#this truly is how an elven kingdom would look like

[myfanfictiongarden]

#ROPWeek2023

Friday 27th Oct Favourite Scenery: Lindon

[yandere-writer-momo]

Thinking about a Yandere Demon Lord. This is Part 1.

Yandere Head Canons:

Defying Destiny

Yandere Demon Lord x Isekai Saintess Reader x Yandere Hero

TW: Voyeurism, stalking, Somniaphilia, dacryphillia, dark content, etc

Part 2

You were surprised to be alive after your cold fiancé pushed you into oncoming traffic when you got into an argument with him… all you had wanted was for him to show you that he loved you, but instead he killed you. Yet your life didn’t end… no. Far from it.

Rather than waking up in the supposed after life, you woke up in the Rerenth Kingdom. A fantasy kingdom in a magical world plagued with problems written in fiction novels. And the emperor explained to you, no, demanded that you to take on your role as Saintess to save them from the Demon King.

The demon king was now your enemy. Defeating him was the only way for you to go home… but did you even want to do that? In your last life and in this one, you were merely another unhappy pawn. The silk robes and dazzling abilities did nothing to shield you from the harsh reality of what your life has become once more… would you ever truly be free? Would you ever truly be happy?

The servants often spoke of the monstrous Demon King who controlled the forces of darkness that sought to destroy the light. A demonic entity none of the people in this kingdom had ever truly seen with their own eyes, but they believed him to be out there… how else were they to explain the supernatural happenings that plagued their kingdom? This entire ordeal made little sense to you since you hadn’t seen many disputes between humans and demons unless they were over territory. Vast majority of the time, it was humans that ventured into the demonic lands anyways. Was this perhaps some propaganda tactic? You didn’t know and you didn’t question it, you simply wanted to retire to a peaceful life.

It took a few weeks for you to be able to control your new holy power, but you were able to now harness it for barriers and for healing. Abilities that would be useless without a hero… a fact that the citizens soon realized so they began to devise another plan. To summon a hero!

Another few weeks passed by and they successfully summoned a valiant hero by the name of Reinhardt. His chiseled face was constantly covered by the taxidermied lion mask that adorned his face. The man was massive and intimidating, yet you couldn’t help but feel there was something familiar about him. You couldn’t place a finger on who he could possibly be since you didn’t know anyone else with an imposing stature like his but that gut feeling never left you.

Reinhardt would often glance you up and down when he thought you weren’t looking. His green eyes would bore into yours until you felt as if you’d be set ablaze. He was terrifying to you. Especially now that you were on a journey with him to defeat the demon king… along with a fox beastwoman fighter and an elven mage who had joined your party due to the emperor’s order. The Emperor didn’t see you to be enough aid to the hero on this important quest.

Both adventurers were quite rude to you at first since you had no offensive abilities. They often fawned over the hero who blatantly ignored their affections to instead watch over you like a hawk. A fact the two women didn’t really enjoy, but they accepted it as the weeks melted into months. And you still didn’t know their names since they never told you (and Reinhardt never spoke).

The three of them often fought and killed monsters and demons while you protected the supplies and healed their injuries. It upset you that your party ambushed them since the enemies usually were unarmed. Majority of the time, it was a one-sided slaughter. An endless bloodbath that you had no power to stop.

You often lied to your peers about monsters hiding, unaware that your small act of kindness would lead to a snowball effect in the future. You had now caught the eye of an entity much stronger than you and the hero’s party… all because you were merciful. You were kind and sweet. A true saintess.

Your softness had made your peers joke about you being a cry baby. The elven mage and beastwoman often jabbed their elbows into your side to joke about the tears you’d cry because they thought you were scared. The dense women never realized your tears were for the innocent monsters they slaughtered on a day to day basis too. You were never scared of the demons or monsters, you were scared of them.

Yet Reinhardt nipped the subtle bullying in the bud by shoving the other two adventures away from you with his strong arms. He always made sure you were safe before he offered his body for healing… which he’d just make gesture at you with his hands rather than speak. It seemed he was fond of you, a fondness you didn’t understand since he never spoke to you.

Reinhardt would often pick you up without asking you and tuck you into the crook of his large arm. It bothered you that he never took off his mask, but he had quite an attractive jawline with the slightest bit of stubble. There was not a doubt in your mind that Reinhardt was likely an attractive man, but that didn’t matter. Since he was creepy.

Reinhardt never uttered a word to you but would always dutifully stand by your side (or carry you like some sort of damsel). He often reminded you of your ex fiancé with his stoic demeanor and his bewitching green eyes. And the staring. You swore you felt bare under his gaze even if you had multiple layers on.

And it wasn’t just his eyes you felt on you, you swore there was someone else watching you in the shadows and the possibility of you having another stalker made your skin crawl. Had you finally gone insane from having Reinhardt be around you 24/7? Or was there something sinister amiss?

Maybe that’s why Reinhardt so dutifully clung to you? Whether his protection was out of obligation or simply because he lusted for you, his presence did little to ease the extra set of eyes. In fact, he made it worse.

Wherever you were, Reinhardt was never far. He was with you when you bathed to stand guard. He was carrying you if you couldn’t keep up with him and the rest of the hero’s party. Reinhardt even began to stay in your tent with you…

He didn’t utter a word when he watched over you whenever you had nightmares. Reinhardt never woke you up from the horrific dreams of the man with pitch black hair and sharp talons pulling you into his lap and having his way with you. No, Reinhardt instead dragged his tongue down your tear stricken face in delight.

Reinhardt knew his actions were wrong, but he couldn’t help but fawn over your helpless form. You were so weak without his protection… you were a lamb sent to a slaughter that luckily had a herding dog with you. You should be grateful Reinhardt had such an intense interest in you, otherwise you could have perished earlier on at the goblin camps. Or those other two party members would have likely broken a few of your bones from rough housing. You were a frail bird that needed to be locked up at all times and Reinhardt was willing to be the one to do that! He would keep you safe, even if it took you years to understand even an ounce of his magnitude of feelings for you. He was a patient man!

It wasn’t uncommon for you to wake up in your tent with Reindhart’s imposing form standing over you ominously. You’d cry every single time, but he’d make no move to comfort you. Only stare.

Over the last four weeks, you begin to receive little trinkets in your tent on the daily. Delicacies that Reinhardt would immediately pitch once he saw them, but it filled you with anxiety that he was not the one slipping you those gifts… who on earth could be gifting you such pretty rocks and wild flowers?

You were flattered, just the tiniest bit, by the small, temporary gifts. They were much more welcomed than the iron grip of Reinhardt’s arms. Even though the sender made you anxious, it was nice to know that someone took you into consideration. It was a small action that filled you with hope. Perhaps you would be saved from this fate?

Shame you didn’t understand just how much those tiny gifts upset the hero. Your eyes should only be on him. Your entire purpose should revolve around him. Reinhardt wanted to find the individual who sent you these gifts so he could rip them limb from limb. You belonged to him and he would show you that you had no way of escaping him. You were going to be his bride! Whether you liked it or not, the hero had chosen you as his destined one!

Recently, you’d wake up to him laying beside you in your tent with his large arms wrapped around you. His Roman nose buried into the crook of your neck. This was far worse than him lingering in your tent since he had become so physical.

And your peers did nothing about his harassment of you. To them, it was cute that the hero was so ‘enamored’ with the Saintess! You’ve even heard whispers of how the emperor will no doubt arrange a marriage between the two of you once the four of you eliminated the demon king. It terrified you even more because you knew you’d have little say in the matter… your life was spiraling out of your own control once more. This time, into the arms of some brute with attachment issues. You didn’t want to marry another emotionally constipated man! You wanted to have freedom!

You often cried yourself to sleep which only made Reinhardt even more overbearing. He now would press kisses to your cheeks and cuddle his body into yours. Even in your dreams, you couldn’t escape this massive man. If only you could be saved…

And when you drifted off into an unnaturally heavy sleep, your barriers deactivated. An action that allowed the Demon King to finally slip into your party’s camp and take what he wanted. You.

[ramoth13]

Dwarven Princess Disa, the Glorious

Lady Disa is everything that Dwarves and our Dwarven lovers have deserved and not gotten since time began. On top of being a wonderful character, an equal in all measures to the dense and valourous immovability of dwarven men, but best of all, she has PRESENCE!

Gimli nearly stole the trilogy and it was only Aragorns firm kindness and Legolas's graceful rivalry together that balanced his forceful nature in the movies. I was nervous, because Dwarves are a lot (not in a bad way, but even dwarves must admit, they are a lot) and I worried that any portrayal of dwarven women might be a simply masculine portrayal.

But dear Manwë how wrong I was. Sophia Nomvete's Lady Disa swept the room with her power and brazen audacity and I loved every second of it. The way she cut through Durin's hurt straight to his love by pointing out the Tree, recognizing that while Durin's feelings might be valid, he'd regret it for the rest of his life if he didn't fix it, and treating Elrond with love and kindness despite how badly hurt she knew Durin was, because in the end, no matter how hurt he was, he still cared for that tree.

She balances out the crudity of dwarven men not by being elven proper, but by dwarven keen. Oh, she's clever and reads those around her like the Sunday newspaper. She's steady in the way she presents herself, sturdy in the way she balances out the more ridiculous sides of her husband, and absolutely steadfast in her control of the situation.

She makes me believe that had Dwarven women been in the peace talks between the Elven kingdoms in the first age, they might have had peace sooner, one way or another. Because let's face it, she might have been the absolute picture of kindness and hospitality but she also scared me a little. I would not want to be on her badside.

There were few things in this show that I didn't know I needed, but between the friendship of Durin and Elrond and The great lady just being herself...

And the juxtaposition of Disa and the other great ladies of Middle-earth! Eowyn is mighty and must express it in battle, Galadriel is just so amazing and this post isn't about her so I'll stop there, and Arwen, whose power of choice and grace speaks volumes, but only Disa made me feel at home (and a little scared, the looks she gives are terrifying lol).

And to you Dwarven kind out there saddened by the lack of beard... I hear you, truly. But, tell me it was not amazing seeing a real Dwarven princess be an actual legend on screen? I think the Dwarven legendarium deserves this wonderful woman and just like Elrond's reception by the lady herself, it was such an unexpected joy.

[delicatenightfury]

Star of the Mountain Chapter 24

Warnings: fluff, angst, canon-level violence, spoilers for the Hobbit films

Pairing: OC x Thorin Oakenshield

Beta'd By: @mistys-blerbz

Author's Note: please do not steal my work! I do not own the Hobbit or the characters, but I do own my OCs and the parts of the plot that are not part of the movies. I have worked very hard on this fic. Please be respectful and do not steal.

Please comment, reblog, and like!

Masterlist - Previous Chapter - Next Chapter

Pleasantries with Gandalf were short-lived. The wizard seemed very anxious and dove right into what he wished to say.

“You must set aside your petty grievances with the dwarves,” he said. “War is coming. The sepsis of Dolguldor have been emptied.” Thranduil cast a lazy look over at Bard, indicating that he was not truly taking the Grey Wizard seriously. “You’re all in mortal danger!”

“What are you talking about?” Bard asked.

“I can see you know nothing of wizards,” Thranduil replied before Gandalf could. The elven king stood to pour a glass of wine. “They are like winter thunder on a wild wind rolling in from the distance, breaking hard in alarm.” He handed Bard a glass. “But sometimes a storm is just a storm.”

“Not this time,” Gandalf said. “Armies of orcs are on the move. These are fighters that have been bred for war. Our enemy has summoned his full strength.”

“Gandalf,” Oreliell said, stepping forward slightly. “Are you sure of this?”

The wizard nodded gravely.

“I have seen them with my own eyes.”

“Why show his hand now?” Thranduil questioned.

“Because we forced him! We forced him when the company of Thorin Oakenshield set out to reclaim their homeland. The dwarves were never meant to reach Erebor.” He led the elves and human out of the tent to look at the mountain. “Azog the Defiler was sent to kill them. His master seeks control of the mountain. Not just for the treasure within but for where it lies, its strategic position. This is the gateway to reclaiming the lands of Angmar in the north. If that fell kingdom should rise again… Rivendell, Lórien, the Shire… even Gondor itself will fall.”

“These orcs armies you speak of, Mirthrandir, where are they?” Thranduil asked.

Gandalf sighed heavily, unable to give an answer. Thranduil rolled his eyes and returned to his tent. Oreliell and Vedis looked at Gandalf.

“Are you all right, Gandalf?” Oreliell asked quietly. He looked rather beaten up. “Perhaps you can have Vedis take a look at your wounds-”

“I am fine,” he said. “Truly. Besides, we have much larger things to worry about than a few cuts and bruises, don’t you think?” He paused and looked between them. “How is the company?”

