#the silm Míriel

[raining-jewels]

hc + 🤥 for a lie-themed headcanon & hc + 😶 for a headcanon about a secret they know of / keep

🤥 for a lie-themed headcanon:

Míriel doesn’t tend to lie – unless absolutely necessary. But it is more or less white lies – nothing that would cause another hurt. While she that gives tough love and makes you read between the lines when she tells you things – she had no intention of bring forth lies that causes you heartache.

😶 for a headcanon about a secret they know of / keep:

Oh, Míriel knows plenty too many secrets of Vairë and Mandos. Vairë and Míriel does tend to gossip just a bit (especially of Mandos and Finwë) but it very subtle – they act very lady-like but put these two alone for a few minutes the things you will hear are shocking.

[mrkida-art]

(AU) The Witch-King Tar-Míriel 

"No man can kill me." _________________________________________________________

@merilles made me feral about the idea of Tar-Míriel being the Witch-King of Angmar so I had to draw it

[aamuusva]

Míriel for Mother's Day

[anattmar]

no but that's literally them

[artist of the original illustration is Robert Maguire]

[softmoonlightmelody]

what if nelyafinwë isn't actually a mark of scorn to anyone? what if, when maedhros was born, he was the third-finwë?

in the silm, the way it's ordered makes it seem like chronologically fëanáro and nerdanel got married before finwë and indis. and knowing fëanáro and nerdanel, it's pretty likely they had their first child pretty soon after getting married.

so. what if maedhros was born before finwë married indis? nelyafinwë is called that because he is the third finwë.

this also adds another reason to why fëanáro may be angry at finwë. because fëanáro doesn't need a mother or anything, and now finwë marries indis? but it also adds more to finwë - he waited so long, and míriel wouldn't even come back for her first grandchild.

[tilion-writes]

Fëanor and Míriel in the Halls of Mandos.

Had a fic idea for this that I might write later...

[beatx-mavie-archangelx]

"pronouncing 'Þerindë' as 'Serindë' is not that big of a deal" just say you've always been called right your whole life.

[meadowlarkx]

grief and pride - embroidery for @tolkienekphrasisweek day 4, Gardening & Landscape Architecture! I was thinking about memory and how Elves might tell of particular places in adornments on clothing (imagining both of these designs on sleeves.)

First: Years of the Trees Fëanorian ornamentation, reminders of the Gardens of Lórien where Míriel lay, with Finwë's crest.

Second: Late First Age or Second Age Iathrim ornamentation, reminders of Menegroth and the First Kinslaying.

welcome to 'more photos and rambles at length'!!

Working on these little guys for a while I had time to think a fair amount about them. The concept of being literally clothed in one's sorrows feels very Elven and Tolkien to me. It's something about the long years and accumulating griefs, laying claim to and embodying them (powerful!), and the accompanying actions and grudges, and it's a thread that runs through both these groups. Fëanor is one of the first in the narrative to have this sort of memory/shadow on his heart, that of Míriel's passing. I love the similarities and connections between him and Míriel and the way she haunts the story, so I really enjoy the idea of Fëanor (and his sons!) reminding everyone of her absence subtly or unsubtly at every chance, including with their clothing--a mark of family loyalty which is also a nice fuck you to Indis and her children. Lórien is lush and verdant with golden flowers and mountain immortelle, don't @ me silvery tolkiengateway descriptions. I wanted this one to feel bright and vivid to echo the noontide of Valinor and the family's pride and brilliance. Finwë's crest got included in the design partly because it's less complicated than Fëanor's crest (shh), but also because I can completely see Fëanor making a(nother) claim to heirdom by wearing it.

Then of course he sets in motion greater horrors to remember. I am always thinking (@swanmaids has a great post about this) of the support Elwing canonically has in Sirion for her decision not to relinquish the Silmaril. And after seeing the 2nd kinslaying, it had to be a difficult, brave, potentially very controversial decision to hold on to it, but people are with her on this--I imagine motivated partly by real anger and grief over all they had lost and insistence upon memory, pride, dignity, identity etc. which probably remain with the few who survive the Sirion kinslaying too. And remembering Menegroth's beauty goes hand-in-hand with the grief--so I went for a bleaker look here, not the deep forest I usually picture (the 2 green vines, though, symbolizing in my head the surviving royal family/Peredhel!). This design being more of a picture of the place and less "abstract" was an attempt to gesture towards some cultural and stylistic differences in art, etc. I know this one isn't exactly a garden, but if we squint all of Doriath is an enclosed garden, so...!

