beyond the sky, on the other side of the rain

The Falathrim, under Cirdan, are nominally Thingol's vassals, but notably act independently to build friendships with the Noldor. Cirdan swore friendship to the Noldor at the Mereth Aderthad; gave military aid to Fingon during the 2nd attack on Hithlum; is very close to Finrod, who also built him a watchtower; and by the end of the 1st age, when he is on Balar, is notably not Elwing's vassal. From then through the end of the 2nd Age is primarily associated with Gil-Galad, a Noldorin king.

The green-elves, per Tolkien's notes and IMO a lot of in-text evidence, are not Thingol's vassals but a separate but allied kingdom and people with what appears to be complex internal politics. After the death of Denethor, they refuse to name another king and pull back from the war against Morgoth, but some green-elves live within Thingol's realm (Saeros; the guest-elves). Beren and Luthien live in Ossiriand after the Silmaril quest, and Dior (in some continuities) marries a green-elf; additionally, Beren and Dior rally an army of green-elves to defeat the dwarvish army that sacked Menegroth. However, the green-elves are not noted as participating in the defense of Doriath during the 2nd Kinslaying (the precise date of which may have taken Dior by surprise, but considering his ongoing correspondence with the Sons of Fëanor regarding the Silmaril was not exactly unforseeable). The sons of Feanor are strongly implied to also have a consistently decent relationship with the green-elves, including after the 2nd Kinslaying. Strong factionalism or politically independent clans seem likely.

Given that a significant number of Sindar departs with Turgon to Gondolin (iirc stated to be 2/3 of Gondolin's population), while others join Finrod in Nargothrond + the aforementioned distrust of the Northern Sindar that Thingol expresses, alongside the relative independence of the Falathrim, it is not unreasonable to presume that there likely was both a political and a cultural clash/difference between the Iathrim and the Sindar outside the girdle; Thingol presumes himself to be the total authority, and the Falathrim and the Laegrim implicitly in vassalage, but in actuality both of them act more like independent polities that notably do not respond to military action that Doriath is involved in. It is interesting that Círdan is not stated to receive the refugees of Doriath and Gondolin personally, nor offer them refuge in Balar; he renders assistance and comes to their help in the Third Kinslaying, but notably does not come under Iathrim command. All that + the isolationist policy of Doriath and hints of elitism wrt/ their standing among the different ethnic groups native to Beleriand, coupled with the long period of separation from the other Sindarin realms, alongside the noted differences in lifestyle between the Iathrim and the Falathrim, the Laiquendi and more implicitly the Northern Sindar such as the elves of Hithlum, point towards a growing split between Thingol and his non-Iathrim vassals -- the same way the Noldor themselves splinter alongside varied lines of allegiance. The Noldor enter this environment and offer alternative governance in closer proximity; it is not surprising that elves that have been considered suspect by Thingol would ally with them.

An illustration style rendition of Turgon for @ignotr, as commissioned in February by @the-other-side-of-mirkwood 🥰 I really enjoyed hyperfixating on this one, especially with the embroidery and general white roses theme, his relative… er, turgidity, and everyone knows I love a good grey streak. Prosthetic fingers from the Helcaraxë years as well! Also @peasant-player pattern making a reappearance on his sash 🥰

@sindarweek Day Five: Oropher and Legolas

Requested by @eowyn-of-gallifrey

Finarfin charges toward the Enemies in the War of Wrath

But the host of the Valar prepared for battle; and beneath their white banners marched the Vanyar, the people of Ingwë, and those also of the Noldor who never departed from Valinor, whose leader was Finarfin the son of Finwë.

…But at the last the might of Valinor came up out of the West, and the challenge of the trumpets of Eönwë filled the sky; and Beleriand was ablaze with the glory of their arms, for the host of the Valar were arrayed in forms young and fair and terrible, and the mountains rang beneath their feet. ( “Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath”, The Silmarillion)

March of Finwë’s Sons: pt.3 of 3

[Part 1: Fingolfin]

[Part 2: Fëanor]

Galadriel´s dress here is Sindar fashion - I have a post on first age Sindar clothes here - as I HC her to be curious and charmed by their culture, even enough to drop the Noldorin braid system, something her brothers didn't even do, and never really pick up Noldorin fashion ever again.

The possibility to be a pupil under Melian, the Sindas forests, reclusive, and wild living, fitting her more than the Noldor´s stone cities, roles, and tight society. - I also think she was more attracted to the Falmari than the Noldor even in her youth.

Elwing on the shores of Aman

tibetan inspired fingon wearing a pulu chuba, jade, turquoise, and amber jewelry, a red wool hair accessory, and his golden braids.

Argon’s first moonrise (he won’t live to see the sun)

I am so happy with how this turned out, especially her bow and the background!! This makes me want to draw a Maeglin to go with her...