#sauriel

I'm back. 😊 A day and several weeks late, but I'm back. I've decided I'd like to keep doing these as much as I can. I hope anyone reading enjoys.

As always, this week’s recs are…

As always, please mind the tags on any recommended story for your own personal preferences.

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The Classic You’ve Heard Of But Somehow Haven’t Read Yet: About you, without you by @aylana-ryvain

What you need to know going in:

A lovely, sad, sweet one-shot written for Haladriel Week where Galadriel returns to Barad-dûr after Sauron’s defeat at the beginning of the Fourth Age. Once there, she discovers a treasure trove of trinkets crafted by The Dark Lord in the hopes that she would someday change her mind. 🥹 Another tragic instant-classic, this fic wrenches at your heart in the best way. Be ready to bookmark!

Complete, Teen

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The AU You Need to Immerse Yourself In Because, Well, Wow: Someone Taught You Wrong, Kid by @klynnvakarian

What you need to know going in:

The Western AU I never knew I needed! The VIBES in this fic, I tell you—they’re strong, and pitch-perfect. Between the dialogue and the at first tentative, blink-and-you-might-miss-it moments between Hal and Gal, which then blossoms into something that's more matter-of-fact; a frank romance that feels so fitting for this world and time and space for the two of them… it’s lovely. You’ll be swept away the same as they are. Very excited to see the final piece of it!

WIP, Mature

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The Complete But Never Forgotten Masterpiece: The Nicest Parts of Hell by @myrsinemezzo

What you need to know going in:

Eru have mercy on my soul, my unprecedented foray into dark fic continues with this gripping, dare I say insidiously enticing fic—and, as always, I mean that in the best way possible. This story settles into your psyche; making you feel just as unhinged as the characters feel. You’re probably asking yourself why, so let me get to the heart of it: the story starts with Galadriel stumbling (practically literally) into Halbrand’s arms… Only problem is, he’s her brother Fin’s boyfriend. 👀 From there, she and Halbrand start a toxic, troubling affair that is impossible to stop reading. (Same goes for this story’s sequel, which is still in progress).

Complete, Explicit

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The WIP That Will Wreck You (In the Best Way): And In That Time, I Have Had Many Names by @the-manatee-hammer

What you need to know going in:

I’ve been meaning to share this fic for a long, long time, and I definitely should’ve done so sooner, so forgive me. Full disclosure: I found out about it from a friend who told me that I’d been mentioned in the notes, so again, forgive me for my slightly unbiased opinion. Regardless of how I came to it, I loved it as soon as I started reading! The story sees Halbrand still injured in the healing halls of Eregion—until Galadriel offers to help along the healing with something he’s never tried before. 👀🔥 Cue sexual healing! Spicy, intimate sexual healing, and I think the first time I encountered a virgin Sauron in fic. And hot damn, it’s hot. Unsurprisingly, Sauron is very eager to learn, and a very adept student. It’s been a while since this was updated, but still so worth checking out and subscribing to for it’s sensuality and supremely well done writing.

WIP, Explicit

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The Can’t Stop Consuming No Matter What Time It Is Fic: Stand by Me by @scriberated

What you need to know going in:

Lately I’ve been feeling some major burnout for many reasons, and for me, this fic was a balm at just the right moment! A sequel to this adorable one-shot, it’s an instantly delightful, fully-fledged romcom complete with roommates not-so-secretly pining after each other, fake dating, bed sharing, and that’s just within the first two chapters! 🤩 The premise: Hal and Gal are roommates, and after breaking up with her shitty, absent boyfriend Celeborn in the original one-shot, Hal takes care of Gal while she’s sick. This continuation sees Galadriel trying to navigate their growing closeness, finally agreeing to a trip together to visit Hal’s family—and from there, the romcom shenanigans ensue. This is another one where I can’t wait to see what comes next!

WIP, Mature

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🤩🤩🤩

Me at all these fics:

Don’t see your story on this list yet? Keyword: yet. Please don’t fret! I can only recommend so many each week, but I am always looking for more stuff to read, share, and generally shower with love, so please feel free to reply with your own fics or your pershaladronal faves. I have plenty more to recommend… ❤️

~ Haladriel Week Edition (Part 2) ~

A day late, but it's a long weekend and I needed a relaxation night last night so here we are. I'm still working my way through all of the @haladrielweek goodness, so you'll definitely see more HW fics in the weekly recs, though I think this post will be the last HW-specific recs post.

