#and there’s been reference to the elves loving music

[fantasy-the-final-frontier]

I’ve read the tale of Beren and Lúthien before, but never in the full context of The Silmarillion. Ilúvatar and the Ainur sang and made music at the beginning of all things; music is an act of divine creation. Beren and Lúthien’s story is filled with this divine act, from their first meeting to Lúthien saving Beren from Sauron’s captivity. Their love is a holy thing, and that is why it is remembered for thousands of years.

[thegildedbee]

Sherlock Fic Recs: Christmas Edition {2023}

❄️ Gather ~ ☃️ ☃️ ☃️ ~ 'round and 🎉 make 🎷merry🍹, all ye fic-loving fandom elves -- 'tis the season to shine a spotlight🕯️on Sherlockian Christmas fics!!! Here are some of my favorites -- I tried to pick ones that I haven't seen mentioned in recent lists that have been in my tumblr stream. Whether they're new to you, or just a reminder to re-visit faves, enjoy!!! ❄️ [In order of the year they were published.] ........................................................... 1. I'm Not His Date [2014] by objetpetita [ 17,029 words / T ] :: It all starts in a Boston coffee shop, where English professor Sherlock Holmes upends a visiting John Watson in a clever and fun "meet cute" (or "meet irritating-pompous-insufferable") in a whirlwind of Sherlockian proportions, and we're off to the races. There is a snowfight on the Common, Death Driving Miss Daisy: Lacan and Popular Culture, a Harry & Clara Christmas Eve wedding, witches, and a very boozy department party. It's as adorable as my favorite Christmas rom-com film, The Holiday. And it starts off with a corker of a first sentence: "It was morning, it was zero bloody degrees, everything around him was unfamiliar and American and cold, and John Watson was right on that inhuman precipice between still drunk and terribly hung over."

2. 5,687 (Approximately) [2015] by prettysailorsoldier [ 6,771 words / T ] :: Just a few years post-uni, Sherlock is enduring the agonies of a long-distance relationship with his boyfriend, who is on deployment in Afghanistan. During those times when John's on leave, the last people Sherlock wants to see are the idiots at the Met, so they've never caught sight of John and think he is a figment of Sherlock's imagination -- especially since he can't get home that Christmas. The set-up is sketched out with delightful fic flair, and the ending is not only sweet, but satisfyingly punitive [ c/o a very bamf John ]. The text messaging is some of my favorite writing in the Sherlock fandom -- their relationship in all of its multi-dimensionality comes through beautifully.

3. The 12 Truths of Christmas [2016] by @breath4soul [ 3,321 words / T ] :: This is a fic that has at its core the surfacing of unspoken emotional attraction betweenJohn and Sherlock via a very fun concept: “In place of some appalling or imbecilic gift inflicted upon me in the name of tradition on Christmas day, I propose that you provide me with one previously unknown fact about you for each day leading up to Christmas. 12 in total, John.” #9 has all the feels, and is a tour de force -- every time I re-read it it makes me break out in a smile, even though I know what's coming. Sherlock breaks out somewhat more: "Sherlock feels a flood of heat in several places at once. He stands up quickly and walks to his violin. He plays wild, erratic snaps of quick-paced music." The author has a whimsical and entirely understandable note to add: "You may fall in love with John reading this - I did." 4. The Romance Was There [2017] by @apliddell [ 4,011 words / G ] :: The author deserves an award for this being one of the best uses of Harry Watson in a fic, and of HW by Sherlock in a fic :-) 221B has never been cozier, Sherlock has never been more winsome, and John is a species type model of John in all of his clueless Johnness. The narrative dances along and sparkles and shines as seduction evolves, and Sherlock's rogueish charm is on full display. There's a poignant and endearing confessional letter, plus there's a Sherlock/Jeremy Brett reference that is absolute perfection in serving its role in helping the narrative quickstep the night away. 5. The Man in Aisle Ten [2020] by @blogstandbygo [ 1395 words / G ] :: Sherlock has several mysteries to unravel in the midst of Harrod's on Christmas Eve: what is the perfect gift for John? why is he having so much trouble identifying the perfect gift for John? and, incidentally, along the way to solving those, a local one. Luckily, Sherlock has Moira, master department store sleuth, to lead him to the solution. This fic is a small, perfect gift -- rather like the story's denouement --and is as witty as all of SBG's fics are. This is a veritable Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate of a fic, warm, rich, sweet, delicious, tingly, and you'll find you reach the last bit much too fast, immediately requiring a refill. [ And there's a splendid podfic by @podfixx ! ]

..........................

*fic repost recruits, perhaps??? ❤️ @totallysilvergirl, @7-percent, @discordantwords, @helloliriels, @elwinglyre, @mydogwatson

[triple-asstro]

That Heartbreak Prince, Kíli

summary: kili and his lover bicker over who should stay warm with the help of kili's jacket.

word count: 1.5k

saw @mikathemonster's post about there not being enough kili fics and i agree, so i wrote this! hope you all like it <3

(yes that was a taylor swift reference, love her and her music <3)

Curse Mirkwood, and curse those elves. 

Traversing through the Mirkwood forest wasn’t going to be a difficult task, and you weren’t expecting anything more. It still bitterly stung when they ordered you to drop your weapons and pulled both you (and the future Queen of Erebor, but that’s a tale for another day) from your hiding spot, riddled with cobwebs. Not even the heart-eyed expression on Kíli could sweeten your sour mood, no matter how adorable it was. 

Those cobwebs still rested on your head, being swiftly removed by Kíli and tossed into the right corner. The stone walls of the prison stinged your eyes, spotting multiple dried bloodstains scattered on the floor; potentially years old based on the maroon colouring. 

“Even with these cobwebs, they never seem to hinder your charm amrâlimê,” Kíli remarked, a cheeky smile appeared on his face. A grin plastered on your face, eyes forgetting from the stain. It seemed Kíli spotted your observation, as if your minds were linked into one. “Hm, already observing our prison?” 

“Of course. Sadly, there’s not much to observe,” you wistfully stated. 

Kíli’s eyes squinted, deep in thought. His eyes crinkled around the corners, and his eyebrows did the most unique thing when he’s in this state of mind. They would furrow together, one slightly higher than the other, creating a brief unibrow, which was always an amusing sight to witness. He viewed the landscape you were analysing before, spotting the dried blood. 

“What about that? Quite the decoration, isn’t it?” 

“Not particularly,” you began, Kíli’s eyes softening at what was coming next. “That kind of bloodstain because of its dark maroon colouring means that it’s been a while since anyone inhabited this place. Blood has a more vibrant colouring if it’s only been a few weeks or less, darkening over time. I could potentially see how the Elvenking would have that stain appear since it’s been quite some time since there haven’t been travellers in Mirkwood for capturing, or any that didn’t escape.” 

Kíli widely grinned, his puppy eyes more enchanting than ever. 

“I’m rambling again, I assume?”

“No, just talking. Talking in that alluring voice I love dearly.” he responded, inching closer on the stone chair, grabbing your hand. Your heart ignited, as if a string was interlinked between us, only conjoining once you and Kíli’s hands were reunited. An odd phenomenon, but one you weren’t complaining about. 

A giggle echoed from outside, one that called both you and Kíli to peer from the emerald-green bars. Just down one level from you, was that future Queen of Erebor, draping Thorin’s fur coat over his sleeping figure. The coat flew through the air, waving almost majestically before slowly faltering down. Even his coat had a regality added to it. 

You could feel Kíli’s giggles graze your cheek, his head lazed on your shoulder. “Cannot believe this is happening to my mother’s brother. He’s probably going to grumble like usual.” 

“Probably. It’ll be worth every second, however.” you mentioned, jolting back like children once you saw her wide-eyed gaze dart towards you both. The laughs shared between you both were the only laughs shared that night, the rest of the Company were too busy grumbling and attempting to escape. Granted, you were trying that too but it was more whittling away the gates with spare rock and rubble. 

Eventually, exhaustion overtook you, as it did with everyone, some more slowly than others. It was hardest with Kíli, his mind refused him any rest, much to your displeasure. The journey had proven its toll on you and you wished to find any solace that sleep could offer you. It proved to be difficult with this repetitive ticking sound. It was an itching sound that burrowed deep and refused to budge, like glass clinking on stone. With one more tick, you jostled up, darting your head right. 

You saw Kíli, his bored downturned eyes following a round object he had in his palm. He tossed in the air, the object floating before missing his hand and clattering to the ground, being caught by your outreached hand. You also took a slight note at his sudden lack of his jacket, which you quickly found draped around your body. His jacket, your body, interlinked as one. 

You examined the stone he’d dropped, the object shining a blue iridescence with intricate runes etched onto the surface. It had to be a labradorite mineral from the looks of it. “What is this?”

“It is a token,” he stated, picking it up from your hand, fingers tracing over the engraved runes. 

“If any but a dwarf reads the runes, they will be forever cursed.” 

He swiftly showed you the stone, as if it was to unleash a horrible curse on you, causing you to jerk back. He paused, tucking the stone away behind his back, causing you to rest back into your previous position. You’d had enough foolishness for one night. 

“Or not.” 

You rose back up, now in a mix of confusion and intrigue. But you weren’t going to admit that, for if you did, you’d just be playing into his game and you didn’t want to enlarge his ego anymore than it already had. 

“Is it a token, then?” 

“Hm? Oh, yes,” he said, sitting down next to you. “It was a token gifted to me by my mother. I remember her shoving it in my hand before me and Fí set off. ‘Promise me, Kíli. You better come back in one piece, with your brother if you can.’  She practically made me memorise it.” 

“I can help with that,” you said. “Getting back home in one piece, I mean. I’ll protect you.” 

“Nonsense, who will protect you then? You could get hurt.” 

“You could too, you dolt.” you reminded, watching in slight hilarity as his expression blinked, as if his mind was completely empty. You shoved his shoulder, sending him stumbling back to his seat opposite of the room. “Now, get rest.” 

With a pout, Kíli obliged, curling up into a ball. Sounds echoed from above, sounds of cheering and music. Guards occasionally passed by, even one with auburn hair watching your cage with close precision. You’d never heard of an auburn haired elf, but she quickly left before you could speak. 

Kíli’s small shivers drew your attention away, however. The way his face contorted in unease and frigidity made guilt tug at the jacket wrapped around you. Eventually, it was strong enough for you to take off the jacket and drape it over him, the coat flying in a similar way to Thorin’s. When it fully rested over his body, you returned to your bed, resting with ease.

Unfortunately, when you acted in your decision, you unknowingly started a little game. A few minutes passed as you felt a familiar texture cover you. As you slightly cracked your eyes open, you saw him return to his bed as well, a content smile stuck on his face. When you awoke, you found his jacket back on your body, along with the stone he had mentioned earlier, tucked into your palm. 

This ‘game’ had continued for quite a while, with you whispering for him to ‘stay still’, but of course Kíli being Kíli, he defied. Finally, you decided to go through with the usual routine, except wait for him to awake, catching him in his act. ‘An excellent plan,’ you thought. You got up, resorting to shoving the jacket onto him and placing the stone in his hand. Instead of turning around, you simply took a few steps back, gaze completely fixated on him. 

As predicated, his eyes flung open, clutching the jacket and ready to dash to you before being pinned back by your arm. Eyes wide with shock and mouth slightly agape, he could only stammer at your words. 

“Keep it, son of Durin. You need it more than I do.” 

His mouth clamped shut, solemnly nodding as you walked back to your place, eager to get some true rest. The game was fun, not to be mistaken otherwise, but rest was a rarity and you weren’t missing it. 

When you awoke, it was hard to tell how much time had passed. Whether it’d been minutes or days, your mind was groggy and scrambled. It took a considerable amount of time to process what Kíli was saying, or more excitedly rambling to you. The sight of Bilbo unlocking the lower cage doors, keys jingling filled in all the gaps you needed. You pressed your head through the bars, spotting Bilbo working faster than ever. You clutched your shoulder, feeling a soft leather wrap around you. 

A soft leather. 

A jacket.

Kíli’s jacket.

“Kíli…”

“You were shivering!” he sheepishly answered. His earnest expression made it hard to stay mad at him for long. You sighed, mumbling something about giving his jacket back as soon as you both got out of Mirkwood and to safety. 

That didn’t stop Kíli from having a smug expression until then.