Oreliell sighed.

“They are all alive. But the dragon sickness has taken root in Thorin’s mind.”

Gandalf nodded gravely.

“Then we must think of a way to get through to him.”

“Gandalf, I’ve tried. He is my One and even I struggled to speak with him.”

“I understand. Nevertheless, we mustn’t give up.”

Oreliell smiled a little.

“You’re crazier than I thought to believe I would give up.”

Gandalf smiled back at her before returning to the tent. Vedis placed a comforting hand on Oreliell’s arm.

“All will be well, muinthel.”

Oreliell nodded and followed her sister to the tent. Gandalf was back to trying to convince Thranduil.

“Since when has my council counted for so little?” he asked. “What do you think I’m trying to do?”

“I think you’re trying to save your dwarvish friends. And I admire your loyalty to them. But it does not dissuade me from my course.” Thranduil rose from his chair. “You started this, Mirthrandir. You will forgive me if I finish it.” Oreliell exchanged glances with her sister as Thranduil approached one of his guards. “Are the archers in position?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Give the order. If anything moves on that mountain, kill it. The dwarves are out of time.”

Gandalf stormed out of the tent, clearly angered. Oreliell looked at the elven king, who still stared out at the mountain.

“You said that you would attack at dawn,” Oreliell said. “Would you be so heartless as to shoot while they are not expecting it?”

“They have been given their warning,” Thranduil said.

“And what about the warning Gandalf has given you? We have traveled many months with him. If what he says about the orcs is true, then I think we must at least consider his words.”

“Oreliell.” She glanced over her shoulder at her sister, only to realize that Vedis was no longer standing there. “You’ll never believe who just showed up.”

A moment later, Vedis entered the tent with Bard, Gandalf, and Bilbo in tow.

“Bilbo,” Oreliell said with a smile.

“I’m glad to see you’re all right, Oreliell,” Bilbo said.

“Who is this?” Thranduil said.

“Bilbo Baggins, the official burglar of the company of Thorin Oakenshield.”

“If I’m not mistaken, this is the halfling who stole the keys to my dungeons from under the nose of my guards.”

Thranduil sat down in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly at Bilbo. The hobbit shuffled in place.

“Yes,” he said under his breath. “Sorry about that.” Oreliell glanced at Vedis, who was also smiling. They watched as the hobbit stepped forward, pulling something out of his pocket. “I came to give you this.”

He placed the item on the table and pulled away the cloth. Everyone stared in shock and awe.

“Oh my gosh,” Vedis murmured.

“The Heart of the Mountain,” Thranduil breathed, standing slowly. “The King’s Jewel.”

“And worth a king’s ransom,” Bard said. He looked down at Bilbo. “How is this yours to give?”

“I took it as my fourteenth share of the treasure.”

Oreliell almost laughed in disbelief. She was stunned by his courage. But she couldn’t help but worry about what Thorin might do if he found out.

“Why would you do this?” Bard asked. “You owe us no loyalty.”

“I’m not doing it for you,” Bilbo told them. “I know that dwarves can be obstinate and pigheaded and difficult. They’re suspicious and secretive, with the worst manners you could possibly imagine. But they are also brave and kind and loyal to a fault. I’ve grown very fond of them, and I would save them if I can. Now, Thorin values this stone above all else.” Oreliell noticed that he glanced her way. “In exchange for its return, I believe he will give you what you are owed. There will be no need for war.”

Oreliell glanced at the two leaders. Bard turned to Thranduil, still in shock at the hobbit’s actions. Thranduil looked at him for a moment before looking back at Bilbo.

“We will take this into careful consideration,” Thranduil said. “Someone will show you a place to rest for the night.”

Bilbo nodded. Gandalf ushered him toward the entrance, but the halfling suddenly stopped.

“I nearly forgot!” he said. He turned around and pulled a sheath far too large for his body. He handed them to Oreliell. “You left your swords back at the mountain. I figured you’d want them back.”

Oreliell looked down at the swords then at Bilbo. She was surprised that he had noticed and that he had brought them with him to give to her. She put her hand on his shoulder.

“Thank you, Bilbo. You did not have to do that, but I greatly appreciate it.”

Bilbo smiled at her then stepped out of the tent with Gandalf. Oreliell looked back at her blades. She had not really realized that she had left them in the mountain; her haste to leave made it slip her mind. But Bilbo had brought back both her swords and her pair of daggers.

“He is a brave hobbit,” Vedis commented.

“Yes. Much different from when we first met him. I just hope he stays safe tomorrow if war breaks out.”

Vedis put her hand on Oreliell’s shoulder. The two exchanged small smiles.

“The halfling is quite impressive,” Thranduil said, regaining their attention. 

“Indeed he is. You also need better guards,” Oreliell replied, barely casting him a glance.

She heard Bard half choke on a laugh, but he tried to cover it with a cough. Oreliell smiled to herself. She didn’t need to look at Thranduil to know his eyes had narrowed. 

“I noticed that both of you are without armor. If you are interested, I can provide both of you with sets for tomorrow.”

Oreliell wanted to roll her eyes. She wanted to ask why on earth he thought they would need armor if they were going to confront Thorin. But she knew better.

An army of orcs were on the way.

And she recalled something Thorin had told her long ago: “never underestimate dwarves.” She hated to come before the man she loved dressed for battle, but she wasn’t sure what kind of plan he had come up with to handle Thranduil’s army.

Oreliell sighed and glanced at Thranduil. She nodded.

“Then I shall make sure that you have it.”

He stepped aside to deliver the orders to one of his guards. Bard looked at the Arkenstone then at the sisters.

“What do you make of it?” he asked. “The stone.”

“Bilbo is right about it,” Oreliell said after a moment. “Thorin craves this stone more than anything. It is sacred to the dwarven people, the crowning glory and symbol of their house and power. Thorin will not be pleased to see it in your hands.”

“Our hands? Would you not carry this?”

“I barely want to look at it,” she admitted. “That rock has taken away more from me in the past few days than I ever wanted to lose. And that says a lot, for I have lost much in my long lifetime. Simply seeing me siding with you will create a reaction. I do not want Thorin to think that I have betrayed him further by taking that stone.”

Bard nodded.

“I understand. I shall speak with Thranduil to see what we shall do with it.”

“Before we get to that,” Thranduil said as he stepped back inside the tent, “I would like to have a word with Oreliell.”

Bard glanced at her before going outside. Vedis stayed a minute longer. She studied Thranduil for a long moment before looking at her sister.

“I will go inspect the armor we are being given. If you would like, I can take your swords with me?” she said. 

“Thank you,” Oreliell said, passing her blades over.

“Let me know if you need me.”

“I will, muinthel.” 

Vedis nodded and stepped out. Oreliell took a breath before looking at Thranduil. The elven king had remained standing and was watching her.

“{You risk a lot going with us tomorrow,}” Thranduil said after a long moment. “{Why do it?}”

“{Because I have already lost so much. And I do not wish to lose my betrothed as well.}”

“{Even after everything he has put you through?}”

“{Do not pretend you know him better than I do.}”

Thranduil motioned for her to follow him. They stepped outside once again to look at the mountain. The braziers were lit above the gate, but otherwise everything appeared normal. Oreliell couldn’t help but wonder what was going on inside.

“I want you to know that I truly do not want this,” Thranduil said. “While the heirlooms of my people are of great importance to me, this was not the outcome I had hoped for. I tried to avoid this when your company passed through my kingdom, but Thorin turned me down.”

“Because he still holds a grudge against you for what you did when Smaug first took the mountain. Or rather, what you didn’t do.”

Thranduil sighed. He turned to look at her.

“I want you to understand what it is you are risking going into this, what this could potentially do to you if things do not go smoothly tomorrow.”

“I am well aware what could happen, Thranduil. And that is why I must be present tomorrow. If something were to happen to Thorin, I would never be able to live with myself. I will protect Thorin with my very life.” She looked at the mountain again. “No matter what happens to me, he will live.”

[cynnvein]

Elf

(p): Elves

Elves are the J. J. Abrams mystery box of the setting. Everyone thinks there is some great Elven civilization, that harkens back to the most ancient times. And, in truth, many Elves like to play at this, while others despise the deception.

Elves gain most of their energy from the magicks of the world. They are skilled at hunting and foraging. So, the question is, why would they?

Alright, if they don't build a civilization, what do they do? The simple answer is wander, the better answer is Men. They love Men. They are adorable and soulful, capable of being both angels and demons; the Elves believe it's their duty to try and gently nudge Mankind towards the former.

Gnomes, they get along quite well with, but they respect their desire for isolation. Often visiting shortly, before departing.

Dwarves, they love, with all their heart, as every - single - thing they do annoys Dwarves, and violates their precepts of what it means to be a Greater Race.

While Dwarves have strict rules for social order, Elves have no social order. While Dwarves focus on building themselves, their family, their society. Elves can spend centuries not seeing their family without noticing, they focus on everything but themselves. Dwarves care about the future, Elves try to avoid the past.

Elves will sleep with anyone that is willing, and social precepts will abide. To the point that the Kingdom of Cynn used to have a law titled Sodomy Not With an Elf, because and Elf would probably be willing. Notably, Elves are exception among the Greater Races in that they do not have facial hair. If asked, the response is usually so they can seduce men, though usually asked as a question.

And this is what makes the Empire's efforts to enslave their Elves, with command collars, and iron shackles, so harsh, because the Elves would probably help if they just asked.

Since ancient times, Mannish kingdoms have learned that Elves will often simply show up to a young warrior, follow him, and this young warrior will ALWAYS go onto greatness. This is because Elves can see all of the good a man will do, in the future and his past.

The peace treaty that the Summer King negotiated with the Holy Gothic Emperor had the Kingdom of Cynn train their Elves. How are the Elves recruited? There is a town that the Empire will send their promising young warriors to. Elves know about this place, and will often pass through, looking into their pasts and futures. If they pick one, he is promoted to Elf Knight, a position that has court precedence of a Herzog (Duke), as those of the Knights-Palatine, and Knights of the Order of the Black Sun.

Asking questions of Elves can be exacerbating. Elves are not trying to be obstructive, but have lived so long and seen so much that questions need to be extraordinarily specific to be of any relevance to them.

The magick of Elves is the magic of the body. They do not age passed their prime, they can shift into the form of animals, they are far stronger than their lanky frames should allow. They can heal others, but will not bring it up if there is a designated healer. Sleeping with an Elf cures people of STD's, and improves their overall health. Elves only get pregnant when they want to, and can pass this blessing onto other species.

The child is always of the mother's race, but can carry traits from their father. So, a tall man might produce an especially tall Elf.

The Summer King's iconic red hair has passed on to many species. Elves that were freed from the Holy Gothic Empire often became his slaves in the Dwarven bathhouses he proliferated. He was initially opposed to this, but it seems working as a prostitute in a Dwarven-built Mannish bathhouse, while wearing the finest silks is best way for many Elves to live. So long as they can choose their master.

Sayings:

Elf-thin.

All Elf and bones.

Nude as an Elf.

Elves are well and truly Angels. Of the lowest choir, of the lowest sphere. Their job is to mingle among mortal Men, and attempt to sway their to righteousness. They passed their divinity onto Men as a religion.

[catyo90]

My Captain...My King: Pt.1

You stood at the front of the ship watching the sun begin to set over the vast and wonderful sea. You smiled to yourself seeing the lands of Eriador were close, your home being bathed in the warm light of the fading sun as stars appeared one by one waiting for night to take over. 

The journey from Gondor had been a quite stressful one, though it was not all unpleasant as you were not alone. Elendil, or King Elendil now, had taken you with him as both advisor and first mate on board. A position you would never change, in truth you were quite happy to be beside you so much...even if it was not exactly how you would wish it to be. You wished you were more courageous with your feelings toward him, but with him being king. Well you really didn’t see ow or why he would glance your way. But that did not stop you from loving him...even from afar. You had always admired the him, he was regal, kind, and well mannered. But he was not like other royalty, he knew the troubles of the common folk and understood their strife and worries better than most. You could could not have asked for anyone finer than he to rule.

You looked over across the ship to see him helping one of the new lads with the sails and smiled to you as he joked with the men before walking up to you looking over the sunset towards the familiar lands.

“I am pleased we have returned home...though I suppose we still have to attend to some business in Lindon.”

You sighed as you saw him holding a letter with the sigil of Gil-Gilad on it.

“Don’t tell he wishes to speak to you again about a match for Isildur and Anarion?”

Elendil merely smiled as he looked at you.

“Actually I have asked him to help with my union to another.”

Your eyes widened as you heard his words echo in his mind. Union to another? Was he planning on marrying another? He had never spoken about any woman to you. Or perhaps he simply did not see it has information you needed to know.

