#gondor headcanons

[parma-formenorion]

hc + ✂️ for a hair-themed headcanon | Gondorians

Gondorian women wear their hair long. Hair extensions aren't particularly widespread, and are in some periods, looked down on. Hair care products and services is a large cottage industry for women, particularly in the cities. Veiling is common after puberty, however not particularly expected outside of formal settings. Most women veil regularly after marriage, or failing that, around the age of 35 or so, depending on class. Veils are some what different for younger, unmarried or recently married women - simpler and often more sheer. A married woman's veil, particularly that of one who has been married for a while, tends to be more complex, sometimes including stiff hats or bands underneath to give the veil more shape. A variety of hats, caps and bonnets are also used, depending on geography, season, age and rank.

Short hair in men is seen as youthful, and particularly short hair is a usually sign of active military service. Men, particularly men of rank, will often grow out their hair as they get older, as longer hair on men, particularly as it goes grey, is seen as a sign of maturity and authority. A range of caps and hats are also used by men and head coverings of some kind are generally expected.

Most Men of Gondor have dark hair - blond hair occurs in small numbers in some places bordering Rohan, and a range of light brown to dark blond occurs in some mountain communities, particularly those to the West, also in small numbers. Black hair is associated with Númenórian heritage, though there isn't a particularly strong correlation in any real sense.

[byrobird]

My toxic tolkien trait is to draw boromir as if he survived and lived through all the Lotr events

[inthehouseoffinwe]

So there’s a note in the Silm saying the Noldolantë was made ‘ere Maglor was lost’ which is why they know about it. So I think it’s safe to say he wrote and finished it before that final silmaril run.

I’m thinking he wrote it and before Elrond and Elros went to Gil Galad, they took a copy each. Maybe Maglor wrote it at their request. Maybe he sent it with them to make sure history wasn’t forgotten. Maybe they wrote it down as he sang in the empty rooms his little brothers once slept.

I think Elrond kept his copy close to his heart, hidden away for a time it would be safe to reveal. I think he would insert verses here and there in his own songs, until the entire thing was split over a hundred different pieces. I think he didn’t reveal it until he got to Rivendell, where he had several copies made.

I think Elros made his copy public, and it was well known across Numenor for many a year, until like many other things, it was lost in the Drowning. Possibly a little before when they wanted to distance themselves from the elves. I think it didn’t come back to Gondor and Arnor until Aragorn became king, a song he’d heard since childhood carefully transcribed in Elrond’s own hand.

With three verses added at the end.

One for Maedhros, lost to the fire.

One for Maglor, lost at sea.

And a final verse for Celebrimbor, caught in the Doom despite his kindness.

No wonder the Noldolantë didn’t make it into Pengolodh’s writings.

[anghraine]

I know that Boromir is explicitly compared to King Eärnur and I know why, but my baseless personal headcanon is that he's not that much of a fan of a king who got himself killed in tactically asinine circumstances rather than prioritizing his people, particularly when the end result of Eärnur's life choices is Boromir himself carrying the weight of protecting Gondor. Boromir's true icon is Tar-Telperiën, the proud unmarried queen who firmly maintained Númenórean autonomy and priorities, but who was the actual ruler when Númenórean forces first showed up on the coast of Lindon to save the Elves and kick Sauron back to Mordor.

The line about Boromir only being interested in lore when it came to military things—well, kicking Sauron's ass out of all of Eriador and forcing him to desperately flee counts as military lore! I imagine that Boromir knows and loves that story down to the most granular tactical details recorded. Whenever some hidebound loremaster goes on about Tar-Telperiën's reign being a period of total disengagement from Middle-earth's problems while Númenor only interceded under Tar-Minastir, Boromir goes from zzzzzz to "well AKSHUALLY" in about a quarter second.

(This is also aro-ace leadership solidarity in my mind, but mostly because Boromir thinks Telperiën's successful navigation of bullshit politics without marrying, while finding time to orchestrate the defeat of Sauron's armies, is awesome.)

[iamnotshazam]

Aragorn and Arwen have their son Eldarion twenty years after their wedding, and at least two or more daughters. That's the extent of canon info about their family after LotR. If we're going by what Tolkien's ghost would think is canonical pseudo-medieval gender roles, that's twenty years where the Reunited Kingdom has no heir.

