#does it even surprise you i love Maglor so much

[anna-dreamer]

Finwean generational trauma is so real. I imagine, after Maglor and Maedhros kidnapped the twins, there was a clear and brutal understanding that that was not them giving those children a good life; but also, also, with Maglor and Maedhros being prone to the Oath, with their lives and souls tainted and fractured by bloodshed and murder and violence and loss and despair, they'd think there was no chance in the void for them to make something good out of it. Not with the Oath, not with the Doom, not with the way their father was. Their grandfather, due to whatever eldritch horror haunted his childhood in Endorë, felt that he had to have as many children as possible, so that his family would not fail and he wouldn't be left alone and scared in the dark. As a result, their father, abandoned and traumatised and angry, felt that he had to have as many children as possible, so that he would never be abandoned again, alone and scared in the dark. And he made sure of that. He had seven children, and he tied them up with an unbreakable Oath that would sooner destroy all of them than let them give up on him. So many hurts in this family were attempted to be healed with the use of children. And now here are Maglor and Maedhros. Alone and scared in the dark. True, there are two little boys on their hands, yet they have already wronged these boys so deeply. If there is a small chance of salvation or even redemption through them, Maglor and Maedhros would not take it. Besides, it would not work anyway. Refusing to repeat the old pattern is a first step in the right direction, and on itself it wouldn't be enough, but...

But then Eärendil appears in the sky. This is Elrond and Elros' father up there - and at the same time there is Fëanor too, because it's the silmaril that shines, the unobtainable, unreachable, illusory silmaril, like a father Maglor and Maedhros still desperately long for. Oh, but he will not come back. He is as far away as any star in the sky. The twins can't have their father back, and neither can the last two Fëanorians.

And then it hits Maglor. True, his brother and him are Doomed. True, there is probably no happy ending for them two. But it doesn't have to be this way for Elrond and Elros. With whatever strength and will to live and hope that he has left, he will try to do better by them. Maedhros would try to argue, but Maglor would tell him, They did not have Fëanor for a father! And they will not.

He can only hope that his genuine love and care he will give to the twins is just enough for them to turn out better than Maglor and Maedhros did. Maglor and Maedhros took them in. Now they are responsible. They will try. If redemption comes, it's not through acquiring someone to love you, but through loving them as sincerely and selflessly as your broken heart can. And if redemption doesn't come at all, so be it. It was not about redemption anyway. The second step, to consciously break the chain, is made.

Alas, it does not work as well on Maedhros. He doesn't feel this bittersweet bliss. He has fallen too deep into despair. And as soon as Elrond and Elros are gone, it becomes not enough for Maglor to heal either. He has just enough hope left to argue with his brother whether or not to go for silmarils. But all those last years spent alone with Maedhros sucked a lot out of Maglor, and nothing is left, apart from the feverish devotion, Nelyo knows better, Nelyo always knew better, like a dark shadow of Father always knows better, we will follow him and we will die for him if needed... No matter that Maedhros is not in his right mind. Neither was Fëanor. Their father's Oath is intertwined with their love for each other, and it binds them together ever stronger. Maglor would not leave Maedhros. But Maedhros loves his brother too. He might have not been healed by a star, but he is still Nelyo. The big brother. And while he could not break any vicious circles with his life, but with his death, for his last surviving brother, he would try.

It was not enough for Maedhros or Maglor. But it was enough for Elrond and Elros. With them, Finwean generational trauma was healed. The chain was broken. And i firmly believe that, despite their own trauma, both ultimately had healthy and happy families.

And if Maglor is still out there, Elrond will find him. He will finish what Maglor - his father - has started.

[nelyos-right-hand]

I've been reading post-reembodiement fics lately, and Fëanor trying to fix his relationship with his sons/ making amends for his mistakes is a pretty common occurrence in them.

Whenever that happens Curufin is almost always the first to forgive his father, and if Fëanor starts to make stupid choices again, he is often the first to support him.

And I see why many people see it that way. In the Silm, Celegorm and Curufin are their father's strongest supporters and the most ruthless when it comes to following their oath. Curufin is also described to be Fëanor Junior and they probably had a very close relationship.

But what if that changes after the first age?

Through the entire first age, Curufin continued to believe in the oath and their father. Sure, the others followed the oath as well, but I don't think that any of them did it because they actually believed in it.

Maedhros did it because Fingon was dead and he had stopped caring. Maglor, Caranthir and the Ambarussar did it because the oath was driving them. Celegorm did it because he was no longer sane and wanted revenge and bloodshed. He did it because he was hurting and now it was time for others to hurt.

But Curufin still did it for Fëanor. Because yes, right now things were looking pretty bad, but in the end everything would turn out fine. They were going to get the Silmaril, and then they were going to defeat Morgoth, fulfill their oath and make their father proud. Things were still going according to plan. Curufin himself might be unable to see it right now, but that's just because Fëanor was a genius. He had planned for this because he wouldn't have made them swear the oath if he hadn't, right? Everything was gonna be fine, all he had to do was trust his father.

But then suddenly he turned around just in time to see Dior drive his sword through Celegorm's chest. And he didn't even have time to process that because in the next moment he was hit by an arrow, and another, and another, and another.

Curufin didn't live very long after that, maybe two or three seconds. But in that time he realized something.

Things were not going according to plan. They couldn't because there was no plan. Fëanor didn't have any idea what he was doing when he swore the oath. And he most certainly didn't have his sons' welfare in mind at that moment.

They wouldn't get the Silmarils, not even one of them. They wouldn't fulfill the oath and they wouldn't defeat Morgoth. They wouldn't even survive.

Celegorm was dead and Curufin was dying and their other brothers would die soon too, and it would all be for nothing. He had spend the last five-hundred years believing in and fighting for a purpose that wasn't even a real purpose but the fantasies of a dead madman.

He had been betrayed by the person he loved most and now he would die for him.

(Hint-Celebrimbor-hint)

(Alright, so Fëanor didn't actually betray Curufin because that would mean that he did it on purpose or that he had any ill intentions towards him. That, of course, wasn't the case because Fëanor did love his sons dearly, he just, you know, went absolutely mad after Finwë's death. Curufin just feels betrayed because he is dying and stuff.)

So back in Valinor Curufin has the most trouble forgiving his father. That surprises Fëanor as much as the rest of the family cause it kind of contradicts his actions in his previous life but maybe death does that to people.

In the end he does forgive him of course, but it takes some time to fix their relationship and it takes way longer for him to trust Fëanor again then it did for the rest of his sons.

These are just some loose thoughts cause it's the middle of the night and I'm bored but I think it's interesting because it's different from what we usually see of Curufin.

[lamemaster]

Nerdanel's Favorite Daughter-in-Law

Pairing: Nerdanel and Maglor's Wife

Genre: Fluff

AN: Really wanted to write this because I feel soft.

If someone asked Nerdanel about her favorite daughter-in-law, the redhead elleth would deny the possibility of having one or would vehemently insist on loving all her daughters-in-law equally.

But. There exists a But. There is one for whom Nerdanel feels greater. The most unexpected of the bunch. Makalaure's wife.

Your arrival had been, to state it lightly wildy unexpected. And maybe Nerdanel would have hated you for binding her son to a mortal but she could not.

You had come to Valinor bearing last fragment of Makalaure's soul. A part of her son that lived in your belly as your child. Nerdanel could have despised you for owning a part of her son but she could not.

Not when her son's presence has been a gift from you. How could she when you are a mortal who dared to give up the gift of Illuvatar for her son's sake.

Maybe that is why you were allowed to step on the soil that even the king of Nuemenor was forbidden.

So, Nerdanel finds herself endeared to you. Even when her eldest, Nelyafinwe, can not even bear to look your way. You are an Easterling from the lands and of the people that once betrayed Maitimo. The wounds of the past run deep and heal slow.

Yet, Nerdanel has found herself unable to hate you. Instead, she can't help but notice how you make the most convincing excuses to not attend a feast that seems to host most of Maitimo’s friends. A sacrifice made out of your will. Not even Makalaure notices it but Nerdanel does.

"Is y/n not coming?" Nerdanel asks Kano, who seems to have arrived dressed immaculately as always. His robes ironed and cuffs straightened. "No she sprained her foot the last minute, so I let her rest for today," Nerdanel knows well about these last-minute sprains that just seem to be a mortal thing. Right at the clap of the moment, Maitimo walks out dressed. "Let's go I'm ready," the one who had no plans on attending the feast seems to have dressed up as soon as the news of you not attending arrives. Maybe the rest did not notice but Nerdanel did. These intricacies of your behavior do not go unnoticed by her.

Nerdanel feels seething rage fill her when her son's words leave your eyes dull and your smiles forced. She knows well enough of lover's quarrel and arguments beyond that but she cannot bear seeing the lines of sadness etched on your face.

The unfairness of your despair tugs at Nerdanel's heart. "Can you not be a brute as such your father?" Nerdanel feels a headache build the more she talks to Makalaure. "But she-," "Makalaure she is alone here in a land foreign to her. Can you least be civil to the one who carries your child?" The carving tool in her hand feels dangerous for a lingering moment.

On nights when her own son's unfairness tugs her heart, Nerdanel seeks you. It isn't hard to find a mortal in Valinor. A mortal who stands out in a world full of immortals. Nerdanel seeks you.

