#do you think celebrian knew about this??!!

[oh-great-authoress]

…Do you think this ever came up at family dinners in Rivendell?

Morfydd Clark: Yeah, I think [Galadriel] feels so guilty because she clearly messed up kind of monumentally. It's very kind of sobering for her to be around Elrond because he knows her so well and knows all her secrets and kind of knows the depths of her mistake and betrayal really.

Robert Aramayo: I think with the two of them it runs it's like it runs so deep, the connection between them that it sort of feels undeniable. It's a love, really. The bond is really strong.

— via Inside The Rings of Power S2E7 by Prime Video

[chaos-of-the-abyss]

How would you envision Elrond and Elwing's reunion in Valinor 🥺? I can already imagine they would hug for a lonnngggg time to make up for the years of being forcefully separated from each other. Also, Elrond would be ecstatic to know that Celebrian and Elwing (in my head, lol) have bonded and become close to each other.

yesssss i too believe they would hug and cry for a very long time, like they'd just fall into each other's arms <3<3<3 and elrond can finally break down embraced by his mother the way he never had the chance to for literal thousands of years. a tangent, but i don't think elrond ever felt comfortable showing such extreme, uncontrollable vulnerability in front of others -- having been kidnapped as a child by the people who murdered most of his community and as good as forced his mother to suicide, he pretty much came to hide anything that could be perceived as "weakness" for fear of how maedhros and maglor would react to it. and even though he does grow more emotionally healthy once he finds people with whom he can truly have a good relationship, he still finds it difficult to so entirely let down his guard around people. but with elwing -- it's like he's a child again. as soon as he sees his mother's face, the exact same face that he remembers from his memories and his dreams, the exact same face he associates with strength and love and bravery ever since he was young -- everything all comes rushing out. it's like all the tears of pain and fear at her being taken from him are finally flowing after being reined in for millennia.

i can't imagine how utterly cathartic their reunion, at long last, would be to both of them. they wouldn't let go of each other for a while, that's for sure, and they would probably spend hours and hours and hours learning everything they can about each other. i doubt they'd be willing to be apart for at least several days after that. they are going EVERYWHERE together for the next month. joined at the hip. elwing at some point introduces him to all her friends and kin that she's met and connected with since she came to valinor, and elrond finds a litany of relatives who are delighted and proud and awed. lots of teleri especially are so heartened, particularly the ones who knew thingol from before they came west. that's the great-great-grandson of their king's beloved brother. and speaking of thingol -- elwing has already grown close to him since she came to valinor, she and elrond go to visit him together, and thingol cries once again and adopts yet another descendant. tbh he adopts every single descendant of his that sails west. spoils them rotten like they're children even though they're all grown adults who've seen some shit. what do you mean he can't shower them in every single gift that catches his eye or comes to mind. they're his descendants, he can do what he wants!! he will coddle them, and elrond is by no means an exception.

it's also my hc that elwing and celebrian meet when celebrian arrives in valinor! celebrian tells her mother-in-law all about elrond and all about elladan, elrohir, and arwen. elwing adores her daughter-in-law and celebrian is one of the few people who she'll regularly hang out with. they visit each other and everything, elwing is there with her when celebrian meets her telerin relatives (who already all know and love elwing). suffice to say you're right, elrond is absolutely delighted to learn how close his mother and wife have become. they all spend heaps of time with each other -- with earendil, too, when he comes home. it won't take away the injustice of elwing losing so much of her son's life, and elrond losing his mother at such a young age -- but it's good. at last they're the family they couldn't be long ago, and they're all very very happy together

[sotwk]

2nd Day of Yule: “Two Turtle Doves”

Crown Prince Mirion Thranduilion x Reader

Third Age 110 

The Last Homely House, Imladris

“Are you certain about this?” You gently stroked the downy throat of the sweet, grey-colored bird perched on the ledge of the open window. It chirped its approval of your touch, signaling not just its willingness, but its eagerness to set out on its special mission. 

But your question had not been for the amiable creature. It was for the Lady of Imladris, who finally rose from the desk where she had been working for the past several minutes while you waited, entranced by the swift movement of her skilled fingers. 

“This should do it.” Lady Celebrian flashed a triumphant smile and held up the small object, about the size and shape of an earwig, between her thumb and forefinger. “As for being certain, I think that is something you should ask yourself, not I or our little friend here.” She bent over to the bird on the windowsill, and before you could come close to see what she was doing, the tiny case that contained your letter had been secured to the animal’s right leg. “This will surely find its way to the intended recipient, so are you certain about your message?”

“I…yes, I am.” You knew you did not sound at all confident, and the blush that bloomed over your cheeks did not help matters. “I only hope that my words do not disappoint him.”

“Oh?” Celebrian’s tone was light and passive, but you were well aware of her deep love for Elvenqueen Maereth, and by extension, her sons. She had surpassed your mother in her eagerness to introduce you to Prince Mirion, even in the midst of the momentous occasion of her wedding day to Lord Elrond merely two summers ago. 

Yet Celebrian asked no questions, and gave no indication that she meant to press you for more information, whether at the moment or in the future. When you came to her to share news of the arrival of the feathered messenger from the Woodland Realm, you knew you could trust her to hold your secrets in confidence. 

However, you stopped short of sharing the contents of the letter with her, for you could not even read the words in private without sinking into a chair, overwhelmed by emotions you could not define.

“I believe he is ready to depart.”

Indeed you had tarried long enough in sending a response, almost unforgivably. You stretched out your arm, and the grey dove fluttered lightly to land on the edge of your hand.

“May kind winds carry you all the way home, darling friend,” you whispered. “Thank you for your courage.”

The messenger bird bobbed its head, trilled cheerily, and promptly took flight. In a flash it vanished into the evening sky, too quick in the darkness for even your sight to follow.

“What a long way to fly in terrible weather,” you sighed, peering up at the clouds overhead which appeared moments away from turning their icy burden into snowfall. “It seems like too much to ask of that fair little creature to brave such a journey.” 

“You may see it just as a delicate song bird.” Celebrian moved around you to close the shutters and keep out the incoming frost. “But Greenwood doves are exceptionally, deceptively hardy and utterly determined, just like their people. If that little one succeeded in finding its way here, then it will most certainly succeed in its quest home.” She slipped an arm around your shoulders to give you a gentle squeeze. “There is nothing left to do but wait.”

The Lady departed your room to leave you alone with your thoughts…which quickly turned to those words again. You glanced over at the book you left on the chaise by the fireplace. Within its pages you hid the letter that you had been reading over and over again since its arrival, even though the words had already nested within you, keeping his voice inside your head and his face in your mind’s eye. 

"The bond between two Greenwood doves is so steadfast that one could scarcely bear to be separated from its mate for long. I send this one to you because he is a trusted friend; one who understands the importance of his errand. Just as I do, he knows of separation and longing and the love that drives it all.

My only desire is to reaffirm the ardency of my affections for you. To know that you have been reminded of it, that you have thought of me, is enough to comfort me through this winter we are apart. 

I await my friend’s return with anticipation. I shall celebrate his reunion with his beloved, in the hope that I too may experience that same joy very soon."

Yuletide Series MASTERLIST

Yule Event Tag List: @a-world-of-whimsy-5 @achromaticerebus @aduialel @asianbutnotjapanese @auttumnsayshi @blueberryrock @conversacomsmaug @elan-ho-detto-elan-15 @entishramblings @freshalmondpandadonut @fizzyxcustard @friendofthefellowshipsnerdblog @glassgulls @heilith @heranintomyknife23times @ladyweaslette @laneynoir @lathalea @lemonivall @LiliDurin @quickslvxrr @ratsys @spacecluster @scyllas-revenge @stormchaser819 @talkdifferently6 @tamryniel @tamurilofrivendell @acornsandoaktrees @warriormirkwood @emmanuellececchi

[dlatl98]

Elrond, who went to Valinor, became a local celebrity as soon as he arrived there.

Elrond's loved ones were merciless to him. His parents left them for the greater good. He knew he had to give in, because it was ultimately for them and for the world. But in the end, the saddest thing was the fact that I couldn't get to know them, to the point where their loss was nothing more than emptiness rather than grief. His brother had left him for the human path. Do as you wish. You die, not me. Well, this brother had never been helpful to him in life. Maybe growing old as a man would have helped the fool grow (and it didn't). Maglor and Maedhros would not allow him to be called father (so they called him by his name). They chose their sense of Lack of qualifications that they could not be his father because they had taken away his parents, rather than Elrond's desire to call them "father," a title that would warm his heart and mouth just by calling them father. There is also advice that being a Feanorian will not help you in life. He really appreciated that. For destroying his fence and kicking him out of it again under the pretext of doing it for him. If you break one, you have to give me another! He couldn't decide whether he hated Maedhros more for killing himself, which was like a grand announcement that he was no comfort to him, or whether he hated Maglor more for not coming to him or coming to his aid while he was alive. His damned cousins, his king and the Lord of Eregion, died at will. Of course, Elrond understood that they had no other choice as monarchs. His wife… was sorry first. And he was sorry that he couldn't leave with her. He had rejected the king, but he was like his cousins ​​after all. Still, there was a merit to giving up the king. A queen can't leave easily. It was good that he didn't become king, but he often wondered about the path not taken. And his daughter…

No words are possible. No parent should have to go through this.

