#I kinda like Celegorm

[eri-pl]

tags: #I don’t think this situation can be used to draw accurate opinions of characters#otherwise perhaps that celegorm is wrathful#But we can’t condemn the characters for choices tolkien made for them#Beren and luthien#angrist#celegorm#Curufin

Excuse me, but reading it as you wrote it, this means all of their choices.

The Leap of Beren fiasco happened because Tolkien needed to get Angrist to Beren. A conflict between Curufin and Beren at least was inevitable.

[nin-varisse]

Reading the Silmarillion for me was like: Wow the Feanorians are all horrible, horrible people, I don't get why they have so many fans?

Actually I feel very sorry for Maedhros, he's such a tortured (literally) soul and man, he deserved better! He lost his "best friend" (wink wink) and he tried to save Elurin and Elured. The rest sucks tho. Actually Maglor also didn't deserve such a horrible fate??? He tried to raise Elrond and Elros as well as he could and the Oath just absolutely ripped his soul into pieces. But the 3 Cs are still horrible. Well Caranthir did actually keep himself out of most conflicts and he did save Haleth and her people, he doesn't seem like a bad person per se... But Celegorm and Curufin suck, they are responsible for Finrod's death! If I think about it I feel a little sorry for Curufin. All he was seen as is Feanor 2.0, I mean even his mother called him "little dad". Surely it's no wonder how he turned out considering he was always in the direct shadow of "the greatest" noldor to ever exist. But Celegorm sucks extra bad, he tried to force Luthien to marry him! But in the end, all he wanted to be was a hunter, he wasn't responsible for his father's Oath. Also he was left by his only loyal companion, that probably drove him even more to madness.

But I'll never excuse Feanor's behaviour! He's responsible for the Oath upon his sons and therefore for their deeds and he started the first kinslaying over some stupid boats! He's the most terrible character ever! ... Actually satan himself whispered him into his ear for 60 years and he wasn't entirely wro-

[ola-the-clown]

doodles of Mairien based on some plot points I had thought of + her backstory (under read more, as it's somewhat long) in the Silmarillion AU 🧵💎🌹

𝕸𝖆𝖎𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖓

Born in Y.T. 1377 in Aman, she knew of the Middle-Earth only from tales and songs, the perilous journey to the Blessed Continent but an abstract concept, a past long-gone. The life of an upper nobility was a comfortable one, days spent on improving upon her embroidery — a beloved craft of hers, chosen due to Mairien's love for all that's beautiful, shimmering, and shining, and selfish motives of vanity but also a very personal wish to gift the fruits of her labour to those few, close to her heart — and bettering her aim. Though the act of hunting — the chase and pursuit — brought her enjoyment, the surrounding festivities a gratifying way to spend time, neither were the priority. No, to her, there was no greater joy than that of an arrow hitting its intended target; the more challenging the shot, the better. A tangible proof of her skill, deft fingers, and keen eyes. 

But all was not idyllic, the relationship with her parents slowly straining over the years. Her father, a master gemologist, jeweler, and metalworker, was set on teaching her his craft. And while Mairien had followed his wishes at first, truthfully, her heart was not in it, no matter how skilled her hands were — much to the man's immense but ignored chagrin and disappointment. She did what she was told to do, neither more nor less, and with an expression often pinched into a sour pout. Yes, she had interest in gems and jewels, and metals of various sorts, but rather than slaving away and making them, she preferred to use the finished products; incorporating them into her embroidery projects. At the same time, had it not been for the nearly forceful insistence of her father, she wouldn't have discovered the world of alchemy. A fascinating subject, one she took like a duck to water — though, again, her interest in it, while not lacking in passion, was somewhat vain. Dyes, polishes, solutions, all to aid her endless pursuit of beauty. But also poisons and toxins, if only out of morbid curiosity.

Her family's somewhat close ties to the House of Fëanor as relatives of Curufin's wife, meant she was less trusty of Melkor than most other Noldor — the prince's suspicion and uncharitable view of the Valar bleeding into her mind through the grapevine. Nor was she immune to the rumors of injustice and stolen birthrights that fanned at the flames of her ambition and further fueled her interest in lands never seen. It was, amongst many other reasons, why Mairien chose to follow Fëanor on the quest for revenge and glory — stirred by his beguiling words, blood boiling at Morgoth's treachery. Her parents, however, disapproved, choosing to stay in Aman rather than follow after their new King. She cursed at their cowardice, the lack of loyalty and indifference to Morgoth's crimes, before storming off — never to return. Later on, the prideful elf would come to regret her hasty departure; mourning the loss of her younger brother, who had no choice but to remain, and the missed opportunity to bid him goodbye.

Forever bitter about her parents' decision.

