#absynthe's headcanons

[absynthe--minded]

I absolutely believe that during/after Aragorn’s coronation there were some gondorian nobles who were convinced Denethor was framed m bc by Gandalf.

My immediate answer to this is “why would they think that when Imrahil is out there actively campaigning to be the most popular man in Minas Tirith”, honestly? I know it’s sort of a popular theory in the more Gondor-centric parts of the fandom to hold that Gandalf at the very least really looks like he’s planning a coup, but I think that the evidence is significantly more in favor of Denethor’s brother-in-law as the brain behind that particular goal.

More or less off the top of my head:

Imrahil is of a royal line that’s at least equal to the House of the Stewards, with a stronger claim to leadership depending on how you look at it (specifically, Gondor will never accept a Steward becoming King, but Imrahil is a Prince in his own right and holds a hereditary office that has as much history and pedigree as the currently-absent throne would require)

Imrahil tells Aragorn during “The Last Debate” that he has several thousand men, including foot soldiers, waiting at home; he did not bring these people when his lord called the banners. You can argue that there are legitimate reasons for it, sure, but it’s also awfully convenient that he has an army waiting in the wings to be summoned north to Minas Tirith

When Faramir is rescued by the swan knights, watchers presume that Denethor ordered a sortie, but this is never explicitly confirmed in-text. What we see is Imrahil on the front lines saving his nephew and the men who went with him, and whether or not he’s actually the one who gave the command is up in the air.

Unlike Denethor, he’s actively trying to befriend the ordinary people in the army. He and his men are out on the battlements singing and working to boost the spirits of the soldiers, and are making sure they’re seen doing these things. That looks an awful lot like an attempt to garner goodwill and create camaraderie with the common folk.

He’s popular, he’s rich, he’s royal, and Denethor is the reason his sister died. People have started coups for less.

What I mean is - yes, absolutely, I’m certain that people think Gandalf did something to get Denethor out of the way, but I think they assume he did it in cooperation with Imrahil (who, in this conspiracy theory, knew Aragorn was coming - he sailed up the Anduin, Dol Amroth had to know!) instead of what “really” happened, which is that Imrahil had a full revolution he was planning and then his brother-in-law set himself on fire and made all the plans moot.

[unhingedpolycule]

Pookies your works are amazing honestly. But how would the boys drink their alcohol. Tell me i need your thoughts right neow.

OHHHHHH I have thoughts! Nikto and Krueger are going hard! I will answer this for my general headcanons! NSFW for drug use / sexual content under the cut

Krueger: A social drinker but in the “what is even the point if you cant use your inebriated state to act more drunk than you are and fuck with people” kind of way. He is either borderline sober or REALLY drunk on purpose. He prefers vodka, due to being socialised in a Russian friend group in his teens/early 20s. He really likes Russia and everything associated with it (especially the men and the language!) but he will drink pretty much everything and isn’t too good to drink directly from the bottle. But he will probably consume everything with high amounts of alcohol in it. Not a longdrink/cocktail type of person. Prefers shots and many of them, due to his high tolerance. Probably unironically likes Absynthe. Drinks the last swig of beer from others with a grin just to provoke the group he spends the evening with in order to disgust them. (The last swig is said to be pure spit in Germany/Austria) It simply amuses him and it’s also a way of (very disgusting) flirting. It works with Nikto, who gets jealous if Krueger does it with someone else’s bottle and horny if it’s his own. It’s his luck then, that Krueger can very much fuck while drunk. (One of his many sexual talents!)

Nikto: He doesn’t drink, because it interferes with his meds and it’s simply not worth it to him. That being said, he is into chemsex. Big time. If he has a few days to acclimate afterwards, he will let Krueger give him a dose of whatever his Austrian seems fit. I adopted cerosin-bis headcanon of Nikto being a bit of a coke head back in the days of his undercover work and he still really likes it, as it makes him both euphoric and horny. They will absolutely fuck while high off their asses. It’s nothing that happens often and most certainly something that reqires days work of aftercare on Krueger’s part, because sometimes the drugs leave Nikto pretty shaken (also due to his regular medication). He promises that this is the last time, just to start pushing and grunting in that special way again after a few weeks/months. He likes to bottom when they do it but he swears that it’s a lie whenever Krueger brings it up while sober. If the others drink, he either has water or an alcohol-free beer. He doesn’t really like that he has to resort back to it, but it’s better than nothing.

Bonus Nikodim, because I love him:

Nikodim: A ✨social drinker✨. Likes beer, but also has a secret sweet tooth (Krueger brought him a bottle of Berentzen Cherry once and he really liked it. Nikodim is prone to sharing his drinks and trying everything. He is very vocal if he dislikes something, but it’s in a jovial fashion. He is a happy drunk, it boosts his self confidence and he likes joking around. It makes him more prone to bad decision and he was probably drunk the first time he messed around with Nikto, even if not overly so. Even if he has grown out of his teenage “I need to get blackout drunk” phase, he likes being tipsy, which makes it even easier for Krueger to manipulate and tease him. In the end, Nikto usually puts an end to it and sends Nikodim back home (more often, he accompanies him. You know. Because he is such a good guy. And because… well Nikodim is in a good mood so he might just be prone to make another bad decision tonight!)

Pookie, I love answering asks so thank you for giving me space to ramble! This was a fun one! (That being said, I do not drink, I am the perpetual driver :) So my hc are informed by cultural osmosis! I prefer aesthetic grape juice to wine on a nice evening so… there you have a general idea of how “wild” I am :D)

[itsmarsss]

Headcanon time!

So blitz likes spicy food, right? (The sauce he puts on cheese is actually hot sauce) so imagine stolas tries his best to like spicy food for him but he is not built for it!

He just simply does not like his food with pain! But he wants to impress blitzy and MC so he orders the hottest thing on the menu.

Biggest mistake of his life. His face is bright red and he wants to cry. He's going to die!

He has to deal with this "heat death" (his words) until blitz goes to the bathroom and MC orders the poor bird some milk

-💎

judging by the was he backtracks everything he says to please blitz there would SO be a point in time in which he does this lmaooo I don’t think this man can tolerate even a little spice so he learns the hard way he definitely shouldn’t try to impress Blitzø w that again

He can go the hardest when it comes to alcohol tho like blitz thinks he’s tough shit and is like I’m gonna smoke this mf when they’re drinking and he’s like see I took this pure vodka shot without making a face but turns out stolas can down half a bottle of absynthe in one go without even making a face or breaking a sweat lol

[isatisnn]

Two years, five months and so many days after the release of Origins's episode 30 and within the last four episodes of ANE... I can finally say,

I headcanon TO Leiftan as demisexual. Also I hc him to care not for his S.O. gender, but the 'soulmate' link between them or, in repleacement, the strong emotional connection demisexual people need in order to feel attracted towards someone.

On screen we never saw Leiftan take any romantic or sexual interest towards anyone else. We don't have an input regarding any former partners and less he mentioned someone to catch up his eyes aside from Erika. All the other guys but Lance would do show any past or 'present' interest into someone during TO. Valkyon proudly shows us his scars during the beach date, for example, telling us some of them were made in bed. Ezarel had his friend with benefits thing with Ewelein, and Nevra... Was not, once a time, Ezarel mad about Nev doing his thing with the girls of absynthe?

