#imagine 5 years old celebrimbor in one

[stacytea]

(sometime during Fingon's reign)

Maedhros: Finno, darling, are you alright?

Maedhros: I've just seen you using regular ink to sign decrees, instead of your fauvourite, fancy, pink, glitter one

Maedhros: I got worried.

[meadowlarkx]

End of Year Fic Recs! 🔮

Tagged by @swanmaids! I like this format a lot, thank you 💕 There were so many amazing Silm fics this year that it's nearly impossible to pick out just a few, but I did my best.

Recommend up to 5 series or multi-chapter fics from 2023 that everyone should read (multi-year WIPs count, if the last update was in 2023).

Recommend up to 5 single chapter fics/one-shots (long or short) from 2023 that everyone should read.

Recommend up to 5 fics NOT from 2023 that everyone should read (oldies but goodies).

Recommend up to 5 of your own fics (completed or WIP) from 2023 that everyone should read.

Multi-chapter fics

Strange Currencies by @jouissants (in-progress, Maedhros/Maglor accidental LaCE marriage, M) - this fic is one of my absolute favorite things to come out of 2023, lavishly and heartbreakingly imagined post-canon reembodied/returned Exiles and brilliant maemags falling together in late Beleriand. invest now!!!

here we go again by @i-am-a-lonely-visitor (completed, Orodreth/Celebrimbor & Gil-galad Mamma Mia AU, T) - the most summer fun ever with one of my favorite Celebrimbors, delights me to think about and I think about it often!!

Such a Marriage by DifferentSong (in-progress, fem!Maedhros/Maglor set between Doriath and Sirion, M) - I feel personally blessed by the ability to list multiple maemags longfics on this list. This one is so tender, with incredible characterization for both these two and Tolkien Elves (old & young, sad & gay) in general; leader fem!Maedhros owns my heart.

What the Water Gave Me by @imakemywings (completed, Finduilas/Nienor canon divergence AU, M) - beautifully described and cozily, realistically lived-in development of a relationship between these two in a universe where Nienor survives her suicidal leap; this bandaged the wounds left by CoH for me!

In Twain by @jouissants (completed, gothic and gendery Maedhros/Elrond and Maedhros/Maglor, E) - cinematic reading experience and deliciously winding tale of Elrond's coming to better know Maedhros, Maglor, and himself; so many lines from this--and the ending--just grip me and won't let me go.

Single-chapter fics

Wondrously Wrought by @searchingforserendipity25 (Maedhros & Maglor in a universe where Noldor craft their children's personalities, G) - this beautifully written fic has me in a chokehold months & months later, I simply love it so much--the Fate of it all and the dynamic between them, and how thick the tension and emotion hangs even in these few moments.

and some of us returned by @i-am-a-lonely-visitor (Maedhros/Maglor, past Maglor/Glaurung assault at the fall of Maglor's Gap, M) - fulfilled my wildest dreams of Glaurung angst played straight, eerie and gorgeously written psychological horror told through Maedhros' eyes and his own possessive love for Maglor.

As You Wish by @imakemywings (Maglor/Thranduil battle couple devotion and hurt/comfort, T) - so many great single-chapters this year but this one is SO dear to me; I love eerie attack dog Maglor who simultaneously cares overmuch and I think this ship is so thematically chef's kiss as an alternate ending for him; wry Thranduil is fantastic here too.

one of your girls by @swanmaids (Celegorm/Oromë, Celegorm & Maglor; femininity and internalized homophobia in Valinor, E) - masterful weird mythical Ainur devotional customs surrounding Oromë and his hunt, and a really touching exploration of Celegorm's character in a time when he still has yet to choose his fate. Celegorm's tension with Maglor is great here too.

Played by @disastrousexpense (Maedhros/Maglor, Maedhros/Fingon where Maglor seduces Maedhros through the guise of "teaching" him for Fingon's benefit, E) - one of my favorite Maglors this year, so theatrical and affected and alluring and (in this Valinor period) quite selfish, yet expressive and deeply, deeply feeling. a rollicking story that made me laugh and then made me cry!

Oldies but goodies

Elvish Letters by @ladygavroche (Caranthir & Finrod, Celebrimbor & Fëanor, Maedhros & brothers, epistolary humor, in progress, G) - this is a favorite of mine, along with the Caranthir fic earlier in the same series. Incredible and hilarious epistolary that just sings!!

The Silver Queen by @i-am-a-lonely-visitor (AU where Gil-Galad is Celebrían, trans!Celebrían/Elrond, completed, M) - such a lovingly written fic for a brilliant concept. Multiple scenes of Celebrían's arc in this had me weeping earlier this year.

The High King of the Noldor and His Faithful Hound by shatteredGlasses (Hrunting_License) (Celegorm/Maglor, assault and tensions during Maglor's kingship, completed, E) - During Maedhros' captivity, Celegorm thinks the worst of Maglor, and Maglor uses Celegorm for self-harm. Genuinely disturbing, excellent angst, and very formative for me!

Through the Smoke I See You by Dragonstorm (Maedhros & Maglor, Maglor's Gap and Dagor Bragollach, single-chapter, T) - one of my favorite explorations of Maglor's devotion and guilt towards Maedhros, and the immense risk of trying to hold the Gap! I love it so.

Thistle Whistling on the Wind-Blown Field by happythoughhuman, Torpi (Finrod & Edrahil, Finrod & Avari, culture, environment, storytelling, completed, M) - I've been meaning to revisit this strange gem of a TRSB fic for a while. One of the most vivid explorations of Melkor's impact on the environment in Middle-earth, of serious Elven cultural differences and the notion of Finrod as a kinslayer (while a very Finrod-loving story; he shines in this, making connections as is his wont). Also, won my heart for putting mangroves in Valinor.

My own fics

bite thy wings and let thee crawl (Melkor/Maglor, noncon macro/micro horror porn inspired by this art by @aquaregiaart and Lay of Leithian, E) - the Big Melkor fic, set during Maedhros' captivity. In my head this is my best work of 2023 and probably ever. Come closer... give him a click.... he can't hurt you....

Less Wise (sapphic Maglor/Thranduil, canon divergence, E) - pining with a happy ending in an AU where kinslayer fem!Maglor has come to serve Mirkwood's king fem!Thranduil. This was my attempt to write the sort of comforting and cathartic fic I so enjoy reading.

elvenkings (here on tumblr as well) (moments ft. Orodreth, Thranduil, Elwing, Elrond, G) - my drabbles fic for Sindar Week 2023 about the long-lasting echoes of Menegroth and Iathrim heritage. I'm really happy this brief story resonated!

pursuit (Tulkas/Nessa and Oromë/Nessa, genderfluid Nessa, M) - Nessa and Tulkas wed. Smut and mythical vibes ft. confident and changing Nessa, the dancer and the god of prey. I love that weird Ainur shit.

yes many and beautiful things (Maedhros/Maglor during the War of Wrath, M, now with art by @aquaregiaart!) - After their final argument about stealing the Silmarils, Maedhros and Maglor share themselves with each other wholeheartedly one last time before the end; sort of a "what if they loved each other and that was worse."

