#at least in my rohan house

[emyn-arnens]

'[Gríma] is bold and cunning. Even now he plays a game with peril and wins a throw. Hours of my precious time he has wasted already. Down, snake!' he said suddenly in a terrible voice. 'Down on your belly! How long is it since Saruman bought you? What was the promised price? When all the men were dead, you were to pick your share of the treasure, and take the woman you desire? Too long have you watched her under your eyelids and haunted her steps.' — The King of the Golden Hall, TTT

‘My friend,’ said Gandalf, ‘you had horses, and deeds of arms, and the free fields; but she, born in the body of a maid, had a spirit and courage at least the match of yours. Yet she was doomed to wait upon an old man, whom she loved as a father, and watch him falling into a mean dishonoured dotage; and her part seemed to her more ignoble than that of the staff he leaned on.’

‘Think you that Wormtongue had poison only for Théoden’s ears? Dotard! What is the house of Eorl but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek, and their brats roll on the floor among their dogs? Have you not heard those words before? Saruman spoke them, the teacher of Wormtongue. Though I do not doubt that Wormtongue at home wrapped their meaning in terms more cunning. My lord, if your sister’s love for you, and her will still bent to her duty, had not restrained her lips, you might have heard even such things as these escape them. But who knows what she spoke to the darkness, alone, in the bitter watches of the night, when all her life seemed shrinking, and the walls of her bower closing in about her, a hutch to trammel some wild thing in?’ — The Houses of Healing, ROTK

What I love about these two scenes is that they show how Gandalf, despite all of the responsibilities and concerns burdening him, and despite having his attention fractured between all of the pieces he must move across the board, stops and sees Éowyn—truly sees her, as even her own family cannot—and he understands and he cares. The first quote shows that Gandalf has noticed Gríma's preying on Éowyn for quite some time, before the Three Hunters ever reached Rohan, and that her fear and suffering has been on his mind and continues to be, even though he is focused on setting Rohan right and undoing the work of Saruman.

Despite all of the pressing concerns weighing upon him at the moment—worrying about Frodo's safety, freeing Théoden and galvanizing the Rohirrim, arranging the pieces on the board against Saruman, etc.—Gandalf has compassion for Éowyn and marks her suffering from Gríma's words and advances as something worthy of attention and concern, as important as the other matters that must be addressed.

Even after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, when victory has been won for the day but at a steep cost, and the future is still uncertain, and the work to be done is still mountainous, and the hope of the world walks treacherous paths in Mordor and his safety and success are uncertain, and all these things weigh upon Gandalf—still he pauses to pay attention to Éowyn's suffering, and to show Éomer all that he has neglected to see, due to his place of privilege that has blinded him from seeing what Éowyn has longed for and been barred from.

It’s moments like this where Gandalf's time spent learning from Nienna truly shows. Despite every important, pressing concern—concerns that other characters might argue are more important at the moment—he stops, notices, understands, has compassion, and encourages others to have compassion as well.

#lotr newsletter #lotr #rotk #gandalf #eowyn #eomer #.txt #my meta #i just. have so many feelings about this #and about how the narrative pauses to place importance on eowyn's suffering #anyways. compassion is the heart of lotr etc. etc.

[camille-lachenille]

End of the Year Fic Rec

I was tagged by @echo-bleu and @dreamingthroughthenoise and it was very difficult to select only five fics for each category but here's my Must Read fanfics list, mostly Silmarillion but with a few LotR and one Hobbit. Also, I cheated at some point so you have one more fic rec as a treat

Recommend up to 5 series or multi-chapter fics from 2023 that everyone should read (multi-year WIPs count, if the last update was in 2023).

We will make this place our home by @leucisticpuffin

Summary: Elrond and Elros are sent to live with their distant cousins in a house that is crumbling slowly to pieces. They aren't especially happy about this. For Maedhros and Maglor, the twins are a rare chance to start living again.

Why you should read it: This is a whimsical, heartwarming yet bittersweet at times story about finding one’s place in a new world and what makes a family, grappling with the ghosts of the past and the pain of being a child left behind. Also the most exquisitely written modern AU (the style is just chef's kiss!) I’ve read so far, 100% recommend it!

Maglor is an Eldritch Horror by @thescrapwitch

Summary: After thousands of years singing to the sea, Maglor has become something strange and terrifying. But he still loves his family, and his family still loves him.

Why you should read it: Sometimes, family is a Half-Elf, his wife, their children, a shy and whimsical bard and the Eldritch kidnap grandfather who haunts the house; or how to write slightly creepy fluff. This series is pure heartwarming material and giving Elrond the happiness he desserves.

The Day the Horse-Lord wed the Lady of the Seas by @colinnoahmayhare (rated M)

Summary: After the War of the Ring, Lothíriel, Princess of Dol Amroth, finds herself at the receiving end of the search for peace and prosperity by being used as a pawn in an alliance made between kings and princes. Married to the King of the Riddermark, Éomer, she has to navigate being a foreigner in a foreign country, being a Queen to a King, and to learn to live and love with a man she hardly knows.

Why you should read it: This story is an intricate, gut wrenching exploration of what happens in Rohan after the War of the Ring, featuring delightful worldbuilding, lots of politics, revenge and honour. Now with Familial TraumaTM and Couple AngstTM for extra flavour!

And the Stars Shine the Same by @runawaymun (rated M)

Summary: After the Éothéod revolt against the Wainriders, the northern tribes seek to form strong alliances with their neighbors. Lord Frumgar tasks his son Fram to lead the delegation to Imladris. With him, he brings gold, fine horses, and two young thralls chosen by his father to be given to Lord Elrond himself. Elrond is conflicted to say the least.

Why you should read it: Do you like pre-canon Third Age history? Do you like worldbuilding about a few names from the Appendixes of LotR? Do you like found family and Good Dad Elrond? Do you like complex characters learning how to live with their traumas? This story is for you! (Just mind the warnings in the tags)

The ghost you dress up as (knows how to haunt) by @deadqueernoldor (rated M)

Summary: Maedhros was not the first Finwëan to be captured and taken to Angband, nor did he remain there the longest. Ranyatinwë, twin of Caranthir, was the first.

Why you should read it: Tinwë is such a complex character, 50% spite and 50% trauma, and this whole story is so, so promising already! (Really, you should read all the Strength of our Bonds series for extra unhinged, spiteful and unrepentant kinslayer Tinwë. I support women’s rights but in Tinwë’s case I firmly support women’s wrongs). This is pure post-Angband angstfest and dysfunctional siblings caring for each other in their weird way. If angst can be a comfort story, I found it.

Recommend up to 5 single chapter fics/one-shots (long or short) from 2023 that everyone should read.

Life in Miniature by @thescrapwitch

Summary: Turgon uses his hobby of building cities to recreate Gondolin, this time on a much smaller scale.

Why you should read it: For re-embodied Finwëan rebuilding their relationships as they work together on a miniature city; a heartwarming and really nice metaphor.

Hearth Fire by @dreamingthroughthenoise

Summary: Findis and Feanor speak before the Flight of the Noldor and share in their grief the best they can.

Why you should read it: Because there are so few stories centered around Findis and her feelings about her family and this one is so interesting and well written. Also, Findis is my Blorbo and everyone should read about her until they're consumed by the Blorbo.

your veins are empty of dust by @echo-bleu

Summary: Anairë finds her late one day in her workshop, surrounded by slabs of stone larger than her. Nerdanel is hammering forcefully at one of them, the barest hints of an elven shape already taking form in the marble. Bitter, stinging tears run down her cheeks and into her collar, and her arms ache with exhaustion.

The body is only barely sketched, but the face is already chiselled, smooth curves and angular cheekbones.

Fëanáro emerges out of the marble, looking like he’s about to take life.

Why you should read it: For a heartbreaking dive into Nerdanel's grief, her friendship with Anairë and how Nerdanel's art becomes her way to cope with loneliness and grief.

see it fall, child of war by @swanmaids

Summary: Elwing's time runs out.

Why you should read it: Because these may be the 740 most impactful words I've read about Elwing since I discovered the Silm fandom.

soldier keep on marching on (waiting on that morning sun) by songofswiftsunrise

Summary: Boromir lives. The world is the smallest bit brighter for it.

Why you should read it: Do I need a more convincing argument than what the summary says? Boromir lives and everyone is happier. I love a good fix-it and this one is very well written indeed.

Recommend up to 5 fics NOT from 2023 that everyone should read (oldies but goodies.)

The Carpenter’s Son by Zimra (rated M, warning for rape/non-con)

Summary: An untold story of conquered Dor-lómin, in which an Easterling carpenter has a child by his Hadorian slave.

Why you should read it: This story explores in a very interesting way a par of canon that is almost never mentionned (except in the Narn). The main character is attaching and I really cared for her and her son. The hindsights in the slavers' minds are chilling with their realism and this whole story is just so well written. Also, it ends on a note of hope.

And what I am needs no excuses by aurembiaux

Summary: Sam has always been in love with Frodo. It's only that it takes him forty years to realize that he is.

Why you should read it: Probably the most heartwarming and relatable self-discovery story I’ve ever read; set in England from the WWII to the 80’s, with all the social changes that happened in this time period. Featuring Supportive Dad (and Friend) Sam as the main character and a whole bunch of introspection. One of my all time comfort read!

Mark of a Warrior by starryeyedknight

Summary: After the funeral for Theoden, Merry wakes up to a problem experienced by many a young man after a night of heavy drinking. The ink on his arm doesn't appear to be washing off… 

Why you should read it: This one shot explores the relationships Merry formed with the RIders of Rohan, the grief he has in common with them and how he found his place amongst the riders, all of this with delightful humour and lightness despite the initial situation.

Dancing with my punchlines by LiveOakWithMoss (rated M)

Summary: In which the sons of Fëanor throw house parties, the beer is terrible, 20-something hipster elves act like their drama is as bad as it is in canon, and macking on cousins is fair game.

Why you should read it: If you like a good old modern AU with tons of drama of various sorts, amazing ace representation and general Finwëans shenanigans, this is the story for you.

Old Maggie Took by @deadqueernoldor

Summary: The headcanon about Maglor, second son of Fëanor, lives hidden in the Shire? Yes.

Why you should read it: My ultimate comfort read series; featuring mouth-watering descriptions of food, kidnadopted fam and Maglor being an overgrown hobbit and trolling everyone in ME and Valinor. This is fluffy, this is silly, this is prefect.

Recommend up to 5 of your own fics (completed or WIP) from 2023 that everyone should read.

Dreams of Doom (rated M, warning for Major Character Death)

Summary: “She runs in the dark, alone. Where her feet carry her, she knows not, and her heart is heavy with dread. Someone - something - is watching her.”

Niënor from the moment she arrives in Brethil to her death.

Why you should read it: Because this fic is my firsborn child and I am insanely proud of it, especially since I went so out of my comfort zone to write it. It features two of my obscure blorbos and I poured my soul into it.

Ice Age(s)

Summary: Ice skating through the ages, from Idril learning with her grandfather to Elrond perpetuating the familial tradition.

Why you should read it: This is a fluffy fic, mostly, and it's also a gift for the amazing @echo-bleu. I also wrote it in a sort of trance in the middle of the night, passed out the moment I posted it and had no memory whatsoever of what I had written upon waking up in the morning, yet I still love this fic dearly.