Which is fine for Peredhel-turned-mortal Arwen, when elves can go centuries between having kids, and Dúnadan Aragorn, who knows he's got another 80-100 years in the tank before he *coughs politely* can't empty the tank. The Arnor Dúnedain, who for generations as an entire people have been crashing on Elrond's couch while larping at still having a kingdom, would understand this intuitively. But the people of Gondor (only a small percentage of which I think are Dúnedain?) may not quiiiiite understand this, not completely internalized it.

So they are hovering around Arwen, this beautiful alien creature that just landed in their backyard and snapped up the most available bachelor before he even came on the market, and she sometimes says outrageous things like "oh, I remember King Eärendur's wife liked this cookie recipe" and the servants and guests at tea cannot help but share a Look because that was 2160+ years ago, and does someone have to ask her if . . . if she knows what sex is?

In a pseudo medieval society it is the queen's duty to bear an heir, but like, she was raised an elf. Can we pressure her like we do our own kind into having grandbabies ASAP, or will she turn us into frogs? It's possible there are women who go through their entire reproductive years in between when Arwen has these kids. If Eldarion is her first then gossip in Minas Tirith for those twenty years must have been insane, waiting for an heir. Do elves even breed like we do? Did Beren and Lúthien spawn Dior Eluchíl in a pond? Did Tuor have to carry Eärendil like a seahorse? Do we have to catch a stork in the cabbage patch? Is Aragorn gonna have to lay eggs? What's the hold up?

[an-unexpected-sideblog]

In the LOTR books, Frodo hands Aragorn’s crown* to Gandalf at the Minas Tirith coronation. In the Jackson film, it’s Gimli. There’s plenty of good Doyalist explanations for this change, but please consider my Watsonian headcanon based on the following facts:

- Gimli is kin of the King of Erebor, and must accordingly be a high-ranking representative to have been sent to the Rivendell council meeting

- Gimli is the only dwarf at the coronation

- Thus, by rights, it would probably be more politically polite for Gimli to stand off to the side looking regal and official - the way Legolas does with a small group of (presumably) Greenwood elves

- A foreign noble handing off the crown could be seen as politically dicey at best or insulting at worst, to either or both parties

UNLESS (unless…)

- Consider that there hasn’t been an actual king in Gondor for nearly one thousand years (!!)

- No Steward would have worn the kings’ crown

- You gotta put something official on the new king

- Doesn’t that crown look an awful lot like the guard helmets? Not particularly ancestral or ornate?

My headcanon is that Gimli forged Aragorn’s crown himself. His smithing would be unparalleled by any Man in Minas Tirith, and he likely insisted on offering the work of his own hands to Gandalf/Aragorn as a proud craftsman! That would be his honor to provide and present such a gift for his friend.

(*In the books it’s stated that the previous Gondorian king left the crown in the royal tombs before he went off and died in battle, so later Faramir could pass that same crown to Aragorn. Known jock King Ëarnur sounds too impulsive to do that to me, but regardless, that’s official book canon! And ofc Gimli doesn’t even hand the crown off in the books, so this is all just Movie Conjecture.)

[mushroomates]

some boromir headcanons

he likes to eat spicy food. he cannot handle the spice, but keeps eating it anyways.

he stays up during merry and pippin’s watches during the night. half because he wants to keep them awake and give them company, half because he’s pretty sure they wont be paying attention.

best hugs. he will kind of pick u up while he hugs u.

would wear a fanny pack.

his favorite food is chicken. he likes any kind of chicken. also likes apples.

decent story teller. can recall gondor’s history easy. when he starts talking about it, he becomes very passionate and has been known to yell or cry while retelling events.

carries around a packet of dirt from gondor around with him for good luck.

tried to make his own brew. went blind for a little bit after trying it. gimli fuckin loves it tho, tried it at gondor and brought a batch with him.

has dogs. took in a stray while patrolling the city, named him Minas. Minas lived a long and happy life, and afterwards Faramir brought him a puppy who he named Ithil.

he is also allergic to dogs. insists otherwise.

his men call him “big brother boromir” behind his back. he pretends not to know.

once pippin called him dad and he coasted on that high for weeks

afraid of heights. will not admit it.

