#aul used to be so good

[wardinespurrit]

so with advice from the dead,

and a halo over my head!

[galstelperion]

Galadriel has the light of the two trees ensnared in her hair:

“...and her hair was held a marvel unmatched. It was golden like the hair of her father and of her foremother Indis, but richer and more radiant, for its gold was touched by some memory of the starlike silver of her mother, and the Eldar said that the light of the Two Trees had been snared in her tresses.”

— Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"

And her eyes bore a sheen of starlight of which the Calaquendi who beheld the light of Valinor for many years held:

I find the prevailing theory that Sauron covets her light in the same way Morgoth coveted the Silmarils very interesting. That he would see in her a faded memory he had not even thought to reach for, the memory of being Aule’s disciple, the memory of being Mairon the admirable, not Sauron the abhorred.

But the light he desires most, that he would burn the entire world for, rejects him, burns him, just as the Silmarils burned Morgoth…

But Morgoth persisted in capturing the silmarils light and for a time wore the three glittering stones on his crown:

“For they were set in the Iron Crown, and treasured in Angband above all wealth; and Balrogs were about them, and countless swords, and strong bars, and unassailable walls, and the dark majesty of Morgoth.”

— The Silmarillion, Chapter 19: Of Beren And Luthien

— art by neexsethe

Now I wonder if this connection they are making to her hair and to the light Galadriel holds, how he longs for it so deeply it even brings that smile back to his eyes…

There are many who might say this conversation he had with Mirdania is purely manipulative in nature and I would agree to an extent. He certainly went into to that conversation with the intention of turning her worries about what she’d seen away from suspecting him…

At the same time, I also don’t think this touch was calculated and intentional. This scene felt very well done because it showed us, for the first time in many episodes, perhaps a hint to Sauron’s truest desires again. Galadriel’s light and hope and goodness being at the very of that.

Mirdania will die off in an episode or two. This scene was clearly meant to fully establish and really remind the audience of what Sauron wants most…

I can’t help but think this scene will somehow be reflected in his persistence to capture Galadriel, and if, like Morgoth before him, he will have the chance to keep that light bound with him, even for a small time?

[enchantingkryptoniteheart-blog]

The Best of Intentions — snippet #4 -character development- confrontations/ misunderstandings- continued -

***********************

She avoided going back to her room, especially when Fili and Kili both denied giving her back Luna, who didn’t seem bothered in the slightest about her change of dwelling.

She had tried to ask Dwalin for her swords and bow back, and he just laughed and shook his head. Didn’t even give her a proper response. She wanted to strangle them all. Thorin may have readily forgiven her, along with Dis and Rosalyn, but no one else seemed to be so inclined to follow suit.

 

She was irritated. And still, rather embarrassed about how she had reacted to Briela’s scheming.

 

She had taken refuge with Rosalyn in her little dwelling above the bakery. Rosalyn had long given up asking her for more details about her and Thorin’s fight, their rather intense kiss, and resulting discussion.  The more she thought about it, playing the events over and over in her head from dawn to dusk, the nervousness settled.

 

Thorin had done as she asked and left her alone. Her dreams were not as merciful. Dreams of him had her writhing awake, his voice and wandering hands and lips making her feel things she had never felt before.

 

She was tired. She was frustrated. And she was frightened.

 

If Briela was so brazen with her scheming, how was everyone else in Erebor going to react? She still hadn’t told Thorin, nor anyone else her secret. The secret her Gamul’adad and Adad told her over and over again to keep hidden at all costs. She wanted to believe that it wouldn’t matter to him, or anyone else in the end.

 

She just wasn’t sure if she would survive it if it did happen to matter. The unknown was what terrified her the most.

 

She tried to avoid everyone at all costs. She had not stepped foot in the tannery, rather she stayed and helped Rosalyn with the cleaning of the little home and shop. Rosalyn was becoming worried. The dress fittings for her and Rosalyn were the last time she had left the bakery. And she wasn’t keen to leave until she was dragged out.

 

With how strong headed her nosy friends were, she didn’t doubt in the slightest they wouldn’t drag her out by her braids all the while kicking and screaming.

 

Two days remained before the ball. And the markets were bursting with the excitement of incoming guests and final preparations. She tried not to think of Thorin’s words, that he would give her until the end of the week, right before the ball. Every time a customer walked in, she would jump and run into the back in attempt to look busy. She wasn’t sure if he would show up looking for her here at the bakery … but with how she had been avoiding her rooms ever since her last attempts to retrieve Luna, she wouldn’t put it past him.

 

She grabbed the broom and began to sweep for the third time that morning. She couldn’t stay idle. She would drive herself mad with the anticipation seeped in nervousness.

 

Rosalyn sighed as she watched her friend sweeping by the front door of the shop while she peered out of the window periodically. She was carrying a tray of fresh rolls from the oven and placing them in her cooling racks. “Mahal Mist. You're sweeping again? You could eat off the floor at this rate.”

 

Mistlynn ignored her. “Hush and let me sweep. Unless you want me to try my hands at mixing again.”

 

“Aule preserve me, please no. You killed the yeast last time.” Rosalyn admonished with a rue grin as she poured the glaze over the rolls.

 

“I didn’t know you could kill yeast! With warm water no less.” Mistlynn shot back defensively.

 

“You used boiling water! Not warm. Goodness, good thing you’re marrying a King, or I would be worried for your future bairns.”

 

Mistlynn wrinkled her nose as she mimicked Rosalyn mockingly. “Ha. Your funny. At least I know how to hunt, skin and butcher an animal.  I never knew baking existed until I met you!”

 

“As if you will be out killing your own dinner when your Queen.”

 

“Maybe I will!” Mistlynn snapped back as she swept an imaginary dust bunny aggressively. She happened to look up out the window at that moment and saw the crowd parting to the side quickly, as if making way for someone. She paused her sweeping as she squinted through the panes of the window suspiciously before letting out a gasp and dropping the broom to the floor.

 

“Mistlynn!” Rosalyn admonished as she watched her friend vault over the counter. “Its him isnt it?”

 

Mistlynn didn’t answer as she bolted into the back room with the ovens. The strawberry blonde dam narrowed her eyes as she dusted off her hands on her apron. “Oh dont you dare! Dont you dare leave me out here to lie for you. Come and talk to him!”

 

“I cant, Rosa. I can’t. Its too soon.” She heard Mistlynns muffled groan come from the other side of the wall.

 

“Dont be such a coward. He is your One for Mahals sake. You weren’t complaining about that kiss a few days ago.”

 

“I didn’t have time to think over it a few days ago. I’m not ready.”

 

“Do not make me fetch Dis. I mean it, I will fetch her and she will smack you so fast…”

 

Mistlynn peered around the corner, stopping Rosalyn in mid-sentence as she recognized the look of absolute terror in her eyes.

 

“Please Rosa. Please tell him I am not here. I will go to him I promise I’m just not ready at this very moment. I just need…”

 

The sound of the shop door opening along with the welcoming bell rang through the air, interrupting them. Rosalyn whirled around, eyes wide as she watched Thorin and Dwalin walk in.

 

She plastered a beaming smile on her face. “My King! Lord Dwalin! What an honor it is to have you visit my bakery. How can I assist you?”

 

Thorin looked around the bakery, eyes sharp as he took in every detail. “My Amad would bring me to see your Gamul’adad when I was a young dwarfling. He had the best cinnamon rolls in Erebor.” His eyes settled on Rosalyn, who was standing behind the counter with her hands fumbling with her apron.

 

“I did not know this, your majesty.  My Amad taught me all his recipes before her passing. I have come up with a few creations of my own, but his cinnamon rolls are still a favorite.”

 

Thorin smiled appraisingly at her before giving Dwalin a pointed look. “That is good to hear. Business is good then?” He walked up to the counter slowly, Dwalin close behind him.

Rosalyn noticed that the gruff Captain had not taken his eyes off of her once since he walked in with Thorin. Her annoyance with Mistlynn was immediately forgotten as she fought to remember how to speak as she struggled to avert her eyes from his.

 

“Yes. Business is very good. Splendid. Never a dull moment for me.” She tittered nervously as she felt her cheeks beginning to hurt as she forced to keep the smile on her face.

 

“Speaking of a never dull moment…” Dwalin’s gruff voice made her swallow.

 

Thorin chuckled as he rolled his eyes. “I am looking for Mistlynn. She has not been back to her rooms for the past few days, and I’ve been told she’s been staying here.”

 

Rosalyn blinked owlishly. “Mistlynn? Staying here? Oooohhhh…” she laughed nervously as her hands attempted to smooth down the wrinkled apron she had been wringing.

 

“Dis told me specifically that she was staying here …with you.” Thorin’s gaze shifted from the nervous dam before him and towards the back room. As if he knew she was standing on the other side of the wall.

 

“Did she now? That’s funny … why would she say that. That’s just …” Rosalyn began to laugh nervously as she wiped a stray curl behind her ear.  Dwalin couldn’t help but watch the movement, his steely gaze softening as he watched her cheeks flush.

 

“Because she did promise that she wouldn’t run anymore, so I���m just assuming she has been staying here to help you?” Thorin scanned the room around him again before he caught sight of the hastily discarded broom laying in the middle of the floor. His mouth curled up into a wry smile as he turned back, once again looked directly at the back room. “I must say your floors look … immaculate.”

 

A groan could be heard from the back room. Rosalynn’s eyes grew wide as she heard the sounds of something scraping against the stone floor before Mistlynn stormed out.

 

“Did you have Nori spying on me?” She crossed her arms as she came to stand beside a clearly nervous Rosalyn.

 

She felt bad, forgetting how flustered she got in Dwalin’s presence. She had made them butt head a few times over her actions, and she knew that Rosalyn was losing hope that Dwalin would ever acknowledge her. It made her question the whole idea of “One's’. If they truly were, and Rosalyn was adamant that Dwalin was hers, why was he fighting it?

 

“M’eudail. There you are.” Thorin’s eyes twinkled teasingly. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

 

“Doubtful. You’ve known I’ve been here this entire time. From Dis, you say?” she cocked an eyebrow.

 

“She was my sibling first. Blood and all that implies.” His smile turned into an outright grin. Dimple and all.

 

Aule preserve me. She breathed in deeply, resolving to keep her face unimpressed despite how increasingly hard it was not to smile back at his playfulness. “And here I thought she was my friend.”

 

“Truthfully, I think she is doing this for you more than for me.”

 

“Doubtful. She’s told me how much she adores her big brother, despite him being a stubborn royal pain.”

