#maglor through history

[sesamenom]

more on the maglor through history not-really-au: the Dagor Dagorath happens in 2022 of the Seventh Age. Melkor drops into aman and lands where mordor used to be (which is now approximately the middle of the mediterranean. i'm going to assume he can swim) and trudges over to valinor to fight the Host.

on the way there he crosses over the West of middle-earth (western europe) where the last elves/only line of defense is Maglor, Daeron and Cirdan.

(tumblr is cropping weirdly so click for quality/full image)

maglor as pictured above is actually partway-through-dagorath-preparations maglor and not during-dagorath maglor because during-dagorath maglor is basically just Regular maglor.

out of all of them daeron probably took to modern fashion the best? Maglor just likes being the fashionable one but Daeron actually likes that his jacket has a hood now. he dyes his hair various colors so he can pass any Weird Maiar Hair stuff off as just a fashion thing, and maia-shapeshifts to hide his Elf Eyes and maia face markings. also he Aggressively Flutes at melkor while wearing his sweater vest.

cirdan's modern outfit is just his normal one slightly adapted to blend in better. also he's had that 25,000-year-old belt since cuivienen and has ship-of-theseused it at least forty times. he went with a slightly less dramatic version of the maglor route to hide his Elf Eyes (regular sunglasses).

[polutrope]

5-sentences prompt: "Waking up to the sound of an explosion never gets easier."

“If anything, it gets harder,” the young soldier mused as he wiped the grime of the trenches from his face. “They start to wake you even when they are not there, when they are only figments of your imagination. Fear whittles us down until we are nothing but a mindless weapon.”

Daeron twitched his lips by way of acknowledgement, though the man's attention was not on him; then his eyes found Maglor’s on the opposite bunk and held them as a moment of understanding passed between them. They had both seen their share of battle over the ages, and yet even their ancient memories could recall no war like this one, the first war of the age of machines.

[send me a sentence]

[sakasakiii]

not really a modern au but more like a weird future timeline thing where beach hermit maglor Hibernates™ all through the 2nd and 3rd ages & misses the last boats to Valinor.... thus resulting in him skulking about history until he ends up living among modern day humans haha?? the kicker is that he one day finds an abandoned baby thats all-too-suspiciously like a certain dead brother and becomes a single dad-younger brother-adopted guardian person...

i wrote a few pages of this back in 2022 but never really thought abt it further after i started posting less frequently hahaha.... heres just some feel good domestic sketches of this AU bc i miss drawing modern clothes 🤭 i have sooo many thoughts about it that i couldnt fit into these doodles !! its quite a lot of yapping so feel free to skip past the cut haha

assorted au thoughts:

i planned for maglor to eventually find all 6 of his brothers one by one through the power of Accidental Child Acquisition ✨ example: he'd spot a kid lurking around some woods near his home and eventually realise said wild child living amongst stray dogs is a bit too similar to celegorm

i just couldnt fit in the time to draw that this round... maybe next time!

though he's raising reincarnated-Maedhros, i think it makes more sense for him to give him a modern name and not explicitly call him Nelyo/Maitimo/Russandol just bc he'd not want to get his own hopes up or shove said identity onto the kid

(the occasional 'hey Nelyo' does slip out by accident from time to time however)

i think as Mae-the-kid grows up he will in time start to remember bits and pieces of his original identity? with the nicer familial things (like valinor, his brothers, feanor and nerdanel) first, and then the darker things (kinslayings, angband, war) once he's grown up that Maglor will struggle explaining or even helping him through

i promise this is a wholesome au 😭

side characters include a high-strung but good guy policeman named Officer Borden who's very suspicious of Maglor bc of all the random kids he keeps adopting.... and his younger brother Farren, who happens to be Maglor's scholarly coworker

as well as Maglor's next door neighbour Morgan, a witch-woman married to some guy named Hugh... she's got 3 kids who visit from time to time but from what Maglor's heard, the oldest son is followed by misfortune and has supposedly never met his youngest sister...?

credit to Ted Nasmith and Cartoon Network for some assets used in the doodles :D

[thesummerestsolstice]

My Headcanon Crafts for the House of Feanor:

Nerdanel: a sculptor; about the best in all of Valinor. Many of her early sculptures were praised, but also seen as a bit strange because they looked so real, but no one could identify any model they'd been based off of. Later, it would be recognized that she'd sculpted several of her own children, long before they were born.

Maedhros: an actor. Back in Valinor, he often played romantic leads in comedies and tragedies alike. He was very dramatic back in the years of trees, but got more subdued in Middle-Earth for... obvious reasons. A few of the posters for plays he was in made their way to Middle-Earth and got passed around Himring like contraband.

Maglor: a bard. While he often composed his own songs, he was also one of those charged with memorizing the old oral history of the Quendi– the elven equivalent of like, being able to memorize and recite the Iliad. Much of this early Elvish history was almost lost by the end of the First Age, and Maglor attempted to preserve it by writing it down. Eventually, those books ended up saved in Rivendell's library.

Celegorm: a hunter in Orome's train. Was famous for his ability to hit quickly moving targets through the thick forests of Valinor, even when mounted. He also enjoyed making various things out of the pelts, teeth, claws, and antlers of his kills. He's made very nice fur coats for several of his siblings and cousins.

Caranthir: a fiber artist; mostly focusing on weaving and embroidery. He's not sure whether to feel flattered or vaguely worried by all the Miriel comparisons. He insisted on making most of his family's formal clothing because all of Feanor's kids can get at least a little craft-related hubris. As a treat.

Curufin: a smith. His father was most famous for his jewelry, but Curufin would come to be known mostly for his weapons. They were so reliable that many of them lasted until the Third Age. There are rumors he poured some of his soul into the weapons he made for his brothers. But those are only rumors.

Amras & Amrod: painters. They specialized in incredibly detailed landscape paintings. I say "they" because all their works were done together; Amrod would make the sketch and darker linework and Amras would add the colors and shading. Their work was often very nostalgic and peaceful, with bright watercolors and gentle shadows.