“Union? I...I must admit that does surprise me. Might I inquire as to who this person is?”

“Gil-Gilad has told me much about her. She is kind, beautiful, and wise beyond her years, though he claims she can be stubborn at times, but she has been helpful to him and I in more ways than one. But I must confess I do not know if she will have me, I know relationships like this take time but It may not even happen if she decides against it.”

Now your thoughts wandered on if there was such a woman who could deny him. 

“As for Gil-Gilad he seemed quite thrilled with helping me with this union. But Y/n... I would like to ask you. How should I approach her?”

“Well....seeing as you know her and only seem to be nervous with her answer...I suggest you be you. If you love her or at least can be with her as yourself and she understands and can love you for the way you are...than there is nothing you need to worry about.” 

You said looking up at him as he smiled to you nodding his head in thanks. You saw him walk down the stairs as the ship drew closer to the shores.

“Elendil...”

He turned around to look at you.

“Know that I speak to you as not just your advisor but as your friend. You are my captain and my king...Any woman... would be very fortunate to have you as their husband.”

He said nothing as your words made him smile ever so slightly, as if he knew something that you did not, as he bowed his head in respect to you. As he continued onward to await the ships landing, you stood there knowing that you soon were going to lose your chance at letting him know how you truly felt toward him.

-

The entire venture to Lindon was luckily filled with no immediate dangers. You would see wolves in the forest looking for any weak prey but wolves are not mindless beasts, even orcs knew to never cross the path of a horse of Eriador. Though the ride was quite taxing by the end, the sight of the elven kingdom of Lindon made you smile as you passed through the strewn halls of oak and maple as golden leaves fell all around. The buildings themselves so elegant that they could have been mistaken as the home of the Valar. You smiled as the scent of honey and dew covered grass entranced you making you hum to yourself, at least until you looked down from your horse to see Elendil offering you his hand with both arms stretched out to help you. You couldn't help but smile as you took his hand and tossed your leg over dropping from the stirrups as he caught you only a few inches from the ground placing you down gently. You had almost forgotten how strong he was even for his age. You hadn't noticed your hands had lingered in his until the moment was interrupted by a few elf maidens along side Elrond.

You bowed your head in respect as you were greeted warmly with an almost unexpected hug. You saw Gil-Galad walking down the empty path with a few guards following behind.

"Welcome back to Lindon Lord Elendil,"

He paused and turned to you.

"We welcome you back as well dear y/n. It has been too long since you last ventured here."

He was not wrong. The last time you had come to Lindon was after the Fall of Numenor. Even then you did not stay long.

"Come, we have prepared a feast for you and your people. After all there is much to speak and celebrate this day."

Gil-Galad said gesturing for you both to walk ahead as the veiled maidens led you deeper into the forest toward their intertwined homes of wood and crystal. However your steps were halted by Elrond calling to you for a moment. Before Elendil or Gil-Galad could interject you smiled to them and simply waved them on ahead.

"I won't be long...I promise." You said to see a Gil-Galad looking at Elendil who simply smiled and nodded his head to you in understanding. However Gil-Galad did give a small glare to Elrond. Clearly wanting whatever he needed to say not to take long. Watching as both of them walked away you couldn't help but smirk at Elrond.

"So...have you heard." He said with a intrigued look. You crossed your arms before looking at him and spoke.

"The union. Only once we were near the shore...Elrond...Who is this woman?”

Elrond looked puzzled for a moment before a hint of realization hit him as he turned to you.

“I’m sorry Y/n but in truth I can’t say...All I know is that she has been his choice for some time now.”

You sighed looking at the ground lost in thought.

“I would have thought I would have met this girl...”

“Well perhaps you shouldn’t dwell on it too long. After all he has lost...I think he truly needs this. He needs some peace with who he wants to be with, not for benefits or alliances, just pure happiness.”

You looked to him and saw him smiling once more but this one was almost the same as Elendil as if he was hiding something. You realized he was right though. You were glad to see Elendil happy after so much war and pain. You simply accepted it and made your way past Elrond as you spoke.

“You are right my friend.” 

Elrond smiled as he followed behind up the eloquent stairs past the vast trees each with their own carvings. You looked past the gold stained trees to see Gil-Gilad speaking with Elendil before noticing both of you. You took a breath as a smile formed on your face. The feast had been prepared and even music to accompany along side as Gil-Gilad sat down as Elrond sat next to him. You were about to sit before Elendil pushed back the chair for you and smiled as he helped you to become settled. You couldn’t help but genuinely smile at the gesture as you looked across the table to notice as seat empty. No doubt for this mystery girl.

However your thoughts were quickly answered when you saw a smaller group of maiden elves walking down the path. But the person they were bringing was no mystery at all. It was Galadriel. Now you were very confused, she looked to everyone and smiled at seeing you seeing in your mind that you were pleased that it was her who came.

“Lady Y/n, Lord Elendil. it has been quite some time, My husband and daughter give you their blessings and are quite sorry they could not attend this occasion-”

Gradually her voice grew quiet as her voice echoed in your mind.

"Do not trouble your mind on such thoughts."

You said nothing but did blink giving an understanding look as she continued conversing with them. After the dinner was over Gil-Galad offered you and Elendil the rest of the evening to rest and relax as he, Galadriel and Elrond departed for the evening to care for some other matters they would not say.

You were walking side by side with him along the edge of the upper balcony to see the large golden tree blooming ahead as the leaves swayed in the chilled air. You smiled as you spoke.

"As beautiful as elvish architecture is, you would think they would make ramparts for such paths." You said walking ahead looking down at the elongated bridge to turn and see Elendil smirking as he spoke.

"You could say the same to the dwarves, from Lord Elrond's words they lack the same structure."

You nodded in agreement as you looked out over the cliffs to see the stars slowly appearing over the sea making it look like the stars themselves were actually hidden gems of sunken treasure. You breathed in the sea scented air as the cool air of the night blew around your frame. It was a moment you gave be content with never to end, and even more when you noticed Elendil standing next to you overlooking the crashing waves as he closed his eyes and simply felt and looked to be at peace.

"The breeze is nice, the sounds of the waves and the ambiance of the elvish lands...sometimes I wonder how lucky we are to have such things"

"We are quite lucky Elendil... escaping Numenor proved that much."

All he did was nod in agreement as he stood there beside you as the singing of elves echoed throughout the forest. The winds blowing gently as the sun disappeared entirely now the moon taking its place. You looked around you and saw small fireflies buzzing around the golden tree. A sight not many see, let alone mortals. You smiled to yourself as you noticed a few buzzing around the two of you. 

“These fireflies...quite a rarity.” you said managing to capture one in your hands but careful enough not to hurt it.

“Do you like them?” He asked bringing his hands to yours holding them in place looking at the light.

“They are beautiful...” you said holding out your hands for the firefly to fly off back with the others. You looked at Elendil and smiled as you came to the realization that soon, you might not have as many moments with him like this.

“Are you alright?” He said placing a hand on your shoulder as he gave you a worried look.

“Oh yes...Just the elvish wine can be quite strong. Perhaps I just need some rest.”

“Well, at least allow me to accompany you to your room.”

You nodded knowing he wouldn’t take no for an answer. You walked side by side with him when you suddenly felt him take your hand and wrap it around his arm allowing you to latch even closer to him. You smiled to yourself as you placed your head on his shoulder loving that he didn’t seem to mind it.

Once you both had arrived to your chambers you smiled to him once.

“Thank you for the wonderful evening Elendil. It was nice to relax for a bit.”

“You know you still can.”

“Oh no, not while your about to be wed. Your bride to be will need to be prepared.” You said crossing your arms in a confident pose as you gave a huge grin. Only his laughing caused you to question.

“I suppose but you know she hasn’t said yes...for all we know she may not want a marriage.”

You scoffed lightly pushing him in the direction of his chambers. 

“You know thats almost impossible dear friend...”

He laughed once more and waved to you stepping down the stairs. You were about to retire into your room until you heard his steps stop to which he turned around and looked right at you catching your glance at him almost perfectly.

“Y/n...I did mean to ask you a question.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

“Do you think a marriage to me would really be so great as you claim?”

“Elendil...my dear friend you worry too much. She would be luckiest girl in all the realms to be with you.”

Once more he said nothing as it seemed like he was lost in thought. Before scratching his stubble he looked toward you.

“Thank you Y/n...I believe that answer has cleared my mind of any doubts.”

“Good. Now why don’t you get some sleep. And I will see you in the morning as well as speak to Lord Elrond about the plans for your ceremony.”

You watched as he smiled and simply walked off to his chambers. You waved at him and simply smiled knowing that these next few days would be the most difficult. You shook your head and walked into your own chambers as you prepared for the night. You blew out the candles and saw across the open window from your room was Elendil own, though too far away to see clearly. He seemed to be speaking to Galadriel, though it did not cross you mind for long.

-

The next morning you awoke early and arrived by sunrise to Elrond's chambers seeing he had also awakened as early. You saw him with two goblets each filled with fragrant elvish drink. You took it and walked with him as you spoke.

“So has the bride to be arrived yet?”

“It seems she has but it seems she must attend to matters before any planning can be done. Though Lady Galadriel did come to me last night claiming that Lord Elendil wished for you decide on the choices for the ceremony.”

“Me? But there is no guarantee that she will find what I choose to be to her liking.”

“What can I say, Lord Elendil must choose a ring and other arrangements. In truth you get the lighter half of the choices, just the dress, flowers and décor and the wedding ring.”

“Elrond, you do realize that while that is not many. Those are the most important choices any and all brides could make?” You said crossing your arms as he merely smiled and sipped more of the drink.

“You know something that I don’t.” you said as the smirk that came across his face revealed that much.

“Perhaps.” He said smiling as you watched a handful of elven maidens pass by into the chambers as Elrond followed. You walked in behind and saw each maiden holding small chests and two of them unveiling multiple dresses around the room.

“Well I suppose helping him and his bride to be is what I promised. I’m guessing you are to help Elendil for the necessary preparations as well.”

“Of course...In fact I’ve made sure to choose the wine for the evening. Gil-Galad has terrible taste.’

You giggled at the idea of such an elegant lord having bad taste. You smiled at him before taking breath looking over everything the maidens had brought. One of them held out a small jewel box, inside multiple brands of rings most of them more intricate than you would wish.

“A bit too flamboyant...at least to me.”

“Well there was another one that Elendil himself commissioned perhaps this one would do better.” Elrond said taking a very small ring box from one of the maidens and opened it. This one was a simple brand with a singular gem on the top with small wave engravements on the side, the gem though caught your eye immediately as you recognized it to be a gem from Numenor. Ulmo’s Gem...A rare blue gem thats markings seemed to move just like waves. You took a closer look of the ring and tried it on your finger seeing that this gem would be the best, simply no other would do.

“This one is beautiful...” you said slightly captivated

“Wow...I’m actually quite surprised you picked that one Y/N”

“What for?”

“Well he did commission but he chose the gem specifically, the rest were ones myself and Galadriel thought she would like. Though that does confirm that your best to do this for him.”

You were a little bit shocked. Elendil chose the gem? That must mean he has strong feeling for this maiden he is marrying. Once more you couldn’t help but be hurt by the idea of this ring going to another. 

“Well. I will leave you to choose the rest. I will see later this afternoon.”

Before you could stop him he had already left in a hurry. Leaving you with the ring on.

“Alright...”

Choosing the decor and the flowers was a bit more simple to choose from. You simply picked what you knew Elendil would love. As you knew it would help him be comfortable during the ceremony as well, but if it truly was up to you, you would prefer them as well. Once those were chosen the maidens actually left you to decide from amongst the many dresses they brought so they could prepare the ceremony the next day.

You looked through each and everyone until you noticed in the middle was a very elegant white wedding dress that stopped at the shoulder with leaf designs on the edge while the back had a vibrant white cape split in two sewn in and on the ends were waves on the edges of it, the arms had long sleeves which were quite flowing with each movement. The veil that came with it was attached to a silver diadem with three stars being held together by the branches of a small tree where the branches fall down melding together to hold a singular blue diamond. 

You took it and looked over your shoulder seeing that the maidens were clearly gone. You wondered to yourself if it was wrong to try it on. After all anyone could walk in at any moment. But you couldn’t stop yourself. 

-

You looked into the mirror and simply smiled at how surprisingly snug it was to your frame. It was a bit scary how perfect it fit seeing as it wasn’t meant to be worn by you, though it was not uncommon for some women to be the same build. You couldn’t help but wonder how all this had come to be, Elendil would soon be married and here you were making all the choices the bride was too make. In truth it made you slightly mad, but you would not risk anything to ruin Elendil’s plans let alone his happiness with her.

