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apoemaday · 4 months

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A Brave and Startling Truth

by Maya Angelou

We, this people, on a small and lonely planet Traveling through casual space Past aloof stars, across the way of indifferent suns To a destination where all signs tell us It is possible and imperative that we learn A brave and startling truth And when we come to it To the day of peacemaking When we release our fingers From fists of hostility And allow the pure air to cool our palms When we come to it When the curtain falls on the minstrel show of hate And faces sooted with scorn are scrubbed clean When battlefields and coliseum No longer rake our unique and particular sons and daughters Up with the bruised and bloody grass To lie in identical plots in foreign soil When the rapacious storming of the churches The screaming racket in the temples have ceased When the pennants are waving gaily When the banners of the world tremble Stoutly in the good, clean breeze When we come to it When we let the rifles fall from our shoulders And children dress their dolls in flags of truce When land mines of death have been removed And the aged can walk into evenings of peace When religious ritual is not perfumed By the incense of burning flesh And childhood dreams are not kicked awake By nightmares of abuse When we come to it Then we will confess that not the Pyramids With their stones set in mysterious perfection Nor the Gardens of Babylon Hanging as eternal beauty In our collective memory Not the Grand Canyon Kindled into delicious color By Western sunsets Nor the Danube, flowing its blue soul into Europe Not the sacred peak of Mount Fuji Stretching to the Rising Sun Neither Father Amazon nor Mother Mississippi who, without favor, Nurture all creatures in the depths and on the shores These are not the only wonders of the world When we come to it We, this people, on this minuscule and kithless globe Who reach daily for the bomb, the blade and the dagger Yet who petition in the dark for tokens of peace We, this people on this mote of matter In whose mouths abide cankerous words Which challenge our very existence Yet out of those same mouths Come songs of such exquisite sweetness That the heart falters in its labor And the body is quieted into awe We, this people, on this small and drifting planet Whose hands can strike with such abandon That in a twinkling, life is sapped from the living Yet those same hands can touch with such healing, irresistible tenderness That the haughty neck is happy to bow And the proud back is glad to bend Out of such chaos, of such contradiction We learn that we are neither devils nor divines When we come to it We, this people, on this wayward, floating body Created on this earth, of this earth Have the power to fashion for this earth A climate where every man and every woman Can live freely without sanctimonious piety Without crippling fear When we come to it We must confess that we are the possible We are the miraculous, the true wonder of this world That is when, and only when We come to it.

#poetry #maya angelou #a brave and startling truth

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tanoraqui · 20 days

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Eldamar!Buzzfeed’s Top 5 Maglor Fëanorion Songs

9/26/422 Fo.A

[read on AO3]

The votes are in and the people have spoken! Thanks to our poll last week, Elf!Buzzfeed is excited to present our and your Top 5 Maglor Fëanorion compositions, with commentary from experts—including the infamous Singer himself!

5. First Age Northern Beleriandrin Songs of Warding and Warning

After the sheer number and variety of write-ins, we decided to credit Maglor with the whole genre of Songs of Warding and Warning of Siege-Era Northern Beleriand. Top write-ins included “Campfire Warding Song”, “Wind in the Grass” and “Song of the Gap.”

Expert Opinions:

Eglatarwen Lindambar, a Court Minstrel of Üdoriath: This is an insult to Queen Melian. The Noldor did naught but modify and build upon pre-existing Songs, and all or nearly all the popular Songs of Warding in Beleriand were taught or inspired by Melian, even before she created the Great Girdle. I will concede their effectiveness—against most things pettier than dragons, at least—but to credit him with the genre? So much for journalistic neutrality.

Timpenindë Cuilemë, preeminent bard among the Noldor: Oh, I don’t know if I’m qualified for this one—I was only in Beleriand for a few decades for the War. But I did recognize Maglor’s work when I found it, and we found it in quite a few places. I think he deserves more credit for the endurance of Himring, actually—I saw that immediately. It may be Maedhros’s will sunk deep into those stones, so deep that neither Morgoth not Ulmo could wear them down. But it’s Maglor’s classic Songs, all love and faith and bloody-minded stubbornness, that served as the final mortar.

Maglor: I’m flattered, but I really don’t think I should be taking credit for this. I did compose my first warding-Song entirely organically, to keep annoying younger brothers out of my bedroom. But everything— almost everything in the First Age was collaborative. “Campfire Warding Song” is ancient—I learned it in my youth from my father, who learned it from his, who Sang it in Cuivienen and during the Great Journey. All I did was modify it to be more attuned to the enemies we faced later, as orcs and such were new and rare for our forefathers. “Song of the Gap” is a call-and-response with constant improvisation—I did compose the basic melody and rhythm, but it varies every time it’s Sung! Likewise “Wind in the Grass”, “Lullaby for Foes”, “Tread Thee Not (or Suffer our Wrath Resplendent)”…I’m not saying we didn’t compose some good Music, but it was all very collaborative!

4. Noldolantë (Full)

The complete story of the Fall of the Noldor: the prologue of Finwë’s first visit to Aman, then the tragedy of Miriel, the division of the Noldor and the slaughter of Finwë, the Oath, the First Kinslaying, the Burning of the Ships, the Siege, the Breaking of the Siege, the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Falls of Gondolin and Nargothrond, the Second Kinslaying, the Third Kinslaying, the War of Wrath and final theft of the Silmarils, the suicide of Maedhros and the lone Singer himself wandering remorseful forevermore; with a postscript for the forging of the One Ring, the deaths of Celebrimbor and Gil-Galad, and the Fall of Númenor. It isn’t pure grief—there are bright spots in the Rescue of Maedhros, the Tale of Beren and Lúthien (borrowing melodically and lyrically from the Lay of Leithien), the rise of Gil-Estel. However, its wide range of tragedies is famously able to reduce even the stoniest heart to tears at least once.

Composed in pieces mostly over the course of the First Age, and refined into a single piece over the course of the Second and Third Ages, as the singer wandered alone and repentant on the shores of mortal Arda. Takes six and a half days to sing all the way through, unstopping.

