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evieismol · 2 years

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I am finally turning my idea turned into obsession about giants/tinies working in National Parks into a story, and I wanted to share the first chapter one here! This is the first g/t story I’m sharing publically so any feedback is much appreciated, first chapter is a little slow and expositiony in my opinion and I may edit it if I decide to post it else where.

Content warning for mentions of giants being rumored to eat ppl, nothing comes of it

Word count: 1646

***

Every footstep seemed to echo off the walls of the harshly lit walkway. Angie followed a few steps behind the tall, dressed man as he strode down the hall. They reach a metal door halfway down. He opened it, motioning for her to go inside. She did so, scanning the room as she entered.

It looked akin to an office breakroom. Chairs with faded red cushions surrounded a folding table. 3 men sat at various positions around the table. She recognized one as Dave - a seasonal ranger she’d worked with a year prior. She hadn’t been close to him, but they had been on friendly enough terms, and any friendly face was nice to see. A sat over from him sat an older gentleman who reminded Angie of Santa Claus. Two seats from them, a tall, pale man with a neatly groomed beard sat stiffly. Finally, at the head of the table, an older, tan man sat.

“I take it you’re Angela Smith?” The man at the head of the table asked. He stood up from his seat, going to shake Angie’s hand. Angie returned the handshake.

“Daniel Perez. Head of Operations at Big Bend National Park,” he said. “This is David Goodman and Gus Stevens, interpretive rangers like yourself, and John O’Riley senior agent from the Interdimensional Management department.”

“It’s great to meet ya!” Gus said. Dave gave a restrained wave, and John a professional nod.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Angie said. She took a seat across from Dave. Daniel stayed standing.

“Well, now that we’re all here, I suppose we can get this meeting started.” Daniel said. “I’m sure you’re all aware of the Interdimensional Management Agency, and what they oversee, already?”

The three nodded. Angie glanced over at John, who gave her a tight smile.

“Was there an incident?” Dave asked. Angie had been wondering the same thing - it was usually incidents of some sort that drew the attention of the IMA. Despite their name, they did handle more than cases that were strictly interdimensional. Anything sufficiently strange typically got tossed their way, from unauthorized interdimensional travel to kids who thought they were psychic. It was something of a kitchen sink of an agency. If the kitchen sink in question was hidden behind a nearly infinite layer of red tape and heavy black curtains, that is. Angie had dealt with them a couple times in the past, albeit only in passing. She’d never been called in for a meeting with one before.

Stranger still, she didn’t have the faintest idea of what this meeting could be about. The other times she’d talked to them it had been to ask her about something she’d been tangentially involved. Something in a ranger station levitating, once. Someone claiming they saw a river siren in a resort swimming pool another time. She couldn’t recall anything like that happening recently though, especially not with the other two rangers here. She hadn’t even met Gus prior to this.

“Not an incident. More, an opportunity. You three came highly recommended - I believe all of you have had some level of interaction with various beings that the IMA oversees,” Daniel responded. Angie’s brow furrowed. The looks on Dave and Gus’s face revealed they were just as confused as she was.

“I believe you’re all familiar with - layman’s terms - giants.”

If Angie had felt confused before, she was entirely lost now. She had, of course. Beings from another realm who looked mostly human, save for their comparatively ginormous size. ‘Giant’ was indeed the layman’s term for them, though it was also something of an umbrella term. There were technically several kinds of beings from various realms that were referred to as giants. Some more humanoid than others, some larger than others.

“Yeah, I’d say we all are. Where’s this headed, Dan?” Gus asked. He leaned back in his chair.

“Well, more specifically, how familiar are you all with Aphirial?”

Well indeed. At this point, Angie felt like she needed to stop thinking she couldn’t get anymore confused.

“The giant realm?” She asked. She was vaguely familiar with the name. A bit more than vaguely familiar, actually. Aphirial, along with Tyastryon, were arguably the two “main” places people would refer to when talking about humanoid giants. They had become somewhat infamous, for almost opposite reasons.

Tyastryon had historically been associated with being the root of legends of war mongering giants, a la Goliath. Nowadays, globalization and politics had resulted in a number of peace treaties and pacts brokered with them, and it wasn’t unheard of for Tyastryons to live in the human realm or vice versa. Inhabitants looked quite similar to humans, save for their pointed ears and typically gold or silver eyes. And, of course, the small key difference of them looming somewhere around 50 feet tall.