You can't go far. So it isn't a surprise when she finds you in her own backyard. Perched next to blooming roses, Nerdanel can sense your heartbreak. Longing for a time and people long gone lines your eyes. It isn't an easy bargain, the one that you have made at your own cost. You stay here for her son, becoming his anchor you have submerged yourself into the seas of the unknown.

Now Nerdanel has never been much of a cook but today she sticks to her courage with the rounded bowl in her hands. Depositing herself next to you, Nerndal wonders if you can see her the way she can. She does not know the limits of mortal sight. "I hope you like this," gathering a morsel in her hand Nerndanel feeds you. And she feels the wetness of tears on her hands.

"Bibi," Nerdanel feels her heart stop at your words as you hug her. Bibi, the word for mother in your tongue. And Nerdanel hugs her daughter-in-law back. The only one who hugs her.

"My bibi used to make me choori, hot wheat bread mixed with jaggery and ghee. She used to feed me more than any of my brothers," your words from the past ring in her ears.

You have become more than a daughter-in-law, you have become a daughter.

[amethysttribble]

I'm rereading Everlasting Song in honor of the new chapter update (love it great job!!!) and thing I never noticed before: Do people assume that Maglor and Maedhros are lovers? Like Oberyn/Doran and others? As the explanation for why they are so close/devoted to each other? And, I really should have noticed this earlier, are the boys like well known for being super attractive since they are reborn elves which makes them hot and honorable? (With an approx least honorable elf = most honorable man in westeros metric) Is Varys considering this in his hot talented men who have show no interest in women conspiracy??????? (Curufins cute crush aside)

Thank you so much for this ask! It made me laugh so hard, sorry for the late reply.

Haha, yes; quite a few people think Maedhros Tully and Maglor Sand are lovers. I'm not surprised you didn't notice as it's a joke I play with very quietly, but it's there.

It's kinda a common rumor/salacious bit of gossip that's spread around, especially in Renly and Loras's circles and then also Edmure's circle.

Renly tells everyone that they're together (he has no proof of this), Loras maintains that 'perfect lord and knight Maedhros' hasn't 'realized' but does subconsciously return Maglor's feelings, while poor Mags is being strung along.

Littlefinger is also a hateful little gossip, and he actually refutes the rumor, saying he has a DIRECT line to Maedhros, there's no way he has a lover, he'd KNOW. Maedhros would come to him first if he was looking to dally. No no, he's much too uptight.

Meanwhile, Edmure HATES Maglor, because he has a general beef with singers and he's jealous that this random bastard is stealing his brother's time. He also thinks his brother could do much better, Edmure knows very accomplished knights of similar 'inclinations', what's so special about Maglor, anyway?

But after he finds Maedhros weeping on the floor about Maglor's 'death', he's extremely kind and sympathetic. He's goes to Cat and is like, "Here's the deal, sis, our brother's boytoy is dead and he's devasted as only two men bonded homoerotically can be, it’s a warrior’s bond” and Cat's trying to calculate all that in her head with everything she just learned about Maedhros's 'Fin', and suffice to say the two of them have had QUITE the background conversation about Maedhros's love life.

Oberyn and the Sand Snakes USED to think that Maglor was massively in love with Maedhros. Oberyn has tried to have a few conversations with him about it, to say nothing of his sisters, who were annoying about it, haha. But eventually they all got the hint that Maglor isn't lying, he's serious when he says he loves Maedhros as a brother, it's not like that, and also he's not interested in a relationship with anyone, actually.

This was a hard pill for Oberyn to swallow, lol. I think he's still doing the mental calculus about it, actually, but he's reached the 'if you say so' stage of acceptance, where he doesn't get it, but he's not questioning it.

And yes, the boys are all considered quite tall for Westerosi men (tho they certainly aren't their Elven heights) and pretty damn good looking (tho, again, not in an Elven way - their features have been adjusted. If you were to put portraits of the elf boys and the westeros boys next to each other, there'd be a pretty stark difference, even if it would still be obvious they're the same people). I do think the hotness is scaled, tho.

Celegorm 'the Fair' and Maedhros 'Well-Made' were the hot ones in Valinor, and remain such here (once Celegorm was older and knighted and the two of them were traipsing around the Riverlands together, they must have been a dangerous pair to look at, haha), while the rest of the boys are generally above average. But it's not like they're all a bunch of super models.

But Varys is kinda like ??? about the whole thing, because it is a pattern. I don't think he pays too much attention to the women thing, because his notes look like this-

Maedhros - Gay. Sad.

Maglor - ??? Sneaky. Visits brothels but does not buy. (His spy methods remind Varys of himself, so he doesn't think its weird)

Celegorm - Has the Ned Stark Raised Bastard Trauma, is terrified of conceiving.

Caranthir - Slut (Caranthir is interested in women! As mentioned in his last North to South chapter, he's had a handful of 'friends w/ benefits' in the Red Keep who he's gone to third base with; he was really hoping Arianne would take his 'virginity' lol, since there was no threat to her reputation, but alas. Politics.)

Curufin - Crush on Lady Sansa

Amras and Amrod - Nine Years Old

But they do all still clock as weird, as not one of them does the typical Westerosi man thing of going to brothels or participate in that culture. Not even Caranthir. He has consensual relationships with lower status women with clearly communicated boundaries and expectations. I think he might be the most suspicious one all, actually.

Thanks again for this ask!!

[tar-maitime]

found you, I'm not alone

Rating: T Characters: Maedhros | Maitimo, Fingon | Findekano Relationships: Maedhros/Fingon, fem!Maedhros/Fingon Additional: War of Wrath, reunions, angst, making plans for the future WC: 1.3k

Direct follow-up to "if you stay by my side"

Maedhros drifts in and out of consciousness. 

Or maybe they’re dreams. She’s not sure. Some of it definitely can’t be anything but a dream - the moments when she thinks she registers Fingon beside her holding her hand, or talking (or shouting) at someone. That can’t possibly be real, can’t be anything but her mind having finally cracked. He’s dead, he can’t be here. Even if he were alive, he wouldn’t want to be here with her.

She thought he was there with her on the battlefield, but she must have hallucinated it in the midst of her pain. It’s impossible that he could’ve actually been there.

When she finally comes awake fully, she’s a little surprised. She’d really thought, when she first passed out, that that was it. It wouldn’t have been such a bad way to die.

Ah well. She’ll do whatever’s in front of her. She always does.

As she catalogues her body - the usual aches and pains, dull throbbing where the spear got her, much less of a sleep deficit than usual - she becomes aware that someone is holding her hand.

It’s impossible, but she would know that warm, firm grip anywhere.

She pries her eyes open and lets her head roll to the side, and he’s there. Finno is there. He’s perched on a camp stool next to the cot she’s on, hunched over and with both his hands wrapped around hers. He’s wearing clean clothes, not what she remembers from the battlefield, but he looks like he hasn’t slept in days.

The moment she moves, his focus sharpens on her. “Russë! You’re awake, are you all right?”

“Finno.” That’s all she can manage to say at first.

“Yes.” He’s holding back tears. “It’s me. I’m here.”

“...How?” Maedhros gets out. “How? You died, you were dead--”

“I came back,” Fingon says earnestly, squeezing her hand. “I came back for you. I got out of Mandos just in time to come over the Sea with the new army. I’ve been trying so hard to find you.”

Some of this is starting to sound familiar, like maybe it came up in that encounter on the battlefield that she apparently didn’t imagine, but Maedhros is still unclear on one point. “Why?” she asks. “I...I killed so many people, Finno, I killed people who used to be yours...”

“I know. I saw. I still love you anyway.” He says it like they’ve gone over this before, but Maedhros still doesn’t quite understand.

“How...why...Finn-Fingon, you shouldn’t have to. I’m not - this isn’t like after Thangorodrim, I’m not some broken little thing you can put back together; I’m a murderer. I’m the monster the Sindar tell their children about to make them behave.” She knows this for a fact. She heard some of the stories Elrond and Elros had been told about her, even though Maglor tried to shield her.

But Fingon’s jaw has that familiar determined set to it. “We went over this after Alqualondë, Russë. We’re both killers, and it’s terrible, but we love each other anyway. Do you really think my love for you is so little that this could stop it?”

“That’s not fair to you,” Maedhros murmurs. 

Fingon pauses a moment. “If it had been you who fell in the Nirnaeth,” he says finally, “and I had somehow ended up joining in with your brothers, if I had done all that you have - would you then stop loving me?”

The mere thought is enough to make her recoil. The mental image of Fingon covered in elvish blood is nightmarish, world-rattling, but even so, it is unimaginable that she could ever cease to love him.

He seems to read her thoughts on her face, and gives her a soft smile. “You see,” he says, “it is not unfair at all.”

Maedhros considers arguing, but is too tired and in too much pain to do anything but accept it.

“What’s going to happen, then?” she asks, since now that they’ve established that Fingon’s love for her makes even less sense than it ever did, that seems like the next most important topic. “What happened with the battle? Wait - where are Kano and the children?”

“Maglor should be back soon,” Fingon reassures. “He only stepped out for a few moments, under great persuasion, so I don’t doubt that he’ll return any time now. We sent the twins to get some rest; they insisted on helping the healers who worked on you, and wore themselves out pretty well. And Ereinion hasn’t been by yet today, he’s been nearly run off his feet--”

But Maedhros interrupts, barely daring to believe the unspoken implication. “Gil-galad came?” she asks. She hadn’t meant to include him in “the children”, when he wouldn’t want it.

