#nandor elves

[thelien-art]

For the fashion designers: Green-elves (the guys who lived in Ossiriand during the first age) years of the trees? (Pre-Noldor influence).

I don´t think the fashion of elvers changed as much as humans but I think especially the Nandor and Silvan´s (green elvers) kept their fashion stable - as you can see in my Legolas and Galion, who are both green elvers of the third age. - most noticeable difference with years of the tree and third age fashion for them is that less cleavage is shown less and there´s usually a decorate cape on third age fashion. - neither do I think they have a gendered fashion like some other groups, they pretty much wear what they want.

Their jewelry is usually made out of tree or hunting trophies but sometimes, if very fancy, bronze - mostly because it´s a soft metal and easier to work with than other kinds of metal.

For armor they use leather and reed vests - don't underestimate a well made reed vests they are warm and might just work better than plate armor at times - both because it´s what their resources permit but also because it´s good armor without slowing them down the way metal would.

Depicted: a wooden necklace tied with ribbons, a bronze earing, a charm with a clip to hold things (goes on the belt)

[foedhrass]

While the previous photos of my newest Tolkien cosplay (Ndani-tharo/Denethor of the Nandor) showcase the colors of the costume, this edit is closer to how it probably would have looked, since Ndanitharo lived and died before the Sun and the Moon first rose. I imagine the elves would have been able to see better than we do in a moonless night, so I didn’t edit everything just grey or excessively dark. ;)

Cosplay & edit: Foedhrass

Photo: little_solnyshka

[yukikochan]

Uh! I remember my middle earth birthday afternoon tea.

It's a great idea for my 40s birthday (in 2 years).

I'm turning *ahem* forty this fall, so I've decided that I want a party. 😌 And I have decided that I want to have an Elvish Autumn Feast (to celebrate my immortality, of course!) and I want it to be outdoors (weather permitting, of course) and I want to have venison and I want to be draped in silver grey velvet and have a wreath of autumn leaves in my hair. 😌

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Silmarillion Daily - Of the Great Journey (Years of the Trees 1115)

The Great Journey of the Elves to Valinor begins in the year 1105 of the Ages of the Trees, 20 years after Oromë first meets the Elves and 5 years after the Valar defeat Melkor.

It is told that when the hosts of the Eldalië departed from Cuiviénen Oromë rode at their head upon Nahar, his white horse shod with gold; and passing northward about the Sea of Helcar they turned toward the west. Before them great clouds hung still black in the North above the ruins of war, and the stars in that region were hidden. Then not a few grew afraid and repented, and turned back, and are forgotten.

They’re not in a hurry, and are inclined to stop whenever Oromë isn’t there to chivvy them along; despite choosing the journey based on the advocacy of Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë, they’re still not sure about it, and are not enthusiastic about the idea of leaving Middle-earth. The world is still new to them, and they find the new places they stay beautuful, and prefer to stay there.

Long and slow was the march of the Eldar into the west, for the leagues of Middle-earth were uncounted, and weary and pathless. Nor did the Eldar desire to hasten, for they were filled with wonder at all that they saw, and by many lands and rivers they wished to abide; and though all were yet willing to wander, many feared rather their journey’s end than hoped for it. Therefore whenever Oromë departed, having at time other matters to heed, they halted and went forward no more, until he returned to guide them.

It takes the Elves 10 years to reach the lands that we’re familar with from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: Greenwood the Great, the River Anduin, and the Misty Mountains.

And it came to pass after many years of journeying in this manner that the Eldar took their course through a forest, and they came to a great river, wider than any they had yet seen; and beyond it were mountains whose sharp horns seemed to pierce the realm of the stars. This river, it is said, was even the river which was after called Anduin the Great, and was ever the frontier of the west-lands of Middle-earth. But the mountains were the Hithaeglir, the Towers of Mist upon the borders of Eriador; yet they were taller and more terrible in those days, and were reared by Melkor to hinder the riding of Oromë.

Some of the Teleri decide they like this area, and between that and being intimidated by the Misty Mountains, they decide they would prefer to live here than continue on to Valinor. These are presumably the ancestors of the Wood-elves of Greenwood (later Mirkwood) and of the original elves of Lothlórien, and are distant (or not-so-distant, given the long lives of Elves) relations of Thranduil, Celeborn, Galadriel, and the Sindar who later join them there.

Now the Teleri abode long on the east bank of the river and wished to remain there, but the Vanyar and the Noldor passed over it, and Oromë led them into the passes of the mountains. And when Oromë was gone forward the Teleri looked upon the shadowy heights and were afraid.