[pastanest]

if you’re wondering why I’m having to repost this, or why you were perhaps previously following me but no longer are, please refer to this post. I was able to retrieve this thanks to the very lovely friends who have relentlessly sifted through tumblr archives to recover them, thank you all so much!! ♡

His Queen

- although he is a king, he tried his best to keep his relationship with you as normal as any other relationship would be, because you werent royalty, and you would certainly need time to even consider joining such a lifestyle

- needless to say, Thranduil’s courting abilities remain unmatched among elves and other Middle-Earth creatures alike

- he showed you a side to him that nobody else saw, a person who smiled at the things you said, laughed at the jokes you made, and presented you with such gentle kindness that you wondered if those who had told you of the king had ever actually met him

- you stayed in his kingdom of course, and every morning when you awoke in your chamber, a fresh bouquet of flowers was waiting for you at your bedside, accompanied by a personal note from the king

- his love letters to you were all written in Elvish, which meant that you couldnt read them, but there was such passion in the cursive words, you had never seen such beautiful writing

- he later helped to teach you Elvish using his letters, and when you could finally read them fluently, they reduced you to tears

- the introduction to his royal life was gradual, and he was pleasantly surprised by how naturally you adjusted

- the first time he saw you in a traditional Elvish gown, he was smiling wider than anyone had ever seen, and the rest of the kingdom were shocked into silence by the sight of the king so happy

- you warned him that by becoming his queen, you would not necessarily obey the same rules, because you were not raised with them. in response to your worries, Thranduil placed a kiss on your forehead

“I will not ask you to be something you are not, only to be yourself, at my side, as my queen.”

- your coronation was beyond beautiful, a celebration throughout the kingdom, with music and dancing, feasts of the finest food imaginable. the kingdom had never been happier, and the same can be said for King Thranduil that day

- from the moment you are coronated onwards, anyone who dares to disrespect you, will almost definitely get decapitated

- you are the King’s priority, and you do not take your responsibility as Queen lightly. any important decision Thranduil makes, he turns to you for assistance

“Nobody’s opinion matters more to me than that of my heart’s companion.”

- it is quickly made known to the entirety of Middle-Earth that King Thranduil only breaks his stone cold expression when you are around

- you are notably guilty of making the King laugh during meetings, simply by pulling silly faces or pretending to yawn out of boredom at whatever the other people in the meeting are saying, and Thranduil is often distracted by you, but nobody dares point that out to him

- as a husband, he brags about his wife more than anybody else, and he will brag to anyone he meets

- and when other beings in power express their distaste at a Queen’s presence in their conferences? Thranduil will sit back and smile as you defend your position fiercely, and once you’re done, Thranduil will respond with just as much ferocity

- given his love for you, his protectiveness over you is hardly surprising. though you are perfectly capable of defending yourself, and he loves it when you do, he will throw his life on the line for you, and loses his mind when any harm comes to you

- from the moment he laid eyes on you, he knew that he could not survive a day without you, and as a result, he gives you the gift of immortality

“Mortality will not render either of our hearts lonely, Melamin(My love).”

[anghraine]

I caught up with my re-watch of the second episode of Rings of Power! The episodes are long and have a lot going on, but it was fun and enjoyable—more than the first, actually, since it wasn't trying as hard to introduce everything and could breathe more.

I really liked the beginning with Galadriel in the sea, staring up at the stars before she starts swimming. Very apropos.

I thought Nori et al's stuff would be kind of tedious (I've never been super into hobbits or proto-hobbits), but tbh I find everything about it delightful to watch.

Arondir and Bronwyn are maybe the prettiest onscreen pairing I've ever witnessed. Their little theme/motif is also really nice and not overwrought the way the music sometimes got in the first episode. It suits my sense of their story being a bit like marginalia that doesn't exactly fit into the grand sweeping main narrative of Middle-earth, but is getting some spotlight anyway.

And now we've got Celebrimbor for real, with warning bells all over him! (Not literally.) I appreciate that almost the first thing he does is mention Fëanor, and he and Elrond immediately dive into a conversation about the Silmarils and craftsmanship, and Elrond seems deeply ambivalent off the bat. Him saying "So much beauty, and so much pain" about them/Fëanor's craftsmanship while wearing a feathery outfit that is hard not to associate with Elwing is ... yeah. You'd know, Elrond.

Celebrimbor's slightly snarky explanation that he asked for a massive team to build his tower forge thing and Gil-galad "has sent me you, instead" kind of worked for me? Robert Aramayo doesn't look anything like my idea of Elrond but I love his difficult-to-pin-down yet determinedly pleasant performance of Elrond's emotions and mannerisms. I also like Celebrimbor's robes.

And, oh man, seeing Khazad-dûm in its heyday? HELL, YEAH. The music is doing some of the lifting but mostly it's just fucking awesome to see. The show is clearly lingering on it with a lot of love and attention, which it's really nice to see the dwarves getting.

I liked getting references to Aulë from the dwarves (no, it's not what dwarves would ordinarily call him, but it's a reasonable concession to comprehensibility for people who aren't, well, us). During the whole challenge thing, Elrond is referred to as an Elf over and over and over, which I'm kind of :\ about as a firm proponent of Half-Elves Are Not Men or Elves, No Matter What Ultimate Fate They Chose. Elrond seems pretty uncomfortable with it (though that may be more about his relationship with Durin), but also does more or less accept it as a descriptor.

Nori was still trying to figure out the Stranger, which somehow is not boring, and meanwhile her father's ankle breaks or sprains or something as part of festival preparations. The Harfoots collectively treat this as a huge deal and are asking if he'll be able to migrate, which is not exactly framed as super ominous, but definitely seems significant and at least somewhat ominous. Nori is clearly pretty freaked out.

The first part of the episode is sadly a bit sparse on my girl Galadriel (though she got so much attention in the first episode that it's understandable), but we got back to her, still swimming. It'd be a bit unbelievably impressive from other people, but I can believe it for her. She sees the raft of survivors before we do, which I liked as a little detail.

The raft is really spiky, appropriately enough for a raft with Sauron on it. It's kind of hilarious that almost his first line is "Looks can be deceiving." No shit, lmao.

The survivors+"Halbrand" and Galadriel have this brief and slightly weird interchange about Corsairs, which strikes me as an odd reference both geographically and in the time period we're in.

Then there's a SEA WYRM that shows up out of basically nowhere and causes havoc resulting in the deaths of everyone except Sauron Halbrand and Galadriel. A coincidence, I'm sure.

Then we cut back to Elrond and Durin, and finally find out why Durin is so mad at Elrond. It turns out that Elrond basically ignored his existence for 20 years while he was doing ... things, and Elrond didn't even realize it'd been so much time because a couple decades is nbd to him. Angst and other difficulties around different lifespans = one of my most favorite fantasy tropes, so I'm onboard for this particular drama.

It's a little surprising that Elrond of all people would make this mistake, but then again, Elros himself lived so long that 20 years would have been a tiny fraction of his own lifetime, too. (Now I want lifespan angst or anxiety or something with Elros being the one who's "welp, it's really been that long?")

Anyway, I enjoyed how serious and fraught the whole discussion is and then the cut to comedy when Elrond arrives to apologize to Durin's wife, Disa. IDK, I didn't feel it was undercutting Durin as a character or his feelings, even while poking a bit of fun at his sulkiness—e.g., when Disa enthusiastically tells Elrond to make himself comfortable, and Durin is like, "But not too comfortable."

I love Disa's appearance, by and large. The patterning on her outfit is so cool and different. She's generally a delightful character, and I appreciate that while there's an element of calculation to what Elrond is doing, he seems genuinely interested in her and her work. The narrative itself feels really interested in the dwarves and their culture at this point, and I just enjoyed that a lot.

Meanwhile, back to Galadriel and Halbrand/Sauron. It's still really funny to me that there was so much indignation over Eminem Sauron being insufficiently hot, and then actual Sauron turned out to be this currently bedraggled but very conventionally attractive guy.

I like his little head tilt as he's ostensibly figuring out what's going on and his little "You're a deserter, aren't you?" As if he doesn't know who Galadriel is, hah.

When he says "My people have no king," it feels like a pretty blatant call-back to Boromir in Jackson's FOTR, but of course it's inverted, ultimately. Halbrand is a shadow Aragorn, not a shadow Boromir, and is himself (supposedly) the king he's rejecting. I'm not going to go on too much about it because I have a whole post about it here.

Anyway, Galadriel condescending to Sauron is kind of delightful. Sure, she's mistaken in assuming he's mortal. But everyone should condescend to Sauron, actually!

Back to Bronwyn, who is a bit more interesting in this episode, she actually makes it home and tries to convince her village that something is very wrong, but no one believes her. They seem kind of ridiculously stupid, tbh? Maybe not ridiculously—I can believe they would actually respond that way (I lived in the shadow of Mt St Helens for years, I know very well that historically sometimes that's the response to clear warnings of disaster). But come on, people.

Then there's Arondir in the horrifying claustrophobic tunnels with the glimpses of horrific claws. It is very successfully claustrophobic, especially when MICE start running all over him as they're trying to escape. Agh, the special hell. Then he emerges in a pool of water, only the water is super gross also, and he's focusing on the bubbles of something pursuing him only to get grabbed by a different claw monster.

We don't see him again for the entire rest of the episode and that's alarming!

I was taking little notes while I was watching, but at this point that got interrupted and I ended up watching the rest of the episode with other people and didn't take notes. But general thoughts:

Durin's final change of heart wrt Elrond and decision to take Elrond's offer to his father was a bit oddly offscreen, and it's kind of needlessly mysterious about what advantage the dwarves have over the Elves, but the show has already given us enough through both exposition and the behavior of the characters that it's not hard to buy.

Sauron saving Galadriel with Finrod's dagger is like. Hmm. Well. Yeah, that's a lot. I really like the scene of their raft in the storm—not much actually happens apart from it looking cool, but it did look really cool! And I love the imagery of Sauron desperately trying not to be drowned by the wrath of the sea, aka what will actually happen to him! :)))

I love how mysterious the Stranger is and basically everything that Nori and Poppy choose to be. Things like Poppy's "I don't speak firefly!" just work much better for my personal sense of humor than ... like, dwarf-tossing.

Theo's whole deal with the sword is ... menacing in a way where we know enough to know something is Very Wrong and related to Sauron, but not really what's going on with it. And the thing Bronwyn and Theo fought and killed was super freaky. I liked the abrupt cut to Bronwyn showing the decapitated head to the stupid villagers and them being like, "hmm. okay, guess we're moving now."

Aaaand Galadriel and "Halbrand" have been discovered!

[wangxianficfinder]

Holiday Compilation

~*~

💙A forgotten pair of gloves by myhouseofstoneyourivygrows (M, 43k, wangxian, LWJ & LSZ & WWX, LXC & NMJ, modern, anxiety attacks, implied/referenced rape/non-con, implied/referenced past child abuse, hurt/comfort, light angst, yunmeng sibling dynamics, not Jiang clan friendly, chronic illness, adoption, fluff, happy ending, hopeful end for jiang sibs, Christmas) — this fic has unfortunately been deleted

with peaceful wings unfurled by sunflowersfield (T, 9k, WangXian, Modern AU, Christmas, College/University, Fluff, Falling In Love, Getting Together, Happy Ending, Minor Character Death, (Lan Qiren passes away before the story begins), Grief/Mourning, First Dates, First Kiss)

Close to the Truth by Winglesss (M, 14k, WangXian, Modern AU, Christmas Fluff, Christmas Party, Ugly Holiday Sweaters, Romantic Comedy, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Fluff and Angst, Homophobia, Tooth-Rotting Fluff)

he gets under your skin by Skadiseven (M, 87k, WangXian, Inspired By While You Were Sleeping (1995), Modern AU, Accidental Engagement, Chicago (City), wangxian's tendency to self-sacrifice, Christmas, Mutual Pining, There's A LOT of Musical References, Slow Burn, Angst with a Happy Ending)

Do You Feel What I Feel? by istartedtheapocalypse (M, 33k, WangXian, Modern AU, Kid Fic, kid fic ish, wangxian in a hallmark christmas movie but hornier, and with slightly more plot and angst, the background XiYao has lighter than canon levels of toxicity but it is still a lil toxic, Holidays, Christmas)

The Maine Thing (Is That You Send A Card) by Comfect (T, 16k, WangXian, Modern AU, Romance, Excessive Use of Rom-Com Tropes, Inspired by Hallmark Christmas Movies, Meet-Cute, Snowed In, Slow Burn, But Not That Slow A Burn, finding yourself, Cozy, Libraries)

A Very Hallmark Untamed Christmas by User_Shay_Wade (M, 5k, WangXian, Modern AU, Small Town, Attempt at Humor, Reference to anal sex, Inspired by Hallmark Christmas Movies)

hurry down my chimney tonight by gusuvibes (G, 20k, WangXian, Modern AU, dad!lwj, WWX and JC are Santa's Elves, Holiday Setting, A-Yuan is too smart for his own good, Fluff and Humor, NHS is a pimp, but not literally, Happy Ending, Surprise Santas, Christmas)

