#DOWN WITH SARUMAN!!

[sapphoismymuse]

the march of the ents is written so beautifully i am actively cheering along with them i haven’t been this hyped reading a book in so long!!

[vamprisms]

one does not simply walk into mordor? thank fuck i hate walking. tell sam to pull the 1998 nissan micra around

[wingsofhcpe]

WELCOME HOME GANDALF THE GREY BTW

[theladystrikesagain]

just watched lord of the rings extended edition 13 hour marathon for the first time. i am emotional and i am sleepy but most of all. i strongly believe the person who forced peter jackson to edit down should be shot

[nando161mando]

CEO of $210 billion chipmaker holds meetings on weekends, expects work after midnight: 'People are really motivated by ambitious goals'

Celebrating Saruman's death is wrong, he was a father.

Peter Dering, CEO of Peak Design, voluntarily gave police the purchase information of the backpack used by Luigi Mangione, leading to his identification

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/nyregion/peak-design-backpack-brian-thompson-shooting.html

Just remember kids, if you work hard enough you can become a multi-billionaire like these greedy f*cks. Honest.

"Deny, Depose, Defend" spray painted on the UnitedHealthcare office building, Las Vegas.

Deny Defend Depose banner hanging over Lake Shore Drive in Chicago earlier this week

True Bipartisanship! America's Ruling Class Joins Hands to Say Violence Against the Ruling Class is Never the Answer.

[torchwood-99]

During the same time period Eowyn is enjoying a honeymoon period with Faramir during his stay in Rohan, getting to enjoy the love of both her husband and her betrothed, and dreaming of a life in Ithilien, Grima is getting mocked and spat on by Saruman.

That thought helps me to sleep at night, it really does.

[frodo-with-glasses]

The mithril coat.

Not SamFro!

[tathrin]

Okay but who is going to write the Ultimate Mutual Hurt/Comfort LotR AU where it is Legolas and Gimli who get captured together and taken to Isengard? And no doubt spend the whole time doing the “no, torture me instead!” thing, poorly disguising their concern through “well my people are heartier than yours, I just didn’t want your frail elvish/dwarvish self to get hurt” banter that inevitably breaks-down into “I was afraid you were dead/dying” love confessions and...

[vamprlestat]

thinking a lot about isildur today

[daphne-dreamcatcher]

How could you forget Sir Christopher Lee?! He's the ORIGINAL FACE of James Bond!

Because he IS "James Bond", we can't just go around forgetting that's why he was able to tell PJ about how to look when getting stabbed and stabbing thereof lolol

The Doctor and The Master implies a third, less prestigious renegade timelord named The Bachelor

[maenefa]

Why does Eowyn want to die?

Because Aragorn won’t love her? Because she feels trapped in her feminine gender role?

These are the explanations we get in the text. However, none of the characters really acknowledge Eowyn’s darkest fear: being taken alive by the enemy.

There are some bad takes on Eowyn that boil down to patronizing her and downplaying the seriousness of her problems. People say that she had a naive desire for glory and Faramir teaches her that war isn’t actually fun. Then there’s the whole “Eowyn was a deserter who selfishly ran away from her duty” argument.

You can only say these things if you ignore how dire the situation was, how close Sauron was to winning, and how gruesome Eowyn’s fate would have been if he won. She knew that death or capture likely awaited her, and she knew that dying in battle was the least bad option. (She also knew her own worth and believed that she was too useful a warrior to be left behind with the civilians. And she was right.)

Eowyn’s actions are ruthlessly practical! She wants to die fighting because that’s better than waiting around for The Horrors. Let’s be real, Eowyn is too sensible to be suicidal over an unrequited crush.

Here are some of her most revealing quotes:

“All your words are but to say: you are a woman, and your part is in the house. But when the men have died in battle and honor, you have leave to be burned in the house, for the men will need it no more.”

“And those who have not swords can still die upon them.”

“Nor is it always evil to die in battle, even in bitter pain. Were I permitted, in this dark hour I would choose the latter.”

“But I do not desire healing…. I wish to ride to war like my brother Éomer, or better like Théoden the king, for he died and has both honour and peace.”

