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thewulf · 2 months

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Am I Wrong? || Aragorn

Summary: Request: Could you write something about (fem)reader who's part of the fellowship and really close to Strider? When they split up to find Frodo after Boromir blows the horn, reader goes with Merry and Pippin and gets separated from Strider.... Read Rest Here

A/N: Picking up when the group reunites in Isengard after Treebeard/Hobbits/Reader sack the place :) This is really sweet and fluffy, thank you for the request @fluentmoviequoter !!

Pairing: Aragorn x Female Reader

Word Count: 2.7k +

TW: General LOTR triggers, anxiety, fear, kidnapping, orcs,

Aragorn followed behind Gandalf as he led the small group to Isengard to deal with the dark Wizard himself. What he wasn’t expecting was to run into another part of the Fellowship after so being separated for so long.

He heard the Hobbits before he saw you standing there, radiant as ever, “I feel like I’m back at the Green Dragon after a hard day’s work.” Pippen spoke with his pipe happily placed in his mouth relieved the events of Isengard were over more than anything.

Merry spoke next, “Only, you’ve never done a hard day’s work.” That’s when he heard your bubbly laughter in response to the usual joking hobbits who were clearly very inebriated. You on the other hand seemed totally in control of the situation.

Aragorn’s heart pounded in his chest as he spotted you standing with your side facing him chatting happily with the two Hobbits that stole you away from him. You were alive. Somehow more beautiful than he ever remembered you being. His eyes scanned up and down your figure making sure they truly weren’t deceiving him. You were here in Isengard. Merry and Pippen too.

Merry stood, almost falling over, shouting at them with rosy, red cheeks, “Welcome my Lords, to Isengard!” You turned with the biggest smile on your face. Once your eyes landed on Aragorn’s you couldn’t take them away. Your smile grew as his mouth dropped in shock seeing you standing there alive and well. He couldn’t track you. He thought the worst of it. He knew right then that he had to tell you. He loved you. So deeply. He never knew if he was going to see you again, he thought the worst of the Orcs after not being able to find your tracks with the Hobbits.

“Y/N.” He spoke before nearly shoving the Hobbits away from where you were standing. He needed to be right next to you. Your smile turned to one of focus as you took him in after too long apart. Truly, you knew you loved him too. You wished to never spend another night away from your Strider. He was your home and comfort. He became your person without you even knowing it.

Without another word you through your arms around him tightly, bringing him in for an unexpected embrace. Unafraid of all the glances and knowing smiles from the fellowship and other men around you. You couldn’t seem to care about that right now, you’d deal with the embarrassment later, “Strider. What are you doing here?”

Before he could answer you Gimli shouted from behind the reunion, “You young rascals! A merry hunt you’ve led us on… and now we find you feasting and… and smoking!”

After dropping your arms from around his neck, you stepped around your missed companion taking offense to his words, “They’ve earned it Gimli!” You only smiled bigger once you felt Striders hand resting on the small of your back. He had always been protective of you but never so forward with it. The two of you had pined from afar but never acted on it as that would be seen as improper. But that was then. That was before he had feared the worst. You were alive. Breathing right in front of him with the most precious blush sitting on your cheeks. Yeah, he knew it was over for him. He needed you and was tired of trying to hide it.

Merry cheered with his pipe after you spoke and before Pippen tuned in, “We are sitting on a field of victory enjoying a few well-earned comforts.” He giggled in his non-sober state, “The salted pork is particularly good.” Pippen added for good measure knowing it would get under his dwarf friend’s skin.

You nodded along with them giggling yourself, “It is indeed.” You saw the gleam in Striders eye like he was trying not to laugh at the situation they had found themselves in. The plan certainly wasn’t running into the three of you while in an inebriated state. Aragorn knew you well and currently you were particularly giggly, a sign you’d partaken in some of their endeavors even if you tried to deny it.

The Hobbits waved their friends into Isengard, “We’re under orders from Treebeard who’s taken over management of Isengard.” Merry led the group in leaving Strider standing next to you holding onto the reigns of his horse. After the two of you shared a few moments just staring at the other he finally decided to speak to you. Neither of you were willing to follow the group at that moment. The two of you had a reunion to attend to before dealing with Saruman.

“I thought you were dead.” He admitted to you. Aragorn couldn’t meet your eyes as you just looked at him with a bit of bemusement forming along your tapered smile.

You tisked at him shaking your head, “You think so little of me Strider, no?” A growing smirk was playing at your lips as you studied his downtrodden expression.

His eyes finally looked into yours again, “Never, you know this. But I… I could not find your tracks along the Hobbits…”

“You did not think I would cover my tracks?” You eyebrows rose, challenging him now, “I thought you have always said I learned from the best?” Referring to him, naturally.

He let out a lengthy laugh. The tension in his shoulders released seeing you as the same person he thought he lost only a few weeks prior. Even though it had only been a few weeks he knew he could never part from you for that long again. He was a fool and only he came to realize that once you had slipped through his fingertips after getting taken by the Orcs. You didn’t hear his yell for you as he watched you fight. But even you, one of the best Rangers he knew, couldn’t overcome so many of them all at once. And just as he saw you, you had vanished in front of him along with the Hobbits. He had never felt such a failure before seeing you disappear with the creatures you had detested for as long as you’ve been alive.

“I should have never doubted you.” He spoke with that twinkle in his eye. He adored you, through and through. A slow gulp overtook him as he studied you. He always knew you were beautiful, ever since you met him all those years ago. But now, after it took him losing you to realize that he was in love with you, he understood just how stunning you truly were.

You nodded with that confidence he had adored in you, “Aye. Thought you would have learned by now Master Strider.” Tossing him a wink even you did not know where this overly friendly attitude towards your partner was coming from. That’s all he was and could ever be, just a partner in work.

He bowed his head with a similar smirk gracing his face, “Indeed. Forgive me, Y/N. But I was terrified. I thought I had lost you. My thought process was… less than rational.” When his eyes met yours once more a sad smile parted his lips. It hit you that he truly thought he might have actually lost you. Thinking of what you would do had you thought you lost him had you in an instant fit of tears. There would be no rationality in your actions had you thought of Strider dying.

His striking blue eyes sent a familiar shiver down your spine. You gave him a quick nod, “I will always forgive you, my king.”

Strider let out that familiar laugh that you had adored so much. The one that sent a shiver though your body, “It wounds me that you mock me so easily, my Y/N.”

You couldn’t stop your fluttering heart at his words, my Y/N, “I would never do such thing, you are my king, no?” You rose your eyebrows in curiosity. Sure, the news that he was the heir of Isildur took you by surprise. It didn’t shock you completely though. There was always something about him that felt so other worldly. When Legolas let true of his identify at the Council of Elrond it all sort of made sense. You’d been Rangers together for nearly thirty years, both of you being Dunedin it made sense to pair the two of you together early on in your ventures. He had never told you of his true heritage throughout all that time together. While it stung when you learned you understood why he had done so.

“I see you have not lost your tongue.” He avoided your question.

You smiled knowing his usually ways of dodging, “Would you rather they take it?”

But a quick shake of the head let you know he was simply playing, “Never. Your wit is but my favorite thing about you.”

Letting out a feigned gasp you shook your head, “I should be so offended Aragorn.”

“What do you mean?” He looked surprised by your reaction unsure if you were simply messing with him or being completely serious.

“Do you find me that unattractive?” You asked a little too bluntly knowing that you were surly crossing that invisible line the two of you had danced around for far too long.

A fiery blush rose to his cheeks letting you know you had finally gotten the better of him, “Oh no. Never. No. I did not mean it like that. Please…”

You stopped his incoherent rambling with a stifled giggle, “I tease.”

Shaking his head slowly he knew he likely looked a fool standing in front of you. He couldn’t hide it though as all of his emotions came forward seeing you there alive and well. He had begun the process of mourning your death, thinking he’d never see you again. He knew he wanted to tell you exactly how he felt, right here. He wanted to waste no more time. He came to the striking realization that even no matter skilled you or he was life in middle earth was very hostile and unforgiving. The chance of death was high and even higher now that the two of you had joined the Fellowship.

“You are fortunate I care for you very deeply.” He chose his words carefully, hopeful you would pick up on his true meaning.

“Oh?” You heard his words a little surprised. There was not much he could say that took you by surprise but this was one of them that did. He had never so much admitted he cared for you at all let alone deeply in your time together. Strider was very kind to you but the two of you shared a working relationship at most. You weren’t out here letting your tightly bound feelings out and he certainly wasn’t either.

His confidence grew seeing the color rise to your cheeks at his words. You were thinking and hard at it apparently, “That cannot be all you have to say.” He stepped forward knowing that he had the upper hand on you for once. He could never seem to catch you off guard until this very moment.

You sucked in a breath not having a clue where this seemingly innocent interaction was heading. Turning around you spotted the rest of The Fellowship talking to Treebeard far off in the distance. You spun back finding him standing much, much closer than he was before. Eyes widening your head was not making sense of what was actually happening, “I was not expecting you to say that.” It was you deflecting this time which drew an arrogant smirk on the man standing far closer than you were used to. How did he smell so good? Surely he hadn’t bathed in a while. How did Strider do it? Make your mind fuzzier than ever.

He had to look down to meet his eyes with yours, “I never want to spend a day away from you again.”

If your cheeks were not already aflame with realization they were flooding with color now, “You do not?”

It was he who had the courage to make the first move on you after seeing how easily you reacted under his words. He took his hands and brushed away a streak of dirt across your cheek slowly sending your already racing heart into another frenzy, “No, never. These last few weeks have been the worst in my life. Never do I wish to part from you again. If that is what you wish for too.” Ever the man you fell in love with, he left the decision up to you.

It was your turn to be courageous now, “I wish the same.”

His devilish smirk turned into a smile of utmost joy. A smile you so rarely saw on the man. For you knew you didn’t wish to separate from him ever again either. Nearly every moment you were away you thought of him. You thought what he would do in your situation and tried your hardest to stay positive. If it were not for the Hobbits you may have stayed to fight with the Rohirrim when they had saved you from the clutches of the orcs who had you running for days on end. But you knew Strider would save them before fighting on his own, the Hobbits would never survive Gondor on their own. In a way he had saved your life countless times even when he was not there. Strider stayed with you always. You loved him always.

It was then that he realized he had nothing to lose. The way you had looked at him told him exactly what he wanted to know. You had loved him just as dearly as he loved you, “Can I tell you something?”

A nod came from you, “Anything.”

It was now or never and he wasn’t planning on missing his chance, “I love you.”

You could not help the way your mouth dropped at that, “You what?”

“I love you.” He said again with more confidence. He loved you and he couldn’t keep it from you anymore. Strider also knew that things would never go back to normal after this quest. His true identity was revealed. Things would change. As much as he longed to go back to the simple life of patrolling the woods with you he knew that’d never be in his cards any longer. And if his life was going to change he wanted to bring the one thing that brought him comfort along for the journey as well. If he were to be king he wanted you to be his queen. No, needed you to be his queen. For a majority of his success came from you being there with him helping and guiding him.

“You love me?” You asked more to yourself than to him. When he placed his hands on your shoulders with a gentle touch you knew you were a goner. The look in his eyes was like nothing like you had seen from him, “Why me? We’ve been partners for over thirty years and… where is this coming from?”

He stopped your racing mind by running his thumb along your lower lip, ever the intimate action sending your speeding heard into overdrive, “I’ve always known. But losing you… thinking you died. It all but made me realize how daft it is to hide it away when I can tell you outright when clearly you feel the same. Am I wrong?” He smiled as he held the back of your head in his hand so gently.

“No. Certainly not wrong.” You spoke in a soft whisper. When he smiled even brighter than you had truly ever seen you had to tell him too. You’d all but implied the same feelings but you needed to let it out too, “I love you too.”

The next moments felt like a blur. He pulled you close before whispering in your ear, “The next time the nosy prince of Mirkwood is not watching I will give you a proper kiss, my lady.” It was the first time he’d called you that in all your time knowing him. A rush of warmth was felt throughout your body. It felt… right. Like you were meant to be at his side.

