ir20232023

[ir20232023]

The greatest Elf who rode to Angband. He was like Orome. The most underrated character.

Ok guys, it's important. For science!

I Wanna add blonde twins and Finwë but tumblr doesn't give me more options 😔

[ir20232023]

Fëanor was a terrible father. He may have treated his children well at first. But he proved that nothing was more important to him than his precious. He had no thought for his children when he sowed discord and committed his crimes, which led to his entirely just exile. He swears that he will kill anyone who somehow comes into possession of the Silmarils. In his last moment, he asks his sons to repeat this terrible oath. He refused his wife's request to leave her at least the youngest sons. I do not accept the version of "Fëanor's Shibboleth" for other reasons unrelated to Fëanor. But according to this version, Fëanor was not at all saddened by the burning of his own son. He said that the loss was small, and shed no tears of regret.

[ir20232023]

Tolkien created my favorite character. I am very grateful to him for that. Then Tolkien ruined my favorite character in a later work. That really hurts me. Many fans don't want to notice the noble and valiant hero that is in the Silmarillion. For some reason they want to talk about the later version, which exists in an unfinished form. And even in this later version, this character did not commit the crimes that the fandom's favorites did.

[ir20232023]

I dream of a fanfic in which the three great Elves of the First Age, Fingolfin, Glorfindel and Ecthelion, returned to Middle-earth together and fought against the tyranny of Sauron. Besides Glorfindel, who was so honored, two more Elves fought selflessly and showed fantastic fortitude. If the Valar offered them to return to Middle-earth, I am sure they would agree without a doubt. There they would show their best skills and experience. They would be a shining trinity, striking fear into their enemies.

[ir20232023]

Fingolfin and the Great Eagles

I think there was something eagle-like about Fingolfin's appearance. Pride, determination, sharp eyes. He had such good eyesight that he saw the burning ships on the shores of Middle-earth.

Perhaps the eagle came to Fingon not only in answer to his prayer, but also to the call of his father. Fingolfin was looking for Fingon, but he could not find him, and he could turn to Manwe for help.

It is my headcanon that Fingolfin offered to take his life in exchange for his son's. And when Fingolfin fights Morgoth, Thorondor does not interfere. He and his master Manwe remember Fingolfin's promise, and they allow him to fulfill his destiny. But Thorondor intervened to prevent Morgoth from defiling the body of a valiant warrior. It is a sign of the deepest respect.

And then the eagles long guard the city built by Fingolfin's son Turgon. Even after betrayal has broken Gondolin from within, the eagles still help. They save Glorfindel's body, just as an eagle had saved Fingolfin's earlier.

And then the eagles help another descendant of Fingolfin, Eärendil. They respect the entire family, partly because they saw a spiritual kinship between Fingolfin and Thorondor. I'd like to give this fanfic idea to someone who writes better than me.

[ir20232023]

One quick thought

If even your defeat looks like a victory in the eyes of many people, then you are incredibly hardcore.

[ir20232023]

Not brute force, but nobility is the symbol of real hardcore

Continuing my personal Nolofin week to pay tribute to a great character created by Tolkien.

I wrote this on another site and I will write it here. Fingolfin is the most hardcore character. He is the one who crossed the Helcarax and took personal responsibility for this incredibly difficult crossing. Some thought that he would just turn back, but this is Fingolfin, he could not do that.

But there is another point that speaks of him as a badass. Fingolfin was the first Elf whose life was in danger in Valinor. He is brave enough to face it without blinking an eye. And he is magnanimous enough to forgive such an act.

I have come across the point of view that the badass in this situation is Feanor. But no. Fingolfin was unarmed. His opponent was armed, although there was no need for it. Not brute force, but nobility is the symbol of real hardcore.

He combines the best qualities of the epic heroes of Hellas, King Arthur and Scandinavian berserkers. The essence of the character is built on the theory of northern courage. This is a very hardcore idea, to fight evil, even if the forces of good do not win.

