back to middle-earth month 2022 | shades of sauron | zigûr

Then Ar-Pharazôn the king turned back to the worship of the Dark, and of Arûn-Mulkhêr the Lord thereof; and the Minul-târik was utterly deserted in those days, and no man might ascend to the high place, not even those of the Faithful who kept Eru in their hearts. But Zigûr let build upon a hill in the midst of the city of the Eruhíni, Arminalêth the Golden, a mighty temple; and it was in the form of a circle at the base, and there the walls were fifty feet in thickness, and the width of their base was five hundred feet across the centre, and they rose from the ground five hundred feet, and they were crowned with a mighty dome; and it was wrought all of silver, but the silver was turned black. And from the topmost of the dome, where was an opening or great louver, there issued smoke; and ever the more often as the evil power of Zigûr grew. For there men would sacrifice to Mulkhêr with spilling of blood and torment and great wickedness, that he should release them from Death. And ofttimes it was those of the Faithful that were chosen as victims; but never openly on the charge that they would not worship Mulkhêr, rather was cause sought against them that they hated the king and were his rebels, or that they plotted against their kin, devising lies and poisons. And these charges were for the most part false, save that wickedness breeds wickedness, and oppression brings forth murder.

—The History of Middle-earth: Sauron Defeated, “The Drowning of Anadûnê”

For this photo prompt:

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Lord of the Rings (Movies) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Aragorn | Estel & Boromir (Son of Denethor II) Characters: Boromir (Son of Denethor II), Aragorn | Estel Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Boromir Lives, Introspection, Memory, difficult conversations, Healthy Adult Communication, Looking to the Future, Back to Middle Earth Month Series: Part 4 of What Peace Brings, Part 1 of Back to Middle Earth Month Summary: “I asked once,” Boromir started slowly. “If you had ever seen the White Tower. A morning much like this one is what I pictured then.” Aragorn took the opportunity to lean beside Boromir and look out over the field. “It is a lovely morning,” Aragorn agreed.

Back to Middle-earth Month: Claiming & Creating Starts March 1st!

It's almost time for B2MEM (Back to Middle-earth Month). Here's the basics; links under the cut for all of the goodies.

B2MEM is an annual creation celebration for all things Tolkien, mainly focusing on his legendarium. What can you do for it? Literally anything. Post something new. Finish something you already started. Rec something you did. Rec something someone else did. Give warm and fuzzy comments to someone. B2MEM runs from March 1 to April 15. For more details and links to all of the galleries with new prompts, check below the cut.

Mathom Marketplace 2022's theme is 'Mathom Marketplace'.  You can find the long list of 'what do' and 'how to' here. You do not need to use the list to participate, you can always do your own thing, but if you're looking for inspiration and getting in on the fun, check out the prompts found below! Claiming of prompts and creation of stories, art, and other fun things for B2MEM begins on March 1st. Here is the list of prompts, grouped by type:

Artie Greenhands’ Studio (Art) (updated 2/24/22) [10 submissions] Bingo Boffin’s Bingo Ball (Bingo Cards) (updated 2/17/22) [17 submissions] Chubbs’ and Grubbs’ Snack Tent (Story Starters) (updated 2/17/2022) [30 submissions] Gammer Diggle’s Odds & Ends (General Prompts) (updated 2/17/22) [169 submissions] Harper Hornblower’s Harmonious Tones (Playlists) (updated 2/21/2022) [8 submissions] Joy Gardner’s Big Mood Café (Moodboards) (updated 2/17/2022) [12 submissions] Lightfoot’s Darkroom (Photo Prompts) (updated 2/22/2022) [40 submissions] Proudfoot & Goodbody’s Costumes, Clothes, & Coiffures (Cosplay) (updated 2/24/2022) [6 submissions] Twist Roper & Smith Clayhanger’s Crafting Workshop (Crafts) (updated 2/24/2022) [13 submissions]

There's also a presentation here from the 2019 B2MEM on ideas for what one can create, beyond fanfiction and fanart. It references the Bingo theme that year, but the ideas are all still valid.

Trade Show at Mrs. Bracegirdle’s Boutique This is an opportunity to collaborate and/or exchange specific items in trade.  Maybe you want to draw pictures of Frodo in Valinor and want someone to write a story for them.  Maybe you have been working on a story about Indis' childhood, and are looking for an illustrator.  Maybe you want to collaborate on a story about the first Dwarves in Middle-earth.  You can post your trade offers here.  Posting & Viewing Works Beginning March 1st, 2022, works can be posted to the AO3 collection. This collection never closes, so while the event will wrap by the end of April, you can always add works later as you are inspired and finish them.  Socially Speaking... Want to chat with others about Spring Into Arda events?  There are parties for B2MEM throughout the event and the server is open year round.  Hang with other B2MEMers and Trade Show participants on Discord!

