#best cousin elrond

[caliawen]

Safe And Sound

Pairing = Celebrimbor x Reader

Genre = General audiences

General ratings = fluff (only fluff <3)

Content warnings = none

Cálë = light (Quenya)

Reader’s gender = no explicit gender (you/your)

Word count = 2,2k

Notes = I hope you enjoy! Here are some words you should know before you read = Meleth nîn means ‘my love’, Vanimelda is the highest word of praise for beauty, Gamil means ‘old’ in Khuzdûl and Bund means ‘head’ in Khuzdûl so Gamilbund means ‘old head’, Cidinn means ‘small’ and tuig means ‘sprout/shoot/sapling’ so Cidinntuig means ‘small sprout’, Zigil means ‘silver’ in Khuzdûl and Gáld means ‘bright’ in Khuzdûl so Zigilgáld means ‘bright silver’ and finally, Sirya- means ‘to flow, to flow [smoothly]’ and Cálë means ‘light’ so Siryacálë means ‘flowing light’ (so many words 💀)

In the comfort and security of your chambers, you checked yourself in your mirror. Tonight was a special night, as the whole of Eregion celebrated it’s Lord’s birthday. Indeed, today was your love’s begetting day. Tyelpë tended to downplay such events and to say that they were unnecessary. He didn’t particularly enjoy being the center of attention. However, this time, you had made sure everything would be comfortable for your love. The party would take place outside, near the trees so that beautiful lamps could hang from their branches.

You had put your blood, sweat and soul into planning this party. It had to be perfect for Celebrimbor. So, as you checked yourself in the mirror, you weren’t satisfied. You had picked your best outfit and prettiest jewelry, however, something was missing. It frustrated you to not know what was wrong. Even if you knew that Celebrimbor couldn't care less about what you wore, you still wanted to be dressed according to the event. As you looked again at your outfit critically, a knock startled you out of your assessment.

You smiled as you knew who would be there. As you opened the door and your suspicions were confirmed, you beamed at the person. Celebrimbor was magnificent in his red and gold tunic. He was also looking at you like you had created Arda and hung the stars in the sky before coming down to grant him your love, and that warmed your heart beyond words. You let your husband enter your shared chambers, rolling your eyes a little as you realized he had knocked, again. No matter how many times you reminded him that your shared chambers were, well, shared, he still insisted on knocking every time before letting you open the door. You honestly couldn’t care less if he walked in on you changing, anyway he had seen you naked plenty of times already.

“Hello, meleth nîn” he calmly said.

“Hello, Tyelpë” you said, as your lips turned upwards in joy.

Your husband approached you while looking at you up and down, obviously appreciating the effort you put into dressing yourself. His eyes seemed to shine and sparkle as Tirion offered his love to them. The light silver was brought out by his night black hair, styled more fancily than normal. His lips looked delectable and plump as cherries and made you want to kiss him, badly.

You were, once again, startled out of your thoughts by your love, as he approached you and embraced you. His bare arms encircled you and you couldn’t help but appreciate the muscles in them, flexing and moving as he slowly trailed his hand up and down your back. Celebrimbor seemed to love doing that, for some unknown reason. He pressed a kiss to your head and then murmured :

“I have a gift for you, vanimelda.”

“Really? Meleth, I should be the one saying that, it is your birthday after all!” You replied jokingly.

Celebrimbor simply smiled before taking out a relatively middle-sized velvet box from one of his pant’s pockets. He offered it to you, still looking at you like you were a gift from Eru. You took the box, quietly thanking your husband, before opening his gift and gasping. Inside the box was a magnificent necklace, made from your husband’s hands and tailored exclusively for you. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry you had ever seen. You looked from the necklace towards your husband, before looking back at the necklace and then at your husband. You smiled, touched and quietly asked Celebrimbor to put it on you.

You turned around and let your love put on his gift for you. You looked in the mirror and smiled, for you had finally found what had been missing. The necklace fitted the outfit perfectly and even matched your eyes. You turned around and kissed Celebrimbor, who made a surprised but delighted noise, before enclosing you in his strong arms. As you detached yourselves from each other, you both put your forehead on the other’s. It was like this most of the time with Celebrimbor : full of love and calmness. You were each other’s fortresses.

“Well, Meleth, I’m afraid we’ll have to go now or we’ll be late.” You whispered, afraid to break the tender moment.

“Alright my love. You know I really appreciate your efforts at planning this party? I don’t want me saying that ‘it wasn’t necessary’ let you think the opposite. Although I still stand by the point that a private little party with only us too would have also been perfect.”

You smiled and kissed your husband’s cheek, before leaving your chambers.

As you walked in the practically empty corridors, you pushed and joked with each other, giggling like teenagers all the while. It was refreshing to let go entirely of responsibilities for just one night. The people of Ost-in-Edhil all were okay with this, seeing at how well you and Celebrimbor took care of the city. It was also partly because it was the only night you could offer a gift to the Lord without having to fight to get Celebrimbor to accept it.

It was always a joy to give Tyelpë things, because you knew he was always grateful when he received any kind of gift. He cherished everything he received, even little branches or empty snails’ shells given by children. He kept everything on shelves that were reserved for this exact reason. It was always endearing to watch him happily put something new on a shelf.

As you both arrived at the party, multiple voices raised in joy, shouting “happy birthday”’s and “there they are!”’s. Celebrimbor took the time to stop and talk with everyone who called out to him. As he was busy talking with Elrond, who had taken the time to come and celebrate his favorite cousin’s birthday, you walked away mischievously. In fact, there was a surprise awaiting your loving husband and you almost vibrated with excitement.

As you took a glass of your favorite beverage, someone said your name loudly, making you turn with a smile on your face. There, with a whole chicken thigh in his hand, stood Narvi. As usual, his kind face was illuminated by his wonderful smile, displaying his white teeth. You put your hand on your forehead and lightly hit it with your fist, before hitting Narvi’s forehead with it. Narvi did the same, for the exception that he hit your hand instead. It was a greeting that you two had adopted to replace the usual Dwarf greeting. After all, the height difference between the two of you made it so that you couldn’t knock your foreheads together. Not that you’d ever have done it anyway, you’d probably have ended up with a concussion.

“Haa, how wonderful to see ya again, Gamilbund! It has been too long!”

“Indeed, Cidinntuig, it has been too long! How have you been?”

“Oh, I’ve been well! But more interestingly, it’s wonderful to be here! It’s clear ya worked ya’ arse off to put this together!”

“Ah, many thanks, I tried! I just feel like Tyelpë deserves the best, you know?”

“Indeed I do, Gamilbund! Now, I’m really sorry, but I need to give good ol’ Zigilgáld the gift I brought!” He said, taking a bite out of the chicken thigh.

