#I don't mind annatar/celebrimbor before the fall of eregion

[myrtaceaae]

Once again baffled by the headcanons that say that Sauron becomes besties with characters that he LITERALLY tortured and killed. Sorry but I just don't see it.

[imakemywings]

Full speculation/headcanon on Tyelpe because he's such an interesting character, though I agree that he would not want to be associated with them anymore, I find his actions later in the second age fascinating because he did carve the feanorian symbol on the doors of Durin which to me meant he still associates himself with his house but perhaps the different kind? The good parts, the good memory of them when they were still the noble people of Noldor, you know? And I guess that was his way of healing? Giving them a second chance (maybe?) or remembering what used to be? Until Annatar happened. His betrayal and Eregion's fall as well as the creation of the ring would be the nail to the coffin for Tyelpe not to trust nor give any second chance anymore. Consequently, at his rebirth, I genuinely agree that he wouldn't want them in his life anymore, as harsh as it sounds, Tyelpe's an adult, a lord of a city, and his uncles are adults, not children who need to be coddled so if he doesn't want to be associated with them, it's justified and understandable. Honestly, though, I find it hard to imagine the feanorians and their followers being remorseful of their actions, I don't think sorry is in their vocabulary (kidding).

It is interesting to explore his use of the Feanorian star! I think there are a lot of possibilities for why he continues to use the symbol of the house of Feanor. These are the first few that come to mind for me:

i. He still considers himself Feanorian in spite of his complicated relationship with his father and uncles (and potentially his grandfather as well)

ii. He uses it in memory of the good that came of his house

iii. He wants to redeem his house and so is trying to associate the symbol with his own good works

iv. Possibly a form of rebellion? He no longer associates with his father but he won't let that stop him from using the family symbol

v. Tolkien included the star of Feanor on the Doors of Durin before he decided that Celebrimbor broke with his family and never went back to remove it. (Setting this one aside as the Doylist explanation)

And it could absolutely be a mix of things.

I'm sure I've talked about this before here but my own take on Celebrimbor and Annatar isn't that Celebrimbor was so foolish he had no idea Annatar was strange. It's that he saw what suspicion and paranoia and mistrust led his family to, and so he was really trying to do better and suppress the instinctive distrust of Annatar until he had some proof that satisfied him as being worth his suspicion. The result was that he trusted someone who he absolutely should not have, and ignored the red flags that popped up in his mind. And that is crushing </3 (which is exactly why it's tasty)

I think there is regret in the Feanorians for what they did, and certainly if they were ever reborn I don't think that could happen without some measure of acknowledging their mistakes and such. Aside from Celegorm and Curufin's actions in "Beren and Luthien," they never seem to take pleasure in their violence, but it is still done, of course. My general take is that they view it as a "necessary evil" to complete their goals, but I do think a long stint in Mandos would be able to make them see their actions with more objectivity. However, even if they fell on their knees about it, that doesn't oblige Celebrimbor to have a relationship with them.

I think Curufin could certainly come to regret the break with Celebrimbor, and perhaps Celegorm and whichever other uncles you might imagine he was close with, but I don't think they'd be incapable of understanding his decision (if he went limited/no-contact). There are, after all, probably a lot of people who no longer want to associate with the sons of Feanor or their followers.

[starillion]

summary : Annatar reminisces the past, and his friendship with Telperinquar. Or, what he had thought it to be.

characters : Sauron | Mairon, Celebrimbor | Telperinquar

word count : 1,445

Crack

The air molecules vibrate. Bright red drops of blood sprinkling onto his spotlessly white robes, Annatar frowns. Because of this, he hates having to resort to such tools, but it was his choice to sacrifice the silk. His eyes then turn to the figure hung before his eyes. Celebrimbor's body is wet with his own blood. More of the fluid drips from his blistered lips that exhale unstable breaths.

The tip of an elaborate whip falls from his back, landing on the stone floor. Its lash is crude leather - coated silver. Silver, like the light of Tilion that wrenches its way through the small gaps amid the stone walls. Like Annatar's long fair hair flowing down to his waist. Strands of fine sterling trickles as he bends one knee. He can see up close the dark pupils of Tyelpe's eyes that stared back in.. hatred? betrayal? The Maia smiles. His hand holds the other end of the whip.

"I did tell you that the this wasn't the best option, Tyelpe," he says in a lulling voice. A mother scolding her child. "I don't take pleasure in seeing you like this, either."

Tyelpe coughs out blood drops - the action alone has him flinching from the pain.

"You torture me in vain... I know not what you seek."

Tyelpe spoke the truth. Annatar was well aware. The last smith of Eregion had no part in the concealing of the elven rings nor the initial realization of their true use. Only if he had ever managed to deceive the servants he placed near the elven lord to report any transactions outside the forges would it be possible for him to plot such a thing. And had he, Annatar is certain that already Tyelpe would have told him.

That is not what had brought down their relationships to......to this.

Annatar tormented his friend out of disappointment. Anger, even, that he dared to forge in secret his greatest crafts. He had thought them to have been closer. He was disappointed.

He would rather have everything just a big misunderstanding. For unlike whatever Tyelpe had thought, or what he thinks of him now, Annatar had considered the elf more than his liege, servant, nor coworker.