Fingon’s smile is warm with understanding. “Yes. He’s come to see you at least once every day, more often if he can manage it. There’s been a lot going on - well, actually...” He pauses, like he’s not sure how to phrase it. “The battle we were in ended up making it all the way to Angband. And the Valar showed up. And so did Earendil, they say he fought a winged dragon. And...it’s over, Russë. The war’s over. We won. It’s over now.”

Maedhros can’t blame him for having to take a moment to find the words. She can hardly believe what she’s hearing. War, in one shape or another, has defined her life for centuries. That, and...

“What of the Silmarils?” she finds herself asking, hating herself for it. “Do you know what has, what will become of them?”

Fingon grimaces. “They were recovered from Morgoth’s crown, I will say that much. Who has them now, I will not say, because I want you to stay resting in that bed and not leaping up to go chase after the accursed things. We are working on a plan to deal with them, with the Oath. Once you are stronger, we will bring you into the conspiracy.”

For a moment, Maedhros tries to picture a world, a life without the war and the Oath. She almost can’t. She hasn’t really believed she would live long enough to outlast them both since the Union fell apart around her. The last version of her to actually live in peace died in Angband.

“That’s good,” she says anyway, because it has to be. Then, “What will be done with us, with Kano and me? Uncle Finarfin might have been lenient thus far, but I’m sure Eönwë and the Valar will want to see justice meted out for the kinslayings.”

“They may want to,” Fingon says with a slightly dangerous calm, “but I will not let them. You deserve to rest, Russë, in whatever fashion you wish. We all do.”

“What if the way I wish to rest is in chains, as would be justified, or cast into the Void?” Maedhros asks, half-meaning it, but that’s less than she would have been before.

“Then i will simply have to talk you out of it.” Fingon squeezes her hand. “You would never truly rest in captivity or bonds, love, and you know it.”

He’s frustratingly right. Maedhros sighs. “What, then?” she asks. “Are we to go larking off into the wilds, settle down in some peaceful valley and build a, a little house and live off the land and hope that the ghosts of everyone we’ve killed and failed to save stay away?”

She means it sarcastically, but Fingon nods with full seriousness and says, “If you want to, then yes. Personally, I think it might be fun to try.”

And as much as she wants to, Maedhros can’t bring herself to disagree. She can’t quite picture that warm scene, a home for the two of them and maybe Maglor and the children if they want it. It’s almost entirely impossible. But she’s alive and the war is over and her once-dead husband is sitting here holding her hand and making her believe in things again - so maybe one more impossibility wouldn’t be such a stretch after all.

[superloves4]

While I slog through a fic I actually really want to tell (the joys of writing!) I decided to talk about that Feanor as Melkor's son AU I mentioned in my tags

So far I have three possibilities, from least realized to most:

Feanor as Melkor and Mairon bio baby, so far I don't really have much for this one, the Valar find baby Feanor after Melkor's imprisonment (haven't decided why Mairon wouldn't have escaped with the baby) and give him to Finwe to raise (I hadn't realized it doesn't makes sense for Miriel to die in this one until now, so either she doesn't and it's full throwing away canon or in this one she doesn't exist and Finwe just didn't want to tell Feanor who his real parents were, it's both sad and funny)

Baby Feanor kidnap adopted by Melkor, the timeline is bothering me here, maybe Feanor is born before Melkor's imprisonment? Or he leaves imprisonment way before the original? I mostly wanted this to be funny about Melkor and Mairon getting so attached and wanting so bad to be good parents to feral child Feanor that they actually get redeemed (although dark!Feanor x Nerdanel is very intriguing)

And the one I (unfortunately) have the most on (as of right now) is Feanor as Melkor... and Miriel's son, I jokingly thought about this one but alas it got bigger than I expected, so: Melkor decides to go mess with the elves only to find Miriel collecting bugs (they're silk worms, weird bug girl Miriel for the win!) and he gets actually quite impressed with her desire to not settle with the world and wanting to make it prettier with fabrics, they fall in love (or as much in love Melkor can be, so far he is more like canon evil Melkor than the softer one of the other two ideas) but when she finds out who he is, she runs away and falls for Finwe instead.

Finwe is then totally cool with raising Miriel's child because he loves her so much but Miriel keeps feeling she's awful for her previous love for Melkor, combined with the power required to sustain a half-ainur child, and ends up dying.

Finwe of course, absolutely adores little Feanor despite not being his bio dad, and thus names him Finwion (later Curufinwe), but raising a half-ainur child is not easy, especially when you can't actually ask anyone for help without revealing the truth, so Finwe just has to deal with eldritch child Feanor, alone.

(like, one time there's a teacher Feanor hates because he heard the teacher say that Feanor killed Miriel, so Feanor gives the teacher a bracelet he doesn't even understand how he made cursed, the teacher then complains to Finwe, who is just trying to understand how to explain to his son that he can't do that, also he fires the teacher)

Then it's basically the same as canon up until Melkor return, because instead of trying to create discord he arrives and realizes Feanor's his son and tries to pull a Darth Vader and convince Feanor to join him.

Feanor is, of course, against the idea but Melkor is convinced that if he reveals Feanor's true parentage in the upcoming festival then the uproar and hate will cause Feanor to be more willing.

Only, right before he can make his announcement Feanor shows up wearing the silmarils (Melkor decides to rename him Lightbringer but I haven't figured out what that is in Quenya) and instead of going along with Melkor, Feanor

Bows. to. MANWE!!!!!

And does a whole speech about Melkor trying to deceive him by claiming he isn't Finwe's son (Feanor already realized the truth, he's just rejecting it) and doing a whole spectacle of proof

The Finwe family isn't stupid and to Feanor's surprise, the first person to join his show is INDIS!!! Joined then (in order) by Nolo, Nerdanel, and Maglor (if it was political it would be Maedhros but it's a performance remember)

Manwe isn't stupid and understands what they are doing so when Melkor tries to say that it's all Finwe's lie he just tells Melkor that it was clear that Feanor was Finwe's son

Melkor storms out (he still plans to destroy the trees but his objective is Feanor instead of just the silmarils) and the Finweans leave too

Feanor has a cathartic talk and cry with his dad while the rest of the family discuss what this means for them all, Feanor is now more open to his half-family and his relation to the other Valas is totally different, and how that could end up having happier ending to the story.

And that's how much I have of this one, it compels me but it's the only one that I have no idea of how to add Melkor x Mairon and the original idea was about THEM as parents whereas this one is about the original Finweans in a different situation so I'm conflicted

[glorf1ndel]

Hiii <3

How about Thranduil and Anger?

I will warn you that this fic is ridiculous. Absolutely bananas. I have no idea why I decided to interpret your prompt this way, but here’s the fic. XD

Welcome to Eryn Lasgalen (1k words)

After the War of the Ring, Thranduil just wants to relax and drink wine, but his unexpected guests have other plans.

On AO3 and below!

The Elvenking sits on his throne, drinking lazily from a glass of wine. The War of the Ring has ended, which means that Thranduil’s realm is thriving. In addition, it means that he has more free time than he is used to. Still, he is not expecting guests this evening, so when a guard announces that he has visitors, Thranduil is surprised. Yet he allows them in all the same.

“Welcome to Eryn Lasgalen, Elrond, Glorfindel, and…”

"Lord Thranduil,” the third figure says, and bows.

A spark of recognition in Thranduil’s eyes, then anger. Standing before him is none other than Maglor Fëanorion.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Thranduil demands, rising from his throne. He is, quite possibly, about to fling the wine glass at Maglor, who winces.

“Thranduil, he has come to apologize on behalf of his kin,” Elrond explains, a pleading note in his tone.

“Not while I rule in Eryn Lasgalen,” Thranduil counters. “Since when do you speak for this long-lost Fëanorian, Elrond? Has he been hiding in Imladris all this time?”

“Actually, we just found him two days ago,” says Glorfindel, which immediately earns a narrowed look from Thranduil and a sigh from Elrond. “He’s been wandering along the seashore, living in little towns–“

“How convenient that he’s chosen to appear after Sauron’s defeat,” Thranduil cuts in. “I don’t want to hear any more of this.” His glare falls on Maglor again. “I grew up in Doriath, and I have seen the chaos you and your family wrought during the First Age. I do not know why you seek my apology in particular, but you will not have it. You bring trouble wherever you walk, kinslayer.”

Elrond makes an affronted noise and places his hands on Maglor’s shoulder, but the Fëanorian seems to droop under his touch. Glorfindel leans in and whispers,

“I knew we shouldn’t have gone to Thranduil.”

How rude, the Elvenking thinks. Let it not be said that the Elves of the First Age had better manners.

Elrond is not dissuaded, and he stares Thranduil down.

“You are one of the few elves that intends to remain in Middle Earth for the Fourth Age,” Elrond says. “I, soon enough, will depart for Valinor, along with Galadriel. I simply wish to know if Maglor is welcome in your kingdom, for he does not want to return to the Blessed Realm.”

“That is an absurd question–“

“Of course he is!” Someone shouts.

Everyone in the hall turns toward the unexpected voice – and oh, Thranduil recognizes it immediately.

“Legolas?” Elrond smiles. “And Gimli!”