Bonus! Feanor saved a lot of his kids' work from when they were really young and just starting their crafts. It's all what you'd expect from a small child's art, but Feanor still acts like they're masterpieces. His kids all think it's super embarrassing but he's really proud of them.

Headcanons for Finwe and his Children, the House of Fingolfin, the House of Finarfin, and the rest of the House of Finwe. Thanks for asking about Finwe's grandkids @hyperlexia-1 :)

[victorie552]

Ok, so Noldolantë, "The Fall of the Noldor" is a lament composed by Maglor about what happened before, during and after First Kinslaying at Alqualondë. It's such a good song that it's played regularly in Aman and Valar listen to it often (I swear, I swear it was in the Silmarillion I just can't find it now).

It's also a more or less common fanon that Maglor continues writing Noldolante through the whole First Age. Makes sense - it's about fall of the Noldor, and Noldor did a lot of falling back then.

Headcannon time: So my first thought was that Noldolante must a long, long, long epic of a song. So it probably has many parts, right? Iliad has 24 books/parts, somehow I think Noldolante would be at least just as long, and there are longer epics. And again, just like Iliad, unless you're a scholar, in the daily life you don't really listen to/read the whole thing, just reread and repeat the most dramatic fragments. What I'm trying to impress upon you all is that the story would have different segments, or chapters, if you will.

And if Maglor continues to write the story during the FA, there would absolutely be a moment in the lament where the OG Noldolante becomes Noldolante 2, and even Noldolante 3. There may be the same musical motif or something, I decided that Maglor IS that good of a bard to keep it all consistent enough so you know it's all the same story, but the style changes a lot - it's been 400 years in the making, let The Music Elf have fun!

So, Point 1: Many, Many Parts, basically Maglor's FA WIP

My second thought was that, while Feanor invented his alphabet, elves learned their history mostly through oral tradition aka songs and spoken stories. Noldolante is definitely a historical record, where a historical event was archived for future generations.

(It was a also a way to deal with grief, guilt and blame Maglor and all Noldor have faced regarding First Kinslaying - free therapy! But that's not what this post is about)

Archived.

My 2.5 thought was that Noldolante isn't just recallings of how pretty and horrified the beach looked during the murdering or how mad and sorrowful the sea was at everyone during the voyage or even how awesome and charismatic Feanor looked during his speeches that every single Noldo was ready to fight Morgoth barehanded in his name - no, this is a record of who killed who, who got killed by whom, and how.

Noldor and Teleri knew each other (were friends, even!) before the First Kinslaying, so I'm confident that after a lot of interviews, detective work, and cross-referencing, Maglor could and would create a very good... name list. Practically every Noldo and Teler present during First Kinslaying would get a stanza in a song, more if he killed someone, most if he killed many people. Killers and killed would show up twice, first in a fragment listing the killers and their victims, then in a part listing the victims and their murderers. Basically it's the same thing twice, but from different POVs. With when, where and how included.

(It was seen to be in bad taste to compare kills during Maglor's Regency, when most of his interview-part work happened. People did it anyway. There were a Saddest Kill, Funniest Kill, and Weirdest Kill discusions. There was a Tier List. These were weird times to be a Feanorian Noldo.)

(It WAS in Bad Taste, but at least people talked about it. I cannot stress enough how much free therapy this lament provided)

(Little did they know, when Teleri started getting reembodied in Aman, they had very similar discussions, but more in a "I can't believe he killed me like THAT" way. Long, long, long after the First Age. Noldolante is a gift that keeps giving)

So, Maglor had all the historical grith and no common shame to create a "We Killed All These People And We Feel Bad About It" banger of a song, and every Noldo had a very personal reason to at least remember the fragments they are in. It's a hit on a scale never seen before.

(I'm not sure how to tackle the issue of Nolofinweans and Arafinweans learning about Noldolante after crossing the Ice. But there were discussions. There was anger, there was "????", there was controversy. Basically, the song got bigger and bigger rep no matter what your opinion on it was. By the time of Mereth Aderthad it was an important cultural and political piece and at least Fingon's forces were included in the main song. It had parodies.)

Point 2: Archive Function/Kill count storage. Cultural phenomen, every Noldo included

This is where my personal nonsense begins: Main Noldolante was done, there was nothing more to say about First Kinslaying, all killings and deaths were well documented.

But the Siege started. And the Noldor kept dying.

It was less dramatic than it sounded - between the big battles the siege was maintained, but orc raids also happened and sometimes one to few Noldor died in skirmishes. The legal procedure was to document the death of a fellow elf and send a word to king Fingolfin. The cultural procedure, technically started by Feranorians but adapted by many more, was to send the name, common characteristics and cause of death to Maglor's Gap. After few months, King Fingolfin would send reinforcements, short condolences and financial compensation if they had family. After few months, family of an elf would also receive a personal lament for them and a place for them in a Noldolante.

Yes, every lament Maglor created in that time was technically part of the Noldolante. Noldolante 1.5, if you will. Laments make in that time were very customized, and simpler than Noldolante Main, but were still considered a part of the same song. Of course, nobody was expected to know and remember laments for every single Noldo, younger Noldor born in Beleriand could even only know fragments about their family members. Only Maglor would ever know Noldolante in full, but it was understood that everyone had their place in The Song.

The results of Great Battles were harder to document, but Maglor did that. Of course, Dagor Bragollach was hard on him personally, but he worked his way through.

(High King Fingon forbade creating laments for his father. There were no songs for Fingolfin. Apart from in Noldolante, of course. Of course. Maglor did not share the lament with anyone, but he sat long hours and many nights with a blank paper before him, looking at the candle flame and thinking of the past and the future. The song unsung, but there)

Nirnaeth was... Maglor was never more hated and more approached at the same time than then. Still, Noldolante grew and grew, as if people knew the end was near.