The Mistletoe Virgin by Vamillepudding (G, 12k, WangXian, Modern AU, Romantic Comedy, Friends to Lovers, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Deaf LWH, Christmas)

💖 sweet chaos by eachandeverydimension (G, 86k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Canon Divergence, Fluff, Romance, Light Angst, Falling In Love, Different First Meeting, Qīnghéng-jūn's A+ Parenting, Night Hunts, Chinese Language, Good Sibling LXC, Good Sibling JYL, POV LWJ, Getting Together, Love Confessions, First Kiss, Chinese Culture, Slow Burn, No Homophobia AU, Chinese festivals)

"Congratulations, Get Rich" by Attila (T, 9k, WangXian, Modern AU, Chinese New Year, sibling shenanigans, Dumbasses, Humor)

An Accurate (Anachronic) Jianghu Christmas Carol by Mikkeneko (T, 7k, Minor WangXian, Inspired by A Christmas Carol, Crack, Christmas Crack, Breaking the Fourth Wall) - Dickens fusion; a lot of the fun comes from the MDZS characters remaining stubbornly themselves while shoehorned into the Christmas Carol roles, and lampshading the incompatibility of the crossover—and the author reminds us of the inherent hilarity of Dickens’ original prose

Cornday by Lan_zhans, WangXianPatriarch (T, 2k, WangXian, Pining WWX, Fluff, Tickling, Teasing, Flirting, Halloween, POV Alternating, Canon Compliant, Post-Canon) - WWX’s birthday plans are disrupted by a night hunt that involves chasing a haunted scarecrow through a maize field

Tips on Rabbit Husbandry by Full_Metal_Ox (G, 329, WangXian, Fluff, Rabbits, Extended Metaphors, Animal Metaphors, Easter (?)) - posted on Easter Sunday 2019; pet rabbit care as an extended metaphor for Wangxian’s relationship

Praying for Cleverness by x_los (G, 3k, WangXian, Female WWX, Qixi, Gender Changes, Always a Different Sex, Accidental Marriage, Marriage, Festivals, Holidays, Awkwardness, Fist Fights, Pining, Crushes, Sisters, Episode 7)

definitions of home by sasamelons (G, 5k, WangXian, Modern AU, Modern: No Powers, Childhood Friends, Growing Up, Diaspora, Parent-Child Relationship, Sibling Bonding, Chinese New Year, Chinese Food, Food as a Metaphor for Love, Family Fluff, Family Feels)

what part of party don't you understand by wildwestwind (T, 1k, WangXianNing, Modern AU, Christmas, Christmas Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Cultural Differences, Trans Female WWX, Kid Fic)

Wish on a Dandelion by Cupids_arrow (G, 5k, XiCheng, WangXian, Modern AU, Qixi, Established Relationship, Self-Esteem Issues, First Dates, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Sad and Sweet, Romantic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff)

if nothing else (let's dance under the stars) by EllaYuki (G, 865, WangXian, Qixi, Fluff, Post-Canon, LWJ POV)

Preparing the Soil by Rynne (T, 26k, wangxian, post-canon, established relationship, family issues, Chinese holidays, Chinese New Year, not JC friendly)

A Flower in Bloom (or Wei Wuxian Crashes a Party) by UmbrellaMartialGod (E, 30k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Crossdressing, Humor, Fluff and Smut, Established Relationship, Festivals, Dancer WWX, Insecurity, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Porn with Feelings, mild possessive behavior, New Year)

Let Food Be Your Medicine by bigolegay (M, 9k, WangXian, mid-autumn festival, Baking, Food as a Metaphor for Love, WWX centric, Minor Original Character(s), mooncakes, Caiyi Town, Cloud Recesses Shenanigans, Kissing, Food as a Vessel for Grief, JYL in flashbacks/thoughts) - Mid-Autumn Festival; WWX, wishing to present LWJ with lotus seed cakes, learns mooncake-making from Gusu villagers; a lengthy exercise in Food Porn, with detailed descriptions of the cooking process

藕断丝连 by RoseThorne (G, 458, WangXian, LSZ & LWJ, Grief/Mourning, Memory Loss, Memories, POV Third Person, POV LSZ, Rituals, lotuses, Qingming Festival)

Christmas Star by LadyVamp (E, 45k, WangXian, XiCheng, XuanLi, Modern AU, Romance, Inspired by Hallmark Christmas Movies, Christmas Fluff, Romantic Comedy, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fluff and Smut, Misunderstandings, Happy JC, Eventual Smut)

To heal and nurture by Aki_no_hikari (G, 11k, wangxian, post-canon, memories, married couple, fluff, festivals, healing, light angst, TGCF Crossover, fictional village harvest festival in honor of Yushi Huang, probably amounting to Mid-Autumn Festival)

WangXian Christmas Stories by @mdzs-owns-my-ass-i-guess

see you yesterday by glyphic (M, 138k, WIP, WangXian, Modern AU, Modern with Magic, Ghost Hunters, Time Loop, Case Fic, Hurt/Comfort, Memory Loss, Angst with a Happy Ending, Slow Burn, Halloween)

5 TOTALLY TRUE STORIES OF THE YILING PATRIARCH TO TURN YOUR HAIR WHITE!!!!! (and one story that actually happened) by dragonofeternal (T, 2k, LSZ & WWX, Parody, Crack, Listicle, slander, 5+1 Things, Fluff, Ghosts, Hungry Ghost Festival in the +1)

merry christmas ya filthy animal by belovedmuerto (T, 7k, XuanLi, WangXian, Modern AU, Family, Southern California, Christmas)

The Joy of Storytelling / 桃花運 by Irrelevancy (G, 4k, Songxiao; modern AU, Kid Fic, Daycare, Qixi, Mutual Pining, single dad!SL, canonically horrible storytelling XXC)

Qingming by hanbunnotsuki (G, 2k, WangXian, Traditions, Qingming festival)

clear and bright | 清明 by queerebrum (G, 1k, JingZhen, Qingming Festival, Post-Canon, Orphans, Public Display of Affection, Grief/Mourning, these tags are scary, i promise it's soft)

覆水难收 (spilled water cannot be reclaimed) by fieryrondo (T, 3k, JC & WWX, grief/mourning, canonical character death, 2nd person pov, musical instruments, character study, JC centric, Qingming, Hungry Ghost Festival)

if you sing deck the halls one more time i'll deck your face by lao_you_tiao (T, 1k, 3zun, JC, JL, and WWX, modern, fluff & humor, Christmas)

Trash_Candy_XU’s whole MDZS tag is a series of holiday shortfics following Wangxian through the 2020 calendar: character birthdays as well as both Chinese and Western holidays.

The Gift Exchange by tellthemstories (T, 10k, WangXian, Modern AU, modern cultivator au, they’re all teachers, gift exchanges, Denial of Feelings, everyone knows, Christmas)

Harvest Festival Times Two by theleakypen (G, 2k, Wens & WWX, MXY & WWX, MM & WWX, Modern AU, New York City, technically also a college au but that barely matters, Sukkot | Tabernacles, mid-autumn festival, Extended Families, Synagogue-Assigned Party Guests, Chinese Jewish Characters, Best Friends, Background Relationships) - diasporic Chinese Jewish Wen Remnants host a joint Sukkot/Mid-Autumn Festival

a good night | full heart full belly by frostferox (G, 2k, WangXian, Modern AU, Hanukkah, Wangxian adopts MXY)

Reclamation (where you can see the glow) by theLoyalRoyalGuard (G, 3k, LXC & LWJ, Post-Canon, Hanukkah, fluff and feelings, Family Feels) - the Twin Jades, going through their mother’s effects, learn that she was Jewish

The Fellow-Travelers by Val Mora (valmora) (G, 944, Slice of Life, written for Hanukkah) - SL and XXC are invited to share a campfire by some traveling OC Jewish mystics (who use the terms “Dao” and “cultivators” in a code-switching sense

Summer's End by flowercity (FaoriE) (M, 3k, WangXian, Fae & Fairies, Mutual Pining, Wet Dream, very vaguely described, Samhain, birthday fic)

sweet as the winter sun by Joythea (G, 1k, WangXian, Fluff, Post-Canon, Canon Compliant, Secret Santa, Winter Solstice, Domestic Fluff, Post-Canon Fluff, Making Tangyuan together, Eating Together, Tooth-Rotting Fluff)

Fun With The Easter Bunny by WangXian4Ever77 (E, 4k, WangXian, XuanLi, Modern AU, LWJ as the Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunt, tail pulling, Butt Squeezing, Annoyed Easter Bunny, Easter Bunny Kink, Fluff and Smut, Humor, Rabbit Puns, sneaky WWX, Playful Lying, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Kissing, Rope Bondage, Rough Sex)

Sisters of the Moon by honeylotus (E, 9k, WangXian, Semi-Public Sex, Fix-It of Sorts, Fisting, f/f Wangxian, Winter Solstice (Wiccan/Pagan))

yeh ladka hai allah by teorusu (G, 18k, WangXian, Modern AU, Islam, Islamic References, muslims in omegaverse, A/B/O Dynamics, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Misunderstandings, Omega LWJ, Alpha WWX, contrary to popular belief : this is sfw, Banter, Scenting, Fluff, Eid, Ramadan)

We Wish You A Logical Christmas by little_ogre (M, 9k, WangXian, Star Trek AU, Mutual Pining, Happy Ending, Going to Vulcan for Christmas, WWX is Vulcan, LWJ is human, what could go wrong, Pon Farr)

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Lan JingYi by DragonsPhoenix (G, <1k, LJY, linus van Pelt, Peanuts crossover, developing friendship, halloween, Great Pumpkin)

A Koi Tower Christmas by East_Of_Akkala, glitterlessgold490 (T, 14k, WIP, MM/QS, XuanLi, Modern AU, POV MY, POV MXY, POV QS, POV JZX, MXY has ADHD, Sugar gliders, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Homophobia, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Humor, Crack and Angst, Child JL, holiday parties, Himbo JZX, Most of the Trigger Warnings in This Story are JGS, Past Infidelity, Ableism, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Christmas)

Tofurkey Day by East_Of_Akkala & glitterlessgold490 (T, 10k, LXC/JGY, LXC/NMJ, pre-3zun, wangxian, modern, diasporic AU, humor, crack, polyamory, secret relationship, brotherly love, sibling dynamics of all sorts, WWX has ADHD, autistic LWJ, smart NHS, Thanksgiving (U.S.) ) Extended family Thanksgiving dinner at the Lans’, with personality, dietary, and political clashes, little kids, pets running amuck, and the characters being themselves Up To Eleven.

Ornaments Under the Stars by trippednfell (M, 6k, wangxian, modern, inspired by hallmark christmas movies, kid fic, disabled character, Additional Warnings In Author's Note, WIP)

I Want to Spend this Christmas with You! by cheese_fish (G, 4k, wangxian, modern, christmas, fluff)

another ghost walks down the hall by isshun (G, 2k, wangxian, modern, hurt/comfort, Hungry Ghost Festival, Chinese rites & rituals)

forever can never be long enough for me by isshun (T, 12k, LWJ & JYL, wangxian, modern, established relationship, food as a metaphor for love, Winter Solstice (Dongzhi), hurt/comfort, bonding, loving WWX hours)

Five Shades of Home by DrPanda99 (G, 13k, WangXian, Chinese New Year, Grief/Mourning, Introspection, Hurt/Comfort, Homecoming, WWX's Canonical Self-Esteem Issues, Domesticity, Yunmeng Brothers Reconciliation, (or at least the start of it), Good Uncle LQR, Post-Canon)

The Nines of Winter by ArcadianMaggie (E, 13k, WangXian, Modern AU, Dongzhi, Snowed In, Sharing a Bed, Hot Cocoa, Getting Back Together, home for the holidays, Puppy rescue, Panic Attacks, LWJ's Pet Rabbits, maybe just a tiny bit of angst, Fluff and Smut, and family feels, Hand Jobs, Kissing, First Time)

Make My Wish Come True by justpeace (T, 9k, wangxian, modern cultivation, gender changes, fem wangxian, Christmas, fake/pretend relationship, sharing a bed, case fic, getting together, angst, butch LWJ)

Fall in Love with me this Christmas by Bldreaming (Not Rated, 24k, WangXian, Modern AU, Christmas, Christmas Fluff, Christmas wedding, JYL Lives, Good Sibling JYL, JYL and JZX Live, Married XuanLi, man of honor wwx, Best woman Minamian, Reunions, Fluff and Smut, Secret Santa, Sexting, Phone Sex Blow Jobs, Semi-Public Sex, not a slow burn, Winter Wonderland, Yanli loves christmas, Christmas Music, Christmas Presents, Christmas, Smut Getting Together, First Love) - implied/referenced switching during phone sex

~*~

[catulhu333]

Sharess was originally a good aspect of Shar *and* Lolth?

