weariedwight

[weariedwight]

With a click of her tongue, Faegalad led the bridled palomino out of the stables - passing by the other without so much as a spare glance, although could not keep the crooked smile from slowly appearing. She had a feeling as to why they were there, and while a part of her was tempted to keep going unless they said something, she came to a stop. Giving a brief tug on the reins to stop her horse, although he tossed his head impatiently in response.

“Contrary to what you may be thinking,” she said at last, “my cousin does know I am heading out because he has given me permission to do so.” Her smile widened - a bright glint in her gaze as she tilted her head, and she gently stroked the side of the stallion’s neck. “Despite popular belief, I do not skirt my duties. So–”

She turned, and quickly mounted her horse - pulling back on the reins as he shifted and tossed his head again with a snort. Eager to get moving. “If you have something you wish to discuss, you can either say it now or join me. Otherwise, you can wait for my return.”

[weariedwight]

@thenexusofsouls - continued from here

Faegalad could not fault his defensiveness, even as exasperating as it was. They were strangers and he was injured - it was that simple. She would act similarly in his spot, she knew, and she held firm to her patience and persistence in the hope he would change his mind. He was a stranger, but he was an elf, even if one she didn't recognize, and she was not about to walk away from one of her kind so easily.

"Aye, if I wanted to kill you, I would have done so," she responded calmly, and kept her hands clasped together in her lap as she waited. Her head tilted slightly as she studied him, though her gaze returned to his side, and her brow furrowed. Eru, the weapons and violence of men never failed to fill her with disgust and sorrow. He would live, if he got treatment, but if he continued to refuse...

Relief glittered in his gaze at his indirect apology, and Faegalad simply offered a knowing smile. "There is nothing to forgive. I do not blame you for your distrust." Gingerly, she began to examine his injury, and her brow furrowed once more. The bullet was still lodged in his flesh, and to remove it was a difficult task, and not something she could do there. Would he even consider going with her? It had been difficult enough to get this close. I am not used to kind treatment. Did he not have anyone he trusted that she could fetch to help him instead?

She fell silent again as she mulled over what to say, and acknowledged his awkward appreciation with a gentle hum. Instead of responding, she gently rested a hand against the wound, and drew in a slow breath as she focused her magic to give him some comfort. Although she could not take away his pain completely, not with the bullet still lodged within, she could offer some relief from it, and from the pressure she would need to place to stop the bleeding.

"I am not one to turn my back on those injured," she said at last - her voice soft. She flicked her gaze back up to him briefly before she looked back to his wound, and used her free hand to open the pouch tied to her belt. "Let alone another elf. However, I fear there is only so much I can do now. Would you be willing to come with me? Or is there somewhere I can take you? I need my supplies to be able to remove the bullet, otherwise I cannot fully heal your wound."

[weariedwight]

{What does your soul look like?}

an ancient tree with gnarled branches You are the old soul. You are a being full of quiet wisdom, but it did not come without earning it. Experience has weathered you quickly, yet you remain strong through it all. You are a bastion to those who need the support of a calm and resolute mind. The histories of the world are etched beneath your thick skin, and you hold dearly to things that others would quickly forget. You collect things within your branches, you give home to those left without, and you bear the weight of it all. But through all you have been through, you have not yet learned how to let go. You refuse to relinquish what you cherish so dearly and weep for every precious thing that falls from your branches. You must be careful, or else the past you cling to might destroy a brighter future.

tagged by: @ofthevanyar tagging: anyone!!

[weariedwight]

@thenexusofsouls - continued from here

The first thing Faegalad took note of was this stranger's skin. It was hard not to, with how vibrant it was, and that none of the races of Middle-earth were blue. The only races she knew with unusual skin coloration were that of orcs and the uruk-hai, but even then, their skin often appeared mottled, and reminded her of rot. No, this stranger was not from a race she recognized, but, then again, how long had it been since she had traveled through Middle-earth? It had been three decades since the majority of her people had sailed, and while that was no more than a blink of time for herself, she knew how much could change in such short a time.

And she knew Middle-earth was rather small. Perhaps she had come from the east, or perhaps there was more north or south of Middle-earth than she had ever thought possible. Was this stranger a Maia, by chance? She would need to be particularly cautious, if that were the case. Not all were like Gandalf, after all.

She was content to let the stranger speak, despite her questions, but even that did little to help. Planet? Gravitational wormhole? Confusion swept through Faegalad as she blinked at the stranger, but remained quiet. Leviathan she understood, as she had seen great beasts before be used as a means of transport, though it remained to be seen just what sort of animal Moya was. Though--

Different worlds?

The more the stranger spoke, the more baffled Faegalad became. How was it possible for this stranger to just... suddenly appear without knowledge of where she was? It made sense she had not heard of Ost-in-Rínas, though not to know her race? To know even the general area she was in?

Tenth level Delvian Pa'u? Never before had she heard of such a title or station, and even Zhaan's bow was one Faegalad did not recognize. Had her isolation removed her that much from Middle-earth's changes? Yet, despite her bemusement, she was still mindful of how she presented herself - ever the dignified lady she was. She bowed her head in response with a hand over her heart, and offered a smooth sweep of her arm out in greeting. "Mae govannen, mellon nin," she said. Well met, my friend, just to see if Zhaan understood Sindarin. A friendly test, in a way, if just to soothe her own curiosity. "I am Lady Faegalad, the once ruler of this once proud city. You are in Ost-in-Rínas, in Eregion. 'Twas once a great Elven kingdom, you know."

It was no brag, despite how her words could come across. Faegalad stated it as a fact, as she figured something in her words would resonate with Zhaan and she would recognize where she was. But that was only part of what she had asked, was it not? "I am an Elf, and I have met many races throughout my life, though I fear I do not recognize yours, nor your title." Her head canted. "You speak of many things I do not know, I admit."

