#and shes like 'the elves are not what they were before :('

[the4rcanist]

I understand what you feel, but to me, to quote someone that now I'm not gonna find in the midst of my likes, both things in organizations can be true at the same time.

Even the Chantry can serve the people by helping refugees in the middle of a conflict and still uphold structures that opress and have opressed people, same thing for wardens, same thing for crows.

I didn't saw anything in the game yet that confirms that none of the crow houses are buying children anymore, just that we now know that they also take in orphans, and the extraordinary situation we happen to be in just made us interact with the top notch of the organization (I do include the MC here), people who would most likely see not only themselves but the whole thing in a more positive light, and the same thing carries to a lot of the factions, like, first thing the First Warden tries to do is deny everything that happened with Warden Commander Clarel "we all know she acted alone" summoning demons had anything to do with him or the Wardens in general.

The Veil Jumpers taking in other races isn't something new or exclusive to this game tho, and tbh Rook is with people they trust and saw before (Varric and Harding)

But I do think this reflects the plot hyper focus on the BBEGs that reminds me a lot of Mass Effect 3 and Inquisition for that matter, and I do agree they should pay more mind to the background characterization and past elements that were referred to these places and not just focus on "guys the world IS going down fr this time"

But what I wanted to say with the comment above is that despite this, the game had yes a lot of "dark" (in this meaning) places that they decided to shift focus now, be it D'metas's crossing with the blight, be it Ghilanain doing experiments with elves, be it the Ossuary torturing people forcing demons into them, the blight itself being worse, the tree people in Arlathan, Blighted Minrathous (in my game) with hanged Shadow Dragons, events that you have to choose and don't have any kind of "good ending"

I haven't finished yet, just made to the end of ACT 1 but to me the tone is at least much more darker than Inquisition and some parts of 2.

[fatcatlittlebox]

I find the recent comments from showrunners Payne and McKay interesting particularly when they state that Sauron did not want to kill Galadriel in the finale duel but for her to acknowledge him and "give him credit." Now why would that matter so much to him if not for the possibility that what he had done was done so with her in mind? Meaning, Sauron was thinking of Galadriel this whole time. His return to Mordor, the rings, his conquest. They are the broad strokes to the greater masterpiece he is shaping for her. She is his inspiration. She is his audience. Which brings me back to the theme of eyes. His eyes and hers. Eyes that see and look. The Eye is the mark of Sauron. But more than anything he wants Galadriel to see him. I made this last gifset to illustrate how this is the focus of Sauron's obsession and motivation.

Throughout his existence so far, he has been gifted and plagued by his ability to shapeshift and change form at will. He "has had many names." You see how this weighs upon his soul. He has had too many names. He has worn so many faces to too many people. He’s weary and the burden of not being seen for so many years, thousands - he almost comes apart.

This is why he desperately longs for Galadriel to see him. Not as the “abhorred” but as himself. Because to be seen is to be whole. To have one, true name even if it isn't uttered aloud. This is what Adar asked of Galadriel and I think it's meant to reflect Sauron as well. The difference is that Adar embraced the name he had earned while Sauron rejects his. Sauron hates his earned name because it is a constant reminder of how alone and misunderstood he feels in his purpose. That is until he meets Galadriel. She doesn’t abhor “Halbrand.” She loves him. She sees him. To her he is “friend" and "king."

"Galadriel. Look at me.” I believe that she did fall in love with the real him and he knows it. It's why he will always keep “Halbrand.” He will linger in the memories of when Galadriel knew him this way. That's why he continues to look like some variation of Halbrand. Because that's how Galadriel saw him. This the illusion he created for himself and one he is reluctant to leave. As long as she can see him. Just the possibility and the hope.

And while Galadriel can claim fondness for the part of him that was soft, vulnerable and human, that is not all she fell for. And Sauron won't let her get away with excusing herself or denying that she loved the parts that were truly him. This gesture, when he has her impaled with the crown and she averts her eyes away from his gaze.

He jerks her eyes upward as if to say, "Look." She fell in love with this person too. Sauron is Halbrand. The rage-filled, domineering and ambitious, violent spirit. He won't let her deny it. He won't let her look away. This is what they shared. She did not shrink before him when he pushed her away, when he told her of his darkness, when he told her, and showed her of how cruel and manipulative he could be. Remember, he saw her rage and vengeful side too. "Galadriel. Look at me." He says it aloud and presses these words upon her mind like a phantom prayer. His words probably haunt her soul. She feels it. It's what she hints at when she admits to Elrond that Gil Galad doesn't trust her alone with Sauron: You know why. The constant question that gropes her thoughts. It's the open invitation that still keeps the door open to his mind. She says she perceives "all of his mind as it concerns elves." I don't think that's because that is all that Sauron allows her to see. I think it's because that is what most occupies his thoughts. Her.

That's why, as I have previously wrote, I think the events of season 2 were setting the groundwork for manifesting the plan Sauron has for shaping the world as he saw it with Galadriel. He is going to enact their shared vision and, he believes, Galadriel will see its beauty and worth and return to him. Which leads me to her parting words to Sauron in episode 8. She tells him to heal himself. I think by now Sauron has enough insight to see that he is indeed a broken spirit. It comes up in his confessions with Celebrimbor and the showrunners have already hinted that Sauron is becoming increasingly aware that there is something about his very essence that poisons every meaningful relationship he has and dooms him to failure and despair. He also says to Galadriel at the start of their swordfight that he want to "heal..." and before he finishes with "Middle Earth", he pauses. He was going to say that he wants to heal himself. So by the time the viewer sees Galadriel tell him to basically fuck off and heal himself, those seeds are actually already planted. He has to cure himself of this blight. He has to purge himself of it. And now he has explicit instructions from Galadriel. He sees and remembers everything, right? He's going to do it. He's going to try to repair what he may see as his defect. It will be interesting to see how he interprets his marching orders from his queen. I think that is where the One Ring comes in.

The showrunners have already hinted that the forging of the One Ring will be an upcoming storyline soon. They also hinted that he's going to fuck something up. Furthermore, the audience has already been shown that the more of himself Sauron puts into a ring of power, the more corrupted and less potent of a creative, benevolent force it imparts. They've also shown that when Sauron tries to make rings on his own, he fails in the final product. He even went through a whole batch of mithril on his own without success. So if the writers have hinted that Sauron errs in the making of the ring, what could they possibly mean? Where did he go wrong? Is it that Sauron had different intentions for the Ring's purpose than what it ended up becoming? Or that he fulfilled its malicious purpose but with unintended side effects? If the former, I wonder if his true intention with the One Ring is to create another healing ring of power, his own ring as a mate of Galadriel's. Maybe he forges it, believing that this would meet Galadriel's demand to heal himself. The shownrunners have already shown that they like to put unexpected layers to the most well-known parts of Tolkien: “One ring to rule them all. One ring to find them. One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.” Maybe those words have additional meaning.

[the-rebel-archivist]

Finally finished Veilguard a few days ago and took some time to process and put my thoughts in order. In brief: 8/10 game as a whole, a really fantastic gaming experience, but 5 or even 4/10 as a dragon age game since it does no meaningful exploration of any nuance or moral complexity and seems to have forgotten what made Thedas distinct. My thoughts, critical and positive, coming from a place of love for the series with little to no spoilers:

Thedas has always been special to me because it was a nuanced world. Different groups had different opinions based on their pasts. City elves and the dalish had divergent histories. Injustice against magic was common, but you could understand the justification for it even when you didn’t agree. Now, the worldbuilding is flattened. A mageocracy is fine, it’s only bad apples. Slavery is never addressed. City and dalish elves are basically the same but one lives in the forest. There’s no conflict about what’s best from each individuals’ perception, all groups are monoliths.

“Elves won’t follow the gods just because they’re elves,” yes they would, in past lore. Perhaps not all but some would - these are their Creators. The game refuses to deal with religious belief in any meaningful way, to the point that I don't know if its impact is fully understood. Dalish religion is as much about cultural preservation as religion and it would be CRUSHING to lose that connection to the past when it had been all you could cling to for thousands of years.

And no, seeking out relics of Arlathan would not make up for the foundation of your society shattering and what that would mean to the dalish. Bellara being guilty that her gods are evil is not the takeaway I expected when I thought the dalish would explore that everything they believed was a lie. I'd also like to briefly comment on how an elf can comment that they weren’t raised dalish but adopted their tattoos. Their closed practice tattoos. Closed even to city elves unless they fully joined a clan. Removing cultural boundaries didn’t make the material less 'problematic', it just created a new blind spot.

“They’d never sanitize the Crows” I said before release. Assassins who walked the line between murderer and hero depending on perspective. But in this game they give you absolute truth: they’re freedom fighters. Responsible government who, the mob is benevolent and that is never subverted. They see themselves as the 'good guys' and so they are.

