Picking Up The Pieces by Grundy  

Brothers and Sisters

Galadriel smiled, more to herself than to either of her cousins.

Aryo’s irritating insistence on dragging half the family along on what was meant to have been a private trip had prevented her slipping away quietly to meet up with Irissë as she’d originally intended. She had been unsurprised to find she hadn’t gotten a moment alone since they left Tirion. Someone was always with her. And not only was it Aryo’s doing she had all of them along in the first place, he’d volunteered to go hunting with her every evening.

She’d resigned herself to the group being along for the journey, since she knew perfectly well there was little she could do about it. She might snipe at her cousins, but it was clear her older cousin had every intention of sticking around for whatever he thought was going on, and she couldn’t very well order her parents  to go away.

But she’d at least found a way to make Aryo sweat. After the first evening, she’d invited Anairon to join them on the evening hunts. She knew she wasn’t about to do anything terrible to her younger cousin, but his big brother didn’t.

Their parents thought it was sweet that she was including her baby cousin. Aryo had been looking daggers at her whenever he thought Anairon wasn’t paying attention. (Given how thrilled the boy was to be spending time with them, that was rarer than Aryo had evidently expected. She felt a bit guilty on that score, as she’d had the impression he found her intimidating and was happy to avoid her save in her granddaughter’s company.) She’d been enjoying watching Aryo squirm almost as much as she was enjoying her time with her youngest cousin.

Besides, bringing him along on the hunt was doing Anairon some good.

At some point he was bound to be called on to demonstrate his skills to someone other than Tindomiel, the only person she knew had regularly seen him hunt before now. Tinu swore he was competent so long as he thought nobody was watching, and had been doing what she could for some years to build his confidence.

“Calm your mind, Airo,” she reminded him quietly. “Not only will your shot be steadier, the animal is less likely to spook. They pick up on your agitation and react to it.”

She had taught a daughter and several grandchildren to hunt, so giving her young cousin pointers was no trouble at all. (Particularly not when it also got back at his older brother in a way Aryo could not complain about without getting grief from both their parents.) Besides, she didn’t much want to explain to Irissë how under the stars they’d all let her baby brother come of age without being able to fend for himself outside the boundaries of Tirion.

She thought Anairon was coming along nicely. All he really needed was practice and encouragement.

His arrow flew true, a better shot even than the one the previous evening that had brought down a turkey – both times managed despite her and Aryo watching. Aryo had the grace to look impressed rather than startled this evening.

“I never got a deer before!” Anairon exclaimed, as surprised by his own success as his brother.

“I expect it will be the first of many,” she told him proudly, ruffling his hair. “You know the principles, so it’s more a matter of practice than anything else – you should start insisting to Tinu that she let you take your turn more often when the two of you are off on your adventures.”

“Yes, but…”

“No buts. The more you do it, the better you’ll get – and the surer you’ll be of yourself. You might even surprise her.”

Anairon nodded, taking her words as seriously as if she’d been sharing foresight rather than simple common sense. A not entirely muffled snort from Aryo’s direction indicated what he thought, but he knew better than to say anything to risk his brother’s newfound and still tentative confidence.

“Aryo will do the cleaning,” Galadriel added magnanimously, suppressing a laugh at the filthy glare that got her in return. She’d managed to stick him with it every night so far. “Though you ought to observe how he does it. We should start you practicing soon. Perhaps on the way home? I know you and Tinu don’t go after deer often as it’s usually just the two of you. But for larger parties like this, you will find even a large bird may not suffice.”

“No time like the present,” Aryo suggested, managing to keep his voice pleasant.

“Don’t be silly,” she retorted. “He’s already done very well for one day.”

Anairon blushed, and his brother subsided.

She knew the boy was concealing something to do with her granddaughter, but so far, he was doing an excellent job of keeping it under wraps. She more than halfway suspected Tindomiel had bent the stricture on not bringing anyone out of the Halls. She was tempted to tell Anairon how proud she was of him keeping it quiet – no easy task with both their fathers at hand.

She’d have to choose her moment, but someone ought to say it. Her aunt wouldn’t consider this a positive development, but she suspected her uncle would take a view of the matter more in line with hers. He just wouldn’t be able to say so.

“Wait until you tell your father,” she added to Anairon in a burst of inspiration.

That would be something Uncle could openly express paternal pride in.  

You are the living end, Aryo informed her.