It's hinted in TO, both Leiftan and Erika were complementary to each other (Erika and him fighting Marie-Anne for example, dialogues straight tells you this, or the 'Ying-yang' ilu in episode 30), so as long as 'Erika' remains to be his complementary and keeps the precepts he valued the most from her (Modesty, or whatever he said in the SV event of some year, common-good oriented, etc), anything else seems irrelevant. Leiftan would love 'Erika' no matter what.

Ofc, this is a personal take, and i'm sure people in charge didn't think of it at that moment. But hey, if Beemoov tomorrow decided to publish a new episode where Leiftan claims directly at us: 'I'm a straight man and only atracted to WOMEN!', with all my heart I will totally ignore it.

I already like the idea too much. It's late, six years late.

[learreal]

Modern AU! Naruto perfume headcanons bc why not:

(English is not my first language so I apologise for any mistakes)

• Naruto would absolutely rock Coffee Break by Maison Margiela, if he did some emotionally hard job like psychotherapy or coaching.

(Sasuke would cling to him on the days he feels drained whenever he wears that smell bc lavender and coffee is a great combo for energy levels yet no haste vibe, very grounding and balancing).

Most of Naruto's perfumes have coffee, sandalwood or citrus notes. Patchouli ones for when he feels truly extra.

• Whenever Sasuke wears Killian's Moonlight in heaven to their movie nights at home or to parties Naruto goes absolutely nuts because of the contrasts and this lingering milky gentle feeling but with sweetness that you would only associate with Sasuke if you know him well. Peak eroticism aimed at one person only. Other people I would assume, mostly hear the top of the pyramid and find it a "bright and fun party smell" on Sasuke.

But on a daily Sasuke wears something more "chill", fresh with a hint of floral, but not sweet. Cedar wood is a must/base in most of his daily ones.

• Haku in Princess by Killian? Stunning. Green tea bitterness + ginger punch + sweetness. "I am a cutie but can still beat you in whatever context" vibe.

Loves peach and honey notes but also unexpectedly owns heavy night-out perfumes with seductive yet masculine vibes. (Leather and pink pepper based ones for example and anything spicy af in general). He got that kick, you know.

• Itachi would wear a lot of herbal and woody smells. Those that are even "too bitter" for some ppl. Like wormwood, pine, bergamot, vetiver, oak moss etc. Absynth. Paired with gin and cognac tones. But that's a more "daily" vibe. If there is an important event – definitely something musky, with a hint of cardamom or cloves.

• Shisui wearing Jazz Club (Maison Margiela). Let me in that club. Sage notes with tobacco + that rum and liqueur and black pepper, hint of freshness. Oh, yes.

Also, oud scents. He would. Like if u know, u know.

• Sasori would love fougere and floral combos. Something like Mugler ones but a little calmer in nature. Maybe with some aquatic notes.

• Sakura would rock any floral+fresh combos but hate them on herself and find them "boring". Even the best ones. What she likes is leather+musk+rum+spice, and she pulls it off well with the right outfits. Mostly wears "male" targeted perfumes and does not give a single fuck.

Ironically enough, Sasori likes her better in those biker vibes perfumes, but suggests her to try a mix between floral and "clean" ones for work. Sakura ends up liking those too.

• Ino would be in between the dessert and floral ones, but always with a woody/heavily bitter or aquatic base to balance it out. Something along the lines of cedar wood + rose + violets + hint of vanilla cake. Elegant yet not boring at all.

• Neji. I think he would like surprisingly light, "clean" smells. Like fresh laundry + some hints of pear or jasmine on the daily. But for the formal situations where he needs to put up a front he would lean towards aquatic and "cold", "monumental" ones.

• Tenten loves and makes the most out of warm and spicy perfumes. Orange + cinnamon + sandalwood? She'll rock it.

• Kakashi would wear something light but "cold", maybe aquatics with lime/hint of bergamot. (Something like Zarkoperfume Cloud Collection No. 2 The Cloud on Ice, but lighter).

But if we're talking bad boy modern au vibes then we're left with more spicy choices. Maybe among the lines of oud + leather + black/chili pepper.

• Obito is a sweet bad boy. So your typical sweet colognes, but he wears a tiny amount of them. Otherwise he feels "overrun" by them.

• Rin and fresh, floral scents would be in harmony, it seems like. But maybe with a hint of orange or any other citrus.

• Iruka would destroy roasted cocoa scents. Like, no jokes. He would. Some unexpected smokiness for nights out when he's not in his teacher mode.

(I have a headcanon that Iruka has some fire, a twist to him, but you can skip that. For those who feel the same: imagine him with a smoky, slightly sweet cognac scent. Damn).

• Kakuzu smells of money and bitchiness (tobacco + alcohol), I don't make the rules.

• Deidara. Gasoline smelling ones. Right? I mean– but! On good days – surprisingly sweet dessert notes with a twist. He loves his vanilla and coconut and is very hardcore about it. Ok? Ok.

• Hinata would wear mostly warm, floral fragrances until the revelation that she actually feels a lot more comfortable in more "masculine" and spicy ones. Imagine her in a suit with the aroma of black pepper, leather and apple notes? Boss.

• Minato and scents that remind you of the sea and sunlight seems about right? With some woody undertones.

• Tsunade is a violets and musk woman, as far as I am convinced.

• Kushina giving rose hip and hibiscus with some chili pepper. Yeah.

[thelordofgifs]

ohhhhh you will not believe how feral I can be about this!! for a start have the propaganda compilation again (people whom I keep tagging in this are probably used to it by now but sorry anyway)

a brief history lesson

and a more detailed one

Eldacar and mortality meta

ficlet: Eldacar on the eve of his grandfather's death

Eldacar headcanons by @absynthe--minded

headcanons on Eldacar's sisters

a discussion on the Kin-strife's themes and how it ties in with the fall of Numenor with @vidumavi

a conversation I had with myself about Eldacar's name

Kin-strife thoughts by @armenelols

ficlet: Eldacar meets a fox

@searchingforserendipity25 reads The Realms in Exile and becomes an Eldacar stan in real time

Eldacar and Immigrant Child Trauma

VOTE ELDACAR PEOPLE HE’S EVERYTHING.

Obscure Tolkien Blorbo: Semifinal

Eldacar of Gondor vs One (1) Rivendell elf who sings tra-la-la-lally

Eldacar of Gondor:

The twenty-first King of Gondor, also known as Vinitharya. During his reign the conflict known as the Kin-strife occurred and he was forced from his throne for ten years.