[ir20232023]

Helcaraxe

I continue my personal Nolofinvean week. I have thought a lot about Helcaraxe. Sometimes someone justifies Feanor's action in burning the fairest ships by saying that Fingolfin and his people did not have to go through Helcaraxe. They could have gone back in disgrace. I think that only makes it worse. To condemn someone to suffering and death is terrible. But to condemn someone to disgrace is even more disgusting. For many people, disgrace is worse than death. Fingolfin was such a person. And his people, too, chose to suffer and risk. In any case, it was a crime to condemn someone to a difficult situation, not to mention the destruction of beautiful ships. And it was very dignified and poetic to come to Middle-earth at the first rising of the moon. As if nature itself was on the side of Fingolfin and his people.

[ir20232023]

A few words about my favorite character

Today was supposed to be the beginning of Nolofinvian Week. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled. But I still want to share my thoughts, because this is my favorite family in the Silmarillion and I was waiting for it. The topic of today is heroism. This family is different in that almost all of its members are heroes. But no one surpasses Fingolfin himself in this.

I literally spent my whole life looking for a character with such amazing energy of steadfastness and overcoming.

He went through the Ice and wars in Beleriand, not lowering his proud head.

His last moments are the pinnacle of fortitude.

I think that both Fingon and Gil-galad looked up to him. Turgon also thought of his father when he stood on his tower for the last time.

[ir20232023]

This is very cool.

I'm a little unaccustomed to this image of Fingolfin. But I still like him. I can imagine that he is too exhausted by the war and that his hair has turned grey from great suffering and great responsibility.

Fingolfin stood alone against the walls of Morgoth,

His sword blazing like the light of the sun,

And though he gave his life in battle..,

The enemy remembered him for a thousand years.

[ir20232023]

Too bad. I was waiting for this. Even if I don't agree with some things. I wanted to see what others would do. I love this family. Is it because of AI? I want to see everything that people create, with any tools, if it's beautiful. Restrictions reduce the number of beautiful creations. Those who don't want to, can simply not participate.

Fairness lies in acknowledging the use of AI when humans have used these tools, not in banning it.

Unfortunately, I can't draw at all. I will share my thoughts all week, at least for myself. And as per tradition, I will make a collage, this is the only way I can express my love.

Nolofinwëan Week 2024 is canceled.

Folks who started working on your submissions, I hope you finish them and post them on your blogs for everyone to enjoy. I am very sorry and thank you for understanding.

[ir20232023]

I don't know how to interpret this question and what is meant by paintings, canon or fan creations. I vote for Fingolfin here, it's my favorite scene in the Legendarium. I think this last majestic battle deserves both beauty and romanticism. But in reality, it was a very brutal battle. It's probably good that the artists don't draw it too realistically. How can a creature of flesh and blood look after blows from the most powerful enemy? The miracle is that even after the third blow, he got up and continued to fight. I think Turgon was in real shock when he saw… This makes Fingolfin's supreme sacrifice even cooler. But if it were drawn this way, it would be terrifying.

I’m curious to know:

I didn’t put the death of Celebrimbor because I knew that would win.

Please reblog for a bigger sample size!

[ir20232023]

Of course, it pains me greatly that my elven boy was not mentioned among the heroes (or at least Sacrifice), although Tolkien said that he was the most valiant king. In my opinion, he did the same thing that Gil-galad did many years later. So he should be in this row. But I hope to see many wonderful works. I still don't understand why people treat him like that. He never hid and not only thought but also acted.

2024 Nolofinwëan Week Daily Prompts

Event Directory

Daily prompts are never obligatory. They are here to inspire you and get you started on that draft or sketch.

How to use prompts?

You can combine prompts from different days.

You don't need to follow the prompts or characters in order.

You may ignore them and create anything Nolofinwëan you want.

Day 1: Heroism

Characters: Fingon, Gil-galad, Argon Places: Ard-Galen, Thangorodrim/Angband, Mordor

Inspirational Verses: A song for the heroes who saw the sign And took their place in the battle-line. They were walls of granite and gates of brass, These heroes that cried, "They shall not pass." And they hurled them back in a storm of cheers, And the sound will echo on over the years.