"I'm sorry. We didn't endure it. We were young at that time, and the children we thought were dead were young. It's not possible to compare, but I can't compare it to you, who I lost after raising everyone and becoming more attached to them. Losing the child I raised. There's nothing sadder than that. I'm truly sorry, but I'll never be able to comfort you. but.....we will be here."

"I'm sorry. I really couldn't go to you. I was too ashamed. I didn't reject you. I didn't think you wouldn't help me. I just couldn't go any further. And I felt betrayed because I thought Maedhros had abandoned me… but at the same time, I understood his choice. I understood how tired he was, how he had no more strength. I knew he couldn't continue, not because he chose something else over me… so I can't compare him to you. Of course, I'm not criticizing his choice. But I still feel resentful towards you. I'm sorry. I won't be of any help. But… I'll be here, so come see me whenever you want."

“Come out now! Even if you can ignore me, don’t ignore him Come out now! Don’t make him feel like you chose someone over him this time either!”

“If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll definitely help. After all, it was thanks to you that that bastard got out.”

"……I'm sorry. But please understand this. I didn't abandon you. It was just……I really couldn't continue. I'm really sorry. I'll be here. I won't be of any help to you, but still…"

"Hey, let's have a drink!"

"I don't know if it'll help. But…..I made it like Celebrian told me. I showed Galadriel the mirror too. Does it look the same to you? No, don't worry about what I think. If you don't need it, throw it away. It's okay. If you like it…..I have plenty of time. I can make it as much as I want."

"How did you endure this?" "What?" "That your loved ones don't follow you. That you might never see them again. That you won't see them again."

"I didn't endure it. When they came, I was helpless and fell. Instead, I'd like to ask. Does it help that you have many friends that you can meet here?" "……I'm sorry to them, but that's that, and this is this." "Right?"

"Still……"

Elrond took his wife's hand and kissed it. They sat on the threshold again, looking out into the dusk. "I am glad you are here."

[agathne]

CHAPTER THREE | THERE'S MILLIONS OF ME DARLING

Description: Thranduil and Legolas are transported to the past - where the late Elvenqueen was still alive - minor hiccup, she doesn't know who they are.

series masterlist | chapter two

"The fever died down, but you should rest." you breathed while combing through his silver locks. "If there is anything you need - feel free to call me," you reminded, settling the hairbrush on the table beside the bed.

"Can I have some water?" he requested and you nod, quickly filling the goblet with the drink and handing it to him. He keeps staring at you while he drank - waiting for any sense of familiarity.

"Ada has spoken to me about your ... detriment." you tiptoed, sitting down beside him on the bed. It was the first time an elf has ever encountered something of the ilk - it was fascinating for you. "It sounds scary," you sympathized, placing a soft hand on his shoulder.

He smiles slowly - reminding you of your own smile.

"It is scarier when you are the one who goes into the past," he admitted, still feeling lightheaded from the shift of worlds. It was hopeless to imagine that he'd ever return to Mirkwood - perhaps, this was going to be his home forever - and he'll never see his father or Tauriel ever again.

"Do you know me?" you inquired, wanting to know about your future.

He bites his bottom lip in attempt to find a better word to answer you. Did he know you? Yes, but at the same time - no. He's felt your touch and heard your singing - but he's never spoken to you. He's never asked for your advice - or danced with you in a banquet. He knows your memory - but not you personally.

"That is too straightforward, I apologize." you bow, moving a few centimeters away from him. "I do." he suddenly responds, contemplating on whether or not he should tell the full truth. "Do I know you in the future?" you asked again - with curiosity.

"You know me more than I know myself." he replied cryptically, moving the blankets over his legs. "I find that hard to believe," you placed a finger to your lips. "- so tell me, who will I marry?" you narrowed your eyes, smiling at the thought of love.

"I'm not allowed to tell you - I think." he answered for lack of better understanding. If you found out about him and his father's neglect, you were sure to choose a different path. His existence will cease to exist - and mayhaps, Arda too.

"Shame, but I have no hard feelings." you smile - standing up and retrieving his empty dishes.

"Rest, mellon." you warned, closing the door behind you.

Elrond wrapped his wife in a thick embrace, almost suffocating the elleth if it weren't for her stomach blocking his way. "My dear," he pressed a kiss to her forehead. He turns to greet Cirdan, but is met with another elf hidden inside the carriage - unconscious.

"Who is he?" he raised an eyebrow - and his wife shakes her head. "Tis' under Cirdan's watch - none of your worries, I assure, my husband." she smiled - pulling his face closer and placing a kiss on his cheek. "I found our daughter's sword in the borders," she reported, taking the item from her side and showing it to her husband.

Elrond narrows his eyes - staring at the sword and moving it in all of it's available angles. It was a close replica to his daughter's. It was made with the same materials, had a few of the indents that it had - but he knew that it wasn't yours.

"This is not our daughter's, Celebrian." he informed, seeing a tree engraved on its handle. "What?" she blurts, turning to look at the elf who was stirring awake inside of the carriage. "Don't tell me that it has something to do with him," he exasperated, feeling a headache form in the back of his head.

"I can explain," the elf slurred hoarsely, regaining his full might.

"Open the sword," he commanded, and Elrond follows.

"Grief is also love, meleth." you rubbed comforting circles on his back. He refused to shed another tear at his father's passing - he needed to be strong for his people. "Love is not supposed to hurt," he sniffled, grip tightening around the last letter his father sent.

"- it should have been me." he turned to look at you - eyes cloudy with tears. "No," you laid your head on his shoulder.

Thranduil and his father had a close bond - he was the King's shadow - a dedicated scholar of the Woodland Realm. You've spoken to the King a few times - words of wisdom flowed out of his mouth.

He was stoic and cold, but he did it out of love for Thranduil. He didn't deserve to die - and neither did the thousands of warriors in this battlefield.

"My ada was chosen by our people - and I have failed him." he cried, placing his arms around you as he continued to weep. "We cannot measure our lives by our deeds, your father loved you - enough to save you. No parent deserves to bury their child." you comforted.

You lift your sword slowly - done with the carving.

"What does it say?" he inquired - unable to see anything from the tears that were blocking his view. "Do not look for love in the brightest of mornings, look for it in the night - and I will be there." you read - smiling softly.

"He claims that his name is Thranduil," Celebrian adds.

"I'm here for my son." he asserted, breaking free from the rope that Cirdan tied him with. "What is his name?" Elrond inquired.

"Legolas."

next chapter>>

a/n: comments and reblogs are appreciated !!

@murder0fcr0ws @cheyxfu

(comment to be tagged)

[bad-surprise]

⭐️directors commentary of your choice please?

i held onto this for a minute because i knew i wanted to wait until the fic was complete (same for museum, that’s sitting in my inbox for now)

apologies in advance, this is a long one.

but i thought you might

haladriel modern au | E | 135.4k | 26/26

but i thought you might (bitym) began as a promptfill i posted on december 9th, 2022— the day i created my fandom twitter account.

at very basic level, bitym is a story about purity culture and the impact it has on those who grow up within it, even if they believe they never bought into the conditioning. it taught me that i love writing about sex— particularly deeply psychological sex scenes that reveal new info about the characters and their relationship, motivations, and overall dynamic.

it really only exists because my husband had covid that week, and because i was exposed but tested negative we were isolating separately. i had a lot of time to fill and spent a lot of it daydreaming, listening to music, and writing little bits of a story in my notes app. there was a very clear moment where hal’s voice just clicked for me and the first chapter came together from there. chapters 1, 2, the last half of 4, and 5 were all written first, back when i thought it would be an 8k one shot. i still have the draft of this, along with another one shot version of it.

it was inspired by memories of high school, particularly one off-campus lunch senior year where a friend confessed that she and her boyfriend had sex and she enjoyed it and didn’t know what to do with that. i believe my response was “i’m pretty sure you’re supposed to like it,” but she started crying. hal and gal’s high school is largely based on the private religious school i attended, and when i imagine their campus, that’s the image in my mind.

i really struggled to find a title, and sort of impulsively chose a line from home by daughter because i thought that song captured the right vibe.

personally, the story only becomes something i’m not embarrassed by around chapter 6. i knew what i was writing towards at that point but only in vague terms. going back into hal’s pov there for the first time since chapter 2 really clarified things for me. i’m not proud of it until chapter 10.

note: spoilers for the entirety of but i thought you might below.

many of my favorite elements were happy accidents, including the introduction of luthien, the two year time jump in chapter 11, the entire diner scene, and hal going to therapy. in conversations with my husband, i was adamant for so long that bitym!hal would never go to therapy. i underestimated what he would be willing to do for gal.

i didn’t really know the ending until around march, and a key aspect of it changed while drafting the penultimate chapter. the original ending i had in mind was incredibly dark, much closer to the shark in your water. it was initially going to be a story about hal thinking he was free from the religious conditioning but turning out to be just as toxic as fin, and galadriel coming to terms with being trapped. i was terrified when this changed and so so scared that hal would lose empathy from readers because of what he did, but ultimately that doesn’t seem to have happened.

the process of writing felt like constant excavation. i felt my way through the story intuitively, with a very flexible list of some plot points in my mind, but i was pretty much flying blind here. i’m so glad it worked out alright in the end.

easter eggs/random bits of info

references

“but they say you have the voice of an angel” is a reference to the music of the ainur

many celebrian moments were inspired by tiktoks and reddit posts.