That's it! Let's get rolling. As always, this week's recs are...

As always, please mind the tags on any recommended story for your own personal preferences.

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The Classic You’ve Heard Of But Somehow Haven’t Read Yet: Civil Twilight by eye_of_a_cat

What you need to know going in:

Written for HW's Day 5, "Family," this fic is yet another canonverse masterpiece from Cat, seeing Galadriel reuniting with Celeborn after S1—and a desperate, angst-filled, steamy reunion with Sauron first. 👀 When Gal finds Celeborn again, he’s changed so much since they last saw each other… and, of course, so has she—most notably, being with Sauron’s child. What’s remarkable about this story is the characterization of Gal, Sauron AND Celeborn; I can honestly say that despite being ten thousand percent IN on Sauron and Gal (and trust me, this fic delivers everything about them in spades), I cheered so hard for Celeborn in this. The dynamic between him and Gal was just as spectacular as the undeniable spark between Gal and Sauron. Instant classic, indeed.

Complete, Mature

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The AU You Need to Immerse Yourself In Because, Well, Wow: Widowmaker by @mzladybird

What you need to know going in:

Still shaking myself after reading this fic. 🔥 This AU sees a young Galadriel in a very rural Maine in the 1870s, helping her family run a general store. It’s there that she first meets (and catches the eye of) Halbrand, a rough, quiet logger. After their first meeting, he returns annually… and the mounting, roiling tension between the two of them is absolutely exquisite; it builds like the clawing cold of winter in your chest, that first bite of bitter chill that burns. In this case, in an excellent way. I don’t want to say too much more, so just trust me and read it! 👌

Explicit, Complete

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The Complete But Never Forgotten Masterpiece: now dark, now glittering by @mortaltempless

What you need to know going in:

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of @mortaltempless’ work; I’ve highlighted their work many times here, but this HW fic really hit me; it soothes. In it, Sauron struggles to understand Galadriel as she struggles with waxing and waning depression throughout the Ages they spend ruling together—but tries, genuinely, to help her. This fic works like a balm to the soul for it’s simple beauty and stalwart love in the face of sadness; of longing. It feels very Tolkien in that way, and for it’s emphasis on the healing power of nature. 😍 Be ready to bookmark, because this is one you’ll want to regularly return to for the sheer romance.

Complete, Teen

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The WIP That Will Wreck You (In the Best Way): one thing i can’t get enough of ~and~ on begged and borrowed time by @bad-surprise

What you need to know going in:

Am I cheating by mentioning two of @bad-surprise's WIPs? No, because these are my recs and I do what I want. 😆 Keeping it 💯, I honestly couldn’t choose; they’re just both that good! The first, one thing i can’t get enough of, is the Dirty Dancing AU, featuring a mean-ish Halbrand in the role of Johnny and, of course, Gal as Baby. Do I need to say much more aside from these two and the words dirty dancing? 🔥🔥🔥 Better than the movie and it’s not even complete. ☺️ Fic 2, on begged and borrowed time, is another massively compelling AU; in this, we see Galadriel as a gifted tarot reader with a desperate desire to bring her husband, Celeborn, back from the dead… desperate enough to strike a bargain with the Necromancer and her former lover, Halbrand. 👀 Like I said—impossible to pick between these two, because they’re both terrific as hell, and they’re just getting started.

Both WIP, Both Explicit

Read the stories — here and here.

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The Can't Stop Consuming No Matter What Time It Is Fic: once, i belonged to you (but twice i was free) by @nocaptainonthisship

What you need to know going in:

The dove is very dead in this fic, so fair warning, but it was absolutely one I could not stop consuming (and yes, it’s complete). A dark, delightfully twisted take on a fairytale, Galadriel is a princess locked in a tower with only a brush of memories from a former life, and three regular visitors, each of which have their own… appetites: Halbrand, her captor; Sauron, her besotted beast; and Mairon, her supposed savior. 🥺 Grim and gripping and utterly bewitching, this story is nothing short of striking in its intensity.