“The very same, visiting from Ithilien,” Legolas says.

“Legolas,” Thranduil says sharply, “I told you not to interrupt my private meetings in these halls–“ Upon sighting the Dwarf, Thranduil gives him a nod. “Gimli.”

Gimli nods back.

“Father-in-law.”

“Father-in-law?” Glorfindel asks in delight, then strides over to Legolas and Gimli and shakes their hands. “Congratulations on your marriage!”

“This is getting out of hand,” Elrond murmurs, as Maglor gives him a baffled look. “Thranduil, is Maglor welcome here, or not?”

Legolas opens his mouth to speak, but Thranduil cuts him off with an outstretched hand. As much as he loves his son, Thranduil does not want Legolas to have a hand in this.

“I…” All eyes are suddenly on the Elvenking, including the Fëanorian’s, and for once, he falters. He slumps down into his throne and presses two fingers to his forehead, looking exhausted. “Let me think about it.”

“That’s a yes!” Legolas cheers, wrapping an arm around Gimli, who laughs. Standing beside them, Glorfindel claps his hands politely.

Thranduil cannot believe what is unfolding before his eyes. Legolas and his husband approach Maglor and start chatting with him as if he were an old friend. They ask him what he’s been doing since the First Age, if he would like to see Ithilien, and if he will sing the Noldolantë for them. Glorfindel, too, looks enthused by that idea, which baffles Thranduil.

“You want me to sing?” Maglor asks. Elrond smiles upon seeing the delight on the Fëanorian’s face.

“Not in my halls,” Thranduil calls out.

“Fine, then we’ll go outside,” Legolas says cheerily, and he, Gimli, and Glorfindel usher Maglor out of the vast chamber.

Thranduil lets out a long sigh and returns his attention to the wine glass, which sits on the armrest of his throne.

“You have some nerve, Elrond,” he mutters. “Bringing a Fëanorian into my kingdom. He did not even apologize, as you said he would.”

“To be fair, we were surprised by the arrival of your son. Or should I say sons?” He winks.

Rolling his eyes at Elrond, Thranduil tips back the glass and downs the rest of the wine.

“A Dwarf as my son-in-law, and now Maglor Fëanorion living in Eryn Lasgalen? Sometimes I feel as though I were wandering through a dream, Elrond. No thanks to you.”

“Maglor was kind to me when I was a child,” Elrond explains. “I can vouch that he is more than that accursed oath made him out to be. If you let him stay, I promise that he will be a hard worker, a kind companion to your people, and useful at parties.”

Thranduil considers this. Now that the War of the Ring is over, Middle Earth is supposed to have entered a time of peace. Thranduil certainly doesn’t want to be the one to keep that from happening, as much as he dislikes the Fëanorian.

“I will give him a month,” he says eventually. “But at the first sign of trouble, he is out. And no Noldolantë.”

Elrond chuckles, his ears perking up at the sound of a lyre being played outside the doors to Thranduil’s throne room.

“I’m afraid it might be too late for that, my friend,” Elrond warns him. “Why don’t you give me some of that wine, instead, and we can drink away our sorrows?”

The Elvenking grumbles, but he obliges.

“This is going to be a long Age.”

****

Thank you for reading. <3 If you’d like, leave a comment and kudos on AO3, or like and reblog this post!

[nelyoslegalteam]

Assigning Each Son Of Feanor A Grand Relic From The Adventure Zone: Balance Because There’s Seven Of Each Of Them And Also I Do Not Want To Be In This Work Meeting Right Now

Maedhros - The Bulwark Staff. The Relic of abjuration, the school of protection magic. Created out of pure, fierce determination to protect one’s family, the Bulwark Staff allows its wielder to cast powerful spells of shielding. Perfect for the consummate older brother whose entire thing is very much about holding the line (see: all of the emotions I have about Himring as a concept), and also the parallels between Maedhros and Lucretia are so much. They’re both such Bright Clear Line people, taking it all on themselves to see the mission out and stand in the way of the existential horror threatening everyone, and the worst things they do are driven by such a genuine desire to do what they feel they must for the people they care about the most. (For those familiar with both, does it surprise anyone that I love Lucretia so much also?)

Maglor - The Temporal Chalice. The Relic of divination, allowing its wielder control over the flow of time, it sways and corrupts with a promise: You will have the power to undo your greatest mistake. Heavily associated with decisions and regrets, it would be quite wonderfully reflective of Maglor, whose awareness of how wrong his actions are, clear regret of them, and yet simultaneous inability not to continue down the path decided for him is what makes him most compelling.

Celegorm - The Gaia Sash. Okay this one is low-hanging fruit, but it fits so extremely well. The Relic of conjuration, the Gaia Sash gives one the ability to create, control, and communicate with nature. Celegorm deserves godlike plant-bending abilities. As a treat. Let him have this. I also definitely have feelings about Merle being this wonderfully irreverent cleric, specially chosen by the God Of Nature across every universe, and Celegorm’s whole deal as a chosen/paladin of Orome.

Caranthir - The Phoenix Fire Gauntlet. Powers-wise, the Relic of evocation is the most straightforward of the seven, and I feel like that fits Caranthir very well. Lup is associated with fire on a literal level, yes, but also because she’s warm, she’s the connection point for the whole group, and I can see this on Caranthir too, being the one to befriend the dwarves and the humans and to establish this empire of connections everywhere, and Lup’s bright, fierce protective rage is such a good interpretive filter for Caranthir’s fiery temper. Also, the imagery of the Gauntlet burning everything around it down into a perfect circle of black glass just fucks severely on him.

Curufin - The Oculus. Curufin needs to be associated with the Relic whose ability involves summoning illusions so powerful that its wielder can make them reality, because he is a smith and a creator and this aspect is very fitting for him. Curufin also needs to be associated with the Relic of illusion for thematic being a pale imitation of Feanor reasons. Curufin also needs to be associated with Davenport, the character who loses his entire sense of self with the mission because his entire sense of self IS the mission, even if these things happen in extremely different ways.

Amrod - The Animus Bell. The Relic of necromancy, capable of tearing a soul from its body. Thematically perfect and wonderfully dark for the character called the Fated, and as I am a crispy Amrod truther at heart, the associations with violent, abrupt, unfair, being quite literally torn away by death, are in fact very necessary.

Amras - The Philosopher’s Stone. The Relic of transmutation, capable of turning anything into anything else. It’s nothing if not a metaphor for the way that Taako masks, tries to mold himself in wherever will fit him while remaining deeply convinced of the extremity of his isolation, having lost his twin and having become lesser for it. I am a crispy Amrod truther, and extremely obsessed with Amras also as a character who feels like half a person after losing his twin, and transmutation is so wonderfully reflective of the undefined nature of his place in the narrative.

[actual-bill-potts]

For the Director's Cut game! I'd love to hear your commentary about the latest chapter of And All His Towers Cast Down, especially the questioning scene in Tol-in-Gaurhoth. That was brilliantly terrifying and this part in particular just lives rent-free in my head: “Finrod can feel the moment when Sauron realizes what he has done [...] he feels his face re-form, his bones knitting together - no - no, please - ‘I will un-make and re-make you, as many times as it takes’ “

thank you so much! and many apologies for my late response to these, afjdklsafd ive been sick and am now catching up on work and yes, Finrod and co ARE sitting in a corner staring at me as I determinedly ignore all my WIPs lmao but anyway. ok. going to talk about the entire chapter. under a cut as it's going to be a bit long lol.

So, chapter 13 was not initially planned at all. In fact (and you may be horrified to hear this), pretty much the entire first half of this fic has been mostly unplanned, because when I started working on towers I did not intend to include Finrod as more than a side character! You can kind of see it in this post which was what towers came out of - I wanted to write a story about Lúthien and Maglor, partly because they are a fascinating character combo and partly because I was really interested in the political implications of such a team-up for both the Noldor and the Sindar.

Like, with Finrod alive, Lúthien (presumably) feeling very positively towards at least one son of Fëanor, and Morgoth having been dealt a crushing blow by the combined might of the Noldor and the Sindar, does Thingol back down? Do Celegorm and Curufin? Would Lúthien and Beren feel the need to retire from the world if they had met more people who wholeheartedly supported their love, rather than being attacked at every turn? And (because this is a theme I remain fascinated by in the Silm) does any of it make any difference at all? After all, the Noldor are at war not just with Morgoth but also with the rest of the Valar, so how would being under the Doom play out during a Nirn that included the support of all the Elven kingdoms? These were the questions that I was really excited about answering when I started this fic.

When I began to write it, I was going to have the rescue play out in a chapter or two, max, and then have Finrod and maybe even Maedhros join the Silmaril squad. It was going to be so epic - but as I was writing, characters started to push back on what I was saying, lol. For instance, it took some convincing for the pragmatic Maedhros to want to even try to find out what happened to Finrod (never mind rescuing him!). No way, no how was he going to go to Angband. And after watching ten of Finrod's closest friends die for him, Beren would knock Finrod over the head with a chair and run away before he'd let Finrod follow him on any more of the quest. So that was right out.