What? You think your father won’t be excited at his accomplishment? I bet you were just as pleased the first time you got a deer!

He shot her a sideways glare, but began explaining to his brother the key points of field dressing a deer as he worked. The interesting shade Anairon was turning strongly hinted that even with the birds and small game animals, it was Tinu who handled this particular chore.

This time Aryo’s look held a tinge of reproach.

I just don’t understand how he can be so squeamish about this, when he’s perfectly fine working with meat in a kitchen or a camp! she told him.

Fair, but you’d better say something - he’s not just turning green, he’s also fretting that he’s not living up to expectations.

Really, expectations were half the problem.

“You’re doing well,” she told Anairon encouragingly. “You’ve held on to your lunch, which is more than Elrohir did the first time he observed the process.”

She felt minorly guilty that she might be damaging her grandson’s dignity sharing that tidbit, but on the whole she thought it for the best. Tinu’s many stories of her older siblings had left Anairon the impression they were all something out of songs. Elrohir was certainly old enough to understand, should he ever hear about it.

Also, the twins had been in their late teens the first time Celeborn had demonstrated this skill for them. But she saw no need to tell her little cousin that part.

Anairon sighed in relief that he hadn’t somehow embarrassed himself. He was much more at ease once the last of the organs had been removed, and was not shy about helping to butcher once the cleaning was done. In fact, he took charge of that with a confidence Galadriel knew she wouldn’t have matched at that age. She wondered if she ought to mention that to Uncle as well.

“We can do steaks tonight, but pack some of it in salt and spices to season for tomorrow while we walk,” Anairon suggested. “I have enough in my pack, I think.”

“You’re the cook,” she and Aryo replied in unison.

She almost laughed, because her older cousin looked as annoyed as if she’d done it on purpose. Anairon giggled, though, and started cutting sprigs of herbs to wrap up with the meat so it would begin to flavor as they carried back to their camp.

He had nearly finished when she finally heard what she’d been waiting for.

---

Irissë was all but dragging Eöl along in her wake. For someone who had been impatient to get somewhere yesterday, he was barely keeping up now.

His mental laugh at her impatience echoed in her head.

Come on, they’re just up ahead!

Yes, and they’re not going anywhere, he replied.

I haven’t seen Artë in three Ages! she retorted.

Thirty seconds more or less is unlikely to make much difference, he pointed out.

She gave up trying to talk sense into him and hurried on. He could keep up or catch up.

She burst into the clearing, startling a boy who was just picking up what could only be the results of a successful hunt – she could see what remained of a deer carcass set carefully to one side, where birds, insects, and small meat-eaters could make good use of it.

“Here you are at last!” she exclaimed, grinning at Artë.

“You took your time! Here I was afraid you’d show up too early,” Artanis replied with a smile.

The two of them embraced, a separation that had never been meant to last so long finally over, and that was all that was needed for Artë to know.

You might have told me, was her only comment. I wish you both joy.

I wasn’t going to share such news over distance, Irissë said unrepentantly. You never know who might overhear!

“True enough,” Artë agreed, turning to Eöl with a smile. “Well met, kinsman. It has been too long.”

It was only as Eöl nodded at her cousin that Irissë noticed who else was there.

“Aryo! I wasn’t expecting you.”

She gave him a fierce hug, pleased that the first brother she encountered was one she wanted to see.

“Yes, someone’s been keeping secrets,” her brother said blithely, with a glare at Artë, who mentally blew him a kiss.

Irissë supposed she felt bound to behave in front of the youngest one present. Setting good examples and all that…

“And who is this?” she asked, focusing on the boy.

“Our little brother Anairon,” Aryo answered.

Irissë was startled only for a moment, recovering much quicker than Anairon.

He was begotten when your father returned, Artanis explained. A bit of wordless osanwë conveyed that he’d been a surprise to her, too – and added an undertone of be careful with him!

“Good for Ammë and Atto,” she declared, seizing her baby brother and planting a kiss on each cheek. “And good for you, too, little brother – I hope you took advantage of having our parents all to yourself.”

It was hard not to laugh at how taken aback he was.

You took that better than I expected, Artë told her.

What, you thought I’d object to not being the youngest? she snorted. I think it will be nice for my daughter to have an uncle who’s not Ages older than her!

Eöl dissolved into quiet laughter. Aryo gave her a suspicious look, having missed what she’d said to Artë.

