FinbórandElwen were the twin children of Fingon and Maedhros, born in the aftermath of the Nírnaeth Arnœdiad. They were raised mostly by their elder sister Amaurëa, as Fingon was dead and Maedhros caught up in the pull of the Oath; Finbórbecame particularly attached to her, while Elwen attempted to draw their father out of his grief. On the eve of the Second Kinslaying, Finbór and Amaurëa rebuked the sons of Fëanor and fled to the Havens of Sirion, but Elwen would not follow, clinging loyally to Maedhros. Though Amaurëa and Finbór would reunite with their siblings Ereinion and Erien by the sea, Elwen remained with her father throughout the War of Wrath, and was devastated by death. Only then did she reconcile with her siblings, though her strongest new connection was with her cousin Celebrimbor, whom she followed to Eregion, becoming an alchemist. Finbór joined the people of Oropher as a hunter and went with him to Eryn Galen, where he met and fell in love with a Silvan elf alternately called Ewenor and Eweneth, depending on the shifting of their spirit between ellon and elleth. Though they were never as close as some twins were, Finbór still felt when Elwen died, slain in the sack of Ost-in-Edhil, and his grief was great. In time, Ewenor grew curious of what lay in the West, and so for their sake Finbór agreed to sail to Valinor, reuniting with his sister Amaurëa along the way. Together they made the journey across the Sea, and in time his family would be made whole once more, giving him the opportunity to introduce Eweneth to his beloved kindred.
EreinionandErien were the twin children of Maedhros and Fingon, born in the last years of the Long Peace. They dearly loved their elder sister Amaurëa, though she did not know what to do with children at first, and were heartbroken when their parents sent them away to the Falas in the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach. Though they resented their situation, ErienandGil-galad grew to love Falathrim culture and became close to their foster-father Círdan. As the First Age drew to its bloody close, EreinionandErien welcomed their siblings to the Havens of Sirion, meeting for the first time Finbór and Elwen, twins born after Fingon’s death. In the Second Age, Erien remained with Círdan and helped him build his new haven of Mithlond, from where she would sail her ship Elenairëout to sea, exploring and mapping the oceans. Ereinion Gil-galad became High King of the Noldor, following his fathers’ footsteps, and building a great legacy of his own. After his death in the War of the Last Alliance, Erien grew weary of Middle-earth, and bidding a tearful farewell to Círdan, she sailed West to Valinor, where in time her family would be made whole once more.
Born in Himring after the Dagor Aglareb, Amaurëa spent most of her youth in Hithlum with her father Prince Fingon, though she visited her father Lord Maedhros frequently, especially after her younger siblings Gil-galad and Erien were born. Though Amaurëa was a skilled fighter, hunter, and strategist, Maedhros attempted to refuse her a place in his armies amid the Fifth Battle, Fingon arranged for her to march in the most secure part of the eastern army, ensuring she survived and was shielded from the worst of the carnage. In the wake of Fingon’s death, Amaurëa and Maedhros were both overcome with grief, and their relationship became strained; not even the birth of a second set of twins, Finbór and Elwen, could piece their family back together. On the eve of the Second Kinslaying, Amaurëa took Finbór (though Elwen refused to follow) and fled to the Havens of Sirion, where they remained with their other siblings through the War of Wrath. She swore her service to her brother Ereinion Gil-galad and stayed at his side throughout the Second Age, losing an arm in his defense during the Siege of Barad-dûr. After her brother’s fall, she became a knight of Rivendell, and eventually sailed with Finbór to Valinor, where in time her family would be made whole and happy once more.
[image description: a 3x3 moodboard. 1: a snow-covered mountain against a white sky. 2: a column of three small painted hearts in darkening shades of grey against a light grey background. 3: black text on a grey background reading “being soft in this world is courage” 4: a blue and gold stony surface. 5: Fíli from the Hobbit on the background of a greygender flag; they are depicted in a picrew as a dwarf with pale skin, blond hair with two small braids in front of their face, a short-cropped blond beard, and blue eyes; they are wearing a fancy white and black coat over a fancy green shirt, a black crown with purple jewels, and blocky black ear cuffs. 6: a hand holding up a glowing blue moon against a dark background. 7: closeup of a dark gray raven’s wing. 8: an artistic rendition of the phases of the moon arranged in a gold circle on a black background. 9: white clouds separated by a strip of blackness. end image description.]
He was tall as a young tree, lithe, immensely strong, able swiftly to draw a great war-bow and shoot down a Nazgûl, endowed with the tremendous vitality of Elvish bodies, so hard and resistant to hurt that he went only in light shoes over rock or through snow, the most tireless of all the Fellowship.
[image description: a 3x3 moodboard. 1: white text against a purple starscape, reading “I’m the one I should love in this world” 2: a sparkling purple ocean wave. 3: lavender-colored crystals. 4: a small heart in black lineart on a light purple background. 4: Legolas from the Lord of the Rings on the background of a transmasc nonbinary flag; they are depicted in a picrew as an elf with medium olive skin, long braided brown hair with leaves and flowers and twigs in it, and green eyes; they are wearing a green shirt, a dark green cloak with gold fastenings, and small silver hoop earrings; they are holding a knife in one hand. 6: black text on a white background reading “life is tough but so are you” 7: a tree with blue flowers against a light blue sky. 8: looping black text against a pale blue background reading “see good in all things” 9: close-up of a blue-tinted leaf with yellow veins, covered in dew drops. end image description.]
