#eryn-galen

[hanzajesthanza]

While Geralt was dreaming the dream in Toussaint with Fringilla, Dandelion was dreaming it with Anarietta. Only, Geralt managed to wake up on his own because he had the hanza (and other stuff). But Dandelion didn't have anyone, he was alone, he was separated from the others and never returned, so the dream consumed him, and he didn't wake until he was forcefully removed from the situation. Or maybe it's not that deep... Why do you think Sapkowski removed him from the equation?

i've seen others explain this more straightforwardly, reasoning that dandelion simply isn't be able to ride with the rest of the company to stygga castle simply and practically because he's less suited for combat than... well, as regis puts it:

‘(...) I’m going with him.’ ‘Me too,’ Cahir said at once. ‘And me and all!’ Milva barked. Dandelion pressed to his chest the tube with the manuscripts which, lately, he wouldn’t be parted from for a single moment. He lowered his head. He was evidently struggling with his thoughts. And the thoughts were winning. ‘Stop meditating, poet,’ Regis said kindly. ‘For there’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re even less cut out to participate in a bloody swordfight than I am. We weren’t taught to carve up our neighbours with a blade. (...)’

though this thinking is undeniably correct (what would dandelion be able to do in the harrowing final battle if they had brought him? no, the strong must protect the sweet...) i think the matter is simultaneously a little deeper than that, as you nod to.

dandelion is more connected to the enchanted valley of toussaint and the city of beauclair than the rest of the company, including geralt, is.

for starters, he's heavily thematically linked to the aesthetics and activities of beauclair:

‘’Pon my word, there’ll be everything at Beauclair,’ Reynart de Bois-Fresnes assured them. ‘Balls, feasts, banquets, revels and poetry evenings. You’re friends of Dandelion’s, for heaven’s sake … Of Viscount Julian’s, I meant to say. And the Lady Duchess is most fond of the latter.’

doesn't the aforementioned just embody dandelion? these activities are truly his domain of existence, and he takes perfectly to this natural environment, like a fish to water:

He [Geralt] found Dandelion in the knights’ hall. The poet was wearing a crimson beret, as big as a loaf of sourdough rye bread, and a matching doublet richly embroidered with golden thread. He was sitting on a curule seat with his lute in his lap and reacting with careless nods to the compliments of the ladies and courtiers surrounding him.

more importantly, dandelion connected with the duchess six years ago, before the invasion from nilfgaard began. considering the timeline, this is before the majority of the short story "something more" took place, in other words, it's "pre-ciri" in geralt's life, it's the time of the short stories, where everything was more open to exploration (for both the author and the characters). though he's not the only one of the company who has been to the valley in years past (angouleme hid from pursuers in toussaint before), this history in beauclair is why he's unable to leave.

because the other members of the company are simply enchanted by the valley... but dandelion is enchanted by the duchess herself:

And the Duchess and Lord Dandelion … Ha, Beauclair is strange indeed and spellbinding, full of amatory enchantment … You shall see for yourselves. As the Duchess and Lord Dandelion learned then. They noticed not, from verse to verse, from word to word, from compliment to compliment, posies, glances, sighs … To put it briefly: both came to an intimate understanding.

anna henrietta herself, as the ruler of this little enchanted valley, is like a fairy queen of a fairy land. she's the object from which all the magic emanates, the most powerful and important individual who not only rules, but symbolizes and embodies toussaint's dreamlike state.

you mention "the dream"; relating back to regis' analysis about toussaint, love, and destiny:

"The dream that the Witcher is dreaming, I humbly submit with respect, is an enchanting and beautiful one. But every dream, if dreamed too long, turns into a nightmare. And we awake from such dreams screaming."

anna henrietta herself is like this, dream-like:

Anarietta thanked them with a faint nod of her head, decorated with a diamond-encrusted tiara. She had so many diamonds on her that she could have scratched glass just by passing. Beside her sat Dandelion, smiling foolishly.

and then, owing to her fickle nature, turns into a nightmare, from which one wakes screaming:

The pointy-nosed duchess suddenly fell into a fury, and one of the barons fell out of favour and was escorted to the tower for some imprudent word. Few–apart from those directly involved–seemed bothered by the matter.

what's truly captivating about anna henrietta and dandelion, though, is that unlike geralt and fringilla, they seem to have truly fallen in love.

geralt and dandelion, of course, are always opposites and run contrary to one another. dandelion's flightiness and noncommittal (and misogynistic) nature during the time of the short stories is a direct contrast to geralt's yearning and committal to yennefer, for him no other woman will ever compare. consider the events of the short story "a shard of ice," where geralt (arguably) attempts suicide when he believes yennefer will not choose him. can you imagine dandelion committing suicide, over a woman? for him, it would be like committing suicide over a sandwich or some other such consumable meal: for which the individuality of which is largely unimportant: though pleasurable, easily replaceable.

but in beauclair - a kind of fairy tale, magical, opposite-land, they reverse roles. geralt and fringilla are in a lustful but loveless relationship, using the other for information and playing a "long con" where they manipulate one another to get what they want, whereas dandelion and anna henrietta are seemingly truly in "love." for instance, compare and contrast geralt leaving fringilla's bed willingly, denying her sex (ch. 4) with dandelion allegedly enjoying breakfast in bed (ch. 3), likely the bed he and anarietta share.

this kind of role reversal is even noted by dandelion himself during his confrontation with geralt in chapter 3; consider "blind" as being in love, and being "an attentive and astute observer" as being a non-romantic.