And then the more I thought about the rescue, the more fascinated I became by Tol-in-Gaurhoth in general; it really represents a turning point in Leithian for a lot of characters. Lúthien and Huan come into their power and start taking control of the narrative; Finrod dies; Beren loses most of his agency (I find it fascinating that pre-Tol-in-Gaurhoth, Beren drives most of the plot - he becomes an outlaw, he makes it into Doriath, he decides to go on the Silmaril Quest, he goes to Nargothrond, etc - and afterwards he turns into something of a McGuffin for Lúthien, which is to say that most of what he does is either run away from Lúthien or follow her around); and Sauron and Morgoth go from having the upper hand to being caught by surprise over and over again. The difficulty in writing an AU about a key moment in the story - Finrod's death - being interrupted by new characters and events is that you still have to deal with the ramifications of that key moment, and now there are more people around, lol.

So anyway, after spending a lot of time thinking about this, I ended up wanting to tell two main stories with towers. The first is the story I originally meant to tell, that of Maglor and Lúthien wrecking Morgoth: but with the added twist that Maglor, particularly after watching how haunted Maedhros was in Tol-in-Gaurhoth, is motivated at least as much by guilt as he is by a desire to stick it to Morgoth and fulfill the Oath. He feels guilty that he didn't rescue Maedhros, and he feels guilty that he is going to Angband now and not then, and the sight of Finrod immediately post-Sauron's-hospitality is bringing a lot of painful memories back for him, so he is...not thinking very clearly. He is going to have to face a lot of that in Angband, both facing the stark reality of where Maedhros was for (REDACTED amount of time), and eventually accepting how fucking insane it was that Fingon's rescue actually worked.

The second story I want to tell is that of Finrod's reckoning with his own trauma and his own failure. Somebody else sent an ask about Finrod's character in this, so I won't go too much into all that here, but to summarize: Tol-in-Gaurhoth in many ways represents the failure and destruction of nearly everything Finrod worked on and valued in Middle-earth. Characters in the Silm tend to deal with failure by. well. murdering people. but our boi is pretty unique. How would he deal with being so thoroughly hurt in a universe in which he survives?

Both of these stories are about to actually kick off in the next few chapters (ahhh, chapter 14...where the original iteration of this story started...), but as I was working on chapter 14 onwards, I felt that towers as a whole needed a little space to breathe between the conclusion of what is essentially the World's Longest Prologue and the start of the "meat" of the story. Hence Maglor's conversation with Maedhros, which sets out the main (internal) conflicts their characters will be facing. For Maglor, it is:

Maglor drew a deep breath. "I only - the truth is that I should have done this - this quest - when you were captured. Thou art as precious as a Silmaril to me," he added, slipping into Quenya in the privacy of their chambers, "and I wish that I had had the courage to do as Lúthien did. That I am going now, and not then: it damns me. Did I care so little for our father's jewels - did I care so little for thy life - that I was content to sit behind walls until the daughter of Thingol reached out her hand and did what we could not?"

Maglor is intensely driven by guilt and a sense of competition with Lúthien, which will drive him to do. some Things.

For Maedhros, it is this:

Maglor laid his head on Maedhros' shoulder carefully. Maedhros felt his tears wetting his tunic; but he did not mind. "It is all right, Makalaurë," he said. "It is all well. Do thy great deed; and in fulfilling the Oath perhaps we will find a way to unmesh ourselves from Doom. I would like that," he added, very quietly, "for our younger brothers."

Maedhros, hearing about C&C's actions in Nargothrond, and watching Maglor be so torn apart by the Oath, is fully realizing here the impact the Oath is having on his brothers. A large part of his arc will revolve around dealing with the political and personal disaster that is Nargothrond; and he is counting on Maglor and Lúthien, maybe more than he himself realizes, to repeat Fingon's great deed.

And then we get to the Tol-in-Gaurhoth flashback! Finrod's arc in the coming chapters will be all about recovery and coming to terms with what happened to him - so it ought to be clear in the reader's mind what actually did happen to him. I tried to use my understanding of the characters of Sauron and Morgoth, as well as the canonical events of Tol-in-Gaurhoth, to work out what the experience most likely entailed (apart from the obvious, uh. getting eaten by wolves thing). We know that post-Silmaril-burning, Morgoth is incapable of assuming a fair form. From this we can extrapolate that likely those who serve him have something of a grudge against beautiful things - and Finrod is canonically very beautiful. So I think he would be a very tempting target for Sauron to smash into a pulp, alas.

Also, as several authors here on tumblr have pointed out, it's somewhat ludicrous that Sauron looked at the incredibly powerful golden-haired Elvenking in the company of a mortal and didn't recognize Finrod - unless Finrod managed to keep up some sort of enchantment that prevented Sauron from recognizing him. There's a lot of different ways this could go, but I essentially interpreted it as Finrod keeping up a spell of misdirection - Sauron knows there's something about him, it's on the tip of his tongue, but Finrod is preventing him from fully realizing their importance. So Sauron is essentially playing with his food here - I'm of the opinion that if Sauron knew what to look for with regards to Nargothrond, Finrod would stand no chance. Finrod certainly thinks so, anyway, and so he's using everything he can to keep Sauron from looking at him as anything more than a plaything. Unfortunately Finrod is a) very pretty and b) very much beloved, which gives Sauron lots of room for entertainment.

Unfortunately, and I do hate to admit this, the "unmaking and remaking" thing was almost a complete accident - I was almost done with the scene, and then I thought, "wait! I never mentioned facial injuries! fuck!" so. sauron got to be extra creepy to cover up for my lack of planning. xD

[silvantransthranduiltrash]

Miriel’s Depression

This is pure speculation.

But what if one of the reasons Miriel was depressed was bc she knew her husband didn’t love her anymore. I mean, with him moving on in 1 valinor year (and even for humans moving on from a dead spouse, one that left an infant behind, within a year is not a sign of things being ok) it really wouldn’t be that surprising if Finwe stopped loving Miriel long before her death.

Furthermore, what if the only reason Miriel even went to Valinor in the first place was because she loved Finwe, and she left the rest of her family (who didn’t want to go) behind?

Heck, what if she did not want to be the queen, but because she loved Finwe she went with it anyways? What if she was a hunter, like celegorm, who prefered to live away from council meetings and society balls? And the reason she started to weave was to escape the golden cage she became trapped in?

What if, all of this misery she persevered through because she loved her husband, because she loved her to-be-born son...

Only for Her to be slapped in the face with the realization that Finwe no longer loved her?

Look, we know nothing about Miriel, other than she was Finwe’s first wife and Feanor’s mother, but, seeing as some traits that the feanorians showcase are clearely not from Finwe (and as far as i know Nerdanel’s side of the family) i’m willing to bet that things like Feanor’s drive , passion and fire, and celegorm’s love of the outdoors and hunting (which ambarussa also share i think?) are all parts of Miriel that are shinning through.

So, if that’s the case, what exactly would cause such a soul to choose to lay down and die?

I will bet you that not everything is what it seems in her and Finwe’s marriage, or her life in aman.

(And, this is even more speculation that’s probably not cannon but food for thought, but what if Finwe and Indis had an affair behind her back? Albeit an emotional one, but one none the less? I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, but Finwe and Indis’s sudden and quick relationship is really sus)

Anyway, these are just some thoughts i had, considering we don’t really know what transpired between Miriel, Finwe, and Indis other than the basics and the end result. But it’s at complete odds with everything we know about elvish behavior, and i am not going to brush Feanor’s reaction to his new step-mother aside because it’s WAY to strong in my opinion, especially since there are cases like Elrond and Elros, where Maedhros and Maglor literally slaughtered Sirion and kidnapped them for a jewel, and yet the two boys still have a positive relationship with M&M. Clearly, there probably is additional things that caused Feanor to be so hostile to Indis and be at odds with his father, despite Finwe apparently favoring Feanor or smth.

It just does not add up.

And, considering that the silmarillion is written from the point of view of an in-verse historian who is biased against the feanorians, it also really would not surprise me if information that would paint Feanor in a more understanding light would be left out, either accidentally or on purpose.

Am i focusing way to much on the Weird af relationship between Miriel, Finwe and Indis and how it affected Feanor, especially considering the little information we are given on it? Some would say yes.

However, i maintain the fact that this weird relationship and the resulting family dynamic between the Finweons is the crucial starting point for everything that happened in the silmarillion, and even stretched all the way through the 3rd age with the One Ring. Therefor, i believe that trying to understand exactly what went wrong, and what we were not told, is worth focusing on as, without this one fucked up relationship drama, the history of the elves would likely have been very different.

[thelordofgifs]

I was looking through older chapters of tfs and your character beats for Maedhros (and also fingon) are so consistent from early on up to chapter 30!!

"How very like Maedhros, to love people, and doom them for it" chapter 11

"A lot of his general worldview is predicated on Fingon being a good person" chapter 8

"You and him?” Curufin demands.

Right. Maedhros was worried about that secret getting out.

Oh well." chapter 8

"“My father doesn’t want to keep you chained,” she tells him. “Everyone in Beleriand knows what you’ve suffered! He’s only afraid you’ll do something terrible to get this.” She raises the Silmaril again. “And you would, wouldn’t you? Even though you’re afraid to touch it.” “I don’t know,” Maedhros whispers, features crumpling in misery." chapter 3!! he still doesn't know what he would do!!!

I'm going insane your character beats are so good.

Thank you!! A lot of these specific moments had actually slipped my mind lol (maybe I should reread my own fic…). But I have tried to keep characterisation details and character arcs consistent throughout, so this is a rather pleasant surprise.

