#he's a silver linden

[befuddled-calico-whump]

A Dryad shifts into their tree form to hide from humans, and is too afraid to come out, even when a well-meaning gardener starts to cut away at their branches

(colored dryad below the cut, cw for slight gore)

whump art tag:

@kira-the-whump-enthusiast , @whumpsday , @regrets-realization-acceptance , @kixngiggles

[ymaohoh]

(don't tell me that Eddie wasn't thinking about this very scene when he met Chrissy alone in the woods)

The leaves were long, the grass was green, The hemlock-umbels tall and fair, And in the glade a light was seen Of stars in shadow shimmering. Tinúviel was dancing there To music of a pipe unseen, And light of stars was in her hair, And in her raiment glimmering. There Beren came from mountains cold, And lost he wandered under leaves, And where the Elven-river rolled He walked alone and sorrowing. He peered between the hemlock-leaves And saw in wonder flowers of gold Upon her mantle and her sleeves, And her hair like shadow following. Enchantment healed his weary feet That over hills were doomed to roam; And forth he hastened, strong and fleet, And grasped at moonbeams glistening. Through woven woods in Elvenhome She lightly fled on dancing feet, And left him lonely still to roam In the silent forest listening. He heard there oft the flying sound Of feet as light as linden-leaves, Or music welling underground, In hidden hollows quavering. Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves, And one by one with sighing sound Whispering fell the beechen leaves In the wintry woodland wavering. He sought her ever, wandering far Where leaves of years were thickly strewn, By light of moon and ray of star In frosty heavens shivering. Her mantle glinted in the moon, As on a hilltop high and far She danced, and at her feet was strewn A mist of silver quivering. When winter passed, she came again, And her song released the sudden spring, Like rising lark, and falling rain, And melting water bubbling. He saw the elven-flowers spring About her feet, and healed again He longed by her to dance and sing Upon the grass untroubling. Again she fled, but swift he came. Tinúviel! Tinúviel! He called her by her elvish name, And there she halted listening. One moment stood she, and a spell His voice laid on her: Beren came, And doom fell on Tinúviel That in his arms lay glistening. As Beren looked into her eyes Within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies He saw there mirrored shimmering. Tinúviel the elven-fair, Immortal maiden elven-wise, About him cast her shadowy hair And arms like silver glimmering. Long was the way that fate them bore, O'er stony mountains cold and grey, Through halls of iron and darkling door, And woods of nightshade morrowless. The Sundering Seas between them lay, And yet at last they met once more, And long ago they passed away In the forest singing sorrowless. - 'Song of Beren and Lúthien' from The Fellowship of the Ring. J.R.R. Tolkien

[maracujatangerine]

The Gift Exchange, part 1

CW: institutionalised slavery, pet whump, dehumanisation

“Miss Lydia, Miss Lydia, what do you think about this?.”

Coriander jogged into the kitchen, brandishing a roll of wrapping paper patterned with abstract swirls in silver and dark green. The silver accents glittered in the pale winter morning sunlight falling in through the windows.

“It is really pretty!” Miss Lydia smiled, brown eyes warm. “Good choice, Cory!”

The blonde pet ducked his head, but smiled back from underneath his bangs. He wore a soft, green sweater with leather patches on the elbows that matched his chestnut trousers.

Lydia was dressed in a dark grey, knitted dress with red leggings. She leaned over the table to move the pot with the red and white amaryllis out of the way.

“Should we wrap everything into one present, or should we wrap each gift separately, do you think?”

“T-this pet thinks we should w-wrap one gift for Colton and one for Linden, b-but that all their gifts can be wrapped together.”

“That’s a good idea, let’s do that.”

Coriander spread out several seed packages on the table and studied them thoughtfully. Closest to Lydia was a packet with a picture of lush, green sugar snap peas labelled: ‘Mangetout, pea seeds 'Norli' ORGANIC’. Then, there were two packets both marked ‘Thunbergia alata, Black-eyed Susan’, the first one called ‘African Sunset’ in shades of red and apricot, the second one ‘Alba Oculata’ in brilliant white. The final was a handwritten envelope simply marked in Cory’s neat handwriting: ‘Chili, mix’.

“Are you happy with those seeds?”

“Y-yes, Miss Lydia. C-Colton will be able to grow them on the balcony, and i-it will be fun that we both can try to grow the same seeds. P-perhaps we can compare notes.”

Cory gathered the seed packets and tied them together with a neat red bow. Meanwhile, Lydia grabbed a hardback book. The blue dust jacket had brightly coloured leaves scattered all over the cover. The title stood out in bright white: When we were birds, by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo.

Opening the book, she wrote on the inside of the cover. ‘To Linden. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year.’ Signing it, she handed it over to Coriander to add his name too.

“‘It is a bit of a risky gift,” she admitted to Cory, “since I haven’t read the book yet, but it seems so good. I got a copy for myself too, and I hope I will get the chance to read it over the holidays.”

They added two bags of homemade butterscotch candy in green paper cups, and two reused milk cartoons filled with gingerbread cookies, the result of last night’s baking spree.

Lydia and Cory put their joint efforts into wrapping the gifts into two neat packages. The dark, red ribbon a nice contrast to the green and silver wrapping paper.

“Let’s go for a walk and send it off this afternoon.” Coriander nodded.

“Y-yes, Miss Lydia.”

*

Linden wiggled the pen between his thumb and index finger, deep in thought. Leaning back in his kitchen chair, he looked over at Colton, who was working diligently at the end of the table. With wholly unbroken concentration, he was pulling strips of sellotape from the dispenser and sticking them in a neat row along the table’s wooden edge. When Linden had done the altogether far more fiddly task of wrapping a gift up, Col could pluck a pre-cut piece of tape and stick it in place. It was, as Linden had said about fifty times, excellent teamwork.

“Hey, Col, have you ever seen this before?” Linden asked, lifting his hand for Col to see. With the pen held right in its middle, Linden wiggled it gently, until it looked as if the pen was bending at the edges.

Col’s eyebrows twitched, and for a beautiful second Linden thought he was going to burst out laughing. Instead, his mouth curved upwards into a tiny smile. “Yes, Sir. I have.”

“Ah, not too impressive then. Haha, no matter.”

“Do you need any tape for the envelope, Sir?” Col asked, eyeing the Christmas card laid out in front of Linden.

“In a second… I’m just trying to figure something out.”

“Ah, okay, Sir.”

Col took another breath, as if to speak, then stopped himself. Linden prided himself on reading Col well enough by now to know that it was because he wanted to ask a question. Probably what are you trying to figure out?

“I’ve written my part of Lydia and Cory’s card, but I’m not sure how to do yours. I’m not going to make you try and hold a pen. I was thinking - do you want to just dictate it? It doesn’t have to be much, just a little festive greeting sort of thing. I can be your text-to-speech robot.”

Linden was always cheery around Christmas time. Something about winter setting in, dark and long and rainy, and then being cut through by glittering lights, gifts and music. Today, he felt like he was on a veritable warpath to make Col smile.

“That sounds good, Sir… I can do that.”

“Great!” Linden said, overjoyed that Colton hadn’t taken issue with the idea of ‘dictating’ something to his owner, hadn’t overthought any possible rule-breaking that could come with speaking and forcing his Master to write it all down. “And instead of you signing the card the normal way, I thought you could do a fingerprint?”

“That’s a good idea, Sir, thank you for c-”

“Wait, no!” Linden said, making Col flinch. “Sorry, I’m sorry love. I just realised. We’ll both do our fingerprints. That’ll be nice. Then we’re the same.”

There it was again, the coveted half-smile. Col’s cheeks glowed. “Thank you, Sir, that’s really kind. I think- I, uh…”

“Go on,” Linden said warmly. “I want to hear what you think.”

“I think Lydia and Cory will like that, Sir.”

“I agree. Now, here’s what I’ve written.”

Linden pushed the card over. He’d written a short message making light of the strange way they first crossed paths, saying how glad he now was to know the both of them, wishing them a peaceful and happy holiday. He waited patiently as Colton gave his message some thought, then wrote it down exactly as dictated on the left hand side of the card.

Linden found some stamp ink in the back of a drawer, and the two of them rolled their index fingers in it until they could leave two bold prints, one below each message.

Once the card was sealed, it was time for the gifts. Lydia’s gift was a specially-made book embosser, which had EX LIBRIS - LYDIA WINTERTHORPE printed onto it. The embosser itself was a satisfying, weighty thing, and Linden hoped she’d get great pleasure out of stamping all of her most beloved books.

Cory’s gift was also a bespoke item: a brass door sign with his name, Coriander, printed on it. It had ornate rounded corners which gave the thing a rustic, rather stately look, and although Linden had never seen Lydia’s house he guessed it would fit right in. He had run the gift idea past Col first - would a pet such as Cory be okay with claiming the bedroom as his in this way? Col had given it a fair share of thought, ultimately telling Linden, in a way that sounded more like a sinful confession, that Cory would like it very much.

The two men performed their well-honed wrapping ritual, with Col sticking down the final piece of tape with a flourish.

*

This is a collaboration between @whumpzone and @maracujatangerine.

We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas!

*

Tag List Part 1: @cupcakes-and-pain @whump-em @wh-wh-whu @neuro-whump @carnagecardinal @cowboy-anon @whump-me-all-night-long @redwingedwhump @myst-in-the-mirror @haro-whumps @eatyourdamnpears @bloodsweatandpotato @pinkraindropsfell @whumptywhumpdump @theydy-cringeworthy @whump-in-progress @whumpsy-daisy @nicolepascaline @whumpcreations @briars7 @shiningstarofwinter @whumppsychology @alex-ember @miss-kitty-whumptastic @whumpy-writings @in-patient-princess @youtube-fandoms-bands @goblinchildindabog @mazeish @distinctlywhumpthing @inpainandsuffering @canniboylism @icannotweave @incoherent-introspection @kim-poce @broken-typewriter @the-monarch-whumperfly @whumpers-inc @grizzlie70 @lil-whumper @writingbackwards-blog @sunflower1000 @wingedwhump @thecitythatdoesntsleep @thingsthatgo-whump-inthenight @onlybadendings @rabass @wolfeyedwitch @melancholy-in-the-morning

[our-lord-satanas]

DEITY MASTERLIST (PART ONE)

NOTE: THIS IS A VERY LONG POST, AND EVERYTHING IS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

🌊 Ægir

God of: personification of the lcean, brewing, the sea.

Culture: Norse

Symbols: aegishjalmur and laguz rune

Plants: oak, polybody, and rose.

Animals: dolphins, whales and other sea creatures

Colours: blue, green, turquoise and other sea-like shades

Tarot: King of Cups

Offerings: singing sea shanties, seashells and pearls, cleaning up shores and the oceans, bread, sea glass, a bowl of salt water with food dropped into it, Anything related to the sea. Do not offer most beers as he does not like the modern chemical-filled ales, homebrew or local brew beer is better. 

