#hador

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Reading Tolkien’s annotated translation of Beowulf, and learning all kinds of things about LOTR and the Silm from it!

First:

Leave here your warlike shields [from Beowulf]

[Tolkien’s commentary; bold mine:] Note the prohibition of weapons or accoutrements of battle in the hall. To walk in with spear and shield was like walking in nowadays with your hat on. The basis of these rules was of course fear and prudence among the ever-present dangers of a heroic age, but they were made part of the ritual, of good manners. Compare the prohibition against drawing a sword in the officers’ mess. Swords of course also were dangerous; but they were evidently regarded as part of a knight’s attire, and he would not in any case be willing to lay aside his sword, a thing of great cost and often an heirloom.

This gives me some perspective around Tolkien’s probable intended tone for the moment in Meduseld in The Two Towers where Aragon strongly protests against being told to leave Andúril (a sword of very great value and ancientry, and very much an heirloom) with the door-warden. From a contemporary perspective it’s easy to read it as Aragorn being unnecessarily prideful and combative, but this passage strongly indicates that Tolkien intends it to be Théoden who is being unreasonable in that event, an indication - along with many others in the scene, prior to Gandalf dislodging Saruman’s influence - that Théoden is being discourteous and behaving in a manner unworthy of a king who is recieving heroes offering aid. (The fact of Meduseld being a ‘golden hall’ like famous Heorot in Beowulf may be deliberate to strengthen the parallel.)

Second (immediately following the above commentary):

But against this danger [from swords] very severe laws existed protecting the ‘peace’ of a king’s hall. It was death in Scandanavia to cause a brawl in the king’s hall. Among the laws of the West Saxon king Ine is found: ‘If any man fight in the king’s house, he shall forfeit all his estate, and it shall be for the king to judge whether he be put to death or not.’

This adds context to the incident in the story of Túrin in The Silmarillion where Saeros taunts Túrin in Menegroth and Túrin responds by throwing a heavy drinking-vessel at him and injuring him (it’s indicated the injury is serious, so I’d take it along the lines of him giving him a broken nose and knocking out some teeth.) It is stated in at least some versions of the story that death is the punishment for drawing weapons in the king’s hall, in line with the historical customs mentioned here. This gives a further emphasis that what actually happens - Túrin is not punished at all and Mablung strongly reprimands Saeros for provoking him - illustrates that Túrin is, Saeros’ behaviour notwithstanding, in very high favour in Menegroth. (Saeros as the king’s counsellor is also in roughly the same position as Unferth in Beowulf, who taunts the titular character - Beowulf responds heatedly but without violence. Tolkien may be setting up a deliberate contrast here.)

Third:

The word hádor is an adjective meaning ‘clear, bright’…it is almost always found in reference to the sky (or the sun or stars). But that association is in description of brightness…

This was one a lightbulb moment: oh, in the name of Hador Goldenhead (the ancestor of Húrin, Túrin, and Tuor in The Silmarillion), ‘Goldenhead’ isn’t an additional name/epessë so much as it’s a glossed translation of ‘Hador’! The guy with bright, golden hair.

Fourth: Going back to the Rohirrim - Edoras, the name of their capital city/royal court, is basically just the Old English for ‘courts’:

under was very frequently used in describing position within, or movement to within, a confined space, especially of enclosures or prisons, ‘within four walls’. Cf. in under eoderas (eoderas being the outer fences of the courts), ‘in amid the courts’….‘eoder’ means both ‘fence (protection)’ and ‘fenced enclosure, a court’.

I’m also learning a lot about Beowulf - Tolkien’s notes are clarifying a lot of tone and nuances, not to mention the political/diplomatic relationships between the different kingdoms, which were confusing me - but it’s amazing how much it reveals about ways that Tolkien’s knowledge informed his legendarium!

[whosthatsilmcharacter]

(All art used with EXPRESS permission from the artist)

[violetumbrellalover]

⚔️Three Houses of Edain⚔️

A little over three centuries after the Noldor had returned to Middle-earth, Finrod discovered a new people in the glens of the Blue Mountains. These were Men out of the distant East of Middle-earth, the first of their kind to be seen in Beleriand. These Men crossed the mountains as three distinct peoples, but each of these peoples became allies of the Elves in the Wars of Beleriand. The name Edain became associated with these friends of the Elves, and their leaders gave rise to three houses: those of Bëor, Haleth and Hador.

House of Bëor

Bëor was the first of Men to cross the Blue Mountains into Beleriand, and his house is thus considered the first of the houses of the Edain. Bëor himself became a vassal of Finrod, and many of his descendants also served the Elves. Later generations of this house held the land of Dorthonion, until it was lost to Morgoth in the Dagor Bragollach. The greatest of the heroes of the House of Bëor was Beren, who escaped from Dorthonion and captured a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown.

