#galadriel rop

[marimosalad]

What was actually going on in his head 🧠💍

[apoloadonisandnarcissus]

On Galadriel’s Whitewashing by the Fandom

Allow me to rant. Because at this point I really have to ask this: what show have you all been watching? Many say that Sauron deceives the audience, but it was actually Galadriel who deceived you all, really.

In Season 1 and Season 2, we saw Galadriel using others left and right, for her own ends (including Halbrand, Míriel, Adar, etc.). Her character introduction in Season 1, was her beating the sh*t out of some kids over a paper boat. Then, we saw her treating her companions’ lives as if they meant nothing to her. This alone should tell you something, but no, you wanted to see the “feminist hero” that never was. She was acting like... Sauron, when he ditched the humans on the raft. 

Nah, you think?

Throughout Season 1, she was arrogant, high on herself and downright offensive to pretty much every character she came across. She was constantly acting as if she was better than everyone else, and others were beneath her, because of her delusions of grandeur. She disobeys Gil-galad over and over again because she doesn’t truly recognize his authority. He’s younger than her, and in her mind she’s the one who should be High Queen of the Noldor, because she’s the only surviving child of High King Finarfin. She lied and manipulated others to her own ends... like Sauron.

When your ways of manipulation are more radical than Sauron’s.

Allow me to say this once more: “Rings of Power” has Tolkien experts to assist with the writings of the scripts. Christian doctrine and preaching is a huge deal on Tolkien’s work, and even if the show producers don’t see it or don’t recognize it, it’s still there because it’s inevitable, you can't work Tolkien without it.

What does this mean? Galadriel is not a hero. Pride and greed are not good traits in Tolkien lore. She’s not one of the “good guys”. Not yet, and she’ll only get worse before she gets better. She’s not a villain, either; she’s an anti-hero like Adar. Why do you all think Satan’s little helper Sauron got so interested in her, in the first place? 

When Sauron of all characters gives you the side-eye and tells you to chill and tone down your antagonistic behavior.

And was she deceived by Sauron or did she deceive herself? Because Elrond, as usual, is right, and that’s why he calls her out on her bullsh*t in Season 2: Galadriel wanted the lost king who could ride her to victory, to destroy Sauron and cover herself in glory, being worshipped by everyone on Middle-earth as its savior. She wanted to use Halbrand as a pawn in her big plan, and it’s mind blowing she actually fell in love with him. Does this ring any bells? It’s because it’s Sauron’s plan, too. They are alike. Everyone agrees, but doesn’t realize just how much.

You think they showed us these glorious shots of them for “good” reasons? This is the first of Mairon’s deceptions on Season 1, another step closer to evil and his old ways. This is them high on power and on themselves.

Gil-galad foresaw that Galadriel would bring back Sauron if her pursuit for him would to continue. That’s why he sent her back to Valinor, in the first place. Guess what? He was right. It was Galadriel’s actions that condemned Middle-earth to Sauron’s tyranny. In the legendarium, the Elves are also the ones to blame. And what consequences did she faced for this? Enduring Elrond in charge for two episodes until she went rogue? Or perhaps the Valar have already banished her, and the show failed to mention this. 

Preach it, brother!

Elrond was also the only character who could see through Sauron’s “rings of power” masterplan (must be that Melian’s Maia blood kicking in), until he was deceived himself, as well, and now he also thinks the rings are a good thing. Because these rings allowed the Elves to “cheat death” and stay where they don’t belong. “Rings of Power” made this point very clear in Season 1: the Southlanders don’t want the Elves on their lands, they are invaders.

In truth, all of these characters are not only Sauron’s accomplices, but are feeding off his power, but they are acting as if they are the “good guys” here, and they need to save Middle-earth from the new Dark Lord. No wonder the Valar told them to f*ck off, and only sent a few helpers who didn’t even dealt with Sauron directly, even though they (being Maiar themselves) had the power to do that.

Long story, short: for the love of Eru, stop whitewashing Galadriel’s character, or believing her to be some sort of “Virgin Mary” nonsense type of character. Or if you actually think her behavior is somehow heroic I don’t even know what to tell you, honestly. Because it’s not suppose to be. And if you were upset with her “toning down” in Season 2, oh boy, I might have bad news for you.

