JRR TOLKIEN IS MY HERO

Idril, being disgusted by his childish affections for her. Despising him for it.

Maeglin, hearing people whisper that he must be half-orc, and that he deserves to end up the same way as his father. Hearing them say that he had taken the Lady Aredhel from them. If only he had never been born.

Maeglin, seeing Turgon give Húrin and Huor permission to leave Gondolin when his father was only given the alternate choice of death.

Maeglin, turning his loneliness and rejection into darkness and bitterness.

Maeglin, so young, being threatened with horrible tortures by Morgoth himself if he doesn't betray his people.

More of my headcanon about Maglor (these are totally stuff based on my taste so don’t take it too seriously)

I interpret Maglor as quite cold despite his pacifist attitude. Maedhros has more of natural charisma; you see that when he wins over diverse allies and organizes forces. But our favorite redhead also makes what can be interpreted as pretty rash decisions like actually going to see Melkor. He also engages in a lot of self-destructive behavior like when he decides to go after the Silmarils in the end. On the other hand, you never see Maglor act out of a passion of the moment. Even when poor Maedhros had been taken captive, he doesn’t just jump out. I like to interpret this as Maglor making more strategic—albeit a little cold—move by choosing to keep remaining brothers/allies alive (at this point, Feanor has been killed and Maedhros taken, so they’ve lost two of their own in a short time). Maedhros expresses and is influenced by his emotions, which is what makes him sometimes act recklessly—kind of like his dad—but also what draws others to him. But the boy also breaks like cookies when things get overwhelming. Maglor, in contrast, acts more even-headed but suppresses his emotions, which is probably why he’s so weary by the end of the First Age. Nevertheless, he’s much more resilient than his older brother. If for overall good, he can stand humiliation while Maedhros can’t.

Another headcanon is that after Thangorondrim, Maglor finds it difficult to say no to Maedhros—whether it’s a song request or some military campaign idea—because he feels guilty for not rescuing his brother himself. He doesn’t act like he’s bothered in front of Maedhros, but he really can’t say no. Maedhros is unaware that Maglor still feels guilty though. He’s just happy his little brother is so nice to him.

Our little(?) minstrel is also a rather a frightening warrior. He’s the one who killed Uldor (this part is canon but my another headcanon is that as calm as Maglor is usually, he’ll take out those who hurt his brothers). Silma always mentions how Maglor is great singer and the reader can be misled in to thinking that this elf is a harmless fluffball of a musician, but we have to remember that in Tolkien’s world, music has a lot of power. Remember. Finrod had music battle with Sauron and Luthien worked her way through her adventure with songs. Generally, if a character is described as a great musician, the said character is also formidable, so it’s not a stretch to conclude that Maglor is pretty powerful (he’s also called Kanafinwe).

Basically, I like interpreting Maglor as wise like Nerdanel but also capable of Feanor’s ferocity. If anyone inherited an ounce of wisdom from Nerdanel, I say it’s Maglor. But then this makes Maglor scariest of them all because anyone who’s gotten a real bit of Nerdanel in them is scary.

Elros runs away for the day.

I drew the comic with this music from Please Save My Earth in mind.

Finrod, by @busymagpie

Finrod, by leikito-art

Finrod, by Egorit

Finrod, by K. Mendou