The blorbo of all time actually. He’s the protagonist of one of the most interesting stories in the LoTR appendices, the Kin-strife, and everything about his life story is so fascinating! His father was the crown prince of Gondor and his mother was the princess of Rhovanion so not a Númenorean. As a result all the racist nobles of Gondor made noises about how Eldacar was of “lesser race” and wouldn’t live as long as a “true Dúnadan”. One of the most fascinating examples of fantasy racism in Tolkien’s works imo – the bigotry is awful but the bigots have a shield to hide behind! Obviously their concerns are actually valid because they just don’t want their king to die young! (Their concerns aren’t valid. But I think the worldbuilding here is great.) Anyway Eldacar was born in Rhovanion and given the birth-name Vinitharya, but when he returned to Gondor aged five he was obliged to take up the Quenya name Eldacar, presumably to pacify all the racists in Gondor. He’s the EMBODIMENT of mixed-race/immigrant child trauma my beloved. Eventually his father died and he ascended to the throne of Gondor, but then his shitty second cousin Castamir (all my homies hate Castamir he’s the worst) started the civil war known as the Kin-strife and usurped Eldacar’s throne. Eldacar was forced to flee north to Rhovanion but Castamir captured his eldest son Ornendil and had him cruelly put to death which is SO SAD. But Eldacar, being brave and resourceful and clever and extremely cool, put together an alliance with his mother’s kinsfolk in Rhovanion and after ten years reclaimed his throne, which turned out to be slightly easier than expected because Castamir was The Worst and all his subjects hated him. And Eldacar PERSONALLY fought and killed Castamir HIMSELF and AVENGED HIS SON which is extremely important when you consider all the cringefail elves in the legendarium whose quests for revenge didn’t really go anywhere at all. Then he lived to be 235 proving that all the idiot racists who were worried about his lifespan didn’t have any idea what they were talking about, as is par for the course with racists. Also the Kin-strife itself has such far-reaching consequences for the history of Gondor! The Corsairs of Umbar, Gondor’s long-standing enemies, are actually followers of the descendants of Castamir. And during the Usurpation of Castamir Osgiliath was sacked and burned, leading to the beginning of its decline as Gondor’s greatest city. Even though Eldacar’s story is, to me, ultimately hopeful, it’s also such a fascinating turning point in the history of Gondor. Also ALSO he’s explicitly surrounded by textual ghosts which is really fascinating. His father Valacar has “children” plural – so Eldacar had siblings!! What were they like? How did they react to it all? And his son Aldamir is described as Eldacar’s second son and third child, meaning that he had a daughter too. Who was she?? What happened to her? He’s such a blorbo and there’s so much interesting stuff to dig into around him and he has to win this entire tournament please please please❤️

One (1) Rivendell elf who sings tra-la-la-lally:

One of the Elves of Rivendell who sing tra-la-la-lally in The Hobbit.

This one specific elf sings tra la la lally with the rest but he is slightly off key and the other elves bully him for it

they’re SILLY!!! We need NEED more silly elves!! Like who are these weirdos just hanging out in the trees of Rivendell? Did they know the dwarves were coming and gather their friends to specifically climb those trees to sing nonsense at them? Do they just normally sit there and sing about every little thing they see? Is this a traditional Rivendell thing or are those elves just really strange? I’m obsessed with them they’re everything to me. Elves are oft portrayed as being Too Serious in this fandom and silly elves need rights too! Silly elf rights!!!!

Semifinals masterpost

[theneverfadinglands]

Fingolfin and Anairë, she was random. Anairë was the last one I made, because nobody looked right. I'm pleased with her after all. I imagine her looking distant and cold, but it's only first impression. However she looks stunning on throne.

Fingon, I think he look fierce and valiant. Determmined to do something foolish heroic today. He was the only one I had clear idea in my head how I imagine him. It took my long time to get him right. I then developed all the others from Fingon, Fingolfin and Lalwen.

Ok, I love all my Fingolfinweans, they are all perfect. Turgon look serious, he look royal and kingly. I plan Elrond to look quite similar to Turgon, but with darker skin - taking after Elwing's family.

Aredhel look joyous, smart and alert. She look similar to Lalwen. I really love her design. I can see her cantering her horse in forests chasing quarry, her hair braided and decorated with gems and blue feathers. Laughing fiercely.

Argon is the last one. Poor forgotten Argon. We don't have many informations about him. I hadn't any idea how he should look like, but I love how he turned out. He look quite dreamy and similar to Aredhel and Lalwen. I feel Fingolfinweans are quite outdoorsy family, good at hunting, dying valiantly, kinging. I think Argon is the artist of the family. He dislike his royal duties much like Maglor. He is introverted and doesn't talk much, good observer and talented at osanwë. I think he looks like painter. Painting mostly experimental surrealistic (and similar abstract styles) paintings.

Bonus: Idril and Tuor

Tuor always reminded me of Thor and he kind of look like Thor in my head. Big, strong, blonde man with beard and stormy eyes, but in my head he is more tan and his blue eyes pop out more. I love Idril's ethereal look, her innocent eyes. She look more like Elenwë's side of family. I don't have Elenwë yet, but I think she has eyes like Idril. I think Idril took from Argon in personality.

All my elves kind of start to look similar, but now I'm questioning if it isn't their intent? All elves suffering from same face syndome. All being gorgeous, but after a while you are happy to see man's face, because men are diverse. Elves are all so sterile and unreachable in their distant beauty. I wonder if elves envy men their diversity, all the body and face shapes and different coloring. Now after reading @absynthe--minded meta about POC Beren I headcanon him as black. I think Lúthien fell in love with his unique features and skin tone, because he was handsome and different, not looking like 1093764th random elf in Doriath. Be prepared for Beren I plan to make their family too!

[noshara]

Eldarya boys with Gardienne who was a teacher

well... some headcanons cause I should do something useful but i won't

Ezarel

Ezarel is confused. Like he just said a joke about her and she is like "nah, whatever"??? That shoudn't be this way!

well she had to deal with kids that was sure that "your mother" kind of joke was the funniest thing in the whole world. Ezarel can't hurt her.

The moment when she told him that she was a teacher in her world is the moment when he felt kind od sorry for her.

I see him as someone who thinks that teacher job is the worst.

Some kids are just so dumb...

Kind of impressed that she was able to do the job and didn't go crazy, but he won't say that.

Lets her teach new members of Absynthe Guard some basics if she herself got it all right.

Valkyon

He got it - she is pretty good with kids.

He thinks that is very useful ability.

Anyway when she told him about her old job he is still kind of surprised.

Valkyon was sure that she is just naturally good with little ones and now she's saying that.

Likes to hear about her job - her methods and all. He finds it interesting.

Nevra

"She was a teacher? Cool".

Listen, I still live for "shadow's momma Nevra".

Finally, there is someone who is qualified to help him with the kids... I mean guard members.

Sometimes they are just siting together and vibing.

She tells him about her stupid students from the past.

He tells her what Chrome did this time.

Chrome hates when they both want something from him at the same time.

Leiftan

Okay, listen, he's melting every time when he sees her interaction with kids.

He thinks that's so adorable.

Really he just wants to sit and watch. The cuteness is killing him, but he doesn't care.

Leiftan is not surprised that she was a teacher.

If she misses her job he will do everything to give her at least something similar.

Wants to know everything about her job. And about her at all.

Did I mentioned that he loves to see her with kids? He really does.

