#and arondir and bronwyn too

[galadriel-blue]

You know who is an absolutely underrated character in Rings of Power?

THEO

People need to be showing more appreciation for my SON-

He's such an important character but I feel like most people brush him over. Theo is brave and strong, and even though he's still just a kid, he understands the weight of the relic, the broken sword, that he found, and the evil it holds. He is impulsive, as many young boys are, but he learns and grows from it.

That's why the scenes where he's with Galadriel are some of my favorites. Because they are so similar to each other. Both are angry and confused, but also full of justice and a sense of what's right, even when they go about it in the wrong ways sometimes. Theo helps Galadriel see her actions for what they are, and Galadriel shows Theo how to make the right choices in the face of fear and stand up for light against the darkness. Without Theo, we wouldn't have those parallels.

Theo is a good kid who got wrapped up in a bad situation, a war against evil, but it brings him closer to his mother, and to Arondir, who he realizes is a part of his family too. It brings him closer to Galadriel, a new companion, a comrade in battle. And he allows Galadriel to process her emotions through the eyes of one much younger. It is almost like she sees a bit of herself in Theo. A bit of the small, young elf who made paper boats to sail in the stream and was so frustrated with the evil in the world, the evil in herself, even from the beginning. The one who made a grave mistake and now must face the consequences, as seen in their discussion about whether or not their current downfall is her fault. Theo doesn't believe she is the one to blame, even when she does. I don't know, there's just something so pure, so understanding about Theo when he speaks to Galadriel. He doesn't see her like everyone else does.

Theo makes mistakes, he is tempted by darkness like all humans are, but he stands up to it. He is brave, even though he's young, which is an important sentiment to me, especially in a world full of immortals, those with long lives. No matter how long you have been on the earth or how much experience you have in the world, you can see the darkness and either choose it or the light. I think Theo demonstrates this well and we need to show him appreciation for it. I really hope we get to see more of him in the coming seasons of The Rings of Power.

[cocoabubbelle-newblog]

Rings of Power S2

Spoilers

Arondir: *stabbed*

Me: NOOOOOOOOOO 😭

Adar: *prettified by Nenya and has possibly his conscience restored, his thirst for vengeance cooled down, alludes to an older name, and has VIBES with Galadriel*

Me:…*remembers that Celeborn was supposedly killed off centuries/who-knows-how-long-ago*…wait. WAI-!!

Adar: *also stabbed*

Me: NOOOOOOOOO(dangit there goes my headcanon)OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 😭😭

Arondir: *alive actually*

Me: …wait wut

[the-commonplace-book]

Day 1: OTP - Arondir/Bronwyn

for @ringsofpowervalentinesweek

[emmyspov]

how can I possibly choose?? arondir is *such* an elf and i love his dynamic with bronwyn - such a hopeful and strong character - and theo. disa is full of love and such a nice contrast to durin iv. ontamo is kind and valandil is so dedicated and ambitious which i incredibly relate to. nori is the incarnation of helping others while poppy is the best friend you could ever hope for. largo, marigold and dilly are such a supportive family while malva and sadoc represent a process of acceptance and being honest enough to admit when you’re wrong and even adar is so full of love for his children who aren't accepted by anyone else, so tell me: how can you possibly choose?

It's midnight of Rings of Power season 2 release day! In celebration, have a poll!

*Grouped together because there's more than 10. Specify in the tags! Also, since this blog is made for elevating artists on tumblr, link your favorite RoP art piece!

[malkaleh]

Because Everything have a little bit of like, comfort re @nocompromise-noregrets having the idea that Bronwyn and Arondir co-founded Dol Amroth (this is Gold Cages verse but).

Miriel is laughingly telling Elendil that their baby daughter is a little too baby right now to go in the ocean.

Soraya (Bronwyn and Arondirs daughter) is attempting to become one with the ocean. She is not going out of the ocean. OCEAN FRIEND.

