#Morwen of Lossarnach

[maironsbigboobs]

@lotrladiessource ➡ LOTR LADIES WEEK DAY FOUR: WOMEN (part 2/2)

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Favourite Female Tolkien Character Poll - Round 2, Match 15

Éowyn

Come on, you all know who Éowyn is. Shieldmaiden of Rohan, kills the Witch-king of Angmar, healed of the Black Breath by Aragorn and of despair by Faramir, marries Faramir.

Morwen Steelsheen

The mother of Théoden, and of two daughters (one older than him and one younger); Eowyn's grandmother. She was from Lossarnach in Gondor, and was seventeen years younger than her husband Thengel.

Éowyn was slender and tall, with a grace and pride that came to her out of the South from Morwen of Lossarnach, whom the Rohirrim had called Steelsheen.

[anghraine]

Damn, I just realized that I made this a full decade ago, back when I was still using MS Paint to express my Dúnedain feelings.

Out of the South: women of the Southern Dúnedain

(aka a fancast for the named Gondorian ladies from LOTR)

Jing Tian as Fíriel, daughter of King Ondoher of Gondor. She was married to Prince Arvedui of Arthedain when their fathers made an alliance; Arvedui later claimed the Gondorian throne through her, but was refused. Her fate after the destruction of Arthedain is unknown.

Liu Yifei as Rían, daughter of the Steward Barahir. She had a son, Denethor, who became Steward after the death of her brother Dior.

Zhang Jingchu as Morwen, daughter of the Steward Belecthor. She had either a son or daughter, whose son Egalmoth followed Morwen’s nephew Ecthelion as Steward.

Yang Mi as Morwen of Lossarnach, a cousin of the Princes of Dol Amroth. She married Thengel of Rohan in Gondor, and later became Queen of Rohan, where she was liked and called Steelsheen for her remarkable grace. She had five children, and her descendants were notable for the height, pride, and occasional dark hair they inherited from her. It is unknown what, if any, direct influence she had on them.

Zhang Ziyi as Finduilas of Dol Amroth, second daughter of Prince Adrahil and older sister of Prince Imrahil. She was a beautiful and gentle woman, married to the Steward Denethor, and like the rest of her family of mixed Dúnadan and Silvan (Elvish) descent. Between the shadow of Mordor in Minas Tirith and her longing for the sea, Finduilas fell into a decline and died young. She had two children, Boromir and Faramir.

Liu Shi Shi as Lothíriel of Dol Amroth, only daughter and youngest child of Prince Imrahil (and thus niece of Finduilas). Like her cousin Faramir, she married into the royal family of Rohan, thanks to the great friendship between her father and their distant cousin Éomer. She had at least one child, Elfwinë. Nothing else is known of her life.

[scion-of-kings]

y'know my first thought is Gandalf. Second is nolofinwe... third is Manwë.

I have never ever played Gandalf! I briefly had a Manwë twitter rp acc (which was changed to Varda a dozen tweets in) aaaaand I have never played Nolofinwë but gods the TEMPTATION (I did write Turgon for a while, though)

[g-m-kaye]

"Éowyn was slender and tall, with a grace and pride that came to her out of the South from Morwen of Lossarnach, whom the Rohirrim had called Steelsheen."

(Appendix A "The House of Eorl")

Éowyn with Shadowfax in the lush meadows of Rohan @megarywrites @sotwk :)

[from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras]

I’ve been slowly building out some thoughts on all of Théoden’s family members, and here are some ideas about Morwen Steelsheen, his mother:

We know she came from power. Her father was descended from a Prince of Dol Amroth, which makes her kin to Imrahil’s family. But at a certain point, her dad relocated them out of Belfalas (where Dol Amroth is) to Lossarnach instead. Lossarnach was primarily known for its orchards and was a place that many Gondorians visited as a vacation destination; Morwen’s father particularly loved its “flowering vales.” It was considered so safe and rural and out of the way that it was even the place where civilians from Minas Tirith were sent for shelter when their own city was under threat. That’s all from the text.

Building from that…. I bet Morwen was bored as fuck in Lossarnach. She grew up around people with big, important jobs who were key to Gondor’s governance. Her family’s home in Belfalas would have been a bustling place, full of people and activity and surrounded by all the normal trappings of power. And maybe she thrived on that stuff. It was interesting and dynamic and could be stressful, but also so FUN to be right in the middle of important things. There’s nothing more invigorating! But, having gotten a taste for that life, then one day her dad tires of the drama and moves the whole family out to the sticks, where there’s nothing to do but admire the flowering fruit trees. No more politics. No more strategy. No more deals to cut or authorities to wield. Just quiet, peaceful country living, and it was NOT her thing.