Complete, Explicit

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🤩🤩🤩

Me at all these fics:

Don’t see your story on this list yet? Keyword: yet. Please don’t fret! I can only recommend so many each week, but I am always looking for more stuff to read, share, and generally shower with love, so please feel free to reply with your own fics or your pershaladronal faves. I have plenty more to recommend… ❤️

~ Haladriel Week Edition (Part 1) ~

Aiight y'all, I took a week off and you DELIVERED the @haladrielweek GOODS. Like, DAMN. Rest assured, I'll be recc'ing stuff from Haladriel Week for many weeks to come; I'm still getting caught up on devouring all of your amazing fics, artwork, Tumblr and Twitter posts, and more! Thanks again to @formerlyir for putting this whole shindig together and all of you for your amazing contributions.

Without further ado—as always, this week's recs are...

As always, please mind the tags on any recommended story for your own personal preferences.

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The Classic You’ve Heard Of But Somehow Haven’t Read Yet: like magnets work, only drawn to thee by @bluetiefling

What you need to know going in:

As I started reading this fic, which the author described as her first in years, I knew it was an instant classic! One-shot, post-S1, this story sees Galadriel sneaking into Sauron's war camp in an ill-advised assassination attempt. It's pretty immediately clear her heart's not in it, not really—the bid to kill him, anyway. 👀 Things go from awry to full of angst with a cloying, desperate, spicy edge from there, and the angst has claws. In the best way. And the smut? 🔥 Like I said... instant classic.

Complete, Explicit

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The AU You Need to Immerse Yourself In Because, Well, Wow: the rules of you by sawdustdiamonds

What you need to know going in:

The hook for me with this fic was immediately the unique setting and the premise; a Victorian-era AU, in it, Halbrand owns a gambling hall, and Galadriel is, of course, a Lady—they meet when he catches her counting cards. 😆 As always, I love how Galadriel barrels into things guns blazing, and this fic renders her (and his) characterization perfectly. Without revealing too much, they strike a mutually beneficial deal with her sharp skills, and the instant attraction, sexual tension, and ultimate devotion soars.

Complete, Explicit

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The Complete But Never Forgotten Masterpiece: when the world was so young by @hazelmaines

What you need to know going in:

Something to know about me: I am a SUCKER for childhood sweethearts almost as much as ETL. Combine those two??? An immediate sign me the hell up (so much so that I've written it myself 😆), and that was my exact reaction when I first set eyes on this HW fic from favorite @hazelmaines. Set in the First Age, Hal and Gal meet as youths, Mairon and Artanis, and grow in life and love together before Mairon's fall, only to meet again on the Sundering Seas. Achingly sweet and somber in equal measure, I won't say too much else... just read and revel in the mythical, cyclical beauty of this fic.

Complete, Mature

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The WIP That Will Wreck You (In the Best Way): all your pain will end here by @bad-surprise

What you need to know going in:

So first, I need to say that it was incredibly difficult to pick just one of the many fics from @bad-surprise to highlight from Haladriel Week, because she blessed us with SCADS of them, and I was torn between this one and another WIP that I decided to save for next week, but I picked this one because the premise and first chapter is a jolt; a shock to the system in its heady horror, and I'm itching to see what happens next. Long story short: Galadriel is a therapist, and her patient, Halbrand, is in desperate need of therapy for his homicidal tendencies. Can she help him before she becomes his next victim? I don't know, but again—I can't wait to find out.

WIP, Explicit

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The Can't Stop Consuming No Matter What Time It Is Fic: it's a dangerous game by @wyrd-syster

What you need to know going in:

So this story is complete but I think the category holds because HOT. DAMN. I hung onto every word of this masterpiece and somehow simultaneously sped through it with an almost feverish fervor; it was—is—just that goddamn compelling. Reading it almost felt like caving to compulsion; an irresistible pull into the world with little mercy and no way out but forward, but you're happy you're there. In this Venetian-style, Jekyll & Hyde-esque AU, Galadriel is stalked by one man that is moreso two: Halbrand and Sauron both, a beast intent on a bloody romance that may be more than he bargained for. I don't want to say too much in case of spoilers, but... the vivid imagery, the gorgeous prose (as always with @wyrd-syster's impeccable works), and the ever-present, thrumming fear in this fic is nothing short of outstanding. Just, wow.