‘Aha,’ Dandelion said slowly, tightening his lips. ‘What a curious reversal of roles. I’m a blind man, and you meanwhile have suddenly become an attentive and astute observer. It was usually the other way around.’

dandelion doesn't leave beauclair, because unlike geralt, well, maybe as regis says when they're looking around the foot of mount gorgon:

‘I’m no longer searching, I’ve found it.’

this brings us back to - what else? - sapkowski's favorite motif: woman as grail.

of course, ciri is "grail" in the broader story of the witcher, and the pursuit of her is NOT for romantic love but for either power or familial love (depending on which search party you're talking about ;)), but the search for the grail is also embodied by romantic love for a woman, as sapkowski discusses the concept in his world of king arthur, and also how he depicts it in "something ends, something begins." it's even dandelion who explains the concept to the dejected galahad:

Galahad thought again, frowning. "And the Grail?" he asked finally. "What has become of the Grail?" "What is Grail?" "It's something we're searching for," explained Galahad, setting his sad eyes on the troubadour. "Something that is the most important. Without which life has no meaning. Without which we're incomplete and imperfect." The bard pressed his lips and looked at the knight with his famous gaze, a wise gaze mixed with a jovial honesty. "You fool," he replied, "you've been sitting next to your Grail for the entire evening."

dandelion's own words about anna henrietta are enough to understand his motivations for staying:

"We set off in pursuit like idiots, like madmen. But I didn’t utter a word of complaint, Geralt. I didn’t call you a madman. I didn’t ridicule you. For you had hope and love in you. You were being guided by them on this reckless mission. I was too, as a matter of fact. But I’ve caught up with the mirage, and I was lucky enough that the dream came true. My mission is over. I’ve found what is so difficult to find. And I intend to keep it. Is that insanity? It would be insanity to give it up and let it slip through my fingers."

dandelion doesn't leave because he found what is so important, his own "grail." and he and geralt part ways, because whereas dandelion has found what will complete his quest, geralt is still looking for his grail - his daughter ciri.

though of course, dandelion, by his own foolishness, loses his grail... just as geralt recovers his! just as geralt returns to beauclair with ciri, dandelion is sentenced to execution by his beloved duchess. (and losing the grail isn't unheard of in the witcher - i recall percival's (apropos namesake) humorous story from baptism of fire, of exchanging an opal goblet for a mule).

again, they take contrasting roles to one another - in the last two chapters of the saga, geralt has completely changed. he has the stony countenance of a weary man hardened by his losses and horrors, the responsibility of a married man with a daughter. dandelion in contrast, though he's indeed achieved character development throughout the series, remains mostly similar to his beginning state in worldview, expectations, outlook.

‘Geralt, no,’ groaned Dandelion. ‘Don’t do anything, I beg you … Don’t get involved …’ The Witcher turned his face towards him, and Dandelion didn’t recognise it. ‘Get involved?’ he repeated. ‘Intervene? Rescue somebody? Risk my neck for some noble principles or ideas? Oh, no, Dandelion. Not any longer.’

but tl;dr, dandelion remains a dreamer in beauclair because his character's purpose is to run contrast to geralt. dandelion finds what he's looking for, and thus can enjoy the dream. geralt had not yet found what he was looking for, and thus was trying to fight the dream, resolving to wake up and pursue his destiny:

‘Beauclair, they say, is naught but feasts, balls, junkets, boozing and amour. A fellow, they say, only grows idle and stupid, and wastes time, instead of thinking about trade. And one should think about what’s really important. About the goal guiding us. Without let up. Not distract your thinking on mere bagatelles. Then, and only then, is the intended goal achieved.’ ‘Indeed, Mr Fierabras,’ the Witcher said slowly. ‘I’m content with our shared journey. I’ve gained a great deal from our conversations. Truly a great deal.’

#ask #eryn-galen #c: dandelion #the witcher books #analysis #book: lady of the lake #excerpt #dandelion #jaskier

[celebrimborium]

the rings of power + locations

#lotredit #ropedit #tropedit #ringsofpowersource #the rings of power #rings of power #rop spoilers #trop spoilers #tolkienedit #tolkiensource #fantasyedit #tvedit #locations #scenery #valinor #forodwaith #lindon #eryn galen #numenor #khazad dûm #rhovanion #eregion #mordor #rop s1 #* #1k #2k

[sotwk]

We don't talk about Eryn Galen enough.

I think the fandom might not always consider or imagine how BEAUTIFUL Eryn Galen must have been in its prime (Second Age 750 to Third Age 1,000). In its true, natural state, before the Necromancer invaded and spiders and filth settled in.

Have you checked a Middle-earth map lately?

Do you see anything in Middle-earth bigger than Greenwood the Great? It is a magical forest inhabited and kept by Elves who are essentially the best wildlife experts of that world. Think of the thousands of different, gorgeous plant and animal species that must have lived and thrived there! The little streams and ponds and glades and dells and cottages and dwellings!

Maybe it's a good thing Silvan Elves were seen as "dangerous", because it's a wonder other races didn't just straight up try to invade it. Sauron knew what was up, and so he targeted it.

Just saying, I think Greenwood the Great (not just Mirkwood) remains criminally underappreciated. It's sad that not even Professor Tolkien told us much about it; he who could wax on about trees for an entire chapter. We can probably use more fics and artwork for Eryn Galen.

