#tolkien ekphrasis week

[leucisticpuffin]

Sometimes you read a fic and are overcome by the desire to paint it. This is for @sallysavestheday's Exodos: Maglor, losing himself in a last dance.

[meadowlarkx]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[eilinelsghost]

And Joined Them Thread by Thread

Written for @tolkienekphrasisweek Day 5 Rating: G; Word count: 474 Also on AO3

His hands were gentle.

Lithe and swift, his fingers darted between the warp threads like dragonflies flitting over the stream beside them. He moved the weft into place, ran a comb along the edge with quick flicks of his wrist, secured it.

The growing cloth wound about the beam, bright as fire, each thread seeming to dance among its fellows like leaves in an autumn breeze. I will give thee Ennor as I might, he had murmured three months past when they sat upon the cliff tops, thoughts lost in the roaring surf beneath them. I will raise her from the waters. I will bind her in cloth and wrap her memory about thy shoulders.

And so through the following weeks, she had watched him crush the woad and madder, steep the fibers and string them out in the sun to dry, wind them gently about the shuttles and bind them to the weights.

He sang while he worked, his fingers threading the leashes swifter than sight, and the strange melodies of the Avari filled the room. Low, half-warbled chants that pulsed with mourning, or swift trills like the blackbird’s joy, the leaves and grass-blades dancing in time outside the open walls.

His was a peaceful intensity, focused and serene, quiet. How different he was to Ingo! Ingo, who had been all light and laughter, burning bright in his zeal.

Gondil was laughter as well, of course, but his was a gentle rain or a rush of wind through leaves, and it kindled her heart with inexplicable fire. Had it been he who asked, Amarië realized as the cloth passed its mid-point, she would have left Aman without a moment’s hesitation—to walk the ancient forests and hear his song weave among the boughs as these threads he bound before her. She had felt the flush rise at the realization, bright as madder dye along her neck, her ears, her cheeks, her pulse pounding in time with his song.

It rose again when he passed the weft in its final line, when he secured the threads, cut warp from weights and gently unrolled the cloth. The fabric swayed in and with the breeze, shifting within its own design in ways that defied her comprehension—the movement of a forest canopy, all reds and fire-oranges, touches of woad where it might be the sky slipping through autumn gold.

Her breath came fast now as he closed the steps between them and draped its fire in folds about her shoulders.

And then, wordlessly, he took her in his arms, and he shivered as she pressed her lips to his, as she reached up to thread her fingers through his hair and draw him down beside her upon Ennor’s autumn amid the grass. As she whispered acquiescence and wove their souls together beneath the sun’s last light.

[starspray]

Echo of the Music

Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian

Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol

Genre: Ficlet, Fluff, Het

Rating: General

Summary: Yet this newest tapestry was different. Elu saw that immediately upon walking into the room. Melian’s hands moved swiftly across the the tapestry, woven in brilliant colors and shapes, picking out new details and marvelous things in clever embroidery, her silver needles flashing in the lamplight.

Written for Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2023 for the prompt: In-Universe Religious/Devotional Art

[fanwork-exchange-promos]

Tolkien: Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2024

Posted by: chestnut_pod Link: tolkienekphrasisweek | tolkienekphrasisweek Description: Ekphrasis is the artistic description or interpretation of a piece of art in a different artistic medium. Tolkien Ekphrasis Week is a fest celebrating the arts and material culture of JRR Tolkien's fictional worlds! All prompts are currently available on the DW community and Tumblr blog, and cover seven specific modes of art (plus a free-for-all and amnesty day). All experience levels, fictional Tolkien fandoms, and languages are welcome. Almost every kind of fanwork, from fic to podfic to crochet to choreographic notation, is accepted: see the comm for a comprehensive list! Check the comm for full guidelines. Dates: March 16 - June 9: Create! Submission deadline: June 9, 5 PM PST, to the AO3 Collection Reveals: June 10 - AO3 collection reveals begin with Day 1 Prompt (Ceramics and Glasswork) June 11 - Day 2 Prompt (Culinary Arts) June 12 - Day 3 Prompt (In-Universe Religious and Devotional Art) June 13 - Day 4 Prompt (Sculpture) June 14 - Day 5 Prompt (Textiles and Fashion) June 15 - Day 6 Prompt (Theater and Drama) June 16 - Day 7 Prompt (Woodworking and Carpentry) June 17 - Amnesty Day and Free-for-all posting comments via The Fandom Calendar https://ift.tt/eYc83XM

[sallysavestheday]

Friday Favorites (14 June 2024)

Some great finds in the @russingon-week and @tolkienekphrasisweek events this week! Here are a few of my favorites.