Actions were rarely greater than words, and it was no different this time. The kinslaying, the curse, the burning of the ships. The grass was not any greener on the other side of Belegaer; trampled and dead, under the feet of soldiers and orcs. The war efforts turned her hobbies into duties. Sewing wounds shut instead of embroidering, crafting dyeing solutions for armor rather than gowns as well as various medicinal cures and remedies — a domain she'd ultimately choose to focus on — and occasionally visiting the forge, the irony was not lost on the elf. Her fascination with poisons, venoms, and toxins proved useful as well, vital even, as their enemy was fond of such tactics. 

Later on — after Fëanor's death, capture and subsequent rescue of prince Maedhros, and the relinquishment of his claims —, having no close family of her own, she'd leave with Curufin and Celegorm's host, eventually settling in Himlad.

[peasant-player]

Celegorm the fair

I'm trying out my new color markers. I never used colored ones before just grey tones.

I have no excuse for the pose.

I wish I drew his face a little more manly but oh well~ here is the full drawing!

[cosmic-walkers]

like damn it hits hard when you know maeglin literally had no one. and because of turgon, idril and the other gondolindrim opinions on him he probably wouldn't be well received by the other nolofinweans either. at the end of the day i think that the feanorians would accept him and probably would not let harmful opinions other had on him cloud their judgement.

[luanna801]

Celegorm being blond is interesting since Tolkien later made such a big deal about how blond hair only shows up among the Noldor as a result of intermarriage with the Vanyar (as in Finarfin's family). Yet Celegorm's known ancestry is 100% Noldor. I wonder if Tolkien would have revised Celegorm's coloring to fit with his later ideas about hair color in the different Elven branches (Christopher Tolkien seems to have assumed so, as he cites that as his reason for removing the reference), or if he would have kept Celegorm as a rare exception to the rule, or if he just wasn't thinking about it enough to be consistent (very possible).

Does Nerdanel have red hair?

Nerdanel and Celegorm's Hair Colour

Hi Anon! Dawn Felagund has already done an excellent job discussing and assembling all the evidence on this in her Character Biography of Nerdanel (in the section "And the Requisite Discussion of Hair Color").

For the Anon who asked about Celegorm's hair colour, Dawn also covers that at length in the Celegorm Bio (section "A Digression on Hair"). I'll get to the other characters you requested later.

I highly recommend giving both bios a read, but here's the tl;dr:

The published Silmarillion says nothing about either character's hair colours.

A quotation from Tolkien published in the linguistic journal Vinyar Tengwar (Issue 41, pg. 9) reveals that Nerdanel "had brown hair"*.

In the Quenta Silmarillion published in The History of Middle-earth Vol. 5: The Lost Road, in the section "Of Beren and Tinúviel", Christopher reveals that he removed from the published Silmarillion a clause applying to Celegorm: "golden was his long hair"*.

*These citations are from Dawn's bios but I double-checked both.

There are your quotes! Brunette Nerdanel, blond Celegorm. But as always -- happy imagining and transforming.

[nanawaffles]

Okay I'm currently talking with somebody about the fact that young elves in the first age get so damn shafted and I'm just...

KINDA LIVID?? LIKE SIR JRRT WHY???

Like for example y'all who read Children of Hurin no doubt recall Finduilas. Do you realize how young she was? 200. That's basically like .. elven version of your 20s if that. No wonder she took one look at Turin after Gwindor dumped her and went "i can fix him" GIRL.

Then there's maeglin, who early on we pity and then later on we just are cheering when Tuor yeets him off the wall. But fun fact, do you know how old he was? 190. ONE. HUNDRED. AND. NINETY. Half of his life was spent with his dick ass dad who TRIED TO KILL HIM AND INSTEAD KILLED HIS MOM AND THEN CURSED HIM BEFORE HE DIED. 190. Captured by morgoth and tortured. 190.

fucking babies. Both of them.

AND DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON DIOR ELUCHIL. i don't know how peredhel age but he was 36. CELEGORM HAD BEEF WITH A 36 YEAR OLD PEREDHEL. SIR THAT'S A CHILD. AND THEN THERE'S HIS KIDS.

Elwing aaand Earendil. Babies. Both of them. Too fucking young for the bullshit like remember elwing was 3/4 elf that means she was young af. She was born in 503 and the Havens were attacked in 538. She was 35 and mostly an elf. BABY

Fucking

BABY.

..... okay I'll shut up now

[tanoraqui]

now that this fic is all published, I can ramble about the things that happen afterward in the timeline! Feel SO free to ask about anything you want more details of.

First off, all three posts about Dave the Balrog are 100% canon to this au, except for where they sometimes contradict the fic's worldbuilding or plot bc I hadn't settled on every detail yet. Also, Dave’s name is probably more like “Drav”, from the Sindarin “drava-”, “to hew.”

That happens much later, though - about 1980 TA. FIRST, immediately, as Celebrimbor says: it's time to save the orcs!