We should appreciate Galadriel’s character for what it is; an anti-hero seeking redemption. She f*cks up a lot, is flawed, and makes huge mistakes, and that’s what will make her character arc feel earned and compelling. In that way, she’s the opposite of Sauron; as he falls into evil, she raises up to good; the Lady of Light and the Dark Lord. This is actually refreshing in the midst of so many boring-ass one-dimensional female characters we see nowadays, an ideal of perfection no one can relate to.

[cclumsyart]

"Forodwaith"

My Adariel Secret Santa gift for @crookedmouth-mountainbones

[priestofleviathan]

Yall for the next two days I’m gonna draw Adar. Lots of Adar. Do yall have any suggestions or ideas for said drawings?

Would love to draw yalls ideas 🙏🙏

[a-sweet-potato-63]

I can't believe I'm just getting round to watching His Dark Materials the series adaptation, it was my favourite book series growing up and in another life I pretty much specialised in Daemons!AU fics as a writer (yes I'm currently writing one for Durond (Elrondurin) why do you ask).

The adaptation is gorgeous btw. A very happy and satisfied book fan I am.

[merryverse]

The Rings of Power - The fate of the elves are discussed (so many other stills I wanted to use but I didn't want to make this too long)

[queenmeriadoc]

Rings of Power Summer Celebration Week 1 - Characters: Galadriel - Morfydd Clark

[helenvader]

A prototype. It's horribly unstable, so it needs to be re-built, but it's a start!

[fenharel-enaste]

Bluster || Galadriel x Fem!Reader (Part 2)

Rating: 18+ (Minors DNI)

Word count: 3,3k

Summary: You make your move to visit Galadriel in her chambers and let her teach you some humility... but you're determined not to make it easy for her.

Content: Explicit sexual content, light dom/sub undertones, switch!Galadriel, switch!reader, oral sex, vaginal fingering, scissoring, body fluids, reader is still a brat.

Notes: I know, I know... this part is written in past tense while the first one was written in present tense. It's been a year and my style's changed. I liked it better in a past tense, so that's why I decided to keep it as it is, being just a two chapter fic.

Part 1

You can read it on AO3 as well!

Join my taglist!

You stood at the door to Galadriel's chambers. You felt determined on your way there, but you hesitated now you were about to knock on her door. 

Not long before, while you tried to relax in your bathtub after the exhausting training, your mind kept replaying the words she said to you that morning. It felt like a distant memory now. 

You should come see me later... 

Did she mean what she said? Your heart raced at the memory and you felt the heat rising to your cheeks. Perhaps it was a mistake to show up there, but you simply couldn't forget the touch of her body pressed against yours and the warm caress of her tongue. It made your head spin just thinking about it. You took a deep breath before knocking on her door. It was done. 

You heard her voice inviting you to come in and you found lady Galadriel lying on a beautiful white chaise lounge by a large open window. The balcony seemed to overlook a garden, as the breeze blowing in brought a sweet scent of flowers that permeated the chamber. She was observing you over the top of her book, not looking surprised in the slightest by your presence there. 

“I was wondering if that pride of yours would allow you to come,” she said, placing her book on the chaise. She walked up to you, never looking away - she never looked away when addressing someone. She radiated confidence, even some smugness perhaps. She was wearing a long white robe embroidered with fine gold details, which she trailed loosely behind her bare feet. It was graceful whilst comfortable and its delicate appearance contrasted with the looks of the panoply holding the training clothes she had worn earlier, as well as with her sword leaning against the wall. She looked almost ethereal. 

"But good soldiers never waste an opportunity to learn, as I can see," she grinned, standing inches from you. You could kiss her right there again. And by the Valar if you wanted to. Her hair looked slightly wet, and a delicious fragrance from the oils she had used in her bath emanated from her. You met her questioning eyes and cleared your throat when you realised she was awaiting for an answer. You wanted to say something witty, as you always do to hide your nervousness, but all that bluster vanished the moment she placed her lips on yours on the training ground. Since that moment, you couldn’t think of anything else but pleasing her. 