Faithfully he had passed on the skills of Aulë he knew, but the works forged from it Tyelpe had dared hide from Annatar.

. . . . . .

He remembers that day he first came into Eregion. It had barely been centuries since, yet it feels like a whole age had passed.

He had planned everything - and had everything under control. A fraction of the future he had envisioned long ago danced before his eyes. Realms under the controls of the One Ring and its master - lords of men, dwarves, elves. Still of little rivalry to the might of Melkor his old master, but also of little matter to the Valar. They shall watch as the free folk of Middle-Earth be reduced to thralls of orcs and men of Sauron.

No, it would be a surprise if they even cared at all.

So he had believed, and so had Telperinquar welcomed him.

But as the years went, the mind of Annatar had begun to sway. The Elven-smiths of Eregion had meant to be no more than his pawns in a game he played with Gil-galad. Dispensable after their assigned works have been finished.

So had been Tyelpe.

The great blood that flows in him - along the line of Fëanor the great craftsman. A bit of regret, no less would he have given to the elf if that was all. No more.

. . . . . .

"It seems that I'm always at the receiving side of gifts," a hand extended after a moment of hesitation. In it was a small brooch. A white gem - delicately carved and trimmed, enveloped in silver. A moonstone.

"Not anything of great value, but I thought it might fit you well."

His words were humble, but Annatar could sense anticipation lingering in Tyelpe's eyes. And he had every reason to. The gem was beautiful. A mysterious light entered his retina when the stars above reflected from the brooch. A few hours' worth of work, at the least. "Are you not worried that I may meet my end sooner as had been with Lúthien - whose beauty with the Silmaril was too great for Middle-Earth?"

Tyelpe's ears reddened in understanding. "Oh I- "

Annatar chuckled. "Apologies for the jest, my lord. It is an honor." Tyelpe finally managed a small smile as he picked up the brooch.

The lord of Eregion visited him many times after with other gifts - big and small. During the short lapses Annatar learned, of the histories of the elven kingdoms of the first age that he had before not known, the pasts of many of the elf-lords and stories of Tyelpe. It was a feeling different from that of gathering information.

He longed for the elf who came to him day after day. When they weren't together he waited for him outside the forges, later inside, watching him finish his work in silence. Tyelpe did little to hide his pleasure. In the form of Annatar he had felt - first in a long time - friendships of love.  At the beginning, after approaching the elves in a friendly manner, he had planned to force the makings of the rings, but now he called for a change of his design.

Telperinquar would willingly forge him anything of demand. And Sauron would not have to kill him. A fine compromise.

But in his mind that still was not enough. He wanted Tyelpe to craft for him, more to love him. He wanted Eregion as the fairest realm - their realm and for none to challenge it. Thus the rings he needed still. And their powers greater.

So he had thought. And hoped. And taught Tyelpe the fashonings of his works. Until he forged the three rings and betrayed Annatar by giving it away to the elves.

Tyelpe, we could have been lord together. Kings....! How have you betrayed me..?

. . . . . .

Seemingly under the bright Fëanorian lamp that lit the windowless chamber was Telperinquar alone, but not a few steps away stood Annatar, quietly watching the elf at work. Tyelpe regarded him not, and after hours of sitting there let out a small sigh as he took off his gloves.

When he held up his hand to the blue-lit lamp, the gem in his grasp radiated. Its surface looked like a sphere, but seen up close in fact refracted light from thousands of polished slabs. Annatar exclaimed silently when he perceived that the jewel was designed so that it stored the lamp-light inside. Dazzlingly beautiful.

Maybe... with this gem he might make the elven rings. Even as he hated having to give it away he could imagine how more beautiful it could become with adornment and magic. That, even the noble Galadriel must come to love.

"Bravo, Tyelpe - a masterpiece," Annatar acclaimed, walking over to the light. Automatically - and as he did dozens of times before - he reaches his hand to grasp the gem, glowing azure. But Tyelpe now wraps his fingers around, almost protectively. He breathes a shivering sigh.

"Annatar.....please, touch them not," his last word was almost buried under his shoulders, subtly shaking.

He retrieved the awkward hand. Tyelpe turned his chair around and looked upon his friend.

"For years you have guided me, Annatar. Under your teachings was I able to develop and make yet greater works."

"But this... this I want unsullied by any hand other than its maker's. Such a jewel I can make again. One greater, perhaps. Let me gift that to you." I'm asking you now because I know I won't have the power to deny you later. "Up to now I have willingly submitted my works to you, for you have empowered them, and perfected my jewels. But then I realized that those were not mine anymore. At least not entirely. Please, allow me a work of my own..."

Annatar gazed into Tyelpe's eyes. He could sense fear for a denial as answer. He enjoyed the sensation.

"Of course," he said, rather benevolent than apologizing. "You need only have asked."

. . . . . .

Had he said no that day, would Tyelpe have not forged on his own the renegade three rings? Had the subtlety of Sauron's magic been infused in them, would the elves have even noticed the existence of the ruling ring?

He fiddled with the moonstone brooch by his collarbone. A habit formed some time ago.

"You still.... wear that," there is astonishment in Tyelpe's voice. Not disdain, not you don't deserve that.

"Why shouldn't I?" Annatar smiles. "Is this not the token of our friendship?"