That is, wildly self-indulgent crossover with @ceescedasticity's fic(verse) elves, once, which isn't 100% my headcanon for orcs but it's essentially canon for this au because it makes everything VERY FUNNY in a tragic irony way. I've thought about this so much that it really deserves its own bullet-point post, but highlights include:

- Annatar attempts to conceal the fact that Curufin and Celegorm are orcs, and, y'know, have been since they died. This works until Celebrimbor identifies a bunch of the orc army's weapons as made by his father, even if the style is strange and fell, and the two of the have a HUGE fight in front of representatives of every Elvish kingdom in Middle Earth and most of an army of orcs.

- Bellow/Turgon is having the single strangest, most uncomfortable road trip of his life, and he counts the crossing of the Helcaraxë in that total.

- Turgon tries to convince Galadriel to take Celebrían and Elrond and get out of here, because inevitably this must be a cruel trick and all the orcs will be forced to turn on all the Elves. Galadriel is like, "Honestly, I've been watching Celebrimbor's slow corruption and Sauron's slower un-corruption for about 2,000 years now, and I think we actually have a shot at this. Also, bold of you to assume you can beat me in a fight."

- Curufin and Celegorm had BOOKED IT when Annatar's summoning-compulsion snapped, on the reasonable assumption that any plan the Dark Lord had for them + Celebrimbor could only be cruel to the extreme...so Celebrimbor and Annatar go on a bonus road trip to retrieve them.

- Everyone meets up by the Sea again, but instead of taking (or, obeying) the offer of escape into Ulmo's hands, Turgon and probably a bunch of other orcs volunteer to come help break the Crucible. They Deserve This.

- In the end, as usual, the day is ultimately saved - as are the souls of thousands of trapped elves - by the power of love and overwhelming violence.

AND THEN...

Celebrimbor & Annatar don't actually rebuild Ost-in-Edhil and Eregion as they were. Those days are over, and also the surviving Númenoreans kinda...regard Annatar as Absolute Evil, for some mysterious reason. And those who knew about the whole or even partial conspiracy - namely Tar-Miriel herself - aren't too keen on Celebrimbor, either.

They leave whoever wants to stay and rebuild in Eregion, leadership tbd based on the traditional system of craft-based meritocracy, and take a few decades off to lay low from geopolitics, work on their marriage, and for Celebrimbor to learn a little bit of necromancy so he can manipulate his own fëa and hröa, thank you very much.

They stay with the Witch-Queen of Calador for a while, discreetly because officially that kingdom is also not on good terms with its “former” evil-ish overlord. (The Witch-Queen of Calador and her not really sane, almost certainly unsafe, but arguably consensual relationship with Annatar really deserves her own post, too. She’s my favorite OC of this au. She really loves bats.)

Elrond & Celebrían get married! Elrond always knew his wedding would have to involve stopping drunken brawls from erupting between people who love him but hate each other, but he’d assumed it’d be Iathrim and Fëanorians, not an elderly Queen Miriel going for Annatar’s eyes with a butter knife.

Annatar regards the birth of Elrohir and Elladan with some concern, this alarming lineage now augmented by the blood of Arafinwë (cut off Melkor’s foot) and Galadriel (Melian’s pupil, hates him). But that’s nothing to how freaked out he is by Arwen, who is such an obvious Reprise of Lúthien that it’s now CLEAR that this was all a Melian scheme to assault him, personally.

He can’t just kill her now—Elrond and Galadriel and both right here, not to mention Celebrimbor. And then she’d absolutely be his enemy when she Returned… No, the only solution is to stay in Imladris for a while and become her most beloved uncle whom she would not dream of assaulting, whom she could not bring herself to injure even if circumstance and conscience forced her hand. Love has ever been the undoing of Melian’s line. The Reprise is obvious, but not so established that he cannot twist it into irony, Lúthien’s heir as his devoted student and companion rather than foe.

[smash cut to late 3rd Age Annatar watching the Music settle into place as Arwen interacts with the newest, currently toddling scion of the House of Elendil and nearly killing the child right then because no, no, thats not how this was supposed to Reprise—that’s his jewel of an elf-queen, Singer and trade-manipulator and niece, and he’s going to lose her forever? Killing the brat won’t even work, that would only make her follow him sooner, one way or another—]

Celebrimbor doesn’t want to build a city (and have his heart broken by the loss of the city) again, but he very much does want to ImproveThe World, and also to Make Things With His Hands. So he and Annatar, and whoever of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain wish to join them, set about… “Traveling” is too loose a term; just because they’re not city-building doesn’t mean anyone here wants to live on the road. They need workshops, forges, and ideally a maia-sized cat tree tall tower from which to survey their domain. They are a highly skilled work crew/technical, artistic & management consultants who change cities every 5-200 years, throughout Middle Earth and perhaps even other continents.

This what Celebrimbor and Annatar do, for most of the rest of their time in Middle Earth. A few of the Mírdain travel with them all the time. Others strike out on their own, or in similar small groups. Others stay in rebuilt Ost-in-Edhil, or Rivendell or the Havens or another Elvish kingdom, and come lend a hand when their particular talents are called for. Everyone who “died” in Númenor and was “resuscitated” by Annatar walked away with a strengthened, basically permanent osanwë connection to the simulated workshop group chat, which they’re aware of, and a location tracker and fëa-stamp saying “PROPERTY OF MAIRON, FUCK AROUND AND YOU WILL FIND OUT” which only an Ainu could detect.