I never wanted to walk in your steps

Summary: Tilda was ten, the same age Sigrid was at her birth, and her world was collapsing more than when Smaug had destroyed Laketown.

Why you should read it: Because I privately call this fic Hobbit angstfest. I took a sad, doomed ship and asked myself "how can I make it sadder?"

ar ámen apsenë úcaremmar

Summary: Few know of Findis the Faithful, eldest daughter of Finwë, who never lost hope for her family.

Why you should read it: I took my obscure blorbo and set her in a medieval-ish AU. It's sad and a little hopeful too and there's a lot of Quenya interspaced through the story.

Quiet morning in Gondolin

Summary: Idril and Eärendil spend some time together before the city wakes up.

Why you should read it: I'll put the link to the beautiful art that inspired this ficlet and let it speak for me.

And I tag everyone I tagged in this post who hasn’t already done this fics rec tag

#fic recs #tolkien #the silmarillion #the lord of the rings #the hobbit #long post

[rougepancake]

All the lonely people

FT. Rohan Kishibe x Ghost!F!Reader

WARNINGS: Age gap (you died in your 20s and he’s currently like 40 in this), this was written with the intent of it being sad (-_-). Probably ooc Rohan. No regrets??? Not proofread.

SUMMARY: You’re nothing but a spirit, cursed to wander the world until it fades away into the nothingness. However, you’ve been lucky enough to encounter someone who can actually see you.

“I know you’re there.” The sound of his voice pierced the silence, leaving an uneasy feeling to overcome the room. Within seconds, you appeared and poked your head out of the wall, looking down at his sketch curiously.

“How?” You slowly pulled yourself out of the wall, now hovering over his sketchbook.

“How what?”

“How did you know I was here?” You drifted around as you spoke, your tone light and carefree. It was clear that you were curious. It had been such a long time since you’d last spoken to anyone, so it was incredibly hard for you to believe that what you were experiencing was real.

“What?” He finally looked up from his sketchbook, looking at you with a bored expression. “Do you not have anything better to do?” He scoffed. “Shoo. I don’t have time to deal with spirits such as yourself. Not anymore, at least.”

You couldn’t help but take in his appearance, observing him closely. Why was he so relaxed? Was he not frightened by the idea of having a ghost in his house? He was so uninterested that it surprised you.

“Rohan Kishibe?” You asked, floating off in the direction of his bookshelf. You were a lively one, weren’t you?

“How do you know my name, spirit?” He returned to his work, the sound of his pen scribbling on the paper dragging out the silence.

“I’m not illiterate.” A particular book caught your attention, but your hand fell through it as you reached for it. You poured and drifted elsewhere. “I’m Y/n.”

Silence filled the air, making you feel uncomfortable. Was he processing your name? Did he know you when you were alive? No- that’s impossible… biologically, you’re much older than him. Maybe he knew more than he was letting on, since he was being so quiet.

“So you’re a mangaka?” You finally broke the silence, now standing in front of him. Your torso being cut off by the table to stood in.

“Why are you here?” Rohan sounded frustrated, but why? It wasn’t like you had done anything wrong. You were just being polite, despite your existence as a spirit. “What do you want from me? My soul?” He rose from his seat unexpectedly, glaring at you. His expression read ‘I’m too old for this’.

“I’ve no need for your soul.” You sighed and looked into his eyes. Was he afraid of ghosts? Has he only encountered evil ones? “I’m just… rather lonely, that’s all.” You hid your pain behind a smile, looking down to avoid his gaze.

“Very well.” He walked off to somewhere else in the room, his back turned to you. Rohan reached up and grabbed another sketchbook, flipping through it as if he was looking for something. “Just don’t annoy me.”

Wait. Did that mean you could stay? The idea excited you greatly, and you couldn’t help but grin at him. After years of being alone, you finally had someone to talk to.

“Thank you, Rohan-sensei.”

Weeks passed, and Rohan had grown quite fond of your sudden appearances. It had become the part of his day that he looked forward to the most, though he didn’t know why.

At first, he thought it was because you reminded him of Reimi, but he soon found himself to be wrong. You were absolutely nothing like her, and you were much more at peace with yourself. You always wore a smile, constantly telling him that it’s better to be free while the opportunity is still there than to wait.

In time, he realized the real reason he cared for you as much as he did was because he was just as lonely as you. It made sense, because it wasn’t like Koichi and Yukako stopped by anymore, same for Josuke and Okuyasu. And Jotaro was overseas with his daughter.

He really was all alone.

“You know, sitting like that isn’t good for your back.” You chastised him, making your presence known my popping up through the floor. Just where did you go when you drifted through objects?

“I know.”

“Why the long face?” The question made him tense. Was it that obvious? He couldn’t believe that you had seen through him so easily.

“No reason.” A sigh escaped him. Did he really like the company of those fools anyways? Maybe he just liked the idea of them… the idea of being surrounded by people that respected him…

God he missed Reimi.

He was starting to see her in you with every passing day and it hurt him. He couldn’t even look you in the eyes anymore, out of fear that one day, he’ll call you by her name. And while he appreciated how you never asked him about it, he wished you would. Rohan desperately needed someone to talk to, someone to comfort him. He thought he would die without being able to confide in someone close to him.

He wanted to cry and to be held. To comfort and to be comforted.

Rohan Kishibe just wanted to be loved.

“Well… you haven’t left your room in a couple of hours, so why don’t you come downstairs and get something to eat?” You sounded genuinely worried, but he knew it was a ploy to get him to listen to you.

“I’ll be down in a minute.” He mumbled, hiding his face in his hands. What had come over him? What brought about this sudden feeling of worthlessness?

You sighed and hovered in front of him, causing him to shiver at the feeling of your cold body being so close to his. “You said that earlier, Rohan.”

The way you spoke made him spiral further into his despair. Why had you hung around for so long? Did you feel the same way he did? Oh how it pained him. He had so many questions for you that would remain unanswered.

“I said I’ll be down in a minute.” The bitterness in his voice surprised you, and you actually took a step back so you could analyze him. Had something happened? Did you do something? You had only wanted to help…

Frowning, you vanished before him, going off to who knows where as he collected his thoughts.

“Reimi…” His voice wavered. “Reimi I miss you so much…” Rohan let out a shaky sigh and leaned back in his seat, looking up at the ceiling with a scowl. “Why is she like you… Reimi I need you to answer me…” At this point his begging was pointless, regardless of whether or not Reimi could see him. “Why…”

He was distant after that. He didn’t know why, but he knew he had to push you away.

It seemed like every time he looked at you his heart swelled, rattling against his chest like some wannabe maraca. He could always feel his mouth get dry and his face heat up, chalking it up to be nothing more than his symptoms of old age.

“Would you look at that.” You leaned over his shoulder, watching intently as he drew. “Your new chapter is going to be something else. I’m sure your fans will love it.” The reassurance wasn’t what he needed to hear from you, but he reveled in your praise.

“Thank you, Y/n. I’ve been working pretty hard on it.” And he left it at that. You knew he was acting strange, but you knew he had the ability to kick you out if need be. You knew better than to overstep your boundaries with him.

“Have I ever told you that you remind me of someone from my past.” You attempted to make small talk as you walked through one of the walls in his office. “They were someone I cared about deeply. But as time went on, we grew further apart. I had always assumed that I did something to upset them, but I know now that it was the underlying tension between us that resulted in our falling out.” Rohan had stopped writing to listen to your story, a sign that you had his full attention.

“I want to know what’s plaguing your mind.” You said after a long pause, your voice wavering. “I want to know why you’ve been pushing me away like I’m not good enough for you!” Your fists clenched at your sides, and you could feel your heart pounding within your chest. You were getting closer and closer to admitting what you were afraid of the most.

“I’m not. I’ve just been busy.” A shrug. He shrugged off your emotions like it was nothing, even though you knew for a fact that he had something he wanted to tell you. “Plus it’s not like you’d understand anyways.” He paused and leaned forward, resting his head on his desk with a sigh. “Can spirits even feel emotion?”

What a stupid question. ‘Can spirits even feel emotion?’ It made you cringe. Had he truly not cared enough to listen to you?

“Fine. Be that way.” You sighed and vanished again, leaving him alone once again.

But he didn’t want to be alone.

He wanted to be with you.

“God damn it.” He swore and slammed his fist down onto his desk. “I can’t do anything right, can I?” It was a never ending battle between him and his conscience, and he always seemed to lose.

How do you lose to your feelings? Do they just consume you? Take over your body until there’s nothing left?

It hurt.

Why had you even appeared in the first place? All you were doing was causing him more paint than he was already in, so why continue to haunt him?! There simply was no sense in doing so, and he hated to think that you felt the same way as him.

Rohan Kishibe was a bachelor and a mangaka, not some fucking hopeless romantic. He was better than this, and he knew it, but you had such a hold on him that he couldn’t let you go now. It would be cruel of him.

He sat there, silent as he waited to feel your presence again. But it never came.

A sense of bitterness overwhelmed him, tears forming in his eyes as he smiled ruefully. His lip quivered and his breath hitched in his chest, the emotions he had been working so hard to keep hidden from you finally spilling over.

What kind of fool falls in love with a ghost anyways?

#jojo’s bizzare adventure x reader #jojo no kimyou na bouken #jojos bizzare adventure x reader #jojo’s bizarre adventure #jjba x reader #rohan x reader #rohan kishibe x reader #rohan kishibe #kishibe rohan #jjba imagines #jjba fluff #jjba angst

[treesandwords]

For anyone who's into LOTR I am rereading (again) and took notes on the weirdest/most interesting bits this time:

There are/were other magic rings beside the main ones, which is part of what makes it so hard for other characters to believe that Bilbo's ring is actually The ring

At one point Tolkien jumps into the POV of a random fox walking by our protagonists' camp and then never brings it up again, no big deal

The ever-controversial Tom Bombadil has several other names we just never talk about? And the elves (at least in Rivendell) know about him and have known about him for many years now

They also consider giving him the ring but ultimately decide it would be a bad idea because "he'd probably just lose it"

A lot of what happens to Frodo after he's been stabbed by the Nazgul is less symptomatic of dark magic and more of just...having a severe shoulder injury?? Like "oh no my hand is numb and I'm weak and can't move it, must be the evils of Mordor" bro you probably just have nerve damage and blood loss

Bilbo straight up writes and sings a song about Elrond's dad in front of him and a bunch of other elves in Rivendell like. The audacity.

There's a river called "Wetwang" (yes it's called Nindalf in Elvish, but that's not important here)

Aragorn never tells anyone else that Boromir admitted to trying to take the ring, it's implied he even keeps it secret from Gandalf once he reappears

The "Two Towers" actually refers to Orthanc and Minas Morgal, not Orthanc and Barad-Dur as the films suggest

Eomer has met and possibly was friendly with Boromir

Also Aragorn, who doesn't look that old, straight up tells Eomer he'd met both his father and Theoden when they were younger and he just...has zero reaction?? Like if a guy who looked not much older than me wisely said "ah yes, I met your father and uncle long ago" in a way that implied they'd worked together as somewhat equals I'd be. A little uncertain to say the least.