“They don’t, indeed, lady Galadriel,” you responded in a trembling voice, struggling not to take your eyes from her intense gaze. 

“Good.” She paused as she studied you. “Take off your clothes, love.” 

What? You could see in her eyes she was being serious, so you complied, feeling once again a heat between your legs. She wasn't even touching you, but you could almost feel her gaze like hands caressing every spot she laid it on. You raised a hand towards her cheek, but she stopped you before you could touch it. She didn't grab your hand, she just pushed it away gently with a smirk on her face. However, she did bring her other hand to your cheek, stroking it down to your chin. Her eyes lingered on your lips, it wasn't an accidental fleeting glance, she knew exactly what she was doing. Your heart pounded in your chest, begging for her to stop playing and just kiss you. 

You were barely aware that she was pushing you backwards, slowly guiding you to her bed until you felt a final push. Your back bounced against the mattress. 

“If you wish to touch me, you must first learn to stop being so impulsive... and only observe.” 

You watched in awe as her garments fell down her skin, revealing her breathtaking body. All of it. You looked away, she was too beautiful, too intimidating, not to mention she was your commander. You shouldn't be looking at her like that. But you had to when she climbed onto the bed, placing one leg on either side of your hips, straddling you just like she did during the training. You felt your heart pounding and a burning sensation run through your body. 

She leaned over you and brushed her tongue over your lips, softly and slowly. You instinctively opened your mouth to do the same, but Galadriel took the moment to slip her tongue into you, eliciting a soft moan from your lips. You brought your hands to her waist, but she pulled them away, holding them on either side of your head. 

"I'm sure you'll be a good girl for me and there will be no need to restrain you." It was both a praise and a warning. You nodded your head in obedience, her intoxicating scent keeping you from thinking clearly, to talk back as you wanted. You just kept your arms where you were told, as you welcomed her warm tongue back into your mouth. She tasted deliciously, and she was kissing you very, very slowly, leaving you breathless. You bucked your hips, begging for some friction against her. Galadriel parted her lips from you to give you a warning look. It wasn't harsh, but somewhat mischievous. She loved how desperate you were for her. 

She lowered her hips and you felt a wet warmth on your belly, just below your navel. You gasped at the contact and struggled to keep still as she rubbed her clit against you, making you grip the pillow with your hands. Her mouth reached your jaw and left a trail of kisses and nibbles down to your neck, moaning with lust as she did it. Her body moved over you, her breasts pressing tightly against yours. She was so soft, the sounds she was making made your head spin. You felt your thighs slippery from your own fluids gathered between them. And you didn't even have the option of relieving yourself. 

After a few minutes, Galadriel straightened up and pulled away from you, now sitting on your belly. She kept rolling her hips with her eyes closed, letting her instinct guide her movements. You dared to look at her body more closely now, she looked so fucking perfect, and you were so frustrated at not being allowed to caress it with your hands. The whimpers and gasps leaving her lips didn't ease that frustration, and the feeling of being used like that made it almost unbearable. 

When she reached her climax, her brow was furrowed and loud moans came from her open lips as her mound rubbed even harder and faster against you, leaving a wet, hot spot on your belly. You could almost feel yourself cumming with her, your fists clenched even tighter on the pillow under your head as you cried out from a pleasure you could only feel in your mind. 

When she opened her eyes. She smiled down at you. 

“I knew I could teach you some discipline.” She held your hands and brought them to her body, placing them on her sweating, flushed skin. “And I always reward good, disciplined soldiers.” 

Galadriel allowed you to explore her body, her smooth skin under your hands. You reached them up to her breasts to caress her now hard nipples and marvelled at the way she sighed under your touch. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against yours once again. This time, it was you the first to slip your tongue into her mouth, you were feeling too eager now. But she was soon back in control, biting your lower lip and making you groan when she pressed one of her thighs against the wetness between your legs. Your hips bucked uncontrollably against her leg, your hands clutching at Galadriel’s body to pull her closer to you. 

You whined when she broke the kiss, but you understood her intentions when her mouth travelled down your neck, your shoulders, your breasts, her long hair tickling your heated skin as she placed wet kisses across your belly until she stopped before your soaking cunt. 

