#he still lives in tol in gaurhoth

[sesamenom]

Evil finrod, because he is unusually snake-coded for a protagonist

[velvet4510]

I don’t think any of us should ever overlook Celeborn’s love for Galadriel, because it’s really something.

Usually in Tolkien’s texts, it’s the girl following the guy. Lúthien followed Beren to Tol-in-Gaurhoth and Angband and later into death itself, Níniel followed Turambar to Cabed-en-Aras, Elwing followed Eärendil to Valinor, Éowyn followed Faramir to Ithilien, Arwen followed Aragorn to Gondor and later into death itself, etc. Not that this is a bad thing, not at all. (It should never be deemed disempowering for a woman to follow a man she loves and who loves her and treats her right, if that is her choice.) But overall, considering the wide variety of couples in Middle-earth, it does get repetitive sometimes.

Yet with these two, it’s the opposite. Celeborn always followed Galadriel.

When Galadriel departed Doriath, Celeborn went with her. He left all his kin behind to be with her. We don’t know for sure how his kin reacted to his relationship with a Noldo, but it could very well be that they eloped. She was just that important to him.

Then for the next 2 ages, they endured all sorts of trials and tribulations together across Middle-earth and eventually settled down in Lothlórien. There, Celeborn never tried to make Galadriel subservient to him. She had as much say in how things were run as he himself did. They were true co-rulers, equals in every way.

Then finally, Celeborn temporarily let Galadriel go. He was alright with her leaving on the White Ship to see their daughter and her parents and brothers again, while he stayed behind to finish what needed to be finished. He didn’t force her to stay with him when he himself could not (yet) leave. He didn’t hold her back from reuniting with people she loved and had lost so long ago.

And ultimately, Celeborn followed Galadriel once again. Though he was a Sinda born and bred, and never before had any desire to cross the Sea, he left his own homeland behind forever to reunite with her in her homeland. She still was just that important to him.

This guy was down bad for this girl. He lived his whole life drunk on wifeguy juice. Respect Celeborn.

[lendmyboyfriendahand]

AU where Thingol, not Beren, dies fighting Carcharoth

The Hunting of the Wolf begins similar to canon. Carcharoth has eaten a Silmaril and is mad with pain, destroying the woods near Doriath.

As in canon, Carcharoth leaps from the bushes at Thingol.

Beren, fighting with his off hand, still bleeding from his right wrist, is just a moment too slow.

Beren swings his spear, and wounds Carcharoth, but not before the wolf has attacked the king.

There is a bite taken from Thingol's chest, and a savage scratch in his face. Even with the strength of an ancient elf, the light of Valinor, and the love of a Maia, it is too great a wound to survive.

Beren tries to staunch the blood, but it's too late.

Thingol says to Beren, "Love her, my son." The command is unnecessary, but Thingol dies thinking of his daughter and trusting her choices.

Melian screams, and every twig in Doriath shakes with her grief. She does not leave though, not while her daughter still lives and may need her.

Huan and Carcharoth fight, and die.

Mablung cuts open the wolf's belly and takes out the Silmaril. He places it on Thingol's breast.

No one in Doriath really wants to look at the Silmaril though. This is what tore apart the royal family, what their king died for, what brought the Wolf to ruin the forest.

There is talk of burying the Silmaril with Thingol's body, but Melian refuses to have it rest in her earth. The Silmaril is at once too cursed by Fate and too blessed by the Valar.

Melian can feel the Silmaril sing, and it would bring her in harmony with the first Music if she let it, until she was nothing but an instrument of Eru's first will. She would care only for the harmony of Arda and the good of all within it.

Melian is not willing to give up her passion and grief for her husband, or her love for her daughter, or her realm.

So the Silmaril is put to the side of the royal treasury for a few months, while a funeral and a wedding are planned.

Luthien is crowned Queen, with Beren king beside her. Melian is willing to stay and guard the realm as she has for centuries, but she is less able to hold her elven form without the one who inspired her to take it up, and in truth rarely cared for elven concerns.

Queen Luthien sends announcements of her coronation to the Falas and Nargothrond and Ethel Sirion.

(Maedhros begins recruiting for an attack on Angband. Murmurs in Doriath are that he is driven by shame, with the cowardice of his brothers compared to Luthien now known to all.)

Beren sends a letter to the people of Nargothrond, who have suffered as great a loss as the people of Doriath, with the loss of their king. He does not regret asking Finrod for help, but he grieves with them.

Privately, he tells Luthien that he wishes he had something of his own to offer, some token to remember Finrod, the bravest warrior in all elvendom.

Beren could give back the ring of Barahir, but he would just as soon keep it as his own memento, of promises kept and loyal friends.

Luthien has an idea.

It may be a terrible idea, but she is Queen, and all the treasures of Doriath are hers to with as she pleases. No one stops her.

In truth, no one argues that hard. Luthien and her husband are the ones who went on a dangerous quest, so the prize is theirs to do with as they will. Thingol might have standing to argue, but he's dead.

So Mablung, as the one who cut open the wolf's belly, is sent as emissary to King Orodreth, with a package he touches as little as possible.

Orodreth meets Mablung in a private room, after what a mess allowing an outsider to declare their business in the town square was last time.

(Not that Orodreth puts it that way, of course. But if Beren had mentioned the Ring and the Quest where none beside Finrod could hear, the Feanorians would not have learned until it was too late, and Finrod would have marched on Tol-in-Gaurhoth with a full army. He would have lived, Orodreth is sure of it.)

So there is none but Mablung to see how Orodreth's relaxes for a moment at the first moment of Treelight across his face, then nearly drops the Silmaril when he realizes what he is holding.

