Maitimo to go sailing with them.
“I am not that desperate yet,” Turukáno said.
“Are you still struggling with Russandol’s name?” Findekáno asked. “I cannot believe you. There are so many ways to address him – one easier than the other – and you still cannot choose one.”
“It is not easy at all,” Turukáno objected.
“Isn’t it? Watch and learn.”
He walked to Maitimo, who had approached them while they were talking, and gave him a wide smile. “Hello, handsome,” he said.
Turukáno grimaced, but Maitimo just laughed and greeted them all.
“You are so embarrassing!” Turukáno hissed a few minutes later when Maitimo was distracted by the jewelry stand.
“You are not that hard to embarrass,” Findekáno answered.
“Who wouldn’t be embarrassed by their brother making a fool of himself in public?”
“Why? Because I called Russandol handsome? That is the new fashion in Alqualondë, haven’t you heard?”
“That is the stupidest lie you have ever told.”
“It is true! Just ask Ingoldo!”
Turukáno turned to his friend, who smiled and shrugged. “It is true.”
“Oh, really? Then why didn’t you greet me like that?”
“Well,” Ingoldo drawled, “I have found that it is wiser to ease you into things.”
Turukáno was going to object vehemently, but at that moment, Maitimo returned with a string of pearls in hand. They were quite big and had a bluish tinge. Turukáno thought they were rather gaudy.
“Shall we go?” Maitimo asked.
They took a small ship and went into the sea with a few Telerin sailors, sang sea songs, ate Ingoldo’s seaweed sandwiches and watched dolphins dance. Maitimo and Findekáno also swam for hours and climbed back on the ship, laughing and happy.
Turukáno was also happy for the moment, mostly because Maitimo was on the other side of the ship, and he was sitting with his brother and his favorite cousin and admiring the gleam of the Treelight on the waves.
“How does it look?” Findekáno asked suddenly.
Turukáno turned his head to see that his brother had Maitimo’s tasteless string of pearls attached to a braid.
“It really matches your eyes,” Ingoldo said.
“Did you steal it?” Turukáno exclaimed.
“Yes,” Findekáno said. “Don’t tell Russandol.”
“He could not tell him even if he wanted to,” Ingoldo said.
Turukáno glared at him, betrayed, but Ingoldo only shrugged.
“Forgive me, Turvo, but it is getting ridiculous.”
“I concur,” Findekáno said. “Especially that now there is a title you can use for Russandol. Isn’t that right, Ingoldo?”
Ingoldo frowned for a moment. “Oh, right!” he said then. “I had not thought of letting you know, forgive me.”
“What are you talking about?” Turukáno asked impatiently.
“Maitimo is now a sailor under the Telerin law,” Findekáno explained. “So you can address him as such.”
Turukáno studied his brother carefully. It would not be the first time that Findekáno had made something up to make fun of him, so he wasn’t in a hurry to believe him.
“What do you think he is doing in Alqualondë all alone?” Findekáno asked. “He is working even now right on this ship. Isn’t that right, Ingoldo?”
“Oh yes,” Ingoldo said. “My grandfather himself conferred him the title. There was a ceremony in the palace and all.”
“Huh,” Turukáno said.
Ingoldo wasn’t prone to lying, and Maitimo was ambitious enough to try his hand at something that traditionally wasn’t the strong suit of the Noldor.
“You should go and call him right now,” Findekáno said. “Go tell him to take a break and join us.”
“Why me?” Turukáno complained.
“Who else, Turvo? You should start addressing him as a sailor here on the ship where it is perfectly natural, so you will get used to it and not get tongue-tied when we return to Tirion. Isn’t that right, Ingoldo?”
“Of course, of course. You know how you get, Turvo.”
“Fine!” Turukáno said. “I am going.”
Maitimo didn’t look like he was working. He was chatting with one of the sailors, but perhaps they were discussing ship-related business. Turukáno didn’t know enough about sailing to assume something else, and he cared little anyway. His thoughts were occupied with another matter. He approached Maitimo and took a deep breath.
“Hey, sailor,” he said.
Maitimo and the sailor turned to him, bewildered. Between that and Findekáno’s snickers from behind, Turukáno realized his mistake.
“I, um, I had some questions about-about the ship,” he said. “And my brother asked you to join him over there.”
