#Mearas

[sotwk]

Horses in the Woodland Realm

Historically, the Silvan Elves that dwelt in Greenwood the Great, prior to the coming of their Sindar rulers, had no desire or reason to keep horses. Horses were neither necessary nor practical for travel within their dense woodlands, and the Silvans did not journey frequently enough from their home territory to require them. As peaceful Elves, they also had all the stamina and time in the world to walk leisurely to their destinations.

Even with the arrival of the would-be King Oropher and his brethren, there were only a handful of Sindar who brought horses along with them, and continued the practice of riding as a means of transport, whether for recreation or warfare. In the Second Age, the most skilled of these horse-riders was the Crown Prince Thranduil.

Thranduil, the Great Rider

Thranduil grew up in Doriath among the Sindar, an environment where horse riding was not a very common practice.

It was not until he participated in the War of Wrath and trained as a soldier amongst the Vanyar and Noldor, did he learn to be around and ride horses.

(Note: Thranduil's participation in this war is a controversial headcanon and a massive deal that doesn't get addressed enough. It needs its own separate, in-depth discussion--or two or three!)

For his valor during the war, Thranduil was gifted by his commanders with the orphaned horse he rode during the later battles, a great stallion that originated from Valinor, carried across the sea with the Host of the West. He named the horse Raindal, meaning "wandering feet".

As a creature of Valinor, Raindal was blessed with extraordinarily long life and vigor, similar to that of Elves. The steed accompanied Thranduil throughout his widespread travels and adventures early in the Second Age, and carried him to Greenwood when Oropher and his kin migrated out of Lindon in c. SA 750.

Thranduil commanded the forces that cleansed Greenwood from the encroachment of orcs and evil creatures that had survived the Great War (see related HCs here).

He made such a fearsome, terrible vision in hunting down the foul beasts, astride his great horse, that the Silvan Elves thought he might have been Oromë himself coming to their aid.

During the Second Age, many Greenwood Elves referred to their new Prince reverently as "The Great Rider".

Sadly, Thranduil's 1,700-year friendship with Raindal came to an end when the great horse perished during the Sack of Eregion, a battle in which Thranduil fought to rescue the elleth he loved, Lady Maereth. Later on, opponents of his betrothal to Maereth claimed it was an ill-foreboding sign that he should not marry her.

Despite mating with countless different mares over the centuries, Raindal never successfully sired offspring.

After the loss of Raindal, Thranduil never kept or claimed another horse of his own. For the rest of the Second Age, he rode only in certain times of need, and never using the same animal.

Thranduil only found a replacement for Raindal when he discovered the first of his elks, a one-of-a-kind species never before seen in Rhovanion or perhaps all of Middle-earth. He named the elk Alvar, meaning "good fortune", considering the creature a gift from the Valar themselves.

Henceforth that particular breed of elk became known as the "King's Elk", and was bred and raised exclusively to be the mount of the Elvenking of the Woodland Realm.

(Note: A detailed history of Thranduil and his elk, and the characteristics of the "King's Elk" will be discussed in future headcanons, since it is also a lengthy topic!)

The finding of Alvar factored heavily into Thranduil's decision to join the Last Alliance of Elves and Men (which then pushed Oropher to ride into war), and was instrumental in his survival of the bloody battles.

Alvar lived up until TA 318 to an estimated age of about 400 years old. The great steed was replaced by his offspring sired with a native Greenwood elk, a crossbreeding effort overseen by Thranduil's young son, Prince Gelir. (referenced in the fanfic "Greenleaf's Day Out")

Mirkwood's Ties with the Rohirrim Ancestors

Very early in the Third Age, horses were bred and kept by the Greenwood Elves in small numbers, for the main purpose of travel outside of the Woodland Realm to other kingdoms.

Because most Silvans seldom ventured beyond Woodland territory, such travel was primarily done by the Royal Family and their retinue.

However, the Greenwood breeds at that time, which descended from native wild horses in the eastern plains of Rhovanion, struggled to meet the rigorous work often required by Thranduil and his elder sons.

Greenwood horses were smaller, gentler, and not physically built for warfare, charging, or enduring over long distances.

Thranduil and his elder sons, Crown Prince Mirion and Prince Tuhrir, were all over seven feet tall, and the princes inherited the heavy warrior builds of their Noldorin ancestors from the First Age. As they grew older and stronger and heavier, it became very difficult to find horses that could match the level of physicality their activities required.