You twirled in the dress away from the mirror and suddenly heard the door being knocked at.

“Y/n? Are you in there?”

And of course it had to be him.

“Ah, yes one moment...” You eyes went wide as you realized you couldn’t get the dress off and least not as fast as you hoped to. You looked around to see a few drapes in the corner beside a divider in the room and hurried behind it. 

“You may come in...”

You heard the door open and close and heard his steps stop about halfway hearing him pouring some wine. You couldn’t see what he was doing but shortly you heard him speak.

“I apologize I did not realize you were changing. Should I come back later?”

“No no. It quite alright. Elrond had said you wished for me to decide some factors for your bride to be...”

“Wait...If your doing that...then why are you behind that.”

You were stumped for words. He wouldn’t understand. Would he? Perhaps if you simply explained yourself he would be too upset for you trying on the dress.

“I can not lie to you. I...I was trying on the dress I thought would suit your bride best.”

Silence was all you heard until you heard his footsteps get a little closer to the divider before stopping.

"Can I see it?"

"I suppose... I mean I am dress and it's the least I could do but um there is a problem."

"That being?"

"I'm too nervous to move..." You said holding her hands together and slightly glad you had the veil to hide your face. Before you could do or say anything you heard him step behind the divider, one of his hands held out to you as he look down at you. Looking up you were enchanted by what you saw, the elegant blue royal wedding garb alongside white silk robes over them with the emblem of the white tree etched into the robes. He was so handsome that it almost took your breath away.

"You look absolutely beautiful..."

Those words may have though. As you took his hand he walked you out from behind the divider and admired how you looked and even gave you a small twirl. You simply were in shock and bliss. How could he be alright with you wearing his brides dress. But oh how you thought you never wanted the moment to end.

"Elendil...I'm so sorry for such actions. I should change immediately."

His hand on yours stopped you as he shook his head and stepped closer bringing both hands up to the veil lifting it up so he could see your face. You saw him smile to you before doing what you thought was impossible.

He brought his lips closer and simply whispered.

"Y/n...Will you marry me?"

[dreadfutures]

From the damage sentence starters: ❛ you’re not at war anymore, you can come home. ❜ ?

For @dadrunkwriting!

Pairing: Kieran & Mahariel & Merrill

-:-:-

Halevune enters the grounds of the Arlathvhen in the middle of the Inquisitor's entourage. Though she is no longer Inquisitor officially, she is still Inquisitor to most of Thedas, and she still travels as one. It is a comfort of a sorts, to be hidden in their ranks, but it also fills him with unease; Halevune is certain that none of the Clans look at the Inquisitor's people and sees the Dalish among them. His people, gathered here, see only *us* and *them.*

He wishes suddenly that he had not brought Kieran. The thought that the boy might be rejected from his people here threatens to cripple Halevune.

Clan Lavellan has set up near the outskirts, and they act as a welcome party of sorts. From Halevune's recollection, that's typically where the Clans with the most flat-ear adoptees are most comfortable. They are supposedly tasked with constant vigilance, serving as the sentinels watching for anyone approaching with ill intent. But it remains true that the only ones further from the center of the Arlathvhen were the Dread Wolf statues spaced evenly around the perimeter of the gathering, facing outward, lonely in their vigil at the edge of the firelight.

Halevune lingers near one with Kieran and Merrill as Ixchel greets Clan Lavellan; she is welcomed warmly, despite his fears, and the young half-elven woman and the Keeper embrace like kin.

Merrill releases a shaky breath, her wide eyes growing misty as she looks around the gathered crowd. It's a bit too good to believe that they might truly be so welcoming. Halevune can't trust it enough to step into the throng and introduce himself. What would he even introduce himself as? Halevune-My-Clan-Is-Dead? Halevune, landed nobility of a shem kingdom that sold its city elves to slavery? Halevune, Warden-Commander but Warden no longer?

He does not even have the wherewithal to stay silently by Ixchel's side and let her introduce him. He can only stand in the back, his shoulders hunching, and watch in suspicious disbelief as she disappears into the crowd.

"Well," Merrill says, her voice trembling a little as she weakly feigns optimism, "I met most of them in Wycome already. Might as well see if they remember me!"

"You helped them," Kieran says kindly. "They cannot have forgotten that."

Merrill puffs out her cheeks and smooths down her apron. "Right. I've never forgotten anyone who's ever been kind to me. Just need to remember everyone's the same. Hopefully. Oh, Hal."

She turns to him with wide eyes.

"They really are very nice," she insists. "I know there must be people you want to see, but can I introduce you?"

He doubts anyone would recognize him now, even if he were to remember them. His hair is bone white, when it had once been jet black; his skin is only now regaining color from years of Tainted pallor; his long ears are no longer pierced, after he had gotten them caught in a fraught battle and learned their dangers the hard way. And he has little memory of anyone from the past Arlathvhens he had attended. Those faces are gone, washed away and replaced by companions who had fought alongside him in the face of the apocalypse and turned the tide.

"You’re not at war anymore, papae," Kieran says.

Halevune may be accustomed to Kieran's ability to read his thoughts as surely as they might have been spoken--but he is not and will never be comfortable with the way Kieran knows exactly how to respond to them.

Kieran holds his gaze, his now-golden eyes as fierce as his mother's, but twice as gentle.

"You're home," he says to Halevune. "You're allowed to come home."

Halevune does not relax, does not allow his body to reveal just how Kieran's words comfort him and hurt him at the same time. Instead, he stoically inclines his head to Merrill.

"I will come with you, lethallan," he says, but the relief on her face does not actually lift his spirits. He feels his face settle into its grimmest mask just as it always does when he is about to meet dignitaries certain to scorn him. Usually, they are humans, though, not other elves, who look at him as an imposter.

He cannot decide if he is more afraid of that for himself, or for his son.

Kieran begins to follow Merrill, and Halevune follows him, and he tries to find some comfort that his son has inherited the confidence of his mother instead of his own.

[the-hiero]

Feel Better

A Jornoth fanfiction inspired by the song "Feel Better" by Penelope Scott

Joey was completely distraught.

They took away the love of his life, his boyfriend. And all over what? Just because he was a little threatening? Only because he wanted the end of their world, an eternal winter? So what, this world was worth nothing without Xornoth.

There were tears streaking down his face and Joey could barely hear the other rulers talk. Something about him having been possessed, that's all he could pick out. But they didn't know. He had wanted this. Sure, he had done some terrible things while possessed, kidnapped Gem and Scott and hurt Gem terribly. And he was sorry for that.

He was incredibly sorry for that.

But it didn't change the fact that he had liked being possessed. Had loved the closeness it brought him with Xornoth. Loved how Xornoth seemed to hang around him most, corrupted his kingdom more and more. And he let the demon do it, didn't fight back against it like all the others. He wasn't terribly upset over it and spilt useless tears over it. Instead, he savoured the corruption, even going so far as to tend to it, make sure the giant red tentacles didn't wilt, looking after every speck of corruption he could find on his land.

And now they all took that from him. He sobbed loudly. He didn't want to feel better, he didn't want to get over it, didn't want to get over Xornoth. How could he? How could he get over the memory of lingering touches, gentle kisses and soft words spoken to him? Someone had fucking loved him, he was worth something to someone else. So much more than he was to others. They didn't care about him, not in the way Xornoth cared about him.

He hadn't been lying or over exaggerating when he said Xornoth was sweet the more you got to know him. This hurt like nothing else in the world ever had and he didn't think anything else would ever hurt him like that again.

He stood up slowly from where he was kneeling and sobbing on the ground, looking around frantically. "Where is he?!" He asked loudly, making Gem who was besides him, trying to comfort him, flinch away. There was raw, unadulterated anger in his voice and the others around him took a step back. "You're not getting it, Joey." Scott sounded cold, and Joey got why. His brother had tried to ruin this world, everyone had their own rights to hate Xornoth, but Joey couldn't. Not after getting to know him better. He felt like he knew Xornoth better than that so called brother of his lover did.

He wasn't being fair and, truly, didn't care about that. He just wanted the soft embrace of his lover. "Give him to me. Now!" He took a step towards Scott, threateningly, and Scott took a step backwards in retaliation. There was a hand on his shoulder holding him back and when he turned around, it was Gem again. He didn't want to hurt her anymore, so he didn't say anything to her, didn't push her away. There were still tears running down his cheeks and when Gem pulled him into a hug, he didn't fight it. Sobbing into her shoulder as he mourned for the beloved he lost.

-----------

Even weeks after, it still hurt deeply. He could see that damned necklace Scott was wearing with the red crystal that held his Xornoth. It stood out proudly, clashing with the cyan and gold and white of the elven emperors clothing. Joey was almost always on the verge of lunging at Scott, taking that necklace away and crushing the crystal, freeing his sweetheart.

But he couldn't do that, he knew the other emperor was stronger than him and even if that wasn't the case, this would surely start a war. And while The Lost Empire had some allies, it didn't have as many as Rivendell. Aside from that, everyone would go up against Joey, for Xornoth ruined most of their lives.

So there was nothing else for Joey to do than mourn, mourn his lover and mourn the corruption that was no longer. The tentacles having wilted and the red spots all over his kingdom having been reverted back to normal seemingly the instance Xornoth was trapped in the crystal.

And Joey simply couldn't feel better, couldn't get over Xornoth. Of course he didn't wanna feel better, could anyone fucking imagine he got over the demon so quickly? That'd be his end.

So it hurt and he let it hurt and let it kill him from the inside over and over again every time he thought about it.

[loominggaia]

What were Janellas insensitive comments? I imagine it was something bout elves...

The first controversy came from an early interview. Janella was asked what happened to her old elven friend who got snubbed in favor of Janella at her first audition. Janella responded,

"Chasiana won't even talk to me anymore! I thought she would be happy for me, but she couldn't even get over herself enough to show up to my last birthday party. Elves are just dramatic like that, you know? It's not her fault, it's just her culture. She can be mad at me if that's how she feels, but I'm not mad at her. In fact, I wish her the best!"

While Janella meant well, elven audiences did not take kindly to her generalizations about their species. Elves have been stereotyped as "fussy" and "difficult" for ages, and they feared Janella's statements would only worsen the problem. Janella quickly made a public apology, assuring them that she spoke out of ignorance and she knows better now. The public reasoned that she was only a teenager, and ignorance is to be expected from such a young person, so this didn't affect her career much.

However, the controversy didn't end there. Several years later, Janella gave a disasterous speech at a charity event to rebuild schools in Yerim-Mor Kingdom. Long story short...not only did she mispronounce Monarch Roz's name as "Monarch Rose", she also congratulated his family on their success "despite their heritage", insinuating that goblins cannot be noble, brave, or wealthy. She then made half of the speech about herself, claiming she "knows what it's like to be underestimated, because as a troll..." and then compared her comfy middle-class upbringing to the suffering of oppressed, war-stricken Morites. Basically she made herself look like a dumb bimbo, and this speech caught her a lot of flak for many years. But she was still quite young and she meant well, so once again the public let it go and her career continued to climb upward.

Several years after that, Janella began dating the divine of sport, Devajaya. She and he attended a celebrity gala in Matuzu Kingdom, hosted by Feztavi, the divine of revels. Janella got pretty drunk and made a scene when she claimed she saw Feztavi flirting with Devajaya. She and Feztavi got into a verbal fight that would have turned physical, if security had not dragged Janella out of the building. Devajaya was so embarrassed by the incident that he broke up with Janella that night, and to this day, Janella and Feztavi occasionally talk trash about eachother in interviews. Janella's fans found this celebrity feud more entertaining than anything, though it left a bad taste in the mouths of Feztavi's most die-hard fans, many of whom boycotted Janella's content after that.

Janella has a long string of other dumb little statements behind her, but nothing truly malicious that would tank her career...at least not yet. Her fans are always there to defend her, claiming she was thrust into stardom at a young age and never even got to finish school, so a little ignorance is to be expected of her.

It seems Janella has the charisma--and perhaps the good looks--to keep shrugging off incidents like these.

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

[lairofdragonagelore]

Exalted Plains: Var Bellanaris

Var Bellanaris can be translated as "Our Eternity." Hundreds of elves have been buried here. Although this land now belongs to Orlais, this part was never reclaimed by them. 

[This is part of the series “Playing DA like an archaeologist”]

The entrance of this graveyard has a landmark related to Gisharel, so once more, it’s an unreliable source. The entrance is decorated with hart statues and the walls have paintings of the elves ridding hallas in battle. More details in Nation Art: Elvhen.

As it’s expected from a graveyard, it’s filled with inuksuit and urns of many types.

Here is where we confirm that those stone lids with a strange symbol are always related to elven graves.