House of Haleth

The people known as the Haladin spoke their own language, alien to that of the other Edain. They were the second house of Men to cross the Mountains, and settled for a while in the southern part of Dor Caranthir. Faced with a sudden assault by Orcs, they united under a leader named Haldad, but he was slain defending his people. His daughter Haleth, from whom this house took its name, led the survivors into the west, until they reached the Forest of Brethil, where they settled. This house of the Edain is noted for their friendship with the Drúedain, with whom they shared their forest home.

House of Hador

The Third House of the Edain derived from the followers of Marach, who led his people across the Blue Mountains soon after the other houses. The Men of this House built a strong alliance with Fingolfin's people in Hithlum. Indeed, Marach's great-great-grandson Hador was made Lord of Dor-lómin by the High King of the Noldor, thus giving his name to this renowned House. Among Hador's famous descendants were Húrin and Huor, Túrin and Tuor, and Eärendil the Mariner.

“Do you forget to whom you speak? Such things you spoke long ago to our fathers; but we escaped from your shadow. And now we have knowledge of you, for we have looked on the faces that have seen the Light, and heard the voices that have spoken with Manwe."

~ Húrin Thalion in The Children of Húrin, "The Words of Húrin and Morgoth"

[cilil]

rare pair bingo

AN: Pairing suggested by anon (here). Thank you kindly!

⸙ Prompt: Prostate stimulation | Fingolfin x Hador ⸙ Synopsis: Hador promises to show Fingolfin a new kind of pleasure and takes good care of his lord. ⸙ Warnings: Smut, fingering ⸙ Quadruple drabble | AO3

"Are you sure about this?" 

The proud High King of the Noldor seemed almost shy in that moment, glancing over his shoulder.

Hador smiled and rubbed his lower back to encourage him to lie back down. 

"I am, my lord, and I will be gentle. But in order for you to experience this pleasure, you must relax."

"I do trust you." Fingolfin smiled as well and gracefully laid back down, resting his head on a pillow and allowing his legs to be spread. 

The Elven king, Hador thought, had never been more beautiful than in this moment, completely nude and at his mercy in a way, yet valiant even in his vulnerability. Fingolfin's hair fell down his back and shoulders like fine, dark silk and his body appeared to almost glow in the candlelight, touched by the ancient light of the Two Trees of Valinor. 

There was nothing that Hador wanted more than to show him all those wondrous pleasures he had promised. 

He uncorked a vial of oil and poured a generous amount over his fingers as well as Fingolfin's exposed backside. Gently and carefully, he spread it all around his entrance first, forcing himself to resist temptation and not push inside immediately. 

Fingolfin let out a small gasp, and Hador wondered if it was the first time he had been touched like this, though he lacked the courage to ask. Even so, it encouraged him to enter his lord with one finger, suppressing a groan when he was greeted by a tight, hot passage. 

For a brief moment Fingolfin tensed, but relaxed swiftly when his body adjusted to the sensation. Hador then pushed deeper and curled his finger, searching for the spot — until a sudden, shaky moan confirmed his success. 

"There, my lord?" he asked calmly. The triumphant smile on his lips betrayed him, but the Elven king couldn't see it in his current position. 

"Y-yes, there," Fingolfin whispered, barely audible. "I think..." 

Hador brushed against the spot again, followed by another moan from his lord. "Does it feel good?" 

"Yes," Fingolfin breathed, "please, I need..." 

If he was begging already, then he was doing something right, Hador thought to himself. He pulled back to add another finger, then began moving inside the king — a steady, rhythmic back and forth, mimicking thrusts, making sure to hit that spot again and again. 

Fingolfin's moans were music to his ears.

Thanks for reading! ♡

taglist: @elanna-elrondiel @saintstars

[melestasflight]

Throwback Thursday!

Thanks for the summons @sallysavestheday. Here's Maedhros boiling on the inside in jealousy over Fingon flirting with Hador.

Maedhros knew that Fingon had many lovers, brief and delightful affairs to fill his days with contentment while they were apart. But there was something different about this man, about the way Fingon looked at him as if seeing Tulkas himself in all his might. Finding himself at Fingolfin's council in Barad Eithel, Maedhros did not fail to notice how Hador’s lips lingered upon Fingon’s ring as he kneeled his respects, a heartbeat longer than customary. Nor did he miss how Fingon held the man’s waist as he helped him to his feet, kissing his bearded cheeks as the Finwëans only did among themselves. Hador's broad shoulders nearly reached Fingon’s as he whispered something only for the ear of the Crown Prince. Whatever he said provoked a peal of mirthful laughter, and they exchanged a look that was all too familiar. Maedhros’ throat went dry, and his fingers twitched with a feeling he refused to acknowledge. He was grateful when Fingolfin beckoned everyone to their seats to begin the council, saving Maedhros from his own thoughts.