[procrastinationonvacation]

Good day! It’s that anon again! I’m really sorry if I’m inundating you with asks but could you possibly given me your headcanons for the Gwaith-i-mirdain? (And you can ignore the other ask I sent, if that’s not really your cup of tea) I hope you are having a good day!

Hellooo captain anon! I hope you’re having a great day too!

*glee full clapping* ok I can write *unintelligible brain noise* Ok maybe I can’t write but that’s ok. Kidding, but this got long so I’m sticking it under a cut :)

So I think I’ve made it pretty clear to uh,,everyone,, that I imagine the gwaith i mirdain to be incredibly similar to a college, but dont know what a college Does! So here is all about my imaginary college:

-

I say a school, but what I really should be saying is research institute. Noldor are able to pursue discoveries there, it’s a space dedicated to finding new things out.

And on the rare occasion (practically every Saturday) a few of the incredibly intelligent and well educated members (reckless idiots) occasionally have experiments that have undesirable consequences (arson) then that is only a Natural part of these scientific pursuits.

In all seriousness, when there’s a new influx of people to the Gwaith, Celebrimbor and the rest of the board often take care that a more... spectacular... failure takes place.

It’s a good ice breaker, and students are a lot less intimidated by their World Famous Astro Physicist Professor when a slight singed smell still clings to them from the “totally safe and non explosive” volcano they and the global expert on continental shifting made the night before.

…I feel the need to defend our boy and say there IS a lab safety course!!! And you have to be trained to use every piece of equipment you interact with!!!! The actual research part of things is very safe!! Just... sometimes you’re in your lab late at night after a few too many drinks and there’s some old lighters, lamp fuel and a random scrap of uranium no one happened to be using... and really, who can blame you? You were left unsupervised!!!

-

Anyways the way I imagine getting to do research there working is you’re invited by someone who is already a member, then go through some kind of review process by some kind of board of directors, idk. You get a nice salary and access to labs and funding if, every 5 years, you teach a year long class. Or some kind of variation on that.

Learning there, now I would want that to be easy! You show up, you take classes, and in those classes you learn how to make different gemstones, or ... thingy things... idk. Finished products are then used to cover your expenses and the expenses of the Gwaith. The students aren’t gonna get rich, but no one’s hurting for money, and there’s Certainly no. freaking. student. debt. D:<

And like, on the way to being a professor, people can work up some kind of ladder, from, a TA, to a foundational course teacher, to a tutor, for example. And I want research to be accessible so we’ll say that everyone who works at the gwaith has access to materials for their projects/research.

-

Anyways thanks so much for the asks, Captain anon! I really enjoy them and hope this is what you were looking for :)

-------------------------------

Oh also, this started a bunch of investigation into the college I will be attending! And I’m really really glad I did it! They have a fencing club!! And Archery! There’s a waterfall!!!

[eigwayne]

Like a Silver Night

Fictober Prompt: 5-  “I might just kiss you.” Fanfiction Fandom: The Silmarillion Rating: PG for a suggestive thought at the end Warnings: None Characters: Curufin/his future wife (OFC I guess? ‘cause Tolkien didn’t tell us much about Celebrimbammë) Other Tags: Years of the Trees, Quenya names, footnotes as long as the fic oops Summary: A serious discussion about a problematic Vala somehow leads to playing footsie under the table (Noldor gonna Noldo~).

“He hasn’t been talking to any of the Teleri craftspeople,” Onalindë said over tea one day. “Just the Noldor.”

Curufinwë looked at her over his teacup. “Father is right to be suspicious,” he said in a tone like someone had questioned that before (unheard of in his eyes; even at sixty-something, Curufinwë was an Atar’s-Boy). “If Melkor was so concerned about spreading knowledge, he would have seen some of the Teleri when he was spotted in Alqualondë.”

“He stopped by my father’s shop, but Atta’s been on about making lace designs with metal wire and thread-of, and it’s all very wave inspired. I don’t think Melkor realized we’re Noldorin at all.” She sounded just as indignant as Curufinwë had.

Onalindë -better known as Lindë; a short name for a short girl- shifted and Curufinwë could see the light sparkle off her headpiece- a swirling, lacey sort of wreath or reverse-tiara that clipped above her ears and looped behind her head. There were pearls strung through the silver like stars or flecks of seafoam. The piece smoothed down the top of her hair, leaving the lower parts to tumble around her shoulders. At least, that was the design. Her thick curls were already escaping in a way he found distracting.

Curufinwë took a sip of his tea, to soothe his suddenly dry mouth. “Is that your father’s work?” he asked with a nod at her hair-jewels, once he was certain he wouldn’t choke on his own tongue.

“I helped,” she said proudly, and she turned her head again to model it for him. The silver and pearls gleamed among her black hair and he recalled stars in the night, in the far north where the Tree-light faded.

‘Telperillómë,’ he thought, calling her by her father-name in the secret (and not-so-secret) recesses of his mind. ‘And they say father-names are not name of foretelling. How rightly he called you Silver-Night!’

“I can teach you, too, once things calm down a bit,” she was saying of the lace-smithing technique. “But it’s hectic now. Mother follows Manwë, you know, so she thinks we’re all being ridiculous, but the rest of us can tell that Melkor is up to something. Teaching people who have no business about swords and armor, and only Noldor, too!”

“I’m grateful you believe us,” Curufinwë said, sipping his tea to calm himself. ‘She was made for me,’ he thought. ‘Wise and lovely and of like mind.’

“I’ll keep an eye out, of course,” Lindë said. “But it’s safer if he thinks we’re more Teleri than we really are. I hope you don’t mind. I’m not ashamed of being a Noldo, but my brothers are young still and I have to look out for them. And I have kin who remember what he did to Endorë.”

Old Noldo blood, she had on both her parents’ side, and Teleri lineage from a great silversmith. Yes, she was made to be his match.

“Of course,” he told her, thinking instead of the silver ring in his workshop. “He doesn’t dare approach Father, but I will be wary as well, if he does.”

“As if you could ever not be Noldo!” she laughed. “You and Prince Fëanaro are the most Noldorin Noldor ever to Noldo.” Her foot brushed his under the table. Accident or purposeful, he didn’t care.

“And what will that make our sons?” he teased.

Color bloomed in her cheeks, as if she hadn’t declared her intention to have eight children herself, ever since they were kids playing jewelsmiths together.

“The most Telerin Noldor to ever Noldo?” she suggested.

“Or the most Noldorin Teleri to ever Noldo,” he said.

“Definitely more Noldor than anything else!” 

Curufinwë watched her laugh and thought again of the ring he was making. “Grandfather is having a banquet in two weeks’ time,” he said, out of nowhere to her but perfectly calculated to him. “Our families will be there, and I thought, maybe you should wear silver. Perhaps that hairpiece?”