Once he released you from the hold he had you in you turned your head over your shoulder spotting the blonde-haired elf sitting on his horse paying much more attention to the two of you rather than whatever tale Treebeard was telling the new group.

You couldn’t help the laugh that escaped you over the absurdity of the situation. Of all the things you thought could happen today confessing your love to the man who had you enraptured ever since you met him was the last thing you thought possible. Yet here you were. Avoiding the ever-clear eyes of your elven friend, “Damn elves.”

He nodded in agreement, “Come on, hop on.” He led you to his horse where he got you situated before he got on behind you. Slowly, he led you back to the group. You caught Legolas’ side eye knowing the he had to have heard a majority of the conversation if he wanted too. And knowing him, he wanted too.

When Strider’s horse stopped he made sure to keep his hand on you, uncaring of the curious stares from the rest of the group. He loved you. They knew it. Why should he have to hide it any further? Finally, it felt like something in this journey made sense. All he had to do now was keep you safe and destroy the ring. Simple, right?

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camille-lachenille · 1 year

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There is a thing that I noticed reading The Lord of the Rings and other works by Tolkien. And that thing is how diverse and beautiful love is, and how much it speaks to me.

True Love at first sight exists in Tolkien’s universe, and from it came some of the grandest deeds; think Beren and Lúthien braving Morgoth and then Mandos to be together, think Arwen renouncing immortality and Aragorn reclaiming his throne in order to marry her. But these grand tales of love at first sight are that; tales. It’s not for normal people.

There is also another aspect of romantic love that is present, one slower to take root and much more domestic. It is Sam missing Rosie when he is halfway trough the world and barely daring to ask her out even after facing Mordor. It is the blooming love between Éowyn and Faramir, a relationship based on shared grief, mutual understanding, respect and comfort sought in each other.

Sometimes it ends badly, like Nerdanel leaving Fëanor despite centuries of marriage and having had seven sons together because they don’t get along anymore. It’s Erendis and Aldarion falling apart because they are too different to work as a couple. It’s Elrond mourning for his wife who had to sail West in order to heal her broken soul and body. But it’s much more realistic than the grand tales, this is something relatable for a human heart and mind.

And what I like above everything else is how these romantic relationships, no matter how epic the love is, are never sexualised. How they are not even the more important kind of relationships and love in Tolkien’s universe. For someone Ace and arospec as well, seeing familial relationships and platonic love having such a major role in the story makes my heart soar in joy because I can relate.

I can relate to Sam, brave little Sam who walked to Mordor and back out of love and loyalty for Frodo despite missing his home a little more each day. And my heart warms each time I read about Merry, Pippin and Sam plotting to follow Frodo and hammering in his head that they are in this together until the end, and only the direst circumstances managed to separate them.

I laughed at the bantering and teasing between Gimli and Legolas, who managed to bridge the gap of centuries of dislike between their folks, and I admire their relationship no matter if one interpret it as platonic or romantic.

I can relate to the brotherly love between Boromir and Faramir because I too would do anything to spare pain to my sister. I love the friendship between Maedhros and Fingon for I am so close to my cousins too, and I would do about anything for my family no matter the circumstances just like the line of Finwë followed Fëanor in the first place (the outcome was… not good but that’s not the point).

I can relate, to some extent, to Elrond’s grief at Arwen’s Choice, because sometimes, loving someone means accepting to let them go no matter how we feel.

I cried at the end of the Hobbit, when Fíli and Kíli died defending their uncle, because this unwavering loyalty and love for family is something I can understand better than giving up everything for a romantic partner.

I cried reading the Tale of Beren and Lúthien, but I cried more when Sam sails West after Rosie dies and is reunited with Frodo, when Merry and Pippin are buried with the old kings of Gondor once Aragorn dies too, or when Legolas builds a boat and sails to the Undying Lands with Gimli because he can’t bear to be parted from his dearest friend. I cried when Bilbo returns to the Shire alone after the quest for Erebor, having lost dear friends, and wishing to see the Lonely Mountain again decades later. I cried when Maglor, last of his brothers, wanders endlessly on the shores in eternal sorrow.

But I also smiled a lot; be it when Faramir kisses Éowyn, or when the Three Hunters are welcomed to the ruins of Isengard by Merry and Pippin whole and safe and they share a moment of carefree joy in the midst of darkness. I laughed at the foolishness of a Took and his Brandybuck cousin, I smiled fondly when Sam mutters to himself when he worries for Frodo. I grinned when Gandalf returns after his fight against the Balrog and takes time to catch up with his friends despite the war raging around them. I laughed when Gimli and Legolas plan a vacation and sightseeing after a gruesome battle, and then when they comment on how to redecorate Minas Tirith. These are small moments that make the friendship between the characters authentic and relatable, and I am certainly forgetting so much more passages that made me smile or cry along the characters.

There is also the love one has for a place, this powerful motivation that makes Frodo leave the Shire in the first place to protect it against the Ring. Faramir’s love for his country that makes war bearable for him, because despite how much he hates violence and weapons he won’t let his beloved home be destroyed without fighting with his life. The love Sam has for his garden and the green hills of the Shire that gives him hope until the very end when all seems lost. This is also a kind of love I understand.

Love in Tolkien’s universe is what makes the events go as they go, and more precisely platonic and familial love. And I rejoice in seeing how friendship old and new, how bonds forged in shared danger or in peaceful days, saved the world at the end of the day. I won’t say I don’t like love stories, because that’s not true, but I love to see platonic relationships so strong being so important in The Lord of the Rings and other Tolkien’s works. Romantic relationships are not a superior form of relationship. True, unwavering love is not always romantic, and I love how Tolkien managed to capture this in his writing.

#tolkien #the lord of the rings #the hobbit #the silmarillion #love is not only romantic #friendship #family #love #i wrote this instead of sleeping #i can’t brain anyome but here are my thought anyways #asexual #arospec #half baked ramblings by a sleep deprived tolkien fan

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cornerful · 2 months

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March 5th

Beneath the walls of Isengard there still were acres tilled by the slaves of Saruman; but most of the valley had become a wilderness of weeds and thorns. Brambles trailed upon the ground...

I mean, if the land is no longer cultivated then they're not weeds, jirt, and are probably doing the land good as well as providing habitat. But now I am wondering if invasive plants are a Thing in middle earth 🤔

At night plumes of vapour steamed from the vents, lit from beneath with red light, or blue, or venomous green.

Am I the only one wondering what on earth Saruman has been doing that makes green light?? Is he inventing color television in there???

the Riders saw to their wonder that the Hand appeared no longer white. It was stained as with dried blood; and looking closer they perceived that its nails were red.

...how'd that happen. Eerie as

He bowed very low, putting his hand upon his breast. Then, seeming not to observe the wizard and his friends, he turned to Éomer and the king.

'Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!' he said. 'We are the doorwardens. Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and my companion, who, alas! is overcome with weariness' – here he gave the other a dig with his foot – 'is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the House of Took.

Merry is the funniest person alive and Gimli's outburst after this makes it even better and Théoden witnessing this and going "oh I see, you're besties" is just the best i love them a whole lot

'You do not know your danger, Théoden,' interrupted Gandalf. 'These hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table, or the small doings of their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, and remoter cousins to the ninth degree, if you encourage them with undue patience.'

And you love them for it you cantankerous old bint XD And so do I bc Merry beginning an infodump about pipeweed makes me beam. I miss Hobbits being Hobbits

The hobbits bowed low. 'So that is the King of Rohan!' said Pippin in an undertone. 'A fine old fellow. Very polite.'

💝 iconic 💝

#lotrn305 #lotr newsletter #maybe there's something I'm unaware of that glows green but like huh??? wizard rave???

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cycas · 2 months

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Oropher anon again... *shows license to ramble further*

Thank you for bringing the bits and pieces I collected here and there in a bigger context. There are many new aspects I did not consider. I have yet to sort my thoughts to send you more or less coherent questions.

For some reason, I find him fascinating, the isolationist Elvenking who sacrificed so much, despite not having much to do with the "outside world".

I read the part about moving away from the influence of Galadriel and Celeborn, and I was wondering what it was that drove him off. Like you said, Lórien was not their permanent residence. And even after it became their permanent residence, Galadriel and Celeborn seemed to have lived rather reclusively as well. Also, the Galadhrim were not known for annoying their direct neighbors, were they?

Who do you think Oropher did primarily have issues with, Galadriel, the powerhungry Noldo eco-terrorist who planted Mallorn trees from seeds she brought from Valinor, or Celeborn, her always-forgotten arm candy?

I rambled here about Oropher's strategy at Dagorlad and here about Oropher within (or without) Gil-galad's command.

I don't agree that Celeborn and Galadriel lived reclusively. I think that impression derives from the Fellowship of the Ring, when Lorien really has no close neighbours left, and appears as a wonderful hidden respite from the darkness spreading from Mordor and Isengard. By that time, as you say, Galadriel is sitting in Lorien, defending it from Dol Guldur, and although we hear rather less about his actions, presumably Celeborn was doing something similar. But that's the very end of the story, and long after Oropher had fallen out of it.

Celeborn and Galadriel (along with Celebrimbor) founded Eregion. Galadriel at least was good friends with the House of Durin, and travelled through their halls to visit Amdir in Lorien.

But they also lived in Lindon, the Hills of Evendim, and Belfalas, and when Aldarion came to Middle-earth, he sailed up the river Gwathlo and... met Galadriel and Celeborn there, too. So, I think they have been all over the place, and love to travel! If Oropher thought that they might come visiting him if they were given even the slightest encouragement, he may have had a point.

Personally, I rather like the idea that even though Oropher and Celeborn were both lords of Doriath, what Oropher dislikes about Celeborn is less the ethnicity of his wife, and more his enfuriating Celeborn-ness.

Celeborn is called The Wise, and I rather like the idea that he's perhaps generally rather reasoned and measured in his decision-making. I mean, I know he was somewhat rude to Gimli, but arguably, not as rude as Thranduil was to Gloin.

So, maybe Celeborn is just a bit slow and thoughtful, and Oropher is a bit more excitable and decisive, and they've been riling one another up the wrong way for thousands of years before ever Galadriel came on the scene?

I find that a more interesting kind of conflict than Oropher just being even more anti-Noldor than Thingol. After all, Galadriel did live in Doriath and was apparently welcome there.

#oropher #celeborn #I do feel a total fraud rambling about Oropher really #given that most of my writing focuses on the Noldor.

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freakingoutthesquares · 1 year

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Tigger Pissed On Me. Or: The skeletons in Pulp's Closet Words: Nick Griffiths Taken from Deadline, July 1992

Welcome to widescreen, stereophonic anecdote-drama, with extra special guests, Pulp. Meeting them is a privilege.

The scene

Bunjies Coffee House, London, aka "The Folk Cellar", where the strains (literally) of celebrated folk guru, Gary Numan, are piping through cappuccino stained speakers. Enter three members of Pulp, Sheffield's answer to strangeness in pop - proof that Sheffield at least has an answer to something. Someone once wrote that Pulp took the stage "looking like the escape party from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", which was unfair. Drummer Nick's uncle is (the) Gordon Banks. Guitarist/violinist Russell maintains (misguidedly, even though he does stare a lot) that he is "the guy from Sparks". I suggest that singer/guitarist/object-of-impressionable-girls-desires Jarvis Cocker looks ever so slightly like Jimmy White. He does not take this as a compliment.

Skeleton One

RUSSELL: It was a snowy day and I was going to see a film. I arrived at the cinema, and there was a queue outside of about 20 people. I was behind this girl that I vaguely knew and l just started making conversation: "It's cold isn't it?: Yes it's cold: Very, very cold: Yes it is, very cold. Feel my cheeks." And I felt her cheeks and there's me thinking - cold, like a fridge - and I said, "Oh yeah, can I put my meat in your mouth?" People in the queue started turning round, and I'm holding her cheeks, and at that point the connotation of what I'd said dawned on me, so I tried to rectify it. The whole queue's watching me and I'm going - cause it's cold, like a fridge - I still had to stand there in that queue, cause to have gone off would have been admitting that was like, y'know... She never spoke to me again.