Expert Opinions:

Timpenindë: This is not Maglor’s best work. I don’t even think it’s his fourth-best work, honestly. It is impressive that he maintains the intensity of emotion throughout—deftly waxing and waning, but mostly waxing—and maybe only Maglor could do that for six and a half straight days! But even if it's strong throughout, the whole 'throughout' is just...too much. Even a powerful Singer has to half-kill themselves to perform this, and it's not much more gentle on the audience. Admittedly, I'm not sure what he could possibly cut, but... It is what it is, but it's just not his best work. Also, the lyrics could use work—more poetry in a couple places, less in others, and I know the faltering meter and rhyme represents his descent into madness but... Well, it suffers from the fact that he was genuinely descending into madness.

Finrod Felagund, High Prince of the Noldor, etc etc: I think this might be ranking so high based on name recognition, honestly. I usually start crying within the first hour, and don't stop... But laced through all my grief for...everything...is the question: if Maglor could produce this sustained tidal wave of craft and raw emotion while wandering lost for 6,000 years, what could he have done if he'd been found instead? It makes me dream wistfully of what greater, kinder marvels he could have wrought... Which only ties into the themes of the song, of course—what could the Noldor have been, if we hadn't gone down the roads we did? What could Arda have been? So, all the more credit to the composer for so thoroughly manifesting this masterpiece!

Maglor: I believe this piece speaks for itself, and for myself.

3. Noldolantë (Original/Standard)

Written in the style of a traditional Noldorin history-song, the original Noldolantë is an accounting of the events of the Darkening through the death of Fëanor, with references at the end to early First Age events including the Rescue of Maedhros and the Dagor Aglareb. Focus is primarily on the Kinslaying at Alqualondë, and secondarily on the Burning of the Ships. Though Maglor originally composed it in Quenya during his brief reign as King of the Noldor and added events throughout the First Age (see: "4. Noldolantë (Full)", this translation into Sindarin, first performed publicly in 68 FA, is the version that was widespread and popular throughout First Age Beleriand and thereafter, and remains most identifiable as "Noldolantë."

Major themes include loss of life and loss of innocence; grief, regret and repentance over the same; and determination to take all this hurt, and all the hurt in Arda, and throw it back at the Enemy tenfold, with sword, Song and fire. Takes about four hours to sing in full, though individual sections were often excerpted as marching chants or battle hymns.

Expert Opinions:

Eglatarwen: The Noldolantë is an undeniably impressive work of technical song-craft, engaging and well-paced narrative, heart-wrenching passion...and propaganda. To not treat it as propaganda would be to do it a disservice, because it's also a very impressive work of propaganda! It takes betrayal and atrocity and turns it into...not 'necessity', to be fair, and nor does it shirk the fault of the Noldor—though it certainly blames Morgoth as well. But it takes the irredeemable and almost inexorably turns it redeemable. Horrors and darkness which can and will be moved on from. Terrible mistakes which can and will be learned from. If only that had been true.

Eärwen Olwiel, Princess of the Teleri, High Queen-Consort of the Noldor: Surprisingly factual and earnestly apologetic, I think, for all its spin.

Finrod: I still hum it sometimes. I still hum parts about Alqualondë sometimes. I hate how good at this he is.

Maglor: Of course it's propaganda. It was propaganda just for me, first, when I needed to make some reassuring sense of everything or I would shatter like a wedding glass. Then I sang it to buck up my people, not least my younger brothers, and keep us going through some of the worst years of my life. Then word came of Thingol's Ban and we needed a response of equal—though not directly contradictory, you'll note!—social impact—and, appropriately, I had this piece that only really needed to be translated into Sindarin in order to serve. Though of course I did need to rewrite every single word and note in subtle, crafty ways to accommodate the new language, and sometimes in very obvious ways. I still miss the original recursive arpeggios... Shoutout to Glauriel of the Plains for thrice saving my life: once from an orc arrow, once from dragonfire, and once for not killing me herself when I recruited her to help me with the translations, said I only needed a quick Sindarin-native judgement on a few scattered verses, and then made her help me rewrite the first bridge alone six times in six days.

2. “The Song That Never Ends”

Infamously annoying short tune which loops both lyrically and melodically, sung most often by children. Composed pre-Darkening. No true potency save, it is rumored, as a means of tormenting enemy prisoners.

Expert Opinions:

Eglatarwen: This song is a malicious attack.

Timpenindë: This is in second place? Stars, I can't believe I was ever engaged to that elf.

Finrod: [staring into the unseen distance as one haunted by memories of torment] The Edain learned this, somehow. The thing about the children of Men, you know, is that they're only children for a very short amount of time relative to us... But there are always more of them...

Maglor: I genuinely regret this one. I’m not sure I even remember why I wrote it. I think to annoy my parents, or maybe Nelyo—hey, Nelyo! [to his brother, passing by] Do you remember when or why I came up with that annoying looping song?

Maedhros Fëanorion: [upon further explanation of the question and context] This is in second place? [to Maglor] I should've killed you when I had the chance. When I still did things like that. [upon being told Finrod's comment on the song] 'Mannish children'? Ha! You can give those back to their parents, not like siblings—of which he only had four, I’ll note, and none of them composed this monstrosity. And speaking of Man-ish children, whom you can’t give back to their parents, he should try righteously vengeful, maliciously compliant teenage—

[He cut off as our host, Elrond Peredhel, walked in, whistling a few idle, familiar notes before offering everyone another round of tea. Maglor and Maedhros both winced, though they said nothing save to accept tea.]

1. Ardamirë

Unofficial subtitle: (Father) It's Not Only Ours Anymore

An ode to Gil-Estel—the jewel, the Light, the ship and captain, the Star. Elements composed and gathered over nearly 6,500 years of wandering on mortal shores, including elements of the Noldolantë; arranged into a complete song in the decades after Maglor’s return to Valinor at the start of the Fourth Age. Takes about three hours to sing in full, reducing most listeners to mostly-joyful tears.

Expert Opinions:

Maglor: Good choice, people—this one is the best.

