Song by Melesta

Chapter 1

Alqualondë. Years of the Trees:

'Do not be ridiculous Makalaurë, you are the greatest singer I have heard in my entire life. Has father not named you Kanafinwë for a reason? It is only time that all of Aman takes joy in your voice.'

Maitimo was comforting his brother with the assurance of the eldest among the brothers and cousins of the proud bunch that made Finwë's grandchildren. And while Findekáno would not disagree, for there truly was no voice more beautiful in all of Valinórë, he could not but empathize with his cousin's nervousness. Makalaurë had performed for large family gatherings and noble circles at court, but this was different entirely. For Eru's sake, he was about to represent all of the Noldor at the commemoration of the arrival of the Three Kindreds to the Blessed Realm. It was undoubtedly the largest gathering of the three clans and it did not help that the ceremony was always held on the beaches of Alqualondë, organized by the very greatest among the Teleri musicians. Even the lonely Lord of the Waters emerged from the blue depths to hear the recitals.

'All of Aman? You are not making this any better Nelyo. This is only an ancient tune of the Noldor, one that grandfather himself passed on to me and one that our people sang as they crossed the sea while they were still known as the Tatyar. A tune I dared alter. The entirety of the Noldorin pride depends on my performance today.'

Maitimo captured his dear brother's hands. 'Yes Káno, and the entirety of the Noldor and the High King himself have chosen you to represent them today. Not to mention that you have spent the whole season living and breathing this song. I think you would not make a mistake even if you tried.'

'What if everyone hates it? I will read the displeasure on their faces and it will make it all the worse. Eru help me!' Makalaurë was desperate and Findekáno and Maitimo had to hold back a laugh at his melodramatic expression.

'How about this Káno? Maitimo and I will find a rather isolated spot away from the family and the Noldorin lords and you can only focus on us while you perform? I promise to keep a straight face.' Findekáno said as a last attempt to soothe his cousin's nerves.

'As if you two need a reason to find an isolated spot together.' Makalaurë smirked. Findekáno did not know why he suddenly felt heat surging up his face at that comment but his cousin was smiling for the first time that evening. He would take it. Without thinking he reached and embraced his cousin and Makalaurë let out a long sigh.

'Thank you Finno, you always find a way to make things better.'

Soon enough there was movement on the grand podium and someone came to fetch Makalaurë. Findekáno and Maitimo were left alone and hurried to find a spot at the edge of the gathered crowd, close enough for their petrified minstrel to keep them in sight. Findekáno felt the sudden appearance of the Valar above them, their half-physical presence as it always was, both soothing and unnerving at the same time. But the crowd stilled and the silvery light of the sea reflected the velvety hue of Telperion. It was a moment of reverence.

Ingwë himself opened the ceremony with a tale of the awakening of the Eldar at Cuiviénen and their first meeting with Oromë. The first song followed, performed by Elemmírë and a group of Vanyarin dancers, dedicated to the strength and the guidance of the Vala. The poet was resplendent as ever and the dancers' fair dresses and braids shimmered under the stars. There was not a dry eye in the audience and Findekáno was not surprised. Elemmírë's poetry was a crowd favorite and even Maitimo, who had an astounding collection, praised her above all other masters of the word. Then it was Olwë's turn who, without much speech, lead a choir accompanied by the famed Falmari drummists. Their voices seemed to capture the wilderness of the ancient lands and the beats awoke the earth under their feet. Soon enough no elf could keep their body still.

At last, the time had come for the Noldorin performance and Finwë led Makalaurë alone across the stage. The High King of the Noldor spoke and the crowd stilled at his strong voice.

'We are here today to remember the Great Crossing and the grace of the Valar beyond gratitude expressed. We also celebrate those who have followed and those whom we have left behind under the light of the stars alone. I gift you today the voice of Kanafinwë, son of my eldest son Fëanáro. May he sing and let us celebrate love undying. Those whom we have loved, those we love now, and those we will love in the ages to come.'

Findekáno perceived a sense of gratitude mixed with grief in Finwë's tone. He was sure the High King must have thought of those he rarely mentioned, his long-lost friend Elwë, and of course, his first queen and love Míriel. What it must feel like to live without those you love so dearly, Findekáno did not wish to discover. Then the High King left the podium and everyone's gaze fell on the single elf standing tall, clad in fine red silks. His long dark hair adorned with an elegant band, Fëanáro's work without a doubt. There was not the slightest trace of Makalaurë's stage fright as he took his seat behind the great golden harp. He skimmed over the audience and after a few moments of dramatic silence, the Gold-cleaver began his song.