You laughed, before shooing him away and towards Celebrimbor.

~~~

Tyelpë was extremely funny to watch when given gifts. Indeed, you laughed so much you couldn’t breathe properly when you saw him try to fight Narvi because the gift was ‘too much’. The two being completely and utterly stubborn made it only funnier. When they weren’t agreeing on something, they butted heads aggressively but lovingly.

“I insist, Zigilgáld! I made it for ya and only ya! I ain’t goin’ to give this to someone else!”

“Cidinntuig, this is too much! I can’t accept this, I’d be forever in your debt! I’d have to claw my way to your Father’s halls to give you presents at each of your birthdays!”

“Don’t be ridiculous and just accept tha’ gift, my friend. Or I’ll make you!”

“Narvi!”

Your attention was stolen from the two bickering adults by someone tapping your shoulder. You turned around and smiled as you saw Elrond. Indeed, he had helped you form your plan and get the materials necessary to make it come to life. As it turned out, you and Elrond got along extremely well. It was fun to let out your mischievous streak with someone that could match it.

“Everything is ready!” He said, clearly excited about this.

“Wonderful! We’ll just have to wait until Tyelpë has accepted Narvi’s gift.”

“Ah, I hope he won’t take thirty years to accept.”

You smiled with Elrond at his joke and turned your attention back to the now arguing Narvi and Celebrimbor. At least, it seemed like Tyelpë had accepted the gift. You looked at Elrond and nodded.

Seconds later, magnificent lanterns rose from the Earth to go float in the Sky. Narvi and Celebrimbor stopped arguing, raising their heads to look at the lanterns. Your lover’s mouth was open and his eyes were full of amazement. Letting lanterns go up in the sky on someone’s birthday was a Noldorin tradition that was practiced mostly in Valinor. You knew this because on a calm night, Celebrimbor had told you about the first time he remembers seeing the Siryacálë. He had climbed on his father’s shoulders to look at them more closely, mouth agape. He had spent the rest of the night questioning his grandfather about the lanterns.

Soft music started playing as the lanterns stopped being released. People smiled and craned their necks to have a better look at the Siryacálë, for they seemed to dance in the gentle breeze, harmonizing perfectly with Tirion’s soft gleam and the Stars’ glow. You looked towards Celebrimbor and saw him approaching at a leisurely pace, his eyes still glued to the lanterns. Your heart was overflowing with joy, for the look in Tyelpë’s eyes was priceless. Such joy and happiness was held in it, it made the stress of making this party perfect worth it.

People started to dance to the soft melody, raising their voices to sing and hum along. Your love arrived at your side, still smiling.

“Thank you, meleth nîn,.. a thousand words cannot begin to describe how grateful I am to you for tonight.”

“It is nothing you do not deserve, my love.”

“Well, in this case… would you accord me this dance, vanimelda?”

You smiled, before responding : “Of course, my love!”

Your husband took your hand and led you to the circle of dancers. Dancing with Celebrimbor was a rare experience but still something that you enjoyed immensely. The way you were encased in his arms made you feel like you two were in an impenetrable bubble, protected from the rest of the world. Just the two of you, dancing and listening to music, basking in each other’s presence. Celebrimbor had that special something that made people feel comfortable around him. Around him, you felt like no harm could ever befall you. You were safe and sound. Always.

Suddenly, Celebrimbor picked you up and twirled you around, smiling as you laughed and asked him not-so-gently to put you down. As he obliged your request, he kissed you, or well, tried to. You were both smiling too much to kiss properly, but you didn’t mind. This moment was perfect and you would exchange it for nothing.

~~~

Later on, when everyone was leaving to go sleep in their chambers, you and Tyelpë decided to do the same. Elrond and Narvi made sure to boast loudly that they had succeeded in giving Celebrimbor, The Celebrimbor, a gift. They laughed as Celebrimbor threatened to give them a better present at their birthday, and how would that feel, eh?

You tugged Tyelpë to your chambers, humming the songs they had played all the while. As you entered your chambers, Celebrimbor picked you up and went to place you on the plushy couch on the exterior balcony connected to your chambers. He went back to put his gifts lovingly and carefully on his shelves, before joining you outside again, closing the door-window after him. He let himself fall on the couch beside you, smiling as you tutted at him. You put your head on his shoulder before yawning, feeling your tiredness creeping onto you.

Celebrimbor smiled as you placed yourself more comfortably on him, hugging one of his biceps, while his forearm caressed your back in circular motions. He hummed a song he vaguely remembered his mother and uncles singing to him on one of his birthdays. It reminded him of you, in an unexplainable way.

You felt yourself slip into Irmo’s arms as Celebrimbor hummed to you. You felt safe in his arms. Tyelpë radiated heat and so you felt comfortable even if the breeze was a little cold, for your husband protected you from it.

“I love you, Tyelpë..”

“I love you, vanimelda.”

You fell asleep to the feeling of the crown of your head being kissed.

End notes : I hope you enjoyed! Thank you for reading!

@theladyvanya @noldorinpainter

[sandwichmustbetasty]

rings of power has many MANY flaws, but if they did one thing right, it's the most important thing of them all.

elrond really is kind as summer.

[thesummerestsolstice]

How the elves react to Elrond getting sick:

Maedhros & Maglor: Absolutely freak out. Assume Elrond is dying and that the Doom of Feanor's house has finally caught up to them. Maedhros insists he says in bed and makes him soup. Maglor starts planning a lament for his funeral. (He has a cold)

Gil-Galad: Tries to convince Elrond to rest. Always fails. Has resorted to getting Elrond a bed desk so he can do his work while he rests. Frequently checks up on him to make sure he's alright or to bring him little gifts to make him feel better.

Erestor: Also half-elven, so gets it. Inevitably gets sick whenever Elrond does because he refuses to stay away. They always end up sick together, but they are together, and that means something.

Celebrimbor: Has read multiple books on human anatomy for the sake of his cousins (Erestor, son of Caranthir included). Theoretically understands how to care for someone who is ill. *Checks notes* according to this, if I give you chicken soup every day for a week it will cure your *checks notes again* pneumonia. He's trying his best.

Galadriel: Does not understand human or half-elven biology very well. Has taken Elrond on a ten mile hike in the snow when he was getting over a cough. Elrond's Feanorian followers have never forgiven her for it.

Celebrian: I would say she uses Elrond being sick as an excuse for them to stay in bed and cuddle, but let's be honest, she doesn't need an excuse for that. Knows he can take care of himself, and is a lot more Normal about it than everyone else on this list. Elrond loves her very much.

Glorfindel: Fully willing to pick up Elrond (or Erestor) and take them back to bed so they rest. Takes his duty to protect his lord very seriously. A very comfortable pillow for sick half-elves.

Lindir: Absolutely freaks out. You thought his anxiety about the dwarves was bad?? Elrond always has to calm him down and assure Lindir that is, in fact, not about to die. He does sometimes ask Lindir to play for him when he's ill though.

[inthehouseoffinwe]

What do you think would’ve happened if instead of the three Cs, Maedhros and Maglor had been the ones to fight Dior?

