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I shall never forget the day we met.

Finrod had convinced us to join him in his yearly visit to the Atani. We were not particularly excited, but the winter had been long and we were eager to travel to any land. So it was that our small company arrived near the Atani dwelling and we set up a camp nearby.

Finrod was like a child on his begetting day when we went in the village. I was half expecting him to start dancing for joy. I thought he was being foolish (Angrod and I delight in making fun of him) but little did I know that his folly would befall upon me too.

He introduced us as "his beloved brothers" and I must say the Atani were polite and welcomed us warmly into their village. We sat around the fire in one of the houses (I believe they were of Beor the Old's kin) and they served us a meal. I had never had the chance to actually live with the Atani, so I was fairly interested in their traditions. Everything was particularly pleasant.

I still do not know where she came from, but all of the sudden she was standing next to Finrod with a large cup in her hand. He was delighted to see her and held one of her hands warmly as he drank from the cup she offered, their eyes never parting. Her hair was dark and long, in a single braid that fell across her back. I found her to be oddly beautiful and I was surprise to feel a pang of jealousy at the familiarity she and Finrod seemed to have.

"Angrod, Aegnor" he said turning to us, "This is someone very dear to my heart that I would like you to meet. Her name is Andreth of the House of Beor. She is wise in thought, and I like to call her Saelind."

She smiled at us and we nodded politely. Had my brother found a new bride, then? Angrod smiled back and teased:

"Well met, my lady. Well, is there no cup of wine for us? I would be most disappointed if only Finrod had the chance to taste it!"

rolleyes Angrod is like that. How could he not see that it was a probably some tradition to give the cup to the head of the House? Or perhaps to your betrothed? But Angrod speaks his mind always and he was just as curious as me to taste some Atani wine.

She looked a little confused and I do think she blushed (the light of the fire was deceptive here). But she regained her composture quickly and laughed:

"Well, certainly my lord. I shall bring a cup for you too. Which one of you is the oldest?"

"Oh, you need not to worry about our little brother here" he said gesturing in my direction, "I am sure he is not interested in the wine..."

Of all the possible times Angrod could have picked to tease me! We are all grown now, yet they insist in calling me the little brother! Even Artanis fancies that title! I started protesting but she had already left. I could do nothing but glare at him. He seemed greatly amused and so did Finrod. She brought the cup for him and he drank, though the longing glances were absent (I am sure Angrod would have never dared to do that with anyone but Edhellos xd ), thus confirming my suspicions about Finrod.

Much later into the dinner, when everyone had forgotten, I felt a friendly presence at my side: it was Andreth. She had brought a cup for me and she whispered:

"I am also a younger sister" and winked her eye.

I found my hands strangely trembling when I was to hold the cup and my fingers lay ackwardly against hers as I drank. I looked into her eyes and she did not shy away... she just kept smiling warmly at me. Ah! How my fea danced in my heart then! I wished the wine in the cup would never stop pouring so we did not have to part. When she went back to the kitchen, all I could do was sit there in my chair, breathless and confused.

"Did I not tell you not to drink the wine, little brother? I think you found it too strong for your taste" came the teasing voice at my side. I mumbled something about leaving me be.

I did not see her again that night.