💕 Aengus Og

God of: youth, love, poetic inspiration, summer, and healing

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: Venus, copper, and golden harp

Plants: basil, cinnamon, rose, jasmine, sandalwood, strawberries, mistletoe, violet, birch, cherries, elder, and sycamore

Animals: swans, cats, doves, and sparrows

Colours: green, pink, and red

Tarot: The Lovers, Justice, and The World

Offerings: red roses, strawberries, cake, chocolate, honey, wine, cherries, music, and art.

🧚 Aine

Goddess of: summer, wealth, sovereignty, love, fertility, protection, wealth, agriculture, the sun and moon, and Queen of the faeries

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: silver and white Items, meadowsweet, the moon, and midsummer

Plants: angelica, blackberry, cowslip, elder, orchid, fennel, flax, garlic, mugwort, nettle, oak, hawthorn, mistletoe, alfalfa, ash, agrimony, birch, broom, holly, lavender, meadow-sweet, and gorse.

Animals: red mare, horse, rabbit, swan, cattle, and bees

Colours: red, gold, green, blue, and yan

Tarot: The Sun, Suit of Wands, and Queen of Pentacles

Offerings: milk, bread, home-grown produce, cream, fire and candles, sunflowers, yellow glowers, honey, summer fruits, oranges, and bee-related Items.

⛅ Amaterasu

Goddess of: the sun and the universe

Culture: Japanese

Symbols: mirror, jewel, sword, and bow and arrow

Plants: chrysanthemum, cryptomeria, carnation, chamomile, juniper, marigold, rosemary, and sunflower

Animals: dragon-fox, horse, rooster, and wolf

Colours: yellow, gold, red, and orange

Tarot: The Sun and The World

Offerings: rice crackers, cooked rice, origami figures, rice candy, brightly-coloured Japanese food, and silk and other fabrics.

💃 Ame-no-uzume

Goddess of: dawn, mirth, meditation, revelry, dance, fertility, and the arts

Culture: Japanese

Symbols: antique Items and fans

Plants: moss and sakaki 

Animals: fox

Colours: pink, red, white, and yellow

Tarot: Three of Cups and Suit of Cups

Offerings: dancing, bells, silk ribbons, rice cakes, and dake.

⚰️ Anubis

God of: the dead, mummification, embalming, the afterlife, and tombs

Culture: Egyptian

Symbols: crook and flail, and mummy gauze

Plants: star anise, benzoin, cloves, cardamom, frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, cypress, and cedarwood

Animals: jackal

Colours: black, green, red, and gold

Tarot: Death

Offerings: cool water, strong liquor like rum, spicy foods, dark and bitter chocolate, strong incense, cypress oil, locks and keys, honour the dead and your ancestors, leave flowers on graves, support orphans and the homeless, and act as a guide for someone.

💘 Aphrodite

Goddess of: love, beauty, and fertility

Culture: Greek and Roman

Symbols: rose, pearl, mirror, girdle, anemone, lettuce, narcissus seashells, scallop shells, Venus, golden apples, the number 5, and mirrors

Plants: apple, linden tree, myrtle, pomegranate, myrrh, poppies, lettuce, rose, quince, ash, poplar, anemone, and artichokes

Animals: swans, dolphins, doves, sparrows, bees, and goats

Colours: red, pink, violet, silver, aqua, sea foam, and light blue

Tarot: The Empress, The Lovers, The Star, and The Suit of Cups

Offerings: roses, chocolate, apples, jewelry, beauty products, seashells, olive oil, honey, wine, cinnamon, art and music, mirrors, and rose quartz.

☀️ Apollo

God of: the Sun, prophecy, oracles, light, music, the arts, song, poetry, healing, medicine, plague, disease, protection of the youth, knowledge, and herds

Culture: Greek

Symbols: lyre, laurel wreath, silver bow and arrows, tripod, the Sun, and Sunday

Plants: laurel, larkspur, cypress, apple trees, palm trees, and hyacinthus

Animals: swan, raven, tortoise, serpent, wolf, dolphin, and mouse

Colours: gold, yellow, orange, silver, blue, and white

Tarot: The Sun, The Chariot, Strength, and Temperance

Offerings: red wine, olive oil, sun water, citrus fruits, honey, golden objects, feathers, lamb or goat meat, cheese, bread, sunflowers, laurel wreaths, and aloe vera.

🐕 Arawn 

God of: Ruler of Annwn the Celtic Otherworld, leader of the wild hunt, death, the Underworld, and justice

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: the Hounds of Arawn, cauldron, and samhain

Plants: reeds, cedar, cypress, ivy, honeysuckle, and sage

Animals: hounds and pigs

Colours: red, black, white, brown, green, gold, and grey

Tarot: Suit of Pentacles and King of Pentacles

Offerings: game birds such as duck or turkey, bread, honey, milk, mead, and ale.

⚔️ Ares

God of: war, courage, and battle

Culture: Greek

Symbols: sword, shield, spear, helmet, and iron

Plants: thorns, peppers, chilli, and garlic

Animals: serpents, vultures, woodpeckers, horses, and dogs

Colours: red, purple, and black

Tarot: The Emperor, The Chariot, The Tower, Suit of Wands, and King of Wands

Offerings: dark wine, whiskey, spicy foods, coffee, water, olive oil, red meats, frankincense, weapons, and learn self defence.

🌌 Arianrhod

Goddess of: fertility, fate, reincarnation, beauty, and difficulties

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: silver wheel, full moon, weaving tools, the zodiac, and Corona Borealis

Plants: ivy, lavender, rosemary, cedar, and pine

Animals: spiders, owls, and wolves

Colours: silver, white, green, blue, and purple

Tarot: The Star, The Moon, and Wheel of Fortune

Offerings: silver coins, white candles, wheat, fruits, home-cooked meals, salads, wine, water, hot teas, smoothies, and study the constellations and the zodiac.

🏹 Artemis

Goddess of: the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, girls, chastity, archery, disease, and plague

Culture: Greek

Symbols: bow and arrow, quiver, hunting spears, animal pelts, lyre, torches, and the moon

Plants: cypress, walnut, amaranth, almond, daisy, willow, wormwood, fir, pine, thistle, honeysuckle, bay laurel, artemisia, fig, and oak

Animals: stag, deer, dog, bear, boar, quail, guineafowls, bee, and all wild animals

Colours: white, silver, gold, yellow, green, and blue

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Hanged Man, Temperance, The Moon, Queen of Pentacles, Knight of Cups, and Page of Wands

Offerings: red wine, olive oil, honey, water, almonds, walnuts, honeycakes, fruit, artemisia plants, arrows, dance, cypress, pine cones and branches, cider, game meat, protect nature and wildlife, always help animals and women in need, go hiking, research native plants and animals, and follow the moon phases and work with them.

❤️‍🔥 Astarte

Goddess of: love, sexuality, war, hunting, and power

Culture: Canaanite 

Symbols: chariot and Venus

Plants: lilies and coriander

Animals: lion, horse, dove, and sphinx

Colours: red and white

Tarot: The Empress and The Chariot

Offerings: lilies, roses, sweet cakes, honey, henna tattoos, and clothing stained with menstrual blood.

⚖️ Athena

Goddess of: wisdom, handicraft, and strategic warfare

Culture: Greek

Symbols: aegis, Gorgon’s Head, spear, and helmet

Plants: olive tree, ivy, cypress, and cornel tree

Animals: owl, snake, rooster, crow, and spider

Colours: blue, grey, white, yellow, and silver

Tarot: Justice, The High Priestess, and The Emperor

Offerings: olive oil, honey, wine, bread, olives, pears, olive tree leaves or branches, your handicrafts, owl feathers, snake skins, and weapons.

🐐 Baphomet

God/Goddess of: sexuality, demonic forces, wisdom, nature, balance, darkness, and pride

Culture: Demonic

Symbols: pentagram, head of a goat, human body with an animal head, pentacle, sword, key, male and female, and the words "as above so below"

Plants: rosemary, lilacs, irises, lavender, aconitum napellus, black walnut, and cacao

Animals: black goats, snakes, wolves, ravens, dogs, oxen, and black cats

Colours: black, white, yellow, red, green, purple, gold, and dark blue

Tarot: The Chariot, The Hermit, The Empress, and The Devil

Offerings: our time, meditation, communication, carving their symbol or name into a candle, any kind of art of them, being respectful, learning about them, candles, liquor, ropes, incense: dragons blood, black musk, frankincense, etc, animal skulls, bones, horns, etc, and dark or red flowers.

🛖 Baba Yaga

Goddess of: death and rebirth, fertility, and nature 

Culture: Slavic

Symbols: knife, oven, mortar and pestle, and the Sun

Plants: poppy, black sunflower, medicinal herbs, and rye

Animals: horse, hedgehog, snake, dragon, and cat

Colours: red, black, and white

Tarot: The Devil

Offerings: lavish home-cooked meals with russian delicacies and a beautifully-set table, caravan tea, and vodka.

💡 Baldr

God of: light, joy, purity, and summer

Culture: Norse

Symbols: the Sun and Sunday

Plants: mistletoe, chamomile, daisies, white flowers, ash, marigold, and St John’s wort

Animals: songbirds

Colours: yellow, gold, and white

Tarot: The Sun, The Fool, Death, and The World

Offerings: kindness to others, chamomile tea, apple juice, mead, and lit candles.

🌺 Bast

Goddess of: home, domesticity, women’s secrets, cats, fertility, childbirth, marriage, music, magic, sex, prosperity, joy, dance, healing, and pleasure

Culture: Egyptian

Symbols: basket, Ankh, the Sun and Moon, and perfume jar

Plants: catnip, vervain, cinnamon, and cannabis 

Animals: cat and lion

Colours: green and gold

Tarot: The Chariot, Strength, and The Sun

Offerings: perfume, salves and body scrubs, milk, meat, honey, gold items, chocolate, pastries, onions and garlic, bread, beer, tea, and taking care of cats.

🐉 Benzaiten / Benten

Goddess of: water, literature, music, wealth, femininity, fertility, dance, and love

Culture: Japanese

Symbols: Biwa, dragon, pearl, conch shell, iron, and gold

Plants: lotus, water lilies, and yellow flowers

Animals: snakes, dragons, and white snakes are her messengers

Colours: blue, silver, white, and yellow

Tarot: The Empress and The Suit of Cups

Offerings: money, water, rice, sake, gemstones, music and other creative arts, raw eggs, yellow flowers, blessed water, bath rituals, and seashells.

🧶 Berchta

Goddess of: psychopomp, spinning and weaving, abundance, and protector of women and children

Culture: Germanic

Symbols: keys, distaff, Yule, and falx

Plants: mayflowers, holly, evergreens, birch, and wild berries

Animals: goose, swan, goat, cricket, owl, and fox

Colours: blue, white, red, and gold

Tarot: Death

Offerings: herring, dumplings, alcoholic beverages like schnapps.