great with babies. would carry faramir around. his dad let him even though boromir was only five at the time, and faramir would try and wiggle out of his arms.

he whittles!!! or carves. works with wood. he made little trinkets for the hobbits in his spare time during the journey. he made pippin a little wooden dog and merry a rabbit because merrys kinda afraid of dogs. he made a bill the pony for sam after moria and was working on a cat for frodo before he passed away. it was in his pocket, half made. the didn’t spot it before he sailed away.

made faramir toys when they were younger- whole barnyard full of animals and some important gondor land marks. also a mini version of their family. faramir passed this down to pippin, who passed it down to his kids. it’s now a family heirloom.

dyslexic. faramir would read to him while he carved trinkets and such.

the fellowship goes out of their way to visit this shrine. he also has one in gondor, rivendell, and just outside of lorien.

boromir tried to teach merry and pippin wood carving once. pippins carving tools were quickly confiscated but merry learned how to make a boat.

merry officially took up wood carving after his death. he makes little boats for the hobbitlings and they have a race every summer down stream.

he also taught the hobbits how to make said boats, so when they’re older they hold the race themself. afterwards, they take the winning boat down to the graveyard.

boromir has a grave in the shire that the hobbits put gifts on, including said boats. it’s on the edge of the forest by the river. the fellowship all come to visit. some things left include: flowers, hot sauce, wooden toys, notes, homemade jam, pretty rocks, and some of farmer maggot’s produce. farmer maggot does not know of this.

[sotwk]

Help I just watched the last episode of season 1 of The Gilded Age and now I'm stuck staring off into space daydreaming about waltzing around a ballroom with Boromir again.

[skeleton-in-a-cupboard]

Reblog if you think Boromir would OBIVIOUSLY date a bookworm

[teaandspite]

My Fourth Age Aragorn headcanon is that between ‘The hands of the king are the hands of a healer’ and Aragorn being raised in Rivendell by Elrond, Aragorn takes healthcare very seriously and personally. After a certain point, half of Minas Tirith knows that if the High King of Arnor and Gondor disappears for a few hours, he probably got called in over a tricky case. Up until that point, there’s a lot of running around panicking because where is the King he was supposed to be meeting with the Ambassador of Harad?? And the answer is Aragorn is technically still meeting with the Ambassador of Harad, they’re just in the houses of healing because he didn’t like the sound of the man’s cough and decided to do something about it.

[velvet4510]

Headcanon time:

King Elessar restored Númenor’s policy of absolute primogeniture in the line of succession to the Gondorian throne.

Thus, King Eldarion, who had two daughters and no sons, was eventually succeeded on the throne by his eldest. She was named Minyarían (minya = ‘first’; rían = ‘queen’) because she was destined from birth to indeed be the First Queen regnant.

And Queen Minyarían was later succeeded on the throne by her son, King Iorhael (Quenya for ‘Frodo’).

[nightcorecarseatheadrest]

Been having boromir thoughts of late

[tiny-tini-imagines]

Aragorn is in love with a female human reader

So, since i wrote some headcanons about Legolas being in love with a female elf, I thought about writing some for the other members of the fellowship too. If you'd like to read diffenrent character constellations than mine, (characters, races, franchise), feel free to ask, I'd be really happy about it.

Headcanons - Lord of the rings

summary: Aragorn is in love with a female human reader

time setting: shortly after Aragorn's coronation

(added: character art, what they would say to them, or about them)

Sunrise Conversations: In the early mornings, when the kingdom is still asleep, Aragorn and you would often sit on the walls of Minas Tirith, watching the sunrise and sharing quiet conversations about your hopes and dreams for the future.

Handwritten Letters: Despite your close proximity, Aragorn takes pleasure in sending handwritten letters to you, sealed with the royal seal of Gondor. He enjoys the anticipation of your response, no matter if its by letter of in person. (He writes you every day, if he ever has to leave you for some days or other way around)

A Willing Listener: Aragorn is an attentive listener, hanging on to your every word, showing that your thoughts and feelings matter deeply to him.

Dances in the Courtyard: Occasionally, when the court is not in session, Aragorn would occasionaly sweep you into an impromptu dance in the castle's courtyard, your laughter echoing through the stone walls.

