#silm musings

[hirazuki]

I had completely forgotten that it was in Nan Elmoth that Thingol and Melian met, and that Thingol explicitly suffered an enchantment after wandering in, and that the enchantment still lay upon the forest when Aredhel entered it, years later; and it probably lasted until the breaking of Beleriand at the end of the First Age...

And now I'm entertaining a headcanon that the forest is Beleriand's Bermuda Triangle -- Thingol and Aredhel are the most notable missing person cases, yes, but there are many others who have gone into the forest or even just strayed too close to its borders and allegedly have never been seen again; travelers and merchants and hunters, all disappearing. It gains the reputation of being haunted or cursed (not in the horror-and-madness-walked terror of Dungortheb kind of way, but more in a less severe, urban legend kind of way); a bedtime story to frighten children; just enough for the more superstitious folk to willingly add a day or two to their journeys to avoid it, just in case, but not enough for the more pragmatically-minded to resist scoffing at the notion and thinking it absurd, leading to many arguments. Perhaps it becomes a favorite spot for dares among the younger elves, challenging each other to spend a night under the shadow of its trees Eol having to chase all these damn elflings that have started appearing off of his lawn, grandma-style

And even after Beleriand sinks under the waves, the rumors persist that there is an area upon the sea -- many days out and almost a direct shot westwards from the northernmost reaches of the Ered Luin -- where ships simply vanish. And if sailors of those vessels ever do reappear, drifting into port on wood that should be long-rotted or suddenly, inexplicably, finding themselves standing behind a market stall or sitting on an inn stool, they do so with no memory of what occurred; only the haziest dream-like recollection of deep twilight and birdsong.

[eccentricmya]

What Fëanor is to the Silmarillion, Maedhros is to the fandom.

I think they both haunt the respective narratives.

[naarisz]

Trying out some new styles with a quick sketch of Mairon. :)

[bralesscommie]

Elwing and Eärendil were both wrong for leaving their children, and that in itself can be traumatic, but Elrond (and Elros, but this post is about Elrond) are also traumatized by the third kinslaying. He was litteraly six (6) years old when he watched an entire town slaughtered, and then his mother jump into the sea (because of one glowing rock. I repeat one fucking glowing rock). Though Elwing and Eärendil were definitely not ideal parents, there is nothing (in my opinion) that points to them being abusive. Elrond and Elros would miss both of them after being kidnaped.

As we all know, it is stated in the Silm that there grew a great love between Maglor and the twins (Maedhros' involvement is of course questionable, but I chose to believe he was around). There being love between them does not mean their relationship wasn't complicated as hell. First of all, the twins are (as I've said) traumatized by the third kinslaying, which means they are (at least initially) terrified of Maglor and Maedhros, and even later on may suddenly be frightened of them sometimes. Not to mention that they first left them in a cave, and Maglor only went back for them later.

Then, when the last hunt for the two remaining Silmarils started, that was one more abandoning, once again for some fucking shiny rocks (in this case far more excusable than with Elwing, the oath was threatening).

We also know that both Maglor and Maedhros, but especially Maedhros, were traumatized, which doesn't lead to the most stable parenting. This is a good time to note that Eärendil also escaped Gondolin at the ripe old age of seven, and Elwing escaped Beleriand with the Silmaril, so neither of them were the picture of mental health either, most likely.

Whatever mistakes/abuse/abandonment which the twins original or kidnap parents committed are not excused by their trauma of course, just explain them.

In conclusion, Elrond is fucking amazing for being 'kind as summer', because after everything in just his childhood alone, he turned it all around. Yes I am normal about him, no I am not tearfully writing this in the middle of the night

[camille-lachenille]

Mandos is a place of rest and healing for the fëar of dead Elves. It is a non-place, somewhere not quite physical yet enclosed within clear boundaries by the power of Námo. If feels utterly safe and warm, and the fëar can rebuild themselves before their rebirth - as if in the womb once more - or dwell forever in this place. Mandos is enclosed yet open, for the stars always shine upon the healing fëar, and the dead Elves revel in this cherished light, be it for a time or until the remaking of the world. The floors are of the darkest water, and each Elf who passes through the halls experiences what it was to wake at Cuiviénen, surrounded by silence, and marvelling at the countless stars reflecting upon the still water. Mandos is a place beyond comprehension, where the Song fills every nook and cranny, nurturing each of the Firstborn back to life or to timeless peace. It is both terrible and beautiful but, ultimately, it is a place sung to be the safest, most peaceful and healing possible to the Elves. And maybe, in this non-place, this timeless hall, they can catch a glimpse of what Arda unmarred could have been, until they awake anew and remember only the hope and healing this place brought them.