It was Second Kinslaying that destroyed the myth of Maglor's song. Feanorians didn't know the Sindar they killed, but surely, they couldn't just left their names unmentioned like they did with orcs? So, Noldor talked, but the battle happened in caves - it wasn't uncommon to find dead bodies in empty rooms, with no witnesses to what happened. Surviving Sindar didn't want to share any names, even when Maglor strong-armed some into talking with him, and good for them. Maglor made a big lament anyway. Maglor, wild, with no shame and dead brothers, with legacy crumbling around him. Noldolante, with holes.

After Third Kinslaying, Noldor didn't want to talk. Lament for Sirion didn't have any names. Clearly, songs weren't a way to go anymore, it was always about live witnesses. And so Maglor raised the twins.

Lament for Maedhros was sung repeatedly. There was no one to hear it.

Point 3: Only Maglor knows Noldolante in full. But that doesn't matter, because everyone knows the important part: the Noldolante is finished. The Star of Hope rises in the West and the story goes on. The Fall has ended.

[eccentricmya]

I had this sudden thought... What if the bits about kidnap fam in the silm were added because Elrond is actually delusional and desperate for parental love?

Nobody found the twins in the cave. They grew into this feral eldritch abomination, cut off from civilization and given up for dead by everyone. During the war of wrath, they stumble out of their nomadic dwelling and are discovered by the host of Aman. They are told of the third kinslaying (after they learn spoken language, since they communicated mostly through images and feelings sent via osanwe) and the fate of their kinsmen and ultimately, taken under Gil-Galad's wing.

Years later, when Elros has chosen to masquerade as a normal mannish creature and swanned off to his island, Elrond encounters a wandering Maglor. He recognises the lament he sings, the Noldolantë, and the ruined hand he connects to the Thieves of the Silmaril he was told about. Elrond is tempted to punish this kinslayer for all the grief he has caused him, but pity stays his hand. They spend some months together, Elrond trying to bring back Maglor to his right mind. But the Noldo speaks of nothing but his overwhelming guilt — for the ones he killed, for the ones he orphaned, and for the brothers he could not follow in death. Elrond feels like they are kindred spirits, forsaken by their family, doomed to a lonely existence.

Yet one winter eve, Maglor disappears in the dead of the night. Leaving behind a song of apology whose notes linger in the air long after he is gone.

Elrond is devastated. He cannot survive another leaving him. So he builds this fantasy in his head. Where he and Elros were found by Maglor in their little cave, years ago when they still wished to be found. And Maglor would take the twins with him to Maedhros, the brother whom Maglor loved like Elrond loves Elros, yet still lost to death, just like Elrond would lose his own. The four would dwell together for long years to come and love would grow between them.

And this fantasy is what history recorded. So that Elrond and Elros would grow up loved, and Maglor would still have family on the shores he wandered.

[sombredancer]

My tribute to "The Silmarillion", part 2. Embroidery of Silmarils and their fate. To the Sea One Silmaril was thrown by Maglor in the depths of sea because it had burnt his hands unbearable. You can see here the ocean waves, the star of the House of Fёanor, Maglor's hair, Maglor's hands burnt to the flesh and the Everlasting light of Silmaril in them.

To the Earth The other Silmaril was buried in the core of the Earth with it's host, Maedhros, because of the pain that jewel caused. You can see here the red wave of magma swallowing Maedhros, two white lilies as a symbol of his death, the star of the House of Fёanor, Maedhros' hair, his golden hand instead of missing one, the left hand burnt to the flesh and the Everlasting light of Silmaril shining through his fist.

Arda Envinyanta The third Silmaril is in the hands of his creator, Fёanor. It`s told that at the end of times he will resurrect and break his jewels by himself in order to return the Everlasting Light to Arda Healed. You can see here some blooming flowers of Arda Healed, the star of the House of Fёanor, Fёanor's hair with the flower hairpin (each flower of which represents one of his seven sons), his hands adorned with rings and the Everlasting light of Silmaril above them.

For more entourage photos and close-ups you can visit my AO3:

[imakemywings]

Below will be fanfic recs for TOLKIEN, HADES, DRAGON AGE, MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA and THE TERROR. Once again, I’ve tried to break the Tolkien recs down by character groupings but you all know what a thankless task that is. Asterisks by particular faves! (〜￣▽￣)〜

(Photo credit to Craig Pattenaude on Unsplash.)

Past fanfic rec lists

Tolkien

Sindar

As a River Flowing Into the Sea by Melesta - E - 3.2k - Elwing nurses a long-standing crush on Princess Idril. Love the symbolism and the characterizations here!

Bitter was Their Parting by Atalantie - G - 2.2k - I can’t speak, I’m crying about Arwen and Elrond.

Different Ways to Light a Path by baby_bat_98 - G - 5.1k - If you are looking for early stages of Gimli and Legolas coming to understand each other this fic is for you! Legolas is having a very bad no good time in Moria and Gimli offers some assistance.

* Chain and Trammels by am_fae - G - 322 - AHHH! It is SO testament to Lark’s writing ability that so much is fit into such a short fic. This speaks VOLUMES about Melian and her choices pre-canon and throughout Silm. And so poetically written, as always!

Hemlock and Niphredil by theScrap_Witch - G - 4k - Absolutely wonderful and crushing examination of Thingol and Elrond in Aman bonding over a daughter who chose mortality.

* A King is He That Can Hold His Own by iddump - I hear you. But Mae, you say, you’ve recced this fic like five times already. but listen. Listen. This week’s new chapter was so good it has to go on here again. Blown away once more by iddump’s grasp not only on the characters but their relationships with each other. This fic is a thesis statement on Maedhros and Thingol and I am here. for. it.

Nothing Beside Remains by TheChasm - G - 1k - Elrond and Elros take a trip to Doriath and everything is bittersweet. Wonderful exploration of their relationship to each other as well as to their family history.

* The Redemption of Daeron by Runedhel - T - 7.3 - Entirely in verse, this dedicated love letter to Tolkien and Daeron in particular blew me away. This author has fantastic talent and I was amazed at how well Tolkien's poetical style was captured. And of course, I love a happy ending for Daeron, even if it takes him a while to get there <3

The Self is Not So Weightless by Alyss_Baskerville - G - 1.3k - Sobbing again over Elwing meeting Thingol in Valinor. Absolutely wonderful fic!