Lullabies and nursery rhymes of Middle Earth

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/Sqx0Ihw

by Astrance

A short collection of nursery rhymes for the many people of Middle-Earth.

(Prompt G-60 of B2MEM22)

Words: 210, Chapters: 3/?, Language: English

Fandoms: The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Gen

Additional Tags: Poetry, Nursery Rhyme

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/Sqx0Ihw

elves of arda ✷ house of finwë ✷ headcanon disclaimer

back to middle-earth month 2022 ✷ found family: first meetings, conflict, teaching and learning ✷ family: growing up and letting go, found family ✷ fun with fanon: maedhros gives narsil to elros

          Elros and Elrond were the twin sons of Elwing and Eärendil, and thus half-elven princes of both the Noldor and the Sindar peoples. They were born at the Havens of Sirion among the last remaining Free-peoples of Beleriand, and though their parents loved them, Elwing their mother was busy as Queen of Arvernien and Eärendil their father was called to the sea by the Vala Ulmo, seeking aid from the Valar against the ever-present threat of the Enemy. While on his journeys, Eärendil gave Elwing his wife an enchanted stone known as the Elessar that he had inherited from his mother, but Elwing already wore a necklace with a stone of greater power, the Silmaril her foremother Lúthien had wrested from the Iron Crown, so she passed this gift along to her sons so they might have a token of their father while he was away.           Though for many years Elwing had succeeded in hiding from the Sons of Fëanor who had slain her family in pursuit of the Silmaril, at last the news that she lived and yet bore the jewel reached her foes and they began to stir amid the torment of their Oath. She denied their demands to the Silmaril, trusting that it would protect her family and her people from any assault and refusing to surrender the jewel her parents and brothers had died for. Within a year, the Fëanorions descended upon the Havens of Sirion with a furious desperation, and the last peaceful haven in Beleriand was destroyed.           As the battle raged, Elwing entrusted her children to the care of their nurse Evranîn, who managed to hide them in a wardrobe before she was slain. Elwing herself fled to the highest point in all the city, a clifftop tower overlooking the unforgiving sea below, and there made her final stand. The eldest sons of Fëanor, Maedhros and Maglor, cornered her upon her ledge and entreated her for the Silmaril once more, promising to call off the attack if only she returned it to them. But Elwing was proud, and distrustful, and seeing her city burn below her she was filled with despair. These Kinslayers had slaughtered her parents and left her brothers to die, and they would do the same to her and her sons; they could in no way be trusted and in no way be allowed to gain the for which she had lost so much.           Thus Elwing turned and leapt into the sea, plummeting toward the unforgiving rocks below, and both she and the Silmaril were lost. With their prize out of reach, the grip of the Oath slackened, and and Maedhros and Maglor sat back to weep at their evil deeds and the deaths of their youngest brothers, who had been slain among the fighting. But even as they lamented, Maglor discovered that Elwing had left behind her twin sons, and so despite Maedhros’ warning that only ill could come of it, he took the boys into his care and returned with them to their fortress of Amon Ereb.           In that lonely fortress, Elrond and Elros were raised with as much comfort and love as might be found amid the horrors of Beleriand. Maglor and Maedhros both promised to return them to the care of their parents if they could. Indeed, they wished to exchange the twins for possession of the Silmaril, for rumor had it that Elwing had been saved by Ulmo and yet lived, but as time passed the likelihood of she or Eärendil returning and demanding custody of their sons diminished, and Maglor accepted the responsibility of the twins’ education and protection.           In the early days, Elrond and Elros were cared for by two of the Fëanorions’ loyal servants, Erestor and Edhelvain. Erestor was Maedhros’ steward and an elven survivor of the fall of Himring; he was a friendly face who had not been present amid the carnage at Sirion, and the twins trusted him more easily than their captors. Edhelvain was a Woman of Maglor’s people, and with her skill and wisdom she cared for the young peredhil as a mortal might, sensitive to their human ancestry both physically and emotionally. Yet in time, Maglor slowly won Elros and Elrond’s trust, and became so dear to them that he earned the title of foster-father.           Maedhros was more resistant to the twins’ charm, for he had suffered many deep and bitter losses in his past and was not swift to extend his love again. This was made all the more difficult by Elrond’s possession of the Elessar, which Maedhros had himself given to his husband Fingon in years past. He had thought the jewel lost when Fingon perished in the Nírnaeth Arnœdiad, but it for it had made its way to Gondolin and into the twins’ possession from their father Eärendil, grandson of Fingon’s brother Turgon. This reminder of his grief reopened old wounds in Maedhros’ heart, but in time the children won his affection also, and he wept when Elrond allowed him to hold the Elessar once more. From then, Maedhros also became as a father to them, and he would tell them stories of his own twin children, Gil-galad and Erien, who yet lived upon the island of Balar with Círdan their foster-father.           