Skeleton Two

JARVIS: I once wore pink tights and a blonde wig for a school play, Twelfth Night. It was good though, because I got to feel the English teacher's breasts. We were doing a dress rehearsal and there was this bit where I had to make a gesture and land my hand on this girl's breasts. Which was a good part for me, cause I wore specs at school and had bad teeth, so I never used to get girls. But then she was ill this day and the English teacher, who everybody fancied, stood in for her. Halfway through the scene I realised I was going to have to grab hold of her tits. So I did, and everyone was going "What were it like? What were it like?"

ALL: What was it like?

JARVIS (Enviably nonchalant): It was alright.

Skeleton Three

JARVIS: Russell used to be a rocker. He used to be into Hawkwind (To Russell). Did you ever wear a lab coat?

RUSSELL: Ahem. No, I didn't actually, no.

JARVIS: And he used to have a very thin pencil moustache.

RUSSELL: I was in a heavy rock band called Isengard.

JARVIS: Isengard?

RUSSELL: It's a valley in Lord of the Rings.

Skeleton Four

JARVIS: Nick's got Nina Hagen written on his drum bag.

NICK: That was my friend's.

JARVIS: These are the excuses he comes out with.

NICK: I did go and see some very dodgy punk bands. I went to see Angelic Upstarts in Rotherham. Me and a couple of mates were right up for it. We got the tickets and on the day thought "Fookin 'ell, there'll be loads of skinheads there; we might get beaten up." I put on this punk T shirt to go down there and we decided to go in the back way in case there were loads of skinheads round the front. We got close to the entrance and still thought there may be loads of skinheads there, so we decided to go round to a friend's house and come back later. In the end we never actually got to the concert cos we were so scared of getting beaten up by skinheads.

Skeleton Five

RUSSELL: I got pissed on by a tiger on a school trip.

DEADLINE: What were you doing lying underneath a tiger?

RUSSELL: No, we were at the zoo and it was time to go, and I'm looking at this tiger and it's looking at me. It turned it's back on me and cocked its tail - and have you ever seen Tomcats spray? Tigers do it, like, big stylee. There was no escape from it: It was just like "Ppsssscchwooosshh". And I'm saturated in this tiger piss and it's like "time to go now". What do you do? I'm sat on this coach seat on me own and all the way back they were going "What's that horrible smell?". It's like "Oh, Miss, a tiger pissed on me". What can you say?

Skeleton Six

RUSSELL: I tried to fly. I used to have a cacky conservatory with a red and white striped awning made of plastic. And I decided to make it into a hang-glider - although hang-gliders weren't really invented at this stage; It was just a big kite. I made this massive thing about 15 foot long and I'm running up and down our road. like, jumping. And I took it on our school field and there's all these people watching me, and I'm running down it and I did start to take off, and it nosedived and landed on top of me. So I'm trapped underneath and I couldn't crawl out, and everybody's lying around laughing. Then I had to drag it back home and nobody would help me. I was really pissed off. Dragging this thing back like it was a bloody cross or something.

Skeleton Seven

JARVIS: I used to have loads of rubbish hobbies. I had collecting badges - nice big ones.

DEADLINE: What sort?

JARVIS: Oh, anything - double glazing... Even me Mother was always trying to get me to write to Swap Shop to be on it. She even knitted me a jumper and said, "You can put all your badges on that", Which I thought was sad. She asks me if I've still got it.

Skeleton Eight

JARVIS: We did our first ever concert at school. We decided we wanted to have dry ice, so we had a word with the chemistry teacher about it and he said, "Oh yeah, yeah, I'll sort you something out". We played this concert on the school stage and there was the chemistry teacher with two swotty kids, and he had a bunsen burner. And he kept getting a bit of magnesium ribbon and it'd just go 'pff'. And that was supposed to be pyrotechnics. It was like a little chemistry lesson at the side of the stage. A bit of green smoke that only went a couple of inches. Very tragic.

Actually Pulp are very cool

 Alvin Stardust (During his Shane Fenton period) slept on Jarvis' parents' floor.

 It's rumoured that Joe Cocker fitted Jarvis' parents' gas fire.

 One of Mike Harding's guitar strings hangs around a statue at Jarvis' parents house.

 Nick has met Ken Goodwin (All: Who?)

 Tony Christie used to live around the corner from Jarvis.

 Emlyn Hughes (allegedly) used to shag a woman who lived at the bottom of Jarvis' road. "It got to be known that he was doing it, so the kids used to gather around on a Sunday Morning and shout up at the bedroom window."

 Pulp are "deep personal friends" of Paul King.

 Jarvis has "done a fart next to Mike Edwards" of Jesus Jones. "It was this party in a pub. There were only two urinals; he went to use one, I went to use the other one. And you know when you do an involuntary fart when you're having a pee? There was nobody else to blame it on, and I wasn't finished, so I had to stand there looking embarrassed."

 Nick has drunk from the League Cup.

 Jarvis has Dixon of Dock Green's and Brian Clough's autographs.

 Nick: "Tommy Cooper once brushed past me"

 It's all getting a bit tenuous now, isn't it?

The Plug

Pulp have a sense of humour. Lots of other bands don't. The only reason they might gaze at their shoes onstage is to check that they've put their shoes on. Pulp could easily be the hippest band of this year, if only they could sort out their contractual wrangles and if only people would have heard of them. To say Pulp are refreshing live is like saying that Martin Amis is quite pretentious. They are a Bounty Ice Cream on a very hot day. Buy their new-ish "O.U." EP this instant, otherwise people will point at you and laugh.

Transcription: Acrylic Afternoons

#russell senior #jarvis cocker #steve mackey #nick banks #candida doyle #pulp #90s #almost britpop #printed interview #interview

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rainydaymiddleearthimagines · 2 years

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Destiny Calling: Chapter Eleven

Gandalf was once again guiding you all, riding on horseback through the forest. War survivors of Helm Deep rode with you, talking amongst themselves. You shared the horse with Aragorn, sitting behind him. "I wish we didn't have to ride so much." you muttered. "You're only saying that because your horse threw you when you came to Edoras." Legolas said. "Keep it up and I'll throw you." you huffed, earning a chuckle from Aragorn. "So you all thought Merry and Pippin were dead?" You asked, after being explained the story. "Aragorn kicked a helmet at least forty feet." Gimli said. "He did?" You asked, looking over at him. "I was in distress." he admitted. "So you kicked a helmet?" You asked. "Might I add that you do not think logically when in distress?" Aragorn reasoned. You felt more tired as you approached to wherever Gandalf was taking you. Which was odd. This wasn't quite near Mordor, near corruption to make you tired... So why were you feeling this way now?

You heard laughing, looking forward to see your friends sitting on a broken wall smoking from a pipe. "It’s good. Definitely from the Shire. Longbottom Leaf." Merry said. Pippin nodded. "I feel like I’m back at the Green Dragon." Pippin said. "Green Dragon." Merry said, reminiscing of his times in the Shire that seemed so long ago. "A mug of ale in my hand. Putting my feet up on a settle after a hard day’s work." Pippin said. "Only, you’ve never done a hard day’s work." Merry teased, laughter coming from both of them.

Merry smiled at you all. "Welcome, my lord, to Isengard!" Merry greeted. "You young rascals! A merry hunt you’ve led us on, and now we find you, feasting and… smoking!" Gimli huffed. "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good." Pippin said triumphantly. "Salted pork?" Gimli asked. Gandalf shook his head disapprovingly. "Hobbits." Gandalf sighed. "We’re under orders, from Treebeard, who’s taken over management of Isengard." Merry said.

Pippin finally looked at you. "...I thought you left with Frodo?" He said confused. "I did. I was forced to turn back." you admitted. "Any reason as to why?" Merry asked, recalling that determination he witnessed to keep Frodo safe. "The corruption of the lands was killing her." Gandalf said. You nodded, sweat beading on your brow due to the exact problem that Gandalf was speaking of. "Let's talk to Treebeard shall we?" you said, ignoring the odd exhaustion that was hitting you. Gandalf nodded, though he kept an eye on you.

You rode near Orthanc, Treebeard greeting them. "Young Master Gandalf. I’m glad you’ve come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a Wizard to manage here, locked in his tower." Treebeard said. "Show yourself." Aragorn whispered. You tapped Aragorn's shoulder. "Water. Please." you muttered. He reached for his pack. "no...Mine." you muttered. He rose a brow, lifting your water canteen. It was full of water from a fountain in Rivendell.

Something to know about the water in the elven cities is that it is one of the purest things anyone can drink. How that is so is uncertain, but even your father knew that. Elrond insisted you take it with you in case something like this began to happen. You brought it to your lips, drinking it. It was cold, but revivifying as you closed it. "Thank you." you said, him noticing the sweat on your brow.

"Be careful. Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous." Gandalf said, cutting Aragorn's attention away from you. "Well, let’s just have his head and be done with it." Gimli said. "No. We need him alive. We need him to talk." Gandalf halted. Éomer looked over, saying nothing to Gandalf about this. "You have fought many wars and slain many men, Théoden King." Saruman revealed himself on top of the tower. "And made peace afterwards. Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?" Saruman asked, Théoden coming forward. "We shall have peace. We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace." Théoden said with anger.

"Gibbets and crows? Dotard! What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess. The key of Orthanc. Or perhaps the Keys of Barad-dur itself along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!" Saruman spat. "Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are at risk. But you can save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy’s counsel." Gandalf said. "So you have come here for information. I have some for you." Saruman sighed. He lifted a dark orb, looking into it. "Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You’re all going to die." Saruman said. You frowned.

Gandalf approached the base of Orthanc. "But you know this, don’t you, Gandalf? You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king. Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death." Saruman said. "I’ve heard enough!" Gimli muttered. "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob." Gimli encouraged. You wanted the same fate for Saruman at the moment. "No. Come down, Saruman, and your life will be spared." Gandalf said. "Save your pity and your mercy. I have no use for it!" Saruman yelled. Saruman sent a fireball down, attempting to harm Gandalf but failing. "Saruman, your staff is broken." Gandalf said, frowning at the foe that was once his friend.

Saruman's staff broke, many pieces flying from the sudden bust. Grima appeared next to the wizard. "Grima, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a Man of Rohan. Come down." Theoden said. "A Man of Rohan? What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs? The victory at Helm’s Deep does not belong to you, Théoden Horse-master. You are a lesser son of greater sires." Saruman said. "Grima, come down. Be free of him." Théoden encouraged. "Free? He will never be free." Saruman spat. "No." Grima said, his voice small as he spoke. "Get down, cur!" Saruman yelled, smacking Grima over. "Saruman! You were deep in the enemy’s counsel. Tell us what you know!" Gandalf interrogated. Grima drew a dagger, looking to the wizard before him in anger. "You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here." Saruman yelled.

Grima jumped forward, stabbing Saruman before Legolas fired an arrow, killing Grima. Saruman's body fell from the tower, impaling itself onto one of his own mechanisms. You grimaced, looking away from the gruesome sight. "Send word to all our allies, and to every corner of Middle-Earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike." Gandalf declared. The spiked wheel turned, Saruman's body falling into the waters. His orb fell from his robes into the water. "The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees." Treebeard said, you smiling at this. "May their young voices fill your forest soon." You said. Treebeard seemed to appreciate hearing this and smiled at you.

Pippin walked through the water, picking up the orb. "Pippin!" Aragorn called. "Bless my bark!" Treebeard gaped. "Peregrin Took! I’ll take that, my lad. Quickly now." Gandalf said. He wrapped the orb in his cloak, the riders finally returning to Edoras.

You held your lover close, both hands hugging him from behind. You were thankful that he had lived through the Battle at Helm's Deep, remembering your fallen friend who was not so lucky. Your men had returned home, bidding you farewell and encouraging you to reach out to nature if you needed them again. You felt strangely okay, being away from home for so long. Perhaps many comments of the road being your home was true. Or maybe you were holding onto what felt like home right now. Aragorn's hand held yours as you rode in silence. No words were needed to voice how thankful you both were for the other's presence.