Curiously, Ferelden [in particular in the Hinterlands] shows a similar design in grave lids, but the symbol on them is of an avvar/ferelden mabari.

As it can be seen, those lids cover the urns inside the earth. Each mound is protected by a wolf statue. Now, I can’t say this is an ancient elvhenan ruin originally, or it was part of an elvhen ruin repurposed as a graveyard by the elves of the Dales.

Considering how things are in the Tomb of Elandrin, I don’t know if the original elvhenan ruins had the purpose of being a graveyard. But I think it’s safe to assume that the use of wolves on these mounds where the Dales elves were buried looks like something typical of the Dalisk Kingdom time: the Emerald Knight had companion wolves that protected them and fought with them, accompanied them even to death, so it seems natural to think that their wolf-companion represented in the shape of Fen’Harel statues would stay guarding their resting place for eternity. It also makes us think that the Elves from the Dales did not have such a negative perception of Fen’Harel and his wolves.  

The only “Falon’Din detail” we find in this place is at the entrance to the underground ruins: Unadin grotto [the images have been altered with more brightness that they truly have because it’s impossible to see anything in them otherwise]. Inside we find typical inuksuit that mark this place as a crypt, some offerings, like incense, urns, and a broken statue of Dragon-Mythal.

In front of three tombs of stone there is a stair that leads to another chamber where we see more tombs placed in different and important spaces along it. In the middle of it there is an urn in front of a small mausoleum. It feels like in this place, important Dalish may have been buried. But clearly not the most important ones, since in Emerald Graves we find the tree-graves for the most iconic Emerald Knights of that time.

At the base of the Archer statue, we find a single Red inuksuk.

[Index page of Dragon Age Lore ]

[lizziestudieshistory]

I've been meaning to ask you have you seen that Silmarillion daily thing? What do you think about it?

So, I had to look this up because I vaguely remember seeing something about a daily Silmarillion but I had no plans in participating in it - only because I've learnt from Dracula Daily that I am horrible with serialised media. I'm impatient and I tend to read things in huge chunks so having things in small sections doesn't really work for me.

So, it's hard to comment because I don't fully know what this will look like. In principle, I think it's a great idea! The Silmarillion is a difficult book for new readers and I know so many people who have picked it up and dropped out because Tolkien inundates the reader with so many names and weird concepts. So, having it serialised to slow your reading AND grtting together a community to read it at the same time will work wonderfully for some people.

However, I'm interested to see how it's delivered. In theory, the Silmarillion sounds like a great text to do this with because it's so episodic. Once the Noldor arrive in Beleriand it jumps around a lot and each chapter forms a contained story in the broader narrative around the Silmarils. But this sounds like they're only covering the Quenta Silmarillion (QS) - which is great I ADORE the QS, and I think it's the bit that grips readers to most. Let's face it the Ainulindalë and Valaquenta are painful at times, even for Tolkien fanatics like me. But as much as I dislike the Ainulindalë and Valaquenta you do need them to understand the QS. Where else are you going to learn about who the Valar and Maiar are, or why song is a legitimate weapon in Arda? You aren't going to truly appreciate the insanity that is Finrod taking on Sauron without the Ainulindalë... I also think it's a massive shame to miss out the Akallabêth, but maybe that's just me 🤷‍♀️

I also don't truly know how they're splitting the book up. I know it's presenting summaries, similar to the YouTube series doing a similar concept from people like Tolkien Untangled and Voice of Geekdom (I would recommend both!) but how is it going to split the story? How is it going to help new keep track of family trees, kingdoms, and non-elven races when sometimes they disappear from the story for chapters? Some of this is difficult enough when you're reading through the book in a week or so, reading through it over a year could be very difficult!

I'm also slightly confused on how they're only presenting the parts with "concrete" dates. A LOT of the First Age is a mess chronologically. Oh, we have some births, deaths, and battles - but a lot of the details are a complete mystery when trying to create a timeline. We don't even know when Maedhros was born, or who fathered Gil-Galad (sorry had to bring this one up, he's my favourite 😅) - so how can we adequately cover a timeline when we don't know what all of the timeline is? Tbh I'm very confused by the schedule and the "welcome" email left me more confused... However, I don't think chronological is the right approach to take for this particular book.

I have now subscribed so I can see what I think once we start getting content. I'm glad they're encouraging readers so follow along in the book because so much is lost when you get summaries, even really good summaries. Personally, I doubt the daily newsletter format will work in reality for this one, the story is just too big and messy... But I'm intrigued, and I think it could be done well if it was run differently. I'd explain how I'd run it but this is getting very long, but I am happy to run through how I'd run a Silmarillion readalong elsewhere if you're interested in my ramblings on that 😂

Thanks for asking though! This has been an interesting one to think about! At the end of the day, I might have questions on the format but if it'll get people to read Tolkien's work outside The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings then I am a VERY happy bunny.

[ayns902]

Lost Elvish Memories- Chapter 1- Broken Fairy Tales

Author Note: Hey everyone! I just wanted to share some of the stories that I am currently writing. Updates to the story might take awhile cause I got school and stuff, but I try to write as much as I can.

Word Count: 2.2k (Unedited)

Summary: Little Elven princess Taya always hated how she was kept in the castle by herself, while she does sneak off from time to time in the night, will she finally learn her lesson that her parents might be right this one time?

This is a story of high adventures, but this isn’t one that started off happy. No story truly starts off happily, it just depends on which point of view the person is reading from. For this young woodland elf, it started off just like any good story starts. Life is always about hardships and trials. Especially for the young elf who forgets everything and doesn’t know what’s the truth of life anymore. 

The six year old Taya was commonly known as an above average person. You see, she was a princess of the woodland elves in the forest of Áre, which means Sunlight in Elvish, with her mother, Queen Evangeline, and her father, King Ankir, in the continent of Mintaral. Taya was always a well-guarded type of princess who was never really allowed to leave the castle of her forest without at least two guards with her at all times and she never liked that. She just wanted to explore her town and get to know the other children there and play with them.

A few years have passed like what her parents called save. Safe from the dangers, the killers, the kidnappers and so on (her parents always assumed the worst of the worst in the world outside the forest). She was a twelve year old girl now and she looked out of her bedroom window in the stillness of the night. The stillness was so peaceful after a long day of studying and learning of her culture and the area that surrounded the town in the woods. Blond hair was finally down from her always braided hairstyle as she wore her emerald green nightgown and began to grow short against her tan skin. She was currently in her bedroom with nothing to do, but look out the window.

Taya’s room is what she would have deemed to be a simple room, especially compared to the other rooms in the castle that she lived in. Her room was a pale pink and purple mixed together all throughout the walls and the floor was a white square tiled floor that had a light gray border on the edges of each individual tile. Her room was more of a square room. To one of the walls was the door that leads into the hallway inside the castle. It was a brown wooden door just like any other door that was made all over the continent. On the wall next to the door was her bed and her upholster. Her upholster and the bedspread on her bed was a dark gray and she had several pillows made neatly on her bed of different colors, but that still matched with the rest of the room.

On the opposite side of her bed was a small couch that is not too far from an equally small fireplace. The couch was a pale pink just like the walls with a light brown wood that accented the couch. The fireplace was a golden metal in the wall, but there wasn’t any firewood or fire. It was the springtime after all, no time for being close to a fire. One the wall between her bed and the fireplace was her window. Her window has a white pillowed seated bench and had golden curtains that were currently drawn back on a silver rod above the window. Her window was looking out into the kingdom.

As Taya looks out of the big arched window, she wishes that she could just have a life like the other people that make up her town, but she knows that they also well need her in due time. She sighed, looking back into her room and said to the emptiness of her room, “It really is a wonderful night isn’t it, Jonna?” Suddenly, a dark shadow fills up at the footstool by the end of Taya’s bed. The shadow then turns into a tall slender figure in a dark blue tuxedo with a black cane and a pumpkin head. “It is, little princess. Everything seems to be at a complete stop once the moon comes out.” the pumpkin figure said while walking up to her. 

Jonna was a ghost familiar, which is something that every royal family member has had and got whenever they turned ten years old. This was meant to have a confidant that they know would never betray them, even after death. Jonna was different from all the other familiars that helped people from Taya’s family. Every other familiar was something along the lines of just another rance known like a human, an orc, or sometimes the familiar would be an animal like her father’s familiar, which was a tiger. Jonna was a tall figure that was almost see through if it wasn’t for the darkness of him. Jonna was just a ghost that had a skeleton body that he wore a suit over and a pumpkin head. He also always had a cane with him because “it makes him feel more suitable for the human realm.” However, he could do some amazing things and some of those amazing things are still a secret to the young elf.

The room began to fall silent once again until Taya decided to speak up again. “I’m going to go on an adventure. Around the town, you know, get to know the layout of the town that I will one day rule. For learning purposes. Would you like to accompany me or will you tell my parents about this again?” she stated while still looking outside the window.

This isn’t the first time Taya has gone out somehow and walked around the grounds. Sometimes she would dance around the fountain in the middle of the down and act like a festival was happening, even Jonna would join her sometimes. However, that was very rare of Jonna to do. Jonna normally reported to her parents about the events that night in order to keep the young princess protected.

“Taya, you know that isn’t a good choice to make. You know how your parents will react to this when they find out.” the ghostly figure said, trying to convince her not to do this. “They won’t know because no one will tell them then, right?” the girl responded while beginning to move the curtains farther back towards the walls. Jonna sighed a defeated sign and replied, “As long as you don’t get caught, they won’t.”

“It’s the dead of night and everyone’s asleep. No one’s even going to know I’ve been gone, well besides you, of course, but you, however, always have to be by my side in a certain range when out in the human world.” Taya said while smiling and moving to get herself changed into her day time clothing.

“What if you get hurt or if someone tries to harm you somehow, Taya?” Jonna asked warily. “That’s why I will call you whenever I need to, silly!”Taya explained without stepping out of her closet. Jonna still felt uneasy about tonight’s adventure. This wasn’t an abnormal thing for them to do and normally Jonna would like to accompany Taya on her nightly walks, even if he would tell her parents after, but tonight felt different, tonight felt heavy to him.

He desperately looked for another excuse for them not to go out tonight and soon one came to his pumpkin head, “You know I don’t know any healing magic if you were to get hurt before calling me and therefore, your parents will find out about our strolls.” The pumpkin stated while walking to the closet and leaning against the wall near the doorframe.

Soon, Taya popped back out with a new dress of navy blue with golden lining on the sleeves and skirt. She looked at her friend while saying “That is a change I am willing to take, just like every other night we have done this. This is normal for us to do, so what has got into that pumpkin head of yours?”

“A change of heart?” That came out more as a question than Jonna wanted to. However, no matter how Jonna tried to stop the young elf, she kept walking to the window on the other side of the room and sighed when she didn’t hear the swooshing of her familiar behind her.

“Jonna, you are my one and only friend. My best friend and, without you, I would go absolutely mad. You above all other beings know just how terrible being alone is like. When  you aren’t in the human world, you go back to nothingness. A black empty void where no one awaits you, nothing for you to do, but sit and wait for me to call upon you.” Taya didn’t look at him while she said this. She knew this was an unfair point to bring up, but she knew this was the only way he would listen. Jonna thought the reason was that if she did turn around, Taya would break and decided not to go out. The pumpkin replied before the girl could continue on.

“I would gladly wait for you here for however long you wish.” That statement made the elf stand up straighter. “I know you would Jonna, but you have to say that. You were created to help me, serve me. That is your true purpose. As much as I love you and our time together, I want more friends than my ghost pumpkin familiar. I want other elf friends, dwarf friends, friends who shapeshift. Don’t you think that would be fun?”

“It would be, but they could just be using you as well. So many people in this world are evil, use others to get money, leverage, and so much more.” Jonna said and walked over to the bench at the window and sat down. “You sound like the royal parents now.” Taya huffed and sat down along with her friend.

“Well, someone has to be the responsible one when the moon comes out.” Jonna chuckled to himself, thinking his little comment was funny. “Well, my friend, tonight is a night where I want to forget about my royalness. So, if you were to please make like a candlestick and quickly vanish, do so now.”

When that statement was said, Taya saying the word “Candlestick” made Jonna vanish. This word was decided upon by the two in case anything were to happen if something were to ever go wrong and they did not want to draw attention to themselves.

After Jonna vanished, Taya got onto the plant vines that grew on the sides of the windows and started climbing down them. She was thankful that these fines grew up this high and no one had cut them down yet. Very soon, she was able to make it completely down the castle and was able to put her feet back on the ground. She then began to sneak across the grounds and hid behind different bushes. She wanted more than anything to look around the town, she was never able to do that, she was barely even allowed to leave the actual building of the castle, let alone the grounds of it. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity for an elf, she made it to the edge of the grounds and was able to get past the gates. 