Irissë kept one arm firmly around her baby brother. It was going to be such fun to be a big sister, even if she was running a bit late. It would have been better to be there when he was little. But she couldn’t return without knowing where her son was…

“I always wanted a younger sibling,” she said happily. “And now I finally have one! He looks like me, too, doesn’t he?”

She grinned as she considered his looks. Turvo and Aryo took after Ammë, but like her and Finno, her baby brother had his looks from Atto.

“What about you, Artë? Any surprise baby siblings?”

Artanis rolled her eyes, but fondly – and indicated silently that she remained the youngest child of her parents.

“Don’t worry, you won’t be the baby long,” Irissë added to Anairon quietly, guiding his hand to her belly. “There, say hi.”

It was adorable how quickly he went from startled to entranced. Artanis looked almost as charmed by it as Irissë felt. She brushed aside the pang of regret that none of her brothers had been there to meet her first child at this age.

“She’s dreaming,” Anairon said quietly, sounding awestruck.

I don’t think he’s ever been around such a young one, Artanis said with the quality to her mental voice that meant she was speaking to Irissë alone. I’d say he’s going to be as excited about her as Gildor was about Celebrían.

“She?” Aryo asked, bemused. “You don’t mean to say…?”

“Yes, you’re an uncle,” Artanis confirmed. “Again. You get to be around for this one, though.”

“You didn’t waste any time, did you?” Aryo snorted, his tone entirely at odds with his expression. Poor boy hadn’t gotten to see more than a few years of Rillë, and nothing at all of Lomion.

Her daughter was going to be so spoiled by uncles.

“I wanted my daughter back as soon as possible! It’s just a shame Finno is still being so stubborn, fussing about the wording of what Namo says. He was upset at missing Lomion – I think they had a few hours right before the end and that was it – and now he’s missing this one, too.”

The suddenly sharp glances from both her older brother and Artanis were slightly worrying. The unease rolling off her baby brother was downright unnerving, and she wrapped both arms protectively around him.

“What’s wrong?” she demanded of the others while doing her best to soothe Anairon.

Nothing was going to hurt him while she was around!

“She was in Gondolin too?” Artanis demanded, her voice hard.

“Yes,” Eöl confirmed, his tone nearly matching hers.

“We talked about this,” she reminded her mate firmly. “I will settle my stupid brother. That goes for you too, Artë!”

“You may need to do that sooner rather than later,” Artë said, sounding like she was working very hard not to grit her teeth.

Why? she asked.

She could feel her cousin was absolutely livid with Turvo, and wondered what else he’d done. There was more to it than just being angry about what had happened to her and her daughter. But she was certain this was not a conversation to have in front of her baby brother.

“Before you decide him even worse than he actually is, I don’t believe he knew,” Eöl told Artanis. “Though I will quite happily watch whatever dire fate you have in mind for him.”

So long as it falls short of kinslaying, he added silently.

She didn’t look mollified in the least.

I’ll explain later, when Anairon’s not around, Artanis told them both. He’s already been caught in the fallout of Turvo’s messes once. It’s hardly fair to compound it. Nor is he the only young one Turvo’s been careless with.

If that didn’t raise a slew of questions…

Eöl took her free hand.

We can be patient, he said quietly. This is not a matter to involve your young brother in.

“Am I allowed to greet your younger brother, or is he all yours?” he added aloud.

Irissë made a production of sighing theatrically.

“I suppose you may,” she said, loosening her hold, but not letting go entirely.

“Well met, brother,” Eöl said, proffering his hand in the Lindarin fashion.

Irissë was pleased to discover she didn’t have to prompt Anairon on how to respond, and if the smile he gave her mate was tentative, she got the feeling it was more from shyness and surprise than from any uncertainty about Eöl or his people. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Her mate turned to her other brother. Unlike Anairon, this was not a first meeting. They had met in the Halls.

“Good to see you among the living,” Aryo said, clasping hands in his turn. “Particularly as we could use a hand with this one!”

Eöl raised an eyebrow and turned to regard Anairon thoughtfully.

“He’s just a bit sheltered is all,” Artë said, sounding more defensive than Irissë would have expected.

I’ll explain that later too.

“Well of course he is!” Irissë exclaimed.

She could only imagine what his childhood would have been like with the rest of them in the Halls…

“He’s getting much better,” Artë added reassuringly. “Not that he could really help it when he and Tinu spend so much time together. Speaking of which…”

She turned her attention to Anairon.