Aphirial, meanwhile, was somewhat shrouded in mystery and a number of - to put it frankly - horrifying rumors. Unlike Tyastryons, Aphirials were a huge deal larger than humans. Somewhere in the 200-300 foot tall range. That, along with a few more ‘threatening’ traits such as fangs, had led them to be considered the source of legends of man-eating, city stomping giants. Legends that were widely thought to be based somewhat in reality, thanks to several historical records detailing rampages. The historical accuracy was somewhat up for debate, though, as hard evidence had showed that Aphirial and Earth interactions were minimal at best. More conservative scholars tended to think that visitors from Aphirial were rare at best, and that stories detailing giants of their size may have simply been exaggerated accounts of Tyastryons. Portals to Aphirial were few and far between, current research showed. And the majority of stories recounted flashing silver eyes and a notable lack of fangs. However, some more provocative scholars (along with the occasional show on the History Channel) tended to blow up such rumors to drastic proportions. Paint Aphirial as the land of blood-thirsty, man-eating giants. A painting that had remained the general public opinion of Aphirial until the past couple of decades, when some tentative treaties and political outreach had occurred. That had caused the tide to turn somewhat, and slightly more actual information was known about them these days.

Their society - or more, collection of societies - was strikingly similar to humans’. They had cities, schools, politicians, teachers. It wasn’t unheard of for Aphirials to visit Earth or vice versa as of recent times, though there was definitely still a stigma stemming from previously mentioned rumors. All of that to say, Angie wasn’t sure why Daniel would bring Aphirial up.

“The giant realm.”

Angie thought she saw Dave tense at Daniel’s confirmation. Daniel seemed to hesitate for a moment.

“We’ve been presented with a…unique political opportunity. To put it bluntly, someone from Aphirial coming to work in our realm. Higher ups think it’ll be great for outreach, publicity, the budget, so on and so forth-”

“So by coming to work in our realm you mean, like, with the Park Service?” Dave cut the older man off.

“Yes,” Daniel said.

“And by someone from Aphirial you mean one of those rumored man-eating giants?”

Daniel sighed. “I assure you, we have taken every precaution and done a thorough screening of the individual in question. There’s nothing to indicate any intention of violence towards humans. Let alone eating them.”

Dave exchanged a glance with Angie and Gus. The was a distinct air of nervousness in the room now as pieces began to fall into place.

“Which leads us to why I’ve brought you here. We decided it would be best to have a solid, core team, so to speak. When we’ve had other situations like this-”

“You mean a contingency team. We’re not exactly special ops, Dan,” Dave said. He seemed to have a penchant for interrupting.

If Daniel was bothered, he didn’t show it. “In a way, yes. But not in a defensive sense. John here is more than capable than handling that portion. We were merely thinking it might be beneficial to everyone involved to have some stability. We could offer each of you a permanent position here at Big Bend, with the potential for transfer if you’d prefer this arrangement come to an end at some point. You three would simply be tasked with being the first point of contact between the individual in question and our fellow humans. Just like your jobs now, with a slightly more…unconvential coworker on the team.”

“They’re going to work as an interpretive ranger?” Gus asked. “I’m not saying I’m opposed, I just figured government would want an asset like that in at least a law enforcement position. Military, ideally.”

“That is the current plan. He doesn’t have any military experience or interest - he’s a botanist.” Daniel said. “We’re thinking we do a trial run. See how things go. If everything goes smoothly, this could be a huge stride between Earth and Aphirial relations. Any other questions?”

“So…we would be working directly with him?” Angie asked. She was no stranger to interdimensional visitors - hell, her childhood best friend had been one. She still felt a small twinge of nervousness at this situation. She’d never actually met an Aphirial before. She was decently confident that the worser rumors were just that, or at the very least, individuals not representative of the entire species. Still, the idea her mystery future coworker loomed - pun intended - over her.

“That’s correct. If you agree this is something you’d be interested in, we would introduce you this afternoon. So, what’re you all thinking?”

“I’m in,” Gus said. “Don’t get too many adventures at my age - might as well take the one that just landed in my lap.”

Angie took a moment longer to respond. “Yeah, I agree as well.”

Daniel looked over at Dave. Dave was silent for several painfully long moments. Finally, he answered.

“Fuck it, yeah.”