She teased you with her tongue, brushing it along the sides of your folds and around your clit, but never touching it. 

“Please...” you breathed out, you knew she could see how wet and needy you were, she was toying with you. And you could tell she was enjoying it by her satisfied chuckle. 

“You look so pretty when you beg, pretty thing,” she praised you, sending her warm breath directly onto your cunt. 

“Please, my lady... ah!” You shivered at the touch of her tongue against you. She flicked it gently once until she reached your clit, then a second time, pausing to suck on it. Her mouth worked slowly at first, patiently, showing skill. It wasn't the first time she'd done it, that was for sure. Gradually, she increased the intensity, making circling movements with her tongue as she pushed two fingers into your drenched entrance. Your legs opened wider involuntarily and you rocked your hips, following her pace. You didn't even remember the moment you tangled her locks in your hand, pressing her mouth against you, her skilled tongue and fingers sending spasms through every fibre of your body, wave after wave, pushing you closer and closer to your peak. Tears were building up in your eyes when you rolled them back in pleasure, arching your back as you rode your mind-shattering orgasm. You bucked your hips, begging for more of that feeling, and Galadriel complied and complied until she felt your body relax and your cries and pleas slowly vanished. 

You saw her looking at you with that satisfied smile when you finally opened your eyes, as if mocking your failure to maintain your composure in her presence. You needed, and were determined, to break her. As soon as she moved back on top of you to kiss you, you rolled your body over, pushing her down to pin her underneath you. 

“Is it insubordination what I see?” Galadriel asked with a defiant gaze, challenging you. 

“Will you stop me, commander?” you teased on her lips before kissing them, tasting yourself on her mouth as you explored her body. You mapped every inch of her with your hands, her face, her neck, her arms, her bucking hips, until you found her soft breasts. You felt her breath hitching in your mouth when you pinched one of her nipples, and you squeezed and pinched once again. You moved lower and lower until your mouth found her breasts and the caresses of your hands were replaced by the warmth of your tongue, which you ran only once over her hardened nipples, teasing her and studying every reaction. 

Just with that you felt her hips bucking up and her legs trying to close at your sides, seeking that friction once again. The thought of that beautiful woman being so needy for you —even if she’d never admit it out loud— made you feel more powerful than you had expected, and that proud smile Galadriel had tried to wipe off your face reappeared as you heard her whimpers, wordlessly imploring you to take her. 

So you obliged and met her nipples again, this time taking them into your mouth and sucking them, flicking your tongue on them as your hand travelled lower until you reached the wetness between her legs. You played with her clit for a while and teased her entrance with your middle finger, always pulling back just before sliding them in. And you repeated the process, over and over again while you looked at her from her breasts. Her eyes were closed, and she breathed heavily as her fist gripped tightly to the pillow at her side. 

“By Eru, just fuck me already...” There it was. You almost had her. 

“Hm, I don’t know commander, that doesn’t sound very convincing,” you teased, eliciting a frustrated groan out of her. 

You kept playing with her folds, giving her hope once again, and again retiring your fingers before giving her what she wanted. After a while, she finally broke, looking at you with pleading, glassy eyes. 

“Please...” 

“I’m sorry, my lady, I think you said something?” 

“Please... please, I need you to fuck me, I... I beg you...” With a proud smirk on your face, you decided to show mercy on her and grant her wish. You slid a finger into her drenched entrance, feeling her walls tighten around it for a moment, so eager to be filled. So, after a few tentative strokes, she welcomed a second finger with ridiculous ease. 

“Oh fuck...” Galadriel gasped the moment you found that spot that so desperately longed to be touched on that day. You took it slow, reading her every reaction, seeking ways to give her greater pleasure, to hear more of those little moans, to see how far you could take her. And while your actions had a selfish purpose, to feed your pride, to show you weren't all talk, deep down you desired nothing more than to please her, to be the obliging soldier under her command, that you could give her whatever she wished for from you. In the battlefield. In bed. In every way. 

Soon you were arching your fingers over and over again against her bundle of nerves. Galadriel bucked her hips, demanding more, practically fucking herself with your hand, accompanying the wet sounds that filled the room with her increasingly frequent cries. Seeing Galadriel in such a state was an obscene sight, and yet absolutely mesmerizing. She looked so beautiful in a way that made you crave for her even more than before. 