After some years of living with their kidnapper-fathers, a new star rose in the sky that Elros and Elrond recognized at once to be the Silmaril their mother had worn. Maedhros and Maglor confirmed this intuition, for none knew the jewels better than the sons of Fëanor their creator, and though few others understood the origin of the star and none knew how it had come to be lifted into the heavens, it became a symbol of hope, earning the name Gil-Estel. Maglor took it as the sign of hope it was meant to be, but Maedhros only saw the fulfillment of their Oath move ever out of reach, and despair clouded his mind once more. Elrond and Elros, also, were devastated, for this was proof at last that their parents were not coming for them, and they found themselves turning to the Fëanorions for comfort. Maglor promised to care for them as a parent, for the first time voicing the strange bond that had been forged between them, and with only a little persuasion Maedhros agreed, and offered to officially adopt the children.           Though Elrond and Elros were at first hesitant, after conferring with one another they accepted their new situation, complicated as it was, and in the most festive ceremony Amon Ereb had ever seen they were adopted by Maedhros and Maglor. Here they were welcomed into the House of Fëanor (or what was left of it), and given new names in Quenya: Elenyafinwë to share, after the Fëanorian pattern, and each a name of their own also. Elrond was named Aþelairë, for he was as kind as summer, and Elros was named Almatáru, for he had great foresight and fate had made clear that in time he would become a king.           For a few years, there was gladness between this strange new family despite the darkening world around them, but when the Host of the Valar arrived to at last fight against the dominion of Morgoth, things changed rapidly. Maedhros threw himself into the war effort, allying himself with leaders of the Valar’s Host and those lords and kings of Beleriand who yet lived, and Maglor stepped up to take sole responsibility for the twins’ care. Yet when Amon Ereb was besieged and overrun, Maglor and Maedhros knew that they could not protect their sons any longer while the War of Wrath raged. Though Elrond and Elros protested the separation from yet another set of loving guardians, they were sent away with only Erestor for company to the dwarven city of Belegost. As payment for taking in his lords’ children, Erestor gave to the dwarf-king Elros’ mithril coat, another relic out of Gondolin as the Elessar was to Elrond, and meant for a young prince rather than the near-adult Elros had become.           Elros and Elrond chafed at the restrictions placed around them, insisting that by the count of their mortal forefathers they were old enough to fight. They had never known a life not plagued by danger, and they were eager to take up arms against the Enemy as all their parents did, each in their own way. Though Erestor lent them a sympathetic ear, he was firm in his ruling that they must obey Maglor and Maedhros and remain in the safety of the Blue Mountains. After a decade of biding their time, Elrond and Elros at last saw a chance to escape, and fled from Belegost to join the Host of the Valar as they marched northward towards Angband. There Elros swiftly won great renown among the Mannish soldiers as a powerful warrior and charismatic leader, and he found a place for himself among their ranks, more at home with his fellow Men than he had ever felt; and Elrond proved his great skill in healing, taking few lives and saving many.           As soon as he discovered his charges’ departure, Erestor frantically ran to Maedhros and Maglor to tell them of their escape. Desperately afraid for the twins’ safety, the Fëanorion lords immediately abandoned their positions to search for their sons, and upon discovering them among the Host of the Valar a great argument was had. Elrond and Elros impressed upon their fathers that they were more than full-grown, their Mannish blood having great influence upon their maturity, and more than capable of participating in this war. Their fellow soldiers and healers vouched for them, and seeing their determination, Maedhros and Maglor were humbled. Though they grieved the loss of Elros and Elrond’s innocence, they understood the urge to fight back against evil and finally agreed to let them choose their own path. In honor of this momentous coming of age, Maedhros gave unto his son Elros Elenyafinwë Almatáru his best sword: Narþil, crafted by the great dwarven smith Telchar of Nogrod, which would become an heirloom of Elros’ house for Ages to come. And to his son Elrond Elenyafinwë Aþelairë, Maglor gave his silver harp, carried out of Valinor and preserved through much tragedy, heavy with enchantment and rich in mighty Song.           