Oh and he also hung out with Denethor back in the day

Eomer and Gimli have a running disagreement on whether or not Galadriel is real, and if so, how hot she is

This is common ish knowledge but there are elements of actual Old English embedded into Rohan's worldbuilding (esp. the names/ "Rohrric" language) and the whole location is genuinely just Tolkien's fantasy version of Anglo-Saxon Britain. He is very not subtle about it.

Saruman was FULLY RUNNING DRUGS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE SHIRE AND ISENGARD

And this actually ends up contributing to a main plot in the third book

Instead of the Palantir falling out of Saruman's pocket when he dies like in the movie, Gandalf shoots a spell at Saruman and makes him run back inside Orthanc and Wormtongue chucks the Palantir down at him from the window in retaliation

I know the potato scene is *iconic* but let's be real the fact that Sam risks a fire and takes the time to make a full rabbit stew plus seasoning while they're on a dangerous secret mission to sneak into the Darkest Of Dark Lords' fortress is kind of hilarious

Minas Morgul is some serious eldritch horror cryptid shit

Denethor is honestly such drama queen. Like I know he's supposed to be a threatening and tragic character but holy shit.

Also the entire houses of healing segment is unintentionally comedic

Like between the old lady who runs the house giving absolutely zero fucks, and the herb master and Aragorn having a mini nerd off about what Athelas/Kingsfoil is called in different languages, and also Aragorn and Pippin roasting Merry - who has JUST woken up from an Evil Coma by the way - about not being able to find his weed

"This weed is better than I thought" -- actual quote by Ioreth re: kingsfoil

This is something I noticed that a lot of people don't mention - the "Evenstar" that Arwen gives Aragorn in the movies that's tied to her lifeforce/immortality isn't really a thing in the books. The closest to it is this green brooch that she gives him via Galadriel in FOTR - but the only necklace she gives to anyone is actually to Frodo, as a token that basically means if he ever wants to go to the Grey Havens (as he ultimately does) he'd essentially be taking her place because she isn't going

Ok the scouring of the Shire is pretty common knowledge but are we going to talk about Lotho Sackville-Baggins became Saruman's dealer and helped smuggle drugs pipeweed into Isengard (see I told you it would come back)

Also!! Lotho was possibly EATEN by Grima Wormtongue, or at the very least Saruman believes he was, yes this is an actual canon thing

Legit quote from ROTK: "Worm killed your Chief, poor little fellow, your nice little Boss. Didn't you, Worm? Stabbed him in his sleep, I believe. Buried him, I hope; though Worm has been very hungry lately[]"

Seriously what the fuck

Saruman is killed by Wormtongue (who is then shot by a bunch of Hobbit archers) and promptly....disintegrates?

Anyway if you're a casual fan who's only seen the movies, or if you haven't read the books in a while, I'd highly recommend.

#lotr #lord of the rings #books #writing #reading

[brigwife]

Feel free to ignore this if it’s not something you have thoughts on (or, obviously, ignore it for any other reason you want!) BUT in a world where Borodred happened but they DIDN’T die and other LOTR events turned out more or less the same (so Théoden is dead and Théodred is king, Denethor is dead but it doesn’t matter because Aragorn retook the throne)…what are Théodred and Boromir doing post-war? Is Boromir living in Rohan as the king’s consort? Is Théodred abdicating to Éomer and running away with his man to somewhere else? Something entirely different?

Hello, thank you for asking! ❤

Bear in mind this is just one headcanon - I'm always open to having multiple conflicting ones. This is just probably my favourite:

I quite like the idea that despite surviving, Théodred did sustain injuries bad enough that he was kept out of action for the rest of the War of the Ring (It was destroyed only a month after the first battle of Isen, after all). I'm thinking along the terms of loss of limb, amputated either by orcs or after infection. What can I say, I love to hurt this boy. Also, I imagine that in this scenario he would have been taken back to Helm's Deep to be treated as it's much closer than Edoras, and that just adds a whole new dimension to Théoden's decision to flee there - because I can see him thinking "Well if they DO breach the Keep we're probably all dead anyway, but at least I shall be with my son". Aaaahh. Feelings.

Now I'm not saying that Rohan would consider a cripple unfit to rule because I don't think that's true, but it would keep Éomer in the position of proving himself as a leader and a warrior of great renown while his cousin is incapacitated, as well as developing his friendship with Aragorn. And this version of Théodred at least doesn't really want to be King - it's more of a burden than an honour. So he and Éomer end up in this awkward impasse where Théodred wants to abdicate but feels too much guilt to admit it, while Éomer is happy to take the mantle but feels dishonourable taking his cousin's birthright.

Then enter Boromir. I think after the War he would feel very much at a loose end. The job he had trained for his whole life has basically disappeared, or at least changed beyond recognition. He is as we know a man of action who is dearly attached to his home and people, and probably wouldn't be happy to entirely give up his roots - even for one he loves as devotedly as Théodred. Neverthess, I think it would be healthy to get him out of Minas Tirith and King Elessar's shadow (especially if in this scenario he still attacked Frodo, because I think Aragorn's presence would be a constant reminder of his weakness). So if Faramir is the Prince of Ithilien, I propose making Boromir the Prince of Anórien.

Now I feel like Éomer and Aragorn aren't stupid - they know that there is something going on between these two men that they dearly love, and after they get the truth that is the catalyst to Théodred finally giving up the throne. He and Boromir settle near Halifirien, where they are given the task of cultivating the friendship between Gondor and Rohan, something that I feel Éomer and Aragorn both feel very passionate about. They found a new town together which is home to peoples of both nations, as well as a new, much-needed stopping point for travellers. Boromir can set about clearing out what remains of the orcs in the White Mountains, and Théodred One-Foot can act as Mayor of the town, hobbling around and making friends and petting horses to his heart's content.

In my mind, Gondor is definitely the more homophobic of the two nations, but it's more something that people just kind of refuse to acknowledge, rather than actively condemn. Many of the townsfolk do wonder at the closeness of these two lords who for some reason also share a house, and why neither of them ever takes a wife, but it feels rude to ask questions. The maids know though of course, because the maids know everything.

#lotr #borodred #boromir #theodred #théodred #aragorn #éomer #post war of the ring #headcanons #i just love them your honour

[torchwood-99]

20th March

Faramir and Eowyn meet for the first time.

"the Warden spoke his name, and he turned and saw the Lady Éowyn of Rohan; and he was moved with pity, for he saw that she was hurt, and his clear sight perceived her sorrow and unrest."

"He looked at her, and being a man whom pity deeply stirred, it seemed to him that her loveliness amid her grief would pierce his heart. And she looked at him and saw the grave tenderness in his eyes, and yet knew, for she was bred among men of war, that here was one whom no Rider of the Mark would outmatch in battle."

"but though her words were still proud, her heart faltered, and for the first time she doubted herself. She guessed that this tall man, both stern and gentle, might think her merely wayward, like a child that has not the firmness of mind to go on with a dull task to the end."

" She did not answer, but as he looked at her it seemed to him that something in her softened, as though a bitter frost were yielding at the first faint presage of Spring. A tear sprang in her eye and fell down her cheek, like a glistening rain-drop."

"'But the healers would have me lie abed seven days yet,' she said. 'And my window does not look eastward.' Her voice was now that of a maiden young and sad.     Faramir smiled, though his heart was filled with pity. 'Your window does not look eastward?' he said. 'That can be amended. In this I will command the Warden. If you will stay in this house in our care, lady, and take your rest, then you shall walk in this garden in the sun, as you will; and you shall look east, whither all our hopes have gone. And here you will find me, walking and waiting, and also looking east. It would ease my care, if you would speak to me, or walk at whiles with me.'"

"Then, Éowyn of Rohan, I say to you that you are beautiful. In the valleys of our hills there are flowers fair and bright, and maidens fairer still; but neither flower nor lady have I seen till now in Gondor so lovely, and so sorrowful. It may be that only a few days are left ere darkness falls upon our world, and when it comes I hope to face it steadily; but it would ease my heart, if while the Sun yet shines, I could see you still. For you and I have both passed under the wings of the Shadow, and the same hand drew us back.'     'Alas, not me, lord!' she said. 'Shadow lies on me still. Look not to me for healing! I am a shieldmaiden and my hand is ungentle. But I thank you for this at least, that I need not keep to my chamber. I will walk abroad by the grace of the Steward of the City.' And she did him a courtesy and walked back to the house. But Faramir for a long while walked alone in the garden, and his glance now strayed rather to the house than to the eastward walls."

#Lotr #Lord of the Rings #Eowyn #Faramir #Farawyn

[strawberryvanillablast]

Silly Nightmare, Sweet Ending (Josuke Higashikata X Reader, Giorno Giovanna X Reader)

Josuke Higashikata

'This is great!' Josuke thought to himself.

He was having the best day of his life! He aced a hard test, he got the shoes he always wanted, and he managed to acquire 1,000,000 yen, without his mother noticing! His thoughts of taking you out for a nice romantic dinner were halted when he saw his house's door wide open for some reason. Suspicious, suspicious.

"Hello," Josuke asked as he slowly walked in. "Anyone home? Mom?"

"Ah, Josuke," A deep voice greeted him. "Welcome. I'd thought you'd never make it."

Josuke bristled. He knew the owner of that voice anywhere. Readying Crazy Diamond, he looked around for the culprit and slowly moved to the living room.

"Alright, Yoshikage," He growled. "Where are you?! I've pummeled you once, I can pummel you again!"

When he entered the living room, Josuke's face paled. Kira Yoshikage was dressed in a turtle costume... along with Okuyasu, Koichi, Rohan, and [Y/N]. Along for the ride were his mother and Jotaro also dressed in turtle costumes. Josuke gulped as he took a step back.

"What's going on here...?" Josuke asked uneasily.

"It's too late to turn back, Josuke," Kira smiled menacingly. "We are now of the Turtle Coven. And you must join us!"

"Join us, Josuke-kun." [Y/N] purred, grabbing onto his arm.

"Join us," Everyone else chanted. "Join us. Join us. Join us. Join us."

Josuke closed his eyes, bracing himself in terror. For a few moments, nothing happened which confused him. He opened his eyes and gave a tentative look-around. When he realized he was in [Y/N]'s house, the confusion turned into relief.

"Josuke," [Y/N]'s voice whispered in his ears. "You alright? Why're you up right now?"

"Yeah, it was just a weird dream I had." Josuke smiled in reply.

"I told you that eating spicy sashimi before bed wasn't a good idea." [Y/N] tenderly scolded. "Want some cuddles to help you sleep?"

Josuke usually wouldn't do so especially in the wake of a silly dream like that, but for some reason, he decided to indulge in the cuddling. .

Giorno Giovanna

He was working in the office, going over some paperwork. As he was reading a document that concerned itself with the involvement of an infamous Capo, [Y/N] entered in softly, smiling sweetly. He looked up and gave a tender smile of his own, his tense shoulders relaxing a bit.

"Buon Giorno, my sweet prince!" [Y/N] purred, giving me a tender kiss on the cheek.

"Buon Giorno, mi tesoro," Giorno returned with a sweet kiss to [Y/N]'s cheek. "What seems to be the occasion for today?"

