Excerpt: Citius, Altius, Fortius

“Is the guest room ready for Fingon to use?” asked Feanor.

Nerdanel gave her husband an odd look. “What guest room? The one you turned into a nursery for the Ambarussas?”

“I forgot about that,” muttered Feanor somewhat unconvincingly. He turned back to Fingon and stated plainly, “I suppose you shall have to share a room with one of your cousins. Maedhros would be most logical; he has the settee in his room.”

Fingon glanced at Maedhros, who looked a little uncertain. “I would not want to be an inconvenience.”

“It would not be a bother,” said Maedhros quickly. “I will go and get some extra sheets from the linen closet.”

“I think I have some extra pillows in the drawers under our bed.” Nerdanel hurried away down the hall, leaving Fingon and Feanor alone.

“I hope it will not be a bother for you to sleep with Maedhros. In his room, that is.” Feanor very carefully kept from smiling, but he snuck his worried nephew a wink as Maedhros returned with an armful of blankets and sheets. “Good night,” added Feanor as his wife returned.

Nerdanel walked purposefully past and into her eldest son’s room. She fussed with the pillows until satisfied and did the same with the blankets until Maedhros admonished her by reminding her that he, too, could make a bed. “Call if you need anything, dear,” said Nerdanel. She gave Fingon’s cheek a pat and made sure he saw the knowing look she gave him before she exited the room.

As soon as they were alone, Fingon dropped himself down onto the bed and looked up at Maedhros accusatorily. “You told them.”

“Told who what?” Maedhros diligently made up the settee. Despite the fact they both knew it would never be used, he tucked the sheets in and fluffed the pillows yet again.

Fingon stood up and wedged himself between Maedhros and the couch. “You told your parents about us.”

Maedhros looked away and finally nodded with his eyes closed.

“When?” Fingon’s voice jumped nearly two octaves. “I thought we promised not to say anything to anyone?”

“I... I had to see you, and... mother asked me if I could watch the Ambarussas so that they could go to see the competition. I tried to get them to leave the twins with Maglor, but he was busy, and then Caranthir, and then... the conversation just led to it. I was baited,” added Maedhros as Fingon wandered away from him. Maedhros switched tactics. “There are a lot of people who already know, or, they think they know. Eventually, everyone is going to know.”

“Not if you keep your mouth shut!” Fingon stood at the window with his arms crossed over his chest. “My father will have a royal fit if he finds out.”

“Your father is going to have to come to grips with the reality that his son – that both of his sons, in fact – are grown and should be treated as adults. That he still acts as if you are seven and Turgon is two, and that the two of you allow for it is astounding.”

Fingon snorted and shook his head. “My father is protective, and while I live beneath his roof I plan to respect that.”

Maedhros joined Fingon at the window and placed his hands upon Fingon’s shoulders. Although the elder was extremely tall for an elf, Fingon was taller than average as well. Maedhros barely had to dip his head to kiss Fingon’s neck. “I did not mean to upset you. If you want to sleep on the settee, I would not blame you.”

Fingon took a quick glance over his shoulder across the room. “It does look cozy, but I need somewhere to stretch out. I know – you take the settee, and I will sleep in the bed.”