In the end. Eowyn only stops wanting to die after Sauron is defeated. Just before the Ring is destroyed, she tells Faramir:

“I stand upon some dreadful brink, and it is utterly dark in the abyss before my feet, but whether there is any light behind me I cannot tell. For I cannot turn yet. I wait for some stroke of doom.”

Eowyn can’t turn to light and life until the war is over. Hope is too painful; death at least offers “honor and peace.” This passage is so important because it EXPLICITLY links Eowyn’s despair to the outcome of the war and makes it clear that she is not simply having a meltdown because Aragorn rejected her.

There are two important moments where Eowyn is threatened with violence. The very first time we meet her, we are told by Gandalf that Wormtongue planned to turn her into a sex slave after Saruman conquered Rohan. Even though this threat is dismissed quickly, it’s a disturbing reminder of what could happen to Eowyn if Sauron wins.

Then we have the most triumphant moment of Eowyn’s story: her battle with the Witch King. Once again, Eowyn is not threatened with death, but with captivity and torment:

“Come not between the Nazgûl and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shrivelled mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye.”

Eowyn laughs at him and makes sure to announce that she is a woman before killing him. Her victory is all the more satisfying because the Witch King has just threatened her with captivity, loss of agency, the violation of her body and mind—all threats that Eowyn has faced before. But the Witch King’s words continue to haunt Eowyn and us. He threatens to withhold death; and death is therefore framed as an escape, a gift. Eowyn is taken to the Houses of Healing, but she is obsessed with returning to battle and fighting until she dies.

When Eowyn says that she fears “a cage,” this is a brilliantly simple metaphor for the entire spectrum of oppression she has faced: from the well-meaning restrictions of her culture to the horrifying enslavement threatened by Wormtongue.

Once the war is over, Eowyn is able to laugh at her fears. She teases Faramir: “And would you have your proud folk say of you: there goes a lord who tamed a wild shieldmaiden of the North!” Her fear of being caged has been turned into a bit of flirtatious banter. She feels completely safe with Faramir, and the idea that he “tamed” her is nothing but a joke between them.

[starsofarda]

I have seen that post about Maedhros being found in Moria by the Fellowship after being woken up by the longest unvoluntary nap ever. And yes, I know "Archaeology", anfic on a similar premise.

But today I wouldlike to linger on the comedic aspects of "the Fellowship expected a Balrog to come, but instead First Era Maedhros Feanorian appeared, albeit slightly charred, and now the Fellowship is adding a 10th member to the Fellowship".

For the sake of story I am still gonna say that Gandalf fell down the bridge, because ACTUALLY there was a Balrog.

Anyway the Fellowship minus Gandalf and plus Maedhros waltz in Lothlorien giving Galadriel a whole new range of emotions.

"I WAS EXPECTING GANDALF YOU ALL HAVE BROUGHT BACK A WAR CRIMINAL FROM AN ERA BYGONE AND ALSO MY COUSIN THRICE REMOVED."

Maedhros picking up IMMEDIATELY on the effect that the Ring is having on everyone and having a heart-to-heart with everyone and explaining the whole Silmarillion ordeal.

"Yikes." Everyone nods in agreement to the sentiment epressed by the Hobbits.

As an extra layer Mae asks if they are bound by any oath. "No, Elrond was quite insisting that we would NOT swear ANY oath."

Cue Mae crying.

Somehow Sam clicks immediately with Maedhros and when Frodo leaves the Fellowship Sam is already there all geared up for literal war and with all advice and tips on how to effectively kill orcs.

Somehow Merry and Pippin manage to make Mae smile. Their next mission is to make him laugh.

This reminds him of the Ambarussa. Mae cries again.

Gollum will underestimate that and it will be his doom.

"No Mr.Frodo, Sir Maedhros explained to us very clearly what happens with cursed artifacts, we are leaving Gollum here. Sir Maedhros was so kind, he explained to me everything I need to know."

Boromir lives, because killing Orcs turns out way easier with someone who can instill in them the very fear of the Valar.

Saruman has an incredibly short span.

"Oh? A palantir? My father's invention? Here? Yeah, I am gonna take that."

Somehow everything is a little easier?

Gimli crying because somehow he heard (ancient) Khuzdul from an Elf and now Maedhros has to understand since when Dwarves and Elves do not get along.