#we dont talk about eryn galen enough #greenwood the great #woodland realm #mirkwood #lotr #the hobbit #thranduil #tolkien #middle-earth

[nyxsinferno]

greenwood silvan/sindar hair and braids!

i know many people have different ideas about elves' relationship with hair, this is just my take.

i hc that you can distinguish the rank and more or less profession/inclination from their braids. higher ranks/classes have fewer braids, but they are more intricate. lower have more, but simpler. the reigning monarchs are the only ones who wear their hair without any braids, other than children under 100 years old- this is not a coincidence, for elves of the greenwood hold great love for children and admire their wildness. as for profession, artisans and craftsmen wear some variation of an english braid, strand numbers vary. warriors wear french braids, academics wear fishtail braids, and healers wear pull-through braids. the rest of the royal family wears the type closest to their talents. virtually no elves of the greenwood have short hair. long and lustrous hair in the golden age of the greenwood was a sign of the health, both mental and physical, of its people, and grew in the third age to be a symbol of defiance to the poison in their forest.

#tolkien #the hobbit #lotr #lord of the rings #the silmarillion #eryn galen #eryn lasgalen #mirkwood #oropher #thranduil oropherion #thranduil #legolas #legolas thranduilion #legolas greenleaf #tauriel #nyx's hcs

[outlawssweetheart]

The elves of Mirkwood are basically seen as the White Trash™ Hillbillies of the elf community, and that is precisely why they are my favorites.

#And because Thranduil and Legolas are my favorite Tolkien characters now. #Followed by Arwen. #I mostly only care about the elves is what I'm saying. #(I don't care for the Lothlorien elves however.) #Thranduil getting offended when other elves call them rednecks like: *gasps* "I where CHANEL!'' #Other elves: ''Yeah and the Clampetts could afford Chanel too.'' #*another war breaks out* #They're my Sawyers of Middle Earth. 🫶🏽😘 #mirkwood #mirkwood elves #greenwood the great #eryn galen #the hobbit #txt

[shierak-inavva]

things unseen

instagram voted and here's. more of Them™. this is my favorite of elowen's outfits so far, her lindon & eregion gown, though minus her favorite circlet here

#my ocs #elowen anairiel #sauron #halbrand #sauron x oc #halbrand x oc #tolkien oc #the rings of power #lotr oc #rings of power fanart #lotr fanart #lord of the rings fanart #lord of the rings #elowen x sauron #that tag is getting some mileage huh #at some point i should do like. references of her outfits since she's got multiple Fits #one for the west and one for the road and one for lorien and one for eryn galen and one for her time with the orcs and #lmao a whole wardrobe #meanwhile sauron has uhhhhhhhhhh armor ig #this is to say he's still corporeal here #so like pre-ringening i guess #also halbrand so #we're just all over the place but its fine

[tkwrtnewsfeed]

Newsfeed #138 January 7, 2024 (7 Narvinyë)

What's going on? Well, after being chased down by book editors (on demand), I decided to put things on Wattpad. That's right, all the books will be able to be read over there as well as here (though I have a feeling more people will end up going over there more so than here or over to WordPress.

I need to explain the Woodland Realm Literary Universe.

So, what this means that if sometime down the road in the future, should a character have their story told, it will be under this umbrella. Of course, this only applies to characters within the TKWRT Trilogy and its 3 standalone novels (which have their beginning within the trilogy (@tkwrtsongofsevenrivers @oflordsandkingstkwrtbook) and the upcoming Loremasters.

Since all the stories are interlocked (kind of like the MCU), this made the work easier to follow. This means that am leaving things somewhat open-ended when the current books are complete. I have been working on these things for nearly 10 years now. It seems like only yesterday I debuted on Tumblr with The Saga of Thranduil. What was supposed to be a brief story in the life of the Mirkwood Elves have become a franchise onto itself (not associated with Rings of Power--that rumor* can die now).

*Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out how that one happened. It reached all the way to my estranged family. Now, I'm attached to another rumor for another project I am writing (@thesecretofthehouseofbourbonbook @lesecretdelamaisondubourbon)--You don't even want to know about that one.

You'll hear about it eventually.

Either way, 2024 will be extremely busy as I forge ahead alone on two major projects that one day (with any luck) will see the publication my readers desperately want to see. I'm excited, personally; after the horrific events that nearly took me away from my work that were put upon me by my own family, I want to move beyond the past and into the future. My only saving grace has been writing. Thank you for your patience and patronage for the past 9+ years.

By the way: Legolas (@trenarnolegolaslasgalen) just made his debut on Wattpad. There is more to come with him, I was just setting up the pages over Christmas with limited internet. That's what is like living under conservatorship--they only give you the bare minimum to survive.

More to come...

#tkwrtnewsfeed #the official tkwr trilogy #literary universe #the saga of thranduil #the last tale of legolas lasgalen #the epic of eryn galen #wattpad #books #novels #based on tolkien #in honor of tolkien #writers on instagram #writers on tumblr #writers on wordpress #welcome back to middle earth #readers #9 years ago #stay tuned #more to come #i am thranduil #thranduil oropherion #mirkwood #writers #tkwr trilogy #the kingdom of the woodland realm trilogy

[quillofspirit]

Eryn Galen Terrain Inspo

As requested by @sotwk, I hope I did it justice! I tried to choose young forests and trees, to distinguish it from Mirkwood (coming tomorrow!).