Elrond (who has caused most of Dol Amroth to fall for him since he got here) is happily teaching Gerda and Gamli to swim, while Durin and Disa are like ‘anyone comes near him we will kill you’ (also Persian Jewish biracial Elrond is canon and thus he is particularly olive skinned right now)

Gil-Galad metaphorically has sunglasses on, lying on a towel and reading the middle earth equivalent of a beach read.

Galadriel is jumping off rocks and Celeborn is alternating between swimming and cheering her on.

Islidur (yelling delightedly with Theo) COMMANDER GALADRIEL YOU SHOULD TOTALLY DO A TRIPLE FLIP.

Celebrimbor is sitting under an umbrella, drinking his little drink in a beach chair.

Feel free to add on.

[olympiansowl]

When we think about it like there’s no shipp/couple that will make it out alive, right?

- If Miriel survives the fall, we already know that Elendil will die in the battle against Sauron. And I’m getting my hopes down about her surviving the fall all the time 🤡

- Isildur will die at the end too, so his shipps with his future wife is going to die too.

- Sauron and Galadriel don’t even have a chance, even tho both kinda survive since he’s only 100% gone after the ring is destroyed.

- I have a feeling Disa and Durin won’t make it out alive either. I think one of them will die.

- Poppy and Nori might survive, but I don’t think they’re brave enough to give us two sapphics being in love and happy.

- I think that if the actress decided to continue, then Arondir and Bronwyn would be one of the few to make it out alive, but it didn’t happen 😭

At the end this is actually very Tolkien like bc romance will be dead and only friendships will last 🤡

[redrosesandcharmingsouls]

IN OUR HEARTS INDEED! also your prev tags thats SO sad .......like he loses her and no one helps him and one day hell inevitably lose him too if he doesnt perish in battle as you said ..........poor Arondir like will he ever rethink about his friend telling him human and elves always finish in tragedy?

Arondir saving Theo was a good choice for the Bronwyn and Arondir romance thing ,the father who stepped up !

[buffyfan145]

Episode 2.7 of "Rings of Power" was great!!! 😀 This is the most it's ever felt like the movies to me with the battles and those scenes were so well done. So much happened in this episode too and at least 2 leaks actually did happen, one of which I wasn't mad about like I thought I would be. LOL Rest of my thoughts under the cut for spoilers but can't believe the season is almost over next week and then the 2 year wait for season 3 begins.

I feel so bad for Celebrimbor. We all know his death is coming and just seeing him realize what's really happening and that Annatar is Sauron was heartbreaking and knowing he won't survive this. His scene with Galadriel made me emotional too and next week is going to be tough to watch. But I did love that Celebrimbor also told Sauron that he's lying to himself about so many things too, as Sauron is justifying everything he's doing. And as a Haladriel shipper you can see too that Sauron's also lying to himself about his feelings for Galadriel, which will likely come into play next week when he reunites with her.

But I did laugh though at that moment Celebrimbor and Galadriel heard Sauron screaming in the tower as that foreshadowed him being in the tower in the LOTR movies. LOL

That brings me to the first leak confirmed and that it was that about half the cast is getting killed off. That came out before the season started and made sense in a way but still really sad to see it happen. We've lost Bronwyn, Walridge, Valandil, Mirdania, Rian, that other elf in Elrond's party, Damrod, a bunch of other elves and orcs, and we know at least Celebrimbor will next week with possibly Adar too (which the orcs turning against him seems to set this up too). I didn't include Arondir yet as I feel he might not actually be dead yet and might be saved since we saw Nenya and know that Galadriel gets it back. And I doubt Tom Bombadil will be back either, so that's a lot of the cast that we probably won't see in s3 besides the ones getting killed off.