I mean we know they’re much more skilled and less bloodthirsty and rash than the rest of their brothers. So here’s an AU:

I think we’d see Mae and Mags come out on top, and assuming they’re out of the main hall, the rest of their brothers would probably make it out of Doriath alive. Elured and Elurin make it out with Elwing.

With all seven still around and watching each other’s backs, I imagine Sirion would be much the same, all all them surviving. The addition of Elwing’s brothers and their soldiers turning on them, *might* turn the tables just enough to kill a couple of Fëanorions, probably Celegorm and Curufin who are still bitter about Luthien and Dior. But I feel it’s more likely due to inexperience, Elured and Elurin are killed, not necessarily by the Fëanorions themselves.

The silmaril ends up with Elwing and we get the same situation of Maedhros and Maglor asking for it back and Elwing throwing herself off the cliff. Mae and Mags genuinely do not want to be here but the letters were refused and the Oath calls. Elwing probably knows her brothers were killed by word of mouth or seeing it herself and legged it.

Enter Elrond and Elros who’d have a more interesting (and fun) time of things with 5-7 sons of Fëanor around. Maedhros would back Maglor on caring for the twins though, less consumed by the oath with all his little brothers alive and kicking. And in canon he did go searching for Dior’s sons. Caranthir probably doesn’t really have an opinion on them, Amrod and Amras are willing to follow their brothers’ lead on things (also when are they ever gonna have a chance to see identical twins again. I think they’d get along pretty well.) I don’t see any of them being particularly hateful towards the kids. Celegorm and Curufin seem to be most susceptible to the Oath and giving in to their nastier sides might be a bit more of a problem, but there’s enough brothers to keep an eye on them. And I think they’d warm up eventually, reluctantly though it may be. Curufin was a father first, remember, it’s more natural for him to care than not.

Safe to say by the time Elrond and Elros go to Gil Galad, they’re very well trained in all manner of things 😂

As for the fate of the Fëanorions, they wouldn’t go for the last ditch attempt Mae and Mags did. From the eldest’s perspective, there’s too much to lose. I want to say the stones might be passed off to them, if only to prove a point, and whoever picks them up would no doubt be burned, but there’s no suicides. There’s no endless lamentation.

In reality though there’s probably still a battle by the chest, the oath awakened and clawing with the stones so close. There might be more of a push to bring them back to Valinor to stand trial, but they’re a force to be reckoned with and Eönwë knows they’d rather die than be dragged back. The Fëanorions are let go with the stones, but instead of being tossed away as the Valar expect, the chest is kept and they go on.

With the oath mostly fulfilled much of the weight across their fëa is gone, and Curufin and Celegorm head out to keep an eye on Celebrimbor. Elros might have a temporary tagalong in Maedhros and Caranthir (new kingdom needs someone with experience to get the economy up and running.) Maglor and both Ambarussa keep their distant eye on Elrond.

(Annatar didn’t expect the seven biggest pains in his Master’s back to greet him at Eregion’s gate, two Silmarils in tow, burning him to the core. Celebrimbor doesn’t know whether to be horrified or thankful. Back in Lindon, Elrond - the one who tipped them off - is cackling and Gil Galad is Concerned TM but decides he’s better off not knowing. His cousins are insane on the best of days.)

Alternatively, Elured and Elurin perhaps remembering how reluctant Maedhros and Maglor were, how Maedhros pleaded with their father to just return the stone so this could all *end*, immediately send the silmaril back when the letter comes. Or maybe they’re just cooler headed and see the logic of returning the stone. Things settle. The Valar do eventually get involved. Silmaril two and three are regained then reclaimed by the brothers as mentioned above. They might burn. They might reject the holders. But the oath is fulfilled and that’s all that matters in the end.

[carnistirmorifinwe]

I've saw few posts about mamma mia idea but with Gil-galad and his tons of unexplained fathers

but what about Elrond and HIS parent situation??

Imagine. You're trying to peacefully marry your cousin, but suddenly falling from the sky comes your star father with your bird mother. Also back from the eternal seashore hiking comes your lost, long-forgotten, murderer foster father. Then starts arguing who have best right to claim you as a son.

and boom, finwean family drama

(we can't forget Galadriel in all of this. oh, it'd be delightful)

[raointean]

Okay, I'm thinking of the descendants of Finwë in RoP and I need to share.

Of the 29 descendants of Finwë (that have been born at that point), there are only four left alive in Middle Earth. One of them, Celebrimbor, has purposefully sundered himself from all his kin, trying to put distance between him and the crimes of his family. Another, Galadriel, has become so hellbent on revenge that she can hardly spare a moment to spend with her family before rushing back to the hunt.

The two youngest, the little ones, Gil-Galad and Elrond, are physically together, but there is a strict boundary of authority that sunders them as well. Gil-Galad is king. He must maintain a sense of regality and aloofness to maintain his position, command his cousins, and leash his great-aunt. Elrond is the only son of many dispossessed houses and, in being part of everything, belongs nowhere. He is still young and awkward, having yet to come into his own.

As royals, they are not particularly close, whether that be due to necessity or if that was just the way things shook out. Galadriel seems to be on the best terms with most of them: she is a friend to Elrond and seems friendly with Celebrimbor, although her relationship with her nephew is a little... strained. Gil-Galad knows all of them well, but almost only as working relationships, detached and impersonal. Elrond has a dear friend in Galadriel, but it seems that he had never even MET Celebrimbor before season 1, and his relationship with Gil-Galad is strictly professional.

They are no better when pressure is applied. They take sides and block out all evidence that does not support their positions. Elrond flees. Galadriel bulldozes ahead. Celebrimbor isolates himself. And Gil-Galad- Gil-Galad is doing his best to be the rock his kingdom- and his family- needs.

And yet, despite their distance and dysfunction and individual flaws, they come together when one of their own is threatened.

[silmarillaure]

Finweans ranked by Aura

Feanor - So powerful he sucked the life force out of his mother, invented a ton of cool shit, had more children with his wife than any of the other Eldar, died in battle while his body combusted into flames because he was just that hot, & the King of the Valar who he hated cried over him.

Earendil - Cool as hell, has a wife who's cool as hell. Predestined to be a hero even though he comes from a basic vanilla bloodline (besides his great grandpa Fingolfin). Even though most of his ancestors were nobodies or flops, most of his descendants that came after him were cool as hell.

Maedhros - Might have been higher than his father & cousin if he didn't khs, Lowkey an Aura loss moment but he makes up for a lot with his gorgeous red hair, height, surviving Morgoth's torture, & sorta fulfilling his dad's dumb oath.

Fingolfin - The only good thing his bland vanilla mother did was give birth to him. He was a total badass I've got to admit even as a Feanorian stan. Him crossing the helcaraxë & his death were top Aura moments.

Elrond/Elros - They're twins so they can share a spot too. Both badass as hell.