Additionally, this is the first terrain inspo I couldn't find most pictures from New Zealand, but I'll put some inspiration I couldn't find pictures for ☺️

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right

Path through the forest by Degleex Ganzorig

Tall forest by Lukasz Szmigiel

Own Photo from Parc National de la Mauricie

Fallen Timber by Jeff Finley

New Forest by Michael Krahn

Forest Cascades by Pascal M.

Own Photo from Ruiwaka Resurgence

Places in New-Zealand that I think would represent Mirkwood well; Te Hoiere, Curio Bay Living Forest and Yarndley's Hole

#Eryn Galen #lotr #lord of the rings #terrain study

[deadqueernoldor]

Thranduil and Ranyatinwë are the OG Galadriel hate club ♡

#thats very much canon at this point. tinwe goes to eryn galen once and all she and he do is bitch about nerwen

[arofili]

@tolkienocweek day five | background characters | the mirkwood guard

Midhel was the deputy captain of the Guard under the leadership of Tauriel, her closest friend. When Tauriel was exiled from the Woodland Realm, Midhel took captainship of the Guard, leading her warriors in defense of their people. Her brother Orelon was also in the Guard, as were his friends, the siblings Glándir and Úrphen. Glándir was a close friend of Prince Legolas, and Úrphen became Midhel’s own deputy captain. Midhel married Iesteth, one of the King’s healers and the foster-sister of Tauriel, and both were overjoyed when Tauriel at last returned from her exile amid the War of the Ring, where all six friends reunited to fight against the Shadow in Dol Guldur.

for more about Midhel and the Mirkwood Guard, check out my fic Beneath the Stars!

[image description: 10 images arranged in 5 rows of 2. 1: a person with pale skin and long brown hair, wearing bronze elven-style armor, a brown cloak, and a small leaf crown; the person is standing in a forest. the image is captioned with the name “Midhel,” one of my OCs. 2: a person with pale skin and long brown hair, wearing an outfit typical of a fantasy ranger, standing in a forest with waist-high ferns. the person is holding a spear with a long jagged spearhead and outstretching their free hand. text curves along the spearhead reading “dew-maiden”, a translation of Midhel’s name. 3: a vast starry sky. the sun is setting out of frame, and from the ground up the sky is a gradient of orange to purple to dark blue. silhouettes of trees are visible at the bottom of the frame, and text curves around the crown of a large leafless tree reading “morning star”, a translation of Orelon’s name. 4: a person with pale skin and long brown hair, wearing an outfit typical of fantasy ranger in tones of red, blue, tan, and muted gray; a quiver is strung over the person’s back, and they are holding a bow that is mostly out of the frame. the image is captioned with the name “Orelon,” one of my OCs. 5: a person in cosplay as an elf ranger with pale skin and long white-blond hair, wearing a green vest and a small blue jewel on their forehead. the image is captioned with the name “Glándir,” one of my OCs. 6: a bunch of small white flowers with yellow stems in their centers. text curves around one of the bottom petals reading “white one”, a translation of Glándir’s name. 7: a campfire in a dark forest. text curves around the base of the fire reading “fire person”, a translation of Úrphen’s name. 8: a person in cosplay as an elf warrior with pale skin and long ginger hair, wearing bronze-colored armor and holding a large helmet in their lap and a large spear in one hand. the image is captioned with the name “Úrphen,” one of my OCs. 9: an East Asian woman with pale skin and long black hair, wearing a white daxiushan hanfu shirt and white ornaments in her hair. she is walking through a forest of green trees, reaching up to touch a small branch. the image is captioned with the name “Iesteth,” one of my OCs. 10: a wooden surface covered in various witchy items, including white candles, a bundle of grass with small blue flowers, a bottle of herbs, and a small black drawstring bag. text curves around the bag reading “wish”, a translation of Iesteth’s name. end image description.]

#tolkienocweek #tolkienedit #oneringnet #the hobbit #th #mirkwood #eryn galen #mirkwood guard #beneath the stars #tauriel #oc midhel #oc orelon #oc glandir #oc urphen #oc iesteth #my edit #edit writing #my writing #tefain nin #throwback to the mirkwood gang <3

[iamjaynaemarie]

You know, if I had to tell everyone what happened to me, it would be another book all together, and right now I have my hands full with books. I am so busy now that I have just been told to give up my dreams PhD work and just concentrate on writing books.

First things first: @tkwrtrilogy3 is back. First of all there will be a crash course on what the new people that showed up missed. That begins tomorrow the writing begins October 7 as you can see by the lovely illustration above.

So much to do and so much time to do it. Considering this book is a trilogy, and it has an extra three books attached to it, I’ll probably be writing this one until I’m 70. I just turned 50 so that tells you a lot. OK, so I write fast. Maybe 65. Be grateful. Oh. It is already twice as long than the entire first season of Rings of Power (probably longer).

Next: The New King in Town @lesecretdelamaisondubourbon So, you probably missed it. Not only am I Thranduil, I am also Louis XIV currently. I will be his Daddy, too.

You don’t wanna know. Well maybe you do. Let’s just say I have extensively covered his love life and survey says: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

If you were ever on my Instagram, you would know there’s a new lady in town for His Majesty Louis XIV. and none of you know who she is because she’s new to a degree. Anyway, let’s just say they had fun (and will continue to have fun. However, if you are reading the book on Tumblr, Louis is still a baby. I had to jump ahead for theme reason on Instagram and I’m afraid if you go over there you’ll want him to grow faster. I would also like to tell everybody that his brother Philippe he has a story to tell.