I DO like the idea that Maedhros cannot see the people he loves with any degree of objectivity, that he completely shies away from the knowledge that Fingon and Maglor are both Kinslayers, and that he does on some level buy into Fingon’s legend, the image of him as the heroic prince and Eagle-rider and dragon-fighter, and forgets the darker parts of him. Which is part of why he’s in such free-fall in part 30: between the kiss (which genuinely hurt him, even if he DOES overreact a bit too) and Turgon’s hard truths, he is being forced to confront the idea that Fingon is capable of doing bad things, which terrifies him.

As for Russingon and secrecy: it’s my general headcanon that they WERE very secretive about their relationship. There was never a time when it was politically convenient, after all. So in the third arc, when I wanted to shake that dynamic up a bit, and make it something more complicated than a symbol of hope and light and steadiness to Maedhros, the secrecy thing felt like the easiest thing to go for.

The whole Maedhros-is-scared-of-touching-the-Silmaril thing was a big motif in the very first few parts of the fic, but then he finally holds it when Celegorm dies and is able to touch it which... almost felt like an anticlimax, for a while. But then I managed to work in the idea that he thinks it should burn him, just like he thinks Maglor shouldn't forgive him (these are basically the same concept to him because he is so so so normal about his brother), which drove a lot of his thinking in the third arc and was a pretty fun thread to play with! There is... rather a lot that Maedhros needs to work out about the Oath and also his understanding of himself. Unfortunately I do not think he'll be getting much free therapy atm.

[imakemywings]

Thank you @hobbitwrangler for tagging me! <3

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

155...I've had the same account since I was 17 XD (although I have definitely deleted things since then)

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

855,882

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Generally I only write for one fandom at a time, and right now that's all things Tolkien.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Transcript of Divorce Proceedings: Mairon v. Melkor with 170 kudos (Angbang, Tolkien)

Surprise Developments (Recalculating) (Solavellan, Dragon Age)

The Sleeping King (Thorinduil, Tolkien)

Laying a Foundation (Thorinduil, Tolkien)

You're going out like that? (Maglor & family, Tolkien)

5. Do you respond to comments?

Almost always, because it's really important to me that commenters know how much I appreciate their taking the time to leave their thoughts

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Angstiest? That's hard to say (。﹏。)

Haunted, Hunted is pretty angst, but also the ending is pretty much parallel to canon, so I can't really take credit for that one.

Sandbox Love is angsty in the true sense of the word I think, because the central grief of it is that Luthien does not seem to return Galadriel's interest in her.

OH and there's my first-ever Silm fic, which focused on Anaire in the wake of the rebellion of the Noldor, that's pretty angsty First Ruins of the Noldor

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Also hard to answer. I feel like I've written a lot of emotional fluff which is tonally "happy" even if the ending isn't a "happily ever after." Any of the trio of flash fics I wrote about Silm parent/child relationships would qualify.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Once in a while

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Do I lol My percentage of smut fics has skyrocketed in the last three years.

10. Do you write crossovers?

Very rarely, because they usually don't compel me. However in February I did write a Silm/Crimson Peak crossover, Fruit of the Family Tree.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

If it happened I don't know about it

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes! <3

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Technically no...one time as a teenager I agreed to do it, but I totally failed to uphold my end of that bargain ;;;; I would have to feel pretty close to someone at this point to agree to cowrite.

14. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

All-time forever? idk. Silm OTP is Feanor/Nerdanel though. I believe in marriage counseling 🫶

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Any WIPs I currently have are all effectively discarded. If I can't finish a WIP or make significant progress on it within a few weeks, I can almost guarantee it will never be completed.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Scenery descriptions and subplots

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

Generally I think it serves only to distract and frustrate the reader. If they happen to speak that language it's fine, but in the majority of cases they probably don't, and it doesn't really fulfill any purpose. If they're not familiar with the language, especially if it has a different alphabet from the one you're using for the rest of the fic, a reader isn't even going to know what that dialogue sounds like, let alone what it says. If I include it--and I try not to--I always include an immediate translation in the same line of dialogue. Having to scroll to the bottom and then back up for a translation is super frustrating and as a reader, I usually will not bother, so I don't expect my readers to either.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Star Wars

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Honestly, I couldn't come even close to picking one

[mismaeve]

Thank you so much for tagging me!!! 💕 I just want to say how proud I am of you - you are such an incredible and talented writer, one who never fails to deliver such strong stories, filled with raw emotion and perfect, detailed imagery. I mean, I am always, and will forever remain, in utter awe of you! You really are an inspiration. Love you lots! 💕✨

FIVE WORKS I'M PROUD OF

The Gift (Thranduil x Reader) - It is probably the only one, for now, where I've spent the longest time writing, researching different things to be able to write it better and just pouring everything I had into it. I remember when I was done writing it, how empty and sad I felt.

Weave Me a Lullaby ( Elrond x Reader ) - It is currently my favorite Elrond fic that I have written. I think it may have also been the first fic of mine that featured only the one scene. I love the simplicity of it.

Stars of Decadence ( Thranduil x Reader ) - I am proud of this one because it was my first smut and yet smut doesn't really fit it seeing how I was doing everything in my power to keep it rather tame. Even I was surprised at how poetic it turned out.

Runaway Love ( Haldir x Reader ) - I just loved this one!! I loved every moment of it, I loved writing it, I loved Haldir being a dork, it was just so simple and fun.

Long Live the Queen ( Thranduil x Elvenqueen ) - I love the plot idea for that story and I really hope I can write the rest of it.

FOUR NEW WIPS I AM EXCITED TO RELEASE NEXT YEAR

I am working on a Maglor x Reader story for my beloved wife @kanafinwe-makalaure. So expect some Maglor fluff coming your way sometime soon.

I have a rough outline for a funny dinner party story featuring Thranduil, Elrond, Bard, Galion and Dain that I'm writing for @now-thats-an-oof. But since it's supposed to be comedy gold, I'm having a hard time working on it because I don't consider myself funny. But it is definitely in the works.

A dragonsick Thorin x Reader story that I'm really wanting to write because I got inspired after watching The Hobbit.

Elrond x Reader smut that I was going to write for Kinktober before life happened. I started writing it, and I am definitely gonna finish it next year.

TOP THREE IMPROVEMENTS

What I consider an improvement for myself and my works, is I've stopped writing introductions and descriptions and all that, I now (more or less) dive right in and give explanations and/or descriptions along the way if I feel they are needed.

I've started keeping it short and to the point when I write a story, and often just stick to that one scene if I can. I feel it makes it much easier to write and creates a better flow. But that's mostly something I employ when I write one shots.

It's hardly a writing improvement but more of a Maeve improvement; I no longer stress myself into an early grave by trying to force myself to get inspired or forcing myself to write. It has helped so much and I think the stories that I do end up writing, are much better as well.

TOP TWO RESOLUTIONS

Expand my masterlist in terms of characters I write for. I want to write more for Elrond ( I mean, he's my husband so I kinda have to), Haldir. I also want to write for Kili, Faramir and Aragorn. I just want to expand my works, my themes, everything.

Finish Long Live the Queen even though it's one of my least popular stories.

FAVORITE LINE

““Do not hurry to dismiss that which has been, nor should you rush to erase the past because the present has brought you disappointment,” his wisdom never failed to astonish you. Even now on this dreary evening when your marriage was crumbling like stone.

I am not the one for you, same as you are not the one for me. Painful as it is, it does not in fact change the good that we had. You should always remember that as you move forward in your life,” his offered counsel felt lost on you.”

It's from Her Tortured Soul, Part Two. It's my favorite line because it feels like I really nailed Elrond right there and then, I can't help but think how much this really sounds like him, and it makes me feel so proud.

Tagging these lovelies: @kanafinwe-makalaure @deep-space-elf @blueberryrock @sehnsuchts-trunken @kiatheinsomniac @augustwithquills @eunoiaastralwings @heilith @hellotvshowtrash @beautyandwords

Fic-year in review

Thank you @cilil for tagging me. I've taken some days so think about it...so, here we go.

Rules

post the top 5 works you're most proud of that you released in 2022 (not necessarily your most popular)

your top 4 current WIPs that you're excited to release in the new year

your top 3 biggest improvements in your writing over the past year

your top 2 resolutions (ways you wish to improve your writing/blog) for the new year,

and your number 1 favorite line you've written this year!

Tagging: @lordoftherazzles, @laurfilijames, @last-capy-hupping, @lathalea, @polutrope, @cuarthol, @heilith, @mismaeve, @scyllas-revenge and everyone else who wants to do this. (Again, I've tagged a few people who I think might tag all the others :) )

Five works I'm proud of

The Silm/Hobbit crossover because it shows the change I've undergone this year. (Maglor & Ori)

Sic vita est because it is - in my opinion - one of the best representations of who I am as a writer. (genderbent Fëanorians, multi-ship)

Some say the world will end in fire because it was one of the hardest things I've ever written. (In-universe Russingon with a twist)

Blood because it is very different from what I usually write as well. (Vampire Elves)

Song as old as rhyme because it proves that I can update and adapt my HCs and the way I write characters according to new stuff I wanted to try out.

Four new WIPs I am excited to release next year

My (as of yet) untitled MSV fic (I am sweating bullets over it, but I am giving it my best shot)

My art exchange fic with @sortumavaara (Glorestor)

My calendar fic for @frosticenow's calendar event

Different Disney/Musical AUs where I don't know yet which one will make the cut. Depends on how I feel and what people would want to see the most.