~ E. F. Hayward

Day 2: Sacrifice

Characters: Anairë, Elenwë, Elwing Places: Valinor, Helcaraxë

Inspirational Verses: Love cannot be bought, Neither hath it price; It seeks not, and is given unsought, A glad self-sacrifice.

~ John Boyle O'Reilly

Day 3: Adventure

Characters: Aredhel, Tuor Places: Vinyamar, Nan Dungortheb

Inspirational Verses: I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

~ Robert Frost

Day 4: Wisdom

Characters: Fingolfin, Turgon, Elrond Places: Mithrim, Barad Eithel, Lindon

Inspirational Verses: The tree must stand, it cannot run; Whatever comes of snow or sun It has to bear; it has no fears; Knowing not regret nor tears It stands and stretches to the sky Without a murmur, plaint or sigh— And this has stood a thousand years, And seen ten thousand storms go by!

~ Annette Wynne

Day 5: Heritage

Characters: Idril, Maeglin, Eärendil Places: Gondolin, Sirion

Inspirational Verses: My river runs to thee: Blue sea, wilt welcome me?

My river waits reply. Oh sea, look graciously!

I'll fetch thee brooks From spotted nooks, —

Say, sea, Take me! ~ Emily Dickinson

Day 6: Separation

Characters: Elros, Eöl, Celebrían Places: Nan Elmoth, Númenor

Inspirational Verses: Fare thee well! the ship is ready, And the breeze is fresh and steady. Hands are fast the anchor weighing; High in the air the streamer's playing. Spread the sails—the waves are swelling Proudly round thy buoyant dwelling, Fare thee well! and when at sea, Think of those, who sigh for thee.

~ Hannah Flagg Gould

Day 7: Memory

Characters: Half-elven Descendants, Original Characters Places: Rivendell, Arnor, Gondor

Inspirational Verses: Only lovers see the fall a signal end to endings a gruffish gesture alerting those who will not be alarmed that we begin to stop in order to begin again.

~ Maya Angelou

[ir20232023]

An Elf who is noble to the end. A leader who leads his people through darkness and cold. A king who won the battle Dagor Aglareb. A father who raised brave sons and a daughter. A warrior who only be defeated by Morgoth himself.

Little test pool. :)

[ir20232023]

Absolutely great

My hero

👑

Thank you!

👑To which High King of the Noldor do you owe your allegiance? Why would you offer them your fealty?

Oooh, this is a tricky question to ask a Sindar fan, lol.

But I guess that if I had no other choice, I would owe my allegiance to Fingolfin. After all, he managed to maintain warm relations with the Sindar in Beleriand, and he's one of the few Noldor that Thingol maintains an alliance with. I get the sense that Fingolfin actually respects Thingol and the Sindar, and it's also said that Fingolfin acknowledges Thingol's kingship over the Sindar, which is probably why Thingol is willing to ally with him despite scorning most of the Noldor.

Plus, Beleriand was relatively peaceful under Fingolfin's rule, and he also tried to be proactive about the impending threat of Morgoth. I also really respect Fingolfin for his badass moment of challenging Morgoth to a duel, then dying like an absolute hero.

So yeah, I guess I'd swear my allegiance to Fingolfin, for sure.

Thanks so much! Please feel free to send me more!

[ir20232023]

The author described one of his characters as a symbol of light, as a hero who stood against absolute darkness. This character means a lot to me, I can no longer love someone else more. Then the same author in some draft cast a shadow on the character. Because the author likes to experiment with languages ​​and he wanted to experiment with the meaning of his name. Therefore, the author attributed to the character participation in the struggle for power. But this was only a draft, only an experiment, this is not the main version.

This draft was not included in the final book. But many readers are guided by this version. Now the heroism and selflessness of the character, his great courage, his military valor and nobility mean nothing. All this is discarded. But for me he is still a symbol of light. Because of this, I cannot communicate with other fans of the same author. Why do people easily see the bad, even if it was only in the draft, and so easily reject the good?