Complete, Explicit

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🤩🤩🤩

Me at all these fics:

Don’t see your story on this list yet? Keyword: yet. Please don’t fret! I can only recommend so many each week, but I am always looking for more stuff to read, share, and generally shower with love, so please feel free to reply with your own fics or your personal faves. I have plenty more to recommend… ❤️

As always, this week's recs are...

As always, please mind the tags on any recommended story for your own personal preferences.

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The Classic You’ve Heard Of But Somehow Haven’t Read Yet: Of Desire and Despair by WildHarlow

What you need to know going in:

Mmm, another classic post-S1 fic where Sauron visits Galadriel in her dreams in an attempt to tempt her to reconsider his offer... with unflinching desperation, desire, and a semblance of honesty that scorches. Scintillating and spine-tingling in its gut-clenching conclusion, this is a quick, sinful read that you’ll want to return to over and over again.

Complete, Explicit

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The AU You Need to Immerse Yourself In Because, Well, Wow: Though the Gods and the Years Relent, Shall Be by @demonscantgothere

What you need to know going in:

Hnnnnggg, this fic. 😍 Another beautiful contribution to this fandom from @demonscantgothere, this sweet, steamy fic also offers a really unique premise: after the end of all things, Eru remakes the world, and in that world in Valinor, a young Galadriel meets a Maia named Mairon. In this world, Mairon does not become corrupted, and he and Galadriel have the chance to fall for each other without the obstacles they would’ve had otherwise. Don’t get me wrong, I love the tragedy of this ship, but the hope and the pure softness of this story is breathtaking and such a balm for the soul. ❤️

Complete, Explicit

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The Complete But Never Forgotten Masterpiece: Queen Takes King by @coraleethroughthelookingglass

What you need to know going in:

10 years after she says yes to Sauron’s proposal, Galadriel reflects on the decision—and the dominance she wields over her Dark Lord—in the world where shadows lie where they both reign as equals. I love me a Dark Galadriel fic, and this one doesn’t disappoint! This two-shot delivers delicious smut and a delightfully devoted Dark Lord and his Queen. 🔥

Complete, Explicit

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The WIP That Will Wreck You (In the Best Way): The Trials of Mairon by @jackpotgirl

What you need to know going in:

This is another fic I got into in the earlier days of the fandom, and I need to catch up on the latest update, but what a binge-read! If you’re somehow unfamiliar, this story sees Galadriel after the events of LOTR in Valinor, and at the bid of the Valar, she must put Sauron through three trials to prove that he’s worthy of redemption. After two failed attempts, they’re both thrust back to the events of S1 of RoP…. But this time, Galadriel knows who Halbrand is. The two push and pull at one another on a tremulous path of redemption, but the trials aren’t limited to Mairon. 👀 Binge-worthy, indeed!

WIP, Explicit

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The Can't Stop Consuming No Matter What Time It Is Fic: but i thought you might by @bad-surprise

What you need to know going in:

This. Fic! (Listen I realize I start all of these with an exclamation but I don’t know what to tell you, my feelings are my feelings and you guys are the ones doing this to me so… 😂) I binged the heck out of this story this week and got caught up this morning, and I knew immediately I’d be adding it to this week’s list. In this modern AU, Galadriel and Halbrand have a tumultuous, on-and-off-again romance throughout high school/college and as adults, marked by crippling anxiety, religious trauma, and a struggle to communicate… but a fierce (and often unspoken), love for each other that leads to them continuing to fight for happiness. It’s beautiful, dark, and achingly good.

WIP, Explicit

Read the story.

Follow the author on Tumblr and AO3.

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🤩🤩🤩

Me at all these fics:

Don’t see your story on this list yet? Keyword: yet. Please don’t fret! I can only recommend so many each week, but I am always looking for more stuff to read, share, and generally shower with love, so please feel free to reply with your own fics or your personal faves. I have plenty more to recommend… ❤️

As always, this week's recs are...

As always, please mind the tags on any recommended story for your own personal preferences.