Sand Sorcery (G: 300 words) by @starspray. A rare and delightful Roverandom fanfic.

Each Thread of Him (G: 400 words) by LadyBrooke. Returned Miriel wants her work destroyed.

Body and Spirit (G: 1,500 words) by @meadowlarkx. Gorgeous exploration of food rituals related to Elven childbearing.

the care and feeding of an elven high king (T: 1,200 words) by @swanmaids. Turgon's chef tries to help manage his disordered eating.

Love is a growing up (T: 4,000 words) by Thinwhiteduchess. Maitimo tries to balance his love for his father with his love for Findekano.

we could be kings (T: 1,600 words) by @queerofthedagger. Maedhros and Fingon, crowns and coronations.

blue-bird, flying jay, yellow canary (T: 12K, WIP) by @welcomingdisaster. Returned Fingon and Maedhros acquire a child, of sorts.

The Tolkien Ekphrasis Week collection on AO3 is here. The Russingon Week collection is here. Both events run through Sunday, so there will be more goodies to come. Browse for delights!

Previous recommendations of many sizes and flavors can always be found at my friday favorites tags.

Enjoy!

[arofili]

Tolkien Fandom Event Calendar

Recently I’ve received some asks about events/weeks in the Tolkien fandom, so I thought I’d compile a list of those that I know about. This is not exhaustive, and dates are subject to change by the organizers of these events!

Other blogs you can check out are @tolkieneventsblog and @tolkienfandomevents, though I’m not sure how active those are. The @silmarillionwritersguild Discord also has a channel dedicated to signal boosts for all sorts of Tolkien-related & general fandom happenings, which is another excellent way to keep up with fandom goings-on.

Want to run your own event? Here’s some of my tips!

If your event is not on here and you’d like it to be, let me know and I can add it :) Note: I will only add events that have announced dates!

~

JANUARY Screw Yule My Slashy Valentine @myslashyvalentine — work time Lord of the Rings Secret Santa @lotr-sesa — reveals Thorin’s Spring Forge @thorinsspringforge — signups Second Age Week @secondageweek

FEBRUARY Hidden Paths My Slashy Valentine — reveals Thorin’s Spring Forge — claims Maedhros and Maglor Week @maedhrosmaglorweek

MARCH Back to Middle-earth Month @spring-into-arda Thorin’s Spring Forge — work time Fëanorian Week Fun with Fanon Fest Round 1 @funwithfanon

APRIL Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang @tolkienrsb — signups Silm Remix @tolkienremix — signups & assignments Thorin’s Spring Forge — reveals  Aralas Week @aralas-week Barduil Month @bi-widower-dads All of Arda is Autistic @all-of-arda-is-autistic F3: Focus on Friendship & Family, Phase I @spring-into-arda

MAY Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang — claims Silm Remix — reveals Aspec Arda Week @aspecardaweek Angbang Week @angbangweek Gondolin Week @gondolinweek F3: Focus on Friendship & Family, Phase II

JUNE Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang — work time Scribbles and Drabbles @fall-for-tolkien — signups Tolkien Ekphrasis Week @tolkienekphrasisweek F3: Focus on Friendship & Family, Phase III

JULY Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang — work time Scribbles and Drabbles — claims Tolkien Gen Week @tolkiengenweek LotR Ladies Week @lotrladiessource Tolkien Appreciation Week @tolkienweek Tolkien Latin American & Caribbean Week @tolkienlatamandcaribbeanweek

AUGUST Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang — deadlines Scribbles and Drabbles — art reveals Innumerable Stars Exchange @innumerable-stars — nominations & signups Tolkien of Colour Week @tolkienofcolourweek Silvergifting Week @silvergiftingweek Tolkien OC Week @tolkienocweek