Then to leak 2 was the Elrond and Galadriel kiss was real. However, it didn't bother me as much as I thought as seeing it on screen you see it was non-romantic and to just pass her that pin and trick Adar and the orcs. Like a lot of other fans have pointed out to those upset this pretending to kiss things happens a lot in the mystery/crime genres and one fan pointed out it happened in the Bond movies which I totally forgot about. LOL It's nothing to worry about and I get people saying it's weird since Elrond will marry Galadriel's daughter, and Galadriel is already in a love triangle with Sauron and Celeborn, but really it was just to help her. Morfydd even said in the bts vid that played after the episode that it was just to give her a way to escape and that's all it was. If anything I've actually seen more of the purists upset about it than the Haladriel shippers, which when the leak first came out it was the opposite, so seeing it on screen vs reading about it shows the difference.

But back to Elrond I loved his scenes in the battles and with Durin IV. He's getting closer to his books/movies version and Robert did great in those scenes. Also loved Gil Galad showed up to help, and hopefully the dwarves will too once they stop the balrog that Sauron helped unleash.

So overall I was really happy with this episode and it setting up the finale. The trailer for next week was great too and I can't wait to see what happen with Haladriel with their fight and afterwards, especially since Galadriel has the 9 rings and gets Nenya back and we know Sauron will somehow get the 9 and him choosing the 9 will be a s3 storyline. I still think something major happens between them, as we all saw their head director Charlotte saying we'll see that Sauron really loves her by the end, and I'm leaning towards he saves/heals her from a wound and she either lets him go with the rings or she goes with him. Then them including Isildur and Estrid kissing in the trailer too I didn't expect. LOL Also, The Stranger meeting The Dark Wizard and knowing we're finally going to get The Stranger's name and I'm still certain he's Gandalf. And there's more Numenor too, so lots more to come in the finale.

[hellofeanor]

7 & 10 for the ROP asks!

7: A minor character I'd like to see more of is this lady:

She doesn't even have a name. Just 'Commander of the South'. I want to know more about her and what her deal is. Being Commander of the South, that would logically put her in charge of Arondir's company, so I guess there could potentially be room for her to have a bigger role in the future of his arc?

10: Choose three characters and give them three jobs in the modern world... dang now I have to actually think about this.

Nori and Poppy (I am counting them together) work at a cafe. Poppy is the responsible employee. Nori is always coming up with the worst possible ideas that are one step away from getting them both fired. "What if we made up our own drinks, Pop?" "What if we put fairy lights on all the chairs?" "What if we gave the patrons Sharpies and told them to write happy messages on the bathroom wall?" "What if we ran a promotion where people could pay with songs and flowers instead of money?" "What if we let this strange, mumbling, wizard-looking fellow live in the stock room?"

Kemen is a junior executive sales manager at his dad's company. He does not know what this means. All he knows is that he shows up to work every day, yells at a few underlings, maybe watches a PowerPoint, forwards some racist email jokes, falls for a phishing scam that costs the company two million dollars, and then complains about how nobody wants to work any more when his executive assistant quits. The only part of his job he does well is wearing tight suits with pants that are too short to show off his stylish socks.

Annatar is a Tiktok influencer with millions of followers. He posts upwards of ten videos every day. Every single one of them contains at least three different varieties of dangerous misinformation. His videos are constantly being stitched by knowledgeable professionals (Elendil, Bronwyn) debunking his insane claims, but somehow this only seems to increase his popularity. Galadriel has him blocked but he secretly follows her under multiple other throwaway accounts.

Thank you for the ask!

[glow-wine]

Re: Arondir

2x8 spoilers obviously

The Rings of Power generally suffers from having to balance so many different storylines, which also advance at very different paces and aren't always equally exciting. It's a problem that the Gandalf subplot has not at all overlapped with any of the other storylines FOR TWO SEASONS. These characters do not even know of each other's existence.