The Woodland Elves had friendly relations with the Northmen who occupied the Vales of Anduin in scattered tribes.

One nomadic tribe in particular, who called themselves the Lôthéod, had old traditions of taming and breeding wild horses all across Rhovanion.

When they learned about the Woodland Princes' unique predicament, they came forward and offered knowledge about an "untamable" herd of "giant" wild horses they came across in their travels down the northern Wilderland.

The Lôthéod believed their lack of success in capturing this wild horse breed was because they descended from horses of the High Elves from the First Age, and therefore could only be mastered by those with High Elf (Calaquendi) blood.

Young Prince Turhir (less than 90 years old at the time) received permission from his father the Elvenking to accompany the Lôthéod to the northern lands and seek out these special horses.

After several years, around TA 120, the Lôthéod--with the help of Turhir--succeeded in capturing and taming the first of the northern wild horses, which were given the name, "Arroch" (noble horse).

With the Lôthéod's guidance, the Woodland Elves succeeded in bringing the Arrochs to their lands and bred them in very small numbers for over two millennia.

From that time on, Turhir had a special affinity for the Northmen horse lords, a friendship that continued for centuries to their descendants, the Éothéod, and finally the Rohirrim.

SotWK Fancast: Sam Heughan (Outlander) as Prince Turhir Thranduilion

The Arrochs: Horses of Princes

Similar to the Mearas, the Arrochs were extremely selective about whom they permitted to ride them. Presumably, only Elves with Calaquendi blood (which the Mirkwood Princes had through their mother) could safely ride an Arroch.

Although Arrochs were owned almost exclusively by the Sons of Thranduil, there were no laws restricting the use or ownership of Arrochs to Elven nobility. However, it was extremely risky to attempt to mount one without "permission", as these great horses were notorious for seriously injuring or even killing riders they rejected.

Their accepted origin story is that Arrochs descended from Valinoran horses of the Great War, similar to Thranduil's old horse Raindal but interbred with Middle-earth horses.

They were long-lived, but not immortal. Their lifespan averaged about two hundred years. Although more durable (in flesh and will) than most horses, they could be slain by standard weapons.

Arrochs were highly intelligent, and could be trained to understand commands in different languages.

They were extraordinarily brave in battle and did not scare or bolt even in the face of terrible monsters. They were fiercely loyal to their masters, willing to give their lives rather than preserve themselves.

They had high endurance levels, and could sustain a hard gallop for hours without need for rest, even when bearing heavy or multiple riders.

They could be ridden without saddle or reins, but the Princes usually outfitted them with tack for the safety of others who assisted in handling and caring for them (such as stable hands or soldiers).

What differentiated the Arrochs most from the Mearas was their enormous size. On average, they stood 7 feet tall at the withers and weighed at least 2,000 pounds.

SotWK Fancast: Henry Cavill (The Witcher) as Crown Prince Mirion

Mirkwood Horses in the Third Age Onward

The Arrochs thrived as a breed in the Woodland Realm from TA 120 to about TA 2600, enduring even when the Elvenking's lands grew increasingly infested by the darkness of Dol Guldur.

However, with the succeeding losses of the three eldest Princes--Mirion, Arvellas, and most especially Turhir, the Arrochs gradually stopped breeding.

Turhir's final horse was the last known Arroch to survive. After its death, the breed seemingly became extinct despite the best efforts of Prince Gelir to preserve their line.

By TA 2600, only the native Greenwood horses remained to serve what was left of the royal family and the realm's limited mounted cavalry.

By the time of the War of the Ring, the Arrochs (like many things in the Woodland Realm's long history) were thought by most people in Middle-earth to be merely a myth.

For more Thranduil/Mirkwood headcanons: SotWK HC Masterlist

Elves HC Tag List: @quickslvxrr @laneynoir @auttumnsayshi @achromaticerebus @tamryniel @friendofthefellowshipsnerdblog @blueberryrock @aduialel @scyllas-revenge @glassgulls @ladyweaslette @asianbutnotjapanese @ratsys @conversacomsmaug @lemonivall @lathalea @heranintomyknife23times @heilith @entishramblings @stormchaser819 @a-world-of-whimsy-5 @freshalmondpandadonut @beekieboo @elan-ho-detto-elan-15 @konartiste @g-m-kaye

Interested in more SotWK AU content?