“They wouldn’t put powerful mages in charge of the shadow dragons” I said. “Surely they will explore the nuance of Neve having the privilege of magic in a mageocracy even when she comes from a lower class beyond ‘everyone is welcome in the shadow dragons’.” “Surely if Maevaris is connected her intersectionality as a magister and altus and trans woman will come up - not what Tevinter expects, helping with change, but still privileged and upper class. Surely low class non mages and slaves would be leading the Shadow Dragons, not the powerful being benevolent.”

But no. All factions in the game are black and white, good and evil, no moral complexity. The bad people want power and collect bad people who want power and only bad people do bad things. The antagonists I liked most were the ones with a motivation beyond simply power and they were few.

And that’s setting aside the fact that all of the mystery and fantasy was removed from the setting by the end. The things that mattered before, the religious conflicts, the approaches to history? All false or meaningless now that we know absolute truth. Everything that set Dragon Age apart from generic fantasy was flattened. All of the lore for the world that I had spent hours, days, years in and creating fanfic for became simple groups of good and bad, subjectivity replaced by objective truth. It’s not a world I want to unravel and explore anymore.

That hurts more than the slap in the face that was every cameo and past reference. If they wanted a soft reboot, why include them at all? Every time I saw or heard about a past character or event I felt hurt and angry and it actively harmed my experience of the game. When the choices are pared down to only do something "meaningful" with them and then that meaningful thing is a codex that had been so disdained in dev comments? I do feel pretty let down. Especially when that codex isn’t even personalized.

They never use Rook or the inquisitor’s first name in text once. Vocal I get, but no codex? The Inquisitor, a person depersonalized into a symbol, signing off “Yrs. The Inquisitor” when we input their name in CC was a twist of the knife I didn’t expect. It’s like every time I lower my expectations to grant grace they need to be lowered yet again.

Similarly, the romances in the “most romantic game yet” are paper thin throughout the game depending on your choice, with few chances to truly connect on an emotional level and have deep conversations in some routes. It’s not all about kissing but having the chance to say how you feel, or try to.

But that’s part of a larger problem, that this is a “found family” but Rook is the outsider in it. Rook isn’t asked how they’re handling things or about who they are or what they want except by Solas. The team needs them to fix problems but has little interest in giving back. The companions are lovely, but I can’t help wishing they were friends with me and not just each other. Or wanted to romance me and not just each other, as they begin to flirt before I can and have more banter comments than the player romance. At least if no one got me I know Davrin got me.

These last comments are the reason it’s 8/10 as a game rather than 10/10 for me - the lore I care about but others won’t. The lack of connection is a genuine issue, along with how unbalanced it is depending on romance. I just feel sad at the lost potential to reflect and gain support from companions.

On a positive note, this is the most fun Dragon Age game I’ve ever played. The gameplay is top notch and combat is so fluid and fun. I felt excited to fight rather than dreading the next battle. Really getting into the roleplay of a slippery rogue

The environments are so gorgeous. Lighting, animation, level design, sound design, all spectacular. I’m bad with maps and yet I never got lost and always managed to find my way around. Secret passages to treasure were just the right length to be satisfying. The puzzles were exactly the right amount of investment for the reward. I never felt frustrated by them but also not disappointed by the simple ones, there was a good balance. I had a lot of fun uncovering them. So many areas looked like a perfect representation of thedosian places I had never been to and wanted to visit.

Every time I was in the necropolis it felt like coming home. Maybe it’s because the lore was the most similar to past lore, maybe it’s just because it was cool, but I loved being there. I loved the wisps most of all. And I loved Emmrich’s journey and sympathetic exploration of death. The Hossberg Wetlands were also a standout area. Absolutely horrible (complimentary). Evka and Antoine my beloveds and the environment storytelling was fantastic. Like a hideous combination of the Fallow Mire and Chateau d’Onterre and I was so there for it. Davrin’s story broke my last flight loving heart.

The set pieces and narrative flow in the major battles and main story missions is really wonderful. I also did enjoy the faction reactivity, even if there were few chances to explore the intersectionality of being a particular lineage with a particular faction. I’ll make our House proud Viago!

It’s such a fun game that when I play I can almost forget all of the things that I dislike until a codex or cameo punches me in the face. It has such great gameplay that I can finally discuss DA with my partner who refused to play the other games in the series. But what a monkey’s paw. I know from their previous work that they can foster nuance. From the art book that their instincts were there from the beginning. But somewhere after multiple reboots they made a world with contradiction and complexity removed, more reactive to fan discourse than to telling a complex narrative.

It kills me because if the nuance and subjectivity and moral complexity had been there, I would have considered this the best Dragon Age game ever made. It will always be the most fun. But it is legitimately more fun for people who don’t know lore than people who do, and that is soul-crushing. It's the most beautiful Thedas has ever been, and the least like Thedas it has ever felt.

I’ve played it once. I already started a replay. I enjoy the game a lot when I am playing it, overall. But I miss Thedas, and I miss that the “world worth saving” that I cared for is a slate wiped clean and this new world is a more simplistic place.

[corydora-writes]

Meleth nín

Pairing: Elrond x Plus Size Human Female Reader

No descriptions of physical features, but ya know, I only write for fat women. 

Summary: Elrond meets you, the muse from his visions, after the siege of Eregion.

Word count: 2,122

A/N: Been having a shitty week, so this is just something I quickly wrote to help lift my spirits. Hope you enjoy it. X

Elrond perched on a sturdy branch of an ancient tree, his quill gliding across parchment as he poured his thoughts into poetry. These days, he sought refuge from his responsibilities in Lindon, immersing himself in his visions in the form of glimpses of you, a beautiful stranger. With his gift of unprompted visions, he often found himself enveloped in visions that flickered like candlelight in his mind.

He saw you wandering through a vast field of tall orange blossoms that waved gently in the breeze as you called his name softly. Your eyes sparkled like the brightest stars scattered across the night sky, shimmering with mystery and warmth. The scene shifted to your playful laughter as you splashed in a crystal-clear lake, droplets of water catching the sunlight as they arched through the air, inviting him to join you with an irresistible smile. 

At last, the final vision settled into his mind like a cherished memory: you stood before him in a flowing gown, radiant as you became his bride. Though you were human, your ethereal beauty felt otherworldly, as if you transcended the borders of reality itself. What significance did these powerful images hold? Was fate hinting at a destined connection with you, the woman who captured his heart and imagination? While uncertainty shrouded his thoughts, one thing remained clear: you had become his muse. Each day, he committed himself to becoming a better version of himself, striving to embody the qualities that would make him worthy of you.

--------------------------------------------------------

Since his last quarrel with Durin, Elrond had prioritized visiting Durin and his family more frequently. Their friendship meant a great deal to him, and he was determined to mend any lingering tension, vowing never to let any resentment fester again. Elrond found himself at their sturdy, warmly lit stone table, surrounded by the rich aromas of hearty dwarven cuisine. Laughter filled the air as they indulged in generous portions of roasted meats and robust loaves of bread, their goblets brimming with ale.

As Elrond listened to Durin and Disa share fond memories of their romantic past, he felt a sense of comfort enveloping him like a well-worn cloak. 

“Elrond,” Disa said, her voice clear and inviting, drawing his attention. “We’ve shared our tales and adventures. Now it’s your turn. Is there a fair maiden who has captured your heart?”

Elrond nodded slowly, his thoughts drifting away from the warmth of the hearth and into a distant realm. His gaze seemed to search for you, the ethereal figure that had appeared to him in fleeting moments.

“Yes, a mortal maiden. Her name is Y/N, and in my vision, she shines like the stars. I know it sounds strange and perhaps foolish, but there’s a connection I can’t ignore.”

Disa clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. “A love that transcends realms! How romantic! But are you not worried about the differences between your kind?”

Durin crossed his arms, a frown creasing his brow. “Humans are… fleeting,” he said, a hint of protectiveness lacing his voice. “What future could there be in that?”

Disa put a gentle hand on Durin’s arm. “Sometimes, love finds you in the most unexpected ways, dear heart. We cannot judge what we do not understand. Elrond’s heart speaks to him; that is enough.”

Elrond met Durin’s gaze, unwavering. “Life is fleeting for all of us, Dwarves and Elves alike. It is our nature to grasp the moments we have, to cherish them. If this bond were to grow, it would be worth the risk.” He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle. 

Disa smiled warmly. “Aye. You speak with wisdom, Elrond. If this Y/N is as wondrous as you say, then it seems fate has a hand in this.”

“Fate or folly,” Durin muttered with a hint of skepticism, though there was a softness in his eyes. “Just remember, old friend, to tread carefully.”