To Speak of Nothing by Alyss_Baskerville - G - 3.7k - Honestly going a little wild over this take on Elrond and Elros’ relationship with Maedhros and Maglor. This look at the twins’ final goodbye to their kidnappers and caretakers is SO good and also shows how each of them views it a little differently.

Noldor

The Beloved by am_fae - E - 7.1k - Lark literally never misses. Once again Finrod and Sauron’s dynamic is utterly transfixing and their growing internal conflict over their feelings is delicious.

* Calma, Lambe, Lambe, Ore by sallysavestheday - G - 656 - Maglor and Daeron both made me laugh here and I loved the tone of this piece. Pretentious Maglor and snarky Daeron makes for such a fun dynamic.

The Chain that Snaps by am_fae - T - 5k - This masterpiece comes to a stunning and explosive conclusion to masterful effect. The emotions here come through so powerfully and vividly you can't help but be on the edge of your seat.

Deliberate by unendingwanderlust - E - 1.1k - Delightful bit of Meladriel smut with Galadriel getting the spanking she sorely needs. Very fun character dynamics!

Ensnared by swanmaiden - E - 749 - Messy messy Celegorm fucking one of his followers. His attitude here is so believable and as usual, Heather excels at capturing self-destructive characters. Nice work!

Hearth Fire by Atalantie - G - 1.4k Lovely little look at a tenderer, if still contentious, relationship between Feanor and Findis as the rebellion of the Noldor draws nigh.

In Fields of Gold by Arveldis - G - 350 - This is such a lovely glimpse of Finwe and Indis’ happiness and love. Beautiful imagery!

Just Call Me Home by sallysavestheday - T - 1k - A sweet moment between Celebrimbor and Finduilas after Celebrimbor disowns Curufin. Very touching <3

Maglor Indebted by SpaceAsthmatic - T - 8.2k - Very interesting look at Third Age relationships! When Maglor is badly wounded, he’s found and nursed back to health by an unlikely culprit–Legolas, only child of Thranduil, former Doriathrim. I really enjoyed the character interactions here!

Most Grievous of Partings by AngelQueen - T - 2.3k - Ahhh this look at Feanor and Nerdanel’s last parting is SO </3 The author does a great job capturing Nerdanel’s perspective.

Sown as Seed in the Dark by Melesta - G - 837 - The flowers are on Fingolfin’s side. Beautiful dialogue, and another angle for us all to weep about Fingolfin.

Starless by ncfan - T - 1k - Wonderfully claustrophobic look at Aredhel’s pregnancy in Nan Elmoth.

Tapestry of Years by NiennaWept - M - 5.7k - Love the dynamic between Galadriel and Melian here, and how despite her best intentions, Galadriel just can’t stay away.

True Wife by spellworth - G - 700 - You know that feeling when you supported someone on something because it seemed right and then later you realized they were totally in the wrong? Nerdanel knows that feeling :’) Fantastic dialogue and I love how the relationship between Feanor and Nerdanel is portrayed here.

Untitled by tanoraqui - This is such a fun look both at Finarfin’s relationship with Earwen as well as his position as Finwe’s youngest child. Great prose and a really sweet relationship between Finarfin and Earwen here!

Untitled by that-angry-noldo - ugly crying about Finarfin and Finrod’s relationship…also Finrod’s relationship with Nargothrond…really great work in using only a few lines to convey so much.

* Wan Little Husks of Autofiction by clovis_unleashed - T - 7.6k - Ahhh this is SUCH a fucking fantastic characters study of both Maglor and Daeron and how they are processing the Feanorian violence of the First Age a long time past. Absolutely phenomenal conceit of the conversation allegedly being about music. Cannot recommend enough.

Who did I suborn to do this piece? by birrdieEdwards - M - 1.1k - Fucking oof, brutal look at the kinslaying at Sirion with a painfully realistic Maglor and just enough canon divergence to make it that much more tragic.

Men

Ease Out the Thorns by myliobatis - G - 1k - Eowyn tries to help her soon-to-be-wife Faramir feel more comfortable in her own skin. A really sweet fic <3

The Horn of Gondor by saentorine - T - 3.5k - Very sweet and yet foreboding look at Boromir in the final days of Finduilas’ pregnancy with Faramir.

Labor of Love by Scyllas_revenge - G - 2.6k - Little Aragorn with his Super Serious crush on Arwen is adorable and poor Bilbo gets caught up in this XD

The Last Queen of Numenor by NevillesGran - G - 2.1k - Beautiful meeting between Tar-Miriel and Earendil at the fall of Numenor. Really captures the mythological energy!

Lavender Fields by Spurandsaddle - T - 507 - Arwen is less-than-subtle with her flirting, but it still takes Eowyn a moment to grasp it.

Rebuilding by bomberqueen17 - M - 7.7k - Excellent portrayals of both Eowyn and Lothiriel. A believable coming-together after the fight for Minas Tirith and good explorations of their feelings about their roles in life generally!

Ride Out with Me by raiyana - E - 2.1k - A really cute Eowyn/OFC fic from Eowyn’s youth!

Terra Incognita by aurembiaux - E - 8.1k - Faramir’s only been with men. Eowyn’s only been with women. They both try to get through their wedding night without having to admit this. Cute, sweet, funny.

With Every Seed You Sow, Let it Wash Away, Wash Away by hexagons - G - 3.9k - A beautiful exploration of Faramir post-canon and his budding friendship with Legolas. Excellent character portrayals!

Hobbits

Come True by Vulgarweed - G - 1.7k - Cute little fic about Elanor Gamgee meeting one of her heroes: Eowyn of Rohan.

Hades

Eternal Reward by cyankelpie - G - 2.3k - A lovely and touching look at the start of Asterius and Theseus' friendship.

Night Sightings by youtomyme - E - 6k - Sexy voyeurism between Hades and Persephone with Nyx's help.