Orodreth cannot refuse the gift. It would be terribly insulting to Doriath, and all it would do would be move the looming bloodshed to his sister's home rather than his own.

Passing the Silmaril on would be an insult, even as tribute to King Fingon. And giving it to the sons of Feanor is as good as declaring himself open enemies with Doriath.

Orodreth asks Mablung to tell no one in the city what he has brought, to say only that Beren and Luthien grieve Finrod's death and sent a token. Mablung agrees easily enough, not being in the habit of gossip.

But much of Doriath knows, and though trade with the guarded realm is scarce, it is present. The secret may last for weeks or months, but in a year or two everyone will know that Nargothrond houses a Silmaril.

Including the sons of Feanor.

Orodreth locks the Silmaril in the most secure vault, to which only he has key, and thinks.

After a few days, he summons Celebrimbor before the court.

Orodreth declares Celebrimbor the Steward of the Vaults, responsible not for the daily spending of the kingdom, but for the safety and upkeep of the gems and elaborate ornaments that belong to the king.

Orodreth made the position up just now, but he gives it real responsibility. He doesn't wear the Nauglamir as his brother did, but neither does he want it stolen, and it needs the links oiled and the gems polished.

Celebrimbor is a jewelsmith, and a perfectly reasonable choice for the role.

And in the private audience afterwards, Orodreth emphasizes that Celebrimbor has authority over the vaults second only to his own. If Celebrimbor wishes a piece repaired, or a gem reset, he needs consult no other, even if it's a piece made by Feanor himself and brought from Valinor.

And speaking of things made by Feanor...

Celebrimbor is a bit insulted that he was given the role more due to the family he denounced than due to his skill. But he is not so insulted as to refuse the title, or the chance to closely examine so many masterpieces of jewelcraft.

Neither Celebrimbor or Orodreth are sure if this counts as hiding and hoarding a Silmaril, but it's now under the care of Feanor's kin so the Oath should be satisfied.

Right?

[pursuitseternal]

PursuitsEternal Tolkien Masterlist: A collection of First Age Sauron, Annatar fanfics

Summary: First Age Sauron x Galadriel, Phantom of the Opera, Gothic Romance AU

Inspired by “The Phantom of the Opera…” Galadriel lives a life very different from her days as Commander, now in the court of her brother Finrod, now an Elven king in the new realm founded on the ruins of Dol Guldur. The evil is gone, or so they think. Rumors of a Phantom in the wood begin to surface, as he sabotages and steals… and seduces.

CW: Major Character

Summary: Sauron x f!Reader, dub con, breeding, werewolf smut.

Reader x Sauron. You are Galadriel, seeking the tomb of your dead brother in Tol-in-Gaurhoth.

As you stumble in through the dark, you seek a way to fill the empty void deep inside you. What you don’t expect is to be hunted by Sauron’s spirit, still wielding his Werewolf form. You think he will come to kill you, but he aims to do so much more.

Summary: Lady Galadriel alone suspects Lord Annatar, Lord of Gifts, to be more than he appears. Seeking to reveal him for the deceiver she believes him to be, she finds herself no longer alone in his private chambers. And he wants to give her a gift.

Summary: Retelling of “Beren and Luthien:”

His curse demands the love of one Being of Light, a being Sauron has found in his very path. But he remains trapped by Huan and Luthìen’s curse, stuck in werewolf form until the magic is broken. Galadriel cannot deny that this Dark Wolf has saved her from Orcs, soldiers sent to skin the former Dark Lord for his failure in Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Nor can she deny the growing attachment she has for his snuggles and kisses, her faithful Dark Wolf.

Summary: Dead Dove, Breeding, ABO

When Galadriel is the one captured along with Beren’s company, the dark of Tol-in-Gaurhoth is the least that will make her body shiver. Hints of A/B/O, Forced Heat, Questionably forced Breeding, Bestiality Dead Dove to come, and also talking werewolves.

🎨 by @marimosalad 💞

[sauron-kraut]

For the headcanon meme - Mairon:

☾ - sleep (yes ;))

■ -  Bedroom/house/living quarters headcanon

♦ - quirks/hobbies headcanon

☯ - likes/dislikes headcanon

Thank you bestie 🖤🖤🖤

sleep: My headcanon ist that Mairon, like all Ainur, does not need to sleep. He can benefit from sleeping though, for example after going through a particularly exhausting ordeal (yes, embodied Ainur can feel a certain level of exhaustion in my hc). He also might just like sleeping from time to time because it can feel good and, most importantly, he uses sleep as a form of escape, for example on Númenor, where he is fairly unhappy, to say the least, and after he lost Melkor. Also, Mairon is, generally speaking, a very pretty sleeper.

Bedroom/house/living quarters headcanon: Oh boooooy. Mairon likes luxury, especially First and Second Age Mairon. He will decorate his quarters and it will be an interesting combination of refined, elegant looking details and decorations and (to the human eye) rather of-putting, primal stuff like pelts, preserved creature and organ specimens, taxidermy etc., knives, weaponry, you name it.

Mairon prefers to sleep in large, comfortable beds with many (colourful, especially red/golden) pillows and blankets and wolf pelts. He's not squeamish about uncomfortable sleeping situations though, when he's outside, setting camp for battle etc. (he's still efficient and pragmatic).

Mairon likes heavy, dark wooden furniture. You will find his living quarters always illuminated by torchlight or many candles.