As you arrived in Edoras, Éowyn stood in the hall, a large crowd behind her. She was holding a cup, bowing to Théoden before handing it to him. "Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!" Théoden said. "Hail!" The crowd yelled back.

You walked but Éowyn halted you. "Mind if I steal her for a moment?" Éowyn asked. Aragorn pressed a kiss to your head before you went off with Éowyn. "What did you need?" You asked. "It is not what I need Lady Y/n, it is what you need." She said with a chuckle. You followed her to a room, her telling you to sit on a bed while she dug through a wardrobe. "Which one?" She asked, holding up to dresses. You grimaced. "Can't I stay in my armor?" You asked. "Your armor needs repairing and is covered in Orc's blood. Come now, they aren't that bad!" She said. You had to admit, the dresses Éowyn were presenting to you were simpler than the ones Arwen made you wear. You sighed, pointing to the green one. She smiled and set it down. "Need help with your armor?" She asked. "If you do not mind." you nodded.

She assisted you in the removal of the major pieces, stopping at the sight of Aragorn's ring around your neck. "What is this?" She asked, knowing damn well what the artifact was. "It is Aragorn's. We parted a few months back... He wanted me to wear it as a reminder that someone was fighting for me outside of where I was going." you explained. She nodded slowly. You removed your clothes. You turned your back to her, her seeing the scars. "You have many scars." She noticed. "I've had many journeys." You said, Éowyn assisting you with the dress. You sighed, brushing it out. "You look lovely!" She said with a smile. You chuckled. "You would get along with my sister." You said. "You have a sister?" She asked as she sat you back down. "And two brothers." you nodded. "Uhm... Lady Éowyn, might I ask what you're doing?" you asked. "Just because you charge with men does not mean you have to share the looks of one." Éowyn said, brushing out your hair.

You didn't mind this. It was like a more zen version of Arwen who was usually encouraging to things like this to an absurd degree. "What is life like in... Uhm-" "Rivendell?" you asked. She nodded, taking hair from each side of your head in the front. "It's peaceful. Very calm. Serene." You said. "Sounds like it wasn't the life for you." Éowyn noticed by your tone as she braided your hair. "It really wasn't.." You agreed. "But Aragorn?" She asked, a smile coming onto your lips. "You love that man, I can tell." She said. "Indeed I do Lady Éowyn, indeed I do." you laughed. She smiled as you stood up. "Now, you look beautiful." She said. "Come, let us show the men that we have them bested in one thing." You said. "And what's that?" She asked. "Basic decency." You said, earning a giggle from her as you both walked out.

Aragorn stood against a pillar, watching Legolas (attempt to) play a drinking game. "There you are! And Lady Y/n, you look beautiful!" Théoden said, you smiling at the clearly drunk king. Aragorn looked over, his eyes widening. You waved a small goodbye to Éowyn as you walked over to Aragorn. "What, pray tell, have I done to deserve to see you in such a beautiful manner?" Aragorn asked. "An hour. You get this for one hour." you said. You looked over at your friend.

"What’ll we drink to? Let’s drink to victory! To victory!" A man yelled. Gimli chugged his mug and Legolas carefully sipped it, making you smirk. "You can take the man out of a prince but you cannot take the prince out of a man." you said making Aragorn smile. "Any messages from Elrond?" Aragorn asked. You nodded. "I got one simple one from Haldir when we were on the wall, he said you'd know what it meant." you said. Aragorn rose a brow. "He said 'You do not require the claim any longer, you proved to him on skill alone.'" you recalled, watching the party around you. Aragorn swallowed hard.

This was referring to a conversation the man had with the elf. Elrond told Aragorn that if he was to wed you, he'd have to make a claim for the throne of Gondor. It was a way to "permanently" cut Aragorn off from attempting it again. Elrond assumed that he would never actually make a claim to Gondor, so hearing this made Aragorn surprised. Aragorn had proven to be reliable to you through skill alone, not by status.

"Here, here. It’s the Dwarves that go swimming with little, hairy women." Gimli said, belching right afterwards. You resisted a snort, looking at the dwarf. "Gimli will never change." you said, shaking your head before noticing Aragorn's gaze was locked onto you. "What?" You asked. "Nothing... You're just very beautiful tonight." Aragorn said to you. You chuckled. "Have I mentioned that I do enjoy seeing you have a nice time?" You asked. "Are you trying to get me drunk?" He asked, you laughing. "No, but I encourage you to have fun!" You said. He brushed the already loose strands of hair away from your face. "I am enjoying myself right where I am." He told you. Éowyn offered you a mug. "Only if you drink as well." You told her. She turned around lifting a mug off the table, handing another one to Aragorn. He took it, looking at the two women. "What do we cheer to?" You asked. "Hmm... May we live to see more days as bright as this one!" Éowyn said. You nodded, drinking the ale from the mug. Unlike Legolas you had actually drank ale before. Staying in inns where it was a common drink or occasionally, the only option.

"I feel something. A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it’s affecting me." Legolas said. "What did I say? He can’t hold his liquor." Gimli said before falling back into the floor. Ale almost shot from your nose as you laughed, men helping the poor drunk bastard up. "Game over." Legolas stated in his usually calm demeanor.

Soon Merry and Pippin joined the fun, dancing and singing on a table. "Oh you can search far and wide, You can drink the whole town dry, But you’ll never find a beer so brown, As the one we drink in our hometown." They sang, Gandalf now standing with you and Aragorn. "You can drink your fancy ales, You can drink ‘em by the flagon, But the only brew for the brave and true," Pippin looked over at Gandalf, wavering a little. "Pippin!" Merry said. Pippin looked over at his (clearly drunk) friend. "But the only brew for the brave and true, Comes from The Green Dragon!" They finished, chugging down the drinks as fast as they could. "Thank you! I win!" Merry said, making you chuckle.

You couldn't help but feel... guilty. Knowing that Sam and Frodo were in danger somewhere in the mountains while you all were drinking and dancing. "No news of Frodo?" You asked Gandalf. "No word. Nothing." Gandalf replied. "We have time. Every day, Frodo moves closer to Mordor." Aragorn said. "Do we know that?" Gandalf asked. "What does your heart tell you?" Aragorn asked. "That Frodo is alive. Yes. Yes, he’s alive." a small amount of relief fell over you before you gripped the column. Gandalf rose a brow and Aragorn put a soothing hand to your back.

"Corruption is spreading... Your life is in danger." Your father's voice warned. "How do I stop it?" you asked. "It is not something you can stop... It is up to the ring master to do so." He said. "Then how do I keep illness at bay?" you asked. "Water from the fountains of home" He said before you leaned up. "Y/n?" Aragorn asked. You swallowed, looking at him. "...I should get some air." You said, moving past both men. You stood outside, letting the air flow through you. The voices of nature seemed... Even louder than before.

Your father was right....

You were dying.

#aragorn imagine #aragorn #aragorn x reader

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hollowwhisperings · 7 months

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that awkward moment where you re-read a crack post only to find that you accidentally edited out the "crack" part.

i'm sorry hugo weaving: it's not your fault they used the character you played to make drama for "character growth". > _ <

additionally must i apologise to:

Fans of the Live-Action Adaptions, old and new, whose introductions to the Legendarium through said works has undoubtedly gifted us all with new friends to nerd out with.

Fans of the above who met the books first & nonetheless enjoyed the motion picture: adaptions allow us all to better analyze our own, personal readings of "canon" through new perspectives. The Legendarium's uses Adaption (in the form of "Translation" to ENG) as its Framing Device: contesting canonicity is Encouraged within the text itself (which paints itself as "unreliable").

Hugo Weaving, for acting the role as it was written for him (no matter my Opinions on Said Writing): apparently Aragorn & Arwen needed a Direct Antagonist to "grow" from.

the employees of Weta Workshop, who did incredibly meticulous work for Tolkien's Legendarium (& continue to do so).

Sir Christopher Lee, who fully conveyed the Might & Majesty of the Wizard Saruman and wielded fully his Greater Experience (with Tolkien's works, stabbing people & just ~generally~) for the bettterment of LOTR's production. The good Sir rests now in Valinor but is ever One Of Us.

Sir Ian McKellan, for his fearsome & canny portrayal of Middle-Earth's Most Persistent Busybody. He has ever been "Mellon" to Fans & Fandom.

Cate Blanchette, who embodied "Galadriel" in all her beautiful glory: she ascertained the power of the character, subtle and fearsome and ancient. Her Graceful Swooshing of The Big Swishy Sleeves prompted my younger self into gaining an interest in the films at all (& thus Those Books I Forgot I Had). If I ever successfully sit through all three films, I'd gladly argue for her place as an Honary "Great" of Chinese Fantasy Dramas (LOTR isn't xianxia but it certainly resembles it in some parts, at least with its Immortals).

Viggo Mortensen, whose castmates found in him a "Strider" worth following, and who has everafter provided the Tolkien Fandom with its very own Cryptid.

Kiran Shah, for whom we can thank wonders untold in the cinematic Legendarium, in his roles as Frodo and Stunt Actor for all four hobbits. Rightfully was he named "Lord of the Scale Doubles" by his castmates: his laurels are well deserved!

Shah's Fellow Doubles in the LOTR films¹, who have long shared in his obscurity: I have added Footnotes that name The IRL Fellowship in its entirety, as best I could ascertain (corrections welcomed!).

Sophia Nomvete, who suffered first and worst in the Racist Backlash against TROP (her image amongst the very first released in Amazon's Promotions): she is beautiful in the role, even in her beardlessness.

the remaining POC cast of TROP, in its first season & those upcoming: they trailblaze against everything set against them² and I collate them in hope that "Tokenism" become a thing of fable... but mostly because TROP has enough of Us in its cast them to make "namedropping" the work of a paragraph (to which i say: took you long enough, Hollywood).

Alex Tarrant & Kali Kopae: they, amongst others cast as "Numenoreans" in TROP, are the first Polynesian actors to star in Tolkien works with their own faces³. They carry with them the Weight of Legacies, fictional and truthful: may the writing do they & their characters justice.

every & anyone who sets the Legendarium to Song, its "truest" incarnation by a Watsonian's metric. yes, even those responsible for the whole "they're taking the hobbits to Isengard!" meme.

Footnotes below the cut: there I touch on Prejudice & Politick, as found throughout Tolkien works: Racism is the primary focus (Anti-Semitism is tied-therein, made "implicit" because This Is Tolkien afterall) though I make reference also to Ableism.

¹The IRL Fellowship of the Ring: Doubles & All

Frodo Baggins was played not only by Elijah Wood but by Kiran Shah, who doubly served as "Size" & "Stunt" Double for Wood.

Sam was played by Sean Astin (principal), Bhoja ‘BK’ Kannada (size) & Kiran Shah (stunts).

Merry by Dominic Monaghan (principal), Martin Lenisson Gray (size) & Kiran Shah (stunts).

Pippin by Billy Boyd (principal), Praphaphorn ‘Fon’ Chansantor (size) & Kiran Shah (stunts).

(Yes, Kiran Shah was apparently the stuntsman for all of the hobbits: finding this out required my reading of More Recent Journalism, as Wikis only credit their principal actors & size doubles in the roles, with Shah's stuntwork credited only generically in-film & in wikis)

Gimli was primarily played by Brett Beattie but, despite Some Effort from his colleagues to confer co-crediting, only John Rhys-Davies was named in main billing ("movie politics", apparently). Beattie was initially cast for stunt & scaling work, but soon became a full-time "stand-in" for much of principal photography (Davies was Infamously Allergic to the Gimli Prosthetics, which restricted how long he could work).

An Aside: I remain personally ??? at why the production bothered to cast anyone, only to give them a full-face of prosthetics. The prosthetic wig & facial hair? Yes: modern beauty standards made it unlikely that a "fully haired" actor would be found for the role. The prosthetic nose, forehead & [whatever else] too? Those served no narrative purpose save, perhaps, an idea that "dwarves should look Old and [conventionally] Unattractive". This is my conclusion upon recalling the general "effect" of Gimli's changed characterization in the films & PJ's Pointed Rejection of casting "little people" in principal roles to begin with.