He could see the exact moment her breath caught, the way her eyes widened and her pink lips parted. He gently tapped her foot with his toe.

“I suggest you choose silver as well, then,” she said, voice husky.

“Of course,” he said again. He imagined those lips under his, that silver-lace hairpiece glittering on his nightstand. He could finish the ring in two weeks, and a gold within the year.

‘My Silver-Night,’ he thought, and touched her foot under the table once more.

After-Notes: You can skip these if you don’t care about name notes and such.

My apologies(?) to avantegarda, for having the same name for Curufin’s wifey. It was unintentional. I developed the name Onalindë with a nickname of Lindë some months ago during long-fic planning and now I can’t make myself change it. For the curious, Lindë means “singer” or “songbird” in Quenya, so you can see why this is a fabulous name for an Elf. Lindir (from LOTR) is a masculine Sindarin form. The Ona- part of Onalindë comes from old Qenya “onin” or “anvil”. I have my reasons but it’s not relevant to this story (unless you want to make hammer and anvil innuendos but I was saving that for another time).

While we’re on names, Telperillómë was created from “telperin” and “lómë”- “like silver in hue or worth” and “night/dusk/twilight”. It refers to her hair color and is ridiculously poetic and long for a baby, so she’s always been Lindë instead. Lindë’s whole family (a certain line, at least) has “silver” in one of their names, but that’s also a fic for another time.

Lindë’s hairpiece is like movie!Gil-Galad’s open-front circlet, but wider and silver and elaborately lacey and clips into the hair so it doesn’t emphasize the size of one’s forehead as much. I’d call it a ríë-nuquerna in Quenya, a reversed-crown, but if there’s a real name in English for what I envision, I couldn’t find it.

Re. rings. This is from The Laws and Customs of the Eldar. In short, Noldor give each other silver rings as tokens of their engagement. This is usually done at a feast with the family in attendance. After a year, they trade back the silver rings for gold ones, and say their wedding vows, also preferably at a feast with their family. The physical act of consummation makes the vows binding. Thoughts on what exactly that means are, yet again, outside the scope of this fic.

Re. character ages: I know there are notes around that Elves come of age at either 50 or 100. According to one timeline, Finarfin got married right at 50, and him and Earwen had Finrod when he was age 70. So Curufin thinking about marriage in his sixties is entirely within the realm of possibilities. In the backstory I didn’t get into, he decided he was going to marry Lindë when they were still children. She held out for a real proposal, which as you can probably tell, hasn’t come yet.

For all that Curufin thinks Onalindë was made to be his match, in this timeline she is older by two years. It’s possible Eru has a sense of humor and that he was given to Feanor and Nerdanel to be her match. Or it’s like a Bon Jovi song and she was born to be his baby and he was made to be her man.

And finally, a glossary: Celebrimbammë: Celebrimbor + ammë (mother), because I think I’m funny. Curufinwë: Curufin. Atar/Atta: Father. Atar is Quenya, and Atta is the Telerin form of “Dad/Daddy”, reflecting Lindë’s mixed heritage.  Endorë: Middle Earth. Fëanaro: Fëanor. There’s another long mark in there but I haven’t memorized it or the keyboard shortcut for it yet.

[blankdblank]

My Pearl Pt 11

Pt 1 - Pt 2 - Pt 3 - Pt 4 - Pt 5 - Pt 6 - Pt 7 - Pt 8 - Pt 9 - Pt 10 -

Use of Into the West song from LotR

Tags –

@himoverflowers, @theincaprincess, @aspiringtranslator, @sweeticedtea, @ggbbhehe4455, @thegreyberet, @patanghill17, @jesgisborne, @curvestrology, @alishlieb, @jogregor, @armitageadoration, @fizzyxcustard, @here2have-fun, @lilith15000, @marvels-ghost, @catthefearless, @imjusthereforthereads, @c-s-stars,  @evyiione, @deepestfirefun, @queenoferebor, @thestorybookmistress, @abiwim, @here2have-fun, @onewithleaf

…

Tying his hair back Feanor’s eyes drifted off from his reflection in the window of the train heading off towards Erebor surrounded by his sons, all of whom were nearing their tens of thousands of year old marks. And his grandson Celebrimbor nearing five thousand while you were just barely past halfway to a thousand being the baby of the bunch making your uncertain fate all the more terrifying. He had known your grandmother his entire life and had only made his true feelings known and been able to love her fully for such a short stretch of time. Since the day you were born he had clung to you instantly as his own as did all his sons who were all so eager for a baby sister after their mother had passed carrying theirs in a plane crash from visiting her family. Most of his half siblings and their children had fallen in the Wars of Wrath making him cling to the hope you had survived it all somehow out there on your own.

Centuries he had waited and carried the weight of the loss of his grandson, your twin, with his children as you most likely bore it alone, only having learned of it through Glorfindel in a passing meeting with Amrod and Amras in their tours of duty before retiring, centuries after it had occurred. Their only word was from the couple until you had lost contact in the battle Orcarni fell into with the Easterlings remaining from the attacks on the Beleriand survivors who had fled to their seaside borders. Another war had found you and it only worried your remaining family all the more as to what it meant for you.

He could remember it clearly, the phone call that changed everything. Three rings in a struggle to climb over his couch from a race out of the laundry room Feanor’s hand found the phone recognizing Ecthelion’s ringtone. “Echo.”

A weak chuckle came through the line followed by the long awaited words, “We found her.” With parted lips Feanor listened to all that had been witnessed in your brief pass across the screen on the Durin cooking show.

For Thorin’s day you had been seen aiding in passing out supplies and on a stop at Frerin’s show. Which was more about groups of chefs being instructed to complete recipes with random ingredients, missing tools or just a vague description of what the goal was, where you sat in once as a last minute host when Dain had been out for an appointment. Those between Diaa’s own show she shared with Bombur and Bell for baked goods you had yet to find a place on.

The appearances were taped and sent out to Feanor, who grinned at your near unstoppable giggles on Fenrir’s show when you assumed the camera was off you at the exasperated chefs while in Thorin’s from across the room your eye rolls at his recipes stirred laughs from your family in their huddle to catch flashes of you. It wasn’t long until another call came through at an actual meeting with you.

.

Echo, “Feanor, we managed to get into town and get a table. Right at the end of the shift.”

Anxiously he asked, “Did you see her?”

Cheerfully he replied, “Even better, we managed to linger around long enough to see her helping to clear up after her shift in the kitchen.”

“She’s cooking?”

“I’m not certain. The sauce was Gran’s recipe, but the chicken and veggies were off. She’s at least having some say back there. Maybe still at the dicing counter.”

“Is she looking well?”

“A bit tired. Though when she spotted us she came to sit with us.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” He let out a weak chuckle, “We learned something. Dwarves have a sort of, protectorship relationship called Patron and Pearls. Thorin Durin has apparently gained her approval to be her Patron.”

“Patron?”

“Yes, it’s supposed to be a way to help those with great talent in need of a financial nudge or a set of connections the Patron can grant the Pearl.”