She then begins to wander around the town that she has for so long looked at from afar. She looks around in wonder, like discovering a new toy because for Taya, this was a whole new part that she never truly saw for herself, she adventures around the land looking at the different  buildings and plants that scatter all throughout. Eventually, she came across a fountain, it wasn’t a small one, but it also wasn’t a large one either. Taya decided to sit down on the edge of the fountain’s base and stared into the clam dark blue liquid that was inside of it.

She couldn’t tell you why she found this calming to her. She simply just continued to state into the liquid and felt content. While the child continued to state into the fountain, there was a shadow that crept up behind her. However, the girl didn’t know that it was there. She was too distracted by the fountain’s contaminants.

As the minutes passed, the shadow continued to come closer and closer to the young girl, being as silent as possible so she wouldn’t hear. The child  still never notices itt coming ever so much closer to her. Now the figure was close enough, and took their shot. The figure quickly hit Taya over the head with the end of what seemed to be a dagger, knocking her unconscious, then grabbing her, and running off out of the land where she grew up.

Anyone would have noticed this action happening, even in a crowded area like this during the day. However, it wasn’t during the day and everyone was fast asleep enjoying sweet and pleasant dreams. This, however, was the start of a long, long nightmare for Taya, for she had been kidnapped and her fate would soon be changing for what would happen next.

[delicatenightfury]

Star of the Mountain Chapter 43

Warnings: fluff, angst, canon-level violence, spoilers for the Hobbit films

Pairing: OC x Thorin Oakenshield

Beta'd By: @mistys-blerbz

Author's Note: please do not steal my work! I do not own the Hobbit or the characters, but I do own my OCs and the parts of the plot that are not part of the movies. I have worked very hard on this fic. Please be respectful and do not steal.

Please comment, reblog, and like!

Masterlist - Previous Chapter - Next Chapter

“Cousin, stop your fidgeting. Ya look fine,” Dain said with a laugh.

“He’s right, lad. You’re worrying about nothing,” said Balin.

Thorin huffed, straightening his tunic’s sleeve for probably the third time. 

How could he not worry? He wanted this day to be perfect. It was his wedding day after all.

Finally.

After almost two years of courtship, they were going to be saying their vows and proclaiming their love to one another in front of the kingdom.

Thorin smiled at the thought. He couldn’t wait to see Oreliell. His sister had whisked her away seven days ago, and he hadn’t seen her since, as it was tradition among dwarves to not see the bride for the week leading up to the wedding.

When it came to planning the wedding, the pair had decided to combine dwarven and elven traditions. They hadn’t truly followed any traditions during their betrothal so they wanted to make up for it. They wanted to honor their own customs, yet also show their union as two people of two races coming together as one. 

Thorin looked up when the door opened. Dwalin smiled as he came in.

“Dís said they’re ready,” he said. “Everyone is set.”

Thorin nodded. He shrugged on his coat then reached for the elegant cloak. Oreliell had given it to him days ago. It was of elven design, made of fine silk that shone every time it moved. It was a deep blue, matching the Durin royal colors. The cloak hung over his right shoulder and was strapped around his chest, held in place by a pin with the Durin crest. Thorin smiled at his appearance.

“Let’s be off then,” he said.

He followed his friends out the door. The chamber they had been preparing in was close to the main hall where the dwarves of Erebor had gathered, so as they walked, they could hear the steady chattering of the guests.

When Thorin entered the hall, many people called their greetings. Thorin smiled at them before taking his place at the front of the room where an altar had been placed. He nodded to Lord Rusnig, who would be officiating part of the ceremony. Next to him stood an elven minister, provided by Thranduil, who would officiate the other part. Thorin and Oreliell had made the decision to combine their cultural traditions. They wanted to symbolize the joining of not only two people, but of two races coming together.

Looking into the audience, Thorin spotted Thranduil, seated with a group of other elves and several humans, including Bard. Thorin caught Thranduil’s attention and gave him a nod of appreciation. A hint of a smile appeared on the elven king’s face - though he would most likely deny it - and he nodded back.

“Uncle.”

Thorin turned and smiled at the sight of his nephew. Kili was dressed in elegant clothes, fit for a prince, but had an air of youthfulness about him. Thorin couldn’t remember when he had last seen Kili so happy.

“Kili,” Thorin greeted. He pulled him close and pressed his forehead to Kili’s. “How are you?”

“I’m well. Excited for the day, though I suspect not as much as you.” He winked at his uncle, earning a chuckle. But a moment later, his face fell slightly. “I just wish that Fili were here to see this day.”

Thorin’s shoulders sagged.

“As do I.”

Kili held his uncle’s arm.

“Though Fili is not here, I know he would be wishing you the very best. He knew how happy you were with Oreliell. We could both see it, we would jest about it often during the quest. We had never seen you so content before. He is smiling down on us today.”

“Indeed he is.” The two turned to face Dís, who had a smile on her face. Like her brother and son, she was dressed in Durin blue, her hair and beard braided elegantly. She lovingly patted Kili’s cheek and placed her hand on Thorin’s opposite arm. “Fili would be quite happy that you have found your One and are settling down with her.”

Thorin smiled at his sister. He knew that she dearly missed her son, but to hear her words of encouragement made him feel a little lighter.

“How is Oreliell?” he asked.

Dís smiled.

“Excited. She has not stopped smiling all day. You’re a lucky man, brother. I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you, Dís.”

Deep horns began to play from the upper balconies. Dís squeezed Thorin’s arm before moving to stand beside Kili. Others hurried to get into their positions. 

Thorin took a breath before turning to face the main doors. Vedis and Oreliell walked side by side, slowly making their way down the long aisle as music played overhead. They both stood tall, commanding the attention of the room.

Vedis carried a sword at her side. It was a dwarven tradition: the family of the bride would carry weapons as they escorted her to the groom, as a symbol of protecting her.

Thorin turned his eyes to Oreliell. He felt his breath catch in his throat before his heart started to thump wildly in his chest. He hoped that those around him couldn’t hear it. 

Mahal, she’s beautiful.

She wasn’t even standing before him and he could tell that she was shining brilliantly. A smile lit up her face and her eyes never strayed from Thorin as she finally reached the altar, just as the horns finished their song. 

“Welcome brothers and sisters of Erebor, men and women from Dale, and those who have traveled from the forests of Mirkwood,” Lord Rusnig said, his voice resonating throughout the room. “We are gathered today to witness the union of our beloved King and his One. But more importantly, we are here to witness the union of two hearts, two families, and two cultures. Our bride and groom wished to celebrate their union by honoring and joining their peoples’ traditions into one ceremony.” He then lifted a hammer, a symbol of Mahal, into the air. “Will the families of the bride and groom take their places, please?”

Another dwarven custom was that the family of the bride and groom circle the couple, like a shield of protection. Thorin watched as Vedis, Dís, Kili, and Dain stepped forward. He couldn’t help but feel a pang in his chest. Oh how he wished that Fili could be there standing with him. Or his father Thrain, his mother Daria, or even his grandfather Thror. How he wished that Oreliell’s parents were with them as well.

Oreliell took his hand in hers and he looked up at her. She was still smiling, but he could see in her eyes that her thoughts reflected his, that she longed for their departed family. However, both knew that their families were there with them in spirit, that they too would gather around them and protect them.

Lord Rusnig nodded once they were in position, lowering the hammer. He began to read aloud a document, created by Thorin and Oreliell, that detailed their relationship and the duties they would carry out as a married couple, as per dwarven customs.

Thorin couldn’t help but let the sound of Rusnig’s voice fade away. He allowed himself the time to truly take in his soon-to-be wife.

She was dressed in a white elven gown, embellished with silver lace along the skirt and flowing sleeves. Attached to her hair was a long dwarven veil, studded with gems that sparkled with every slight movement she made. However, under the veil, he could see that her hair was elegantly braided away from her face, diamonds woven in it, most likely done by his sister. He even saw his courting braid, held in place with his personal bead, which would later be rebraided to mark their marriage.

Everything she wore accentuated her features. Her hair shone like pure gold, littered with diamond, and her eyes sparkled like gems themselves. She was absolutely stunning. 

Thorin came back just in time to hear Rusnig finish with the contract. Rusnig nodded to him. Thorin turned to fully face Oreliell, and she did the same. He couldn’t resist giving a small wink, which made her smile. Thorin then stepped forward and began to walk in a slow circle around her, showing that he would guard her within the great halls of their home.

Once Thorin made his full circle, he turned to face Vedis. He bowed his head briefly, then knelt in front of her.

“Vedis, most faithful sister of my One Oreliell. I make this promise to you that I accept Oreliell into my home, into the halls of Erebor. She will be loved always, until the day that I die, and beyond that. She will be protected, just as she has protected me time and time again. I vow to you that I shall be the best version of myself so that I may be worthy of her heart.”

Vedis laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. Thorin looked up at her, and the two exchanged smiles. She nodded, accepting his promise.

Thorin rose and took his place beside Oreliell once again. The two watched as their sisters then stepped forward at the elven minister’s instruction.

“Within elven marriages,” the man said, addressing those in attendance, “it is customary that the mother of the bride and the father of the bridegroom bless the marriage. However, it is unfortunate that they cannot stand here with us today. Instead, Lady Vedis shall be the one to give the blessing, only for the bride and groom to hear.”

Vedis extended her hands forward, allowing Thorin and Oreliell to each take one. Thorin listened as Vedis spoke into their minds, speaking an elvish blessing over them. She spoke in a slightly different dialect than Thorin was used to, so it made it challenging for him to follow along completely. All he was truly able to catch was Vedis calling upon Manwë and Varda, the king and queen of the elven Valar, to be witnesses to their union.

Once Vedis had completed her blessing, she squeezed their hands, smiled at them, and stepped to the side again. Thorin turned to face Oreliell, taking her hands in his.

“Now the intended shall recite the Seven Dwarven blessings,” Rusnig said. “King Thorin, you may begin when you are ready.”

Thorin nodded. They would go back and forth with the blessings, where she would repeat his words after each blessing:

“Blessed are you, Mahal, who has created everything for the glory of Eru. Blessed are you, Mahal, who fashioned the earth, the mountains and the hills. Blessed are you, Mahal, who fashioned the gems and metals in the heart of the mountain. Blessed are you, Mahal, who fashioned the dwarves and the seven houses. Blessed are you, Mahal, who taught the dwarves the skills to work the gems and metals in the heart of the mountain. Blessed are you, Mahal, who gladdens our halls through his children. Blessed are you, Mahal, who gladdens groom and bride.”

Thorin took another moment to collect himself. He still couldn’t believe that she was standing here before him. Thorin stared into Oreliell’s eyes and had to remind himself to stay grounded as he began his vows. 

“You stood by me in my darkest moments and in my greatest triumphs. You are my peace and my rock, my shining star, the light of my life, and the one that I live for. I shall protect you against all foes, hold you close in times of joy, and love you until my last breath. May the Valar watch over and guide us in this next journey through life, and may they strengthen our love even more.”

He noticed that her smile never faded. She watched him intently as he spoke, soaking in his words like she couldn’t get enough. He could not help but wonder what was going on inside her mind. 

As if she could sense his wandering thoughts, Oreliell squeezed his hand and when she was sure that he was grounded once again, she said her own vows:

“You stood by me in my darkest moments and in my greatest triumphs. You are my peace and my shield, my unshakable mountain, and the one that I live for. I shall protect you against all foes, hold you close in times of joy, and love you until my last breath. May the Valar watch over and guide us in this next journey through life, and may they strengthen our love even more.”

Like her, Thorin’s grin never waned. He listened to every word she said, engraving them into his heart.

Kili stepping forward meant that it was time to exchange rings. Thorin removed one of his silver ones, which had been given to him years ago by Oreliell when they first began courting. Apparently, elves would exchange two sets of rings, whereas dwarves would only exchange one set of rings and beads. Silver rings were exchanged at the beginning of an engagement then returned, and kept safe, so that gold rings could be given at the wedding.

The rings were a small thing that they were able to outwardly show their engagement when they had traveled. Thorin had worn many rings that the company would not have noticed one more, and no one ever commented on Oreliell’s simple silver ring. 

Thorin and Oreliell passed the silver rings to Vedis, who pocketed them. They had decided that she would keep better track of them instead of Kili, who had been made responsible for the gold rings. Thorin watched Kili reach into his own pocket to retrieve the rings when a small flash of mischief crossed his face. However, a cough from Tauriel and a quick nudge from Dís kept him from misbehaving. Kili at least looked a little sheepish when he produced the rings. Thorin nodded to his nephew in thanks.