Next Chapter

#giant/tiny #gt sfw #g/t #sfw g/t #g/t oc #g/t community #g/t story #gt story

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lordnelson100 · 6 years

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Untended [Silmarillion fic]

I had been writing LOTR mostly recently and got a sudden Silmarillion mood! LOTR mood: gentle silver lamplight in the Woodland Realm. Silm mood: apocalypse.

Prompt: What if the Noldor did as the Valar asked?

The Valar sat now behind their mountains at peace; and having given light to Middle-earth they left it for long untended, and the lordship of Morgoth was uncontested save by the valour of the Noldor.

“Of Men,” Quenta Silmarillion

The Noldor never left Aman.

They never even marched as far as Alqualondë. They heard the words of Eönwë, herald of Manwë, who perched with his eagle wings upon a cliffside to chide them for their first rebellious steps: and hearing, they turned again.

Respect, gratitude, and submission rose up in their hearts and they made their quiet way back to Tirion. To be sure, Fëanor fled away into the wilderness, and was never seen again. A tragedy! Many said the death of his father had undone his mind.

But Fëanor’s brothers and Fëanor’s sons were persuaded to pause and ponder: wisdom and caution won the day, and they returned back with the others.

Now that Melkor was fled with his prizes, indeed, the Valar took thought as to the better protection of Aman. They fortified their land anew, and they raised up the mountains of the Pelori to sheer and dreadful heights, and strewed the sea with shadows and enchantments. And so the Blessed Realm was shut against all who lived outside it.

In Middle-earth, enraptured with the glory of the ravished Silmarils and rejoicing in the unavenged blood of slain Finwë, Morgoth returned to his terrible fortess in victory. He made himself a mighty crown of iron, and fixed in it the Silmarils; he named himself “The King of the World,” and there was no one to gainsay him

But he did not sit still.

Soon his forces poured forth. Alone, unaided, Círdan and his people and all their ships were surrounded and pulled down. All along the wide salt strands, the sea birds sought for far-seeing Círdan and the Falathrim. The gulls cried, but the Sea Elves of Middle-earth were no more. The waves themselves mourned as they roared and whispered over the sands.

Denethor and his Green Elves, the Laiquendi beloved of the forest, who roamed free without wall or keep to protect them, were devoured by Morgoth’s wargs who now multiplied in numbers unhindered. The vast forests of Ossiriand reached their fingers towards the sky in mourning: the seven rivers sang in lonliness as they ran.

Doriath stood for a little while, an island of strength protected by Melian’s magic and Thingol’s stewardship. But Balrogs in unthinkable numbers came against them, and burnt all the wide earth around them and poisoned all the rivers. Then Morgoth seeded the clouds themselves with a bitter rain of acid and the forests shrivelled and blackened, even behind Melian’s Girdle.

Holding hands with her stately parents, their beautiful daughter Luthien raised her peerless voice, bringing hope to the people of Menegroth. The Sindar in all their courage and grace lifted their eyes to the sky, and sang to the Star-Kindler. Somewhere beyond the smoke drifting over Thingol’s realm, they knew that stars still shone.

But at last Morgoth opened a vast chasm in the earth at their gates, full of searing liquid fire boiling up from the heart of the world. Doriath tilted and sunk and crumbled: it fell.

Then only a few of Eru’s Firstborn remained in Middle-earth: scattered, traumatized, hiding among the shadows. Uncounted numbers of living Elves were now thralls in Angband; vast armies of the houseless dead became spirit-slaves to Morgoth, their own selves and memories lost in pain and darkness and subsumed in his crushing will.

In the mountains of Middle-earth, the Khazâd had begun to create many works of wondrous craft and delving, in underground cities lit by great lanterns and ringing with the sound of hammers.

But now when they came to the surface, each year they found the earth more and more desolate. Little food could be found in ruined, ashen field and forest. The Elves were vanished, with whom they had in early days built tentative relations. There was no one with whom to trade; no one either to learn from, or to teach what they themselves discovered. The roads between one Dwarven people and another were soon too dangerous to travel and each of their lands became isolated from the others.

Soon they began to weaken. Their once-ambitious delvings became mere dark caves and tunnels. Their numbers dwindled. At last they began to starve. The forge was left darkened; the hammer laid aside, as strength fled from once-strong arms and clever minds clouded.

There came a day when all of the children of Aulë were gone, all the bright promise of their civilization destroyed before it could flower.

Unhindered by any foes, slowed by no siege, fearing no attacks, Morgoth had time to muse and meditate, to invent and make play with all his dark powers of invention.