📓 Bragi

God of: poetry and eloquence

Culture: Norse

Symbols: harp and book

Plants: beech, fern, and lily of the valley

Animals: chickadee

Colours: orange and gold

Tarot: The Magician and The Hermit

Offerings: mead, poetry, and beautiful writing.

🍀 Brigid

Goddess of: spring, fertility, family, the hearth, childbirth, fire, blacksmiths,

scholars, physicians, prophets, healing, poetry, occult knowledge, and justice

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: Brigid’s Cross, candles, triquetra, faeries, four leaf clovers, cauldron, chalice, corn dolly, anvil, hammer, poetry, forges, hearths, and wells and rock formations

Plants: cinnamon, chamomile, blackberry, hawthorn, basil, mugwort, apple, heather, dandelion, snowdrop, willow, oak, shamrock, crocus, trillium, corn, lavender, and sage

Animals: snakes, sheep, cows, bees, owls, and hibernating animals

Colours: green, red, white, gold, and blue

Tarot: The Hierophant, The Lovers, Strength, The Hermit, The Sun, and Suit of Wands

Offerings: blackberries, milk, bread, herbal teas, heather, Brigid’s Cross, beer, apple cider, honey, baked goods, corn dollies, sheep’s wool products, jewelry or metal items, eggs, and cakes left on the windowsill at Imbolc.

❄️ Cailleach

Goddess of: winter, wind, the cold, creation, and transformation

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: hammers, hills, mountains, skulls, snow, wands, and waning moons

Plants: clove, lavender, apple, hazelnut, turnip, mugwort, pansy, patchouli, poppy, rose, rue, tansy, St John's wort, Witch hazel, woodruff, yarrow, elder trees, elm, pine, yew, gorse, holly, and snapdragon 

Animals: bat, cattle, deer, fish, goat, mouse, owl, raven, reindeer, sheep, spider, pig, and wolf

Colours: black, blue, brown, grey, silver, white, and yellow

Tarot: Death, The Moon, and The Hermit

Offerings: pebbles, hag stones, shells, feathers, and boiled sweets.

🌲 Cernunnos

God of: forests, wild animals, finances, the Underworld, death, hunting, balance, grounding and healing, transitioning into the afterlife, and fertility

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: horns, a torc, gold coins, and serpents

Plants: ash, bayberry, chamomile, cedar, cinnamon, heliotrope, holly, ivy, lavender, juniper, myrrh, nettle, oak, patchouli, pine, sandalwood, sunflower, vine, and yarrow

Animals: stags, elk, goats, deer, bulls, horses, ram horned snakes, snakes, boars, owls, hawks, and ravens

Colours: yellow, gold, forest greens, silver, and black

Tarot: The Lovers, The World, and King of Pentacles

Offerings: dancing, venison, cooked meats (ethically sourced), roses, sunflowers, lavender, wildflowers, juniper bark and berries, oak wood carvings, green or gold candles, cinnamon, cloves, pine scents, pelts (ethically sourced), feathers, bones, forest moss, antlers, horns, pine cones, gold coins, daggers, poetry art, and Celtic music.

🌑 Cerridwen

Goddess of: the Moon, luck, poetry, change, rebirth, transformation, the Underworld, death, fertility, inspiration, magic, and knowledge

Culture: Welsh

Symbols: cauldron, dark Moon, lunar cycles, and caves

Plants: corn, grain, vervain, acorns, apple, oak, and hazel

Animals: white pig, greyhound, crow, hen, hare, otter, and hawk

Colours: silver, purple, black, grey, and green

Tarot: The Moon, Death, The Magician, and Suit of Cups

Offerings: pork, bread, milk, water, wheat, white and green candles, barley, rice, peanuts, poppy or sunflower seeds, vervain, and grain-based products.

✨ Circe

Goddess of: sorcery 

Culture: Greek

Symbols: cup, loon, wand, and masks

Plants: hallucinogenic herbs and fungi, wheat, moly, and magical herbs 

Animals: pig, lion, wolf, hawk, and beasts in general

Colours: gold, purple, silver, and red

Tarot: Queen of Cups and The Magician

Offerings: barley, wine, honey, meat, bread, weaving, and divination.

Danu

Goddess of: Earth-mother, fertility, wisdom, wind, and water

Culture: Celtic

Symbols: crowns, keys, wells, cauldron full of water, rivers, Celtic Tree of Life, and mother aspect of the triple Goddess

Plants: oak and water lily

Animals: fish, horses, seagulls, salmon, and snakes 

Colours: blue, white, silver, and green

Tarot: The Empress and Strength

Offerings: wine, mead, ale, freshwater, and watering plants.

🔥 Dazbog 

God of: the Sun, fortune, wealth, light, fertility, fire, destiny, and justice

Culture: Slavic

Symbols: kolovrat

Plants: sunflowers, marigold, calendula, chamomile, angelica, and St John’s wort 

Animals: wolf, horse, goose, duck, and swan

Colours: white, gold, and red

Tarot: The Sun, Suit of Wands, and King of Wands

Offerings: bread, salt, eggs, pancakes, and bonfire.

🌾 Demeter

Goddess of: agriculture, harvest, fertility, and motherhood

Culture: Greek

Symbols: wheat, torches, and cornucopia

Plants: wheat, barley, mint, and poppy

Animals: snake, pig, gecko, dove, crane, screech owl, and grasshopper

 

Colours: gold, green, and brown

Tarot: The High Priestess and The World

Offerings: olive oil, water, fruit, honey, milk, grains, bread, freshly harvested goods, and water.

🍷 Dionysus

God of: wine, drunkenness, parties, wilderness, vegetation, fertility, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, theatre, and LGBT+ Community 

Culture: Greek

Symbols: thyrsos, ivy crown, and Grapevine 

Plants: grape, ivy, cinnamon, silver fir, bindweed, and figs

Animals leopard, goat, donkey, lion, snake, bull, and panther

Colours: red, purple, green, burgundy, and gold

Tarot: The Hanged Man, The Hierophant, The Devil, The Fool, and The Lovers

Offerings: wine, olive oil, fruit, water, honey, meats, wheat, barley, pinecone, ivy leaves, goblets, masks, and alcoholic beverages.

⚕️ Eir

Goddess of: healing and medicine

Culture: Norse

Symbols: copper, mortar and pestle, and sauna 

Plants: medicinal herbs

Colours: red

Tarot: The Hanged Man

Offerings: healing spells, learning first aid, medicinal herbs, and first aid items.

🎣 Enki

God of: freshwater, wisdom, knowledge, magic, crafts, healing, fertility, creation, and the arts

Culture: Mesopotamian

Symbols: goatfish

Plants: thyme, chamomile, reeds, and cattails

Animals: goat, fish, chimera, robin, and cow

Colours: gold, blue, white, and silver

Tarot: The Hanged Man, The Hierophant, The Devil, The Fool, and The Lovers

Offerings: beer, eggs, fruit, vegetarian foods, myrrh, thyme, chamomile, wildflowers, fish, water, wine, silver or copper jewelry, and feathers.

💐 Eostre 

Goddess of: spring and dawn

Culture: Germanic

Symbols: painted eggs

Plants: crocus, daffodil, primrose, and violet

Animals: rabbit, serpent, and dragon

Colours: green, yellow, and purple

Tarot: Queen of Pentacles

Offerings: decorating eggs, flowers, hot cross buns, pastries, and mead.

💀 Ereshkigal

Goddess of: death and the Underworld

Culture: Mesopotamian

Symbols: wood, rivers, boats, and lapis lazuli

Plants: pomegranate, grains, reeds, hemp, cedar, cypress, lotus, and monkshood

Animals: lion, owl, serpent, scorpion, owl, and sheep

Colours: silver, gold, red, and purple

Tarot: Death and The High Priestess

Offerings: fasting, bread, water, pomegranate juice, blackberries, blueberries, lamb or goat meat, lobster and mussels, nutmeg, garlic, poppy seeds, animal bones, gold or silver jewelry, black crystals, and Ornate scepters with wood and animal bones.

🧵 Frau Holda

Goddess of: fibre Arts, winter, protector of children and women, leader of the wild hunt, and Witchcraft

Culture: Germanic

Symbols: the Winter Solstice, pools, and Wells

Plants: holly, elder, juniper, mugwort, flax, and sorcerer’s violet 

Animals: wolf and rabbit

Colours: blue and white

Tarot: The Empress, The High Priestess, and Death

Offerings: juniper berries, wine, cider, mead, cakes, music, dancing, and knot magick.

🐈 Freya / Freyja

Goddess of: love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, battle, gold, and sorcery

Culture: Norse

Symbols: her chariot pulled by cats, Brisíngamen necklace, the boar Hildisvíni, and cloak of Feathers

Plants: daisy, linden, snowdrops, lily of the valley, cowslip, columbine, pimpernel, and strawberries

Animals: horse, cat, falcon, hawk, rabbit, ladybug, oxen, swallow, and boar

Colours: gold, yellow, white, green, red, pink, and light blue

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Empress, The Lovers, The Chariot, Death, and Suit of Swords

Offerings: ale, apples, barley, honey, mead, pork, lavish jewelry and perfume, feeding stray cats, chocolate, amber, roses, cinnamon, and sweet liquors.

🐗 Freyr

God of: Peace, Fertility, Rain, Sunshine, Prosperity and Agriculture

Culture: Norse

Symbols: boar, the Sun, magical swords, phallus, and Friday

Plants: ash, lavender, catnip, nuts and cones, yew, holly, and ivy

Animals: boar, bee, and stag

Colours: gold, green, red, blue, pink, orange, and yellow

Tarot: The Lovers, The Sun, Suit of Pentacles, and King of Pentacles

Offerings: honey, grains and breads, gold, and antlers.

👰 Frigg

Goddess of: motherhood, marriage, prophecy, and fertility

Culture: Norse

Symbols: spinning wheel, silver, clouds, and mist

Plants: mistletoe, birch, fir, hawthorn, and Frigg’s grass

Animals: falcon, sheep, raven, and hawk

Colours: blue, silver, and white

Tarot: The Empress and The Lovers

Offerings: milk, mead, pastries, light fruity wine, hand-spun fibres, feathers, and soups and stews.

🪦 Hades

God of: the Underworld and wealth

Culture: Greek

Symbols: keys, chariot, helmet, Cerberus, serpent, dogs, and pomegranate

Plants: mint, white poplar, cypress, asphodel, narcissus, and pomegranate

Animals: snake, dog, sheep, cattle, screech owl, horse, black ram, bull, vulture, black cat, crow, and raven

Colours: dark blue, black, purple, dark green, bronze, gold, silver, and grey

Tarot: The Hermit, Death, Judgment, and Suit of Swords

Offerings: dark wine, whiskey, coffee, black tea, peppermint tea, dark chocolate, meat, sharp cheeses, bread, pomegranates, apples, bones, coins, keys, and crowns.

