Work Text:
G:fic If you save a bunny.
Summary: Feanaro returns home to find Nolofinwe carrying around his bunny and jumps to the wrong conclusions.
Feanaro was returning home from his apprenticeship with Master Mahtan to visit his father. Visits home were seldom pleasant. It had not been long since he made a surprise visit home and found Indis in his room packing his things in boxes marked either give away or throw away. Among the items in the throw away box was Melde the bunny his mother had made for him and placed in his crib when he was born.
Melde was not a pretty as a new bunny, but she was not torn, ripped, faded or stained. She did not have any split seems or missing stuffing. Feanaro had been very careful with her. Other than the few times his father put her on a shelf or when she fell out while he was sleeping, Melde never left his bed. This did not mean he did not love her, simply he did not wish to risk hurt to the only thing he had from his mother. Feanaro told her that there was nothing wrong with Melde and she didn’t need to be thrown away. Indis had replied that he was too old for a bunny if he wasn’t going to give it to one of his younger siblings she was going to throw it away. This was when he went to his father. Finwe explained to Indis that the bunny was the only thing Feanaro had from his mother and she had no right to go through his things and decide what he could and could not keep. He felt uneasy leaving Melde there, but he didn’t want to risk taking her with him either.
Upon entering his father’s home he saw Nolofinwe the older of his two half brothers, holding Melde. Nolofinwe was a small elfling and Arafinwe was even smaller. Eru only knew what those two would do to his bunny if he didn’t get it back, but he couldn’t just snatch it from the elfling, he might rip the bunny.
“Nolofinwe, I thought I told you to stay out of my room,” he told the elfling sternly.
“I didn’t go into your room,” Nolofinwe protested.
“Then how did you get Melde?” asked Feanaro.
“Promise not to get mad first,” Nolofinwe said
Feanaro forced himself to calm down, “I will not get angry until after I have heard you out.”
“When I found her, she wasn’t in your room. She was in a box of stuff that was going to be thrown out,” Nolofinwe told his older brother. The truth was he had just barely managed to stop his mommy from throwing Melde out. He hoped if he didn’t tell his brother then he couldn’t get mad and start a fight with his mommy. “I know your Amil made her for you and how special she is to you. This is why I have been keeping her with me since I found her, so no one with throw her away.”
Feanaro got down on his knees, hugged his little brother and cried. The only words he managed to get out were, “Thank you.”
“Please don’t cry. It’s ok. Melde is safe with me,” Nolofinwe tried to assure his older brother. “I promise to take good care of her and protect her while you are gone.”
“You do that for me, because someday when I have an elfling of my own I will need her again,” Feanaro told his little brother.
Many years later, after Feanaro had finished his apprenticeship and he and Nerdanel were married, Nerdanel was in labor with their first child. Feanaro had never retrieved Melde from his younger brother, but he had not forgotten her either. The brothers had become estranged and Feanaro thought Indis finally managed to get it from Nolofiwne and throw it away. While Nerdanel was being tended to by the midwife, Feanaro had to wait outside. His thoughts were not on Melde, but on the task that lay ahead, that of being a father. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Nolofinwe carrying a small parcel.
“I have something of yours,” he told Feanaro handing him the parcel.
When Feanaro opened it, he found Melde inside. Instantly with out thinking about it, he hugged his brother and whispered, “Thank you.”
“I told you I would keep her safe until you needed her again,” Nolofinwe told him. “And I always keep my word.”
Just then the midwife came out and told Feanaro he had a son. Feanaro entered pulling his brother in behind him. Nerdanel was lying on the bed holding an infant. The infant was showing signs he would have her red hair. The midwife picked the infant up and put him in his father’s arms. Feanaro put the bunny on the bed before taking his son.
“I present to you, your first born yondo and heir,” she said. “What is his name?”
“Nelefinwe,” said Feanaro. Feanaro whispered something in Nerdanel’s ear.
“I think you are right, for once,” she replied.
Feanaro carried his son over to Nolofinwe and said, “I know we have not always treated each other as torni should, but I would like to change that. Those who have proven themselves faithful with small things will also be faithful with greater things.” With that he placed his son in Nolofinwe’s arms. “I name you his mentor and should the need arise, his guardian. From you may he learn wisdom and faithfulness.”