Trolls he had time to modify and reshape, until they had not only great strength, but also cunning: and he sent them into the forests with the mission to hunt down the Shepherds of the Trees, Yavannah’s rare and gentle children.

Fell beasts he raised, generation upon generation, and dragons whom never knew the fear of heroes’ swords. These he pitted against the great eagles who lingered in the high places of Middle-earth. And soon there were none.

Monsters he sent East, first to Eriador, then over the Misty Mountains to Rhovanion, and even to the far and legendary Orocarni and down to burning Harad, so that no new races could ever flee or wander there. There never came to be a little mortal fisher people, living in peace in the Vales of the Anduin.

So it was that the Aftercomers, the Race of Man, awoke alone in a dead and empty world. Without teachers; without allies; without messengers of hope.

Meanwhile in Aman, the centuries turned.

The Trees lay bare and dead. But the Valar made in their place the Sun and the Moon, so that the lands had light and warmth again. Just as the Trees had replaced the Lamps that Morgoth broke, the Sun and Moon replaced the Trees.

The Valar had the power to make new things when Morgoth broke the old. Therefore they thought: why rage and suffer in pursuit and battle with him? Here in the Valars’ safe land, a new wonder could always be created!

To think upon their brother’s deeds in Middle-earth: how sad, how ugly. And so —-they did not do so.

Among their Elven guests, festivals were held in Valmar and Tirion and Alqualondë on every occasion; feasting and amusements never ceased.

Many Eldar simply sat at the feet of the Valar, in meditation and repose. Though Fëanor was gone, others who loved arts and invention became in their turn great artisans and created wonders upon wonders. Scholars debated infinitely fine distinctions of truth, without pressure from outward threats and fleeting time. There were goodly woods and gardens in abundance, where no danger lurked, where lions were tame and no spider crept, and all the paths were straight.

Ever the music played, and the people danced in innocence.

No one had a sword.

One day, as the Teleri raced in the harbor in their swan ships, their lookouts began to call out to one another. A strange shape seemed to be forming on the blue horizon.

All at once, a vast huge shape reared up: it was the form of a King, high almost as the clouds, crowned with sea-foam and accompanied by a thousand circling white birds and leaping dolphins. He carried in his enormous fist a mighty spear and he seemed to raise it against an unseen foe.

The Sea Elves of the West cried out in wonder and pointed. “Ulmo! Ulmo! See the great Power of the Sea!” they cried. Then, as they looked, the mighty regal form shifted, warped, and seemed to stagger: with a terrible unearthly cry, his body suddenly broke apart, as if the matter of the sea itself was rent into a million parts. The watching Elves on their ships screamed and wept.

Not for long. For in the wake of cataclysm rose an enormous wave, which burst over the pearl strands of Alqualondë and carried all away.

Rumor of the terrible destruction had already spread through Valinor, and already all the other Elves had rushed to the high places of the land to look forth. Others rang bells and shouted alarms. Many prayed, of course, and rushed to the holy places in which they were wont to meet with the Valar: the Circle of Doom where justice was declared, the healing gardens of Lorien, the forges of Aulë , the forests where Oromë hunted. But the Valarin were not in their usual haunts.

Instead, they, too, were to be seen on the high hills and on the walls. Standing, silent, the Valar looked Eastward.

In that direction, a great black cloud was billowing, shot through with lightning. The ocean, having drowned Alqualondë , had settled into a strangely flat and desolate waste of darkened water.

And all at once they saw them coming.

Out from the waves rose the heads, then the shoulders, of a vast legion. From the water they came dripping, as if they had marched across the deep unseen floor of the ocean itself,

The shapes of Men and Elves the sodden army had—-but dead, all dead, their eye sockets gaping, their flesh ruined, their bony hands reaching without warmth.

Over the horizon came black ships, manned by houseless spirits, whose half-seen wraiths flickered at the tillers and on the yards.

Balrogs the size of towers waded between them, cracking their whips of flame.

The sky was filled with dragons, whose length and size were swollen beyond what an incarnate mind could accept. They blotted out the stars.

In the midst of all came wading Morgoth. He was as a mountain crowned with flames; and he laughed.

“You left me the world to tend, my brothers and sisters!” he said. “I thank you for it. Taste now the fruits of it!”

#silmarillion #isolationism #happy holidays have an apocalypse #Fic

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