 Oh, does Monsieur have a story to tell. That belongs to my co-author, @fortunatelyclevercandy. As they say, true friendship never expires. Don’t worry you’ll like it I’ve already read some of the story and it’s: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Oh, right. The Secret of the House of Bourbon is also a trilogy. I write trilogies. Why? Because I’d like to write. A lot. I also read as much as I write. And sometimes in French. HOB (as we call it) covers 196 years of the House of Bourbon. I wanted to start with Louis XIII, but my co-author loves her some Philippe, so to stay consistent, I headed over to Louis XIV. That was probably the absolute best decision I ever made in my life and I suck at making decisions. I really suck at making decisions. I try my best not to make any of them. So, like I always do, I ended up beginning a story in the middle. I am in Book III and it is all about Louis XIV. Yes, there are women. More than you can imagine but not as many as his grandfather Henri IV. There is no one earth who can have that many women except for his grandfather Henri IV. Oh, and by the way, this is not fanfiction based on anything like a television show perhaps. This is all about the history and the history is wilder than the television show. How wild? Let’s just say somebody made me go through 500 pictures of one poem before they decided OK, this doesn’t have to be a PG-13 novel. 😑 I mean it doesn’t have to be like Tolkien. We are grownups. I think we’re grown ups. Well, she might be more than I am. But we’re definitely grownups. So anyway this is a grown-up book about grown-ups just happened to start as children before they become grown-ups. In 17th-century France. Yeah. Did you know Louis was born with two teeth? 🦷

We are adults. Fun fact: My birthday is September 4. The day before Louis XIV. Ain’t that a kick in the head?

So, I guess this is it. I guess I am coming back. It’ll take a while to get used to being back after such a Trumatic experience I went through, but I’m happy to be back to doing what I love. Writing. Oh, one more thing:

Hee hee 😛 So, I guess we’re back. 😉 For me, there’s no place like the throne.

#thranduil #tkwr trilogy #the kingdom of the woodland realm trilogy #the saga of thranduil #book iii #book i #book ii #the epic of eryn galen #the secret of the house of bourbon #louis xiv #monsieur #middle earth #france #kings #trilogies #versailles #historical fiction #epic #fantasy #writers #writers on tumblr #books #novels

[tkwrtrilogy3]

Chapter IX: The Reckoning (Pt. V)

I left the library. I needed to think. I decided to take a walk. Once outside, the crisp evening air felt good against my skin. I had not realized how warm I had been as I crossed the bridge. I could not tell if it was the heat of lanterns or my emotions that had caused my body to burn, but nature soothed me. As I looked into the sky, there seemed to be more stars than I remembered. How time had passed so swiftly. How things had change since I woke up under the same skies so long ago. What would the sky look like in Eldamar? Would it be as beautiful?

I heard footsteps behind me. I stopped and turned around. It was Oropher.

“Son,” I said with a sigh of relief. “What are you doing out here?”

“The same as you,” he said, walking up to me. “Enjoying the night.”

“Well, I am hardly enjoying it for thinking,” I answered. “But I will admit, it is beautiful tonight.”

“What are you thinking about, Ada?”

“Everything.”

“That is a bit much for one elf to contemplate,” he said laughing. “This would not have anything to do with Mother wanting to sail West, would it?”

“Did she tell you this,” I asked.

“No,” he said. “I heard it from Nimeithel. She does not wish to go.”

“Why not,” I asked. “Does she not fear the talk of war?”

“No,” he said. “She does not wish to go where I will not follow.”

“You do not want to leave, Oropher?”

“I cannot leave the only home I have ever known.”

“Your mother will not approve,” I said. “I cannot blame her. You are my son as well. As your father, it is my duty to protect you.”

“I am no longer a child, Ada,” he reminded me. “I have a wife of my own, and perhaps one day a family.”

“But I want to live to see the day,” I began. “I want you to live to see that day.”

“I will live to see that day and many others thereafter,” he said. “I don not fear the coming of war, Ada. I have known barely anything else since childhood. I want peace, to be sure, but I cannot fight for it if I am running from it.”

“You know yourself,” I answered. “How can you be so optimistic in times such as these?”

“Because, Ada, times such as these have an end.”

“Do you truly believe that?”

“I have to believe that,” he answered. “Or else I shall perish before I ever live.”

“You are wise, Oropher. Perhaps too wise.”

“Please, tell that to my wife,” he said. “Sometimes she thinks I am a fool.”

“They all think we are fools,” I laughed. “Perhaps they are right.”

“Perhaps,” he said.

Suddenly, there came a commotion from the bridge. We looked to see Finëar running behind Iarûr and Elmo. We looked at each other. As we made our way in that direction, Eldôr ran to meet us.

“What is the matter,” Oropher asked him.

“The king returns,” he began.

“That is good news,” I said.

“No,” he said shaking his head. “Beren is mortally wounded. He shall make his bride a widow on this night.”

We placed over to see Mablung and Beleg bearing the dying Beren and the one called Huan by his side. We ran the length of the path until we all stood before the end of the bridge as Lúthien emerged from within. When I saw the Queen and Galadriel behind her, I remembered her words to me. As all fell to our knees before her, she took Beren in her arms one last time and kissed him before he drew his last breath. In grief, before us all, she died.