[lendmyboyfriendahand]

My concept of Fingon is that he's very motivated by justice, specifically in a sense of making things fair and balanced after they have been unfair. Ideally with full restitution for the loss.

This is normally a good thing - Men who risk their lives in battle for his family are rewarded with titles and land and cool helmets; Morgoth should be killed for wrecking the peace of Valinor and killing Finwe; Maedhros should be allowed to recover in safety after Thangorodrim.

Sometimes it leads to him demanding recompense, like after crossing the Helcaraze when he asked what the host of Feanor would do to make up for their hardship. The Feanorians gave up the crown and a herd of horses and although it wasn't perfectly fair, it was a step towards fairness. Fingon doesn't like it, but with time he has learned to live with it. He's one of the victims in this case, so permitting injustice to be done to himself is actually easier in a sense; the wronged have the right to revenge and healing, but no one can force you to use your rights.

When it gets tricky though is when restitution is impossible, and even partial recompense in unlikely. Such as after Alqualonde, when the Teleri are now on the opposite side of the Sea. It itches at Fingon that he can't go and make it right; that even if he went and gave them all he had and worked for centuries he couldn't make up for it. It bothers Fingon even more that he's not even going to try, that he's just going to sit here and wait, focus on the issues in front of him and not to anything about the horrible wrong he's committed.

It would be so much easier to think of it as not wrong at all. Then he could rest easily. After all, Fingon owes Maedhros nothing for cutting off his hand, as it was necessary in order to save his life. If stealing the ships and killing elves was necessary to save Beleriand from Morgoth, might it be justified? And then Fingon would not have committed a crime that he is unable to fix, he would just have harmed people due to unavoidable circumstances. The war against Morgoth has given him a lot of practice at dealing with unavoidable circumstances where every path leads to harm, whether caused by himself or others, and he knows that it doesn't make him evil.

Fingon has to watch himself carefully not to grant forgiveness or permission for the First Kinslaying, either to himself or to his cousins. So every morning he recites a list of wrongs that he cannot make right, but that should not be accepted or forgotten.

[melestasflight]

While writing Fire for @zealouswerewolfcollector I ended up thinking a lot about the parallels Tolkien creates between Fëanor and Fingon.

Most remarkably, how similarly he describes the moment of their final battle and death:

There upon the confines of Dor Daedeloth, the land of Morgoth, Fëanor was surrounded, with few friends about him. Long he fought on, and undismayed, though he was wrapped in fire and wounded with many wounds; but at the last he was smitten to the ground by Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs, […]

And then:

At last Fingon stood alone with his guard dead about him; and he fought with Gothmog, until another Balrog came behind and cast a thong of fire about him. Then Gothmog hewed him with his black axe, and a white flame sprang up from the helm of Fingon as it was cloven.

Fëanor and Fingon both lead their people to a battle against Morgoth with a tragic end. They are both left fighting on the battlefield alone, surrounded by fire, and perish at the hand of the exact same Balrog.

It is a seemingly strange parallel to make because these two characters often appear as complete opposites in the narrative. Fëanor divides his people by burning the ships at Losgar - while Fingon unites the Noldor by saving Maedhros. Where Fëanor begins a rebellion for his own cause of regaining the Silmarils - Fingon seeks ‘not his own, neither power nor glory.’

And yet, despite their differences, Fëanor and Fingon are the quintessential Noldos of the first age. Fingon becomes everything that Fëanor prophesizes for the Noldor in Beleriand:

We are threatened with many evils, and treason not least; but one thing is not said: that we shall suffer from cowardice, from cravens or the fear of cravens. Therefore I say that we will go on, and this doom I add: the deeds that we shall do shall be the matter of song until the last days of Arda.

Fingon's lament in The Lay of Leithian echoes Fëanor‘s prophecy (the lines were adapted later to be Gil-Galad’s own hymn):

The song of Fingon Elves yet sing, captain of armies, Gnomish king, who fell at last in flame of swords with his white banners and his lords.

Fingon indeed becomes the epiphany of the exiles: the combination of his remarkable heroism, valor, and the final doom that awaits him. Essentially, the fundamentals of The Silmarillion itself.