They took the rings from Kili and, taking turns, slid the gold bands onto one another’s hands. They fit perfectly. Of course they did. Thorin had spent many hours over an anvil working on them, and Oreliell had joined him most of the time, keeping him company and giving her input on the precious metal.

Kili stepped back, and Vedis and Dís took his place before the couple. This time, Dís stood in front of Oreliell and Vedis was in front of Thorin. 

“Another ritual of elven weddings is the exchanging of jewels,” the elven minister explained to the guests. “The bride’s family presents a jewel on a necklace to the bridegroom, and the groom’s family does the same for the bride. Ladies Vedis and Dís, please proceed.”

Vedis reached into another pocket hidden within her dress and produced a silver necklace. She rested it in her palm to show it to Thorin. The jewel was a brilliant white, reflecting the light as if it were made of pure ice instead of stone.

“This jewel came from our homeland, from Thananti in the far north. We returned there after you asked for my sister’s hand and after we went our separate ways briefly,” she said to him. She then moved to put it around him. Thorin moved his hair out of her way, and she was mindful to not touch it. She fastened the silver chain around his neck. “It belonged to my mother. Now, I bestow it to you, Thorin. My sister’s husband. My brother. Take care of her.”

“I will,” he replied to her. He was shocked that she would give him something so valuable. “Thank you.”

Thorin glanced at Oreliell and his sister. Dís had finished securing the necklace around her neck and was giving Oreliell a hug. He smiled at the sight. The two eventually separated and Oreliell rose to her full height again. A simple, gold dwarven necklace rested on her chest, embedded with a central purple gem. It suited her.

Once more, Kili came forward, this time with a goblet filled with ale for the final part of the ceremony. Oreliell took the goblet first. She looked at Thorin and without hesitation, drank from the cup. Thorin was slightly surprised, but only because he knew she wasn’t overly fond of dwarven ale. Nevertheless, she drank her fill and passed him the cup with a smile. Thorin smiled back and finished off the ale.

The moment the goblet left his lips, the hall erupted into cheers and applause.

The banquet and celebration took place right after the ceremony had concluded. Food and drinks were brought out and served as guests found seats around the room. Music had started up as well, filling the hall with lively tunes for hours on end.

Thorin sat beside Oreliell, probably for the first time that night. Since the ceremony, they had been greeted and congratulated by most of the attendees, including Bard and his family, and Thranduil. Not only that, but they had been dragged onto the dance floor several times throughout the night. Thorin had not danced this much in years, but that didn’t stop him. He loved getting to dance with his wife.

Mahal that felt amazing to say.

His wife.

“You know, I love seeing you smile this much,” Oreliell said, leaning in close to him.

Thorin turned to give her his full attention. Her hair glowed in the evening candlelight and her eyes seemed to reflect the stars. Her cheeks were flushed from the excitement of the day as she hadn’t stopped smiling.

He took her hand in his and lifted it so he could press a kiss into the back, close to where her ring sat.

“I have much to be happy about,” he told her. “And I have you to thank.”

“I was only a part of it,” she said.

“You were the key piece, gimlelul. Without you, I would have none of this.”

“Enough of that. Today is a day of joy, not remembering our sorrows.”

Thorin nodded.

“Of course. My apologies.”

“You’re forgiven.”

Thorin chuckled. She raised a cup of wine to her lips and Thorin’s eyes fell to the newly revealed skin of her arm.

“Your tattoo looks lovely by the way,” he said. “I do not think I had the chance to mention it before my sister swept you away from me.”

Oreliell turned her arm over to look at the tattoo herself. An intricate design of elven and dwarven markings covered her skin where her Morfaroth tattoo used to be. He knew how she had felt about the mark, knowing what it had come to symbolize. But he was beyond proud of her for turning the mark into something new, covering it with art that represented the new phase of her life.

She had spent weeks consulting with Vedis and Dís on the design. When she finally got it done, Thorin had spent some time by her side, keeping her company as the ink master worked. But Thorin had been unable to see the finished product until now since Dís had insisted on separating them before the wedding.

Oreliell ran a light hand over the new ink.

“Thank you,” she said. “I am quite pleased with how it turned out. It feels like I am leaving an old part of me behind and am embracing a far better future.”

Thorin kissed her hand again. A comfortable silence fell over them. Oreliell’s eyes darted around the hall, taking in the mass of dwarves, elves and humans. The celebration would go on for seven days to celebrate the marriage. Many people would most likely fall asleep in the hall, but some would manage to drag themselves back to their rooms for a proper night’s rest before returning to celebrate more in the morning. 

Thorin considered retiring for the night as well, with his new bride. And as he took all of her in again - though he had never truly stopped staring - his thoughts were solidified.

“You are truly stunning,” he said.

Oreliell looked at him, her eyes darting over his face. She must have seen something there because another blush crossed Oreliell’s cheeks. She collected herself enough to send Thorin a teasing smile.

“Well your sister truly outdid herself with the gown and my hair.”

Thorin leaned in toward her, putting his lips close to her ear.

“You misunderstand what I mean, gimlelul. I was not speaking of the dress.”

Oreliell chuckled after a brief moment.

“Is that so?”

“How could I ever lie about such a thing?”

“Well then. Would you mind possibly helping me escape from all of it? Dís put so many pins in my hair, I doubt I’ll find them all.”

Thorin stood and pulled her, his wife, to her feet as well.

“Anything for you, my wife.”

[mirawritesstuff]

The Cleric Pt. 3

Pt. 1 Pt. 2

The center of the village was decked out in a unique combination of orcish ceremonial decor and elven ceremonial decor (or at least, whatever elven decor the orcs could get their hands on). It was certainly something Enid had never seen before, but it was beautiful. The way Gavyn wanted her bride to feel welcome in the village, and the way the other orcs, while confused at the union, still supported their leader.

“Today is the day, are you excited?” Enid asked Gavyn as she stood at the center of the alter, ready to wed the two.

“Very. Niamh didn’t want me to see her dress, something about it being bad luck in elven culture.” Gavyn said with a playful huff, rolling her eyes, though a smile still on her face. “I’m sure she looks gorgeous, though.”

Enid smiles softly. During her week here, Enid really was given a new perspective on the orcs. The human and elven kingdoms certainly painted them in a bad light, but, while definitely a more rough and tumble race, they weren’t the aggressive evil creatures she was taught they were.

“Elves really are a strange lot.” Brenna said from her position next to Gavyn, a soft scoff leaving her lips.

“Brenna.” Gavyn said in a warning tone, looking at her with narrowed eyes.

“I wasn’t goin’ to say anything about Niamh! She’s quite sweet, for an elf.” Brenna said, narrowing her eyes at Enid, who simply scoffs in return.

“I’m not going to dignify that with a response.” Enid stated, her hands behind her back before she looks over at the band as they start playing what sounded like an orcish rendition of a bridal march. Enid smiled a bit at this.

Despite being different than what she has heard before, it was nice. She could tell that they were trying their best to play the correct tune with different instruments than the music was originally written for, and it sounded good. It lacked the harp and violin, but the percussion instruments that were available for the orcs gave it a unique sound, it was untraditional but that was part of its charm.

After a moment, Niamh was being walked down the makeshift aisle by Ug. She had on a beautiful, traditional elven dress on underneath some furs that were made to keep her warm among the snow. “Here comes your bride~” Enid whispered playfully to Gavyn, whose eyes were lockedo onto Niamh, tears welling in her eyes a bit as she watched her bride.

Once Niamh was at the altar, standing across from Gavyn, Enid smiles a bit at the two. “Welcome, everyone. Thank you for joining us today on this holy day of matrimony.” She started. “I’m truly blessed to be here. Now, I know this union is unconventional, an elf and an orc. But over the past week that I’ve spent with you, it’s clear your love for each other runs deep. It transcends any bad blood between our peoples. Lunellis smiles upon you both.” She said, resting a hand on Niamh and Gavyn’s arms. She then turns to the table behind her that had one wineglass and a bottle of wine. Enid pours some wine into the glass before turning back to the two. “In elven culture, a way to signify the union of two people, it is customary to sip from the same cup of wine. It symbolizes unity, the merger of families.” She explained. “Niamh, you’ll take the first sip, say your vows, and then hand the cup to Gavyn, who will take her sip and say her vows.”

Niamh gently takes the glass, smiling softly at Enid. “Thank you.” She said before taking a sip of the wine. She looks up at Gavyn. “My love, my Gavyn. You found me when I was at my lowest. I was scared, and alone, and you took me in. Showed me nothing but kindness. I think it was safe to say I fell fast. I’m so thankful you found me that fateful night. You saved my life in more ways than one. I love you.” She said, wiping the tears from her eyes with one hand and handing Gavyn the glass with the other.

Gavyn clears her throat, attempting to hide how emotional she was getting. She gently takes the glass from Niamh and she takes a sip. “I would do anything for you, Love. When I saw you that night, I knew I couldn’t just leave you to freeze. I usually don’t stick my neck out for outsiders, which you were at the time, but there was something different about you. I had to help. And as I spent more time with you that following week after met, and the weeks after, I realize it was love pulling me towards you. We were ment to be. We were destiny. I love you too.” Gavyn said, tears finally welling in her eyes.

Enid takes the glass back from Gavyn, setting it back on the table. “Lunellis smiles upon you both. Not only is she the Mother of Elves, the Moon Goddess, but she is also the Goddess of Fate. I feel it’s no accident that I, a Cleric of Lunellis has been chosen to bless this union. May you both have a long and happy life together, as a married couple.” She said with a small smile. “You may now kiss the bride.” She said, cheering with everyone else as Gavyn and Niamh seal the deal with a kiss.

Gavyn pulls away, a soft grin on her face before she turns to the crowd. “Góra Clan! Now that the ceremony is over, it’s time for the party to begin!” She exclaimed, the other orcs cheering on their leader as she picks up her newly wed wife, spinning her around. The ceremony was an elven tradition that replaced the usual orcish battle tradition, but the next part? A certified orcish celebration, complete with booze and food.

Enid chuckles softly as she watches the crowd. She did quite miss her party, but at least she had a story to tell once she eventually went back. She just didn’t know what she was going to say to the royal family about Niamh.

[empressofthesunwriter]

The Magician's Quest

SoT AU: Her homeland invaded, her parents died, and all Magic was outlawed. Dark Magician N.K. is on the run from the Inquisition, who wants nothing more than to burn her at a stake. She finds herself in Zaron, the Human Kingdom, not knowing that she stepped into a war for the most powerful relict of them all. A legend, which is reality. The Stick of Truth.

Chapter One

It was three days since Marianne, for all others Butters, appeared in the castle with a fainted magician from Winning Sun in her arms.

The whole court had lost its marble.

A survivor of practically a genocide?

Unbelievable!

Only the Wizard King seemed like Winterfest had come earlier for him this year.

The fairest in the land of Zaron, her Royal Highness, Princess Kenny McCormick hadn’t liked Cartman’s look one bit.

It was an open secret how the fatass greedily collected all Magical Wisdom he could get in his fat grabby hands.

All for a way to completely destroy the Elven Kingdom and mostly their King in one devastating hit.

One of the famed female magicians from Winning Sun was what missing from his "collection".   

It sicked Princess Kenny.

The poor girl surely searched for shelter from the Purist of the True Light and ended up here, where Cartman would squeeze her like a lemon for her magical wisdom, till he got tired and practically threw her out of the kingdom.

She couldn’t let this happen.

One because it was terrible and second…she needed the magician for her own plans.

She didn’t claim to be better than Cartman, but her reasons are better!

Kupa Keep belongs truly to her and her sister Karen.

The princess would be damned if she didn’t get the throne back from the fatass. 

Her heeled boots made a clink and clank sound as made her way to the castle infirmary.

Her sister, Princess Karen, was gifted with Healing Powers, the infirmary her realm. She took care of their magician guest.

Kenny visit any day in the hope that she could talk first with the stranger. She needed to have her on her side and not on Cartman’s.

Good thing that the fatass was so lazy to check up on the magician himself. He was so sure that the magician would work for him, share her wisdom in exchange for a safe place, that he didn’t see the danger coming from Kenny herself.

He was always understatement her.

This would be his downfall.

Princess Kenny open the door to the infirmary and stepped quietly in. Karen demanded absolute silence in her infirmary. Loud noises were not good for her healing patients.

“Here for you.”, she heard her sister talk. “I hope you like apples.”

“Can I not have some boar stew? I’m dying over her!”, answered an unknown female voice.

Ah, so their guest finally woke up. Good, this was good.

Karen laughed, while Kenny made her way over to them.

“You are out of danger. Also, boar stew is too much for your stomach right now. You need to eat light things.”