“Lúthien,” Thingol cried. His tormented wail shook the treetops stronger than the windiest day. Then, there was silence. Queen Melian walked to Thingol, leaned over and kissed him.

“It is not over,” she whispered.

She stood upright and slowly walked into Menegroth with her ladies close behind. Thingol stood up and looked at us all.

“Prepare to lay them to rest,” he said to Finëar. “My heart will lie with them, so prepare a place for it as well.”

Finëar nodded and bowed. With that, Thingol walked into Menegroth to be with Melian. Iarûr motioned to two guards to take the lifeless body of Lúthien inside so that her ladies could prepare her for mourning. Mablung and Beleg rose with Beren and Huan and the solemn procession continued.--TKWRT Book I: The Epic of Eryn Galen by Jaynaé Marie Miller. 10-07-2022

#the official tkwr trilogy #book i #the epic of eryn galen #tolkien elves #welcome back to middle earth #orothôn #oropher #menegroth #doriath #middle earth #writers of tumblr #books #novels #epic fantasy #this is a book #pg 13 #based on tolkien #in honor of jrr tolkien #tolkientober #beren and luthien #elu thingol and melian #first age elves

[elfy-elf-imagines]

Tolerate It | Thranduil

▹ Pairing: Thranduil x Human!Reader

▹ Genre: Angst

▹ Words: ~2k

▹ Summary: A political alliance makes you the new wife of the elven king Thranduil, trapping you in a gilded cage of elven craft.

▹ Notes: I couldn't get this idea out of my head.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

The banquet hall of Eryn Galen was buzzing with high energy. 

The lights were bright, the drinks flowing. Each guest was too deep in their cups as the band played jaunty tunes that kept spirits high. You sat at the end of the table, to the direct right of Thranduil, Legolas seated directly across from you to the king's left. 

Everything was beautiful, similar to what you imagined heaven may look like. The celebration had been highly anticipated, the steward meticulously planning for months to ensure the night would be perfect. 

Each guest had dressed to the nines, and you had been no exception. Silks that flowed like a languid river, braids woven throughout your hair, and glittering jewels that rivaled the stars in the sky. You’d felt quite pretty after your handmaidens finished, taking in your appearance with rapt attention. 

Yet as the king - your husband - met with you, he barely paid you more than a glance. Not a single compliment or acknowledgment slipped from his lips, just the stiff offering of his arm and a cold demeanor you’d never been able to break through.

Not even the bitterness of the red wine you drank could ease the pain festering inside you. You glanced at Thranduil, his attention on his steward whispering something in his ear. Regal and commanding, you’d thought marriage to the elven king would be something out of a fairytale. Yet your story became twisted, and instead of a happy ending, you were trapped in a doomed marriage. It was like a wall separated you from him; you’d tirelessly beat against it with a hammer; Thranduil was on the other end, reinforcing the stone. 

You glanced down at your dress, the pale green fabric, Thranduil’s favorite shade. Even still, you were desperate for his validation and approval, like a child tugging at their father’s sleeves. A stray hair fell in front of your face, and you pushed it behind your ear, hands ghosting over your rounded ears. Maybe if you’d been an elf and not a human, he might view you as an equal and not a consolation prize. 

One hand below the table closed into a tight fist while you downed the rest of your wine in one gulp. 

Legolas met your eye from across the table with an almost apologetic grin. You returned it with a tight smile you tried to make pleasant. Legolas knew all too well the neglect his father could inflict, so he often preferred the forests over the palace. There was an understanding that made your pain more bearable. 

The handmaidens you brought from home and your stepson, who was older than your eldest living relatives, were all that kept you from falling into true despair. 

Like clockwork, a servant filled your chalice, and you gladly drank. This wine was sweeter and less sharp than the red you were expecting. Once again, you looked towards Thranduil, no longer speaking with his steward but quietly watching the party play out. You reached out, delicately placing your hand over his, only for his to push it away, not bothering to pay you a glance. 

The blatant rejection stung, always taking up too much space and time. Would Thranduil even notice if you’d stolen away into the night? If you pulled the dagger your marriage embedded in you, breaking free and leaving this miserable life behind. What might it be like to shed the weight of Thranduil’s cold disposition and an overly suspicious, judgmental, elvish kingdom? You’d be free and weightless for the first time in years. 

Yet, just as soon as the fantasies came, they fizzled out with the weight of reality. You had no money of your own, no survival skills, and nowhere to go. If you returned home, your father would ship you back to Thranduil. The dark forests and the creatures that lurked within would kill you. There was nowhere to go. No freedom to be found. 

You didn’t bother hiding the frown on your lips; no one in the room paid you much mind. They looked through you as if you were a phantom that clung to the residence of its former life. How was it possible to be in such a crowded room and yet still be so alone?

"How much longer do you believe this will go on for?"

At some point, Legolas had moved from across the table and was now seated to your left, watching the crowded room with thinly veiled discomfort.

" I hope for not much longer. I've never been amendable to crowds so large as this one."

Legolas laughed, the noise swallowed by the noise of the room. "And yet you are queen; should you not be used to such raucous parties?"

You tilted your glass towards him, a slight quirk on your lips.

"I could say the same about you, prince."

He nodded in silent agreement, quickly drinking from his glass, which you noticed was filled with water and not wine.