Fingon - Called "the Valient", braids gold into his hair, saved his sexy redheaded cousin, & became King of the Noldor. Everything about him screams Aura.

Galadriel - Despite the fact she's a Feanor anti (Booooo!!!), she admittedly has a ton of Aura. She's smarter than possibly everyone else here given she survived when the rest of her generation either got themselves killed or spends all their time being a sad beach cryptid.

Gil-Galad - Cool as hell, managed to make an alliance Maedhros could only dream of.

Maglor - Has a couple Aura loss moments but in the end he LIVED which is an Aura gain. Also gets Aura points for having the best voice in Arda.

Celebrimbor - Pretty rad dude, love how he's more like Feanor than his father Curufinwe Jr is, unfortunately he died.

Finrod - His death is cool as fuck. Looses points for cockblocking his little brother & dying for that basic joe Beren though.

Caranthir - Goth Icon. Love how despite his raging anger issues he's also an awesome guy you'd want to be friends with.

Finwe - A massive flop in a ton of ways but definitely still has Aura. Looses Aura points for failing Feanor & choosing to marry an unsexy Vanya when he could've waited for his sexy talented silver haired Noldo wife to come back to life. Only good thing about him besides his awesome hair is that he's Feanor & Fingolfin's father.

Aredhel - Cool as hell but has terrible taste in men. Her whole white aesthetic & her wild personality gain her Aura points though.

Turgon - The only cool thing about him is that he built Gondolin which wins him some Aura points. Looses Aura points for getting played by his nephew & dying pathetically though.

Idril - She's cool I guess, the only thing of note that she did was give birth to the chad Earendil. Tuor is such a basic guy though, he's not the worst but she could do better.

Aegnor - Cool hair. Pulled a baddie. Fumbled the baddie.

Angrod - Not the most stand out Finwean but he seems to be a mama's boy & he didn't do anything wrong so I'll put him above the family flops.

Finduilas - She's a sweetie but she looses Aura points for falling out of love with a great guy like Gwindor & falling in love with Turin the walking L.

Celegorm - Stupid as hell for trying to use a powerful half-Angel as a political weapon against her father. Looses more Aura points for getting abandoned by his dog & dying at the hands of said half-Angel's 30 y/o mortal son while he's over 1000 y/o. Gains some Aura points for being able to talk to animals, his hair, & his hot bastard energy.

Curufin - Feanor with 99% less Aura. His only achievement is having Celebrimbor yet he still couldn't even succeed at being Feanor 2.0 and having 7 kids to continue the family line. Had the chance to kill Eol but didn't which led to his favorite cousin dying (that's a huge L).

Finarfin - Takes after his mother in the sense he's vanilla af. The tiny percent of Aura he has is from his Noldo side obviously and he used that to pull a baddie like Earwen. All his kids get their Aura from their mother's side.

Orodreth - I like the guy, but he's definitely a dumbass with no Aura. He inherited a kingdom but isn't particularly good at anything. His only accomplishment is possibly fathering Gil-Galad.

Maeglin - Orodreth might have no Aura but this guy has negative Aura. His childhood sucked but he's such a walking L that's he's somehow more of a loser than both Celegorm & Eol combined.

[queerofthedagger]

Silm Smut Exchange Rec List

A quick rec list of my faves so far from the @silmsmutexchange in no particular order! <3

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The Land Was Fair by polutropos ( @polutrope )

[Fingolfin/Maedhros/Maglor | 7k | E]

Tags: Canon Era (The Silmarillion) | PWP | Family Drama | Family Bonding | Trans!Maglor | Size Kink

Summary:

Frustrated by Maedhros' failure to answer entreaties to join in an assault upon Angband, Fingolfin comes to Himring himself. Negotiations start poorly, but Maglor is quick to propose a solution: a riding trip through the blooming plains of Ard-galen.

Why I rec this: I am absolutely in love with this Maglor, I'm still thinking about him. On top of that, the descriptions and prose are marvellous, and I loved loved loved the hints at Fingolfin's and Maglor's past, and where they all are now! <3

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blood on blood by lonelyvisitor ( @i-am-a-lonely-visitor )

[Fingon/Turgon | 4k | E | chose not to warn]

Tags: Pre-Canon (The Silmarillion) | Years of the Trees | PWP

Summary:

When they were boys he had wrestled him, until he found Turukáno was bigger, and talked down to him on nearly every subject until he found Turukáno was wiser. Since his majority he has largely been ignored, which suits him. Findekáno has his popularity, his notoriety—if his younger brother bores him, then let him leave him be. And yet here is Findekáno, legs splayed, daring him to watch as he fists his half-clothed cock.

Why I rec this: I have not stopped thinking about this Fingon, about the entanglement of them all (there's some background Russingon and Maemag in here that's incredible), and what an arrogant mess these shining Princes of the Noldor are, all glamoured depravity and superiority complexes! <3

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Of Infinite Space by jouissant ( @jouissants )

[Fingolfin/Maglor | 5k | E]

Tags: Canon Era (The Silmarillion) | Arranged Marriage | Transmasc Maglor | Trans Pregnancy

Summary:

Maglor wonders whether he is to be the locus of Fingolfin’s pain, and he shudders in the chill of the morning. One should fear to be so, even for a kind man.

Why I rec this: I am such a sucker for arranged marriage, and this is like a study in all my favourite things about it. The dynamic between them is SO good, and as always, jouissant's takes on Maglor's gender fuckery just hit all the right spots for me! <3

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Sing Thy Memories, Take My Hand by Melesta ( @melestasflight )

[Fingon/Maglor | 6k | E]

Tags: Canon Era (Third Age) | Rohan | Reunions

Summary:

‘You have returned to Middle-earth for Maglor Fëanorion, you said?’ Elrond asks. ‘Yes, I am to beckon him come back to Valinor at last,’ Fingon answers hopefully. Few others had been willing to return to Middle-earth, and Fingon had already saved a Fëanorian cousin before. That made him more qualified for this task than most.

Why I rec this: Melesta's Fingon remains one of my favourites, and I adored this take of him amidst Rohan culture, as well as the way he puts his gentle but unyielding stubbornness to use on this particular Son of Fëanor. Something so bittersweet to this that ached in all the best ways <3

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Dawn Song by sallysavestheday ( @sallysavestheday )

[Fingon/Maedhros | 1k | M]

Tags: Post-Canon (The Silmarillion) | Re-embodiment | Established Relationship

Summary:

Maedhros is a burning coal amid the crisp, white sheets, with all his copper hair spread out in glory. When he throws back his head, demanding touches, those soft strands catch the light and spark to flame. Post-rebirth delights for Russingon.

Why I rec this: An absolute stunning piece of prose and tenderness to bask in, in the rare case of Russingon where nothing terrible happens or looms. This made me smile like a fool through all of it and some time after <3

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Fire Dance by justonelastdance

[Aegnor/Fingon | 4k | E]

Tags: Canon Era (The Silmarillion) | Friends to Lovers/Friends with Benefits | Angst & Fluff & Smut

Summary:

Fingon and Aegnor - friends and lovers from the Years of the Trees to the end.