"We're hosting a little luncheon today for your parents!"

"My," Giorno's smile slipped a little. "My parents are coming over here today?"

"Yep!" [Y/N] chirped cheerfully. "They're waiting at the foyer now!"

'That's strange,' Giorno thought. 'My parents aren't really supposed to know where I am. This is supposed to be a secret from them.'

"Here they are!" [Y/N] said in a bubbly tone, gently hugging Giorno's arm.

Giorno looked over to where his parents were supposed to be and he swore that he felt his eye twitch in disbelief just a bit. His mother was normal or at least she looked like she did the last time Giorno saw her before he left.

His stepfather, on the other hand, was another matter entirely. It was not because of the clothes he was wearing (a dark-blue suit) nor was it because how his brown eyes twinkled in the chandelier's lights.

No, it was because his stepfather wasn't his stepfather at all. At least, not the stepfather he remembered.

No, the person who was playing his stepfather was a young man with bright brown eyes, freckles, and an impossibly big grin on his face. At seeing this man's face, Giorno felt an odd sense of deja vu.

"Ah, Giorno," The young man beamed. "Bellissimo! It's so good to see you again!" He wrapped Giorno in an extremely tight hug.

"Pardon me, signore," Giorno tried to ask. "But have we met before?"

"But of course," The young man said. His pink hair was suddenly long, reaching down to his waist. "I'm actually the previous Boss, Diavolo! I am also..." Suddenly, the Boss turned into a space creature. "A space creature going to boop you on the nose!"

"...Huh?" Giorno was confused.

"Boop!"

Giorno immediately awoke, finding himself cuddling [Y/N] in the dark of the night. He lay there, confused, wondering what just happened.

"GioGio," [Y/N] asked sleepily. "You okay?"

"I think so," Giorno gave a small smile. "I just had a weird dream is all."

"You regret eating chocolate pudding just before bed?" [Y/N] teased.

"Not really." Giorno teased back.

"Well, alright," [Y/N] purred. "I'll get rid of those awful dreams. Just go back to sleep."

As [Y/N] gently petted his hair, Giorno felt his eyes close softly, a soft smile gracing his face, nodding back to sleep.

#jojo bizarre adventure #jojo's bizarre adventure #jojo kimyou na bouken #jojo no kimyou na bouken #jojo no kimyō na bōken #jjba part 4 #jojo part 4 #jjba pt 4 #jojo pt 4 #diamond is unbreakable #diamond is not crash #josuke higashikata x reader #josuke x y/n #josuke x reader #jjba part 5 #jojo part 5 #jjba pt 5 #jojo pt 5 #vento aureo #golden wind #giorno giovanna x reader #giorno x reader #giorno x y/n #josuke higashikata #giorno giovanna #kira yoshikage mention #diavolo mention #doppio mention

[unhingedkinfessions]

Day #4 of sending daily kinfessions to @unhingedkinfessions as if they were my diary until they get tired of me

Date: Sunday, March 3rd, 2024

Theme of today's kinfession: New kinsider + updates

Dear diary @unhingedkinfessions

Okay first of all HELPPPP not me kinsidering (very lowkey but still) from HARRY POTTER!!! NOT THE TERF SOURCE 😔. Like ik kinning from there is normal, but stilllll. Anyways, i think that i may be Nymphadora Tonks, but idk idk. It's a very lowkey kinsider but still 🤷

ALSO, updates on the ATLA/TLOK stuff: I THINK I'M GETTING ROHAN MEMORIES, finally a little bit of clearness 🙏. I remember a little bit from the temple and my relationship with my siblings :). Milo made fun of me all the time help. And i think i was a gay man too wich is funny.

Thank you again for listening i hope ya'll are surprised for my consistency sending this asks 😼

Sincerely: daily anon

Questions of the day for the mods (so they don't get tired of me for now)

Do ya'll have siblings? Is your relationship with them good?

Did ya'll listen to Tom Cardy? What do you think of his songs?

Bonus questions coz i'm feeling generous

Do you guys have a song that perfectly, and i'm saying PERFECTLY fits a kin of ya'll? Mine is Sunday Bloody Sunday (from U2) for my Matt Murdock kin :D!

"like i know kinning from there is normal-" WOAH there pal i gotta stop you there. not in my fucking house! dont care if its a kinsider keep that shit to yourself when it comes to stuff causing irl harm lmao? or stop engaging w the source at all maybe???? jesus. ur acting like its sooo quirky good for you i guess. skipped the ask for a second and was about to say you were being way too personal with the sibling question until i read That. some of you are getting wayyyy too comfortable whoever said we needed rent lowering gunshots w uhkf was right . but at least you got to day 4! cocks gun does anyone wanna try and go for day 5

#i read your day 5 ask btw im just not answering it bc i aint reading all that. you got way too personal w the questions real quick #'how much cheese should be on mac n cheese? anyway mods tell me abt your family.' goddamn #anyway. close the door on ur way out 👍 #mod joker #anyway thats a joke dont go for day 5 if youre gonna write something so long please make it actually unhinged slash entertaining #not a kinfession

[novacollistar]

i’ve been wanting to scratch this itch for a while so i will be compiling a list of all the things i remember having either read or watched because i feel like i’ve been hopping between fandoms a lot.

books:

babel, or the necessity of violence by r.f.kuang

eleanor oliphant is completely fine by gail honeyman

the secret history by donna tartt

the aru shah series by roshini chokshi

how to kill your family by bella mackie

the atlas six by olivie blake

s.t.a.g.s series by m.a bennett

a magic steeped in poison and a venom dark and sweet by judy i. lin

yellowface by r.f kuang

kiranmala and the kingdom beyond by sayantani dasgupta

force of fire by sayantani dasgupta

bbc ghosts: the button house archives

this book kills by ravena guron

ghosts, monsters and demons of india by rakesh khanna and j. furgifer bhairav

knightley and son by rohan gavin

knightley and son: k9 by rohan gavin

the ivory key by akshaya raman

love frankie by jacqueline wilson

ace of spades by faridah àbíké-Íyímídé

18 days by grant morrison

series:

she-ra and the princesses of power

heaven official’s blessings (season one)

the untamed

ackley bridge

the boys

monster (anime)

violet evergarden (anime)

bbc ghosts

bbc merlin

alrawabi school for girls

lucifer

the haunting of hill house

the haunting of bly manor

midnight mass

the fall of the house of usher

the midnight club

good omens

castlevania

castlevania nocturne

the umbrella academy

a series of unfortunate events

a suitable boy

arcane: league of legends

skins (first two seasons only)

blue eye samurai

shadow and bone

community

bojack horseman

my little pony: friendship is magic

movies:

too many to name but my blog makes it obvious what movies i really like, but some i probably haven’t mentioned a lot are:

gangubai kathiawadi

khabi kushi khabi gham

3 idiots

sir gawain and the green knight

cobalt blue

get out

kaathal: the core

kumbalangi nights

bangalore days

spiderman: into the spiderverse

spiderman: across the spiderverse

victoria and abdul

i’m sure i’ll remember more that i haven’t put on here so 👌

also working my way through the chosen and absolutely adore it, and planning to buy if we were villains by m.l rio. any suggestions for shows, books, anything like that would be really appreciated. it is my agenda to at least dip my toes in the shallow end of every fandom i can reach.

if you see anything you have watched or read on the lists, yay! it’s nice to know other people are nerding over these things as well.

#book lists #movie list #tv shows

[themoonlily]

it’s so weird to me how people frequently insist that Éomer (and/or Théoden) are somehow responsible for Éowyn’s state of mind when her actual stalker Gríma Wormtongue is right there and it’s expressly stated that he targeted and manipulated her just as much as he did Théoden. 

Aragorn: “Think you that Wormtongue had poison only for Théoden’s ears? Dotard! What is the house of Eorl but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek, and their brats roll on the floor among their dogs? Have you not heard those words before? Saruman spoke them, the teacher of Wormtongue. Though I do not doubt that Wormtongue wrapped their meaning in terms more cunning. My lord, if your sister's love for you, and her will still bent to her duty, had not restrained her lips; you might have heard even such things as these escape them.”

Théoden himself was practically incapacitated by despair that seems to stem from the constant downpour of bad news that Wormtongue presented in the worst possible light (which sounds a lot like what was going on with Denethor and Sauron). Upon Gandalf’s intervention, his actual words are: “It’s not so dark here”, and “Dark have been my dreams of late.” There’s every reason to assume Théoden is/was just as depressed as Éowyn, even if he is not as clearly suicidal as she. It’s like some fans are hell-bent on making Éowyn even more miserable than she already is by vilifying her family, as if her situation didn’t already invoke enough sympathy. 

Sidenote, Éowyn only abandons all hope of life when Aragorn turns her down (Faramir: “But when he gave you only understanding and pity, then you desired to have nothing, unless a brave death in battle.”)

Éomer actually appears to be more hopeful in character compared to his uncle or sister, or at least he seems to believe Rohan can still be saved with the help of three strangers he meets on the plains (so I would think from the way he risks his own neck when he gives horses to Aragorn and co. and lets them go look for their friends, even though at this time nobody should be allowed to travel in Rohan without Théoden’s leave.) He only loses his hope when the Corsair ships (bearing Aragorn and the Dúnedain) arrive and it momentarily seems like the battle is lost. (”To hope’s end I rode and to the heart’s breaking.”). But even in this truly hopeless instance, in one of the most memorable moments of all the trilogy, he refuses to give in: “And lo! even as he laughed at despair he looked out again on the black ships, and he lifted up his sword to defy them.”

to say nothing of Denethor, Boromir and Faramir! Denethor starts out in a very similar situation as Théoden, Boromir dies because the Ring uses his despair to consume him (although he redeems himself in the end by trying to protect his friends), whereas Faramir seems similar to Éomer in the sense that he holds on to hope even as his family fall prey to despair around him. 

anyway, I think it’s a mistake - though commonly made - to examine Éowyn’s story outside this larger context of the ruling families of Rohan and Gondor, because each member of these two dynasties reflects a facet of the wider themes of hope and despair. their stories don’t exist apart, and they can’t control the ultimate reason for their individual sufferings - they only have the choice of how to deal with it (just as Gandalf tells Frodo: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us:”). all the same, it’s probably what also makes Éowyn and Faramir’s romance so rewarding even though it happens in just one chapter: they are essentially the two sides of the same coin. 

it’s also interesting to reflect how these different characters respond to Gandalf and especially Aragorn (whose childhood name is Estel, meaning hope!). Only Denethor outright rejects Aragorn (i. e. Estel/hope) and his demise is undeniably most grim of them all; though Boromir and Théoden also die, their deaths are seen as having achieved something, or at least they are redeemed in death.  

(also a lot can be said about the symmetry that their individual stories create in various ways, for example how Théoden and Denethor are essentially narrative foils in how they respond to despair and Gandalf’s message of hope, or how three members of these two families die while three members survive and live on. I admit that this second example is bit of a stretch because technically Théodred would be the fourth one to die, but he never appears in the narrative except as a dead man and has no arc that can be compared to the rest of them.)

#Éomer #Éowyn #Théoden #Eomer #Eowyn #Theoden #Faramir #Boromir #Denethor #Lord of the Rings #Tolkien

[narancias-headband]

Why is the DuWang Gang calling you at 3 a.m.?