 

Thorin chuckled. “I’ll be sure to ask her about that.”

 

“I’ll deny ever saying anything.” Mistlynn couldn’t keep the smile to herself any longer. She couldn’t help the effect he had on her.

Nervous fluttering’s in her stomach made her short of breath as they bantered. It was an overwhelming realization; she had missed him the past few days. In all the musings of doubt and self-sabotage, it was all forgotten in the moment he called her that name he had taken to calling her from the moment they first laid eyes on each other. M’eudail.

 

“You still haven’t told me what M’eudail means.” she gave him a pointed look.

 

Dwalin scoffed and shook his head, as if amused at something. Thorin quirked a brow at his friend before looking back at her, his soft smile transforming into a teasing grin. “Someday I will tell you.”

 

“Why wait? Why not today?”

 

“Patience is a virtue. Besides, today I have something else to show you.” He gestured towards the door before holding his hand out, palm open and waiting for her to place her own in it. “Come with me.”

 

Mistlynn stared at his hand, her heart fluttering in her chest at the implication. He was going to show her his courting gift to her. The whole reason why Briela tried to goad her into leaving Erebor. Rosalyn stepped closer to her, nudging her forward with her elbow encouragingly.

 

Mistlynn swallowed before she lifted her hand and placed it in his. His fingers enclosed around her as his thumb gently caressed her knuckles before raising and turning her hand so that he could place a tender kiss on the inside of her wrist, his piercing gaze holding hers as she stared unblinkingly at him while holding her breath.  No one had ever kissed her wrist before. It felt so intimate … it took her aback for a moment as she gathered her bearings.

 

“I-I should change.” She stammered, still staring at him as if trapped in a daze.

 

“You are fine as you are.” He gestured towards the door as he gently pulled her forward. “Come.”

 

She took a few tentative steps forward, letting him lead, before she looked back over her shoulder at Rosalyn. Her friend was standing there, a handheld over her heart with a crooked, dreamy grin on her face as she watched them.

 

Dwalin was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, but he wasn’t looking at Thorin or her, he was watching Rosalyn with a soft expression that didn’t match his overall body language. He seemed to be lost in thought as he watched the unaware baker fawn over the budding courtship of her closest friend.

 

Thorin pulled the door open and stepped to the side, urging her forward with his hand still firmly clasping hers. “What of Dwalin?” she asked as he followed her out of the bakery, allowing the door to close behind them.

 

‘He has something important to discuss with Lady Rosalyn.” Thorin winked as he pulled her along through the crowd of the market.

She felt her face heat as eyes began to follow them, Dwarrow’s and Dams of all stations pointing and whispering with knowing smiles and wiggling eyebrows as they took note of Thorin still clasping her hand in his as they walked.

 

She glanced down at their clasped hands, his big hand engulfing hers with his steadying warmth. Even the metal of his silver rings were warm against her skin. She hoped her palm wasn’t clammy as she followed him out of the market and back towards the side of the mountain where the sparring rings and the stables were located.

 

“Where are we going?” she asked as she looked up at him. He was walking as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He didn’t acknowledge the curious and knowing looks, rather he looked straight ahead with the hint of a secretive smile on his lips.

 

“You will see.”  He looked down at her briefly as he gave her hand a calming squeeze. She nodded as she took a steadying breath in.

 

They walked through the training grounds, not once stopping as many bowed their heads in greeting and respect to Thorin. He nodded in kind but said nothing as they continued to walk in silence, passing straight through into the stables and out into the paddocks.

 

Mistlynn blinked as the sudden sunlight beamed down on them, free to warm her skin with its bright rays as they cleared the shadow of the Lonely Mountain. It had been days since she stepped outside of Erebor since she took to hiding in Rosalyn’s bakery. It was a dizzying sensation as she regained her bearings, and her eyes adjusted to the light.

Thorin didn’t seem bothered by the sudden change in light as he led them up to a larger paddock, his gait self-assured as his thumb once against began to trace the outline of her knuckles. She couldn’t help but shiver at the tingling sensation that was coming from their joined hands.

 

He unlatched the paddock gate and swung it open, once again allowing her to step in first. He let go of her hand, and she flexed her fingers at the sudden loss of his but didn’t have time to analyze why she felt disappointed at the loss of his hold as she stared at the beautiful white mare that was standing in the middle of the paddock, staring at her.

 

She gasped as the mare whinnied, as if greeting an old friend. The mare’s snow-white mane was elaborately braided, connected with glistening beads and forming a web pattern that cascaded down the slender white neck that gleamed in the sunlight like polished silk.

 

A bridle of soft brown leather, held in silver clasps and embedded emeralds in elaborate Khuzudul runes graced the mare’s head. The saddle was a perfect match to the bridle, a wool blanket of the deepest emerald the perfect contrast for the brown of the leather against the mare’s pure white coat.

 

“Y-you found her! She’s okay!” Mistlynn broke out into a beaming grin as her body relaxed in relief at seeing the mare. “I was so worried that you were never able to retrieve her.”  As she began to walk forward, the mare tossed her head before meeting Mistlynn halfway.

 

Mistlynn couldn’t help the sigh that left her as she placed her hand upon the horses head, her fingers caressing the silk like coat fondly. The mare brushed her velvet nose and lips against Mistlynn’s cheek and neck before placing her head over Mistlynn’s shoulder so that she could trace her hand down the elegant neck.

 

“She came back that very night on her own accord.” She heard Thorin remark dryly, but she could tell he was smiling by the fondness that colored his tone. “She jumped back over the outer fence.”

 

Mistlynn threw her head back and laughed before pulling back to look at the mare in her earth brown eyes. “Oh, you clever girl.”  She leaned her forehead against the mare’s fondly as she continued to caress her cheeks. “I am so happy to see you safe and sound.”

 

After a brief moment, Mistlynn pulled back from the mare and turned to look back and Thorin. He was standing a few paces back, a pleased smile on his face as he watched the reunion.  

 

“You brute.” She scoffed as she left the mare and walked back to him. She slapped his shoulder in jest, making him chuckle as she gave him a playful glare. “Why didn’t you just tell me she came back? You knew how upset I was when we had to leave her in the forest with those foul spiders.”

 

Thorin shrugged. “You were angry at me, for whatever reason.” He smirked. “And then things kept happening, and my thoughts were preoccupied with other more pressing things.”

 

Mistlynn gave an unladylike snort as she held up an accusatory finger and shook it at him. “I had plenty of very viable reasons to be angry with you. And what could be more pressing than telling me your coronation gift didn’t end up being food for those beasts?”

 

Thorin quirked an eyebrow at her as he huffed out a laugh. “I was more than a little distracted after I had to kiss you silent after I broke that one barfly’s jaw for daring to touch and defile you. I could scarcely think of anything else, but you lips after that.”

 

Mistlynn bit her bottom lip at the mention of that one night they shared their first, very heated kiss. “Not to mention I needed to train her in peace. If you had known, you would have been down here, disrupting my progress.”

 

The mare had approached them both as they talked. Thorin placed a gently hand on the mare’s forehead, his eyes the softest she had ever seen them to be. “She is the perfect match for you in temperament. I couldn’t ask for a better companion for you than her … well other than Luna.”  He spoke lowly as his hand brushed down over the mares nose.


Mistlynn blinked in surprise as he spoke. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from his face.

 

“What will you name her?” he asked softly as he finally looked away from the mare and back down to her. His lips quirked with a playful smile when he realized how stunned she was.

 

“W-hat do you mean what will I name her, sh-she is yours.” She gasped as she looked between him and the mare.

 

“She is yours now. I’ve been training her, so that she would be safe for you to ride. Of course, you will need some lessons on how to handle such a powerful animal. She will be very different from riding Luna.”  He watched the realization dawn in her mesmerizing eyes that he adored so much, of the finest emerald green lit within with a golden flame that danced around her pupils.  He handpicked the emeralds he thought would be the closest match to their color to adorn the bridle and saddle he commissioned Bifur to make in secret as he shadowed her in her workshop.

 

Mistlynn shook her head gently as her mouth remained agape as she looked up at him. Her eyes began to glisten with unshed tears. “Thorin … she … its …” She fought to find the right words as her mind scrambled to catch up with her racing heart.

“She’s too much. I have … I have nothing even close in worth to give you in return…” she stopped as his hand cupped her cheek.

 

“She is your courting gift. My proclamation that I am now courting you, that you are my One.”  He watched her throat bob as she listened to him, her bottom lip once again between her teeth as she scanned his face, as if looking for any clues that this could all be a cruel joke.

“Surely, you know how this is going to end M’eudail.” He brushed his nose against hers affectionately, hoping to dispel some of the fear he recognized was rushing through her like a torrent.

 

She let out a shuddering breath as she nodded. “You… you are certain I am? You still …” she shook her head in slight frustration. “You dont know who I am …truly.”

 

He brought his other hand up so that he was cupping her face, her jewel green gaze clashing before merging with his tempest blue. “M’eudail, our souls knew one another from the moment we met.  I already told you that I am tired of fighting it. We shouldn't be fighting this bond; we are only stealing time from ourselves if we continue to do so.”  

His thumbs caressed her cheeks as he leaned down, so that their breathe mingled. “Be mine.” He whispered against her lips. “Because I am already yours. I have been from the very beginning. I’ve been waiting for you my entire life.”

 

Mistlynn’s eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks as his words washed over her, pulling her under and into his undertow. “I am yours. I think I always have been.”

*unedited - unbeta’d.

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Taglist : @fizzyxcustard @dustie-faerie @exhausted-humxn-being @mrsdurin @lathalea

[eri-pl]

\* except "it is something people care about and it can be used to gain power over them" in some way or another. But not for its own sake or pleasure or something like that.

[the-elusive-soleil]

Some random headcanons I have for a Silm modern AU:

Feanor is the son of Finwe's ex-wife Miriel (they split more or less amicably due to the more kids/no more kids thing). There are more resources to help deal with this than in canon Valinor, so while Feanor isn't happy about the Indis and half-siblings situation, he's able to get to a place of mostly getting along with them.

Finwe made his money in investments--Aule Industries, Elentari Electric Co., Sulimo Aerospace...you get the picture.

Feanor could have gone to work for Aule Industries, but instead he struck out on his own as an inventor, and holds patents for several now-common items.

He's married to the famous sculptor Nerdanel. They've had their disagreements, but they're in couples therapy and working on sticking together.

Fingolfin is a state-level politician. He and Feanor mostly sort of get along provided everyone avoids certain topics.

Maedhros works for Fingolfin as a political fixer, which he is very very good at. Feanor has mostly made his peace with this.

