#✵ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʟᴅᴇʀ ᴅᴀyꜱ — insight

[elerondo]

Elrond is the type who knowingly drinks the poison his s/o gives him. Because he's that arrogant. Also very sweet.

[elerondo]

Oh I love this take. The descendants who are now wiser and with so much history and sacrifice before them, taking up the legacy of their houses.

Also Celebrian and Elrond bonding and taking trips to the Kingdoms of Man !! Especially now with NoME alluding that Celebrian could be born before S.A. 300...

My headcanon:

He married Celebrían in Arnor, at the capital of Fornost which was the one and only time he ventured so far out of the Valley of Imladris with the ring Vilya. There came many folk stretching from Lindon to Greenwood in celebration of their union, and in remembrance of Elros, the line of Númenóreans kin of Elrond who will also be kin of Celeborn and Galadriel by law.

Arnor and Rivendell enjoy much traffic and friendly alliances with each other from this moment on, and they shared many letters and communication with Gondor and were pleased with their friends’ flourish.

This is unsupported by canon and also definitely not how Finrod's oath to Barahir is even meant to work, but I really enjoy the idea of Celebrian taking up Finrod's legacy and vowing to herself to do whatever is in her power to aid the Dunedain in general and those who have the Ring of Barahir specifically

That goes so extremely well with her being married to Elrond "If you're related to Elros you're my immediate family" Peredhel, and also befits the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn, both of whom seem to have an extremely strong sense of duty towards Middle-earth

[elerondo]

there is just something so poetic and beautiful about Elrond consistently doing for others what he would have liked for himself :> and i do think he learned the measure of tolerance and benevolence from the feanorian brothers first, before anyone else. it’s very knife twisting of me to say this, but hear me out.

the feanorians were long enemies of his house. had dealt Elros and him a great and terrible sin, and should by any and all accounts kill the twins and be done with them. would not have been the first time or last time, would not have been a surprise to anyone. yet when the Silmarils, the object of their Oath, were deemed lost to them, did the narrative change. quite drastically in fact, for a time. there was a softness that is largely non existent in the silmarillion when it comes to the house of feanor. for about ten years (?) there is no person dying in Maedhros’ and Maglor’s storyline. there is no enmity. it might be quite domestic, such as it never was since the flight of the noldor.

do you not think that Elros and Elrond would have thought the feanorians might kill them at some point in time ? the twins must have thought it. yet it never happens. they are fed, washed, clothed, by two persons instead of one ( their mother. ) it confused the twins. the days turn into weeks turn into months, and love grows. how can it not ? they are all the twins have left.

some in fandom might sue that Elros and Elrond had no choice. they were young children, impressionable. escape from the feanorians largely impossible for their skills. but if Maedhros and Maglor never killed Elros and Elrond after one month, two years, five, then surely there was a choice for the twins to cry, hate, scream, and all that. have you seen who their mother is, her stubbornness and undying pride ? the twins do have agency. they are not dumb. it was a conscious choice of understanding and forgiveness.

[elerondo]

but, legit. if Elrond had actually tackled Isildur, he would have killed the man purely by accident ( and by design )

what else did we think would happen

[elerondo]

just THINK about Finwe and Elwe ever having that " we'll never betray each other " moment in some random forest while they were stargazing or building temporary shelters when they were on the great journey. they must have been such visionaries you know, the Chosen Ones of their tribes, but in their mind there was not going to be such a thing as power struggle or anything like that.

they could have been pure babs like youths before they entered into politics. they could have wanted their children to marry into either's house!!

but that never gets fulfilled because Finwe's sons did betray Thingol's house in the worst way possible !!!!

in the end though, i think about Elrond and Celebrian !! indirectly the houses were finally and truly mended with their union !!

[elerondo]

And so indeed it has since befallen: the One and the Seven and the Nine are destroyed; and the Three have passed away, and with them the Third Age is ended

I really adore how the Three are written as distinct from the rest, not being destroyed but merely passed away, and in this we can read it as “passed away into the West”. I like to imagine that Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel might still wear the Elven rings in Aman because of how much memory is tied to it, how much sacrifice, and not just of Elves but of all races that in Aman can no longer be reached. Like, Celebrimbor’s work reached into the West, and that’s so endearing.

[elerondo]

i definitely think that Elrond has had many lovers in Lindon. Most of them are short term and didn't last. Here's why.

Elrond is a foster child who shot up to stardom very suddenly. How could he have fully grasp the importance of his lineage and crown princehood? And amidst Elros' choice of mortality! For him, Forlond is a gilded cage, filled with elves who hate his fathers for very valid reasons, and people watch his every move. So if Elrond met someone who would come closer, he definitely falls hard. But he does not yet understand that not everyone will be with him without motive, because he's the very obvious heir-apparent of Ereinion Gil-galad.

When Elrond wisens up in the matters of the heart, that Feanorian anger is going to be felt in full force and he may accidentally destroy something that was genuine. Then he starts to keep people at bay.