[ir20232023]

Unfortunately, all these trends are noted correctly. It upsets me very much. I would add one more point here. The greatest duel between light and darkness in the history of Arda, the feat of self-sacrifice and the heroic attempt to protect one's people are considered "suicide". It almost physically hurts me. Also, deliberately committed murders are considered better than involuntary mistakes. All this, probably, is within the framework of love for gray morality.

Interesting Trends and Voices in the Silmarillion Fandom

~

Although I have been a lover of Tolkien since the earliest days of my youth and have been a Tolkien Scholar for over a decade, I have not made too many forays into the Silm fandom other than when I was younger and more recently a few years ago. Thus, I was rather surprised by the trends that seem to be mainstays of the Fandom and which ones I've seen big shifts in. I'll mention them briefly, but please note, although I may share differences of opinion regarding these characters or themes, we all share a deep love of the source material and that makes us fellow Enthusiasts. Whatever our differences, we have more in common with what we love than that which we do not.

With that said,

A "newer" trend I've noticed is the number of Fëanorian apologists, which is rather surprising, especially given their vocality. Some of the more common trends in this vein:

~A general indifference towards Fingolfin apart from a "if he had been through what Fëanor had, he would have been that way too" kind of approach, etc.

~All of Fëanor's sons (but especially Maedhros) are often given the best possible excuse for every action and bad decision. Others like Thingol or Elwing, less so.

~Finarfin and his children are generally regarded as boring, except for Galadriel who is either, loved as being awesome, wild, and wise or slightly disliked for having ill-opinions of Fëanor or some combination of the two.

~Fingolfin's line is seen as either goody-two-shoes or full of themselves, with the exception of Fingon who is close friends with Maedhros.

~The Valar are often illustrated to be antagonists, especially when in opposition to the Fëanorians.

~In the same light, I've seen a few posts that portray Luthien as being somehow problematic, seemingly to balance out the negative Fëanorian interactions she endures.

~One of the more sad effects of this apologist line of thinking is the Denegration of Elrond and Elros' parents. In order for Maedhros and Maglor to be considered "good" their actual parents are seen as "bad" despite little evidence of that being the case.

~ It seems Fëanor and sons have become the golden child of the Silm fandom, a spot once reserved for Sauron and Morgoth, if memory serves.

NOTES:

These are all fairly intriguing lines of discourse and I understand that they are tied up in and often heavily influenced by the fan-fictions and fannons. Still, it does make me wonder, with how vocal the Fëanorians are (especially on tumblr), how many Nolofinweans are in the Fandom? How many fans of Finarfin's cohort (or as one Tumblr user once called them), the blondes?

Some older trends that continue:

~Thingol still sucks (at least by common thought). It is interesting that despite all of the love of the Noldorin lines given their proclivity towards violence and bad decisions, the fandom still has not been able to lend some compassion towards the reigning Sindarin Monarch.

~Celeborn somehow ending up with Galadriel is still a big mystery (I do love this one).

~Sauron is still seen as Morgoth's boyfriend/lover/etc.

~The Valar are antagonists (before this was due to the Sauron/Morgoth apologists, and now it seems to stem more from a Fëanorian view)

~Turin and Beleg are still a ship (I am pleased).

~Halls of Mandos Reunions (always a classic).

~Gimli/Legolas ship.

Some older trends I don't see as much:

~Fingolfin/Fëanor ship (I'm not upset that this one is scarce. Even in Fantasy, incest isn't my thing).

~Fingon/Maedhros ship (see above note)

~Celebrimbor is the greatest elf of all time.

~Melkor/Manwe/Varda and/or Sauron love triangles.

I'm curious to see what others think of these trends. I'll be the first to admit, I have always had a fondness for the Nolofinweans, but it is interesting to see the growth of the Fëanorian fans and how quickly their voice has grown into one of the primary topics of fandom discourse (which is good, I love the discussions!).

~ Ramoth13