Why I rec this: This was not a pairing I've considered before but I was immediately sold. I loved how their friendship shone through the entire time, even as they went to the highs and lows of the classic Silm canon. Such a lovely fic! <3

[aragornsrockcollection]

Look, I love Maglor.

Maglor makes me feel things.

I am firmly in the camp that Maglor is the Most Gentle Feanorian, he hates violence, he sees the wrong in all they do, he has an immense amount of empathy.

And don’t you see… this does not make him The Best Feanorian, morally superior to his brothers, pure and good.

This interpretation… kinda makes him the WORST of his brothers?

Maedhros stands aside when the ships burn. He believes abandoning their cousins and people is wrong and takes a stand no matter how futile. Maglor doesn’t. Maglor burns the ships.

We don’t know that Maglor thought that was wrong, we don’t get his perspective in that part of the story. But once we start getting his perspective we get him arguing against the final acts of murder that would retrieve the Silmarils, with full knowledge that it is a bad thing to do… and then doing it anyways. I think Maglor knew burning the ships was wrong.

If you interpret Maglor this way… he doesn’t come out looking good. At least Curufin and Celegorm had conviction that attacking Doriath was right. Going along with it knowing it’s wrong is WORSE. It’s FUCKED UP.

Maglor, in many ways, is a coward. Not when facing the enemy, but when facing his brothers, or his father. He may have had the most of Nerdanel in him of his brothers, but he didn’t get her spine, her ability to say “no this is wrong” to someone she loves, and step away. I even think Maglor’s “no this is wrong” was internal until the very end, when he only had his closest brother left.

There is a period where Maglor is in charge, after Maedhros’s capture. And a lot of people headcanon Maglor having a lot of guilt over his inaction in this time. I agree he has a lot of guilt over it (I think guilt and conflicted emotions drive almost everything Maglor does) but I also think this is the BRAVEST AND MOST CORRECT MAGLOR ACTS IN THE ENTIRE FIRST AGE. The Noldor should absolutely just be seeking to survive at this point, trying to rescue Maedhros would get them all killed. Inaction is the correct call here, despite pressure to do otherwise.

And also, I can’t remember if I made this up, but I have a memory of Curufin and Celegorm both clamoring for Maglor to give up the throne in favor of Celegorm, who is absolutely a more decisive leader in line with what their father would have wanted. Fending this off would be the only recorded time when Maglor stood firm against his brothers.

Some people portray Maglor taking in Elrond and Elros as an act of defiance against Maedhros, to which I say… why? Maedhros frantically searched for Elured and Elurin to save them, he clearly was very against the murder of children, and Maglor has exactly zero instances of putting his foot down against Maedhros.

Tl.dr. Maglor having the most developed moral compass of the feanorians, far from making him a perfect angel, actually mixes with his actions and inactions to make him INCREDIBLY flawed in a completely unflattering way, and I think that’s fascinating.

[silm-somewhere-under-infinity]

Hear me out ... 600 Strike from Epic but it's Elrond fighting Sauron.

Imagine if Elrond just snapped one day and went full 'I am Elrond Eärendilion Kanafinwion Neylafinwion, descendant of lutheran (who sung your boss to sleep that one time) and Fingolfin (the one who got in 7 hits against said boss) and Feanor (is Feanor), you will not destroy my home / hurt my children / i-am-getting-revenge-on-behalf-of-my-wife,-and-my-brother's-decendants,-and-my-best-friend,-and-my-cousin.'

[myfanfictiongarden]

Lord of the Rings fans know that Elrond goes on to marry Galadriel’s daughter, Celebrian, in the books. Elrond and Galadriel are also distant cousins. The Episode 7 kiss, with its framing and emotional swell of a score, may make you think that this kiss was romantic. Aramayo says it is quite emotional, but not in a romantic sense. “That was improved on the day, wasn’t it?” Walker jokes (it wasn’t, but Aramayo laughs at the tease). “It starts off as purely strategic, but it’s also emotional and heightened because it’s a goodbye as well,” Aramayo explains. “It’s a potential goodbye forever, or for now — until the Halls of Mandos. So it is a really emotional moment, but the impetus for it is a really practical and diversionary tactic.” “Galadriel is his hero,” he continues. “There’s a blood relation — and actually, Elrond’s related to almost everyone. But as I said, she’s his hero. She’s taught him so much. It’s more than best friends. It feels like family members. And so it’s the emotion of saying goodbye to a family member who you think might die soon.”

source tvinsider

[chaos-of-the-abyss]

as someone who has read your fics a lot (big fan hiiiii) and your tags (they're like easter eggs), i am now so curious about your controversial opinions and takes that piss you off because, i mean, i don't want to make a big deal out of it, but you seem to change your opinion on certain characters now hehehe

hi anon! thank you for reading my fics and the nonstop rambling in my tags, haha. i hope you have fun with them! i'm going to assume this is about the silm fandom because i've been rolling out the tolkien posts lately. i couldn't possibly go into all my controversial opinions or all the takes that i hate in one post, but since you're asking i'll give three of each. i'm gonna stick with things i haven't talked much about on this blog, because there are lots of opinions and takes (i.e. blaming thingol/b&l/dior/elwing for the kinslayings, claiming elrond and elros think of maedhros and maglor as their Real Parents, etc.) that i've already made my thoughts on abundantly clear, lol

controversial opinion #1: i don't think tolkien intended this to be the case, but the noldor have uncomfortably colonial overtones in their expressed intentions for middle-earth: 'long he spoke, and ever he urged the noldor to follow him and by their own prowess to win freedom and great realms in the lands of the east' / 'the words of feanor concerning middle-earth had kindled in her heart, for she yearned to see the wide unguarded lands and to rule there a realm at her own will. of like mind with galadriel was fingon fingolfin's son, being moved also by feanor's words, [...] and with fingon stood as they ever did angrod and aegnor, sons of finarfin.' these are finwe's family, his son and his grandchildren. there is no way they aren't aware that elves already inhabit beleriand, yet they express zero consideration for what said elves' opinions might be on their sudden arrival and claiming of the land. it is... a Bad Look

controversial opinion #2: according to the narrative, the sons of feanor lost their right to the silmarils. regardless of who agrees or disagrees, that's what the text posits. the silmarils burned morgoth. they didn't burn beren, didn't burn luthien, didn't burn dior, didn't burn elwing, didn't burn earendil, and didn't burn eonwe. they burned maedhros and maglor

controversial opinion #3: eol is not unreasonable for his low opinion of the noldor. eol is unreasonable for almost everything else about him -- he attempted filicide, is at best a creepy stalker and at worst a rapist (aredhel was not "wholly unwilling"... wdym tolkien explain tolkien what do you mean she was not wholly unwilling), and he accidentally murders his own wife while trying to murder his son. like wow, pick a way to be a terrible person. these quotes though -- "all this land is the land of the teleri, and i will not deal nor have my son deal with the slayers of our kin, the invaders and usurpers of our homes" / "no right have you or any of your kin in this land to seize realms or to set bounds, either here or there." -- he's not wrong about the highlighted portions and he has every right to dislike the noldor for the points he brings up. (though he is wrong for believing the noldor are at fault for morgoth, since morgoth would have come knocking with or without them.)