...and perhaps the fragment of remaining goodness from both evil goddesses, with all three being possibly originally the same entity? (At least in late 1st and early 2nd edition AD&D lore)

Depictions (from left to right) of Shar, Sharess and Lolth, from 2003's Faiths and Pantheons

It might be a bit obscure, but rather than Bast merging with/absorbing the goddesses Felidae and Zandilar the Dancer; Sharess was originally intended to be a Chaotic Good aspect of Shar, as seen in her very first description in the original 1987 "Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting": "Sharess, a CG aspect of Shar worshipped in Calimshan, Waterdeep, and by idle rich or decadents all over the Realms. Sharess is a goddess of lust, free love, and sensual fulfillment, and is worshipped in prolonged fests with scented baths, music, good food, dancing, and other gratifications."

This when asking one of the writers/editors, Matt Sernett about this, he confirmed that Sharess was actually meant to be a benevolent aspect of Shar, and this not being a misdirection as presented later in lore.

This was basically repeated in 1988's "Empires of the Sands", as well as in the 1993 2nd edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, though the latter further suggesting Sharess' benevolent nature might be an act, or that Sharess became a separate being from Shar by this point: "The true nature and identity of Sharess is unrevealed. She may he a direct part of the evil Shar, preparing her following for despair and loss. Or she may be a new thing entirely: a goddess of excess."

This starts to become even more interesting with 1991's "Drow of the Underdark", in the section with the short dictionary of Drow language. There "valsharess" is explained as meaning "Queen", and "Quarvalsharess" "(the) Goddess" in Drow language, specifically and only meaning Lolth (other goddesses are are written as quar'valsharess, and not starting with a capital letter).

The same sourcebook, details the syncretic She-Spider cult - who seemingly consider Lolth and Shar to be the same goddess. The cult was opposed by both goddesses, which is curious, seeing Shar's eagerness to subsume other deities. Though Lolth did latter possibly send her priestess (Malabeth Tr'rudena) to infiltrate the cult.

A card from TSR's Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Trading Cards, depicting Malabeth.

This is a proof (along with the mention Shar worship is relatively popular among Drow), of such syncretic cults between the two goddesses existing, as well as one of the hints Shar and Lolth are or were to a degree aspects of each other. Similarly how Sehanine Moonbow in both 2nd edition and 4th edition, was stated to be aspect of Shar's sister, Selûne, most notably first in the above mentioned 2nd edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting: "Sehanine: Sehanine is an intermediate power among the elves of the Realms, for they refer to her as an elven version of Selûne, the mortal goddess of the moon."

Indeed, Sharess herself might had been a hint at the connection between Lolth and Shar.

There appeared more hints overtime, like similar antagonism between the 2 pairs, Shar and Lolth becoming both connected to the New Moon, and even more in late 3.5 edition and 4th edition/Nerath lore. For example, it was stated at the very end of 3.5th edition that the god Mask is Shar's son, mirroring Vhaeraun being the son of Lolth. The two gods are very similar, both being gods of thievery connected to shadows, as well as Vhaeraun being called the "Masked Lord", "Masked Mage", "Masked God of the Night". Furthermore, both gods share near identical titles - Vhaeraun being called the "Lord of Shadow" and "Shadow Lord"; Mask being known as the "Lord of Shadows" and "Shadowlord". Both having a similar to near identical symbols. With there being theories, and hints before this reveal, Mask and Vhaeraun might be connected, maybe even aspects of each other, Mask even kinda hinting in one novel (1998's "Crucible: The Trial of Cyric the Mad" by Troy Denning) he is the same as Vhaeraun.

Symbols of Vhaeraun (left, from 1998's "Demihuman Deities") and Mask (right, from 1996's "Faiths and Avatars")

Pictures of Vhaeraun battling his son, Selvetarm (left, from 2004's "Player's Guide to Faerun"), and of Mask (right, from 2003's "Faiths and Pantheons") On Nerath, in turn Lolth and Sehanine are described as sisters, like Shar and Selûne are. So the (at least initial) opposition to the She-Spider cult from both, being possibly from not wanting for their connection to be revealed; or alternately be merged back by the power of belief.

Though to be clear, this could work either way if Shar and Lolth are or were aspects of each other, or not. As Sharess, in her original lore, possibly sprung into existence from the worship of the syncreticism of Shar and Lolth, that arose among drow, and then spread to other races/species, possibly originally named "Quarvalsharess"; before the name became shortened/corrupted among non-drow into just "Sharess". Or even started out named already Sharess among even drow, shortening from Quarvalsharess, to emphasize the "Shar" part.

It's probable Shar at least had more control over the Sharess aspect than Lolth (seeing Sharess was directly stated to be connected to her), and possibly the new goddess, in part absorbing or mirroring whatever benevolent aspects the two goddesses had, became an independent being. This quite probably being at least in part also caused by "Time of Troubles", when gods were forced into singular avatars, this event would have cut-off Sharess from both Shar and Lolth. Especially seeing the possibility of Sharess being an independent entity, was first mentioned not long after the Time of Troubles (ie when 2nd edition Forgotten Realms setting was set).

Depiction of Sharess, from 1995's Polyhedron #109

Soon though, Sharess was given a different origin (first in 1995's “Forgotten Deities: Sharess” in Polyhedron #109, then further developed with some changes in 1997's "Powers and Pantheons" and 1998's "Demihuman Deities") , if still being connected to Shar, and (more indirectly) to drow, and being an amalgamation of aspects of multiple goddesses (but different ones); it's still though an interesting possibility/alternate origin for home campaigns.

Or perhaps even theorizing some part of Shar or even Lolth did get into the divine merger that was Sharess. ("Was", as in 5th edition lore, Sharess was basically split back into Bast and Zandilar).

[minecraftbookshelf]

What does the word fae actually, specifically, mean in the marriage of the state AU? Because they’re not really a species, with faeries, elves, gnomes, and the deep folk all being fae/fae adjacent. Plus there doesn’t seem to be any fairy realm/feywild present in the AU, just the spring at most.

So like from a crystal cliffs, scientific perspective, what are they, what characterizes them, where do they come from?

Are faeries really animals at all or more creeperish (based on your creeper lore) or something else entirely? Can there be half faeries, with either elves or humans?

You’ve mentioned before they sort of dissolve when they die, so are they even totally physical, made of bones and fat and such?

What’s the deal with elves being half-fae, is there a biological-ish connection or decendantcy to/from faeries there? With half elves existing for sure, (hi gem) did humans and elves both from a common ancestor, or did one come from the other? Did the separation happen naturally, or was it like hybrids with the meddling of magic or spirits? (Or Aeor?) Are they maybe just totally unconnected, and being similar enough to have half elves just a handwavey/magic thing?

I love really getting into how fantasy world work and they’re history, so all of your Worldbuilding stuff has such a great hold over me, I love how deep you think into the day to day. I think that was the first period in this whole ask, lol. Sending a huge wall of vaguely related questions seems to be becoming a habit. Anyway, have a great day!

Hello! Sorry for the delay, IRL things kept happening!

And buckle up a bit because this is the one where the fact that I'm a massive Tolkien nerd really shows through, we're pulling heavily from the Silmarillion for this one. (Smajor did it first it is part of the canonical lore)

Also I have spent a long time (Since I was like, four years old. I was an extremely normal child and not autistic at all.) with a lot of versions and types of fairy tales, so I do sometimes forget exactly what knowledge of The Rules of the Genre people tend to be familiar with, so if something seems to be missing a few steps in the explanations please ask about it and I will do my best. Sometimes that might just be me pointing and being like "but that's the way it works" but I can try anyway XD

--

Basically, "Fae/Fae Adjacent" is both referring to a specific race, and is also the shorthand that I use to classify the Races That Came First. In Tolkien's work, you have the elves, who woke up an age before the first men. And by the time humanity even existed they'd had like, two wars and a massive migration. They are part of, I believe, the Second Theme of the Great Music, while men are part of the Third.

So when I say someone or a species is fae or kind of fae or any variation of that, it means that they are part of one of the races who have been on the Empires world longer, (several thousand years longer than the mortals) and share some of the characteristics of those races. (With one notable exception that I will get to)

These characteristics are mostly limited to longevity, of different flavors, and inherent abilities that would be classed as magical by mortals but that are usually very understated along the lines of having an exceptionally green thumb. I think I've said it in a previous post somewhere, maybe the Wool one, but Xornoth and Scott's elemental abilities are Very Unusual among elves and are a strong indication of the Divine meddling in their lives.

-

The Fae/Faeries who inhabit the Overgrown and are connected to the Spring, are the eldest surface-dwelling beings, and are the Actual Fae. They are most closely related to the Deep Folk, they just separated very early on and, as a species, they are incredibly responsive to environmental requirements and divergent evolution happened very quickly.

Fae are fully sentient. They are people, not animals, just Uncanny People.

The Overgrown and specifically the Spring's Grotto are a kind of Feywild. In that they are very heavily magical and tend to be difficult or impossible to find or navigate to anyone they don't want to be, and mortals in general. They don't tend to take up exactly the right amount of physical space they should. It's also kind of unclear if the fae have more of an influence over the environment or if it has an influence over them. (It's a little bit of both.) They tend to have a lot of variance, as individuals, though butterfly traits and cat traits are both fairly common, and Katherine specifically has both of those. These are less because of connections to said species and more environmental responses.

Some parts of the Overgrown are deliberately kept to be at least a little bit less hostile to visitors, mostly for diplomatic purposes, though visitors are rare for good reason.

(The other rulers, who tend to run in and out of Katherine's house with impunity, are something of an exception to this, and most of them have some level of magical connection to something or other that gives them at least a little bit of resistance or immunity to the surroundings. The primary exception to this is Fwhip, who has had to be extracted from Situations more than once by Gem or Katherine.)

There are also other Fae, besides the inhabitants of the Overgrown, the other three courts just have left. Whether that is just the geographical region or the specific plane of existence is fairly unclear. The Overgrown is home to the Spring Court, who are...not fully seelie or unseelie, though they tend towards seelie. (This does not mean they are truly friendly, or that they aren't dangerous)

-

Elves are younger than the Fae proper, though not by much. There used to be a lot more of them, covering the entire mountain range that Rivendell is only part of (this is totally not plot relevant at all :) ) and also some of what is now the edges of the Crystal Cliffs, the Grimlands, and the Spawn Lands. (Which would later become the place the first mortals woke up, thus its name and also status as a neutral location used for most meetings between empires.)

There were a few different peoples among the elves, though they have since been whittled down to two main surviving demographics, though the occasional traits do pop up from others from time to time. Both of these are mountain people, and are the ones that I shorthand as "owl elves" and "deer elves" or "mountaintop" and "lowlands and valleys" respectively, though these are simplifications and not entirely accurate tbh. They have two different, though related, languages. Xornoth and Scott are a mixture of both, which, while not super common in Rivendell, isn't unheard of either. Thus their wings and antlers combo.

Like the Fae, Elves as a species are fairly closely tied to and responsive to their environment, which is why despite the antlers and/or wings, they have a not undeserved reputation for stealth. (as opposed to the Fae, who do sometimes literally become part of the environment, Elves are just very good at blending into it.)

-

The Deep Folk, after they split off from the Fae and migrated under the surface, also evolved into a few different branches. Sirens are the one most well known to surface-dwellers, though there are few individuals left who can claim to be a full siren.

The Deep Folk intermingled with their mortal counterparts more than the land-based fae peoples, and so while the Sea Folk are for the most part mortal, some of them tend to be a little bit uncanny or have exceptionally long life-spans. This is incredibly normalized for them and the much stronger segregation between land fae and land mortals was a bit off-putting for a lot of the Sea Folk when they began interacting.

-

the Gnomes actually are not technically fae specifically because they are not native to this reality.

Shrub's description of her people and their own nature combined meant that she got classed as a fae race because she had enough in common, but she's not quite fae or mortal. The rules of their home dimension are a bit to the left of this worlds. The decision was mostly made based off of the depth of the connection that gnomes have with their environment, though as a rule they aren't especially long-lived or otherwise magical.

So Shrub isn't Fae, but they aren't Mortal either.

-

Allays and Vexes are about the same level of sentience as creepers. just less explosive. They grow from magic the same way creepers grow from the land. They're actually the same species, just different varieties.

--

The different Rates of Decay, for lack of a better phrasing have to do with the level of influence and connection to the environment. Also like, if Katherine, for example, were to die in the Spring Grotto, her body would basically disappear instantly; vs if she were to die in the End or the Nether, which are separate planes that are completely foreign to her Nature, her body would be perfectly preserved until it was returned to the Overworld. Even if it was thrown into the Void or the Lava Sea.