Top three improvements

I've taken part in about every event I could get my hands on and I've worked hard on overcoming (or at least challenging) my profound fear of being impertinent by being everywhere all the time.

I don't know if that is an improvement (some people might disagree), but I've taken on a whole slew of new characters. I now write canon x canon, LGBTQ+, queer smut, and an alarming number of elves and Valar.

I have ventured into new (and sometimes uncomfortable) styles, genres, tropes this year. I've dared trying to write some really explicit smut and some profound angst for example.

Top two resolutions

Actually finishing something (really, I just want to bring 1! of my longfics to a close without it fizzling out, lol)

Furthering my nefarious AU propaganda...and maybe letting people in on a broader All-Tolkien (timeline what timeline) AU where I get to play with ALL my blorbos.

Favourite line

How easy it had been to give up the crown of fire and wrath and hand it over to temperate wisdom instead; he could never have been the king Fingon had become and his ultimate failure to defend the one who had shielded him through perils galore was a proof of his ineptitude too terrible to bear.

(I chose one at random, even though I dare say that my favourite line is probably: I love you)

Masterlist

Ao3

Lots and lots of love from me!

[effervescentdragon]

for the prompts, fireplace cuddles for kidnap dads?

Hi Jaz! Thank you so much for the prompt! This turned out a bit longer than I thought it would be, but it's really soft, so I really hope you like it, because I know how much you love kidnap fam! <3 let me know what you think!

“Come here, you two.”

Elrond raises his head from the book as Maglor’s voice registers through his history-filled brain. “What?” Elros mumbles underneath both of their blankets, half-asleep on the bed.

“Come with me,” Maglor says with a smile. “We have a surprise for you.”

Elrond exchanges a look with his brother, but they are, as usual, on the same page. Neither of them is overly worried, not anymore. As Elros untangles himself from the blankets, Elrond marks the page in the book so as not to lose his place when he inevitably returns to it after whatever the surprise is and before sleep.

“Bring the book, winimo,” Maglor says, chuckling when Elrond inevitably scrunches his nose in protest of being called that. Elros rolls his eyes, because his brother knows how much Elrond secretly likes it. Mostly because he does, too.

They cross the halls quietly with Maglor in the lead, obviously heading to the big hall. Before they reach it, though, Maglor turns left into a small hallway leading to a doorway Elrond’s never noticed before. Elros’ hand finds his as Maglor pushes the door open and a dim light shines upon them. Elros lets go of his hand, his curiosity getting the better of him. Besides, he was always braver of the two. Elrond hesitates for just a moment, but then Maglor says “Come on. I think you’ll like this,” and he is smiling, and Elrond finds his courage and walks through the doorway.

The room is small and- and warm. Elrond’s eyes fall on the fireplace, in which a huge fire is burning. Crouched before it is Madehros, his flesh arm outstretched above the flames. His face is half-turned towards the fire, his eyes closed, and the play of shadows upon his scars should perhaps scare Elrond. It does not. It only makes him sad.

“Háno, we’re here,” Maglor says softly. “I brought Elrond and Elros with me.”

Maedhros opens his eyes slowly, as if coming up from a trance. He blinks owlishly, confused for a moment, and then his eyes fall on Elros, who is standing close to him. Elrond would swear his eyes soften, even though the lines of his face do not. He removes his hand from the fire absent-mindedly and nods.

“Good. Yes. Good.” He says, and his raspy voice is soft in the quiet of the room.

“Yes,” Maglor says, and his hands comes to rest upon Elrond’s shoulder. When he glances upwards, Maglor’s eyes are misty and too-knowing, and Elrond suddenly realizes he cannot stand the sadness that creeps into the room.

“Is this our surprise?” He asks, and his voice shakes a bit. Maglor looks down at him and his eyes clear, and his smile returns.

“Yes. We thought, given how cold it is, so cold even we Eldar can feel it, you could sleep here tonight,” he explains. Elrond looks to where he’s pointing and sees a veritable fortress of blankets and pillows on the floor by the fireplace. He clutches his book closer to his chest as he lets warmth fill him. He doubts it’s all due to the fire.

“Where will you sleep?” Elros asks suddenly. His eyes are firmly set on Maedhros, who looks confused.

“In our- rooms?” His answer comes out more like a question. He casts a quick look to Maglor, then looks back to Elros. “In our rooms, as we always do. We just- we didn’t want you to be cold,” he adds, and his voice is low, and kind, and terrible.

Elros says nothing then, just looks at Maedhros, who does not lower his gaze. Whatever he sees there makes him determined to do- something. Elrond knows his brother, knows that face like he knows his own, but he doesn’t know what Elros wants to do until Elros turns and looks at him.

Minutes pass.The room is quiet.

Elrond nods.

“Come on,” Elros says, and then steps closer and takes Maedhros’ hand in his, because he was always the brave one. “There is no reason for you to be cold. There’s enough space here for all of us,” he says, and pulls on Maedhros’ hand.

The grip on Elrond’s shoulder tightens for a brief instant, so Elrond looks up. Maglor is looking at him, and his eyes are misty again, and he opens his mouth to say something, but Elrond, somehow, finds his courage.

“Come on,” he says, and grips Maglor’s hand. “He’s right.”

He drags Maglor behind him, as much as you can drag someone who is much stronger than you and could probably stop you if he really wanted to, and he approaches the blankets. Maedhros is sitting on the edge awkwardly, his face filled with confusion and something else, something Elrond does not recognize, for he has never seen that expression on Maedhros’ face. Elros is already lying down towards the middle, and he is still clutching Maedhros’ hand in his.

Elrond moves to lay beside his brother, still not looking at Maglor. He dares not let go of his hand. He is still clutching the book in his other one.

I need this, he thinks. We need this.

He lays down next to his brother, and a quick look of reassurance between them passes quickly, and then Elros is closing his eyes and snuggling deeper into the blankets and closer to Maedhros. His hand is a vice grip on Maedhros’. Elrond chances a look towards Maedhros’ face, and he almost regrets it. It is filled with something that Elrond only recognizes when he turns towards Maglor right after and finds him already looking at Elrond.

Wonder.

The fire burns slowly and steadily, and Elrond does not want to break the comfortable, if a bit awkward silence that has enveloped them. He closes his eyes. He feels Maglor sitting beside him on the bed, his brother’s warmth a steady presence on his other side. They are laying in a warm room with a Feanorian on either side, and Elrond closes his eyes and feels safe.

It should probably bother him, but then Maglor’s other hand, the one he’s not holding onto, starts caressing his hair. He is warm and comfortable, and his eyes are heavy, and the caress in his hair feels good. Familiar. Maglor starts humming a melody which Elrond does not recognize, but the fire-embers play on his closed eyelids

“The line you seek, it does not end / it blurs, it twists, it never bends/ what you feel, my love, my friend / I call it hate that to love ascends,” Maglor sings softly, and Elrond lets go of the book as his brother’s hand grips his. A blanket covers him, and Maglor’s voice is lovely and for once, not haunting.

On the other side, quietly, something moves. Their bed for the night sinks, and Elrond does not need to open his eyes to know that Maedhros is now laid upon it, protecting them all, closest one to the door. A gentle hum joins Maglor’s, adding depth to the quiet lullaby, another dimension of something a little painful, but also kind.

The fire is warm, the song is lovely, Elros squeezes his hand, Maglor combs his hair with nimble fingers, and Maedhros is humming in harmony. The night is harmonious, and comforting, and tender.

“Thank you, atya, atar,” Elrond thinks, or says, and then peaceful sleep takes him.

[tolkien-feels]

Hi hi omg I saw you say in a comment that you are one of the 3 people who likes Daeron (thank you for revealing yourself), I am also one of those 3 people. And I know at least 4 others so that's 6! Double!

Since your takes and headcanons are amazing can you please talk about him?

Oh there are so many of us!!! 🥺 (Also thank you for your nice words omg this ask has so much serotonin!)

Okay, so I prefer Daeron as Luthien's brother not because I'm opposed to his being in love with her, but because I adore the idea of Daeron taking after Thingol in many ways, and being less beloved for the damning character flaw of not being Melian 2.0 like his sister. But I'll ignore that and focus on the published Silm, because that is also a very good story in a completely different way.

There's something incredibly... pure? is maybe the right word,,,, about Daeron. I can name several cases in Tolkien where a man is in love with a woman who doesn't love him back, but I can think of no other where the woman actually thinks "Of every person I know, this is who I trust most when I need help." And Luthien isn't wrong to trust him? Other than denying her agency, which is admittedly a horrible thing to do, I have a hard time condemning Daeron? I don't know that I would want anyone I love marching straight to the Dark Lord for a person who is going to die anyway, be it in a few minutes or in a few years. Hell, Beren also doesn't Luthien to leave Doriath, he just underestimates her stubbornness and courage, which is not very surprising - between Daeron and Beren, the one who's known Luthien all her life is Daeron, after all.

The thing for me is that Daeron is out there being the best minstrel ever and a loremaster and a linguist and well-regarded in the fairest realm of Beleriand and Luthien's closest friend. This is definitely an uncommonly talented and socially powerful elf. If he had to """fall""", you'd expect it to be out of pride or something of that sort - we've read that story a thousand times in the Silm by the time Daeron becomes important. But his fall is actually a matter of either heartbreak or fearing for Luthien's fate.