It is no wonder then that during the rebellion of the Noldor, Fingon the Valiant is moved by Fëanor’s words: ‘Yet I am not the only valiant in this valiant people’ (my emphasis).

They share an ambition, a capacity for leadership, and a skill of voice and strength, not to mention their connection to Maedhros, and the element of fire.

Letting Fëanor and Fingon die almost the exact same way signals the beginning and the end of an era for the Noldor in Beleriand: the death of their first King and, for all intents and purposes, the last.

Fëanor leads the Noldor to Beleriand, and with Fingon, they cease to exist as united people. Turgon becomes King, but who does he rule beyond Gondolin? The remainder is scattered and isolated after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Wars of Beleriand are effectively ended until the Valar take action, and the Doom of Mandos is completed.

For the sons of Fëanor, more than anyone, the Nirnaeth and the fall of Fingon signify a return to the very beginning. A cycle that starts all over again: with the death of their King in flames, their homes destroyed, their hands stained, and being left with nothing but an unfulfilled Oath to regain the one remaining piece of Treelight.

The fight for victory in Beleriand begins with Fëanor and ends with Fingon. It will have to continue in a new book with a new story that goes beyond the fate of Fëanor‘s Silmarils.

The War of Wrath shifts the narrative to a new continent, with a new generation of Elves and their High King - who will die in flames, much like Fëanor and Fingon, fighting before the very gates of Mordor.

But that certainly merits another post.

[abadpoetwithdreams]

Suppose: Feanor grows up devoted to mastering his artistry and his craft not just because it’s an inherently Noldorin thing to be an artist/creator but because to him it’s an inherently Miriel thing. The more elevated his craft becomes, the closer he feels he is to his mother. When the Silmarils are stolen, the theft compounds not only the murder of Feanor’s father, but inflicts a second loss of his mother, and the Valar—of course—realize none of this. But Melkor did.

[waitingforsecretsouls]

Love how you can reasonably distill the Maedhros-Eönwë exchange down to:

Eönwë: I can't hand the Silmarils over to you on account of my principles (caring about Úmanyar)

Maedhros: 'Principles' (caring about Úmanyar)? Eönwë don't be an asshole, you don't have principles (caring about Úmanyar)!

[cilil]

☽ 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - 𝐍𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚 ☾

𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒇, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑨𝒓𝒅𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒆𝒍𝒌𝒐𝒓.

While reading the Silmarillion, many may think that Nienna is weak or naive for showing such unwavering compassion and mercy even to seemingly irredeemable people, but this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, it takes an incredible amount of strength and courage to have empathy for others and hope in a cruel world like Arda Marred, where there's so much hurt and grief.

Think about all those times you felt bad for someone, when you felt their pain as if it was your own, be it because you care about them or because you are an empathetic person by nature; and now multiply these feelings, imagine how it must be to feel the pain of an entire world. Even for a Valië, even for an Arata, it must take an incredible amount of strength to not only bear the burden of such grief, but also to continue helping and defending others and attempt to ease their burdens. In a way, you could say Nienna bears her own iron crown whose weight may at times "[become] a deadly weariness"; though, unlike Melkor she bears it without resentment or anger and she inspires hope and healing.

The strength of Nienna and those like her is often undervalued and forgotten, both in the story and in real life. Yet it was her teachings that guided Olórin/Gandalf and allowed him to teach and inspire the inhabitants of Middle-earth, to succeed where others failed. And while many great deeds helped in the quest to destroy the One Ring, it was mercy and compassion shown by Bilbo and Frodo that directly caused its eventual destruction.

𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇; 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆.

[angbandsgeneral]

Through sheer strength of will and the degree to which I love this absolute fool, he has been (mostly) complete!!

If the offer for the kids is still up I would GLADLY take it-

his eye widens in surprise, pure and genuine delight flickering in the crimson hue before not a grin, nor a smirk — but a smile finds his dark lips. he takes little hesitance in leaning down to press a kiss on your cheek, and give an appreciative squeeze to your arm. “it's gorgeous, dollface. . .”

before that soft smile is curling into a smirk and he cocks his head to the side. “do you really think of me that much? wonder if we can find a way to remedy that. . .”

//YOU'VE OUTDID YOURSELF AGAIN SPOOPSXJKDXN GOD HES SO SO PRETTY, THE LIGHTING - THE LIGHTING!!! THE RENDERING, THE EVERTTHING I'M DJDOXKDKXKD no thoughts, just gonna be staring at this for the rest of the week because OH MY GOD S O B S thank you smmmm 😭❤️

[hirazuki]

The Lieutenant of Angband and the Lord of Himring.