Also here are the other pics. I'm imagining them bigger, but they are pretty little in real life!

[art-of-firefly]

A Window to the past - Fëanor, Finwë and Míriel

Get the print

Animated version under the cut

[musingsinmiddleearth]

On the matter of the depression of Míriel - fascinating to me is the particular word languished which is used. It seems to me more a physical descriptor than one of the mind, despite the vitality of the Eldar, and I choose to interpret that as an acknowledgement that a depression of the mind is a depression of the body also.

The idea of a separation of mind and body is, in the real world, a fiendish invention of René Descartes and one that continues to hurt people to this day, and I appreciate that Tolkien might have implied against that Cartesian error.

[raining-jewels]

Míriel Þerindë

Follow From: @eunoiaastralwings

Other RP Blogs: @luthriel-tinuviel | @quiet-flower-wonderlings | @illicit-unknown-shadows | @son-of-the-moon-and-sun | @tears-of-burden

Other canon character RP Blogs: @nerdanel-the-wise-istarnie

Míriel is an original character belonging to Tolkien - here are a few headcanons on now I imagine her character would be like to rp as her :) - - RULES

Ataresse: Míriel

                          - q. jewel-woman or jewel-daughter

Amilesse: Þerindë

                          - q. the Broideress

Titles: First Queen of the Ñoldor and Handmaiden of Vairë. In headcanon: Disciple of Vairë.

Proficiency: Embroidery, sewing, needlework

APPEARANCE:

Build: Lean, Lithe

Race/Ethnicity: Elf

Hair Color: Pure silver

Eye Color: Dark (jet black/deep brown appearing black)

Eye Shape: Almond

Skin: Fair, almost pale

Headcanons ahead!

Nicknames: Mír/Míre (as Finwë affectionately called her).

Visual Age: 27

Height: 7’2

Hair Style: Braided into intricate and exquisite patterns on the top of her head to keep away from her face.

Weapons: Sword fighting - she was definitely alive during the time Finwë led the Ñoldor to Valinor so I hc it is something she excels in.

Magical Ability: Perhaps none - but I hc her as becoming a disciple to Vaire (as she probably cannot become a maia), she is able to see a little into the future and weave it into tapestries (only from the line of Finwë), but obviously not as much as Vaire.

Hands: small, thin lithe fingers, squoval nails.

Types of Clothes: Gowns/dresses mostly made of velvet and unique colors like turquoise. Flowy dresses that are made to easy to move in and sat for her to sew.

How do they wear their clothes: Neatly and very put together - not a single thread out of place.

What are their feet like: Clean slippers or soft boots, rarely ever barefoot.

Mannerisms: Míriel is an expert at hiding her emotions - however she does give a proud smile and give sharp nods a lot once acquainted. She is a kind person with tough love, her affections are carried mostly through her actions and acts of service. After becoming a disciple sometimes she likes to speak in riddles.

Important/Usual Accessories: She wears classy hairpin sticks most of the time.

ABOUT:

Alignment: Lawful Good

Occupation: Disciple of Vaire.

Likes: Art, reading, sewing, embroidery

Dislikes: Arguing, war, swords - ever though she has good swordsmanship, she hates having to use it.

Favorite Colors: Any soft, unique and pastel colors. Her favorite turquoise because it is a color unique as her hair to the elves.

Literature: She likes to read a variety of genres - she loves mysteries the most, she is not able to tell what is coming in books so loves reading a lot and make up her theories.

Hobbies: sewing, reading.

PERSONALITY:

Personal Triggers: Weapons, abuse and wrongs in her family (yes, of course she considers Indis family).

What words or phrases do they over use: “By my lady Vairë” or “There is nothing I can do. . .only weave it.”

Are they more optimistic or pessimistic: Optimistic in Valinor, pessimistic in the Halls of Mandos at first but grew optimistic again when she realized she could weave the the deeds of her family. But pessimistic again when Fëanáro creates and commits to the oath and all events that followed - she was in depression for a long time until her sons and grandchildren regretted and served their punishments.

Love Language: Acts of service, quality time and physical touch.

Strongest Character Trait: Her abilities as a weaver and the expertness to hid her emotions.

Weakest Character Trait: Can be stubborn sometimes - but in her own calm way without having to raise her voice.

Greatest Fear: Morgoth winning - and Fëanáro at one stage.

Overrated Virtue: Temperance and solemnity

If they could change one thing about themselves: To be able to do something when she weaves in a misfortune in the line of Finwë - she is only just a weaver and cannot prevent fate, but she wishes to change it or fix it.

