A Common Root, by Himring (non-challenge)

[hhimring]

Author: Himring
Source / Fandom: Silmarillion
Rating: PG
Warnings: allusion to canonical character deaths
Characters: Fingon, Hurin
Disclaimer: According to Tolkien, these two canonical characters must have talked, but we have no record of any private conversation.
Summary: Fingon, the High King, and Hurin, lord of Dor-lomin, have both suffered grievous loss, but Hurin has recently won a battle for Fingon. A bonding moment.
Author notes: Inspired by the discovery that the canonical bynames of Fingon and Hurin are (probably) etymologically related, although they are not usually rendered in the same way. (Written for a prompt "name".)

‘I hear they are calling you Thalion, now,’ said Fingon, almost casually.
‘I guess they do.’
‘Don’t be embarrassed, Hurin—it is well-deserved! Do you know they used to give me a similar byname? The Valiant. The Quenya word astalda is related. It was intended humorously, originally, I believe.’
As far as Hurin knew, everyone was still calling Fingon ‘Valiant’ and they were entirely serious in doing so, regardless of their recent grievous losses.
‘I suppose a partly shared name constitutes some sort of brotherhood?’ offered Fingon wryly.
‘Of course it does,’ said Hurin heartily. ‘Brotherhood! Let’s drink to that!’

Cross-posted from Dreamwidth

Comments

[r-blackcat.livejournal.com]

I like it. Thank you for posting it here!

[hhimring]

Thank you very much for reading!

Glad you like it!

[periantari.livejournal.com]

Lovely moment of dialogue that we do not get too often in Silmarilion. Nicely done.

[hhimring]

Thank you very much, periantari!

Yes, there must have been so many conversations that are unrecorded!

[fredbassett]

I like this little gap-filler! They both seem rather embarrassed by the names they've been given, which is sweet.

[hhimring]

Thank you! Yes, they are both embarrassed but even so they manage to bond over it anyway!