(+ Mikitaka)

Josuke

He's just calling to let you know he finally beat that one level in the game he's been talking to you about.

If you don't remind him to quiet down, soon you'll hear Tomoko yelling at him in the background.

WOO! YES! "Josuke, quiet down! It's 3 in the morning why are you yelling?" I FINALLY DID IT. "Shhhhhh." I finally beat that level!

Further conversing will not be very fruitful. He's still focusing on his game and spares you little brain energy to hold a conversation.

Okuyasu

Oh... No reason. Everything is good! :)

There is definitely a reason. His creaky, old house can start feeling really lonely at night. He just wants to hear a familiar voice.

Hey, [Y/N]. How are you? You busy? "Okuyasu, it's 3 a.m. Is something wrong?" Noooo... "Can't sleep?" ... Yeah...

The conversation doesn't need to be interesting in the slightest. Just talk to him about your day or retell stories from that vacation you were just on. Even if you start falling back to sleep, your company on the line will make him feel so much better.

Koichi

"Koichi? Why are you calling so late?" Oh my god, I'm so glad you picked up [Y/N]. Did you finish the study guide for the test tomorrow? What did you put for number 5?

He's up late studying for a test tomorrow, and he could really use your help on a question.

He will only call once, not wanting to bother you, but please for his sake pick up the phone. He's panicking.

Please help him. He's desperate. And if you forgot about the test, well at least you just got a reminder.

Rohan

He's phoning in a favor you may or may not actually owe him.

He's up late working on manga panels and is calling you to bring him food.

Hey, I'm up late working. Will you bring me something to eat? "Rohan. It's 3 in the morning. Where is even open?" Well, you could make me something. "😐"

If you do bring him food, there is a slight chance that you could possibly finally get on his good side. Maybe.

Yukako

If you haven't been up to anything suspicious with Koichi (i.e. any time one on one with him for any reason whatsoever), she's probably calling you up to gossip about someone else who did do something she deems suspicious with Koichi.

She stays up late thinking about this and/or trying to dig up any possible dirt on her newfound 'enemies'.

So you know that blonde chick that's always hanging around Koichi? "Yeah... The girl he got assigned to do that group project with?" Exactly. Well I just found out that when she was 5, she called the cops after she lost her dog. "..." Now get this, the police report states that the dog was later found in her yard. How dumb do you have to be-

Just be thankful she's your friend. She can be downright terrifying. How does she find this information?

Bonus: Mikitaka

He doesn't understand why this is an inappropriate time to call.

He's just figuring out how phonecalls work. Please cut him some slack.

Greetings, [Y/N]. I hope you can hear me through this interesting device. "Yes, I can hear you. Why did you decide to call at 3 in the morning?" Is this not a usual time for using a phone? "Not really... Most people around here are sleeping at a time like this." Oh, apologies. Can you present me with an average phonecall schedule?

#if youd hang up on okuyasu ill fight u #diamond is unbreakable #jjba part 4 #jjba #josuke #josuke higashitaka #okuyasu #okuyasu nijimura #koichi #koichi hirose #rohan #rohan kishibe #yukako #yukako yamagishi #mikitaka #mikitaka hazekura

[arafinweanappreciation]

Okay, so remember like six months ago in the tags of a really long meta post where I mentioned that one day I'd get around to writing down all my thoughts about water and fire in the Silmarillion? No. Of course you don't. Neither did I. Buckle up because this is also going to be a long one and hopefully at least halfway coherent.

To start off, a list of things and people in the Silmarillion and LoTR that are associated with fire:

Feanor

The deaths of at least one (two if you prefer crispy Amrod) of the sons of Feanor

The Burning of the Swanships

Balrogs

The Dagor Bragollach ("Battle of the Sudden Flame")

Sauron and Saruman (as former servants of Aule)

Dragons

The death of Gil-galad

Loss of the power of the three elven-rings (ceased when the one ring is dropped in a volcano)

Eol and Maeglin (smiths)

The sun

Maedhros

Aegnor ("sharp-flame")

The Eye of Sauron

Stars

There are not very many happy things on this list. In fact, many of them are straight-up servants of Morgoth. Maeglin, Eol, Maedhros, and the sun are a little more complicated, but the sun marked the end of the first age, which was essentially the high point of history for the Valinorean elves, and Eol, Maedhros, and Maeglin's roles in the narrative are largely destructive. Even Aegnor, who is generally considered one of the good guys, doesn't get a happy ending. I also feel like it's significant that the Silmarils burn the hands of Maglor and Maedhros once they lose their birthright to them. Also, the deaths of most of the house of Finarfin and the house of Fingolfin are associated with fire either directly or indirectly. Fire is a symbol of destruction and loss. Which makes a lot of sense, considering the association of fire with industrialization and machinery, and Tolkiens theme's wrt to nature and its destruction in LoTR. The only thing on the list that's a 100% positive symbol is the stars, which are the domain of Varda and much farther away and less often and less directly associated with fire than the sun.

In contrast, a list of things and people in the Silmarillion and LoTR associated with water:

Ulmo

The Teleri

Nargothrond

Vinyamar

Tuor

The Helcaraxe

The death of Elenwe

Tol Galen

The first-age Minas Tirith

Cuivienen

The Falas

Voronwe

Ecthelion

Earendil

Elwing

Elrond and Elros

Lothlorien and Rivendell are built on rivers

Glorfindel calls of the river for protection from the Ringwraiths

Galadriel possesses Nenya, the ring of water

Cirdan

There's some more in the Akallabeth, but I'm saving that for later.

But there are a lot of good things on that list! Many things that are protectors and healers and symbols of hope! Many of the cities mentioned do fall, and the people mentioned don't always get unequivocally happy endings, but they provide hope and protection nonetheless. Water is protective and generative and healing. The sea is consistently associated with protection and guidance, specifically.

Now, you may have noticed that there are some examples that I did NOT include. This is because, while water = good and fire = bad for the elves, for men, it's sort of flipped. Anduril is the Flame of the West, the lighting of the beacons summons Rohan to the aid of Gondor, Boromir dies and the Fellowship is split at the Falls of Rauros, the One Ring falls into a river and Numenor sinks into the sea. It's not as clear-cut as it is for the elves, and I have a lot less evidence, but I find it really interesting! Men are benefitted by what is driving the elves out, and most of the prominent examples come from LoTR. Fire becomes more of a positive symbol and water becomes more ambiguous as the story moves into the age of Men, and as the power of the elves begins to fade.

Anyway, this is probably, like, the shakiest analysis ever, but I thought it was interesting.

#I was having a conversation with my cousin who's kind of dipping her toes into the silm about the maiar #and we got around to talking about how Aule somehow got betrayed by BOTH of his maiar that we know of #and I remembered this as i was explaining that it fits thematically

[infracti-angelus]

Pale Fire, Chpt 5

PALE FIRE, a Lord of the Rings fanfiction

Pairing:  Éomer and Lothíriel

Summary: Lothíriel wasn’t unacquainted with infatuation; after all, she was nearly twenty-one years old and (by Gondorian standards, at least) well past her prime. But while she was acquainted with infatuation and the whispers of attraction, this was entirely different. And it infuriated her. And when his line of sight but glanced over her, she felt heated from top of her hair to the base of her foot. No, not heated. Burning. Set aflame.  She felt as if she were the swine roasted on the spit for tonight’s dinner.

Rating: M

Click here for Chapter 1

Click here for Chapter 2

Click here for Chapter 3

Click here for Chapter 4

Chapter 5: The Incident

His manner and bearing belied a cool aloofness. Indeed, the only fault that could be found in his interactions with the other partygoers was his stiffness, most likely due to inexperience as a warrior thrust into the role of king. But his eyes betrayed him. Lothíriel didn't know how to describe it, but his gaze held such awareness, a true presence in this very moment, that it almost alarmed her. And when his line of sight but glanced over her, she felt heated from top of her hair to the base of her foot.

No, not heated. Burning. Set aflame. She felt as if she were the swine roasted on the spit for tonight's supper.

If this was what a brief look of indifference caused, she couldn't imagine what it would be like to be the center of his attention. The likelihood of that, however was in her favor, since he was making it a point to not rest his eyes on anything for longer than a few seconds while his captain was otherwise occupied, probably due to the amount of eligible women being blatantly paraded past by hopeful fathers.

Lothíriel felt perpetually flushed, not helped by the arrival of more partygoers. She announced to the rest of the family that she would find Ada, which left a very put-out Amrothos holding Alphros whilst Rosilith secured a dance ("or two!" she winked) from Elphir. Venturing this way and that and consciously keeping her gaze averted from the table housing the King of Rohan, she was able to cover a large amount of ground without any sign of her father. The surrounding lords seemed no longer content with her excuses and she could sense the electricity of their frustrations with each additional dance refusal. She had officially given up looking for her father and was going to seek out wherever Amrothos and Alphros had set up camp when her path was blocked.

"My lady," a masculine voice drawled.

"Lord Brayan," Lothíriel dipped her head in acknowledgement, schooling her features to one of cool indifference.

"You're looking…well."

Lothíriel inwardly squirmed. The epitome of gentlemanliness, Lord Brayan gave no indication to being the contrary. His gaze remained respectfully on her face the entire time, which was more than she could say for some of the other lords she had encountered. They had lasciviously dragged their eyes on her form, and one had even waggled his eyebrows suggestively (he'd been thrice her age, and she had to contain her laughter). Despite this, the statement from Lord Brayan left her ill at ease.

"Thank you, my lord. Excuse me." Lothíriel took a step to the side, attempting to extract herself before this chance meeting could evolve into something more.

He stepped to be in front of her again, blocking her path. Lothíriel felt a bubble of panic before narrowing her eyes. She had done much more difficult things than rebuff unwanted advances from a nobleman.

"I must confess, I find your appearance to be a bit of a surprise," he said, taking a step towards her to close some of the empty distance.

"Oh?" she countered, trying to sound entirely uninterested in his opinions (which wasn't hard).

"I thought you were sequestered away on your seaside palace," he said.

Lothíriel's brow quirked without her intending it to. She knew he meant what she was wearing, but spoken aloud he was referring to her presence in Gondor. Classic misdirection.

"Hmm," she said. The less she answered, the less fuel she gave him.

"It's nice to see your family let you out of that sandcastle." Lothíriel bristled at his reference to her ancestral home as a sandcastle.

He continued, "If you were mine, I would keep you tucked away, safe and sound. It's still very dangerous for such a journey. Then again, I'd be sorely disappointed if they did that."

Lothíriel stepped to her left this time.

"I could also understand if you were to get too bored being locked up, and need a release for your pent up energy." He stepped again to impede her escape. "Perhaps you've passed the time with other…activities." Lothíriel looked up sharply, and by the glint in his eyes, he knew he had touched a nerve. He grinned. "Horseback riding, perhaps?"

Damn him, Lothíriel thought. She could comprehend the deeper implication of his words.

He was extremely close to her now. She knew he could see down the front of her dress; his eyes dilated. "I'd like to see more of you."

Damn him again.