“the last person i dated was awful” from chapter 17 (i think?) is the only morgoth reference in the whole fic. i debated including him but it ultimately felt like too much work to add it in and i don’t think the story needed it.

when hal’s telling galadriel how he lost his virginity, he says “she had a boyfriend anyway”. this is a reference to the song sex by the 1975.

in chapter 18, the event the girls go to is a reference to revolve tour (the girls who get it, get it)

the conversation hal and gal have about the differences in sex ed for girls and guys at their school is intended to slightly reference “then why is it not gone from here?” in the show, which is largely how it felt for me to leave evangelicalism before recovering from a lot of the related trauma. i didn’t believe it anymore, so why was it still strangling me all the fucking time?

depression as anger turned inward comes from my therapist, who knows i used it in this fic.

takes 20 attempts for halbrand to get the ring right because 3 rings for the eleven kings + 7 for the dwarf lords + 9 for mortal men = 19 before he forges the one.

hal is an aeronautical engineer working in the defense sector. this is a reference to some legendarium stuff around sauron in numenor.

writing process + personal shit:

in the first draft, hal was morgoth’s son and there was a plot point involving the theft of the silmarils.

the nursing student line in chapter 1 is based on some people i knew at university.

i am too embarrassed to read chapters 2 and 3. like i just want to curl up and hide whenever i think about either of those chapters, i think they’re terrible.

there are many “deleted scenes” from bitym that just didn’t fit into the narrative in the end, so they live in the unused scenes folder in my scrivener project. one of these scenes— a description of hal’s apartment— actually ended up being used for museum, and another scene i deleted was reworked for chapter 7 of shark.

i wrote the infamous chapter 5 car scene in the middle of the night, during what felt like a dissociative state, because i knew if i wasn’t exhausted my inner critic would start shame spiraling due to my own religious upbringing.

every single purity culture experience in the text, with the exception of chastity club and the purity pledge, is something that actually happened in my life. the only reason i didn’t do a purity pledge is because i missed youth group that week.

“they cannot convince her she’s sinned” is 100% from my own experience of being surprised by my complete lack of guilt lol.

i really want to have a longer convo about the consent stuff in it because i’m fascinated by some of the responses i got to the chapter 5 car scene. some people were really angry with me for it, which was interesting bc i really had the archive warning on there because of the birth control tampering.

i fucked up the time skip in chapter 11 and added an extra year. this changed the story dramatically (and is why the ending ultimately changed) but i prefer the way it turned out. i also fucked up the age gap between fin and gal, and don’t ask me what grade celebrian is in bc basically i cannot do math to save my life.

i find it really interesting how many readers seem to think galadriel’s POV chapters are more reliable than hal’s, because i definitely see it the opposite way.

i get super nervous about the references to their jobs because i’m terrified of getting something wrong but definitely don’t know the ins and outs. i do research, but i still feel super inadequate there, which is why you never see her at work and only see him at work twice.

chapter 13 (diner scene) was so difficult to plan, but once i decided to use those two songs, it became fairly straightforward. it’s one of my favorite chapters in the entire story.

you probably know this by now if you’ve read chapter 25, but their first kiss being in a closet was 100% deliberate.

i’m so so proud of the sequence with the pregnancy tests in chapter 15.

i decided celebrian would be in this while writing chapter 6.

the drive home from the bachelorette party was written about five days after i started working on bitym.

i knew as soon as chapter 6 that hal would wait until celebrian was born to tell galadriel that he loved her, but holy shit it was so difficult to wait that long.

the scene I’m most proud of is the opening to chapter 23.

misc. in universe info:

the night out with elrond and miriel in chapter 22 stresses me out so much bc gal doesn’t understand what she’s doing and it’s such a horrible position for hal to be in, seeing how she’s basically asking him to come out to her before he’s ready. this all happens only a few days before galadriel leaves for the first time.

hal doesn’t know that galadriel doesn’t think they’re a couple until B+L’s wedding. his response when she tries to bring it up earlier is because he’s worried officially defining it its going to either set him up for failure, or scare her off completely, but in his mind, they were basically together together as soon as he said “yeah, i think i’ll keep you” in chapter 5.

there are subtextual references to substance use issues in hal’s family. this is why he doesn’t drink much or do drugs— though by his 32nd birthday his attitude is a bit more relaxed, considering that their second child is conceived while both of them are drunk lol

in chapter 12, galadriel left her car in accessory for too long and the battery died. hal is fully aware of this and totally could’ve just jumped her battery but he missed her and wanted an excuse to spend time with her.

galadriel’s apprehension about motherhood doesn’t come from a lack of interest altogether, but because the only model she’s really had is one of 100% loss of identity, which is something she’s not willing to do. initially, i planned on this being her ultimate fate and good lord i’m so happy i didn’t go there.

i’m very careful in hal’s therapy sessions to have him refer to “people” he’s dated/slept with, rather than “women.”

galadriel’s friends 100% thought she was sleeping with hal AND celeborn in high school, hence their confusion at her response to finding out they were sexually active then.

hal’s parents aren’t actually homophobic or biphobic, they just didn’t know how to handle that situation and so they sort of pretended it didn’t happen. and if you want to know what happened, it’s just your usual homophobic bullying— the boy he liked turned on him to avoid being a target himself.

hal has had panic attacks his entire life but wasn’t diagnosed with panic disorder until shortly before galadriel moved out for real. he’s very resistant to using rescue meds and thinks he should just be able to tough it out.

they split bills proportionally based on income, with hal contributing 66% and gal 34% around the time of celebrian’s birth. galadriel doesn’t know much about hal’s finances until they buy the house.

i loved seeing how responses to amarie changed as she challenged expectations in the later timeline. i feel really bad for her— it’s implied in the final chapter that she married fin when she was 20 and he was 24, and she dropped out of college as a result. what they’re struggling with by the end is the fact that she wants to finish her degree and has made peace with the fact that they don’t have kids— more of that will be in peppermint for sure.

another aspect in the background that i knew about but decided against mentioning is that celebrian was born just before covid, which is a huge part of why they fell out with galadriel’s family. hal’s health anxiety meant nobody was getting anywhere near his baby and they were not feeling that at all. this might come up a little in peppermint, we’ll see. i doubt i would directly mention covid, just the fact that both of them were working from home for a large part of celebrian’s first few months.

celebrian’s first word was fuck. hal insists it doesn’t count. gal disagrees.

both hal and gal can be read as neurodivergent. it’s revealed in peppermint that celebrian does have adhd. hal also can be read as meeting the diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder— that was unintentional but i think it makes a lot of sense.

significant influences on bitym

films/tv

like crazy

normal people

about time

saved

couples therapy

the worst person in the world

before midnight

lady bird

500 days of summer

non-fiction

leaving the fold: a guide for former fundamentalists and others leaving their religion by marlene winell

complex ptsd: from surviving to thriving by pete walker

hold me tight by sue johnson

adult children of emotionally immature parents by lindsay c. gibson

three women by lisa taddeo

fiction

normal people by sally rooney

beautiful world where are you? by sally rooney

little rabbit by alyssa songsiridej

the unbearable lightness of being by milan kundera

atonement by ian mcewan

musical theater

the last five years

spring awakening

once

my favorite lines

Fighting is foreplay, so they never fight fair. Grievances are grenades, painstakingly primed for maximum impact. If the situation escalates to all-out warfare, consequences take a brutal turn. All hope of a ceasefire hangs on her eventual surrender to submission. — chapter 8

“Stop fucking running from what you want,” he murmurs, slipping his free hand beneath her shoulders, golden hair tangled around his wrist and laced between his fingers as they sink into her skin. “You’re not scared of me, you’re scared of yourself.” The words sear into her with the precision of a cautery pen, burning through any vestiges of self-denial still humming in her mind, loosening each thought at the root. — chapter 10

Galadriel murmured the words over and over again, whispering them against his lips, pressing them into his mouth, until the taste of each syllable was as familiar to him as the salt of her tears. — chapter 11

“Deciding to leave is very different from deciding to not love you anymore.” — chapter 13

If Galadriel is sunlight, Celebrian is made from the stars. — chapter 21

“I’d be first in line at the gates of hell,” Hal says slowly, with all the steadfast solemnity of a vow or a prayer, “if it meant I could keep this beautiful fucking life of ours for just a little longer.” — chapter 25

“You can stop beating yourself up for this shit, honey.” Hal’s thumb brushes her temple. “It’s not on you to fix something you didn’t fucking break.” — chapter 26

Maybe Hal was right. Maybe these moments only matter because of their fleeting, ephemeral nature. Maybe that overwhelming ache she once believed would shatter her served as a method to hollow out space for feeling to inhabit— this precious alloy of quiet contentment and contagious joy, irresistible wonder and the recalcitrance of love, all bound together by a strand of defiant hope. — chapter 26

“I might never be able to heal the parts of you— of us, of our family, our life— that I’ve broken. But you have my word, Galadriel,” his voice drops, each syllable low and firm, carrying the weight of an oath, “I will keep trying— until my last fucking breath, until the end of the goddamn world.” — chapter 26

that was probably a lot more than anyone wanted to know haha, so i’ll stop myself there. this fic means so fucking much to me and i’m so so proud of it. i never thought i’d be capable of writing anything like it and it’s so overwhelming in the best way to know that it means a lot to other people too.

hopefully this answered a lot of questions, but my ask box is open for anything at all— i could talk about concepts in and the process of writing bitym for days (i’m usually holding back bc i don’t want to be annoying) so please feel free to reach out with whatever.

and again, thank you all for everything. you’re amazing.