“I will,” Elrond assured him. “But I cannot ignore the calling. She is a part of me, even if we are strangers.” 

Disa beamed at him. “Then let us hope the stars align for you, Elrond." 

Elrond returned her smile, feeling a swell of hope within him. "Perhaps one day you shall meet Y/N, and she will seize your hearts just as she has captured mine in visions.”

--------------------------------------------------------

After the brutal siege of Eregion, with smoke still curling in the air and the echoes of battle fading into memory, Elrond felt the weight of exhaustion settle upon him. His heart ached for his dear friend Galadriel, whom he had just finished healing, though the effort had drained him completely. He let himself sink to the forest floor. A group of elven healers, their expressions a mix of concern and resolve, carefully carried Galadriel away to a quieter part of the woods, where the sounds of battle faded.

“We shall return for you, Commander,” one of the elf healers said softly, a hint of sadness in her eyes as she offered him a reassuring smile. 

“I am truly  fine…” Elrond replied, his voice more weary than he intended. “I but only require a moment's repose…”

As the healer turned to leave, a rustle of leaves caught his attention, followed by the sound of water dripping steadily onto the earth, forming tiny puddles in the dry soil. 

“Could you please lend aid to the Commander behind the oak tree?” he heard the elf maiden call to her companion, her tone infused with urgency.

“Truly I insist, it is but unnecessary,” Elrond interjected, lifting his weary gaze. “There are others who are injured and need—”

“— need you to be whole first,” you interrupted softly, your eyes unwavering. “You need to be taken care of now,” your voice interrupted him, rich and warm, commanding his attention. “Even the mightiest need to rest. You cannot bear all the burdens alone.” 

He raised his gaze and found the source, his heart skipping. 

Elrond blinked in incredulity. You, his muse—the very inspiration behind countless verses penned in the serene beauty of Lindon, where every word had been infused with longing—were now standing right before him, as tangible and radiant as the dawn. It was as if you had been summoned not by chance but by the very desires of his heart, materializing amidst the chaos to fill the void he had been carrying.

Elrond found himself unable to look away, caught in the depths of your gaze. With a heavy sigh, he finally relented, letting the weight of exhaustion wash over him, if only for a fleeting moment. 

“Very well,” he finally conceded, his voice softening like the gentle rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. “I will accept your help.”

“You fought well, Commander Elrond,” you said, your voice a melodic whisper as you studied the lines etched on his face. Your fingertips traced the evidence of hardship and valor, each movement deliberate and tender. The touch was gentle yet electrifying, sending waves of warmth cascading through him, reawakening a sense of life he thought was lost. 

“What is your name?” he asked, an insatiable desire coursing through him. 

“Y/N,” you replied softly, a name practically singing from your lips. 

“How did you come to be in this realm, Y/N?” he asked, overwhelmed by the mere fact of your existence beside him. 

“I was part of an envoy sent to aid,” you explained, your touch gentle and comforting, reflecting years of practice. “When word of the siege reached my ears, I felt a powerful pull in my heart that drew me back to this place. It seems that fate had other plans in store for me.”

"Indeed,” He said, fighting the urge to smile because he knew with certainty that fate was unfolding right before him. “I am deeply grateful for the generous aid you have rendered to my people," Elrond replied sincerely. A warm smile spread across his face, illuminating his wise features and reflecting the kindness in his eyes. "Am I mistaken in presuming that you are a healer?" he inquired, his tone inviting and intrigued.

“I consider myself a wanderer of distant lands, and yes, a skilled healer dedicated to the well-being of others, and an eager student of lore,” you declared with a sense of pride and purpose.

"A traveler," Elrond said, a touch of sadness clouding his mind as he thought of your departure. "Where will your next adventure take you?"

You paused for a moment, your brow furrowing as you contemplated the weight of his question. "I'm not entirely certain," you replied, your voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "Perhaps I'll continue my journey northward and see where the path takes me." Your gaze drifted toward the horizon, filled with lingering possibilities. 

Elrond felt a surge of concern twist in his chest, a protective instinct rising up at the thought of you traversing the wilds alone, facing whatever challenges the unknown might present.

"Might you consider joining us on our journey? The elven people of Eregion have faced great hardships; many have been displaced from their homes and bear the scars of battle. If you’re willing, we would greatly appreciate your ongoing skilled healing." Elrond cast his gaze downward, avoiding your eyes, feeling an uncomfortable mix of vulnerability and fear about the possibility of rejection.

"I accept," You replied with a warm smile, your eyes shining with compassion. "I would be truly honored to keep offering my support in helping your people heal," you added, your voice full of kindness and sincerity.

Water splashed quietly as you dipped the cloth into the worn bucket, the sound almost soothing in the stillness. As you began to wipe the dirt, grime, and blood from his face, Elrond felt battle weariness begin to ebb, replaced by the comforting sensation of your attentive care. 

The moment feels strangely intimate. You’re so near, so close, and he notices things: the small sounds of your breath, and how your focus is intense; he observes the way your brow slightly furrows, and the world around you fades away, making your features glow with a contemplative light. More so, he notices the unfamiliar sensations that flare up when you’re near.

“Meleth nín,” Elrond murmurs softly, his voice barely above a whisper, unaware that the words have escaped his lips loudly enough for her to catch. He quickly averts his gaze, a flicker of panic crossing his mind and he hopes that she hasn’t heard him.

“Hmm?” you query, your tone light and curious as you continue to wipe away the smudges of dirt from his face. “I assume you said something in Elvish?”

“I did…” Elrond replies, hesitation creeping into his voice. “I said ‘my friend,’” he lies terribly, and he wishes you would not probe any deeper into his unguarded moment.

“Ah,” you respond, a playful smile curling your lips as you consider the beauty of the language. “Such a lovely tongue,” you add, reclaiming the cloth to finish your task. With gentle, careful movements, you tuck a stray curl behind his ear, your fingers brushing against his warm skin as you wipe his forehead clean. The moment your eyes meet his, an electric connection ignites, and you softly whisper, “Meleth nín…”

Caught completely off guard, Elrond’s breath catches in his throat. The innocent sincerity in your voice sends his heart racing and his mind into a whirlwind of emotion. If only you  understood the true weight of the words you  so naively uttered, he muses, a mix of longing and trepidation coursing through him. He can't help but chuckle. The sound dances in the stillness around you both, breaking the tension and momentarily allowing him to gather his thoughts as he stands on the verge of something he cannot yet define.

"I mispronounced it, didn't I?" you asked, a playful laugh escaping your lips. Your eyes danced with a mix of humor and a hint of embarrassment, creating an atmosphere of warmth and understanding. "Well, we shall have ample time for you to teach me your tongue," you continued, your voice filled with enthusiasm. 

Elrond gently releases the tension that had been coiling in his shoulders and jaw, finally allowing himself to lean back against the sturdy trunk of the tree. The rough bark presses reassuringly against his back as he sinks into a state of relaxation, savoring the warmth of the sun filtering through the leaves above. You sit comfortably right next to him. 

In that fleeting moment, with a soft breeze rustling the branches around him, he visualizes a future where he and you reminisce about this very instant. He imagines you laughing together as he draws you into a warm embrace.

[apoloadonisandnarcissus]

Why did Galadriel allow the Three Elven rings to be forged, in 1x08?

Despite knowing, for a fact, Halbrand is Sauron, and he has been working at Eregion, alongside Celebrimbor, all along, in 1x08? It’s because she knows the Three are truly free from Sauron’s influence, like she tells Elrond in 2x01?

Because her own statement in 2x02, seems to contradict this: Sauron... sees himself not as master of a barren waste, but of all Middle-earth. He seeks to rule it not only through conquest, but by bending the minds and wills of all its peoples to his own. And for that, he needs not armies... but Rings. And he cannot craft them without Celebrimbor.

Galadriel is not naïve, nor is she stupid, quite the opposite. Tolkien describes her brilliant in mind and swift in action. And, in Season 2, we saw her lying to hide the true nature of her connection to Sauron: to Gil-galad, in 2x02, she denies Halbrand was her friend; in 2x06 she tells Adar, Sauron promised her an army.

Galadriel’s entire plot in Númenor, in Season 1, was her trying to get herself an army to fight “Sauron” in the Southlands, and to persuade Halbrand to reclaim “his” throne.

Halbrand: I'm afraid you're short an army. Galadriel: Leave the army to me. 1x02

Halbrand: How? You're stuck on this island. And you're still short an army. Galadriel: That is all about to change. 1x03

Halbrand: You used me. After I all but begged you to let me be. Galadriel: I have just convinced Númenor to send five ships and 500 men to aid your people and place a crown upon your head. Many might assume you used me. Halbrand: Find another head to crown. 1x05

1) Galadriel knows Sauron’s reputation

As are all Elves, and that’s why they feared him so. They know Sauron is a powerful sorcerer, and very much so. He’s known as the “great deceiver”, a trickster, who employs deception and illusions.