Now the people of Caranthir dwelt furthest east beyond the upper waters of Gelion, about Lake Helevorn under Mount Rerir and to the southward; and they climbed the heights of Ered Luin and looked eastward in wonder, for wild and wide it seemed to them were the lands of Middle-earth.
[image description: a 3x3 moodboard. 1: the pale blue surface of a lake. 2: white text on a light blue background reading “This is who I am / nobody said you had to like it” 3: a pink mountain crowned with pink clouds, set between a valley of pink and grey. 4: the fancy hilt of a grayscale sword. 5: Caranthir from the Silmarillion on the background of the transgender flag; they are depicted in a picrew as an elf with medium olive skin, grey eyes, a scar beneath one eye, and long straight black hair; they are wearing a fancy pink-burgundy coat over a fancy black shirt, gold laurels in their hair, black chains in the ears, small red teardrop earrings, black eyeshadow, and a gold monocole over the same eye with the scar. 6: a white bookcase full of white books. 7: white text on a pink background reading “i don’t give a fuck about you anyways” 8: large pink coins. 9: a hand on fire, the whole image tinted blue. end image description.]
Legolas Greenleaf long under tree In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea! If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore, Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more.
[image description: a 3x3 moodboard. 1: a pink birch forest. 2: small baby blue flowers. 3: black text on a blue background reading “as free as the ocean” 4: a golden cloudscape with the sun barely hidden. 5: Legolas from the Lord of the Rings on the background of a combined transgender and nonbinary flag; they are depicted in a picrew as an elf with medium olive skin, long braided blond hair with leaves and flowers and twigs in it, and green eyes; they are wearing a green shirt, a dark green cloak with gold fastenings, and small silver hoop earrings; they are holding a knife in one hand. 6: the ocean shoreline with a good view of a cloudy sky and several seabirds flying high; the whole image is tinted pink. 7: white text on a black background reading “You have it in you to do whatever the hell you want” 8: closeup of the purple fletching of some arrows. 9: low-contrast white leaves. end image description.]
Turcafinwë Tyelkormo was the third son of Fëanáro CurufinwëandNerdanel Istarnië. He was born the same year as two of his cousins, some months after Findaráto Arafinwion and a few months before Turukáno Nolofinwion. Named for his strength and rash boldness, Tyelkormo was a wild and impetuous child, preferring the company of the forest to that of his cousins, and even of his brothers. Though his elder siblings MaitimoandMakalaurë looked after him, from a young age he was eager to strike out on his own, and he fell in love with the sport of hunting the very first time he accompanied Maitimo and Findekáno on such a venture; he barely marked the birth of his younger brother Carnistir, so caught up in the chase was he. His skill and passion did not go unnoticed, and soon Oromë, Vala of the Hunt, approached Tyelkormo while he was alone in the woods. Initially wary of the Great Hunter due to his father’s distrust of the Valar, Tyelkormo warmed to Oromë as he became acquainted with him, and learned much from him. Oromë invited Tyelkormo to join his Hunt, a privilege granted to only an elite few Eldarin hunters, and though Tyelkormo was honored, he delayed for the sake of his family: for another son had been born to Nerdanel and Fëanáro, little Curufinwë Atarinkë, and Tyelkormo adored his little brother from the moment of his birth. Fëanáro’s fifth son was his favorite from the moment of his birth. This child greatly resembled him in mood and face, so much so that Nerdanel his mother gave him the name Atarinkë, “little father.” Fëanáro granted Atarinkë the gift of his own father-name, making him the second Curufinwë, who would inherit most of his father’s skill and hand, and the greatest portion of his love. Tyelkormo doted on his favorite brother, and they were fast friends from childhood despite their disparate interests. Indeed, Tyelkormo delayed joining Oromë’s Hunt for nearly twenty years to spend time with young Curvo, and only once Atarinkë’s studies in the forge under their father grew to dominate his life did Tyelkormo at last return to Great Hunter and accept his offer. As part of Oromë’s train, Tyelkormo followed his Vala’s horn far and wide across the reaches of Aman, and was gone from Tirion for long stretches of time. He even accompanied Oromë to Endórë, hunting the foul creatures of Melkor in defense of the elves who had lingered in the starlit lands. Though Tyelkormo never encountered any of these Moriquendi on such journeys, he grew to love Endórë for its wildness, and his experiences would later influence his father Fëanáro’s interest in leaving Valinor for such “untamed” lands. Yet Tyelkormo still spent much time at home, boasting of his skills and spoils to his friends and family, teasing Curufinwë for his youthful crushes, and even befriending his young cousin Írissë Nolofinwiel, who made no secret of her admiration of him. When Curufinwë reached his first coming of age, Fëanáro declared his son a master craftsman. Such a distinction had never been granted to one so young, and many of his colleagues protested this decision, but Fëanáro refused to back down, instead reorganizing his guild of jewelsmiths so only his supporters remained close to him. Young Curufinwë was indeed a fine smith, and if he did not deserve the title, he worked twice as hard to become worthy of it, for his own sake as well as his father’s. Alone of all his friends he confided in Tyelkormo of his stresses and insecurities, and his elder brother offered all the support and advice he could. He, too, knew the pressure of being Fëanáro’s son, and loved his brother dearly. Shortly before his second coming of age, Tyelkormo received a gift from Oromë his master: a sacred hound, no more than a pup, to be his constant companion. Honored, Tyelkormo found there was no better name than simply Huan to give to his new best friend, for Huan was the perfect embodiment of a hound, skilled and faithful and true. Curufinwë teased his brother for the affection between him and Huan, jesting that Tyelkormo would never find a wife if he let his dog share his bed, but Tyelkormo was not at all bothered: marriage had never been a concern of his, and despite his jibes Curufinwë loved Huan also.
