Sta.sh
The first time Eärwen got really drunk was a few nights after her marriage. She and Arafinwë were having a quiet time, watching The Trees and sharing stories, kisses and wine. Time flew by, Telperion almost reached his waning, and they were lost in their own world. She was quite drunk, and for years she'd been dreaming of being a mother; he was completely naïve in the matter of raising children, being the youngest son of Finwë. In the morning she woke with a severe headache and no recollection whatsoever of the end of the previous night. A year later, however, Artafindë Ingoldo was born.
Findaráto, as he was usually called, was a charming child. Hair as golden as his father's and big blue eyes like his mother's, he made many a head turn around and gape at him admiringly while he passed by. There had never been a problem with him, though. Of course, he did some mischief from time to time, especially when his cousins were around, but he was never mean, and any reproach was taken solemnly and understood. All in all, he was easy to handle, the perfect child for new parents. One day, however, he asked for a sibling.
Upon hearing his wish, Eärwen smiled to herself and sent him to tell his father as well, for secretly she too wanted another kid in the house. Arafinwë, led into the false belief any future children he might have would be as pleasant as his eldest, quickly and happily complied. It was the last time, though, for Artaresto was quite another story. In the first weeks of his life he refused to sleep for more than an hour at a time, and Eärwen was so exhausted she could barely get out of bed. For a very long time Arafinwë was afraid she'd leave like Míriel did, though he was quite sure he would not survive long without her. Not with Resto around, anyway.
So it came to pass that when Eärwen wanted to discuss having another child, Arafinwë refused. A few years later she tried to approach the subject again. Findaráto was now a well mannered little prince, Resto an obstinate and opinionated little kid, and Eärwen had long been healthy as ever.
"It might help, you know," she said, one rare evening when there were only two adults in the house – the children were staying at their grandparents' palace in another part of Tirion. When Arafinwë mumbled something to the book he was reading, she poured him another cup of wine and silently stood behind him. "Findaráto is his big, responsible brother; he might need someone closer to his age to play with, or even someone younger to teach what he thinks he knows," she smiled fondly. Arafinwë sighed, distracted by her hands massaging his neck. A few hours later they were both drunk (Eärwen thoroughly regretted this part of the plan in the morning), and a year later Angaráto came into the world.
During that year, however, Resto befriended his cousins, and spent most of his free time playing tricks on unsuspecting victims- sadly, Arafinwë was often one of them. A welcome outcome, nevertheless, was the fact that young Angaráto spent a lot of time with his eldest brother, and grew up to be a mixture of his brothers' personalities. Like Findaráto, he also wanted a younger sibling. Arafinwë realized that it was lucky that elves could not get sick, for he was somewhat close to what men would later describe as 'a heart attack'. His wife, on the other hand, was patient.
It was a few days before Resto's twenty-fifth begetting day. Finwë, King of the Noldor, invited his whole family to a month-long reunion. During one of the family's many picnics, parties and general celebrations – despite the visible annoyance of Indis, Nerdanel and Eärwen and to Anairë's barely hidden amusement – Finwë, Fëanáro, Nolofinwë and Arafinwë got completely drunk during a game of Truth or Dare. To the embarrassment of all the wives, the questions and dares became more bold and audacious as time and wine passed by. After a short competition of "the longest kiss" (which Nolofinwë won, surprisingly) they decided to stop the silliness. Deep in discussion on the best way to sober their husbands, they missed the last dare that was made, accompanied by a bet. To this day they do not know what the exact dare was or what the rules of the bet were, but a year later Ambaráto Aikanáro Arafinwion was born, followed closely by Arakáno Nolofinwion and the twin sons of Fëanáro, Ambarussa.
The following years were full of adventures. Unfortunately, Aikanáro liked to play with fire, ignoring warnings and admonishments of all kinds. More than once his parents stopped him in the last moment before setting the whole house on fire. At times like that, Arafinwë would almost regret winning the bet, and Eärwen would sigh and shake her head, caught between frustration and love for her children. Arafinwë would envelope her in his arms and they would draw strength from each other, and love would eventually always win.
Years passed. Aikanáro was as much of a pyromaniac as ever, but surprisingly enough, Resto tried to teach him responsibility. Together with Findaráto, he took care of his younger brothers, saving and comforting Angaráto, who more often than not found his belongings burning. A new routine was achieved- as tranquil as possible, all things considered. Eärwen, however, felt a little unrest: she had borne four children, but there was not a daughter among them. She decided to try again, but Arafinwë was still traumatized, and nothing she said – or did – changed his will.
A short vacation in Alqualondë, just when Eärwen was growing sorrowful and weary of arguments, was the best thing she could hope for. Once again she watched the Trees with her husband, cuddled together. The next morning Arafinwë regretted drinking again, but Eärwen was content, and a year later Artanis Nerwen was born.
| Deviant Login | Shop | Join deviantART for FREE  |
Take the Tour  |
That was fantastic.
OOC: Thank you! *sniggers*
Earwen: So you believe her, too, MIL?
Indis: Well, it does seem to have a ring of truth to it....
I'm guessing that the dare or bet that the sons of Finwe did was... "who will have a daughter"?
Long live the couples XDD
Well, Nolo had a daughter already, so I think it was not the bet.
Long they shall live.