“Oh, he did? All right, thank you, Turukáno. You can ask any questions you wish about the ship. Everyone is very friendly.”
He left with a wave, and Turukáno had to spend hours listening about the intricacies of sailing and plotting his revenge against Findekáno and Ingoldo.
---
Most of all, Turukáno hated formal receptions at the palace where there was no way to avoid Maitimo. Still, he tried, and that was why he didn’t follow his father and the rest of his family into the balcony opting instead to stay with his grandfather, who wanted to discuss some state matters with his lords. Those were too boring even for Turukáno, so he let his mind wander, relieved he didn’t have to be on his guard anymore, until Finwë’s voice brought him back to the hall.
“Turukáno, if you have nothing to add, you may join the others. Please be so kind to send Nelyo here after you do. He is knowledgeable of the matter.”
Turukáno groaned internally. “I can help too!” he tried to argue.
“Yes, you can help by calling Nelyo,” his grandfather said in a final tone.
Turukáno bowed and dragged his feet to the balcony. On the way there, he was suddenly stricken by an idea so brilliant that he was surprised he had not thought of it before. Such a straightforward but effective solution! This was his salvation.
“Prince!” he called happily, entering the balcony, and realized his mistake the moment the word left his mouth.
“Yes?” said Maitimo, and also Makalaurë, Arafinwë, Ingoldo, Fëanáro, and even Turukáno’s own father.
“The King requires your presence,” Turukáno mumbled, pointing at Maitimo.
“Turukáno, that is very rude!” he heard his mother’s scandalized voice.
“Please, Lady Anairë, I don’t mind,” Maitimo said, standing. “Thank you, cousin.”
Cousin. He made it sound so easy! And he said it right in front of their fathers too! Turukáno muttered something unintelligible and went to a corner to sulk.
---
“Are you truly witless?” Findekáno exclaimed when the next day, Turukáno made the mistake of sharing the story of his miserable evening with him. “There was such a simple way to distinguish Russandol from the rest!”
“And what pray tell was that?” Turukáno snapped.
“You haven’t heard? Fëanáro has declared Russandol the Prince of Formenos. Of course, you understand that Father isn’t too happy about it.”
“Of course!”
“Neither am I, if I am honest. The other day I…” Findekáno sighed and lowered his voice. “We even had a physical… altercation with Russandol over it.”
Turukáno’s eyes widened. Findekáno and his favored Russandol had come to blows! That was unheard of!
“Is that where you got that bruise on your neck?” he asked.
Findekáno’s hand flew up immediately, but then he lowered it.
“Yes,” he said.
“That bastard! How dare he!”
“Never mind that now. Listen carefully, Turvo, Father wants to speak to Russandol about this urgently. You need to visit their residence and invite him here. This is a delicate matter, so no other messenger can be trusted except family. I would go myself, but I am not on the best terms with Russandol right now. Go there and call him. Address him as Prince of Formenos – there is no need to make matters worse. Will you do it?”
“Of course!”
Turukáno was already on his feet. He understood the importance of his mission. Privately, he thought it would not be such a bad thing to have Maitimo away from Tirion. He felt guilty for the thought because this new development was surely another slight against his father, so grave that even Findekáno was concerned, though his issue might have been with being parted from Maitimo.
He took a few moments to gather his thoughts before going in search of his cousin. Fortunately, he and his brothers, except young Atarinkë, were in their garden pavilion having tea.
“Good day,” Turukáno said curtly. “My father wishes to see the Prince of Formenos.”
The brothers all stared at him.
“Who?” Tyelkormo asked.
“The Prince of… Formenos?”
“I think he means you, Nelyo,” Makalaurë said.
“No, if he were looking for Nelyo, he would have asked for Prince Ahem,” Tyelkormo said seriously.
“Excuse me,” Makalaurë said. “I think you mean Prince Hey.”
“Prince I-Have-Something-Stuck-In-My-Throat,” quipped usually taciturn Carnistir, earning roaring laughter.
“Prince If-I-Stare-At-You-Long-Enough-Maybe-You-Will-Understand-I-Want-To-Address-You,” said Makalaurë.
“All right, that is enough,” Maitimo said.
His brothers laughed but added nothing more to the great relief of Turukáno, who felt so hot that he would not be surprised if there was visible smoke coming out of his ears.