Under the shimmering stars of dark Cuiviénen…
to the blessed light of Valinórë…

Many in the audience gasped. Songs of Power were almost never performed in Aman, the Valar tolerated them, yes, but they carried too much of the danger of Endórë. Makalaurë's voice merged with the waves, summoning energy as if from the shore across the Dark Sea. His slender fingers moving effortlessly over the strings, as a lover tenderly caressing the body of his beloved. The melody was innocent and young, like the spirits of the Firstborn in the darkness of the world. Yet Makalaurë's voice was strong, filled with steady passion, radiating the fire undying. A fire so potent, dangerous, and prohibited that only one of Finwë's line could conjure. Makalaurë's Song was a song of the Noldor, a Song of life, a Song of the very magic that breathes energy into all things living.

till the end of Eru's Song so bright…
now and in all of my lives…
in the darkness and the light…

The images of light and darkness grew more consuming, Makalaurë's spell stronger. Findekáno felt the familiarity of the Song down to his bones, like a sound he has known since the moment of his first breath. He opened his fëa to the music, unworried that it was so reachable, so exposed. Still, this music was something new, a spell entirely entrancing, and he could not help but draw closer to Matimo as he desperately sought his eyes. His companion was staring back at him, reflecting his own wonder, already enchanted by the musical waves.

your hand I will hold…
my spirit in yours will delight…

Maitimo suddenly reached for his hand and Findekáno instinctively entwined their fingers tightly. They were drowning into a dimension unknown, some other lands, he knew not where. The space around them was shrinking, their exhalations synchronizing, and they could barely restrain from dissolving into each other's orbits.

'I believe we should leave.' Maitimo barely whispered and only then did Findekáno realize the elves around them were clapping incessantly at the proud performer. He found no words to respond but was soon pulling Maitimo away from the crowd. They floated down the stone paths of the city, entirely entranced and unable to separate their hands from one another. Findekáno was barely aware of himself as they finally made it to their uncle Arafinwë's villa. They sneaked quietly into their assigned chamber and could not bother to light candles. Findekáno stripped of his ceremonial robes keeping only his jewelry, leaving Maitimo to stare at him wordlessly. But soon Maitimo was undressing too and did not protest when Findekáno reached out a hand to invite him among the green silks of the bed.

Excitement mingled with dread in his chest and he dared not seek Maitimo's eyes. He turned his back to him, allowing long arms to wrap around his upper body. They laid like that in silence listening to each other breathe in the darkness. And then the Song was back into Findekáno's mind and he surrendered to its magic. He found Maitimo's hand that was resting above his bare navel and brought it to his lips. Little presses at first and then longer, more sensual kisses as he tasted every fingertip, every knuckle, leaving a wet trail on the pale wrist. He felt Maitimo's chest expand against him and then his warm breath linger on his neck. Findekáno let a soft moan escape as he reached behind him to grasp Maitimo's hip. It was a part of Maitimo he had never touched before and it filled him with so much ecstasy that he could not stop to consider what he was doing. But all trace of thought vanished when Maitimo's arm began tightening around him as he gently held the top of his head. Breathy kisses trailed from the nape of his neck to the tip of his ear and onto his temple.

Findekáno's hips began moving as he pressed his behind against the warm body supporting him and Maitimo answered. A soft, perfect dance, a natural rhythm they knew intuitively. Maitimo held Findekáno's waist as he in turn slid his hand down to the side of Maitimo's thigh. He could feel the hard length sliding against the small of his back and down to his behind, caressing all his sensitive spots. Findekáno's hips pushed back further causing the tempo of their dance to speed up. It felt right, divine, like something they were born to do together. It was the rhythm of the Song, ingrained in every droplet of water, in the blood running through their veins. Their bodies moved like the waves of the sea, following the magic of the music that brought them to where they were now. Maitimo's breath grew heavier against his temple and Findekáno allowed his moans to escape freely through his parted lips. Then he felt a hand grasp his own hardened length and it took but a few moments for them both to be gasping, warmth leaving their trembling bodies. The Song evaporating to stillness. Maitimo was clutching his body and Findekáno did not attempt to pull away. Neither risked a glance or a word and soon their breaths settled into the soft rhythm of sleep.

***

Findekáno awoke startled to his siblings yelling his name from outside the door. He turned in panic to find himself in the bed alone though Maitimo's scent still lingered on the pillow next to him. Findekáno recalled vaguely a warm kiss on his lips as Maitimo slipped from the bed with the first light. Then he became aware of the dried crust on the small of his back and the mess on the sheets beside him but he could not find it in himself to regret anything.

He was forced to focus on the voices that had grown to shouts behind the door now. He had slept in and they were all waiting for him at the breakfast table. There would be no chance to stop for a big lunch, it was a day's ride back to Tirion. He responded something back. There was no time to think now. He would dwell on what had happened the previous night on the way back. Findekáno grinned to himself and got up from the bed. Only then did he remember that both he and Maitimo failed spectacularly at maintaining a controlled expression during Makalaurë's performance. He chuckled at the thought.