[weariedwight]

@mythuses

Was this how it was going to end? The Ring-bearer did her best to keep herself distracted from her fears as she raced through the forest. The orcs were some distance behind, but she knew they were still following her. They would catch her, one way or another, and she would be lucky if they killed her instead of offering her alive to the Dark Lord. And then he'd have two Rings of Power in his grasp, she thought before she could stop herself, and heaved herself over the trunk of a fallen tree. He'll find the third one, and you will have failed.

She staggered as she hit the ground, but forced herself to keep running. She couldn't let herself think about failure - not when the cost was too great. Her cousin was depending on her. Her people were depending on her. All of the free races depended on her--

The treeline stopped ahead, and she ran through before she skidded to a stop. Her chest heaved as she fought for breath, and stared at the river now before her. Oh, Eru, could she cross it? She knew how to swim, but how deep was it? What if there were currents she couldn't see on the surface? Was this it? Was this her end?

With a sharp breath, the Ring-bearer braced herself to dive in and risk it, when she caught sight of a beautiful black mare walking toward her. She froze and stared at the animal in surprise - her panicked mind struggling to make sense of something so mundane. What was a horse doing all the way out here? Was she lost from her herd? Was there someone else nearby? No, the poor thing looked as though she were starving. The forest had fallen silent with the orcs, but this mare seemed unfazed. And unafraid of her, she realized with a spark of hope. If she could get the horse to trust her, maybe she could ride--

Her heart stopped as the mare got closer. There was kelp in her mane and tail.

The Ring-bearer remembered a story her cousin had told her, of creatures created by Melkor and Ossë, that lured their victims to the waters to devour them. Almost all had been destroyed, he told her, but not all. Stay alert. Be careful of the water.

Her mind spun. The orcs were behind her - they would catch up to her, she knew, if she did not make a decision now. It was a risk to go into the river, for if the kelpie gave chase, she would surely die. Her heart pounded, and was that orcs she heard, or her own blood in her ears? Which was a worse fate?

What would become of the rings?

The thought sent a fresh jolt of panic through her, and she quickly made up her mind. "{Please}," the Ring-bearer rushed, but did kelpies understand Sindarin? Did they understand Exilic Quenya? Westron? None of them? There was no time to figure it out. She'd try them all if she had to. Khuzdul, even, if it came to it. "I know what you are, kelpie-" would that make her mad? "-but, please, I beg for your assistance across the river. I--" What could she offer? She had--

"I have some dried meat left," she said, nearly stumbling on her words as she tried to make sense of her own jumbled thoughts and the panic urging her to just go. "You can have it. You can have whatever food I have left, but I must escape the orcs. Please, this--" She couldn't tell this creature what she carried. Eru, what if the kelpie was one of Sauron's agents? Don't think about that! "Name your price, but I must get across the river!"

@weariedwight liked for a starter!

It was not often that she dared to leave the safety of the river, or even attempt to hunt beyond the fish and turtles that occupied her watery home. To hunt prey like elves or humans was dangerous for fear of retaliation and any attempt to go after orcs could be reported to the Dark Lord. Both would mean a long trek on little energy to find a new river or pond to reside. But with little fish to hunt, she was forced to the surface to attempt a hunt.

She stood beside the river, a gleaming black horse with a star upon her head and three white socks. Closer, one would notice that her skin was pulled tightly over her ribs, suggesting the mare was lost or abandoned. Kelp was tangled within her mane and tail, giving away was she truly is to anyone observant enough to notice.

When an elf approached, she knickered and trotted a few steps towards her to offer her a ride.

[weariedwight]

Autumn river

[weariedwight]

Deep breaths. Slowly in, slowly out.

Faegalad repeated those words like a mantra in her head as she stood hunched over the balustrade. Her head bowed low - her shoulders drawn taut and in toward her chest. Her red hair was pulled back and wasn't halfway through a braid where it was clear she had stopped working on it. What hair was braided was loose and coming undone, though she made no attempt to fix it.

Her hands gripped the balustrade tight enough her knuckles had turned white, and her breaths came out short and shallow even as she tried to focus. Even as she tried to control her breathing to settle the pain biting beneath her skin - tearing at her flesh like the day she’d been whipped. Tears pricked her eyes as it only worsened, but she refused to let them fall. The pain, as horrid as it was, was temporary, she knew, and she refused to let it get to her. Even despite being unable to move in fear of making it worse. Despite being unable to focus herself enough to use what healing magic she knew to make it better.

Her only saving grace was that it was late, and she was alone, because Eru knew the horror she would feel to be seen in such a state.

[weariedwight]

{making you the patron saint of something}

patron saint of relics patron saint of remembering. patron saint of holding something close. patron saint of holding on for too long. for a saint, a relic is often a part of the body, kept for some physical memento of their holiness. they are all in your hands, now: does it feel like remembrance? does it feel sanctified? are the dust and blood as precious as they're supposed to be?

tagged by: n/a tagging: anyone!!