Third Age Mairon, in my hc, has lost some of these preferences or the will to design his quarters accordingly; his taste or what he believes is his taste now might have also shifted. I'm talking more stone, darker furniture, more angles, less fabric and tapestries and carpets, more bare stone floors. More dark iron work. More Art Deco. Third Age Mairon is not too fond of coddling himself anymore and his ✨ aesthetics ✨ have changed.

quirks/hobbies headcanon: Mairon literally likes to hunt elves and sometimes humans for sport when he's bored. In Tol-in-Gaurhoth he gets bored quite a bit without the same level/quality of permanent responsibilities he had in Angband, so he will take a crossbow or a dagger and his bare hands and teeth and ask Thuringwethil to accompany him on little fun hunting trips together.

likes/dislikes headcanon: Short and simple: While Mairon hates bodies of water (especially the sea) as a fire spirit and a creature who lives with Melkor, he will enjoy boiling-hot baths.

[aylen-san]

Werewolf Troubles in Aman

Aman, the end of the First Age

Finrod Felagund sat on the marble steps of his parents' palace, pondering his new and unusual state. The surrounding garden was bathed in the soft light of the setting sun, and the air was filled with the aromas of rare flowers brought from all corners of Valinor. After his unfortunate death at the hands of a werewolf and his swift resurrection in Valinor, he had discovered an unusual ability he had never possessed before. He could now transform into a wolf. Despite all his efforts, he had not yet learned to fully control the transformations, although he remained fully conscious when he became a beast. This was both intriguing and extremely inconvenient.

Finrod recalled his encounter with Sauron in the dark dungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth, where his life had ended so abruptly. But now, in the peace and safety of Valinor, those memories seemed distant and almost unreal. Nonetheless, the shadow of the past continued to haunt him, and his new ability only amplified this feeling.

Finrod's gaze wandered over the magnificent architecture of the palace, reflecting the sun's gleam on the marble columns and golden decorations. He understood that his situation had changed forever. He needed to learn to live with this gift or curse, and he knew it would not be easy to manage alone.

"Finrod, dear, what are you doing outside? Come inside, your father wants to talk to you," called his mother, Queen Eärwen, her voice soft and melodious like the rustle of leaves in the wind.

"Yes, mother, I'm coming," replied Finrod, standing up and heading towards the palace. He cast a final glance at the garden, hoping that the tranquility of nature would help calm his inner turmoil.

As he entered the hall where his parents awaited him, he felt a familiar stirring within his chest. "Oh no, not now," he thought, trying not to panic. The magnificent hall was adorned with splendid tapestries and wood carvings depicting scenes from the history of the Noldor. The chandeliers made of sparkling gemstones filled the room with soft light, but even this splendor could not calm the storm rising inside him.

Finrod met his father's gaze, King Arafinwë, and saw concern and anticipation on his face. "Finrod," began Arafinwë, but Finrod was already struggling to maintain his human form. Clenching his fists, he tried to focus on his father's words, but the inner stirring grew stronger.

"Finrod, dear, we are so glad you have returned," his father, King Arafinwë, began. "But we need to discuss something important... How do you feel after everything that happened?"

"Oh, I feel... um... wonderful, father. Everything is fine," Finrod lied, hoping he could hold out until the end of the meeting.

"You look tense, son," Arafinwë noted, his voice full of care and understanding. "Is something bothering you?"

At that moment, Finrod couldn't hold back any longer. He felt fur starting to break through his clothes, and his legs began to turn into paws.

"Um, father, mother, I think you need to see this," he said, feeling his face begin to elongate into a snout.

Eärwen and Arafinwë watched with concern. In an instant, where their son had stood, there was now a majestic wolf with golden fur and deep, intelligent eyes that still held Finrod's human consciousness. He lowered his head, trying not to meet his parents' eyes but felt their genuine surprise and concern.

"Finrod..." Eärwen said, stepping closer and cautiously extending her hand. She didn't know how to react, but the love and care in her heart urged her to try to comfort her son, no matter what form he took. "We will figure this out together, don't be afraid."

Arafinwë, though shaken, remained composed. "We will find a way to help you, son," he said firmly. "We will speak with the wisest in Valinor and learn how you can control this power."

Finrod nodded, the tension within him easing, and he whimpered softly, nudging his father's leg with his snout. Arafinwë, though astonished, gently placed his hand on the wolf's head, trying to soothe him.

"Everything will be alright, Finrod," he said softly, feeling his son tremble.

Eärwen came closer, kneeling beside Finrod and gently stroking his back. "We are with you, son," she said, her voice full of love and support. "You are not alone, hear me? You are not alone."

Finrod felt the warmth and care emanating from his parents, which helped him calm down a bit. Deep inside, he knew that with their help, he could overcome any difficulty.

Finrod focused, envisioning his elven face. Images flashed in his mind: clear eyes, high cheekbones, golden hair falling in waves. He remembered his travels in Beleriand, his friends, and his mission. Now that his parents knew his secret, transforming from a wolf back into an elf became easier. Gradually, the fur began to recede, and his paws turned back into slender legs. His snout returned to human features, and his long claws became fingers once more. Finrod's heavy breathing evened out, and within moments, he stood before Eärwen and Arafinwë again, glowing with the light of Valinor.

He lifted his head and looked his parents in the eyes.

"Thank you," he said, his voice quiet but full of gratitude. "I was afraid I might frighten you."

Eärwen smiled, gently hugging her son. Arafinwë nodded, his face expressing pride and determination.

"Now we need to think about how to help you control this power."

The three of them stood in the magnificent hall, surrounded by shining tapestries and splendid decorations, knowing that a challenging path lay ahead.

"Is this a new fashion in Middle-earth?" Eärwen asked after a while.

"No, mother," Finrod muttered, struggling to understand how it had come to this. "It's Sauron. Well, his magic. After I died, I... was resurrected with this ability."

"I see," Arafinwë sighed. "Well, son, you've always been unique, but this is certainly a new addition to our family traditions. Although, perhaps, you should stay away from the trees when you're in this form," Arafinwë joked. "Our gardeners won't be pleased to find giant paw prints on the flowerbeds."

