Painter's Passion
You are a clumsy painter in Aman. It was not a bad thing for you. Ever since you were reborn from the halls of Mandos, you have been seeking to capture the world around you in a piece of canvas. You also find yourself catching feelings for a certain red-haired Noldor prince.
Warnings: mentions of dying in the past, dead parents, being reborn, reader being incredibly clumsy and prone to accidents, falling, someone getting paint all over them, some angsty moments, confessions, and courting.
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- Your life in Aman has been good since your release from the halls of Mandos, having healed from the wounds of the past and reunited with your younger sister.
- It was a joyful reunion and her new family took you in since your parents never returned from death.
- Your sister’s husband was a sweet ellon, and her in-laws were kind to you. You managed to adapt into their family soon enough and it was like you had been part of their family since the beginning.
- They were so accepting and supported you when you found a new passion in painting and arts, even when you were quite clumsy for an elf.
- You were enthusiastic and couldn’t help it. When you see something you want to sketch and paint, you tend to pay less attention to your surroundings and trip yourself, or end up in other predicaments. You have been like that your whole life. Ever since your release from Mandos, you just wanted to see all the beauty of the world and capture it on a canvas.
- It was perhaps one of the reasons why your younger sister was so protective of you. When you reunited and joined her new family, she barely allowed you to be alone and wanted to spend as much time with you as possible. Your brother-in-law even teased you that you kinda stole his wife, but you two figured out your sister might have still been bothered by the trauma you two experienced in Middle Earth, and you did die saving her.
- Your sister was at least comfortable enough to let you wander as long as you had someone to accompany you. You agreed to her terms, knowing she just wanted to look out for you.
- You managed to make yourself a name in Aman. Your skills in painting grew significantly, and you started receiving commissions even from the noble houses. However, after five months in your new life, you started to struggle to find inspiration. It was an art block and you wanted to expand what you usually painted.
- One of the least usual places you have gone was the northern parts of Aman, and when you told your family your plans to go there, they hesitated but allowed it as long as you were careful.
- The northern parts of Aman were lovely even though most claimed it to be cold and rather desolated. You did not mind it as it reminded you of your home in Beleriand.
- You sketched many lovely things you saw before finding a good spot for a painting.
- You climbed on one of the trees to have a better view of the mountains and the trees and began joyfully sketching. However, when you wanted to try using some of the paint, you accidentally dumped your arm against one of your paint vials and it fell toward the ground. It was really bothersome as it meant you would have to climb down and you climbed quite high in the tree, but what you did not expect was the vial to hit someone.
- You were startled and stayed quiet when the elf below you yelled and cursed out in frustration. You looked down but couldn’t see anyone due to the branches. You doubted they could see you too. You listened for a while as the people below you talked, then heard them leave. You should have apologized for the mistake, but staying quiet was like a fear response when people started yelling angrily, it was something you couldn’t get rid of even during your healing in the halls of Mandos.
- You sighed, trying to relax, but then you lost your balance and fell backward from the branch.
- You yelled as you fell and hit the branches below. When you saw the ground coming, you braced yourself, but then you felt a pair of arms wrap around you, catching you and preventing you from hitting the ground. You looked at your savior as they held you in their arms before your art supplies fell from the tree as well, forcing you two to cover yourselves.
- You then glanced at the ellon again. He was a rather handsome one with eyes striking blue and hair crimson like fire.
- “Ehh…sorry and thank you,” you awkwardly laughed. “Wow… you’re quite beautiful,” you commented.
- The handsome elf questioned if you were hurt and you assured him you did not suffer anything serious than a few bruises and twigs in your hair before explaining your reason for being in the tree and showing him the sketches you managed to draw before your ungraceful fall.
- He looked skeptical of you at first since apparently, not many elves ventured to the northern parts of Aman, but he seemed to have relaxed when he saw your sketches and questioned if the paint vial that fell upon his brother moments ago was yours, making you feel more awkward as you confirmed it and apologized.
- He assured you it was just an accident, nothing to get mad about though his brother who fell unintentionally as a victim would think otherwise before questioning why you couldn’t just sketch on the ground where there was less risk of falling.