In Season 1, the most engaging storyline for me was the Southlands stuff. The stakes were high and felt that way, too, since all the characters were original creations, their fate not predictable, the threat was tangible. As this storyline's protagonist, Arondir was pretty much constantly fighting to survive or to save others, and he often failed simply because the odds were so high. His dynamic with Adar was interesting and felt like it was setting up something. Arondir watched Adar grieve for a dead orc and became the first (and for the duration of Season 1, the only) character to see that emotional side of Adar. They were both doing the seed planting ritual before a battle, a deliberate paralleling of the two characters.

In Season 2, those same key moments were replicated with Galadriel, setting up the same kind of dynamic between Adar and Galadriel. Meanwhile, Arondir is ... handled weirdly. Frankly, Season 2 uses him like a cheat code: Isildur needs saving? Arondir! Galadriel needs help? Arondir! He's the action guy, who does action things. Oh, he also wants revenge against Adar for Bronwyn and everything else, but this part of the storyline isn't even half-assed, it's quarter-assed at best. He just goes up against him and gets stabbed in 2x7. But only mildly stabbed, I suppose, because the injury isn't even brought up in 2x8, he doesn't share any further scenes with Adar, does not even comment on his death. He's given no room for his personal feelings, and his character arc is a mere sketch. He's purely a supporting character as soon as he is surrounded by the "important" canonical Elves. It's not very satisfying, not very good storytelling.

And I wonder if the original plans for these characters were anything like this. Supposedly Bronwyn only died because the actress quit, so was Arondir meant to stay with the Southland refugees? Was he meant to go after Adar for some reason other than revenge? I did not think it boded well that Bronwyn wasn't recast; obviously removing this character didn't impact the overall plans all that much, and the writers didn't worry about how her death would affect and change Arondir's story. I mean, he's lost his love interest and his personal antagonist was essentially taken from him and assigned to Galadriel. All Arondir is left with is some badass action scenes and a few nice moments here and there, but it doesn't come together in the end. It just fizzles out. What's his story?

Overall, I don't think The Rings of Power has handled its original characters all that well. Not really a surprise, because the show is telling too many storylines at once, and simply doesn't have enough time to develop original characters as well. But think of the elves who briefly journey with Elrond and Galadriel, how they are non-entities and you do not even learn their names until their "shocking" death scenes. The black guy dies first, too! With that in mind, I guess Arondir is lucky to be alive, even if he's relegated to the status of a supporting character without significant relaionships or goals of his own.

Honestly, I'm not even that suprised or disappointed. I found it hard to get into The Rings of Power Season 2 right after watching Interview with the Vampire, because that show is so much better at writing characters and developing complex relationships. Surely part of the reason is that it's just a much more personal story with a smaller cast. Fallout was another positive example of a TV show handling multiple storylines/main characters more successfully than ROP, again a smaller cast and more focused writing, and a season finale that involves everyone in meaningful ways, which Rings of Power has failed to do twice now.

I'm sorry if this rant was incoherent or if there are typos, I don't feel like rereading and editing it, lol. I could also go on and on and ON! But it's way past noon, I'm still in my pyjamas and starting to feel grimy, so I need a shower.

[incorrectringsofpower]

I wanted to make a tribute playlist to Bronwyn for Characters Week. I'll miss her character in Season 2 (hence making the playlist sad but heroic), and very much appreciate all that Nazanin Boniadi has done to make her a wonderful character for the series. I sincerely wish her the best of luck in her future work and activism!

1. Woman King by Iron & Wine:

Hundred years, hundred more Someday we may see a Woman king, bloodshot eye Thumb down and starting to weep, to weep To weep, to weep

2. Familiar by Agnes Obel:

And love is a ghost that the others can't see, it's a danger Every shade of us you fade down to keep (you know what you do to me) And in the dark (it's a danger), who we are, ooh Gonna be the death of me, it's a danger 'Cause our love is a ghost that the others can't see

3. Ghosts That We Knew by Mumford & Sons:

So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light Cause oh they gave me such a fright But I will hold as long as you like (with all of my might) Just promise me we'll be all right