Maglor went through a classical musical education, but eventually his hobby band Noldolante took off to the point that he went full-time with it. He's the lead vocalist and songwriter. Currently thinking their sound would be something like heavy metal but with the instruments and volume of acoustic folk.

Their musical rivals are the folk duo Nightingale Shadow, the brother-sister pair Daeron and Luthien Gray.

Celegorm got a job through his grandfather's friend Orome Aldaron at Aldaron LLC, an outdoor gear company resembling Cabela's, as a spokesperson/sponsored rep type of thing. He has a huge dog and tells a different story every time someone asks where he got him, and keeps trying to ask out Luthien from Nightingale Shadow (which drives Maglor nuts).

Caranthir is a stocks trader and financial advisor, which has made him wealthy enough on his own to rival Finwe. At some point, he announces his engagement (despite no one in the family knowing he was dating) to a small business owner named Haleth who takes none of his guff.

Curufin works with his father as a fellow inventor. He married an epidemiologist several years back, and they have a small son, Tyelpe, who is already being brought to an unbelievable number of "take your child to work" days. Everyone's bracing for the mad science to reach critical mass once Tyelpe's old enough to wield a screwdriver.

Amrod and Amras are still in high school and haven't confirmed a path in life yet, although they do quite a bit of Celegorm's social media stuff with him.

Fingon used to work with his father and Maedhros, but eventually decided that politics wasn't for him, and now runs a nonprofit to aid disaster victims. He and Maedhros frequently tease each other about how exhausted their respective careers are making them.

Turgon works in some capacity for the city government, which he claims is the level of politics where things actually get done.

Aredhel also works for Aldaron LLC as a spokesperson; sometimes she and Celegorm will collaborate on posts.

At some point, she starts a relationship with a guy named Eol, but leaves him when he turns out to be a controlling jerk. Post-breakup, she finds out she's pregnant, and ends up keeping the baby because Eol doesn't want her to do so and make him pay child support. She turns out a better mom than anyone expects.

Finarfin is some kind of lawyer working in conflict resolution and mediation. He is very good at it; he ought to be, given all the practice he's had.

Finrod owns an ethically sourced jewelry company. His brother Orodreth works for him.

Aegnor and Angrod are college students; Angrod is undeclared, but Aegnor is studying anthropology.

Artanis is in high school and the most politically minded teenager ever. She's in student government and on the debate team and Model UN, you name it. The family used to joke that someday she was going to rule a small country. They still say it, but it's become less and less of a joke over the years.

[buffyfan145]

Fellowship of Fans have released their take on The One Ring Net's article last week about those major "Rings of Power" season 2 leaks. Was curious if they would and glad they did as it's interesting to hear what FOF has heard too. They actually confirmed some of these they have also heard and they've also debunked a few too, but there are a few they don't know about so could be possible as the show did keep a few things secret for s1. Again we won't know if any of these are true, including what FOF has said, till s2 finally airs later this year. But will say they also included more about Charlie Vickers' screen time in s2 and it's good news as I know some of us were worried about it, and they're suggesting something we wanted to happen actually is. I'll break down their take between what they've also heard and what they've debunked and/or haven't heard at all.

ETA April 2024: A lot of these spoilers have been confirmed as false now including some that were leaked on purpose from Amazon to catch the leakers.

Confirmed:

The first major thing is it is possible Amazon got the ok from the Tolkien estate to use some of "The Silmarillion" to explain Sauron's backstory. This likely is mostly the use of names like Mairon, Mirthrander for Gandalf, Melkor/Morgoth, and show the Valar and Maiar.

There are flashbacks telling Sauron/Mairon's story but they haven't heard anything about what this leak said with the details. Possible the Valar and Maiar are shown on-screen in the opening, similar to Galadriel's opening in s1.

Sauron is in every episode.

Charlie Vickers filmed almost all the flashbacks and FOF seems to suggest that the Halbrand form is the human-like form of Mairon. Like above we might see what Mairon actually looked like fully as Maiar and Charlie is playing him. There likely is a flashback to his time with Adar, as Adar know Gavi Singh Chera's version, that Charlie won't be in but sounds like Gavi is mostly being used only as the Annatar version.

The 3rd actor playing Sauron very well could be Calam Lynch. They have also heard that Sauron will pretend to be Celeborn when he goes back to Eregion too, as well as shifting into Annatar when needed, but will pretend to be Galadriel's husband. They haven't posted this scoop though yet as they were waiting to get more confirmation but it is possible this is correct.

Is possible The Stranger being Gandalf/Mithrander will be revealed in the flashbacks with Charlie's Mairon/Sauron.

Sauron does use his connection to Aule to convince the dwarves to his side.

Tom Bombadil and Goldberry likely will appear.

The One Ring likely is getting made in the finale and Galadriel might make a huge choice for the cliffhanger for s3.

Debunked:

There are no bottle episodes.

Shadowfax will not appear.

Amelia Kenworthy is not playing Celebrian and there is no evil Celebrian, but Amelia's unnamed character is a villain.

That thing about the same actors playing Morgoth and Ungoliant playing Tom Bombadil and Goldberry is false, and they are not the same characters.

While the Valar and Maiar might be shown in the s2 premiere it's not what this leak described.

Things they haven't heard at all:

That Sauron has a son. That was the first time they ever heard this and they think it's false. However they aren't ruling out anything as again s1 did have leaks come out this exact same way and like they said TORT has the right to post these if they want. Will point out too TORT has doubled down on all these leaks, including this one about Sauron's son and that Adar killed him. I posted my other posts how this makes sense and I kind of do want this to happen, so if it doesn't I might write a fic about it as it weirdly works. LOL

So again we'll know for sure once season 2 airs which of these leaks/scoops were true. But again I'm really happy that it seems like Charlie is playing Mairon after all as so many of us thought he should.

[starlight-incarnate]

Ainur as Aesthetics: 

Melkor  —  eye-rolls, either sleep for the week or sleep is for the weak, great music taste, extremely passionate, smarter than you'd think, abandoned cities, alcohol, doesn't care about opinions, midnight hours, black coffee, hates humanity, cold hands, barely-there eyeliner, sharp smiles, lace-up boots, doesn't like to be told what to do, anger so blinding that you forget where and who you are, staring at the mirror until your features start to disappear, bad decisions, their words can hit you like a gunshot, the chilling sensation of metal on your skin, sharp claws ready to slash anyone they encounter, shattered antique mirrors, long dark scarves, dark and tousled hair, swallowing hard, a little broken.

Manwë  —  pale white snow, red cheeks, dried flowers that used to be the colour of the sun, quiet half-smiles, sunlight coming through an open window in the morning, hair tucked behind ears, gives the most thoughtful gifts, always neat, sparkly jewellery, beautiful poetry, comforting hugs, light footsteps, kisses on cheeks, a laugh like wind chimes, thunderstorms that you feel in your chest, intelligent eyes, collector of small objects, windswept hair, loves their friends with almost an unhealthy amount of loyalty, the colour of the sky at dusk, a crisp autumn breeze, soft hair, gold-flecked souls, the one who is there for you even when you think you don't need them, singing under their breath, smiles as the rain falls down and laughs as their hair lifts in the breeze.

Varda  —  cracked spines of leather-bound classics, sharing pieces of your soul with the world, starting revolutions with simple words, rosewater, cherry blossom petals floating through the wind, making promises, midnight conversations, writing into abysmal nothingness, stargazing, knowing smiles, doesn't open up easily, soft skin, crystals, a night where the clouds hide the moon, stories swirling in your mind, cursive letters, piercing eyes, whispers filled with secrets, studying things that do not exist, bright flashes of light outside your window, silk bedsheets, mysterious, handwritten notes, stays up so late it's early, plays quiet music for ambiance, fingertips stained with ink.

Ulmo  —  bodies full of stories, a will that ebbs and flows, lazy smiles, no real devotion to anything but existence itself, wordless lullabies, glassy blue eyes, moves with grace and rhythm, late night swims, blue tie dyed sheets, flowing outfits, the rough ocean at night, tall waves and bitter winds, salty hair, long limbs, kind of sad and tired but you've never see them cry, goes with the flow, quiet voice but loud meaning, walks with purpose, always looks their best, very kind and giving, seashells, loud laughter, perfect posture, habit of overthinking, bare feet, ice-cold lemonade, laying on the ground to soak up the sun, sand in the air, intricate designs, high ceilings, dim lights, bitten nails.

Aule  — confident, likes to perform, acts cool but is secretly emotional underneath, bold/dark colours, loves challenges, gets mad and forgives just as quickly, wouldn't change for anyone, laughing so loudly that strangers stare at you, running around like crazy person with your lover, compliments a stranger's crazy hair colour and feeling so good when they smile, unhealthy amounts of candy, fiery red sunsets, getting back up after being knocked down, they know that their friends are right behind them wherever they go, the burn in your lungs after chasing something you'll never be able to catch, always does their own thing.

Yavanna  —  warm days, soft smiles, making sure everyone is happy, walking barefoot, falling asleep in the sun, wishes everyone would be kinder, mugs of too-sweet tea, the person who screams don't kill the spider, adores animals, covered in freckles, one can never quite tell exactly what their eye colour is, pointing to the stars as they peek out from behind the clouds, large yawns early in the morning, a question left unanswered, honey, one hand catching another, tea that is swallowed for its warmth and not the taste, faded patterns on well-loved t-shirts, dew beading on flower petals, the imprints tight socks leave behind, wanderlust's yearning pull.

Orome  —  long hair, loves nature and animals, mist, sharp features, dirt under their fingernails, very down to earth, always willing to help, the strong friend, always has new, interesting facts to tell, tough as all hell, doesn't love easily but always loves deeply, walking barefoot everywhere, wildflowers threaded into messy braids, laying in the afternoon sun, big adventures, crisp air, deeply opinionated, climbing the tallest trees around, muddy feet, toothy smiles, accepting of everyone, follows their own path, stargazing off mountain cliffs, running through tall grass, folklore stories of fairies and dragons, a child at heart.

Nienna  —  honeyed and sulky dark summers, pomegranates, thunderstorms, magnolias, unkept promises, cinematic and shadowy, existing in a trance of melancholy, feels passionately though feigns detachment, slightly off-putting, their presence is announced but even if it wasn't you'd still know they were there, constantly underestimated, desperately afraid of silence, red-rimmed eyes, always appears serene, broken handwriting, short hair, foxes, dead leaves, large coats and scarves, numb fingers, old stone walls, steaming black tea, tears, gazing at a past lover down the hall, the smell before rain, old songs, nostalgia.

