#stormthinken

"Until the stars go out": classic from Cuiviénen, never lost its charm.

"When Laurelin frosts": rapid decrease in popularity for obvious reasons.

"While Telperion has leaves": rapid decrease in popularity for obvious reasons.

"Unto world's end": used once and very rarely thereafter.

"When the sun freezes": nothing quite like a reprise. Rapid decrease in popularity for obvious reasons.

"Until day comes again": popular in Angband, with varying sincerity.

"While Gil-Estel shines": If a fuckhuge winged dragon couldn't stop it from shining, what could?

"Until the last ship sets sail into the West": 95%+ of uses were by the guy building the dang ship.

"When Fëanor apologizes": What exactly he is apologizing for is sometimes included, but largely deemed unnecessary.

Amroth as the son of Galadriel and Celeborn. (Unfinished Tales: Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn)

Nimloth survives the Second Kinslaying, escapes to Ossiriand with Elwing and the Silmaril, and goes to the Havens after the refugees of Gondolin settle there. (War of the Jewels: The Tale of Years)

Orodreth, Angrod, and Aegnor go across to Beleriand on the Swan Ships along with the Fëanorians due to their friendship with Celegorm and Curufin. (The Shaping of Middle-earth: The Earliest Annals of Valinor)

Míriel survives until Fëanor is fully grown, but he still ends up Like That. (The Peoples of Middle-earth: The Shibboleth of Fëanor)

Celebrimbor as a Sindar descendent of Daeron. (The Peoples of Middle Earth: Of Dwarves and Men)

Celegorm and Curufin found Nargothrond after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. (The Lays of Beleriand: The Lay of the Children of Húrin)

Amanyar Noldor Eöl and Maeglin, with them and Aredhel being extremely attracted to Melkor's lies. (The Nature of Middle-earth: Ageing of Elves)

Teleporno.

In all seriousness, Amanyar Teleri Celeborn where he's also a grandchild of Olwë, and he and Galadriel sail separately to Beleriand after fighting for the Teleri in the First Kinslaying. (Unfinished Tales: The History of Galadriel and Celeborn)

(or human 3/8ths, whatever)

On Balar, did he ever wander among the escapees from Dor-lómin, the fled from Brethil, the survivors from Sirion, learning their songs and stories and hopes and griefs? Did he find his childhood playmates, now grown? Did any survive? Does he remember them?

Did he ever stand beside his brother as Elros gave mighty speeches of unity and the strength of the Secondborn? Did he, in battle or in uneasy alliance, meet the descendants of those who betrayed Maglor and his kin, who enslaved Tuor and his kin?

Did he ever brave the moonless dark of Taur-nu-Fuin, seeking the ruins of Ladros or the mire that was once Tarn Aeluin? Did he ever wander the scorched plains and shattered encampments of Estolad? Did he see the Hill of Slain and guess which skeleton may have been more recent than the rest? Was another skeleton holding its hand, an arrowhead in its skull?

Did he grudge Elros the Bow of Bregor or Dramborleg or the Ring of Barahir? Did he think to keep relics for himself, if immortal memory could not suffice? Did he know the Bow's name?

In Lindon, did he befriend the Men who refused Númenor? Did he live alongside them for centuries as they lived and died? Did he seek out Dor Firn-i-Guinar, if it may have survived?

Did he find it?

Did he send letters to the West through Númenor, seeking the truth of Tuor's fate? Did he ask after the ancient legends and myths of the House of Bëor, now only remembered by Finrod Atandil? Did he befriend the ancestors of the Dunlendings, distant kin of the House of Haleth? Did he speak against the deforestation of Enedwaith and Minhiriath, their homeland? Did he welcome those who fled into Imladris, if they sought it?

Did he visit Númenor? Did its kings listen to his counsel? When did they stop?

Did he welcome Elendil as a kinsman, as a nephew, or as a stranger?

Hey so the fuck's with this windstorm anyway. The capitalization of West makes it clear it's coming from Aman and presumably Manwë, so is it:

A "we warned you" to the Noldor?

A "time to run" warning to the people of Hithlum whose first knowledge of the defeat would instead be Orcs and Easterlings?

Clearing away the cloud of smoke that Morgoth generated at the start of the battle?

A "we're still watching" warning to Morgoth?

I am extremely normal about Elwing and Eärendil.

Losing your homes to war as a child. Finding a new home in a place you do not know, among unfamiliar people suffering the same loss as you, more universal than your different kindreds. Surviving in the last bit of unpoisoned land on the continent. Thriving in the last bit of unpoisoned land on the continent.

(As an aside, was there ever any other place, in all of the history of Middle-earth, like the Havens of Sirion? Where elves and mortals of all kindreds came together to build a home and live, in defiance of the losses they suffered?

I like to think that there was, and it was called Imladris.)

Being the only two of your kind. Being the heirs to four of the greatest bloodlines of the Age (arguably five, since Eärendil is the only known surviving descendent of Haldad). Perhaps you were allowed to just be children for a while, in spite of the requirements of your roles. Perhaps not. Being almost expected to be with each other. Falling in love regardless. Bringing life into a dying world in defiance.

Choosing, to give up the chance to be a father to your sons as they grow up for the slim chance of buying a world where they might grow up at all. Choosing, to wait at the shore in sorrow, holding the beacon that keeps your love safe, not knowing when or even if he will return. Choosing, to turn back for your love. Choosing, to buy time for your love to return. Defying your nightmares to the bitter end.

Being reunited in utter despair. Choosing, together now, to give up your children for the slim hope of buying a world where they will grow up at all. If they're even still alive. Freely giving your love the jewel your people willingly died for, your last inheritance. Wandering for four years until at last, at last! you reach your goal. Trying to spare your love from the wrath of the Gods. Being unwilling to be left behind once again; "but all thy perils I will take on myself also." Being separated again regardless, because only one can walk this path. Being reunited once again, having each gained an army and a navy. Being given a Doom and a Choice together. Choosing, to stay with your wife no matter what. Choosing, to live and see the future your sacrifices have bought.

To be given the greatest ship that ever shall be, and sail where none else have sailed. To be given a lighthouse at the shore, and to know, every morning, that your love will return, and you will fly to him on your own wings.