[valasania-the-pale]

do you have any galadriel brainrot rattling around that you want to share? I'm especially fascinated by any/all galadriel & maglor ideas either in the third age, or otherwise...chiefly bc of your portrayal of them in "the final verse" is so interesting ...Or just, brainrot in general? Always love hearing your takes on things <3 <3 <3

Always.

If I'm focusing on her relationship with Maglor however, I think it may be funny to share that I don't think Galadriel likes Maglor much at all, but rather pities him. He is, arguably, the most wretched elf alive by the end of things, and a decent reflection of what she could have been had she made different, probably tempting choices in her life. Maglor chose something over goodness (whether that was family, pride, loyalty, or whatever, it kind of depends on your reading of him, but whatever it was, he prioritized that thing over being a decent person), while Galadriel was faced with the choice of her ambition and pride over goodness - and in her case, where it mattered, she chose right. She knows how that temptation can feel, however, and I would imagine that Maglor (and Maedhros, back when he was around) were and are very personal cautionary examples of where personal desire can lead when not tempered by wisdom and care.

You know, I like to think that it would be Galadriel to drag Maglor back to Valinor? Not because she likes him, or because she thinks he deserves it, but because my picture of Galadriel is someone who has seen so many loose ends left untied, between Morgoth's escape, the Valar leaving Middle Earth and its people in the lurch of Morgoth's hatred and warring, and the aftermath of the War of Wrath (e.g. Sauron was left unaccounted for, enabling all of the sorrow to come). Leaving Maglor behind means that the story isn't done, the elves will never fully leave, he'll just fade away into a vague sea-voice, an unending, quavering note, held past the point of breaking, never finished. I think that, where Elrond would honor Maglor's grief and choice, Galadriel would be just unimpressed and impatient with it all. "No, we're not doing this again, get on the damn boat. Mourn in Lorien if you must, but I'll be damned again before I leave you here."

I think it also stems from the idea that, by the end of the third age, I think Galadriel is tired of almost everything, tired enough that old grudges - however deserved - are just not worth clinging to. He's done awful things, but depending on how you read her, hasn't Galadriel also? She's either a bit player in the Silmarillion or she abandoned her family entirely - for someone so skilled, and who later (in her fading years) demonstrates such will and power, it implies a personal history of just generally keeping her hands off. And if she was hands-on, then she failed like everyone else. She's connected to everything intimately, so no matter the reading, there's pain and failure there. Maglor has obviously done more, but understanding doesn't come from equivalence, it comes from kinship.

And, I think the last reason she'd do it, is because Galadriel almost certainly knew Nerdanel. After having to endure Celebrian's situation, after Luthien's departure (and presumably the grief that caused Melian), and now having to face telling Celebrian that she'll never see Arwen again, I don't think Galadriel would just accept Maglor's self-imposed exile knowing it would harm Nerdanel as well. It would be one last, unnecessary tragedy to pile onto an exorbitant pile (and, in my headcanons of Galadriel's history, I like to imagine that she and Nerdanel had a connection of friendship for various reasons). There's a whole sub-narrative about mothers having to just accept the loss of their daughters in the Silmarillion (Earwen joins the list, and Anaire, and--), and if Galadriel has shown anything, it's that she strongly defies convention.

[myfanfictiongarden]

My thoughts on s2 ep7 “Doomed to Die”

May the Valar protect us.

cold open? Perfect day in Eregion and Celebrimbor drinking his morning tea before work? Seems about right

the little mouse is cute <3 (perhaps symbolising Celebrimbor himself being like a traped mouse?)

you actually do believe when Annatar says that its sad to him that their collaboration will soon end (but if you´ve read the books you know how it will end exactly… Sauron, I hate you)

meanwhile Eregion is burning 🎶

Annatar giving Mirdania the “You´ve proven yourself well. When the time comes I will see to it that…” treatment he gave Galadriel last season

orcs are clever damming the river

mouse again? Celebrimbor marking a candle? wait…

Narvi joining Durin and Disa!

Elrond and Durin reunion!!!!!!!

the mouse is an illusion! Celebrimbor really is smart!

Sauron´s facade begins to crumble (literary)

seems like all the internet was right about the “mithril” being actually Sauron´s blood

poor Brimby 😭 he knows, he knows now everything but absolutley no one believes him as everyone thinks he´s gone mad

wth??!!! MIRDANIA, NO!!!! Sauron making it seem like Celebrimbor pushed her over the wall is next level evil. But in the end she was useful to him till the end (also confirmation that she wasn´t Celebrian in disguise)

but also, THE ELVEN ARMY IS HERE! gosh, what an entrance (Elrond looks 😍)

yup, Adar was smart capturing Galadriel. What better way to force a nagotiation?

Adar mentions Melian as Elrond´s foremother, omg!!!!!!

Elrond spreading some doubt among the orcs about how much their Lord Father is willing to sacrefice them for some personal vendetta

I see Elrond used the same tactic as Natasha did in Winter Soldier, and Galadriel literary had the same reaction as Steve did 🤣 (do I think the kiss is misplaced? kinda. but i know it was ment as a distraction- confirmed by the actors)

Elrond prooves himself a good strategist

now that´s a speach Durin!

now back to the battle and the Elves- not Elrond´s poor horse!

see? I knew Galadriel would use that pin to escape!

feel like it was good that she saw that Adar truly weeps for his fallen children

Arondir to the resque! Also, love bits of her wisdom begin to come through in their conversation

wait… so the dwarfs might not join the battle? wait… was that an illusion Sauron conjured to trick Durin?!

I can´t anymore… seeing Celebrimbor shackeled to his working table, blood and dust over all of him…

ok, but the conversation between Sauron and Celebrimbor? (plus mention of Morgoth!) AWARDS WORTHY

sorry Brimby, but the rings can´t be that easily destroyed

wait, he won´t… will he? he… really cut his thumb to come free from the shackle, omg

Galadriel to the resque!

wow, their conversation was just everything 🥲 they both been victims to Sauron´s games as well as their own pride, now overburdened with guilt… (would have wished the kiss was between them, but ok) Also, give Charles Edwards all the awards

we may not have seen much of Rian, but she went out like a true badass

Sauron killing the guards was pretty cool (but I´m so afraid for Celebrimbor now)

no, not Elrond looking hopefuly to the sunrise but no help comes 😢

the “Durin will come” 😭😭😭

Gil-Galad wielding Aeglos is pretty sick

wait… no, did Adar actually kill Arondir??!!!

seing Elrond so defieted on the ground breaks my heart 💔

Adar has Nenya, wow

[starspray]

For the Director's Cut, please say more about White Water Flowing! I love this section:

One morning, as she emerged from her favorite bakery with a basket full of pastries, she encountered Finrod—and with him Fingon, golden ribbons shining in his braids. “Why, it is my favorite niece!” Finrod exclaimed. “Good morning, Celebrían.”

“Good morning, Uncle,” Celebrían said, smiling. “And good morning, Fingon.” She had heard from several folk how intimidating it was to encounter great kings of the Noldor wandering the streets of Tol Eressëa, but she had not found any of them to be particularly frightening—Fingolfin might have been the exception, but he did not often come to Avallónë.

“Did you know that Caranthir is on the island?” Finrod asked as they strolled down the street. “I wonder what brings him to Eressëa.”

“Me,” Celebrían said, earning herself two very surprised glances. “Well, I invited Nerdanel, and it would have been very rude not to extend the invitation to her sons.”

“Are Celegorm and Curufin wandering about Avallónë, too?” Fingon asked.

“No, they were unable to come,” said Celebrían. “Perhaps next time. Nerdanel is going to make a sculpture for me. Oh look, here is Caranthir now!” She waved to him, and the streets were not so crowded that he could pretend he hadn’t seen. In any case, he crossed over to them, exchanging slightly stilted greetings with his cousins. Everyone liked to say that the crimes of the First Age were forgiven and set behind them, but of course that was easier said than done. Celebrían had already decided that the best way to handle the tension was to pretend it did not exist. She had smiled and charmed her way through plenty of awkward gatherings that way, and in several cases had ended long-standing feuds, and stopped one or two others before they could really begin.