This is part of my short dragon-helm series And He Was Loved by the King.

no pressure calling @hhimring @elfscribe @grey-gazania to give us a little throwback to an older piece if you'd like. Cheers!

[sallysavestheday]

Five-sentence prompt for your lazy Saturday:

Seeing the open plains in all their vastness from the battlements of Barad Eithel took his breath away.

Thank you! Have a taste of the start of the House of Hador's entanglement with the Nolofinweans:

Seeing the open plains in all their vastness from the battlements of Barad Eithel took his breath away. Space was as overwhelming as time was, around the Elves: more than he could ever have imagined, going on and on and on. Hador grimaced and gripped the crenellation he was braced against, feeling overexposed and very, very small. “It is a great land to protect, my lord; I shall do what I can to keep it well under guard.” Fingolfin only beamed his incongruous smile at him – that mischievous grin that made him seem not a day out of childhood, so strange and bright and enchanting under his ancient eyes. The Elf-king closed his long fingers around Hador’s, warm and soft against the stone: “We stand together, friend; you shall not be alone.”

Thanks to all who sent in lazy weekend prompts! I'll keep taking them; replies will just be slower. Send in a sentence, and I'll (eventually) send you back five more!

[disorganisedautodidact]

hey so

Beor’s and Marach’s people were, like, friends, right? their leaders probably met up occasionally in Beleriand, right?

Balan Beor, showing up to the meeting with his friend and his sons, Finrod in tow: but guys, this is my emotional support elf!

Finrod: *sad puppy eyes*

Hador Lórindol, after the story has been passed down through the generations: *meets Fingolfin*

Hador: okay, I get it now. we’re keeping this one.

[sexiestfinweanpoll]

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Silmarillion Bracket Round 12!

Current state of the bracket:

[whosthatsilmcharacter]

(All art used with EXPRESS permission from the artist)

[arcaneoddity]

considering he's hearing voices that tell him to commit atrocities and he gives in to them at times Hador actually looks really gentle

[tenth-sentence]

There Turgon the King received them well, when he learned of their kin; for messages and dreams had come to him up Sirion from the sea, from Ulmo, Lord of Waters, warning him of woe to come and counselling him to deal kindly with the sons of the house of Hador, from whom help should come to him at need.

"The Silmarillion" - J.R.R. Tolkien

[melestasflight]

Russingon Throwback Thursday

Thanks for the tag @polutrope! Here's a snippet from And He Was Loved by the King - Fingon/Maedhros/Hador because these boys deserve an extra spice once in a while

Maedhros rarely found himself beside another naked body, unless it was Fingon's, so he remained long in the darkness observing Hador’s sleeping form. He was not old nor young by the reckoning of mortal people, but even the younger among the Edain had markings upon their skin. Scars that did not heal as well as the wounds of the Eldar, wrinkles that testified to the age of their hröar.

Hador's body was imperfect and yet beautiful. There was some strange comfort in that.

Ceased by this sudden wave of affection, Maedhros whispered to Fingon, ‘I never apologized to Hador for acting like a fool during his investiture yesterday.’ 

‘You did a lot more than that, my love,’ Fingon chuckled, unwilling as of yet to give up his comfortable position upon Hador’s shoulder.

Maedhros wrapped a leg tighter around Hador's hips. ‘Letting him fuck me to exhaustion is not a diplomatic apology, Fingon.’

‘I disagree, but I also see your point. Worry not, beloved, the situation can be easily mended in the eye of the public. You could offer a gift, perhaps?’

The proposition struck a chord — gifts were Maedhros’ love language. ‘I like the sound of that, but what could I offer without causing further scandal among your father's lords?’

‘What of the dragon-helm you gifted me? It would be seen as a sign of friendship from both our houses in the same manner as our alliance with the Blue Mountains. Besides, none of us ever had the right stature for that monstrous thing.’

Fingon raised his head to place a kiss on Hador’s strong neck as if to make a point. The man mumbled and stretched out in his sleep, revealing a deliciously firm torso.

When Hador awoke, Fingon and Maedhros were already waiting for him with a lavish breakfast and the dwarven helm nestled between them.