They're the mysterious stranger(s) who accept an offer of hospitality on a stormy night and reward you with a magic ring that blesses your farm with fecundity. They arrive in a city in the middle of a cholera outbreak and inform the local rulers that they're here to overhaul the whole wells & sewers system in exchange for room and board; no, the local rulers do not get a choice in this. One time they do oust an evil ruling dynasty and just kinda take over the kingdom for a few centuries, but then Celebrimbor starts to get paranoid of his own growing attachment so Annatar reluctantly agrees to find and raise some honorable candidate for kingship [gender-neutral]. One of the Mírdain with them says, what about the choice of the people? And then after a lot of discussion, partly in collaboration with their local Men, they write up and seal with Power a Constitution that establishes an oversight body of political, economic, craft and etc. experts to oversee and have veto power over popular elections to kingship from a slate of candidates chosen by the current/soon-to-be previous king, on a strict thirty-year schedule. There, that should stabilize the whole messy business of mortal succession!

Also, 1300 years or so into the Third Age when this version of Gondor hits its equivalent of the Kin-Strife, Annatar takes advantage of its weakness to initiate a plan he's been contemplating for a while, especially while gaining local insight into a variety of nation-states and their management, and returns to Oroduin to forge what may he his last Great Work...a new standard of currency.

It’s called, in the common tongue developing from Adúnaic and Sindarin, the “mira”, pl. “miran”, from Quenya “mírë” (“jewel, precious thing). Where pettier currencies are based in gold or silver or the might of some particular empire, these hold value Because a Great Maia Said So—indeed, Sang So, Sang a new line into the Great Music that these coins would always have a value of…whatever he said so, if he updated a petty lyric or two of their Song. Those who use the coins don’t need to know this; they simply intuit, with coins in hand, what they are worth.

(You can lead even the mightiest empire by the nose if you control the price of grain alone, much less other commodities, or one currency relative to another. Each minute adjustment takes Power, especially to shift the natural balance of multiple interlocking goods…but Annatar is a master of the perfectly placed lever with which to shift the world.)

Maybe at some point the Valar are like, “okay, I think they don’t irrationally hate us anymore, I think this could work” and send a small group of Maiar to openly, humbly approach Annatar and Celebrimbor and ask if they might be apprentices in the craft of…whatever the fuck is happening here. Or maybe something adjacent, because Pallandro and Alatar would really like to fuck off into those excellent looking woods and hunt the remnants of Ungoliant’s spawn, and Radagast actually wandered away 5 minutes ago to talk to a bird. He’s gonna be a while. But Curumo and Olórin are listening politely!

…Or maybe not. Maybe it’s just the Jewelsmiths, slowly becoming folklore, bettering the world (and manipulating wide-scale economics) one stone at a time. (They’d still be the “Jewelsmiths” anyway, even if they included those who, in another universe, were called “The Wise.”)

As stated in the third Dave the Balrog post, they do Sail eventually, several centuries after Arwen’s death. Celebrimbor just gets tired, and Annatar can’t fix it. Ossë spends the whole voyage backstroking next to their ship and sarcastically quoting Annatar back at himself, Years of the Trees insults about being made weak and pathetic by love, until Annatar nearly lunges over the side as a wolf to tear his throat out.

[batsyforyou]

Random Pet Peeves: Feanorians Edition

Tags: Pet peeves (things that annoy people)

Pairings: None

Author's Note: I have Eonwe coming up as well as the pokémon one. Just thought to post this while I was at it.

Taglist: @asianbutnotjapanese

Curufin 

Fidgeting. He hates it, between the noise it can bring and the constant movement it drives him insane and causes him to lose focus. Like when you're on your last nerve and someone keeps making McDonald straw music insane. Like just stop already! 

Maedhros

Jokes about his height and comments about his missing hand. The 'How's the weather up there?’ jokes and the constant questions about his hand from those less informed drives him crazy. I mean honestly, how many times can you hear the same thing before it gets old? Now imagine being an elf with centuries of experience with these things. 

Celegorm 

Open mouth chewing. Most of the time Celegorm doesn’t care about anything anyone does but when it comes to eating and everyone is at the dinner table it's gross and noisy and he is sometimes convinced that their saliva food spatter somehow got in his food. Which he will promptly make a scene for and refuse to eat. 

Even worse is when he is feeling overwhelmed and stressed and chewing noises begin to drive him nuts like, oh my word, I’ve been there.  

Caranthir 

Mud and dirt tracked all over the floor. Especially if Celegorm is the one who couldn’t be bothered to take his shoes off before coming inside. 

Maglor 

When someone touches his stuff. Most of the time he can handle it with grace and be completely chill with finding his harp being moved into a different room. Because while it is annoying it isn’t world ending. So he’ll just roll his eyes, sigh and politely remind the culprit *coughs* Celegorm *Cough cough* to not move his things around. 