okay now on to the takes that piss me off!

stupid take #1: that thingol and doriath were bigoted assholes that turn away refugees for not letting aredhel pass through. this was not a very nice thing for them to do, obviously, but equating it with a case of refusing refugees is ridiculous. to begin with, the iathrim and the noldor (save maybe for the nargothrondim, whose king -- finrod -- has a respectful relationship with thingol) do not have the best relations with each other, which is hardly just doriath's fault. then aredhel, one of the noldo whom the iathrim have tensions with, wants to travel through their kingdom to visit her cousin, another one of the noldo whom the iathrim have tensions with. (the worst tensions with, in fact, as thingol is markedly, and rightfully, more disdainful towards the sons of feanor in particular.) why is it so unreasonable that this would not go over well? the iathrim didn't force her to go the way she did either; in fact they explicitly warn her that that road is "the speediest way," but that it is "perilous". she had other options and she decided to go with the one that was reportedly dangerous. and on top of it all, aredhel is not in the same dire situation as actual refugees. turgon would have given her ample supplies for the journey since he was already so remiss to her leaving in the first place, plus he gives her "three lords of his household" as guards/companions. how come this instance, which is not a case that concerns refugees, is treated by some people as sure evidence of thingol's isolationism and "racism" towards the noldor, while an explicit instance where he does accept actual -- noldorin!! -- refugees is swept under the rug? oh wait i know. because this fandom loves making doriath into this discriminatory, uniquely nationalist kingdom that it canonically is not. if you want isolationism, gondolin is right there

stupid take #2: that luthien's victories over sauron and morgoth are proof that she's a mary sue. tolkien calling her "luthien the mere maiden" is annoying, but more accurate than the complaints about her being op. she doesn't even fight either of them. with sauron he jumps at her and radiates so much Hatred that she faints, but she manages to cover his eyes with her cloak and make him sleepy for a moment. huan takes the opportunity to jump in and they start fighting. with morgoth, her disguise doesn't work on him. instead she uses his arrogance and lust to her advantage, bides her time, then seizes the opportunity to put him to sleep with her cloak. and when he stirs, she and beren run for their lives in terror! when people say luthien winning against sauron and morgoth is plot armor, what they really mean is that their faves don't have the guts she has to go up against extreme odds and the brains to effectively use what she has going for her to her greatest benefit ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

stupid take #3: that luthien cast an enchantment on celegorm to make him lust after her. or even anything adjacent like luthien's maia blood enchanted celegorm though she wasn't doing it intentionally. not even going to bother debunking this kind of thing because it's a genuinely braindead take that reeks of misogyny, victim-blaming, and desperate whitewashing. fuck all the way off

i get the feeling you're talking about the sons of feanor on that part about changing my opinion on certain characters? which you'd be right about, the fandom has majorly turned me off from them. they used to be nearly the center of my interest in the silmarillion and its events, and now, while i still like them as they are in the story, i barely look at fandom content of them because the apologism is extreme and ridiculous. also funnily enough, my ranking of the individuals within the blanket of "the feanorians" has shuffled a lot too. maedhros and maglor used to be my favorite, now i've had enough maedhros and maglor to last me... maybe not a lifetime, but a good long while. (i dipped out of the tolkien fandom about two/three years ago, which was the time i got tired of m&m content. to this day i'm still tired of them.) and celegorm, the piece of shit that he is, used to be among my least favorite and now somehow shot his way up to my favorite <3 he's ambitious. he's charismatic. he's impulsive and arrogant. he's a wreck. he's funny. he's the absolute worst. love him

[thesummerestsolstice]

Sauron has complexes about exactly two (2) beings. Feanor and Luthien. Feanor, the mere elf whose work bested his and drew the eyes of his Maiarin peers (and even his master Morgoth). The elf who, whether he knew it or not, had challenged the mighty Sauron's forging skill and had, whether Sauron could admit it or not, won. Luthien had also challenged him, and left him defeated and humiliated, and had done it all with a kind of disgusted scorn that Sauron could never stop thinking about. She, a half-bred girl, had dared to look at him, most admirable and powerful of Maia, like he'd been a nasty stain on one of her cloaks.

And he's an obsessive perfectionist with an unparalleled ability to hold grudges, so of course he can't let either of those slights go. One of his greatest frustrations is the fact that Luthien has moved beyond the world, out of his grasp– if rumors are to be believed, so has Feanor, sent to the Everlasting darkness. Sauron hates them all the more for being gone, all the more for being out of reach of his anger and vengeance. And that hatred only festers in the long, lonely years of the Second Age, as Sauron bides his time and starts planning his comeback.

And then he walks into Eregion, and what is the first thing he sees? Luthien and Feanor.

He's introduced to Lord Celebrimbor and his cousin, Lord Elrond. He knows who they are of course, but he'd never been told they were such perfect copies of their ancestors. He's told more about them, but he doesn't listen. All he can think is that he finally has a chance to get his revenge.

Luthien and Feanor are back, and this time, Sauron promises himself, he will claim his victory over them.

[sweetteaanddragons]

A snippet from my “Elladan and Aragorn get stuck in First Age Beleriand” WIP.

. . .

“Elladan?” Aragorn asked urgently from the other side of the small camp they had at last dared. “Is aught amiss?”

Elladan could not quite help laughing, high and bitter, at that. “Aught else, you mean?”

Aught else besides the fact that they were mere miles from the worst battlefield in elvish history. Aught else besides the fact that they were several millennia away from home. Aught else besides the fact that they were desperately hiding behind the best illusion Elladan could sing up while roving hunting parties of orcs - and far worse monsters - hunted for the scent of elvish blood - a liquid they had all too much of, thanks to their wounded and currently nameless companion.

Besides all that.

Aragorn only regarded him steadily, concern in his eyes, and Elladan abruptly regretted that he was no longer little Estel, who would have blushed and looked away instead of looking at him with eyes that were uncomfortably like Elladan’s father’s in their seeming ability to peer into souls.

Because there was, of course, something else.

He looked away, into the dangerous darkness overlaying the trees. “It has occurred to me to wonder what my father will say if I have to tell him that I got you killed over a handful of rocks.”

“I would certainly prefer to avoid that as well,” Aragorn said dryly. “Although it is not quite a fair summation of events regardless.”