[weariedwight]

((tag drop 2

[weariedwight]

After sailing to Valinor in FO 56, Faegalad would later participate in the Dagor Dagorath - the Final Battle. She fought fiercely and refused to accept that the end was inevitable, but her stubborn hope could not change the course of what had long been prophesied. It was the use of a new weapon that gave Melkor the upper hand, and one that would change everything Faegalad knew. One moment, she was in battle - watching the fall of Arda. Then… she awoke in a time not her own. Arda had been recreated as was foretold, and all that remained of what she knew were a few ruins of realms she had once frequented, and the Red Book of Westmarch that was heavily believed to be fictitious. She would find refuge with the Avengers, and struggled to adapt to a world that was no longer her own - struggled with the idea that… she could no longer return home. That everything she knew and everyone she loved was now lost to time.

the weapon Melkor used was the Time Stone, and using it threw Faegalad into modern-day. Her arrival caught the attention of the Avengers, and she lives with them at the compound

Faegalad will be shy of 11000 years old in this verse

[weariedwight]

verses

v; when something wild calls you home - any threads during SA 1582 to SA 1693

v; run boy run and disappear in the trees - any threads during SA 1694 to SA 1700 with Faegalad as the Ring-bearer

v; i will carry all your names and i will carry all your shame - any threads during SA 1700 to SA 3441

v; though the storms will push and pull - any threads during TA 1 and TA 3001

v; it started out as a feeling which then grew into a hope - any threads during the events of lotr (TA 3001 to TA 3019)

v; remember the sight of the ghost on the shore - any threads during FO 1 to FO 56

v; the ships have come to carry you home - any threads taking place around when Faegalad sails (FO 56) and/or threads in Valinor

auv; oh how far you are from home - any threads dealing with crossovers or exploring other aus in universe

can include the idea that Tolkien found the Red Book of Westmarch and translated it to be published

Faegalad could be reembodied and sent to whichever universe the crossover is a part of, so she has an idea of how she got there but doesn’t understand the world she’s now in - specifically for crossovers that are outside the lotr universe

can include the Dagor Dagorath - the war that ended Arda before it was recreated, leaving behind a few ruins and the Red Book as the only reminders of a time now lost

auv; legends never die they become a part of you - mcu specific crossover verse. Details can be found here.

auv; 'cause all my life is wrapped up in today no past or future here - private FFXII/Tolkien/MCU crossover au with @tarnishedxknight

[weariedwight]

((quick thing before I head to bed: I might edit Fae's background to include info from the hobbit and wotr, but if I do, the former will be her involvement with Dol Guldur, and the latter will be a very brief mention with her possibly meeting Héra and Olwyn during their travels

[weariedwight]

background

cw/tw for: war, death, murder, wartime imprisonment, torture

Year of the Trees

Year 1450 > Fëanor completes the Silmarils.

Year 1495 > Melkor steals the Silmarils. > Fëanor and his sons swear an oath to retrieve the Silmarils no matter the cost, and head out to leave Valinor. With them joins Alcarin, who is both Fëanor’s apprentice and brother-in-law. > The First Kinslaying occurs, and the Noldorin steal the swanships from their fallen kin to sail to Arda.

First Age

Year 1 > Alcarin and his party are ambushed by Orcs, and his party is slaughtered. Alcarin survives, but is severely wounded and taken by the Orcs. > A few days later, Alcarin is rescued by a small band of Silvan Elves, although he is fading in and out of consciousness. The band’s healer, Ellother, begins to treat him, and gives him the epessë Brenior while he is unable to give his name. > A week later, Alcarin comes to.

Year 2 > Alcarin, now going by Brenior, fully recovers and remains with the Silvan Elves - finding peace in their nomadic life compared to the constant, war-ready temperaments of the Fëanorians, and is reluctant to leave. While with them, he falls for Ellother, which only furthers his reluctance. > Although Ellother returns Brenior’s affections, he leaves the Silvan Elves nearly a year after recovering to return to the Fëanorians.

Year 3 > Brenior returns to the Fëanorians, and decides to keep his epessë as his name, instead of going back to Alcarin.

Year 506 > The Fëanorians raid the kingdom of Doriath for a Silmaril, marking the Second Kinslaying. However, at the start of the raid, Brenior attempts to stop it by drawing his sword on Curufin, and blocking his strike from felling another Elf. Brenior pleads with him to call it off, but Curufin, in his rage, ignores his pleas and attacks him - striking him across the face - and calls for his exile. Brenior flees Doriath in fear for his life. > Curufin, Celegorm, and Caranthir are killed, as well as King Dior. Any survivors of the Kinslaying escape to the Havens of Sirion with the Silmaril.

Year 507 > (early February) Brenior comes across Ellother and the other Silvan Elves once again, and they welcome him with open arms, even when he reveals his roles in the First and Second Kinslayings. > (mid-November) Brenior and Ellother marry.

Second Age

Year 1200 > Gil-galad turns Annatar, the self-proclaimed Maia of gifts, away from Lindon.

Year 1500 > Celebrimbor and Annatar forge the Rings of Powers, but, in secret and alone, Celebrimbor forges the Three Rings: Narya, Nenya, and Vilya. However, just by using the same magic Annatar showed him, he inadvertently connects the Three Rings to the other Rings of Power.

Year 1582 > (March 20th) Faegalad is born to Ellother and Brenior. > (early December) Brenior, Ellother, Faegalad, and Ellother’s parents (Eweneth and Barhador) travel to Ost-in-Edhil to seek sanctuary from roaming Orcs. > They stop miles outside of the city, and are ambushed by Orcs during the night. Brenior, Eweneth, and Barhador do their best to distract the Orcs, but Ellother is still severely wounded while trying to flee with Faegalad. Brenior rushes to his wife’s aid, and she is able to escape with their daughter on horseback. > By late morning, she reaches Ost-in-Edhil, and is met by a small patrol. The patrol is alarmed by her state, and, although greatly weakened, Ellother is able to explain what had happened, and pleads for their help. The patrol’s lead, Saelheneb, agrees and orders his party to make haste for the camp while he escorts Ellother and Faegalad into Celebrimbor’s kingdom. > The patrol arrives at the camp too late, and finds Brenior, Eweneth, and Barhador dead. Although none of them recognize the Elves, the Star of Fëanor is recognized on the pommel of Brenior’s sword, and the sword is taken back to Ost-in-Edhil after the patrol takes care of the bodies. > Upon the patrol’s return, the sword is brought to Celebrimbor, and he recognizes it as Hathellas, and after meeting with Ellother, who is slipping in and out of consciousness, is able to piece together what had happened. He promises she and her daughter will be safe there, but doesn’t believe Ellother will last the night. > A few days after arriving in Ost-in-Edhil, Ellother succumbs to her wounds and grief - lasting longer than believed, but still unable to survive such injuries and the grief of losing her parents and husband. At her death, Celebrimbor takes Faegalad in as his own, and names her his heir.