Endless Respect: Aragorn treats you with unwavering respect, valuing your opinions and decisions as equal to his own.

Shared Journeys: You embark on long rides through the countryside, exploring the lands of Gondor together, taking solace in the beauty of the kingdom and the comfort of your presence. (You'd often talk to your people, especially after thw war and try to listen and help them as best as possible, people love to see you together).

"My love, every day I am reminded of the incredible strength and grace you bring to our kingdom, and to my heart."

Regal Courtesy: As King of Gondor, he still maintains the same level of courtesy and humility with you as he would with any subject.

Shared Responsibilities: While he bears the weight of the kingdom's responsibilities, he makes sure to include you in important decisions and trusts your judgment.

"She possesses a heart as courageous as any warrior I've known, and her wisdom has guided us through many trials. Gondor is fortunate to have such a steadfast ally by its side."

Respect for Your Independence: Aragorn respects your independence and encourages you to pursue your interests and passions, even as his queen. (His loyalty to you is unwavering, and he will stand by your side through any challenge or adversity.)

Healing Touch: Aragorn tends to any injuries you sustain with a gentle touch and skilled hands, his care and concern evident in every motion.

Understanding Silences: Aragorn understands the power of shared silences, finding comfort in simply being in your presence.

The King's Lullaby: Aragorn hums a soft, ancient lullaby to you when you can't sleep, his voice a soothing balm to your soul.

The Kings's Comfort: You'd often find yourself in his arms, after a nightmare and him whispering soothing words into your ear.

"I know it was a frightening dream, but I promise, I'll chase away the shadows and keep you safe."

Gentle Affection: His gestures are filled with gentleness and affection, whether it's a tender kiss on the forehead or a warm, reassuring hand on your shoulder.

Protector and Champion: He takes his role as your protector seriously, ensuring your safety and well-being are his top priorities.

"No matter what challenges lie ahead, I want you to know that I will always be by your side, my heart forever entwined with yours."

Laughter-Filled Evenings: You share evenings filled with laughter and storytelling, surrounded by a circle of close friends and trusted advisors, reveling in the joy of being together.

His Favorite Book: Aragorn keeps a copy of the your favorite book in his personal library, its well-worn pages a testament to how deeply he values your interests. He'd often read it to you, when you have troubles falling asleep.

Moonlit Picnics: On clear nights, Aragorn arranges secret picnics in a hidden garden, the soft glow of moonlight casting a romantic atmosphere over your intimate moments. He also manages to get all your favourite foods (other things), to make you happy. (Aragorn takes pride in blending herbal teas for you, each concoction carefully chosen for its calming properties and unique flavors.)

Quality Time: He treasures the moments you spend together, whether it's a quiet evening by the fire, exploring the city, or attending formal events.

Unexpected Surprises: He enjoys surprising you with small, thoughtful gifts or spontaneous adventures, keeping the spark of romance alive.

His Crown and Her Crown: Aragorn places a small, delicate crown made of wildflowers on your head during your private moments together, (also before an offical celebration etc.), a symbol of your shared sovereignty.

Heartfelt Vows: You would exchange heartfelt vows of eternal love and commitment, sealed with a kiss under the ancient White Tree of Gondor. (When you look at each other, there's a shared understanding that you are bound together for eternity, your love enduring through everything.) - Together, you create cherished traditions, marking significant moments in your relationship with meaning and love.

"When I look at you, I see the future of Gondor, and I am filled with hope for the days to come."

[inthehouseoffinwe]

HCs about Aragorn and Arwen’s kids!

Eldarion is tired oldest brother to five or six younger sisters and gives the blandest look when people say he’s ‘lucky it’s not boys.’ I mean. Have you met their parents? The girls are total terrors when they want to be.

Identical twin daughters. Need I say more?

One of their daughters has silver hair courtesy of Celebrian, and the other a beautiful gold from Gilraen. Their hair *gleams* in lamplight to something definitely not human.

Eldarion is Responsible Older Brother TM but leave him with Elboron and Elfwine and all hell breaks loose. Best friend chaos trio since they were born.