From the magician came grumbling, but Kenny heard how she bit into the crunchy apple.

Finally, she reached the bed where the magician lay. Well, the curtains before it.

“Karen.”, she called sweetly. “I’m hearing right and our guest woke up?”

Three days.

She was three days out of it.

Even when she had learned the higher magic to become the future court magician N.K. never had lost concession for so long.

It really had been a hard trip for her.

When she finally woke up, sweet Princess Karen was there, to help her sit up and gave her a glass of water.

The young Princess was nice and welcoming to her.

As if she was doing this job for years she had checked on N.K. and used her own Healing Magic to help her recover faster.

It was a nice feeling meeting such a pure and good soul after all that had happened.

Also, it was a good sign that the Grand Wizard had taken her in, letting her get healed by Princess Karen.

Maybe she really had a chance to begin her anew.

Currently, she and the princess were discussing what she should eat, Karen won with her apples, as she heard this beautiful voice.

It was hard to tell if it was male or female. Only the silhouette showed a feminine form.

“That’s my sibling Princess Kenny.”, whisper Karen to her before she turned to the one before the curtain. “Kenny, always nice to see you. Did you want to check on N.K.?”

“N.K.? That’s our noble magician’s name?”

The talked-to magician sat upright as Karen open the curtain to let her sister in.

“Novella-Karin.”, she gave her full name. “N.K. was my nickname since I can remember.”

Princess Kenny was a vision! Golden hair in two braids, the most beautiful blue eyes in a pretty face with soft-looking lips. She wore a pretty dress that hugged her in all the right places. But N.K. noted the lack of breasts.

Genderfluid?

Most likely.

Karen had even called her, her sibling not her sister.

“A pretty name for a pretty woman.”, complimented Princess Kenny and N.K. felt a bit shy.

Normal she would have flirted back…but after all that happened in her homeland…N.K. was so unsure about a lot of things now.

Seemed like both the Princesses noted how she clambered up, since they gave her soft smiles.

“It’s all right N.K.”, told Karen, putting a hand on her shoulder. “You are here under friends. Kupa Keep welcomed you with open arms.”

Oh…this was good to hear.

Princess Kenny nodded in agreement.

“We want you to feel safe with us. You can rest and heal in peace here.”

N.K. had to fight her tears. She didn’t deserve such kindness. She was nothing but a coward.

However, she nodded and snuggled back up in her bed.

“Come, Kenny, let’s leave N.K. alone. She still has to require a lot of energy.”

The siblings stepped away from her bed to talk in hushed tones with each other at Karen’s desk.

Maybe she should have listened in, but N.K. was already tired again.

So she fell asleep.

“Kenny what are you planning!”, hissed Karen at her sibling. She loved Kenny, yet she also know that they had their own agenda going on. “N.K. is still too fragile to be part of your plans!”

“I noted that. I will let her be for the moment. But Karen you know as well as I that fatass can not get his hands on her!”

“She is my patient, who survive a genocide and made her way all alone to Zaron. I don’t want her to be part of your plans!”

“Our plans!”

“I’m happy Kenny, when will you understand.”

Her sibling huffed and put their hands on their hips.

“Kupa Keep is ours, Karen. It’s our right to rule. And not Cartman, who only became king, because our parents were so high and stupid to trust the Wicked Witch Liane!”

“Keep it down!”, Karen whisper-shouted and looked worried around. “You know how these walls have ears.”

Kenny signed and nodded.

“Even more reason to end this.”

“You sound like Kevin and you know what happened to him! I can’t lose you too.”

“I promise you, it won’t happen to me.”, promised Kenny taking her hands and squeezing them. “Our brother was as courageous as he was dumb. I will not fight Cartman openly.”

Now it was Karen who signed, taking her hands away from her sibling and sat down on her desk.

“I know, I can’t stop you. But please be careful, for our all sakes.”

Again Kenny promised and made her way out of the infirmary. When Karen sat down at her desk it meant it was time to leave.

On the floor outside the infirmary, she meets Marianne.

“Butters.”, how Kenny hated to call their friend her deadname, but you couldn’t be careful enough in Kupa Keep. “How it’s going?”

“Oh I’m good, your highness. The Wizard King wants to talk to you.”

Shit, what did the fatass want from her?

Marianne stands on the door before the throne room, guarding it alongside Knight Tolkien.

It was unlike someone would manage to bypass the wall, then all the Royal Guards, till finally reaching the throne room, but better be safe than sorry.

The paladin let her eyes wander and remembered again how she missed the old Kupa Keep.

Before Eric became king, the walls were decorated with beautiful portraits of the past rulers, now everyone showed him and only him.

It showed how narcissistic their king was.

Of course she never would it say out loud, but thinking it was safe.

Her thoughts lead her to her beloved Stan.

She wonder what he was doing now.

Stan had talked freely about his duties in the court of Larnion, so Marianne could image that he was currently with his king, maybe helping him decide in how to better the living of the elven kind.

Sometimes she wonder if she really should do it.

Leave all this behind and live with Stan in the Elven Kingdom.

Her love always assured her, that they would take her in with open arms and since he was best friends with the High Elf King no one would give her trouble.

But her parents needed her.

They weren’t the best. She often had cried because of them, yet they were still her parents.

Then Kenny and Karen needed her.

She know about Kenny secret plans to dethrone Eric. Marianne had sworve to help her friend achive this.

Kupa Keep was once the kingdom of Kenny’s and Karen’s family, but the late king and queen had a bad addiction for drugs.

It was so bad that they couldn’t even rule anymore.

Then one day the witch Liane with her young son Eric appaered and promised to help the couple.

Liane told that she was specialty in healing addictions of anykind and for a while all somehad to be gettig bettter.

Till the royal couple died and had appionted Liane as regent, till Kevin, Kenny’s and Karen’s older brother, was of age.

Sadly nothing had gone as it should have gone.

Marianne signs and then lets out a shriek as the door to the throne room opens. Princess Kenny is storming out of it.

Oh hamburgers.

Eric made her angry.

What did he told her?

Not far away from Zaron in the kingdom of Larnion Stan Marshwalker can only look at his king and super best friend Kyle in disbelief.

“You didn’t agree.”, the ranger hoped. “Tell me you didn’t agree!”

The High Elf King just made a face.

So Stan had his answer.

“You are stupid, I hope you realiz that!”

“Hey, I’m doing this for the kingdom! For our people, Stan.”

“Our people will think you lost your marbles.”

Kyle waved this away, sitting down on his throne.

“They will understand.”

“Yeah, that you are been played. Fatass invatation is a trap. Don’t tell me you don’t see it.”

For that Kyle sends him an angry look.

“I know them well that Wizard Fatass will probably try to attack Larnion while we are in Zaron. But Stan if the tiny chance exists we can end this war between our two realms, then I must take it.”

“By going to their Midsummer Festival and being all buddy-buddy with Cartman? Kyle are you out of your mind?!”

“I will not go alone. Don’t worry.”, reassured his king. “I haven’t completely lost it, as you said. I will be taking you and Tammy with me.”

Stan could only deadpan at him.

“Us three, all around us enemy. Yeah, that’s for sure not a trap.”

“Queen Bebe of the Amazons and her second in command Wendy will be there too.”, told Kyle. “Also Queen Henrietta of the Dark Clearing and her three advisories. We will have friends there.”

Okay, this was surprising.

“What is fatass planning to invite all his enemies to his Midsummer Festival?”

“I don’t know, but see how we can’t back down.”

The ranger let out only a sign.

Well, at least he would be seeing his bunny sooner than normal.

N.K. had woken up from her nap and Princess Karen had been so nice to give her a book to read to battle her boredom.

The princess still didn’t see her fit enough to walk around, so she had to stay in bed.

The book she read was interesting.

It talked about a legend as old as all the realms and kingdoms together.

The Stick of Truth.

The most powerful wand ever created.

As a magician, she had studied the mythos of the Stick of Truth, but that the first who wield it had been on Orc was new information to her.

That’s when the door to the infirmary swung open loudly, making her nearly jump out of her bed and Princess Karen sat upright on her desk.

“Excuse me?!”, the young Princess yelled. “This is an absolute silence zone. My patients don’t need to be disturbed by loud rumors.”

“This is how you talk to your king?”, answered her the male who stepped in.

He was a wizard and…well really fat. You couldn’t even call him chubby.

A shiver run down N.K.’s back as the wizard fixed her with his cold dead eyes.

The magic aura around him… was full of malice. This was someone who probably used forbidden magic.

That was not a good sign.

Princess Karen stepped away from her desk and curtsy before the wizard.

“My king I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was you.”, she nearly whimpered.

All right, N.K. already didn’t like this fatass. Anyone who made shake sweet Princess Karen like this was an asshole in her eyes.

“Whatever, bitch.”

Yep, he was on her shit list now.

“I’m here for the other bitch.”

Where was her wand?!

“I’m the Grand Wizard Eric Cartman. I assume right you want to live here?”

He didn’t even let her answer.

“Well, bitch, if that is so, you better start getting well soon and put your magic to good use for the kingdom. Understand? Or I will kick you out. I’m sure the Inquisition is just waiting to get you in their hands.”

The brunette girl had a really strong feeling that it was probably the most stupid idea to come to Zaron!

God fucking dammit!

Next

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empressofthesunwriter

03.07.2023: I should stop making deadlines for my FFs because it really stops my creative flow.

I’m sorry to say it but I won’t be updating this FF once per week and only write for it when I feel like it.

Kinda how I do with my other FFs.

I’m sorry guys, but now I learned that deadline and I really don’t work.

Have a nice day/night!

[zarathehunter]

Entry 9: Concerning Elves

"Dear Me,"

"The kingdom of Arathor was the unification of the human tribes; a great warrior nation that later became Strom. The Men of that place were and are hardy, broad, strong. Dignified and confident, brash and bulwark-ish."

"The kingdom of Quel'thalas was and is decorated with the most beautiful elven people; their great spires and floating citadels inhabited by those of fair skin and hair, long-lived and magically-inclined. Proud, arrogant even, and timelessly designed."

"The average half-elf is an odd, short individual, more like a Man than an Elf, struggling to bear even a fragment of his heritage's wizardry and losing the raw strength and spirit of their young-lived side. Cursed are they, to live longer but not long enough, seeing those of Men die as they age, but dying before the Elves they may call friends."

"Who are you, Zara? Bastard son. You have no last name you know of; your father hides away in the Grizzly Hills, forgetting his own blood and fawning over the children of the druid he brought with him to that deep forest. Who is your mother? She, too, lacks a last name."

"What legacy do you carry? Who could you possibly be? Brother, they say. Cousin. Friend. Lover. The words of the kaldorei and the few quel'dorei that stomach you, a poignant reminder that you were never, and will never be truly related to them, too impure and muddled. You walk amongst their ruins, more alike those fallen stones than the standing spires."

"What was it, Eneoke had said? A damning mark. An icon of a dying empire. You are a dead empire. An essence…there is an idea of Zara, some kind of abstraction, but there is no real me, only an entity, something illusory, and though I can hide my lost gaze and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable: I simply am not there."

"Arathi and Quel'dorei. Man and Elf. You've seen neither homeland beyond the surface; have made no home for yourself. You are a living icon of the greatest nations, and how they fell to ruin."

"...and these are the things I can never say. Will never say. This is my burden to bear, and mine alone. Tiphaela and Maeshkin meant no harm; rather the opposite. They may not know what it is to be...apart. I will shoulder this, and carry on the way I always have. I do not know who I am. I do not know who I wish to be. All that makes sense is the bow in my hand, and the arrow that takes down the greatest of beasts."

"So small, am I. Surrounded, it seems, by great, mighty elves, along with dragons and the legacy they lead. From Loreth'aran to Seradane, from Eneoke to Feyahni...Snowy to...well, wherever Snowy goes along, I suppose. What legacy shall be mine? Shall I walk through Val'sharah below the tutelage of the Rider? Do I hide away in the Hinterlands forever? Shall I continue to chase the beast, the ephemeral ghost of trophy? Or do I pad along after the mighty, hoping for a crumb off of the table of greatness?"

"Gods, do I wish to run screaming into the woods and never return, some days. This smile is awfully heavy to hold. But Zara, why? Why is it so? Look around you, look what you have. Put these thoughts out of your head, at least until night falls again and they join you under the covers in silence. You're too young to struggle so; think of those kaldorei that welcome you the way they do, all they've seen. They carry on? Can't you? Can't you? CAN'T YOU?" *Here there are some nonsensical scribbles that aren't really legible.* "Alright, I'm done. Tomorrow's a new day, and I believe there's some worgs in the woods that would fetch a pretty coin for the hides."

"Smile, half-elf. You've got a stupidly long life ahead of you."