Fëanor Curufinwë, Crafter of the Silmarils: I won't pretend to be as expert in musical composition as my son, in Songs of Power or simply in casual music-craft. However, I'm certain this isn't his best work, technically speaking. Did truly so few people vote for "The Great Journey” or “On the Slopes of Túna"? [shaking his head] The wisdom of the Eldar truly has been diluted... And surely the recency of this composition biases voters in its favor. Are you certain you've balanced your data properly? …But the song is persuasive. And sticks in one's head very effectively. I've been thinking about it.

#maglor #the silmarillion #my fic #ficlet #feanor and feanor’s kin #aman ever after #[soft launches my OC maglor’s (ex-)fiancée]

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ludinusdaleth · 2 months

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"The Lone Minstrel bows his head, and puts his hat back. He does not look back at her."

#pyreedit #gamingedit #tariq #celeste #flashing gif #pyre #mine #i love them so much

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zelinkcommunity · 9 months

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Zelink Week 2023 Masterlist

The Zelink Community team would like to give a BIG shoutout to everybody who participated in this year’s Zelink Week! Whether you drew, wrote, composed, or just sat back and enjoyed, we are truly grateful for your support and contributions to this event. Overall, we had 194 entries by 58 participants on Tumblr, making this the largest Zelink Week to date!

To show our appreciation, we have compiled all of the Tumblr entries into this one massive post. Check out all of the incredible entries below the cut. For best viewing, use desktop!

And -- if that isn’t enough, visit our Twitter and AO3 Collection too!

DAY 1 - YEARNING

FANFICTION

Lonely at the Top, fanfiction by @zeldaelmo Yearning, fanfiction collab by @linksthoughtbrambles & @bellecream The Minstrel and the Prince, Chapter 1, fanfiction by @flutefemme Yearnings, fanfiction by @rachaeltad Begin Again, fanfiction by @bahbahhh To Control Fate, fanfiction with fanart by @writingnocturne With My Own Eyes, fanfiction by @destined-to-never-meet Yearning, fanfiction with fanart by @jimmyjims Hylia x Link: The Unique Hero, fanfiction by @legofanguy Phantom Touch: Chapter Two, fanfiction by @alphascorpiixx All in Good Time, fanfiction by @sciencelings-writes Love Me (and Leave Me to Die), fanfiction by @aurathian Adore: Chapter One, fanfiction by @mistresslrigtar Yearning, fanfiction by @cowboytwilight Revelations in a Time Past, fanfiction by @hyylia Need, fanfiction by @hlizr50 (*Rated E*) You Still Would’ve Been Mine, fanfiction by @writingissues Waiting For You, fanfiction by @sparrowsworkshop Yearning, fanfiction by @sidonswhistle Waiting, fanfiction by @haste-waste The Hero Enraged, fanfiction by @morekerosene (*Rated M*) Chapter 1: Yearning, fanfiction by @youwouldntbelievehowigothere Yearning, fanfiction by @theangelicstoryteller Oblique, fanfiction by @sparklyfaerie In the Light of Morning, fanfiction by @aegon-targaryen

FANART

Yearning, fanart by @maqiisan Yearning: Pt.I / Pt.II, fanart collab by @linktheacehero & @aheavenscorner Yearning, fanart by @achiepy Yearning, fanart by @doritopretzel Yearning, fanart by @stellarbunni Yearning, fanart by @lady-delamort Yearning, fanart by @hylianzs Yearning, fanart by @euphorichumanart Yearning, fanart by @faeleine Yearning, fanart by @ap-zelda3

MISC.

Falling Through Memories, music playlist by @batgirlsay Yearning, moodboard by @jedi-giraffe The Silence, amv by @cindiquilsnivy --

DAY 2 - FORBIDDEN

FANFICTION

The Minstrel and the Prince: Chapter Two, fanfiction by @flutefemme Begin Again: Chapter Two, fanfiction by @bahbahhh Embrace, fanfiction collab by @linksthoughtbrambles & @bellecream On Forbidden Ground, fanfiction and fanart by @writingnocturne False Worship, fanfiction by @sparklyfaerie (*Rated E*) Forbidden, fanfiction and fanart by @aheavenscorner Adore: Chapter Two, fanfiction by @mistresslrigtar (*Rated M*) Rumors Have Wings, fanfiction by @zeldaelmo Tale of the White Devil: Chapter Five, fanfiction by @linktheacehero ToTK: A Princess Left Behind, fanfiction by @legofanguy Home: OoT Roleswap, fanfiction by @destined-to-never-meet Hollow Hearted, fanfiction by @aegon-targaryen A Queen’s Choice, fanfiction by @the-knightmare The Ballad of Frost and Flames, fanfiction by @sciencelings-writes Cooking Lessons, fanfiction by @hyylia You’re Always Out of Reach, fanfiction by @writingissues Love Me (And Leave Me To Die): Chapter Two, fanfiction by @aurathian All I Am: Chapter One, fanfiction by @sparrowsworkshop Forbidden, fanfiction and fanart by @jimmyjims and @thismousedraws Chapter Two: Forbidden, fanfiction by @youwouldntbelievehowigothere Gaze, fanfiction by @theangelicstoryteller Forbidden, fanfiction by @skyyknights

FANART

Forbidden, fanart by @maqiisan Forbidden, fanart by @marzy-fanarts Forbidden, fanart by @doritopretzel Forbidden, fanart by @stellarbunni Forbidden, fanart by @lady-delamort Forbidden, fanart by @euphorichumanart Forbidden, fanart by @zeldaseyebrows Forbidden, fanart by @ap-zelda3

MISC.