Though Elros and Elrond offered to join the contingent of Fëanorian soldiers, Maedhros and Maglor refused, for if their sons were old enough to strike out on their own, it would not due to stain them with the Fëanorian reputation more than they already had. Instead, they instructed Erestor to take the twins to High King Ereinion Gil-galad, their kinsman, that they might earn valour and renown under his banner. Elros’ mortal soldiers swore allegiance to him and followed him to his new general, under whom he became a captain in his own right; and Elrond swiftly grew close Ereinion, becoming his personal healer and his herald. As the war raged on, small moments of companionship were snatched between the twins and their kinsfolk; Ereinion and his sister Erien took Elrond and Elros as their brothers, and befriended Erestor as well, the five of them becoming a tight-knit group bound by friendship and love. Elros found a love of his own, as well, in the young mortal dragonslayer Hiril of the Haladin, and they forged a strong bond upon the battlefield that would lead to their eventual marriage in the years to come.           As the War of Wrath drew to a close, Elrond and Elros at last reunited with their birth parents. As Elwing and Eärendil were forbidden from setting foot upon Middle-earth, Elros and Elrond instead boarded the flying ship Vingilótë in which their father bore the Silmaril into the heavens as Gil-Estel, and though many tears were shed at this meeting, they were perhaps more bitter than sweet. Over fifty years had passed since the Kinslaying at Sirion, and all of them were much changed from the last time they had seen each other, and they could not find common accord among them. This was when Eönwë, herald of Manwë, informed them of the Choice their parents had been offered, between the fate of the Eldar and that of Men, and extended it to Elros and Elrond also. Their parents had both chosen to be counted among the Eldar, and clearly hoped they would choose the same path and return with them to Valinor when the war was over, but Elrond and Elros balked at the proposition, for they were not inclined to abandon Middle-earth after having fought so much in its defense.           Elrond and Elros were both present to watch their father Eärendil’s defeat of the dragon Ancalagon the Black and the destruction of the Thangorodrim as the beast’s body crashed to the ground. They witnessed the cleansing of Angband, and the final defeat of Morgoth, and the freeing of the Silmarils from his Iron Crown. Conscious of their foster-fathers’ Oath, they entreated Eönwë to relinquish the jewels to the remaining sons of Fëanor, but he told unto them the same verdict he gave to their fathers, that their claim was made void and the Oath invalid. Again, Eönwë offered them the Choice of the Peredhil, but Elros and Elrond could not decide between them which path to take, and fled from him to seek the advice of Maedhros and Maglor.           But though they discovered the small camp of Fëanorian followers, there was no sign of the sons of Fëanor, and none knew where they had gone. Turning back to the camp of the Valarin host, Elrond and Elros arrived just in time to witness the murders of those elves that guarded the Silmarils and their theft of the jewels by none other than their fathers, who had once again slain their own kin. Though Eönwë refused to attack them for their crimes, Elros and Elrond were distraught and attempted to run after them as they fled into the darkness, but at the Maia’s command they were restrained and protected from the madness that had overcome Maglor and Maedhros.           For a long time, no one knew what had become of the final sons of Fëanor, but eventually rumors spread of Maedhros’ fatal fall into flame and Maglor’s surrender to the ocean’s siren call. Elrond and Elros were heartbroken, and in defiance of Eönwë and their birth parents, they refused the call to Valinor. At last they made their Choices: Elrond for the elves, retaining his position as the herald of Gil-galad—and Elros for mortality, accepting the mantle of King and leading the surviving Men of Beleriand to an island kingdom blessed by the Valar and created especially for them.           Thus the fates of Elros and Elrond were sundered, though they remained close in brotherhood for the remainder of Elros’ life. Both would go on to honor the memory of their foster-fathers, naming their children in the Fëanorian pattern, however subtly; and though they remembered also their birth parents, it was Maedhros and Maglor whom they always searched for in hope that the rumors of their deaths were false and their family might be reunited. In the end, Maglor was discovered alive and wandering the shores of Middle-earth, and reconciled with his sons in time to be present at Elros’ deathbed; but Maedhros and his Silmaril had indeed been claimed by the fires of the earth, and was lost.           No matter Maglor’s attempts to slip away into obscurity, Elrond would always find him and reaffirm his love despite his mistakes. In time, Maglor would settle in Elrond’s valley of Imladris, and he would even sail with Elrond to Valinor at the end of the Third Age of Middle-earth, where in time they both would reunite with Maedhros upon his release from the Halls of Mandos, and though Elros’ mortal spirit had long since passed beyond the circles of the world, his memory remained with them always.