Námo  —  set features, eyes the color of dead souls, candles melting wax atop a piano, tragic smiles, an inexplicable sense of sharpness, hot tears, decaying cores, irreversible tornadoes, infectious whispers, heart is always pounding, doesn't like to be seen, nightmares, dark circles under their eyes that they can't hide, doesn't know their limits, slightly self-destructive, the silent one, bitter coffee, quiet observation, black eyeshadow, knows a bit of everything, no-nonsense, cold fingers and colder gazes, being misunderstood, sitting alone in a hard wood chair late at night, dead roses, losing a loved one too soon, moss covering broken gravestones, shattered glass, the taste of melancholy. 

Irmo  —  glows when they talk, dewy eyes, radiates with a blessing from the sun, gentle hands, dandelions, white clouds, the shy warmth of the first days of spring, afternoon naps, soft pillows, carefree laughter, fields of reeds, basking in the moonlight, flower crowns, sunbathing in creeks, gloriously alive, hours among the leaves, kind soul, often lost in their own thoughts, nights spent watching the river, dancing in a circle, holding hands, soft clothes, sun kissed skin, always listening to music, either works too hard or not at all, warm smiles, dancing in the rain, catching fireflies, wanting to do everything and nothing all at once, innocent hope, paper stars in glass jars, bittersweet goodbyes, looking for beauty in everything, water-coloured skies. 

Estë  —  dried orange garlands, snow on green tiled roofs, a bit in love, quills dipped in metallic ink, daydreaming, angelic singing, very fond of cuddling, homemade bread, constantly buying gifts for people, talkative, will hold your hand whenever and wherever, friends with almost everyone, convinced that sleeping at 10pm is late, strawberry ice cream, calming eyes, telling old stories, rosy cheeks, wanting the best for everyone, sunrises, loves nature, passionate about dreams, self-made flower crowns, will stay up late to comfort you, unexpected hugs from the back, not afraid to tell people they love them, humble.

Vairë  —  silver knitting needles, velvet skies filled with twinkling stars, red embroidery thread, hot black tea with spoonfuls of sugar, ballet shoes, hearts carved in birch bark, denim jackets, distant bells, foxgloves, rain moving over hills, cheek caresses, a bedroom left alone, walking in the mud and rain at dusk, resisting change, dead ends, unspoken feelings, finally coming home, looking up at the stars in hope of something more, simultaneously brimming with hope and lifeless, wiling the hours away, staring at the ceiling, wanting to write but not knowing the words, hiding from the world, afraid of the future, a sense of dread.

Vána  —  soft features, the smell of lavender, long walks in the sunshine, singing in a choir, sincere laughter, pastel colours, reading poetry aloud, baking cookies and sharing it with friends, kind gestures, painting on random objects, flower print clothes, lacy socks, handwritten love letters, forgiving people, graceful movements, writing poetry, roses, standing up for those who can't defend themselves, walks through nature, positivity, white lace, long hair, very graceful, always there for you, nostalgia of a time that you never knew, undeniably beautiful, the sweet breeze of a spring morning, slowing drifting off while laying on a green meadow, calm and collected, the best friend you could ask for.

Tulkas  —  loud laughter, hammocks, doesn't know when to stop, can't sleep, jacket with so many fixed holes it has been reduced to patchwork, flashing smiles, living on the edge, free spirit that will rip you to shreds if you dare to try and tame it, bloody knuckles, the moments of silence after a loud screaming match, riding into the sunset, dogs barking in the distance, the smell of fire on the air, running from person to person, unbridled chaos, aimless wandering, on the verge of greatness, call of the void, empty avenues, walking between worlds, wanting to hold the planets, melancholy nights, seeing things that aren't really there, wishing for more, overgrown unkempt gardens, bright colours against dark greens, tripping up on vines and logs, scraped knees.

Nessa  —  can go from laughing to serious fast if necessary, little bits of dark humour, staying up late, they do the little eyebrow thing when they get insulted, doodles, everybody else thinks they have friends but they don’t, red lipstick, lively, can be implosive, forgotten, mood swings like crazy, but very calm when they are happy, regrets decisions they made in the past, affectionately called a little brat, out until late in the afternoon of the next day, does not let anyone kill their vibe, seeing their escape in a person, the echo of your own steps on a tile floor, the sensation of being the only one left, a way that seems to have no end.

Eönwë  —  intimidating, has a soft side but only a few people see it, loves the forest, natural beauty, combat boots, deep thinker, false formality, a chord of music that breaks the silence, clouds rolling in, doesn't get angry but instead just fucking glares at you until you crumble, loves thunderstorms, mind like caverns, hands like stone, to hold or to hurt, heavy irises, earthquake tempers, unrequited love, soft voice, they know you whether you know them or not, lingering touches, people watching, the smell of old books and rain, faint music in the distance, won't let others break their friend's hearts, clearing their throat as a type of warning, moral righteousness, faith in humanity, towering buildings.

Mairon  —  sarcastic comments with a smile, glares that could kill, speaking in such a pretentious way that no one even understands you, obsession over studies, being a good person but getting corrupted, setting fire to the city, eyes like flames, heeled boots, soft aching hands buried in messy hair, ancient ruins, cups of tea gone cold, flawless eyeliner, impulsive decisions, false pretences, sickly sweet smiles, daunting realisations, masquerade masks, too stubborn to admit their regrets, waking up from a nightmare, hands cold to the bone, chest pains, the sharp cold of winter, rotting apples, dark circles under the eyes from not sleeping for days, hands stripped from over-washing.

So! Still trying to work out my masterlist and first few posts I have pre-written. In the meantime, please enjoy this messy aesthetic thingy.

[wowstrawberrycow]

Reading The Silmarillion Part 2 (#3)

Alas I had to break it up again😖 But that's fine. I have concluded that this is just gonna have to be that way. I will just have to creep at a snails pace through this book. Big oof. But eh, whatever. #4 will come soon!

Here's the Audiobook I'm using.

-We will continue your regularly scheduled program-

We left off with Every, villain, is, lemons as Melkor and friends brew chaos.

Wait Lemons? Like this right?⬇️

Totally foreshadowing with the bro in chains on the cover. Who knew Mr. Tolkein was into bondage.

-Meanwhile-

Valar: Ok people, it's time for our monthly business meeting. Yavanna you start.

Yavanna: Kay, so the babies' naptime is gonna end soon. Soon? Sometime? Eventually? And someone has to baby proof the nursery. Cause no baby of mine needs a table corner to the face. And who the hell is gonna take care of that JoJo's villain Melkor?? He's a bad influence on the babies!

Tulkas: Ya know she's gotta point. I say put the bastard in timeout! Permanently.

Mandos: Chill out they aren't up just yet. They still have nightlights, so it's not that bad... Yet.

Vada:⬇️

Elf Babies:⬇️

This happened ⬇️

Elf Baby photo album

Babies first encounter with water

Babies first song

Orame: Omg they're so damn cute! 🥰 Mine! *Attempts to adopt them all*

Babies everytime Orame gets too close:⬇️

Melkor: Constantly scaring the babies with bs about Orame for kicks. Idk? He probably tells them he's the headless horseman and sings them creepy ass Russian lullaby's about creatures coming to take um away???

Orame: Really?😡 Stop fuckin with my babies! Come at me bro!

Melkor: Oh come on, it's just a bit of fun! *Sends one of his goonies to do the truffle shuffle outside Orame's house.*

One day they egg Orame's house and this happens.

After that some of the babies start to like Orame.

-Saddness- 🥺

The babies who stayed with their uncle Melkor ended up traumatized and became meth addicts, I mean uruk's? , I mean orcs.

Is orc a racial slur now????

Uruk? Orc? Babies and elf babies forever can't play nicely on the playground. But, that's just because uruk's? orcs? Come from a low income broken household and Melkor is their abusive alcoholic father. They are sooooo jealous of the elf babies who seem to get all the nice things.

Uruk?orc?? Kids be like: Screw you dad!

Melkor: The fuck did you just say to me boys!? Get the hell back to your chores and get papa a beer while you're at it!!

Manwe: Kay y'all we gotta do something about this⬇️

*puts together a school board to take care of the bullying problems*

-Also-

Tulkas: 😃 War!

Aule:😩 War... Kay fine...

*Then they all fuck up Melkor's day*

Melkor: *glares at elf babies* and⬇️

Melkor's Sexy Man Servants:⬇️

Then this shit happens ⬇️

Babies forget everything ✔️

A mysterious force is looking over middle earth✔️

War is over✔️

-This happens. Again.-

Also Autunno and Melkor's Sexy Man Servants hook up⬇️

Eventually Melkor and Autunno become FWB's roommates⬇️

-Then suddenly-

Tulkas X Malkor Tulkas VS Melkor⬇️

-And this- *remembers the yaoi manga with the bro in chains on the cover*

Ohhhh right! That's Melkor⬇️

What about Sauron??? Fuck that hoe. We can't find him anyway.

Oh well life is good!

-But....-

here's the other parts!

Part 1

Part 2- #1, #2

-Stay tuned for more after another short break-

[asianbutnotjapanese]

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

For: @feast-of-horns

Day 5: New alliances | New companions

Warings: none

Summary: Melkor reaps what he sows

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

"I do not understand how chasing someone is fun"

"Fun is not the right word queen Miriel thrill is what you must use"

Melkor's facial expression gave a malicious look Miriel could see a glimpse of longing in his eyes.

"Doing whatever you want to do with your prey is thrilling-....I am sure your face being flattened on the mud by Tulkas was a thrill too"

Mandos' whisper reached the ears of Miriel and Melkor.

Melkor eyed him with distaste and turned his face away from him.

"He was not following the rules"

Melkor gently pulled on the chains that bound him.

"You should not be the one talking about not following the rules"

Miriel, who saw Namo and Melkor quarrelling before never got tired of it, you learn new things when you witness angry people biting eachother.

"I want to participate in this hunt"

Miriel had to interrupt before their quarrel grew bigger and Mandos's maiar sent Melkor to one of the corners of the hall "to preserve what remains of his dignity" as one maia said before.

“The dead do not play with the living, Therinde”

The chains that were choking Melkor loosened as Mandos looked away from him to Miriel.

“But I did “play” with the living before and you allowed it”

“Curufinwe will be weaken-"

"My Feanaro is strong”

Taking a few steps closer to the throne Miriel interrupted him before he could finish.

“He will live until I say otherwise and you know this so you better not forget about it”

Her words sparked astonishment in Melkor's heart.