Of all the children of Finwë he is justly most renowned: for his valour was as a fire and yet as steadfast as the hills of stone; wise he was and skilled in voice and hand; truth and justice he loved and bore good will to all, both Elves and Men, hating Morgoth only; he sought not his own, neither power nor glory, and death was his reward.
[image description: a 3x3 moodboard. 1: looping white text on a pale blue background reading “happy” 2: close-up of a blue feather. 3: a sheet of blue ice. 4: a white crown on a white background. 5: Fingon from the Silmarillion on the background of the transgender flag; he is depicted in a picrew as an elf with dark brown skin, golden freckles, bright blue eyes, and black braided hair; he is wearing a sun-patterned yellow shirt, gold chains in his ears, dangling sapphire earrings, a sapphire and gold necklace, dramatic gold eyeliner, and a yellow flower crown; he is grinning widely and surrounded by dangling white stars. 6: black text on a white background reading “hope” with a black dot before and after the word. 7: a silver bow and arrow charm on a pink background. 8: black text on a pink background reading “you can.” 9: a crudely-drawn rainbow on a pink background. end image description.]
Morifinwë Carnistir was the fourth son of Fëanáro CurufinwëandNerdanel Istarnië. Named for his dark hair and ruddy complexion, Carnistir was always a reserved child who preferred spending time by himself in his studies of economics and history rather than socializing with others his age or even with his family. He tolerated the journeys he took with his father and brothers, but resented gatherings with his extended family, especially when his uncle Arafinwë visited Tirion from his home in Alqualondë, bringing with him his loud and bothersome children. He often quarreled with the sons of Arafinwë, and there was ever unfriendship between them, growing into hatred as they grew older and their arguments became more and more serious. Carnistir dabbled in many crafts, but found none to his liking until shortly before his fiftieth birthday, when his grandfather High King Finwë encouraged him to pursue his grandmother Míriel Þerindë’s craft of needlework. Though anything regarding his deceased mother was a difficult subject for Fëanáro, he was nonetheless proud of his son for carrying on her legacy. Warmed by his father’s praise, Carnistir remained dedicated to him even amidst political turmoil, following him to exile in Formenos and beyond. Amid the Darkening, Carnistir swore his father’s Oath to regain the Silmarils, and fought with him at Alqualondë against the kin of his despised Arafinwëan cousins. He sailed in the stolen swan-ships to Losgar, and alongside all his brothers save Maitimo the eldest, set them alight to prevent his cousins and their hosts from following. Though the horror of his youngest brother Umbarto’s burning amid the flames weighed heavily upon him, Carnistir did not regret leaving behind his half-kin, for he most of his father’s sons hated the children of Indis, though his ire was focused more upon the sons of Arafinwë rather than Fëanáro’s rival Nolofinwë. Yet not long after their arrival in Endórë, Fëanáro was slain by monstrous Balrogs, demanding his sons to renew their dreadful Oath with his dying breath, and though Maitimo took his place as their leader he too was soon taken from them, dragged into the depths of Angamando after a parlay gone wrong. Carnistir buried his anger and grief deep inside himself and set about establishing the beginnings of a city on the shores of Lake Mithrim, providing for his people the best he could. Though he resented Makalaurë his brother for not taking up the mantle of king, he did not speak openly against him as did his brothers Tyelkormo and Curufinwë, instead working alone as he always had organizing work crews and making clothes for the needy among his people. Upon the miraculous arrival of the second host of the Noldor, led by Ñolofinwë and the sons of Arafinwë, Carnistir rose out of his self-isolation and joined his rowdier brothers in protesting Makalaurë’s weak leadership. Just before the situation escalated to further bloodshed, Makalaurë agreed to claim the High Kingship of the Noldor, only for his coronation to be interrupted by the astonishing return of their eldest brother Maitimo, who had been rescued from Angamando by his favorite cousin Findekáno the Valiant. Maitimo reasserted his authority over his brothers and their host, and though they were all glad to see him living they were shocked by the great change that had come upon him both physically and mentally, for he was now missing a hand and marked by scars upon his flesh and in his soul. Carnistir was furious when Maitimo ceded the High Kingship to Ñolofinwë in order to reconcile the two hosts of the Noldor, but held his tongue as he and his brothers were dispossessed, for he yet respected Maitimo’s authority. Then a council of the Noldor was held. Here Angaráto, son of Arafinwë, gave news of Elu Thingol King of the Sindar’s decree as to where the Noldor were allowed to settle. Carnistir’s anger burst forth now, for he had no respect for Angaráto and little for Thingol. Maitimo, known now as Maedhros, restrained him, and Carnistir’s patience grew ever thinner. When Maedhros took the followers of Fëanáro eastward to construct a fortress upon the Hill of Himring, Carnistir was the first of the brothers to depart and found his own lands in Thargelion, where he fortified the mountains and set up a city at the base of Mount RerirbesideLake Helevorn. Here he ruled over all of Talath Rhúnen, and the land came to bear his name: Dor Caranthir, for such was he called in the Grey-elven tongue. Caranthir and his followers explored the heights of Ered Luin, looking further eastward in wonder, and there it was that they first met the dwarves, Children of Aulë. Both their peoples loved skill and were eager to learn, and against their common enemy of Morgoth they established an