SEPTEMBER Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang — reveals Scribbles and Drabbles — work time Innumerable Stars Exchange — signups & assignments Sindar Week @sindarweek Dor Cúarthol Week @dorcuartholweek Finwëan Ladies Week @finweanladiesweek

OCTOBER Innumerable Stars Exchange — reveals Scribbles and Drabbles — work time Half-elven Week @halfelvenweek

NOVEMBER Tolkien Secret Santa @officialtolkiensecretsanta — signups & assignments Scribbles and Drabbles — fic reveals Nolofinwean Week @nolofinweanweek

DECEMBER Tolkien Secret Santa — advent calendar & reveals My Slashy Valentine @myslashyvalentine — signups & assignments Lord of the Rings Secret Santa — claims Khazad Week @khazadweek

MONTHLY EVENTS: These events have prompts/challenges occurring every month. Teitho Contest Tolkien Short Fanworks Silmarillion Writers’ Guild @silmarillionwritersguild

(this list was last updated 5/4/23)

LEGACY EVENTS: These events used to occur, but have not happened within the last year. Arda Needs More Pride @ardaneedsmorepride (bimonthly; last run 2020) Kiliel Week @kilielweek (timing variable; last run 2021) @oneringnet monthly events (last run 2021) Atani Week @ataniweek (January; last run 2021) Legendarium Ladies April @legendariumladiesapril (April; last run 2020) Gates of Summer Exchange @gatesofsummerexchange (May-June, last run 2022) Tolkien South Asian Week, run by @arwenindomiel (June; last run 2022) Arafinwëan Week @arafinweanweek (July; last run 2019) Fëanturi Week (August; last run 2019; no official blog and the creator has deactivated) Imladrim Week @imladrimweek (November; last run 2019) Doriath Week @doriathweek (November; last run 2020) Tolkien Family Week @tolkienfamilyweek (November; last run 2021)

[searchingforserendipity25]

Self Fic Rec

Thank you so much to @sallysavestheday, @swanmaids, @thelordofgifs, @melestasflight for tagging me, and for sharing their lists - lots of excelling fics to read and reread <33

I am taking this opportunity to share some recent fics I've written for exchanges and events on ao3 and haven't posted on tumblr yet!

If All Kings Be As Kin, for the wonderful @thalion71, with @melestasflight wonderful betaing

It might have all been more tolerable, the newness of the flesh and the estrangement of the spirit, if Gil-Galad were in love with the world around him; but Gil-Galad was not in love with Valinor.

Fin-Galad comes back to life, dances a great deal, and faces one of his predecessors. Fingon, for his part, has questions of his own.

After Ruin, a Hurt/Comfort Exchange treat for @jaz-the-bard.

Mandos was kin to Morgoth: well knew Maeglin that no escape would avail him. But it was not escape that he sought.

Maeglin attempts self-destruction in the Halls of Mandos; Turgon seeks a confrontation. The ghost of fallen Gondolin is there, too.

Formal Noldorin Poetic Formats And Unusual Adaptations

Correspondence on collaboration for an unpublished draft of an instrumental song cycle, developed between two princes of the House of Finwë.

Maglor and Finrod exchanging letters, teasing and avant-garde musical theory in the Years of the Trees. For Tolkien Ekphrasis Week.

Glasshouses

It had been - an understanding, an understood thing, in Gondolin.

A study on Turgon/Glorfindel not-quite unrequited love over the centuries. I am quite proud of the writing on this one. For the Spring Into Arda event.

Battlefields

It was not meet for a king to be weak, even before his healers and lieutenants. But it had been a long time since Gil-Galad had had a cousin bold and true enough to cut a swathe through the enemy and come, kneeling, back unguarded, to press his hands against his injury.  

Gil-Galad is wounded in battle. Elrond and Elros have opinions on the care and keeping of kings. A small fic about trust, also for @thalion71.