“Maybe you should let her out for this time Namo, I'm sure Miriel will be a good girl and won't wander away from the forest”

Melkor's eyes shone brighter than aule’s fire.

"And you can use part of me this time"

He raised his hand a thin thread emerged from his palm.

“This way neither Varie nor Manwe will suspect anything and you should remember they can feel when there is something wrong"

Miriel gave Melkor a dark look but didn't say anything.

"If you try anything, I will make sure your miserable existence becomes even more unbearable”

Namo warned Melkor.

Melkor's face contorted into a disparaging smile, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"You wound me, lord of the dead"

He bowed his head in mock submission.

"You have my word,”

"And who will you hunt down your majesty?"

Melkor turned his face to Miriel who already started sewing her divided spirit together with Melkor's soul

"My sister-wife"

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

[silmarillion-dnd]

Elvers:

Masterlist

Eldar:

Vanyar:

About: The Vanyar are the smallest host of Eldar, and were all blessed by Manwe who gave them gifts of poetry and song. All Vanyar have + 2 when using their voice, for singing or convincing others and advantage on Intelligence. They prefer to fight with spears and have white banners in battle. They are residents of Oiolossë and Valimar. They speak Sindarin (common) and Quenya (the Vanyar dialect). If they were born in Valinor they glow in the dark meaning enemies might spot them.

Description: The Vanyar all have golden hair.

Noldor:

About: The Noldor is the second host of the Eldar. Noldor means those who know, showing their thirst for knowledge. They are known for being the most skillful of the Eldar hosts and were loved by Aule, whom they learned from. Their most known skills include developing their language, building castles and towns, gem cutting, and smithing. They are also infamously known as being the proudest of the Elvers. They have advantage in Intelligence and Wisdom. As a Noldor you can be devoted to any of the Valar except Namo. They favor swords and shields above other weapons. They are residents of Tirion, Formenos, Nevrast, Hithlum, Gondolin, Nargothrond, Dorhonion, All East Beleriand, and Lindon (all over Beleriand these are just the most known of). They speak Sindarin (common) and Quenya. If they were born in Valinor they glow in the dark meaning enemies might spot them.

Description: The Noldor are known for their black (dark) and a few times red hair, and grey eyes. They are about 7 feet tall.

Teleri:

About: The Teleri is the third and largest host of the Eldar who moved to Valinor. They are known for their fair voices, which they were once named after. They have advantage in Intelligence and Charisma. They are residents of Alqualondë, Isle of Balar, Ossiriand, Doriath, Tol Eressëa, and Mithlond. They speak Sindarin (common), Quenya, Telerin, and Nandorin. If they were born in Valinor they glow in the dark meaning enemies might spot them.

Description: They are known for their mostly silver, and at times dark, hair, and some were said to have skin so pale it was described as white.

Falmari (Sub-Race of the Teleri): The Falmari were the Teleri who took the Great Journey into Beleriand and reached Valinor, and are known for their ships. They are residents of Alqualondë and Tol Eressëa. They speak Sindarin (common), Quenya, and Telerin.

Sindar (Sub-Race of the Teleri): The Sindar, also known as the grey Elvers are good singers, woodsmen, and shipbuilders. Their hair is usually dark. They are residents in Doriath, the Falas, and Nan Elmoth (all over Beleriand these are just the most known of). They speak Sindarin (common).

Nandor (Sub-Race of the Teleri): The Nandor is the Teleri who turned aside from the Great Journey to the Misty Mountains, they are described as having white skin, and dark or brown hair, and are great lovers of nature and animals in the dark and deep forests, and are a very secretive folk. They are called green Elvers. They are farmers out from their name Nandor which means farmer. They are residents of Lothlórien, as the first people there, Greenwood the Great (although that´s first mentioned in the second age, they where the first residents there so they probably where there in the first age too), Belfalas, Ithilien, might have been the first there, and Ethir Anduin, as the first people there. They speak Sindarin (common), Silvan Elvish, and Nandorin (their own language). If you play as a Nandor you automatically have an Elven Cloak (a cloak that can blend into any form of environment and gives you +3 on stealth).

Silvan (Sub-Race of the Nando): Silvan, also known as wood Elvers, are rivals to Dwarves, and descending of the Nandor who choose to live in the Vales of Anduin. They are residents of Lothlórien, Ithilien, Edhellond, Greenwood the Great, and Belfalas. They speak Sindarin (common) and Silvan Elvish (their own langue). If you play as a Silvan you automatically have an Elven Cloak (a cloak that can blend into any form of environment and gives you +3 on stealth).

Avari (Moriquendi): 

About: The Avari, or unwilling according to the Vanyar and Noldor, where the Elvers who refused to take the great journey. Some of them are said to know dark magic (following the letters and drafts it´s either song or rune magic (you can choose only one if playing an Avari)) and others where said to be corrupted by Morgoth or having turned savage in the wild, and their biggest rivals are said to be the Eldar. What is known about them is that they lived in tribes with unique and private cultures and rituals, some big others small, consisting of usually family, although only six tribes are mentioned; Kindi, Cuind, Hwenti, Windan, Kinn-lai, Penni. They are residents of Eriador, Rhûn, Taur-Im-Duinath, and the Vales of Anduin. They speak Sindarin (common) and various Avarin languages (their own languages).

Description: Nothing is said about how they look.

Pros: They have advantage in Dexterity, Constitution,  history, and arcane rolls. They have darkvision and can´t get sick, they are also immune to the spell sickness unless it´s a powerful Ainur who cast it.Cons: A lot of other races can be hostile against them, they are also hostile to each other, and a lot of the time won't want to make alliances. Elvers are also all stubborn, and usually convinced they are the only ones who are right. All Elvers take a quarter more damage in psychic attacks than other races.

[hirazuki]

Sauron 🔥🔥

Haha, oh dear XD I hope an essay is what you were looking for!

I feel like most of my opinions on Sauron are unpopular in varying degrees with one part of the fandom or another lol, but let's go with one that, until very recently, I legit thought was pretty universally accepted as canon-established fact (but is, apparently, unpopular):

Sauron's relationship with Melkor -- regardless of how one prefers to interpret the exact nature of that relationship in the course of their fandom-ing -- is not abusive! :D

There is much about Sauron that we don't know, especially his early days, but one of the very few things Tolkien is explicit on is that Sauron's service to Melkor was due to awe and respect, and was the culmination and product of what remained of his "good" nature as a Maia; and not out of fear.

It was the apparent will and power of Melkor to effect his designs quickly and masterfully that had first attracted Sauron to him. (Morgoth's Ring, p. 396)

Sauron did not seek his own supremacy, but worked and schemed for another, desiring the triumph of Melkor, whom in the beginning he had adored. (Morgoth's Ring, p. 420)

I'm too tired right now to look up every instance across, like, four different books, but the words that keep being repeated with regards to how Sauron views Melkor are admiration, desire, adoration, etc. and linking it to his lingering goodness.

I suppose you can read the "in the beginning he had adored" part as Sauron losing his love for Melkor due to Melkor's treatment of him, but, really, there is absolutely no evidence towards that. Given the passage the line is in and that Tolkien is discussing the motives of his villains, I read it more as Sauron's adoration fading from its initial intensity due to his distance from Melkor after the First Age and due to his increasing focus on himself and the ordering of Middle Earth in the Second Age; and once the one ring comes into play, Sauron's mind is pretty much consumed by that obsession.

On the other hand, the only times I can think of where the opposite is implied are: 1. Luthien threatening him that he'll tremble in scorn before Melkor (Silmarillion, p. 206); and "for the bonds that Morgoth had laid upon him were very strong." (Silmarillion, p. 342). Both of which can be considered to be outside perspectives -- Luthien, obviously, knows nothing about their relationship, and assuming that Melkor's cruelty would be inflicted upon his servant for failure is reasonable from her POV; and that second line is in a passage that carries an overall tone of "some hold so-and-so to be true," so not as seemingly omniscient as other parts of the Silm come across as. Also "bonds" is fairly vague; I don't think it's a stretch to consider that as either simply something that exists between any Vala and their Maiar -- they are beholden in some way to their service -- or even just the bonds of loyalty and adoration that Sauron developed towards Melkor.

Obviously, I don't think their relationship was all sunshine and sparkles; no relationship of any kind is. And it's true that the more favored you are, the farther you have to fall personal experience ✌️ I do think this is a fear that Sauron legitimately could have had -- one can conceive all sorts of reasons, from seeing how Melkor treats his other servants to residual feelings Sauron experienced in his days with Aule, but that goes way into headcanon territory and I'm trying to stay away from that here -- hence why Luthien playing on it was so effective. But -- and I haven't read every text available; yet! -- nowhere that I have seen so far does the text ever use words like fear, loathing, etc. the way it does when describing how, say, Orcs feel towards Melkor, to describe Sauron's relationship with him. Those words were available to Tolkien; if he had wanted to use them, he would have!

I've also seen people cite Sauron's absence after the incident at Tol-in-Guarhoth as evidence that he is terrified of Melkor and Melkor was abusive to him, hence he avoided him. Sure; you can take his absence in the text literally, and consider him MIA until he resurfaces in Eonwe's camp at the end of the War of Wrath. That's a valid interpretation, and you can choose to ascribe that absence to Sauron's fear of Melkor. But, again, there is no instance in which Melkor so much as punishes him, and also there's this bit:

In all the deeds of Melkor the Morgoth upon Arda, in his vast works and in the deceits of his cunning, Sauron had a part, and was only less evil than his master in that for long he served another and not himself. (Silmarillion, p. 24) [emphasis mine]

So, yes, Sauron isn't mentioned by name in any events subsequent to Huan tearing his throat out; but also, you can absolutely interpret him as having gone back and continued under Melkor until the end of the War since the text clearly states that he had a hand in every single deed. That is also a valid interpretation! Tolkien's omission on the matter can be taken either way.