“She seems pleased with the, arrangement?”

Echo chuckled again, “I doubt it will remain a simple contractual relationship for long with the raised tone in her voice and the jealous glare from him when he saw us hugging her.”

“He makes her happy then?”

“Well, I can tell she’s a bit reluctant to relax fully into a relationship just yet, though she does seem to care for him. Plus, I think us being around again we can ease her into it. We got invited to her guest house on his property for dinner ‘anytime we wish’ her words exactly. She can’t wait to meet the girls.” He paused then added, “I’m not certain she remembers everything about you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just a comment she made about Glori and I being the last of her relatives. She was just a little thing when you were together. We brought up her kidnapping you and Glori mentioned calling you out to test her and she seemed to not imagine she’d be a tempting enough reason to travel that far. She speaks of you fondly so there’s no anger there that we can tell.”

Feanor’s lips parted, “Perhaps if she’d known, she would have contacted me sooner.”

“Exactly. She would have clung to family.”

“Well, we will just have to make up for lost time. That house Glori mentioned on your block, send me the address. I’m not going to stay out here in Lindon when my Little Pirate is out living with the Dwarves in Erebor.”

When the call had ended another set of calls were made and all sons were packed along with him by the end of the week ready to move into the large plot of land with a main house and four guest houses on the land. Their magazine at least granted them a great deal of mobility and with most of their workers already having moved out to Greenwood they had set up a temporary hub there and could now settle there as well. All had been finalized and now it took nothing but to wait for the first chance to see you again.

.

Code word was given and at his table alone he sat consulting his notes on the meals your Gran had made him through the official and unofficial tests wondering just what you would put in front of him. Each one reforming in his mind and each delectable taste flooding back to him along with your attempts making his eagerness grow at what you could have learned and grown on since your childhood.

The first meal was set in front of him all but drawing him to tears, a struggle he withheld at the mirror image of the first dish on your Gran’s last test presented to him. Simple rice dish with veggies and squash with some bacon rolled up. Expecting an exact copy he filled his spoon only to pause at the nearly moan inducing meal. The explosions of flavor mixed with the warmth perfectly topped by the veggies and bacon slices. You had truly been practicing in you time apart he thought while jotting down his notes on it.

Secondly the same hideous dish was set before him and his face sank into a scowl once again. He knew this dish and even with its deceiving look he knew he would love it, because he knew you had learned it from her and improved upon it. Again you had surpassed her and in the wait for the third course his eyes welled up with tears and a single tear let loose when he set his eyes upon the dish.

This final cake, she had been so proud of it, because it was all yours. She knew you would surpass her and take what she had to a greater height and with the cake you had imagined a recipe up from scratch he had all but given you another two honorary Sils right there. “Am I going to have to tie you down to taste it?”

That single grin drew a long overdue chuckle only you could stir from him. His baby girl snacking on an identical cake to his. The hardest struggle of his life was to not throw the table aside and wrap you tightly in his arms. So he sat still remembering to complete his test, not letting his emotions or reactions show until his notes were written down.

You were on your feet and he couldn’t wait anymore. Tightly he held you in his arms ignoring the people peering on and the Dwarf pitifully trying to sneak behind you. An invitation was offered and he jumped on it treasuring his evening with you until he finally had to return, leaving you with a ring he had hoped to give to you since the moment of seeing just how you looked at Thorin in his sights. Terrified and in love he knew he had to help you ease into this next step, fully knowing just how terrified he was after losing his first wife to try again, even with his One.

…

Maehdros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthis, Curufin, Amrod, Amras, all of your Grandfather’s Sons had been named and in the sea of Durins they showed Callie, Curufin’s wife and their tall son who joined Echo and Glori’s girls in the spacious back yard at their tugs on his pant legs. A basic stew was set to boil on the outdoor stove while a pair of bags were set up on the table they had set up to hold everything needed. Each hand held a pack of beads with another filled with bells and bluebell strands for those you had lost. In a circle you all formed a line with leaf coated silver circlets on your heads.

Maehdros as the oldest was first, lowly the men began to hum an old tune as you all circled him taking a strand of hair you braided one of yours to. A nudge from Celegorm came as it began reminding you that as their step sister you were counted among their siblings and as the only female of their line you were tasked to sing.

Lay down

Your sweet and weary head

The night is falling

You have come to journey's end

Sleep now

And dream of the ones who came before

They are calling

From across the distant shore

When the braids were secured with a rune coated bead bearing their names above and below you would take your ceremonial pocket knives to cut your hair leaving the braid in the circled sibling’s hair before looping the cut strip up on top of your head inside the leaves forming your circlets. Maglor was next and on the benches the Durins watched your softly glowing family standing under the light of the setting sun pouring into the yard.

Why do you weep?

What are these tears upon your face?

Soon you will see

All of your fears will pass away

Safe in my arms

You're only sleeping

Each sibling gave their cutting of hair until you were circled and they all smirked at your deepening grin as they added their braids to your hair as you wove a group of strips of your own. One for Naule and another for your grandmother with two for your parents and your paternal grandmother each bound by rune coated beads around a strand of bluebells ending with a bell.

What can you see

On the horizon?

Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea

A pale moon rises

The ships have come to carry you home

Feanor was circled next with the Parents turns. Another set of braids were traded between you, Echo and his girls before it was the turn for spouses. A not so subtle turn from Amrod and Amras brought Thorin over to your group finding his own rune coated beads for him to add his own braid to your hair he used your knife to slice free ready to proudly find that shorter strip in the future as a marker for his welcome into your clan.

Humming again you all, at the last light of day exited the home with silver Valinorian silken thread in hand while Feanor held the bluebells and final bells up as Glori held the lantern. Splitting in half your braids were gathered and stitched together then cut free, Echo removed yours and passed them to you, again as the female along with singing you were granted the right of forming the ship along with Feanor. Strip by multicolored woven strip you formed the silver boat along with the braided sections Feanor had formed while the rest of you finished your braids.

And all will turn

To silver glass

A light on the water

All Souls pass

More and more in your palms the boat came to being with bluebells and bells that filled it with a final set of securing strands attaching the lantern to the ship. Releasing the ship it dangled from the lantern that you and Echo circled and blew out matching breaths of flame lighting it and inflating the star shaped lantern suddenly wishing to be freed.

And all will turn

To silver glass

A light on the water

Grey ships pass

Into the West

At the final verses you released the lantern and watched it float up into the dark sky filled with bright stars. All eyes watched it soar up, joining dozens of others in the distance, and finally after all these years they found out what caused what came next. The stars over the lanterns grew brighter and the silver ships vanished while a bright star streaked across the sky. Every year unexplained shooting stars lit up the night sky in the moonless night. And as the Dwarves watched your tear filled eyes staring up at the stars the glowing specks coating your skin served as proof enough of your message of remembrance sent to those you had lost being received while the comforting light served as a reminder to keep going each day as you had since those devastating wars had ended.

.