"Dance with me," he demanded and grasped her hand to place a kiss on her pulse point. Coils of revulsion curled inside her stomach. Lothíriel wished she could shed her skin like a snake. The memory of his lips on the inside of her wrist reminded her of a jellyfish sting.

"No," she extracted her hand from his. "Thank you," she added as an afterthought.

"When I wanted to escape, I had a special, isolated place I would go to," his voice lowered. "But I'd be willing to share it with you." He did not give up, despite her rebuff. She glanced around to see if she could find her family.

She noticed her father across the room –there he was! — and glanced at the man he was talking to.

Lord Brayan grabbed her wrist and pulled her into him, sliding his finger suggestively down the back of her dress. "If you're good, I'll let you come."

Lothíriel locked eyes with the King of Rohan. Fire seeped through her veins. Elbereth, the way he was looking at her. She felt a flush envelop her, and tore her eyes away from his as Lord Brayan's words registered in her mind.

If Lothíriel hadn't known the commotion it would cause, she would have thrown a fist (Erchirion had taught her how to fight when she was eight because Amrothos had, in her words, "kept trying to drown" her). Nonetheless, she knew the disgraceful behavior of her potential actions would only bring shame on her family, and perhaps affect their livelihood.

Lothíriel, instead, yanked her arm out of his grasp and took a step back. Her face burned in anger and she all but hissed "No, thank you" before she rudely (not enough to sate her rage, but enough to make a point) pushed past him and found the first exit she could.

She sought refuge in the pleasant but ill-tended gardens of Minas. Once lovely like the city, they too had fallen into disarray with the growing shadow. Even with the end of ethuil, spring, the gardens were lackluster. They could no longer compare to the gardens in Dol Amroth, but perhaps now that there was a new King, the gardens would be tended to once more. Even with the threat of war upon the lands, the gardens still held hints of aromatic scents from medicinal herbs cultivated by the Houses of Healing. Lothíriel leaned on the nearest stone balustrade and squeezed her eyes shut. She could still feel the imprint of his grip around her wrist as he pulled her against himself. She stifled the urge to retch.

Lothíriel breathed shakily. She was on the brink of one of her attacks. No, not now, she thought. She swore under her breath. She would not relive her encounter with the Corsairs. She refused to do so; she refused to let Lord Brayan trigger that memory. Recalling that pain seemed to be a reliable distraction, she sunk her fingernails into the flesh of her hand, causing angry crescent shaped welts to appear. Focusing on the sting in her palm, she could feel attack dissipate. Merciful Nienna, thank you.

It was dusk but the air still held the warmth promised by fast-approaching laer. Lothíriel found herself a well concealed alcove inhabited by a stone bench. Perhaps she could obtain a moment of reprieve before rejoining the party. She dusted off the moss the best she could, hindered in her task by the fading light. She would have to, unfortunately, see and interact with Lord Brayan eventually. Hopefully he didn't follow her out, or she wouldn't be responsible for her actions. Before she could turn to lower herself onto her seat, she heard a masculine voice behind her.

"My Lady, I-"

Lothíriel spun around and at first all she could see were broad shoulders. Before she could identify the speaker, she saw two shadows and a flash of steel to her right.

"My lord!" she cried in warning as the figure wielding a sword approached and shouted something. She instinctively put her arm out to protect the man—Lord Brayan?—in front of her and move him out of reach.

If she had thought the King's eyes made her burn, she was so wrong. The unnatural sensation of cold metal sundering her flesh was followed instantly by agonizing pain. Her whole arm felt aflame and the trauma of her body accepting such a wound blinded her to the subsequent scuffle. A glint of a dagger and the whole affair was over, with the uninvited man hailing victorious.

Lothíriel felt her heart palpitate at an alarming speed and she began gasping for air. Immediately the man knelt to the ground in front of her –how did she get down here? -and guided her arm to his lap.

"The laceration is mild. You are in no danger of losing any permanent feeling," he stated, his tone clinical and dispassionate marking him as an experienced war veteran. She could feel the pressure of some sort of fabric he pressed down to staunch the bleeding.

Lothíriel could not thank him, could not quip that loss of feeling would be a blessing, or even check to see if he had sustained any harm. Indeed, she could not even breathe and her vision started to blur.

"My Lady?" the man's voice had colour to it now. He was clearly alarmed.

Lothíriel tried to even her breathing or she knew she would pass out from hyperventilation, as she'd seen it happen to more than one noblewoman. She only managed to choke out a mangled noise. With her left hand she reached behind her and attempted to unbutton her gown.

"My Lady!"

"Lothy!" Amrothos' concerned voice joined the shocked one. Lothíriel looked up to see Amrothos jumping over a corpse and skidding on blood to kneel by her side, joining the man who had blond hair. "Lothy, what happened? Are you alright? What's wrong!?"

If Lothíriel had been in her right mind, she would have chided Amrothos for pestering her with questions without waiting for answers, but the relief of the arrival of her brother surpassed everything, and she managed to choke out "corset."

She could see comprehension flash across his eyes, and Amrothos, with a set task given to him, immediately took over unbuttoning her gown. After opening the back, he reached the lacings and began to loosen them. But he was going too slowly and her lungs burned as if someone had jabbed an iron poker, blazing red from heat, into them. Everything was aching and the edge of her vision started to blur. She could feel herself slumping from the lack of oxygen; Amrothos started to panic. Immediately she felt his hands shoved aside, and a quick glance revealed a solid arm reaching around her. It held a small dagger, still dripping with the assassin's blood, and took her brother's place. A swift motion and the lacings of her corset were sliced apart and she could finally draw a full breath. She slumped forward all the way forward, into the blond man's chest. She felt exhausted and closed her eyes; her head felt too heavy to lift. Though her arm still burned, the pleasure of filling her lungs with the night's fresh air caused her to inwardly rejoice.

"Lothíriel, what happened?" Amrothos questioned again. She felt the man she was leaning on inhale and felt the reverberations in his chest as he answered for her.

"I followed her out here to speak with her. She was able to warn me in time before either of us were killed." He cursed in a foreign language-was that Rohirric?—and continued, "I wasn't quick enough and she sustained injury." His voice was deep and reminded her of waves on the shore during high tide: powerful and unstoppable, but peaceful and soothing. There was a certain lilt to it that betrayed an accent she wasn't familiar with.

Lothíriel could feel hot, white light pulsating from her arm with each heartbeat. She steeled herself for the effort it took to speak and croaked out weakly, "Amrothos, please get Ada."

"I will be right back," Amrothos replied, eager to do something useful. He stood up and darted away, evading the pool of blood on the floor.

Lothíriel took another deep breath and exhaled shakily. The man's arms, which still held her, tensed slightly. After a few more moments of breathing comfortably in silence, Lothíriel finally shifted. Wincing a little, she untucked her head from beneath his chin and glanced up.

She shivered. And his arms tensed around her again.

It was the King of Rohan.

"Do you have the strength to stand?" he asked, the tone of familiarity he had used with her brother was replaced with a strained one.

Gooseflesh prickled across her skin at his breath on her neck. Lothíriel nodded. He carefully shifted her from his lap and stood. Gently, he picked her up at the waist and set her on her feet. Lothíriel swayed a bit and he caught her before she could tip over.

"Thank you, my lord," she said, looking up at his face. His jawline was incredibly sharp even beneath his trimmed beard, and she tempered the urge to reach up her hand to cup it. She observed that his jaw was clenched. She watched the corded muscles in his neck twitching, and noticed that he wouldn't look her directly in the eye.

"Lothíriel?!" she heard her father's panicked voice call to her. The King of Rohan stepped away from her immediately and his stinging gaze honed in on Imrahil. Lothíriel turned around and saw her father, Amrothos, a few of their most trusted Swan Guards, and a Rohirrim hurrying toward them.

"Ada," Lothíriel cried out immediately, rushing into her father's embrace and holding onto him tightly with one arm while cradling the other. Lothíriel could hear whispered Rohirric behind her. Imrahil gripped her tightly by the shoulders to move her away from himself so he could take inventory of her injuries.

"You've been harmed," Imrahil's voice was low and tight. He took off his splendid mantle and draped it over her shoulders, as her dress was sliced and was starting to slip further down her body. Without the King's heat, she realized how chilled she was. The majority of her back was bare, and the mantle provided cover she didn't realize she needed. She watched as the Rohirrim left his King and slipped away.

The King of Rohan cautiously approached them and cleared his throat. Imrahil looked at him. "Prince Imrahil," he spoke lowly and quickly, "I do not think it prudent to stand out here in the open any longer where prying eyes may discover us."

His eyes darted toward Lothíriel and back to her father, raising an eyebrow. Imrahil's eyebrows furrowed and he looked at his daughter. His eyes widened at what he saw and he nodded in agreement. Lothíriel felt confused.

Imrahil looked at the King, knowingly. "You are wise, my friend, and I perceive you have a plan. Mayn't I be aware of it?"

"This must be dealt with discreetly. It would do no good for our peoples to know what has happened here, on this night. Peace is still too fragile, and news of assassins infiltrating during the coronation day would cause chaos."

"And Lord Aragorn?"

The warrior-king looked thoughtful. "I am loathe to divulge this information to him immediately and taint this day with ill tidings. I would have us deal with it privately until tomorrow at least. The less people who know will be to our advantage."

Lothíriel turned at footsteps coming towards them, and the Swan Knights instinctually went into a defensive pose. The footsteps belonged to the Rohirrim returning from his errand. The Swan Knights only relaxed when Imrahil motioned them to with a wave of his hand.

He spoke rapidly to his king in Rohirric. The King of Rohan turned to Imrahil and explained. "I asked Éothain to procure the services of Éowyn. Your daughter needs her arm tended to, and I think it best that we do not go to the healer here, or else it will be reported. We needed someone trustworthy, and Éowyn has been studying the art of healing. Éothain has informed her of being needed, and she is waiting in her room with the appropriate supplies. That is, with your permission."

"That is agreeable," Imrahil said, turning from Lothíriel and speaking in hushed tones with the Swan Knights. The King of Rohan's expectant gaze shifted to Lothíriel. It took her a few seconds to realize he was waiting for her approval as well. She nodded mutely, a warmth spreading through her that had nothing to do with her wounded arm on which she was still putting pressure. At her consent, the King spoke to the man named Éothain in their language, and though she could not understand them, it sounded like they were arguing.

Suddenly she felt a hand at her elbow, and she was being ushered away by the Swan guards. Lothíriel stumbled often, and was steadied by one of her father's most trusted guards. Lothíriel didn't register for several moments that the knights were following Éothain through the servant corridors to the guest rooms. The further they walked, the more agitated Lothíriel could feel herself become. Finally, they arrived in a wing that Lothíriel recognized as being reserved for important dignitaries, and Éothain rapped on a solid wood door in a staccato rhythm before the lock clicked open. A beautiful woman with long golden hair answered the door a crack, her face drawn tight and worried. Upon seeing Éothain, she cried out and embraced him. She spoke quickly with him in their native language, and motioned for Swan Knights to stand guard at the door. She smiled tentatively at Lothíriel until she noticed the garment wrapped around her arm, and then the woman's face paled.

She spoke sharply with Éothain who answered in what Lothíriel perceived as a snippy tone. Lothíriel watched as Éothain shrugged the woman off and left while she was in the middle of a sentence. The woman looked extremely frustrated before taking a deep breath, schooling her features to one of calm and turned to Lothíriel and invited her in.