Forbidden, moodboard by @jedi-giraffe --

DAY 3 - LETTERS

FANFICTION

Pink Heart, fanfiction by @sparklyfaerie The Minstrel and the Prince: Chapter Three, fanfiction by @flutefemme Adore: Chapter Three, fanfiction by @mistresslrigtar (*Rated M*) Affection and Affectation, fanfiction collab by @linksthoughtbrambles and @bellecream Begin Again: Chapter Three, fanfiction by @bahbahhh A Simple Request, fanfiction and fanart by @writingnocturne Nerves, fanfiction by @destined-to-never-meet Letters, fanfiction and fanart by @linktheacehero The Comfort of Words, fanfiction by @the-knightmare Letters, fanfiction and fanart by @jimmyjims Letters, fanfiction by @aegon-targaryen Phantom Touch: Chapter Four, fanfiction by @alphascorpiixx A Letter, fanfiction and fanart by @aurathian Letters of the Past, fanfiction by @legofanguy1999 Parting, fanfiction by @minstrelsmusings Letters, fanfiction by @skyyknights Dear Zelda, fanfiction by @three-bunnies-in-a-trenchcoat Link’s Conjecture, fanfiction by @linkcities Written, fanfiction by @theangelicstoryteller Welcome Home, fanfiction by @sparrowsworkshop The Space Between Heartbeats, fanfiction by @zelink5ever

FANART

Letters, fanart by @maqiisan Letters, fanart by @euphorichumanart Letters, fanart by @stellarbunni Letters, fanart by @faeleine Letters, fanart by @lady-delamort

DAY 4 - HAND IN HAND

FANFICTION

Freefall, fanfiction by @sparklyfaerie Begin Again: Chapter Four, fanfiction by @bahbahhh His Hand in Hers, fanfiction and fanart by @writingnocturne Adore: Chapter Four, fanfiction by @mistresslrigtar Hand in Hand, fanfiction by @legofanguy1999 Sun Fête, fanfiction by @linksthoughtbrambles and @bellecream Stay in Bed, fanfiction by @the-knightmare Hand in Hand, fanfiction by @aurathian Vows, fanfiction by @destined-to-never-meet The Minstrel and the Prince: Chapter Four, fanfiction by @flutefemme In Time, fanfiction by @aegon-targaryen Hand in Hand, fanfiction and fanart by @jimmyjims Our History, fanfiction by @linkcities With Your Hand in My Hand, fanfiction by @ladyhoneydee The Fable of the Dragon and the Phoenix, fanfiction by @sciencelings-writes In Your Eyes, fanfiction by @hlizr50 (*Rated M*) Chapter Four: Hand in Hand, fanfiction by @youwouldntbelievehowigothere Follow Me, fanfiction by @sparrowsworkshop I’ve Got You, fanfiction by @theangelicstoryteller Something to Hold Onto, fanfiction by @morekerosene Escaping Together, fanfiction by @legofanguy Clickbait, fanfiction by @zelzenik

FANART

Hand in Hand, fanart by @aheavenscorner Hand in Hand, fanart by @linktheacehero Hand in Hand, fanart by @hylianzs Hand in Hand, fanart by @euphorichumanart Hand in Hand, fanart by @illcamp Hand in Hand, fanart by @maqiisan Hand in Hand, fanart by @faeleine Hand in Hand, fanart by @achiepy Hand in Hand, fanart by @laine-o Reunion, fanart by @zeldaseyebrows Hand in Hand, fanart by @lady-delamort Hand in Hand, fanart by @stellarbunni

MISC

The End, amv by @cindiquilsnivy

DAY 5 - BY A THREAD

FANFICTION

String Along, fanfiction by @sparklyfaerie Superglue, fanfiction by @zeldaelmo Adore: Chapter Five, fanfiction by @mistresslrigtar The Minstrel and the Prince: Chapter Five, fanfiction by @flutefemme Breathe Life Into My Soul (So That I May Kiss You One More Time), fanfiction by @linktheacehero At the Edge of Calamity, fanfiction by @writingnocturne If I Falter, fanfiction by @aegon-targaryen Making the Perfect Craft, fanfiction by @legofanguy1999 By A Thread, fanfiction by @aurathian Begin Again: Chapter Five, fanfiction by @bahbahhh Phantom Touch: Chapter Five, fanfiction by @alphascorpiixx Stay With Me, fanfiction by @destined-to-never-meet By A Thread, fanfiction and fanart by @jimmyjims Visceral, fanfiction by @linksthoughtbrambles and @bellecream Stitched Together, fanfiction by @theangelicstoryteller The Hero’s Scarf, fanfiction by @legofanguy

FANART

By A Thread, fanart by @euphorichumanart By A Thread, fanart by @faeleine By A Thread, fanart by @illcamp By A Thread, fanart by @maqiisan By A Thread, fanart by @lady-delamort

DAY 6 - IN ANOTHER LIFE

FANFICTION

Duet of Time: Chapter One, fanfiction and fanart collab by @aheavenscorner and @linktheacehero Just Rewards, fanfiction by @sparklyfaerie Adore: Chapter Six, fanfiction by @mistresslrigtar Shop Rules, fanfiction by @zeldaelmo In Another Life, fanfiction and fanart by @jimmyjims Another Life, fanfiction by @destined-to-never-meet Greetings Connect, fanfiction collab by @linksthoughtbrambles and @bellecream From This Life to the Next, fanfiction and fanart by @writingnocturne Love Me (And Leave Me to Die): Chapter Three, fanfiction by @aurathian Five Paces Back, fanfiction by @hyylia Like Mortal Men Do Mortal Women, fanfiction by @theangelicstoryteller Phantom Touch: Chapter Six, fanfiction by @alphascorpiixx Across Time, fanfiction and fanart collab by @minstrelsmusings and @maqiisan In Another Life, fanfiction by @legofanguy1999 Begin Again: Chapter Six, fanfiction by @bahbahhh Possibility, fanfiction by @zelink5ever

FANART

In Another Life, fanart by @sidonswhistle In Another Life, fanart by @science-lings In Another Life, fanart by @euphorichumanart