“When were you planning to tell the rest of us that she and Maeglin are in Gondolin? That is where they are, is it not?”

Anairon managed to look calm, but Irissë could feel he was suddenly a bundle of nerves.

“They had better be,” he muttered.

“Aren’t you the sweet boy, trying to surprise everyone?” Irissë asked rhetorically, ruffling his hair affectionately.

“I suppose I should warn them we’re coming,” Artë said. “Particularly as I suspect Tinu wasn’t expecting quite so many of us. Though I’m surprised she hasn’t checked in or tried to hurry Anairon along. Normally she’d be impatient to see everyone’s reaction...”

Artë’s eyes widened in sudden surprise, and her jaw dropped.

---

Arakano watched his little brother look frantically from their cousin to their sister, then visibly decide that between the two, he’d take his chances with his sister. He ducked behind Irissë and her husband.

Not that Arakano entirely blamed him – in Anairon’s shoes, he’d been looking to have someone standing between him and Artanis, too. Preferably someone she wouldn’t try to go through.

“What under the stars?” Irissë asked in confusion. “Anairon, sweetie, what did you do that Artë’s so shocked? You can tell me, I won’t be upset, promise. Whatever it was, I’ve probably done worse.”

“While that’s definitely a true statement, he didn’t do anything,” Arakano said, deciding to toss his brother a lifeline. “Your son, however…”

Artë startled them all by bursting out laughing.

He blinked. That was not the reaction he’d been expecting – nor had Anairon, judging by his astonished expression.

“What’s so hilarious?” Eöl asked in confusion.

“Only that Anairon’s finally managed to catch up to the rest of us in keeping things quiet,” she burbled merrily. “Well done, little one! I think I’m prouder of you for this than for the deer!”

Eöl’s eyes brightened as he looked from Anairon to the wrapped meat ready to carry back, and Arakano reckoned they might have just found the ideal mentor for him.

“What does this have to do with Lomion?” Irissë asked urgently “Aryo said he did something!”

Her husband sobered somewhat at that, as well he might given he was probably the person present who knew the least about what was going on.

“The reason only Anairon is with us,” Artë managed to calm down enough to say, “is that Tindomiel is newly married. And if I don’t miss my guess, to Maeglin?”

She looked to Anairon for confirmation, and he nodded cautiously, still not quite trusting that amusement would be her only reaction.

“Tindomiel?” Irissë repeated in astonishment.

Arakano didn’t miss her sudden sharp look, or Artanis’ subtle shake of the head in answer. There was something more going on that neither of them was going to admit to in front of others. Unfortunately, his odds of getting them to share were probably less than a snowball’s chance in Tirion.

“It seems some things run in the family,” Eöl chuckled. “Though I imagine Uncle will be considerably better pleased about them.”

It took Arakano a minute to realize he meant Thingol.

“Yes, but that’s just as well. Tindomiel’s parents aren’t on the far side of Alatairë,” Irissë snorted. “I at least knew I wouldn’t have to explain myself to Ammë right away. But Artë’s poor granddaughter is going to have to face her parents at once. If your uncle will be on her side, so much the better.”

Arakano couldn’t help the snicker.

At Irissë’s questioning look, it turned into full blown laughter.

“Yes, well,” Artanis said gently. “Put your mind at ease on that score. While Elrond and Celebrían may be surprised, they’re unlikely to be anything worse than that. But I’m afraid your day of reckoning has arrived. That laughing dolphin there had the brilliant idea to bring your parents and mine on this outing.”

“Ammë’s here?” his sister demanded, looking around as if she expected her mother to emerge from the trees any second.

“Here in the sense of being a quarter hour hike away,” Anairon clarified. “And it wasn’t Aryo’s fault. I was supposed to bring everyone to Gondolin. Just not too quickly… and we weren’t expecting you.”

He looked a bit worried, but Arakano could have told him there was no need. Irissë was delighted to no longer be the youngest and throwing herself into big sisterhood with the same enthusiasm she applied to everything else she did. No one would be able to do anything to him in her presence. (Artanis included, not that she seemed inclined now that she’d realized the full scope of what he’d pulled off.)

“Oh, you darling,” Irissë cooed, taking Anairon’s arm. “Come on, let’s go find Ammë and Atto. Don’t worry about the meat, Eöl and Aryo can carry it. How far is it to Gondolin from here? And why couldn’t Turvo come up with a new name for his new city? Has he really gotten that boring in his old age?”