I'm not sure who's received this tag before, so tagging all mentioned and @mayfriend, @welcomingdisaster, @jouissants, @thescrapwitch, @eilinelsghost, @slightnettles, @actual-bill-potts, @emyn-arnens, @theworldisquietheretooquiet, @vidumavi, @that-angry-noldo, @meadowlarkx, @polutrope and @ettelene.

[hhimring]

My three Tolkien Ekphrasis contributions

These are now uploaded to the SWG Archive (titles linked below).

Tolkien Ekphrasis Week Day 2 (Lutherie and Instrument-Making):

Strings

Stringed instruments require stringing. Maglor has used many sets of strings.

Tolkien Ekphrasis Week Day 3 (Dance):

End of a Reign Unrecorded

The usurper Tar-Anducal has closed the theatre in Armenelos that his deceased wife, Tar-Vanimelde, so loved. The group of dancers that conspired with her against his usurpation have been touring everywhere except in the capital, hoping not to draw his notice. Are their fortunes about to change?

Tolkien Ekphrasis Week Day 4 (Gardening and Landscape Architecture):

The Insult

A Noldorin academic may express her opinions quite forcefully, sometimes. Tatiel already had a bit of a reputation, even before the Darkening, and she is not cowed.

(All of these rated Teens.)

[ao3feed-tolkien]

The Last War Council at Tol Sirion and the Death of Love

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/PMJgaCG

by ajf

Finrod and Fingolfin, an Age after their deaths, look back on their assorted triumphs and tragedies, compare cairn locations, mourn the kingdoms of Men they raised up in Beleriand, and conspire around a novelty cake.

~~

“I came to terms with my own betrayal a while ago,” said Finrod. “If you’re correct, it was only the minor refrain of a long-running and very disappointing theme.”

“I don’t mean to open old wounds,” said Ñolofinwë. “Although I suppose we’ve been doing little else since I sat down in this chair. It’s a very comfortable chair, at least.”

Words: 7724, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: Gen

Characters: Finrod Felagund | Findaráto, Fingolfin | Ñolofinwë, Indis (Tolkien)

Relationships: Fingolfin | Ñolofinwë & Finrod Felagund | Findaráto

Additional Tags: Angst, Númenor, Third Kinslaying (Tolkien), Halls of Mandos, Mouths of Sirion, Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2023 Amnesty, House of Hador

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/PMJgaCG

[meadowlarkx]

this christmas my grandma was looking at my new craft project and said she'd liked the embroidery i'd showed her with the birch trees this summer (the one for tolkien ekphrasis week), which was nice. Then she told me "but birch trees shed yellow leaves." she killed me in one shot

[starspray]

Maker's Mark

Summary: Beleg teaches Daeron to make his own instrument. Later, Daeron makes is own improvements.

Written for Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2023

Major Characters: Beleg, Daeron

Genre: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff, General

Rating: General

[elennalore]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Celebrimbor | Telperinquar/Sauron | Mairon Characters: Celebrimbor | Telperinquar Additional Tags: TEW Day 6, Post-Canon, Dragons, Ceramics, Gift Giving, Memories, Second Chances, Prose Poem, Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2022 Series: Part 5 of Second Chances Summary:

It is a gift from his husband, but Celebrimbor knows it is better to keep it out of sight.

[sallysavestheday]

Dear sally, your Tolkien Ekphrasis Week pieces are obliterating me. I am glad to be thus obliterated. For the 100th time, you are a master wordsmith!

Now, I'd love to have Finrod's (grandma's) strudel recipe from In Firing, We Are Cured, if you please

Thank you very much, friend! I had so much fun with the little series I put together for Tolkien Ekphrasis Week -- I wrote all seven of those ficlets way back in March and April, in eager anticipation. Such great prompts, and so much fun thinking through genfic and worldbuilding.

I'm very glad you enjoyed my baking Finrod. Pulling strudel dough promotes emotional balance, lol. Here's the recipe.

For the dough:

1/3 cup lukewarm water

1 tablespoon + ½ teaspoon vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Pinch of salt

1 cup and a bit more (about 1-2 Tbsp) flour

For the filling:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp fine, dry bread crumbs

2 lbs sweet-tart apples

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

5-6 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

4 tablespoons raisins (or dried, sweetened cranberries)

Make the filling:

Melt butter in a pan, add the breadcrumbs and stir them until they are toasted to golden. Remove from the heat, transfer to a bowl and let cool.