Legolas was played by Orlando Bloom (principal), Paul Randall (size) & Morgan Evans (stunts). Though Evans was only credited as Legolas in Fellowship, given that the entire trilogy was shot together, it can be Assumed that Evans retained the role as theirs is the only name that came up.

Aragorn was played by Viggo Mortensen (principal), Paul Randall (size) & Kirk Maxwell (stunts).

Gandalf was played by Sir Ian McKellen (principal), Paul Randall (size) & Basil Chapham (stunts). Chapham was credited as a "riding double" (or otherwise under "stunts"). A photo exists of all three Gandalfs in costume together: it's adorable.

Boromir was played by Sean Bean (principal), Paul Randall (size) & Lance Louez (stunts).

Paul Randall did indeed play as Legolas, Aragorn, Gandalf AND Boromir. Though I could only found him specifically credited as Legolas, interviews & cast photos do indeed name him as a "Stand-In" for all four roles. At 7"1, Randall could be used to scale "Big Folk" into scenes with the principal hobbit actors.

²Hollywood Racism in Fantasy Film Casting: Watch This Space?

We all Cringed at the blatant yellow & brownface of the Live-Action "Avatar the Last Airbender" film. The author of the Wizard of Earthsea series has long battled for its primary protagonist, Ged, to look like himself on book covers: he came to adaptions "pre-whitewashed" (to the great frustration of his creator, writer Ursula K. Leguin).

While there is no Public Ado About TROP from its BIPOC cast, save their grace in the face of Racist Backlash, Amazon's making the series at all was inspired by the success of HBO's Game of Thrones. The nature of Streamed Media is something currently protested: actors & writers own nothing they make, can say nothing of their work nor on its reception, and this has yet to Change for the begger.

Those Aware of how GoT handled its canonically POC characters (the Dornish, the peoples of Essos & the Summer Islands) are likely Aware of its Incredulous Killing-Off of the only black woman in its primary cast (Missandei, adapted to screen as an adult woman). Missandei's actor, Nathalie Emmanuelle, has been Very Diplomatic in interviews on her experiences while filming & later watching the show.

Additional instances of how racism has affected more recent Big Budget Fantasy Productions, "internally" (through casting & writing choices) and "externally" (racist backlash against adaptions & actors) can be found in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (Disney) and the televisation of Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" (Freemantle). Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico, SW) & John Boyega (Finn, SW) have spoken on their respective experiences with both (both went on to work on other Disney projects but Disney is its own Balrog) , while Orlando Jones has spoken of the racial discrimination within the production of American Gods.

The ongoing Writer's Strike is Informative on the limits of speech imposed on those working on Streamed Media such as TROP, writers & actors both. While TROP's 2nd season had already "wrapped" prior to the Strike, its production team & cast are still very much affected it: their speech is policed, by contractual obligations & self-preservation. Many of TROP's cast is "fresh": they do not have the clout to break convention, especially those acting as "trailblazing minorities" & whose continued employment is more vulnerable for it.

³The (Accidental) Diversity of the LOTR film trilogy & its (Deliberate) Othering of its BIPOC

PJ's films are sometimes joked as being (very long) tourism ads for New Zealand: the islands had been "cast" as Middle-Earth, something retained in pop culture ever since.

To fill out the wide landscapes of Middle-Earth required more cast than Hollywood could affordably export: thusly was casting opened to the local populace. This is how PJ's LOTR films' were made Accidentally Diverse.

Much of the Cavalry in the LOTR films (all those extras on horseback) were IRL Eowyns: the majority of the locals with the horsemanship the production required turned our to be female. Given that entirety of Eowyn's Plotline requires gender-exclusion in Rohan's armies? All those female riders in the background were "disguised" with beards.

Lesser known (certainly less publicised) is the quickness of the LOTR production in deciding which local New Zealanders would be cast & in what roles: a myth of whiteness in "New Zealand as Middle-Earth" was actively chosen at every opportunity.

Tolkien's Imperialist Guilt kicked in, eventually, for his depicting the Enthralled Armies of Sauron as... IRL peoples traditionally colonized (in many cases enslaved) by European Powers. He'd accidentally-on-purpose written "reverse racisn" into Middle-Earth. He'd also depicted & decribed orcs with much of the dehumanizing rhetoric used against peoples of African. This prompted both White & Catholic Guilt in his personal writings (...that never made it into printings of the Legendarium).

Decades later, when filming a big budget live-action adaption to Tolkien's Legendarium, the Production (Peter Jackson definitely included) decided that all their visually BIPOC extras should be cast exclusively as... Orcs and Foreign Invaders of Middle-Earth. Y'know: the very same Enthralled Armies of Sauron that had so troubled the Professor (very belatedly) for the Blatant Racism of it all.

Amongst those Visually BIPOC persons cast as Foreign Invaders? Just about everyone who was Maōri: Maōri, the very people native to "Middle-Earth", and a country that was very much colonized by European Powers (there were also some Attempted Conquest, though "there were no New Zealand Wars" was still the "historical canon" taught during LOTR's filming: mayhaps that explains how the Irony went unrealised).

I will note that it's been twenty-ish years & several more films yet we're still waiting on PJ to have his Belated "Crisis Of Conscience" RE: Racism. TROP, at least, cast its Maōri actors as Proper Numenorean Conquerors so... progress?

#tolkien meta #hollow whispers #i began this in earnest penitence to fellow fans bc i know the films are deservedly beloved #but then i went looking for the IRL fellowship & half of them were uncredited??#that half was somehow the disabled &/or POC half #i've tried to Hide The Dreaded Politick under the cut #cw ableism #cw racism #cw antisemitism

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stevesociety48 · 11 months

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Watch "The Lord of the Rings - Welcome my Lords to Isengard (HD)" on YouTube

youtube

#Youtube

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bisexualbumblebee-writes · 1 year

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Return Part 1- Merry Brandybuck x OC

Merry Brandybuck x Brooke Bilberry

Description: After a long battle at Helm’s Deep, Gandalf leads the Fellowship as well as King Theoden to Isengard to interrogate Saruman, and Brooke has an unexpected reunion with three hobbits she hadn’t seen since Boromir was killed.

Word Count: 1.7k

Brooke stayed silent as she sat on the back of Legolas’ horse. The battle at Helm’s Deep had been victorious, but now that that danger was out of the way, all she could worry about was Merry, Pippin and Camelia. She hadn’t seen them since Frodo and Sam broke away from the Fellowship and Boromir died. Even before Helm’s Deep, all she could think about was the lost trio. She had no idea what could have happened to them. They could be dead for all she knew, but she shouldn’t think like that.

“Brooke, are you okay?” A slight nudge against her leg and Alphine’s soft voice broke the hobbit out of her thoughts, and she looked at her. The witch stared at her concerned, and she noticed Legolas glance back with the same look on his face. She offered them a reassuring smile as she nodded.

“Just lost in thought, I suppose,” she answered in the same tone. Alphine shot her a knowing smile then patted her shoulder.

“We’ll find them soon.” Brooke didn’t have to ask to know who she was talking about, and she offered her friend a simple nod then faced forward again as They emerged from the woods to see the remains of the rest of the burnt forests near Isengard. Just faintly, she could hear Lalia gasp in horror, gripping Issa’s arm tightly. The woman offered her a few quiet and comforting words before all their ears perked up as distant laughter was heard. Brooke shared a confused look with several of the Fellowship before Gandalf led the group to the direction of the laughter.

Just minutes later they came upon a small hill. Brooke peeked her head out from behind the elf in front of her to see three very familiar faces. Her eyes widened as she realized that it was the trio she had been missing so dearly. Pippin, Camelia and Merry! The former laughed at the sight of their friends and saluted them with his mug while Merry stood.

“Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!” Brooke couldn’t contain her excitement about seeing her beloved alive and okay.

“Merry!” She exclaimed happily, sliding off the horse with Legolas’ help. Merry, who hadn’t noticed her before, dropped his facade and smiled even wider.

“Brooke!” He hopped onto the ground as she ran over to him then hugged her as tightly as he could manage, even going as far as spinning her which made her giggle ecstatically.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Brooke muttered, hiding her face in the crook of his neck and earning a chuckle from him.

“You too.”

“You young rascals,” Gimli exclaimed, which pulled their attention away. “A merry hunt you’ve led us on and now we find you feasting and…and smoking!”

“Hey,” Pippin slurred, sounding offended. “We are sitting on a field of victory enjoying a few well earned comforts.”

“The salted pork is particularly good,” Camelia added between bites. Gimli repeated the food, sounding tempted.

“Field of victory?” Brooke reiterated, looking at Merry confusedly. The hobbit nodded then pressed a kiss to her nose, not being able to help himself.

“We’re now under orders from Treebeards, who’s taken over management of Isengard,” he explained, looking at Lalia when she gasped.

“Treebeard is here?” She asked eagerly. The trio of hobbits nodded.

“Want to see him?” Pippin asked, receiving a nod from Gandalf.

“We have some business with him, get on a horse and we will go.” Merry refused to let go of Brooke’s hand as they walked over to the others. Alphine was kind enough to scoot forward a bit more so both Merry and Brooke could fit on the horse with her. Pippin climbed onto Aragorn’s horse Brego while Camelia got onto Legolas’ horse Arod and without further ado, they were off. Within a few more minutes they came upon Treebeards, who stood in front of Saruman’s tower and greeted them with kindness.

“Young master Gandalf,” he started shortly before noticing Lalia behind Issa, and bowing respectfully to her. “And Miss Lalia, it has been a long time since our paths have crossed. A few thousand years?”

“Almost two thousand, if my mind does not fail me,” Lalia responded with a fond smile. “And there is no need for such formalities, Treebeard. You have always been, and will always be my equal.”

“Two thousand years?” Merry whispered to Brooke. “Man, I have been so wrong about her age for so long.” The girl had to contain a giggle as the Ent stood up once more.

“I’m glad you’ve come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there is a Wizard to manage here locked in his tower.” Aragorn nodded and looked up at the tower, demanding Saruman to show himself.

“Be careful,” Gandalf warned. “Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous.” Gimli ordered that they just had the wizard’s head and be done with it, but Gandalf refused.

“No, we need him alive. We need him to talk.” Brooke didn’t truly understand why they had come for Saruman since he had been consumed by evil, so she elected to stay quiet and lean back against Merry. His arms wrapped around her tighter as they listened to the exchange between Gandalf and Saruman. The latter attempted to go for King Theoden with his words, asking whether they could not have peace anymore. The King refuted, saying that they would have peace when he answered for the lives lost and the kingdoms that have fallen because of him. Saruman grew angry at that, but Gandalf cut in.

“Your treachery has already cost many lives,” he called. “Thousands more are now at risk. But you could save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy’s council.” The other wizard raised an eyebrow at him.

“So you have come for information. I have some for you,” he started, lifting a palantir and looking into it. “Something festers in the heart of Middle Earth, something that you have failed to see. But the great eye has seen it! Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You’re all going to die! But you know this, don’t you Gandalf? You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned King.” Issa’s gaze hardened, but Aragorn took her hand in his as he stared up at Saruman. The wizard didn’t look bothered about it.

“Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those who are closest to him, those he professes to love! Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path you have set him on can only lead to death.” Brooke glanced back at Merry nervously, but he could only offer her half of a reassuring look.

“I’ve heard enough!” Gimli interrupted. “Shoot him! Stick an arrow in his gob!” Legolas seemed to consider doing so, but Gandalf stopped him.

“Come down Saruman and your life will be spared!” Saruman refused, and all the hobbits gasped as he directed a fire bolt at Gandalf, though he survived looking unphased as he said that Saruman’s staff was broken. Brooke’s eyes widened as the wizard’s staff suddenly burst, then a man she recognized as Grima Wormtongue (which she had the displeasure of meeting when the Fellowship first entered Rohan) appeared from behind him.

Theoden attempted to get Grima down, to come back to the light of their side, but Saruman simply mocked him instead of letting him answer. Grima, meanwhile, looked as if he were considering it. That’s what made the King ignore Saruman as he begged his old friend to come down and be free of Saruman’s (and Sauron’s) grip. The wizard interrupted yet again, saying that Grima would never be free. When Grima attempted to protest, Saruman turned around and slapped him to the ground, which made Brooke cover a gasp with her hands.