Under the dancing and shimmering stars candles were lit for names and tales of your former homes to be shared with the Durins until midnight when they, all went to head into the guest rooms in Thorin’s home as midnight drew closer.

Changed into your shorts and a tank top you stood combing your hair with your fingers leaning against one of the poles around your bed stealing another glance out at the stars. In your doorway your eyes turned to Thorin in his approach, a soft grin easing onto his face as he lowly hummed out, “Hope you don’t mind, I turned around to brush my teeth and the girls are sprawled out across my bed.”

Weakly you chuckled, “Sorry, I didn’t mean for them to kick-,”

Nearing you his hand cupped your cheek warmly his lips met yours drawing your arms up around his neck in his move to lift you up with his other arm urging your legs around his bare sides above his sweats. Through a content hum from you he carried you onto your bed where he nestled you under him trailing his lips over your cheek to your neck purring, “Your family is welcome here any time, and seeing as it eases the chance for me to share a bed with you-.”

Weakly you giggled and eased your legs around his sides and legs some more, “It is a bit odd I suppose, not knowing whose bed we’re sleeping in.”

With a creeping grin he rumbled hopefully, “We could always simplify the problem and move your things into my room.”

Playfully you smirked back up at him, “Are you certain you could fit me in that closet of yours with all of those fine clothes of yours?”

With a deepening grin he rumbled back, “You haven’t seen my full closet.” You raised a brow, “That wall of shelves with my shoes actually slides back revealing the other half to my closet. I kept it closed so I wouldn’t have to see the empty half each day.”

“You really planned it all didn’t you?”

After a kiss on your cheek he nuzzled his head against the side of yours, “I have no clue what you mean.”

Giggling again you stated, “This house, setting it all up, the double sinks in your bath, large shower and tub, double master walk in closet.”

He chuckled, “Amad designed the home. She planed all our homes when we were old enough to live on our own. Wishful planning for our futures. Of course if you would prefer to remain here-,”

You turned your head to plant your lips on his stirring another pleased hum from him and when your lips parted you pressed your forehead to his, “I pretty much told your cousin we were on the way to being engaged,” tilting his head his lips met yours again for a quickly deepening kiss.

A steady palm slid along your hip guiding your shorts and panties down to be tossed aside at your hand dipping down under the waistband of his sweats that were easily added to the pile in his steady sink into you with a shared hum in the kiss you began. Wrapping around him his lips traveled over your neck and cheeks between low hummed Khuzdul sentiments from him.

“You do know I’m only getting half of all that, right?”

Chuckling again he purred between kisses across your cheeks as you calmed from your shared climax, “I assume you get the gist of it.” Making you giggle again, he kissed your lips again easing out of you to nuzzle against your chest holding you close to him, “What is the usual for breakfast after the celebration?”

“Omelets and pancakes usually.”

He nodded, “Then we will fix that, and when your family heads out again the boys will help us move your things into, our room.”

With another giggle you asked combing your fingers through his hair, “You are certain you don’t want to keep your own private space?”

“I don’t want private space. From my family perhaps from time to time, but not from you.”

Shaking your head you grinned at him after kissing the tip of his nose, “Who knew, under all those scowls was a giant softie.”

Chuckling deeply he rumbled back against your cheek after another kiss to it, “Each and every Dwarf alive. Our main element in fact. I am surprised you are just finding this out.”

His grin dropped as his lips parted at the tears looming in your eyes, “I know, I keep circling back to this. In Orcarni they were so helpful, with Naule, the ring, I always chalked it up to pity. Fleeing a war, alone, it never occurred to me after my ex and his family that anyone would actually be genuinely kind to me again.”

Warmly his hand cupped your cheek and he pressed his forehead to yours, “I understand. And now, we get to think of better things.”

“Auntie?” Softly the word carried through the guest home and Thorin hastily found your clothes you tugged back on and settled down beside each other as he found the remote for the tv in your nightstand he switched on finding a random film as the girls entered your bedroom.

“Can’t sleep?”

They shook their heads and hurried to your bed to snuggle with you both through the film after the youngest said, “We wanted to sleep with you and uncle Thorin.”

.

Around you the small bodies sprawled out over you as your head nuzzled into the crook of his neck in your huddled pile until an early morning picture was stolen of you and the trio was helped off of you to head to the breakfast.

A low chuckle came from Thorin in his gentle goading tugs into his arms to carry you to your closet to change. Through a smirk he watched you smooth the change of lingerie he chose around your hips soon covered by another pair of shorts and the same tank top before he followed you through your guest home to the kitchen in his.

Everyone had gathered up and you walked to Feanor’s side at his growing grin, beside him he drew back the empty stool you sat at as he tilted the notebook of yours he had found on his way to get the girls. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve been stealing a peek at your cookbook.”

Weakly you giggled shaking your head, “I was meaning to ask you what you thought of the idea.”

He chuckled lowly, “All of these look absolutely atrocious.” Widening your grin, “I know this will be a hit. Quite a splash starting with an ugly cookbook. Anyone can put out flawless recipes, but to awe with an atrocious yet mind blowing recipe is truly a test of skills.” After a peck on your forehead he added, “When you get to a final draft print me a copy and I’ll send it to Irime.”

Weakly chuckling you tapped your finger on the open page, “Actually, this was the final draft. I’m not the best at the descriptions though, hoped you might help me with that part.”

He chuckled and nodded, “I will give them a read through. This first batch is actually quite good.” His eyes lowered and you glanced over to Thorin who was slicing some oranges for the girls climbing on Celebrimbor until you were called over to the oven.

Caranthis, “Sis, we need someone on pancakes, Curufin here likes his black.”

You giggled and twisted your hair back into a bun and you moved between the sea of brothers all grinning wider on the first family breakfast. Amrod handled the omelets and shared his own thoughts on your recipes he had seen while Feanor chuckled eyeing the Polaroid on the latest recipe and rubbed his face reading off what it was before showing it around, “I never thought she passed on this recipe.”

With a giggle you replied, “It was scribbled on a receipt in a Telerin cookbook she gave me.”

His brows rose, “You still have that?”

You nodded, “One Telerin, Doriathian, Gondolin and Beleriand, plus an odd little Noldor book on fifty obscure uses for arctic beets.”

Feanor chuckled, “No doubt all coded to add to each.” Making you giggle again and carry the full tray of pancakes to the table filling with Elves as you claimed the seat beside Thorin after he’d set it.

“I can show you sometime if you like.”

He shook his head, “I’ve seen them. I am glad they’ve been so helpful for your studies.”

After a sip on his drink he glanced at Thorin when he asked, “You were still coming to the Stone today?”

He nodded with a wide grin, “Yes. I am eager to see how Jaqi fits into the whole system.”

You covered your mouth saying, “I’m mainly on desserts now.”

Caranthas, “Yes, we heard about your weekly menu and what a buzz you stirred up.”

Curufin chuckled while Maglor added, “There’s quite a betting pool on what you’ll earn from Ada’s first test for you.”