[absynthe--minded]

gondolin week headcanons 2/?: the Twelve Houses and their focuses

House of the King: speaks for itself, tbh. governmental and bureaucratic business, tax collection and accounting, public holidays and feasts, the nuts and bolts of running a city. you come here if you really have a fire under your ass for public service, or if you think that the world ought to function like one big game of Tetris where everything fits together on the fly.

House of the Wing: the smallest and least interesting of the twelve Houses, composed of Lord Tuor’s retinue and staff. it didn’t exist long enough to develop an identity of its own, sadly.

House of the Mole: mining, crafting with novel or new processes and metals, metallurgy and geology. unusual, compared to the other Houses. most of the folk of the city who enter into sworn service are friendly, and like being social, and like other people, and facilitate good relationships with other members of other Houses. these people do not. you go into the House of the Mole and you basically never come out. nobody really knows what it is about this tight-knit group of miners and craftsmen, as there are other miners and other craftsmen in Gondolin who think the Mole-folk are strange for being so antisocial. But Maeglin is charismatic as hell, and they’re all devoted to him

House of the Tree: botany and agriculture. they oversee most of Gondolin’s food production on an administrative level, and they selectively breed crops. Aldaron (“Galdor”) would be characterized as a health nut if he lived today - his diet is 95% plants, and he makes fruit juice daily, and he has a beloved sprout garden that he treats like it’s full of kittens.

House of the Tower of Snow: swordplay as a martial art. Snow is led by Pendelot (“Penlod”), who took it over after the untimely death of his husband Nikalantë, and in honor of said husband’s passions, he set up the House of the Tower of Snow as one of a few more martial Houses. they’re very serious about the philosophy of a warrior’s life, as opposed to just being jocks, and as a result they’re the second-smallest of all the Houses, since they tend to be something of an insular group devoted to the memory of their fallen Lord.

House of the Pillar: academic scholarship of all sorts, theoretical mathematics, history, research, library science, and a scriptorium. Pendelot is not a warrior, and this was his haven. The main House itself was a massive library with dormitories and residences contained within its walls, and they were also responsible for paper and parchment production.

House of the Heavenly Arch: engineering and architecture, city planning. They were one of three Houses focusing on city maintenance and upkeep, and they tended more towards design and applied physics/mathematics in architecture and blueprints. They would decide how something ought to look, and put together proposals and mock-ups, and pass it on for actual construction.

House of the Swallow: another martial house, this time focusing on archery. Tuilindo (“Duilin”) is an expert shot, and he enjoys sparring and competing and essentially being a jock. His folk were the majority of the city guards, though each House had its own force of watchmen, and the King had an honor guard with Aldaron as its captain and the King’s Champion.

House of the Fountain: construction, city upkeep, aqueducts and waterways. Aegthel (“Ecthelion”, “Aicatillë”) did a lot of stonework himself, though he also delegated when it suited him. They get the plans and blueprints that the Heavenly Arch designs, and put them into action by working with the House of the Hammer of Wrath. Aegthel built the fountain that he drowned in personally, and enchanted it with a lot of Song to purge out evil.

House of the Golden Flower: plants, and ornamental gardens, with a focus on aesthetics. The House of the Tree grows things that feed people, the House of the Golden Flower grows things that look pretty. Laurëfindil (“Glorfindel”) is not a soldier at heart, despite his fondness for sparring and his prowess in battle, and he enjoys having a discipline that takes time and effort but exists away from war.

House of the Hammer of Wrath: forgecraft, ironworks, foundry, city planning and construction. Rôg enjoys hard work, and his people do too. He serves as the head of a House that’s a safe haven for all who were touched by Angamando, and the folk of his House are hardy and determined in battle, but their passion is in building things. They’re guaranteed to be a good time at parties.

House of the Harp: woodworking and carving, instrument making, livestock and horses. Salakanto (“Salgant”) is a kindhearted fellow, who gets attached to everything on a deep emotional level and makes friends easily, and his folk aren’t different. Because of this, they breed cattle and hogs and sheep and goats and rabbits and poultry for animal agriculture, and their livestock live well.

[nikosheba]

Absolutely delicious additions, this is why this is currently eating me alive.

... autocorrect hits again! It was BOROMIR, not brownie. I was referring to the discussion about his character you had with absyhte.

Hello again!! Is it Boromir-loving hours? Yes, it’s Boromir-loving hours.

I have. A LOT of thoughts about him. I’m writing a Boromir/Théodred fic now, because when I have thoughts I express them through smutty fanfiction, which I think is very cool of me. 

After uh, several hours of conversation with @absynthe--minded, I’ve come to some conclusions that I cannot shake, and don’t want to, because they really inform my perception of him as a character. This is probably going to be out of order, but, uh, well, this isn’t school and you’re not getting a formal essay out of me.

Boromir in Fellowship has been watching his father fall--but not in the way he thinks. He’s 41 years old; he’s watched his father govern his entire life. But only recently does he see the way his father governs change. He has no way of knowing that his father has a Palantir, or that he could be corrupted through it, even if only corrupted to a lack of hope. (By the way, that’s the corruption of Denethor I see most plainly--not an erosion of his morals, but an erosion of his hope. Lack of Estel, I’ve seen some people say, though not expressly about him.) So Boromir has been fighting on the front lines of Gondor since he was a teen, and has recently, without much external change that he can see, watched his father go from being Morgoth’s Mightiest Foe, seeing his father basically as a Fingolfin-sort of figure, waging a constant, unending stalemate with Mordor, to his father suddenly acting as if they’re post-Bragollach. I can’t imagine the terror, the anxiety, the despair that would inspire, to see someone you’ve looked up to as a rock against The Enemy your whole life, your leader, your inspiration, suddenly start behaving as if it’s only a matter of time until you all lose everything you’ve fought tooth and nail for.

Boromir thinks his father is essentially always right--and chooses to follow Aragorn anyway. This is a bit more headcanon, but has to do with Boromir’s acceptance of Aragorn. So, I think deep down, Boromir knows that Denethor II isn’t going to want to give up Stewardship. Also on the surface. Because of all the times he’s basically said, you know, the Dunedain have left us to defend alone, no one helps us, we’re the Only Thing standing between Mordor and Total Devastation of the world. That’s very much Denethor II’s identity, at this point. If Boromir had showed up with the Rohirrim at his back ready to assist as allies, Denethor II would probably have been weird about it, because in his mind, he’s the only thing keeping Sauron at bay. And Boromir still swears to Aragorn with his last breath. Even in the books, where he tells Aragorn, “Save my people,” he’s commending the soul of Gondor--its people--to Aragorn, rather than saying something like “Help my Father,” or even “Destroy Sauron,” etc. With his final breath, he chooses to trust, which is huge, given that in my perception...