And since I've been absurdly long-winded already (here's a cookie if you're still with me! 🍪), let's just make this even longer and look at the other side of the relationship :D

Angband was a fortress and armory that was created "to resist any assault that might come from Aman" (i.e., first and arguably most important line of defense) and it was left to Sauron to command. (Silmarillion, p. 44)

Melkor thought that the coming of Men to Beleriand was significant enough an occurrence to warrant his personal attention on the field, "leaving to Sauron the command of the War." (Silmarillion, p. 164)

Sauron was "the greatest and most trusted" of Melkor's servants. (Silmarillion, p. 341)

Concerning the making of Orcs, "The details of the accomplishment of this wickedness were, however, left mainly to the subtleties of Sauron." (Morgoth's Ring, p. 420)

Sauron repaired Angband in secret "for the help of his Master when he returned." (Morgoth's Ring, p. 421)

Also, Sauron's only thought upon beholding Luthien -- and the text makes special note that the fame of Luthien's unparalleled beauty and song had long been known to him -- is to capture her to give to Melkor (Silmarillion, p. 205). Leaving aside the details of why Melkor would want her (I can't remember if this is mostly-canon or if it's my own headcanon-extrapolated-from-canon, and I'm too lazy to look it up), what's important here is that he is literally the only character who is not taken with her or doesn't act upon some kind of desire towards her. No thoughts, head empty, only Melkor.

As we all know -- and struggle with and/or revel in, depending on the day -- there are a great many inconsistencies and differing versions of almost everything among Tolkien's writings; which only serves to highlight the exceptions! This -- the little we know of Sauron's relationship with Melkor -- is one of the exceptions, where literally everything I've come across suggests a relationship that is surprising in its... benevolence? almost, especially given how each party tends to treat others. It's rare for a villainous superior/trusted second-in-command relationship to not incorporate some type of plotting, backstabbing, seeking to overthrow, etc., or some kind of lashing out on the part of the more powerful party towards their subordinate. And especially set in Tolkien's world, which is very much a mythology constructed of opposing forces such as Good and Evil, it's unexpected! A complete oddity, contrary to what stories such as this would lead us to expect -- and all the more compelling for it! And, for the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would insist it is toxic and abusive instead -- such a take is terribly reductive and does huge disservice to the crafting of both characters involved.

To be clear, idc what people do in their fanfics, fanart, etc. It's your enjoyment, your headcanons, it's free real estate, go wild! No one can stop you! My issue is that I've recently seen an increasing amount of insistence that reading it as abusive is the canon interpretation and, no? And I do have to wonder how much a certain final episode of a certain show has to do with that, because "a great, clenched fist had released its grasp on my neck" is just. nowhere near how Tolkien characterizes this relationship and I mourn the fact that, given the far-reaching, multi-million dollar production that it is, this will be the "official" read of this relationship for a great deal of the general public.

(And, if you've made it to the end, here: 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 all the cookies!)

[thelien-art]

HOUSE OF FINWE

Headcannons for Maglor, Caranthir, Amrod&Amras, Fingolfin, Gil-Galad, Turgon, Eärendil Elros&Elrond, Aredhel, Eöl, Maeglin, Finafin, Finrod, Angrod, Aegnor, Galadriel, Celebrían, Elladan&Elrohir below

Maglor:

Maglor manipulates his way through Valinor and kept doing it in Beleriand both in songs and way of words and knowing when to keep away. He also tears his eyes out in a moment of insanity after he hears about Celebrimbor's death which he founds out at the end of the second age when Elrond finds him (he wasn´t close enough to stop him) to take him home, right before Gil-Galad´s death.

Caranthir:

Caranthir is autistic and loves working with textiles of any kind and he will go on for hours without end about it, he also knows the laws a bit too well to find loopholes. taxfraud (I also headcannon him as being Erector's dad but didn´t add it here)

Amrod & Amras:

Amraod was on the ships when Feanor burned them and he lost most of his left face, his body was heavily scarred and the worst was on the left side, he also lost two fingers and when Maedhros comes back from Angband he keeps making fun of it telling him they could borrow each other's hands, he did lose his ability to speak but Caranthir designed sign langue for him and Amras translated to others. Amrod was always more of a scholar and enjoyed beauty quite a lot, he would sometimes join Amras and Celegorm on hunts. Amras was the more outspoken of the twins and usually spoke for Amrod outside of court and after the burning of the ships he became Amrod voice as Amrod followed him no matter what and even insisted on sharing a bed (Amras didn´t mind they´ve always shared a bedroom and when they were smaller bed)

Fingolfin:

I like to think he's all for jewels but only when he has something to do, when he's home or something like that he wears the simplest and most comfortable available, but when he has somewhere to be or do, he goes crazy on the jewels, also he´s an introvert.

Gil-Galad:

He used to straighten his hair for a long time when he first came to power and only really stopped in the few years before his death because of Elrond.

Turgon:

Turgon is autistic. I mean look at his action and think about it, also loves architecture.

Eärendil:

I don´t think Eärendil and Elwing ever really loved each other, they were good childhood friends but when they got married it was more of a chore. It was only later, long into the third age, that they began having romantic feelings for each other. Later when he has sailed with the Silmaril for a lot of years he turns blind and his forehead is always heavily burnt and sometimes there´s blood in his hair

Elros & Elrond:

Elros and Elrond got their eyes from Turgon and the reason they´re so light is 1. the Silmaril 2. the Maia part, also keeps Elros away from scissors it took Elrond years to convince him to grow 1/4 of his hair long after Maedhros gave him permission to wear his hair whoever he wants (later when he becomes king, he makes a habit of covering his hair).

Aredhel:

She wears white because her mom usually wears either light colors or white. She and Eöl love each other very much they just understand the world in two different ways which sometimes makes them quarrel.

Eöl:

I headcannon Eöl as a Maia of Aule who joined Melkor but left. His hair is purple and so is Maeglin´s, although he kept dyeing Maeglin´s hair to hide the real color for everyone. Maeglin never really relies it's unnatural color and just thinks some Avarins hair has that color and Aredhel just believes it turned purple because of Melian, she and Thingol know Eöl is a Maia, she also joins for tea sometimes. The tattoo symbol on Eöl´s forehead is picked up from dwarves (it stands for protection) nobody ever realizes Eöl is a Maia except when Fingon joins Aredhel to try and find him when they have been reborn. Aredhel says they should check the halls of Aule as he´s a smith and when they arrive Fingon finds a Maia if he has seen an Avarin named Eöl, Eöl (the Maia Fingon asked) doesn't have the time to explain before Aredhel crashes him in a hug. Also, he´s dyeing his hair to make it look like northern light which he really likes (Melkor made it and gave a jar with it to Eöl who now has it in his office or something)

Maeglin:

Maeglin always saw himself as part of Eöl´s house and never really Fingolfin´s, although he does end up staying with his grandad until they find his dad, Eöl didn´t know he was back as Maeglin decided to stay a long time in Mandos and Namo ended up telling Eöl to stop coming and that Maeglin wasn't ever coming out (BIG MISUNDERSTANDING HAPPENS)

Finarfin:

Finarfin has bangs because he has a little scar on his forehead from an accident when he was smaller. He always wanted kingship which was the main reason for him staying behind.

Finrod:

He will go to sleep in his jewels. He also wishes for kingship like his dad, although he might be a bit better at hiding it and making people do as he wants (he´s a snake and I love him)

Angrod:

No, I didn´t add his wife because I didn´t know how to make space for her. His always there to listen or help his brother (Aegnor).

Aegnor:

He´s always had depressive tendencies but when they arrived at Beleriand it kicked hard and the fact that Angrod has a wife while Finrod kept telling him to stay away from Andreth didn´t help.

Galadriel:

Galadriel wants power and she will do anything to get her way. Tolkien makes it known that she´s prideful and "too wild" for the Valar´s liking many times. Although she might be even better than Finrod hiding her lust for power as she´s less reckless.

Celebrían:

Celebrían colors her hair in honor of her father's culture.

Elladan Elrohir:

Elladan has a tattoo of a blue branch on his right chin and Elrohir on his left.

-

I'm gonna this again and when I do it's gonna look way more professional than that sketch on sketch thing I made there

I just found out tumblr has a tag limit... (it´s 30)

[enchantingkryptoniteheart-blog]

The Beat of Intentions - snippet- character development / contention -misunderstanding.

Playing with some ideas to develop my WIP. Not sure if this is a keeper or not.

******************

“I know your holding out on me.” Rosalyn accused, yet her tone was teasing as she looped her arm through the slightly blushing Mistlynn. “I heard from Bombur’s wife that he walked you back to your room, late!”

 

“He walked me back, that’s it.” Mistlynn laughed.

 

“Walked you back from where?” The baker squeezed her friends arm, as if she was fighting the urge to strangle her.

 

“Nothing happened! He took me up to the observatory, I told him I missed seeing the stars. So, he showed me.”

 

Rosalyn planted her feet, making Mistlynn lurch to a stop. “Wait. He took you to the observatory … Just the two of you?”

 

“Well, Luna was with me.”

 

“Aule’s beard Mistlynn! That observatory is not open to the citizens of Erebor. Its by royal invitation only. It was constructed by Prince Thrain for his wife when they were wed.” She gave Mistlynn an incredulous look.

 

Mistlynn shifted uneasily on her feet. “It isn’t something to read into Rosa.” She deflected.

 

“Oh, like how that kiss in the alley way wasn’t something to read too much into?” Rosalyn folded her arms across her chest as she quirked an eyebrow as she watched Mistlynns jaw drop in shock.

 

“H-how did you?-“

 

“Dis. Who heard from Gloin and the Princes. We were waiting to see how long it would take you to tell us.” 

 

Mistlynn felt her face flush with instant heat as blood began to hum in her ears. “I-I didn’t think anyone saw … he didn’t mean it. He was just upset and I kept pressing him …”

She stopped her stammering as she watched the unimpressed smirk on her friends lips turn into a mischievous grin.

 

“Mahal Mist! Its nothing to be embarrassed about! You two have been dancing around each other for months! Its obvious to everyone with eyes that you two are One's. He is so smitten with you, his eyes light up the moment he sets his eyes on you, even when you are running your mouth and baiting him. He adores it.”

 

Mistlynn scanned the vast main hall of the markets, teeming with Dwarrow’s and dams running about their daily business.  “Its not that obvious, surely.” She muttered.

 

Rosalyn laughed as she stepped forward to grab Mistlynns hands. “Why do you think you have your own personal workspace so quickly with the best skins at your disposal? He wants to keep you close.”  She pulled her closer, as if conspiring a tantalizing rumor. “At this rate, I don’t doubt for one moment that you will have a courting braid with his bead in your hair by the end of summer. Mark my words.”

 

Mistlynn’s stomach flipped, butterflies erupted and tumbled about at a nauseating pace at her friends conspiring whisper.  “Rosalyn…” she breathed, fear and hope afire in her veins as a small, shy smile played with her lips.

 

“We won’t speak of it anymore, unless you want to.” Rosalyn soothed, her smile still bright. “But something tells me you’re not as opposed to the idea as you were before at the beginning of summer?”

 

Mistlynn bit her bottom lip, her cheeks flushing hot. “I-I felt something…when he kissed me. That night in the alley.”