I think that answered most of the points? I would apologize for how long this is but I have a feeling you don't mind XD

If I did miss anything or if there are any follow up questions by all means ask them, whether in the notes, as a reblog, or my askbox.

Thank you, as always, for your asks. They are so much fun to answer!

[snowfolly]

A Simple Life

Astarion x original f!Tav | one shot, 2,931 words

Astarion and Tali are taking a break from the road to stargaze for a moment. He reflects on what was and what could have been with his little gray songbird at his side.

Cw: references to Astarion’s past abuse, some cursing

Tags: tooth-rotting fluff, hurt/comfort, soft Astarion, post-game, headcanons, self-indulgent af, Astarion’s Pov

Notes: Headcanons galore about noble elves in Evereska and Astarion’s past- if that’s not your thing then this may not be the story for you friend! • No beta on this one-shot & I am certainly not a professional writer • Also just as a little side note- My Tav, Taliesin, is genderfluid and uses any pronouns. They have used a ring of opposite gender for around 60 years (which they use about half the time), so I write/draw them as either gender :>

Read on ao3

-

“Imagine though, if we had stayed back in Evereska we could have had a simple life, well, at least compared to the ones we’ve lived. Perhaps my bitch of a mother would have sold me off to your family to wed you — for a handsome dowry of course,” Tali mused, staring up at the night sky and the thumbnail of a moon that bled the faintest silver light upon the land, “can you even imagine? We would have been absolutely miserable.”

Astarion laughed, his arms behind his head as he laid upon the long autumn grass, the scent of comforting vetiver and leaf rot was strong but not unpleasant so close to the earth. He stared at the constellation Correlian just over the horizon, thirteen bright stars standing out amongst a million others, giving him some kind of vague nostalgia, although he couldn’t pinpoint why exactly. Likely something left over from his past, from the time before; broken memories that would sometimes seep through in the form of indefinite feelings.

“Oh certainly, we would have hated each other. I would have resented you, you’d have resented me, we’d keep to different rooms on opposite sides of our sprawling mansion. We’d drink too much, despise our jobs in the family business, take other lovers and hate each other for that as well. It simply would have been a grand old time!” he jested sarcastically, one hand on his chest and the other waving about for humorous emphasis before glancing over at Taliesin.

Tali was such a slight creature, dressed in an oversized ruby hued poet shirt and high black breeches, her long, cool gray hair was back in her typical loose braids, balled up unceremoniously at the nape of her neck and held in place with a red silk tie. She sat cross legged and leaning up against the trunk of a tree nearly barren of leaves, her violin propped up beside her.

“We would have bickered nonstop, both of us bored to death as we played our roles,” Tali made a dramatic gagging sound and sat forward, hugging her knees and resting her head on them as she glanced down at Astarion with an impish grin, “but here we are.”

“Indeed, here we are, love,” Astarion replied quietly, turning to lay on his side, better facing his partner.

“Just two elves that have been really shitty at being elves,” Tali conceded with a smile, and Astarion nodded with a slight eye roll. She certainly wasn’t wrong about that. Neither of them worshipped the Seldarine. Tali was as decadent as he, self absorbed and mean spirited at times as well.

They were both city dwellers and cared not for the woods, but while she had played her music in taverns and inns for over a century in Baldur’s Gate he had been prowling them as a vampire spawn for much longer. The only time they had frolicked in forests was out of necessity, to get from point a to point b.

Lying on the grass with her and staring up at the heavens, contemplating the vastness and meaning of it all was as elfy as either of them got, he supposed.

“So…what exactly would have been your fate if you had stayed home? Seeing as to how I wasn’t there to come sweep you off your stamping mad little feet?” Astarion asked, nodding his head rhythmically with each of the last four words out of his mouth and Tali shrugged, her face not showing a hint of perturbance, which was good. Her past, much like his own, could be a point of contention.

“I was arranged to wed a noble merchant’s son when we both came of age, poor boy was sweet as mead but dense as cow dung. You might have known him, he was a bit older than me and a smidge younger than you. Not a brain in his head. Spent all day elfing-about in the woods, absolutely loved all that shit. Thank the gods I had the wherewithal to run away.”

“A dire fate that would have been,” Astarion said with a half smile, his gaze distant, deep in thought.

Evereska was such an obscure, foggy memory for him. He had very little recollection of it but he could vaguely remember the sprawling estates in the upscale part of the city, and one of them, not so far from his own family home was Tali’s — a house of noble merchants.

“Do you remember what would have become of you if you had stayed in Evereska?” Tali asked him with a hint of hesitation, but it was a question he had anticipated after he had asked her the same so frankly.

Astarion stared off into the field, garnet eyes faraway, his head propped up on his hand as the gears in his mind turned, but they weren’t turning nearly as efficiently as he would have liked. They never did when it came to the past, to the time before.

“Well, I’m not sure what my parents had planned for me, if anything. I… I really just don’t remember. I know that I left when I was very young, and I don’t know if I left on my own accord or if I was sent off. I just recall that it wasn’t a positive farewell,” he said solemnly, glancing back at Tali who was absentmindedly playing with the grass under her right hand.

“Do you… ever plan to go back to see them? Your family?” Tali asked without looking toward Astarion, and he was glad for it. His face fell and his heart sank at her words. His family.

A few stray crickets brave enough to bear the autumn chill were the only sound heard between the two as Astarion stayed silent for some time while he processed Tali’s question. He knew that she was curious about his past, but she never pried or prodded and it was only fair to answer her truly now.

“I have thought about it, of course I have,” he swallowed, looking up at her with round, pleading eyes and then back up to the sliver of moon hanging above, “I don’t think I could face them. I don’t know that I could…”

Astarion stalled a moment, irritated at his hitching voice before taking a deep breath out of habit. Oxygen was useless to his undead lungs but necessary for all the talking, “they’ve thought me dead for over two hundred years now. I don’t even know them anymore, Tali. I’m positive I left on very poor terms, I was buried in the city after all and that never would have happened if…”

“You don’t know that,” Tali interrupted, grimacing as she locked eyes with him, “there could have been many reasons for that. I remember when you died… well, vaguely as I had no idea who you were then, but I do remember your family mourning.”

Astarion’s languid heart skipped a beat, he felt like he had been punched in the gut at this revelation. Tali had never told him that. Astarion had known that Tali knew of his family but never knew that they had mourned for him. He had never asked about something like that though, of course he hadn’t.

“They mourned?” he asked in a small voice as he rolled over on his back once again, feeling defeated, feeling empty, at a loss. He wasn’t sure that he wanted to hear any more of this. That part of his life was over anyway, dead in the ground like his kin thought of him, right?

“Of course they did. Your mother…” Tali looked at Astarion with a sadness that she rarely displayed, a look that hurt him further, and she must have picked up on his discomfort because she changed direction.

“Gods… I. Look , I was only a child but I remember everyone making a big deal of losing an elf so young,” Tali sighed, hesitating a moment more before continuing, “so I don’t think you left on awful terms, Astarion. If you ever wanted to go back…”

She was right… possibly. What if the negative recollection that he did have of his family was incorrect? It wouldn’t be surprising, as his memories of the time before were so shattered. But why would she even suggest going back to a place that she had run from for so long?

“You’ve been avoiding Evereska for how long now? A century?”

“One hundred and twenty two years thereabouts,” Tali said nonchalantly, taking a particularly hard blade of grass and poking Astarion with it in the side of his neck without warning.

“Gods, Tali, you little shit,” he growled, slapping at the grass with an irritated grin, “then why do you care if we ever go back? Your mother will have your head…”

“I don’t care about returning for myself you idiot, I care about what it means for you. For you to see your family, not mine,” she exhaled, ripping the long blade of grass in two with furrowed brows as Astarion glared at her momentarily before his eyes softened. He grabbed at her arm with his clawed hand, beckoning her wordlessly to his side.

Of course this was about him.

Tali was as selfish of a creature as Astarion was, unless it came to matters involving him, and then she was patient, she was generous and she was kind in ways that he knew that she sometimes felt vulnerable for. He could certainly relate to that, as he often felt the same way with her.

He couldn’t, however, quite understand why she loved him though. He would never be able to fathom why she chose to love him after he had threatened to kill her when they had first met, after every shitty thing he had done to try and manipulate her, after all the baggage he’d brought to the table, but he would not ever question her affection. He would accept her love gratefully, and give all of his in return.

Tali obeyed his beckoning hand and rolled over to his side without another word, lying against him with her head resting on the crook of his arm as he clutched the seemingly infinite amount of fabric of her oversized sleeve. They laid together in silence, watching the moon creep slowly above the grasping bones of bare branches for an indeterminate amount of time, and his mind lulled back to his atrocious past, as it was wont to do during stretches of silence.

And gods, he had endured so much silence in two hundred years, so many endless nights of hushed horrors. He found quietness in busy taverns hunting for prey, he heard nothing when his victims moaned in ecstasy under him, and when they were taken away screaming from the boudoir he would lay in silence, a million miles away. Worlds away.

Like the year he spent clawing and screaming into the dark… there was nothing but silence for so very long.

Astarion bit his lip, bringing his mind out of despair, reining his thoughts back to his gray songbird who chirruped love songs to him before every sunrise, his strange little pet, who could play every instrument put before her and made so much pleasant noise. Tali gave him so much joy, shared his wretched sense of humor, made him laugh every night with endless raucous stories and bawdy jokes. She filled his life with so much sound.

His little songbird now lay shivering against him though, and it pained him that he could provide her no warmth. He held onto her tightly as she clung to him, burrowing her head into the crook of his neck as he touched his lips to her silken hair, nearly loose from its red tie.

“I do appreciate you thinking of me like that, you know. I really do, love” he whispered to her and she nodded slightly, exhaling her warm breath against the cold flesh of his neck, sending chills over his skin.

“Of course. I love you. That’s what people do when they love each other, Astarion,” she said in way that could be construed as flippant if it wasn’t said so sweetly.

“Truly though, if you ever want to go back, we’ll go. Just say the word. I’ll be fine, my mother hasn’t sent anyone looking for me for twenty years or so. I’ll use my ring or something to lay low,” she yawned, “just say the word.”

He smiled into her gray hair, dark as charcoal in the low light, inhaling her scent, clean and floral, and he felt almost overwhelmed with it all. Not in a negative way at all though. Two hundred years of horror, neglect and misery had all led up to this moment of comfort, of truly being happy. He guessed that what he felt was overwhelming gratitude, for his freedom, for another chance at life, for her.

“Maybe if we ever find the cure for my condition…”

“When we find the cure,” Tali murmured, correcting him, and Astarion exhaled, knowing deep in his heart that the cure might not ever come, no matter how many years they searched — but he’d humor her anyway.

“Fine. After we absolutely, definitely, one hundred percent find the end to my curse then I'll think about going back. Perhaps. Maybe I’ll write them first, though. Wouldn’t want to give them a fright, thinking I was some sort of phantom,” he ventured facetiously as she curled up against him closer.

Astarion couldn’t feel the chill in the same way Tali could, and though she was no weakling he couldn’t help but worry over her being too cold. He shifted slightly, ready to announce that it was time to go when she spoke up in a voice barely above a whisper.

“Do you think it would have been so bad, really?”

“What?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, momentarily confused.

“If we had stayed home, if we had been arranged to marry. I was joking but really, it could have been possible you know. We’re not too far off in age.”

Astarion blinked, his mind going over an entire century of what very well could have been in just a moment. Gods how mad they both would have been at the prospect. But would they have really hated each other after they had gotten to knows one another? They hadn’t liked each other very much when they had first met nearly a year earlier, but now. Now he couldn’t picture his life without the little shit.

“I don’t think so. It wouldn’t have been so awful,” he answered quietly, holding her tighter, helpless to comfort her as she shivered slightly, “but we would have never stayed there.”

“Oh we wouldn’t have stayed at all. Never in a million years. But I don’t think we would’ve hated each other. I don’t think I could ever hate you,” she said groggily, and he smiled to himself as she continued, “do you think you could have hated me?”

“No, I don’t think I’d ever be able to hate you either, songbird,” he said without hesitation before pulling away from her slightly, causing her to protest with a groan.

“But it’s time to move on, pet. The next inn’s a few miles up the way, It’s getting early and you’re freezing to death. That won’t do.”

“Are you sure that you don’t hate me?” Tali whined, curling up into a miserable ball and clutching her hands at her chest as Astarion rose to his knees, beckoning her up.