Idk who managed to tick them both off or how, but congrats, I hope they are running XD

From a fanfic idea that I've been mulling over in my head. Usually I'm more of a missing scene or canon scene reinterpretation type of person, but I do enjoy some good old canon divergency now and then ^^ I just want them to interact more freely, without the constraint of chains and cliffsides, you know?

[eccentricmya]

So I was thinking, reading Aegnor and Andreth from the perspective of an asexual Aegnor makes their story a bit less tragic. But a bit more complicated.

The whole thing about not marrying because of Noldor customs during war could be a simpler explanation Aegnor used to refuse to marry Andreth and give her what she desired but he didn't. The fact that marriage and physical relations were quite interchangeable for elves (thanks LaCE) makes it natural that Aegnor would equate the two and refuse marriage altogether.

And maybe when they met, Andreth was very much a horny teenager? Eager to explore romance and sexual pleasure. While Aegnor was shy but willing to indulge the romance bit, he did not know how to word his feelings on the pleasure part.

Though their romance blossomed, it remained unconsummated according to Andreth, an ache she took to her grave. But Aegnor had no such regrets, he died with a love he considered fulfilled, albeit short.

[liltalle]

Can't stop thinking about how if the Three Rings correspond to the Three Silmarils, then Elrond's Ring, Vilya, corresponds to the Silmaril his father's holding, wondering if the linking magic there involves any tangible connection, or if it's just another lonely reminder for Elrond

[bralesscommie]

My Tolkien Headcanons

Silmarillion and Lotr characters

Elrond

Has PTSD, possibly c-PTSD from the Third Kinslaying, losing his parents and growing up with the people who took away his home

Has sensory issues, mostly a hard time with crowds and loud noises (also for PTSD reasons), but also really hates some textures

Pretty bad migraines from foresight and tension headaches from anxiety to the point where a couple of times a month he can't work

Is a workaholic

Is bisexual

He/they in an elf way

Isn't white, it's kind of hard to tell his exact race with his very mixed genetics

Maglor

Has anxiety from growing up in the chaotic house of Fëanor

Is depressed

Uses music as escapism

He/him but doesn't mind he/they

Is pretty fluid sexuality wise

Maedhros

C-PTSD from being chained to a mountain and also like everything else that's ever happened to him

Has depression

Chronic pain in his back and shoulder, as well as phantom pain in his amputated arm

Has some kind of personality disorder

Is gay

He/him

Eärendil

Has anxiety from and is traumatized by the escape from Gondolin

Was not ready to be a dad

Straight

He/him

Is definitely not white

Elwing

Is traumatized by the Second Kinslaying, possibly PTSD

Bi-curious

She/her, has thought about adding a they to her pronouns

Eowyn

Has anxiety and depression

Has anger issues but is learning healthy coping mechanisms

Has trauma from SA, and does her best to spread awareness

Enjoys being butch in everyday life, but will dress up feminine once in a while

Is bisexual

She/her

Is happy being poly, but doesn't mind being in monogamous relationships

Arwen

Had really bad anxiety after Celebrían sailed, but is doing much better, though she still has occasional tension headaches

Sensory issues like her dad

Also similarly to her dad, she is mixed

Sapphic, but is open to very few men

She/her

Aragorn

Pretty mentally stable, at least considering everyone else around him

Brown

Is bisexual with a preference for women

Does not care about his pronouns, but is cis in some weird way?

Legolas

Was born in an era with very few elflings, and as an only child hasn't had the opportunity to socialize at all

Rich whiteboy (gender neutral) privilege that they don't entirely recognize

Probably not neurotipical

Fluid sexuality, doesn't really like labels, but if asked persistantly will say he has a preference for men

He/she sometimes they

Bilbo

Has ADHD and anxiety

Struggles with ring addiction

Is acespec and gay

They/he

Sam

AuDHD

Has low self-esteem, imposter syndrome, and anxiety from his childhood with the Gaffer

Is brown

Pansexual

Officially he/they but prefers they/them

Frodo

Is autistic

Has chronic pain post quest

Has chronic fatigue post quest

Possibly transmasc, he/they or he/him

Gay

If you would like to see other characters, or more on some characters, my ask box is always open

[nailsinmywall]

my last two years in maglors 🥺 2021 // 2022