But if you really want to get his goat do what parents (and some absent minded friends) do best. 

When he goes to show you a journal with his music notes and ideas, flip into the area he didn’t show you. Like when you show someone a photo and they start SCROLLING THROUGH EVERYTHING. 

That will get him raging mad lol. 

Amrod and Amras

They both hate it when they get called by the other's name. And I don’t mean like when a stranger, like a servant, just makes a mistake (they are very understanding about this) I mean when they’ve known this person for literal years and they still can’t tell them apart. 

They also can’t stand it when family members confuse their hobbies with the other twins. While it isn’t big it doesn’t really feel good and can really upset them on days they aren’t doing well mentally. 

Celebrimbor 

When someone refers to his family as the monsters under the bed and uses them as scary ghost stories. Yeah, his family did kinda do it to themselves but that doesn’t mean it isn’t annoying. Especially when they get the details wrong like, “No, Maedhros didn’t have dark hair. His hair was red and curly.” Like if you're gonna try and scare people using real life people at least get the basics right. 

It also sucks because people will also turn him into a story character as well. Coming up with different assumptions and making weird rumors about him eating worms or something. It can be really bothersome and isolating. 

Besides all that he still loves his family and remembers them more as people with troubled pasts rather than monsters that hide under beds.

His Uncles and Atar are way too big to hide under beds anyway. 

Feanor

When someone questions his work and decisions. Not just once out of curiosity but over and over again. It grates on his sanity. 

Nerdanel

When someone talks about her children and husband leaving and doing all those horrible things. Like honestly can’t they have some class and not shove it in her face? Or even when someone asks her how she didn’t see Feanor’s behavior change or why she didn’t try to stop him sooner or the classic, “What did you ever see in that elf?” 

She loves her family very much and hates when people act all snotty about things.

masterlist

[lamemaster]

An Abundance of Peredhel

Request: Could you do a headcanon about Elrond having a sister growing up with maedhos and maglor ? Please please

Genre: found family

AN: Thanks for requesting!! I loved writing this and I kinda cried. I miss writing so much :( Alas being an adult is good only when I get to spend money not earn it. Unedited to proceed with caution.

Reader POV

The first time you meet your brothers all the excitement leaves your face at the sight of two blotchy red faces connected to screeching bundles your mother seemed to favor over you.

Huffing and puffing you award your brothers a kiss on their cheeks at your father's insistence. But it does not take long before the noisy little bugs, change into your biggest fascination.

The role of elder sister feels like a duty greater than any in the world. You become their self-designated leader.

Spending afternoons looking after Elros and Elrond with your father, to learning the art of changing diapers with your mother. You enjoy the fondness that your brothers bring into your heart.

Tiny, defenseless elflings that were your siblings. And your future playmates! Your dolls to play dress up with before Elros apparently became too good for some simple house game.

Years melt away as you watch Elros and Elrond crawl, then toddle after you, your miniature shadows. An inseparable trio, you lead them on grand expeditions – scaling trees, delving into hidden caves, and building magnificent sandcastles. You became their teacher, imparting the invaluable skills of climbing, storytelling, and the art of feigning sleep during number lessons.

It was one such day, you were hiding in the caves waiting for Elrond to seek you while hearing for the signs of Elros getting caught. You chuckled silently imagining the screech you planned to elicit from Elrond when you jump scared him.

Your words failed you when you faced the bloodied Feanorian carrying your brothers in his arms. Your blood ran cold as you rushed to wrestle a sobbing Elrond out of Maglor's grasp, your own hands failing to reach the height.

Desperate you looked around for your mother. Calling for her, as you struggled to hold on to Elrond's feet as you reached out across the Feanorian's shoulder.

"Let them go!" You try to pull the Feanorian back holding onto his robe. Tears of frustration fill your eyes as you stare at the bloodied shores.

You dig your feet in the ground pulling the robe when your feet rise above the ground. A single hand hoisted you up bringing you face to face with Maedhros.

In momentary shock, you pause staring at the scared ellon before squirming away to reach your brothers.

Maedhros

He knew your agony better than any. He could see himself, his own frantic panic when his father had lit the ship on fire unaware of Amrod still in it. The grief, the helplessness, and the rage are what he remembers.

He sees it all reflected in you when you first come up at the sight of Maglor carrying Elrond and Elros.

Maedhros is almost too exhausted to bother his only hand but he steps in as he watches Maglor's feet falter as you pull him back reaching for your brothers.

He observes the resigned haunted look in your eyes as you look around for your mother. And then Maedhros believes he will never be able to face his mother, never in the eternity beyond Arda.

He sees the hate in your eyes as you huddle close to your brothers in the camp. Even as an elfling yourself, you comfort your brother with more intelligence than Celegorm's entire lifetime's worth.

The younger peredhel huddle close to you, falling asleep in your little lap. But you remain away. Glaring at anyone stepping close to your slumbering brothers.