alliance and much trade, and Caranthir came to great profit from his dealings with the dwarven cities of Belegost and Nogrod. Yet despite their cooperation there was little friendship between Caranthir and the dwarves, for they were both reserved and suspicious peoples, and preferred to keep their secrets to themselves. But knowing his younger brother Curufin well, Caranthir took it upon himself to introduce him to the dwarven-smiths, and many great works were wrought with their combined skill, and the riches of lands east of Beleriand passed first through Caranthir’s hands before making their way further west. Over the centuries, Caranthir established himself as a merchant and economist, supplying his brothers with grain and goods. He warmed slowly to the Sindar, striking up trade with them as well as the dwarves, but when Men first appeared in Beleriand he discounted them as it seemed to him they presented no opportunity for commerce. He ignored their settlements in the southern woods of his lands, and only took notice of them when an orc-raid descended upon the Gelion-Ascar stockade manned by the Haladin. He came to their aid, driving the orcs into the rivers and liberating the Haladin from their attackers, but it was too late for their chieftain Haldad, who had perished seven days earlier. Instead Caranthir dealt with Haldad’s daughter Haleth, a fierce and proud woman who refused his belated offer of friendship and protection of the Eldar. Rather than become vassals to him, Haleth determined to lead her people west to join the other Houses of the Edain, and they remained a people apart from the elves. Yet Caranthir was impressed by Haleth, and kept up a correspondence with her, even visiting her in the lands of Brethil where her people settled. Though Haleth and Caranthir grew close, their relationship was always somewhat combative if only in words, and thus it was an immense shock to Caranthir when he learned, ten years too late, that he had fathered a child upon his mortal friend. This child was named Rýndil by Haleth, and they were always accompanied by a beloved hound, each named Tallagar in succession though they were not always of the same breed. Rýndil was raised among the Haladin and held little regard for their father, who was absent and distant even after he learned of their existence. They were proud to stand among their mortal kindred despite their half-elven heritage, and refused Caranthir’s belated offer of kinship should they relocate with him to Thargelion upon their mother’s death. Rýndil remained in Brethil for several generations of Men until their differences from the other Haladin grew too great for them to continue to dwell among them. Still they did not seek out their father Caranthir, for they loved the Haladin still and would serve as a guard of Brethil’s borders. The Siege of Angband could not endure forever, and when Morgoth judged the Noldor to be complacent in their Long Peace he sent forth his dragon-servants with their evil fire to break the leaguer set upon him. This Battle of Sudden Flame was disastrous, and in it fell many brave and noble warriors of the Eldar and Edain, and the eastern realms held by the Sons of Fëanor fell one by one. When Maglor’s Gap fell, the dragon Glaurung led a host of orcs to the western slopes of Mount Rerir, ravaging all Thargelion and defiling Lake Helevorn, and in the face of this destruction Caranthir and his people fled southward to join his brothers Amrod and Amras, retreating to the fortress upon Amon Ereb. Caranthir took up the primary defense of the fortress, maintaining a watch and some strength of war with the aid of the Green-elves of Ossiriand, their allies. In this Dagor Bragollach, Angrod and Aegnor the sons of Arafinwë fell, and despite his long feud with them Caranthir spared a moment of sorrow for their loss, for they had stood long against the Enemy, and were yet his kin. Some years after the Sudden Flame, a party of orcs crossed into Brethil, where they were rebuffed by the Haladin and the marchwardens of Doriath. Here Rýndil fought alongside their kin and befriended Beleg Cúthalion, who learned of their half-elven heritage and gave them an elvish hound to replace their companion who fell amid the fighting. Rýndil and their newest Tallagar began to roam farther and farther from Brethil as the Haladin treated them with increasing hostility. After learning of the miraculous triumph of Beren and Lúthien and the birth of their own half-elven son, Rýndil attempted to seek out this other peredhel, but was rebuffed by the Green-elves who guarded their abode. Now at last Rýndil turned their heart toward their father, and thinking Caranthir would give them a place to fight against the Enemy they traveled south to Amon Ereb. There they encountered the folk of Pegmûl, Men of the East who had recently allied themselves with Caranthir, and also their uncle Celegorm, who treated them harshly until he met Tallagar their hound, at which point he softened and grew sad. Disturbed by this strange behavior, Rýndil resolved to keep their identity a secret as the Fifth Battle approached, and marched in disguise in their father’s host. Yet the battle turned ill, for Pegmûl’s folk betrayed the Union of Maedhros, and though Rýndil saved their father’s life Tallagar was slain amid the retreat. Caranthir, already reeling and guilt-stricken by his vassals’ betrayal, was faced with another shock as he recognized Rýndil among his warriors. Rýndil confronted him and his brothers, astonishing them all by revealing their relation, and though father and child fought long into the night eventually they reconciled and Rýndil resolved to remain with the Fëanorian host, for they felt they had nowhere else to turn. Celegorm remembered them from before, and arranged to provide them with another hound descended from Valinor; upon Rýndil’s one hundredth birthday, Caranthir gave them another gift: a father-name in the tradition of the Noldor, Hatalquar for their—and their