[elerondo]

Understanding Fëanor’s perspective on the Oath of Fëanor

I read clothonono post and I do agree that the Oath of Fëanor was not made with reclamation of the Silmarils in mind. Before the Oath’s unfortunate escalation, the Oath of Fëanor was made by Fëanor for the purpose of avenging Finwë. I submit my case with paragraphs from The Silmarillion.

Of the Flight of the Noldor, p. 84

Then Fëanor ran from the Ring of Doom, and fled into the night; for his father was dearer to him than the Light of Valinor or the peerless works of his hands; and who among sons, of Elves or of Men, have held their fathers of greater worth?

The only context that Fëanor had at the time of Finwë’s murder was that:

1) Melkor slew Finwë, but Melkor was not alone. Of the Flight of the Noldor, p. 83, emphasis mine

But even as Nienna mourned, there came messengers from Formenos, and they were Noldor and bore new tidings of evil. For they told how a blind Darkness came northward, and in the midst walked some power for which there was no name, and the Darkness issued from it. But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm

2) Melkor took the Silmarils, among other jewels. Of the Flight of the Noldor, p. 83

And they told that Melkor had broken the stronghold of Formenos, and taken all the jewels of the Noldor that were hoarded in that place; and the Silmarils were gone.

Thus, Fëanor had all rights to suspect that Melkor may not have been working alone when “a blind Darkness came” but Fëanor did not have any clue who was with Melkor. Not only that, Yavanna had just asked for the Silmarils, and before Fëanor could answer, Tulkas prepositioned the idea that no one should deny Yavanna!

Of the Flight of the Noldor, p. 83, emphasis mine

Then Manwë spoke and said: ‘Hearest thou, Fëanor son of Finwë, the words of Yavanna? Wilt thou grant what she would ask?’ There was long silence, but Fëanor answered no word. Then Tulkas cried: ‘Speak, O Noldo, yea or nay! But who shall deny Yavanna? And did not the light of the Silmarils come from her work in the beginning?’

It seemed to him that he was beset in a ring of enemies, and the words of Melkor returned to him, saying that the Silmarils were not safe, if the Valar would possess them. ‘And is he not Vala as are they,’ said his thought, ‘and does he not understand their hearts? Yea, a thief shall reveal thieves!’ Then he cried aloud: ‘This thing I will not do of free will. But if the Valar will constrain me, then shall I know indeed that Melkor is of their kindred.’

Before Finwë’s murder, Fëanor believes that the Valar all support each other, even Melkor. Tulkas expects Fëanor to just roll over for Yavanna’s request, just because she is a Vala. Then, Melkor slays Finwë and Fëanor names him Morgoth. Worst, the Valar’s narrative being focused on the Silmarils’ Light instead of Finwë’s murder, though unspoken, was clearly understood by Fëanor due to their prior self entitlement regarding the Silmarils, and inaction regarding Finwë’s murder.

Alas! The Valar want the Silmarils for their Light, and Melkor (Morgoth) actually took the Silmarils! Had Melkor (Morgoth) not been chained before? And if Morgoth were to come under the Valar’s arrest once more, would the Valar then come into possession of the Silmarils finally? Furthermore, as mentioned, Fëanor knows that some being was working with Morgoth, but he knows not who. Fëanor does not know Morgoth wants sole possession of the Silmarils, or if the Silmarils would change hands. However, the matter of the Silmarils pale in comparison to his father Finwë!

Of the Flight of the Noldor, p. 84

Then Fëanor ran from the Ring of Doom, and fled into the night; for his father was dearer to him than the Light of Valinor or the peerless works of his hands; and who among sons, of Elves or of Men, have held their fathers of greater worth?

Fëanor made the Oath of Fëanor for the sole purpose of killing Morgoth, to avenge Finwë’s death. The Oath was worded in such a way that whoever touched the Silmarils would be killed. There is thus no loophole or any universe in which Morgoth could live after the slaughter of Finwë, even if Morgoth gave back the Silmarils, even if Morgoth was arrested and chained once more and the Silmarils are no longer in his possession. None shall defend him from Fëanor, and Fëanor's kin.

( bonus DLC: the sons of Fëanor could prevent more murders by taking back the Silmarils )

[elerondo]

i think Elrond never calling himself Earendilion and never having any references to that man is great. i’m very happy this is canon. that it is HIGHLY POSSIBLE Maedhros and / or Maglor named Elros and Elrond due to what the twins were doing when they were found. their names exactly describes how they were found !! Elros playing by the waterfall, and Elrond in the cave. the names Elros and Elrond (Sindarin) are exceptionally close to Elerosse and Elerondo (Quenya) which further lends credence to the idea that the Feanorian brothers named the twins. has there ever been Sindarin and Quenya names so close together in form and spelling ? would the House of Thingol, with their Quenya ban and Second Kinslaying, named their heirs such when at the time, they were all in Sirion, by the sea, with no waterfall or cave ?