So, naturally, she invited Fingon and Finrod to lunch with them. Caranthir turned an interesting shade of red, and the other cousins exchanged a startled glance, but Celebrían knew very well that none of her relations liked to say no to her. It came of being the youngest and of having been so badly hurt and so long in healing. She kept up a running, cheerful chatter as they walked back to her house, mostly about the weather and the pastries she’d bought, and also some harmless family gossip—a cat had adopted Tuor, who rather unfortunately dissolved into sneezes and sniffles whenever he was near cats, and Idril thus far was too busy laughing at him to be of much help.

At her house they found Nerdanel in the front garden, engrossed in a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. She straightened as they approached, eyes going wide for a moment, but both Fingon and Finrod greeted her with much more warmth than they had greeted her son. Celebrían slipped her arm through Caranthir’s to keep him from escaping, and led the way inside.

Overall, it was a pleasant afternoon, if a little stilted on a few sides. Finrod and Fingon made their escape as soon as was politely possible, and Caranthir vanished behind the roses in the garden. Nerdanel looked at Celebrían as they sat together by the wide window in the parlor, sipping tea. “Do you think to effect a family reconciliation by brute force?” she asked, sounding curious.

Ahh, I'm having a lot of fun with this fic! And this section is where I started to realize that it was going to be much longer than I initially planned. I started writing White Water Flowing for the SWG Matryoshka challenge, and the premise came from a line I'd just written in the latest chapter (as yet unpublished) of Untidy Souls, where Melian mentions Celebrian's mountain house and that Caranthir had helped her design/build it (I will of course have to edit that line a bit now). So that's why I had Caranthir come with Nerdanel to Eressea. Silly me, I had a vague idea in my mind of where I was going to work in all the Matryoshka prompts, and like three of them would be near the end once the mountain house was built. Shouldn't be more than two, three chapters at the most, I thought!

Then Finrod shoved himself into this scene, dragging Fingon alongside him, more or less unplanned. I thought about writing the lunch itself but I didn't want to subject myself to the awkwardness, no matter how well Celebrian deals with it. And then Nerdanel comes out with her question and that's as much a question for me as it is for Celebrian, lol.

(Yes, Celebrian is going to make everyone friends again by force if necessary, and yes, that is apparently the B plot of this fic. I guess what better way to make everyone get along than to give them a Family Project? They are Noldor).

I've also been meaning to write about Celebrian recreating Rivendell in Valinor for some time now--I wrote about it from Elrond's POV in Fields and Mountains Ever Blessed ages and ages ago--that fic isn't connected to the same fic 'verse as this one, but the basic idea is the same; and I referenced it at the tail end of The Breathing Sea, which is in the same 'verse.

I'm also writing my way into Celebrian herself, too. I've written her a couple of times before but nothing this long. I definitely took inspiration from @cycas; I love her Celebrian singing at her pastries, and being very practical and kind. And I think I'm getting a pretty good handle on my Celebrian--it's lovely getting to write about her outside of her relationship to other characters in Middle-earth, and outside of the tragic part of her story.

[qprsmackdown]

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli (Lord of the Rings) vs Gil Galad, Elrond, and Celebrian (Silmarillion)

I am going to cry. -🦊

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli propaganda: i likea them a lot :) • three dudes going on a road trip i hope nothing bond making happens • they can all braid each others hair • i don't know what the actual shipname is but gigolaron sounds funny youve opened my eyes youre so so so right. theyre just sooooooo. THEY ARE SO QPR FOR REALSIES. legolas and gimli devoted their whole lives to one another and legolas took gimli to essentially elf heaven with him. legolas and aragorn were amazing friends and i think they kissed. the three hunters are so qpr coded to me. they care so much for one another. i have not watched lotr in too long i should rewatch it again but Trust Me Bro theyre SO in love for realsies i got told to vote this by one of the mods. also aragorngimlilegolas resembles my qpr thank you tolkien for making these bitches sooo qpr roadtrip material

Gil Galad, Elrond, and Celebrian propagada: theyre soooo. the high king and his herald, facing unimaginable enemies that have killed all of their families. theyre both so trans also. they can only try to support each other even though the work keeps piling on and people keep dying and all they can do is try to live for each other. elrond has pledged his life to gilgalad and he will always be loyal. gilgalad would die for elrond but he has too many responsibilities and it breaks his heart that he cant say it back. when he does die it is for the world and for love and for elrond. to make a safe world for everyone. when they reunite in valinor they will have changed and learned so much but will still be there for each other, even though they are no longer king and herald.a king and a herald and their best friend. one has pledged their life to the people, the other to him, and the last is just trying to support them. in the midst of so much fear and destruction and uncertainty they stick together and support each other. gil galad dies before them and his loss will stay with them forever. celebrian has to sail to valinor and she must leave behind one for the other. but when elrond sails they will finally all be reunited. gil galad will never meet arwen but she grew up hearing stories about her second father, and strives to be as fair and just a ruler as he. elrohir and elladan are grown by the time they sail but they have until the end of days to make up for lost time. they get a happy ending, even through so much pain and strife. gil galad and celebrian know about elros and his decision to become mortal and how elrond knows it was the right choice for him but has a broken heart anyways. they knew but they didn't realize it would happen to them too. but they love each other and their children and they just want whats best for them. and they take solace in each other, they who still remain even through death. and they hope that when the dagor dagorath comes they can finally see all of their loved ones return from the great adventure of man and fight alongside each other, for even the destruction and renewal of arda cannot mar the happiness at being all together once more.

[fuckingfinwions]

Elrond hadn't believed it at first. Not that he thought Celebrian was lying to him, but the claims were so extreme, and she had been so disturbed when she left. If no one in Tirion had helped her heal, and therefore had not let her leave the city for fear she'd be in danger - well, it was terrible, but it would explain a lot.

That thought was thoroughly disabused when he went to visit Celebrimbor's room, and found Gil-Galad gagged and tied to the wall naked. Celebrimbor had simply said that he knew Gil-Galad and Elrond had a lot to catch up on, but he was busy now, and his own plans would take another day or two. "I'll send him straight to your quarters when I'm done though, so my uncles don't delay him. They're generally more interested in their own generation, but he is awfully beautiful, and Maedhros sometimes has feelings on the War of Wrath to work out."

That had been the most awkward lunch with Gil-Galad that Elrond could remember, including the one where Elrond had just returned from two centuries in Numenor pretending to be his one great-great-great-nephew.

But after a few months, Elrond was used to the type of conversation that might happen at lunch or around a card table in the palace. He didn't like it, but could see no way to change it. If it had been only the chance of his own disinheritance he risked, Elrond would have spoken up, and even fought. But with Celebrian's safety dependent on her being more Maglor's daughter-in-law than Finarfin's granddaughter, and their sons due to arrive in the middle of this mess with no way to warn them, he stayed silent.

Elrond was trying not to tally up how many members of Finwe's house he saw each day, but still there was one whose absence was conspicuous. Last week Fingon had been sitting next to Maedhros even as Elrond's wife sat next to him, somewhat more quiet and subdued than the stories said, but answering questions and generally treated like another noble rather than a page or a servant. The last three days, Fingon was nowhere to be found, and Maedhros was in a foul mood.

Celegorm was apparently tired of the king glaring at him. "Look, I'm sorry I broke his leg! I wasn't trying to mess with your things, I was just trying to hold him still."

"And yet, you've never 'accidentally' broken any of the other page's legs."

"None of the rest of them try to get away. And the rest of his body is fine, you don't need to act like I've blue-balled you."

"You're supposed to be a skilled fighter, can you really not subdue one opponent without serious injury? And also I can't believe that you really think it makes no difference if your sexual partner is unable to walk, stand, or kneel for you."

"I did nothing that won't heal! And most opponents I'm not fighting naked, I'd love to see you do better."

Elrond broke into the argument, "Pardon me, but is this about why Fingon wasn't down to dinner yesterday? I'd be happy to take a look at him as a healer."

Maedhros: "That would be wonderful, thank you. The injury is only indirectly why he's not at dinner, but it would be far more convenient."

"Can I ask what you mean be indirectly?"

Celegorm said, "He means Fingon's staying locked in his room until he pouts enough to persuade Maedhros to let him out for another year."

Maedhros glared. "I'm sure that's very illuminating to Elrond."

Curufin looked up from his scone and rolled his eyes. "If we're being illuminating to Elrond, let me try. Maedhros generally keeps Fingon to himself, as you've seen. A few times a yen, Fingon decides that the way we've been treating him is evil, or that Maedhros is corrupted by Morgoth, or that his grandmother will declare war for the sake of his family if only she knew, and tries to run away. The palace guards always stop him and bring him back, usually before he even reaches the city. Maedhros lets all the rest of us take a turn to remind Fingon of his place - you weren't offered a chance because you've been so solely obsessed with Celebrian. Fingon will spend a few months or years staying in Maedhros's room, then a few years only allowed out chained to Maedhros like a dog on a leash. Then Maedhros will get soft-hearted, and say Fingon's been behaving so nicely, and he'll sit nicely at the table. And in not too long, Fingon will try again."