Then one arose in the host of Olwë, which was ever the hindmost on the road; Lenwë he was called. He forsook the westward march, and led away a numerous people, southwards down the great river, and they passed out of the knowledge of their kin until long years were past. Those were the Nandor; and they became a people apart, unlike their kin, save that they loved water, and dwelt most beside falls and running streams. Greater knowledge had they of living things, tree and herb, bird and beast, than all other Elves.

This reminds me of a lot of good stuff in The Nature of Middle-earth about the Great Journey, and the Teleri in particular. The Teleri have a less centralized ethos than the Vanyar or Noldor, and it’s Elwë (later Thingol) who stands up for the rights of all elves to choose what they prefer in terms of the journey, and not feel compelled to all act as a single unit. It’s also him who expresses the idea of the Great Journey as a way to see other parts of Middle-earth and decide where they want to live, not necessarily continuing on to Valinor. This lines up with the later patterns of different groups of Telerin elves (Nandor, Sindar, Falathrim, the Teleri who continue to Valinor, and later the Green-elves of Ossiriand) branching off in a variety of directions.

Elwë says, “I will go with my friend [Finwë], but I do not choose for anyone but myself. Let all my Folk do likewise. I do not see what harm dividing the Kindred will do - and it cannot be avoided, unless some are to be forced to do what they do not wish to do (to remain or to go). No doubt (indeed this is guaranteed) we, or any who wish, will be free to return to our homes when the War is over.” Also he says, “We are a great company - the most give n to wandering afar. Let many of us at least go with the safe conduct of the Lord Oromë and see what Endor is like, and the Sea! We need not pass the shores!”

One thing that strikes me from this is the surprising commonalities between Elwë and Fëanor. In the first place, in the attachment to Middle-earth and the desire to explore its ‘wide lands’ - Thingol in NoME, in contrast to the Silm, prefers the starlight of Middle-earth to the Trees of Valinor, and his choice of Valinor at this moment is based on his friendship with Finwë rather than on the appeal of Valinor itself. In the second place, in the emphasis that if the Elves do go to Valinor, they need to be able to return to their homes if they later choose that. The contrast, though, is that Elwë is all about everyone making a free choice of what they want to do, whereas Fëanor (at least by the time he’s wanting to return to Middle-earth) becomes hostile, angry, and insulting to anyone who does not adhere to all his ideas.

[outofangband]

Green Elves of Ossiriand World Building Introduction

Other world building intros for different elven peoples on this Masterlist!

Here are some more general world building headcanons (architecture/homes, governance, etc) Please feel free to ask more!!

General posts are hard because I didn’t have specific categories to cover so feel free to send categories! I also have this world building prompt list here!

The green elves are semi nomadic with few permanent settlements. The exception to this are those in Arthórien in Doriath but these are mostly refugees, the injured and displaced and traumatized after the early battles of Beleriand

In Southern Beleriand there are also some more permanent settlements

Possessions tend to be spare, what can be held in small satchels or kept in small homes. Tools tend to be shared among families, made from wood, clay and stone.

Homes and shelters are formed from a variety of materials and in a variety of places; treehouses and dug out shelters in hills are some of the most common lasting structures. Wood, woven reeds and earth are among the most common materials.

Silk worms are cultivated by both Sindar and Nandor cultures and silk can be found both in Doriath and in Southern Ossiriand though on a smaller scale.

The Green elves also use hemp, flax or linseed and green and white ramie.

Through trade with dwarven and other elven peoples, namely an Avarin group with cultural and genetic links to the Noldor of the mountains in Aman, they also use goat and alpaca wool, especially in northern Ossiriand and other regions of Eastern Beleriand

Music and the creation of instruments are vital crafts throughout Nandor cultures. Bow harp, guirs, plucked string instruments like Çifteli, flutes, and percussive instruments are some of the more common ones.

Flours are made from acorn, Pine nuts, cattails and amaranths depending on the location. Breads are often sunbaked or through clay ovens

Eggs are used rarely though they are occasionally used, typically foraged ones as ground birds aren't usually kept except as companions.

Farmers market like occasions are erected in the spring and summer and less commonly in colder weather. (Note: Ossiriand has a mild climate but there are still a few months of cooler temperatures)

Population density varies widely throughout Ossiriand

Governance varies throughout their people with many living outside formal government structures and traveling with original or chosen family. Communities tend to be self governing with leaders decided based on experience and age. Typically a few people will also be selected for diplomatic and trade relations.