Introduction to SotWK

My Headcanon Masterlist 

My Fanfiction Masterlist

#sotwk headcanon #thranduil #thranduil headcanon #legolas #mirkwood #mirkwood elves #the elvenking #the hobbit #lord of the rings #tolkien #tolkien headcanons #horses #mearas #rohan #rohirrim

[dartxo]

"Shadowfax"

2024

Shadowfax is my favorite Middle-earth horse. Majestic, clever, loyal, and brave, he was the only free horse of the world that could endure the terror of the Nazgûl, and did so many times. One of my favorite little details from the (extended edition) films is how he tries to protect Gandalf from the Witch-king and his fell beast. And they sure did pick a breathtakingly beautiful horse to play him.

Done for Day 9 of the Tolkien Art Challenge by Allan Whincup. 

#shadowfax #mearas #horses #lord of the rings #lotr #lotr fanart #lotr art #fandom #digital art #photoshop #mexican artist #autistic artist #artists on tumblr #dartxo

[theworldsoftolkein]

The King of the Golden Hall & His Noble Steed Snowmane - by Magdalena Katańska

So I imagined That I'm a Gondorian artist ordered to come to Rohan and paint a portrait of King Theoden & his steed Snowmane in the halls of Meduseld. 😄

'Faithful servant yet master's bane Lightfoot's foal, swift Snowmane' - J. R. R. Tolkien Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 'Where now are the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing? Where is the harp on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing? Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;

The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow. Who shall gather the smoke of the deadwood burning, Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning'

- J. R. R. Tolkien Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

#tolkien legendarium #middle earth #tolkien #theoden #meduseld #snowmane #horses of middle earth #mearas #the lord of the rings #kingdom of rohan #rohirrim #riders of rohan #ridermark #horse lords

[vafibrearts]

Someone is sleeping on the job 🐶

#quilt #quilting #hand quilting #block of the month #dog #meara #boxer mix #fibre arts #made by va #va fibre arts

[emeraldexplorer2]

Carroll O'Connor, Anne Meara and Lucille Patton in rehearsal for the 1958 Off-Broadway production of Ulysses in Nighttown

#vintage #beauty #actress #actor #carroll o'connor #anne meara #lucille patton

[indecentpause]

The Most Beautiful Puzzle: Chapter One

cw: stalking, aftermath of past abuse, covid times, police corruption, drug abuse, crime scenes, graphic violence, description of dead bodies

Meara's life has been one disappointment after another, and he's not expecting his new roommate situation to be anything but, either. But he needs to get out of the city and needs a room, and Josselin seems nice enough and has a bed to spare. But Josselin ends up being more than just a freelance translator, eccentric book hoarder, and taxidermy enthusiast, he's also a consulting detective; the one the police come to when they just can't crack a case. Meara accidentally gets swooped up in one such situation. It's the most excitement and fun he's ever had in his entire life. He's hooked.

Current taglist: @abalonetea @only-book-lovers-left-alive @poore-choice-of-words @leadhelmetcosmonaut @jasperygrace @drippingmoon @athenswrites @magic-is-something-we-create @idreamonpaper @winterandwords @thelaughingstag @revenantlore

Please let me know if you want to be tagged in these updates! This is my general list so those tagged here will also still be updated on other projects. If you only want to be on one and not the other, just let me know!

Read chapter one on Wattpad

Or on Ao3!

I'm super psyched to finally be able to share a finished story!! thank you to all you amazing folks who encouraged me and showed interest and asked questions and left comments and reblogs and likes!

#my writing #writeblr #ao3 #wattpad #moodboard #amwriting #full chapter #wip #the most beautiful puzzle #sheraton academy #sheraton academy au #gay character #bisexual character #polyamory #lgbt fiction #queer fiction #crime fiction #meara ryanne #josselin clearwater #danny yazdi #frankie moore #donatien montague #inspector montague #pascal al-nassar

[fratboystrider]

linus weapons ref so i remember wtf hes got on at all times

#my art #doodles #oc art #linus of meara #dnd

[citizenscreen]

Stiller and Meara were married for 61 years. 💕

"I really knew this was the man I would marry," Meara told People in 2000. "I knew he would never leave me."

