#but we don’t know

[erynalasse]

I think the reason that Russingon works so well as a pairing is that their personal tragedy is a perfect microcosm of the wider tragedy of the Silmarillion.

There’s their respective positions, for one. Fingon and Maedhros are the heirs of Fingolfin and Fëanor, and as such they inherit the family feud from beginning to end. It’s very easy to make this the beginning of their story in Valinor—two young princes forced together, and then growing closer together.

And from there, Fingon and Maedhros are right at the heart of the conflict between the Noldor. It’s easy to imagine a breach—“the lies of Morgoth came between them”—in the time around Fëanor’s exile to Formenos. And as all the shippers love to point out, there is also a lovely symmetry between Fingon rushing in to Alqualondë to defend his kin and Maedhros asking to send the ships back for Fingon at Losgar. The canonical breach between them makes these exchanges more poignant. Neither has many reasons or motives to think of the other, just like the factions of Fingolfin and Fëanor. But they do anyway.

Then, of course, there is Thangorodrim.

Like the exchanges at Losgar and Alqualondë, this is a scene of unparalleled grace on Fingon’s part. Canon specifies that Fingon does not know Maedhros stood aside at Losgar, but he went looking for him anyway. And Maedhros, in thanks, gives up the mantle of Noldóran to Fingon’s family. Their actions are the way the breach between their respective factions healed. When Maedhros and Fingon start a new chapter, so does their people’s history.

And then the new, hopeful chapter comes to a close with the Bragollach. Personally, I don’t think this battle and the 17 years between it and the Nirnaeth get enough attention. If the Nirnaeth is utter disaster, then the Bragollach is the uncertain balancing point before that. It was a terrible blow to the Noldor, and it upset the comfortable balance of the Long Peace. The period after the Bragollach is similarly a time of immense change for both Maedhros and Fingon. Fingolfin dies, leaving Fingon as High King. Maedhros puts together the Union and plans for a frontal assault against Angband. In the background, the Silmaril Quest and Finrod’s death shake up everything the Siege of Angband made them assume. There is hope and urgency and action.

And then the Nirnaeth comes, and utter despair with it. There is an inescapable symmetry in the fact that the Noldor’s most crushing defeat was also the one where Maedhros lost Fingon. It’s also inescapable that precisely when Fingon dies is when Maedhros loses all honor and moral fiber. There are two more Kinslayings, kidnapped children, and slaughtered guards. Even in a non-romantic reading of canon, it’s impossible to argue that Fingon’s loss and all its implications didn’t contribute to this. There is no one to reign in Maedhros and his Oath, either personally or politically.

And then the Oath is fulfilled, and Maedhros kills himself as soon as he is free. I think that speaks for itself neatly enough.

[aceofstars16]

Reblog if you are okay with people giving you lots of boops!

[seren-dipitous-art]

I’ve been obsessed with the Olympics for the past week, and obsessed with Dick Grayson for longer, so here’s the crossover we all deserve.

Plus, gorgeous sweaty acrobat in gymnastics poses? Only positives.

[noknowshame]

why is religious Christmas imagery all so joyful and pleasant? where is the inherent horror of the birth of Christ? A mother is handed her newborn child, wailing and innocent. Her hands come away sticky. Red. Simply by giving her son life she has already killed him. He is doomed from the beginning. Her love will not save him from suffering. Because the thing cradled in her arms is not a baby, it is a sacrifice: born amongst the other bleating animals whose blood will one day be spilled in the name of what demands it. the night is silent with anticipation. Mary, did you know? That your womb was also a grave?

[gatorinator]

“Walrus on your doorstop” this “fairy’s more unrealistic” that my professor just uttered the sentence “there was one day I found a real octopus in my backyard” this man hasn’t left Utah his entire life. How was there an octopus in his backyard in Utah. He then said “I do not have time to elaborate we need to cover a lot today in class” GIRL WHAT DO YOU MEEAN

[stinkybrowndogs]

I mean I get that’s it’s not the only contributing factor, but I’m curious exactly how much of the shelter dog over-population problem is actually due to poor dog ownership/management vs the housing crisis and economical stress. I’d be willing to bet by investing in social programs that give people the resources they need to care for their pets (cough cough affordable and free housing cough cough) that the amount of pets in shelters would dramatically drop. We can all sit here pointing fingers and screaming at each other until we are blue in the face, but if the owners basic needs are not being met, how can we hold them to a basic standard for their pets?

[bishy437]

he won

bonus:

[vmkhoneyy]

“People are inherently terrible” no!!! Have you ever seen a child wait for their friend while they tie their shoelaces? Have you ever known someone who would bring hurt squirrels and rabbits and mice to the nearest vet just so it doesn’t suffer? Have you seen someone grieve? Have you ever read something that hit your heart like a freight train? Have you looked at the stars and felt an unexplainable joy? Have you ever baked bread? Have you shared a meal with a friend? Have you not seen it? All the love? All the good? I know it’s hard to see sometimes, I know there’s pain everywhere. But look, there’s a child helping another up after a hard fall. Look, there’s someone giving their umbrella to a stranger. Look, there’s someone admiring the spring flowers. Look, there’s good, there’s good, there’s good. Look!!!!

[chloesimaginationthings]

The FNAF Mikes talk about their extended family..

[s-ccaam-era-crepe]

i think everyone who's ever had migraines should be financially compensated forever btw

[counting-stars-gayly]

I’m actually LOVING how Rick Riordan, and the other writers of the show, took his initial concept of a Percabeth rivalry fueled by that of their parents and kind of turned it on its head?

Now, instead of Annabeth being wary of Percy because he’s a son of Poseidon, he’s wary of her because she made a callous impression on him. They get off to a rocky start even before finding out who Percy’s father is, and when they finally do, Annabeth doesn’t care. Instead of them fighting because of who their parents are, they’re fighting over their own opposed worldviews.

Then, instead of them arguing over which of the gods is cooler and who was right in the story of Medusa, they realize that, just like Medusa, Annabeth is a victim of her mother and that, unlike Medusa, she is a far kinder and stronger person, unwilling to repeat the cycle of hurt. They realize that, like his father, Percy often acts without considering potential consequences and that, unlike his father, he is a far kinder and stronger person, willing to step up for someone he wronged and whom he cares about.

Instead of Percy and Annabeth’s rivalry being focused on that of their parents, it’s focused on who they are, themselves. But the path to friendship is still the same: a realization that they have each other’s backs, no matter what, because they’re not their parents after all.

[alaraxia]

needless to say the vibes were in shambles

[wolvndmouth]

Okay but this Logan and this Wade

And also this Logan and this Wade

As well as this Logan and this Wade

And then this Logan and this Wade

And then this Logan and this Wade

[not-rab]

this with jily BUT james ends up falling in love with the therapist (*cough* regulus)

[jabesa0]

My Siren By The Seashore 🌊🐚

[cinnaflurr]

been thinking abt maps and the batfamily interactions . i think tim and her would be friends :) detective to detective