🪘 Hathor

Goddess of: the sky, women, fertility, love, the Sun, music, dance, joy, motherhood, fate, foreign lands and goods, and the afterlife

Culture: Egyptian

Symbols: sun disk, mirrors, drums and sistrums, and the number 4

Plants: sycamore, myrrh tree, dates, papyrus, and henna

Animals: cow, lioness, cobra, goose, gazelle, and cat

Colours: red

Tarot: The Empress, The Lovers, Wheel of Fortune, and Suit of Cups

Offerings: figs, dates, bread, cheese, butter, wine, beer, fresh water, perfumes, and makeup

👻 Hecate / Hekate

Goddess of: Witchcraft, necromancy, ghosts, the night, boundaries, and crossroads

Culture: Greek

Symbols: paired torches, keys, crossroads, dark/triple moon, wheel, daggers, rope, dogs, serpents, knives, and Strophalos

Plants: asphodel, garlic, yew, cypress, and poisonous plants

Animals: dog, mare, serpent, cat, bats, and polecat

Colours: black, grey, silver, gold, violet, green, red, and white

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Hermit, The Moon, and Queen of Pentacles

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, fruit, honey, milk, eggs, garlic, almonds, various herbs, bones, wands, keys, a cauldron, crow feathers, pomegranates, dark chocolate, and blood.

📯 Heimdallr 

God of: watchmen of the Gods

Culture: Norse

Symbols: horn and rainbow

Plants: birch, oak, rose, verbena, and avens

Animals: rooster, horse, and ram

Colours: white and rainbow

Tarot: The Hermit

Offerings: mead, fine beer, freshwater, lamb meat, pork, and coffee.

💀 Hel

Goddess of: death and the afterlife

Culture: Norse

Symbols: skulls and bones

Plants: beech, alder, elm, ivy, juniper, willow, and yew

Animals: wolf

Colours: black and white

Tarot: Death, The Tower, and Suit of Swords

Offerings: tea, wine, apples, meat, bread, soup, dried flowers, and blood.

🌋 Hephaestus

God of: metal smithing, fire, volcanoes, craftsmanship, and technology

Culture: Greek

Symbols: hammer, tongs, and anvil

Plants: fennel

Animals: donkey, crane, and dog

Colours: gold, yellow, orange, silver, grey, and red

Tarot: Judgment and Suit of Wands

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, fruit, honey, bread, meat, spicy things, hot beverages, and handmade metal items.

👑 Hera

Goddess of: marriage, fertility, childbirth, Kings and Empires, women, family, the sky, and the stars

Culture: Greek

Symbols: lotus-staff, throne, and diadem

Plants: pomegranate, lotus, willow, and apple

Animals: hawk, peacock, lion, cow, cuckoo, and crane

Colours: gold, silver, white, purple, blue, and green

Tarot: The Empress, The World, Suit of Cups, and Queen of Cups

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, fruit, honey, milk, grains and bread, chocolate, pomegranates, apples, white flowers, crowns, animal shells, perfume, and silver or gold jewelry.

💸 Hermes

God of: messenger of the God, heraldry, omens, animal husbandry, poetry and fables, trade, travel, boundaries, thieves, wit, language, education, and psychopomp 

Culture: Greek

Symbols: caduceus, Talaria, petasos, and lyre

Plants: crocus, Greek strawberry, palm tree, almond tree, and strawberries

Animals: tortoise, ram, hawk, rooster, serpent, and hare

Colours: gold, yellow, orange, silver, grey, green, and red

Tarot: Judgment, The Magician, The Fool. The Hierophant, The Hermit, The Star, Suit of Swords

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, strawberries, foreign foods and items, honey, water, fruit, chocolate, wheat, lemons, almonds, cinnamon, coins, dice, beer, meat, chamomile tea, pineapple, bread, and milk mixed with honey.

🏠 Hestia

Goddess of: the home, the hearth, family, domesticity, and The Civic or The Sacrificial Flame

Culture: Greek

Symbols: hearth, kettle, and head veils

Plants: poppy, goldenrod, hollyhock, and yarrow

Animals: pig, cow, donkey, and crane

Colours: gold, white, orange, red, and lavender

Tarot: Strength, The Hermit, and Queen of Wands

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, fruit, honey, milk, pork, bread, cooking herbs, tea, and candles.

🦅 Horus

God of: kingship, the sky, war, protection, and healing

Culture: Egyptian

Symbols: crown, Eye of Horus, Ankh, the Sun, and the Moon

Plants: acacia, lettuce, iris, lotus, and olive

Animals: falcon, hawk, bull, peacock, and lion

Colours: green

Tarot: The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Chariot, The Sun, Judgment, and King of Swords

Offerings: raw meat left out for hawks and falcons, bread, weaponry, water, milk, ale, wine, coffee, fruits and vegetables, figs, dates, and chocolate with nuts.

😴 Hypnos

God of: sleep, dreams, and illusions

Culture: Greek

Symbols: inverted torch

Plants: poppy and cottonwood tree

Animals: nighthawk and songbirds

Colours: black, silver, white, blue, red, and purple

Tarot: The Hierophant

Offerings: wine, olive oil, water, honey, milk, fruit, poppy seeds (and foods including them), herbal teas, sleep inducing and calming herbs, feathers, sleeping mask, and poppy flowers.

🍎 Idunn

Goddess of: spring, rejuvenation, immortality, youth, and beauty

Culture: Norse

Symbols: golden apples and ashwood box

Plants: apple blossom, birch, fir, hawthorn, mugwort, rose, and willow

Animals: songbirds

Colours: green, silver, red, and yellow

Tarot: Page of Wands, Queen of Cups, and Queen of Pentacles

Offerings: gardening, apples, homegrown fruits and vegetables (without pesticides), apple pie, and cider

💖 Inanna

Goddess of: romantic love, harmony, sex, beauty, passion, desire, fertility, victory, war, justice, and political power

Culture: Mesopotamian

Symbols: eight-pointed star, hook-shaped Knot of Reeds and Venus

Plants: lilies, narcissus, reeds, myrtle, and all sprouts

Animals: lion and dove

Colours: green, black, red, silver, and white

Tarot: The Lovers, The Hierophant, Justice, The Hanged Man and The Star

Offerings: Wine, Champagne, Lemonade, Honey, Chocolate and Pastries, Cherries, Pomegranates, Strawberries, Elegant Jewelry, Peaches, Swords and Daggers, Artwork and Poetry

🦊 Inari 

God of: rice, foxes, fertility, tea, sake, crafts, agriculture, industry, and prosperity

Culture: Japanese

Symbols: keys, wish-granting jewel, and rice

Plants: cryptomeria, cedar, pine, wheat, and rice

Animals: fox

Colours: red and white

Tarot: Suit of Pentacles

Offerings: inarizushi, rice, rice cakes, rice served with red beans, sake, incense, acts on behalf of foxes, handmade crafts, and tea.

☄️ Isis

Goddess of: magic, life, compassion, fertility, motherhood, childbirth, rebirth, devotion, royalty, knowledge, protection, abundance, healing, and the elements.

Culture: Egyptian.

Symbols: moon disk, cow horns, wings, solar disk, Ankh, and gold.

Plants: sycamore, cedar, corn, flax, wheat, barley, grapes, lotus, vervain, myrrh tree, and papyrus.

Animals: hawk, crocodile, scorpion, crab, cobra, goose, swallow, dove, vulture, and snakes in general.

Colours: yellow, silver, gold, black, red, cobalt blue, and green.

Tarot: The High Priestess, The Empress, The Lovers, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Temperance, The Star, The Moon, The World, and Suit of Cups.

Offerings: milk, flowers, honey, wine, lemonade, tropical fruits (juice or whole), herbal tea, seafood, herbs (anise and nutmeg), roses, Egyptian jewelry, incense, and white candles.

🌿 Jarilo / Yarilo

God of: vegetation, fertility, spring, rebirth, sexuality, peace, and war

Culture: Slavic

Symbols: vegetation

Plants: wheat, ferns, and spring flowers

Animals: horse and white wolf

Colours: white, yellow, gold, and green

Tarot: The Sun, Strength, and Suit of Pentacles

Offerings: bread, wheat, spring flowers, and edible seeds

🌍 Jörð

Goddess of: personification of the Earth

Culture: Norse

Symbols: mountains, grandmothers, and girdle

Plants: local native plants and healing herbs

Animals: bee

Colours: green

Tarot: The World and Queen of Pentacles

Offerings: picking up litter and trash and taking care of the Earth and nature.

[polutrope]

Hello your highness… could I perhaps request some Celegorm/Orome reunion sex with “you still I love”? Love youuuuu

Thanks for the prompt! Delighted to add a spicy piece to the collection 🔥.

820 words, rated M. On AO3.

The day Celegorm came forth from the Halls, Oromë planted the seed of a linden tree near the gates of his home. 

That tree’s many branching arms now reach far over the open space before the gates, thick with whispering leaves. Oromë often stands beneath its shadow, breathing its breath, his spirit seeping through the soil and nourishing its roots.   

The day Celegorm comes to him at last, the tree is bursting with butter-yellow blossoms. The bees flitting from flower to flower scatter as if in deference to the elf. Their sudden flight sets the flowers trembling, and the air is dense with their honey-lemon scent. 

It is how Oromë, deep in the knotted recesses of his forest dwelling, knows that Celegorm has come. Should Oromë take the form in which he first appeared to the Quendi? The Huntsman: antlered and huge, terrifying, majestic, commanding reverence and obeisance. There are those of his brethren who would do so, invoking fear to test the blasphemer’s repentance.

Oromë will not. With Celegorm, he has never been a god. From the first time his spirit brushed up against the white flame of Fëanor’s third-born son, Oromë has cleaved to him as the steadfast wolf cleaves to its mate.

For all the transgressions of Celegorm's former incarnation, Oromë does not want to see his beloved abased and pleading. He wants to see him unbowed, strong: Turcafinwë as he was and should have been.

So it is that Oromë dons that raiment in which he so often took delight when they coupled flesh-to-flesh. A nimble hunter, muscled but lithe, smooth brown skin painted with black ink, eyes of starlight.   

Still, Celegorm drops to his knees when Oromë appears on the threshold. His pink mouth silently quivers around the words My lord. So Oromë too falls to his knees before him, and cups his pale face in one strong dark hand. He searches the bleached white of Celegorm’s eyes, the pure but light-sapped silver of his irises. The black wells of Celegorm’s pupils swell, and in them Oromë seeks out a confirmation: that death and this new milky flesh he wears have not diluted the restless, ravenous spirit Oromë has lusted for oh! these long years.