“Get down, cur!” He yelled.

“Saruman!” Gandalf called. “You were deep in the enemy’s counsel. Tell us what you know.” The wizards turned to face him with a fire in his eyes.

“You will withdraw your guard and I will tell you where your doom will be decided,” he responded. “I will not be held prisoner here!” No one had time to answer before Grima suddenly appeared behind him again, but this time he attacked.

He managed to stab Saruman twice in the back before Legolas shot an arrow at him, shooting him in the heart. While Grima fell backwards, the wizard could only fall forward off the tower. Brooke could only watch in horror as he fell, but Merry quickly hid her face shortly before Saruman was impaled on a water wheel right in front of the tower. The girl couldn’t hold back a gasp at the sickening squelch that accompanied it, which prompted Merry to hold her tighter. Gandalf’s voice was grave as he instructed Theoden to send word to all their allies and every corner of Middle Earth that still stood free, saying that they needed to know where Sauron would strike next. Merry finally let Brooke go and she looked to Saruman just before the wheel began turning, dipping the wizard in the water below. The palantir he previously held fell into the water.

“The filth of Saruman is washing away,” Treebeard started softly. “Trees will come back to love here. Young trees, wild trees.” Brooke could practically feel Lalia’s elation about that, but said nothing as Pippin suddenly dismounted Brego and waded through the water as Aragorn called his name. Everyone watched as he gingerly picked up the fallen palantir and stared into it for a moment before Gandalf called his attention.

“Peregrin Took,” he said, which made the young hobbit’s gaze snap to him. “I’ll take that my lad. Quickly now!” Pippin did as he was told, and he watched sheepishly as the wizard wrapped it up before turning away.

“Whatever Saruman had planned will be put to a halt momentarily, which gives us some time,” he explained.

“What does that mean for us?” Brooke questioned, crossing her arms. The wizard offered her a small smile as Merry wrapped his arms around her once more.

“It means we can allow ourselves a moment of reprieve, at least for the night.”

“And that calls for a celebration!” Theoden added jovially, earning a grin from several of those around them. Gandalf allowed himself a small chuckle then nodded.

“Back to Edoras!”

#lord of the rings #lotr #lotr imagine #merry brandybuck #merry brandybuck imagine #merry brandybuck x oc

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elvish-sky · 3 years

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Some Main Musical Themes of the Lord of the Rings & an Explanation of Leitmotifs

Welcome to part 1 of who knows how many analyzing the Lord of the Rings soundtracks (I’ll get to The Hobbit eventually)! This isn’t exactly an analysis, more like me talking about cool things in each piece. Before I get started, I want to make it very clear that this is in no way complete or comprehensive, there are so many themes central to the movies, and I am in no way an expert. I’ll continue posting more analyses, this is just what I could fit in the first one!

So, I feel like to understand a decent amount of what I’m going to talk about here, you have to understand what a leitmotif is. It is defined as “a recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation.” So basically any recurring few notes or bit of music in cinema is a leitmotif. (The Flight of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner is a famous example).

Howard Shore did a ridiculously complicated and incredible job creating leitmotifs for The Lord of the Rings, and I’m pretty sure there’s around 100 different ones (not counting the Hobbit films). The really cool thing that he did was not only create themes for characters, but also for places, cultures, and ideas! Here I’ll be talking about some of the main themes of the music in the movies.

The Main Themes of The Lord of the Rings, of which there are many so please don’t be mad if I forget some. There will be more parts to this soundtrack-analyzing series!

The History of the Ring. You probably know this as one of the three main-ish themes for the movies. It’s one of my favorites especially because of the way it’s weaved into other pieces. For example, if you listen to Gollum’s ‘music’ you can hear a distortion of the ring theme, symbolizing the effect the One Ring had on Gollum.

The Fellowship Theme. If you don’t know this one already then you’re quite possibly dead to me. This one is sooo cool because it starts off with that ‘bum, bum, ba da dum” which is known as the “there and back again” motif because it starts at one note, goes down, and then returns to the original. After that, you hear those nine epic notes. “Nine notes?” you ask me. “That seems familiar.” That’s because it is! Shore intentionally used nine notes to symbolize the nine members of the Fellowship! Another fun (or slightly depressing fact) is that after Boromir’s death we do not hear the full theme again until the Battle at the Black Gate, showing how the Fellowship broke.

The Shire Theme. The Shire theme has many different settings and themes, but is one of the most recognizable pieces of music in the series. It’s heard at the beginning of the piece Concerning Hobbits, in that lovely flutey sound, the hymn setting. This is restated in many different ways throughout the movies and is also used often to represent nostalgia. You also hear a little restatement of the ‘There and Back Again’ motif! Also, this is sometimes known as Frodo’s theme as well.

Lothlorien. This appears in the prologue for the first time when Galadriel is telling the story of the One Ring. It is ethereal and lovely and peaceful. Another very cool thing that Shore does through the movies is introduced here- whenever we hear a chorus/human voices in the music, they are singing in one of Tolkien’s languages. Here, obviously, they’d be singing in Elvish. When the Fellowship enters Khazad-Dûm, we hear men singing in dwarvish. This is also a very cool thing because it was a conscious decision between Shore and the filmmakers, especially Peter Jackson, as what is being sung is often lines/descriptions from the books that didn’t make it into the dialogue of the movie. It also includes lots of the songs that Tolkien had written in the books. This strategy gave the filmmakers an opportunity to really include everything of Tolkien’s they could, really making them his movies, and is one of the key reasons why the Lord of the Rings films are so good.

Isengard Theme. So epic. So evil. So awesome. The beginning is rather like the “there and back again” theme once more, which not only is super cool because duh, but also helps signify both Gandalf and Saruman’s leadership for each group.

The Realm of Gondor is a theme that is most often used to represent Aragorn and his heritage. It also ties a lot of Faramir’s memories to Boromir. We barely hear it in the first two movies, but it becomes the principal theme of Return of the King and plays in some of the most epic scenes, like when we see Gandalf riding up to Minas Tirith.

Moria. So again, the singing heard in this piece is in Khuzdul with some lines lifted verbatim from the books, which I think is super cool and really adds something to the atmosphere! The singing is only faint, hinting at the danger, until the Balrog is there and then it is aggressive. It is overall very dark, foreboding music, which I love!

Again- I am not an expert on music or composition or any of this- just a teenager who wants to share some knowledge!

That’s all for now, because I promised this like a month ago and here we are a month later and I really just need to post it. But there will be a part 2 that will go into a whole lot more detail at some point in time, never fear!

and i’d love to hear all your thoughts on this!

i’m tagging everyone who said they were interested! @gossip-girl-of-middle-earth @wishingtobeinadifferentuniverse @beenovel @themerriweathermage @the-reformed-ringwraith @anironnn @eru-vande @kumqu4t @cfjqueen @godblessthecactusess @starryeyedrogue @morrigan-of-beleriand @gremlinfaemess @fridaywormteeth @redfurrycat

#lord of the rings #the hobbit #jrr tolkien #music #lord of the rings soundtrack #lotr soundtrack #soundtrack #movie #movie soundtrack #soundtrack analysis

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trashy-goblin · 3 years

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type: one-shot

title: The Four Joys of a Bee 04. The Joy of Four - Fun

fandom: the Lord of the Rings

summary: As Rohan celebrates victory, Teremir, Merry and Pippin join their singing and dancing. Aragorn finds himself singing, for the sake of the night.

characters: teremir (oc); aragorn; pippin; merry; eowyn; eomer;

pairings: aragorn/teremir; eowyn/merry (implied?);

masterlist

a/n: i'm not even going to apologize for being so long, nor for not being a good as the first part, because just the amount of serotonin it gives me to picture aragorn sing "queen bee" is makes up for it. this was supposed to be the last one but i came up with a epilogue and some bonus.

wordcount: 4051 (2234 + 1817 bonus)

The remaining members of the fellowship were now reunited and enjoyed the good food and drink King Theoden offered them.

Aragorn left Gandalf’s side and walked through the crowd. Though he knew their mission was far from over, he felt glad to finally be given a night he could push death and conflict to the back of his mind. Between chasing and killing orcs, tracking hobbits, and battle under thunderstorm, few were the times he and his companions were able to eat and rest properly, let alone laugh together.

And so, as if a stone had fallen off his chest, Aragorn has shared with Teremir a rejoiced grin as she laughed freely when Merry and Pippin themselves welcomed them to Isengard. And laugher he heard again from her that night.

He had seen Teremir earlier that night, in a dress borrowed from Eowyn and her hair free – a sight the ranger only got to see in Rivendell. He had seen the happy grin she shared with the Lady of Rohan herself as they sang and danced together to a song common to Rohan and Gondor – a friendship which Aragorn predicted it would last to the end of times. And he was content with the sight, for it had been some time since he had looked into her eyes and saw such joy; but this time he heard her before he saw her.

The Hall was full of loud voices that hailed, sang, screamed, and laughed, but Aragorn’s heart only listened to Teremir’s laugh, which lead him to her.

The dunedain spotted her next to Eowyn, chuckling as she clapped to the two hobbit’s drinking song. They sang of their hometown’s pub, the Green Dragon, again(a request from the soldiers of Rohan), but her giggles did not subside, nevertheless.

“But the only brew for the brave and true…” they happily hopped on top of the wooden table, “Comes from the Green Dragon!”

They clinked their cups and shoved their ale down their throats, Pippin almost falling back, much to Teremir’s amusement. Aragorn himself chuckled beside her as the hobbits bowed to the praise of the people of Rohan.

“Thank you!” said Merry, “Thank you, my lords!” then turning to Teremir and Eowyn, “My ladies…”

Eowyn giggled at his and Pippin’s bowing, and Teremir spoke with an amused smile.

“Formidable people the hobbits are!” a last giggle left her lips, “They’ll walk mountains, meadows, tunnels, and forests; Fight orcs, goblins, and trolls,” she looked at them in awe, “and they’ll still sing of happy things as if they never left home.”

Merry and Pippin drank to that.

“They are resilient people indeed” Aragorn agreed, and, for the sake of that night, he dared to add “They also have fierce people to learn from.”

Teremir turned to him, and Aragorn met her with the fondest of looks. She responded with an equally warm smile, but their conversation could be heard by the hobbits; and so, before Teremir could bow her head in a thank you, Pippin spoke.

“Indeed, we learned with you, my lady!” he exclaimed, “The best singer of them all!”

“Said you would make us great singers as well!” Merry complemented.

Eowyn chuckled once more, and Aragorn found himself smirking.

“You knew well how to sing before you met me, if your hobbit songs are anything to judge by!” Teremir giggled, “You’ve already proven to be the greatest singers of drinking songs!”

“We knew how to sing hobbit drinking songs, yes” said Pippin, “But now we know more than that! We can write and sing beyond of Shire affairs! And the first song we make shall be dedicated to you, Lady Teremir of Gondor.”

“I look forward to that, Master Pippin” Teremir told him.

With that, the two hobbits bowed once more but this time she gave them a curtesy as well.

“Lady Teremir of Gondor taught you how to sing beyond your lands,” Eowyn glanced at the woman beside his sister with a friendly smile, before turning once again to the hobbits “now let the Lady of Rohan teach you how to dance.”

The excited praise of the Rohirrim made Aragorn raise his eyebrows in surprise, but nevertheless amused.

“To dance!” both Merry and Pippin copied their enthusiasm.

They got down the wooden table as the people of Rohan discussed what song should they dance to, but both hobbits ignored said discussion. They drank the rest of their ale and put their mugs down before following Eowyn to the centre of the great hall, where the Rohirrim gathered. Aragorn walked behind them, curious to see the halflings dance with men and women.

Then, as they approached the hall's centre, a sudden realization fell upon the two cousins.

“With whom will we dance?” Merry turned to Eowyn with wide eyes.

“We will all dance together” she gestured to the group of people forming a circle, “But you can take me as your pair, and I will guide you through it.”