Dragon Age

Anything Worth Doing by @chocochipbiscuit - E - 4.7k - Fabulous look at both Aveline and Isabela and the shift in their relationship after Aveline and Donnic divorce. I really enjoyed how real this felt (but still sexy!) I felt like this captured believable attitudes for women well into adulthood and that was very enjoyable.

Mass Effect Andromeda

Drusilla's Phosphorescent Adventure by drladybird - T - 6.6k - This is SUCH a fun look at Peebee and Vetra's relationship. Their banter fascinated me in-game and this fic does a commendable effort at capturing both the initial tension and the developing friendship.

Not So Recent History by Inquartata - T - 2.8k - Hundreds of years after the Andromeda Initiative arrives, Ellen Ryder awakes and meets Peebee, then a matron. Honestly, this fic convinced me that Ellen/Peebee is a far more compelling ship than Rybee. Let Ellen have some fun!

The Terror

Come Knocking by wildflower_47 - E - 3.5k - Delightful shenanigans when Francis, newly promoted, arrives at Franklin's house with a polite gift and is waylaid by a very intent Sophia. Love the dynamic of their relationship here!

Dark Red by flowermasters - E - 2.8k - Tasty sexy university AU where Francis is a professor at Sophia's university and she likes having a toy around. Really does a great job capturing the physical intimacy combined with the absence of true emotional intimacy.

An Ember, Stoked by Anonymous - E - 3.7k - Did you know "The Terror" has the most fanfics in the "sexual dysfunction" tag? Jopson is here to help Captain Crozier out with that.

Find the Wind to Fill My Sails by mothicalcreatures - G - 1.1k - A really touching moment where Sophia helps transwoman!Crozier explore privately presenting as a woman for the first time.

State of Grace/A Closing Flower by sshysmm - T - 432 - A short, sweet moment between Sophia and Francis before the departure of the expedition.

[sesamenom]

more from the maglor through history au (for modern maglor)!

his mental health has improved enough that he needs to wear sunglasses now to not alarm/injure people with his super bright Treelight eyes. (especially when he's extra emotional because Finwean Glowy Eyes is a problem when you're surrounded by Men)

he picked up the glove because his silmaril-burns never really healed. when he's not wearing it he usually sticks his right hand in his pocket

alternate version:

[polutrope]

End of Year Recs

Inspired by @sallysavestheday's 8+8+8+8 Fic Recs, but with my own twist.

Below the cut, you will find 8 Fics by My Mainstays, 8 Fics by Authors New to Me, and 8 Works of Art.

As with any rec list, it's always hard to narrow it down -- but I also think rec lists are an important part of the fandom ecosystem and I've found many great fics I never would have clicked through them. Please look at my Bookmarks for more fics I loved, and please know you're all amazing for creating and sharing in this incredibly talented fandom 😚.

Many M- and E-rated fanworks below the cut because lbr, that's my jam.

8 Fics by My Mainstays

Some of my favourites by authors who have been consistently putting out writing I love well past the last year, many of whom I am fortunate to call friends.

Sing Thy Memories, Take My Hand by @melestasflight (E, 5.8k). Fingon/Maglor.

‘You have returned to Middle-earth for Maglor Fëanorion, you said?’ Elrond asks. ‘Yes, I am to beckon him come back to Valinor at last,’ Fingon answers hopefully. Few others had been willing to return to Middle-earth, and Fingon had already saved a Fëanorian cousin before. That made him more qualified for this task than most.

Melesta my dear, you put out some truly exceptional writing this year but holy damn did this blow me out of the water. You brought all of your powers to bear on this fic and it shows. Beautiful landscapes, complicated emotions, and sensuous smut.

i've been so worried (you've been so still) by @welcomingdisaster (E, 9.5k). Maglor/OFC.

A maiden of Estë does not explain. A maiden of Estë does not hold anger. A maiden of Estë does not tell what she has seen. A maiden of Estë does not follow kinslayers across the sea, nor does she sleep with the high regent of the Noldor.

Lena, you reached into my brain and pulled out the perfect fic for me. Ellind is a compelling OC, the Feanorian dynamics are so crunchy, the worldbuilding is fascinating and -- crucially -- Maglor is so sexy.

Filature by @sallysavestheday (G, 0.8k). Fingon.

After Thangorodrim, Fingon tries to come to terms with the urgency of Beleriand.

I am just screaming about the way sally uses her powers of economically florid (yes, it's a thing) language to delve into themes that are so core to Tolkien's writings through this character study of Fingon.

Strange Currencies by @jouissants (E, 67.2k, WiP). Maedhros/Maglor.

When Maedhros and Maglor fall together, they don't expect it to matter. Ages later, Maedhros is reembodied in Valinor to find himself married to a ghost. He and Maglor must face the repercussions of their history in Beleriand to move forward together, whether they want to or not.

How could I pick just one! I love everything you write, you know this. But it had to be this one. This fic just radiates love -- between the characters, and by the author for the characters. It's richly emotional, atmospheric, sometimes funny, and deeply engaged with canon in unexpected ways. Even if you don't care for the pairing or the tropes, please read it for the flashbacks. And don't say I didn't warn you if you're drawn in for the rest.

join my barren soil by @meadowlarkx (E, 11.1k). Maedhros/Maglor.

A familiar sound: the door Maglor had hung, parting in a rustle of leaves and cloth. Maedhros closed his eyes. “He wasn’t alone,” someone called out with grim satisfaction. “Brought a bedwarmer for the road.”

This gripped my heart with pain and then released it tenderly. Such an intricate and thoughtful fic. If the warnings make you wary but you're up to giving it a try, DO IT. Lark will never let you down with the tough themes.

An Incarnation by @i-am-a-lonely-visitor (M, 63.1k). Elrond & Family.

Haunted by a lifetime of grief even in the bliss of Aman, Elrond finds himself in a strange predicament — as the rest of his family learns how to survive the Fourth Age on two sides of the Sea.