No pressure calling upon @searchingforserendipity25 @thelordofgifs @maglors-anion-gap @last-capy-hupping @spiritofwhitefire to give us a throwback to an older Russingon piece (a month, a year old? I don't care)

[whats-in-a-sentence]

House of Hador

"The Silmarillion" - J.R.R. Tolkien

[from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras]

“All your words are but to say…when the men have died in battle and honour, you have leave to be burned in the house, for the men will need it no more.” – Éowyn

We all love this line, where Éowyn is really giving it to Aragorn over the unjustness of her exclusion from battle with imagery that is jarringly evocative. But what if she isn’t just painting a powerful rhetorical picture but is referencing the life of an ACTUAL WOMAN: Aerin of the House of Hador and kinswoman of Húrin (seen in the Silm/Children of Húrin)? What if Éowyn’s language is letting us know that these stories and legends of First Age communities of Men are still alive and well in Third Age Rohan’s oral history traditions?

I love this idea, which made its way to me from @outofangband (who shares a love of Aerin but also knows WAY more about her than I ever will!♥️). For those who don’t know, Aerin lived in Hithlum and was forcibly married to the Easterling leader Brodda after Hithlum fell in the Nirnaeth. She suffered greatly but didn’t let Brodda’s abuse stop her from secretly aiding the remnant of her people who were living then as beggars and thralls. Túrin eventually came to make a bloody mess of it all (as is Túrin’s way) and ran off with many men of Aerin’s community after stirring the Easterlings to wrath. Then Aerin, among the women left to deal with that wrath, lit Brodda’s hall on fire and perished in the flames. Sound familiar???

I simply can’t read Éowyn’s words now without thinking that she knew the story of Aerin and had it in mind as she spoke to Aragorn. There’s already some evidence the Rohirrim are familiar with the history of First Age humans even as they don’t know much high elven lore (I refuse to accept that they got the name “Haleth” by coincidence!), and this seems like an even more direct and natural connection, especially because the Rohirrim are distantly related to Aerin’s Hadorian people.

The thought that the Rohirrim have songs and oral poetry – their means of “documenting” and transmitting history – about these First Age figures is lovely to me. Tolkien makes such a big deal out of how much the elves and Gondorians love and revere lore, how they have libraries full of texts, etc., while positioning the Rohirrim as less sophisticated in comparison (they’re called “unlearned” and Aragorn suggests they barely remember things that pre-date the founding of Rohan itself!). They’re treated as though their lack of books and the fact that they don’t happen to be interested in the exploits of the Númenoreans or the Noldor means that they’re ignorant of everything or don’t care about history at all. But that’s not true!!

They’re absolutely invested in and take care to preserve the history THAT MEANS SOMETHING TO THEM. And what is that? Well, it’s not Fëanor or Tar-[Insert King Here], but apparently it is Haleth and Aerin – women who found different but equally impactful ways to lead their people and resist oppression. And for those to be stories that resonated in Rohan enough to be remembered and passed on from generation to generation makes a lot of sense to me. It’s a land of shieldmaidens, a land where women are still looking for and creating ways to resist and defy, a land where both women and men sometimes have unexpected views about gender roles.

Those are people who would be interested in the experiences of Haleth and Aerin, even as (and maybe especially because) those women aren’t particularly remembered and celebrated by folks like Aragorn or the Gondorians and the elves. Húrin is the man of legend from that time and place to most of Middle Earth, and Aerin lives in the margins of the history just as she lived in the margins of life. But an underdog people will love an underdog story and keep it alive while others have forgotten.

It’s also interesting to consider what “lesson” the Third Age Rohirrim are taking from Aerin’s tale. On the face of it, you might read Éowyn’s words as being scornful of Aerin, as she points to Aerin’s situation as one lacking honor. But I don’t think that means she thinks that *Aerin* is lacking honor. Their situations are very different – Éowyn lives in an unconquered land that is going to battle now to stave off their fall; the main events of Aerin’s story take place in a post-war environment, where there is no battle to be had but just the daily grind of living under brutal occupation. Aerin does everything courageous and meaningful that can be done in her scenario (other characters in the Children of Húrin basically say this, confirming that Aerin is good, strong of heart, and the very essence of righteous defiance), and I don’t think Éowyn finds any fault with Aerin’s choices or behavior. What Éowyn finds dishonorable and inglorious is the circumstance of being forced to live under occupation in the first place. She wants to go to battle so that she is never faced with the life that Aerin had to live. She learned from Aerin’s tale that she’d rather not be the resistance to oppression but instead the conqueror of it.

Anyway. Now I’m just rambling (as is my way!). But if even a hint of this was interesting to you, I urge you to check out @outofangband ‘s blog for all kinds of additional context and detail about Aerin and the infamous firing of Brodda’s hall, expressed in a more articulate way than here! Thanks for sharing this very cool connection with me, friend!