"I get to run off to the forest. How do you deal with all of this?" The smile on your face fell as your eyes dimmed, a reminder of your current standing.

"No one pays me mind. A blessing, I suppose." You attempted to laugh it off, but you couldn't keep the somberness from your tone. You were trapped in a gilded cage, a prisoner in your own home.

"Then I suppose I'll need to take more respites in the castle."

"You don't need--"

"I insist; what kind of friend would I be if I didn't check on your wellbeing."

So warm and inviting, it made you wonder how Legolas could be the son of Thranduil; he must take after his mother. You wondered, if only for a moment, how different your life might be if you'd been married to Legolas instead of his father. He was the more age appropriate option and if he didn't love you he'd at least respect you. But those thoughts were pointless; you'd been married to Thranduil and not Legolas.

"I think I'm technically your stepmother."

"But you feel more like a friend."

You didn't bother to argue, placing down your wine chalice to take a cool water drink. It was refreshing, soothing the burn the wine had created.

"Then I am glad we are friends."

Before he could respond, a member of his guard called his name. The elf enthusiastically waved him over, yelling something in elvish too slurred for you to understand.

Legolas shook his head, refusing the call, but you placed a single hand on his shoulder.

"Go, enjoy the night. I'll be fine over here."

He tried to discern if you were being dishonest but found nothing but sincerity. Just because you were miserable didn't mean he should be. With a single nod, Legolas left the table to join the group forming in the corner of the room.

Left in the chaos with no one to speak with, you picked up the chalice with wine. At some point during your conversation, Thranduil wandered off, talking with some of the higher-ranking nobles.

Thickly, you swallowed, hiding your face as you slowly drank from your glass.

When would this torment end?

---

The night dragged on at an impossibly slow speed. Your sorrow brought time to a near halt. By the time the crowd began to thin and Thranduil had escorted you back to your shared chambers, you’d forgotten how many glasses of wine you consumed. You managed to keep your composure and pride, not letting you show how light and lethargic the alcohol made you. 

Now, you sat before your vanity, preparing for bed as did Thranduil. There were so many pins placed in your hair that you struggled to pull them out without ripping your hair. Your head throbbed, and your frustration was building; you just wanted sleep. A cold hand pushed yours away, tangling in your hair. With practiced and fluid movements, Thranduil began to take down your hair. He was quick and efficient, his hands in your hair almost soothing.

The action was oddly domestic, and it caused a pang of pain in your chest. If the gods had been fair enough to bless you with a husband who loved you, this would be a nightly occurrence, not a rare show of care. 

“There’s too many pins in your hair.” Always critical; nothing would ever be good enough. 

A beat of silence passed; did he even want you to speak?

“It was a special occasion; I wanted something different done to my hair.” 

Clink. He placed the last pin on the table and stepped away from you.

“It was a bit gauche.”

Expression tight, you stared at your reflection, focused on your dark hair that tangled too quickly and your nearly pallid complexion. Gauche and graceless, the elves would never view you as their own. 

“I thought it looked nice.” 

His answer was to silently turn his back to you, moving to the other end of the room. The silence was maddening. Your attention never moved from your reflection, lips downturned as your eyes hardened. Pain turned to rage, pity becoming an all-consuming fire that threatened to turn all in your wake to ash. 

“Why marry me?” Your tone was harsh, firmer than you could remember speaking.

Thranduil let out a sigh, seemingly annoyed at your mere presence. Normally, his disregard made you shrink, and maybe it was the wine, but it only made you straighten your back, meeting his eyes through his reflection in your mirror. 

“To seal an alliance with your kingdom, you know this.” He was always condescending; he was so much older and wiser. 

“I understand political marriages, but why marry me? You’ve managed political alliances without offering your hand in marriage; you even have a son to marry off. So why--” You slowly stood from your chair, turning to face him directly. “-marry me?”

“Would you have preferred to marry Legolas?” 

“I’d prefer you answer my question. So I’ll ask once more: why marry me?” You strode towards him, eyes narrowed.

“To ensure an alliance with your family.”

“That is it? For no reason other than that.”

Thranduil looked down at you, his lips tight.

“Did you hope to hear differently?” He tilted his head, eyes ice cold and bitter. “Ours was a marriage of convenience, not love.”

You clenched your jaw, swallowing thickly. All of it for nothing, a marriage he knew would never succeed. He may have been content with a loveless life after the passing of his wife, but he knowingly dragged you into it. To turn your life into a void--

You wanted to scream, to yell obscenities at him, to spit all the vile venom his careless behavior filled you with. But it would do no good. An emotional breakdown wouldn’t mend your rift; there was no foundation of respect to rebuild. It was just endless nothingness. Standing at the precipice, you would simply fall into a never-ending pit. 

“I see.”

A hint of shock made his eyes widen a fraction, expecting an outburst like the one you fantasized about. Humans weren’t known for patience, yet it wasn’t patience that kept you silent. It was dejection; you'd given up hope of anything better than what you had.

You dared not move, not even blink until Thranduil turned towards the door.

“I think I will ensure the keep is secured. Goodnight.” 

Head turned, yet your eyes remained where he once stood; you remained silent. The door opened and quietly shut behind his retreating form. Only then did you exhale the breath you’d been holding. 