I also bet, then, that she saw Thengel as her way out. Because honestly, what else does she need with a random Rohirrim exile for a husband? Thengel was the non-famous son of a terrible king, and he’d already given up his royal title and seemed content to live the rest of his life in humble service to Gondor’s steward. That’s not necessarily super compelling husband material, especially when you’re a member of one of Gondor’s most noble royal houses. And, yeah, maybe Thengel was handsome or charismatic or just different enough to be novel. That’s subjective. But what’s definitely true was that he offered a ticket back to the halls of power, even if they were someone else’s halls. 

Morwen knew that Thengel’s father would die someday and the pressure would be on for him to go back to Rohan and assume the kingship that was rightfully his. And if she was at his side, she could help to convince him to do just that when the time was right. He’d go back (“unwillingly’” as we know, but he went!), and she’d go along, no longer a country-dwelling, lesser member of Dol Amroth’s royal family but as queen of a whole kingdom! With a husband who was, at best, apathetic to the idea of ruling and so perhaps would be especially amenable to taking guidance and direction from her if she showed an interest! That doesn’t mean that she had no affection for him or that their marriage was entirely strategy and zero love. But she was a smart lady, and you won’t convince me that she didn’t see the angles there and realize that joining herself to Thengel was a much better way to make herself happy than to wait around Gondor for someone else who could get her out of those orchards.

So that’s my Morwen HC. She was withering on the vine in Lossarnach and took a chance on unassuming, underachieving Thengel because he gave her a path not just out of her current unhappiness but on to even greater things. She was always more interested in Rohan’s governance than he was, and she exercised a lot of power and influence just from the fact that she had a willingness to throw herself into tasks and take on the kingdom’s challenges while Thengel was still puttering around Meduseld wishing that he was back in Minas Tirith. She made things happen for herself and, in the process, became a more dedicated Rohirrim than her native born husband.

Just a thought…

[ithilienns]

For your writers truth & dare ask game, I send you:

🥤- recommend a fanfic or author you love

🛼- describe your latest wip with five emojis

Enjoy! 😁

Sorry I didn’t get to this sooner!!! Thank you so much for the ask 😊

For 🥤: it really depends on the fandom!

Most of my following is for Tolkien related content, in which case MedeaSmyke’s A Consolation of Princes Part I & II on AO3. It’s the Thengel / Morwen of Lossarnach fic(s) you never knew you needed, the dynamic is vaguely reminiscent of Emma and it’s really reminding me of how much my love for Théoden grows every day.

For the ASOIAF / HOTD fans, I’m deep in the HOTD trenches at the moment, so I would say any fic from sweetestsorrows, ginvael, amazingangie or luthien-under-bough for that fandom (all are specifically Daemyra, sorry my Rhaenicent fam I love you too). In particular sweetestsorrows has some fantastic stuff.

For 🛼 : 🐉💍💖🩸🤯

[theworldsoftolkein]

Morwen Steelsheen

Morwen Steelsheen was the queen to King Thengel of Rohan, and the mother of his renowned heir Théoden.[1]

History

Although Morwen dwelt in Lossarnach, she did not belong to the people of that land. In fact, her father was originally from Belfalas but had removed there for its flowering vales; he was a descendant of a former Prince of Dol Amroth and thus a kinsman of Prince Imrahil.[2]

In T.A. 2943, she was married to Thengel of Rohan in Gondor, though she was seventeen years younger than him. She bore him three children in Gondor, of whom Théoden, the second, was her only son. When his father Fengel died, Thengel inherited the Kingship of Rohan, and travelled with Morwen back to his own land. Morwen bore him two more daughters in Rohan; and the last, Théodwyn, was the fairest: she would become the mother of Éomer and Éowyn.[1]

Description

The epithet Steelsheen was given to her by the Rohirrim due to the grace and pride that she brought from Gondor.[1]

Being one of the Dúnedain of the South, and due to her high Númenórean heritage, her descendants were said to be considerably taller than most of the Rohirrim, especially Éomer, and some also inherited her dark hair.[2]

Morwen's granddaughter Éowyn was also slender and tall, and she too inherited the graceful and proud bearing of Gondor from her.[1]

Etymology

Morwen is the name of a famous member of the House of Bëor in the First Age. It translates from Sindarin as "Dark Maiden", from the root MOR- ("black, dark, darkness") + the female suffix -wen ("maiden").[3]

"Steelsheen" is presumably intended as a modernization of Old English stýle "steel" + scíene "beautiful."[source?]