Soak the raisins in lukewarm apple juice or orange juice or water for about 10 minutes to soften them.

Toast the walnuts briefly in a warm pan with no oil. Remove to bowl and set aside to cool.

Mix sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.

Peel the apples, quarter and core them. Chop every quarter into 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick slices. In between cutting, drizzle the slices with lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning. Set aside.

Make the dough:

Mix water, oil, lemon juice, and salt.

Stir in about half of the flour. Stir batter for about 1 minute then add the remaining flour, less one Tbsp for flouring the table later.

Knead the dough until smooth (for about 10 minutes), adding a small amount of flour if it is too sticky. Pound the dough on the counter a few times to help develop the gluten (and relieve stress, Finrod!).

Shape the dough into a smooth ball. Add 1/2 teaspoon of oil to a small bowl and turn the dough around to coat it.

Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it sit for 1 hour at room temperature.

Lightly flour a counter and roll out the dough with a rolling pin.

At about 1 foot in diameter, pick it up and use the back of your hands to stretch it while turning it around. Knuckles work great for this (take off your sparkly rings first, Finrod!).

When the dough gets difficult to handle, put it down flat on a lightly floured clean tablecloth and continue stretching it using your hands. Stretch it from the inside to the outside, working your way around until it starts to look translucent (literally so thin that you can read through it, but don't get ink on your dough, Finrod!).

Work the dough into a rectangle to fit a baking sheet with about an inch of overlap.

Preheat oven to 375F.

Add your filling to half the dough. Brush the other half with melted butter.

Fold the sides of the dough over the filling to prevent oozing. Using the tablecloth to lever and press, roll the dough, starting at the end with the filling. Roll the strudel onto a sheet of parchment paper (seam side down).

Transfer the dough to a baking sheet and brush with melted butter.

Put the baking sheet in the center of the preheated oven and bake it for about 30 minutes, until the crust is golden.

Cool slightly, slice, sprinkle with confectioner's sugar and enjoy (sharing with friends and family is optional but encouraged, Finrod!). Ice cream on the side...?

Enjoy!

[searchingforserendipity25]

fic stat game

    Rules: Give us the links to your fic with the most hits, second most kudos, third most comments, fourth most bookmarks, fifth most words, and fic with the least words.

I will be cheating outrageously by keeping it to this year’s fics, because otherwise I don't think any of them would be Tolkien fics, and it was my beloved Tolkien mutual @slightnettles who tagged me!

Most hits: The Straying, a short rewrite of the Red Riding Hood fairytale I am actually quite happy with (For Tolkien fics, tho, it was Wondrously Wrought.)

Second most kudos: A Careful Application of the Extraordinary. The Goblin Emperor, Cala-focused, cute magical acts of service. (For the Silm, it was Battlefields, a very short Gil-Galad, Elros and Elrond relationship study

Third most comments: Whispered Tales, for general 2023 fic and Silm Fics too; it's a collection of those Six Sentence Challenge ficlets.

Fourth most bookmarks: Towards the next field (my favourite baby). -For Silm-based stats, This Living Earth (also a favourite).

Fifth most words: Singing Sweet Songs as They Went (The Harper Remix)

Least words: Small Comforts. Avatar the Last Airbender, six drabbles for Iroh, Zuko, and tea/ Where the Nightingales Nest, a Daron-focused drabble for Tolkien Ekphrasis Week.

Tagging, with zero pressure: @mayfriend, @meadowlarkx, @polutrope, @that-angry-noldo, @outofangband, @samarqqand, @welcomingdisaster, @thelordofgifs, @eilinelsghost, @melestasflight, @actual-bill-potts, @anerea-lantiria, @outpastthemoat

[hhimring]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien, TOLKIEN J. R. R. - Works & Related Fandoms Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Daeron (Tolkien), Kine of Araw Additional Tags: TEW DAY 5, Music, dance, POV Alternating, POV Original Character, Inspired by Poetry Summary:

An encounter far in the East. One of the Kine of Araw responds to Daeron's music.