Songs I associate with Míriel: Skyfall by Adele, Can’t Pretend by Tom Odell and Scars Leave Beautiful Trace by Car the Garden (Alchemy of Souls OST).

EXTRA NOTES:

Later when Míriel becomes the handmaid of Vairë — they're bonding over the art of sowing — and became very close friends. Neither talk much; small smiles shared — but sometimes becomes each others words of advise and wisdom. Míriel then becomes the disciple of Vairë.

Míriel would be in two minds about seeing – heartbroken seeing her little flame has become someone as dangerous as Morgoth, that would scare her. She might refuse to meet him a few times as first – but would him from afar without him knowing.

Then, seeing how he acts in the halls of Mandos and if he regrets his actions and ready take his punishments, then she would be more willing to see and talk to him. Definitely a few awkward meetings at first – she would not know what to say and probably maintain a distance as much as it hurts her too. Then, slowly warm up go him seeing him grieve for his own sons.

[sadsilmarilsoup]

Random thought: AURORA would make an awesome Míriel

[dalliansss]

Elwë returns outside with his littlest brother against his chest, and gets started on preparing the midday meal for a dozen elves. As he’s bustling around the pots and pans amid Elmo’s constant crying, Finwë arrives.

“Elwë?” comes Finwë’s timid voice. “May I have a bit of your time?”

Elwë turns his head. “Finwë! Of course I– I’m finishing cooking, just sit down wherever you want. I…” Elmo shrieks in terrible grief. “Yes, baby, I know you’re hungry, but we can’t give you any more milk, there are two other babies whom you share all the milk with, and we have got to save those and not let the cows and goats run dry, you see?”

Finwë looks at him in a bittersweet understanding. “Ah, yes….the little ones are the fussiest of the lot, and I’m thankful we have a break from little ones in my father’s house– for now.” Then he seems to remember what brought him here, and he raises three dead ducks, already cleaned and butchered. “I– I hunted today, and I thought to bring you these – um– don’t worry, I have enough for my family, and I gave some to Míriel and her family as well, and um, uh– y-you eat duck, right?”

But this is serious, isn’t it? To the elves of Cuiviénen, a gift of sustenance: food, crops, livestock – is a clear declaration of intent to court. It is an elf saying to another: here I am, I wish for you to join me and start a family; here I am, able to provide. Join spirits with me. 

“I eat duck,” Elwë blurts out. “But are you sure you’re giving these to me?”

As far as he knows, Finwë is unmarried, has not taken a wife prior nor begot his own children. He had no business going after a fellow ner this early in his life. He has to be settled with a nís or two, first, have one or both pregnant or already with three children before he has any right to go after a fellow ner. What was Finwë doing?

“Yes, I am,” Finwë fidgets. “Please take them. You can cook– I mean, duck broth won’t harm the little one’s stomach now, and I'm sure he will appreciate the additional little meal, even if it’s just two little spoonfuls.”

One covered pot boils over. Elwë fusses over it, hastily removes it from the fire. Finwë fidgets again, and– to ensure Elwë won’t refuse, he puts the ducks on the table. Elwë glances at him, and sighs.

[under pale and distant stars / AO3]

[anattmar]

Finwë • Indis • Míriel

[softmoonlightmelody]

míriel’s name means jewel daughter and the silmarils are jewels, because all of fëanor’s accomplishments boil down to trying to prove that he’s good enough for his mother to come back.

[searchingforserendipity25]

Once more thinking about Míriel and weaving and I may be wrong in some particulars but we know she invented the art of the needle but there was weaving before, which means someone else invented spinning, warping, etc. And presumably, most elves went around in seamless clothes (lots of fashion potential for that pre-needle period, too, and for all those who didn't take to it. togas, mantles, layered and foldable robes!)

Every fiber artist I know would be tempted to move to another god-ruled continent for the offer of unlimited pastures and fleece variety.

But then, in Valinor. Where is all this floss and thread coming from. Presumably Míriel had a flock, and she might well have left behind the biggest farm of sheep/goats/lamas/bison around. Does she have a connection with Vairë, even then? Does Yavanna have thoughts and opinions on the first cases of deliberate animal breeding in Valinor?

Her son grows up with at least one emotional support pet lama. It eats Indis' silk gowns with the vengeance of a prized economic commodity turned unfashionable in the years after Finwë's remarriage and the new trade agreements with Valmar. Fëanor loves it so, so much.