Baby Russingon

First Meeting

This is literally just copied from a one-shot of mine, but it sets up the rest of the story.

Fingon had always been a perfectly patient child, even when a little brother came along. He never demanded extra attention from his Atar or Nana while they were busy, and was content to read himself to sleep when they couldn't make it home in time to tuck him in to bed. For some reason however, this patience never seemed to apply when it came to his older half-cousin, Nelyofinwe.

As soon as they had been introduced, a knee high Findekano had attached himself to his cousin's right calf and refused to be unlatched. Usually never one to throw tantrums, he screamed brutally at his parent's and uncle's frantic attempts to remove his tiny little fists from Nelyo's clothes.

"It is quite alright, I am used to little ones." Nelyo intoned when all the adults had been wearied by their attempts. "C'mere, little Findekano."

Feanaro and Nolofinwe glared in identical confusion as Nelyo was able to easily lift Findekano by his armpits, and settle him against Nelyo's chest. The child grabbed his cousin's shining red hair with his two chubby fists, a wide grin sitting on his face as he regarded his copper prize.

"Have you ever seen red hair before?" Nelyo asked gently, allowing Findekano to keep his loot.

Findekano blinked happily up at him with wide, shining eyes. "Pretty."

"Thank you, my Nana has red hair too." Nelyo nodded to the adults, "May I take him for a walk in the gardens?"

Nolofinwe nodded, and Feanaro responded verbally. "Be back in time for dinner."

"I will, Atar." Nelyo turned to walk down the hallway. He went through a large arched marble doorway, that led to the grand rose garden. He turned Fingon slightly so that he could get a good view. "What do you think, little cousin?"

"Pretty." Findekano intoned once more.

Nelyo chuckled, and teased him in a gentle tone, "I'm beginning to wonder if you know any other words."

"I know lots of words." Findekano didn't sound the least bit insulted.

"Like what?"

"Tasty." Findekano grinned mischievously up at his cousin's face, then stuffed both fists of copper hair into his mouth at once.

Nelyo smiled, and let the child do as it pleased. He walked between the rose hedges, thinking. If it were one of his brothers he probably would have scolded and pried his hair away from the child, but his baby cousin was too cute. "And what does my hair taste like?"

"Navader." Findekano's mouth was still full of Nelyo's hair and his own hands.

Nelyo gently pulled Findekano's fists out of his mouth. "What was that?"

"Lavender." Findekano repeated, settling his damp hands on Nelyo's neck and shoulder. Ah of course, Nelyo realized his cousin must have been tasting the lavender hair soap that Nelyo had borrowed from Nerdanel. "Gourmet."

"Gourmet?" Nelyo repeated, amused at the chosen word and not entirely sure Findekano knew what it met.

"Mhm. Five tars." Findekano nodded with assurance. "But very hairy." He pulled the hair out of his mouth, eyes going cross as he looked down in concentration.

"Five stars." Nelyo corrected him as he would any other child. Though the mispronounced words were cute, it was important for them to learn to pronounce them correctly.

"No, tars."

"It is stars."

"Atar always say tars." Findekano frowned, a little wrinkle appearing between his brows.

"Then we shall have to ask him, but I believe it is stars." Nelyo conceded.

"Hmff." Was all Findekano said, but he squirmed closer to Nelyo anyway, resting his head on his older cousin's shoulder.

By the time Nelyo left the gardens for dinner, Findekano was fast asleep in his arms.