Again, how do I pick but one fic by visitor? Of course, in the end, it had to be this final installment of his sprawling Elrondverse that I have been consuming like a fine dark chocolate these past few years. Another fic that just radiates affection for the characters and their world. Come for the delectable prose, spicy smut, and juicy conflict; stay for the eldritch identity fuckery and eggpreg.

To Evil End by @zealouswerewolfcollector (E, 2.9k). Fingon/Maedhros.

Decades after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Fingon comes back to Maedhros.

Every time this author posts something with a complicated premise (which is almost always), I'm like /grabby hands/ gimme gimme gimme. This story gave me many chills. Hewer is a master of succinct and punchy dialogue. I can't believe it's less than 3k, for the impact it's had on my imagination.

it does not disturb your flesh by @crownlessliestheking (E, 50.7k). Celebrimbor/Earendil/Elwing.

There is a Fëanorian in the Havens of Sirion, and Elwing Dior’s daughter is allowing it.

I had no idea what to expect with this throuple and I was blown away by the characterisations, conflicts, and fascinating worldbuilding.

8 Fics by Authors New To Me

Some of my favourite fics by authors I read for the first time this year, and who made my fandom experience richer.

Succour by @misst1ff (E, 3.5k). Hunleth/Mablung.

Hunleth of the Haladin copes with loss and injury after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and finds healing with Mablung of Doriath.

mouse's writing is crisp, clever, and funny and I'm so glad they're putting those powers to use on some less-explored characters. This fic is proof that straightforward PIV smut can be hot as hell. I love the use of cultural difference. Don't miss the follow-up threesome, either.

the darkness got a hold on me by @luthnethril (E, 7.3k). Daeron/Maglor, Maedhros/Maglor.

Daeron wants to throttle him. He wants to grab him by the collar of his lace robes and slam him against the wall—he wants to wipe that arrogant smirk off his face. "You can have a taste," Maedhros tells him, pushing him slightly forward towards Maglor's open legs. "Given that we are all here to promote relations with our respective peoples, I have decided to be generous."

I went into this skeptical of this triangulation but the author totally convinced me. I also really liked this Daeron and the way they did a Daeron-son-of-Elu that fit into Silm canon, for me.

make me come alive by @queerofthedagger (E, 6k) Maedhros/Maglor.

Maglor struggles to give up control. Maedhros makes sure that he learns.

I love this darker take on the uses of osanwe and on Maemag. It's also incredibly hot. I hope qotd sticks around the fandom for a bit, I'm loving the characterisations and voices they are bringing to some of my faves.

Threnody for the Dispossessed by kenaz. (T, 11.3k). Daeron/Maglor.

When the Valar recall Maglor to Valinor to plead for clemency, it falls to a reluctant rival to find him.

I couldn't believe I'd never read this Daemags before. It was so richly described and I love the characterisations of both, but especially Daeron's first-person POV.

spinning circles in your warm blood by @aredhels (M, 0.6k). Daeron/Luthien.

”Oh, brother,” she sighs as she kisses Daeron’s jaw, ”no one knows me like thee.”

It's the incestuous twist on "Daeron is Luthien's brother" that you never knew you needed. The codependence is so good, the prose beautiful.

rules of betrayal by @tobermoriansass (E, 42.5k). Curufin/Curufin's Wife ... and whole bunch of others.

Finrod attempts an experiment in the name of scientific, Noldorin curiosity about sex, the elf and spiritual enlightenment. It does not go as planned.

I can't belieeeeve clovis is a new author to me this year because they've been such a core part of my 2024 fic reading experience. I have never turned around and re-read a fic as quickly as I did rules of betrayal. A true testament to the way sex-in-art can open up avenues of character and psychology that nothing else can.

Spear-fishing for Ghosts by birrdieEdwards (T, 3.4k). Indis.

Then, her hide jerkin had been proof against tooth and claw and her stone spearpoint had been dipped in the blood of dark hunters and fell beasts. Now, her steel armament was shining and new and had never seen battle.

An entirely unexpected fill for a 2-year-old silmkinkmeme prompt of mine asking for Vanya POV on the War of Wrath. Everything about this fic is unique and I am in awe of this complex, intricate Indis characterisation. The rest of the fics in the series are just as good.

The Thorn is Exceedingly Sharp by @littlewhitemouseagain (E, 16.2k). Curufin/Eol.

After bellowing with laughter at the thought of such a contest, Telchar gathered the two elves up and proposed it to them at once: “A challenge of weapon-craft; the better-made weapon wins. Easy as that.” “What weapon?” asked Eol. “Swords?” asked Curufin, one ring-bedecked hand curled under his chin. Eol glanced at him, but Curufin kept his gaze on Telchar. “I can make no lesser of a blade than you.” “Ah,” Curufin mock-realized, rolling his eyes up at the cavern ceiling (an elven habit, as they often appealed to stars in their rhetoric), “I was being rude in suggesting a contest that would favor my skills. Perhaps, instead—” “And how does it favor you?” asked Eol, cold and biting.

I can't believe I've only been reading Littlewhitemouse for less than a year, either. Everything of theirs is so unique, so clever, so profound yet irreverent at once. I had trouble choosing just one of their fics, but ended up on this most recent Silmfic because it's a testament to how they manage to make a story about awful people so good and so compelling. And the sexual tension is hot as hell.

8 Works of Art

Some of the fanart that left an impression on me this year.

Maglor by @myceliumelium. I just love my guy looking wretched and beautiful with a spattering of blood.

Dior and Celegorm by @aamuusva. Dior the Fair, INDEED. I love his beauty and fierceness, I love Celegorm's unrepentant look.

Maglor by @exercise-of-trust. I don't know how to say it but he's just the ideal Maglor to me. And I love this artist's style.

Fingolfin by @ylieke. The DEFIANCE and GRIEF in this elf's eyes just pierces me right in the heart.

Amrod threatens Elrond and Elros by @runawaymun. An illustration for my fic! The artist went all-in on the horror of this moment and it's breathtaking.