You evade sleep for days before you fall prey to a bout of fainting spells. Something that sends the twins and Maglor into a sobbing mess.

Your hatred does not fade with Elrond and Elros' caution. Your heart never melts the way the twins mold theirs around Maglor's. You are always too guarded.

And for that Maedhros is fond of you. He is endeared to the sparring lessons you come up with after watching his warriors train. You never accept his offer to teach, yet your moves are that of Feanorian. He has made sure of that by slowing his own training matches for you to catch onto for your hidden ones later at night.

You are a part of his reluctant forced family. A part of Maglor's adopted bunch- albeit unwillingly.

He sees it in the way Maglor never misses your presents with the twins' or the way you smile and laugh with them in the presence of your brothers. Your hatred of them is yours. You never force it on your brothers.

And for that, you are dear to Maedhros. Because you unlike his father have found a way to leave grief for love. Love of your brother and perhaps (he dreams on hopeful nights) some fondness for him and his brother.

Maglor

It is too late by the time he feels it from the daze of his mourning. A stinging pain in his heart that empties itself further. This time it hurts achingly beyond Namo's halls.

It aches for his son, Elros. The one who he believes has gone beyond his reach. And it aches for Elrond. The one left behind. But somehow, his heart does not shatter itself. In all this grief it holds on for the sake of his third child. The stubborn bitter child who resembles so much his own brother. In some ways, you were more of Maedhros' ward than his.

He feels you moments after his clarity. Rushing through the night on your mare you make it to him, the minute his mind is clear enough to hold on to his bond with Elrond.

You stand in front of him. Unbroken. Whole. Yet no less weary. And the words that leave you are so brittle. So delicate that it reminds him of the day he first found you crouched in a cave. "You- Elrond...please," you blink tearfully, and then to his horror you kneel. "Elrond needs you. Please." You sob softly.

The lines on your face are deep. The way longing for mortality had written itself on Earendil's face. The way your father had stayed back for his love and the way you stay back for your brother. It is written on your face that defies elven immortality yet fails no be that of a mortal.

And so he returns. He comes back for his children. Because he cannot bring himself to deny the child who kneels in front of him. He cannot deny the children who held strong for their mortal brother. Who waited decades to unleash their grief in the absence of the one who caused it.

He returns as a simple bard. Stays next to his son. And you, who remain tied to him in a nameless bond. A bond that is someday that of Maedhros's reluctant ward. He returns because he too knows the pain that you and Elrond grieve for.

[doodle-pops]

I kinda feel like Celegorm would slide up to the reader and go "You're beautiful. I bet no one's every told you that."

And slide off, thinking he was slick af.

THIS is right on point! Accurate as hell! To top it off, before he came up to reader, he probably told his brothers, “Watch and learn how to flirt...” and then slid over 😂. Plus, Huan gets used to the maximum as his trump card to help him flirt

[sunnyshinesunshine]

A Tolkien Fic Rec

let the gods look down on this and wonder by @dialux & rainforezt - Aredhel-centric, 22.5k, rated T (complete)

This post canon Valinor fic has everything. Aredhel being a flawed badass. Nolofinwean drama. Complex mother-daughter relationships. Come for female-focused Silm Fics, stay for Aredhel breaking Valinor while dealing with her family. Cannot recommend enough.

A Boy, A Girl, And a Dog: The Leithian Script posted to Ao3 by GammaCavy (originally by Philosopher At Large) - Lúthien/Beren, 593k, rated G (complete)

A retelling of the Lúthien and Beren in script form based vaguely on Ol’ Will Shakes. I rarely read true canon compliant works, but this is worth every heart wrenching second. It’s funny, poignant, and deserves to be produced as an actual production. I would pay money to see it.

Aurë entuluva - series by @theheirofashandfire - multi pairing mainly Fingon/Maedhros, 589.5k over 17 installments, rated G-M (ongoing)

THIS. This is The Silm Fix-It. Begins with A Thread Unraveled, a Nirnaeth Arnoediad Ground-Hog day style fix-it centered on Maedhros, then expands. The author does a great job with the politics and the fallout of the Nirnaeth being a success and how that changes the rest of the events of the Silm. I especially love her characterizations of Melian, Finduilas, Turgon, and all the Brothers Fëanor.

The Last Spring by clothonono on ao3 - Finwëan fam + background Fingon/Maedhros, 26.2k, rated G (complete)

This right here is how I imagine the Family Finwë pre-canon. Fëanor brings his children to visit Tirion for the first time. The tension between the children of Finwë is delicious. The characterization of Fëanor is delicious. The foreboding ending, also delicious. This could be an entire six course meal if it was edible. Also baby Galadriel is amazing and terrifying.

As a Star Upon a Hill by @mynameisjessejk - Lúthien/Beren & Fingon/Maedhros, 11.9k, rated T (complete)

A fix-it au where Celegorm and Curufin decide to not be assholes, Beren and Lúthien steal all three Silmarils, and everyone agrees that dads kinda suck. Borderline crack, but such a feel good fic ugh it makes me happy.