Denethor II doesn’t want Boromir to be a big thinker. Again, this is headcanon, but I think it’s borne out. Boromir is noted as being unfond of learning, romance, etc, preferring “arms and warfare” to all of this. While I think a good portion of that is natural inclination, I also think Denethor II sees him that way, and encourages it. He doesn’t want another son to question what he does, he wants his son to be a faithful lieutenant and follow orders without wondering whether they’re right or wrong. Boromir isn’t known for creativity and decision-making, he’s known for being told what the simplest situation is and achieving it at whatever the cost. I’m not calling him stupid here, but he’s not clever, either. He’s not crafty or innovative. He’s a weapon in his father’s hands, and his father likes that, because deep down, Denethor II knows Faramir is a lot more like him, and that’s why they butt heads. He treats Faramir more like an heir--constantly evaluated, challenged, found wanting, because he’s supposed to replace him someday, whereas he treats Boromir as an extension of himself, his Longer Arm.

“I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”

Faramir loves not the sword for its sharpness, the arrow for its swiftness, the warrior for his glory. Denethor II does love the sword for its sharpness, loves the arrow for its swiftness, the warrior for his glory. Boromir is the sword loved for its sharpness, the arrow loved for its swiftness, the warrior loved for his glory.

[vaultureculture]

Meet my Guardians :) [part 1?]

I have been playing Eldarya ever since I was 14. For the past few years, I had been reading the story religiously, mixing in headcanons to fill plot-holes, and  fleshing out Erika until she became something entirely different. 

Her character soon split into my three mains, all of whom I will introduce to you all in this post! In my Eldarya AU, they all exist in the same universe, and the three of them play crucial roles in the Oracle’s prophecy. I will develop them more as time goes by hmhm

1-Monnika

Name: Monnika Defreine (she/her)

Birth date: 14th November  [  ♏︎  ]

Age: 22

Species: Faelienne (Aengel+Human)

MBTI: INFP

Guard: Absynthe Guard

Familiar: Lillith (Bâkhrâhell)

LI: Leiftan (both in TO and in ANE)

Occupation in the Guard of Eel: She has taken on the role of a teacher for many children inside the H.Q’s walls. She specializes in lyrical poetry and composition. Whenever she is free from her teaching job, she adventures out into the forest to collect ingredients for ointments and potion spells. 

Sub-occupation: Trained alchemist, Oracle visualizer. Monnika has frequent premonitory dreams and visions featuring the Oracle, but she cannot understand them nor speak in their tongue. Her visual communication with the Oracle is important regardless, and she’s the most attached to it.  

Weapon of choice: Sword

Pros: Forgiving, educated, compassionate, patient, reliable. 

Cons: A push-over, easily biased, indecisive, self-victimizing, very edgy.

Monnika follows the more “canon Erika” path. She is the only one of the main three to have come from Earth through the portal we see at the beginning of the game. She is also the only one to retain an element of Aengel blood, albeit stronger than Erika’s. The option was ruled out for canon Erika, but Monnika is indeed adopted and a faelienne. She’s aware of her adoption but does not know anything else about her background, nor has she cared to know.

In her childhood, she was often reported to affect nearby light and energy sources. Her parents believed her to simply be sensitive to electromagnetic fields. This explanation is usually given to spiritual mediums: The energy they accumulate is said to be what causes paranormal phenomena around them. 

Once she crossed the portal into Eldarya, she began regulating her Maana, and her powers started manifesting more. The eventual blood transfusion and ‘soul-tethering’ with Leiftan jumpstarted a physical transformation, leaving her stuck out of her human disguise. Now, do not let her edgy appearance fool you: she is an Aengel. 

Monnika's form is inspired by traditional Seraphims��� that is, ominous balls of eyes and feathers. Her blood is ancient, and her outside reflects it:  Upon transforming, all of her grows in size monstrously. She prostrates, back heavy with wings, as blazing white light fills her sockets. Her spindly fingers dig into the soil, like the feeble limbs of a black widow spider. She is one with the earth her mother bore her from; in her presence, one feels as though judgment is neigh.

There are no reasons to fear her, though, for she is kind and reserved. Monnika finds joy in tranquility and avoids company most of the time. After her initial transformation, she grew more distant, ashamed of her new condition. Her human blood keeps her from smoothly regulating her powers, so she is stuck in her angel form from the first time it occurs to the end of the War for Eldarya, before the 7-year coma. With training, she is finally able to change back to a more human disguise. 

Leiftan and Monnika are, indeed, soulmates. She always felt herself gravitate towards him and followed this attraction without remorse. Her alliance stands with Leiftan and with Leiftan only, which made her position in TO quite complicated. Her lover's crimes were heinous, but her eagerness to build bridges between them again kept her from understanding the seriousness of it all. After their coma, her spirit and trust are broken by Leiftan's distance. She's then left to pine from afar, desperately trying to comprehend how she's supposed to live with half a heart.  

2-Astraea

Name: Astraea Varma (she/her)

Birth date:  5th March [ ♓︎ ]

Age: 24

Species: Euryhalin nomadic mermaid

MBTI: ISFJ

Guard: Obsidian Guard

Familiar: Thetis (Blobbiathan)

LI: Valkyon (TO) & Mathieu (ANE) 

Occupation in the Guard of Eel: Unwilling to find herself (or her peers) wounded and helpless in the midst of battle, she started working as a nurse under the protection of Ewelein. Her eagerness to learn and help others soon turned her into a sponge for medical knowledge.

Sub-occupation: Obsidian infantry soldier, Crystal fragment detector. Astraea can easily sense the presence of crystal fragments, corrupted or not. She can easily follow them to where they are, as if they left a visible trail. 

Weapon of choice: Hammer or enchanted fists. 

Pros: law-abiding, empathetic, just, optimistic, fun to be around. 

Cons: Inflexible, holds grudges, bad loser, stubborn, quick to judge.  

Astraea washed up on a small stream that crosses the forest of Eel. She was found by Ykhar and Alajéa on the noon of the same day that Monnika appeared in the Crystal Room. Astraea had no recollection of her journey upon waking up beside the fact that she was looking for something significant. She made allusions to it being noted down in her journals, all of which she lost in the last half of her trip. 

She comes from a clan of Euryhalin nomadic mermaids, aquatic creatures who can travel both through rivers and oceans according to migratory seasons. These migration patterns are marked by the moon and the stars, so these mermaids are essentially nocturnal. This is similar (if not the same, even) to the structure and tradition of Alajéa and her sister Colaïa’s clan. The likeness between Alajéa and Astraea’s experiences will eventually strengthen the bond between them, and make them grow closer than ever— despite the initial moments of sourness. The only thing that could throw a spanner in the works is Astraea's distaste for Karenn, Alajéa's best friend. The breach between them is no different in ANE, as Karenn's overall demeanor is quick to make Astraea's blood boil.

Despite being an Obsidian, Astraea fears conflict and very much dislikes harming others. She is not one to await battle with a smile, nor is she an outstanding warrior by herself. Nevertheless, it is her wit, perseverance, and fairness that landed her on that guard. Moments of doubt, like passing mists, may have clouded her self-perception; She may have broken down many times but always stood up again to dedicate more effort to her cause. She fights when necessary, using her knowledge in enchantments to gather up fists of rocks as her weapons.