After the death of Denethor on Amon Ereb, the noble or governmental structure he was apart of largely fell apart

The primary language is Danian or Ossiriandic. Its written form is largely lost. Like the Falathrim, I headcanon that pictographs are highly utilized though a different system than theirs

The diet is largely vegetarian though they do eat fish occasionally. Growing and gathering/foraging is primarily how food is sourced. The mild climate allows for plant based foods to be eaten throughout the year though options do become limited in cooler months. Fresh food is prioritized though the Nandor do have methods of preserving food.

As always please feel free to ask more! I couldn't cover everything here obviously!

[whats-in-a-sentence]

The Sundering of the Elves

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

[grey-gazania-fic]

The Lucky One

A young Nandorin woman is saved from death by Amras and taken in by his people. As the events of the First Age unfold, she must come to terms with the consequences of swearing her loyalty to the Sons of Fëanor. Find the whole Chosen Exile series here. This installment rated T.

FA 35

Linn was hunting with her brothers on the day she died. It was early autumn, and the sun kissed tops of the trees with gold as she walked on silent feet beneath the cool canopy of leaves. Overhead, squirrels busily gathered seeds, their chittering joined by the occasional cheep of a finch.

There were pheasants in abundance in this part of the forest, and Linn had three already in the rough sack slung over her back. Smoked and seasoned, the meat would help see them through the coming winter, and tonight they would share their bounty with their neighbors.

Perhaps the handsome Orn from across the river would join them. Perhaps he would ask Linn to sing.

She smiled to herself at the thought before turning her attention back to the forest. It was best not to lose focus. Dangerous things dwelt under the trees -- bears and wolves, and wild boars like the one that had killed her mother when Linn was just a child.

Bel, Aras, and Tor were spread out in a crescent ahead of her, but it was her sharp ears that picked out the sound of something following them. She whistled a three-note bird call, and her brothers froze in their tracks, each readying his bow.

“What is it?” Aras breathed in her ear once she had joined them.

“We’re being followed,” she murmured, her spine prickling uncomfortably.

Bel jerked his head toward the nearest tree and made the sign for climb, and Linn nodded. Dropping her sack beside the mossy trunk, she grabbed hold of the lowest branch and pulled herself upwards, careful not to snag her bow or quiver as she went. When she judged herself to be high enough, she stopped and peered out from between the leaves.

Her breath froze in her lungs. There was a pack of monsters behind them, moving low and quiet through the underbrush. Linn was young; she had never seen an orc. But she had heard the stories, and she knew what she was looking at. She whistled a warning, a shrike’s shrill shriek, and dropped to the ground to join her brothers as they ran. It was their only choice. They were outnumbered, armed only with light bows, but they knew the forest better than the orcs did. Hopefully they could lose them in the trees.

Linn had heard the stories. Orcs were vicious. Orcs were wicked. Orcs reveled in bloodshed and death. If orcs found you and you could neither kill them nor escape, you should pray that they killed you, because if they carried you north to the Iron Mountains you would become an orc yourself.

The stories didn’t mention that orcs were fast. The four elves ran and ran and ran, but the orcs were gaining on them. With each foot Linn and her brothers lost, escape slipped further and further away. As Bel and Aras ran ahead, Tor grabbed Linn by the arm, pulled her around behind the thick trunk of a tree, and boosted her up into the branches.

“Hide,” he hissed.

Linn climbed, her heart pounding in her chest as she watched Tor dash after their brothers. He’d almost reached them when he stumbled and fell to the ground with a pained cry. An arrow had struck him in the calf, and blood bloomed across his breeches, dark and wet.

Bel whirled around, an arrow of his own already nocked, and fired back at the orcs, striking their leader in the eye. It fell with a cry of its own, but its death only seemed to enrage the others. Even as Aras joined Bel in his attack, the orcs swarmed forward, trading their bows for heavy blades of iron.

Wounded, already grounded and vulnerable, Tor fell first, nearly hewn in two. Linn swallowed a scream and reached for her own bow, only to find that the string had snapped during her climb. She was unarmed. Her brothers were being slaughtered before her eyes, and she was unarmed and helpless to intervene.

Aras continued to fire, but his quiver was soon empty. He tossed his bow aside and threw himself at the orcs, only to be slain by the same blade that had killed Tor, his blood mingling with his brother's on the dull iron.

