Same Shade of Gold by

There is definitely something sparking between those three. Turgon is in control at this point but it does feel like the emotions and yearning are just under the surface. 

Finrod wants Turgon. Elenwë knew this, but it never happened before her death on the Helcaraxë. Turgon wanting Finrod to be Elenwë gives Finrod mixed feelings. He wants to be loved as himself. And the sun rises. Very bittersweet. 

Hi Maggie! Reposting my comment on AO3 over here.  (Spoilers follow for those who haven't yet read)

A wonderful story with your usual subtle brilliance with words and ability to show complex emotions. This one in 2 parts – the first one in which, although the characters are trying to survive the aptly named Helcaraxë, they are together as family, and as such, safe. The second, finally safe on land in the midst of the miraculous rising of the moon and then the sun, but now Turgon and Finrod are not safe, at least so it seems to me.

The opening morning sex scene, how true that one feels. Lol. A morning quickie before the kid wakes. I can feel the warmth and intimacy of their tent, Turgon’s need, and Elenwë ‘s response and it’s very sexy. Meanwhile the clatter of cooks melting ice water shows the frozen landscape just outside. Then the scene becomes more complicated as Elenwë draws on a memory of her husband and his cousin Finrod, in a brief seemingly innocuous moment, but it says a lot about their relationship being more than just friends, and we learn that Elenwë finds it arousing.

Another wonderful detail is that of Idril’s tiny bare foot sticking out of the furs – that sense of childish vulnerability and a mother’s concern. Plus this: " Kissed her just behind the ear, inhaled the Idril-scent she always found there: summer meadows in Aman, flowers bathed in golden light. The smell of home.” Another wonderful detail that puts us firmly in a mother’s head. I am right there with it all. I also love the idea of Finrod figuring out the engineering of an igloo, presaging his role as Felagund.

The scene between Elenwë , Turgon, and Finrod in the hut, again, so intimate, the singing, “Like strands of long grass swaying in the wind their voices flowed” and Turgon drawing the three together to ask Finrod to take care of his wife and child if something were to happen to him. So much emotion and trust, although Turgon stops the kiss he initiates between his cousin and wife. The dynamic is established.

And oh that last sentence, with all its foreshadowing: “She’d felt safe then, and steady, as if nothing in the world could ever do her harm.”

Then the second chapter: Finrod’s pov. In few words, you show what has happened and where they are. Love the image of the moon rising. I had forgotten that it happened just as they reached Middle-earth. Now we learn how Finrod yearns for Turgon and has for a while it seems, but he feels guilty for feeling that way. Then when Turgon reaches for him, Finrod feels such joy. “Finrod searched for the right words to give voice to the feeling of sap rising up through his veins, yearning for spring.”

The contrast between the festivity outside and the rather strange and sorrowful mood in Turgon’s tent. “How odd to think back on the Helcaraxë with nostalgia.” Yes, but that’s exactly right.

Turgon's choice is so sad and no wonder he is so devastated at the loss. Sad that Finrod, as much as he would like to fill that place in Turgon’s heart, finds that he is a mere substitute to lure Elenwë’s ghostly presence. “This was like getting your heart’s desire and finding out it was hollow and rotten on the inside. What they were to each other was as murky as the skies over the Grinding Ice, and Finrod knew better than to shine too bright a light on it. Now Elenwë had shone a candle and there was no looking away.” Yes. Poor Finrod. It seems Elenwe’s ghostly appearance is a sign of her love and giving permission for them to love each other, but ironically, her appearance actually drives them apart.

And then there is your gorgeous description of the new sun rising: “the night was dissipating like smoke before the wind; what magic was this? Every blade of grass was visible now, drops of dew shining on it like tiny jewels.” And Finrod would like to bring Turgon out to see it, but he ends up watching the sunrise alone. Once again, you end with a simple sentence which conveys the weight of the tragedy. I just hope that Turgon and Finrod can sort themselves out eventually. Thanks for a beautifully wrought and emotional story.