With your fingers still working inside her, you used your thumb to play with her clit. Then you placed the palm of your free hand right on her belly and pressed gently, letting her feel your fingers even more intensely on her sweet spot. As soon as you did this, you felt her body tremble under your hands and her walls clench around your fingers, now working much rapidly. At least, that was what you felt, since your eyes were locked on her face, on how her eyes rolled just before shutting tightly when she reached her high once more. On how her hands searched frantically for something to hold onto as the most beautiful cries filled your ears. 

You allowed her to enjoy that moment of bliss while the last waves of pleasure slowly weakened. You lowered your head to her belly to leave soft kisses on it and massaged her thighs, feeling her breathing return to calm. It wasn't until Galadriel sat up in bed to kiss your lips so thirstily that you became aware of your renewed arousal, feeling your clit throbbing with each caress of her tongue. 

“Don’t you think this is over, pretty thing,” she breathed against your lips. She lifted your leg to make room and position herself so her legs were intertwined with yours. Your lustful eyes locked on hers, your heart racing in anticipation, and she pushed you down onto the mattress. She then lowered her body and grinned in amusement when you gasped at the feeling of your clit being coated with her own wetness. She teased you a few times, pulling away every time you bucked your hips towards her, but she finally complied when you grabbed her to bring her closer to you. 

You moved together gently at first, searching for the perfect rhythm, the perfect roll of hips. You marvelled at how warm and soft her pussy felt next to yours, and by the way Galadriel quickened her pace, eyes locked right where your bodies met, you suspected she didn't think much differently than you. It wasn’t long before the room was filled again with moans, whimpers and the squeeky sound of the mattress beneath your bodies moving in sync, rubbing against each other harder and faster now, pursuing your own pleasure. 

You lifted yourself off the bed almost instinctively and crushed your lips against hers in a heated kiss, a kiss she reciprocated eagerly, her hands running all over your skin. Her mouth moved hungrily to your neck and shoulders, leaving a trail of nibbles that sent a shiver down your body to join the building pleasure between your legs. 

“My lady, I’m... keep going, please...” You were so close you didn’t think you could control your movements at this point, but Galadriel held you close, placing her hand on the small of your back and guiding you through your shared rhythm. The built up pressure in your core was released when your orgasm ripped through your body, making you arch your back. Galadriel’s praising words echoed in your ears as you uncontrollably rode her pussy. 

The rock of your hips slowed down as you came down your high, your clit starting to feel overstimulated by the friction against Galadriel's flesh, so you briefly parted the space between your bodies. But she didn't let go of your hips, instead, she held you in place, in a silent command for you to keep going. Her firm grip intended to show control over you, but her dilated pupils and flushed face revealed that it was merely a facade to hide how close she was to cumming, how desperate she was for you to give her her release. You smiled internally, agreeing to play along, and rubbed yourself against her even harder than before, eager to break her once again. 

Just a few seconds later, you felt her thighs trembling against yours, her hands tightly gripping your arms for balance as she kept thrusting against you, her orgasm driving her own hips, and you almost thought you could cum right there again at the sight of your commander using your body to pleasure herself, letting out those cries just for you. In fact, barely had her whimpering ceased when the pressure in your belly became unbearable again. 

You lost count of the times you had made each other cum that way, and stopping didn't seem an option for either of you at any time, nor was it something either of you wanted. You exchanged longing glances, caresses, kisses and nibbles for possibly hours, while your pussies, now covered by your shared fluids, slid on each other with ease, causing wet, lewd sounds that only hastened your orgasms. 

Finally, you fell exhausted on the bed once your bodies collapsed. You held each other close, catching your breath, staring out across the balcony as the dying daylight give way to a starlit sky. But as beautiful as these stars were, you were caught by Galadriel as, instead, you observed with an amused smile at her rosy cheeks and her body covered in the little love marks you had left on it, reminding you of the moans and pleas you had managed to get out of the commander. 

Galadriel chuckles at your foolish expression. "What's that smile on your face, soldier?" she asks mockingly. 