Light Touched by whovianhiddlestoner on ao3 - kidnap + peredhel fams, 48.9k, rated T (complete)

Another (relatively) lighthearted fic where everyone who touches the Silmarils get to be Eldritch and Elrond has a lot of family reunions. Mainly set in the third age, ending in Valinor. Beautiful language all around, and also Maedhros’ hair is on fire. Which is awesome.

The Iron Ring by lulumiche on ao3 - Glorfindel/Maeglin, 39.2k, rated M (ongoing)

Post-canon in Valinor. Maeglin was actually in love with Glorfindel, which no one but Idril knows. Come for the discussions of homophobie in elf society, stay for some of the realest feeling characterizations I have ever read. Seriously, I don’t really like Maglor as Lindir but I ate it up here. Also lots of interesting magic.

The Silver Rule by SpaceWall on ao3 - Celebrían/Elrond/Gil-galad, 70.4k, rated T (complete)

More post-canon Valinor shenanigans. This time, Celebrían argues law, makes friends, and wants her husband back. I love breaking Valinor, and I especially love when Tolkien women do it. And let’s be honest, the Statute of Finwë and Míriel is utter balogney.

I Do; I Will by @littlewhitemouseagain - Fingon/Maedhros, 22.8k, rated M (complete)

The one in which everyone is on their worst behavior and the sons of Fëanor challenge Fingon to duels over his crown. I cannot emphasize enough how this is The Fingon Fic. His flaws are exposed and addressed in such a way that I’ve never seen before. The insights into the Fëanorians, especially Mae, are also really super poignant. This deserves so much attention.

Across The Table by Tuginda on ao3 - Gimli/Legolas & Glorfindel/Erestor, 9.5k, rated G (complete)

A conversation between two couples at Aragorn and Arwen’s wedding. Beautiful, sweet, and containing one of my favorite things: crotchety old Fëanorian Erestor. Somehow feels like both a conversation about dwarves and elves, and a lovely tribute to the Noldor.

+ 1

of drowning men by bimmyou on ao3 - Isildur/Valandil, 26.5k, rated E (complete)

The best Rings of Power fic I’ve read so far. Nails all of Isildur’s character flaws and gives such an incredible depth to Valandil.

[thuringwedhil]

thinking about tyelcurvo + their family's reaction to it ,,,, like in the first age it was probably an "i do not perceive, i do not see" kinda situation where everyone suspected that there was something™ going on but also the oath was draining them all and everything looked more and more bleak so they just looked away when needed and didn't ask questions

but when they're finally re-embodied???

(tired mae voice) yes celegorm and curufin live together in a home they built for themselves, yes curufin made them matching jewelry that they don't ever take off, yes they keep touching each other in public, No We Do Not Acknowledge It Ever

[writerthatcannotwrite]

RANDOM SILM CHARACTERS FAVE SOUPS (because it's finally getting cold where I live)

Fëanor: tomato soup. No grilled cheese. Nerdanel (and the rest of his family) thinks this is terrifying. Solid color (and red), he likes the consistency.

Nerdanel: beefy stew. A very hearty soup for someone who is probably very strong. Gotta get that protein for chiseling out some marble 💪💪

Maedhros: Zuppa Toscana. Flavorful, a lil spicy, and has some potatoes in it. Perfect.

Maglor: chicken noodle with tri color rotini. My dad likes the tri color rotini, and Maglor gives dad vibes

Celegorm: no salt added bone broth. Do NOT EVER eat any soup he offers.

Curufin: French onion. Bougie guy. Likes to take the bread off the top and eat it separate. Celebrimbor thinks he's crazy.

Caranthir: miso soup. Add spicy soup dumplings. Was begrudgingly taught how to make soup dumplings in his youth by Finwe, forgot, and was then re-taught by Haleth.

Amrod: chili. Warm and filling, likes it with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, the whole shebang. He does not usually like beans, but will tolerate them for chili.

Amras: corn chowder; nice and creamy, preferably with some thick toast to dip it in. He likes it thin, not thickened with a flour/corn starch slurry, so it's kinda weird.

Celebrimbor: potato soup. All the way. He does not skimp on the garnishes of bacon and cheese: to him, they are not garnishes, but added, necessary ingredients (me too, bro).

I had potato soup for dinner because by brother did not want the zuppa toscana that I wanted to make.

[arlenianchronicles]

Thank you all so much for the kind words on my dark!Mae AU! Here’s another painting for it, this time featuring Elrond as he dances at Maedros’ dark fae court, similar to how Lúthien danced for Morgoth XDD In the same vein, Elrond (and Elros; he’s hanging around there somewhere) is trying to lull Maedros into a sense of security/ease.