MISC

In Another Life, moodboard by @jedi-giraffe

DAY 7 - FREE DAY

FANFICTION

Adore: Chapter Seven, fanfiction by @mistresslrigtar Flowers, fanfiction by @pl0xm4st3r (collab with @jimmyjims) Nightfall, fanfiction by @destined-to-never-meet From This Moment to the Last Moment, fanfiction by @hlizr50 HyMart, fanfiction by @aurathian A Gift, fanfiction and fanart by @writingnocturne Nearly Free, fanfiction collab by @linksthoughtbrambles and @bellecream A Princess of Two Worlds, fanfiction by @legofanguy Stories of Flying, fanfiction by @flickerintwilights Phantom Touch: Chapter Seven, fanfiction by @alphascorpiixx One is Never Enough, fanfiction by @theangelicstoryteller (*Rated E*) Sweet Home, fanfiction by @sparklyfaerie (*Rated E*) A Gaping Hole Where My Heart Should Be, fanfiction by @nodos-still-breathing

FANART

Flowers, fanart by @jimmyjims (collab with @pl0xm4st3r) Free Day, fanart by @euphorichumanart Free Day, fanart by @stellarbunni Free Day, fanart by @desireofthestage Free Day, fanart by @ciayuun Free Day, fanart by @achiepy Free Day, fanart by @mizukkay Free Day: Breakfast in Hateno, fanart by @maqiisan

#Zelink Week #Zelink Week 2023 #Zelink Community #Zelink

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cilil · 1 month

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Maglor

⌔ Synopsis: Maglor Fëanorion, before and after the Oath. ⌔ Warnings: Angst, grief, suicidal thoughts ⌔ Double drabble

Makalaurë, for as long as he could remember, had been an artist, a singer, a musician, an actor. His harp was his trusted companion and his voice charmed even the Ainur, whose roles he would sometimes play in Ilmarin's theatre.

A smith like his father or a sculptor like his mother Makalaurë had never been, but it mattered not. He had his own passion, his own art, his own destiny.

It was hard to stand out as a son of Fëanáro, the mighty and renowned crown prince of the Noldor, as one of seven children; but Makalaurë had done it.

⌔

Maglor has long since become a warrior, fighting in eternal service of his father's Oath. One of seven kinslayers, one of seven doomed princes, pitied and loathed.

His sword remains by his side always, bloodstained and ready to be drawn at any moment. His harp he carries still, stubbornly hidden underneath his cloak, but he sings little, for his voice is hoarse from battle cries.

One by one his brothers fall, until at last even Maedhros abandons him.

Maglor contemplates joining the jewel in the sea, but does not.

Thus he becomes once more renowned — as a lonely, grieving minstrel.

Thanks for reading! ♡

@feanorianweek

#maglor #makalaure #drabble #double drabble #silm fanfic #silmarillion fanfiction #silmarillion #cílil writes #my writing #feanorianweek

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furious-haste-of-malice · 3 months

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❝ "Come, Mulkhêrînim, and do not be shy. The Elf-prince is yours to use tonight, for this is how the Lord rewards his loyal subjects." ❞

⊱ Prompt: Pillory/stocks, free use ⊱ Pairing: Númenórean cultists x Maglor, Mairon ⊱ Synopsis: Mairon captures Maglor and brings him to the Temple of Melkor as a gift to his loyal followers. ⊱ Featuring: The Cult of Melkor is also a deranged sex cult now because Mairon said so, references to past Angbang ⊱ Warnings: Non-con, ritualistic gang rape, sadism & voyeurism (on Mairon's part in particular), the prompts by themselves

𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: Another one for @tolkienpinupcalendar's Dead Dove December; we're nearing the end (one more regular chapter that I have already written plus a bonus fic I'm currently working on).

Mulkhêrînim - (Adûnaic) - Children of Melkor. Thought it would be a lovely way for Mairon to address them like that as an ultimate affront against Eru. Translation by me with the help of this dictionary (because in the Tolkien fandom even the nasty porn needs linguistics!)

"I have a special gift for you today, oh faithful Mulkhêrînim."

His loyal cultists mumbled among themselves when Mairon presented them with the exquisite treat he had captured.

At first glance, it appeared to be yet another captive, like the innumerable amount he had caught in the service of his lord – a dark-haired man, albeit handsome by incarnate standards, was kneeling on the dais in front of the altar, his head and hands secured by a hastily erected pillory, naked save for a flimsy loin cloth.

The more perceptive among Mairon's followers, however, had already noticed what made this one special: The pair of pointed ears sticking out from the mess that was his hair, almost defiantly announcing his identity as one of Ilúvatar's immortal children.

"Is that an Elf?" one of the cultists gasped, pointing at the helpless prisoner.

"Indeed it is, very good," Mairon purred and stood next to the Elf in question to almost tenderly pull his hair out of the way to show them off. "But not any Elf; I have captured one of royal blood."

The whispering among his followers intensified, and he savoured the tension before the anxiously awaited revelation.

"Meet Prince Makalaurë, also known as Maglor, the last living son of Fëanor!"

Laughing and jeering erupted from the crowd, their faces changing from curious to ravenous within seconds. Maglor, however, remained quiet, merely pressing his lips together and hardening his gaze.

I suppose his dear brother told him what happens to those who talk back, Mairon thought with a pleased smirk.

"Our minstrel's lonely wanderings have finally come to an end, so that he may grace us with his presence instead," he declared with a grand gesture, smugness bleeding into his tone like black ink dripping into water.

"Will he be a sacrifice to the Lord?" a younger cultist asked.

Mairon laughed. Oh, Melkor would be delighted to witness this scene; he could practically hear his gleeful laughter echoing through the temple from beyond the circles of the world, could see his eyes gleaming with dark amusement, could feel his joy – but he swiftly tore himself away from his memories and imagination, lest he be distracted for too long.

"Perhaps he will be in time," he drawled, "though for now he shall serve you."

His mortal followers, while loyal and so very eager to attain the immortality he had promised, didn't seem to grasp the meaning of his words, looking up at him expectantly. None had the courage to ask. Mairon suppressed a sigh of exasperation and the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose and stepped aside so they could properly admire Maglor's scantily clad form.

"Have you never dreamed of getting a taste of what we will conquer? Of enjoying the pleasures of immortal flesh?" He chuckled. "Such rare blood is too precious to spill with haste, would you not agree? After all..."

In one swift movement, Mairon raked his claw-like golden nails down Maglor's back, drawing blood and eliciting a piercing scream.