Curufin, “Public polls in Greenwood are at a hopeful four.”

Maedhros, “We are all hoping for at least two.”

As you rolled your eyes and Thorin asked, “I do have to ask, how publicized was your marriage?”

Feanor grinned at him saying, “If you are inferring to implied nepotism, I assure you though our marriage was gossiped about, and even if confirmed hundreds of chefs and bakers,”

Amrod/Amras, “Including us,”

Feanor nodded, “Including my siblings and sons have been tested and can all answer to how strict it is. The only expectation is towards Jaqi living up to her Gran’s reputation. Already her skills are publicly ranked, that spot on your show, those three judges, Celeborn included can attest to her unrivaled skill so far.”

Maedhros, “Even he is hoping for a five personally.”

Thorin couldn’t help but grin, “He only has a Sil and a half, why would he want her to have five?”

Feanor, “Because she’s earned it. Trained hard for it. Even with family recipes she is the only keeper of them and has given them her own twist. Even with the hundreds I’ve tested only twenty have been females, since,”

At his pause you added, “Since Gran and the other Bakers Dozen died a lot of females are still timid on accepting being ranked. If I get ranked and score high they are hoping it will be a symbol to get them to stand up again proudly.”

Glori, “Videos already have doubled on female bakers trying to imitate her dessert menu. Mostly under fake names, but still, it’s a start.”

Thorin wet his lips, “If you could get a list of female cooks and chefs we could add them to our list of guests on our shows.”

Feanor smirked at him, “I’ll see what I can dredge up as far as a list. I know with Jaqi on it they would love to.”

The longer you talked the more he was starting to see how tilted the scales had been forced compared to Dwarf standards and the conversation carried on into the change to head to the Stone as all but Feanor headed home after a bout of tight hugs and promises to return again soon. Around you the Dwarves, Dis and Diaa especially listened to ideas on how to possibly help things beyond just using you as a figurehead to help goad others out into the public eye. By nightfall with an awed Feanor on your right you went back to Thorin’s car and he wrapped you in a tight hug before heading back for the trip back to his place murmuring proudly he would see you the next day.

Pt 12

[joyfullynervouscreator]

Updated Masterlist

So I don’t crowd your dash, this list is under the cut ;)

(And can also be found in my page header)

Random one-shots/Stories

Most of these are Dwelf-Verse standalones, though they're meant for world-building and can be read as standalones.

A kitten in Rivendell - fluffy and cute, aka. all children love Bifur and his toys, even Elves. Tumblr link

The Axe, the Guard and the Song - Life of Bifur, before and after the Axe - Tumblr link

Leaving Home – the last night before the Quest for each Company member(+ the Fellowship of Dwarrowdams Remaining Behind - Manaddadâna Khazdâna Binganugâl Ôra):  Glóin  Gimli  Vár  Óin  Dori  Ori  Nori  Bifur Bofur  Bombur  Athalrún  Balin Dwalin  Kíli  Fíli  Dís  Thorin

Thorn, the transgender Hobbit - Bilbo comes to your rescue

Shadows and Mirrors - Thorin’s meeting with Gandalf in Bree [part2]

Nori’s job interview (The Black Owl) - The reason Thorin trusted Nori to come along on the Quest and eventually named him Spymaster of Erebor… Tumblr link

Dáin, Lord of the Iron Hills - That meeting Thorin went to just before showing up in Bag End.

Diamonds and Iron - the parents of Dáin had different expectations of life together… can they find a bit of happiness instead?  [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] Complete!

Permission?! - When Thorin is caught wanting Dwalin's baby sister, tempers run high ;)

The Birth of Madness - Thrór lost his head… in more ways than one. A post-Moria fic. (flangst) tumblr link

The lost pebble - When Thorin’s mother got lost in Mirkwood and was found by Elves, events were set in motion that would shape the future of her whole family aka Legolas adopts a Dwarfling Tumblr link

A Piece of History - Dís getting ready for her wedding(based on Lucife56’s art)

Mama Dís - a regular day in Ered Luin

Of Dwobbits and Dwarrow - the story of Svari and Adaldrida, the dwarf/hobbit couple who are the ancestors of Bombur’s wife, Athalrún. [C1]  [C2]

Welcome to this Day - Bombur’s wife was pregnant when he left; this is the story of the birth of their youngest daughter (fluffy) - Tumblr link

Silver and Amethyst - In Erebor, years before Smaug, Thrór’s spymaster saves a young dam from a terrible ordeal. Personal HC about the ri-parents ;) (some angst, some fluff, and a baby Dori) - Chapter [1]   [2]   [3]

King under the Mountain - grandpa!Thrór w Thorin (Fluffy feels)

Inshêt Zahrar, The Dwelf-Verse Longfic:

Summary

Full fic - so far ;) -> Inshêt Zahrar - Ao3    Chaptered view

Chapter 1 - Tumblr

Chapter 2 - Tumblr

Dworin stuff: listed by Dworin week prompts/titles

Youth - A day in TA 2753 in the lives of Dwalin and Thorin

Despair & hope - Excerpt from Dwelf (angsty stream of consciousness)

Healing - D&T at Beorns; excerpt from Dwelf - some smut

Seeking safety - Not everyone is pleased with Thorin’s rule in Ered Luin

When Thorin rants… - Dwalin’s thoughts; some smut TL

Old Age - In Erebor and in the Halls of Waiting TL

Mind - battle dreams and comfort TL

Body - tattoos and remembrances TL

Good times - baby F&K and raiding of cookie jars! TL

Bad times - Winters are cold, but hearts are warm TL

Fur - the story of one of Dwalin’s scars TL1   TL2

Meeting - the Battle of Azanulbizar and its aftermath TL

Parting - Lament for Frerin

The Erebor Years - When Thorin met Dwalin and the years that followed TL

Caught in the Act - A Smutty Sunday fic from the road. You are Dwalin.

Daring to Dream - the follow-up to Shadows and Mirrors.

Silverslate (Celebrimbor/Narví):

Doors of Durin - Beginning in SA 1325: How they met, how they loved, how they lived and how they were parted… TL: C1    C2    C3    C4

Song of Souls - In SA1697, Celebrimbor's spirit departs his body in a desperate attempt to convey a warning to the on who holds his heart. [One]  [Two]  [Three]  [Four]  [Five]  [Six]  [Seven]  [Eight]

Nwalin:

Promptable

Devil in Disguise - Halloween Nwalin (smuffy), with Dwalin discovering a new kink

The Purple Dress (alternate C1 with born female Nori) + chapter 2 - Nwalin in Erebor, based on drawing by @asparklethatisblue … (Fluff, smut and angst)

A Labour of Love - More Nwalin in Erebor for Sparkle. Love letters, poetry and illiteracy all combine into a massive bundle of feels!

Heists and Humbug - Nori is sneaky, but sometimes he needs a little help from the good Captain.

