belenwen

Here’s some considerations for the tiny little details that can add a lot to a character. Figuring out these mannerisms can do a lot for conveying character traits through their normal actions rather than just their thoughts, dialogue, etc.

How’s their posture? There are more options than just sitting up straight or slouching a lot. What’s their most comfortable sitting position? Do they have a consistent posture or does it change depending on situation / present company? 

How’s their etiquette? Do they hold the door for people behind them? How do they handle handshakes and other kinds of typical contact? Does their language change or become more formal when speaking to strangers? To their elders? To their superiors? 

In a crowded space, do they get out of people’s way, or do people get out of THEIR way? 

How do they point something out? Pointing their finger? Nodding their head? A flippant wave of the hand?

What are their comfort gestures or self-touch gestures? Common comfort gestures include rubbing the back of the neck or gripping their own arms. Can they suppress these gestures or do they do them often?

Also consider the character’s common reactions to common emotions. Do they whoop when they’re excited? Do they tremble when angry? 

What parts of the body are the most expressive? Do they shuffle and stomp their feet a lot when agitated or excited? Are they a hand talker? Do they have an impressive range of motion with their eyebrows?

How do they sound? Do their car keys jingle as they walk? Do they drag their feet? Do their heels clack resoundingly on hard floors? Do they breathe loudly? Do they fidget in ways that make a lot of noise?

How do they handle eye contact?

Any behaviors they reserve for moments when they’re alone? (Or possibly among family/friends that don’t care?) Do they pick their nose? Do they bite their toenails? Do they sniff their armpits? Or do they not care if people see behavior like this?

Apart from comfort gestures, what else do they do to comfort themselves in trying times? What’s their go-to self care? What’s their comfort food? Where’s their safe space?

A student of Oromë, gifted in archery and a lover of falconry, Belenwen was young and impressionable when the Flight of the Noldor occurred. Choosing to follow Fingolfin, across the Grinding Ice of Helcaraxe, she grew to respect Turgon and followed him along with many others in both Nevrast and later in Gondolin.

It was in Gondolin that the first true accounts of Belenwen making her mark in history come about. She found her home in the House of the Swallow under Lord Duilin. When Morgoth attacked the city, the noldor maid was fortunate enough to survive its Fall. She followed Turgon’s final orders to follow Tuor out of the failing city, heeding to protect as many as possible. Belenwen, along with the rest of the survivors, escaped to the refuge at the Mouths of Sirion to mourn the loss of their city and their people. After the attacks on Sirion and the tragedy of another Kinslaying, rather than sail back to Valinor with others, she remained to protect those that she could.  

A student of Oromë, gifted in archery and a lover of falconry, Belenwen was young and impressionable when the Flight of the Noldor occurred. Choosing to follow Fingolfin, across the Grinding Ice of Helcaraxe, she grew to respect Turgon and followed him along with many others in both Nevrast and later in Gondolin.

It was in Gondolin that the first true accounts of Belenwen making her mark in history come about. She found her home in the House of the Swallow under Lord Duilin. When Morgoth attacked the city, the noldor maid was fortunate enough to survive its Fall. She followed Turgon’s final orders to follow Tuor out of the failing city, heeding to protect as many as possible. Belenwen, along with the rest of the survivors, escaped to the refuge at the Mouths of Sirion to mourn the loss of their city and their people. After the attacks on Sirion and the tragedy of another Kinslaying, rather than sail back to Valinor with others, she remained to protect those that she could.  

“Where I come from, ghosts are not to be taken lightly.”

“You’re nothing but a spoiled child.” 

“My hands are getting rough.”

“This requires the perfect partner. Would you be mine?”

“It is a monstrous love, and it makes monsters of us all.”

“Don’t move. You’re heavily sedated.”

“I feel as if a link exists between your heart and mine. And should that link be broken by either distance or time, my heart would cease to beat.” 

“If you fall asleep, I won’t wake you.”

“You couldn’t leave me. You wouldn’t.”

“We’ve been dead for years. You and I in this rotting place.”

“My hands — feel them. Rough. The reflection of who I am.”

“You insist on describing the torments of love when you know nothing about them.”

“I won’t stop until you kill me, or I kill you.”

“Everybody has their place. I’ll make sure you find yours.”

“I can’t be alone.”

“Drink your tea. It’ll warm you.”

“I’ve always closed my eyes to things that made me uncomfortable. It makes it easier.”

“I’ve found warmth and friendship among you all.”

“I’m sorry I interrupted your music.”

“His blood will be on your hands.”

“What you have is a toy and some fancy words.” 

“No one ever looked for them. Mercy killings, really.”

“Perfection has no place in love.”

“The things we do for a love like this are ugly, mad, full of sweat and regret.”

“Please trust me one more time.”

“This is your home now. You have nowhere else to go.”

“You promised you would not fall in love with anyone else.”

“’Tis said and ’tis sung: Gondobar am I called and Gondothlimbar, City of Stone and City of the Dwellers in Stone; Gondolin the Stone of Song and Gwarestrin am I named, the Tower of the Guard, Gar Thurion or the Secret Place, for I am hidden from the eyes of Melko; but they who love me most greatly call me Loth, for like a flower am I, even Lothengriol the flower that blooms on the plain." 

realms of middle-earth 03: gondolin