#stiller and meara #jerry stiller #anne meara

[filmpalette]

The Daytrippers (1996) dir. Greg Mottola

#the daytrippers #greg mottola #1996 #anne meara #liev schreiber #parker posey #hope davis #1990s

[365filmsbyauroranocte]

The Daytrippers (Greg Mottola, 1996)

#films watched in 2022 #The Daytrippers #Greg Mottola #Hope Davis #Parker Posey #Anne Meara #Stanley Tucci #Campbell Scott #Liev Schreiber #cars #drama #comedy #family #love #dramedy #road movie #winter #coffee #1996 #smoke #kitchen #breakfast #long shot #breakup #NY #New York

[uri59]

#honestly I think they just used Nyn because logically they couldn't have Egwene being overpowered yet #and then they trowed her to garbage #wot #wheel of time #wot on prime #wot show #Amazon's fanfiction #egwene al'vere #Nynaeve al meara #not #moiraine damodred #rafe Judkins

[itsmyfriendisaac]

Fame: with loads of natural talent & a little too much attitude, Leroy Johnson makes an undeniable splash at New York City’s competitive High School for the Performing Arts. Gene Anthony Ray completely steals the show in his debut film appearance!

#scenes #lgbt #gene anthony ray #black cinema #fame #1980s #debbie allen #irene cara #anne meara #coming of age #musicals #fame 1980 #alan parker #nyc

[theworldsoftolkein]

Shadowfax & the Mearas | Tolkien Explained | The Nerd of the Rings

#middle earth #shadowfax #mearas #orome

[shattereddteacup]

The Daytrippers (1997)

Dir. Greg Mottola

Language: English

#the daytrippers #greg mottola #english #1997 #hope davis #stanley tucci #anne meara #Parker Posey #Liev Schreiber #movie screenshots #movie screencaps #film screenshots #90s movies

[beautifully-big-magazine]

#meara rose #bikini #curvy #model #plus size #fatkini #plus size model

[indecentpause]

Find the Word Tag

@oh-no-another-idea tagged me to find the words stone, brick, iron, and wood! thank!

I'm revisiting The Most Beautiful Puzzle for one last readthrough and check and then it should be ready to start sharing in full!! :D for now have some excerpts :)

stone rock:

[Josselin]’s already primed you on what to look for, but you don’t know who was here last or how long ago or what for. You’re mostly there to drive and make things look convincing. Josselin backtracks to the wall where you parked and drops into a crouch. You try to be useful by overturning rocks and leaves with your cane, but you won’t be able to see anything not immediately obvious, and there’s no way you can crouch or kneel. From the sidewalk, a man calls, “You guys need help with something?” You look up. A guy your age, maybe a few years older. Unassuming. Crew cut brown hair, t-short and jeans, average everything. The only thing that stands out is his shiny black combat boots. “Oh, he just dropped something. Thanks, though!” The guy lingers a moment. You offer a wave, trying to politely tell him he can go on his way. He offers a wave back and moves on.

brick:

[Josselin] sighs and lets go before you can ask him what he’s doing. With a huff, he rubs quick and hard at his shoulder where the officer was touching him. “I was okay,” he says softly. You offer a weak smile. “You’re still okay!” you say, trying to be supportive. “He just needs to get his paperwork in order. It’s technically private property, so they probably have to just make sure everything’s sorted. Josselin leans back against the brick wall of the building, mumbling to himself in annoyance. You join him.

iron:

“Okay, so, what’s this about a baseball bat?” “I keep one under my bed,” he explains again. “I have mitts and baseballs and stuff too, to make it look like it belongs there. Just in case. So it doesn’t look like I was planning to use it as a weapon. But I could get you one, if you wanted. And maybe a tire iron to keep in your car, if you didn’t want a bat there? People keep tire irons in cars, right? I’ve never driven a car.”

wood:

For a moment, things are quiet. Occasionally, you hear the Inspector and Pascal’s feet one the hardwood floor upstairs. Familiar and Grandpa are purring. Crackerjack has fallen asleep under the table. Your phone rings, loud and shrill in the quiet room. All three cats jump and dart under various pieces of furniture. It buzzes on the table and continues to ring a second or two more until you finally grab it. An unknown number. You send the call to voicemail.

tagging @drippingmoon @calicohyde @jezifster @winterandwords @digital-chance @tc-doherty @anoelleart to find the words grey/gray, heavy, bright, and strong/strength

#my writing #writeblr #writeblr tag games #find the word tag #amwriting #wip #excerpt #josselin clearwater #meara ryanne #[NAME REDACTED] #the most beautiful puzzle #sheraton academy #sheraton academy au