Prince of Greenwood: The story of Thranduil and his Queen, from Second Age onwards

The Burned Prince - [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] First meetings

Desire

Pre-Dagorlad - the last night before the War of the Last Alliance began

Throne-Thoughts - TA ~2 (smutty)

Sing me a song of the Queen who is gone - TA ~6 onwards

Queen

Fare-thee-well

Grey Havens

Woodland Woes

Crown of Winter (fluff-ish)

The Blue Butterfly - the slow darkening of Mirkwood

Sapling - Baby/youngster Legolas fics (baby elf fluff! Woop!) Promptable

Small crowns

Elk riding

Adventures

Training

Fíli-Ficlets: a bunch of ficlets featuring Fíli at all ages.

Mostly it’s fluffy, with a ton of family feels. Promptable

Babysitting

Bilbo

Love/Lust

Protectiveness

Fountain

Memory

Moustache braids

Career Day

Heir

Fashion sense

Ravenhill confessions (angsty movie canon)

Kili in love

Mother’s Day in Ered Luin

Pickup lines

Birthday party

Storyteller

Full list to be found at Ao3 (I won’t update the Masterlist that often)

Imagines:

Renewed Hope - Beorn & reader, kinship drabble.

The Power of Potions - HP crossover with baby Durins C2   C3  C4  C5  C6  C7

Flower Crown - Elrond and Family

The Hobbit-Musical fics: Characters from the Hobbit do musical songs… unapologetic crack-fics.

Shiny – Smaug + song from Moana

I Just Can’t Wait to be King - Fíli, Kíli, Thorin & Balin

x/reader drabbles:

Bifur:

Pockets of Silence

Éomer:

Winter’s Chill

Bofur:

Flirting - lame pick-up lines and Bofur's stupid hat... no, he's NOT adorable, what are you talking about?

Fíli:

Gold of Erebor - You are a Princess coming to Erebor to enter an arranged marriage with Fíli - Tumblr link

Silver Secrets - You are Mjoll, Fíli’s old flame, a warrior who came along for the Quest - C1  C2  C3  C4  C5  C6  C7  C8  C9  C10

Thorin:

Braids and Broken Bones - Thorin’s jealousy leads to confessions by the Carrock.

Cultural Differences - pre-Thorin/human!reader - The Pixie cut in a Dwarven society can lead to hair-raising assumptions...

Kíli:

Braids for best friends - You braid Kíli’s hair to prove a point with unexpected consequences.

Kíli's Curls - smut in Erebor ;)

Haldir:

Song of Nimrodel - You are Galadriel’s favourite singer - Begins ~TA 2200

Chapter [1]

Chapter [2]

Chapter [2.5]

Chapter [3]

Chapter [4]

Chapter [5]

Chapter [6]

Chapter [7]

Haldir dying at Helm’s Deep - a possible ending for Song of Nimrodel - angsty, of course ;)

Dwalin:

Guard-Recruit – Dwalin (chapter 2 is NSFW) Tumblr C1 C2

Apple Pie - You’re a little insecure, and Dwalin is a little oblivious. Also, a pie. For reasons.

Motorcycle Club – Modern AU Biker/teacher. There’s a bunch of feels in this, as well as some fairly explicit smut( E-rating).

Strength(fluff!)

School’s Out

Lazy Sunday (smut)

Touching (fluff, smut and angst)

Sweetness to Tears(angst and family feels)

Daydreams and Reality (smut)

Growth (fluff - with a bit of angst)

Announcements (mostly fluffy, also smut)

Lullabies (fluff and humour)

The Sleeping One - You are a barmaid who finds herself accidentally waking up in the arms of Lord Dwalin while on the Quest. (Angst, fluff, a bit of light gore - medical type) Complete.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9 - epilogue (explicitly smutty)

Cuddles – reader/(crush) -

undecided crush in part 1, will be continued with different members of the Company as inspiration dictates.

Part 1 - The Cuddling Incident

Part 2 (Thorin) - Thorin puts his foot in it

Part 3 (Thorin) - Thorin continues to be a fool; now with Elves around OR Part 3 (Dwalin) - In Erebor! Complete!

Part 4 (Thorin) - Playing in Fountains may lead to revelations

Part 5 (Thorin) - Thorin decides to be is an overprotective idiot

Part 6 (Thorin) - You are not the only one angry with Thorin

Part 7 (Thorin) - Meeting with the Elvenking… and Thorin in prison

Part 8 (Thorin) - The Company leaves for Laketown and you keep a bargain

Part 9 (Thorin) - The Arkenstone and BotFA

Part 10 (Thorin) - Mahal intervenes… or does He?

Part 11 (Thorin) - Aftermath - Complete!

Beorn: The Skinchanger Chronicles

In a mountain village by a clear lake, surrounded by forests, a small boy was born. He was a special boy, however, for he could change his skin and become a bear like the rest of his Clan. In a different mountain valley overlooking grasslands, a girl was born in a Pride of lynxes. The boy grew up to be a strong man, a warrior and protector of his people. Then his people were taken from him, one by one, until he was the only one left. The girl grew up to be a slave, forced to serve the whims of the Dark master who had slaughtered everyone she had ever known, destined for a purpose she never dared guess. This is their story.

Discontinued due to becoming an original novel.

Power of a Name - Cub!Beorn: Life before Azog

Little Red - Beorn finds a baby and a new friend

The Walkers - the Story of Ullrae; a Skinwalker of the Lynx Clan

The Walkers pt 2 - mentions of torture perpetrated by Orcs

The Walkers pt 3

The Walkers pt 4

The Walkers pt 5

The Walkers pt 6

The Walkers pt 7

The Bear’s Lady - Meeting the Company

The Bear’s Offspring - you and Beorn and raising cubs… what could happen?

Nori’s little secret - interconnected Nori drabbles.

Your name is Brynhilda.

Part 1 - in the cells of Mirkwood

Part 2 - taking care of your hair after arriving in Laketown

Part 3 - nicknames and bizarre attractions

Part 4 - bail-outs and proposals

Part 5 - A Stolen Heart

GiME: A humourous take on my least favourite trope?

Shirts

Names

Coming soon:

Christmas in the Biker AU(Dwalin/reader)

Nwalin Gift Exchange fic

Hobbit Holiday Gift Fic

Tolkien Secret Santa fic

Parts of the First Age seen through the eyes of the Falmari who eventually becomes the mother of Thranduil.