Under Oromë’s gaze Celegorm’s cheeks flush, his frown quirks up into a hungry smile, and once more Oromë is ensnared by that ancient fragment of the One’s imperishable flame. Lo, how he burns. 

But as he is Celegorm’s, so Celegorm is his. Oromë claims him with hands and lips and tongue and teeth. He tumbles him into the dirt beneath his linden tree, and Celegorm laughs. Panting into each other’s mouths, Celegorm bucks and writhes beneath him, driving his heels into the spongy soil. But Oromë resists, resists the insistence of his lover, revelling in the blissful straining of his body, all hard and brimming with want. 

Besides this, he discovers Celegorm’s new body coiled tightly against any intrusion. 

In answer to the question in Oromë’s hooded eyes, Celegorm, his voice taut with desire, says, “For you. I saved myself for you.” 

At that Oromë groans and clutches the heaving chest of his beloved, nails marking tiny pink crescents in his taut skin. Celegorm arcs his body and begs, begs to be filled, but Oromë silences him with a thought. Then Oromë winds a song between his fingers, and Celegorm unspools, his arms falling limp to either side of his shining chest, his head twisting from side to side, catching browned leaves and dirt in the fine silver strands of his hair. His blushing crown shines, leaking white over his stomach, and Oromë bends to taste him, sticky-sweet and slightly salty with sweat. 

Enraptured, Oromë is unaware of the forward thrust of his own body, of finding purchase in his beloved, until he is taken entirely into Celegorm’s supple warmth. Oromë's pleasure howls. Overtaken by his need, he rocks his hips, claims his lover again and again with each long and purposeful stroke, chasing friction, chasing release.

It is the spurt and tremor and cry of Celegorm’s climax that brings Oromë to his. It thunders through him, scarcely able to be contained in this humble raiment he has chosen. But contain it he does, holding himself in this form. For thus can Oromë imagine that they were created alike and might suffer like fates; that he will never know a severance from his beloved more permanent than that which he has just endured. 

His lust spent, Oromë collapses over Celegorm’s body and twines him in his limbs. Yellow blossoms fall from the tree above them and brush over their bare skin, still prickling with pleasure.   

At length Oromë says, “Why did you not come sooner?”  

Celegorm hums and winds one long black braid around his hand. He confesses, “I feared you would no longer have me.”

“No.” Oromë pulls himself up onto bent elbows to look into his eyes. “No, Tyelkormo, dearest. You still I love.”

[astorythatwritesitself]

Re-intro time? Re-intro time

About Me & This Blog:

• Paine. Queer, 30, any pronouns. I follow back from dr-paine; and you'll never guess what my AO3 username is.

• Writing for 20+ years in some capacity

• Genre of choice is Fantasy. (High, low, slice of life or ungodly horror, mixed with sci-fi or the most classic Medieval sword and sorcery bullshit, I just need a touch, even if only implied, of magic.) I don't delve much into NSFW but it may come up; in any case: please only follow if you're 18+, and treat this blog with the mindset of 'creator chose not to use archive warnings'.

• I crave interaction, especially via tag/ask games - seriously. I reblog a lot of them. Do Not Hesitate. (And I always try to send an ask if you reblog any from me!)

• Hobbyist writer - I'm not aiming to be published, but I do want to improve my skills and eventually like... 'win a NaNo' in the sense of writing a complete, longform story one of these days. But also having fun is a priority, and ADHD + work is a cruel mistress, so I'll jump between WIPs on a whim, or just. Drop shit for months on end lol.

Vague List of Active Projects

While I have a ton of ideas, these are the ones that actually have like... any sort of substance to them, whether it's actual words or just a solid outline + desire to work on it. Each will eventually get a dedicated links/resource post, but for now, here's the basics!

Relentless As The Tide

(Mass Effect fics (roughly) following canon events/characters)

Adrian Shepard has been primed for heroism her entire life. Her first chance ended in a tragedy, one neither she nor the Alliance has ever properly owned up to. Saren's betrayal and the beacon's vision offer her the chance to atone for her failure at Akuze, and she'll do everything in her power to do so - even (and especially) if it kills her in the process.

Or so she believes - but uncovering the truth means looking for allies, and the more she gathers, the harder it becomes to believe that her death should - or can - be the end; and that perhaps heroism is just a means of distraction from confronting her own demons.

Unnamed Pokemon Project

(Loose follow through/retelling of Pokemon: Soul Silver)

Giovanni Rossi, former leader of the Viridian City pokemon gym, has confessed to heading the infamous Rocket organization, whose poaching and illegal trade has devestated the Kanto ecosystem for the past twenty years. However, he claims it was all for a good cause - just prior to founding Rocket, Giovanni had been part of a team trying to create artificial pokemon... and their most viable subject escaped. Rocket existed for the sake of tracking down and eventually overpowering this creature, but now... well, he wishes those in the Kanto and Johto regions the best of luck.

Following a break in at the New Bark Town lab, an assistant to Professor Elm - a reclusive young man named Linden - tracks down the suspect, only to find it's none other than Silver Rossi, Giovanni's own son. The boy claims he wants to take down the creature his father helped create and clear his own name from the scandal... and Linden has reasons of his own that make him want to see how things play out, even if it means he must shadow Silver's journey by embarking on one of his own.

Unnamed OC Project

(Original fantasy work)

In a world of faded magic, Elora Ryba cares little for talk of soon-to-come saviors or the sightings of dragons. No, she has other things on her mind - return to the town she was forced to leave over ten years ago, and steal its most precious treasure. And, ideally, marry her, as Elora promised that night she was forced to flee.

Which is why Elora's spent the past month searching for a priest corrupt enough to join a pirate's crew, but not corrupt (or worse, moral) enough to turn her in, and she thinks she's finally found one.

And the big list of fandoms/shit I like!

[loupy-mongoose]

Do you believe the theory abt the celebi event implying Giovanni's death? Or is Giovanni not gonna be a major player in this story for other unrelated reasons lol

The celebi theory isn't too farfetched in my eyes bc well... XY Lysander was implied to have died at the end of his plotline in a way that... well we would use the same word for both these instances, so like we basically have a canon instance of this idea already

I could go either way, really--He may or may not be alive somewhere in my story's world.

I just don't really have an interest in touching on the Team Rocket storyline. They've been fully disbanded for about a decade at the time of Linden Roots. Characters on the branch side come from a couple of Soul Silver Nuzlocks I did years ago, so they kinda run through the Team Rocket stuff more than the Linden's side does.

Although I don't really have any detailed thoughts in mind for the Kanto games storyline, I may do something as Red in Let's Go, just for added plot stuffs. If I feel like it.

@pokefanman

[whumpzone]

:0 Vampire Colton part 3 please??

you got it! tagging @whumpsday aka the vampire whump expert since they asked to be tagged. i bow down to them. also tagging @sordayciega @whumpycries since they expressed some interest, hope that's okay! <3

enjoy some more vampire col. CW for dehumanisation, pet whump and animal death

part 1 / part 2 /

-

“Okay, before we do anything else, let’s get you something to eat. You’ve probably not been fed in a while, right?”

The vampire hardly moved. Apparently, he was unwilling to budge from his place at Linden’s feet right now. That was okay- Linden could make it work.

“I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

The last thing he wanted was a vampire silently following him downstairs and giving him a heart attack. And, though it made him feel guilty, he did want to at least find out if this vampire was obedient.

Linden had made sure to have blood delivered to the house well before the vampire’s arrival. Cow blood. Apparently it was similar to those freeze dried military rations that technically provided all the nutrients you needed, but tasted of absolutely nothing at best (and at worst, tasted like shit).

He’d had mixed answers when he asked if vampires could develop an addiction to a specific person’s blood. If he let the vampire feed from him, would it make him more likely to attack him, to get another fix?

The pet handlers hadn’t even let him finish before they interrupted him with a solid no, do not ever let them taste your blood.

“But why not, specifically?” Linden had pressed.

“Just don’t. You know human blood is like fucking crack to them. Crack flavoured with caviar and truffle oil and whatever other delicious shit you can come up with. It’s a luxury you can’t afford to give.”

Vik had been even less helpful.

“What, you’re gonna cut yourself? Or just flick your hair back like a shampoo ad and tell him to tuck in? Don’t be so stupid.”

Vik had snatched Linden’s phone not long after and put himself on speed dial. For if, no, when you need some hired muscle.

The cow blood slipped out of the package in a singular congealed brick. It slapped against the bottom of the bowl, bounced once and then wobbled grotesquely. Regular liquid blood was hardly appealing, but Linden felt like this would make even a vampire’s stomach turn. He supposed he was about to test that hypothesis for himself.

He put the bowl on the table with a spoon lined neatly beside it. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, where he could just about see the vampire’s hair, he called up. “I have something for you to eat, if you want to come downstairs?”

He really needed to find out if this poor pet had a name.

. . .

Pet had to obey, even though he wanted to stay curled up forever, where he could do no harm.

He wondered what he’d be given to eat, then kicked himself for actually believing that he’d be fed.

Master would probably have him chew on rocks, or glass, or silver. Something to show him exactly what’d happen to his mouth if he ever tried to use it as a weapon.

He pulled himself from the floor, heavy with resignation. He knew it had to be done. The sooner he could prove himself the better. He’d take it like a good boy.

Besides, Master was actually incorrect- Pet had eaten recently. He’d been praised for good behaviour just a few weeks ago and rewarded with a dead rat, and he’d actually shed a few tears of happiness. His handlers found all of this hilarious, and Pet was aware that somewhere in the world there were pictures of him ripping the rat to pieces with his hands and squeezing the bits of flesh through the gaps in his muzzle.

Pet could certainly smell something from downstairs, but he couldn’t speculate on how it’d be used to taunt him. He was too stupid for all that.

It was hard to crawl down the stairs, but he managed, grateful for the way it slowed him down even more. He had been promised food- even though he knew it was merely a test, he couldn’t let himself down by lunging forward, or displaying any kind of preternatural hunger.

The smell became so strong that his eyes could follow it, landing on a bowl at the kitchen table. Master was stood to one side of it- keeping a safe distance, Pet couldn’t help but notice.

“I know you’re hungry, but let’s just take this slow. I won’t take it away, I promise. I won’t do anything. Why don’t you come and sit at the table and then you can eat it however you like, and I’ll be nearby. Good?”

Pet nodded. He would be good. He did as he was told and balanced onto the chair, unused to being so far from the ground. The bowl was filled with animal blood. Lots of it, too.

He stared into the firm blood, but couldn’t see anything painful hidden within it. Couldn’t smell anything untoward, either. Glancing around, he noticed that he wasn’t in a direct sun-path, should the curtains be pulled open. His eyes fell on his owner, who had moved to stand against the kitchen counter, the table forming a barrier. Was it Master, then? Would Master do something while he was distracted?