The lady gave him a smile, to which Merry responded with a wide grin and a nod, while Pippin raised his eyebrows slope outwards as he looked between them quite lost.

“What about me?” he left his mouth agape.

“Do not worry, Master Pippin” Teremir approached the hobbit with a smile, “I will learn this dance with you.”

Aragorn felt a wave of affection rise from his chest to his lips as he smirked, for Teremir’s kindness was reflected in Pippin’s own smile. The dunedain followed the woman and the halfling with his eyes as they joined the circle of four women, three men, and a hobbit, in the middle of the hall.

He saw her switch a cheerful nod with Eowyn as she told her what song they would dance to. After the Lady of Rohan explained the basic steps of the dance to the two hobbits and lady, Aragorn caught Teremir’s glance. He nodded with a smile, an appreciative way of wishing her to have fun.

She grinned at his manner before turning to Eowyn, for the musicians and dancers were counting to start. And so, both Ladies of Rohan and Gondor started to sing as the circle of people began to dance merrily to the right, hands in hands.

“Dame Durdan kept five servant maids To carry the milking pail, She also kept five labouring men To use the spade and flail.”

Although the circle never stopped moving, the dancing people let go of each other’s hands, for as their name was sang, they would dance to the centre of the circle and continue to dance to their respective place in one single flowy movement.

“‘Twas Eowyn and Beydis and Goldlith and Idis And Teremir to drag her tail. ‘Twas Merry and Eadric and Deor and Haleth And Pippin with his flail.”

As the Ladies sang each name, the line of dancing people created a visual effect that reminded Aragorn of when the Rohirrim circled him and his companions the first time they met – for it looked like two lines of knights in their pomp, circling an intruder.

Despite being the first time, they danced as the Rohirrim, Aragorn noticed both hobbits and lady were fast to learn and blended quite well with the people of Rohan. Though Eowyn was visibly a better dancer than her, Teremir’s movements flowed naturally, and her majesty was preserved. Merry was capable of leading the men in their own dance, much was his gift for Rohirric dances, while Pippin was happy to manage to follow their steps.

“Then Merry kissed Eowyn, and Eadric kissed Beydis, And Deor kissed Goldrith and Haleth kissed Idis, And Pippin with his flail, And Teremir she was a charming girl To carry the milking pail.”

As the pair of names was sang, the respective pair would dance their way to meet in the centre – the man kissing either the hand, cheek, or lips, depending on their relationship – to switch places in the circle.

Aragorn cracked a smile as Eowyn giggled through her singing when Merry kissed her hand after realizing he could not reach her cheek to kiss; and found himself chuckling when he saw Pippin hopping alone as he waited for Teremir to meet him in the centre of the dancing circle.

The hopping of the hobbit seemed nearly unconscious, for his feet jumped in an insecure rhythm but his cheers carried a loud confidence. However, once Teremir danced her way to him, Pippin’s confidence came to a momentary halt, for he wanted to make her twirl but wasn’t tall enough. Whether his mind was delayed due to the pints of ale that he drank or not, Teremir twirled on her own in a giggle, gladly solving the hobbit’s question. Aragorn found himself chuckling once again.

The circle then turned directions and continued to dance together. The dunedain sent her a smile once he caught her glance as she sang.

“Dame Durdan in the morn so soon She did begin to call To rouse her servants, maids and men She did begin to bawl.”

Aragorn’s eyes danced with Teremir’s grin, which the dunedain was happy to notice it never faltered, after so many weeks without even seeing it. He was glad to see her movements were sure, yet not stiff; her face was beaming, but not just because of the candle lights; her voice was loud, but joyful and strong once more.

“‘Twas Eowyn and Beydis and Goldlith and Idis And Teremir to drag her tail. ‘Twas Merry and Eadric and Deor and Haleth And Pippin with his flail.”

And so, Aragorn finally welcomed the buzzing feeling of his heart in his chest guiltlessly, for he felt like a bee that waited an entire winter for his favourite flower to bloom once again in spring, to taste the nectar of her genuine happiness.

The dunedain let the fondness he arbored in his chest grow through him, and soon it overwhelmed him. It made him feel at peace in such way, he didn’t notice his eyes close until the giggle in Teremir’s singing voice told him she had noticed.

“Then Merry kissed Eowyn, and Eadric kissed Beydis, And Deor kissed Goldrith and Haleth kissed Idis, And Pippin with his flail, And Teremir she was a charming girl To carry the milking pail.”

Aragorn laughed whole heartly as this time Merry tried to jump to kiss Eowyn’s cheek (and nearly made it) probably inspired by the pints of ale he drank; and laughed again, fondly, when he saw Teremir make Pippin twirl herself, since he couldn’t make her – she was having fun.

He found it amusing himself, how she balanced her naturally majestic presence and movements with fun. Her knowledge of songs was wide enough to sing a song from Rohan, as she learned a Rohirric dance with Lady Eowyn herself. At the same time, she knew to let Eowyn sing her as a charming girl to carry the milking pail, that dragged Dame Durdan’s tail, without throwing a tantrum.

But, more than that, Aragorn liked to see Teremir laugh with a hobbit as she made him twirl simply for fun, and he liked the sound of chuckling in her singing voice.

“’Twas on the morn of Valentine When birds begin to prate Dame Durdan and her maids and men They all together meet.”

The hailing of the people of Rohan echoed the voice of both Ladies of Rohan and Gondor through the hall – not only their pleasant harmony, but also their happy laughter. It seemed to Aragorn that fun was there to reign Rohan’s great hall, at least for that night.

“‘Twas Eowyn and Beydis and Goldlith and Idis And Teremir to drag her tail. ‘Twas Merry and Eadric and Deor and Haleth And Pippin with his flail.

Then Merry kissed Eowyn, and Eadric kissed Beydis, And Deor kissed Goldrith and Haleth kissed Idis, And Pippin with his flail,”

Like the Rohirrim, the dunedain half expected Merry to jump once again to Eowyn’s cheek, though his eyebrows rose in surprise when his lips actually collided with the corner of the lady’s smile.

Pippin almost missed his queue between his cheering for his cousin and best friend, although he found himself twirling on his own, in the centre of the dancing circle, much to the hall’s amusement – for this time there was another verse.

“Kissed Teremir, who dragged the tail”

The hobbit hopped awkwardly, as he gazed at Teremir with a mixture of hopeless confusion drunk admiration, as she came to him dancing.

A wave of affection copied Teremir’s dancing steps in Aragorn’s chest as she kindly extended a hand to Pippin, with intention to make him twirl again; yet much to their surprise, the halfling took the lady’s hand and kissed her.

“And she was a charming girl To carry the milking pail.”

Teremir laughed whole heartly in surprise as she twirled on her own, and was still laughing, much to Aragorn’s ear’s joy, when she returned to her place in the circle to close the dance.

The Rohirrim laughed as well. They cheered, rose their mugs, screamed, clapped, and Aragorn found himself clapping with them.

The fourth good joy that Aragorn had it was to hear Teremir laugh. It showed her intelligence in her maturity, and strength in her fun. It was a reminder that there were still good things to hope for, despite darkness of their days.

Bonus:

The people of Rohan continued to clap their hands and praise as both hobbits bowed, and woman gave curtsey. Both Merry and Pippin took turns in their bows to send thanks in every direction. Teremir glanced at Aragorn, who met her with an amused smile, as he bowed his head in an appreciating manner, to which she responded with a smirk and a deep breath.

Aragorn noticed all of the dancers were panting, the only difference between them being how heavy. Yet they were all beaming and giggled at the three foreigners, who breathed the heaviest.

“It seems you’ve already tired our guests” Eomer told his sister from beside Aragorn, although the dunedain didn’t hear him approach, “I’m not sure if they can take another dance in this state” he chuckled at the two hobbits.

Merry and Pippin’s eyebrows slopped slightly outwards as they took deep breaths alternatingly.

“Perhaps later” Merry smiled, he was less tired than his cousin, and so, more able to answer “Although, Rohan must have other songs, ones not meant for dancing?”

Aragorn couldn’t help but smirk at how the hobbit meant to hide his tiredness with curiosity. A smiled grew on Eowyn’s lips, whose cheeks looked almost as if sunburned, but it was her brother who answered Merry.

“Indeed, we do,” Eomer nodded, “but most of them are too long and too serious for such occasion as the one of tonight. Rohan’s celebration cannot do without two things, and those are drinking and dancing.”

“We’ve been singing Rohan the entire night,” Eowyn glanced at her brother “I’m sure our guests have songs of their own lands worth to share” then, she turned to the lady beside her with a kind grin, “Teremir, you’ve shown to know many of our songs, and yet you’ve barely sang any of Gondor.”

“Yes, do sing!” Pippin’s enthusiasm could be seen in his eyes.

Aragorn saw Teremir smile as she bowed her head slightly, with hope he would hear her sing again that night.

“I appreciate your words, but as much as I love to sing my country, I believe this night belongs to Rohan” then, as Teremir rose her head again, looking at Aragorn’s eyes, she added “And so, if Gondor is to be sung tonight, it shall be the king to sing.”

Although the dunedain could feel the pairs of curious eyes on him, he only observed Teremir’s. He didn’t need to break their eye contact to see a small smirk forming on her lips, he felt himself start to copy it until his gaze was pulled by Pippin’s voice.

“You know songs of Gondor?”

He nodded to the hobbit and saw a sparkle grow in his eyes before his gaze softly moved to Teremir, who looked into him. Despite the weight of curiosity she laid upon him, Aragorn saw the amused flicker in the corner of her lips before she spoke.

“You have yet to prove how well a ranger can sing” her voice then gained softness.

Aragorn’s lips curved a little, for he didn’t mind being put under such unexpected circumstance if it meant to see her grin once again. So much had passed since the last time he had seen it, the dunedain felt capable of playing any games Teremir would throw at him as long as he shared laughter with her – for if the hint of mischief in her eyes told him anything, it was a game what she had just started.

“Will you sing, Lord Aragorn?” he heard Eowyn ask.

He lingered on the hope he saw growing in Teremir’s gaze for a moment more, and so, for the sake of that blessed night, Aragorn let the wave of affection run through his chest to his mouth to answer for him.

“I am yet no king, my lady, so I won’t sing Gondor’s songs tonight” he spoke to Eowyn, though his eyes were unable to part from Teremir as he added, “But I’ll sing one I know.”

“A song of rangers?” she asked.

“A ranger’s song” he corrected, speaking with fondness, “One I hope to broaden your horizons” and upon letting her know he remembered the exact words she had used so many moths ago, the dunedain’s eyebrows rose in expectation when he continued, “Yet, I must ask you to dance with me as I sing.”

“Does this song have a specific dance?”

“Not at all. It is Rohan that cannot do without dancing.”

The ranger managed to hide only half a smirk, proud that he had made Teremir laugh loudest from their companions.

“I didn’t know rangers could dance” a chuckle could still be heard in the lady’s voice.

“Neither rangers nor kings are known for their dancing. Yet the latter will dance, and much more, for his queen.”

Aragorn took a moment to regard Teremir’s eyes widen with glow before she blinked softly.

“I thought you said you were no king.”

“Indeed, not yet, my lady,” the dunedain spoke tenderly, “though the devotion for the queen started long before the coronation.”

It was as he extended his hand to her that Aragorn grew once again aware of the lords of Rohan observing them, and the glances between the two hobbits. Though he had confidence on his words and actions, the dunedain couldn’t help how stiff his chest became, neither how loud his heart beat.

It was her who had started the gaming, and he made sure his first move was strong and without fear, for he was sure he would none would lose that night.

The moment Teremir took his hand felt longer that it actually was, but he maintained his serious default expression both has he waited and as they took positions for the dance. Both dunedain and lady stood facing each other and let go of their hand.

Aragorn then began to sing as he guided Teremir through the beginning of their dance.

“All is for my mistress all is for my maid Sweetness that I took for sweetness that she gave to me”

The ranger smiled at the familiar bee-like buzzing of his heart, as he glanced at Teremir between dancing steps.

“My queen bee.”