“I was thinking that...” you brushed the small marks on her skin with your fingertips. “You looked so pretty when you begged before... perhaps it is you who has learned a lesson in humility today after all, my lady..." Galadriel's eyes widened in disbelief. 

“I believe it was quite the opposite, darling,” she turned to face you and gently run her fingers over your swollen lips. "I do remember some pretty pleads coming out of these lips," she purred before capturing them with her own. 

“Well, commander, allow me to disagree," you replied with defiant eyes. It was the same flirting from that morning in the courtyard repeating itself. And you both knew where that led. 

“Alright, pretty thing... we still have the night ahead, we have plenty of time to see who’s right,” Galadriel whispered seductively against your lips before kissing them once again. 

Certainly, if that was to be her way of disciplining you from now on, you were going to make sure that lesson was hard to teach. 

Taglist: @starlady66 @queenmeriadoc @bananaphanta @niennawept @ass-deep-in-demons @elithilanor @coraleethroughthelookingglass @thetempleofthemasaigoddess @thesolarangel @lady-of-imladris @elrondscalaquendi @nyctophilic0vitnir 💖💖💖

[not-an-atla-blog]

Has anyone done a phantom of the opera Music Of the Night edit but with Haladriel yet

[i-dont-know-anything-anymore]

[marimosalad]

Revealing my Season 2 Haladriel secret art after episode 6 seemed very appropriate. Enjoy ❤️‍🔥

You can buy prints here

[apoloadonisandnarcissus]

I have no problem of being accused of “whitewashing” Sauron’s character because the majority of the “Rings of Power” fandom doesn’t really understand what he is, anyway.

Sauron is not a human nor a symbolically human character (like the Elves, who are meant to represent the intellectual and artistic-driven humans on Tolkien legendarium). Charlie Vickers already said, using different words, that the fandom can’t really atribute human-like feelings (or characteristics) onto his character, and he’s absolutely correct. Because he’s not playing a human.

Charlie talked about this in the context of Sauron’s cosmic connection to Galadriel in “Rings of Power”, and almost everyone nods in agreement, but then makes the mistake of projecting human-like onto Sauron (narcissism, psychopath, sociopath, whatever it may be).

Sauron/Mairon is a Maia, which is the equivalent of a demigod or an angel in Tolkien legendarium; a servant to a Vala, the Gods or archangels of the lore. He was created by Eru Ilúvatar, so he’s divine in nature, a higher being, at the beginning. He chooses to side with Melkor/Morgoth (the Devil of the legendarium); he becomes a fallen angel, a demon. He’s not longer a “higher being” per say because, in Catholic-Christian tradition, demons operate on the lower frequencies of existence.

I would even argue that Tolkien wrote Sauron as more of an idea, than an actual character. With this being the reason why we don’t have much dialogue from him throughout the legendarium. Of course, “Rings of Power” needs to adapt this to the best of their possibilities, and I think they are doing a great job with Sauron’s character, and it’s also clear Charlie Vickers has done his homework on the character.

I still see a bit of hesitation on Charlie’s part on elaborating on Sauron in his interviews, which is very common among actors who have to play villains or “supervillains”. He doesn’t want to sound like he’s justifying his actions or making Sauron look sympathetic. But Charlie, like all actors, understands his character motivations better than anyone. And the show is trying to make the audience understand it, as well, but this usually flies over peoples’ heads who are accusing the show of making Sauron “relatable” in some way or even make you cheer for him or whatever.

This could be the case if he was a human character, but he isn’t. He’s a spiritual being, a supernatural creature, a demon. Us, humans, can’t never relate to him, no matter how many spins folks try to make on it. He operates in a total different level. And that’s why I hate with a burning passion these takes of him having “evil” human-like characteristics or mental disorders. To me, this is completely missing the point of Sauron’s character.

Of course he feels entitled to rule Middle-earth; he helped create the place alongside the other Valar and Maiar at the beginning of time. He literally shaped the world he seeks to dominate; his qualities are imprinted on it (this being the reason why he has true immortality and can’t never be destroyed for real, by the way). Of course he sees himself above Men, Elves and Dwarves, because he literally is. Tolkien wrote him that way.

