Spirit of Fire by Lotrfan

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Fëanor is irritated Rumil's 7th treatise is not on the shelf. He stops the attendant and is directed to the long tables near the back of the library, where he is surprised to find Nolofinwë seated at Fëanor's favorite table. Books, scrolls and papers are scattered around him, inkstains dot his fingers and a smudge mars one cheek. He looks just as Fëanor did, when he was preparing for his own Mastery tests but Fëanor shakes his head to dismiss that thought. His half-brother is so engrossed in the scroll in front of him he does not look up until Fëanor sits next to him. Nolofinwë's eager smile fades as he realizes it is his half-brother; a forlorn and melancholy expression briefly crosses his face before he schools his features to a more distant look. Fëanor feels a pang of regret at the sight and speaks in a far gentler tone than he had intended when he asks the whereabouts of the text he seeks. He is surprised to find himself still seated at the table two hours later, engaged in a scintillating conversation with his half-brother that was completely unexpected.