“You must forgive them, cousin,” Maitimo said, approaching Turukáno and leading him away. “They are feeling particularly acerbic today. Now tell me, what was that about Prince of Formenos? Did your brother put you up to this?”
“He must think it is very funny,” Turukáno muttered. “I suppose you have not been given the title of the Prince of Formenos.”
“Not to my knowledge. And I suppose your father has not summoned me.”
“Probably not.”
“Well, I may still pay a visit to you later today. Tell Findekáno that I shall have a very stern talk with him about this.”
“Try not to give him any more bruises,” Turukáno said.
Maitimo suddenly started choking. “W-what?” he finally coughed out, saving Turukáno from having to pat him on the back awkwardly.
“Oh, that was also a lie!” Turukáno realized. “You did not have a physical altercation with my brother, did you?”
“Well, no,” Maitimo said, adjusting his collar. “Not an altercation.”
“I am going to strangle him,” Turukáno said under his breath.
Maitimo said nothing but pressed his lips together. He was probably also angry at Findekáno for creating this uncomfortable situation. Turukáno said goodbye to Maitimo and rode home, almost wishing that the whole Prince of Formenos story had been true and had put an end to his struggle.
---
Findekáno apologized for the stunt he had pulled over and over again until Turukáno forgave him. But apparently, that wasn’t enough to assuage his brother’s guilt, who promised to find a solution to Turukáno’s problem with Maitimo.
A while later, he approached Turukáno with a self-satisfied smile, which immediately made Turukáno wary.
“What is it?” he asked.
“First say thank you, brother.”
“No.”
“Fine. You will thank me later because, as promised, I made your life easier.”
That made Turukáno even warier. “What did you do?” he asked.
“You are not going to believe this, but I persuaded Russandol to choose one more name for himself.”
“You are joking!”
“Never. When he realized that you have trouble addressing him, he asked around and found out that there are others uncomfortable using his names or other forms of address. I suggested that he take another name, one that will not intimidate people—”
“He does not intimidate me!”
“Do you want to know the new name or not?”
Turukáno sighed. “All right, tell me.”
“It is Avessë.”
“What?” Turukáno snorted. “I don’t believe you. That name is even more silly than Atarinkë.”
“It is not!” Findekáno said indignantly. “It is a perfect name for the situation.”
“Were you the one to suggest the name to him?”
“Yes, if you must know. I said that as all his names are meaningful and chosen for very particular reasons, he should choose one that is less loaded. And what better name for that purpose than no name? Russandol agreed with me, of course.”
“Of course…”
Findekáno glared at him. “He did. He even asked me to help spread the news of his name. So I ask the same of you.”
Turukáno narrowed his eyes. “Is this another joke of yours?”
“Do I look like I am joking?”
“Someone as vain as him would not choose such a name for himself.”
“He believes it brings him closer to common people.”
Turukáno made a retching noise. “Of course, there is a political element in it. He never does anything without an ulterior motive.”
“In this case, it benefits you, so be grateful,” Findekáno said impatiently. “Remember, it is Avessë. Tell your friends. All two of them.”
“Says someone whose friend named himself Avessë.”
“It is a great name! Mysterious! The Prince Without a Name! Intriguing!”
“If it makes you feel better.”
Findekáno huffed and strode away. Turukáno felt a little guilty because his brother had done him a great favor. He could start calling Maitimo Avessë without any issue if only he could force himself not to laugh. But that might be easy because being close to one of Fëanáro’s brood was enough to dampen his mood.
---
The chance to use Maitimo’s new name didn’t present itself for some time until the day of a small feast in Nolofinwë’s house. To Turukáno’s immense pleasure, he was invited to the talk his father usually had with his closest advisers. He had only recently started participating in these meetings, which was unfair because, unlike Findekáno who found every reason to avoid them, he actually wanted to get invited.
At some point, the conversation turned to the upcoming festival in honor of the Awakening. This year, Maitimo was in charge of its organization, which had made some people roll their eyes privately, especially after Matimo had decided that the main events of the festival would take place in the woods instead of Tirion as was tradition. He had claimed it would make them feel closer to Cuiviénen.
“Perhaps Maitimo does take a lot upon himself at times,” Nolofinwë said later when the guests had retired.