4. Hit Me With Your Best Shot by ADONA: (I'M SORRY! But also couldn't resist a meme. Y'all know me by now.)

You come on with it, come on, you don't fight fair But that's okay, see if I care Knock me down, it's all in vain I'll get right back on my feet again

5. I Will Never Die by Delta Rae:

Sycamore, ash, moss and loam Wrap your roots all around my bones And when they come for me When they call my name Cast my shadow from a bellow's flame

6. Work Song by Hozier: (Admittedly this one is more for Arondir's POV of Bronwyn and the overall tragic love vibes.)

When my time comes around Lay me gently in the cold, dark earth No grave can hold my body down I'll crawl home to her

7. Too Old to Die Young by Brother Dege

Now I have had some dear sweet friends I thought would never die Now the only thing that's left of them is the teardrops in my eyes If I could have one wish today and know it would be done Well, I would say everyone could stay till they're too old to die young

8. Mo Ghile Mear by The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin: (I've always liked this arrangement. It's a mourning song for Bonnie Prince Charlie and the failure of the Jacobites to gain their freedom. I thought it was fitting for Bronwyn and the Southlanders.)

’Sé mo laoch mo ghille mear ’Sé mo Shaesar, ghille mear, Ní fhuaras féin aon tsuan ná séan, Ó chuaigh i gcéin mo ghille mear.

Translation:

My dashing darling is my hero My dashing darling is my Caesar I have had neither sleep nor good fortune Since my dashing darling went far away

9. Don't Fear the Reaper by Denmark + Reaper:

Then the door was open and the wind appeared The candles blew and then disappeared The curtains flew and then he appeared Saying don't be afraid

10. Funeral Bell by PHILDEL:

Oh, mother, I'm scared to die Where, where do my good deeds lie? Oh, father, I'm scared to live Takes more than I've got to give Oh, sister, my voice is weak Oh, brother, I long for sleep Oh, hunger, I know you well My cruel friend is a funeral bell

[vaile-elenya]

The comedy of RoP is underrated. Nori, Poppy, and the Stranger are iconic. Arondir “this shall be called super.” Nori suggesting names and then the other two, in sync, saying “you already said that.”

In season one, watching Nori and Poppy chase after a wheelbarrow was beautiful.

Berek being the best horse EVER and somehow being the smartest in the room

Other miscellaneous thoughts

1. Arondir is going after Adar, maybe he’ll meet Galadriel

2. I’m picturing Númenor having Elrond on speed dial for random mishaps. “Well he is the first king’s brother, so he must have good ideas like our first king did.” Like he shows up because of the coup.

Númenor: So, Lord Elrond this is our blight. How do you think the old king would taken action?

Elrond remembering Elros’ letters about stupid people: ……

Elros, lingering over his shoulder: For the love of, MIRIEL STAND UP!!

I’m so sorry for spamming your inbox, I have one (1) I can talk to about RoP and that is my dad. 💀 I hope you appreciate the carnage on your inbox

Never apologize for sending asks! I love them 🖤 Timezones and life may keep me from replying instantly, but trust me, I read them, think about them, and wait for the stars to align so I can sit down and properly respond 😂

And YES, humor in RoP is pure gold!!! Its that kinda blink-and-you-miss-it type of comedy that just hits for me. Like, that line about supper was so smoothly delivered that I didn’t realize Arondir was joking until he said the last word 😆 And Isildur sinking in the swamp, totally drowning, but still being like, “nah, it’s all good!” absolutely sent me 💀

I love that they’re sneaking in some bits of humor here and there, and not, you know, leaning heavily one way or another. It’s not too comedic but not dull either.

I think I’ve seen in the trailer that Arondir is going to be fighting in Eregion, so him meeting Galadriel is like 99.9% happening. But can you imagine his face when he sees her just chilling with the orcs? 💀 Like, “Excuse me, ma’am, but what exactly is happening here??”