It was useless trying to anticipate something that he couldn’t fight off, anyway. He placed a hand by his legs, steadying himself on the chair, and brought the bowl up to his face. As he licked it up, he felt… nothing. It didn’t hurt.

Pet finished the entire bowl, licking it thoroughly with his newly-freed tongue. He had been allowed to eat all of it. His stomach was actually full, for the first time in decades. He knew his body would make short work of converting it into strength.

Vampiric strength. That was wrong, surely? Master wouldn’t want to undo all the hard work the handlers had put in. Pet was wonderfully, pathetically domesticated. He could stay that way all the better if kept in the pits of starvation.

He was so confused it was making his head spin. All he could do in the present was gently put the bowl back down, licked clean, and get back down onto his knees to show his gratitude.

[mimilind]

The Librarian and the Elvenking - Part 5

Pairing: Thranduil x Reader

Rating: T

Chapter Word Count: 1940

Parts: [ < Previous Part ] [ Masterlist ]

Full story: [ AO3 ]

♕ ✧ ♕

5. Under the Linden Tree

When you arrived at the throne room not long afterwards, you found the grand hall packed with elves. Apparently the gossip had spread far.

“My lord King.” You bowed eloquently, carefully checking your features as you did so. It wouldn’t do to come before the Elvenking with a silly, giddy smile plastered on your lips. 

He nodded his head in acknowledgement, keeping an absolutely deadpan face, but he couldn’t hide the dancing merriment in his eyes. 

“You wanted an audience with me,” he stated.

“I did, my lord, and thank you for accepting me on such short notice. I have come to let you and the court know my choice regarding my judgment.”

The large room went still when everyone pricked up their ears.

“And?” He cocked an eyebrow. 

“I still don’t think the decision to punish my involuntary trespassing was justified, but I understand that the law is rigid in this realm, with no leeway. Therefore, out of respect for you as king, and the long withstanding friendship between my family in Imladris and the fair forest of Eryn Lasgalen, I shall accept the penalty laid upon me and copy the books for your library.” 

Thranduil was silent at first, and you could almost see his mind working. Then a hint of a smile began to toy in the corners of his mouth, and he replied with equal politeness: “I am very pleased by your gracious cooperation, and in fact, so strengthened in my good opinion of you that I have found a minor adjustment of the Woodland Law to be required.” Turning to his courtiers, he continued. “Surely refugees should be able to safely enter our realm, without fear of repercussions?”

Obviously realizing the king’s mind had already been made up, his advisors gave affirmative answers with various degrees of enthusiasm. Many of them cast sly glances in your direction, probably rightly suspecting the cause of this unusual leniency, and wondering what you were to their ruler.

Returning to you, Thranduil continued: “According to the improved law, you are no longer guilty of any charges, but you are welcome to stay here as my personal guest for as long as you wish. It is only fair, after being treated so harshly. Perhaps the reopened royal library holds a volume or two that may interest you for your own establishment?” His eyes conveyed a world of emotions, and your throat constricted with happiness. This was almost becoming too good to be true. 

“I would be honored to visit your library, which according to my sources contains both interesting history books and brilliant art. But I must also insist on copying my own books for your benefit. It would be my sincere pleasure to help you expand your collection.”

“That is settled then.” He broke into a radiant smile, which made your heart beat faster and the courtiers gasp with surprise.

♕ ✧ ♕

Thranduil paused outside a low fence. “This is the herb garden, though much is wilted this time of year. The sage has lovely flowers in the summer.” 

It was already growing dark; the first stop of your tour had been at the royal library, from where he had had a hard time dragging you away to see the rest of the palace, and the next stop in the wine cellars had been lengthy on his account. 

“Beautiful,” you agreed. You were looking at his face in profile, not at the plants, and judging by the slight twitching of his lip, he knew that.

You had been truthful; he really was extraordinarily handsome. In the waning daylight his hair glowed like spun silver, and his long lashes cast shadows on his strong cheekbones. Tearing your gaze away from him was almost harder than walking away from a library full of alluring new books.

Another hardship was keeping up the polite small talk during this tour, when really you wanted to speak of so many more interesting topics. But with Thranduil’s entourage within hearing range, there wasn’t much to be done about it. He was a king and only rarely alone; one who wanted to be his friend must get used to that.

“Here is also a view for sore eyes.” Thranduil indicated an opening between the trees, where the river glittered pink in reflection of the sunset sky, but his eyes were resting on you. 

“Indeed. I can look at it all day,” you mumbled, meeting his gaze with a fluttering heart.

“There is one last place I want to show you,” he said, suddenly turning serious, almost grave. 

You suspected you knew where that was, and when he took you to a secluded, walled garden with unmistakable linden branches reaching out from above the other trees, your suspicions were confirmed. He wanted you to meet his wife.

The guards and attendants stayed outside the gate, and you felt their eyes on your back when Thranduil led you inside. “Nobody but Legolas and I can come here,” he explained in a subdued voice. “Unless they have my permission, of course.”

“Legolas. Your son.”

“Aye.”

“I heard he established a new elvish realm in Ithilien. How do you feel about that?” You took his hand, glad to be alone with him at last.

He entwined his fingers with yours. “I was angry at first. What was wrong with this realm, where he already was prince and heir? But I have come to terms with it now, and in a way, I am proud of his achievements too. He accomplished some great things during the War, and if he is happy down there in the south, then I ought to be happy too. For his sake.”

“But he left you. To a… what was it you called it? Involuntary solitude.”

“He did.” Thranduil gave you a sheepish glance. “But a wise elf once told me I can make new friends.”

“Very good advice.”

You had arrived at the huge linden in the center of the garden. Its leaves were a bright yellow now, and on one branch hung a swing. You had seen it in his drawing, with his young son riding in it.

“This is my wife. Or what remains of her… I have no way of telling how aware she is of her surroundings.” 

You dropped his hand and went closer, stroking the smooth trunk and gazing up into its colorful, autumn shrouded crown. “She’s beautiful,” you breathed. 

Thranduil came up to you on silent feet, and you felt his arm around your shoulders.

“Do you think she would mind, if…” you broke off, suddenly shy about giving words to your thoughts.

“...if I remarried?” He pulled you closer. 

“That, aye.” You looked at your feet.

“I know she wouldn’t mind.”

“How?”

"Because right before she left me, she said I should try to meet someone – for Legolas' sake. So he would have two parents." You felt his fingers in your hair. "But I couldn't do it. There was nobody else for me, I thought. I could only love once – like most of us." He gently turned your face up to meet his gaze. "And then you came... Treating me like a person and not a king, and touching me... I cannot remember when I was last touched by anyone. I always have people around me, as you have noticed today, but they keep a careful distance. They are there, but not there; impersonal and respectful." He stroked your temple with his thumb. "I enjoyed being with you so much that I even had to make up extra errands in town to see you more often."

You placed your palm on his cheek. It was slightly damp. “I’m really happy to hear that I’ve made a difference.”

“You most certainly have. And I want to… I want to ask you something, but I hesitate because I worry for your sake.”

“Me? Why?”

“Who would want a grouchy, moody king on their hands and get nothing in return?” He smiled weakly. 

“Nothing? Having you would be everything. Can’t you see it?” You wiped away a tear from his cheek, and then had to wipe one off your own as well. “You have made me so happy these past months. I love talking with you, and just spending time together. I knew you were married, so I forbade myself to feel anything more than friendship. But honestly… That wasn’t easy.” 

He looked at you, at loss for words but with eyes that spoke all the more.

“I love you, Thranduil. I even loved Ú-eneth though I knew nothing about him.”

With a strangled sob he took you in his arms, and his lips met yours in a needy, passionate kiss which stole your breath away. 

When he finally answered, his voice was husky: “I love you so much. Will you marry me?”

“Aye. I will!” You pulled him in for another kiss.

Taking off one of his rings, he carefully thread it on one of the lower linden branches, murmuring something as he did so. Perhaps a final farewell to his first wife.

A breeze ruffled the tree's mighty fronds, and a single leaf floated down. You caught it in your open palms, admiring its perfect heart shape. Did this mean she accepted you as her successor? You chose to see it that way.

"I will order the rings and announce our engagement, but perhaps it is wise to wait for a while, and let the court get used to you?"

"I agree." You were certain they still thought you were an impostor, but you hoped to be able to change that and make new friends here. You usually had no problem earning people's trust; it came with the job.

Thinking about your job, another thought struck you. "Can I keep my library? I don't want to abandon my friends in town. Poor Liv and Ylva would worry sick if I never returned..."

"I will gladly build you as many libraries as you want. But... Must they be mobile? I want you here with me."

You chuckled at his worried look. "I wouldn't mind making it a permanent library in Dale, and I could hire someone to run it. That way I'd only have to go there once in a while and check on things. Maybe timing it with your errands in town?"

"Perfect!"

"Though... if I wanted to establish a new library elsewhere, perhaps my king and husband could get a vacation for a while and help me out? For example, don’t you think that the lovely Dorwinion country you spoke so warmly of needs one?"

"I am sure that could be arranged." Thranduil rewarded you with his dimples, and your legs turned into jelly. 

You wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed each dimple, and then his mouth, feeling him respond with poorly constrained fervor. 

The kiss lasted for what felt like an eternity. Finally you yielded completely to your emotions, and indulged yourself in him. Thranduil’s scent made you heady, and his muscular warrior’s body under your exploring hands set your own body on fire. For the first time you understood the texts you had read on the subject of love. It was something you had to experience; one of the few things you could not learn from a book.

When Thranduil and you left the garden much later, the sky had already turned completely dark, but in your hearts there was a new light. Soon you would be wed together, body and soul, and after that even death couldn’t keep you parted for long.

Your lonely days were over for good.

♕ ✧ ♕

A/N: This was the final part of this story, that I originally wrote for @raider-k​. Hope the rest of you enjoyed it too!

Parts: [ < Previous Part ] [ Masterlist ]

Full story: [ AO3 ]

[maledollmaker]

The Abadondoned Lab

The Abandoned Lab

Based on a dream I had. Images from Dream AI app.

Two men entered an abandoned science lab with overgrown weeds and plants growing everywhere. There was no electricity, so there was no light, and it was dark. Some sunbeams did peak in from boarded up windows. Without the plant life, the lab would be white and shiny. Underneath the plants, there was robotic equipment and rusty old computers. One of the men was taller than the other, he was very handsome and looked like the actor Marc Blucas. His name was Nathan Sanders. He had light brown hair and grey-green colored eyes. He has a five o’clock shadow on his face. Both men were wearing army fatigues. The shorter man had rugged good looks and looked like Linden Ashby. He had green eyes, silver, and brown hair. He has English, Scottish, and Scandinavian ancestry. His name was Aaron Sanders, Nathan’s father. Nathan was like a perfect soldier. Aaron was a rugged outdoors man and had a chip on his shoulder.