The company coming back to Imladris and causing Elrond to break down crying uncontrollably and in a very undignified manner.

"Lindir" hears the cries and when he sees Mae he's crying as well. It is revealed that "Lindir" is actually Maglor.

When the last ship sails for Valinor, the Valar grant M&M to come back due to repentance and various services in aid to destroying the Ring.

Galadriel is still not over the fact that MAEDHROS FEANORIAN was in Lothlorien and she could not even slap him.

At least in Valinor M&M can now hug mama Nerdanel and stay with her. Eventually all brothers will be reimbodied.

Thoughts? Comments? Prayers? Silmarils?

[frogseasons]

actually making progress in reading the two towers. the movies really nerfed my boy treebeard. and so much is different about how helm’s deep is happening????

[captain-price-unofficially]

My favorite part of this scene is how the orc is speaking like a concerned union foreman arguing with a client about project deadlines until Saruman tells him to go do some orc shit and burn down a forest and he just goes straight back to being a little shit goblin again

[bitterkarella]

Midnight Pals: Wizards

[at unicorn fuck club] Brandon Sanderson: boy, i love being a fantasy writer! Sanderson: and the best part of being a fantasy writer? Sanderson: it's talking about wizards! Terry Goodkind: wizards? did you say wizards?? Goodkind: i LOVE talking about wizards! Sanderson: me TOO!

Sanderson: i mean, why even be a fantasy writer if you don't like wizards? Diane Duane: i write about wizards too! some of them are cats! Tanya Huff: OMG me two!!! Huff: TWINSIES!!!

Sanderson: how about you george? how do you feel about wizards? GRR Martin: well see the saga of fire and ice is based on the historical war of the roses so actually its p realistic Martin: just kidding, of course there's wizards! Goodkind: WIZARDS! Sanderson: WIZARDS! Duane: WIZARDS! Huff: WIZARDS!

Sanderson: you gotta like wizards if you're gonna write fantasy Sanderson: jrrt, how do you feel about wizards? Tolkien: wizards? Tolkien: meh Tolkien: they're okay Sanderson: Goodkind: Martin: Duane: Huff:

Sanderson: tell us about the wizards in middle earth, jirt Tolkien: ugh god Tolkien: why do you always want to know about the wizards Tolkien: i have literally no interest in talking about these wizards Tolkien: when we could be talking about the hobbits sexy sexy feet Tolkien: big hairy stinky feet

Sanderson: c'mon jirt tell us about the wizards Tolkien: ok fine Tolkien: well there's gandalf the gray Tolkien: and saruman the white Tolkien: and umm radagast Tolkien: he's brown

Tolkien: and then there's like Tolkien: ummmm Tolkien: two other guys Sanderson: what're their names? Tolkien: what? oh jeez Tolkien: i gotta come up with TWO more wizard names? Tolkien: god this is intolerable

Sanderson: c'mon jirt you've got us all wondering Sanderson: you can't just say there are these other wizards and not tell us anything about them Tolkien: ugh christ Tolkien: fine Tolkien: they're Tolkien: god i dunno what colors are left Sanderson: there's blue Tolkien: fine that's it they're blue

Sanderson: wait both of them? Tolkien: yeah Sanderson: they're both blue? Tolkien: yeah Sanderson: Sanderson: you know there's a whole rainbow of color options Tolkien: oh my god shut up Tolkien: i am so fucking tired

Sanderson: so there's gandalf the gray, saruman the white, radagast the brown, and two blue guys Tolkien: yeah thats right Sanderson: and the blue guys aren't named Tolkien: nope Sanderson: Sanderson: ok but Tolkien: why do you all care so much about these stupid blue guys Tolkien: just accept it!

Tolkien: just deal with it, you foolish son of a took! Sanderson: Tolkien: you dotard! Naught but a ninnyhammer! Sanderson: [looking at his CTR ring] Now calm down, brandon-diddly-diddly-diddly-doodly, he's doing their best, shodilly-iddly- iddly-diddly. Gotta be nice, hostility-ility-biddly- diddly

Sanderson: if you didn't want to talk about wizards, why'd you even make the blue guys? you could have stopped at 3 Tolkien: i was on the spot, okay? i panicked! Tolkien: you lot with all your wizard pressure! Tolkien: i don't care about wizards!