I'm thinking, though... Arondir is focused on getting his revenge for what Adar did to Bronwyn and the Southlanders. Galadriel is just about to make some alliances with the Uruks. What if we get this super intense moment where Arondir’s about to take out Adar, but Galadriel stops him like she stopped Halbrand once, because he’s useful for now??? 👀 I don’t know, but I need it in my life

AND IF I SEE ELROND INTERACTING WITH THE NÚMENOR PLOTLINE IN ANY WAY I SWEAR I’M—

Okay but seriously, the idea of the Númenóreans treating him like Elros 2.0 is hilarious. BUT what if they’ve never actually met him? What if Elrond’s first introduction to them is during the chaos of the downfall?? Imagine Elrond meeting Elendil and Isildur and just having a full-on meltdown because they remind him so much of Elros. I CAN’T

[fantasyquests]

Rewatching Season 1: Some thoughts on episode 1

1. "Nobody goes off trail, and nobody walks alone". In the first episode, we get acquianted with this Harfoot rule, and we are also acquainted with several major characters who embody just the opposite impluse, going off trail, acting in opposition to their community or to the authority that they're supposed to obey: Galadriel disobeys the High King and jumps off the ship going to Valinor in order to pursue her revenge. Nori goes off trail by showing too much curiosity for a Harfoot and disregard of the communal laws. And Bronwyn and Arondir symmbolically "walk alone" with their love affair that both the Southland humans and the Elves frown upon.

2. Can evil be completely eradicated? Galadriel is presented as a fanatic in this regard, as she does not want to give up her pursuit of Sauron even at the moment when the forces of evil seem to be utterly defeated. When I think about real life, I think I understand the mindset displayed by Gil galad and Elrond in this episode: just as it seems to us we can never completely eradicate the evil in our contemporary world (e.g., racism, imperialism, homophobia) but only hope to weaken it and make it ineffective, perhaps the two of them thought in a similar manner about the evil in the Middle Earth. But the events prove them wrong, and already in the first episode we see the signs (in the Southlands, for instance) that Sauron would have returned even without Galadriel's interference.

3. A Long Drop and a Sudden Stop: several things fall, or drop, at the end of this episode, suggesting parallels in several storylines. Galadriel jumps from the elven ship, and the first sick leaf falls off the Lindon tree and is picked up by Gil-Galad, at the same time when the Stranger falls from the sky, as witnessed by Nori and Poppy. The comet bringing the Stranger is seen by characters across Middle Earth, which suggests to us that their stories all take place within the same time frame. The motif of the fall perhaps also suggests the end of innocence and the end of peaceful times, alluding to the Biblical fall, or generally the fall into experience for the major characters.

Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5

[anghraine]

I decided to watch Rings of Power and I still like it! General thoughts on the first episode:

This episode does a lot of heavy lifting to introduce everything in a somewhat rough and often disconnected, but engaging enough way.

The voice-over exposition at the beginning is obviously echoing the PJ FOTR one, but it's more awkward and sort of generically high fantasy. I still like it better because a) no Númenóreans were harmed in the making of this voice-over, b) retaining the Finrod-Galadriel age gap while simultaneously leaning into their sibling bond is really cute, c) Finrod using a heavy-handed metaphor in which the greatness of SHIPS figures largely seems entirely in character and also very Telerin (Eärwen's son!!!), and d) the overall story of how Valinorean Elves ended up in Middle-earth is so highly editorialized that it feels like the self-serving Noldor version of the story, which amuses me.

I enjoyed the introduction of present-day Galadriel. She's clearly the most impressive and competent person in the company she's leading while also being kind of unhinged, which I appreciate in a female protagonist. Good for her.

And I like that she's clearly this ancient being and her fixation on FIGHTING EVIL FOREVER is, in part, a product of being old and immortal and stuck in a singular mode of being. However, she's also right and the comparatively young people around her are being condescending assholes (like Gil-galad, but especially that one guy who semi-mutinied against her and is prodding her on the ship).