"My name is Éowyn," she said softly as she locked the door, gesturing at a padded bench at the foot of her bed for Lothíriel to sit on. Lothíriel's blood pumped thunderously through her veins and she could feel her body vibrate with energy as she moved to the bench and sat down. Despite her upbringing, Lothíriel could not still sit. She watched Éowyn glide with impossible grace over to a table positioned underneath a window. There were a variety of herbs mixed into poultices, a sharp needle and thread, and cotton fabric strips. A set of closed doors led to an adjoining room, which was for a spouse as was custom in Gondor. Perhaps Éothain's? Based off of their interaction, Lothíriel wasn't sure. Her general knowledge of the Rohirrim and their naming customs could very well point to Éowyn being Éothain's sister, which would make more sense. The room was large for just an apprentice healer, even if she was foreign, but perhaps it was due to Éothain's rank. A fireplace on the opposite side of the room boiled a pot of water and crackled comfortingly, though it did nothing to soothe Lothíriel's reeling mind.

"I'm Lothíriel of Dol Amroth," she provided, as she tried to think of anything that would keep her still, "and I'm so dreadfully sorry to disturb you during the festivities." Lothíriel gripped the fabric of her dress with one hand and forced herself to sit still as Éowyn approached her. The Rohirric beauty was dressed in the traditional dark blue robes of the Houses of Healing. The fabric was almost black in order to disguise blood stains, and had the White Tree of Gondor embroidered in shimmery thread on the left side over the collarbone. The robe was tied with a swath of fabric, silver in color and purely decorative, which indicated she was an apprentice. The higher up in training, the plainer and more practical the belt was. The Warden of the Houses of Healing had a leather belt which held many pouches and slots for tools. Her hair was down but plaited back. Its pale gold colour reminded her of a ghost crab Lothíriel routinely saw scuttling across the sand after dusk near one of her favorite places to sail.

Éowyn knelt down next to Lothíriel and reverently unwrapped the fabric from around her arm and folded it. She replaced it with a damp cloth. "Is he alright?" she inquired quietly, while pouring a sterilizing concoction over the wound to prevent inflammation.

Lothíriel ceased the bouncing of her leg and winced at the sting, startled out of her reverie. "Pardon?"

"Is the King alright?" she clarified, dabbing at the wound to clean it.

"Oh! How did you know he was involved?" Lothíriel puzzled aloud. Éowyn gestured towards the fabric at her feet that had been used to slow her bleeding. The discarded item was a costly tunic of brocaded green.

"The King of Rohan was wearing this. It used to be King Théoden's, and it has blood on the outside of it. Yours has not seeped through it yet."

"Oh!" Lothíriel flushed. She hadn't even realized that the King had given her his own tunic. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed him in nothing but his under-tunic and breeches. She looked at the woman who was tending to her. Lothíriel thought that she looked frightfully pale. "Your King is completely unharmed, as far as I am aware," she reassured, recalling that the people of Rohan had already lost one King. Lothíriel watched colour return to her face and a look of immediate relief.

Éowyn breathed a prayer of thanks in her own language. Smiling at Lothíriel, she handed her a less than half full small glass phial to drink from. "This is the last of the poppy tears I could find. It should help to dull the pain while I stitch the wound closed. After this, all I have is willow bark," Éowyn explained.

Lothíriel downed the bottle in hopes that it would help. She immediately felt her heartbeat slow down, though she didn't feel sleepy like the last time she had been in this situation about a year ago.

"How is it that you were wounded?" Éowyn asked casually as she prepared the needle.

Lothíriel recalled vaguely that the King of Rohan had said Éowyn was trustworthy, but didn't know to what extent. She settled that it wouldn't hurt to tell the healer, but Lothíriel froze at seeing the threaded needle coming toward her. Éowyn, believing Lothíriel's hesitation to be from lack of trust, paused in her task. "Éothain told me it was ill-tidings for all, that you were attacked."

"He told you what happened?"

"Not the complete tale. I've known Éothain since we were very young. He grew up with my brother and I, and the three of us are still very close. My brother and he, especially. It is rare to see them parted. He said just that you were involved in a scuffle with an enemy, and the consequences of it are far reaching for us all."

"I was in the gardens," Lothíriel explained as she exhaled through her mouth, "when I heard a voice calling to me. It was your King, though I did not know it at the time. I saw a flash of steel in the corner of my eye. I tried to move him out of the way, but I wasn't fast enough. " Her speech slowed as the needle Éowyn held initially pierced her flesh. Lothíriel's eyes took on a glassy quality, and she appeared to be reliving some horrific memory from a time long passed.

"Breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth," Éowyn coached. Éowyn had witnessed many soldiers experience this after the Battle of the Morannon and had herself struggled with the episodes of the warriors' waking dream after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Lothíriel dug her nails into her upper thigh to ground herself and inhaled slowly through her nose and could feel herself return to reality as she exhaled.

Éowyn watched intently. She looked extremely contemplative as she knotted the final stitch and used a small dagger to remove the excess thread.

"I-" Lothíriel started to speak.

"Nay; there's no need to explain. It never happened." Éowyn interrupted her, making herself appear intently busy on wrapping Lothíriel's arm with cloth strips. Lothíriel looked extremely grateful, her vigor finally returning. "Well at least the assailant has been dispatched," Éowyn continued, hoping to distract her patient from feeling any residual uncomfortableness.

Lothíriel nodded. "Yes, it is good. Do you know if they captured his companion?"

Éowyn's sharp eyes snapped to Lothíriel's. "Éothain spoke only of one."

"Yes, one assassin. I'm talking about the accomplice he was with," Lothíriel said. She felt renewed energy flow through her body, like a thrumming running through her veins.

"They do not know there was a second enemy," Éowyn stated harshly.

"Well someone has got to tell them!" Lothíriel exclaimed, jumping to her feet as the urgency washed over her. She felt as if she were racing the rising tide; there were but a few, fleeting moments in which she could secure her fate. "There's a chance we could still prevent them from leaving the city."

"They are debriefing now in the war room as we speak," Éowyn spoke hurriedly. Lothíriel started towards the doors but was stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder. "Ye cannot go while you're like this."

Lothíriel wrenched her shoulder out from her grip and assumed her mask of indifference. "I am perfectly capable of speech, therefore I am going."

"Nay, I do not mean to prevent ye from going," Éowyn said softly, turning her palm up to suggest she meant no harm. "But ye may want to be at least properly covered up."

Lothíriel looked down at herself and blanched. Here she had been abashed at the King of Rohan in naught but his under-tunic and breeches, while she had looked twice as disheveled. The hem of her dress was a shade darker from the rest, stained from the blood pool. A rip on the side by her right knee must have happened when she hit the ground. But truly, the most mortifying thing was the top of her dress. Its mutilation to save her life had left her with little decency. The slips of fabric that served as her sleeves sagged near to her elbows, and Lothíriel realized that had she not been keeping her injured arm so close to her body, the entire dress would have slid down to expose her bosom. In fact, the entire torso at the back of her gown was ripped open, and displayed her bare back from the very nape of her neck to her tailbone.

"Sweet Elbereth," she breathed. Éowyn said something to Lothíriel she didn't catch and ventured into the adjoining room while Lothíriel took a mental inventory of everything wrong in her appearance. Her hair, which Maren had painstakingly taken the time to curl, was haphazard and wild. Lothíriel tried to run her fingers through it like a comb, but was interrupted by Éowyn returning.

"No clothing of mine will fit you," Éowyn apologized, handing Lothíriel a small stack of folded clothes. Lothíriel regretfully knew how true that statement was; Éowyn was slender everywhere that Lothíriel was not. Lothíriel's bust and hips would never fit into any of Éowyn's dresses. "I took this from my brother's room; Éomer won't mind. There's a pair of trousers and one of his old shirts, too. I found an old belt of his that should keep everything from falling off you."

Lothíriel thanked Éowyn and began to hurriedly strip off the remnants of her dress. Taking care not to unnecessarily jostle her arm, she slipped the soft shirt over her head and tucked it into the trousers. Éowyn had to assist her with tightening the belt. Lothíriel thought she looked like she'd been swallowed, but Éowyn looked at her approvingly, strangely satisfied with the end result. Lothíriel thought that was odd, but was distracted by Éowyn tossing worn leather boots toward her.

"We look to be the same size," she smiled. "You will look less ridiculous wearing these than your sodden slippers." Lothíriel looked down at her slippers and grimaced. "Now make haste."

Lothíriel threw a few words of gratitude over her shoulder as she darted into the corridor. She decided she would have to sacrifice a little time in the name of discretion. After all, imagine the fuss that would occur if some Gondorian were to recognize her, the Princess of Dol Amroth, while she wore trousers, not to mention her bandaged arm. Thus, Lothíriel followed the servants' corridors and passageways. Thankfully the party was still in full swing, unaware of the happenings, and the corridors were largely empty. Lothíriel was able to make it to the war room in record time.

Lothíriel took a fortifying breath and charged towards the doors, where two Swan Knights stood guard. One, the older of the two, looked panicked as she strode towards them. His bushy eyebrows lifted in surprise and his face paled. The younger's eyes widened, his jaw dropped open, and he flushed crimson. Both stood frozen as Lothíriel approached, and she could hear raised voices within the room. She grasped the door handle and wretched it open without delay, ignoring the belated reprimand of the elder guard croaking a distressed "Princess!"

She entered the war room.

Additional Context-  

Nienna -a Queen of the Valar, the sister of Mandos and Irmo (known as the Fëanturi), acquainted with grief and sorrow but also pity and courage. She is ranked as one of the eight Aratar, the most powerful of the Valar. Her element is grief and she is ever mourning for the wounds of the world by evil. Those who listen to her learn wisdom and endurance in grief.

#Lothíriel #Lothiriel #Eomer #Éomer #Dol Amroth #ROHAN #King of Rohan #Prince of Dol Amroth #Princess of Dol Amroth #Imrahil #Queen of Rohan #Eowyn #Éowyn #The White Lady #Amrothos #Pale Fire #fanfiction #frecklesforever93 #Éothíriel #eothiriel #infractiangelus #lord of the rings #lotr

[buggreawlthys]

'I will not say farewell, my lord,' said Pippin.

- almost word-for-word echo of sam's song in the tower. brb crying over hobbits again.

Now silently the host of Rohan moved forward into the field of Gondor, pouring in slowly but steadily, like the rising tide through breaches in a dike that men have thought secure.

- this is the point where i started vibrating too quickly for the human eye to perceive

And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains.

- there is not enough "fuck yeah" in this world and middle earth combined

And never in after years could he hear a horn blown in the distance without tears starting in his eyes.

- you & me both mate

Denethor started as one waking from a trance, and the flame died in his eyes, and he wept; and he said: 'Do not take my son from me! He calls for me.' ... Denethor followed him, and stood trembling, looking with longing on the face of his son.

- on the one hand, genuinely sympathetic. on the other hand, all this parental affection would've been a bit more useful before you Sent Him To His Death, Arsehole

'Go then and labour in healing! Go forth and fight! Vanity.'

- this isn't even "pot calling the kettle black", it's just straight-up hypocrisy.