             Aaron looked around and then sucked his teeth. “Well, this is a shit hole,” Aaron said with his hands on his hips. Nathan asked, “This is the place right?” Aaron nodded. Aaron walked to a console and took out a machete from his backpack and started chopping vines on top of the console. Nathan ripped them off his bare hands. They eventually got the vines off the console. Nathan took out a reserve generator out of his backpack and plugged it into the console. A roar came out of the machines and lights flickered. A hum rang and the console lit up. Suddenly they heard glass break. Wood panels from the window broke up and various men in dark outfits ruptured out of the windows. They almost looked like Ninjas, but their outfits had Velcro, leather, and modern straps. They unsheathed their swords and came out towards Nathan. Nathan grabbed one of the swords with his bare hands and kicked one of the men down with full force. The black dressed man was knocked out on the floor. Nathan punched another man coming towards him.

             Two men came towards Aaron, and he fought them. A man tried kicking Aaron in the stomach and Aaron grabbed the leg and pushed it forward. Aaron got his rifle and shot the man down. The second man punched Aaron on the shoulder, but Aaron recovered and punched the man in the face. The man recovered and they continued fighting. The two men grabbed Nathan by the arms and tried to hold him over a wall, but he quickly overcame them. Nathan flipped them over on their backs. He stepped on one man’s stomach and the other man got up and tried to hit Nathan. Nathan punched him down without turning around. Eventually they were able to take down the men, most of the men were dead, injured or knocked out. “Let’s get back to business,” Aaron said. Aaron and Nathan uncovered a large metal chair. The metal chair was hooked up to the console Aaron exposed before the men arrived.

             Nathan sat on the chair and Aaron gathered cables. He had one cable input and put it near the back of Nathan’s neck. Suddenly a USB port appeared on his skin. Aaron inserted the cable into the port. Nathan winced. Aaron got another cable and inserted into Nathan’s wrist and another on above his right ear. USB ports appeared on those spots. Aaron asked, “You ready?” “Yeah,” Nathan said taking a deep breath. Aaron pressed the buttons of the console and Nathan’s facial expression changed. He stared into nowhere and his face looked neutral. It was as if Nathan ceased to be and was just an object. In fact, Nathan was not technically Aaron’s biological son but his invention, a human-like android. He had a more human acting mode and a robotic mode. Aaron pressed some buttons and Nathan responded by saying, “Operational Mode.” “K, let’s find that secret info,” Aaron said. The chair started humming and started transforming. It became a table and Nathan’s body moved in position of the table and laid there. Robotic cables came out of the console and removed Nathan’s army shirt revealing his buff pecs, muscled biceps and shiny six pack abs. Robotic cables removed his camouflage pants to reveal green briefs, large thighs and chiseled calves. The robotic cables took off his boots to reveal his perfect barefeet.

             “Access info,” Aaron said. “Accessing,” Nathan said. Aaron kept pressing buttons Suddenly, Aaron heard footsteps. “We have company,” Aaron said. Nathan did not respond. In the room, an African American man in a navy three-piece suit entered. He had a clean shaved head and seemed slick. “Thank you for finding the info I needed.” Aaron asked, “What makes you think I am going to give it to you?” “Oh, you will,” the man said. More men came up behind Aaron and quickly took hold of him. Aaron tried escaping but they could not. The man smirked and made a movement with his head. The men then took Aaron away, leaving the man alone with Nathan. The man got close to the console and pressed some buttons. He smiled at the handsome unresponsive Nathan. The man tickled Nathan’s bare feet. “Let’s have some fun.” The man pressed buttons and inserted a flash drive into the console. Nathan said in a robotic way, “Pleasure Mode Unlocked.” Lex pressed some buttons, and the table was transformed and went up, having Nathan stand up. The table inserted itself with the wall and merged with the wall. Nathan was strapped to the wall.

             Lex pressed buttons and the robotic cables removed the other cables off Nathan. The straps electronically came off Nathan. The man caressed Nathan’s hair and touched his thighs. Nathan stared blankly ahead. The mysterious man fondled Nathan’s pecs. He twerked his right nipple. Lex then put his lips on Nathan’s pec and started to suck it. “I always wanted to do it that since Aaron first built you, now you’re mine,” the man said. “Yes, Lex,” Nathan said. “Call me Master,” Lex said. “Yes, Master,” Nathan said. “Assume the position,” Lex said. Nathan nodded without emotion. The muscled nude man wearing only green briefs removed the briefs and they fell to his ankles. Lex stared at his firm glutes. Nathan got on his knees on the floor and put his open palms on the floor. Lex smirked and took out his **** from his pants. He didn’t have to lube up and __ the bot in the ass. Nathan quickly started massaging Lex’s ___ and Lex didn’t have to work. He felt extreme pleasure and loved the thrusting. Eventually Lex came all over Nathan’s perfect plastic butt. Later Lex said he had the info he needed and now he had an obedient bot.

[tolkienmatters]

An Elven-maid there was of old, A shining star by day: Her mantle white was hemmed with gold, Her shoes of silver-grey. A star was bound upon her brows, A light was on her hair As sun upon the golden boughs In Lórien the fair. Her hair was long, her limbs were white, And fair she was and free; And in the wind she went as light As leaf of linden-tree. Beside the falls of Nimrodel, By water clear and cool, Her voice as falling silver fell Into the shining pool. Where now she wanders none can tell, In sunlight or in shade; For lost of yore was Nimrodel And in the mountains strayed. The elven-ship in haven grey Beneath the mountain-lee Awaited her for many a day Beside the roaring sea. A wind by night in Northern lands Arose, and loud it cried, And drove the ship from elven-strands Across the streaming tide. When dawn came dim the land was lost, The mountains sinking grey Beyond the heaving waves that tossed Their plumes of blinding spray. Amroth beheld the fading shore Now low beyond the swell, And cursed the faithless ship that bore Him far from Nimrodel. Of old he was an Elven-king, A lord of tree and glen, When golden were the boughs in spring In fair Lothlórien. From helm to sea they saw him leap, As arrow from the string, And dive into the water deep, As mew upon the wing. The wind was in his flowing hair, The foam about him shone; Afar they saw him strong and fair Go riding like a swan. But from the West has come no word, And on the Hither Shore No tidings Elven-folk have heard Of Amroth evermore.

- Song of Nimrodel, Fellowship of the RIng, Lothlórien

[bestiarium]

De Kaboutermannekes [Dutch/Flemish folktales]

The word ‘kabouter’ is often translated as either ‘dwarf’, ‘leprechaun’ or ‘gnome’ and is most commonly used to refer to tiny human-like creatures with red (often pointy) hats. In fiction, they often live in mushrooms. Henderson, in the 19th century, translated the word to ‘Redcap’ and this is a still a common appellation in English for these creatures. He considered them a kind of goblins.

Today, kabouters (also called kaboutermannetjes, or kaboutermannekens in old Dutch and modern Flemish dialect) are very popular creatures in Dutch and Flemish children’s stories, both in books and tv series. Examples include Kabouter Plop (children’s show) and Kabouter Wesley (parody show about a foulmouthed, cynical kabouter).

In previous centuries, however, these mythical creatures were often considered evil and dangerous.

In Linden (Leuven, Belgium), there’s a myth about the local church. It was said that the tower was built by kabouters, and they were paid a huge amount of gold for this work. But the dwarves became so greedy and obsessed with their money that they hid it in a basement deep below the local castle. They stayed with their gold at all times, counting it over and over, until they all died of starvation. Their ghosts haunted the castle since then, until the building was demolished to make way for a large farm, or so the legend goes.

Hoeleden, Belgium, has a myth about two opposing factions of kabouters. The area had two large hills, called the Konijnenberg (literally ‘the rabbit mountain’) and the Zilverberg (‘the silver mountain’). The former was home to a community of kabouters with red boots and hats, whereas the latter housed a settlement of kabouters with white hats and boots. The two factions warred against each other until both were destroyed in a huge decisive battle one day. It is said that the sheer amount of blood caused a local pond to flood, and this created the Pierenbeek stream (‘pierenbeek’ appears to be an informal name. I found the location of one Pierenbeek but it’s in Antwerp). There were still some kabouters in the area, though. It was said that you could convince them to do chores for you in exchange for a bottle of liquor.

In the Dutch Kempen area, there used to be a large hill that was supposedly inhabited by kabouters. They were notorious for stealing livestock (anything from cows and oxen to ducks and chickens). If anyone attempted to retaliate, hundreds of dwarves would swarm him and beat the shit out of him.

One story tells of a young farmer who was madly in love with a girl named Mieke. Mieke’s father disapproved, because the young man was too poor. His farm owned 15 cows, but all of them were stolen by the kabouters. Feeling like he had nothing left to loose, the lad ventured to the kabouters’ hill one night. He waited until sometime after midnight, when kaboutermannetjes arrived with a stolen cow, and a large door opened in the side of the hill to let them in. The young man quickly ran after them, but was noticed almost immediately. The gnomes swarmed him and beat him, but he pleaded ‘Please, stop hitting me and hear me out! I only came to ask a favour, and if you dislike it, then please let me leave, or just kill me because I’d have nothing left to live for.’

The kabouters listened and eventually felt bad for the boy. He was allowed to leave and even got all of his cows back. The next day, the lad found a huge sack of coins on his table: this was a parting gift from the kabouters. He soon married Mieke (her father couldn’t refuse anymore, since he was rich now) and they lived happily ever after.

But soon, everyone had heard of this story and many people went to the kabouters’ hill to ask favours. The dwarves grew tired of this and eventually decided to pack their things and leave the hill. And they were never seen again.

Finally, many stories tell about kabouters who had magical powers. One such tale from Noord-Holland (the Netherlands) is about a kabouter who lived underneath a (human) house. Every night, he would crawl out of a hole in the fireplace, and bless the home and its inhabitants in exchange for food.

Sources: Peeters, K. C., 1979, Vlaams Sagenboek, Davidsfonds, Leuven. abedeverteller.nl/kabouters-in-je-huis-een-zegen-of-een-vloek William Henderson, 1879, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders. (image 1: statue of Kyrië, king of the kabouters, located in Hogeloon, the Netherlands. Supposedly, Kyrië was accidentally shot and killed by a hunter. Image source: standbeelden.vanderkrogt.net) (image source 2: fieggentrio.blogspot.com/2020/04/kabouterkoning-kyrie.html) (image source 3: Vilhelm Pedersen, illustration for a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. The image depicts a Nisse – a Danish creature – but is sometimes used on the internet to depict kabouters, which are similar in many aspects)

[bluehourskyeli]

An Elven-maid there was of old,

A shining star by day:

Her mantle white was hemmed with gold,

Her shoes of silver-grey.

A star was bound upon her brows,

A light was on her hair

As sun upon the golden boughs

In Lórien the fair.