(Oh, and she has great hair. I actually don't care if the entire wig budget went to her specifically.)

The only one who seems to really feel bad about their dismissive treatment of her is Elrond, which tracks. The hints that he isn't seen as quite an equal ("Elf-lords only") feels silly, but it's not a huge deal for me. And I like that he and Galadriel are bros alongside the tension in her relationships with basically everyone. S2 Celebrían plssss

I still think the complaints about costuming/hair, and incessant comparisons to costuming in PJ!LOTR/WOT/whatever are largely pretty absurd. I particularly liked Arondir's armor and how dissimilar it is from the aesthetic of the Lindon Elves, everything Galadriel wears, and the weirdness of the ritualistic armor removal as they approach Valinor. The Elves spontaneously bursting into unsettling song was odd but extremely on-brand for Tolkien, so it was fun to see it actually done onscreen.

I also think the show is quite beautiful in general and a pleasure to simply look at (no, not only because of the budget).

I don't like how heavily and visibly made-up the main female characters are, however, especially Bronwyn (who also has my least favorite costuming of any of the mains tbh). It reminds me a bit of how Padmé Amidala's heavy and perfect make-up in her death scene in Revenge of the Sith always distracts me from the pathos of the scene. God forbid she wasn't hot as she died, you know? I don't care about middle-aged and older men being cast as Elves, but I'd like to see more older actresses, too!

The Harfoot stuff has an interesting mixture of cuteness and underlying menace. It doesn't interest me as much as what's going on with Galadriel, Elrond, and Arondir/Bronwyn, but I like Nori quite a bit and the whole aesthetic they have going, so I don't mind spending time with them, even though it's kind of detached from what's going on everywhere else.

Speaking of Arondir, the Southlands stuff is interesting because there's so little to work with in terms of canon (even if they had rights to everything) and the canon that does exist wrt them is super racist. So having the textual racism towards Southrons actually be brought up in-story, and rejected by an Elf protagonist who is being played by a Black man, is like ... there's a lot going on there and other people are probably better equipped to talk about it.

Personally, I would have liked to see Arondir fall in love with Bronwyn rather than being presented with it as an established thing, especially with the conversation about how this almost never happens etc. His actor does a great job with what he's given, though, and I laughed at the other Elf who is like "do you know how rarely romances between Men and Elves ever happen? do you know they always END TRAGICALLY?!"

Arondir: mmhmm

Other Elf: THEY DIED, ARONDIR

Arondir gives off big "distracted by drawing hearts around Bronwyn's name in his Trapper Keeper" vibes in that conversation and, idk, it was just really entertaining to me.

Bronwyn herself is all right thus far. I did really like the moment when she's talking about how she's from the allegedly creepy village and the people there are her relatives and friends. By and large she seems the most normal person in the cast, honestly.

I also enjoyed how deeply ominous the "approaching Valinor" music was, lmao. A bit overkill by the end, but I rather like the idea of Valinor being scary if you're not supposed to be there.

ETA: cutting between the different plots via the Middle-earth map is a bit silly as well, but functional enough. Interesting to see Calenardhon on the map before Gondor even exists!

[verecunda]

aaaaaa I have a mighty need for Arondir meeting Aegnor and Andreth! <33333333 my HEART!

AAAAAAAAAHHH OKAY. THANK YOU. :DD

I, too, have a mighty need for this! There are certain streams which just beg to be crossed, ya know? X'D

Anyway, I haven't got any further than the first few paragraphs of scene-setting, but the idea is: Arondir was from Beleriand, so what if he spent some time in Dorthonion? As a Silvan (Green-elf?), he owes no particular allegiance to the Noldorin princes, but perhaps he and his friends offered to lend their strength to the northern defences.