Finrod chuckled.

"I promise to be careful."

Eärwen looked at her son, smiling. "You know, maybe you could use your abilities to scare off thieves? Put up a sign: 'Beware of the vicious wolf!'"

Finrod laughed, picturing such a scene. "Yes, that would definitely solve the garden theft problem!"

Arafinwë, maintaining a light-hearted tone, added, "And if we train you to bark at uninvited guests, our palace will become the safest place in Aman."

Finrod nodded, laughing, "Alright, I'll be your personal guard. But, I hope you will find a way to help me control these transformations. Otherwise, I'll need to keep a constant supply of bones."

Eärwen laughed and hugged Finrod tightly. "We are with you, son. No matter what happens, we will always support you."

Finrod nodded, feeling the tension gradually ease. The three of them stood, enjoying the moment of closeness and support. However, it was clear that serious discussions and difficult decisions awaited them.

[aurorapillar]

One of my favorite headcanons for Eol is him being the son of Thingol and Melian, who was basically a test run before they had Luthien, to make sure that an elf and Maia having a child would work out okay. Which in the case, Eol would have some Maia powers and so likely would Maeglin.

With that in mind, AU where when Eol gets to Gondolin and is given the choice to either stay or die, rather than deciding it's better for his son and him to die than live under Noldor rule, he enchants Turgon, Aredhel and Maeglin into letting Maeglin return with him.

Turgon gives his ultimatum and Eol goes "No, Aredhel can stay but Maeglin is leaving with me."

And Maeglin goes "Okay, I'll go."

And Aredhel and Turgon go "Yeah, that's fine."

And so Eol leaves and takes Maeglin with him and everyone in Gondolin is baffled by it being allowed but their King has ordered it and who are they to disobey.

And so Maeglin goes back to living in Nan Elmoth and it's not a pleasant experience for him because Eol has major issues with possessiveness and the need for control, and he is not happy that Maeglin not only ran but went to his Noldor relatives, who Eol had repeatedly told him were murderers.

For a time Eol fullfills his past promise of binding his son with chains, but after many years Maeglin slowly regains enough of his father's trust to be given more freedom.

And one day sometime after the Dagor Bragollach, something happens. Either Eol trusts Maeglin enough again to leave him alone in Nan Elmoth while he goes to the dwarves, and Maeglin takes the opportunity to run, or Maeglin goes with his father to the dwarves and is out in the mountains with some of them, but either way there's an attack by orcs and Maeglin is captured.

He's taken to Tol-in-Gaurhoth along with some other captives, with the intent of them being food for Sauron's werewolves. But Sauron realizes that Maeglin has Maia blood and is intrigued, with the Valar having abandoned Middle Earth to Morgoth, there's only one Maia Maeglin could be descended off and he hadn't known that Melian had any grandchildren. Sauron's wanted to test how durable a half Maia is for a long time, and he's just as willing to see how much a quarter Maia can endure, and so he decides to let Maeglin live.

And so Maeglin remains alive in Tol-in-Gaurhoth, living a life somewhere between a prisoner and a pet. Sauron tortures him, not for any information but just for fun and to see how much he can endure. He also places a collar around his neck and drapes him with decoration, allowing him to slink around the place like an ill treated cat.

Many times Maeglin tries to escape and each time he is caught and punished severely, but he still remains defiant and keeps trying. He's still there when Finrod, Beren and the other elves are captured and though he doesn't know who they are or what their purpose is, he appreciates anyone who ticks Sauron off and tries to help them.

He sneaks them food and weapons, allowing them to actually have a chance against the werewolves. It only works twice, the first time he steals back their own weapons to give to them and so Sauron assumes the orcs didn't do a good enough job searching them and searches them for weapons himself. The second time Sauron realizes that something is up and so the the third time Maeglin does it he gets caught and punished severely, after that he's no longer able to help them.

He's managed to do enough that it buys time though, that more of the elves are still alive by the time Luthien arrives, including Finrod. And when Luthien destroys Tol-in-Gaurhoth, he is freed along with the other captives.

Luthien is far too busy taking care of her injuried boyfriend and distant cousin, as well as planning how to steal stolen goods, to notice Maeglin and realize he's her kin. And Finrod and Beren are not in good enough shape to put much thought into the elf who helped them, and so Maeglin leaves on his own.

He wanders for a while, unsure where to go and ends up running into the son's of Feanor, who know the look of an elf whose been tortured when they see one and also can clearly tell he's Aredhel's son. They take him in, and Maeglin gets to meet his other uncle.

The Battle of Unnumbered tears still happens and but Finrod being alive brings about some changes, Nargothrond perhaps comes to help and Finrod gets to encounter Maeglin again. Fingon still dies though, and Maeglin is suddenly thrust into the role of High King, because Turgon was disinherited for running off and hiding for so many years.

[thelordofgifs]

For a fic exchange with darling @actual-bill-potts, who wrote me this fantastically creepy Maedhros/Sauron piece and requested some Tol-in-Gaurhoth angst in response! I hope you enjoy love you sm <3

Warnings: rape, graphic depictions of violence. This is significantly darker and more explicit than my usual fare, please take care!

It is Edrahil’s turn. Finrod should not be surprised: he has heard them all die by now, from little Calimmacil, the first baby ever born in Nargothrond, all the way to old Farphen who has lived uncounted years since the Great Journey – and to end them in such a manner! But Edrahil – Edrahil, who has ever had such faith in Finrod – he cannot bear it. He will not listen.

A noise at the entrance of the dungeon, cutting through the low growl of the waiting wolf. It is Gorthaur again, dressed all in white, his eyes of flame gleaming with amusement. He is the only thing Finrod can see clearly in the dark. “Only two left,” he observes. “Are these last dearer to thee than thy other companions, little lord? Or shalt thou cling to thy secrets yet?”