“Get up. I know you’re hungry too. If the innkeep’s up and about we’ll get you a potato, butter, salt, the works. A glass of hot mead, mulled wine…” Astarion smirked as she opened her eyes wide, he knew that mentioning food, potatoes in particular, would do the trick.

“Well. Fine,” Tali finally relented, her hands reaching up to him with lethargic waggling fingers as he stood to pull her all the way to her feet.

They collected their belongings waiting at the base of the tree and Astarion dug a cloak out from her pack for her, placing it on her shoulders before they made their way back to the road in silence. Tali grabbed his hand as they ventured forth once again.

“We’d have been hand in hand getting the hells out of Evereska too, I think,” she said after some time, and he was amused that the subject was still on her mind, especially after putting the idea of hot buttered potatoes and mead in there. Astarion looked down at her, her rose hued eyes bleary but as spirited as always.

“Darling, they’d have been lucky if we didn’t burn the entire damned place to the ground before we left,” he said with a dismissive wave of his free hand and Tali laughed out loud.

“Oh, so lucky.”

The simple life would have never been for them, not in any way, shape or form. But perhaps if fate had brought them together so long ago they would have had an amazing century with one another, running all over Faerûn, getting into gods only knew what mischief. If only things had been different. If only he hadn’t died in Baldur’s Gate, hadn’t suffered for two hundred godsdamned years…

Tali squeezed his hand tightly, bringing him back from his dark thoughts once again.

Everything leading up to that moment is what they were given. Nothing could change the horrors of the past, but hand in hand they could now do their best to make up for all that lost time.

With Tali by his side everything would be alright.

[starssunsoftheinfinite]

This is just me rambling about the lotr musical I just saw spoilers for the watermill theatre production of lotr!!

In no particular order

HOLYMOLY THAT WAS SO GOOD ARRGGRGReatsit

First off I was expecting a new musical (for context there was another musical first performed in 2006 I think) BUT IT WASNT at least the songs weren't I'm not sure about the script since its insanely hard to find anything on it APART from the songs, they can be found online even on Spotify! Point is I thought it was a new one BUT THEN THEY STARTED PLAYING ROAD GOES ON AND MY ASS FELL OFF ISTG Seeing that og musical has been a DREAAAM OF MINE BUT THEY DON'T PLAY IT ANYMORE OR SO I THOOOOOUUUGHT

The music is insane actually it's so good!!!

When I saw the elves and realised they wouldn't have long hair unless the actor already did I was a little nervous since I just find its difficult to portray elves without the iconic long hair BUT MY GOD THEY'RE GOOD I don't know what these guys did compaired to the short hair elves of lotr prime BUT IT WOOOORKS legolas was perfect and GALADRIEL the actress has stage presence if I've ever seen it!!! She had this for lack of a better word fuck ass bob with a gold wreath thing and a PANT SUIT SHE'S MENTAL I LOVE HER!!!

Her voice is insane there was a moment where a group of people all sang together and they seemed to be singing at the usual stage level right but here voice just boomed iver the whole group it was amazing! She was so loud but she did it well!! I find often when people sing that loud it's like shouting but not in a good way, she was SINGING it was beautiful. She captured galadriels aura and power so well every time she was on stage I just wanted to stare at her.

aragorn was so GOOOOD he also sounded a lot like Orlando bloom to me lmao. His outfit was actually perfection and his haircut??? HE HAD this shaved sides thing going on and???!?!?! I THINK I LIKE IT MORE THAN MOVIE ARAGORN DARE I SAY???

Don't even get started on arwen dude. THE COSTUME DESINERS DID AMAZING WITH HER DRESS AND THE ACTRESS CAPTURED HER SO WELL her ethereal feel with a slight bit of young wonderUUuGGHHhHh screams. Her voice is also actually insane I'm chewing bark.

Frodo was done so wellLLLLLLL the moments when he got taken over by the ring were so distinctly not Frodo!! The actor switched between the two moments so flawlessly!! It was like he was playing two people.

AND SAAAm what a sweetheart he is he's perfect in every way can do no wrong ever ever!! His voice was so pretty I'm gonna goble him up for real. Also I think he got slapped in the face?!? I couldn't see it perfectly but that slam sounded very real with the noise so I wouldn't be shocked. Dedication woa.

GIIIMLI meow meow meow he's so good bald king<<<3333 HIS OUTFIT?? punch me in the face please thanks. Bro his face when legolas was being sassy to him MF said >:000 I LOVE HIS PORTRAAAAAAIIIL UGggghhhHHH he's perfect in every way everyone stay back from my bald king RAAAA

Boromir my pookie gone too soon <333 his outfit was so good his actor was so good EVERYTHING WAS SO GOOD UUUGH Meow when he held frodo wrists to get him to stay I was like 🤨🤨🤨🤨😏😏😏 LOTR MUSICAL IS JUST FULL OF HOT PEOPLE

OMGOD GANDALF UUUGH HE WAS AMAZING idk why I thought he's be played by a younger guy in makeup?? Getting an actually older actor makes way more sense and HE WAS AMAZING

Saruman, elrond and golem were all played by this one guy and it was so good?? You could tell visually like his face that it was all him but he differentiates the characters SOOO well!! Bald elrond will haunt my dreams though..

MERRY AND PIPPIN UUUGHGHHG I love I love they made a tiny tweak to pip which was that since he was played by a lovely actress pip was referred to as a girl, but it was done very well! Nothing about the character changed, personality, story beats, outfit, everything was still pippin the only difference was a few she's here and there which is very much how this thing should be done :)) if you do need to or want to switch and characters gender it's good to keep them the same in other aspects otherwise they just come across as a new character with a familiar name! But that didn't happen here at all, the actress portrayed pip amazingly

Merry was also so good! His voice was amazing and he was so charming!

THE OOOORCS they were amazing. They were so unsettling!! I wasn't sure how they were going to play them but they had this gassmask type thing on it was so good! Everytime they came in I was excited to see them.

The way they did the nazgul was so fun. They were these skeleton horse head puppets!! They opened their mouths so wide it was really unsettling!!

AND THE SPIIIIDERRR everyone gasped when the spider came on. They opened these big doors in the back of the theatre right and she didn't even walk on she was right there! She was huge. She's this big puppet maned by like it's gotta be six or seven people SHE WAS AMAZING

AND OH OH OH THE FIRST AND LAST SCENES WERE OUTSIDE bilbos party was out in the garden!! We all got to sit around and the hobbit came and spoke to us all like we were invited to the party! Bilbo came out and asked me if I had eaten today if was great!! Speaking of which he was SOO GOOOOD

ANNNNDD they mentioned Tom!! WOOO at the end gandalf spoke about going to speak with Tom bombadil! We all had a giggle it was fun

It was just generally amazing all round

[outofangband]

Songbirds of Doriath

Flora, fauna, geography and environment of Arda Masterlist

Orchids of Doriath, Mosses of Doriath, Ferns of Doriath

I love doing general flora and fauna posts but I can’t fit everything in them so I’m trying to make more specific ones as well! please please feel free to send categories to work on with locations! Or any environmental world building asks!

In ornithology songbirds are defined as species who possess a lower larynx or species belonging to the suborder passeri. This includes thousands of species that live all over the world, with the exception of Antarctica

Doriath is a region made up of a variety of forests. There is Region, a forest of holly and other mostly deciduous trees, Neldoreth, an ancient beechwood, Nivrim, a forest of primarily oak north of the twilit meres and finally Arthórien, a forest we have almost no information on, divided from the rest of the kingdom by the river Aros which runs along the Eastern border of greater Doriath.

Songbirds are canonically associated with the region and especially the queen, Melian, whose power was said to bring song to nightingales. She was also a Maia of Vána, as well as Estë. Vána was associated with songbirds and flowers. Lúthien’s sobriquet means nightingale and there are many references to songbirds in association with her in both canon and pre canon sources

like my others, I am going to add some world building notes at the end so it's not just listing species

Species:

In the deeper woods: chaffinch, azure tit, greenish warbler, song thrush, common nuthatch, golden oriole, long tailed tit, hawfinch, lesser redpoll

Forest edges: rose finch, horned lark, marsh warbler, chestnut bunting, white wagtail, common nightingale, common wren

Migratory: woodchat strike, wood warbler, thrush nightingale, redwing, fieldfare, sedge warbler, varied thrush, red throated thrush, bluethroat

Specific to Region: mistle thrush

River banks and alder groves: brambling, Willow tit, marsh tit (occasionally found along the river in Neldoreth too), common reed bunting

Arthórien specific: rusty crowned babbler, golden crowned babbler, grey thrush, maroon oriole

Other note: there are many species that exist throughout the kingdom that do not have equivalents in the real world. Some of these were brought by the Melian and some of these are, simply species unique to. Arda

World building notes:

-song birds are common in art, music, poetry, and lore. Though they have group associations (Melian and thus, Doriath itself, joy and livelihood, song) different species often have their own associations as well! Thrushes for example are associated with melancholy, seasonal change, and contemplation. Warbler species tend to be associated with summer and with revelry.

-I spoke about this on my post about speculative biology and elves, but I believe the elves can imitate a variety of animal nature sounds with higher accuracy than humans, and this is due in part to differences in vocal systems, as well as in their hearing and imitation abilities.

-Many games of Sindar children involve bird calls and different ones are often assigned meanings, some obscure, some almost universal.

-The marchwardens of Doriath also frequently use bird calls as well, changing based on season and location so their calls fit with the environment.

-It is considered highly taboo to slay a songbird as they are not hunted for food or materials but also because of the spiritual significance. Feathers may only be used when found having been lost or fallen, not taken from live birds or their bodies. Many will say a prayer to Melian or Vána at the sight of a fallen songbird

-Just as with butterflies, many species of birds inspired exploration in color and led to the development of pigments. Alder bark, from trees found primarily in Nivrim, is associated with varied thrushes as well as with orange tip butterflies, for example

[elerrinacrownedwithstars]

Of the Silmarils, part 2: Fëanor and Morgoth

In his letters, Tolkien often talked about the Fall, and how he saw it as an important part of almost any story. The idea of Fall, and its incorporation in the legendarium, is one of the most blatant references to Tolkien's faith - although he interestingly differs from Christian dogma in seeing mortal death as a gift, not as a consequence of the Fall.

Just as interesting is how the Fall is a part of everything in Arda - and the way nobody embodies the Fall quite like the mightiest of Ainur, and the most gifted of the Elves. The stories of Morgoth and Fëanor parallel each other pretty much from the start, beginning with how they are described:

"To Melkor among the Ainur had been given the greatest gifts of power and knowledge, and he had a share in all the gifts of his brethren." - Ainulindalë, The Music of the Ainur "For Fëanor was made the mightiest in all parts of body and mind: in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and subtlety alike: of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and a bright flame was in him." - Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor

These two are the mightiest of their kinds, but whatever promise of greatness there is in their genesis, it ultimately fails. Both of them are exceedingly proud, which is their fatal flaw: humbling themselves is unbearable for them, and so they spiral down into chaos. Neither are "team players", so to speak, looking for no counsel from their peers, but wishing always to lead, and going alone to uncharted places to seek for knowledge that is hidden from others. Morgoth can't bear it when lordship among the Ainur is given to Manwë, and the seed of Fëanor's discontent may be seen in not being able to possess alone the paternal love of Finwë.

Morgoth and Fëanor both also seem very jealous of what they consider their own. Interestingly, even the reason for why they Fall, respectively, seems to be in some kind of an inappropriate and jealous desire/love, even the Flame Imperishable itself:

"He had gone often alone into the void places seeking the Imperishable Flame; for desire grew hot within him to bring into Being things of his own, and it seemed to him that Ilúvatar took no thought of the Void, and he was impatient of its emptiness. Yet he found not the Fire, for it is with Ilúvatar." - Ainulindalë, The Music of the Ainur

"For Fëanor began to love the Silmarils with a greedy love, and grudged the sight of them to all save to his father and his seven sons; he seldom remembered now that the light within them was not his own." - Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor

These two passages are not maybe not entirely uniform, but I feel like there is something there. In the part 1 of my Silmaril posts, I speculate more on whether the Silmarils are somehow alive, and if this life is connected in some manner to Flame Imperishable; I intend to eventually explore the implications further from other perspectives. Nevertheless, both Morgoth and Fëanor form a desire, or attachment if you will, to something that is perhaps beyond even their deep understanding, and reaching beyond the boundaries of sub-creation, even at the mystery of Life/Light (which is the sole right of Ilúvatar); if you speak in Christian terms, they are toeing the lines of blasphemy, like man Fell by attempting to become like God. Eventually, it's through Fëanor's "greedy love" of the Silmarils that Morgoth is able to carry his corruption through.