[distinguisheddwarffriend]

Schau dir das mal an

[ao3feed-tolkien]

Back to You

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/o7X43lS

by The_James

[Reading Part 1 is not necessary]

Twentythree years have passed since Smaug was slain when King Consort Bilbo gets thrown into a new adventure with even higher stakes than the last time he ventured into the unknown. The One Ring has been in his pocket for decades and now his family and home is in terrible danger because of it. He and eight brave and magnificent companions are chosen to destroy the Ring in the fires that have created it lifetimes ago. Follow them on their journey towards Mount Doom. (Cause that sounds like fun...?)

Words: 1551, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of Let The Light Shine On Us

Fandoms: The Hobbit (Jackson Movies), The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit - All Media Types, The Lord of the Rings - All Media Types

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Gandalf | Mithrandir, Fíli (Tolkien), Kíli (Tolkien), Tauriel (Hobbit Movies), Ori (Tolkien), Dwalin (Tolkien), Balin (Tolkien), Dís (Tolkien), Elrond Peredhel, Thorin III Stonehelm, Original Dwobbit Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Brenna Baggins, Arwen Undómiel, Denethor II, Morwen of Lossarnach, Legolas Greenleaf, Galadriel | Artanis

Relationships: Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield

Additional Tags: fem!Thorin, Female Thorin Oakenshield, Dwarven Ones | Soulmates, Queen Thorin, Consort Bilbo Baggins, Badass Women, Badass Dwarf Women, Dwobbits, Minor Fíli/Ori, Minor Kíli/Tauriel, Fellowship 50 years earlier AU, i guess?, Alternate Universe - Bilbo Remains In Erebor, Bilbo is So Done, Arwen Is A Queen, Not literally, Council of Elrond, Protective Elrond, Gandalf Is a Little Shit, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Brenna means sword

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/o7X43lS

[ao3feed-thehobbit]

Back to You

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/we6O7rm

by The_James

[Reading Part 1 is not necessary]

Twentythree years have passed since Smaug was slain when King Consort Bilbo gets thrown into a new adventure with even higher stakes than the last time he ventured into the unknown. The One Ring has been in his pocket for decades and now his family and home is in terrible danger because of it. He and eight brave and magnificent companions are chosen to destroy the Ring in the fires that have created it lifetimes ago. Follow them on their journey towards Mount Doom. (Cause that sounds like fun...?)

Words: 1551, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of Let The Light Shine On Us

Fandoms: The Hobbit (Jackson Movies), The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit - All Media Types, The Lord of the Rings - All Media Types

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Gandalf | Mithrandir, Fíli (Tolkien), Kíli (Tolkien), Tauriel (Hobbit Movies), Ori (Tolkien), Dwalin (Tolkien), Balin (Tolkien), Dís (Tolkien), Elrond Peredhel, Thorin III Stonehelm, Original Dwobbit Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Brenna Baggins, Arwen Undómiel, Denethor II, Morwen of Lossarnach, Legolas Greenleaf, Galadriel | Artanis

Relationships: Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield

Additional Tags: fem!Thorin, Female Thorin Oakenshield, Dwarven Ones | Soulmates, Queen Thorin, Consort Bilbo Baggins, Badass Women, Badass Dwarf Women, Dwobbits, Minor Fíli/Ori, Minor Kíli/Tauriel, Fellowship 50 years earlier AU, i guess?, Alternate Universe - Bilbo Remains In Erebor, Bilbo is So Done, Arwen Is A Queen, Not literally, Council of Elrond, Protective Elrond, Gandalf Is a Little Shit, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Brenna means sword

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/we6O7rm

[celeluwhenfics]

Part 4: My actual headcanon on Morwen Steelsheen and her daughters

CW: mental health, family estrangement, recluse lifestyle

Morwen Steelsheen lived with her eldest daughter in Pinnath Gelin from the year 2982, and died there in 3008, aged 86.

Was she a shieldmaiden? Being raised in a noble Gondorian family until she was 21, and then having lived in Gondor until she was 31, I would say no, assuming that allowing women to become shieldmaiden is a fundamentally Rohirrim practice.