2) Galadriel was aware of Sauron’s goals

Galadriel was, also, perfectly aware this was Sauron’s plan and goal, all along. Adar revealed it to her, in 1x06:

After Morgoth's defeat, the one you call Sauron... Devoted himself to healing Middle-earth, bringing its ruined lands together in perfect order. He sought to craft a power not of the flesh... But over flesh. A power of the Unseen World. He bid as many as he could to follow him far north. But try as he might... Something was missing. A shadow of dark knowledge that kept itself hidden, even from him. No matter how much blood he spilt in its pursuit.

3) She knows the rings were Sauron’s idea

And hearing Celebrimbor speaking about a “power over flesh” was what made her suspect Halbrand was lying about his identity and had hidden motives to be at Eregion, in the first place:

His [Halbrand] suggestions were but the key that unlocked the dam. We are on the cusp of crafting a new kind of power. Not of strength, but of spirit. Not of the flesh, but over flesh. This is... This is a power of the Unseen World.

4) Sauron’s request

Persuading Galadriel into allowing the rings to be forged was the entire point of Sauron’s first illusion, when he takes the form of her brother, Finrod. 

He [Sauron] was seeking a power not to destroy Middle-earth, but to heal it. Just as your fellow Elves are seeking to do this very moment. You needn't lie to them. Simply let the work proceed.

This alone should “ring the alarms” in Galadriel’s mind that something is “up” with this whole project. And Sauron is talking in the past tense, which indicates he already found the power was seeking (as he tells Galadriel himself before the reveal: “we found it!”).

However, this is exactly what Galadriel does. She only doesn’t reveal to Elrond and Celebrimbor Halbrand’s true identity, but she allows the rings to be forged, anyway. But instead of two, she makes it three. For balance.

Are the Rings really free of Sauron’s influence?

Yes and no. The Three Elven rings are free from “Sauron’s influence” in the sense he doesn’t enslave its bearers to his will, but they not free from his power, they feed off of it, all the same. We know this from Tolkien lore; after the One Ring gets destroyed, in the Third Age, the Three lose their magical properties, and become mere pieces of jewelry.

What is most likely to have happened is that Sauron infused the mithril with his intentions in 1x08, as he did in 2x03 (for the Seven), and this was him attempting to replicate what he did before (in 1x08), but now he wants control and dominion, too, so his intentions are tainted with greed (which will be what the Seven rings of power will do to the Dwarves’ Ring-bearers):

The rings of power are Sauron's masterplan, after all. He sees himself as their creator and their master, like he says to Celebrimbor in 2x08:

And this strengthens the theory it was Nenya that stopped Galadriel from joining him, and compelled her to fall down the cliff, in 2x08. The ring resisted his command. Which might indicate these rings have a will of their own, like the One Ring, and Nenya chose Galadriel and sees her as its master:

Having a ring of power desobey him (his very own creation) would give Sauron not only the motivation but the idea to forge a “master-ring” to control all others:

"They worked wonders"

And this is why Sauron wants Nenya, and other Two of the Three. He needs them for his masterplan, because these were the only rings that actually worked. They heal Morgoth’s corruption. And he wants to know what he did different with them.

And 2x08 answered to that, too:

I’ve already talked about this on several posts: the Three contain OG Mairon’s essence and the qualities he was created to have by Eru himself (perfection, order, beauty), plus his desire for healing Morgoth’s corruption. And this idea is also present in 2x01:

But this is not Celebrimbor’s doing, at all. This is powerful Ainur magic, that only one of the Ainur (Vala or Maia) could accomplish: and that's Mairon.

Through Adar in 2x08, we got confirmation that the mithril can cure Morgoth's corruption in every sort of way. But this effect is only temporary, and that’s probably why Sauron/Halbrand wanted to forge two (one for himself, and the other for Galadriel, because he recognizes the same yearning for healing in her).

Then why, knowing all of this, did Galadriel allow the rings to be forged, anyway?

Galadriel herself answered to that, in 1x08:

Indeed, the Elves were running out of time (Gil-Galad gave them three weeks to find a solution), soon they would have to leave Middle-earth, otherwise they would fade, and die. And Galadriel refused to return to Valinor, in 1x01, because she wants to destroy Sauron. And Elrond failed his mission in Khazad-dûm in getting more mithril (like she said to his face in 2x01):

She knows Sauron is an ancient and powerful sorcerer, and if anyone can pull something like this off is probably him. And, subconsciously, Galadriel is aware she needs his power, because he tells her so, himself, 1x08:

Sauron: You have no choice. Without me, your people will fade. And the shadow will spread and darken to cover all the world. You need me. Galadriel: I should have left you on the sea.

And to “the sea” he returns her in the next vision, to the moment when he saved her in the Sundering Seas, to make this point across.

And it worked. Because Galadriel is willing to take that gamble and allow the Three to be forged, because there’s no other way for the Elves to stay in Middle-earth. And, in order to do that, she has to keep Halbrand’s true identity concealed from Elrond and Celebrimbor, otherwise they would never agree.

And Gil-galad himself agrees with this idea (“it’s the only way”), in 2x01, as he compels Elrond to surrender the rings:

Elrond: He worked with Celebrimbor for weeks. We know not the depth of his influence Gil-galad: Soon, the last Gold-leaf will fall, and it will be my task to inform all Lindon our time here is ended, and the Elves must abandon these shores forever. Now, you inform me our most cunning enemy is rising again. If we leave now, the peoples of Middle-earth will be left to suffer under the tyranny of a new Dark Lord. Those Rings are more than our last hope, they may be the last hope for all Middle-earth. It is a risk we must chance to take. Give them to me.

Because of you, we've no choice but to test the virtue of the Rings.

And Galadriel sort of says this to Elrond, in the same episode: I did what I felt was right. And time alone will reveal whether that was folly or wisdom.

Now, the irony of all of this is that Galadriel and the Elves, by keeping the rings for themselves, instead of destroying them and returning to Valinor, are enabling Sauron to continue his masterplan. Because had the Elves left as they were meant to, Sauron wouldn’t had the means to see his plan through (because Celebrimbor would be out of his reach), nor had they condemned Middle-earth to the tyranny of the a new Dark Lord. Which means: Elrond was right.

[eunsuri]

Some theory/thoughts on Solas, Mythal and the ancient Elves

I’ve been fully spiralling deep into my thoughts after seeing Solas’ memories and regrets, so I wanted to put these thoughts into words and share my theories on Solas, his relationship with Mythal, and Lavellan. I’m going to split this into 2 parts due to the length! There will be spoilers, so please avoid if you haven’t finished the game! Mild trigger warning for abuse in relationships.

I believe that Solas definitely loved Mythal, but it’s a very different kind of love to what he feels for Lavellan, who I believe is his true love. 

Based on what we see in the manifestation mural, we learn that Solas was originally a spirit, and that the Evanuris were also spirits who took a physical form using lyrium. When Solas was a spirit, it appears that he was somewhat of a spirit companion to Mythal, providing her with wisdom as she shared power with Elgar’nan. 

Spirits are generally an embodiment of specific emotions, and while they can at times feel other emotions, the range isn’t as wide as if they were a physical person. As humans, we carry a large range of emotions that progressively transform and grow into deeper and more complex emotions with age. The Elves would likely have the same range of emotions that we would as people, but as we now know, the ancient Elves were spirits who took a physical form.

Becoming a physical person would come not only with a new body, but a new capability to feel so many more emotions than you would as a spirit who embodies a single or smaller range of emotions.

When Mythal begs Solas to take a physical form, as she needs his wisdom, we see that he is reluctant, as he can see that it’s not a good idea, and he is content with living as a spirit. However, spending time with Mythal as a spirit companion would have built a strong bond, where he was likely offering her guidance and wisdom regularly. We don’t know if spirits are capable of fully feeling love, but it’s clear that a bond was built between the Solas and Mythal.

When Solas agrees and takes his physical form, he would be feeling all kinds of new sensations as he is no longer a weightless spirit floating around in the fade, but a body of flesh and blood, a beating heart, and a brain that not only processes thoughts but a new range of emotions that he would now become capable of unlocking. In that time, Mythal is likely his only real guide to the life and functions of being a physical person. 

In no way am I infantilizing Solas or saying that he is not responsible for his actions, but it’s almost like when a child becomes aware of their own emotions. They start off with a smaller range of emotions, which then grow more complex as they grow in age. Solas would have started off with his smaller range of emotions and strength in his wisdom, but also learning to feel newer emotions he would not have yet experienced before taking a physical form. 