Years 1583 to 1599

Although it was no secret that Faegalad was the daughter of a Kinslayer, and although some questioned Celebrimbor’s claim that Brenior had turned against his nephews, it was not something that held much interest for long in Eregion. And it was something Faegalad knew of as soon as she was old enough, as her cousin refused to keep secrets of their kin and their history from her. It answered questions she had started to ask, and while it gave some heaviness in her mind, it was not something that she let bother her. She was determined to rise above the sins of their kin, and grew determined to be great like her cousin. And, like her cousin, she was deceived by Annatar. The Maia was ever-present as Faegalad grew up, and she saw him as a friend, although she remained unaware of the Rings of Power - only knowing he taught her people arts and magic to mix with their smithing skills. It was something she held little interest in, despite Celebrimbor doing his best to teach her, and instead, she turned her attention to fighting. She not only trained as Lady of Eregion, but as a soldier as well. She learned to fight with both a bow and sword, though preferred using the latter, and became a skilled horse master. Faegalad did take her other lessons seriously, but… grew uninterested in those pertaining to politics and ruling. Celebrimbor knew she would be a great Lady if she put her mind to it, but her temper proved difficult with politics, and she often skipped any lessons pertaining to such in favor of battle training, or to venture into the forests outlying the city. And, when she did leave the city, Mirdaniel would join her more often than not - the two having been close friends ever since they were little. They would explore the city or forests together, and were rarely seen apart when not busy with their responsibilities.

Year 1600 > Annatar reveals himself as Sauron by forging and bearing the One Ring.

Year 1692 > Celebrimbor realizes Sauron is close to starting a war, and finally tells Faegalad of the Rings of Power, including the Three Rings he had forged in secrecy. He asks if she would be willing to take the title of Ring-bearer for him when the time comes, and, although frightened, she agrees to it. > He gives her her father’s sword, Hathellas, as well as a dagger he had forged named Echeleb. He increases her training, although is yet to show her the Rings.

Year 1693 > (late November/early December) Hearing word of Sauron approaching, Celebrimbor finally reveals the Three Rings to Faegalad, and instructs her to take them and to flee - telling her to bring Nenya to Galadriel, and Vilya and Narya to Gil-galad. He then proclaims her the first Ring-bearer of all three, but strips her of her name and rank to protect her. He orders her to tell each Bearer they cannot wear their Ring under any circumstance, as the One Ring is bound to each, and wearing it will reveal to Sauron its location. He also warns her to be a Ring-bearer is to be alone, but she refuses to be deterred, and assures him she will see the task through, and return to help protect their realm. To keep herself safe, she wears them on a silver chain around her neck. > With her name and rank no longer, she cuts her hair, and leaves the next day at the first light of dawn - making her way east to Lothlorien. The kingdom is unaware of her reason for leaving, and some begin to believe she had deserted them despite Celebrimbor’s reassurance it was not the case. Mirdaniel, aware of the growing tensions but unaware of the Ring-bearer’s task, feels betrayed, and grows angry with her friend. > The War of the Elves and Sauron begins.

Year 1694 > (early/mid-January) The Ring-bearer arrives at the borders of Lothlorien, and is confronted by the marchwardens. She tells them she has taken the duty of courier for the time being, and has word from Celebrimbor for Galadriel, though is careful to keep the Rings a secret. Although curious, they are wary of letting her through, but agree to take her to King Amdir to let him decide. > She meets with King Amdir, and tells him what she had told the marchwardens - she has taken the duty of courier, and has a message from Celebrimbor to Galadriel involving familial matters. He permits her to stay in Lothlorien for as long as she needs to both deliver her message and rest, though asks she hand over her sword until she leaves. Although reluctant, she agrees to the terms, and swallows the harsher whispers of her blood. > The following day, she is able to speak to Galadriel in private, and reveals Nenya to her - telling her that Celebrimbor had created it with her being its Bearer in mind. The Ring-bearer then warns her that taking it meant being alone, and that she could not yet wear Nenya under the order of Celebrimbor. Still, Galadriel accepts the task. > The Ring-bearer remains in Lothlorien for a few days recovering her strength for the journey west to Lindon, and is given fresh provisions for her travels. Before a week is over, she leaves Lothlorien, and travels North through Mirkwood to reach the High Pass to try and skirt around Sauron’s forces. > (early/mid-March) She makes it through the High Pass, and makes her way down into the valley before following alongside the Bruinen south to find the outskirts of the Trollshaws. However, a small band of Orcs finds her, and she is forced into the river to try and escape them. They remain on her trail and, out of desperation, she puts on Vilya - using it to summon a torrent of water to wash away the Orcs, and is nearly washed down the river herself. She’s able to reach the other side despite almost drowning, but by wearing Vilya, she unintentionally drew Sauron’s attention, and heard his voice in her head. Frightened, she quickly takes off the Ring, and flees into the Trollshaws, where she is forced to remain to evade Sauron despite the threat of the Trolls - hunted by Orcs now sent to patrol the forest. > (late April) She leaves the Trollshaws and heads west for Lindon once more, though has grown more paranoid and fearful of capture. > (late June/early July) The Ring-bearer arrives in Lindon with Narya and Vilya, and tells Gil-galad and Elrond what Celebrimbor had told her - that Gil-galad is to be the Bearer of both Rings, and should wear neither lest he reveals their location to Sauron. Gil-galad accepts Vilya, but refuses Narya, believing it to be too dangerous for him to keep both, and instead gives Narya to Cirdan. However, when she insists she return to Eregion to fight, Gil-galad orders her to remain in Lindon - warning her it was far too dangerous to return. She listens.