“Aran,” Edrahil croaks, as the wolf draws closer. “Aran, do not—” Beren’s parched voice joins his in agreement.

“I will give you nothing, Gorthaur,” Finrod says – whispers – pleads.

The all-too-familiar sound of teeth tearing through flesh. Edrahil cries out, hoarsely.

Gorthaur is watching Finrod’s face as he weeps. “Thou art enjoying this, art thou not?” he says. “Their faith in thee in the face of such despair… it pleases thee.”

Through his tears, Finrod manages to summon up a glob of saliva to spit at Gorthaur’s pristine robes.

Edrahil has begun to call for him – they all do at some point. “Aran,” he gasps, “Aran, please—”

Gorthaur makes an amused sound. “This is thy own doing,” he tells Finrod. “Thou mightst as well take pleasure in it.” He sits down on the floor beside Finrod, his robes the only clean thing in the filthy dungeon, and puts an arm around Finrod’s naked shoulders, drawing him close. “Hear how he muffles his cries,” he whispers, his breath hot in Finrod’s ear, “for thy sake – does it not gladden thee?”

“No,” Finrod gasps, trying to pull away, but the manacles around his wrists and ankles hold him in place, and anyway he is crying too hard to concentrate. He raises his voice so that Edrahil can hear him better. “It will not be long, dear friend – I am sorry, I am so—”

He breaks off with a choked cry. There are hot, slick fingers inside him – breaching him, opening him. Edrahil screams and at the same moment Gorthaur twists his fingers—

Finrod cannot control the heavy panting breaths he is taking. He cannot help the way he shudders away from Gorthaur’s heat and, at the same time, leans into it, cannot stop his hips from bucking at the violating press of fingers within him.

“Come, little lord,” Gorthaur purrs. He licks a teasing stripe down Finrod’s neck. “Enjoy it.”

The sickening crunch of bone. Beren shouts out, but Edrahil is quieter now. “Aran,” he croaks. “Aran, it hurts…”

Gorthaur takes Finrod into his free hand and strokes him, suddenly. Finrod has opened his mouth to summon up some soothing words for Edrahil – and what can he even say, what will possibly make this better? – but all that comes out is a startled moan.

"There," says Gorthaur, slipping a third finger into him. Finrod cries out, and Gorthaur lets go of him in order to grasp his chin with one scorching hand and push his tongue into his mouth, stoppering his sounds of distress. "Didst thou not choose this?" he reminds Finrod, twisting his fingers again, leaning in to kiss away the tears running down his face. "'Tis well within thy power to call off my wolves, if thou wilt only tell me thy name." Finrod gives a sob and Gorthaur laughs. "No? Understandable. It brings thee pleasure, I can see that much."

There is a horrible slurping noise coming from the wolf now, and the wet slap of entrails against the stone floor. Edrahil is still conscious: he lets out the occasional tiny ragged whimper, each time muffled by the moans Gorthaur draws from Finrod's lips. He does not want this – it must be some Maia magic, to make his body respond so – but what if it is not? What if Gorthaur is right, and Finrod does take some perverse pleasure in his companions' loyalty?

"Hush, hush," Gorthaur says, gentle now, even as he takes Finrod in hand again, stroking him hard and fast. "Enjoy it, little lord. Enjoy it."

"He is gone," Beren reports from the other side of the dungeon, his voice dull and rasping, and with a sob Finrod spills into Gorthaur's hand.

Gorthaur seems to lose interest, after that. He withdraws his fingers from Finrod and leaves him slumped against the wall, the scent of blood mingling with that of his own release. "Only one left," he says, glancing from Finrod to where Beren must be chained, although Finrod can still see nothing but the terrible vision in white before him. "I shall see thee again soon, little lord."

"Aran," Beren whispers, once he is gone; but Finrod cannot bear to respond.

[polutrope]

For the silm phrase prompt list- Galadriel, "wandering free in the woodlands".

Thank you for the prompt! Here I have adopted the LotR version of Galadriel who came over the mountains before the fall of Nargothrond.

Celeborn/Galadriel, G, 550 words. On AO3.

The creek ripples over Galadriel’s feet. The water cools the ache of many leagues cutting their own path over the rough, uneven ground of these ancient woodlands. She curls her toes, kneads the muddy bottom. Across from her, Celeborn splashes the water in his cupped hands over his face. His tongue darts out to taste a drop, and he smiles when he catches her watching.

“It is clean,” he says. “It seems the Enemy's poisons have not reached this place.” He sighs and scans the dense black canopy. Galadriel watches the droplets of water trickle over his bared skin and remembers the first time she saw him this way, bathing beneath a fall of water that leapt over slick shining stone into a pool of the Esgalduin. 

“It is strange to trace the steps of my people back over the mountains,” Celeborn says. "My grandsire must have passed through these woods, seeking the light in the west; and now we return, fleeing the darkness we found there.”

Galadriel hums but offers no answer. The first time she fled a home in the west, she followed the thrum of longing in her heart. That thrum had been her constant companion from the earliest years of her youth, before even the rumour of another land across the sea had entered her child’s fantasies. Rebellion had kindled her longing, so that she blazed bold and bright as if drunk on the very starlight that illumined the cold bitter paths to Middle-earth. A longing to rule turned to a longing for vengeance turned to a longing for wisdom; but ever did her spirit burn with purpose. 

Until Finrod’s light went out in the pits of Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the last of her brothers, and the light within her was extinguished also. She might have mouldered beneath the damp stony vaults of Menegroth had not Celeborn woken her from her hollow grief and bid her journey east beside him, leading a small company back over the mountains.