Tolkien: listen, assholes, i got into fantasy for exactly 3 reasons: Tolkien: sexy hobbit feet Tolkien: feasts Tolkien: and fuckin' tom bombadil! Sanderson: tom bombadil? Tolkien: he's only the most important thing in middle earth! Tolkien: that capering buffoon of a wifeguy holds it all together!!

[himegureisu]

The Right Time

Summary: Elrond is away to rescue Mithrandir on Dol Guldur accompanied by Saruman and Galadriel when you find out you’re expecting.

Pairing: Elrond x Reader

Warning: Pregnancy.

A/N: I never thought I'd write another fanfic after being employed. Thank god that's not the case. Enjoy!

“No one is to tell him of my condition,” you command them, “Do not worry my husband any further,”

“My Lady, we strongly advise that you do. You will need protection,” the healer insisted, “We might be at war,”

“That’s exactly why you will keep your mouths shut regarding this matter!” you snapped, hormones and insecurity taking over, “He need not distractions of any kind. He has much to think about, and I cannot burden him with the knowledge at this time,”

Elves don’t usually bear children during times of war. Yet, here you were, three moons through of nine.

“My Lady,” Lindir addressed, one late night in your study, “Lord Elrond has accompanied Lady Galadriel to Lothlorien. They’d confronted the Dark Lord, Sauron, and she’s significantly weakened. He is expected to return once Lady Galadriel is settled.”

“Thank you, mellon nin,” you softly smile, as he bows, “Do see to your duties then rest,”

“I shall, my Lady, good evening,”

His return came a month from that missive.

Throughout the valley, the horns echoed announcing his arrival and the singular banner of Imladris could be seen from the balcony. However, you couldn’t be disturbed by the fanfare.

Your slumber on the bump out by the window is comfortable and long overdue. They noticed your waning appetite and exhaustion. Your courtiers worried and hovered, observing from afar in your wait for his homecoming, reluctant to disrupt your rest.

Your absence at the morning reception didn’t go unnoticed.

His grey eyes scanned the crowd in hopes of finding the warmth of your smile after the darkness they fought. Yet, you weren’t there. His good friend, Lindir, answered his unspoken question.

“The Lady of Imladris slumbers in your shared chambers, my Lord,” he stated, eyes twinkling as his Lord turned, “She’s been lethargic and despondent as of late,”

“Is she ill?” they walk in stride toward the private residence as Lindir answers, “We didn’t ask and she didn’t approach the healers. We believe it is simply a case of missing you. This has been the longest you’ve been away for centuries.”

In thought, he hums and enters the master’s bedroom in silence. Your rooms were in disorder, pillows, and sheets rumpled, a testament to how you tossed and turned in vain. His gaze follows the thick duvet where you sleep.

No wonder you weren’t at the reception.

There were dark shadows beneath your eyes, and a glow on your pale skin. Yet, once in his arms, your body is heavier than it should be. Did a month away truly make that much of a difference?

In the short walk from the window to the bed, the flutter he heard weeks before has turned to a strong heartbeat nestled beneath yours. The small warm spark of life gently reached out and received a very vibrant response from its’ father.

“Elrond,” you murmured, as he laid you down on the bed and briefly pulled away, slowly coming to, “Elrond, don’t go,”

“I’ll tuck you in,” he whispered, placing a reverent kiss on your forehead, placating you for a moment as he indeed tucked you in and then joined, his arms around you in a tight embrace, “Meleth nin, Henig,”

“You know,” you turned, as he pressed his ear on your chest, “I suspected but this time I can hear your heartbeats,”

“I find yours comforting then I heard the flutter before I left,” he breathed out, as you asked, “Are you not mad?”

“Is there any reason to be anything but happy?” you didn’t answer as he called, “Meleth nin?”

“It is not the right time to have a child,” you simply answered,

“There will never be a right time. Do not worry, meleth, we will manage as we always do,”

In the afternoon, Arwen searched for her father who'd skipped lunch and discovered the pleasing sight of her father and step-mother in bed, locked in a tight but affectionate embrace.