"He has such a beautiful voice, for which he is renowned to this day. What a waste it would be to not enjoy his illustrious company..."

Murmurs of agreement rose within the crowd, and a few cultists came closer, looking up at their high priest as they waited for permission. Mairon stepped back to make space for his followers and beckoned them with an elegant wave of his hands, causing the golden bangles on his arm to clink and tinkle.

"Come, Mulkhêrînim, and do not be shy. The Elf-prince is yours to use tonight, for this is how the Lord rewards his loyal subjects."

A heady mix of lust and greed filled the room, and he inhaled it eagerly, a warm shudder going through him. He was going to enjoy this spectacle greatly.

Had he caught any other Elf, he would have to be worried that their fëa would all too soon flee to Mandos, unable to endure such violation, but the Fëanorion's ill-fated oath would keep him chained to his hröa.

Robes billowing behind him as if moved by an unseen tempest of malice, Mairon strutted around the altar and leapt onto the lap of Melkor's statue with feline grace, taking a seat like a king would sit on a throne.

"Do you see that, precious? Almost like home," he whispered to the statue and pressed a reverent kiss onto the cold marble hand, exactly where his ring would have been.

Maglor didn't scream when his loin cloth was torn off him, nor when greedy hands explored his body and fondled him like a common whore. He didn't grace his captors with any pleas or protests. Only when one cultist knelt behind him and forced his cock inside, he finally cried out.

Mairon smiled. Awaken their lust, and they are reduced to mere animals, as you taught me yourself.

The scene unfolding in front of him was chaotic, erratic and filthy, just like Melkor would have loved it. The Man's coupling with their Elven captive was frenzied and hasty, gripping his hips with his knuckles white, chasing his pleasure. Maglor himself was soon silenced – in spite of his wonderful voice and the lovely sound of his screams – by another cultist forcing his mouth open to shove his cock down his throat.

"Let's see what else he can do with that talented tongue of his," another commented on the act, followed by raucous laughter.

Mairon considered chastising them for not appreciating the beauty of a voice trembling with pain and despair, but instead kept a serene expression as if it had been an amusing statement. He couldn't quite fault them for it; after all, mortals were ever so impatient, and their new toy had many of them to satisfy.

Whenever one finished inside of him, another would take their place. A young initiate was sent to retrieve some oil for additional lubrication and returned with a pitcher containing the very same sacred oil that was used in their ritual sacrifices – another thing too entertaining to be irked by, and thus Mairon remained silent, smiling and nodding along whenever one of his followers looked up at him for encouragement.

"Let us see if they can break him, precious," he whispered to the statue.

Maglor's head hung low whenever no one held it in place, though he had little room to move. The pillory kept him upright even as knees gave in, and seed had begun leaking out of him and down his thighs. Mairon was delighted to see droplets of red marring creamy white and caught the distinct scent of blood. Still, it didn't stop his followers from using their new toy like wild beasts mounting one another during mating season. Some also opted to help themselves before or after their turn, spilling onto whichever part of Maglor they could reach.

Mairon hadn't paid attention to the passage of time, but he estimated a few hours had passed when they were finally done with the Noldorin prince, readjusting their robes and withdrawing from him while glancing up at their master. Abandoning his comfortable seat on the statue – though most unwillingly – he stepped closer to survey the results.

Despite no longer being gagged, Maglor was eerily silent. His entire form was stained with viscous white, his face in particular, his lips were swollen, his legs trembling, his hole loose and leaking.

Mairon graced his followers with a bright, pleased smile as if they had done him a great kindness and placed his fingertips together.

"Well done, Mulkhêrînim. Our Lord shall look down upon you with benevolence and grant his favour to those who stand against his enemies."

Maglor let out a small snort, yet the spark of rebellion was short-lived when Mairon backhanded him across the face with graceful elegance that belied the force of his blow.

"Now take our guest to the King's dungeons and make accommodations worthy of a prince."

The sweet smile on his face then twisted, showing sharp teeth, and his voice darkened as he added, "And make sure he cannot escape, lest you wish to invoke our Lord's wrath."

Thanks for reading! ♡

#⊰✦⊱ non-con #mairon #sauron #maglor #makalaure #numenoreans #cult of melkor #silm smut #minors dni #silm fanfic #silmarillion fanfiction #silmarillion #cílil writes #my writing #tw noncon #cw noncon #dead dove do not eat #TPCdeaddovedecember

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lovefairymina · 2 months

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Glorfindel, my love, Lindir seems lonely, perhaps we should invite him in our fun this evening. I’ve seen the way he stares at you, I think it would be fun to see what sounds such a talented minstrel could make in the bedroom

“Oh! I’ve never noticed this. Perhaps I can make amends to your wishes and invite him,” he softly replies while offering a warm smile. The back of his hand brushed your cheek, enjoying the softness it offered, and could not wait to feel it under him, flushed and warm.

#♡{sweet.kisses} ~ {glorfindel}#glorfindel #glorfindel imagine #glorfindel x you #glorfindel x y/n #laurefindil #rivendell #imladris #lotr imagines #silm smut #silm imagines #middle earth imagine

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luriendotmp3 · 2 months

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rediscovered some doodles from a few months ago

#pyre #my art #supergiant games #supergiant pyre #jodariel pyre #the lone minstrel pyre #lone minstrel pyre #tariq pyre

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mairaiscarrierofthepaperclips · 4 months

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Fic Writing Review 2023

Tagged by the glorious @thewolvesof1998.

Words and Fics

117,284 words published to AO3 (so many words still in docs as WIPs)

2 fandoms (9-1-1 and The Rookie)

Most recent drop: i opened my eyes (and all i saw was you)

Longest Fic: hard kick, slow burn (M, 11,382 words)

Top Fics by Kudos (all Buddie)

and i always will (M, 2,365 words)

you're where i stand, hearing the sea (T, 2,972 words)

i am never without it (T, 3,404 words)

a madman and a minstrel (T, 2,575 words)

to the depth and breadth and height (M, 6,231 words)

My fandom fic events in 2023

Flufftober 2023! And it was a banger.