mother’s—proficiency with a spear. Traversing Beleriand was dangerous in the aftermath of Morgoth’s victory in the Nírnaeth Arnœdiad, and so for decades the Fëanorian host remained hidden in Ossiriand. When the Black Sword of Nargothrond rose and cleared much of the lands of orcs, the sons of Fëanor sent Amrod, Amras, and Rýndil as scouts to learn if the way southward was clear, for they thought to reclaim Amon Ereb. Along this journey, Rýndil learned of the death of Beleg Cúthalion their friend and mourned him, but it was true that the Black Sword had drawn the eye of Morgoth, and thus the Fëanorians returned to their fortress upon the lonely hill. In the aftermath of Thingol’s death, Celegorm rallied his brothers to attack Dior Eluchíl to regain the Silmaril won by Lúthien. Despite Maglor’s protests, Maedhros, who had been lost in grief since the death of his beloved Fingon in the Fifth Battle, conceded, leading them to battle against their fellow elves once more. Rýndil was horrified by this cruelty and refused to participate in the battle, and thus on the eve of the invasion they planned to desert their father and his bloodthirsty kin. Caranthir caught them before they could leave, and though Rýndil braced themself for conflict, he instead expressed his pride in their decision, for the Oath lay heavy upon him and he wanted his child to be free of its awful burden. Caranthir bid Rýndil farewell, knowing in his heart this would be their last meeting, and helped them to slip away, directing them toward the Havens by the Mouths of Sirion. Rýndil escaped, but traveled first to the ruins of Brethil where they had been born. Only a dwindling remnant of the Haladin remained, the rest having fled or perished in the wake of grievousinfighting, and those who clung to life in Amon Obel treated Rýndil with great suspicion. Rýndil paid their respects to the Haudh-en-Arwen where their mother was buried, then traveled to the Havens of Sirion where they were surprised to meet their Fëanorian cousins Celebrimbor, Gil-galad, and Erien, children of Curufin and Maedhros. Yet this meeting was not glad, for upon their arrival they learned what had occurred in the Second Kinslaying, and of their father’s dreadful death. Caranthir had been the first of Fëanor’s sons to fall, cut down by Dior’s guards as he rushed into the throne room with no sense of self-preservation. Rýndil found themself equally angry and sorrowful, for they knew he had flung himself into battle with intentional recklessness, hoping to be slain before he could be twisted by his Oath into more evil. Celegorm and Curufin had died also, killed dueling Dior himself; and though he also was slain, his Silmaril had not been found, and so the remaining sons of Fëanor were yet haunted by their Oath. For some years, Rýndil dwelt upon the Isle of Balar with their cousins and their hound, attempting to build a new life for themself. Some of the Haladin had found their way to the Havens, but increasingly Rýndil found themself more and more distant from their Mannish kin, caught up instead in the politics of the elves. When Maedhros discovered that the Silmaril was at the Havens, held by Elwing Dior’s daughter, Rýndil advised Elwing to surrender the jewel, for they knew the Fëanorions would stop at nothing to regain it. Yet Elwing refused their counsel, and soon the Havens fell, and Rýndil was filled once more with grief and rage at the despicable actions of their uncles. Yet hope was not all lost. Though Morgoth ruled Beleriand, and only Balar remained as a refuge for the Free-peoples, at long last aid came from the West. The Host of the Valar arrived in all their splendour to liberate Beleriand from Morgoth’s clutches, and the War of Wrath began. Rýndil served as a courier between various hosts of elves and Men, for they were respected by Fëanorians, Sindar, and Edain all; they reunited briefly with their uncles Maedhros and Maglor who alone survived of Fëanor’s seven sons, and learned of their fostering of Elwing’s sons. Amid the fighting, Tallagar (the Eighth, and Celegorm’s gift to Rýndil) perished, and the Maia Eönwë took pity upon Rýndil, granting them a new companion: Hráviel, a hound of Oromë and a being of great power. As the War of Wrath drew to its bloody close and the remaining Silmarils were reclaimed from Morgoth’s crown, Rýndil grew uneasy. Eönwë refused the demand of Maedhros and Maglor to relinquish the jewels, and Rýndil knew their uncles would persist in violence until they attained their goal or met a gruesome end. Grim and grieving, for Hráviel had been killed in the final assault upon Thangorodrim, Rýndil determined they would attempt to fulfill the Oath of Fëanor themself, for they were Fëanáro’s kin, and no one would be expecting them to steal the Silmarils. Rýndil disguised themself as one of the Silmarils’ guards and was right about to put their plan into action when Maedhros and Maglor struck first. Before they could protest, their uncles drew their blades and slew each of the guards, taking the Silmarils for themselves—and ending Rýndil’s life. Only too late, after the holy jewels burned their hands, did Maedhros and Maglor realize what they had done, and the horror at having murdered their own brother’s child added to their overall misery as they fled the judgement of the Valar once more. Rýndil’s spirit was called to Mandos, where they were offered the Choice of the Peredhil. After much deliberation, they choose the fate of the Eldar, their decision influenced primarily by their friendship with their elvish cousins and the hope of reconciliation with their father once more. Yet always would they honor their mother Haleth and the Haladin their kindred, and furiously abandoned Valinorean society after the drowning of Númenor and all its mortal souls. But eventually all their family would be reborn, those they had known and those they had not, and Rýndil would even reunite with their father Caranthir and find happiness with him and his family.