"Curvo, that was wholly unnecessary to say."

"Why? If Elrond is family, it's relevant news about his household, not gossip."

"I am the king, and how I treat my consort is no one's decision but my own. I didn't ask for advice on how to keep Fingon from doing stupid stunts, so don't interfere."

"If I was interfering, you would know it."

__

Elrond went into the room to assess his patient. Maedhros had explained that Fingon was receiving basic medic's care, with a splint and such, but had not seen a proper healer. "He's in a dark mood, but no less charming for that. If he persuaded someone to try and help him leave... Besides, most healers look into the mind to fully understand what ails the body, and I'd rather not have my sex life seen by strangers."

"Trust me uncle Maedhros, I have no desire to snoop on that side of you. I do intend to fix as much wrong with his body as I can."

"That's very kind Elrond, but please don't tire yourself out. And make sure he's always cuffed to the bed - given he tried to leave so recently, I'd hate to have him leap for the window and re-injure himself."

"Certainly."

Maedhros had offered to stay in the room, but Elrond had said it was unnecessary, and ruling a kingdom was a very time consuming task (even if both your nearest neighbors rarely sent diplomats).

Fingon was lying on his back with his right arm and leg chained to the bed posts. There was a sheet pulled up to his waist, but even so Elrond could see the odd lumps of the bandages and splint on Fingon's lower leg.

Elrond reached over and pulled the sheet down.

"What do you think you're doing?" Fingon pulled the sheet up with his one free hand.

"I need a closer look in order to do this properly."

"You missed your chance to run a train on my ass, you don't need to stare at my cock."

"I suppose you might not get much of the gossip. I'm accounted the greatest healer of my Age, and I told Maedhros I'd take a look at your leg. I assure you, I have no interest in your sexual prowess or equipment."

"Fine." Fingon let go, but didn't take his eyes off Elrond for a second. "Are you really comfortable supporting this?"

"I am a healer, and will help the patient in front of me. How you got here, or if you will just end up here again next week, should be discussed when you're a bit more recovered."

"Even if you're helping my torturer as much as me?"

"If you don't want me to heal you, I will leave. I don't help anyone who wishes to die, or to heal the slow way instead, though I admit I have fixed those on death's door before stopping to ask them. It's an easy enough mistake to fix, at least."

Fingon's leg had been set properly, and Elrond only needed to whisper briefly to the tibia for it to settle properly within the leg muscles. He could do more to speed the healing, but he decided to check for other injuries first that might need attention more urgently. Elrond replaced the splint and the bandages wrapped to keep it in place.

"Roll over now, please."

"No."

"If your leg is getting in the way, I can help turn you the rest of the way if you give me your hand."

"I'm not going to turn my back on any Feanorians, even if you are Turgon's grandson."

"I'm not. But I want to check for other injuries, and I suspect your asshole might be irritated."

"Yes, from being raped by seven people in a row. Why should I let you near my ass?"

"As I've assured you before, I'm a healer."

"Still not happening."

"I must insist then on a verbal list of symptoms. First, do you have any cuts or scrapes on your back?"

Fingon sighed, but said. "No."

"Have you noticed any blood on the sheets?"

"Not after the first few hours."

"Hmm, hard to say what that indicates. Have you noticed blood in your stool?"

"I haven't been shitting because I haven't eaten in the last three days."

Elrond was taken aback. "That will certainty delay your healing. Is this a specific order of Maedhros's?"

"Not that he's told me, but he hasn't brought me anything either."

"That's easy enough to fix." Elrond rummaged in his bag, and pulled out a leaf wrapped bundle. "Have you been drinking water, by the way?"

"Yes. The servants refill the pitcher when they come by to tend the fire." Fingon took the item from Elrond and unwrapped it, but didn't eat it. "This isn't lembas."

"No, it's not. It's a mixture of rice, apples, and sugar designed to be edible to even the most upset digestive system."

"Nothing's wrong with my belly."

"Sure, after three days of no food and possible internal bleeding."

"I'm not still bleeding from their rape, I know what that feels like. But why not lembas, are you afraid it will burn your hands like the Silmarils?"

"I've never held a Silmaril and have no desire to do so, and find lembas perfectly edible. I've grown tired of asking for it from my mother-in-law though, and their are some who find it unpalatable. I've had orcs turn on their masters before, and they're generally in a poor state by the time I find them. Now, eat."

Fingon did so. "You realize that this means I'll have to shit sooner or later, and combining that with urine in the bed pan will smell rank."

"I'll ask Maedhros if you can be escorted to the lavatory. If not, either deal with the smell or shit on the floor. Do NOT shit in the sheets, it will not only irritate any wounds you're hiding, but may cause sores in itself."

"This isn't my first time being injured, you know."

"It amazes me what people manage to forget for basic medical care. Now, if you are comfortable with it I am going to speed the healing of your leg. I will use mostly my own energy, but you will feel drowsy afterwards."

"I'm going to be tied to this bed for the next month whether or not my leg is hale, but it would be nice to be able to move it without pain."

"So you are agreeing to let me heal you?"

"Yes, get on with it. Your conscience can be clear that you have a slave's permission to fix his wounds, even if you will do nothing to free me."

"Your relationship with Maedhros is certainly not the relationship I have with my wife, or what I'd do if she asked to leave me, but I don't know if I'd call it slavery. And of course the circumstances are very different."

Fingon lay back on the pillow and closed his eyes, clearly wishing to be done with the conversation.

Elrond leaned over Fingon's leg and hummed. Some healers had memorized chants for every different malady, but Elrond preferred wordless melodies. He let the notes drift until they became dissonant and jagged as bone scraping against bone, then brought the tune back to something more harmonious, the abrupt highs and lows becoming swift runs up and down the scale, earlier rhythms that stopped halfway complete being repeated as whole motifs. He let his hand rest on Fingon's knee as he did so, not touching the injury directly but reminding his power what the song reflected.

Eventually, Elrond drew the song to a close, the last notes dropping like pebbles into a still pool. Fingon's leg was healed completely, such that even another healer would be unable to see where the break had been. Elrond set himself to unwinding the bandages and splint once more.

Fingon said, "You would be amazing to have by my side in battle."

"Thank you, but I'm not interested in fighting."

"Of course not, you're too happy of a lapdog."

"Sleep now, and let your body adjust to the healing." Elrond picked up his bag and left Fingon's room.

[sotwk]

Hi, Anon who asked about Celebrian here! Thank you for your great answer.

I just loved loved loved your HCs so much it made me sob, fr my 3-year-old sister offered me chocolate because she saw me crying (no I’m not that young we are just like elves: born one generation apart from each other).

Toddlers cuteness and generosity aside, I love that the two women have a sisterhood-type of friendship, me and my best friend are just the same, although not related at all but in Tolkien everyone is basically related to one another and we like it that way. (“Confusingly complex family tree” As you rightly said)

Also I do love your depiction of young!Legolas because he reminds me of my little sister and it’s such a joy to have her around and that is true for him too.

Not relevant to the topic discussed, the idea of Thranduil being jealous of poor Lindir is hilarious, and it absolutely MAKE SENSE. There is a reason he became a fan favorite over the years so I absolutely want to see how that will play out and maybe what his reaction to the knowledge that a prince, a Sindar of Doriath, thinks of him as competition. Hilarious but also true, i dare say.

One last thing: If I remember correctly, but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, Maereth has/had a brother or a sister? Im not so sure of this, I think in The Crown you mention a nephew of the elvenqueen. But I didn’t see them mentioned when you posted about her genealogy. Im probably misremembering or it’s something I made up based on your HCs.

Now I stop ranting. Have a nice weekend! Byeee <3

my 3-year-old sister offered me chocolate because she saw me crying

I'm sorry for the tears, but I hope it was a cathartic cry! *hug* I'm glad the friendship between the two Elf-Queens (Celebrian is a Queen in my mind, titles be damned!) moved you so much.

Toddlers are so amazingly compassionate! My husband woke with lower back aches this morning and our 4-year-old seriously tried to give him a massage. XD You and your little sister sound very sweet!

the idea of Thranduil being jealous of poor Lindir is hilarious, and it absolutely MAKE SENSE.

I have such a soft spot for Lindir! He's just that shy, slightly awkward and nerdy guy who might get overlooked for being quiet, but he's actually a hottie who's unaware of his own sex-appeal. So yeah. Even though he and Maereth's friendship stays entirely platonic, stew on that for a while, Thranduil.

Maereth has/had a brother or a sister? Im not so sure of this, I think in The Crown you mention a nephew of the elvenqueen.