It's clear that her task, while successful, took its toll on her, and, not long after her arrival in Lindon, a lock of her hair turns gray. She's visibly more paranoid - often keeping Echeleb on her hip, even within Lindon's walls, and keeps her hand resting on the hilt. She believes Sauron's eye is upon her, although she dare not voice such a fear aloud, and is restless to return to Eregion, even despite the raging war. And, come late July, the Ring-bearer disappears without a word. She was there one night and gone before the dawn. Although considered a deserter by her people, her paranoia turns to anger and determination to save them. She flees Lindon during the night on horseback, and makes her way back to Eregion with a new fire in her heart.

Year 1695 > Sauron takes over Eregion. > Elrond and his host travel to Eregion to join Celebrimbor in the war, unaware they're unintentionally following the Ring-bearer.

Year 1697 to 1700 > The Ring-bearer manages to sneak into Eregion and reunites with Celebrimbor, who's relieved to see her alive and to hear the Three Rings have been successfully given to their rightful Bearers. He names his cousin once more, but she refuses her title of Lady - claiming she has yet to earn it. Something that confuses him, but he reluctantly accepts. > In a desperate plan to help free their people, Celebrimbor tells Faegalad to lead them and some of their army away to safety while he and the rest of their army stay behind to cause a distraction. She pleads for him to go instead and offers to stay, but he refuses. > They set their plan in motion, and Faegalad rallies together their people and is able to flee while her cousin and the remaining army do their best to hold Sauron's forces back. She leads them north and across the Bruinen. > Sauron kills Celebrimbor. > Elrond’s host arrives too late to defend Eregion, and they are forced towards the Misty Mountains, where Elrond establishes Rivendell. > Sauron attacks the Grey Havens, and brings his army a pike with Celebrimbor’s body used as a banner. > Faegalad, now also known as Maethorwen, leads her army to the Grey Havens and launches a surprise attack on Sauron and his forces - helping to drive him back and save the Grey Havens. It's not until after the battle is over does she see her cousin's body.

She’s unable to tear her gaze away, frozen to the spot, as she stares at Celebrimbor’s body. On the way the pike had been driven through him. It hadn’t been that long ago she saw him alive and well. Not long ago she saw him smiling despite the threat of Sauron looming over them like a storm. Not that long ago he had told her to lead their people to safety. When he had been healthy, and– Someone tries to pull her away, but she can’t move. They try to speak to her, but she can’t hear them. Unable to look away. Unable to unsee how Celebrimbor’s body had been ravaged by torture. How his body was now pierced with crude arrows of the Orcs. Someone once so full of life - so full of wisdom and kindness and ideas - now lying on the ground with a pike speared through him. Used as a banner - tortured and slaughtered by someone he once trusted. By someone she once trusted. A scream rips from Faegalad's throat as she falls to her knees. As she wails and curses Sauron for what he had done. Fury searing through her grief and guilt - threatening to burn her alive. A fury that she will be unable to shake. And, in that fury, she swears an oath to Eru - swearing that she will see the death of Sauron, and unknowingly sealing her future fate.

> Following the attack on the Grey Havens, Faegalad takes the title of Commander instead of Lady, and earns the name Maethorwen, Commander of a Broken Army. > Although Eregion is considered lost, she and her people are permitted to stay in Lindon, and she's still treated with the same respect as any Lord or Lady would receive. She doesn't consider herself to be a part of Lindon, and spreads hope amongst her people that they will see Eregion again.

Year 1700 > The War of the Elves and Sauron ends, and Sauron is defeated. > Faegalad finally takes her place as Lady of Eregion. She leaves Lindon and returns to the fallen realm with her people, and finds Ost-in-Edhil in ruins beyond repair. But, she refuses to give up, and leads them elsewhere to find a new place to settle.

Year 1703 > Faegalad establishes Ost-in-Rínas, with the city located west of the Caradhras, and northwest of the ruins of Ost-in-Edhil.

Years 3262 to 3319 > Sauron is taken prisoner by the Numenoreans, but begins to corrupt them from the inside. He soon becomes the king’s advisor, and most of Numenor falls to his influence. > The Valar sink Numenor, although some of the Numenoreans are able to flee.

Year 3429 > The Last Alliance is formed, and war is waged against Sauron once again. > Faegalad joins the war as a Commander once more, and leads Eregion in the fight with both confidence and caution.

Year 3431 > Ost-in-Rínas is invaded, and Faegalad and her people are forced to retreat to Rivendell.

Year 3434 > The Battle of Dagorlad and the Siege of Barad-dûr take place.

Year 3435

During a scouting mission, Faegalad and a few other Elves are ambushed and captured by Orcs and taken prisoner. For weeks, they and a few others are starved and tortured, and one by one, Elves begin to die - either killed by Orcs and their imprisonment, or releasing their souls to the Halls to escape their torture. However, Faegalad does her best to encourage the survivors to hold onto hope, and begins to play a way of escape - knowing the chance of being saved was slim to none. And, in an effort to distract the Orcs and give the other Elves time to escape, she begins to act out - starting fights and doing everything she can to draw and keep the Orcs' attention on herself. More than once, her distractions resulted in her being able to goad the Orcs into fighting her, and she was successfully able to kill a small few before they wisened up and stopped falling for her trickery. Her torture, however, was great - she was targeted the most for her actions, and her wounds grew numerous. She was starved and beaten and whipped, but her spirit never wavered despite her fading strength. However, it is during one of her fights that Echeleb is stolen and broken. Almost nearly two months after their capture, the survivors' hope would pay off, and most of their captors left to fight another battle elsewhere - leaving them only with a few guards. The Elves were able to escape their bindings, and killed their guards before fleeing. It took days of avoiding more enemies and struggling with their weakened states to make it over enemy lines, and they soon reached a small camp of Greenwood Elves. Their wounds were treated and they were finally given food and water. Once her strength was restored, Faegalad returned to battle, and further cemented her name as Commander of a Broken Army. By then, Eregion's numbers had dwindled, but her people still followed her, and Elves from fallen armies under different banners began to follow her as well.