Yet one stood there still: Dernhelm the young, faithful beyond fear; and he wept, for he had loved his lord as a father.

- ... so we're still playing this game, jirt? even now? really? *sigh* ok, fine. """dernhelm""" loved """his""" lord, got it

'Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may.'

- one of, if not the, all-time "fuck around & find out"s

'And I would send word to Éowyn. She, she would not have me leave her, and now I shall not see her again, dearer than daughter.'

- how many times will the sheer & shining amount of LOVE in this stories rip my heart into confetti???

'Are you going to bury me?' said Merry.

- 🥺🥺🥺

...and out of Far Harad black men like half-trolls with white eyes and red tongues.

- jfc. for every "fair for its day" moment there's one of these, whether it's enemies on the battlefield or allies like ghan-buri-ghan. repugnant actually.

'Thus we meet again, though all the hosts of Mordor lay between us,' said Aragorn. 'Did I not say so at the Hornburg?'

- yeah yeah smartarse, no-one likes an "i told you so"

...red fell the dew in Rammas Echor.

- sad but also metal af

'I have been too busy with this and that to heed all the crying and shouting,' she answered.

- Ioreth my giiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrl so good to see you sis love your life love your choices

'Not a beggar,' said Aragorn. 'Say a captain of the Rangers, who are unused to cities and houses of stone.'

- *snort*

...said Aragorn. 'One thing also is short, time for speech.'

- TAKE A FUCKEN HINT BABES (not that it does any good. ioreth will not be contained)

'My friend,' said Gandalf, 'you had horses, and deeds of arms, and the free fields; but she, born in the body of a maid, had a spirit and courage at least the match of yours. Yet she was doomed to wait upon an old man...'

- gandalf pointing out the mûmakil in the room: bigotry

'Master Meriadoc,' said Aragorn, 'if you think that I have passed through the mountains and yhe realm of Gondor with fire and sword to bring herbs to a careless soldier who throws away his gear, you are mistaken. ...he will leave you to reflect on the history of tongues. And so now must I.'

- i am howling

For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach. His song in the Tower had been defiance rather than hope; for then he was thinking of himself. Now, for a moment, his own fate, and even his master's, ceased to trouble him. He crawled back into the brambles and laid himself by Frodo's side, and putting away all fear he cast himself into a deep untroubled sleep.

- everyone say thank you to the nice star for letting sam get some decent bloody rest for a change (grumbles about hobbits with no self-care practice)

#lotr newsletter #what a day #what a read #wtf are emotions #aragorn's Extremely Long Day #sass king of sassdor

[alpaca-clouds]

Fluffcember Day 06: Unbending

My prompt for today was Gingerbread House.

Fandom: The Legend of Korra

Shipping: Kya/Lin

Genre: Fluff with some worldbuilding

Length: 1405 words

[Ao3 Link]

“Tell me the story again,” Rohan demanded, as he was sitting on Lin's lap.

Really, Lin knew why she had never had children. Well, alright, thinking that way was lying to herself. She had never had children, because she had never been in a relationship for long enough for marriage or children to happen. But really, babysitting Tenzin's kids made sure she was not regretting it.

“I've already told you two times,” she said and could not help a sigh.

“But I like the story!” The 6-year-old looked at her from bright eyes. A pleading look, reminding her of Naga's best polarbeardog eyes.

She sighed again, before somehow continuing the task of putting icing on the ginger-bread side. “After the war between the three tribes had ended, there was a big celebration…”

“No, no, no!” Rohan protested. “From the very beginning.”

How often could he listen to the same old story? A story so old, that it really was hard to say how much of it was history and how much was myth. Was it one or the other? “A long time ago, the world was not as we know it today. While most Earthbenders lived on Zhongua, there was no Earth Kingdom yet. For sure, there had been many rulers who had tried to unite the Earthbenders in one nation, but each and everyone of them had failed. At this time the continent of Zhongua had been divided between three mighty tribes. The Diqui Ren to the North, the Yenchen in the East and the Arunima in the South West of it all. Legends told that on the islands in the South there once had been another tribe, but all contact had been lost, until one day Yammenchen appeared. A young and powerful Earthbender, who said he was the prince of the Yenchen tribe. He had come, he said, to unite the different tribes and join them together in peace. At the same time, though, the newest Avatar had been born to the Arunima tribe, a cousin of their king and loyal to the family name…" She really did not understand how the boy was so interested in the history of a nation not his own. But, she figured, Tenzin would probably tell him about airbender history at every waking moment. She had to smile weakly, as she thought of that.

“The story went that after many trials and tribulations the young prince Yammenchen and Avatar Chandran had become brothers in blood and had joined forces, to quell the wars of the kingdoms and unite the Earthbenders under one banner. The birth of the Earth Kingdom, still celebrated to this day two weeks before the winter solstice.

“After the war had ended,” she once more came to the finale of the story, “Avatar Yammenchen, King Chandran and his three advisors build a hall for the tribes to exchange their wisdom and knowledge. A monument to their new found peace. The Great Jia, its beams made out of Arunima wood, the stones sources from the great Diqui quarry and the roof tiles crafted by the tile makers from Yenchen. It should be a monument to unite the new nation.” Incidentallly she finished to put the last tile onto the gingerbread monument, that was supposed to be a recreation of the legendary one.

“And what happened to it?” Rohan asked, as if she had not told him before.

“The Fire Nation destroyed it,” Kya said, making Lin almost jump.

Since when had Kya even been here? A blush burned on Lin's cheeks as she looked to the woman. A blush that really was not befitting the chief of Republic City police. But it could not be helped, after last night.

Rohan looked at the sweet recreation, that frankly did not look quite sturdy. “The Fire Nation really were the bad guys, weren't they?”

“In the 100 years war they were, yes,” Lin said. “But you have to see that the Earth Kingdom had been conquering other nations in the past as well. Or had at least tried to.” Most of the history of their world could be divided in either the Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom on attack – or in phases where both nations had internal conflicts.

Those eternal conflicts of course had been something to happen to the Water Tribes as well – but at least they had never dragged the rest of the world into it. Well, at least not until Unaluq.

She sighed once more, just before Kya sat down next to her, with the boy quickly switching to the lap of her favorite aunt.

“You really like stories, don't you?” Kya said, leading to a somewhat blank stare.

“Everyone likes stories.”

“I remember your older siblings not being that engaged with them,” Kya said with a smile. “Do you want to study history someday?”

At this the young boy frowned. “Why would I do that?”

Lin could not help a chuckle. “I think he has some years left to decide on that.”

Kya looked at her. “Probably.”

Quickly Lin lowered her gaze, not being able to look into Kya's eyes. Stupid, really. But… Well…

And as if the world had been plotting against her, Pema used just this moment to enter the room. “Dinner is ready,” she announced, with Rohan quickly jumping up. “Yeah!”

Pema looked at the gingerbread monument. “It looks… good.”

The little pause made Lin frown. Really, she was not the most artistic person to graze the world, but it was not looking that bad. Sure, the roof was a bit crooked, but…

Rohan was already with his mother, as Lin wanted to get up as well. But without a word to her, Kya tugged her shirt, before looking at her sister-in-law. “We'll be there shortly.”

Great. Lin knew what that was supposed to mean: Kya wanted to talk.

The last evening had been nothing more than a drunken stupidity. When the airbender kids had been to bed, the adults had reminisced about the old times. Lin had drunken some good rice wine – maybe a bit too much. And after accompanying Kya outside… Things had happened. Things that would not have happened, if she had been sober. Not that it could be changed now.

“Lin,” Kya said, at least being the first one to speak.

“Look, I was drunk, okay?” Lin muttered.

Kya frowned. “Should I take that as an insult?”

This one took Lin aback. “What?”

“Well, what you are saying is, that you would not have slept with me, if you had been sober. That sounds like an insult.”

Lin groaned, even though a part of her knew that Kya was just messing with her. “What I am saying is that I would've not slept with anyone, if I had been sober. Anyone at all.”

Kya gave her a side-eye. “Your loss, really.”

With some effort Lin looked at the woman. “Could you please take this serious?”

“I am taking this serious.”

“Look, Kya, I mean…” Lin groaned again, because really, words were not her forte. “We are old.”

“So?”

“We are basically siblings.”

“Not really, though.”

“And we are…”

“Lin,” Kya interrupted her. “Yes, we are old. But that does not have to mean we are going to have to be celibate for the rest of our lives. Look, I like women. I like you, for that matter. And judging by last night, you actually do like me as well.”

“But…” Lin tried to argue with this, even though there really was no arguing about it. She had had this big crush on Kya when they had been teens – and had been too shy to do anything about that. Then her interest had shifted to Tenzin and they all knew how that had turned out. After that? Well, there had only been a few drunken mistakes. Nothing more. And now she was old. Too old to…

Kya gave a long and drawn-out sigh. “I mean it, Lin. I like you. And maybe you should stop being so…” She stopped as she was trying to find the right word. “… unbending.”

“I am an Earthbender, being unbending is kinda our thing,” Lin muttered, even though it was a weak excuse.

“And I am just saying,” Lin replied. “Maybe you want to change things up for a little. And give good things a chance to happen.” With that she pursed her lips and got up. “Think about it, yeah?”

#fluffcember #fluff #sapphic #old lesbians #the legend of korra #legend of korra #kya avatar #lin avatar #lin beifong #lin and kya #lin x kya

[dr3lls]

He’s a killer

   today was a very cold and windy day. all day, since the moment you woke up, you’ve felt...off. it was’t anything you were too worried about since you are a very paranoid person naturally, so you just shrug it off as the usual paranoia.

  going to your classes at your university was always the same thing in your small town. however, today while you were walking to your university, something was telling you not to go to your classes today. you rarely get that gut feeling, and usually it’s always right, so you listened to it. 

   turning back to walk towards your home, you could feel the stare of someone on your back. you definitely decided to walk faster to your home after feeling the stare.

   getting back in your house, you immediately lock all the locks in the house and make sure your windows are secure. triple checking every lock in the house, you grab two knives for self defense and walk towards your room.

   what you were not expecting was a man with green hair to be sitting on your bed, as if he owned the house!

   you were startled for a second, until you regained yourself and immediately shouted at the man, not surprising him in the slightest.

  “oh, shut it will you? you fucking brat. this is all your fault, you know? i didn’t want to do this, but you forced my hand today,” the mysterious man said to you, as you held out one of the knives at the man.

   “what do you want? leave me alone, or i’ll call the cops and have them arrest you!!!” 

   it went silent for at least 20 seconds, the only sound being both of your breathing. his slowly getting heavier, internally terrifying you.

   then he lunged at you and the last thing you saw was a tiny figure standing beside your body, which slowly loses consciousness and the stranger holding a...pencil?

   “you forced my hand, y/n. now you will suffer the consequences when you awake.”

   ---

i’m literally just writing drabbles instead of sleeping (which i should really be doing..)

i’ll actually write a yandere rohan fic soon, just wanted to get these thoughts and drabbles out while i have the motivation to write and post :D <3

-drells.

#yandere x reader #yandere jjba #yandere rohan #drabble #rohan x reader #jjba #jojos bizarre adventure #self insert lol #im writing just cuz i can lol