My Buddie collection for Flufftober can be found here.

Upcoming Events and Projects for 2024

Fics I'm going to try and get out in the upcoming year:

Almost complete:

lazarus rising - Buck needs space after the lightning strike. Eddie doesn't understand, not really, but he lets him go. But when Buck comes home, he finds out that something has gone terribly, terribly wrong.

Already started:

magical realism fic (Buck thinks he's allergic to Eddie. Spoiler warning: he's not).

vesper - inspired by the poker episode, Athena asks the boys to go undercover in a poker ring. Think Casino Royale.

Gravedigger fic - fans of Bones will immediately know what I'm talking about here, amirite?

not like this (title TBC) - based on the New Girl kiss (IYKYK)

snow shovel fic - AU where Buck and Eddie are neighbours. it's a whole thing.

you're in my arms (and all the world is calm) sequel - Chenford fic, sequel is from Lucy's POV (and answers the cliffhanger from YIMA)

a Davrick (Schitt's Creek) piece inspired by the 9-1-1: Lone Star episode 'Saving Grace'.

Ideas/planned fics (basically the Notes app on my phone):

No Nut November fic - my actual November turned hectic, but if all goes well I'll still write this one because the plot makes me giggle.

Multi-chapter AU featuring past lives, reincarnation, and soul mates.

night strewn salt across the sky sequel - featuring Barista!Buck and Nurse!Eddie's First Date!

when words and deeds are in accord (my whole world is transformed) sequel - featuring established Buddie fluffiness. With singing!

apocalypse fic - snow. so much snow.

I have had so much fun writing in the 9-1-1 fandom this year - I switched from the HP fandom due to Reasons, and the welcome and love I've been shown has been truly lovely.

Thank you so much to everyone who has read/left kudos/commented/mentioned me in a post or sent me an ask - y'all are amazing.

#911 #911 fox #911 abc #buddie #911 buddie #buck x eddie #evan buckley #eddie diaz #911 ao3 #ao3 #writers of ao3 #ao3 writer #tumblr tag game #fic writing review 2023 #chenford #davrick #writing #tumblr lists

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blackautmedia · 7 months

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The Deku Scrubs and Racism in Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Content Warning: Depiction of Racism, mention of cannibalism

I briefly touched on this in my Zelda video, but I wanna talk about the way the Deku in Majora's Mask are portrayed.

Zelda utilizes racial coding to depict nearly every group/race in the series. Racial coding if you're not aware is you apply traits associated with our real-world understanding of race, gender, disability and so on to non-human characters. It's neither inherently good nor bad to do and can enrich a story if used consciously and carefully.

It can also be done unintentionally without a storyteller realizing the implications often because they're repeating elements from stories they enjoy without catching these details.

It can also just be used maliciously in making harmful commentary using racial coding as a way to bypass any restrictions or legal issues that would come up in showing something directly. Much like queer coding, it also offers a form of plausible deniability.

A lot of cartoon characters wear gloves for instance because they were designed to embody minstrel caricatures popularized as a way to perpetuate Anti-Blackness. The practice of minstrelsy has never really died out, it's only changed and evolved with time.

Legend of Zelda uses that same coding in its storytelling. The Deku are plant people with a great deal of plant clothing and architecture. Their color also gives them a dark brown appearance which is common with a lot of the savage islander tropes used here.

They're also portrayed as prone to violence and anger, impatient and impulsive in how they wrongfully assume this monkey harmed their princess, and most notably they utilize the trope of boiling their victims alive as a scene of shock for the white explorer:

During the first section in the Southern Swamp, you can't even access the Deku palace as they don't welcome any outsiders except those the same race as them, not realizing that Link is a white boy with magic powers and has taken the form of their bodies (which is a thing all on its own in this context.)

Even then they don't welcome outsiders of any kind but only allow Deku Link entrance to witness a spectacle at a barbaric showing of publicly executing a monkey they believe has kidnapped the princess.

This is a trope commonly used toward several groups of people, many of them often lumped together as vaguely "brown" people, but you see it done with a lot of Native characters, Black people, Pacific Islanders, Asian folks, and many groups in South America. There's real-life overlap of these people--Afro-Indigenous and Latin Indigenous people exist for example--but the point in the eyes of a white gaze is to depict these as some evil and dangerous other to the horror of the white protagonist.

It conflates a lot with race, nationality, and ethnicity and which specific demographic of people will vary, but it's often done by portraying dark-skinned people of some kind in contrast to the civilized, rational white protagonist.

A lot of times this often goes hand in hand with the portrayal of cannibalism and blood rituals which isn't shown in Zelda, but to give an example of what this trope looks like, compare the visuals in Majora's Mask to the 1932 Mickey Mouse episode Trader Mickey:

Note: (you can watch the entire episode here if you'd like.)

There's an entire genre of film that utilizes the savage brown person in with the white explorer protagonist that go into this idea of framing whatever group of people it is weird, uncivilized, dangerous, and thoughtlessly impulsive often utilizing white fears of the "other" to portray them as beings of horror.

Often these films had usually one "good" brown person and often would have a lone woman character, usually the tribe leader's daughter who was objectified for the protagonist and audience and was usually portrayed as the only civilized or "good" ones, often exoticized and hypersexualized. If she wasn't, she was often abused into submission for the white character.

Also adding to this is the...everything about the Woodfall temple and the boss, Odolwa leaning into the same tropes.

I bring this up mostly as a way to provide an educational resource for other Zelda fans so we have a better frame of knowledge to not reproduce these narratives in fanart, fanfics, and so on. Majora's Mask is my favorite Zelda game! But that doesn't mean it's above critique especially in how it utilizes racial coding.

I'm deliberately avoiding showing more graphic imagery of film examples to make this as not triggering as possible, but cannibalism is a common element in these portrayals as well.

This kind of imagery pops up in quite a few Nintendo games and outside the gaming sphere as well. Off the top of my head, there's Kirby Superstar with Wham Bam Rock as portrayed in the SNES version and the Spear guys from the Mario brothers series.

