#silmarllion

Another one why I write the dark lords more neutral, and in an explorative manner:

This might be a bit of a hot take, because "dark" is such an imprecise word in my lexicon. It does not work as a shorthand for "horrible" in my *personal* books.

It can mean many things, and most are first and foremost neutral, before context is added.

For example: Dark things can be unseen, obscured, taboo, and also private. Also, darkness is mysterious, intriguing and causes surprises. So many fascinating ways to surprise that do not have to follow what's expected.

Many positive deeds go unnoticed because they cause no friction, or the "wrong" person is doing them, sonoting is "of note".

Also, negativity bias does a good job at obscuring good things in life right in front of our eyes.

On top of that, taboos are often attactched to marginalized experiences, no matter how benign, neutral, or horrible they may be.

And then there is Privacy, which is vital for personal freedom. So when privacy is dark, a lack of privacy is harsh light shone all over you.

Also, there is skin color and marginalization.

For me *personally*, instead of using the descriptor "dark", naming negative things for what they are works better because I get a more precise picture of what to imagine or expect.

So my dark lords revel in doing things that are not expected from the point of view of Tolkien's texts, because their darkness obscures all that potential for actions and decisions.

This is what I always imagined every time i re-read the first chapter to silmarillion

manwe: you’re kind of a dick, we won’t help you.

maedhros: I’m definitely a dick, I don’t deserve help.

Break out the lava lamps, we’re getting groovy this month with a trip back in time to the funky 70s!

For this month's challenge, select a prompt or prompts from the '70s-themed lists below. You can use any aspect of the prompt that you want and we encourage creative interpretation of the prompts. Want to dig up a particular episode of a show from the TV list and use that? A favorite book cover for one of the titles on the literature list? A line from the theme song from one of the movies on the Movies list? Go wild, moon child! (Of course, tamer interpretations of the prompts are acceptable too!)

Was tagged by @polutrope and @zealouswerewolfcollector to share a snippet of a WIP - thank you for trusting that I would have something, I actually DO! Haha

Yesterday in a fit of the muses I finally began the outline of my Fingolfin & Maglor, "The King and the Warrior." It's just a tiny bit of dialogue but it's the only one I've scribbled instead of outlining.

"And what would you ask of me, nephew?" Nolofinwë modulates his tone so it resembles Fëanáro's derisiveness and petulance when he called him half. Does he know it, Macalaurë wonders, or is it that his father had always been wrong, and Finwë's blood runs thicker on Indis' side? He doesn't let his mind stray. He can show no weakness. "Hold your people together," he says with a tilt of his chin. "Let them not seek revenge on mine for the deeds we are trying to put behind us." "Are we?" Nolofinwë sneers so like Fëanáro that it is as though a deathly shadow hung above his half-uncle's head. "They deserve revenge against you and yours." Macalaurë's intake of breath is audible in the muffled silence of the tent. But he cannot afford Nolofinwë's bloodthirstiness to prevail. "Lend your swords and your valor against Moringotto. We are not your enemy, even if you would make us so. Defend your borders, and it should be enough." The sneer is still there when Nolofinwë replies. "As we will. We do not need your leave to take our revenge on the Enemy." The pause he takes grates on Macalaurë's nerves. "But if you fear retaliation that much, you should move your people to the far side of the lake and let us reside here." "It is not only for my people's safety but yours." The sneer disappears, and Nolofinwë's eyes flash with cold anger. "How considerate of you, Your Grace." "I give orders. I do not rule. The crown, as you know, belongs to my brother." Nolofinwë says nothing of Macalaurë's choice of words. He doesn't contest Nelyo's inheritance, nor does he claim to be king of his people - although Finwë Nolofinwë he is to those that followed him. Macalaurë gives nothing back and ponders his half-uncle's offer. "We will move our camp south."

I don't know if this will remain the same until publishing (if it ever comes LOL) but there, it's a scene I've had in my mind for a while and it's finally written down.

A collab between myself and @gratuacuunart for @tolkienrsb

This wonderful art has already been posted, but now again with the fic!

Artwork title: Something Missing

Thank you again @gratuacuunart for this beautiful final piece

Fic title: Addressed to the Fire

Rating: G

Relationships: Glorfindel/Erestor

Characters: Glorfindel, Erestor, Elrond (briefly)

Word Count: 5238

Summary:

All it took was one attack, one terrible accident, and Erestor was lost to Glorfindel forever.

He survived, yes, but the precious memories of the years they had spent together were gone in an instant. Erestor was a stranger to him now, and no amount of begging would bring him back to him.

Well, if he couldn't tell Erestor how he still cared for him, he would write it down.

Glorfindel would pour his heart out into letters, addressed only to the fire.