Year 3441 > Gil-galad appoints Elrond as the new Ring-bearer of Vilya. > Gil-galad and Elendil are killed by Sauron, but are able to wound him in the process, allowing Isildur to take up his father’s broken sword, Narsil, and cut off Sauron’s fingers - separating him from the One Ring. > The Siege of Barad-dûr ends, and Sauron is defeated once more, although the losses are heavy for all involved in the Last Alliance. > Elrond takes Isildur into Mount Doom, encouraging him to destroy the Ring, but Isildur refuses, and binds it to his bloodline. > And, by the end of the war, Eregion could hardly call itself a kingdom. Ost-in-Rínas, although having been protected by its marchwardens, had been torn to ruins, and many of Faegalad’s people had been lost. Faegalad, in her grief, accepts Elrond’s offer of sanctuary in Rivendell, and travels there with the remainder of her people to heal. A part of her yearns to sail, but… her oath prevents her, and her mind continues to fall to ruins like her city.

Third Age

Year 1 > Faegalad does her best to fight through her grief to be strong for her people, but struggles to be the ruler they need. She sees they still look up to her, although she can also see that some are happier in Rivendell, and does her best to try and get better for them, if not for herself. > It is also in Rivendell that Faegalad reunites with Mirdaniel, but their reunion ends bitterly - Mirdaniel is still angry with her for leaving Ost-in-Edhil, for leaving her, when things were beginning to go south, and accuses her of being a deserter. Faegalad, still dealing with her own demons and still blaming herself for what happened to her home, takes Mirdaniel’s words to heart, and the two part ways. Mirdaniel moves to Lothlorien not long after, and Faegalad is heartbroken at the loss of her dear friend.

Year 2 > Isildur sets out for Arnor. > Isildur is killed in the Battle of the Gladden Fields, and the One Ring is lost in the Gladden River.

Year 10 > Although Faegalad's grief is still strong, she makes the decision to leave Rivendell with her people and back to Eregion. She thanks Elrond for all that he's done for them, and with those that wish to follow her, heads out for her beloved city. > Upon returning, she’s more than relieved to see that the ruins are not as severe as Ost-in-Edhil’s, and she and her people begin to work on rebuilding. But, it is no longer a true kingdom with such small numbers, although she is still given the title of Lady out of respect. It is still her realm, and something she is fiercely protective and proud of despite it all.

Year 13 > Ost-in-Rínas is officially rebuilt, and Faegalad begins to feel more sound in mind and body with her city blossoming anew.

Year 2463 > Deagol finds the One Ring while fishing, and his cousin, Smeagol, murders him for it. > Smeagol is driven out by the other Stoors.

Year 2470 > Smeagol takes refuge in a cave in the Misty Mountains, where he slowly begins to transform into Gollum.

Year 3018 > Upon hearing news that Elrond is forming a council, Faegalad travels back to Rivendell to learn what the urgency is about. > When she learns of the Ring and Sauron’s return, she is eager to agree with its destruction. A part of her wants to join the Fellowship to see it through, to finally put her oath to rest, but… she holds her tongue, in both part due to her duties as ruler and her fear of the Ring corrupting her. At the council alone, she feels its pull, can hear it speaking to her, and… she knows she could not be trusted. Instead, she offers aid to the Fellowship if they happen to travel through Eregion. > Once everything has been settled, she returns to Ost-in-Rínas.

Year 3019 > While Faegalad sees her people off as they begin to leave Eregion for the Grey Havens, her mind remains on the Ring, and she knows she can’t sail just yet. She feels war brewing once more, and is eager for it. > She learns from Elrond the upcoming battle at Helm’s Deep, and she rallies the remainder of her people - those willing to fight - one last time, and leads them to Rohan. They join with the marchwardens of Lothlorien, and arrive at the Hornburg.

Upon reaching Helm’s Deep, Faegalad rests her horse, Sador, with the other horses, and takes position on the walls with the other Elves. She has with her a dogwood bow, as well as her sword and dagger, and willingly puts aside her own leadership to follow Aragorn’s command. She’s quick to abandon her bow in favor of Hathellas once the Uruk-hai set up their ladders, and only begins to take charge as the chaos of battle grows - trying to keep those around her focused. Once the Uruk-hai breach the Hornburg, Faegalad carries out the order to fall back into the Keep by making sure the other Elves get inside first - doing her best to fight off the Uruk-hai as they escape. She’s one of the last to get inside the Keep, but continues to fight as the Uruk-hai continue to overrun the Hornburg. She rides out with the remaining Rohirrim at dawn to continue the fight, and is overjoyed to see Gandalf alive once more. She rides out in front to keep any of the Rohirrim from following the Uruk-hai into the Fangorn Forest, and when it comes time for Rohan to regroup, she goes to count her own dead.