As she watched Bel struggle with the creatures, Linn made a decision. She would not let her brother stand alone. She leapt from the branches, landing squarely on one of the orcs. With a desperate grab, she wrested its dagger from the sheath at its waist and plunged the knife into its back.

It stumbled and dropped its sword, but quickly regained its footing and turned on her with a growl, knocking the knife from her hand and forcing her to the ground. She screamed and clawed at its face, but it only laughed. Then it grabbed her by the wrists, pinned her arms, and sank its teeth into her throat.

She struggled, but the creature was holding her tight enough to bruise, too tightly for her to escape. Again and again and again it tore at her flesh, ripping her neck to shreds. She soon went limp beneath it, choking on her own blood as she gasped for breath.

The leaves above her wavered and blurred. She could feel the earth shake beneath her, thump thuh-thump thuh-thump, but she didn't recognize the hoofbeats for what they were until a man charged past her on a horse, firing at the orc as he went.

The monster abandoned its attack on her and plucked the arrow from its arm, but before it could finish rising to its feet, a second man appeared, russet-haired, with eyes that shone like stars. He swung his sword and removed the creature's head with one blow.

Dropping to the ground beside Linn, he pressed his hands over her bloody throat. His lips moved, but she couldn't hear what he said. She couldn't hear anything at all. The world grew dim around her, until all she could see was the stranger's shining eyes.

Soon, the darkness swallowed even that.

continue reading on AO3

[iridescentoracle]

"Muil" is only really attested in this one name, but "Emyn Muil" was translated as "Drear Hills" in an unfinished index/glossary meant to be an accessory companion to LOTR, per Eldamo, which is the most extensive, detailed, and reliable compilation of information on Tolkien's conlangs I know.

(I'm not seeing any etymological links to words like "twisted" or "knotted," though; the etymology of "muil" is unclear, but (still per Eldamo) it seems to have originally meant "mountain lake" back when it was from "Gnomish," while later it was going to be from "Doriathrin"/"Ilkorin," and would have meant "twilight, shadow, vagueness.")

picked up two towers to look for an eowyn thing; opened it read a sentence about a hill called Emyn Muil; all week i've been reading Voyage of Bran and looking up all the words of the original Middle Irish verses as I go so my brain was PRIMED it was READY the experience was akin to reading the scenes where everything is named Horse in Old English again; only I don't actually know Middle Irish so I just opened this book and a voice in my head that's been trying to learn Middle Irish vocab screamed ELFHILL (emain-muil); i have no reference no recourse no idea if that even works. im just stuck with it.

[polutrope]

To be clear. This blog is pro-Elves. All Elves. Fëanorians, yes, but Nolofinwëans, Arafinweans, even Un-finweans. Teleri, Sindar (but how can you be pro-Feanorian and-- *bites you*), Nandor, Avari. Half-elves and Elf-man, too. All Elves are great, and all Elves did *something* wrong.

Love them for that.

[thesummerestsolstice]

In my post about the strange residents of Rivendell, I mentioned a Feanorian die-hard and an old bodyguard of Thingol. I recently hit a thousand reblogs– which is amazing! So in honor of that, I'm writing their stories out. This is part one, I'll get the rest out over the next couple days.

The Feanorian Die-hard: Hrivossa

Maedhros' right hand at Himring, a dedicated captain with an axe and a burning hatred of Morgoth

Laiquendi former thrall, captured during the First Battle of Beleriand; when the Laiquendi king Denethor was killed

Was refused entry to Doriath after escaping from Angband– at this point, most escaped prisoners were thought to be sleeper agents sent to get information for Morgoth

Wandered for the next few years, mostly alone, occasionally finding Elvish towns that feared her because of the marks of Morgoth's torture and thought her one of his puppets

Ended up stumbling across one of Maedhros's orc hunting parties in the Early First Age, and jumped at the chance to actually fight Morgoth

Maedhros was also one of the only lords willing to help former thralls at that point; he gaze Hrivossa a new home and purpose, fighting alongside him against their shared tormentor

It's not hard to understand why she became so loyal to the Feanorian cause

This is also when she took the Quenya name Hrivossa, "winter wall," because she was as frigid and unbreakable as Himring's walls

(her original Nandor name is mostly for her close friends)

Between Denethor's death and hiding in Doriath with Melian instead of doing anything about Morgoth, Hrivossa absolutely hates Thingol

She's generally a cold person around strangers, but she warms up around her friends, and her wits and tongue are as sharp as her sword

Part of the general morbid humor culture that built up in First Age Himring

She does not have a soft spot for the Sindar claiming that the Silmaril belongs to them now