How did she get to be called “Steelsheen” by the Rohirrim? The canon speaks of “Grace and pride” from the South. I see her as a stern, fierce woman, with piercing grey eyes, dark hair, and few smiles. She did not need to yield any weapons to impose respect; the steel was in her gaze. The Rohirrim were particularly impressed by their queen, being used to more warmth and a more jovial demeanor.

Thengel loved her, but she married him mainly for his status and to fulfill the ambitions of her own father, who was a great lord in Lossarnach. But Thengel was good and wise, an attentive husband, and most deserving of his wife’s admiration. Over the years, she got sincerely attached to him. She was not a warm mother, but she was intelligent, and just and moderate in her methods of education. She transmitted her children a taste for history and poetry, impeccable court manners and a solid sense of honour.

At first, she was put off by the idea of moving her family to Rohan. It is indeed for her sake that Thengel was long reluctant to accept the crown that he inherited. But she had long studied the language and grew to appreciate the culture of the Mark and understand the people. She softened in her older years, was fond of her grandchildren, and completely spoiled her great-grandchildren.

Morwen and Thengel’s oldest daughter, Thengwyn, was born in 2946. Being fierce, intelligent, and proud, she was said to bear a striking likeness to her mother. She married a lord of Pinnath Gellin in Gondor in 2970, at 24. With him, she had two daughters and a son.

Her husband passed away in 2989, leaving their 15-year-old son Hirluin the Fair with the title of Prince of Pinnath Gellin. Hirluin died at 45 on the Pelennor fields at the same time as his uncle Théoden, although they did not meet on the vast battlefield. His 19-year-old son Hirgond then inherited the title. At 73, Thengwyn was an indispensable support to her grandson in his daunting new task.

One of her granddaughters having recently married Imrahil’s oldest son, Elphir, Thengwyn also had close ties to the house of Dol Amroth. With the help of her sister Théogytha in Edoras, she played a crucial role in bringing Éomer and Lothíriel together. She lived long into the Fourth Age, passing away at the ripe old age of 104.

The second daughter, Thémægen, was born in 2950. She had a stormy and troubled character, in which she resembled her grandfather Fengel. She had difficult relationships with everyone and refused to marry. She only found solace in the loneliness of the plains and in the company of horses. As a teen, she started running away for weeks at a time in the wilderness, until she chose to settle definitively in the North as a recluse. She was feared by the local herdsmen, and many stories were told about the feral horse-witch who was in fact a royal princess. It has to be believed that she found peace in such an existence.

Thémægen had no close contacts with any member of her family for decades but must have heard tidings of them in her remote abode, for she did send gorgeous black mares to both Éowyn and Lothíriel when they married. How she and her herd of black horses endured years of orc raids over their lands remains unexplained. Her harsh, isolated lifestyle however took a toll on her health in her later years, and she kept refusing help from her concerned neighbours. She died in the year 4 of the Fourth Age, at 75 years old.

Morwen’s third daughter, Théogytha, was born in 2957. Quite the opposite to her older sisters, she had a laughing, witty, easygoing character, not unlike her father. She was very close to her brother Théoden and to their young sister Théodwyn. At 21, she nursed Théodred in his early years after the death of Elfhild.

At that time, she was not yet married, because she was passionately and giddily in love with one of the King’s guards, and her parents would not hear of such a lowly match. They finally married in 2982, because Théoden wanted to make her happy and he saw a lot of potential in her suitor, as well as their long devotion to one another. But the simple guard proved himself, and through a long career supporting his brother-in-law the King, he climbed the ranks step by step, to become Marshal of the West after the crown passed to Éomer. Yes, Théogytha is Erkenbrand’s wife!

Together they led a relatively humble, normal life between Edoras and the Westfold, following his military appointments. They had three daughters. Théogytha was always cheerful and generous. Although she then lived in Grimslade and was busy with her own daughters, who were then under 10 years old, she participated in supporting her young nephews in the years following Théodwyn’s death.

From 3014, Gríma pushed her away with lies and manipulations to better ensnare Théoden and isolate Éowyn. During the war, she was 62 years old, and despite a cold relationship with the royal family, was very active and devoted in supporting the women of Edoras whilst most men were gone. After the war Éomer tried reconnecting with her and repairing many years of estrangement and misunderstanding. They came to an agreement of forgiveness and collaboration.

But Théogytha helped her sister Thengwyn plot the marriage of Éomer and Lothíriel. The young bride feared meeting her, after having dealt with the much sterner oldest sister in Dol Amroth, but she was pleasantly surprised to find in her the supportive maternal figure she needed as she got settled in her new home. Through the affection and friendship of Lothíriel, Théogytha became close to Éomer again, and was a great help when raising their children. She lived with them at court until she passed away peacefully in the year 30 of the Fourth age, at 94, surrounded by her daughters, grandchildren and grandnephews.