 

“Uhuh. I’m sure you felt something alright.” Rosalyn goaded with an excited giggle.

 

Mistlynn gasped as she smacked the strawberry blonde’s arm. “You stop! I won’t speak another word of it if you’re just going to be crass about it!”

 

“Ugh, so be it. You can’t blame a poor dam … please do continue so I can live vicariously through you!”  Rosalyn rolled her eyes playfully as they continued walking, arm and arm through the market towards her bakery.

 

“As I was saying…” Mistlynn sighed in mock exasperation, feeling somewhat breathless as they memory replayed in her mind. “I-I cant stop thinking about it. It felt as if my body was on fire. My lips tingled for hours afterwards.”

 

Rosalyn groaned before she giggled. “He was that good huh?”

 

“I’ve been kissed before.” MIstlynn mused, her gaze faraway as they walked. “None of them made me feel like this. He made me feel … alive. Like I wasn’t really feeling anything until he kissed me. Its indescribable. It’s all I can think about.’ She whispered the last part of her confession, still nervous to admit her feelings out loud. As if it would make it less real.

 

“I say this calls for a celebration!” Rosalyn declared as she added a skip to her step. “I say some apple cinnamon tarts with some tea will pair with this new development of your love life nicely.”

 

“I can’t stay long. I have those bracers for Kili I want to finish up by this evening.” Mistlynn reminded her as her stomach rumbled at the mention of the savory apple tarts Rosalyn was infamous for.

 

“Oh dont fret. I wouldn’t keep you from finishing up your darling nephew’s bracers.” Rosalyn grinned saucily, enjoying the little outraged gasp that escaped Mistlynn.

 

“That sounds so wrong when you say it. They are my friends Rosalyn!” Mistlynn scolded.

 

“They are young enough to be your nephews, you are several decades older after all.” Rosalyn quipped.

 

“Age is just a number. “Mistlynn grouched. “Change the subject please. Anyone can overhear us at this rate.”

 

“Ok, ok. Dis wants us to come to her chambers tonight after supper. So we will continue this line of conversation later!”

 

Mistlynn rolled her eyes as Rosalyn opened the door to her bakery, looked over her shoulder and waggled her eyebrows at her before disappearing through the threshold.

 

“Little busybodies.” Mistlynn muttered under her breath as she followed.

 

 

Mistlynn’s lunch hour passed quickly, but with a full stomach and Rosalyn’s pleasant company had her leaving the bakery with a bright smile on her face.

 

She had a skip to her step as she walked through the corridors back towards her work stations that were held next to the smithing stations. She felt better, knowing that her and Thorin’s first kiss wasn’t some forbidden secret that she had to keep from her friend. She didn’t even realize that others knew of it, and that instead of judging her questionable origins, they were instead excited and openly supportive. For the first time, she didn’t question what possibilities the future could hold for her. She was allowing herself to envision a future, where she was cherished and loved, and most importantly not alone.

 

“Oh! Lady Misten! How lovely it is to see you.” She heard a feminine voice purr, promptly jerking her back to her present surroundings. She looked at a group of well-dressed Dams standing off to the side, just outside of Dori’s dress shop (other term for clothing shop). She couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow as they looked her up and down, their judgement oozing from the fake polite smiles they had on their perfectly dolled up faces.

 

“My name is Mistlynn. You don’t have to address me as Lady. I hold no such airs.” Mistlynn returned the fake smile, placing her hands on her hips to brace herself. These dams had never drawn her into conversation, they had always observed her from afar, and she preferred it that way. Whatever their intentions were in engaging her in conversation, she knew she wasn’t in for a pleasant conversation.

 

“Oh, that’s right. Mistlynn.” The ebony haired dam with the perfect milk white complexion dragged out the pronunciation of her name, as if it were something unsavory on her tongue. “I should have guessed you would prefer a more common address. I don’t believe I have ever seen you in a dress. Always in the same trousers, and tunic, and… whatever it is you wear about that tiny waist of yours. Such a pity. Really.”

 

Mistlynn took a deep breath in through her nose as she watched the smirk on the dam’s face grow into a mischievous smirk. She was playing with a rather impressive necklace of glittering rubies set in ornately carved gold links. She had matching earrings with scattered ruby pins that gleamed in her artistically curled hair. She was beautiful, Mistlynn couldn’t take that away from her, no matter how vile her personality seemed to be.

 

“Im sorry, I don’t believe we have been introduced properly.” Mistlynn stretched the fake smile further into what was supposed to be a pleasant grin.

 

“Only in passing have we seen one another. I am Lady Briela, daughter of Lord Brulin from Ered Luin.”  The dam’s eyes glittered sharply in the torch light as her keen stare stayed on Mistlynns face, the fake smile doing nothing to warm her eyes.

 

“Lady Briela, it is good to put a name to the face.” Mistlynn quipped with a quick curtsy.  

 

Briela approached her, surprisingly feline in her movements given how ornate her dress was. She began to circle Mistlynn, as a predator would its prey. Mistlynn felt herself tense at the perusal, not out of fear but irritation. She followed Briela with her own challenging look as she tilted her head to the side in silent warning.

 

“You are truly a unique specimen, you know that?” the dam hummed, her tone sickeningly sweet. “All small bones and wild hair. Almost like a nymph of legend. Hardly a dam if I were to guess. It is no doubt why all the Dwarrow’s can’t seem to take their eyes off of you, no one can seem to guess where it is you hail from.”

 

Mistlynn couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her.

 

Oh, she can’t be serious. This is so pathetic.

 

“I highly doubt the Dwarrow’s can’t keep their eyes off me, as you so eloquently put it. “she scoffed. “I mean, how can they when we all are graced with your opulent presence. I dont have any gems adorning me to catch the eye. I prefer to blend in.”

 

Briela laughed, a trill sound that made Mistlynn grit her teeth in pain at the grating sound. “Oh, you are so sweet. Normally I dont like to flaunt my family jewels, but I just couldn’t help but proudly display these. You will never guess who gave them to me.”

 

Her friends who were still standing off to the side began to twitter excitedly at her words, as they watched eagerly to see Mistlynn’s reaction.

She tried to stop her eyes from rolling into the back of her head at the obvious baiting. “I can’t even begin to imagine who, I am new here after all.”

 

“Why, the King, of course! Who else would be able to afford giving such a magnificent gift?”

 

Mistlynn could of sworn her heart stopped at that very moment, the fake smile falling from her face slowly as she allowed her eyes to drift back to the necklace and matching earrings. They were of flawless craftsmanship; undoubtedly what royalty would own. Longbeards were known for such exquisite work when it came to precious metals and gems. It was what she had been expecting to see on Thorin and the rest of the Durin house the moment she realized where she was.

 

“I know, I was speechless myself when he gave them to me at our luncheon today.” Briela continued breathlessly, as if reliving the moment he put them on her in that very moment. “It is a very monumental moment, you know? When a Dwarrow gives a Dam such fine jewelry. It is a declaration of sorts. The beginning of courtship.” 

 

Mistlynn swallowed the lump in her throat as she managed to drag her eyes back up into Briela’s smiling face. She seemed to be glowing with happiness, her hands still playing with the plum sized ruby pendant. A sympathetic smile played across mouth as she took a step towards Mistlynn.

“I know you are not used to such ways of tradition, being from the far north and all. Sheep herders, was it?”

 

Mistlynn gave a jerky nod as she fought to calm her racing heart, to push back the emotions that began to flood through her as if setting her ablaze. Embarrassment. Shame. Her chest began to ache.

 

“I was worried you may have gotten the wrong idea, that the King was giving you attention out of interest.” She waved her hand in the air with a light chuckle, as if waving away the notion. “He is so very protective of dams. Always has been. And with the state you were in when he first brought you here. Well, he’s always taken pity on those less fortunate. The Durin’s are known for their charity.”

 

Mistlynn flinched, feeling the words hit across her face as she would feel a slap.

 

“Don’t let this get you down, my dear.” Briela placed a hand on her shoulder in a sad attempt of comfort. “I’ve heard that one Lord, Oh dear, what’s his name? Lord Bifur? Yes! Lord Bifur, the one with the axe in his head! He may be a little off his kettle, but he is very well off and is in very good standing in the court since he was part of the company that won back Erebor. Rumor has it he has his sights set on you. An excellent match, if you ask me. You couldn’t do better than that! He should be able to overlook your odd characteristics, given his affliction.”

 

Mistlynn clenched her jaw as raw anger raced through her at the mention of Bifur. She shook off Briela’s hand off her shoulder in disgust. “He is a fine dwarf. He doesn’t deserve such insult spoken about him.”

 

“Oh! I don’t mean to insult him insinuating his interest in you, Misten dear. You shouldn't sell yourself so short! You are not ugly by any means.” Briela held her hand to her chest, as if affronted at the idea of insulting anyone. “I truly meant no harm. It is my duty as a fellow Dam to educate you. I would hate to see you humiliated in public.”

 

Mistlynn narrowed her eyes at the fake display. “Thank you. I appreciate your insight.” Her voice was clipped. Never in her life had she ever wanted to strangle another dam with her bare hands like she wanted to now.  But was it truly Briela’s fault if Thorin had been promising her one thing when he meant something else entirely?

 

Why would he have kissed her? Told her of his suspicions? Asked her to not leave as they tried to navigate through whatever it was that was unfolding between them?

 

She felt sick.  Rosalyn’s apple tart sat heavy in her stomach as if it had turned to stone.

 

“Of course, my dear.” Briela nodded graciously, that sweet smile still fixed into place on her perfectly painted face. “I’ll be sure to encourage Thorin to talk to Bifur about pursing courtship once we announce our engagement.”

 

“That won’t be necessary.” Mistlynn shook her head as her hands began to shake. “Please excuse me. I forgot I had to meet someone after my break.”

 

“I do hope you have a good day.” Briela called after her as she turned and headed back towards the market.  Mistlynn gasped as her hand flew to her chest as the ache sharpened with each breath. Her stomach turned, this time the butterlies lay heavy and lifeless, adding to the weight that seemed to sink into her. Her mind raced through every interaction. Every spoken word. Every look.

 

That kiss.

 

His touch, his fingers intertwined with hers when he took her on top of the very world to touch the stars.

 

Her eyes burned as the hurt slowly melted and twisted into rage that began to make her limbs hum.

 

He had been playing her as a fool. Perhaps to pay her back for all the trouble she had caused these past few months?

Why would he go through such lengths to do so?