Would you call the Christian/Jewish/Islamic God, Odin, Zeus, and all the others God of worldwide mythology “psychopaths” or “narcissists”? Probably not because they are Gods, and Gods are, in general, assh*les and d*cks.

Even in Tolkien legendarium, who drew inspiration from several mythological sources, Eru Ilúvatar sinks an entire island, killing everyone in it, because Men wanted to achieve immortality. Is he a “psychopath” too? Tolkien tells us that Eru is the supreme authority on his legendarium, the ultimate good, because he symbolizes the Christian God; and during the Second age He’s very much like the Old Testament God, a punisher, more than the modern “God the Father”, and Númenor is the Atlantis myth.

I’m not really a fan of the phrasing of Sauron seeing other characters like insects, but it’s a way to put it. Precisely because he’s a demigod, who’ll aspire to become an actual God. And that’s probably his biggest sin in the legendarium, alongside with betraying Eru Ilúvatar (God) for Melkor (Satan). On the Third Age, Sauron becomes a “incarnation of evil” and a “spirit of malice and hatred”, like Tolkien tells us. But he’s not “absolute evil” because Tolkien doesn’t believe in such a thing. I already talked about this in here.

In “Rings of Power”, it seems the “not wholly evil” bit is related to his connection with Galadriel. His true intentions/feelings towards her are yet to be revealed to the audience. Why does Sauron want to bind himself to Galadriel so badly? We had this plot in two seasons already.

The simplest explanation is that Sauron wants to harvest her light for himself, but he could easily find the same light in every other Elf who was born during the Years of the Trees in Valinor, because the light of the Two Trees also shines on them. Even Celebrimbor had the same light, and Sauron never had the intention of binding them together. So, indeed, what makes Galadriel different? Because he was willing to share his power with her, too.

All of this is very theological, but it is what it is. Don’t shoot the messenger. We can’t really analyze Tolkien legendarium without the heavy religious Catholic-Christian inspiration, because that’s the core of the mythology Tolkien created. It’s really inevitable if we want to understand it.

Anyway, you can think of Second Age Sauron as a sort of “Dracula on steroids”. I think that’s the closest comparison I can find. Because Dracula is also demonic character, but he’s not a “fallen angel” like Sauron. I wouldn’t exactly compare him with representations of Satan/Devil/Lucifer on pop culture, because that’s Melkor.

Then we have character arcs, and even Sauron has one in Tolkien legendarium: Sauron starts “Rings of Power” in his repentance era (Halbrand); then we have Annatar or “Sauron the reformer” who wants to rebuild Middle-earth with good intentions; then the “King of Men” when he starts to get carried away with pride and power; until he returns to his role as Morgoth’s secretary/representative, at the end of the Second age; he gets defeated. When he returns in the Third Age (the version most fans are familiar with from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and the Peter Jackson adaptations), he claims to be Morgoth come again, and this is the evilest he has even been, a “second incarnation of evil” like Tolkien describes him.

[littlelenas-blog]

Galadrial's RoP character growth is Very Neat

in this rant I will...

kidding lol, but I think in RoP her character is very well set up: Tolkein said she was a warrior in her youth--and she is--and it doesn't ignore the lives of elves being destroyed by grief the first time it's encountered. They rarely know death, so when they do the emotion is overpowering and longlasting. I think Galadriel's character shaped by the loss of her brother perfectly sets her up for the glimpses we see in the Hobbit and LoTR: it shows the parts of her that gave way to the temptations of the ring in LoTR and shows what she had to go through in her youth to achieve the wisdom she has centuries later. AND she kicks ass without being framed as a rebellious teen angst machine so instead of brooding and throwing fits she's motivated and epic? Love her. I get that she's supposed to be regal, a powerful political figure, and all-knowing but this series shows her experience and the events that lead up to that. I think RoP ventured into some interesting ideas with her character and how her being an elf affects that: addressing how grief might affect elves, the character development she went through ages before LoTR, and showing hints of the traits that led her to show hints of temptation to the One Ring .