Mythal and possibly the other Evanuris, would be the only real physical example he would have around him of people. He remains close with Mythal because she was the one who pulled him from his life as a spirit, and guided him into the physical world. She tells him she needs him and his wisdom to help her bring peace to the people, and while Solas can see the dangers in the knowledge he is providing, he believes she is doing these things to achieve peace as she is telling him. He can see the wrongs they are doing together, but he blindly follows because of the bond he has with her and he believes in her cause.

They call him her “lapdog” as he follows her wherever she goes and provides her with the wisdom she is seeking. He wears her vallaslin, which he later burns off his face. He sees the Evanuris around him, seeking power and growing in strength, he learns from their pride and believes that he is doing what is right. He sees them rising to Godhood and enslaving their people, he is no longer a gentle spirit of wisdom, but a prideful leader of a rebellion, Fen’harel. 

Solas continues to help Mythal craft the lyrium dagger and do terrible things, tranquilising the Titans when they rise against them for using their blood to create their physical bodies. Though he acknowledges the danger in their actions, Mythal continues to convince him that they must do these things in order to achieve peace and uses his wisdom as a weapon.

While I don’t condone his actions, I empathise heavily with Solas here as I can see myself in him in these moments. I'm someone who grew up in a very dysfunctional family environment, where showing emotions was considered weakness or an embarrassment. I limited myself to very few emotions growing up, and due to feeling like an outsider, I was often easily taken by people who appeared to be good and kind.

I see myself in Solas in my first ever relationship, where I went against my parents wishes, doing things I knew were wrong for me, but I believed in my partner at that time. I believed he was a good man, who loved me and only wanted what was best for me. I continued to follow whatever he wanted in fear of losing him, and even after a major betrayal, I still believed in him and it took me a long time to break myself out of that.

If you’ve ever been in a relationship, friendship, or had a familial relationship that was abusive, I’m sure you can relate to the almost emotional/mental paralysis that comes when you know that the situation is wrong, but you can’t leave it because you either believe that the person has good intentions, or because of fear of what could happen if you were to leave. 

That’s how I see Solas’ relationship with Mythal, whether platonic, familial, or romantic, he believes in Mythal being a good person seeking peace for her people. He continues to help her and his wisdom becomes pride, his knowledge is changing their world and turning the tides of the war. He knows it’s wrong, but he’s doing this alongside someone he believes in and he doesn’t turn around and say no.

When he sees just how horrible things have become, he begs Mythal to leave with him and she denies him, calls him “love” and says she will look into his concerns. 

As Bellara says when the team are discussing the mural and their relationship, the ancient Elves felt emotions and affection very deeply. I personally agree with Bellara, as when they took on physical forms, they also likely would have picked up the ability to feel a whole range of new emotions without any kind of real regulation. They would feel things deeply and their affection for each other was different to the kind of emotions people of modern Thedas would have developed, especially when their connection to magic and the Fade is completely different.

When the Evanuris killed Mythal, Solas would have felt this pain deeply, as he failed to protect his oldest friend when he tried to stop them from their rise to ultimate power and godhood. He believed they deserved punishment for this betrayal and sealed them away in the veil, which took all his power and led him to sleep in Uthenera for thousands of years.

I'll discuss his relationship with Lavellan and the difference to his relationship with Mythal in part 2 🤍🤍

[goldenhallas]

I unlocked all the memories in the Lighthouse and I'm vibrating with excitement rn! so many things me and my brothers discussed over the years have turned out to be true, or almost correct. We thought the Evanuris were also the Old Gods of Tevinter, which was close since the Old Gods were actually the Evanuris' bound dragons. We also thought Solas/other ancient elves were spirits (the way I shrieked when that was confirmed lmao). Now looking back at Inquisition it gives a whole new layer to the Cole situation... Cole chose to manifest in a physical body and he could become more physical, more human, but Solas didn't want him to and greatly disapproves if you do that, not just because it 'goes against his nature' as he said, but because it reminded Solas of when he chose to become physical and his regrets surrounding that. Damn. I wonder if it's possible for Solas to somehow reverse what he did and become fully spirit again, and if he would choose that if he could? What about Ghilana/Solavellan, would she change his mind on that? Anyway I digress. You know what really has me shook about all this... I was literally 100% certain, not a doubt in my mind, that Ghilan'nain created the Blight. I never for one second suspected it was Solas!? Like. Holy shit, he really, really fucked up on a whole other level with that one. He separated the dwarves from the titans / took away their ability to dream, and not only that, but he knew the damage it would cause and what he was doing was awful, but he did it anyway. All because he loved Mythal so much he would've followed her anywhere, even into doom. It's so tragic and romantic and terrible all at the same time, so very Solas, and I love it. I have to wonder though... how does he feel about what he did to the dwarves now? Obviously he regrets what he did, that's clear, but why didn't he give their dreams back at some point between then and now? All it took was Harding touching the lyrium dagger to get reconnected to the titan, so surely Solas could've done that? So why didn't he? I know he was preoccupied with other stuff but that's a pretty damn big deal. Maybe he didn't realise a simple touch of the lyrium dagger was all it would take to reconnect them? Or maybe - and I think this is more likely - the titan is too dangerous right now because of its anger at what was done to it (understandable) and he thought reconnecting them before he healed/calmed the titan (if that's possible?) would be a bad idea for the dwarves? My brother thinks he just didn't care but I think that's ridiculous and doesn't seem like Solas at all.

I mean Solas could burn down the entire world and I'd still love him, so whatever the case I'm his ride or die, but I do want to give him a bit of a clip around the ears and make him look the dwarves in the eye and apologise to every single one of them and FIX what he did to them. I'm also wondering if this whole thing with Rook IS part of his plan to fix what he did? He was known as the trickster god and he was known for getting out of traps, so you never know

[deliciousindelusion]

A little bit more about the history between Terra and Mithrun pre-Melini dungeon.

Some spoilers under the cut.

In the beginning of Mithrun’s Canary career his first dungeon subjugation mission was near the small dwarven village of Luz. There was only one inn available to house the troops, and it happened to be the one that Terra’s family owned. Terra, the young daughter of the owners, was often out in the forests skipping out on work so the one who welcomed them was the friendly Elios. There was obvious tension in the village since the dwarves were wary of the elves, but Elios paid no mind to that and treated them equally. He enjoyed speaking with Mithrun in particular since he was way more social than their leader, Milsiril.

Mithrun’s first encounter with Terra was when Elios had asked for help looking for her, and this young noble elf definitely wasn’t expecting this dwarf’s wife to have been a half-race. It explained Elios’s friendliness towards the elves and the alienation he received from the other dwarves. Terra, however, was insanely wary of the elves and was very unfriendly and cold towards them. Mithrun expected the hostility, but was intrigued by her absolute love and devotion to her husband, even though Elios himself was considered an ‘outlier’ amongst the villagers (for having absolutely no interest in mining or ores and favoring gardening instead).

He was initially intrigued by Terra, not because she was beautiful or had a good personality, but because she was a half-race. He felt superior to her. He felt that he was better than her for being a full elf and was confused by her ‘don’t give a fuck’ attitude towards him. But what he found himself watching more of, was her unconditional love. Towards someone different. For someone who didn’t fit their society’s ‘normal’.

And deep down, way way deep down that it barely touched his consciousness, buried under all those insecurities and superiority complex, he wanted that too.

Young Mithrun didn’t particularly want Terra. He wanted the love she offered.

But his troop had left the village before he could fully digest his feelings. They left the dungeon half-heartedly sealed because they didn’t particularly care about the dwarves and thought that they could handle themselves. And unknowingly, they set them up to be destroyed by an eventual monster raid. Mithrun didn’t care though, he didn’t even know about what happened to the small village of Luz because he was kind of busy dealing with his own…dungeon problems.

And when they eventually met again, it was deep in the dungeon of Melini, where she had become a changed person and fought him fiercely to protect the ‘Lunatic Magician’ that he was on the hunt for. There she was again, showing fierce loyalty and devotion to someone that everyone should have sought to destroy. A dungeon lord. Someone who was placed with so much responsibility on their shoulders. Someone who eventually became something they despised. Someone who had nothing left to them.

Someone like himself.

And the feeling of wanting that same love reared its ugly head again, but this time he didn’t have the desire to stop them.

[scurvgirl]

Learning about my Rook through banter. Just a little self-indulgent writing.

-

Bellara: So...you're Dalish, right?

Rook: Yep.

Bellara: But...you don't have Vallaslin.

Rook: I don't.

Bellara: Did you leave before you could get it?

Rook: No. My father isn't Dalish, and I was born in a city - I joined my mother's clan later. Didn't feel like the Vallaslin would suit me at the time.