Back to Middle-earth Month is all but over...but if you’d like to play around with the bingo cards I made, please do! I had a lot of fun making and using these, and I’d love to see what other people do with them!

(transcriptions under the cut)

Bingo Board 1: Fun with Fanon!

Line 1: Tom Bombadil is Eru || Fiber artist Caranthir || Maedhros gives Fingon his gold ribbons/wire || Maglor is Lindir || Celebrimbor reforged Anglachel into Gurthang Line 2: Fingon names Maedhros “Russandol” || Míriel and Indis were besties || Female Narvi || Ex-thrall Rôg || Maedhros gives Narsil to Elros Line 3: Sauron personally tortured Maedhros in Angband || Celebrimbor’s father-name is “Curufinwë” || FREE SPACE (Who’s the Gil-gaDad?) || Yavanna made the Hobbits || Fëanor was friends with Findis Line 4: Photosensitive Maeglin || Maedhros finds Fingon’s dead body || Elf hair kink || Celegorm’s nickname is “Tyelko” || The Arkenstone is a Silmaril Line 5: Silver-haired Celegorm || Dwarf braids express gender/class/marital status/etc || Huan is a Maia || Lalwen befriends Círdan || Fingon’s mother-name is Astaldo

Bingo Board 2: Russingon Tropes

Line 1: Size kink || Post-Thangorodrim recovery || Maedhros gives Fingon his gold ribbons/wire || Gift-giving (Dragon-helm, Green Stone of Fëanor, etc) || Marriage bond Line 2: Fingon names Maedhros “Russandol” || Post-Angband nightmare (with comfort) || Political drama in Valinor || Aredhel is Fingon’s confidante || Fingon visits Himring Line 3: Sauron takes Fingon’s form to torment Maedhros in Angband || Maedhros visits Hithlum || FREE SPACE || Secret relationship || Stump-fucking (aka Wristing) Line 4: Gil-gaDads || Maedhros finds Fingon’s dead body || Hair kink || Fingon rescues Maedhros from the Void || Reembodiment and reunion Line 5: Maglor is Maedhros’ confidante || Fealty kink || Maedhros ties a gold ribbon around his stump post-Nirnaeth || Maedhros names Fingon “the Valiant” || Post-Nirnaeth nightmare (no comfort)

Bingo Board 3: Shades of Sauron

Lord || Tar-Mairon || Sûr || The Black Hand || Þauron (Thauron) Line 2: Ñorsus || Wolf-Sauron || The Lord of the Rings || Artano || Zigûr Line 3: Thû || Aulendil || FREE SPACE || Mairon || The Deceiver Line 4: The Nameless Enemy || Sauron || Fankil || The Sorcerer || Vampire-Sauron Line 5: Annatar || Tuvon || The Necromancer || Gorthaur || Tevildo

Bingo Board 4: Wait...that’s not my ship!

Line 1: Celegorm x Orodreth || Daeron x Maeglin || Finrod x Anairë || Turgon x Elwë || Annatar x Celeborn Line 2: Gwindor x Findis || Erestor x Glóredhel || Melkor x Mahtan || Maedhros x Finrod || Galadriel x Celegorm Line 3: Edhellos x Angrim || Elwing x Eärwen || FREE SPACE || Curufin x Fingon || Idril x Huor Line 4: Celebrían x Elros || Glorfindel x Egalmoth || Beleg x Tuor || Andreth x Aerin || Fëanor x Finarfin Line 5: Aredhel x Eönwë || Caranthir x Haldir (you pick which one) || Fëanor x Nerwen || Finrod x Beorn || Lúthien x Bereg

back to middle-earth month 2022 | general prompt 88 | prime posters remix

…and passing again through Moria with Celebrían she came to Imladris, seeking Celeborn. There (it seems) she found him, and there they dwelt together for a long time; and it was then that Elrond first saw Celebrían, and loved her, though he said nothing of it.

—Unfinished Tales, “The History of Galadriel and Celeborn”

Widow’s Wife

Indis thought she knew what she was getting into when she married a widower, but she soon discovers that more than just Míriel’s memory haunts the house of Finwë.

Back to Middle-earth Month | 3/12/22 Story Starter #27 | Polyshipping Bingo: Alternate Universe | Fun with Fanon Bingo: Míriel and Indis were besties [INVERSION]  | F/F Bingo: Míriel x Indis 

also known as, “tfw the ghost of your husband's first wife possesses your body to keep up with her hobbies”

Rating: T | No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Finwë/Míriel/Indis Characters: Indis, Finwë, Míriel Word count: 1.7k

READ IT ON AO3!

