#rop fandom

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 - 𝘿𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚

Graphite on paper + digital color

I did a drawing in my new sketchbook of the beautiful Elven lady Galadriel, the younger version from the ROP series.

I have always been so inspired by all the sketches and drawings during the end credits of “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” It’s probably one of my all-time favorite moments of the movie, with the music in the background. I wanted to do something like that for myself—not to compare myself to the legendary artists Alan Lee and John Howe, but they have inspired me.

So when I have free time, I like to fill this sketchbook with my favorite characters from the trilogy and ROP.

I really wish people/interviewers would stop pushing the Hot Sauron and Haladriel stuff directly into Charlie's face.

I woke up this morning to drama in the fandom about Charlie (yet again) very politely deflecting Haladriel questions, as if this is some sort of insult to the fandom and shippers. And I know it's not going to stop, but I wish it would.

To make it very explicitly clear, make all the stupid sexy Sauron and Hot Sauron memes and jokes you want within the fandom. Ship Haladriel to your heart's content and create glorious fanfiction and fanart of them making out as they ride into the sunset (or as they simultaneously attempt to kill each other, if that's your vibe). All great. All fantastic. Everyone knows I'm a huge fan of sexy Sauron both inside and outside the ROP fandom, and I am a thorough Haladriel enjoyer at this point.

But I really, really, really wish people would stop pushing it on Charlie himself.

It just makes me so sad and uncomfortable for him. I saw the interview yesterday that I'm pretty sure was what caused everyone to be up in arms where he was being shown Sauron memes and fan posts and a lot of them were very Haladriel/shippy. He is obviously SO uncomfortable with those and the "Hot Sauron" comments. You can see it in the difference between how he answers questions about Sauron's motives or psyche or his research into Tolkien and how his eyes light up and he gets so animated and he just starts gushing vs when he's asked for the millionth time if Sauron has feelings for Galadriel and he gets quiet and reserved and gives a short, diplomatic answer.

And he's been so gracious and polite to the shippers and about all the shipping questions that he keeps getting asked. Each time, he gives basically the same answer: that he doesn't personally see it as romantic but that he's happy people care enough about the characters and story to be passionate about what they see in it. He's not going to suddenly flip a switch and start passionately shipping Haladriel.

I personally like to view it as Sauron (particularly as Halbrand) having some genuine feelings for Galadriel: genuine sense of connection, genuine sense of shared purpose, genuine attraction on both a spiritual and physical level, and yes, even some genuine admiration and love, mixed in with the complex mess of other things Sauron feels, which is why he's a great, complicated villain. The fact that this doesn't 100% line up with everything Charlie has said that he feels about the character is fine with me. I respect Charlie's opinions and the clear thought he's put into portraying that character. But I can also have my own thoughts and perceptions of the character and story apart from that, without needing him to validate them.

I know this isn't the first time an attractive man playing a charming, sexy villain has been inundated by thirsty fans (I remember Loki's Army very clearly) and that some level of it is to be expected. But he's clearly put such thought into portraying Sauron and I'm so grateful to him for that, so I'm sad to see him having uncomfortable questions shoved at him that reduce everything he's done to "what do you think of being Hot Sauron?" and "Do you think Sauron and Galadriel should kiss?" And I'm even sadder to see fans reacting negatively to him simply because he won't validate a particular ship or perspective.

I would like to gush a bit about the Rings of Power fandom, because it's been one of the best things that happened to me in the past two years. :-) ROP is the biggest hyperfixation of my life, and thanks to being in the fandom I met so many nice, smart, funny and incredibly creative people (some of them in person).

We truly are blessed when it comes to creativity: there are so many amazing artists, skillful gif makers, talented fanfiction writers. It's also been a pleasure to read all the great meta and exchange theories, ideas, or simple details from the show that I would never noticed if other wouldn't have pointed it out. Our community has also triggered my own creativity; and most of my stills / videos / fanfics would never exist if it wasn't for discussions with other fans. Let alone ending up where I co-organised two events with the lovely @queenmeriadoc. It has also re-awakened my interest in Tolkien. I have been a fan for 30 years, but had a long hiatus. It's great to be back. :-) THANK YOU so much for making my life brighter!

And cheers for the good times to come!

is a one shot i wrote for cuddle week.

Nori and Poppy are best friends, and when one is cold, the other does her best to warm her up. Gen rating, fluff and giggles. No story only good vibes.

Nori shifted, making sure that every square inch of her skin was flush to Poppy’s warm, soft skin.

“ Thanks”, she whispered, letting her head fall in the hollow of her friend's round shoulder. Poppy snorted.

We now have 12 contestants who have been awarded MasterChef aprons! 🎉

There are only 8 spots left to be filled before the tournament begins -- send in your last nominations now!

For ideas, here are some of the available characters left:

Elves

Círdan, Mirdania, Camnir, Vorohil, Rían, Daemor, Finrod

Dwarves

Narvi, Durin III

Humans

Eärien, Pharazôn, Valandil, Ontamo, Theo, Bronwyn, Estrid, Hagen, Waldreg

Harfoots & Stoors

Merimac, Gundabale, Largo, Marigold, Sadoc, Malva

Others