- You then started rambling about getting the perfect view of the land around you. You began showing him the sketches and paintings you managed to make and told him all the incidents that followed, like your foot getting stuck between some rocks, nearly falling into a river and a nest of owls not being very happy with you being on the same tree as them.
- He looked impressed with your sketches but raised a brow at every incident you mentioned.
- You then asked if he knew of any lovely views you could draw because he seemed more familiar with the land. Even though he seemed hesitant, he agreed to show you.
- He then accompanied you, showing you places and views you might like. They looked colorless and boring to him, but you always found something beautiful and began drawing. You even rambled about how the north reminded you of Beleriand.
- Mention of Beleriand gained his interest, and you then found out he used to live there too during the first age. You excitedly started conversing with him about it since so few spoke about it these days.
- You recalled some of the continent's beauty and how you lived in Hithlum with your sister and family. When he told you he used to live in Himring, you got excited and asked many questions about it, wanting to imagine Himring and its snowy hills. Your new companion seemed baffled by your excitement but willingly described his former home.
- During your little adventure, you sketched and talked while he mostly listened and made sure you did not end up in another incident. At the end of the day, he escorted you back to your home city and bid you farewell. You asked if he could show you around again the next time you wanted to visit the northern parts. He seemed genuinely surprised but said if you wanted, then he would be more than happy to show you more of the north.
- You were delighted. You thanked him and then parted ways. When you returned home and told your family about your little adventure, they questioned the name of the elf and then you realized you had completely forgotten to ask for his name or tell him your name.
- However, when you described him, your family seemed to know who the elf was. You then learned your new friend’s name was Maedhros, the eldest son of Feanor, who nowadays lived in Formenos, away from society.
- They urged you to stay weary of him. You felt a little confused, though you were aware of the sons of Feanor and what they did, Maedhros did not seem monster-like or someone who would want to cause harm to anyone. And besides, you believed in giving people a second chance despite their past.
- Your family did not forbid you from meeting him again, or maybe because you forgot to mention that you were going to see him again.
- The next time you met him, you found him where you last set off and together went on another adventure around the north. You rambled about things and he mostly listened. He wasn’t the biggest talker, but he seemed happy just listening and watching as you worked on your paintings and sketches.
- He also made sure you were safe. He made sure you didn't accidentally fall into a ravine or get mauled by a bear for intruding on its territory.
- He assured you he was not angry at all by these incidents, but sometimes it crossed his mind if you needed a safety harness or something,
- You painted many lovely pieces of the north. When Maedhros escorted you back again, you finally remembered to introduce yourself.
- Maedhros introduced himself and before he could start with anything else, you handed him a small sketch you drew last night. You explained you couldn’t stop imagining Himring and drew a sketch from his description. He was genuinely surprised by the gift, and when he didn’t give much reaction, you nearly apologized, but then he explained how you managed to draw Himring quite well without having ever seen it and he was grateful for the gift.
- He then said he enjoyed adventuring around the north with you, and now that you knew who he was, he would respectfully stay away and you do not have to come to see him since most elves do not have anything nice to say about his father and his brothers.
- You then smiled and asked why he would assume you never wanted to see him again. You then explained you were not bothered by his family’s reputation and that many unfortunate things happened during the first age. You would love to go on more adventures with him because not many had the patience to accompany you and save you from the incidents like he did.
- Maedhros seemed shocked by your answer, but then his eyes softened and he even cracked a small smile.
- He called you bold. You two had only known each other for two days, yet you already confessed to enjoying his company and wanting to see him again. You only giggled at his response, and it was the start of a beautiful friendship.
- You told your sister about it, and even though she seemed a bit skeptical, she told you she would allow it as long as Maedhros kept you safe and would gut him alive if he dared to hurt you or anything.
- Maedhros did not often visit the cities because of the reputation he and his family held, so you would mostly come to him instead, at the edge of the forest that became your meeting spot. You two would scout out interesting sights, draw, and paint. You would ramble about interesting things that happen in the city or your family. Maedhros shared a little about what happens between his brothers and father, as the atmosphere is pretty quiet sometimes but sometimes shenanigans happen. He was mostly interested only listening to you.
- He was still a bit on guard, but each time you visited. He began to soften up and even share things about himself.