back to middle-earth month 2022 | textual ghosts bingo | mother of berúthiel

Hashavis was a princess of the Haradrim taken to wife by Karasalêth, the Black Númenórean king of Abrakhân. She was given to her husband as part of an ancient marriage alliance between their peoples, wherein every three generations a princess of her people would wed a prince of his kindred. Karasalêth altered Hashavis’ name to his tongue of Adûnaic, where she became Queen Kuilizîth, mother of his heirs. Kuilizîth bore her king three sons loyal to their father, and one daughter she raised as her own. This was Zâinazimril, the jewel of the earth, and Kuilizîth loved her dearly; but when she came of age, Karasalêth sold her hand in marriage to Tarannon Falastur, the King of Gondor who had conquered his realm. Thus Kuilizîth and her daughter were sundered against their will, and Zâinazimril became known to her new people as Berúthiel, the angry queen, for she hated her new subjects and most of all dwelling by the sea. In time she grew so disagreeable that Falastur set her out to sea with only her beloathed feline companions to man her ship, and she sailed past Umbar to lands unknown. Some Black Númenóreans hold that Berúthiel was rescued by corsairs and began a new life in Umbar, where she plotted the downfall of Gondor’s line of kings with the aid of her vengeful brothers, but it is certain that she never returned to Abrakhân, and her mother remained alone.

with 14 more works, we’re going to reach 2000 works in the Fingon/Maedhros tag on ao3 and I feel like this is something we need to celebrate somehow

omg exciting!!! now to see how I can fanangle things so I can post the 2000th fic.... ;)

for a celebration, here's an idea: I made a Russingon tropes bingo card for b2mem - maybe people could use that to inspire us to get to 2000 even sooner? :D

image transcript:

Line 1: Size kink || Post-Thangorodrim recovery || Maedhros gives Fingon his gold ribbons/wire || Gift-giving (Dragon-helm, Green Stone of Fëanor, etc) || Marriage bond

Line 2: Fingon names Maedhros “Russandol” || Post-Angband nightmare (with comfort) || Political drama in Valinor || Aredhel is Fingon’s confidante || Fingon visits Himring

Line 3: Sauron takes Fingon’s form to torment Maedhros in Angband || Maedhros visits Hithlum || FREE SPACE || Secret relationship || Stump-fucking (aka Wristing)

Line 4: Gil-gaDads || Maedhros finds Fingon’s dead body || Hair kink || Fingon rescues Maedhros from the Void || Reembodiment and reunion

Line 5: Maglor is Maedhros’ confidante || Fealty kink || Maedhros ties a gold ribbon around his stump post-Nirnaeth || Maedhros names Fingon “the Valiant” || Post-Nirnaeth nightmare (no comfort)

elves of arda ◆ misc. noldor ◆ headcanon disclaimer

back to middle-earth month 2022 ◆ textual ghosts bingo ◆ mother(s) of erestor

          Curulaer was a Noldo of Fëanor’s host who crossed the Sea upon the swan-ships. When her lord died, she attached herself to his sons and Maedhros in particular, following him to Himring. She was a talented archer, one of the few who matched Fingon’s followers in her skill with a bow, but her greatest strength lay in Songcraft. In Valinor, Curulaer (then known as Curulírë) studied under Maglor, learning Songs of Power, and it was he who recommended her service to his elder brother. Her voice was mighty, calling up intricate illusions and stirring the world around her, and her fellow soldiers greatly respected her musical abilities.           In Himring, Curulaer met the warrior Lagrieth, a Sinda of Mithrim who admired the Noldor’s dedication to waging war upon Morgoth and joined the Fëanorian host when they departed for the east. Lagrieth served as a captain in Maedhros’ army, and saw firsthand the power of Curulaer’s magic. She even saved the Singer’s life in battle, defending her from assailants as Curulaer Sang the earth to tremble around them and open up to swallow a band of orcs into the depths of Arda. Lagrieth and Curulaer became fast friends, and in time a greater love grew between them, and they were wed with their lord’s blessing.           After two centuries of marriage, Lagrieth and Curulaer began a family, retiring from the frontlines for a time. Curulaer bore her wife a son, Erestor, whom they greatly cherished. But Erestor’s youth would be marred by tragedy, for suddenly the Siege of Angband broke and dragonfire burst forth upon the Noldor and their allies. Curulaer and Lagrieth returned to Himring to defend their keep with Erestor in tow, and in the ensuing siege they both were slain. Maedhros honored all his fallen warriors, but these two especially, and learning that their son yet lived he took Erestor under his wing and promised to provide for him ever after.            Erestor grew to adulthood in Himring, fiercely devoted to his lord. Maglor told him stories of Curulírë in Valinor, and his mothers’ comrades affirmed to him their bravery and might in battle. Though his own skills lay not in fighting, Erestor showed promise in organization and management, apprenticing under Himring’s steward Ferior. When the fortress fell after the Fifth Battle, and Ferior with it, Erestor led many survivors east to what safety remained in Beleriand, settling in Amon Ereb long before his Fëanorian lords returned to the castle. Grateful for his skill in restoring Amon Ereb to a greater glory than it had before possessed, Maedhros appointed Erestor his new steward and gave to him the responsibility of caring for the fortress and its inhabitants.            Thus Erestor remained behind whenever his lords went to war, maintaining a home base for the sons of Fëanor throughout the end of the First Age. After the Third Kinslaying at the Havens of Sirion, Maedhros and Maglor returned as the last of their brothers with twin hostages in tow. It was Erestor who aided Elrond and Elros in settling into Amon Ereb, for he was a friendly face who had not been present amid the carnage, and they trusted him more easily than their captors. In time, the twins would come to love Maedhros and Maglor as their foster parents, but Erestor was always a dear companion to them.           As the War of Wrath descended upon the remnants of Beleriand, it was only a matter of time before Amon Ereb fell and what was left of the Fëanorian host were forced to flee. Maglor and Maedhros sent the twins away from the war zone with Erestor as their guardian, first dwelling in Belegost among the dwarves, and then when they insisted they were old enough to fight, among the Noldor under High King Gil-galad’s banner. Erestor and Gil-galad bonded over their mutual care of Elrond and Elros, and became closer than brothers by the end of the War.           When Maglor disappeared and Maedhros cast himself into flame, Erestor deeply grieved his lords’ deaths despite their ill deeds. He, Elrond, and Elros mourned them together, as few others could understand their loss. Erestor now swore loyalty to Gil-galad and Elrond both, and dwelt with them in Lindon throughout much of the Second Age, learning to be a counselor and administrator in the Noldorin court. He was instrumental to Elrond’s founding of Imladris, though he remained mostly by Gil-galad’s side until the War of the Last Alliance, where he took over leadership of the hidden valley while his friends were away.            Erestor was devastated by Gil-galad’s death in this War and retreated into himself as soon as Elrond could take over his duties as Imladris’ lord. It took many years for him to recover his quick wit and joy in life, and it was Elrond’s steadfast kindness—and a new friend’s bright presence—that taught him to hope and laugh again.

