voicetesting bc everyone needs more finweans

[imperito]

Child, while your effort to expand my story is appreciated, I would caution against using an AU to explain my presence during events (or after) that do not directly concern me. To any of my kin still living across the sea, especially. As much as I miss them, my appearance would most likely appear crafted out of ... whole cloth?

[ That's kind of the point of an au, Finarfin. Try to keep an open mind about this, it'll be fun. ]


Somehow, I suspect your definition of fun may diverge greatly from my own.

Comments

[silvergift]

I would fear any such occasion that would force you to these Hither Shores, grandfather. After all, I would think much of my recovery was thanks to you and grandmother.

[imperito]

I would be cautious of the same, granddaughter. But my preferences are not being given full weight.

[ His smile is brief. ]

My wife enjoys doting on you.

[silvergift]

[She laughs very softly.] As grandmothers tend to, I think. I cannot tell you how much mother doted on my children when they were young.

Almost certainly, half the twins mischief came from how she and father doted on them.

[imperito]

It is the prerogative of parents, and grandparents, to spoil their descendants with love and attention.

[silvergift]

Spoil, that is the most accurate description. Although it was not just love and attention she spoiled them with.

[And she's sure that trait came from her grandparents. There was no other explanation that she could think of, try as she might.]

[imperito]

What else did she impart to you, little one?

[silvergift]

Oh... Well, I certainly was not the most well-behaved of children and I ruined more than a few dresses. A trait my father insists I did not inherit from him. And one mother had to have gotten from somewhere.

[She's still working on figuring out just who mom got that from.]

[imperito]

My siblings and my children inherited their proud spirit from my father. Without evidence to the contrary, perhaps you have received a portion of that as well.

[ Trust him on this, as the white sheep of the family. ]

[inafadingcrown]

You have been greatly missed as well, Father. [Have a frown from your youngest, Finarfin.] But I would not see you placed in harm's way. [Not that she really has much choice in the matter. But she'll voice her opinion anyway (somethings never change).]

[imperito]

Have I? [ He would like to think that, but their parting was bittersweet in so many ways. His youngest may mirror her mother's people in looks, but she has the heart of a Noldor. But no - that assumption isn't fair to either of them. ] As much as I am loathe to admit, someone else pulls the strings of my fate. I can only offer counsel and hope for the best.

You look well, Artanis. Perhaps even somewhat content?

[inafadingcrown]

More than words may say. [More than she even knew was possible. It's a particular kind of ache to go through life's milestones without your parents. That her father and mother never saw her wed, never got to watch Celebrian grow up- it hurts, even if it was her own fault. But as he asks about her, she smiles softly and ducks her head.]

I am content. [Sea-longing aside. But there's no reason to bring that up now. Let him first be reassured by the bright spots in her life.] I am a mother myself now- and a grandmother, besides. I have built a life on these far shores- hard won and not without sorrow, but... I have been blessed.

[imperito]

There are occasions on which words do fall short of conveying feelings adequately. [ His gaze holds no hint of censure, or disapproval, just relief that they are both in a place to conduct a positive conversation. ]

My wife has taken Celebrian under her care since her arrival. Would that it were possible to meet your lord and grandchildren, too.

[inafadingcrown]

As do I. [So he was from after Celebrian's arrival, then. One never does know in this place.]

I must thank you, in the meantime, for caring for Celebrian when I could no longer do so. [It had been hard, watching her leave. Believing then that she could not follow. It had torn her in two. Even now, centuries later, she cannot speak of this matter without her voice wavering ever-so slightly. And then, a little more softly, she adds:] I understand now, perhaps, how I must have wounded you and Mother. ["I'm sorry" is what she doesn't say, but it's written on her face as plainly as if she had.]

[imperito]

Perhaps one day I will. [ And maybe put the fear of father-in-law into a certain Doriath prince. Or something. Then happily spoil his grandsons, provided they make the necessary choice. ]

It has mostly been Earwen's doing, and, if possible, I will pass along your thanks when next we meet. [ He takes a shaky breath, filtering what his daughter says with everything that remains unspoken. After a long moment, Finarfin nods. ] The privilege of family is to care for each other. You do not have to thank me, or your mother, for exercising that right.

[ Are hugs allowed at her age? ]

[inafadingcrown]

That has ever been my hope. [She smiles, though her eyes have become a little watery, despite her best efforts.] Celebrian knew of you from the first, you know. I told her stories of you, Mother, and my brothers nearly as often as I could. I wished for her to know where she came from, to love you and to be proud to be your kin-

[Hugs are definitely allowed. Especially since she's about to initiate one. She hesitates slightly as she steps forward, but then, deciding that she is past the point of no return, throws her arms around him and pulls him close, all in one swift motion.]

-as I am.

[imperito]

[ He is not entirely sure how to respond, considering the rift between himself and his children after the first Kinslaying. After the doom was pronounced. After he decided to swallow his pride and accept whatever punishment awaited him by Manwe's hand.

Leading what remains of the Noldor, as it turns out. Not as fun as you'd think. Not as the youngest brother of Feanor. ]

Oh, my daughter.

[ All he can do is hold Galadriel just as tightly, wishing fervently that her mother was present to share this unlooked-for gift, and bury his face in her hair until the urge to weep fades away. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[She's not going to let go for a while; she's appreciating this opportunity far too much.]

Forgive me. [It's a mark of how much she's grown, that she is able to ask for forgiveness. To admit, openly and candidly, that she has done wrong.]

[imperito]

Forgiven. [ She was forgiven so long ago the years are almost meaningless. Galadriel swore no oath and spilled no blood at Alqualonde. Only her pride and ambition were at risk, and Finarfin has long come to the conclusion that he is the odd one out in the family. Not to say that he does not possess any spirit of his own, but it does not burn as visibly as the other scions of his father's House. ]

Forgiven and missed.

[inafadingcrown]

[The little noise that escapes her is somewhere between a laugh and sob. When she pulls back, her eyes are red, but she's smiling- beaming, as though a great burden has been lifted from her shoulders.] Then I am truly blessed.