Bellara: Oh.

-

Lucanis: Rook, what foods would you like prepared?

Rook: Anything really. Dalish, Free Marches, Tevinter, any kind of sea food.

Lucanis: Good to know.

-

Rook: You know, Taash, you don't have to choose to be Qunari or Rivaini.

Taash: What, you think I don't know that?

Rook: Hold your dragons. I'm saying - I'm Dalish and from a city. I respect the Vhenadahl and the halla. I sang prayers to Andraste and to the creators...before, you know, we knew shit.

Taash: Okay.

Rook: It's all important, and...you're all of it, put together into a unique experience of yourself.

Taash: I'll think about it.

-

Neve: Alright, your accent is not Tevinter, Antivan, Fereldan, or Orlesian. You're a Marcher.

Rook: She's found me out!

Neve: Now to figure out where.

Rook: Do you want me to tell you or is it more fun for you to put the clues together?

Neve: Don't tell me.

-

Rook: Fucking Venatori!

Harding: You really hate them.

Rook: Assholes kill people and use my gods as a fucking excuse.

Harding: You made that one explode.

Rook: Yeah, well, sometimes we deal with personal shit by exploding an evil shithead.

-

Neve: I've got it.

Rook: Oh do tell!

Neve: Kirkwall - Varric recruited you, told you to keep where you're from a secret.

Rook: Good thought but nope. Not from Kirkwall, and thank goodness for that.

Neve: Dammit.

-

Lucanis: You're quite good with that blade Rook. Who taught you?

Rook: My mother. She's a very skilled swordswoman. All of her kids are mages but she insisted we all learn how to defend ourselves with weaponry against Templars.

Lucanis: Smart woman. You have siblings?

Rook: Yeah, two older brothers.

Lucanis: Why am I not surprised you're the baby?

Rook: Because I am baby.

-

Bellara: I don't understand. Why not get the Vallaslin?

Rook: My clan was informed of its true meaning. My keeper started offering everyone a choice.

Bellara: True meaning?

Rook: Slave markings, apparently. Makes sense now with what we know of the gods.

Bellara: That's horrible!

Rook: My brother decided to get his despite that. He said "Whatever they were, they are now how we find each other. How we take pride in who we are." I didn't feel ready. I don't know if I will ever feel ready.

Bellara: That...makes a lot of sense, actually. Thank you.

-

Davrin: You saw the Inquisitor, right?

Rook: Yeah. For someone who has been fighting for so long, she looked great.

Davrin: She's like you - Dalish but no Vallaslin.

Rook: There's a few of us out there.

Davrin: I wonder how she got rid of it.

Rook: Ah. Don't like Ghilan'nain's design upon you?

Davrin: Most days it doesn't bother me, but some days...it makes my skin crawl.

Rook: I'll try to ask her next time I see her.

-

Neve: Alright. You don't have Vallaslin because your clan found out information about them from ancient times. You showed an odd familiarity with the inquisitor. You said you are both Dalish and from a city. You hate the Venatori. You're from Wycome.

Rook: Huzzah! You discovered it!

Neve: You were there when the Venatori tried to take over.

Rook: They poisoned our wells. Blamed the elves in the alienage. They killed so many.

Neve: That means your mother was from clan Lavellan - the same clan the Inquisitor was from.

Rook: That would be my clan.

Neve: No wonder Varric gave you a code name and made it so hard to find anything out about you.

Rook: I was twelve when Miriel, I mean, the Inquisitor, left the clan. We were so proud of her, and so worried for her. When she came back...without her Vallaslin...there was a lot of heartbreak that day.

-

Solas: You knew the Inquisitor.

Rook: I did. And you broke her heart.

Solas: I didn't have a choice.

Rook: From what she's said - you did. You just chose wrong.

[misspermitted]

I’m on board with the “Adar was/is Celeborn” theory purely because I want this crack exchange -

Adar/Celeborn: You cheated on me with Sauron!

Galadriel: Well you also cheated on me with Sauron so the scales are balanced

Adar/Celeborn: What?? In what-

Galadriel: You left me, your wife, for 1000 years, to have a family and children with him

Adar/Celeborn: Okay, well, you fell in love with him. Which means you weren’t even in love with me in the first place. Which is worse

Galadriel: YOU LITERALLY HAD HIS CHILDREN

Adar/Celeborn: You married me for all eternity wiTHOUT EVEN BEING IN LOVE WITH ME

High King Gil-Galad, to Elrond: Still think he’s fake and they’re not married?

Elrond: Oh no, I take it back, they’re definit- oh my god Galadriel do not challenge him to a duel there is nothing wrong with your womb gods above

[vepaluiron]

Sylvanas Windrunner, Ranger-General of the Blood Elves of Quel'thalas

vereesa -- sylvanas roleswap au??? i kept seeing banshee queen vereesa in that one time rift timeline and had sudden brainrot over it, so now this exists!

[swordmaid]

anyway shri’iia’s epilogue outfit which is a mix of 1900s male stage costumes and also that one camp outfit mod. look at the ring hehe 🤭

[franeridan]

I understand why everyone who read dunmeshi instantly shipped marci and falin but tbh the fact that it's just treated as canon by the fandom cuts on a lot of interesting analysis that could be done on their relationship outside of the romantic reading, which is kind of a shame

[shinkai-kaiju]

this game's flags are held together with fuckin hot glue and a dream is2g

[apoloadonisandnarcissus]

My evidence are Tolkien letters where he calls Galadriel “Elven-queen” and “chief elvish woman”, and there is no mention of Celeborn in association with this. If Tolkien indented for them to be seen as “equal rulers”, he would have used both of their names when addressing this:

“I have not used 'magic' consistently, and indeed the Elven-queen Galadriel is obliged to remonstrate with the Hobbits on their confused use of the word both for the devices and operations of the Enemy, and for those of the Elves” (Tolkien Letter 131); Galadriel ('Glittering garland') is the chief elvish woman mentioned in The Lord of the Rings (Tolkien Letter 345); “A splendid sight. It is the home of Galadriel [Lothlórien]... an Elvenqueen (She is not in fact one.)" (Tolkien Letter 210). 

Even in Letter 246, when discussing the Three Elven ring-bearers (Galadriel, Elrond and Gandalf) in connection with them taking the One ring for themselves, Tolkien tells us of Galadriel’s ambitions of power and dominion:

It appears that Galadriel conceived of herself as capable of wielding the Ring and supplanting the Dark Lord. If so, so also were the other guardians of the Three, especially Elrond. But this is another matter. It was part of the essential deceit of the Ring to fill minds with imaginations of supreme power. But this the Great had well considered and had rejected, as is seen in Elrond's words at the Council. Galadriel's rejection of the temptation was founded upon previous thought and resolve. In any case, Elrond or Galadriel would have proceeded in the policy now adopted by Sauron: they would have built up an empire with great and absolutely subservient generals and armies and engines of war, until they could challenge Sauron and destroy him by force.  

All of this seems to imply Galadriel is the one in charge of Lothlórien, like Elrond is the one in charge of Rivendell, precisely because they are ring-bearers and they use the power of their rings to protect and sustain their kingdoms. It doesn’t mean that Celeborn’s role is merely to “look pretty” by her side, because we know he has a key role as a warrior in several events of the legendarium.

As for Celeborn kinship to Thingol, Tolkien tells us this, in Letter 347: Celeborn is a transi, of the orig. name Telporno; though said to be a kinsman of King Elu Thingol, he was so only afar off. They were distant relatives.

I never said Galadriel didn’t love Celeborn, quite the opposite, since I elaborated on what Tolkien meant when, in “Unfinished Tales”, he described that Galadriel took Celeborn as her lover before they were even married. She clearly loved him, and apparently didn’t even wait for the marriage to be with him, physically. 

As for “The Silmarillion”, Tolkien says, in Letter 276 it doesn’t contain the full history of Galadriel and Celeborn: there is also a large amount of matter that is not strictly pan of the Silmarillion: cosmogony and matter concerning the Valar; and later matter concerning Númenor, and the War in Middle-earth (fall of Eregion and death of Celebrimbor, and the history of Celeborn and Galadriel). And indeed, that’s a chapter in “Unfinished Tales”. And “The Silmarillion”, it’s meant to be a recollection of legends and myths, written by the Eldar POV. And this explains why, sometimes, there are contradictions between what’s in it, and what Tolkien writes on other books or on his letters, because it’s a case of “unreliable narrators”.  

Galadriel in Season 1-2 of “Rings of Power”: Valiant, Prideful and the Darkness Within

Galadriel was born during the Years of the Trees, on Valinor, the only daughter of High King of the Noldor, Finarfin, sister to three brothers. She was named “Artanis” by her father, and “Galadriel” (Sindarin for “Maiden crowned with gleaming hair”) is the name she took after marrying prince Celebron, in Doriath (Middle-earth).