> Faegalad gives her people the option to leave for Ost-in-Rínas once the people of Rohan begin to leave Helm’s Deep, but makes it clear she is not leaving the war just yet. She is determined to see it through, and while a few leave with the marchwardens, most of her people continue to follow. > She travels with Gandalf and a few of the others to Isengard, where they find Saruman defeated, and the Ents having taken over with the help of Merry and Pippin. She follows them inside Isengard’s walls, and witnesses Saruman’s death. > Upon returning to Edoras once more, Faegalad initially joins the celebration, but soon retreats to stand watch outside - unable to shake a feeling of dread heavy on her heart. Later that night, Pippin uses the Palantir, and she realizes it was Sauron’s presence that she had been feeling. > Faegalad remains in Edoras as Gandalf and Pippin leave for Minas Tirith, and tries to help Aragorn convince Theoden to ride out to aid Gondor, although he refuses. It isn’t until the beacons are lit that he agrees to travel to Gondor, and Faegalad rallies her people once more to follow the Rohirrim out. > She leads her people ahead of Rohirrim, although waits for them before she leads the charge on Sauron’s forces in Pelennor Fields. An attack without them, she knew, would only result in their slaughter, and it gave them time to scout from the outskirts of the battle to see what they were up against. > Once the battle is over and Sauron’s forces are either destroyed or driven away, Faegalad still remains, and her and her people follow Aragorn to the Black Gate. She knows the end is near, and is content with the idea of death, knowing she has done everything she could to see Sauron’s defeat once and for all. > She rides up to the Gate with Aragorn and the rest to face the Mouth of Sauron, and feels her own hope falter when he reveals Frodo’s mithril shirt. But, she refuses to give in then, and orders her people to prepare for battle as she rides back to them - encouraging them to stand their ground to see Sauron’s defeat. > Faegalad gives it her all during the battle, doing her best to try and keep an eye on her people to protect them as best she can, and sees the collapse of Sauron’s tower as the Ring is finally destroyed. She is overjoyed at the sight, and finally feels a sense of freedom she had long since lost by making her oath, and she knows it has finally been fulfilled. > She remains in Minas Tirith with the remainder of her people for a while longer to rest and recover, and aid the wounded kingdom, before she leads her people back home. There, she tends to them, and makes preparations for their sailing. > A few of her people choose to remain behind a while longer, and she sets out with them back to Gondor once more to see Aragorn’s coronation. From there, she sets off to the Grey Havens, and watches the rest of her people sail for Valinor. A few still remain, but she knows it’s not much longer until all of her people leave, and until her own time to sail arrives.

Year 3021

By the end of the Third Age, Faegalad is the last one remaining in Ost-in-Rínas. Her people have since sailed for Valinor, and although she’s beginning to feel the stirrings of Sea-longing deep in her heart, she’s reluctant to sail herself. She doesn’t want to leave Middle-earth just yet, and… a part of her is afraid to sail - afraid of the judgment she will face in Valinor, and afraid of facing her family and friends once more. She’s content remaining in her realm alone, although knows she can’t ignore the longing forever. In doing so, she becomes known as the Wight of Eregion. Elrond invites her to the Grey Havens to sail with him and the other Ring-bearers, and while she doesn’t plan on sailing, she agrees to join them. She follows them there, and says her goodbyes to him, Galadriel, and Gandalf. She gives her thanks to the Hobbits for all that they had done, and sees the Ring-bearers off one last time. A part of her does wish to join with them - to not sail alone - but she still remains, and returns to Ost-in-Rínas once more to spend her days tending to her once proud kingdom.

[weariedwight]

Mirdaniel

The daughter of jewelsmith, Tandir, and poet, Maeril, Mirdaniel was born in Ost-in-Edhil during the late fall of SA 1580. Her father was a close friend of Celebrimbor’s, and because of that, she grew up alongside Faegalad. The two became fast friends growing up, and were as thick as thieves - rarely found apart when not busy with their respective responsibilities, or spending time with their families. They took as many lessons together as they could, although, as they got older, they often forwent them entirely and instead spent time exploring the city, or venturing out in the forests surrounding it.

Although brilliant and ambitious to become as great a jewelsmith as her father and Celebrimbor, Mirdaniel was always gentle and quiet, and often let her heart rule her mind. She was unassuming, with many believing it was Faegalad getting the two of them in trouble and not it being the fault of them both equally, but often noticed by her craft as she grew older. She enjoyed exploring the forests with or without her friend, but was content remaining in Ost-in-Edhil to make a name for herself and to raise a family when she was ready. To her, she believed the peace would forever last, and was also one of many who believed Annatar to be genuine - failing to realize the supposed Maia’s true intentions.

But, as Annatar revealed himself as Sauron and tensions began to mount, Mirdaniel clung close to Faegalad, and believed that she and Celebrimbor would be able to fend off the fallen Maia. She was frightened like many, but despite how close she was to Faegalad, she was unaware of the promise she had made to Celebrimbor, and was stunned when, one day, her friend was simply gone. Celebrimbor told the kingdom that he had sent her on a mission to the other realms, but many accused his heir of fleeing, and Mirdaniel - blinded by her hurt and feeling betrayed - begins to feel the same, and grew angry with Faegalad. In her eyes, not only had her friend deserted their home, but she had deserted her.

Not long after Sauron began his siege on Eregion, Mirdaniel was able to flee Ost-in-Edhil with a few others and went into hiding - later seeking sanctuary in Imladris once Elrond arrived with reinforcements, although it was too late to save the once proud city. It was there she learned Faegalad, after appearing in Lindon, had disappeared once again, and her anger towards her only grew. In her eyes, it was true she had abandoned them in their time of need, and whatever quiet hope she had of one day reuniting with her childhood friend was gone.

The two would meet again during the dawn of the Third Age, when Faegalad moved to Rivendell with her people after the War of the Last Alliance. Although delighted to see Mirdaniel, her delight was not reciprocated, and Mirdaniel was quickly blinded by her pain. She lashed out at Faegalad, accusing her of being a deserter and demanding to know where she had been when their city had fallen, when they needed her the most, but refused to hear her out or acknowledge that she had taken charge of what remained of Eregion and its people. Their friendship ended bitterly, and not long after, Mirdaniel moved to Lothlorien - unable and refusing to live near Faegalad again, but... still heartbroken all the same. Her pain proved too great for her to see through it, and the two never made amends.