Yet no purpose scorching the soles of her feet has driven her onwards on this, her second flight from darkness. 

“My love?” Celeborn’s voice, soft as morning mist, clears the murk of her thoughts. “You are troubled.”

Galadriel hums again and looks up from the dark gleam of the river into the dark gleam of his eyes. “And for what have we fled?” she asks him. “To what purpose do we wander in these woodlands, having left our kin behind?”

Celeborn comes to sit beside her and clasps her hands in his. “Is it not purpose enough to endure? To be free, so that the traditions and ambitions of our people might live on with us?”

“What ambitions?” Galadriel asks. “What is there here but unchanging stillness and silence? Have we come all this way only to wander, singing the memory of our people to the unhearing trees?”

Celeborn smiles and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, but for a long time says nothing. At last he answers, “Yes,” and kisses her brow. “For now, that is all we have to do.” 

Not for no purpose, Galadriel thinks, and captures Celeborn’s lips in hers as he lowers them from her brow. Despair and darkness drove her from Beleriand, but it was love and hope that carried her feet over the mountains.

[a-world-of-whimsy-5]

Re-embodied Finrod in Mirkwood

This is a series of headcanon I came up with after being inspired by a recent Thranduil x Re-embodied Finrod x Reader request.

There is a spot of NSFW towards the end of the post.

Minors DNI | 18+

Rules and tag form here.  

💫 Finrod perished in Tol-in-Gaurhoth after killing a werewolf with his bare hands and teeth. The venom in the beast's blood spread through the elf's bloodstream before reaching his heart and changing him before he died. Because of the Doom of Mandos, his fëa was destined to remain in the Vala's halls.

💫 Upon his arrival, his first stop was the Grey Havens, where, after having explained his tasks, he was hosted by Círdan. Finrod remained in the Grey Havens for quite some time, learning of the new customs and races prevalent in Middle-Earth before departing. He also spent time with Elrond in Rivendell and with his sister, Galadriel, in Lothlórien before leaving for the realm now known as Mirkwood.

💫 This all changed during the Third Age, when the dark influence of the Necromancer spread through Greenwood the Great. After he had claimed the abandoned fortress of Amon Lanc for himself, Mawë and Námo approached Finrod to give him a choice: remain in the halls or go back to Middle Earth and aid in the fight against the corrupting influence of the Necromancer. He will then be allowed to return to Valinor whenever he desired. The former choice came with an added caveat. He was to bear the mark of the beast he slew until he returned to Valinor for all time. Only then would it be removed. Finrod still accepted it. He ached to leave the halls and feel the grass beneath his feet again.

💫 Mirkwood's king, Thranduil Oropherion, was wary of him, and Finrod received a less than warm welcome. He was one of the Noldor and bore the mark of a werewolf. Believing him to be a threat to his people, Thranduil kept Finrod confined to a comfortable suite of rooms until he could meet with his council and decide what to do with him. When it became clear the Valar themselves allowed Finrod to return, and with a purpose, the king reluctantly agreed to let him live freely in his halls.

💫Finrod took up playing the harp again and would sing tales of his own life before his demise in Tol-in-Gaurhoth. He would also sing tales he had heard while in the Halls of Mandos.

💫Finrod would try to advise the king, and the king would brush him off, unwilling still to trust him. This mistrust continued until one day, when Finrod risked his own life to save Thranduil’s while they battled spiders living around the outer border of Dol Guldur. Thranduil slowly came to trust Finrod and claim him as a friend, and Finrod earned a place on the king’s council.

💫Finrod remained in Middle-Earth until the War of the Ring and returned to Valinor with Legolas and Gimli.

How the mark of the werewolf affected Finrod:

💫The taint did not mean he could shape-shift, as the werewolf that attacked him could not. However, it did make him stronger and harder to slay in battle.

💫Besides increased strength, Finrod had keener senses, and his eyes would glow. They would be at their brightest if he was aroused or angry. Even his nails and teeth became sharper.

💫Finrod craved meat cooked rare.

💫He was more prone to acts of aggression. It was only with Elrond's and Galadriel's guidance that he was able to control his need for violence.

💫He had a much higher libido and had kinks for breeding, consensual non-consent, marking, and dominance.

How did this affect his preference for relationships:

💫Finrod would agree to a multiple partner scenario if he is happy with the other partners involved. However, if he did bond with only one S/O, he would be fiercely protective of them. He also had a jealous streak and would mark his partner if he believed someone other than him showed interest in them.

Why did Finrod have to bear the mark:

💫 The Valar did not want to make it too easy, or make it look like they were too forgiving, for fëar of other exiles doomed by the prophecy. 

[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

[hirazuki]

📓give me yer plots

Plots? Plural?? Okay, you get three ♡

I only included ideas that I am not currently/actively working on.

Maedhros + Mairon team up AU: After Luthien and Beren nab the silmaril and scram, Melkor actually does give chase and follows them south towards Doriath, and he cuts through Nan Dungortheb where he is ambushed by Ungoliant's spawn (I think if he was alone, given how physically weak he is at this point in time + just having woken up from Luthien's spell, he'd be easy prey) who take him and his crown with the remaining two silmarils and bear him to the south of the continent where Ungoliant has been waiting to exact revenge and claim/consume the jewels. Mairon comes home after having lost Tol-in-Gaurhoth to find Angband in panic, not being able to find Melkor anywhere. He decides to infiltrate Himring, it being the closest center of elven activity and information that is also open enough to travelers, etc. for a new face to pass unnoticed, to see if he can find out if the enemy has Melkor. Maedhros, having had him as a visitor for 30+ years while hanging off a cliff, recognizes him pretty quickly despite the disguise. They team up and go on a life-changing fieldtrip to the south of Beleriand to retrieve one dark lord (for Mairon) and two silmarils (for Maedhros).