@from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras @emmanuellececchi

Here’s one for thoughts now, later or never, depending on how you feel about it…

Got any headcanons or opinions about the 3 sisters of Théoden who weren’t Théodwyn??? What they were like, where they were during the events that we’re all familiar with, what their relationship with Théoden was like, etc.? It’s bonkers to me that we know they exist and that he preferred Théodwyn to the other sisters but that’s. literally. it!

Omg what a good question! Thank you for leading my thoughts in that direction. There is SO MUCH to unpack there, and even more to imagine, because as you said Tolkien left us a lot of room there (euphemism of the month). I will allow myself to add Morwen Steelsheen to this reflection, because I think it makes sense to link her to her daughters, and similar questions arise around her character.

But I’m a scientist, so let’s think about this rationally and stay organized. I will answer in four parts (I’m not sorry about it)

1. What the canon actually says 2. What are the possibilities, what must be ruled out and why 3. Why I will NOT be going there with my current WIP pHORSEuasion 4. Freeform headcanons I still have on this matter!

Part 1: Deep dive in the canon

Most of what we know about Thengel’s family comes from a couple paragraphs in Appendix A. I have laid out this information in a timeline, with the following assumptions, which can be contested, but that’s what I chose to work from: -Only one child is born per year -There are no twins in the family -The first child of a couple is born at earliest one year after their wedding -Ages given assume a birthday on January 1st. If the actual birthday happens after the event in the calendar year, the character would technically be one year “younger”

2905: Thengel born in Rohan 2922: Morwen born in Gondor 2943: Thengel (age 38) and Morwen (age 21) marry in Gondor Between 2944 and 2947: First daughter born in Gondor 2948: Théoden born in Gondor Between 2949 and 2953: Second daughter born in Gondor 2953: Thengel (age 48) becomes king of Rohan Between 2953 and 2962: Third daughter born in Rohan 2963: Théodwyn is born in Rohan. She is described as “a child of his (Thengel's) age” (Thengel is then 58 and Morwen is 41). 2977 or before: Théoden (age 29 or less) and Elfhild (age unknown) marry in Rohan 2978: Théodred born in Rohan. Elfhild (age unknown) dies 2980: Thengel (age 75) dies. Théoden (age 32) becomes king of Rohan 2989: Théodwyn (age 26) and Éomund (age unknown) marry in Rohan 2991: Éomer born in Rohan 2995: Éowyn born in Rohan 3002: Éomund (age unknown) and Théodwyn (age 39) die. Éomer is then 11 and Éowyn is 7 3017: Éomer becomes Third Marshal (age 26) 3019: Théodred (age 41) and Théoden (age 71) die. Éomer (age 28) becomes king of Rohan. Éowyn (age 24) and Faramir (age 36) marry in Rohan 3020 or later: Elboron, son of Éowyn and Faramir, born in Gondor. 3021: Éomer (age 30) and Lothiriel (age 22) marry Early Fourth Age: Elfwine, son of Lothiriel and Éomer, born in Rohan. Fourth Age 63: Éomer (age 91) dies Fourth Age 82: Faramir (age 120) dies

Therefore, we have at the start of the War of the Ring, let’s say in January 3019: Definitely alive: -Théoden -Théodred -Éomer -Éowyn

Possibly alive (no canonical death): -Morwen (age 97, but she is of Dunedain descent, so a long life is possible) -Her three eldest daughters, with ages between 75 (if the eldest was born right after their parents' wedding, in 2944) and 57 (if the third daughter was born right before Théodwyn, in 2962)

A few extra notes on the canon

One thing that I had not fully realized before, is that Théodred is born and Elfhild dies when Théoden is not yet king. Therefore: -Thengel technically met Théodred (he was 2 years old when his grandfather died) -Elfhild, although Théoden's wife, was never queen of Rohan -When Lothiriel becomes queen, Rohan has not had a queen since Morwen, 41 years earlier, at the death of Thengel in 2980 -Théodwyn was only 15, or going on 15, at that time. (I know that I have read somewhere the headcanon that she cared for Théodred from his birth, which is valid and possible, however in my opinion her age makes it doubtful that she would have been the main carer and parental figure.) -Théoden ascends to the throne whilst bearing not only the immediate grief of his father, but also the relatively recent (2 years) loss of his wife.