One of the girls takes a liking to Rohan and spends several years there with Éomer and Lothíriel

Elrond’s foresight allowed him to see all of Estel and Arwen’s children and he wrote several letters to each of them before he left so they know their grandfather loves them.

All of them learn healing fighting and battle strategy. Plants are easier for tiny kids to handle than wooden swords. And it’s important to emphasise that yes their job is to keep the kingdoms safe, but more importantly to help heal their people.

Éowyn is the only one who can wrangle all of them other than their parents. Faramir tries but collapses under ‘pleeeaaaase Uncle Faramir!’ *insert puppy dog eyes*

All the parents look after all the kids. Éomer, Lothíriel, Éowyn, Faramir, Aragorn, Arwen. They’ll close with all the children and collectively parent them

Legolas is a common visitor. Gimli comes as much as he can. They’re both enablers for chaos and subsequently favourites.

Elladan and Elrohir can’t visit as often as they like, now managing Rivendell’s final affairs. But the kids do visit Imladris a couple of times and whilst it’s a little emptier than in Aragorn’s youth, it still holds the warmth of the Last Homely House. Eldarion is particularly taken with it.

Glorfindel and Erestor are vindicated Elrond’s children have to deal with their own chaotic kids. They are also enablers. Glorfindel trains them while they’re there and follows them back to Gondor for some time until he’s happy with their progress. He comes again when they’re older and heading out.

Eldarion’s a history nerd. I take no argument.

Yes his sisters make fun of him for it. But Eru help anyone else who dared do the same

Elboron and Elfwine, and their siblings are the exceptions

Agree? Disagree? Got any of your own? Add them on! I’ll probably make a pt2 at some point.

[anghraine]

Switching back to Tolkien for today's trivial headcanon poll: Tolkien explains the origin of the House of the Stewards in various ways that don't really contradict each other, but his clearest statement is this one from NOME:

Húrin the First Steward (from whom Denethor was directly descended) must have been a kinsman of King Minardil … of ultimately royal descent, though not near enough in kinship for him or his descendants to claim the throne [Tolkien's italics]

He [Húrin] was evidently the chief officer under the crown, prime counsellor of the King, and at appointment endowed with the right to assume vice-regal status, and assist in determining the choice of heir to the throne, if this became vacant in his time.

For those not familiar with the terminology:

Your second cousin is the child of a first cousin to one of your parents.

Similarly, your third cousin is the child of a second cousin to one of your parents (your grandparents were first cousins).

Your first cousin once removed is your first cousin's child or the first cousin of one of your parents. The "once removed" refers to the number of generations between the original first cousins and the descendant of one of them from a later generation. That is, "once removed" = someone is one generation further down from a set of true first cousins. Your first cousin twice removed is two generations removed from your generation (your first cousin's grandchild or your grandparent's first cousin). Galadriel and Eärendil are first cousins twice removed because Eärendil is two generations removed from Galadriel's first cousin, Turgon. Aragorn and Denethor are first cousins a zillion times removed to Arwen, because they're descendants of her first cousin Vardamir, son of Elros.

[edennill]

I keep thinking about what the differences between the former colony cities (i.e. Pelargir, basically) vis a vis the rest of Gondor in how they perceive Númenor would be.

To put it simply, Pelargir is old (four fifths as old as recorded history irl!) — and for a long time it was an outcropping of an empire. It was always a haven of the Faithful and later the ties grew colder, but I feel like as a consequence of its beginnings, it has to remember other things about Númenor than just the downfall and feel more connected with that heritage as a whole.

But at the same time — again, it was not founded by the exiles, not founded by Elendil & co. The people who lived there by the time of the Downfall had lived there all their lives. They saw the tragedy from a distance, they might have already thought of themselves as separate from the Island.

— Or do the probable several millions of political (if you can put "human sacrifice bad, also I don't want to be one" down to politics, which isn't really the case) refugees that came in earlier invalidate that assesment? Still, I don't think it's the same when the news reaches you after you've already settled into a new life for yourself and perhaps reconciled yourself to never returning to the Island that wants you dead...

So, in any case I have no idea how that apparent contradiction resolves itself. Is the (lack of) focus on Númenor as intense in Pelargir as elsewhere, but with very different points of emphasis? Or do they find it a more comfortable subject in general and find it easier dwell on than the rest of Gondor?