“I find his reasoning quite sound,” Findekáno said with more passion than he intended apparently, if his aplogetic look was anything to go by.
“I happen to agree with Father,” Turukáno said. “Avessë should not have changed so much the first year he heads the festival.”
He had practiced saying Maitimo’s new name and was proud of how naturally it fitted in the sentence. But for some reason, his father looked confused.
“Are we still talking about Maitimo?” he asked.
“Yes, that is his new name,” Turukáno clarified.
“I was not aware of that.”
“Hasn’t Findekáno told you?” Turukáno asked, bewildered.
He turned to his brother, who was trying to stifle his laughter. Flushing with anger and embarrassment, he jumped to his feet. He was ready to start yelling at Findekáno, but his father stopped him.
“Findekáno, have you misled your brother again?” he asked sternly.
Findekáno was too busy trying not to fall down his chair to answer.
“You have gone too far this time,” Nolofinwë said. “What if he said that in front of others?”
“I didn’t think he would believe it! It was clearly a joke!” Findekáno cried.
“Forgive me for trusting in my elder brother,” Turukáno bristled.
“Oh, please. You need to stop being so gullible.”
“Enough of that,” Nolofinwë said. “Turvo, I hope you have not shared the news with anyone else.”
Turukáno bowed his head. “I might have… told a few friends,” he said in a small voice.
Findekáno snorted but quickly sobered under Nolofinwë’s disapproving gaze.
“Send a note to them immediately before they spread it further,” he said. “And you,” he turned to Findekáno, “apologize to your brother and start behaving your age for once.”
“Forgive me, Turvo,” Findekáno said. “I truly did not think you would believe me this time. I promise to be completely honest with you from now on.”
“Do try,” Turukáno said. “Now, please excuse me, I have to correct some misconceptions born through no fault of my own.”
He left the hall with as much dignity as he could muster, glaring at his brother all the way out.
---
Turukáno had to admit reluctantly that the festival was not a total failure. Not to admit loudly, of course, just to himself. Not that he could tell that to Maitimo even if he wanted to or had found a way to address him because, on the third day of the festival, the organizer himself disappeared. Turukáno thought it was extremely disrespectful, but it gave him an excuse to take his leave too, especially since Findekáno had also vanished.
He was looking forward to having the nearly empty city to himself, but first, he had to take a bath and change. He was headed straight to his chamber when he heard muffled laughter and a yelp from the drawing-room. Curious, he walked towards the noise, even though something in his heart was telling him to turn back. Yet, he did not. He opened the door quietly and froze. He knew then that he would never forget what he saw even after the breaking of the world.
Findekáno and Maitimo were sitting in an armchair together. Or rather they were sitting over each other, limbs entwined and lips locked. Findekáno’s hand was under Maitimo’s shirt, while Maitimo’s hand was—
“AHEM!” Turukáno bellowed.
The pair jumped away from each other. Turukáno could not look at them, so he opted to look above their heads.
“Have you both completely lost your minds?” he hissed at the ceiling. “What do you think you are doing?”
When he received no answer, he was forced to lower his gaze to them. Maitimo, at least, had the decency to look apologetic, while Findekáno seemed mostly annoyed. That made Turukáno even angrier.
“Do you understand what will happen if someone finds out?” he asked his brother. “Does Father know?” He looked at Maitimo. “Does your father know? How long has this been going on?”
“Long enough that not noticing it before does not speak well of your wit,” Findekáno said.
“Do not even talk to me!” Turukáno cried.
Findekáno didn’t seem inclined to comply, but when Maitimo elbowed him, he rolled his eyes, crossed his arms and thankfully bit his tongue.
“I know this must be shocking to you, Turukáno,” Maitimo said.
“Shocking? This is a disaster! Not realizing it does not speak well of your wit.”
Maitimo raised his hand in a placating gesture. “I understand that, I do. But, please, try to calm down. This is not the end of the world.”
“Isn’t it? Could have fooled me.”
Maitimo sighed. “Turukáno, you are understandably very agitated now, but you have to look at the bright side.”
“The bright side? Is there one?"
"Of course there is."
Turukáno rolled his eyes. “Pray tell what it is then.”
Maitimo smiled, approached Turukáno and put a hand on his shoulder.
“From now on,” he said, “you may call me brother.”