In her youth, Galadriel was known for her proud, strong and self-willed temperament, and for the unmatched beauty of her hair. She had the golden hair of her kin, but hers was particularly striking, shot with silver, and beautiful. And so much so that Fëanor was inspired by how the light of the Two Trees of Valinor caught her hair to craft the Silmarils. Three times he asked her for a few strands of it, and three times Galadriel refuse him. Galadriel couldn’t stand Fëanor and saw the growing darkness in him; most likely because it was the same as within herself.

Tolkien describes Galadriel as “of Amazon disposition”, “strong of body, mind and will, a match for both the loremasters and the athletes of the Eldar in the days of their youth”, and she would “bound up her hair as a crown when taking part in athletic feats”. Her mother called her Nerwen, “man-maiden”.

Departure from Valinor

Galadriel is adventurous, ambitious “and like her brother Finrod, of all her kindred the nearest to her in heart, she had dreams of far lands and dominions that might be her own to order as she would without tutelage [from the Valar]”.

Galadriel, the only woman of the Noldor to stand that day tall and valiant among the contending princes, was eager to be gone [from Valinor]. No oaths she swore, but the words of Fëanor concerning Middle-earth had kindled her heart, and she yearned to see the wide untrodden lands and to rule there a realm at her own will. For the youngest of the House of Finwë she came into the world west of the Sea, and knew yet nought of the unguarded lands. Morgoth’s Ring

In Unfinished Tales, Tolkien tells us Galadriel wanted to leave Valinor and travel to Middle-earth to exercise her talents; being brilliant in mind and swift in action she had early absorbed all of what she was capable of the teaching which the Valar thought fit to give the Eldar’, and she felt confined in the tutelage of Aman. In Valinor, Galadriel had been a pupil of both Aulë and Yavanna, and felt the Valar had already taught her everything they were allowed to.

This can look like a level of arrogance of the likes of Fëanor, however, this is not how Tolkien sees it. Galadriel is presented like a character full of potential, spirit and talent. And even Manwë, the King of the Valar himself, has heard of her desire to leave for Middle-earth and didn’t oppose.

Refusing the Valar pardon

At the end of the First Age she [Galadriel] proudly refused forgiveness or permission to return. Tolkien Letter 320

And this is the Galadriel we meet in the first episode of “Rings of Power”. The audience can immediately perceive she’s strong-willed, proud and rebellious, acting against orders of the High-king of the Noldor, Gil-galad, in her endless hunt for Sauron, Morgoth’s sucessor and the responsible for her brother’s death.

Galadriel is also the only Elf in Middle-earth who believes that Sauron is still out there, and means to find and destroy him, at any cost. “More and more of our kind began to believe that Sauron was but a memory. And the threat, at last, was ended. I wish I could be one of them.”

It was not your company who defied you out there, but rather you who defied the High King, by refusing to heed any limit placed upon you. In an act of magnanimity, he has chosen to honor your accomplishments… Rather than dwell upon your insolence. Test him again and you may find him less receptive than you might have hoped. Elrond warns Galadriel, 1x01

Gil-galad “honors” Galadriel by granting her passage to return to Valinor, and rest in glory. But she’s set on refusing, not because she’s certain Sauron will return, and wants to find him, but due to her belief she won’t find inner peace, until she accomplishes that, as she tells Elrond in the same episode:

Elrond: Do you truly believe seeking him out will satisfy you? That one more Orc upon the point of your blade will bring you peace? […] If you are wrong, will you lead more Elves to die in far-off lands? To convince yourself you have done enough, how many more statues would you add to this path? No one in history has ever refused the call. Do so now, it may never come again. Do so now, it may never come again. You will linger here, an outcast, poisoned in dark whispers and dreams. Galadriel: And in the West, do you think my fate would be better? Where song would mock the cries of battle in my ears? You say I have won victory over all the horrors of Middle-earth. Yet you would leave them alive in me? To take with me? Undying, unchanging, unbreaking, into the land of winter less spring? Elrond: Only in the Blessed Realm can that which is broken in you be healed. Go there. Go, and I promise you… If but a whisper of a rumor of the threat you perceive proves true, I will not rest until it is put right. You have fought long enough, Galadriel. Put up your sword.

I would also like to point out Elrond foreshadowing Galadriel’s banishment in this scene. And this is very much in line with what Tolkien wrote:

[Galadriel] had no peace within. Pride still moved her when, at the end of the Elder Days after the final overthrow of Morgoth, she refused the pardon of the Valar for all who had fought against him, and remained in Middle-earth. It was not until two long ages more had passed, when at last all she had desired in her youth came to her hand, the Ring of Power and the dominion of Middle-earth of which she had dreamed, that her wisdom was full grown and she rejected it, and passing the last test departed from Middle-earth forever. The Peoples of Middle-earth

The Darkness Within

“Rings of Power” presents some explanations to Galadriel refusing the Valar’s pardon and staying in Middle-earth. At the surface, it’s because she wants to hunt down Sauron, defeat him, and for Halbrand to be “The Lost King” who could ride [her] to victory, like Elrond says, in 2x02.

It’s because of her pride, or her desire for vengeance. However, in 1x05, and in a moment of vulnerability with Halbrand aka Repentant Mairon, she reveals the true reason behind her restless pursuit of Sauron:

Galadriel sees her endless pursue for Sauron as the means to earn her inner peace after everything she saw, did and endured on Middle-earth. It’s connected to her pride, yes, but also to her greatest and deepest desire of healing. And this is why she can’t stop her pursuit, even when we, the audience, watch Galadriel endanger her companions’ lives in 1x01. She believes only when she destroys Sauron, will she destroy the darkness within herself.

Indeed he does, because Sauron wants to heal Middle-earth from Morgoth’s corruption, at this point in his own character arc. But the “darkness within” has been present in Galadriel’s character ever since the prologue of “Rings of Power”, and this is also in line with Tolkien legendarium, as Galadriel recognizes the darkness in others as a mirror to her own, and how she refuses to talk about her time in Valinor with Melian.

And in Season 1, we see Galadriel employing some questionable tactics; in Númenor she acts behind Halbrand’s back with Queen regent Míriel to get herself an army (the army she claims to Adar Sauron promised her, in 2x06), and travel to the Southlands and defeat Sauron. There, she vows to genocide the Orcs and killing some of them in a gruesome manner (bringing them into the sunlight) just for Adar to reveal Sauron’s whereabouts, even though he already told her the truth (as he knows it): he killed Sauron.

It would seem I'm not the only Elf alive who has been transformed by darkness. Perhaps your search for Morgoth's successor should have ended in your own mirror. Adar taunts Galadriel, 1x06

And Adar will not be the only character to mention the pull to the darkness in Galadriel, in “Rings of Power”:

The light of Valinor shone upon your very face, Galadriel, and you turned your back on it. Was it truly to fight the darkness or was the darkness calling to you? Elrond, 2x01

This is more noticeable with Repentant Mairon aka Halbrand, when she acts the “Morgoth” to his “Sauron”, by tempting him with power while he’s on a quest for redemption. By then, we already have some pieces of foreshadowing on this. We have Gil-galad’s prophecy in 1x01: “We foresaw that if it had, she [Galadriel] might have inadvertently kept alive the very evil she sought to defeat [Sauron]. For the same wind that seeks to blow out a fire may also cause its spread.”

And we also see Galadriel in connection with the Fall of Númenor visions, in Season 1:

And Mairon himself confirms this in 1x08. And that explains his “are they not the seeds you planted?” in Season 2. Because she’s the one who tempted him with power, and with the pouch of the King of the Southlands (Morgoth), when he wanted to remain in Númenor in servitude, and to prove his good faith to the Valar, and redeem himself from his crimes under Morgoth.

However, not only Galadriel established a connection with him, but also said “I’ve felt it too” when he expressed his wish to bind himself to her (“Fighting at your side, I... I felt... If I could just hold on to that feeling, keep it with me always, bind it to my very being, then I...”). She gave him the validation he wanted, and made him believe she would offer him forgiveness, and he would earn the redemption he so desperately wanted. But she didn’t, she cast him out. And he wouldn’t let it slide that easily, as we’ve been in Season 2.

Growing in Wisdom

In Season 2, we saw some glimpses of Galadriel letting go of her arrogance and “galloping”, and seeing the “bigger picture” in some occasions. This is foreshadowing for her future character arc, as the wise and compassionate, yet fierce and valiant, leader we know her to be on the Third Age. From Tolkien lore, we know that as she grows in wisdom and power (“elf magic” as Sam calls it), Galadriel will leave her pride behind.