Though Fëanor rightly and bitterly hates Morgoth for Finwë's murder and the taking of the Silmarils, his words against the Valar and rebellion essentially stem from Morgoth's own mind. This is interesting irony in the story of Fëanor. The seeds of dissent are present even before Morgoth's release from Mandos - although it seems to be implied in Of the Darkening of Valinor that the rift between Fëanor and Fingolfin might have been healed, if there had been more time:

"For Fingolfin held forth his hand, saying: 'As I promised, I do now. I release thee, and remember no grievance.' Then Fëanor took his hand in silence; but Fingolfin said: 'Half-brother in blood, full brother in heart I will be. Thou shalt lead and I will follow. May no new grief divide us.' 'I hear thee,' said Feanor. 'So be it.'

Another similarity is how both Morgoth and Fëanor are granted a chance to repent:

"... and he was cast into prison in the fastness of Mandos... There was Melkor doomed to abide for three ages long, before his cause should be tried anew, or he should plead again for pardon. " - Of the Coming of the Elves "The Silmarils had passed away, and all one it may seem whether Fëanor had said yea or nay to Yavanna; yet had he said yea at the first, before the tidings came from Formenos, it may be that his after deeds would have been other than they were." - Of the Flight of the Noldor.

In the previous part, I wrote about the second passage, and wondered if this moment of choice is indeed about more than just the Silmarils: a chance is offered to Fëanor to take another path, and had he chosen to give up the Silmarils, he might have received some grace from it (like Bilbo does when he gives up the Ring). In Tolkien's legendarium, being able to let go of the material world is always a virtue.

The Darkening of Valinor and the Flight of the Noldor show keen parallels between Morgoth and Fëanor, or we might say that Morgoth's theft of the Silmaril foreshadow Fëanor's own actions (and their consequences). Here is what happens:

Morgoth slays Finwë, spilling innocent blood at Formenos / Fëanor attacks the Teleri to take their ships, spilling innocent blood at Alqualondë

Morgoth takes the Silmarils, the greatest work of Fëanor never to be achieved again / Fëanor takes the ships of the Teleri, their greatest work that will never be achieved again

The Silmarils burn Morgoth's hands, and he's never freed from the pain of the burning; eventually, the weight of the Silmarils becomes a terrible burden / the Silmarils burn the hands of the last living Fëanorians and torment them unbearably; the Oath becomes a terrible burden

And so Fëanor's corruption is complete. Just like Morgoth, he sees only value in his own works, and wantonly destroys what others worked hard to create. It seems that this is an often overlooked part of the Silm: someone else's sacred property is wasted for the sake of Fëanor's pride and anger. Moreover, he deems that his right of ownership is more important than others' right to live. It is clear that at this point Fëanor and his sons forfeit their right to the Silmarils, which makes the second and third Kinslayings particularly terrible.

Fëanor's change after Alqualondë is striking. He now comes across not as just corrupted, but evil. It no longer feels like he is acting out of grief and rage. He abandons the host of Fingolfin to the bitter march through Helcaraxe, and does this after the Doom of Mandos has been uttered and Fingolfin and his followers cannot repent anymore. His order to burn the ships of the Teleri is truly chilling. This carelessness also extends to his own sons:

"And looking out from the slopes of Ered Wethrin with his last sight he beheld far off the peaks of Thangorodrim, mightiest of the towers of Middle-earth, and knew with the foreknowledge of death that no power of the Noldor would ever overthrow them; but he cursed the name of Morgoth thrice, and laid it upon his sons to hold to their oath, and to avenge their father." - Of the Return of the Noldor

Fëanor no longer cares about anything except for the Oath, and revenge. He knows there is no chance of the Noldor prevailing against Morgoth, and yet he calls for his sons to keep on going, even though it will cost them everything. I can't help but imagine the scenario where Fëanor does not die of his wounds by Balrogs, but somehow survives. This would surely be even worse than anything Morgoth managed to bring forth by himself. Between Morgoth and Fëanor, I think Beleriand would soon have succumbed into complete chaos and ruin.

The stories of Morgoth and Fëanor end echoing one another, just as they began. Eventually, Morgoth is brought down and the Valar cast him into the Void, where he will remain until the end of time. Fëanor dies and his spirit goes into the Halls of Mandos, where he will stay until the end. So the two of the mightiest of beings ever created by Ilúvatar are gone from the world, but their deeds are woven into the history of Arda in irrevocable ways.

To try and wrap up this post, I must say that in my opinion attempting to justify and explain away Fëanor's deeds is to undermine the tragedy of his story. Trying to take away the weight of his offences against his kindred and his own family is to dilute the devastation of The Silmarillion. The reader is meant to feel horror at the corruption of one who began with so much promise, and who had the ability to change the world for so much better; instead, his legacy is of ruin, violence and grief. This horror loses its teeth if you try to find ways to explain it away, or shift blame elsewhere (especially to the victims of Kinslayings). But this does not mean that nobody should like Fëanor: that is absolutely not the takeaway here. He remains an endlessly fascinating character, and being interested in his story does not require downplaying the nature and impact of his actions. Fëanor, as the mightiest of the Elves and one of the most complex characters to ever come out of Tolkien's imagination, can easily bear that weight.

It feels fitting to end this post with this quote:

"And [the Valar] mourned not more for the death of the Trees than for the marring of Fëanor: of the works of Melkor one of the most evil... The works of wonder for the glory of Arda that [Fëanor] might otherwise have wrought only Manwë might in some measure conceive." - Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor

[kylermalloy]

im so curious of ur attack of titan presentation. 👁️

In reference to this post

Omg Yuki—the way I genuinely considered sitting down and making a PowerPoint presentation 😂

I won’t. I could—but I won’t.

There’s a ton of cute presentations on this website about “why you should watch this show uwu it’s so good and the characters are adorable and it’s got a great message you’re gonna love it!” and, well…that’s not Attack on Titan for me.

Aot is…a curiosity to me. I do really like a lot of the characters, the animation and music are gorgeous, and the story is sufficiently intriguing. And yes, ultimately, it does have a message I can get behind (War Is Bad. Stick to the classics.) but it wasn’t a show that grabbed me instantly. I had to simmer in it for a while—and I do mean a while.

I suppose mostly what I want to talk about is the Disk Horse, which I kind of hate to do because tumblr is allergic to nuance—but. I also like to talk. So here I go.

(This is going under a cut because I CANNOT shut up. Also, I’m going to get into some dumb fandom drama nonsense and I would like to hide that in order to maintain my dignity.)

I actually first became aware of aot BECAUSE of the discourse. I had more posts on my dash claiming that it was a Bad Show and Don’t Watch It than posts that…actually told me anything about it.

Eventually as I started easing into exploring anime, I decided to check it out. Out of morbid curiosity, mostly. I wanted to know what was so bad about it.

For the first three seasons, I was a little clueless. An annoying protagonist with questionable morals? Main characters attached to some sort of military organization? The protagonist being the Exceptional One, the savior because of his unique abilities? …guys, these are all standard shonen tropes, and I’d only watched like…five animes at that point (I’ve now watched, like, ten. My immersion rate is s l o w.)

Then I reached the end of season 3, and I wen “ohhh.” Not because everyone who’d been insisting it was Bad were right, but because I could actually, finally see what they were talking about.

I hear the word “allegory” get thrown around a lot when it comes to aot, and…honestly, I don’t think that’s the right word. An allegory is a direct, deliberate parallel with either a real life event, or another story. Aot is not an allegory of anything. Now, does it use some real life elements as worldbuilding and narrative devices in its own story? Yes, and sometimes to a “yikes” effect.

But this is a fantasy story that takes place in a fantasy world about races of people that don’t exist. The parallels can be drawn, but it’s not an intentional allegory.

Think of the difference between Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia. C.S. Lewis was very clear both in his writing and when talking about his work that it was a Christianity allegory. Aslan represents Jesus—created the world, died for its sins, all knowing, all powerful, does not always intervene, eventually edged out by a false god at the end of the world, etc. etc.

Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings took a lot of inspiration from his experiences in World War I. Read anything about LOTR, or watch any of the movies’ supplemental material, and that’s one of the first things you’ll hear. BUT—did old John Roald Roald intend it to be a one-to-one allegory? No.

The orcs are not the Germans. Humans and elves aren’t the English and French. This is not a fantasy retelling of real-world events—it uses elements of real-world warfare to enhance its own narrative. The faces in the Dead Marshes. Frodo’s life-altering trauma. The hobbits’ return to an unchanged safe haven, only to find they have changed irrevocably. Sam’s/Faramir’s introspection on the “evil” of the men they fight.

Aot does the latter, not the former. And while using imagery we associate with Jewish persecution and the holocaust…isn’t a choice I would have made when writing a story, it wasn’t a deliberately anti-Semitic choice.

We can talk all day long about how it’s not a wise choice, and how the implications can have ramifications—but this wasn’t something the mangaka did out of long-held prejudice, whether conscious or unconscious. I mean, do you really walk away thinking we’re supposed to HATE the Eldians? (If so, get better reading comprehension.)

I guess that’s what my Attack on Titan presentation should really be—teaching people how to read and therefore understand the themes and story correctly. Either that, or I could just make a ship chart and explain why Armin deserves to bang every single character, and in what order he should do so.

[nerevar-quote-and-star]

Hello dearest bestie Elm <3

There's this writing ask meme floating around, and I was wondering if you'd indulge me.

(Dragon) Wing: share a snippet that you daydreamed about before writing it (or a snippet that you were really looking forward to writing.)

Thank you so much for this ask, Winter! ✨

So anyone who knows me knows I love Tolkien and The Silmarillion. For "I Didn't Know You Were Keeping Count", I'm actually planning this big Silmarillion reference that will come up in a few chapters! In The Silmarillion, there's this character named Maglor. He's like the minstrel, right? Maglor, a harpist, wrote a song called the Noldolantë, the Song of the Noldor (the Noldor being the High Elves).

In Keeping Count, I'm planning to do my rewrite of the Grand Crystal Ball from the SRM in chapter 10. At some point in the chapter, we all know Bishop and Casavir are going to get heated. Mentally, Leara cannot take it at that point in the evening. She slips away from the testosterone-slinging mud fight toward the dias with the musicians. It's later in the evening and not every instrument has a performer. There's a harp, abandoned on a stool. Leara's heart flutters. She picked up the rudiments of the harp as a child and later came close to mastery while in Alinor. (The harp is a good, strong symbol of Altmer nobility.) Leara taught lessons while in hiding as a governess at High Rock, at one point, but it's been so long since she picked up the harp. Over a decade, at least. Do her fingers still remember?

Leara asks the musician nearby if she can play it, and gets his ascent. He's from the Bards College. He isn't about to say no to the Dragonborn of all people, but he honestly doesn't expect much. Maybe a few warbled chords and a sheepish smile. But she's pretty so he lets her have a go.

And then Leara begins to play. Leara is playing the Noldolantë, but this is Tamriel, right? So actually it's the Lantë'aldmeris (which may or may not be the incorrect rendering of the Noldolantë into Aldmeris, but that doesn't matter right now; I'm waxing poetic) that she plays. And oh my stars, but the melody is enchanting, haunting, painful and beautiful as if every hope one ever felt was suddenly just within their reach before shattering into unattainable stardust. And people are staring and listening because this is a masterwork of Aldmer society, isn't it? Nothing like it has ever been played in Solitude before. And it shouldn't. This is a treasured lament of the Altmer people. It's not to be shared with outsiders and those who are less. But it is.

But it is.

Leara is lost in the music. Casavir is subdued. Bishop won't stop staring at Leara's hands. And the Thalmor officers in attendance are getting really antsy. Then Leara strikes a discordant chord after a minor trill and stops. Because that's the end. The song was never completed. The composer never finished it. He died, millennia ago, standing alone on the seashore as he stared toward lost Aldmeris. Leara is quiet as she returns the harp to its owner. He can only stare at her in awe.

Then Leara's hands are clasped in Bishop's and he's tugging her toward the exit. The Thalmor are moving and they need to go. Now.

Leara and Bishop leave the party.

. . . or, at least that's what might happen. I dunno yet. We'll see how chips fall! I'm just in love with the idea of Leara the harpist and making a reference to one of my favorite Silm characters!

[coopsgirl]

The Shadow and the Sunrise - Ch. 5

Read on AO3

Summary: Big changes are coming to the Woodland Realm and Thranduil and Ranyare's relationship

Letters were soon returned from Amroth and Elrond explaining they had not had any similar encounters and could not say with any certainty what might be happening in the south of Greenwood. Reports from the soldiers Thranduil sent to monitor activity at the old fort were not encouraging. The king was always open and honest with his people and he called a gathering in the main courtyard outside his residence so he could address them. Ranyare stood beside Galion near the front of the crowd and listened to Thranduil speak.