Elladan’s mouth twisted, but he didn’t protest further; Aragorn would not concede the point, and it would bring Elladan no joy if he did. Aragorn might have pushed the matter further, but their patient - or, more accurately, Aragorn’s - had the good manners to quite conveniently moan, drawing his attention away.

There were a great many other things to be more immediately concerned about, but it had been thoughts of his father that had put the stricken look on Elladan’s face, and he found it hard to shake such thoughts now.

There had been many times over the years when Elladan had been forced to bring the news to his father that another of Elladan’s cousins had fallen. In battle, to an illness they had not had time to bring them to Elrond to heal, on truly rare occasions to old age - it was always a heavy duty, but it was a duty he could bear.

He had never yet had to bear the news that he had gotten one of them killed, and he truly, deeply, devoutly did not want to begin with Estel.

There had been times, of course, where he wondered if he could have done something different - if he had ridden faster, left earlier, fought harder - but there had never been a true case for blame.

He had never before, for instance, gone into a troll cave with one of his mortal cousins and completely lost his head over an obvious trap.

It had been a set of silver pins that had caught his eye - pins hung with little bells, decorated with tiny sapphires, silver somehow untarnished.

They had looked exactly like the pins that his mother had worn when she had ridden away, never to return whole. They had been missing when they had at last found her, though it had not been until they were carefully packing her most treasured things away to send with her across the sea that anyone had realized.

It had not occurred to him to wonder how the pins could be so gleaming, here amongst the filth of a troll hoard. It had not occurred to him to think anything, beyond his rage that anything of hers should be kept in the filth and the dark.

He had reached to snatch them up, despite Estel’s warning cry.

And for his pains, he had landed them on the edges of the worst battle he had ever imagined, much less fought in. For a moment, he had thought them in Dagor Dagorath itself, until he had seen the banners.

He was still not quite prepared to accept those banners.

How they’d survived, he had no idea; his memory was not quite as perfect as an elf’s, and he was grateful for that hint of mortality now. All he knew was that it was over, Estel was still alive, and they had even managed to snatch one poor elf away from - from something’s blow as they went.

(A balrog. He was nearly certain that had been a balrog. He had screamed defiance at a balrog - )

Said elf had been barely able to stand, so Estel had dragged him with them as they ran, which could have been a mistake on a practical level if it hadn’t kept anyone from shooting them in the back for retreating with rather less organization than everyone else was.

. . . People had been surprisingly helpful, even.

But all of that paled next to the thought that they were in long lost Beleriand, home of a thousand dangers, and, if all those failed, millennia away from any time familiar to them. Even if Elladan managed to get home the long way, Aragorn certainly would not.

And then he would have to face his father and tell him he had gotten Estel killed over a handful of metal and rock.

Bad enough to get anyone killed in such a way; worse for it to be one of his cousins; unthinkable for it to be the last of his cousins, the current last of Elros’s direct line.

And worse than all of those for it to be Estel, who had chased after them as a child, who had played with his little wooden sword with such seriousness, who had grown up grim and strong and still so, so concerned with what he saw when he looked at others with eyes that scraped right through their souls.

His father, who had managed to forgive the Feanorians, might someday forgive him. Elrohir and Arwen never would.

Nor, for that matter, would Gilraen, who might kill him outright. He would probably deserve it.

[swanhild]

WiP Snippet

Thank you @polutrope and @sallysavestheday for tagging me to share something I'm working on! So here's Maedhros and Fingon being overly competitive shit-talking their family dancing at their wedding in that post-canon fix-it fic that feels like it will never be finished (with bonus appearances by the parents and some siblings and other relatives):

While Turgon possessed many talents that he excelled in, dancing wasn't one his strong suits. It was a fact that Fingon sometimes couldn't resist teasing him about if an occasion presented itself, but right now he simply chuckled softly and said, "I can't decide who's more awkward- your brother or mine." Glancing away from Caranthir and following Fingon's line of sight, Maedhros, too, was amused by the somewhat stiff way Turgon led Elenwë around the dance floor. "Let's not be too harsh on them. They're trying their best," he nevertheless defended their younger siblings, smiling and feeling rather fond of every single member of their family who had come to celebrate with them today. Turgon noticed them watching and nodded at Maedhros and Fingon with an unnecessarily grave expression on his face as he and Elenwë twirled past them. Maedhros had to hide his face in Fingon’s hair so Turgon wouldn’t see him laugh, though Fingon had no such qualms. “I’m certainly grateful we have Turno and Moryo here now to make us look better. I was starting to think we'd be the worst dancers at our own wedding." “What? You’re a good dancer. And so am I,” Maedhros protested. “Yes, but we’re surrounded by show-offs. Just look at them!” Maedhros turned his head in the direction Fingon had indicated and took in the sight of Celegorm effortlessly lifting Aredhel into the air as he spun her around. For two people who spent significant amounts of time crawling through forests, covered in mud and blood, they did admittedly look stunningly elegant and in tune with each other tonight. Next to them, Elrond and Celebrían made an undeniably graceful picture as well, and so did Galadriel and Celeborn, though Maedhros was mostly struck by the unusually soft and adoring expression on Galadriel’s face as she stared into her husband’s eyes. He wasn’t sure he had ever seen his feisty little cousin look like that. “Not to mention uncle Arvo and aunt Eärwen over there! We just can’t compete with that!” Fingon continued, with feigned despair. Arafinwë and Eärwen practically floated around the dance floor, looking very much as if they had spent their whole lives doing nothing else. But then Maedhros’ attention was drawn to his other uncle and aunt — now officially his parents-in-law — and grinned. “I think we can compete with your parents at least. They're not as bad as our brothers, but they won't be winning any awards for their dancing either." “The only reason they're better is because they've been practicing for weeks. Ammë’s not very enthusiastic about dancing, but Atar secretly loves it, so he's been taking full advantage of the opportunity. They are rather unevenly matched in terms of skill and passion though,” Fingon said, before suddenly stopping. “Speaking of parents, Russo, look!” Whipping his head around, Maedhros followed Fingon’s gaze towards the edge of the dance floor where his own mother sat at one of the tables, looking strangely flustered and conflicted. His father was kneeling in front of her, extending his hand and asking her for a dance. With his breath caugth in this throat, Maedhros watched as his mother hesitated, a myriad of emotions flickering across her face in rapid succession. For a few tense moments, Maedhros was sure she would refuse. But then she rose from her chair in one fluid motion and accepted his father’s outstrechted hand. Together, they made their way towards the twirling and swaying crowd. Maedhros quickly buried his face in Fingon’s hair again, but this time it was to hide the tears that had suddenly sprung in his eyes.

(and yes, Fëanor and Nerdanel eventually get back together in this, because I want them to)

Zero pressure-tagging @queerofthedagger @melestasflight @gardensofthemoon @elevenelvenswords @chrissystriped @thecoolblackwaves and anyone else who sees this and would like to share something!