Arondir. There is a dearth of Elven heroes this night. It would be a pity to lose another. Galadriel advises Arondir not to attack Adar, 2x07

But perhaps her last scene with Adar, in 2x08, was the most emblematic of this. She has been to the Orc camp, and witnessed the funeral rites, and how the Orcs live, and realized that, maybe, they aren’t the scourged slaves she believed them to be, back in Season 1. Each one of them has a personality. Like Adar told her, in 1x06: “We are creations of The One, Master of the Secret Fire, the same as you. As worthy of the breath of life, and just as worthy of a home.”

And Galadriel is becoming more attuned to every race in Middle-earth, and the Orcs were only the beginning. And she was willingly to make an alliance with Adar, at the end. They shared an agreement (until Sauron showed up and put an end to that). But more importantly, Adar forgives Galadriel for her hatred and her killing of the Orcs. And, as I’ve talked about on my post on Repentant Mairon (aka Halbrand), forgiveness is a major theme in Tolkien legendarium, and it’s not only earned, but given as well. And by forgiving Galadriel and returning Nenya to her, Adar redeems himself (just like Gollum; which is a theme I talked about here).

Banishment from Valinor

In Letter 353, Tolkien confirms that “Galadriel was 'unstained': she had committed no evil deeds”, concerning the Oath of Fëanor. She took no part in any of that; because “she was an enemy of Fëanor”. In the same letter, Tolkien tells us Galadriel reached Middle-earth independently, and not alongside the other Noldor. And her desires were legitimate, but “she became involved in the desperate measures of Manwë, and the ban on all emigrations”.

Many (Christopher Tolkien included) think this contradicts Galadriel’s banishment from returning to Valinor. But this is an idea (“the banishment of Galadriel”) Tolkien has in place in several sources of his work. And it wouldn’t be the first time Christopher Tolkien misinterpreted his father work, either, with the Dagor Dagorath being a prime example, when he thinks Tolkien abandoned the concept when he didn’t (Christopher later corrected this, though).

And it has been noticed by many Tolkien scholars how Christopher Tolkien has “tone down” his father’s female characters on his notes and editions, too. With Galadriel being a prime example of this. Tolkien tells us on several occasions that Galadriel had aspirations of power and dominion, she wanted a kingdom of her own, to rule as she saw fit, and that’s why she remained on Middle-earth, and refused the Valar’s pardon. However, Christopher decided to strip Galadriel of her agency, and even attempted to whitewash her character by claiming she wanted to stay on Middle-earth due to her love for Celeborn, when this has nothing to do with what Tolkien himself wrote. So, excuse me, for talking his interpretation with a grain of salt.

And, since Galadriel is married to Celeborn, of course, he’s included on her plans of having a kingdom of her own (to be otherwise wouldn’t make sense), with them both ruling it, but Galadriel wants to be the one “calling the shots”. And this dynamic is what will happen in Lothlórien: Celeborn is lord, but Galadriel is *the* Lady, without her husband overstep or overshining her. I’m not seeing any contradiction here. Maybe a case of “overthinking”, because Letter 353 appears to be about Galadriel not taking the Oath of Fëanor (and that’s not the reason for her banishment).

I owe much of this character to Christian and Catholic teachings and imagination of Mary, but actually Galadriel was a penitent, in her youth, a leader in the rebellion against the Valar (the angelic guardians). At the end of the First Age she proudly refused forgiveness or permission to return. She was pardoned because of her resistance to the final and overwhelming temptation to take the [One] Ring for herself. Tolkien Letter 320

I already theorized about Galadriel connection to the Virgin Mary (she’s not “the Virgin Mary”, but a “devotee of the Virgin Mary” in Tolkien lore) but I think Tolkien is being very clear with his words here. He considers Galadriel a “repentant sinner”, and he doesn’t contradict himself at all. Because a desire for power and dominion are not positive traits on his legendarium. And the confirmation that she was pardoned by the Valar when she resists the One Ring, clearly indicates there was something more at work, and is connected with her return to Valinor.

In “Fellowship of the Ring” book, this is also clear: “I pass the test,” she says, “I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.” Her “passing the test” and resisting the One Ring is connected with her returning to Valinor.

We know, from Tolkien lore, Galadriel develops “sea longing” on the Third Age, and has a deep desire to return to Valinor, to the point of depression (she sings laments about it). One can argue she stays out of duty, but then why is she “pardoned” by the Valar after rejecting the One Ring and can now go to Valinor? The only explanation is that Galadriel was, indeed, banished, and her resisting the One Ring is her final test. She passes the test, the Valar pardon her, her banishment is lifted, and she returns to Valinor at the end of “The Return of the King”. No contradictions there.

On Christopher’s defense, he probably thought Galadriel “desiring power and dominion” weren’t good enough reasons for her to be banished from Valinor, and that’s a plot hole “Rings of Power” is trying to answer, with her connection with Sauron, and the temptations he offers her. He is, after all, the one who introduces the “desire for power and dominion” to her character arc in the show; by offering her temptations and promises of endless power (his power). Which means, Galadriel’s desire for dominion and power from Tolkien lore is personified by Sauron in the show. And the reason for her banishment, will be, also, connected to him, somehow, for Sauron has already offered her the same temptation as the One ring, thousands of years into the future:

And now at last it comes. You will give me the Ring freely! In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair! She lifted up her hand and from the ring that she wore there issued a great light that illumined her alone and left all else dark. She stood before Frodo seeming now tall beyond measurement, and beautiful beyond enduring, terrible and worshipful. Fellowship of the Ring

In Tolkien legendarium, it’s not Galadriel adventurous or valiant nature that gets her into trouble with the Valar, but her rebellious spirit, and her pride, above of all, that lead her defy their authority, and wanting to claim a kingdom of her own where she can make her own rules. In “Rings of Power” the disapproval of the Valar are personified in the characters of Gil-galad and Elrond.

Indeed, her disregard for the Valar laws is visible on several occasions in lore. Not only she “proudly refused” their pardon to return to Valinor, at the dawn of the Second Age, but Tolkien tells us, in Unfinished Tales: Celeborn was the lover of Galadriel, who she later wedded. In Letter 43, Tolkien defines what he means by “a lover” (in general): “engaging and blending all his affections and powers of mind and body in a complex emotion powerfully coloured and energized by sex”.

This seems to imply, Galadriel didn’t wait to be “officially” married (ceremony, feast) to Celeborn before consummating their union. For the Eldar, “sex = marriage”, indeed, but the way Tolkien phrases this seems to indicate Galadriel doesn’t concern herself with the Eldar ways, and took Celeborn as her lover before any thought of actual marriage. Because language is extremely important in Tolkien, and we already know “sex = marriage” for the Eldar, so him writing this about Galadriel’s character means there’s something more to it.

Interestingly enough, these two themes are present in Tolkien last letter concerning Galadriel, in 1973 (the year of his passing). Without context, however, it’s insure if the two are related or not, so read this with a whole saltshaker:

I meant right away to deal with Galadriel, and with the question of Elvish child-bearing.

[mako-designated-driver]

Codex Entry #92: A Ghoulish Delight

My dearest Regine:

Surely you must have heard of the Paget's failing fortunes? They've lost almost everything. The lord made some bad decisions and trusted people he shouldn't. All that's left is La Maison Verte, in the Dales. They have to sell it and move to the city. I was called upon to find someone willing to buy the house. You would be so proud of me. I surpassed all the lord's expectations.

I looked into La Maison's history first. Did you know it was built in the time of the elves? It was a sanctuary dedicated to Andruil, goddess of the forest; the house was built around the ruins. The heart of the shrine was an etched stone altar, now in the grand hall. It's quite spectacular. Any noble in Val Royeaux would be envious of something with such historical significance. I planned a party to show off the house and its elven altar. We had it decorated with white flowers and candles, even brought in some harts to graze in the garden outside. The effect was stunning.

Then, my stroke of genius! Remember when Lady Carine's pastime was reading about elves, and how sympathetic she was to what happened in the Dales? She couldn't stop talking about how we must make contact with the restless elven spirits. All her lady companions were so taken with the idea. Well, I did just that. Or I made the guests believe that's what happened. I had to hire a mage to help, of course—a very discreet fellow from Montsimmard.

During the party, I talked about how the house was a haunt for sad elven spirits. They ate it all up. Romantic, they said. For the final touch, I had everyone join hands around the elven stone and pray, and the mage (no names!) cast a spell that made us dance like puppets on strings and sing "The Little Bluebird of Summer."

It was a triumph! Offers began pouring in! One of them was even from a representative of Grand Duchess Florianne.

Oh, I have so much to tell you. I can't wait to return.

With great love,

Ignatius