There Maedhros in time was healed; for the fire of life was hot within him, and his strength was of the ancient world, such as those possessed who were nurtured in Valinor. His body recovered from his torment and became hale, but the shadow of his pain was in his heart; and he lived to wield his sword with left hand more deadly than his right had been.
[image description: a 3x3 moodboard. 1: a golden sword laid atop a golden shield. 2: black text on a yellow background reading “when you left, i felt like dying.” 3: a white castle surrounded in snow. 4: a purple starscape. 5: Maedhros from the Silmarillion on the background of the nonbinary flag; they are depicted in a picrew as an elf with pale skin, wild red-orange hair, silver eyes, a gnarly scar branching out from one eye, and a grim expression; they are wearing gold hoops in one ear, small red stud earrings, a black choker necklace, and a red cloak with gold ties over bloody bandages concealing more scars on their torso; they are holding a sword in their left hand. 6: black text on a white background reading “Slay” 7: white text on a purple background reading “you don’t have to be who they want you to be” 8: a black crown broken in half. 9: white fire on a black background. end image description.]
She was younger in the years of the Eldar than her brothers; and when she was grown to full stature and beauty she was tall and strong, and loved much to ride and hunt in the forests. There she was often in the company of the sons of Fëanor, her kin; but to none was her heart’s love given.
[image description: a 3x3 moodboard. 1: white text on a black background reading “ask me if I give a shit” 2: grayscale image of a bow and two arrows. 3: tall grass blowing in the wind against a dark grey field. 4: light green tree branches. 5: Aredhel from the Silmarillion on the background of the agender flag; they are depicted in a picrew as an elf with dark brown skin, brown eyes, and a halo of dark curly hair; they are wearing a white shirt, a white and black necklace, silver hoops in their ears, a silver crown with blue jewels, blue feather earrings, and teal lipstick; they are holding a silver-tipped spear. 6: black text in a white box surrounded with a light green background, reading “I’m doing this for me.” 7: doodle of a white heart on a grey background. 8: black text on a white background reading “Don’t you want to be alive before you die?” 9: black roses, looking as if they are burning from within. end image description.]
He was dark-haired as his mother, and promised to be like her in mood also; for he was not merry, and spoke little, though he learned to speak early and ever seemed older than his years. Túrin was slow to forget injustice or mockery; but the fire of his father was also in him, and he could be sudden and fierce. Yet he was quick to pity, and the hurts or sadness of living things might move him to tears.
Mightier than Estë is Nienna, sister of the Fëanturi; she dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda has suffered in the marring of Melkor. So great was her sorrow, as the Music unfolded, that her song turned to lamentation long before its end, and the sound of mourning was woven into the themes of the World before it began. But she does not weep for herself; and those who hearken to her learn pity, and endurance in hope. Her halls are west of West, upon the borders of the world; and she comes seldom to the city of Valimar where all is glad. She goes rather to the halls of Mandos, which are near to her own; and all those who wait in Mandos cry to her, for she brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom. The windows of her house look outward from the walls of the world.
—The Silmarillion, “Valaquenta”
[image description: a 3x3 moodboard. 1: dew on green blades of grass. 2: light green text on a darker green background reading “the sun will shine on us again.” 3: dark green ocean waves, frothing. 4: a black-and-white photograph of a figure in black on a white surface, leaning down to feed a flock of white swans and smaller black waterfowl. 5: Nienna from the Silmarillion on the background of the aromantic flag; she is depicted in a picrew as a being in elven-shape with blue skin, wide distressed eyes with black scleras and white spirals instead of pupils, smaller black eyes beneath her main two eyes, long wavy white hair, and a mournful expression; she is wearing black chain earrings and a blue robe and a fluffy starry blue cloak; she is holding a floating orange flame in her outstretched hands, and black gem shards are floating around her body. 6: black text on a green background reading “Be kind to yourself” 7: grayscale closeup of a partially-closed eye, crying. 8: several gray roses. 9: white lineart on a black background depicting a hand with flames licking across its fingers. end image description.]
So time drew on to the War of the Ring, and the sons of Denethor grew to manhood. Boromir, five years the elder, beloved by his father, was like him in face and pride, but in little else. Rather he was a man after the sort of King Eärnur of old, taking no wife and delighting chiefly in arms; fearless and strong, but caring little for lore, save the tales of old battles.
—The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, “Appendix A: Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur”
[image description: a 3x3 moodboard. 1: the white-and-gold Horn of Gondor lying on top of a fallen tree; beneath it are a silver and gold pendant depicting the Tree of Gondor and an unsheathed sword. 2: burgundy leaves. 3: a burgundy starscape featuring the full moon and soft clouds. 4: black text on a bright yellow background reading “be kind; for everyone is fighting a hard battle” 5: Boromir from the Lord of the Rings on the background of a gay ace flag; he is depicted in a picrew as a human man with medium olive skin, green eyes, wavy black shoulder-length hair, a scar over his nose, and slight stubble on his chin; he is wearing a white and black jacket with gold trim, silver laurels in his hair, and a necklace with the pendant of a small animal’s skull; his holding a dagger and grinning. 6: black text on a white background reading “Go get it” 7: a dark blue cloudscape. 8: the hilt of a sword lying on dark blue fabric. 9: a banner depicting the Tree of Gondor flapping in the wind. end image description.]