“My dear elves, I know you are all aware of the strange goings on at Amon Lanc and I am sorry to report the situation has not improved. In fact, it has worsened.” Audible sighs reverberated through the crowd as the king continued. “Even when the sun is high overhead, the fort remains cloaked in darkness and this darkness is now spreading into the trees. It may only be a matter of months before this sickness, this evil reaches our realm. King Amroth of Lothlórien and Lord Elrond of Imladris have extended an invitation to any who would like to relocate to either one of their realms.” Thranduil had barely finished that sentence when shouts erupted from the crowd. “We do not want to leave!” “This is our home!” “We love Greenwood!” “Please, everyone, please settle down” Thranduil said as he gestured for them to be calm. “I do not want to leave either. I was born here as were many of you and this will always be my home. I have no intention of leaving. I am proposing however, that we move north of the river and establish a new settlement. Ulmo has long loved the children of Ilúvatar and the music of the Ainur may still be heard in his waters. I believe the river will offer us protection and I will do all I can to keep us safe.”  This put the gathered elves a bit more at ease and they clapped and cheered at his suggestion.

Ranyare gestured to get Thranduil’s attention and then asked if she could say a few words. She stepped up onto the raised platform where he was speaking and addressed the crowd. “Good afternoon everyone. My name is Ranyare and I have had the pleasure to meet many of you when I lived in the forest centuries ago now.” Whispers went around the elves as she spoke quickly explaining who she was to those who had not yet met her. “You are truly a wonderful people and I have decided to make my home here with you. I will offer any help that I may to protect us and ensure our forest does not fall to this evil threat. I have been in the presence of such evil before, long ago, and for far too long I let it haunt me and isolate me from the world. I will not let any force or foe steal my joy again. I have complete faith in Thranduil to guide us in any new ventures and I know you all do as well.” He turned to her and smiled as the crowd continued to cheer.

Thranduil walked back to the palace with Ranyare and Galion following close behind. They entered his study and Thranduil began to explain his plans. “Tomorrow I and a few others will be traveling north to scout the location for our move. There is a cave system with an entrance not far from the other side of the river. It may make a good safehold in case we have need of a more defensible shelter than our homes can offer.” “Something akin to Menegroth?” Galion asked referring to the underground city in the ancient elven kingdom of Doriath where Thranduil’s father had once lived. “Yes, although it will likely be nowhere near as grand but if it is safe, that is all that matters.” “Would we live in the caves?” Ranyare asked not exactly sure of his intentions. “Not necessarily. I find it hard to imagine wood elves being happy surrounded by rock walls away from the earth and sky” he said with a grin. “Galion, I would like you to begin working on the logistics for such a large-scale relocation.” “I will begin immediately aran nin” Galion said as he stood, gave a polite bow, and then left. Thranduil moved from where he sat at his desk to sit on the sofa beside Ranyare. “I am sorry I have not had much time for you lately” he said taking her hand in his. “I understand. You have your kingly duties and I would not expect you to shirk them, especially in such a dire time. I must admit though, I have missed you.” “I would like you to come with me to see the caves” he said happily. “I would love to.”

The elves who lived in a small colony by the river were surprised to see their king arrive as they were as yet unaware of his directive to relocate across the water. They were in charge of sending and receiving goods from the nearby human and dwarven settlements using the river as transportation. Over a meal, Thranduil explained his plan to them and then he and his small company took one of the boats to the other side to begin their exploration.  

“There is the entrance” Thranduil said pointing ahead of him. It was somewhat hidden by the shade of the large trees that grew on either side of the opening. The king went first and the others followed single file as they carefully made their way inside unaware of what may be living in the dark caverns. Thanks to their keen eyesight, the elves were able to clearly see their unfamiliar surroundings as they walked through the winding main tunnel. “It appears we are coming upon an opening. I will go ahead first. Wait here” the king said to the rest of the party. He soon returned with a very happy expression as he bid the group to follow him. Taking Ranyare’s hand they walked together into a large chamber. The ceiling rose high above their heads and the floor was surprisingly even and smooth to walk upon. Narrow streaks of light illuminated the cave and provided ventilation. “The air smells clean and it is cool” one of the elves remarked. “It is beautiful” Thranduil said completely enchanted by this place. “What do you think?” he asked Ranyare. “It seems fine” she replied even though she felt a bit claustrophobic and would have been happier to be outside. “I believe it is completely empty. I can hear no signs of life. It is as if it was waiting for us, knowing that one day we would need its protection” the king said wistfully. The company did a bit more exploration of some side tunnels and then traversed the river and made their way back home.  

“I could not help but notice you did not seem to be as enamored with the cave as I was” Thranduil said as he and Ranyare sat together in his study after their evening meal. “I am sure it will be fine for an armory and other defenses. I know many elven realms have been underground in the past but I do not think I could live in one.” Thranduil’s body language could not hide his disappointment at her words as his shoulders slumped, his chin fell, and the light in his eyes seemed to dim. “You mean to live there” she said realizing now that must be his intent. “I am sure you will make it lovely and very homely indeed. I am sorry.” “You have no need to apologize.” “I feel I do. Clearly you are unhappy that I do not share your excitement for a new home there.” His cheeks flushed as he explained why he was upset. “I mean it to be a home…for us. One where you would always be protected and safe.” Now her whole face flushed as well and she smiled but turned away a bit so he could not see. “I am sorry if I am being too presumptuous.” “You are not,” she said turning back to face him, “but we have not even yet kissed.” “That is not for lacking of wanting to. I was hoping to make our first kiss special but I have not had time to plan and make sure that everything is just right” he confessed. “Any kiss from you, regardless of the circumstances, would be special.” She reached up to caress his cheek and gave him a loving smile. “Shall I kiss you now?” he asked returning her smile. “If you do not, I may never forgive you.” They moved closer until their lips finally met in a warm, soft kiss. He put his arms around her and pulled her even closer and she ran her fingers through his silky hair until their lips parted only for need of air.

“I love you so dearly” Thranduil said as they continued to embrace. “I also love you” Ranyare said in a whisper as she was quite overcome with emotion. “Being with you is the happiest I have been in thousands of years” she continued as her head rested on his shoulder. “At the risk of being too presumptuous again, when we are settled and the people are safe, will you be my bride?” Ranyare needed no time to think over his proposal. She pulled back so she could see his lovely face and eyes filled with kindness and warmth and she laughed with delight. “Does that mean you will?” Thranduil asked laughing as well. “Yes! I will happily live anywhere with you all the rest of the days of my life.” “That is wonderful meleth!” he said as he again held her tightly. “If you feel you cannot be happy in the caves, we can build a home in the forest. I could not be happy knowing you were uncomfortable” he said sincerely. “Your idea to live there and be safe is so caring and thoughtful. I do not believe now that I could be happy or feel at home anywhere else.”

News of their engagement spread throughout the realm and the people were as happy about it as Thranduil and Ranyare. But there was no time to think about a wedding when they had an entire kingdom to move. One of Galion’s greatest skills was his ability to organize and keep track of tasks to be completed. He set up multiple groups who were in charge of tearing homes down and transporting them across the river to their new locations. Silvan elves made up the majority of the realm and while they preferred spending their days in leisure and enjoying the beauty and bounty of the natural world, some had been trained in the arts of metal craft and stone work. These elves began working to build a bridge over the river with the king and his fiancé supervising the project. Iron gates were also planned for the entrance to the cave as well as a small exit that opened further out in the forest.   

During a break when they were back at Thranduil’s home, Ranyare spoke about Lake Cuiviénen as he never tired of her stories from those long-ago days. “I wish so much that I could have seen it. Wait! Perhaps there is a way that I can.” “How?” she asked. He walked to his desk and retrieved his drawing paper and pencils. “You will describe it in as much detail as possible and I will sketch it” he said sitting down beside her on the sofa. After a couple of hours, the sketch was done. “That is beautiful. It is just as I remember.” Her voice was soft and warm and filled with love for her first home. “I would love to share this and I think I will make two copies and send them to the elves of Lothlórien and Imladris.” “That is a lovely gesture” Ranyare said as she snuggled up close to him and they enjoyed the rest of their evening together in quiet repose.

The Summer was nearly gone and the first hints of Autumn could be felt in the air when Thranduil decided now was the best time to move his mother’s garden to its new location just outside the cave exit. He and Ranyare along with a few of the realm’s most skilled gardeners began the delicate work. Great care was taken in digging up each plant, wrapping the roots in soft cloth, and packing them in the wagons to be carried across the bridge to their new home. The sleeves of Ranyare’s blouse kept getting hung up on the leaves and little branches of the shrubs she was working to pull from the ground so she pushed them up above her elbows and went back to her task. Thranduil noticed this from the other part of the garden where he was working. He stood and looked at her and smiled. She noticed him from the corner of her eye and gave him a grin in return. He looked down to her wrists and then back to her face and smiled again. She smiled too, a big bright smile as if to say, ‘I do not want to hide anymore. This is who I am.’ It warmed his heart to see that she finally felt free to show who she was and was no longer consumed with shame or regret. He felt so much freer now as well and practically all of his thoughts were concentrated on how happy they would be when they were finally married. He was so lost in his daydreaming that Ranyare had to shake his shoulder to get his attention when it was time for a meal break.

“I am sorry meleth. I was a thousand miles away.” “Where were you?” she asked playfully as she poured the tea. They sat very unceremoniously on the ground beside a bunch of rose bushes and ate their sandwiches and berry tarts. “I was imagining what it would be like when we are husband and wife.” “I hope it was pleasant.” “It was more than pleasant. It was perfection. Sharing my life with one I love so completely is all that I could want in this world.” She giggled at his sweet words and said, “No arguments or disagreements?” “Of course not. Who would argue or disagree with me?” he said feigning shock at her reply. “I could for one. What if you wish to spend all your time hunting or riding through the forest and I get lonely? Or you may want venison for supper and I would like a vegetable stew? What shall we do then?” “Firstly, I shall spend every moment of every day with you. You may tire of me as I shall give you no time to yourself at all. Secondly, I love vegetable stew.” They looked at each other with serious expressions for as long as they could but then both broke out into fits of laughter at their silliness and joy of their new love.    

Notes:

Aran nin: My king

Meleth: Love  

[thelordofgifs]

⭐?

(for this ask game!)

Oooh ok can I talk about literally one line from the fairest stars? It's this one from the latest part:

Fingon has always been hope beyond hope to him [Maedhros], music in the world's endless discord, warmth unlooked-for in its frozen wastes.

I am Very Pleased with this, perhaps unnecessarily so. It has a lot riding on it, and I think it did its job quite well! From a plot perspective, this is the first time Fingon and Maedhros have actually met in TFS and I needed to very quickly characterise the Russingon dynamic without having it completely derail all the stuff going on. My initial thought for this was to say something along the lines of "Fingon has always been a light in the darkness to him"; but the previous line in the fic ("While Lúthien was slipping into the darkness, Maedhros was struggling out of it") would have made that repetitive. The words I landed on instead end up working much better!

Important things I was trying to convey here:

Fingon is important ok he's light and hope and courage. He looked at the terrible state of affairs when he arrived in Beleriand and said "no, I am changing the narrative. I deserve a happy ending." (Then he failed tragically and died but we don't talk about that.) I am not sure what this means for TFS because as always no planning has gone into the thing, but symbolically it's probably Significant that he's showed up now!

also the idea of estel, of hope unlooked-for, hope when there's no rational cause for it. While I couldn't work the exact phrase in, that was what I was going for when I put "hope beyond hope" and "warmth unlooked-for" very close together (damn I've forgotten the literary technique I think this is called. it is a thing though I'm sure). Fingon's rescue of Maedhros is such an important example of estel - he never expected that, but it happened anyway. There is mercy in the world.

Maedhros is NOT in a good place now or ever. "endless discord" and "frozen wastes" were very deliberately chosen phrases; the first especially is meant to express that there really is just like. constant screaming in his head. Generally Elves love the world and find it beautiful. To Maedhros it's tolerable on a good day and most often just feels like an assault on his senses. So much trauma my poor bby.

More callbacks to the rescue on Thangorodrim, of course, with "music in the world's endless discord" referring to Fingon singing and Maedhros' answering song. can you tell what my favourite moment in the silm is

and then a parallel callback to Fingon's own terrible experiences on the Grinding Ice with "frozen wastes"

finally and most loosely, "discord" kind of calls back to the Music of the Ainur and Melkor's discord. not in any substantive way, it just felt like a significant choice of vocabulary in Tolkien's legendarium. I would have used it regardless probably, but I'm glad it has additional thematic echoes.

Not that I was thinking all this when I wrote the sentence! It's just one of the rare lines where every word matters and you end up very very pleased with the final result.