Maedhros/Maglor by @tari-cua. I love everything tari-cua creates. The art is so lush and sensuous and their Maedhros and Maglor are so distinctly characterised. The fic @danmeiljie wrote inspired by this is a perfect accompaniment.

Reunion on the Beach by @arlenianchronicles. The beautiful, emotional art of Maglor and Elrond that I spent all summer staring at for TRSB.

Maglor's penance by @magicinavalon. Last but certainly not least, the strong, naked, tied-up Maglor we all deserve. Please also read the fic it illustrates by @queerofthedagger, you will NOT be disappointed.

[thescrapwitch]

Thank you @queerofthedagger for tagging me!

As we're finishing out 2024, what is one thing from your writing this year that you're particularly proud of? And what is one fic you wrote that you would recommend for others to read?

I’m really proud of the number of fics I was able to write this year and the new characters I was able to play around with (Daeron! Bilbo! Sons of Fëanor who aren’t Maglor or Maedhros!) Also, I’m starting to feel a sort of style? Or a change (hopefully an improvement!) in my writing which I like and want to further develop.

The fic that I’m most proud of this year is Reforged, which is finally COMPLETE! I loved following Maeglin through so many thousands of years of history and exploring relationships I otherwise hadn’t had the opportunity to. The story’s theme of carrying on and remaking yourself as the world changes (tied in with themes of craft and making art) I felt turned out very strong.

One fic that I wrote this year that I would recommend for others to read The Trial of Crablor Fëanorion. (Crab vs Valinor court of law! Who will win?) I had WAY too much fun writing this fic and it still makes me laugh whenever I reread it, and I hope that it makes others laugh too. One of the silliest things I’ve ever written; I love it so much.

Tagging: @dreamingthroughthenoise @camille-lachenille @whovianofmidgard @beatles4ever65 @lordgrimwing @zannolin and whoever else wants to join in! No pressure of course!

[saurongorthaur9]

I love ur posts about sauron💖💖

Do you think if sauron had to fight all 7 sons of feanor, would he win? He's most powerful creature in middle earth after morgoth right?

And whatever skills they have (politics, singing, administration, hunting...) sauron has every single one of them.

Aw, I'm glad you enjoy my hyperfixated ramblings on my favorite Dark Lord <3

As for the hypothetical scenario, I think your question hinges on a couple things: 1) what "fighting" means, and 2) at what point in time it's happening.

One, we know that Sauron isn't the best at physical combat. The few times we see him participating in some type of physical combat, he doesn't come out on top. I think if all seven Feanorians ganged up on him at once in physical combat, the Feanorians would probably win.

On the other hand, if it was more of a political battle, or something other than a physical combat, I think Sauron would have the edge. We know that's the battlefield where Sauron truly excels. We know he can be outwitted there - we see it happen in LOTR - but that takes most of Middle-earth absolutely greatest and wisest minds to do. But I think Sauron would have the edge over the Feanorians for several reasons.

I think Sauron would find the Feanorians fairly easy to manipulate. First, they've got the constraints of their Oath, which Sauron would absolutely use against them. And second, from what we know of the individual Feanorian's weaknesses, I think Sauron would be able to exploit those. Maedhros tends to be too trusting; it's how Morgoth captured him in the first place, and he also trusted Ulfang, which was a large reason why the Feanorians lost the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Then you've got the three Cs, who all tend to be rash, impetuous, easily angered, and not great about thinking through their plans. Sauron, who is known for his patience and using the rashness of others against them, would absolutely eat those three for breakfast. Maglor's flaw seems to be that he's too passive; I think he'd be harder for Sauron to manipulate, but he tends to just follow his other brothers even when he doesn't agree with what they're doing. And we really don't know too much about the Ambarussa, but they seem similar to Maglor in that they tend to be more passive and just follow their more impetuous brothers.

All of this to say: I think Sauron would have an absolute heyday playing mind games with them, manipulating them, turning them against one another, and generally playing with them like a cat with a mouse.

A second, more minor, point is what time in history this hypothetical fight is taking place. If it is right after the Feanorians arrive in Beleriand, I think Sauron would have an easier time with them than later in the First Age when they've established themselves and are acting a little less impetuously after they've lost a few battles. I still think Sauron would win if it was a fight other than physical, but I think he might have a bit of a trickier time with it.

TLDR: Sauron would lose in a physical fight against all seven sons of Feanor at once, but if it was some form of mental or political fight, the Feanorians would be toast.

Thanks for the ask!

[aylen-san]

Night slowly descended upon the world, enveloping the jungle in silence, broken only by the sounds of insects and distant animal cries. Maglor sat motionless, as if part of the old cliff, but his mind wandered through the dark depths of memories.

His thoughts repeatedly returned to those he had lost: his brothers who fell in the bloody struggle for the Silmarils, the elves who, in their pride, defied fate, and the humans who came after them and brought new tragedies. He remembered how they fought, loved, built, and destroyed. In every step they took was hope for a better future, but each time they fell victim to their own pride.

He sighed, and his gaze turned once more to the creatures that might one day take the place of humans.

Hours passed, and finally one of the creatures cautiously began to play with a stone, tapping it against another. It looked helpless in its attempts, but there was a glimmer of some kind of awareness. Maglor suddenly felt something strange—a faint glimmer of hope. He knew that this new form of life, if given a chance, might find its own way.

But in that hope, there was also something bitter. How many people had he seen in his eternal life? How many lives had he touched with his voice, with his music? And how many of them had died, repeating the same mistakes?

"This land remembers more than you can imagine," he whispered into the night air. "You will take up the fire again, build cities again, and destroy everything once more. Such is your path."

Suddenly, a roar echoed in the distance—powerful, deep, and ancient. The creatures sitting by the tree, caught off guard, hurriedly scattered into the thick underbrush. Maglor remained in place, his cold eyes watching as darkness claimed the jungle.

"But for now, you have time," he muttered faintly. "Maybe this time history will turn out differently."