Chapter 6 of Potions

Chapter 9 + 10 of Song of Souls

Chapter four of Doors of Durin

random oneshots of a Christmas-esque nature ;)

[itsjaybullme]

Gaming Roundup: Holiday 2017 Edition

1 of 10

1. Destiny 2

Courtesy of Activision

A more-than-worthy successor to the 2014 phenomenon, Destiny 2 shows how closely Bungie listened to its community, building on the co-op and competitive aspects that made the original so great and improving on the story, which most players agreed was lacking. Destiny 2’s campaign is a complete, satisfying experience, even if it only deepened the mystery around the Traveler’s origins. Even leveling up feels simpler, if only because most veteran players have already established their preferred playstyle, taking tough decisions about which direction to move your character out of the equation. Shooter tradition almost demands that you finish the campaign before hopping into multiplayer, but it’s probably smarter to mine as much XP and gear as you can through crucible matches before going too far solo. With a stronger character, you’ll breeze through the story. The Collector’s Edition of this game is one of the crazier editions we’ve seen; it comes with an ornately detailed leather bag and triangular metal tube, modeled after the one carried by a character named Suraya. That tube opens up and folds out into a portable solar-powered USB charging station. It also includes a bevy of printed collectibles, a steelbook edition of the game, and a pass for DLC packs I and II.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC

2 of 10

2. Super Mario Odyssey

Courtesy Image

On the surface, we’ve got this: The same Mario game you’ve played a hundred times, only now he’s got a boomerang hat. Play beyond the first 30 minutes, though, and you’ll discover an almost flawless game in every detail, sure to be one of your new personal faves. Switch owners were hoping for a worthy Mario game to help cement the system as a success. Nintendo over-delivered in spades, shipping a game that leapfrogged to the top of the Game of the Year discussion, and somehow entered the Best Game of All Time discussion. It’s hard to argue with any of that buzz. The rhythm, balance, and pace of Super Mario Odyssey is perfect, a confounding feat considering its open-world nature. At times it can feel like Nintendo has a patent on human curiosity and joy. That’s how effortlessly this game can make you feel like a kid again.

Available on: Nintendo Switch

3 of 10

3. Call of Duty WWII

Courtesy of Activision

The first campaign stage on Normandy Beach feels like a playable version of the opening scene from Saving Private Ryan. It’s brutal and frantic, and sets the tone for this welcome return to Call of Duty’s roots. Multiplayer and zombie modes are as tight as ever, but what makes this one stick with you is a story that respects the real sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation. That lifeline to the real world gives it some staying power that’s just not possible to achieve in a far-flung sci-fi adventure. As long as this much love and attention goes into each iteration, we’re completely fine with COD coming out every year.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC

4 of 10

4. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Courtesy of Bethesda

A story about Nazis taking over America wasn’t supposed to have the kind of real-world resonance that it currently does, but that’s where we are. Setting aside that unpleasant reality, The New Colossus is a brilliant follow-up to 2014’s The New Order, with you picking up right where BJ Blazkowicz left off (spoiler alert: he survived the first game’s climactic scene). Just as it did with the first game, developer Machine Games eschewed a multiplayer mode altogether, focusing entirely on an engrossing single-player experience. That shines through in everything from its smooth gameplay mechanics to its distinct characters you can actually remember. It’s a bold, old-school mentality, but the payoff is huge. Makes you wish more developers would have the guts to follow suit.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC

5 of 10

5. South Park: The Fractured But Whole

Courtesy of Ubisoft

This giant, 15-hour episode of South Park is so funny and packed with clever satire it deserves to be mentioned with the best South Park multi-episode arcs ever. (It’s right on par with the Imaginationland trilogy, the Black Friday trilogy, and the Coon series.) That would be reason enough to make this a mandatory purchase for South Park fans, but the fact that it’s a surprisingly deep and well-crafted RPG seals the deal. You have a ton of options for character development, from how you look to how you fight. The racial commentary is also sadly spot on. For starters, you select the difficulty of the game with a skin color slider—white is easy, tan is difficult, black is very difficult. As you get deeper into the game there’s a sequence where the South Park cops task you with taking down a supposedly infamous drug dealer, who turns out to just be a black guy in a nice house. Ouch. That’s South Park at its best and most biting.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC

6 of 10

6. Gran Turismo Sport

Courtesy of Sony

It’s been four years since a Gran Turismo game came out, and with Forza firmly in command of the biggest virtual garage in gaming, GT put its efforts elsewhere, namely online play and VR. Serious players will get a kick out of the online mode. Over time, it’s easy to imagine that players with low sportsmanship ratings—those involved in the most pileups—will be shunned and shamed. While you can’t take VR online or into the campaign, it’s a pretty awesome arcade experience (if you’re not susceptible to motion sickness). With the price of the VR headset dropping $100 for the holidays, and with a steadily growing library to go with it, Gran Turismo Sport stands as another worthy selling point, and you can now get it bundled with the headset.

Available on: PS4

7 of 10

7. Crash Bandicoot: N-Sane Trilogy

Courtesy of Activision

Crash never looked so good, from the newly rendered opening sequence to all three PS One games remastered in HD to smooth out his jagged polygons. Those are welcome changes because the core gameplay has aged well, even for an on-the-rails 3D platformer. Everything is slick and responsive, and once you get going you won’t rest until you smash every crate on every level. One downer: long load times are one of the few carryovers from '90s games that don’t satisfy any nostalgic urge.

Available on: PS4

8 of 10

8. Forza 7

Courtesy of Microsoft

What was missing from a racing series that has given you an accurate representation of nearly every car on the planet? You probably didn’t say story mode, but you won’t be sorry that that’s what you got. It’s actually a perfect way for the game to sink its hooks into you and get you to sample a ton of different tracks, cars, and weather conditions right out of the gate. The replay value is huge; you can unlock a whopping 700 lovingly detailed cars. Forza 7 is also the poster child for enhancements on the Xbox One X, but it looks good no matter how you’re playing.

Available on: Xbox One, PC

9 of 10

9. Middle Earth: Shadow of War

Courtesy of WB Games

The first Middle Earth game played fast and loose with Tolkien lore while borrowing heavily from the Arkham series gameplay mechanics. The result was a shock: tight and cohesive, and hands down the best game of 2014. Shadow of War finds the co-main characters Talion and Celebrimbor forging a new ring of power to destroy the inhabitants of Mordor for a story that leaves off just before the events of The Lord of the Rings. Developer Monolith jacked up the dials on everything that worked in the original: the nemesis system, your ability tree, and the brutal combat animations, which have all been expanded and polished. For an open world game, the pace remains lightning fast because it’s just so densely packed. Wander in any direction and you’ll discover something, be it a collectible, a side mission, or a pack of enemies to sneak up on.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC

10 of 10

10. Cuphead

Courtesy of Microsoft

Styled after early 20th century cartoons, Cuphead has been the subject of much anticipation since it was first teased three years ago. It’s a standard platformer, but one that looked so unique everyone wanted to pick it up. Now that it’s finally out we know what took so long: every frame you see was drawn by hand, from the main characters Cuphead and Mugman, to the level bosses, to the top-down map where the locations pulse with life, an intentional side-effect of hand animation. And in true throwback fashion, this gameplay is solid, difficult, and addictive. For $20, you can’t say no to this.

Available on: Xbox One, PC

TOP 10 GAMES OF THE YEAR

1. Horizon Zero Dawn

2. Super Mario Odyssey

3. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

4. Destiny 2

5. Zelda: Breath of the Wild

6. South Park: The Fractured But Whole

7. Middle Earth: Shadow of War

8. Injustice 2

9. For Honor

10. Call of Duty WWII

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