I imagine Elrond’s dance is close to a ballet style, hence his pointe-like shoes. That said, I wanted to practice with perspective for this painting, and got some awesome feedback from the Artists of Arda discord chat, but ultimately set that version aside and went with this! I do feel that this version has a better composition story-wise: Maedros wants to keep Elrond close, and won’t let him dance too far away.

Also, while I was drawing Maedros’ guards, I realized that they kinda resemble my designs for Maglor and Celegorm ... Which led to the idea that Maedros subconsciously surrounds himself with people who look like his dead family :’’’’D Angst ahoy! loll

For this painting, I referenced the setting of the Swan Lake ballet, starring Natalia Osipova, specifically Odile’s Black Swan solo before the queen and her court. And the first version of this painting is under the cut, if you want to see:

Help I hate drawing grids lmaooo

[crownedwithstars]

Why doesn't Thingol just give the Silmaril to Fëanorians?

One thing I find curious about the discourse around the Silmarils and their ownership issues is how it seems to often simplify the Sindarin and especially Thingol's perspective. I mean, Thingol giving the Silmaril Beren and Lúthien stole from Morgoth's crown to the Fëanorians is framed as somehow easy and obvious option. But I don't think it really is?

It's not even about whether Thingol is right or wrong to act as he does, it's about why his actions are justified from his point of view (and why it is more believable than him being compliant to Noldor).

1. Noldor disrespected and antagonised Thingol from the start. They have given him little reason to be nice or helpful.

When the Noldor arrive in Beleriand, they immediately start to do their own thing, and disregard Thingol, the local sovereign who is regarded as the overlord or at least respected and revered by the Elves native to this region. But Noldor (and Fëanorians) do not attempt to gain his friendship and alliance, they don't establish diplomatic relationships, they bring no gifts (which would be expected in this kinda medieval based society) and neither do they ask for help as Exiles, they don't let Thingol know where they are going to settle down or ask whether it's convenient but grab lands whether the locals like it or not, they don't recognise his position even as a friendly gesture, they don't disclose the nature of their expedition, withhold important information, and most of all, they bring violent trouble to his backyard. This must seem deeply and outrageously insulting to Thingol, especially because these princes are children and grandchildren of Finwë, Thingol's close friend - and yet they treat him without an ounce of respect.

Thingol is no less proud or particular about his position than Fëanor or Fingolfin is. He probably has not had it challenged or ignored by anyone except Morgoth's servants. Also he may see it as indicative of general Noldor prejudice/disdain against Sindar.

Whether Noldor had justified reasons for the way they act upon landing in Middle-earth, you can't deny that they don't do even the bare minimum to win the locals over. Yeah, you could argue that bringing reinforcements at the time when Morgoth returns and becomes active in Middle-earth again is something, but this is still not a way to treat potential friends and allies.

2. The Kinslaying of Thingol's people and kin at Alqualondë and the burning of their ships.

Obvious, really. He may see himself as standing in for Olwë, and regards the Silmaril as weregild for slain relatives and friends - people he himself probably knew before Teleri were sundered. Also why would he respect Fëanorian property rights when from his point of view, Noldor don't give a damn about Teleri or their rights?

Thingol may also judge that the Kinslaying and burning of the ships disputes the Fëanorians' right to the Silmarils and their moral high ground to a degree where anyone brave and cunning enough to reclaim even one of them becomes a rightful owner. Obviously he is biased in Beren and Lúthien's behalf but it would be weird if he was not? After B&L's efforts and their suffering, and quite literally achieving the impossible, he may be of the opinion that they have more right to the Silmaril than Fëanorians who seem more invested in competing Morgoth for land than for the Silmarils. Thingol may share the same attitude as Dior has in one of the drafts: there are two more Silmarils in the same place where the one in his possession came from, so why don't the Fëanorians go get them first?

3. Celegorm and Curufin.

I mean, after the way Lúthien was abused and attacked by the two brothers, Thingol could be holding on to the Silmaril out of pure spite. His daughter never gets any apology for how she was treated, and Thingol has no reason to believe that C&C's actions - and the attempt to force Thingol into an alliance - were not sanctioned and approved by the rest of the brothers. These people have been consistently terrible at everyone Thingol loves and cares about, so why should he help them in any way?

4. The Silmarils mess with your brain.

It's clear that the Silmarils have an unwholesome effect on almost everyone who possess them. Time and again Tolkien describes how characters fall prey to this greedy, possessive lust for the Silmarils. I mean, Fëanor and his sons are ready to spill blood again and again just to get them back. There is something about the jewels that, if you desire them for their own sake, kind of enslaves you to them. Thingol won't give up the Silmaril to Fëanorians because he can't.

5. The Doom of the Noldor compels him.

It's explicitly stated in the Doom that while the Oath will drive the Fëanorians, it will never yield its objective, and the Silmarils will elude them. As soon as Thingol names a Silmaril as a bride price for Lúthien, he becomes involved in the Doom and what it dictates, limiting his control of the situation. Because of the Doom (and the effect the Silmaril has on him), Thingol is not free to give it to the Fëanorians.