Incredibly passionate about justice and discipline, Astraea held the Obsidian chief Valkyon in high regard. He became one of her confidants in the tortuous search for her memories; then, a partner to stand by as the world caved in. After the War and the 7-year coma, Astraea withdrew into isolation, grieving over the loss of her lover and mentor. The cherry tree that once was Valkyon’s shelter is now Astraea’s place of reflection— a deep, melancholic pondering only Mathieu, a new friend, and Sonzaishinai, an old friend, can get her out of. 

3)Sonzaishinai

Name: Hélène “Sonzaishinai” Müller(she/her)

Birth date:  20th May [ ♊︎ ]

Age: 25

Species: Nocturnal fae (moth variant)

MBTI: ENTP

Guard: Shadow Guard

Familiar: Skade (Owlett)

LI: Nevra (TO) & Lance (ANE)

Occupation in the Guard of Eel:  Hélène had always shown a questionable interest in the archives of the H.Q. When Ykhar offered her to work as an adjoined archive librarian, she could not pass it up. She knows the catalogue by heart and has gathered a bunch of...information that may be of use to her. 

Sub-occupation: Master archer, Oracle interpreter. Sonzaishinai has auditory hallucinations featuring the Oracle. She is able to understand her tongue and speak in the Ancient tongue of Eel, thus being able to interpret many crucial pieces of information. 

Weapon of choice: Bow and arrow.

Pros: Diplomatic, humorous, witty, loyal, affectionate. 

Cons: Hides information, violent under stress, impulsive, patronizing. 

Sonzaishinai was brought to the H.Q disheveled and delirious by a group of local Purreko merchants. They had accused her of theft (bread? a dragon tear? so they said), and she was thrown into a cell pre-emptively. Nevertheless, her worn-down state and the lack of evidence ended the trial period rather quickly. For lack of planning and information about her, she was kept in jail for an extra day. Sonzaishinai was in prison at the same time as Monnika. The 'masked man' freed both, and the girls parted ways at the Hall of Doors. 

As a disoriented newcomer, Sonzaishinai was granted shelter. She was allowed three days to recover and decide on her fate. She would either hit the road and return to her homeland or commit to becoming a productive citizen of Eel— by settling and supporting local markets, or joining the staff. Her affairs were thoroughly searched, and nothing was found but a couple notebooks filled with inscriptions in an alphabet unknown. Under questioning, Sonzaishinai soon proved to be, somehow, proficient in languages galore, many of them forgotten and unused. 

She soon joined the same recruit program as Monnika and Astraea...not without the Guard's persuasion, of course. There, Sonzaishinai and Astraea grew close beyond belief. They learned to lean on each other, bound by laughter and blind trust. Sonzaishinai considers Astraea a sister and does not hesitate to call her so— while Astraea always goes to Sonzaishinai for guidance. In ANE's weapon giving ceremony, Hélène chooses to call her new bow (it is Monnika who gets the sword) "Astraea", for she believes the younger mermaid to be her protection and good luck charm.

The nickname "Sonzai Shinai" was given to her by a guard colleague from the Jade Coast. It is a verbal expression of Japanese origin, meaning "there is not", "it does not exist". The culprit behind Hélène's telling nickname is no other than her silence: One can barely hear her arrive, and she always seems to appear as suddenly as she fades away. With time, she fully adopted the nickname, and nobody really calls her Hélène anymore—with rare exceptions.

Nocturnal faes are beings as mysterious and charming as they are dangerous. Most of them present themselves as delicate young women, who seem far too attractive or even stuck in time, never aging.  Behind their lips, however, hide sharp teeth. They are carnivorous and oftentimes conniving, some even venomous, just like the habitats or plants they frequent. It depends on the individual, of course, but they do not have the best reputation around. Whatever they really are, it is not advisable to seal deals with them. They always have a trick up their sleeve.

Although Hélène can be 100% trusted if you are her ally, she does tend to keep many things a secret. It was her that contacted Lance in TO, never telling Miiko and even asking him to take her along. She built a sense of trust between them that allowed Lance to feel comfortable enough to kidnap her in particular, hoping she'd be the one to understand his goals the most. He'd never thought that she'd know as much as him and that she'd been using him to get new leads the entire time. Despite it all, they were always capable of dialogue, which threatens to come back in an incredibly mentally stimulating way upon their new meeting. 

Regarding Nevra, Sonzaishinai had always felt a strong, nurturing love towards him. He'd proven to be an ambitious brat with too big of an ego one too many times, but his light-heartedness and genuine attachment got to her rather quickly. Upon waking up after the 7-year coma, she did not recognize the moody and regretful man before her. He'd promised to love her forever, but now she stood alone spiteful, facing empty words. Despite their falling out, she will always have a soft spot for him and won't doubt to put herself in harm's way for him.

[lidoshka]

The adventurer

Raise your hand whoever thinks Celegorm had a secret hideout!

So I got a lot of comments about Celegorm's hobbies and I tried to get them all! (yes, by now this is a joint effort) Initially I was going draw him doing some leatherwork because I read @absynthe--minded's headcanon and I liked the idea of Celegorm skinning and tanning his own leather and I really liked that, but then more people suggested other headcanons and I had to redraw my original idea (I still kept some braided leather strips in the round frame as memento!)

And of course @Bluetoyoutoo, Nelyasun and myself agree that he probably spent a lot of his free time hunting or prowling the woods.

Like, a lot of time.

…But then Nelyasun suggested that since Celegorm hunted he was also very good at cooking - so no worries over poisonous food (that could save his life in Beleriand! everyone's lives!)

Then @arofili said maybe Celegorm was good at storytelling or improvisation, what with him having so many younger brothers, so I added the small man (for shadow theater!) on the corner and the mask, since I imagine Celegorm has from time to time some props to work with.

Then @prettylunacy said it'd be nice to have Celegorm doing a "quiet" pastime, and that maybe Nerdanel gave him so clay to play with on a rainy day, and hey: it might not be a skill with lots of usefulness in his future, and he might not be that great at it, but Celegorm did manage to make a small sculpture of Huan that definitely doesn't look like a potato, shut up Kano! ;D

So yeah, I like to imagine Celegorm had a secret place just for himself where he could escape the chaos from his house from time to time; maybe he even kept some of his "treasures" around (you know a pretty feather, a special rock, Huan's clay figurine, the small wood figurines he made for Amrod and Amras...you know, special things! ;D)

[absynthe--minded]

correction: Aragorn already got elvish married and his time in Rivendell is spent reenacting the last half of Blessed Hands and hoping desperately that Elrond doesn’t know his kids jumped the gun a bit on tying the knot

What’d you guys think the gang is up to at Rivendell rn?

[fenristheorem]

Hello~! You mentioned in your "Lance with a very motherly s/o" post that you have a headcanon for how Lance discovered the Guard was hunting down dragons. Could you please share it? 😃

Thank you so much for asking this, I'd love to share! I have a whole back story on Lance starting from the village and theorizing that his mentioned neck injury came from the same time he faked his death, but that'll take a whole different post since it’s very long. Just ask if you'd like me to write the whole back story!

Since Beemoov explains basically nothing, I took it upon myself to create actual timelines and how things related to each other (because I'm the person that needs a background on characters). A lot of my beginning headcanons are background information to set up the scene, and since what Beemoov said throughout Origins doesn't contradict any of it, it's canon for me lol.