I'm gonna give you a virtual trophy for being the first one to notice this and bring it up with me! I've been dropping mentions of Maereth's nephew/the Thranduilions' cousin in multiple hc posts and fics now! Here are just a few of those sources:

The Crown

Greenleaf's Day Out, Chapter 5

Yuletide in the Elvenking's Realm, Day 5: Five Golden Rings

SotWK OC: Olondir, Master Craftsman of the Woodland Realm

Lord Olondir (oc) is the son and only child of Maereth's brother, Calinondo (oc). Although he died fighting in the War of the Last Alliance, Calinondo is a significant character in the SotWK AU because he became heir to the knowledge and craft of the great Celebrimbor, his uncle and mentor. (Remember that Maereth's grandfather is Maglor, which makes Maereth's mother and Celebrimbor first cousins--they were very close with each other.)

Calinondo passed on everything he knew to his son, so that by the Third Age, Olondir was named the Master Craftsman of the Woodland Realm. Apart from helping craft the Elvenking's famous crown, he was responsible for other creations such as the faemir/calarsil mentioned in "Greenleaf's Day Out". Most of the armour and weaponry used by Mirkwood's soldiers in the Third Age, as you see in BotFA, was also designed by him (alongside Mirion, who was a Master Bladesmith). These Noldorin craftsmen were responsible for upgrading the inferior armour and weapons that contributed to the Silvans' defeat at the War of the Last Alliance. In essence, the fact that Noldorin craftsmanship lived on in Thranduil's family helped Mirkwood survive Sauron's onslaughts.

Because I've been sharing fancasts right and left, here is my fancast for Olondir, nephew of the Elvenqueen: Jake Gyllenhaal.

Olondir is the the only Elf in the Woodland Realm who can grow a full beard in his Second Cycle. Remember whom else he descended directly from? Mahtan, the great smith of Valinor and father of Nerdanel! Olondir keeps his beard to honor that part of his heritage, which he is most proud of.

Side note: I have a creator's crush on Olondir. He's almost like a 6th Thranduilion Prince, and his character is quite sexy. He's got the Fëanorean edge to him. Although he's not super developed in my head yet, I would love to write more about him someday! XD

By the way, Maereth actually had three older brothers; her two eldest brothers were twins: Surlírë and Vëalírë, but they died in the War of Wrath alongside their father Eärondir, so sadly Maereth barely knew them. But boys and twins ran strong in their family, just as in Fëanor's.

Anywaaaaay, thank YOU for letting me ramble on this long again! XD I love you so much for geeking out about my OCs with me, Anon! I'm gonna have to write this down in a proper and more thorough post later on, but it felt really good to share this much!

[kanalaure]

🪄🔮 and 🍽️ for the Silm asks!

🪄You can change how one (1) Big Event goes down in the Silm - either in favor of something in HoME or something you made up. What happens instead? Tell us the cool stuff!

i think... there are so many things to choose from. i think i'd save celebrimbor. i don't know how much of the troubles of the second age that would actually solve, but the way he died makes my heart ache, and i have such a soft spot for characters who try really hard (and especially the ones who fail)

(also i'd be afraid of unraveling events as i knew them by acting on anything bigger. big events have big effects when you alter them, and i'd hate to accidentally prevent elladan, elrohir, and arwen from being born)

🔮You can reach into the Beyond and ask the Professor to settle one (1) debate for you. He won't even waffle on the answer, honest. What do you ask him?

i would not be asking him about any debates or the canonicity of a particular event, no. for one, it wouldn't really settle the argument because you couldn't really PROVE you actually got the information from him. and moreover, i dont consider word-of-god information to be canon. when authors reveal things in interviews years down the line it leads to silly little "well mom said-" fights in the fandom, which irritate me. basically, if it's important enough for them to speak on it, it should already be in the published material, and if it isn't-- well, i don't believe it's necessary to get their opinion on it. i'd rather make up my own mind based on the presented, published canon material

what i WOULD ask him is if he ever came up with a quenya or sindarin word for "mercy" that he forgot to write down, or if he had any thoughts on the matter to guide me. i've made some fumbling attempts at compounding words to reach something that would cover that concept, or at least come close, but i'm not satisfied yet. it bugs me for all that mercy is a concept baked into the universe there isn't an actual WORD for it in the languages he created. 'pity' is as close as we get

🍽️ You are having a dinner party and you can invite five (5) characters from the Silm. Who do you invite?

i've actually thought about this one a bit! my friend answered this question earlier and it got the wheels in my head going

i'd invite maglor (i'm sure this comes as a shock to everyone reading this), bilbo, elrond, celebrian, and finrod amarie can sneak in as his plus one. they're all people i would love to meet and they've lived across broad enough times and places you could really cover a lot of ground speaking to them for an evening. i don't believe there's any big personal conflicts between any of them? but if there were at least three people present are skilled at smoothing things over, causing big distractions, and telling really cracking stories about their lives

i'd love to talk to celebrian in particular because we know so little about her life outside of the way her family relates to her, and i'd like to get to know her as a person instead of galadriel and celeborn's daughter, arwen and the twins' mother, etc

[that-angry-noldo]

Plan two Silm dinner parties, you can ignore timelines and choose any characters! The first dinner is supposed to be actually enjoyable the second you’re planning for maximum chaos and insanity! Who do you invite!

-@outofangband

two things: one. i never planned a party. two. the previous sentence was a lie bevause i DID plan a party when i was ten years old and everyone had to be a princess and it would include dancing while i play turkish motiffs on my electric piano and also i knew who i would ban and how everyone had to behave so i am summoning a ten yo me right now

ALRIGHT SO the first one is going to be tea party and I'm getting most pleasant characters i can think of. give me finrod because he knows how to keep up a good and lighthearted conversation. add beor because he and finrod are besties and also beor has an excellent sense of humour, i just know it. also he rarely gets invited to parties which is a Shame. next, of course, Bilbo because all parties are made better by Bilbo. And Elrond!!! Elrond and Bilbo make such a good pair. Throw in Elros for a mix, to make all of them happy. And Amarië and Celebrian for gender diversity (also because they're nice.)

So the food and tea I'll have to get before the party because baking with that many people present is a nightmare. And then I just. Hope the thing kicks in. All of them combined can make for a great and relaxed conversation. I can get some tabletop games later in the evening, or talk Bilbo into reading his poetry.

Now, the second one. (evil laugh)

First of all, screw the responsibility. Get me Feanor, Fingolfin and Finarfin. THEY are planning the party now. They can't leave until they do so.

First of all, who they're gonna call? Feanor, of course, wants to have all of his sons show up, to which Fingolfin protests and Finarfin takes a deep breath. After an hour of arguing they compromise and decide to call Finwë. Next one up is... (throws darts) Eöl. That one is MY initiative because I think that's funny. Fingolfin rebels. He NEEDS to smash Eöl's head on something. Feanor shares the sentiment, and they add Celegorm to the mix. I give the dart to Finarfin and spin the wheel. He sighs and throws the dart with his eyes closed. He misses. On purpose. He's wise like that. "If you're so smart," I say, "why don't you show up to the party." Finarfin reminds me that darts are very pointy and my neck is particularly vulnerable. To which I remind him that I am beyond the narrative and throw the dart myself. It lands on Turin Turambar, because of course. Finarfin has no idea who Turin is, while Feanor and Fingolfin have had enough of watching him suffer. They start plotting. The choice is between Turgon and Orodreth. Feanor says that technically, they already have a member each from the first two houses (cue the heated argument of whether or not should they consider eöl a member of fingolfin's house), and recommends to send Orodreth. finarfin, who, while they argued, managed to fetch a copy of narn, stares them down and writes beleg to the list. feanor and fingolfin are silent for a while because they Can't Believe they forgot about Beleg Cuthalion. Suddenly, Fingolfin grins and draws the name of Thingol of Doriath. I clap my hands and set a werewolf loose in the mansion where the party has to begin. and also get some wine for finarfin because of how diappointed in me he looks. the four of us sit in our watching room and brace for the drama. maybe the real party were the frenemies we made along the way.

[animatorweirdo]

Red dreams

Fallen for a golden flower

Chapter 14

Warnings: mentions of childhood violence, trauma, apocalyptic event and some comfort. 

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

The street was buzzing with people. Elves walked around with humans and dwarves who came to visit the elven city. The seagulls flew above the sky, and the sounds of the sea echoed from a distance. 

You stood at the edge, leaning against the white stoned baluster as you gazed at the city of Lindon. Memories flooded your mind as you stared at the familiar landscapes and structures, which were slightly different from the last time you visited. Everything had changed over time. 

The twins and Glorfindel were busy with other matters, and you didn’t have anything else to do, so you allowed yourself to catch some air and see the city around you. 

When you gazed over to the sea, a memory played within your mind as you looked at it and the city before you. Your mind came back to that day when the world around you changed forever, the day – when Beleriand sank beneath the sea. 

It was a memory no one would be able to forget. You remember being in your home, drinking tea, and enjoying the quiet. The twins arrived in a hurry and told you to leave with them. The earth crumbled beneath you in the most violent earthquake. You saw the waves in the distance with your own two eyes. They were taller than mountains and devoured everything around you. You almost believed it was the end of the world when you escaped and took refuge in Lindon. 

You felt sad leaving your home behind, especially since it was now beneath the ocean. It was an experience you never want to relieve again, but you admit leaving your home gave you a chance to see the world around you. You always knew the world around you was big, but it felt bigger when you left your home and witnessed the events that made history. It was then you finally adapted to your immortal life and looked forward to the future, and now you were here again. 