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The Classic You’ve Heard Of But Somehow Haven’t Read Yet: The Waiting Game by Anonymous

What you need to know going in:

A classic if I’ve ever read one! This fic is a gorgeous one-shot that sees Galadriel and Sauron just on the cusp of the 4th Age, after Sauron is defeated by Frodo. Galadriel is preparing to leave for Valinor, and is visited by him for a final meeting. The melancholy; the knowledge of all the Ages they’ve been at odds, only to come to the end for a final goodbye… it’s stunningly sad, and breathtakingly beautiful. A must-read.

Complete, General

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Follow the author I don't know where! But if you're out there, dear author, thank you for your lovely work.

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The AU You Need to Immerse Yourself In Because, Well, Wow: Beautiful Creature of Darkness by @pursuitseternal

What you need to know going in:

It’s a Phantom-inspired fic, y’all! Phantom of the Opera, that is. Set in the 1st Age, Galadriel chafes under her brother Finrod’s overbearing rule in Dol Guldur when she becomes enchanted by a mysterious, magnetic presence. Three guesses as to who it is. 😉 Galadriel becomes increasingly drawn to a very persuasive and persistent Sauron, despite the darkness that shrouds him — even as an unnamed threat shadows her brother’s kingdom. If you’re a fan of Phantom, this is a fun read for the Gothic romance and well-drawn parallels to the Leroux/Weber favorite. I’m intrigued to see where it goes!

WIP, Explicit

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The Complete But Never Forgotten Masterpiece: Shine and Lady of the Seas by eye_of_a_cat

What you need to know going in:

Another eye of a cat classic! For me, this series (and yes, you definitely should read both) was the first “Halbrand makes Galadriel her armor in Armenolos” fic. And, like all of eye of a cat’s works, BOTH fics are absolute bangers. I mean… do I need to say much more than he makes Gal her armor and Cat wrote it? 😂 I don’t think I do, but just in case, here’s what I’ll add: terrific sexual tension that’s well, well-rewarded in the 2nd fic in the series, and it’s all Sauron’s POV, so expect possessive, awestruck, utterly beguiled (and beguiling) deliciousness. You’re welcome.

Complete, Teen & Explicit

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The WIP That Will Wreck You (In the Best Way): Pour Your Light In Me And Watch Me Dissolve by @maironiiel

What you need to know going in:

This S1-set fic gives a repentant-but-struggling Sauron in Numenor, simultaneously set ill at ease by Galadriel and her insistence he join her in the campaign to reclaim the Southlands, and irrevocably bewitched by her. But it’s not just Galadriel who calls to him—the Valar do, too, sending Ossë and others to appeal to him to return to the light in full; to Valinor for judgment. The result is a scintillating slow burn with promise for more, with a lovely expansion and interpretation of what we saw in the show, particularly in how the Valar and other Maia might react or appeal to this version of Mairon. A part 1 with one chapter left to go before part 2, I’m curious to see how this story evolves.

WIP, Mature

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The Can't Stop Consuming No Matter What Time It Is Fic: se vis pacem, para bellum by @nenyabusiness

What you need to know going in:

This is another recent sub I added to my rotating reading list, so it’s just starting to heat up, but when it’s a John Wick AU, you know to expect a thrill ride right from the start—and the fic doesn’t disappoint! If you’re not familiar with John Wick, here’s all you need to know: Galadriel is a retired, renowned assassin known as The Daughter from a family of deadly assassins. She’s drawn from her retirement when her brother, Finrod, is killed by a rival crime family controlled by Sauron. In an attempt to curb her quest for vengeance, Sauron turns to subterfuge… and masquerades as an unwitting ally to gain her trust. Where they go from there? 👀 I’m excited to see, but so far, this is a perfect premise for this ETL pair to keep those thrills coming.

WIP, Mature

Read the story.

Follow the author on Tumblr and AO3.

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🤩🤩🤩

Me at all these fics:

Don’t see your story on this list yet? Keyword: yet. Please don’t fret! I can only recommend so many each week, but I am always looking for more stuff to read, share, and generally shower with love, so please feel free to reply with your own fics or your personal faves. I have plenty more to recommend… ❤️