Baby Steps

by octopus_fool

Summary:

Finwë yearned for the day when Fëanor would be able to walk by himself. (For slide 52 of S&D, "Untitled" by barbastrelle, which you can find here.)

Finwë's back ached as Fëanor demanded his hands for walking yet another round. Finwë yearned for the day when Fëanor would be able to walk by himself.

"I can walk with him for a bit," Indis offered.

Finwë beamed at her. He wondered what he had done to deserve such a good friend. He would have struggled even more through this difficult time if not for her.

"I'm not sure if he will let that happen, but I would love to try," Finwë replied.

Somehow, they managed to transfer Fëanor's hands into those of Indis as Fëanor wanted to take the next turn. Finwë stood up straight, his back creaking slightly. It was an almost unusual position, after having spent most of the past few weeks bent over and practicing walking with Fëanor. As much as Finwë loved his son, he sometimes felt it was Fëanor's goal to break his second parent, too.

He watched as Fëanor completed the turn with a beaming Indis. Fëanor's face was puckered up with concentration as he tried out his new motor skills, still wobbling and weaving like a drunkard from his lack of balance and coordination.

Fëanor looked at Finwë and paused, his face wrinkling up as if in thought. Then he looked up at the hands that were holding his. He stared at Indis, considered for half a moment, and then let out a heart-wrenching wail.

Finwë rushed over. "It's alright, I'm here."

Fëanor reached for his hands. "Adadadada!"

"Yes, Fëanor darling, Atto is here. I'm not going anywhere."

Fëanor cheered up and continued walking. Finwë's back creaked and ached.

Finwë looked over at Indis. "Please don't take it to heart. It's nothing personal, I'm sure he'll love you when he's a bit older."

"Oh, I know. I'm just sorry that I couldn't relieve your poor back for longer."

Fëanor grinned up at Finwë. "Adadadadada!"

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 7 of Octo's Scrabbles and Dribbles (2025)