@aspecardaweek day five | relationships |queerplatonic rôg + enerdhil
RōkaandAnmír were elves of the Tatyar who awoke upon the shores of Cuiviénen. First of their people, they created a fëa-bond together without a simultaneous union of their hröar. Both were resourceful, inventive elves who were among those to the first develop smithing techniques; Rōka made more practical tools, while Anmír was renowned for hir jewelry and soon lengthened hir name to Anmíridil.
The pair was sundered when the Great Journey began, for Anmíridil was enchanted by the promise of Aman while Rōka turned to follow Morwë and the Hwenti eastward. Anmíridil made it to Aman with the rest of the Noldor and became a masterful jewelsmith, named only after Fëanáro Curufinwë in hir skill. In the east, Rōka worked diligently as a maker of weapons, and the work of his hands was vital to the defense of his people; indeed, in one assault of the Dark Vala’s monstrous creatures, Rōka was himself abducted from his home and carried back to Angband, where he was put to work in the mines. Yet he did not go without a fight, and so fierce was his resistance that he earned the name Rôg, “demon,” amid his captivity.
Eventually the Noldor returned to Middle-earth, and Anmíridil was among them. Not long after, Rôg led a rebellion among the thralls of Angband and broke free, escaping to rejoin his long-sundered kin. Thus RôgandAnmíridil found one another again, unlooked for, and rejoiced to be together once more.
WhenRôg was offered a lordship in Prince Turukáno’s hidden city, he asked Anmíridil, now known as Enerdhil in the Grey-elven tongue, to accompany him. Hir heart was moved, and ze accepted, and together they created the House of the Hammer of Wrath. In Gondolin, RôgandEnerdhil would each create many great works, including the King’s sword Glamdring and the restoration of the famous Elessar.
[Image description: A series of 8 edited photos arranged in sets of two. 1: Headshot of a man with brown skin, golden eyes, and a buzzcut of dark brown hair; his ears have been edited so they are pointy and leaf-shaped; the caption reads “Rôg” with the subtitle “demon.” 2: The business end of a warhammer embedded with a green stone; circular text in the center reads “House of the Hammer.” 3: An erupting volcano below the stars; circular text in the center reads “Unbegotten Tatyar.” 4: A white horse walking on a forest path; the caption reads “Rōka” with the subtitle “swift horse.” 5: The Elessar, a green jewel set in a pendant of a silver eagle with spread wings; the caption reads “Anmíridil” with the subtitle “great jewels.” 6: The interior of a forge; circular text in the center reads “Smiths of Gondolin.” 7: Jewelry of two small golden swords on attached by a chain; circular text in the center reads “Partners of the soul.” 8: Upper body shot of a South Asian person bedecked in jewelry, looking to the side pensively; the person’s ear has been edited so they are pointy and leaf-shaped; the caption reads “Enerdhil” with the subtitle “lover of gems.” End image description.]
@aspecardaweek day four | worldbuilding |a-spectrum symbols in arda
DAISIES❁ THE SHIRE
[3 images on a muted green background. 1: A pale hand holding two plucked daisies, with mountains in the background. 2: A light-skinned young woman with dark hair wearing a daisy flower crown. 3: Two pale arms holding a brown wicker basket mostly-submerged in still water, collecting floating daisies from the surface.]
Hobbits typically marry shortly after they come of age and produce large families, commonly with five or more children. Hobbits who do not follow this pattern are seen as “troublesome” and “queer.” While often the subject of gossip, these hobbits look out for one another, and have taken the daisy flower as a symbol of their queerness. They share this blossom with their fellows who are queer in other ways, such as those who desire a spouse of the same gender. The traditional white daisy crown symbolizes “lonesome” hobbits, while daisies dyed other colors have various meanings. This language of flowers is known mostly among queer hobbit socieities, and is meaningless to those outside their sphere. Wearing a daisy once or twice does not indicate one’s queerness; rather, the daisy pattern is only a tell when worn repeatedly and incorporated into one’s personal style.
BIJEBTORV’AFÂH▣ THE DWARVES
[2 images, the first on a burgundy background and the second on a teal background. 1: Close-up of two black beads sitting on a rock. 2: Close-up of a brown mustache with two gold beads at the ends; the person with the mustache has pale skin and part of their beard is visible.]
Beads are often placed in dwarven beards, but when woven into mustaches, they take on a specific meaning: an indication that one is bijebtorva, or has chosen their craft over marriage. Less than a third of the dwarven population marries, and it is custom for a dwarf to only marry once for truest love. Though only those of noble houses are pressured to wed and reproduce, most dwarves are open to the possibility should it come their way. Bijebtorvadwarves are the exception, choosing not to wed at all, and by the wearing of beads in their mustaches they symbolize that they are not available for courting. These beads, known as bijebtorv’afâhor “beads of the craft-chosen” are of great spiritual import and are always crafted by the wearer themself.
URUSINDO ♦ THE FALMARI
[6 images on a muted purple background. 1: Three copper rings, each with a different colored gem; one is yellow, one is light green, and the last is blue. 2: A copper ring with a bright green gem. 3: A copper ring with a pale pink gem. 4: A copper ring with a yellow gem. 5: A copper ring with a purple gem. 6: Several copper rings bearing gems of pink and green.]