Here's the Zelda Gerudo video if you haven't seen it before.

youtube

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oumaheroes · 1 year

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Do you think the disappearance of English traditions hits England hard? The traditional dances, arts, folk traditions.

Oh God yes

I went into it in more detail in my headcanon about The Industrial Revolution but, in essence, yes

'Does no one dance that dance, anymore? Does no one sing that old song? That story he loved to hear from the travelling minstrels, when was the last time he’d heard it spoken? Or even seen one of those men about? What was that myth from the town down the road, really does no one know? Is there no one left to remember with him?

...

He liked what it brought, he liked how it made him feel and he liked that he was, indisputably, at the top of his game and a trendsetter in every sense. But as soon as he first felt that flicker of loss it never quite went away and he could never again feel the full and shiny affects of the first few years. Instead, the feeling of loss grew and pulsed with the passing of each generation as more and more of his old way of life slipped away, leaving him truly an island amongst a sea of the new and the strange.'

Mummers performers and their folklore lost with an entire generation in World War I, the levelling of dialects and accents from the age of media and internet, the Victorians stamping out anything deemed improper- lots of what England once had and held dear has now been lost and Arthur is very lonely, sometimes. Stuck with a group song in his head and no one to sing it with, the itch for a dance no one else knows the steps to

He is caught between letting these traditions die (if that's where his people are inclined to go) and wanting to keep them alive as much as he can, understanding that they're the dying gasp of an older way of life. He can never be fully convinced one way or the other and still finds himself in the middle of rural village fetes, watching a Maypole raised or Jack in the Green emerge for the turn of the season. Would maybe personally sponsor a new Rapper Sword dance troop or two

English folklore is still there though, kept alive in modern forms like TV adaptations and retellings of old stories in books. But still more exists as it always has done, only deemed 'uncool' or old fashioned or silly. Morris dancers still dance, though the dancers are older and thought of as 'twee' and boring, (especially compared to their Scottish and Irish relatives) and folk songs are still sung, though they're not as popular or well known

#aph england #hws england #hetalia #hws #aph #arthur kirkland #heroes headcanons

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studentinpursuitofclouds · 6 months

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Your headcanon on SVE bachelors and bachelorettes’ (bonus SVE NPCs if possible) reaction where they happened to be the farmer’s muse. Like the farmer would paint artistic portrait of them or just simply find inspiration just from hangingout with them.

I remember writing a headcanon on a similar topic (but about SDV bachelors/ettes), you can find it here 👈 Enjoy, and thanks for asking! 🫰

_________________________________________

Lance:

*Chuckle* Who knew Farmer is so talented - growing crops, adventurer skills, magic. And now drawing as well. Truly, a talented person is talented in everything. It was also a bit surprising to Lance that he had become a frequent inspiration to the Farmer while drawing. Didn't they harbour something more than friendship for him, hmm? *Chuckle* Oh, he's just kidding, no need to worry. But Lance admits he's very happy to have Farmer's company in his lonely post at Crimson Baldlans. And he hopes the heat of the cursed desert will hide his slight blush when the Farmer presents him with his beautifully painted portrait.

Magnus Rasmodius:

Not that Magnus is against the Farmer's company, but the wizard has no way of knowing why he was the muse for their new novel (he didn't even know they were even writing in their spare time from farming). A story about magic, wizards and forest spirits? Hmm, interesting. Well, since that was the case, Magnus wouldn't mind even sharing a couple of stories about his youth and the various wonders he'd encountered. Provided, of course, that the Farmer comes up with a pseudonym for the hero and gives Magnus the opportunity to read the novel first. Now, he need to make tea for himself and his guest - and let the story begins.

Victor:

Victor had been fond of reading books since he was a kid, and one of his favourite genres was chivalric romance. Noble knights and minstrels dedicated their vows and serenades to beautiful ladies, who stood on the balcony and listened to every word. And Victor would never have thought that he would have to feel himself that noble lady, and from the window on the first floor of his house listen to the beautiful melody that came from the Farmer's mini harp. The farmer once said that Victor was their muse in writing new musical works, and the young man thanked them shyly. Well, now Victor will blush even more (it doesn't mean he doesn't like music... and Farmer 🌝).

Sophia:

Oh, drawings? Yay, Sophia loves drawings, well let Farmer show her what they drew there. *Gasp* It's her! And it's so beautiful and detailed and cute. The farmer drew her in various costumes from her favourite manga, how cool! Muse? Hee hee, thanks! She didn't know her friend was so talented. Oh! Maybe if they wanted to, Sophia could make a new cosplay costume and they could draw her in costume again? Really? Yay! She will not forget their kindness and gift.

Claire:

Oh, honestly... Claire hadn't expected to see her beautiful portrait in Farmer's sketchbook, and their words that she had become their muse came as a shock to her. If Claire doesn't know Farmer well enough, it's going to be a little weird for her... Don't get her wrong. However, if Claire is friends with Farmer, she is very intrigued by their talent, but still she doesn't understand why exactly she became their inspiration. The Jojamart cashier isn't used to this kind of attention, so it's new to her, and... Is that a portrait of her dressed as the heroine from her favourite thriller? So beautiful... Thank you kindly, Farmer.

Olivia:

Live music, how beautiful... Olivia has always been a connoisseur of live music, because she thinks the radio or television cannot convey the emotional power of music, which sometimes literally takes us by the soul. And the way the Farmer skilfully performed a serenade for Olivia, dedicated to her, was truly mesmerising. Love, longing, joy, memories.... By touching the strings of the harp, Farmer was able to make their muse listen rapturously, forgetting everything. Olivia cannot express in words how much this means to her.

#thanks for asking!#stardew valley #sdv #sve #stardew valley expanded #sdv headcanons #sve headcanon #sve lance #sve victor #sve magnus #sdv wizard #sdv rasmodius #sve sophia #sve claire #sve olivia #i actually write a little headcanons about SDV bachelors/ettes too because i forgot this ask only about SVE #so when i open askbox again - i maybe post about vanilla characters too

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