She does have a noticeable soft spot for small half-elves who keep pestering her for stories about what life was like in Beleriand before the sun and moon

She fought with Maedhros until the bloody, bitter end, being forcefully brought into the custody of Valinor's forces late in the War of Wrath

She was the leader of the Feanorian faction who chose not to submit to the Valar's judgement, or to willingly go to Aman to do penance

They generally made themselves trouble while in custody

To avoid any more ugly conflict, Elrond eventually took responsibility for this faction, becoming their lord (though Elrond did NOT become Lord of the House of Feanor) and promising to keep them from committing any more violent acts

Hrivossa and the others, all of whom had lived in Amon Ereb and helped raised Elrond, found this agreeable

All of these elves are still very much see Elrond as their Lords' child, who must be protected at all costs, so there's that

And that is the story of how Elrond became responsible for the remaining Feanorians, but only the really fucked up ones

Seriously, they don't do any other murders, but they do cause all sorts of other trouble

Also, how Elrond inherited one (1) extremely determined bodyguard

[foedhrass]

Denethor never saw the light of the sun but I think he would have enjoyed walking in a golden wood.

Ndani-tháro (Denethor) cosplay & edit: Foedhrass

Photo: Little_solnyshka

[sotwk]

Hello! No pressure and admittedly self serving ask (since I’m writing a fall chapter): do you have any headcanons about Silvan holidays/celebrations?

Ooooh this question! Festivals in Eryn Galen is a BIG TOPIC, in my opinion, because those Silvans love to party! Writing an extensive post describing the annual feasts and festivals throughout each of the seasons has been on my Headcanon To-Do List for a while, and because of your Ask, I'm going to return my attention to that.

While I work on it, for purposes of your fic, here are my basic headcanons about....

AUTUMN CELEBRATIONS IN ERYN GALEN

Mereth Nuin Giliath: The Feast of Starlight

This is the biggest and arguably the most important of all annual celebrations in Eryn Galen for three reasons:

It is the oldest of all Silvan feasts--older than the Woodland Realm itself. It commemorates the awakening of the Elves on the shores of Cuiviénen--literally the first event in the history of the race. Although the manner of feasting and traditions have changed over the millennia, it has been observed for as long as the eldest of the Nandor could remember.

It celebrates the light of the stars and the Queen of the Stars, Elbereth Gilthoniel. The Silvans may admire Oromë most out of all the Valar, but they still highly value and honor Varda as the source of light, goodness, and protection.

On a more personal note, Elvenking Thranduil met (SA 1358), was betrothed to (SA 3262), AND married (SA 3265) Elvenqueen Maereth all during the Mereth Nuin Giliath. Therefore it is an important anniversary for the royal family, which they choose to celebrate with the entire realm throughout their rule.

Art credit: Miriam Ellis

Mereth Nuin Giliath is celebrated both in Eryn Galen and in Lórien. In the SotWK AU, Thranduil and Maereth meet for the first time during the Mereth (see fic: "Sins of Our Fathers"). In Chapter 1 (the only chapter, so far) is the most I have attempted to describe this celebration.

The feast is held during the "Middle Days" (Enderi), for 3 straight nights, roughly during the first week of October.

It involves three nights of eating, singing, and dancing under the stars. With the entire kingdom invited, it is always the most well-attended community event.

In Eryn Galen, when its population was at its peak, this meant tens of thousands of revelers gathered in one place!

Although technically hosted by the King, the whole community pitches in and works together to arrange everything.

Harvest directly precedes the Mereth, so the realm is well-stocked with food for the massive celebration.

Hunting season comes after the Mereth, so food is additionally replenished for the coming winter.

These are just the basics, so more details will follow in the complete "Celebrations by Season in Eryn Galen" post. Coming soon...hopefully! :) I will tag you, @dilettantefeminist -- thank you again for prompting me to think about this!

OTHER USEFUL LINKS:

Introduction to SotWK

Main Headcanon Masterlist

Fanfiction Masterlist

sotwk headcanon - This tag captures all SotWK headcanon posts, including minor ones that might not be on the Masterlist.

[arafinweanappreciation]

Anyway we’ve all seen those polls about which race in middle earth you’d want to be. but

Feel free to be more specific in the tags

[outofangband]

There are very few words from the Danian/Ossiriandic language, only 19 confirmed ones. The language was one of the green elves, predating the Nandorin one. I am planning a post on the other words we know!

x x  x x  x x