Among the Falmari, the custom of urusindo, meaning “copper-heart,” is an alternative way of approaching relationships, bonding, and love. Rather than engaging in a traditionally romantic, monogamous marriage, those who practice urusindofind companionship without physical coupling and sometimes without singular commitment to their partner. To mark such relationships, the edar involved wear rings of copper in place of silver betrothal or golden marriage rings. These copper rings each bear a single jewel, its color signifying the nature of their affection for one another. Warm colors represent unbonded pairs; pink for those who seek other companionship outside of their urusindopartner, and yellow for those who do not. Cool colors represent bonded pairs; purple for those who are open to other bonds, and green for those who are exclusively committed to their urusindopartner.
VESKALÍTAR † THE SÛHALAR
[6 images on a muted red background. 1: A silver ring emblazoned with the face of a dragon. 2: a silver pendant of a rearing dragon. 3: A stylized gold-and-black dragon brooch. 4: A rose gold dragon brooch bedazzled with small white gems and holding a larger white gem in its mouth. 5: a simplified silver dragon brooch. 6: A silver pendant of a legless dragon.]
TheSûhalar of the Land of the Sun were a stout, almost dwarf-like race of Men who dwelt in the Mountains of the Wind under the dominion of the dark spirits Thû and Túvon. As such they were intimately familiar with creatures of Darkness, including dragons, which in their tongue were called Veskar. Dragons were terrible monsters to be feared, but legends of the Sûhalar whispered that the bravest and purest of heart among them could tame the Veskar, and that such a hero could free them from their bondage under their dark lords. Though such a mythical savior never emerged, this belief manifested in generals claiming draconic imagery as their own, and more curiously in the proliferation of Veskalítar, “dragon-jewels,” worn especially by warriors who claimed purity in heart and freedom from lust and other bodily attachments. While not unique to these physically ascetic soldiers, a lower-class Sûhal displaying a dragon-brooch or wearing a dragon-ring became a simple way to tell they were not open to an intimate relationship.
AIRËVASAR✬ THE NIENNILDI
[2 images, the first on a muted orange background and the second on a blue background. 1: A woman with brown skin and bleached hair wearing a blue robe, a many-rayed crown, and a gauzy blue veil. 2: A woman with brown skin and dark hair wearing a gold robe patterned with suns, gold jewelry, and a gauzy white veil.]
Following the tradition of the Noldor, veils were popularized in early Númenor by Lady Halyamórë, wife of Vardamir Nólimon. Halyamórë was a devotee of Nienna and wore the veil in her honor, and though for many Númenórean noblewomen veil-wearing was a fashion for formal events, veils retained their religious symbolism, earning the name airëvasar, “holy veils.” Airëvasarvaried in style and meaning, but a gauzy facial veil became the specific symbol of the Niennildi, women who devoted themselves to Nienna’s service and swore never to marry, as their Valië was herself unwed. For many this was a political choice, but other Niennildi took the veil for personal reasons, especially to avoid unwanted betrothals and romantic pursuits altogether.
꧁NINKWI-HELTHWIN OF THE LAIKWENDI꧂
[3 images on a muted purple background. 1: Dark-skinned feet with white henna patterns. 2: A dark-skinned back with white henna patterns. 3: Dark-skinned hands with white henna patterns.]
Among the Laikwendi of the Silvan realms, helthwin(lit. “swirling skin”) is the practice of painting one’s skin with semi-permanent dyes extracted from native plants. Helthwinink is applied as a leisure activity or to show one’s artistic skills, and is commonly worn at festivals and revels where much skin is bared; it may also be worn into battle or diplomacy as a cultural symbol of the Laikwendi. Most helthwinink is a dark red or brown in color, but especially at revels where elves often take lovers for the night, specially treated white ink called ninkwi-helthwin is worn to indicate an individual has no interest in partnering. Developed from this custom, many Laikwendi who have no desire to wed or lay with another will take to applying ninkwi-helthwin ink to their skin in their daily lives as a marker of their general preferences.
Morwen was dark-haired and tall, and for the light of her glance and the beauty of her face men called her Eledhwen, the elvenfair; but she was somewhat stern of mood and proud. The sorrows of the House of Bëor saddened her heart; for she came as an exile to Dor-lómin from Dorthonion after the ruin of the Bragollach.
—The Children of Húrin, “The Childhood of Túrin”
[image description: a 3x3 moodboard. 1: the full moon shining through a mauve cloudscape. 2: the silhouettes of a flock of black birds on a muted pink background. 3: black lineart and text on a pink background, depicting a rose on a stem with the caption “Your eyes are like oceans and Im slowly drowning in them” 4: small circular mauve flowers in a gray field. 5: Morwen from the Silmarillion on the background of the nebulromantic flag; she is depicted in a picrew as a human woman with medium olive skin, ice blue eyes, and long black hair pulled back in a ponytail; she is wearing silver laurels in her hair, black eyeshadow, many black and silver studs and hoops in hear ears, an off-the-shoulder black shirt with white spiral embroidery, and a fancy black necklace with blue gems; she is holding a lilac-colored teacup with blueberries painted on it. 6: a book open on a white tablecloth, surrounded by white flowers. 7: black text on a muted teal background reading “Every inch a queen” 8: a dark blue starscape. 9: calm, dark blue ocean waves with a reflection of moonlight on the water’s surface. end image description.]
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