So far very neat very cool :))) don't interact if you don't agree just move on with ur day let me be happy about this :))

[a-sweet-potato-63]

Some Fic Excerpts

What I envisioned to be a short little oneshot about Elrond suffering from migraines and getting pampered by Durin has slowly descended into a never-ending abomination that is currently sitting at 10k words, and I have written none of the scenes that first inspired the fic into existence, which I pretty much hallucinated when I myself was suffering from migraines a couple months ago. Durin doesn't even lay eyes on Elrond for the first five pages (3.5k words). Someone stop me from yapping please.

Anyway I figure it will be another week at least until I have the whole thing completed (especially considering I'm writing the next chapter of my daemons!verse story in parallel), so have some excerpts in the meantime:

~~ I ~~

“Perhaps you should like to visit him?” It was the Lady Galadriel who spoke up softly next to him. She too had stayed behind after the council crowd had disbanded. Durin’s heart leaped with relief at the offer. Before he could reply, however, Gil-Galad interjected.  “I do not think such disturbance would be conducive to Elrond’s recovery—“  “Come, Ereinion,” Galadriel coaxed, a hint of teasing in her voice, “seeing his old friend would do Elrond good. Besides, I hardly think he would be pleased if he finds out upon his recovery that he had missed the visit of Prince Durin.” Gil-Galad studied Galadriel for a while, before tilting his head into a single nod, ever regal even in defeat. “Very well.” Turning to Durin, he conceded, “We shall visit the waterfalls another time, then. And I shall see you at supper. Give Elrond my most esteemed regards.”  “I’ll take you to him.” Galadriel offered, holding out her arm amicably, signalling for him to follow. 

~~ II ~~

“Hmph. Anyway, I said I’d stay for a few more days to keep you company until you’re better.” “Who said I would want you to?” Elrond joked without missing a beat, settling back into their familiar style of banter as soon as he had regained some of his strength. It hit Durin like a boulder in that moment how much he had missed his friend after months apart, and he couldn’t help but grin widely at Elrond’s cheeky smile. “Well, don’t make any hasty decisions until you’ve had this.” Durin teased back, presenting the bounty he had gathered from the breakfast table in front of the bedridden elf.  Elrond’s face lit up with utter delight. He accepted the plate happily, picking up the cake without regards for the honey, sticky under his fingertips. “Bribery.” He said as he nibbled on its corner. Durin watched him eat in silence for a while, taking in the way his friend enjoyed the treat. He felt a mild pride at having remembering to bring some back to Elrond, and at the fact that it had been so well-received. The elf did look to be in much better state, liveliness was coming back into his voice, and his movements were no longer lethargic.  A stray curl that had fallen onto Elrond’s face from just above his lip, where it threatened to stick to the side of the cake every time the elf took a bite. Durin suppressed the urge to to lean over and brush it away. Not wanting to break their precious tranquility, he simply sat there, trying to take in as much as he could, carefully holding the moment in his memory like a newborn chick, before tucking it away along with all his years of friendship with Elrond. 

~~ III ~~

And that was how Gil-Galad, as he walked by the clearing on his way to oversee some combat training of young elven soldiers, came to find his herald lying on the soft grass, with his head resting on the lap of the dwarf prince of the greatest dwarven city in Middle Earth, who was supposed to be on an official diplomatic visit to his realm. He wasn’t sure which was more bewildering, hearing a dwarf read in perfectly fluent elvish, or seeing Elrond nestled against said dwarf so contentedly, allowing Durin to run his fingers through his hair with the free hand not holding up the book. Elves rarely displayed overly intimate physical affection, and he recalled the times when Elrond in particular stiffened at being hugged or touched in some way or another. But here he was, head tilted back, a serene look across his face and a light smile on this lips, relishing in the grooming while Durin rattled off some description of vegetation ecosystems in the Southlands. An elf and a dwarf. He’ll be damned. “Ye better not be asleep.” Durin’s voice rang out gruffly through the clearing, clearly unaware of their observer behind the thin ring of trees that marked out their clearing. “I am not!” Elrond responded with a light laugh, clearly sounding like he was in good humour, as his eyes shot open and he gazed at his dwarven friend with equal parts mirth and adoration.

Anyway that is all have a lovely day bai.

[merryverse]

Eregion - Celebrimbors forge - Season 1