So Arondir is in Dorthonion, he likes Angrod and Aegnor, and he gets to know some of the Bëorians, including Andreth. And at some point, he starts to notice the closeness between her and Aegnor: the glances, the chance touches that last just a fraction too long, etc. Does he just pick up on vibes? Or will he stumble on something more definite - a kiss, an embrace by Aeluin-side? I haven't decided. Either way, he realises here's something secret, something he's a bit startled by because, like probably most Elves at this period, he's never even considered this is something that could happen. But he likes them both, so he keeps their secret for them, never imagining that he just witnessed a whole lot of foreshadowing for his own future. :P

I'm toying with the idea that during the Bragollach, after Aegnor is killed, Arondir goes to help Andreth get to safety. I also want to end it with a scene of him and Bronwyn together, where he tells her A/A - the first time he's ever told anyone. I also love the idea that Bronwyn has heard of Andreth - maybe she knows some obscure herb-lore that was first put down by Andreth? idk - and we end on some soft, possibly quite bittersweet note.

I do want to get this one done before S2 comes out, before we inevitably end up going into mourning... >.>

WIP Game!

[malkaleh]

Caught up on Rings Of Power. My many many (delighted) feels

Charlie Vickers is so terrifyingly good - Sauron is alluring awful! You can absolutely understand how incredibly horribly competent Sauron is as a villain - how much he does get into everyone’s head.

Absolutely believe he’s too terrified to say Luthien’s name fyi because listen, if Luthien returned the war would be over in five seconds at MOST. Sauron just running away begging to be locked in the void, just don’t let HER NEAR HIM SHE MIGHT SING SEND HELP.

I need him to meet Elrond and just be like TERROR.

Celebrimbor is going to break my heart because you can see Sauron manipulating how much he wants to genuinely do good, to create something good, to have the Feanorian Craftsmanship stand for good again and OH SHIT FUCK (me at Sauron STAY AWAY FROM HIM YOU FUCKER).

I’m wondering if we might have actually met Celebrian there (also me at Sauron: GET A JOB STAY AWAY FROM HER).

Tom BOMBADIL. SHIRE ORIGINS. Almost certainly A Gandalf.

Tar-Miriel you are THE BEST and anyway you and Elendil GET MARRIED AND HAVE A LONG LIFE TOGETHER AND EVERYONE IS FINE. (Ar-Pharazon needs to stay away from them both).

You know I hate Ar-Pharazon don’t get me wrong but his fuckass son is The Worst I hope he gets sacrificed first. And I do go between feeling deeply sorry for Elendil’s daughter and also being like You Self Righteous AAAAGH.

Valandil :(((((.

Arondir is the dad who stepped up.

Isildur <333333. I am so attached to him and obviously his BESTEST HORSIE. (Aragorn coming by his horse girl genes honestly).

MY SWEET BABY BIRACIAL ELROND (listen one day I will have my canonically biracial Elrond played by a biracial actor but Robert I love your Elrond). I am so glad we are getting kind as summer and also obviously trauma but tbh I hate the Jackson Elrond depiction I’m so sorry I just, Elrond is not haughty/rude.

BRONWYN IS FINE SHE AND ARONDIR ARE FOUNDING DOL AMROTH cc @nocompromise-noregrets

BEREN MENTION BEREN MENTION BEREN MENTION.

Sauron just being a dog guy is Something. He’s really just like ‘who’s my best abomination of darkness? Who’s my sweet devourer of light? IT’S YOU! You are the bestest boy!’

DURIN :DDDDDDDDD

Elendil is The Most Tired DILF.

Sauron (about Galadriel): soon as she unblocks me the wedding is back on (no but seriously, there is a desire there - I mean obviously it’s not like, caring about her, about Celebrimbor but it’s not unattached either. It’s like…possession).

G-d there is so so much gorgeous lore in this show I love it so much and also it’s going to hurt so so much.

(I can’t recall whether it was Isildur or Elendil who nabs the White Tree sapling before Numenor is sunk I cannot believe we will be seeing that on screen).

(Ar-Pharazon and Elendil as ex boyfriends or something when)