“Quite a lovely sight, isn’t it?” Someone suddenly appeared beside you, making you jolt with surprise. You turned your head around to see the stranger, and your eyes widened with surprise when you saw who it was. 

“Celebrian – I thought you stayed in Rivendell?” You said, almost questioning the elleth beside you. Celebrian smiled. “Well, I decided to come along when I heard you were leaving too. I would have been bored if I stayed behind,” She explained, which made you chuckle. “I also decided to meet my mother and father here, so it would be easier for me to go home,” She explained. 

“Ah – I see,” You said, then noticed a familiar pair approaching you. 

A smile dressed your face. “Rossenthell, Calendir. It’s nice to see you again,” You wrapped your arms around the crimson-haired elleth, who was happy to return your embrace. “How are you doing?” Rossenthell asked as you released her from your arms. 

“I’m doing great,” You smiled, then remembered Celebrian. “Oh! Celebrian, this is Rossenthell and her husband, Calendir. They’re old friends of mine,” You explained. “And this is Celebrian, lady Galadriel’s daughter,” You looked back at the pair. 

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Celebrian smiled. “Likewise, my lady,” Rossenthell answered, giving her a respectful bow along with Calendir. They then turned toward you. 

“When we saw you, we were curious about what you were doing here,” Rossenthell explained. “I decided to join as a healer in the upcoming battle,” You said, showing her your band. “I see putting your old healing skills to use?” She questioned. “Well, I didn’t want to sit out and do nothing when I could make use of myself. I think my mother would have been disappointed if I did nothing with my skills,” You explained, making her chuckle. 

“Since you’re here, I suspect king Oropher has decided to come out of his hole and join forces,” You said. “He has because this is a threat even he couldn’t ignore. When Sauron revealed himself, our woods have been under constant threat of being engulfed by darkness and a plague,” Rossenthell explained. “Not to mention, the broods of Ungoliant have also decided to become our neighbors,” Calendir spoke. “That doesn’t sound good. Traveling might become much more complicated with giant spiders around,” You stated. The two nodded in agreement. 

“You seem to know many people from the Sindar kin?” Celebrian broke the silence. “I had an honor knowing some people, especially the great sindar king himself,” You said. “On the contrary, Rossenthell was the first elf I met after I took the twins under my care, and she just appeared out of nowhere,” You smiled. “Her red hair frightened the twins, and they were ready to defend me from her, thinking they could win,” You chuckled, making Rossenthell roll her eyes at the memory. “It was also that day when I learned the twins were long-lost princes of Doriath. My life was never the same after that,” You stated. 

“One fun thing was that even she didn’t believe in my immortality till I came to visit after a hundred years when the twins had grown into young adults,” You smiled. “Well, your sudden visit was a shock of a lifetime. My kin is still making up theories about your existence,” Rossenthell said. “Oh yes, the mysterious maiar or the relative of Tom Bombadil,” You chuckled. 

“Do you have time left before you two have to go?” You asked the pair. “Not at the moment, so we will have plenty of time before we have to return to our duties,” Rossenthell explained. “Do you want to spend some time with us before we have to go?” She asked. “I would love that,” You smiled.

“By the way, have you done anything about your feelings for someone?” Rossenthell questioned with a knowing smirk. “I wait till the battle is over,” You said. “Why not now? What if it's too late, and you haven’t told him of your feelings or even shared your romantic first kiss?” She teased. “Oh, shut up if I remember correctly. I was the one who helped you get together with a certain silvan boy,” You nudged her arm, making her laugh. 

Celebrian was talking with Calendir while Rossenthell was speaking with you. Your mind wandered when you thought about the moment when you mentioned your first encounter with Rossenthell and the twin’s reaction toward her red her. You did not know why, but it left you with a strange feeling, especially when you knew why the twins were so frightened by the color of red. 

It was during that day when you met Rossenthell for the first time. You were putting the boys to bed after talking with the red-haired elleth and bidding farewell after the long day. You agreed to have the twins known to her king despite feeling strange about it. 

They hopped on one of your younger sibling’s old beds while you sat down on the edge of the bed, tucking them in for the night. It was a habit you developed over the time you spent living together. 

“Boys,” You said, gaining their attention. 

“Why did you freak out when you saw Rossenthell’s hair?” You questioned. “Who are these bad people you spoke of?” You asked, remembering how they referred to her as one of the Bad people. 

The twins glanced at each other for a brief moment. 

“The bad people were the ones who attacked our home and our parents,” Elured explained. “They hurt Naneth and Ada,” Elurin said sadly. 

“They had red hair, and there was this big bad elf with the reddest hair in all of Arda,” Elured described with his hands. “He was chasing us, trying to get to us like how he got Ada and Naneth,” He explained. Elurin began softly crying. “We got away – but we got lost. And Elurin was almost –” Elured teared up, no doubt remembering the day when his brother almost died from cold. Your heart ached to soothe their tears and pain. 

You grabbed their hands into yours. 

“You do not need to fear the big bad elf or Rossenthell. She’s one of the good ones, one of your kin, and she would like you to meet your great-grandpa’s friend,” You explained. “But how do you know she’s a friend?” Elurin asked. 

“I have a feeling, so have faith in me,” You smiled. “And remember, I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise you that,” You said, drying up their tears. They smiled, feeling comforted. 

You remembered kissing their foreheads and bidding them goodnight. 

The memory made you think about Elurin and his dislike toward Noldor. He had always been a sweet and rather timid child, so you were surprised when you saw him grow to hate this particular group. You didn’t know why and didn’t think much of it. 

But, now you were curious again. 

You remember rumors you once heard before your immortality. You don’t remember them clearly, but you remember they were about a group of people who killed their own. It made you think of them because you had heard the term Noldor before, and it felt somewhat related to them.

It made you wonder if they were the ones who attacked the twin’s home and caused Elurin’s strange resentment toward them. You didn’t know, and it made you even more curious. Who exactly were the Bad people?

[ellrond]

0 for elrond babes <3

2, 5-8 answered here!

What would their social media page/activity be like? Non-existent for the most part, I think. He might have a twitter where he posts and RTs about social issues but that's about it. He uses Youtube only for ambience playlists too

3. My thoughts on their design/aesthetic? Hugo Weaving was my only Elrond for so long, and so I got accustomed to just thinking about him along those lines. It matches what is in lotro, too, and I love the 'in the box' thinking for him. Then Rob Aramayo came along.............and I'm in love. However, I'd love to see him in more PJ-esque costumes because I'm basic. 'Outside the box' designs are something I love too, and I love seeing interpretations of his design that go outside of the 'traditional Medieval England-inspired' sphere in terms of costumes. As for his face/skin tone/build, every interpretation is so wonderful to see. Basically the more content there is, the more varied it is, the better!

4. Physical headcanons? He sleeps much more than elves but less than humans - perhaps a few hours every night, 3-4 maybe - and always with his eyes closed. Where elves are more comfortable with stillness, he has more human habits sometimes - the tapping of a foot, running his finger and thumb together idly, picking the skin around his nails. When he was younger, he was also conscious of not taking up too much space, coming from when he was kidnapped and he wanted to remain as small and inconspicuous as he could. Over many years, he unlearned that behaviour, but it remains an impulse.

5. Social headcanons? He seeks out the company of those who give him peace, those who have similar outlooks on life. There is a time and place for debates on ethics and economics and politics and science and part of his role in societies is to engage in those, but in time that is his own, he just wants easy peace. Someone like Galadriel, who also feels the same, is a relief to be around, as often there is no conflict, only quiet company. In ages when there are so many different paths, he longs for the company of those who choose to take the same as him.

6. Psychological heacanons? He's incredibly good at controlling his anger. In his formative years he was around people who let anger drive them and he knew from an even younger age how destructive that could be. From birth he was taught how to be mild and considered, and it is not in his nature to become angry easily. When anger is roused in him he can control it and he finds ways to release the pressure in safe and harmless ways. Even in battle, he keeps his anger in check so that he can remain level-headed and in control. Anger is most often mixed with grief for him, and so on the rare occasions he has been overwhelmed, it has shown itself as defeated agony more than violent anger (when Gil and Elendil were killed, when he saw what happened to Celebrian, for example).

7. YOU made me ship Celebrimbor/Elrond in Rings of Power thanks to my favourite fic of all time To Partake written by RUNAWAYMUN. Celrond reigns supreme in my heart, though.

9. Headcanons about their past? Gil Galad and Cirdan learned through their spy network that Maedhros and Maglor held Elrond and Elros, and tried to negotiate for their release but were refused. If they had found out that others hadn't given up on them, Elros would have tried even harder to escape, but Elrond doesn't know if he would have tried. He grew to love Maglor especially, where Elros held the Feanorians in nothing but contempt until the day he died.

10. Content about them I'd like to see more of? Erotic art. I'm not kidding. I want to see his thick uncut dick way more than I currently do. Are you kidding me. Jesus. Let me have pornographic art of Elrond.