I wouldn't even say Daeron falls as much as he... makes mistakes? I don't get the vibe of him having ruined any lives besides his own, and even that is debatable - after Beren comes into the picture, is there a possible happy ending Daeron can get? Maybe if he died for Luthien's sake he might have been happy-ish in Valinor, but that's pretty much it. (Here's a fun little au to ponder: Sauron vs Daeron)

The story very much identifies itself with Luthien, so Daeron comes across as a jealous, untrustworthy, controlling Nice Guy™️ but the couple of things he does in this one story shouldn't overshadow the centuries of him being, as far as we can tell, a genuinely great guy. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not an apologist, I don't take betrayal lightly, but for me that's what's interesting. A lot of Silm character tend to come in the flavors Basically Very Good and Basically Very Bad, with a few You're Doing Your Best But Things Aren't Looking Too Good. I literally don't know where Daeron fits into this. I try to find other characters who are remarkably good, mess up for ONE (01) story and then immediately regret everything and lament forever, and I just can't? Daeron speedruns Maglor's character arc, which is bizarre because Maglor's arc is all about living on and on and on.

I also think it's very telling that Tolkien says he wanders seeking Luthien "in despair." Is it just me who finds that a surprising word choice? He's not angry or bitter or even in pain, he's in despair. Even for an elf in unrequited love, that's pretty intense. It doesn't sound at all to me like we're meant to treat Daeron being in love as a mistake on his part, or as possessiveness. It sounds pretty legitimate, imho? Like I keep saying, for all that he's immortalized as the embodiment of betrayal, Daeron seems pretty damn sincere.

And finally, it isn't really connected to what I was saying but I find this pretty neat

Then she would become mortal, land subject to a second death, even as he; and ere long she would leave the world for ever, and her beauty become only a memory in song.

But seeking for Lúthien in despair he wandered upon strange paths, and passing over the mountains he came into the East of Middle-earth, where for many ages he made lament beside dark waters for Lúthien, daughter of Thingol, most beautiful of all living things.

I get so emotional thinking about how Daeron ultimately lives out the rest of his days offering Luthien one of the few things Beren can't give her, one of the few things that can make the loss of eternity less bitter. And!!! Daeron does that unseen by Luthien. Because she is with Beren. Which is exactly how this entire story began. Like, the parallels, I'm going to s c r e a m.

[youareunbearable]

Headcannon that Celebrimbor and Thranduil were childhood Frenemies because I don't like how the Mirkwood Elves were left out of everything that happened so pls enjoy this fliclet

---

Once the Feanorians touched down in Hithlum, Thingol sent his younger brother's brother in law Oropher to be his ambassador. Oropher, of course, brings his son Thranduil along because this is a great chance for diplomatic training

Maedhros, this is during the time Morgoth is sending his own persistent ambassadors, thinks it would also be a great time to start Celebrimbor on diplomatic training, because before this he was just in the forge with Curufin and Feanor. And it doesn't look like the rest of the Sons of Feanor are going to have kids so he'll be inheriting the crown one day.

So Celebrimbor and Thranduil are pushed together on children "play dates"

They hate it, they always fight with each other and have competitions and as soon as they see each other they will throw down and scream new insults they learned since the last time they met. Sometimes they spent entire visits only speaking to each other in their own native tounges and mock the other for not properly understanding what they are saying. This particular game didn't last long, but Tyelpe did become the first of the Noldor to speak Sindarin fluently with no accent and Thranduil enjoys the annoyed tick in Galadriel's typical serene expression when she hears him speak flawless Quenya with a Feanorian lisp

Oropher is concerned, being the youngest of 4 he never had an antagonistic relationship with any of them. But Maglor (the new depressed Noldor High King) just gives a small smile and shrugs. He grew up with 6 brothers and even more half cousins. Little Tyelpe and Thrandy are just playing like boys and future best friends do

And they keep up this frenenimes relationship even after Curufin moves them to Himland. When it gets sacked during Dagor Bragollach and Curufin, Celegorm, and Celebrimbor all flee south to their cousins home, Thranduil sends them some relief supplies. When Celebrimbor disown his father, Thranduil comes to visit and generally be annoying until Celebrimbor can stop feeling like shit

When Thranduil, his parents, and their people leave eastward after Thingol's death but before the second Kinslaying (for Oropher is older then the Sun and Moon, he is not about to be led by a boy not even in his 30th year, Maiar blood or not, and many Sindar agree with him) Celebrimbor travels with them and secures them safe passage through the Blue Mountains.

They both grieve when they hear of the Second Kinslaying, then the Third, and then when the East sinks under the waves. Not many in Lindon support Celebrimbor wearing the eight pointed star again, but Thranduil just rolls his eyes and tells him red looks dreadful with his complexion

During the Second Age when Thranduil gets married, Celebrimbor is invited to the wedding and vis versa when Celebrimbor marries Narvi

(Both marriages involve lots of teasing over their partners of choice. Thranduil laughs over the fact that of course a Noldor would marry a Dwarf, they are basically the same, what with their love of rocks and metal work. Celebrimbor rolls his eyes and snorts that he's surprised Thranduil didn't end up marrying an Ent, what with his love of trees, but he supposes that marrying a lady named "tree maid" is close enough. What next? Will he name his children "sapling" or "twig" or "leaf"? Thranduil shoves him off his chair, spilling wine all over the table and floor and growls that at least his children will have original names, and not share a name with two of his forefathers like Men)

They visit each other a lot during the second age, and Thranduil tries to help him as best he can during the fallout of Narvi's death, and when Celebrimbor is designing his rings of Power with that suspicious Maiar of his (who Celebrimbor SWEARS is helping him craft to work through the grief he has no other intentions) he had Thranduil (or Oropher) in mind when he created Vilya

When Thranduil heard about what happened to his friend and his land during the War of Elves and Sauron he grieved deeply. The only thing he had to remember his friend by was some forgotten blueprints of unfinished jewelry, an Age worth of letters (mostly written in Quenya, he of course had replied in proper Sindarin), a clumsy eight pointed star he laughingly embroidered onto the breast of Thranduil's favourite robe, a set of Sindarin long knives overly embellished with Noldorian swirls, and a box of white gems Celebrimbor hand crafted and left with a promise to come back once he finished his rings and use them to make a matching crown set for Thranduil and his wife to wear whenever he inherited the crown

("There may be even enough left over for a third crown. For your 'little leaf' to grow into whenever you two get around making one." Thranduil's wife laughed with Celebrimbor and sent her husband a leer that set his ears ablaze and Tyelpe's laughter began anew)

And enough regrets to haunt him for Ages. It seemed like bad things always came in three. Celebrimbor, his father, his new homeland. Thranduil led his people north, away from everything he had loved, and kept what remained close to his chest. After his wife was slain shortly after the birth of his son, he refused to lose anyone else. Greenwood the Great began to mirror his grief and became Mirkwood

It was almost another another Age before he decided to commission the Dwarves of Erebor to turn those precious white gems into the crowns Celebrimbor intended. Not for him and his now dead wife, but maybe for Legolas and his future partner. (His little leaf, he could hear Celebrimbor's laughter every time Legolas calls himself "Legolas Greenleaf" with that cheeky grin of his) And if Celebrimbor couldn't make them himself, he would be happy to let his Dwarven friends do the job for him

Thranduil almost burned down the mountain himself when they withheld those gems and one of the last pieces of his dear friend from him

Under the bone deep fear of watching a dragon from his nightmares sack the kingdom, he was a little pleased. Jewel thieves get their due

(He knows that Celebrimbor never swore his grandfather's Oath, but sometimes late at night he wonders if he still carried the curse of it. If that Oath and the Curse of Feanor are the reason his dearest friend died that awful way he did)

It was the beginning of a forth age when those sparking white gems were finally turned into the crowns they were destined to be. And Thranduil could almost hear Celebrimbor's delighted laughter as he watched his only son and heir, his little leaf, marry a dwarf.

When it came time to sail, Thranduil stayed with his people, he has coveted them for so long he now refused to leave unless he was forced too. Legolas, who had somehow made a small boat that could barely withhold the waves of the Western Sea, was greeted with a welcoming and joyful embrace by the Elf he only heard stories about

"Hail Celebrimbor, Lord of Eregion, Crafter of the Rings Of Power, Husband of Narvi son of Vilarvi of Durin's Folk, and most importantly, the dearest friend of my father!" Legolas greeted in flawless Quenya with a very noticeable Feanorian lisp. The gathered crowd twitched a little and Elrond (who was hoping of news of his sons) gave a sigh. "I have much to say, and so does my husband Gimli, but first I must give you my father's message!"

Legolas cleared his throat, and then with mock superior expression, one that made him look just like Thranduil, he said: "Celebrimbor you Spider Spawn of the Shadow, if you worked on my crown instead of those thrice damned Rings like you said, my son would never have married a Dwarf. Once I am reborn you better start running because I am going to burry you in my forest and chop down the tree you become with my anger alone!"

There was a startled gasp of silence on the shores of Valinor, before Celebrimbor burst into peels of joyful laughter. Legolas smiled at his honorary uncle and laughed with him

"As you can see, father missed you very much"