[thecryofthegulls]

On Elwing's Bird Forms

In the educated opinion of me, a slightly wine-drunk semi-professional seabird specialist with a Tolkien hyperfixation, procrastinating from a work presentation I should be preparing let's gooooo.

Too many people think of Elwing in the form of a random bird thing, when there are so many interesting species!

First, the source text (emphasis by me):

"... they told that Elros and Elrond were taken captive, but Elwing with the Silmaril upon her breast had cast herself into the sea. Thus Maedhros and Maglor gained not the jewel; but it was not lost. For Ulmo bore up Elwing out of the waves, and he gave her the likeness of a great white bird, and upon her breast there shone as a star the Silmaril, as she flew over the water to seek Ëarendil her beloved. On a time of night Ëarendil at the helm of his ship saw her come towards him, as a white cloud exceeding swift beneath the moon, as a star over the sea moving in strange course, a pale flame on wings of storm. And it is sung that she fell from the air upon the timbers of Vingilot, in a swoon, nigh unto death for the urgency of her speed, and Ëarendil took her to his bosom; but in the morning with marvelling eyes he beheld his wife in her own form beside him with her hair upon his face, and she slept."

"On those journeys Elwing did not go, for she might not endure the cold and the pathless voids, and she loved rather the earth and the sweet winds that blow on sea and hill. Therefore there was built for her a white tower northward upon the borders of the Sundering Seas; and thither at times all the sea-birds of the earth repaired. And it is said that Elwing learned the tongues of birds, who herself had once worn their shape; and they taught her the craft of flight, and her wings were of white and silver-grey. And at times, when Ëarendil returning drew near again to Arda, she would fly to meet him, even as she had flown long ago, when she was rescued from the sea. Then the far-sighted among the Elves that dwelt in the Lonely Isle would see her like a white bird, shining, rose-stained in the sunset, as she soared in joy to greet the coming of Vingilot to haven."

The Silmarillion CHAPTER 24 OF THE VOYAGE OF EARENDIL AND THE WAR OF WRATH

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Right out of the gate, a swan is a popular choice for Elwing. Makes sense, they are beautiful, regal birds with a graceful baring on the water. There is a strong association between mute swans and England, they are indeed an old world bird and as part of Tolkien's worldview as oak trees. They are also vicious and brave defenders of their young. A tough bird, symbol of the Teleri Elwing's elven clan. However, not the best for Elwing. They are not sea birds, and while powerful fliers, do not fly particularly high or far. Mute swans are heavy, needing a lengthy run on the water to take off with a clacking of their wings. Not the ideal shape to fly across the ocean undetected to find your mariner husband, or meet said husband in the morning sky when he comes back from being a star.

Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus)

No, not a Great White Pelican, but a Dalmatian Pelican. More silvery than its pale African cousin, the Dalmatian Pelican has the advantage of being present in more Mediterranean climes, which might be representative of what Sirion was like (thank you @outofangband). Pretty much the largest freshwater bird, this choice for Elwing suffers the same problem as the mute swan. Not a sea bird, doesn't really do long-distance flights. Though I could imagine this large silvery-grey bird being mistaken for a cloud in the night, and you KNOW that the Silmaril is tucked nice and safe in that big pouch!

Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans)

Now that's a sea bird! Another popular choice for Elwing, this graceful soaring beauty is essentially the biggest flying bird in the world by wingspan, with a sweeping 11 feet/3.5 meters. The older they are, the whiter they become, with only bit of dark plumage on the wing tips and tail. The wandering albatross is the textbook example of a great white bird. Albatross adore storms, and can use strong (storm) wings to carry them over vast distances very quickly. They nest on steep hills, because they need the sweet winds to give them lift to take off. All in all, like the others above, large enough to carry a Silmaril without affecting flight capabilities. Though I really can't imagine Ëarendil cradling an albatross to his bosom, long wings flopping down on both sides of him. (Elros and Elrond are definitely albatross chicks muppets, as per @swanmaids' point).

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

A gull! Yes, of course, but which gull? There are 54 gull species, and so many of them are herring gulls. But for Elwing? Ulmo would transform her into a Black-legged Kittiwake. A graceful, almost dove-like gull, Kittiwakes are bright white with wings topped in silver-grey. They fly like they are playing in the wind, and spend most of their lives at sea. Gorgeous sea bird. Ëarendil would hug. Am I biased because I love them? Maybe.

Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea)

You want a more white and daintier gull? I was going to write about the Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea) but if we are going with a rare Arctic species, there are many good things about the Ross's Gull. I mean look at it! White and silver-grey with a rosy blush like it is continuously bathed in sunset, a black collar like Elwing is still wearing the memory of the Nauglamír. I also prefer to go with Ross's gull because every time I have seen an ivory gull in the wild it was slightly blood-stained (they feed off polar bear kills) which has very unfortunate implications in Elwing's case really...

But really, if you want a pure-white dove that actually goes sea for your Elwing imagery, go with ivory gull instead!

Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)

Terns are gorgeous sea birds with impressive flight capacity, and pack an absolutely ridiculous amount of fight and spite in 100 g. I have a scar on the top of my head from a tern chasing me off a beach where it was nesting. That beak sure pinches. Roseate Tern are particularly pretty, and if you subscribed to raven-haired Elwing, that cap is an excellent match. The adults also gain a pink sunset stain on their underparts, so you get that poetic match again. Terns would absolutely yell at Manwë, and probably have.

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)

Now if you think Elwing was pale-haired and blue-eyed, a Northern Gannet would be more for you. Northern Gannets are sea birds of great size, swift and fearless. They quite literally launch themselves into the sea. They are powerful enough fliers to evoke thoughts of storm-wings and clouds under moon. Gannets also follow boats, which works nicely with the imagery of bird-Elwing meeting Vingilot.

White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus)

Look at this beautiful thing, is she not fitting of a daughter of Dior, of Lúthien's line? I hope I see one for real one day. These long-tailed sea birds are excellent, graceful in flight, easy to see at a distance due to their tail. More active in the morning and in the evening, more to catch the morning and evening star. White-tailed Tropicbirds also come in a spectacular 'golden' variety. Absolutely fitting for someone named Star-Spray.

Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea)

When I first read the Silmarillion years ago, and I read "... as a white cloud exceeding swift beneath the moon, as a star over the sea moving in strange course, a pale flame on wings of storm" I immediately imagined a glowing white creature that I eventually witness in real life: the gloriously beautiful snow petrel. And while Elwing might not endure the cold and pathless void like a snow petrel would around Antarctica, I think she would revel in the shining feathers, the swift, fleet wings, and, as a feature of being a petrel, the tube nose that would allow her to smell and find Ëarendil anywhere at sea or in the sky. They soar with such joy. Perfect hold-to-your-bosom sized. Snow petrels are one of my favourite sea birds, and you should know more about them!

Like how they have the most hilarious defence mechanism:

...

Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta)

No absolutely not.