Aragorn advised against the Mariner’s song being sung in the house of Elrond. the Feanorian star was bannered on Arwen’s wedding.

[elerondo]

Elrond extending his hand and offering everyone and their mothers to stay in Rivendell can be seen as his infant wound permanent scarring in his soul. Yes of course he’s kind and compassionate and everything, but how much of Elrond's compassion is also his coping mechanism?

Underneath all that, being worthy enough to be offered a stable home and all the privileges that come with it ( food, love, companionship, a place for hobbies, safety net basically ) is something that Elrond would have wanted back when he was, you know, kidnapped, then likely criticised for loving his Feanorian foster fathers, plus not one Sindar claiming him from Gil-galad at all ( psst does no one find this a little weird and very sad ? )

To have greatly suffered under the blades of the Noldor legacy, but also be widely recognised as Noldor until the end of days ( herald of Gil-galad, Loremaster ). That couldn’t have been an easy or happy transition from an orphan to being The Heir to like, everything, the good and the bad and the Feanorian Star.

All of these being circumstances he can’t control, being his fate, his prophecy.

[Elrond] he is the "greatest of lore-masters", a master of ancient wisdom and knowledge. She notes that among the Elves, the lore-masters were the Noldor: indeed that was the meaning of their name. (src)

Everyone is worthy to Elrond. Elrond’s also very aware of the dangers in the wilder lands. He projects his childhood fear of the unknown and the blood of kinslayers into this inherent need to save everyone else, as he and his twin brother were not.

Because Elrond was not saved, but now he has great power and means, so he wants to save everyone else to the best of his ability, to the doom of his house.

[elerondo]

thinking about how it might scare the shit out of Maedhros and Maglor if Elrond (and Elros) ran away from them, and how this could become problematic in the future when the fear of abandonment triggers the flight response in order to get attention. get that same fear and concern over themselves.

[elerondo]

Sometimes, Elrond sits at his desk alone, leaning his chin on crossed arms and says her name for the sake of it. He says her name for the sake of how it sounds on his lips, a name he has said for two thousand years and suddenly, he can’t hear her name anymore. Nobody dares to say her name around him.

And they are right in being afraid of saying her name around him. Nobody has loved her more than he has loved her. Not even Celeborn and Galadriel, he thinks, and he will fight the both of them and the world to prove that.

But he has to admit that Valinor could be a much better place for her, than him.

It is a fact that is so hard to swallow at times, that he has to leave the love of his life in someone else’s hands.

[elerondo]

Elrond sitting on fences, railings of balconies and parapets, even on tables, he learned this fancy from Oropher. Because even if imposing, Oropher was heedless of decorum at the right times (sometimes purposefully to piss off Gil galad. and Elrond also liked to piss off Gil galad), and it was fun to look at an insanely tall elf sit himself even taller.

[elerondo]

foresight: the burden of knowing. Elrond can see death in his visions. There is no exact date and time because foresight is not that overpowered. It is a sound that starts from afar, coming nearer and nearer, until years of practice can accurately predict the sequence of events that will bring about the images in his visions. Divine cosmic knowledge, sounds so good, but so bad. It is the universe telling the prophet that It wants to save this one, so do it quickly before I change my mind or It wants to kill that one and there is nothing you can do about it.

the knowing does not deter Elrond from any quest. The son of the flame of Anor has to grit his teeth and move forward. He has been doing this for thousands of years. Maybe in his youth he had stumbled, dwelled, missed out the bigger picture for the things he couldn’t control. Asked why me, why tell me all these things just to sadden me? But not now, not the one who is fire and beaten steel.

the hardest part of knowing is always about the things or people he can’t save. He watches their HP dwindle to 0, all while he is holding the potion of life and smiling. He is the villain in someone’s story, and he sometimes feels like one too.

[elerondo]

Elrond really likes to feel someone’s life force. It’s a biproduct of being a healer, being so connected to the sanctity of all life. He’s very tactile, loves to use his hands. His fea can feel someone’s life slip away as though it is a tangible thing, water returning to the core of the earth, vapour returning to the stars. With one touch of his fea, Elrond will know if he can save someone, or the exact moment they are going to die. If life had a HP bar, Elrond knows the moment those numbers dwindle. It’s not a very nice thing to know, but its a good thing that he is filled with divinity. Life can be ant, or worthy. It all hinges on a switch inside him. Sometimes it is dangerous for gods to dwell on mortality. Other times? It’s good to confirm a kill.

Needless to say, Elrond much prefers aliveness, passion, longevity, and fortitude. 

He loves to hold someone’s neck when he can be comfortably close, where the carotid artery is, where the pulse is the strongest. Elrond likes to press his hands there and feel that.

[elerondo]

Elrond is cinnamon baby who will "never kill a thing" but if he had to, he would greatly enjoy the process of battle and rising in power.