Of Théodwyn, we know that she was “the fairest” and “her brother loved her dearly”. After her husband was killed, she “took sick and died to the great grief of the king”. Théoden then “took [her children] into his house, calling them son and daughter”.

And we learn a little about Morwen when Éowyn is described: “Éowyn was slender and tall, with a grace and pride that came to her out of the South from Morwen of Lossarnach, whom the Rohirrim had called Steelsheen.” (I must say that I am questioning this past perfect “had called”. It sounds like Morwen is not there anymore, otherwise past simple “called” would have been used. But then, it is hard to pinpoint when in time the narrator is placing themselves in this passage. If referring to Éowyn’s early adult life, it would be a clue in the direction that Morwen is not alive anymore by the War of the Ring, or at least that she is not in Rohan anymore. If referring to an undefined point at the moment of writing in the Fourth Age, it means nothing at all. But we’re now at the level of microscopic details from the text!)

Part 2/4 coming eventually in a reblog!

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Favourite Female Tolkien Character Poll - Round 1, Match 27

Morwen Steelsheen

The mother of Théoden, and of two daughters (one older than him and one younger). She was from Lossarnach in Gondor, and was seventeen years younger than her husband Thengel.

Éowyn was slender and tall, with a grace and pride that came to her out of the South from Morwen of Lossarnach, whom the Rohirrim had called Steelsheen.

Théodwyn

The youngest daughter of Morwen Steelsheen and Thengel, Théodwyn was the mother of Éomer and Éowyn; she died of illness when they were children, not long after her husband Éomund was killed in battle.

[anghraine]

Today (technically yesterday) has been the inauguration of the true holiday frenzy. I'm soothing myself with a random Tolkien poll (obviously skewed by my tastes):

If you only want to choose one of the people in a mother-son pair (whether mother or son), BZZZZZT don't vote for that one. Your vote goes to both mother and son.

[sirioniel]

Morwen of Lossarnach, also called Steelsheen, descended from the Princes of Dol Amroth and became Queen Consort to King Thengel of Rohan. Unfortunately Tolkien doesn't say much about her.

Besides this quote Tolkien writes that Éowyn bears a resemblence to her grandmother Morwen and their shared Gondorian ancestry.

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, the House of Eol.

Illustration by W. Heath Robinson.

Published in: The Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. London/ New York 1900.

[arofili]

men of middle-earth ♞ house of éorl ♞ headcanon disclaimer

        Thengel was the son of Fengel, and the sixteenth King of Rohan. He quarreled often with his father, a greedy and incompetent king, and left Rohan in his youth to serve under Steward Turgon of Gondor. There he met and married Morwen Steelsheen of Lossarnach, a descendant of an offshoot branch of the Princes of Dol Amroth, a proud and noble woman whom he loved greatly.           Morwen bore him five children in all, four daughters and one son. The eldest was Frithild, a gentle woman whose heart remained always in her birthplace of Gondor. Then came Thengel’s heir Théoden, likewise born in Gondor, but raised a prince of Rohan with the understanding of his place in the line of succession.           Shortly before the birth of Thengel and Morwen’s third child, Mereliss, word came to Gondor of Fengel’s death. Reluctantly, Thengel returned to his land of origin and was crowned King of Rohan. Despite his yearning to return to Gondor, Thengel was a wise and firm king, much more respected by his people. During his reign, the wizard Saruman took full control of Isengard and began to fortify it, which troubled Thengel for a reason he could not name.           Then appeared the ranger Thorongil, a mysterious warrior who entered into the king’s service for a time. Thorongil rode at Thengel’s side against any enemies that dared cross into the borders of Rohan, earning the king’s trust and friendship before he heeded the summons of Steward Ecthelion II and went to Gondor.           Thorongil remained in Rohan long enough to see the birth of Shadufled, fourth of Thengel’s children, and with his foresight guided Thengel and Morwen in how best to raise the babe he Saw would chafe against the expectations of a Lady and wish sometimes to be a Lord instead. True to his predictions, Shadufled grew to express both masculine and feminine qualities, and remembering Thorongil’s advice, their parents were able to support them as they discovered themself.           The last of Thengel and Morwen’s children was Théodwyn, fairest of their daughters and kindest of heart. She and her siblings were raised with the customs of Gondor, the land of their mother’s origin and of their father’s heart. Sindarin was the daily tongue of Thengel’s house, along with Westron, and his children used Rohirric only to converse with their friends outside their home.