 

Her steps became driven as her paced quickened. She became tunnel visioned as she moved through the bustling crowd of the market.

 

She knew where he was.

 

And she was going to confront him. He had hurt her in the worst possible way. No one had ever misled her heart in such a vile way.

 

King or no,  she wouldn’t allow him to gloat in whatever twisted victory he was seeking to obtain by toying with her.

 

She would hold him accountable.

 

He would pay.

**** note- very rough snippet. Not edited/ no beta.

Taglist:

@fizzyxcustard @mrsdurin @dustie-faerie @exhausted-humxn-being @lathlea

[eri-pl]

If you were a Maia — results

So, who would you want to work for?

First: it turns out that I haven't explained the doublepoll idea clearly. About 50 people (estimate) picked one Vala from each poll instead of picking a Vala from one and voting "the other poll" on the other, as was my intention.

Second: nobody wants to be a Maia of tulkas or Nessa, despite the free alcohol.

Third: Most polls about anything positive (but not about looks) are dominated by Ulmo, Nienna, Aule and Namo. Ulmo does a lot of things, Nienna is the one who taught Gandalf, Aule made the Dwarves and sort of taught Feanor… but I wonder what made Namo so popular. Best fanart? (Not counting mot-a-Vala guy) best lines? (of all the Valar)

I should make a "why do you like Namo" poll.

Compared to other polls:

The Big 4 (Ulmo, Nienna, aule and Namo, who pop up on most of the polls) are most liked and roughly most wanted as employer.

Irmo, Vaire and Varda are more preferred as employers than liked. I guess many of us do textile crafts; and stars and dreams are generally fascinating to work with. In contrast, Orome is well liked but not seen as a good job opportunity (I guess all the monsterhunting isn't that fun). More of you would work for Melkor than for Orome.

No correlation between good looks and being a good employer.

Votes:

Nienna: 18 votes.

Ulmo: 17 votes.

Aule: 14 votes.

Irmo (Lorien): 14 votes.

Namo (Mandos): 14 votes.

Vaire: 13 votes.

Yavanna: 12 votes.

Varda: 11 votes.

Este: 7 votes.

Melkor: 6 votes.

Manwe: 4 votes. (less than his brother)

Orome: 3 votes.

Vana: 1 votes.

I would start my own political party: 10 votes.

I can't imagine being a Maia: 2 votes.

[cillianmurphysdimples]

In mid November, when my (step)Dad found out he had the pancreatic tumour, he seemed to already be certain of what lay ahead. In that certainty, he was setting up Christmas with us all. He insisted that all of us - me and my siblings, our kids, and him and my Mum - go for a drink tonight (Christmas Eve) at a local pub.

This is so not me. Despite the Irish in my blood, I am almost entirely alcohol free bar the odd 3% alcohol premix or a glass of Baileys, and due to family history, I am strongly against being surrounded myself, or my children, with blind drunkenness. I love a good trad pub when I'm in Ireland - give me a man with a fiddle, an aul fella with a bodhrán, and a woman singing in Irish and I'm well happy! I have no problem with others drinking I just don't want extreme drunkenness around me. Knowing this, Dad made plans for a 4pm drink so that we'd all be home by 6pm and ready for Santy tonight!

Well... We're honouring it; Mum, all us siblings, our children, and my Dad's sister and her husband, are going to the pub. 5 & 6 are really excited - they're seeing their cousins on Christmas Eve, they're going to a "dirty beer pub", and they're going to have a "buffle" before bed (a buffet!). I am so unenthusiastic, but determined not to be a Debby Downer. This is for the kids. This is for our Dad - fulfilling a Christmas wish he had, posthumously.

[rei-caldombra]

Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic Anime Episodes 4-9 Review - Rose is a 10/10.

Back for another post about Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic anime, covering episodes 4-9. I’m still loving this show and wanna talk about it more without waiting until the end. Spoiler warning. I edited the image used for the thumbnail, feel free to use it fellow Rose simps. 

The greatness in episode 8 and 9 is the main reason I am writing a new post now and will be the bulk of the post, but I’ll talk a bit about the earlier episodes. Watching the three main characters slowly grow and come into their own has been nice to watch. I still enjoy seeing them have slightly different outlooks while still connecting on the basis of the crazy situation they were thrust in. They all needed different amounts of time and experiences to process things and make up their mind. Hopefully we will get some more great stuff from seeing them be together again for the big battle. We got some solid new characters

I didn’t mention how I feel about the OP in the first post, I think it’s really great. The music really gets you hyped. The art is great, everyone looks awesome and has very detailed and expressive looks. I don’t have too much to say about the ED, it’s fine but nothing notable to me. It does remind you of the life Suzu had before coming here, which at least gives some relevant purpose to the visuals. 

A minor gripe is that as of now I really don’t see the purpose of the future vision that Usato was shown. I don’t really feel like it changed his way of thinking or his actions. I did not feel like he was especially cocky or not taking the situation seriously, and he already had Rose instilling in him (and us as the viewer) that war is terrible and that he will be responsible for keeping people alive. Maybe there will be more to it later but I do not think this did anything for me as of now. It may have just had the purpose to drive up tension but I do not think forcing it with something dramatic like this was needed. 

Now onto the highlight of the middle section of the anime, episodes 8 and 9 which cover Rose’s backstory. Hearing my favorite voice actress Konomi Kohara in episode 8 was a welcome surprise. Her voice for Aul is probably the hardest to recognize out of anything I've heard from her as the tone is very different. I immediately thought about it upon hearing her talk but was not certain until her crying when she got punched convinced me. I’d know her yelling and crying noises anywhere. Kohara excels at bringing cute, cheerful energy that immediately makes you endear for the character. 

I think the time we got with Rose’s original squad was well done. It gave us enough time to let us feel the bond, but not so long that we felt we were wasting time with characters we knew would be dying. Aul is the only one who gets proper focus, but for the purpose of the unit focus on all of them was not needed. We also did get a nice moment that helped us feel that the other members were all people with names and lives. The scene where Rose talks to the parents of Josh hits hard and got me genuinely emotional. It's great for the world to have the events of that fight have an impact on more than just Rose. Hearing such a positive spin on the death of a soldier really hit hard. I hope most parents of fallen soldiers can reach the point of healthy acceptance that these two did. This scene both helps Rose and for the point of this blurb, reminds us that even though the other members like Josh did not get focus, they have some more substance than just extra soldiers. 

A criticism I have seen levied was that it took too long to get the war content that it’s been building up to. It did take quite a while to get some proper action, but the action delivers. It is by no means at the top level of anime action that we have gotten in recent times, but it is good. The art is pretty great while being fun and engaging, with one of the best moments of the show being her chucking trees. There was solid pacing too, with the action not being stopped for too long by exposition. I enjoyed this fight and hope the upcoming fights are up to its caliber at least. 

I really appreciate the show bringing up how losing her eye in the battle made a big difference in the moment. A pet peeve of mine is how often shows degrade the impact and weight of a character losing an eye. Most of the time they just keep fighting the same as normal or acclimate way too fast. I love her mentioning specifically that her depth perception is off because of losing her eye. In a proper battle that would make a massive difference. And while losing an eye only takes away about 30% of your vision, that could also mean the difference between life and death when you have arrows and magical blasts aimed at you. Characters barely changing from losing an eye sabotages dramatic weight and breaks my immersion in combat. I appreciate that this show gave her losing her eye the gravity it deserves in the moment even if it was just a bit of dialogue. Just the proper acknowledgement of the issues losing an eye brings means a lot to me. 

The battle ending with the demon commander being saved is also an interesting one. They’re clearly setting up here that the demons are not meant to just be evil adversaries. It also shows the strength of Rose’s character by not having her fall into a blind rage and completely flipping as a character. Even after seeing her friends be killed, she still saw the meaning in her adversary wanting to save someone dying on the battlefield. This hits Rose at the core of who she is. Both humans and demons have people they care about and want to save. Up to this point I honestly didn’t have anything to say about the demons as they seemed like your standard demonic adversaries, but this makes me feel positive that we will get solid substance from them.

I think Rose’s fall into depression and recovery is well done. I like how we got a variety of her thoughts rather than jumping straight to a strong reaction. She did contemplate suicide, but she is engaging in self-punishment and doesn’t believe she has the right to die. But what should she do with this life? She thought about going on a demon murder rampage and getting revenge, but she already recognized that is not the right thing to do. She spent over a month stuck in her depression rather than going back so we can infer she considered quitting altogether. Another great aspect of Rose’s emotional side of things is how she gave herself the pep talk based on her memories, rather than getting a stereotypical pep talk from someone else. It’s important to show how support from others is important for emotional processing, but getting over every emotional hump doesn’t come from someone telling you how great you are, and sometimes you do need to work through things yourself internally. The king and other knight checking up on her likely helped but this is clearly not written the same as a pep talk. Sometimes people can work through things on their own with enough time to process. And this isn’t from negative behavior like her not accepting help or having a bloated ego. The problem was all internal and there is no way anyone else could have properly related to her as no one else has the capabilities she does. I love that it took a long time for her to reach this. It’s important to note how long it takes to cope with your emotions. And to return to the pep talk point, sometimes those pep talks that make a person’s emotional state do a complete 180 make it seem like overcoming bad emotions is easy. I really like her growth comes from her thinking about their lives rather than about their deaths. It’s obvious that after a horrific event like she experienced, she would hyperfixate on their deaths. She already had the answer as Aul was dying, that she should not hate herself and to continue being the strong and kind person she is. 

She was also told by Josh's parents that she should not be ashamed of herself and what she has done. But the severity of the moment muted the positive impact of those words. When she is able to think about what came before that terrible event, she realizes the proper way to think. By remembering what her squad said while they were alive, she was able to put her own life into perspective and find a goal. Knowing everything that happens, it feels like a logical conclusion for Rose to focus entirely on saving lives. As a character within the archetype of the tough brutal teacher, Rose feels far above the rest as a dynamic and fleshed out character who does not exist just to be hated. She does the usual drill sergeant type of thing while having proper motivation and emotional reasoning behind it. She’s not brutal just so the main character has to struggle, she is brutal because of her backstory that stands entirely on its own. Rose really is a fantastic character by all metrics and she alone makes this show worth the watch. 

This show continues to have great characters and excellent execution. We did have to wait a little too long for some great action with overall slow pacing, but it was still enjoyable, and I see some value in the slow buildup. The buildup was very successful for Rose’s side of things, so I feel confident that the buildup will have been worth it for Usato’s side as well. Hopefully this anime will continue on strong through to its conclusion. Thanks for reading!