elves of arda ◆ misc. noldor ◆ headcanon disclaimer

back to middle-earth month 2022 ◆ “I suppose I first learnt to be a servant by being a servant to the servants: the table in the servants hall to lay, the staff cutlery to clean and the staff meals to put on the table.” —Ernest King, referenced from Life Below Stairs in the 20th Century by Pamela Horn.

           Though the great tales of the Quenta Silmarillion focus primarily upon the deeds of the princes of the Eldar, for each lord and lady there were many followers and servants who swore allegiance to their nobility. Among these were soldiers who fought and died for their lieges, stewards who kept palaces running smoothly, and farmers who tilled the earth, providing food for mighty kingdoms. Few tales of these servants are recorded, but some left such an impact upon their masters that their names survived to later days.           Aldaron was a Noldo of Tirion who faithfully served his lady, Írimë Lalwendë. He followed her across the Grinding Ice and into Beleriand, and was among the few retainers who accompanied her to the Falas when she went to solidify an alliance with Círdan. Among the Sindar, Aldaron’s name became Galdor, and he was quick to befriend the people of Brithombar and Eglarest, learning their customs and sharing his knowledge with his lady. As much as he was a servant, Galdor was also a scholar, and dutifully recorded all he knew of this place and people he had grown to call home.           Galdor outlived Lalwen, who fell in the War of Wrath, but he had little desire to return to Aman when given the chance. Instead he pledged his service to Círdan, aiding him in the construction of Mithlond in Lindon, where he devoted himself to preserving a record of the House of Finwë and those who served them.           Though much of Galdor’s notes were lost or destroyed over the Ages, Elrond Peredhel took an especial interest in the servants of the sons of Fëanor who raised him, and preserved portions of his writing pertaining to their most faithful vassals. Thus he learned of Cúlalmion, the right hand of Maglor Fëanorion, a brave soldier who saved his lord’s life at the First Kinslaying and many times after in Beleriand. Cúlalmion fell defending Maglor’s Gap in the Dagor Bragollach, and from Galdor’s records Elrond discovered that Maglor’s famous Lament of Flame was composed chiefly to honor this most faithful companion.           Athaenir was the valet of High King Fingon, a friend of his from his youth who stuck by his prince’s side through many hardships. He was one of the few people to whom Fingon confessed his marriage in the early days, and the only one to know of Fingon’s plans when he departed save his husband from Angband. Fingon’s complete trust in Athaenir earned him admiration from even Maedhros, and he alone of the Nolofinwëan servants was granted access to the innermost chambers of Himring. Athaenir remained in Barad Eithel amidst the Fifth Battle, and fell in its defense when the armies of Morgoth overrun Hithlum in the wake of his lord’s defeat.           Ferior was the steward of Himring, and one of the few people Maedhros trusted with all his fortress’s secrets. They had originally been an attendant of Maedhros’ father Fëanor, and after his death they entered the service of his sons. Throughout Maedhros’ captivity in Angband, Ferior dealt with the fierce tempers of his brothers as best they could, and was relieved when he returned to wrangle them more effectively than they ever could. Yet Ferior’s determination and resolve impressed Maedhros, and so he offered them a place in his staff, which they accepted gladly. Ferior was an incredibly efficient steward, and some of their records survived long past their death in the fall of Himring, rescued by their apprentice and successor Erestor, who was able to fill in the gaps of their story when Elrond approached him with questions about their life.           Maedhros was not the most forthcoming storyteller in Elrond’s youth, but he was an excellent teacher, and when he offered examples of battle tactics often his explanations would include an anecdote of his chief captain, Redoril. She was an ex-thrall who escaped Angband alongside Rōka and Tauren in the beginning of the First Age, but where the leaders of that rebellion followed Turgon to Gondolin, Redoril entered the service of Maedhros, eager to avenge herself against Morgoth. She was Avarin in origin, and though she spoke little of her past and how she came to be sundered from her people, she revealed to Maedhros that she was of the Cuind, a northern tribe whose settlements had long been targeted by the Shadow. Yet she did not speak the name of her birth, going only by the Sindarin moniker she took upon her escape, signifying “pathfinder” for her skill in tracking both game and enemies alike.           Redoril was swift and deadly in battle, grim-minded like her lord and fiercely devoted to him beyond the typical bonds of fealty. She survived the Nírnaeth Arnœdiad and followed Maedhros into a wild and woodland life among the Laikwendi, her distant kin; it was thanks to her scouting missions that a path to Amon Ereb was discovered and the sons of Fëanor were able to return to that southern fortress. Redoril was slain in Doriath, defending Maedhros to her last breath, and she was given much the same honors as his brothers in the funeral rites that followed the Second Kinslaying.           All these tales and more were collected by Galdor, who dwelt in Mithlond for many Ages. Disaster and war scattered much of his writings, but he was a frequent visitor to Imladris, where he would take counsel with Elrond about matters of the past. He was Círdan’s representative from the Havens at the Council of Elrond, and after Elrond departed Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age, Galdor took up residence in the quiet valley, putting its affairs in order. Eventually, when Círdan and Celeborn at last embarked upon the Last Ship for Valinor, Galdor accompanied them to the land of his birth, hoping to reunite with Lady Lalwen and meet the people whose stories he had gathered secondhand.

