2. A Real Beauty (G-rated)
A double-drabble in response to the SWG Back to Middle-earth Month challenge, day 8, “contrast beauty/ugliness.”It’s a story of young Finwean firebrands in love (Aredhel/Celegorm). I knew I would eventually get around to writing something like this. I’ve always imagined that Aredhel and Celegorm shared a youthful romance in Valinor.
Tyelkormo and Irissë, allowing their steeds their heads, had shot out in front of their cousins and brothers. They finally slowed to a walk as they drew close to an outcropping of woodland to one side of the grassy plain. The verdant scent of leaves, cool and damp, reached out to Tyelkormo like a promise or a seduction.
“Hey, Turko,” said Irissë, her voice low, weighted with conspiracy.
“What?” he asked, dragging out the word. One never knew with Irissë. She could turn fey without warning.
“Wait for them? Or lose them?” She canted her head in the direction of the wood. “What do you think?”
“No question!”
When they had finally stopped, well within the thicket, it seemed natural to reach up and grab Irissë by the waist to help her dismount, although certainly not his practice. He could not take his eyes off her face.
“What are you looking at now?” Irissë snapped.
“I’m looking at you.” His voice betrayed him in an irritating way.
“Am I that homely? Or do I have dirt on my face?”
“Nothing like that. You’re just so beautiful.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “It’s taken you long enough to notice.”
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