Information to understand beforehand:

There's a few main points to make first that defend the fact that this could be a plausible back story for Lance (because I like to theorize backstories when it doesn’t contradict what’s canon)

So Beemoov never clarified what was meant by 'survivors', so I can only imagine that both dragons and angels/demons were hunted down (even though it was also said that there were no survivors or texts of the sacrifice, but I think that was before the writers changed the plot - they changed the plot at some point if I recall correctly, right?- Regardless, since episode 26 shows it's an important part of Lance's reasoning, my headcanon follows the belief that survivors were hunted)

Since they were hunted, and Eldarya has always been a bit unstable/uninhabitable, and the guard continuously tries to fix this issue, I can only assume that after the survivors were hunted they were then sacrificed to the crystal - but not willingly, and I imagine these unwilling sacrifices to be quite bloody

A major point to understand is that the Blue Sacrifice, and then Guardienne and Leiftan's sacrifice, were both willing, and they worked

I like to assume that forced sacrifices wouldn't work because it's not willing

But the guard didn't acknowledge this possibility, they just keep trying and trying with the forced sacrifices, hoping that one day it'll make an improvement

They were desperate; they didn't know what else to do

Since we don't get much of a storyline of when Miiko took over the guard in relation to Lance becoming Chief of Obsidian, I like to think that he originally joined (and became Chief) when Yonuki Kaze (the leader before Miiko) was still leader

Allegedly, Yonuki wasn't a very good man and did some terrible things, so it would make sense if he started the hunt for survivors and forced sacrifices. He then taught this to Miiko, and she obeyed and followed his lead (seeing her leadership later on - and at some point I think she does tell Guardienne that she would have sacrificed her if her heritage was revealed sooner - makes me believe that she may have originally been included in this)

I like to think that when Lance joined the guard, he didn't know about any of this. He kept his focus, trained hard to be a good warrior, followed orders and wasn't afraid to give orders. He and the rest of the guard had no idea about the hunting of survivors

If the rest of the guard encouraged the hunting and forced sacrificing, Lance would have heard of it quickly and would most likely have left the guard then instead of later, so I imagine the only people who know about the sacrifices was Yonuki and Miiko.

But they still needed the survivors to be hunted down, so they had people track down leads on specific fairies who they thought to be survivors (how could they tell the difference? Don't ask me, I don't know lol. I haven't thought that hard about it). When they found an identity, they would send a few people from the Obsidian guard to track the survivor and bring them back to HQ

As an excuse, Yonuki and Miiko would say that that specific person had valuable information the guard wanted to talk to them about, or that they were in danger from a source they can't specify

As a result, the suspected survivor was tracked down and eventually agreed to go to the guard thinking that they’re now in danger and the guard would protect them. Of course; many were cautious and had their suspicions, but those who were sent by the guard truly believed that they were doing good - and that positivity was usually enough to create a light, convincing atmosphere that would influence the survivor to come with them

However, the travel home wasn't always so... merciful. It's wasn't uncommon for them to be attacked on their way back, and for the suspected survivor to be a target of the attack, exactly like Yonuki and Miiko said they would be...

Once they arrive at the guard, the survivor is seen to immediately. They're treated very kindly, but nobody except Miiko and Yonuki have access to them; not even the Chiefs of Absynthe, Shadow and Obsidian guards. The Light guard isn't allowed access either; only an occasional nurse, the same one for all of them (who wasn't Ewelein because she's too nice for this in my opinion), and the leader of the guard or his apprentice.

However, in time, the guard seems to forget about these prisoners refugees, and if someone asks about them, the guard responds in a very... odd way that dismisses any further questions

How Lance discovered the guard was sacrificing survivors of the Blue Sacrifice:

Now that background information has been established, I believe I can start to explain Lance's role in this

Like I said earlier; he was focused and serious. He impressed his superiors in ways that eventually made him their favorite, and so it wasn't much of a surprise when he was asked to succeed the former Chief of Obsidian

He readily jumped to this; he knew he was the best candidate for the job and he was ready to do anything the guard needed of him to prove this!

Along with other tasks, sometimes he was asked to track and receive certain people who had importance to the guard. He was never told why in specific - as long as the guard said it was for their safety, it made sense to him. So he did as told; traveled with a few of his favorite warriors - which occasionally included his brother if he was available - and convinced this target fairy to return to the guard

Of course, he was aware with some of these target people that they were dragons, like him! The scent gave it all away! Since they never had time alone, though, he never talked to them specifically about any of this, but he was truly convinced then that the guard must have been taking them refuge, like they did with him and Valk. The only difference is that somehow these other dragons have been realized and are probably made to disappear for their own protection; but they must be safe at the guard! Surely since him and Valk hid the truth so well, they were then allowed to stay active - no doubt if they were found out they would meet the same fate of disappearing.

Whenever their target became nervous, Lance always took it upon himself to calm and reassure them. From one dragon to another; the guard is safe and will protect them from others who seek to hunt them.

"It'll be alright, I promise. You're safe now; we won't let anything happen to you"

Of course, getting them home wasn't always easy with occasional attacks seeking their target, but they always fought them off. The target would occasionally be injured, but it wasn't anything that couldn't be treated at the Infirmary

Once home, Lance allowed the leader and a nurse to take care of the target; he had done his job and he didn't need to worry. He carried on as usual, knowing that he helped another survivor of his people to safety. And one day he would make time to talk to them if allowed, even if he needed to say he was just checking in on them...

However, not all of them were dragons, so he made a bit less of an attempt to speak with those fairies - he had far more to say to his people - but he did still try to check in on occasion

Time would pass, no more than a few weeks, and Lance found that, more often than not, when he tried to check in on the survivors they were... inaccessible at the moment. He never really asked why; he's a busy man and he doesn't want to intrude on the nurses and their patients, so he just asks the nurse to request his presence when the target is well enough to speak with him

And eventually, Yonuki passed away, and Miiko took charge. Nothing really changed, she led by Yonuki's example for the most part, but Lance knew she was basically in love with him. He didn't feel the same, but he knew this facet of information could help him one day if he needed his superior to be a bit lenient with him, so he let it be.

Things carried on for a while until it seemed like he, too, forgot about the survivors every now and again. After enough waiting, he tried to ask the nurse their condition again, at least one of them, but apparently many of the files had been lost, and others needed updating - the guard wasn't too organized it seems...

Lance, now a bit irritated, let it be and spent a few days devising an organized system that he thought could be implemented into the Infirmary so less files were lost or held old information. Of course Miiko would at least hear him out; she doesn't like to turn him down immediately. So late at night when everyone was fast asleep, after spending the day finalizing his idea, he heads to her room to talk to her. She doesn't answer her door, so he figures she's spending some late nights in the crystal room.

He heads up the stairway - only to back up a few paces and press his back against the wall as he stares in confusion, and then horror, at the sight in front of him.