He stood up, feeling the weight of all the ages he had lived, and before turning back into the depths of a world that was no longer his home, he took one last look at the disappearing silhouettes of the creatures. And though his soul was scorched by eternal sorrow, in that moment, a shadow of desire flickered within— that at least some of them might reach the other world that his friends and brothers once aspired to.

Maglor took a deeper breath and turned to the horizon, where the first stars were breaking through. They were silent witnesses to his long journey, just as he was to theirs. In this world, no elves remained, but their songs might still find their listeners in the future.

[whovianofmidgard]

Okay I have to know what Edain FM is about

Thank you! (links to the ask games and WIP list)

I have shared a few snippets previously here, here and here but the concept for Edain FM is about Maglor returning to Aman in the Seventh Age after going through the span of human history and sharing the various human cultures that he had encountered to the elves... through creating a radio channel playing human music.

Here's the newest shenanigance I have added:

As it was custom in this family meal times were a noisy affair. Plates and dishes were passed around, short lived squabbles arising over someone hogging the mashed potatoes or who gets to take the last piece of meat. And also, the usual question Nerdanel always asked of what were her son’s plans for the afternoon. The Ambarussar were just finishing up describing their hairbrained experiments they wanted to try with their herbs that sounded alarmingly like making poisons and testing it on themselves, when Nerdanel finally noticed the change in Maglor’s appearance.  “Makalaurë dear, are you trying to grow a beard?”  Celegorm feigned retching into his plate to once again show his opinion on Maglor’s stubbly face, and got kicked under the table by Maedhros for it.  “I felt like a change,” was Maglor’s simple answer, but it seemed the subject would not be let go so easily.  “When did you even start growing facial hair?” Curufin asked, and pulled up a pen like he was about to calculate Maglor’s age in relation to gaining his ability to grow a beard right there on his napkin.  “Almost a century now...”  “Oh,” Nerdanel faintly sighed, and Maglor could see she had grown misty eyed. “Oh, my handsome boy, you are going to look just like your grandfather.”  Maglor highly doubted that. Out of all his brothers, he and Caranthir resembled Grandfather Mahtan the least. Even Curufin looked more like Mahtan if only in his bulky smith build and muscles. 

[annoyinglandmagazine]

Elrond and Elros Series Ideas 2

For a framing devise, which maybe shouldn’t be revealed until maybe halfway through the first season, I think it’s probably Elrond explaining it to Bilbo as he tries to compile his songs and history extracts of the Old Tales and takes full advantage of any primary sources he can find. The story is interspersed with Elrond packing things away for his journey west, you see things like murials of ships coming to life at the start of an episode and rings being taken out of their boxes suddenly switching to a scene where you can see them on the hands of one of the characters of the show.

As a battle scene with Maedhros taking out an entire battalion of orcs single handedly (pun fully intended) fades out you can see the same sword carefully taken out of its intricate scabbard and despite the layer of dust it is sharp as ever as it is cradled in hands that clearly aren’t the scarred one’s from the scene. The finale absolutely has to end with Elrond balancing on the prow of the ship to Valinor with a soft smile on his face and one tear rolling down his cheek as he gazes at the horizon.

The framing will also serve to explain why most of the first half of the season or so, four or five episodes, are in a more broad strokes epic style with very few little details or casual dialogue, mostly it’s political and military discussions, it comes across as if it’s more a story that’s been passed down because it’s not from Elrond’s point of view. It’s mostly a large scale kind of story with big battle scenes and political drama.

This is juxtaposed with the clips of the twins and their relationship with the Feanorians in the camp and Maglor and Maedhros in which we see Elrond learning how to heal because he’s the only one there that can and there’s loads of really sweet emotional moments where it looks like Maedhros is finally starting to accept them and you get much more dialogue with little bits of humour as well because this is what Elrond remembers.

Basically it feels like an entirely different show about two feared war lords letting down their barriers in order to try and form a tentative bond with these scared children as they grow up and it’s a really moving subplot next to the main plot of armies fighting dragons and Balrogs and kings and lords trying to form stable alliances in the unnavigable situation that is elf politics (especially the Finarfin and Gil Galad High Kingship of The Noldor situation because there is a lot of mileage in that one.)

The first time we see the Third Kinslaying properly is a bit later in the season, there’s vague flashes that allude to it in the twin’s nightmares, is Oropher explaining to Thranduil that they mustn’t fully trust the Noldor which comes on the heels of intense political manoeuvring the entire episode between him and Gil Galad. He refers to how they destroyed two of their people’s cities and ended the line of their royal family in one brutal attack. The way this scene is done should definitely open up with warning bells ringing louder and louder as the camera cuts from Mirkwood to Sirion and the most menacing music possible plays over the Feanorians entering.

It absolutely has to be an intensely brutal scene, maybe not in the graphic violence sense but emotionally the destruction has to be devastating, buildings set on fire, maybe a toy in a child’s limp hand or something like that; it’s horrifying is the point. Elwing flings herself into the sea and it ends with Oropher looking over the burning wreckage from the distance, just a few hours too late, a thriving settlement reduced to nothingness in the space of a day.

The Sindar all believe the twins to be dead and no one ever speaks the name of Elwing’s child or children, it isn’t specified, because it’s such a dreadful tragedy; they don’t show Elrond and Elros as Elwing’s sons until the end of the first season when we see two six year olds hiding in a wardrobe in a burning building and suddenly there’s footsteps and the door is thrown open to reveal Maglor stained with blood.

It’s referenced previously that the twins guardians have a dark reputation and it may have already been said that they are the sons of Feanor who were responsible for the massacre so it’s not a leap for it to be confirmed that they found the twins through dubious means but this is the first time people who don’t have the background knowledge will see where the twins came from.

Elros might brandish a sword at him but Maglor slowly takes off his helmet off and tells him they won’t come to any harm. Eventually he manages to coax them out and takes them in his arms and just as the camera pans out over the wreckage of Sirion once more you can hear the hushed voices of a conversation something like this; Maedhros: Elwing’s sons? Truly Maglor? Maglor: Well who else will take them? We killed their mother after all.