Maeglin in Rivendell AU: Maeglin either is brought back by the Powers to help in the War of the Ring (yes, it's inspired by that one poll a while back XD) or actually somehow survived (I haven't decided which I prefer) and ends up in Rivendell. Not really a cohesive linear plot kind of fic, as much as a series of character interactions/exploration of themes: Maeglin and Elrond, Maeglin and Glorfindel, Maeglin and Eowyn, Maeglin and Frodo, to list a few of my top ones.

Eol makes a stone that outshines the silmarils AU: @melkors-defense-attorney and @mirkwood-hr-department take equal share of the blame credit for this completely wild idea yes it still lives rent free in my head, I have not forgotten about it XD. Basically, Eol is much closer to the dwarves than he is to his own kin, and would probably be more comfortable going to them for courtship advice re: Aredhel. Hence, presenting her with the shiniest rock as a gift early on in her stay at Nan Elmoth. Problem is, she has seen the silmarils, so it would have to be an extra shiny rock. He accidentally makes a stone that outdoes the silmarils; cascading world-wide consequences follow XD (These include: angry Feanorians; angry Melkor, at not having the Shiniest Thing™ and seeking Eol out in his forest a la Evil Queen style, to trade his two silmarils for this one; Eol (in this timeline, never having been to Angband) being so isolated he literally doesn't recognize Melkor and slamming the door in Melkor's face ("no solicitors!!"); angrier Melkor (that's two door-slamming elves now); angrier Feanorians (that Melkor would seek to trade the silmarils with Eol of all people); one very swoony Aredhel at the balls of this elf throwing the Dark Lord out on his ass.)

[dalliansss]

❛ you’re the monster that’s enticed me into your bed. ❜

darker vibes

Mairon purrs in great delight and satiation, the latest orgasm still coursing electricity under his skin. He needs no breath so he does not pant, but he does trail kisses down the curvature of Finrod's perfect spine. His precious, his maksima, looking like sin itself, laying on his stomach on silken sheets--

The maia noses into sweat-slicked, pale locks, breathing deep -- that distinct scent that belongs to this one alone, his greatest living masterpiece, his prize, for whom the loss of Tol-in-Gaurhoth and all of his wolves were well worth it.

Monsssster, Mairon snarls through the connection they share, this dangerous bond, master and servant, Maker and fledgling, spouses. You are the monster that's enticed me to your bed!

The former Elda makes no answer; but in their bond, Finrod's end of the connection is akin to a deep pool of satiation. Again, Mairon trails greedy kisses onto bare shoulders, one of which he nicks with the tip of his fang, drawing thick, scarlet blood, which he licks off. Underneath him, Finrod shudders.

Maksssssima, Mairon coos between their minds. Precioussss....

Finrod murmurs something in Quenya. He stirs, as if making a move to crawl away, but Mairon snares him in his hold, pins him in place. He stays still then, sighing, relaxing into the hold. For a moment, at least like this-- between the two of them, unlikely peace is had.

@elaiahsstuff

[squirrelwrangler]

✨ for Nargothrond?

Thanks to the Tol-in-Gaurhoth series, I have quite a bit more than I normally would. General highlights of the founding:

The dwarves of B&N knew that the cave systems of Nargothrond was ancestrally home to petty-dwarves, but they didn't care or inform the elves that there was still some descendants of exiled traitors and dissidents living in the lower regions, downplaying or removing evidence as they expanded the cave systems and planned the construction (for political purposes the outrage over the slaying of petty-dwarves was useful to establish their rights, but the dwarves of Belegost and Norgrod were perfectly happy to have the petty-dwarves driven out once more and removed as additional rivals). Fierce in-fighting between B/N factions for the glory and economic opportunities of this Menegroth 2.0 - much dwarven glory, reputations, and political wealth as well as physical wealth flowed from the alliance with Menegroth's construction and upkeep, and this was the opportunity for those that missed out on the bidding wars to win.

Nargtohrond was of mostly light stone- limestone primarily- and the river flowed through the lowest level. Water and groundwater management was more important here, so the city had fountains and drainage systems and flooding was the biggest worry. Conversely, Gondolin had a river but it also extensively used cisterns to gather rain and snowmelt to augment the river.

Thankfully none of the Tol-in-Gaurhoth ten were heavily involved in the plumbing. But that Orodreth has to replace too many key positions, not to mention weed out corrupted appoints during C&C's coup, was the start of a slow and gradual systems collapse. The head steward, Edrahil. Heledir the captain of the guards. Their seconds and thirds would would have been the logical promotions - Arodreth, Tacholdir, and Ethirdor and Bân. Influential lords/important families in Aglar and Gadwar. Consael's connections among the followers of C&C meant that his death and the death of his sister's husband was a strong rallying cry to repudiate Curufin and Celegorm and cleave those elves to Orodreth instead. Probably the elf that died in Tol-in-Gaurhoth that caused the least among of rippling ramifications at the time was Fân/Fanawë, because he was only a (talented) foot soldier/ranger whose best friend was the higher-ranking Bân (who had as girlfriend the handmaiden of Melian and was the protege of Angell and Heledir). That changes during the War of Wrath, of course, when his distant maternal Vanyar cousins care, not to mention Dondwen herself.

Then Gwindor's charge wipes out a sizeable chunk of the allies and martial replacements Orodreth had fostered to replace Heledir and others - lords like Galuven in particular hurt. And Faron's ties to the Falathrim.

Back to the city itself: Levels upon levels with gently ramping floors, the stonework intricate and delicate with floral motifs. Thin colonnades, latticework.