Three fairies, heavily bound and unable to move, kneeled before someone. They were kept silent by cloths over their mouths, but their wishes were clear as they stared at the person in front of them with tear-filled eyes and shaking heads, emanating faint muffled cries as they desperately pleaded.

However, the most disturbing part was that Lance recognized these fairies - the three held captive were fairies he had been sent to retrieve, he even recognized one or two as dragons, and Miiko was in front of them with a dagger in her hand, muttering words that couldn't be heard but clearly meant danger.

Lance, in a way, knew something was wrong with the survivors beforehand. It was odd that he wasn't allowed to speak with any, or that all the files on them had been lost or poorly maintained while many others were apparently fine. He had been refusing to see that something was wrong - because he so desperately wanted to believe that the guard was helping his people - and now they were paying for it.

He froze when he saw the scene unfold, his gut twisting horribly and blood running cold as he saw how Miiko enacted the forced sacrifices, and only one thought ran through his mind.

'This is your fault. You could have stopped this. You promised them they were safe and you lied.'

Nobody noticed him the whole time, not as four turned into three, and then two, then one. And Lance could do nothing but watch; frozen from guilt, numbness and fear - because that's what happened to dragons who were recognized by the guard.

Lance backed away, slowly, as quietly as possible. There was no way he was going to talk to Miiko about anything now, he couldn't unsee this, and he knew more than ever that he needed to keep his heritage a secret.

He spends the next few days in a soul-shattering cycle of sickness, guilt and fear. He hides it well, but he doesn't allow himself to be alone. The instant he's alone, he breaks down completely into panic and guilt. He’s more of a wreck than he’s ever been.

He decides to visit the Infirmary again - the nurse must know that her patients are going missing. He nearly pauses in the doorway as he realizes that she may be helping this madness, but carries on, only to be told that the most recent refugees brought in have passed away from health complications... he inquiries about a few more and if the nurse doesn't claim that their files are still lost then she claims they've passed from health complications...

Cold dread flows through him as he comes to realize that many fairies, his own people and possibly angels or demons, must have been sacrificed against their will.

And it's his fault; he brought them here

He decides to confront Miiko about what he saw. It wasn't right and there's no way he was going to just forget it.

It doesn't work out as he hoped

"I saw what happened a few night ago."

He confronts her with cold fear and anger that nearly drives him mad. How could he have let himself be so naive?

"What do you mean?"

She plays the dumb card so well he would think she didn't know anything - but she was the one that enacted those sacrifices, he saw it with his own eyes

He drags her to a distant, quiet area of the Hall of Guards, where nobody can hear them.

"The sacrifices! Three of them! You sent us to find them only to bring them here and kill them!" He keeps his voice down for discretion, but he really wants to yell at her.

Miiko changes with these words: a stern look replaces her confused one and her voice suddenly becomes hostile.

"Those sacrifices were needed! You know Eldarya can barely support us! The sacrifices could be the difference between our livelihood or death!"

He questions her relentlessly: how long has this been going on for? How many sacrifices? Why dragons after all they did?

"How did you know they were dragons?"

Lance pauses and he knows he fucked up. How to get out of this? Did Miiko mention that at all that night? Hopefully neither of them remember that well to know to difference.

"You said it during the sacrifice." He seeths.

They argue for what seems like hours, until Nevra comes seeking Miiko for something.

"Don't mention this to anyone." She hisses before walking away to meet the vampire.

He realizes that she feels no remorse about it, and that he and his brother could never be safe in the guard. Feeling lost and betrayed, Lance begins to ponder what to do next with this newfound information - and he finally acknowledges that not only does he feel lost, but he is truly lost as well. His future is uncertain from here on...

I hope you like this! This is my own personal headcanon so I apologize if it doesn’t make too much sense - there’s a lot of thought and background that went into this and because it’s so complex it’s a bit hard to explain without making it too long. As I mentioned earlier, I do have a nearly complete backstory on Lance that I devised based on what we know from the episodes, and I would be happy to write that as well if you’d like!

Requests are open, ask them here!

But first, please read the rules list for asks!

[nikosheba]

Hi! I was wondering if you can help clarify sth. How does elves' age work? Like what would be i.e teenage, 20s 30s 40s 50s etc.equivalent of elf age range? Do they also mature mentally the same way? Like would a 16 Valian year old elf act/have same mental maturity as a 16 year old human?

ahhhh i’ll do my best to answer this but this is NOT my area of expertise tbh? If you’re ever reading one of my fics and you’re like “huh weird this doesn’t make sense” it’s probably my mistake haha.

Here’s what I know (from Morgoth’s Ring):

- Elves age differently than humans. They are able to walk, talk, dance, and sing by a year of age, but they mature emotionally much slower. 

- Elves come of age at 50 kind of and at 100 for realsies (??) I interpret this as like...50 for an elf is like 16 for a human (you can do some Grown Up Things, but adults aren’t really going to take you seriously), 100 is like 25 for a human, you’re now An Adult instead of A Young Adult, but I know other people do it differently (iirc @absynthe--minded has 100 as 20 human? And I know others have it at other age correlations). 

- PLEASE DON’T ASK ME ABOUT VALIAN YEARS I HONESTLY DON’T KNOW HOW THEY WORK AND I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEM

- 1 Valian year is 10 solar years

- but

- BUT

- do they FEEL the same?? Do they TREAT THEM like the equivalent of one Really Long Year?? Does that mean elvish pregnancies lasted for 10 solar years but now don’t????

- I have no fucking clue i’m sorry i hate Valian Time

- I’m going to fight every Year of the Trees I just don’t understand them and every “answer” is just headcanon

- As a writer, do whatever you wanna do re: YT time, if anyone calls you out they’re full of shit, no one knows how they work

@absynthe--minded please help me lamsdfjasdjfksldf

[arofili]

elf gender link masterpost

For an anon who asked for this a few weeks back! Sorry it took me so long, I’ve been busy :)

Disclaimer: The links in this post do not necessarily reflect my personal opinions on the subject. This is simply a compilation of different people discussing elvish gender in Tolkien’s Legendarium.

If you do not want your post included on this list please message me and I will take it off!

Additionally, if you find a post or resource that you think should be added to this list, message me and I will consider adding it!

I, personally, have not yet put together a post with my own headcanons around elves and gender, but once I do I will come back to this post and link it! This post will very likely change over time :)

link to a pdf scan of Laws and Customs among the Eldar for you to peruse at your leisure and form your own opinions!

a breakdown of Laws and Customs among the Eldar by @absynthe--minded

“Some Arda Pride thoughts” by @theoppositeofprofound

“Some House of Finwë Gender and Gender Presentation Headcanons” by @outofangband

“There’s really no reason why elves have to conform in any way to human binary of sex and gender” by @outofangband

meta on trans characters in Tolkien’s writing by @tolkienlgbt and @morbidfinwe

“Another take on gender in Tolkien” by @contemporaryelfinchild

headcanons and discussion on trans elves by @ambarto and @silmallyrn

an anon’s headcanon about Noldorin gender

headcanons about elvish gender by @absynthe--minded

and for further headcanons / meta / art / etc based specifically around trans characters in the Legendarium, check out my “trans tolkien” tag!