it grows perhaps the greater

A great wedding is planned, and the brides- and grooms-to-be contemplate those they love and those they have lost.

Back to Middle-earth Month | 3/31/22 Polyshipping Bingo: Weddings | F/F Bingo: Arwen x Éowyn | Russingon Tropes Bingo: Maglor is Maedhros’ confidante | G-52: Arwen/Aragorn post-canon | G-53: Aragorn writes to Celebrían | G-166: Maglor brings Arwen a wedding gift | Cosplay: “Floral Crown” by @z-h-i-e

Rating: T | No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Aragorn/Arwen/Éowyn/Faramir, Aragorn & Celebrían, Arwen & Maglor, Arwen & Maedhros, Fingon/Maedhros, Maglor & Maedhros Characters: Aragorn, Arwen, Éowyn, Faramir, Maglor, Elrond Word count: 4.4k

READ IT ON AO3!

Received with Joy

Fingon welcomes his sister and her son into his home during their time of need.

Back to Middle-earth Month | 3/13/22 G-8: Maeglin & Fingon; AU in Beleriand and/or reembodiment in Valinor, hurt/comfort, rating G-M | S-2: “Never before had he known such brilliant joy—nor such heartrending sorrow.”

Rating: G | No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Fingon & Aredhel & Maeglin Characters: Fingon, Aredhel, Maeglin Word count: 1.9k

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The Ugly Truth

part of little star, little flame

Their first night in their new home at the Falas, Erien lashes out at her brother.

Back to Middle-earth Month | 3/25/22 Family Bingo: Adopting/Fostering; Siblings | Photography: “Haven” by @anerea-lantiria​

Rating: T | No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Gil-galad & Erien, background Russingon Characters: Erien, Gil-galad Word count: 1.7k

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The Rainbow at the End of the Road

part of the world as we know it [Modern AU]

One big conversation at a time, Maedhros said. Well, it’s time.

in which Maedhros finally talks about his gender :) I’ve been waiting a long time to share this one!! hope you enjoy!!

Back to Middle-earth Month | 3/5/22 Real-World AU Bingo: Growth | Photography: The rainbow at the end of the road by Ysilme

Rating: T | No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: t4t!Maedhros/Fingon Characters: nb!Maedhros, trans!Fingon Word count: 2.7k

READ IT ON AO3!