In layout and small touches, one would closely figure out that Nargothrond's inspiration was Menegroth and the neighborhoods of Valmar, not Tirion.

The main stables were at the low far end near where the river reemerged.

Ereglas, second son of Eredhon, was the Sindarin lord who lived in the Narog region before Morgoth's invasion, basically the Duke of that region, and unlike his older brother has successfully escaped to Menegroth. He consents to Finrod reclaiming that region and building strongholds there and sends his daughter to help. Eregiel trained with the dwarves (when they visited Menegroth, and only in stone masonry. She's not a second Eöl, not nearly that talented or trusted to visit the dwarven cities, but was trusted as interpreter) and acts as liaison. She and Orodreth work closely together, hit it off, betrothed, married, she's now the lady of Tol Sirion and mother to Finduilas. Wasn't as intentional a political move as Meril's to regain her birthright as duchess of Hithlim.

[eloquentsisyphianturmoil]

Ulmo shares Thingol’s biased morals. He can’t claim to help the Noldor when his actions aided only the protagonists.

His encouragement of Nargothrond and Gondolin increased the fragmentation of the Noldor and led to a less united force of war.

(Had he not interfered, Turgon stays in Nevrast and Finrod stays in Dorthonion. Both still survive Dagor Bragollach.

Celegorm, Curufin, and Finrod seek asylum in Hithlum. The people of Hithlum are not swayed by the feanorians’ words and take Tol-in-Gaurhoth by force.

Lúthien joins them. Celegorm and Curufin make a direct attempt on her and Beren’s lives, trying to stop the quest. The rest proceeds as usual.

During Nirnaeth Arnoediad, they have more forces. They win.)

The first age would’ve been better without Ulmo’s influence. The Valar should have kept their promise.

Ulmo is the Thingol of the Valar I said what I said

[tanoraqui]

#nearly choked on my own spit reading that last part #tolkien# but also to make the crack sad #there's something poetic about Maglor the last Feanorian #his family destroyed by fire #feanor burns alive #Amrod (potentially) burns in Losgar #Maedhros casts himself into flame #and destroyed by darkness #the oath eating them alive #all of them being doomed to the void #and then Maglor the only Feanorian to escape the fire and the darkness #to instead haunt and be haunted by the sea #falling in love with a being of fire and darkness #looking his family's destruction in the eye and saying I forgive you I forgive you you can be more than what you were #and perhaps in the doing so he can learn to forgive himself #and have hope for his family

@erai-crabantaure​ is out here making my crackship in a crack au poetic and giving me feels, while I’m over here like, 

double-date where Dave (the Balrog) is determined to passive-aggressively show Gorthaur that he, Dave, is actually way better at finding and keeping a pet Fëanorian, and also he could totally take Gorthaur in a fight he’s just choosing not to right now; and Annatar is maintaining the pretense of still being Evil and pretending to be above such petty competition, but is 100% rising to the bait because a) nobody out-passive-aggressives the Lord of Gifts and b) his Fëanorian is FAR superior to that beach hobo who could barely even forge a dagger; BUT Annatar is also avoiding eye contact with Maglor because the last time they met was toward the end of the War of Wrath when Maglor technically, arguably, beat him in a Duel of Song (Sauron tried the Tol-in-Gaurhoth Special, ie, grief, guilt, and existential hopelessness, and Maglor was like, “Honey, I live here,” and then Maedhros stabbed Sauron and their backup arrived and Sauron GTFO’d until Eonwë found him.) Celebrimbor is getting increasingly annoyed at a) this whole “pretending to be evil(ly suborned)” gig as well as at Annatar bragging about him (it’s embarrassing and he does it far too much already), and keeps accidentally making eye contact with Maglor while seeking someone to be like, Maiar, amiright? with, then quickly looking away because Evil Uncle, then darting a glance back because he’s increasingly, against his will, a little concerned about Maglor. Maglor meanwhile is quietly eating while 100% convinced that he’s hallucinating; the only question is if it’s all a hallucination or if he really has been captured by a Balrog. Either way, his life is already so terrible that this might as well happen.

(This is like...1/3–1/2way through the 105-minute romcom. About 60% through, Maglor realizes that none of this is a hallucination and immediately tries to rescue Celebrimbor from his entirely content marriage bed what is obviously a fate worse than death. This is how Maglor finds out, though Celebrimbor yelling at him indignantly, about the marriage and also Sauron [allegedly] not being evil anymore, and shortly thereafter has a moment of, “wait, is that an option?” Possibly Dave is simultaneously having the knock-down drag-out brawl with the old Lieutenant of Angband that he’s been itching for, maybe finally incited because he figured out that Sauron was lying to him about still being evil, clearly he’s gone weak, etc etc. That fight definitely ends with Annatar pinned down but baring his teeth in a grin and saying something like, “Yes, you Úmaiar always had more power then I. But do you know what you still lack? The sense of where to apply it.” Then he like snaps a twig and the massive dam they’ve been fighting in front of, which Dave (and Annatar, but mostly Dave) have both been hitting, BURSTS and Dave gets totally quenched.)

...Oh my god at the end Dave has to run through the Grey Havens like they’re an airport to catch Maglor before he gets on a ship sailing West. 

(Will Dave join him on the ship, so that they may both seek healing together? Will Maglor stay, and they’ll both join Celebrimbor&Annatar’s ongoing mission to better mortal-occupied Arda through invention and fair-and-open global trade? Either way, it’ll be covered in the sequel: My Big Fat Fëanorian Wedding! please god let that already be a fic title somewhere)

(Original movie: When Dave Met Maglor? Pretty Balrog? Awake in Eriador? I’m just going through a Top 50 list of romcoms here and spitballing.)