 

Her hair was long, her limbs were white,

And fair she was and free;

And in the wind she went as light

As leaf of linden-tree.

 

Beside the falls of Nimrodel,

By water clear and cool,

Her voice as falling silver fell

Into the shining pool.

 

Where now she wanders none can tell,

In sunlight or in shade;

For lost of yore was Nimrodel

And in the mountains strayed.

 

The elven-ship in haven grey

Beneath the mountain-lee

Awaited her for many a day

Beside the roaring sea.

 

A wind by night in Northern lands

Arose, and loud it cried,

And drove the ship from elven-strands

Across the streaming tide.

 

When dawn came dim the land was lost,

The mountains sinking grey

Beyond the heaving waves that tossed

Their plumes of blinding spray.

 

Amroth beheld the fading shore

Now low beyond the swell,

And cursed the faithless ship that bore

Him far from Nimrodel.

 

Of old he was an Elven-king,

A lord of tree and glen,

When golden were the boughs in spring

In fair Lothlórien.

 

From helm to sea they saw him leap,

As arrow from the string,

And dive into the water deep,

As mew upon the wing.

 

The wind was in his flowing hair,

The foam about him shone;

Afar they saw him strong and fair

Go riding like a swan.

 

But from the West has come no word,

And on the Hither Shore

No tidings Elven-folk have heard

Of Amroth evermore.

[whats-in-a-sentence]

The leaves were long, the grass was green,

The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,

And in the glade a light was seen

Of stars in shadow shimmering.

Tinúviel was dancing there

To music of a pipe unseen,

And light of stars was in her hair,

And in her raiment glimmering.

There Beren came from mountains cold,

And lost he wandered under leaves,

And where the Elven-river rolled

He walked alone and sorrowing.

He peered between the hemlock-leaves

And saw in wonder flowers of gold

Upon her mantle and her sleeves,

And her hair like shadow following.

Enchantment healed his weary feet

That over hills were doomed to roam;

And forth he hastened, strong and fleet,

And grasped at moonbeams glistening.

Through woven woods in Elvenhome

She lightly fled on dancing fleet,

And left him lonely still to roam

In the silent forest listening.

He heard there oft the flying sound

Of feet as light as linden-leaves,

Or music welling underground,

In hidden hollows quavering.

Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves,

And one by one with sighing sound

Whispering fell the beechen leaves

In the wintry woodland wavering.

He sought her ever, wandering far

Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,

By light of moon and ray of star

In frosty heavens shivering.

Her mantle glinted in the moon,

As on a hill-top high and far

She danced, and at her feet was strewn

A mist of silver quivering.

When winter passed, she came again,

And her song released the sudden spring,

Like rising lark, and falling rain,

And melting water bubbling.

He saw the elven-flowers spring

About her feet, and healed again

He longed by her to dance and sing

Upon the grass untroubling.

Again she fled, but swift he came.

Tinúviel! Tinúviel!

He called her by her elvish name;

And there she halted listening.

One moment stood she, and a spell

His voice laid on her: Beren came,

And doom fell on Tinúviel

That in his arms lay glistening.

As Beren looked into her eyes

Within the shadows of her hair,

The trembling starlight of the skies

He saw there mirrored shimmering.

Tinúviel the elven-fair,

Immortal maiden elven-wise,

About him cast her shadowy hair

And arms like silver glimmering.

Long was the way that fate them bore,

O'er stony mountains cold and grey,

Through halls of iron and darkling door,

And woods of nightshade morrowless.

The Sundering Seas between them lay,

And yet at last they met once more,

And long ago they passed away

In the forest singing sorrowless.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" - J.R.R. Tolkien

[carmenhearst]

Who: Heath Talbot. When: Friday, August 25th. Where: Linden Dorm, 2A.

It had provided an unexpected sense of relief upon her return, to still not have a phone on her person, to not face the barrage of things she'd missed in her time away. It was something she knew she wouldn't be able to avoid forever, the same way she couldn't avoid her parents forever, phone delivered earlier that day along with packages from home and a call to her mother that she couldn't put off any longer. The silver lining was that it'd given her an excuse to be there, in Heath's dorm, hand delivering a package her mother had insisted she get to him as well as making sure he was settling in okay. It was a task that wasn't needed considering he not only wasn't a child but had a year of this experience over her, an argument Carmen wouldn't have made even if she thought the older woman would hear it. She's too complaisant and perhaps smitten to not stop by, to not drop off the parcel and bring lunch along with her, unable to stop herself from gathering stray pieces of clothes now that she was inside. "You've already created a mess, how is that even possible?"

@heathtalbot

[ebaeschnbliah]

Frodo and his companions huddled round the fire, wrapped in every garment and blanket they possessed; but Strider was content with a single cloak, and sat a little apart, drawing thoughtfully at his pipe.

As night fell and the light of the fire began to shine out brightly he began to tell them tales to keep their minds from fear. He knew many histories and legends of long ago, of Elves and Men and the good and evil deeds of the Elder Days. They wondered how old he was, and where he had learned all this lore.

'Tell us of Gil-galad,' said Merry suddenly, when he paused at the end of a story of the Elf-Kingdoms. 'Do you know any more of that old lay that you spoke of?'

'I do indeed,' answered Strider. 'So also does Frodo, for it concerns us closely.' Merry and Pippin looked at Frodo, who was staring into the fire.

'I know only the little that Gandalf has told me,' said Frodo slowly. 'Gil-galad was the last of the great Elf-kings of Middle-earth. Gil-galad is Starlight in their tongue. With Elendil, the Elf-friend, he went to the land of---'

'No!' said Strider interrupting, 'I do not think that tale should be told now with the servants of the Enemy at hand. If we win through to the house of Elrond, you may hear it there, told in full.'

'Then tell us some other tale of the old days,' begged Sam; 'a tale about the Elves before the fading time. I would dearly like to hear more about Elves; the dark seems to press round so close.'

'I will tell you the tale of Tinúviel,' 

said Strider, 'in brief - for it is a long tale of which the end is not known; and there are none now, except Elrond, that remember it aright as it was told of old. 

It is a fair tale, though it is sad, as are all the tales of Middle-earth, and yet it may lift up your hearts.' He was silent for some time, and then he began not to speak but to chant softly:

The leaves were long, the grass was green, The hemlock-umbels tall and fair, And in the glade a light was seen Of stars in shadow shimmering. Tinuviel was dancing there To music of a pipe unseen, And light of stars was in her hair, And in her raiment glimmering. There Beren came from mountains cold. And lost he wandered under leaves, And where the Elven-river rolled He walked alone and sorrowing. He peered between the hemlock-leaves And saw in wonder flowers of gold Upon her mantle and her sleeves, And her hair like shadow following. Enchantment healed his weary feet That over hills were doomed to roam; And forth he hastened, strong and fleet, And grasped at moonbeams glistening. Through woven woods in Elvenhome She lightly fled on dancing feet, And left him lonely still to roam In the silent forest listening. He heard there oft the flying sound Of feet as light as linden-leaves, Or music welling underground, In hidden hollows quavering. Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves, And one by one with sighing sound Whispering fell the beachen leaves In (the) wintry woodland wavering. He sought her ever, wandering far Where leaves of years were thickly strewn, By light of moon and ray of star In frosty heavens shivering. Her mantle glinted in the moon, As on a hill-top high and far She danced, and at her feet was strewn A mist of silver quivering. When winter passed, she came again, And her song released the sudden spring, Like rising lark, and falling rain, And melting water bubbling. He saw the elven-flowers spring About her feet, and healed again He longed by her to dance and sing Upon the grass untroubling. Again she fled, but swift he came, Tinuviel! Tinuviel! He called her by her elvish name; And there she halted listening. One moment stood she, and a spell His voice laid on her: Beren came, And doom fell on Tinuviel That in his arms lay glistening. As Beren looked into her eyes Within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies He saw there mirrored shimmering. Tinuviel the elven-fair, Immortal maiden elven-wise, About him cast her shadowy hair And arms like silver glimmering. Long was the way that fate them bore, O'er stony mountains cold and grey, Through halls of iron and darkling door, And woods of nightshade morrowless. The Sundering Seas between them lay, And yet at last they met once more, And long ago they passed away In the forest singing sorrowless.

Strider sighed and paused before he spoke again. ‘That is a song,' he said, 'in the mode that is called ann-thennath among the Elves, but is hard to render in our Common Speech, and this is but a rough echo of it. It tells of the meeting of Beren son of Barahir and Lúthien Tinúviel. Beren was a mortal man, but Lúthien was the daughter of Thingol, a King of Elves upon Middle-earth when the world was young; and she was the fairest maiden that has ever been among all the children of this world. As the stars above the mists of the Northern lands was her loveliness, and in her face was a shining light. In those days the Great Enemy, of whom Sauron of Mordor was but a servant, dwelt in Angband in the North, and the Elves of the West coming back to Middle-earth made war upon him to regain the Silmarils which he had stolen; and the fathers of Men aided the Elves. But the Enemy was victorious and Barahir was slain, and Beren escaping through great peril came over the Mountains of Terror into the hidden Kingdom of Thingol in the forest of Neldoreth. There he beheld Lúthien singing and dancing in a glade beside the enchanted river Esgalduin; and he named her Tinúviel, that is Nightingale in the language of old. Many sorrows befell them afterwards, and they were parted long. Tinúviel rescued Beren from the dungeons of Sauron, and together they passed through great dangers, and cast down even the Great Enemy from his throne, and took from his iron crown one of the three Silmarils, brightest of all jewels, to be the bride-price of Lúthien to Thingol her father. Yet at the last Beren was slain by the Wolf that came from the gates of Angband, and he died in the arms of Tinúviel. But she chose mortality, and to die from the world, so that she might follow him; and it is sung that they met again beyond the Sundering Seas, and after a brief time walking alive once more in the green woods, together they passed, long ago, beyond the confines of this world. So it is that Lúthien Tinúviel alone of the Elf-kindred has died indeed and left the world, and they have lost her whom they most loved. But from her the lineage of the Elf-lords of old descended among Men. There live still those of whom Lúthien was the foremother, and it is said that her line shall never fail. Elrond of Rivendell is of that Kin. For of Beren and Lúthien was born Dior Thingol's heir; and of him Elwing the White whom Eärendil wedded, he that sailed his ship out of the mists of the world into the seas of heaven with the Silmaril upon his brow. And of Eärendil came the Kings of Númenor, that is Westernesse.'

As Strider was speaking they watched his strange eager face, dimly lit in the red glow of the wood-fire. His eyes shone, and his voice was rich and deep. Above him was a black starry sky. Suddenly a pale light appeared over the crown of Weathertop behind him. The waxing moon was climbing slowly above the hill that overshadowed them, and the stars above the hill-top faded.

JRR Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, A Knive in the Dark