- You even encouraged him to try drawing, which could help relieve bottled-up feelings and keep his focus elsewhere. While Maedhros did not have the most artistic hands, he was capable of drawing small things like flowers and rabbits. One time he drew a small good portrait of you, and you have kept it safe ever since.
- Sometimes you tried telling funny stories and jokes to see him laugh. Only some of them made him smile and chuckle, but you have yet to make him laugh.
- When you two would ride around, he always seemed to be on a watch out for you. You did tend to get into accidents, but even when he came for a rare visit in a city, most likely to visit his mother, he would keep on guard for you. It was like you had a big guard dog following you around, but you did not mind.
- You met a few of his brothers when they began to notice Maedhros’s absence in their home and how he went out more.
- Maglor was the first to notice and secretly followed his older brother once with the twins to see what had gotten him so keen on going out more often, and the three were surprised when they saw him with you.
- Maedhros’s heart nearly jumped into his throat when he saw them, and they revealed themselves to you. For the first time in years, he was afraid they would do something to scare you away, but like with him, you did not even seem phased and greeted them enthusiastically.
- You quickly won Maglor over when you started talking with him and even showed him your sketchbook of all the places Maedhros showed you, even unintentionally giving them a reason to tease Maedhros by showing his small drawings and the small portrait of you.
- The twins kept asking you things and were surprised when they learned you were fully aware of who they were and did not seem bothered by their past. They quickly accepted you when you showed them the drawings and they were continuously cackling at Maedhros, who was at the edge of considering murder.
- He knew well that they were not going to let him hear the end of it.
- He momentarily told you to go elsewhere for a moment, and you heard him yell at them to go home before escorting you home without them. You heard one of them calling Maedhros out for having a crush. You only giggled at the rest of the journey, while Maedhros looked like a deflated balloon.
- But some time later, your focus on art began to waver toward Maedhros, the shape of his face, his crimson hair, and the soft expression he often wore. You made a few sketches of him but felt yourself become a bit shy at the thought of giving them to him. It was surprising because you don’t usually become shy when giving people their portraits.
- Maedhros suddenly became busy for a week, so you couldn't see him. It was something related to a family business, and during that time you grew to miss him. He did send you a letter beforehand and you couldn’t help but hold on to it.
- When your sister and brother-in-law came to visit, they found the sketches and the painting of Maedhros. You told them about your visits with him and your sudden change of feelings toward him. They seemed surprised, then explained you were falling in love with him.
- The thought made you excited, and even more excited when your sister and brother-in-law supported your feelings, but for the sake of your family, you will reveal them gently.
- You slowly opened up about your feelings to your new mother and father and since they did not hold any grudges or bad opinions about the sons of Feanor. They accepted it, having had a feeling who you have been seeing and how much happier you seemed to have gotten.
- You then attended a party. You and your family were dressed for the occasion, and to your joy Maedhros was there.
- People looked at you like you were a headless chicken when you approached him and Maedhros seemed stunned when he saw you, though not in a bad way, he looked at you and the dress you wore and called you beautiful. You shyly returned the compliment, telling how dashing he looked.
- You explained your sister married one of the Vanyar, who was a noble house, and thus became part of their family.
- You two mostly conversed the night on the side, and when it was time for a dance, Maedhros encouraged you to find someone else for a dance partner because he might pull bad attention on you.
- You told him you were a clumsy dancer and did not want to accidentally embarrass yourself by stepping on someone’s foot or making them fall though you would love to dance with someone.
- Maedhros then seemed to have an idea and he led you outside, where you two slowly danced to the song. He helped you learn the steps, and that closeness made your face burn with shyness. You incidentally stepped a few times on his feet but he was patient. You had fun and you two even laughed about it.
- It was the first time you even heard him giggle out of the silliness of the whole situation.
- At the end of the song or two, you then remembered and asked if he could meet you at the castle garden at the end of the party, wanting to tell him something in private. He agreed and you two momentarily returned to your families.
- Your parents and sister were still dancing, so the only one you found was your brother-in-law’s younger brother. He was young and a bit rash, but you two were close.
- You shared with him that you had been meeting someone and planned on confessing, and he seemed happy for you till he realized it was Maedhros you were talking about.
- He suddenly became upset and told you how you should not court someone like Maedhros.