And it was in Lothlorien her desires were fulfilled. She became a skilled jewelsmith, and in the summer of TA 15, Mirdaniel married Marchwarden, Adasser. Then, in the winter of TA 47, gave birth to their daughter, Delieth. She began to heal from the fall of Eregion and soon found peace in her new home under the ruling of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, and grew content - something she believed she would not feel again since she had fled her once-beloved city.

[weariedwight]

Faegalad, Wight of Eregion

((bio under the cut!))

Name(s): Amdiriel (daughter of hope; father-name); Faegalad (spirit of radiance; mother-name)

Epessë/Nickname(s): Narupîneth (little red); Fae; Maethorwen (warrior maiden); Maethorwen, Commander of a Broken Army; Wight of Eregion

Title(s): Lady; Ring-bearer; Commander

Gender: cis female (she/her)

Date of Birth: Second Age 1582, March 20th

Age: 4,880 years old (as of TA 3021)

Race: Elven (half Noldorin, half Silvan)

Height: 6'0"

Face Claim: Florence Welch

Voice Claim: Florence Welch

Hair: deep red with a lock of gray; classic length

Eyes: gray-blue; blind right eye

Language(s): Sindarin (primary proficiency); Westron (primary proficiency); Exilic Quenya (professional working proficiency); Khuzdul (professional working proficiency)

Anything spoken in Sindarin will be displayed "{like so}", in Exilic Quenya "[like so]", and Khuzdul "< like so >".

Realm(s): Ost-in-Edhil, Eregion (formally); Ost-in-Rínas, Eregion

Orientation: demiromantic; demisexual

Horse: Sador (during and after the events of lotr)

Skill(s): sword fighting; archery; horseback riding; hunting; fishing; foraging; tracking; diplomacy; singing; dancing; basic healing (through use of magic and herbs); natural navigation; combat; falconry

Family:

immediate: Brenior (father); Ellother (mother)

maternal: Barhador (grandfather); Eweneth (grandmother)

paternal: Mahtan (grandfather); Nerdanel (aunt); Fëanor (uncle); Maedhros (cousin); Maglor (cousin); Celegorm (cousin); Caranthir (cousin); Curufin (cousin); Amras (cousin); Amrod (cousin); Celebrimbor (first cousin once removed)

Identifiable Marking(s): heavy freckling across her face, back, chest, and shoulders; long scar across her right eye; heavy scarring across her back and shoulders; scattered scars across her body (scar chart)

Associated Item(s): Hathellas (leaf blade; the Star of Fëanor is represented on the pommel; longsword); Echmith (thorn of gray; dirk); long silver chain necklace wrapped thrice around her neck; hooded black cloak with a white dogwood flower brooch; golden circlet adorned with leaves and a small emerald

Notable Habit(s): intense staring when focused; often scanning her surroundings; head tilting

Affliction(s): C-PTSD; depression; survivor’s guilt

Personality Traits:

positive: lionhearted; clever; resilient; kind-hearted

neutral: proud; stubborn; guarded; dignified; observant

negative: blunt; self-sacrificial; relentless; distrustful

Bonus: pinterest; spotify

Background:

cw/tw for: war, death, murder, wartime imprisonment, torture

details can be found here

please note that events listed are only relevant to Faegalad in some way

[weariedwight]

Ost-in-Rínas

Etymology: Sindarin for “Fortress of Memory”.

Location: northwest of the ruins of Ost-in-Edhil, and west of the Caradhras, next to the Bruinen.

Created: SA 1703

Destroyed: SA 3431

Rebuilt: TA 13

Known for: trade; hospitality to travelers and visitors alike; falconry; smithing/jewelry-making.

With her place as Lady of Eregion secured, Faegalad spearheaded the creation of Ost-in-Rínas - the city that would replace Ost-in-Edhil, for its destruction was too great to rebuild. It was smaller compared to its predecessor, and perhaps not as grand, but she took pride in her city, and her pride was shared by her people. It thrived in the likes of old, in the hands of smiths and jewelers, and held strong to its hospitality to travelers and visitors. It kept trade open with Elves, Men, and Dwarves alike, and introduced falconry to aid in hunts and as a form of communication - marking their falcons with bands of silver engraved with green leaves around the birds' legs. Music and tales of old filled the air of the city and, overall, it remained peaceful, despite the valor and strength that remained hidden beneath.

But there was no denying the fact the city and its people had still suffered, and Faegalad was keen on not making the same mistake twice - especially when she no longer had a Ring of Power to rely on. Although peaceful, it was meticulously protected by its marchwardens, and kept an army at the ready. Its borders had been patrolled frequently, with visitors and travelers watched and vetted before given permission to enter the city, with unwanted guests turned away, and with threats driven out or killed. And it was due to its marchwardens that Ost-in-Rínas did not see complete destruction in SA 3431, although its people were still driven out and forced to retreat to Rivendell due to Sauron's forces. There, it sat in ruins, until Faegalad returned with her people in TA 10 to reclaim their home.

It remained until the end of the Third Age, when the Elves began to leave the shores for Valinor. Its people slowly left, but Faegalad remained, even when all her people had gone - earning her the name Wight of Eregion. And there she stayed, until FO 56, when she finally accepted her time to sail, and set out for Valinor, leaving Ost-in-Rínas behind for good.

[weariedwight]

original template can be found here

A few scars are the results of various battles, but the majority of her scars are the product of her torture when she was a prisoner of war during the War of the Last Alliance. She was tortured heavily by the Orcs for her antagonization as she tried to keep their attention away from the other prisoners, and the heavy scarring on her back was the result of being whipped. She doesn't regret her actions, but her scars do bother her from time to time - particularly in the cold. While her own healing magic is poor, she knows enough to help ease her pain (temporarily, at least), and overall powers through - too stubborn to admit when she's hurting.