Can I get a headcanon of Finrod falling for an edain and coming to terms with the fact that they will die?! If this is too sad you can also just make it a thirst post instead of an angst post.
Ooh, yes you can! No worries, I like a nice dose of angst, hehe.
As we know, Finrod loved the Men once he met them; he was eager to know their language, to meet their people, to make friends with them.
But one in particular catches his eye more than most... He spends more time with them than any other, learns more from them than any other, teaches them more than any other, simply because they are very fond of each other. They just enjoy each other’s company so much.
They give him fascinating lessons on boat-building and other things, for they are handy and industrious; and he gives them performances of beautiful songs, for he is creative and talented that way.
It takes a little while for them to realise that their mutual interest in each other is actually love. Finrod simply thought that he cared for his friend very much, while the Edain simply thought they were in awe of this beautiful Elf who appeared in their life as if a gift from above...
A discussion about the Dark Enemy is what makes them both realise their feelings, actually. While Finrod tells the group of what they will have to be careful of, of what lurks out there, the thought of losing his beloved ‘friend’ flashes into his mind and pains him deeply; and he finds himself grasping their hand tightly, which in turn gives the Edain their own realisation. They don’t want to let go of Finrod’s hand. They want to hold that hand forever.
The two wander out into the forest together that night, and confessions are made. The Edain can’t believe that someone as majestic and kind as Finrod would love them, and Finrod can’t believe that someone as strong and wise as his Edain would love him.
That night, they share the first of many kisses beneath the stars, and a beautiful relationship begins.
...but Finrod knows that what he had spoken of could come true at any time. His beloved could perish at any time. Even if they survive the conflicts on the horizon, it would be inevitable that they would perish before him...
One night he brings this up to them, solemnly, tears in his eyes. He grasps their hands and says that, if they will allow him, he will stay with them for all their days; his heart will be theirs alone, they will be his only love, he will care for them when they are old and grey and after their passing, he will sing the songs that they sung.
Of course, his cherished one is more than happy to accept; and in return, they pledge to help him in every way they can, to love him eternally, in life and in death and for now and forever more.
Time passes, of course; and the Edain grows old and grey, and Finrod knows that with each passing day their time together shortens...
...but he does not let it stop him from being the partner his beloved deserves, and his Edain always reciprocates his love in kind.
It is a difficult thing to come to terms with, but Finrod ensures their every moment together is joyful and good, full of song and good cheer.
Time continues to pass, and the Edain passes with it after a long life, full of love and adventure and joy. Finrod sits at their side and holds their hand, and although he has tried to prepare himself for this moment, nothing can prepare him for the pain. It is as though a part of him has been removed, has been taken, has disappeared...
Though he sheds tears for his lost love, he is so very grateful for the time that he had with them.
And true to his word, he sings their songs to their children and to their children’s children, and his Edain is his only love for the rest of his days.