- He used to grow up hearing all the bad stories about Maedhros and his family, so you understood his rashness and tried to calm him down. You tried to explain that Maedhros had not done anything to make you like this, but then he mentions how Maedhros also used to be a thrall, thus he was not also evil but tainted by darkness. All thralls of Morgoth were tainted with evil and darkness.
- You were stunned by his statement and told him you used to be a thrall of Morgoth too.
- He became quiet by your confession. You were not angry with him but his words did cause pain in your heart since your sister had shared how you both used to be thralls in Middle Earth.
- He started apologizing, but you assured him you were not angry but needed to be alone.
- You do not know what happened after but you did hear your sister yell after you retreated into the garden since it was the end of the party. You tried to dry your tears while waiting for Maedhros, but they forcibly came out and you started sobbing, remembering painful memories of your time in Angband and the death of your parents.
- Maedhros was startled when he found you like this and quickly questioned what had happened.
- You shared what happened with him and then told him the story of how you and your sister became thralls in Middle Earth.
- When your home fell, you and your family were taken to Angband. Many bad things happened during your time there, including the death of your parents. Your sister was a child back then, and one day, you sacrificed your life so she could escape the iron hell.
- Your sister managed to escape, growing up alone and falling in love with a Vanyar elf when the host of the valar finally came to end Morgoth’s reign of terror.
- However, the sorrowful part was that for most thralls who end up dying there, their souls would be trapped in the darkness or fade from existence. Your soul was lucky to escape the darkness and find its way to the halls of Mandos, but your parent's souls were not so lucky.
- Your younger brother's words brought back the memories and you felt hurt he thought all thralls were evil, even though you do not remember ever doing evil things when you were still alive.
- You then apologized to Maedhros for not telling him.
- Maedhros only shook his head and comforted you. His presence was enough to make you calm. You told him your brother got upset because you wanted to confess your feelings for him.
- Maedhros was shocked until you explained that you accept him and his past and that you liked being with him.
- Maedhros then told you he had already started falling for you when you accepted his brothers and how your gentle enthusiastic heart simply began pulling him toward you. He only held himself back because he believed you deserved someone, who did not possess such a tainted past as him.
- The first age was long gone and his past as a thrall did not matter to you as you used to be one too. You would love to court him as long as he accepted your feelings.
- He then gave you a gentle kiss on the back of your hand and told you he would guard your heart and joy till you did not want him anymore.
- You became happy and confessed you did not believe there was ever going to be a time when you would not want him.
- When he returned you home, you heard how upset your sister was after hearing what happened. Your little brother was ashamed after getting yelled at by her. You tried to assure them you were not angry and had already forgiven him, then Maedhros further dispelled the argument, asking their permission to court you. It was a surprise, but it seemed to have worked dispelling the violent atmosphere.
- Your sister, brother, and parents admired Maedhros’s boldness and since they were aware of your feelings for him, they accepted. Your little brother seemed hesitant, but Maedhros seemed to have a way with words and even he relented and gave his blessing, also because he felt awful about the things he said.
- Their acceptance made you really happy.
- Later in the week, you finally gained the courage to show the sketches and paintings you made for him, and he admired them then teased you made him look way too pretty, which made you laugh.
- Then during your first month of courtship, he introduced you to his mother, who was delighted to meet you. She teased Maedhros because apparently he talked a lot about you and was glad that he finally confessed.
- Maedhros still kinda wanted to keep you away from his brothers, but since Maglor and the twins already knew, he revealed he was now courting someone to his father and the rest of his brothers.
- His father was happy for him and told him he was free to love anyone he wanted especially someone who bore him no ill will for what happened. Caranthir wanted to meet you since he was a bit skeptical but after meeting you, he was certain his brother would be fine. Celegorm was a bit bummed down that he was left in the dark and Curufin was upset when he found out you were the one who accidentally dumped paint on him during the hunting trip.
- You apologized for it, and he then dared you to paint something good since he was not convinced about your artistic talents because of how clumsy and sometimes forgetful you were.
- You accepted and with some tips from Maedhros and Celegorm, you managed to paint a painting that impressed Curufin. You were not certain what he thought of it after he received the painting, but Celegorm confirmed he liked it.
-Your courtship was a joyful one, and after many months, Maedhros asked you to marry him and you accepted.