The two stood once again in front of each other, and whether it was an instinct to hold their hand or, their subconscious general knowledge of dancing, both dunedain and lady rose their left hand, leaning their palms together as they continued to dance around each other. Aragorn’s eyes never left Teremir as he sang.

“Though my heart has long been given to you Summer’s turn is night Swifts and swallows swoop and yearn for you With all that’s in the sky”

He then made her twirl to his words and giggle to his move.

“But blow the wind and come the rain and come my love again.”

A grin grew on his lips, earned from making her laugh.

“All is for my mistress all is for my maid Sweetness that I took for sweetness that she gave to me My queen bee.”

Aragorn found it funny that their dance looked exactly as he had imagined it would. Teremir would simply be, in natural majesty, her knowledge of dancing evident but not exuberant; while he would sway around her beauty, to a rhythm he knew to be right – like a bee flew around a flower.

“Autumn’s flourish fruit that falls for you Apples sweet as death All that falls has lived and died for you Gently come to rest But,”

This time, even the dunedain chuckled with the lady in her twirl.

“blow the wind and come the rain and come my love again.”

Both Merry and Pippin had joined his singing for the repeating line and the chorus.

“All is for my mistress all is for my maid Sweetness that I took for sweetness that she gave to me My queen bee.”

The dunedain’s expression grew softer the more he danced with Teremir, and the affection in her smile grew the more she heard Aragorn sing. There was elegance and softness in the movements of both – as expected from the lady, but much surprising from the ranger – and they switched flaming glances of fondness, and longing touches of hands, between turns, steps, and twirls.

“Winter’s kiss has some enthralled So they keep their fires bright But my breast is lit with flames to shun The dying of the light Oh,”

Aragorn made Teremir twirl, and his lips curved as he noticed she had closed her eyes to appreciate the moment.

“but blow the wind and come the rain and take my heart again.”

The two hobbits had sung the ranger once more, and so did Eowyn.

“All is for my mistress all is for my maid Sweetness that I look for sweetness that she gave to me”

Teremir let her hand linger on Aragorn’s for a few seconds before letting it slip so they stood in front of each other, much to the dunedain’s amusement.

“My queen bee.”

He intended to sing Teremir just as he loved her – simply, naturally, and greatly - and so, he couldn’t help but use Nature’s as a guide to express his love; For, he found himself recognizing his fondness for Teremir in the very Nature that he had walked as a ranger through his life for so many years. And he knew, should she need him, he would walk as many lands, for as many years for her.

“I’ll speak love’s truth with oak and ash for you Sing through April’s tears I will weave the body flowers of spring for you I will walk for years.”

Merry and Pippin sang, and so did many of the people of Rohan, making both dunedain and lady grin in her twirl.

“Oh, blow the wind and come the rain and come my heart again”

Yet Pippin’s enthusiasm shouted a loud “Yes!”. The hobbit continued to sing, the Rohirrim followed his lead, and so did Aragorn, and Teremir twirled in his arms once again, sharing a laugh with him.

“come the wind and come the rain and come my heart again”

The dunedain locked eyes with lady’s as he sang his last chorus.

“All is for my mistress all is for my maid Sweetness that I took for sweetness that she gave to me”

Aragorn’s heart buzzed with fondness at Teremir’s flourishing smile.

“My queen bee.”

The two stood before each other, neither caring to remember in which part of the dance they had gotten so close; yet they both gazed each other tenderly. Aragorn caught her glancing at his lips, a jolt of warmth passing through both their chest, and he though about kissing Teremir’s lips.

But the swarm of cheers around the pair woke them from their reverie, and as he looked impressed at the people of Rohan, Aragorn smiled, thankful for the joy of hearing Teremir laugh beside him, still holding his hands.

#lord of the rings fanfic #lotr fanfic #aragorn x reader #aragorn x oc

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charming-merlin · 3 years

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Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!

#the lord of the rings #aragorn #viggo mortensen #ian mckellen #gandalf #gandalf the grey #gandalf the white #merry and pippin #merry brandybuck #lotr fandom #lotr

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warrioreowynofrohan · 3 years

Text

The Leithian Reread - Canto XI (The Departure for Angband)

This chapter contains - at the reunion of Beren and Lúthien - my favourite passage in the Leithian, and one of my favourites that Tolkien has ever written, and I think part of my reason for delaying is that I wasn’t sure how to do it justice. But that’s a little farther on.

The chapter opens with a brief account of the Siege of Angband and the Dagor Bragollach. It’s a very strong section of the poem, to the point where it’s hard to know which specific portions to quote; the rhyme and cadence and imagery is all excellent, and is enhanced by a kind of triptych structure from beauty to fire to ruin:

Once wide and smooth a plain was spread,

where King Fingolfin proudly led

his silver armies on the green,

his horses white, his lances keen;

his helmets tall of steel were hewn,

his shields were shining as the moon.

...

Rivers of fire at dead of night

in winter lying cold and white

upon the plain burst forth, and high

the red was mirrored in the sky.

...

Dor-na-Fauglith, Land of Thirst,

they after named it, waste accurst,

the raven-haunted roofless grave

of many fair and many brave.

The description of the dark forest of Taur-nu-Fuin is also wonderfully evocative: sombre pines with pinions vast, / black-plumed and drear, as many a mast / of sable-shrouded shops of death / slow wafted on a ghostly breath.

One of the great recurring themes in Tolkien is the way that all evil, whatever its initial motive and impetus, falls in the end to ruin for ruin’s sake, to the destruction and defilement of all things as a end rather than a means. The image of the Anfauglith is repeated with the desolation before Mordor (gasping pools choked with ash and crawling muds, sickly white and grey, as if the mountains had vomited the filth of their entrails upon the lands about...great cones of earth fire-blasted and poison-stained) and the ruin that Saruman makes of Isengard (trees hewn down and replaced with pillars of metal and stone, joined by heavy chains; meadows paved over; underground furnaces with vents emitting steams, like a graveyard of the unquiet dead), and even Lotho and Saruman’s harm to the Shire (from knocking down Sandyman’s mill to make a bigger one that wasn’t needed, to the mill under Saruman not grinding grain at all but only making smoke and stench and fouling the water).

It’s not as if there is a fundamental benefit to Sauron in making the ruin in front of the Black Gate, or to Saruman in his attempts to destroy the Shire; both start out at one point with the aim of “fixing” the world and putting it in order, and this degenerates into control and rule for its own sake, and then into purposeless malice against not only people but the land itself, with misery and destruction as the only aim. We see small echoes of it elsewhere, as at Losgar.

This theme provides a strong contrast to Beren’s song before his departure across the Anfauglith, which is centred on celebration of nature and creation for its own sake, in and of itself, without any thought of control or ownership. The song fits with Beren’s demonstrated love of nature in earlier chapters, where during his lone guerilla war against Sauron he eats only plants, and is friend and allues with the animals of Dorthonion and with nature-spirits (minor Maiar?) as well: and many spirits, that in stone / in mountains old and wastes alone / do dwell and wander, were his friends. (It also has some echoes in Sam’s song in the Tower of Cirith Ungol.)

The song is given here in longer form than in The Silmarillion:

Farewell now here, ye leaves of trees,

your music in the morning-breeze!

Farewell now blade and bloom and grass

that see the changing seasons pass;

ye waters murmuring over stone,

and meres that silent stand alone!

The song also evokes a lot of the themes that came up in my discussion of CS Lewis’ The Four Loves, particularly the part on eros. Beren has virtually no expectation of coming back alive; he expect to die at best, or be captured and tortured at worst. But making the attempt is, to him, better than willfully choosing a life separated from Lúthien, and better than risking her coming to harm because of him. (The latter, as she will soon point out, is no longer something he has any choice about!) Both of them prefer the very high probability of torment or death over being parted from each other.

Additionally, Beten’s song is one of the purest expressions within Tolkien’s works of the element of admiration in love: delight in the beloved in their own right, above and beyond anything that has happened or will happen or any connection to you personally:

Though all to ruin fell the world / and were dissolved and backward hurled / unmade into the old abyss / yet were its making good, for this / the dawn, the dusk, the earth, the sea / that Lúthien for a time should be!

This feels, also, like it is getting at something deep within the mood of Tolkien’s works, where so much is destroyed or fades or is lost: the existence of beauty and goodness continues to be good, to be meaningful, even when the good and beautiful things have themselves passed away. They were, and that is better than if they had never been.

And here we come to my favourite part of the entire Leithian:

“Ah, Beren, Beren!” came a sound,

“almost too late have I thee found!

O proud and fearless hand and heart,

not yet farewell, not yet we part!

Not thus do those of elven race

forsake the love that they embrace.

A love is mine, as great a power

as thine to shake the gate and tower

of death with challenge weak and frail

that yet endures, and will not fail

nor yield, unvanquished were it hurled

beneath the foundations of the world.

Beloved fool! escape to seek

from such pursuit; in might so weak

to trust not, thinking it well to save

from love thy loved, who welcomes grave

and torment sooner than in guard

of kind intent to languish, barred,

wingless and helpless him to aid

for whose support her love was made!”

Thus back to him came Lúthien:

they met beyond the ways of Men;

upon the brink of terror stood

between the desert and the wood.

This returns to the previously-stated theme around eros: for Lúthien, being captured and tirmented in Angband is a better fate than willingly parting from him, or allowing him to leave her behind for her protection. And this, I think, is why Beren and Lúthien succeed in gaining the Silmaril: be ause their goal is not the Silmaril, their goal is each other.

But there’s more to it than that. I love the passage for Lúthien’s assertion that it is not Beren’s chouce whether she can risk danger and death for his sake. He does not have either the power or the right to protect her from her love of him. (I do think it’s something of a wonder that he still decides to go ahead with the Quest after this rather the the alternative of “let’s elope and be nature-hobos together”, but a lifetime of looking over your shoulders for the forces of Angband and the Fëanorians [yes, I think C&C would’ve gone after them out of spite even without the Quest, given their behaviour in the previous chapter] and Doriathrim sent to kidnap Lúthien back home is daunting in its own way; at least this way, if they succeed it will be over.)

This also goes for friendship (philia): in The Lord of the Rings hobbits express the same sentiment in more commonplace terms, in Merry’s, “You cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo,” and Sam’s “I’m coming too, or neither of us isn’t going. I’ll knock holes in all the boats first.” Or, even more so, in another line of Sam’s during the Breaking of the Fellowship:

“All alone and without me to help you? I couldn’t have a borne it, it’d have been the death of me.”

“It would be the death of you to come with me, Sam,” said Frodo, “and I could not have borne that.”

“Not as certain as being left behind,” said Sam.

Returning to the Leithian: Beren is still reluctant to have Lúthien accompany him into danger. And has a line here whose sentiment always seems to show up in my thoughts about Maedhros and Fingon (“Thrice now mine oath I curse,” he said, “that under shadow thee hath led!”)

Huan, returning with disguises for Beren and Lúthien, uses his second of three lifetime chances of speech to back up Lúthien’s point, and to advise them to disguise themselves as Draugluin and Thuringwethil. This includes one of the more amusing lines in the Leithian, with Huan’s Lo! good was Felagund’s device, but may be bettered. Hi, Finrod, you’re being patronized by a dog. :D He thinks you get, maybe, a B+ on the tactics planning. (Beren gets an F, quite bluntly: Hopeless the quest, but not yet mad, unless thou, Beren, run thus clad in mortal raiment, mortal hue, witless and redeless, death to woo.)

Lúthien uses magic to disguise them effectively, and to prevent the terrible disguises from affecting their minds; it’s difficult, skillful, and lengthy work: With elvish magic Lúthien wrought / lest raiment foul with evil fraught / to a dreadful madness drive their hearts / and there she wrought with elvish arts / a strong defence, a binding power / singing until the mdnight hour.

It is a few days’ journey across the Anfauglith to the gates of Angband and, again, reminiscent of Frodo and Sam’s journey through Mordor; briefer, but also worse in some respects, as they have neither food nor water.

#tolkien #the silmarillion #the lay of leithian #leithian reread #lúthien #beren #beren and luthien #huan #the lord of the rings #frodo baggins #sam gamgee

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