The bed was plush under your body, and the comforter was like a cloud, yet you’d never felt more miserable. You turned your back to the side Thranduil would take when he returned to the chambers. Eyes shut, soothed by the darkness, you dreamed of something more.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

Tags: @jmablurry | @lunatichaotiche | @aearonnin | @emiliessketches | @vibratingbones | @moony-artnstuff | @ranhanabi777 | @kenobiguacamole | @ceinelee | @thranduil | @samnblack | @abbiesthings | @Strangebananabatranch | @bitter--fruit | @keijibum | @lifestylesleep | @themerriweathermage | @im-a-muggleborn | @sweetheart-syndrome | @boyruins | @AwkwardBecomesYou | @delyeceamaitare

#thranduil imagine #thranduil x reader #thranduil #the hobbit imagine #the hobbit one shot #the hobbit #lotr imagine #lotr oneshot #lotr fanfic #lord of the rings imagine #middle earth imagines #lotr #tolkien #lord of the rings #lord of the rings oneshot #mirkwood elves #lord of the rings fanfic #king thranduil

[bagofshinyrocks]

Green-Eyed Monster

Prompt: Established relationship; Reader is jealous of someone flirting with their spouse Thranduil, who is oblivious [inspo from @nightfall-writer]

Featuring: Thranduil Oropherion x GN!Spouse!Reader

Word Count: 1.5k

Warnings: nothing besides my "Tauriel and Legolas are BFFs" propaganda

You had no reason for envy. 

You were happily wed to the love of your life. Joined the royalty of Eryn Galen through your marriage to the Elvenking Thranduil Oropherion. Doted upon by your husband, and cared for by your subjects. You wanted for nothing.

And yet… in had crept “the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (Othello III:3).

There was never any doubt in your mind that Thranduil was faithful to you. His love for you was as unwavering as water downhill. As was yours for him.

He couldn’t help but smile when he saw you, and all but melted into your embrace in the privacy of your bedchambers. The touch of your hand more calming than chamomile. The taste of your lips more intoxicating than wine. Your bare skin more alluring than a soft bed after a long day.

But as wise and regal as your husband was, he could be a bit thick in the head at times.

It had been a whole ordeal for the two of you to come together in the first place. A host of conspirators, led by Legolas and Tauriel. An idiotic dance as the two of you convinced yourselves that your feelings were unrequited. You were surprised that your now step-son had not smacked either of you upside the head at least once. His patience was unparalleled. In this instance at least.

So you couldn’t quite blame your husband for not recognizing others’ romantic interest in him.

There were nobles from other lands, elf, dwarrow, and man alike, who were visiting. After the Battle of the Five Armies and the retaking of Erebor by the line of Durin, he decided (i.e. he was persuaded) to expand trade relations, renew treaties, and welcome ambassadors. It seemed that almost every month brought someone new to his halls.

And you weren’t surprised that someone else would find your husband attractive. Not at all.

When you first met him, you could barely breathe. Ageless beauty. Sleek, shining blond hair. Piercing blue eyes. Luxurious clothing and jewelry with more detail than one could find in a day. Voice and speech that crept into your ears and made a home in your mind. You found the Sindar attractive the moment you saw him.

For an ambassador or noble to find Thranduil handsome meant their eyes functioned in some capacity. To find his voice and speech charming, their ears. That did not bother you. It was when their feelings changed like yours did, from aesthetic appreciation to romantic desire.

And he was oblivious to it all. Your speechlessness the day you met, your intimidation at meeting a king. The eagerness for those to meet with him, an eagerness to engage with Eren Galen and its wealth of materials, labor, and beauty.

Jealousy seemed so irrational an emotion. Thranduil was wholly yours; inattentive towards other romantic pursuits. Doted upon you. Craved your company and affection at all times

But it ate at you. Others and their lingering glances. Flirtatious words. Gentle brushes against him. And the ugliness of what you felt.

Your marriage was still recent, especially by elven standards. You didn’t want to make a fool of yourself. To act like a child who refuses to let others play with their toy. You would turn away and pretend you did not see it, or skip meetings you were not invited to.

Thranduil was concerned. Held you close at night. Reminded you how much he loved you and how brilliant you were. How lucky he was to have you in his life and as his spouse. He must have thought that all the social engagements were draining you. 

“I thank you for meeting with us, sir.” You stood from your seat at the head of the table, and everyone else leaped to their feet. It was still a little strange for so many people to hang on your every word. “I will bring your proposal to King Thranduil shortly.”

The man from Dale beamed and bowed low. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Most of the councilors filed out, but the nobleman scampered over to your side. Another low bow which you met with a nod.

“Long have I heard of the beauty of elves, Your Majesty…” A quirk in your eyebrow reminded him of his place, and he quickly caught himself. “The beauty of your halls, your craftsmanship and arts. It is an honor to see it all.” 

You gave him a polite smile. “Thank you, sir. You are too kind.”

He opened his mouth again for more flattery, but another voice interrupted. One from the doorway.

“Meleth nín?”

There stood your husband, dressed in robes blue as water in moonlight. A tall crown of silver branches. White stones imitated snow and ice amongst the delicate wire.

“Forgive me, sir,” he said, not even sparing the nobleman a glance, “but I must speak with my love now.”

The nobleman quickly excused himself, but hadn’t the chance to leave the room before Thranduil had your hands in his, and his lips on yours.

When he leaned in, you expected a chaste kiss against your cheek. Instead, one hand settled on the back of your neck, and the other placed your hand against his chest. Its opposite quickly mirrored and both of your hands held the fabric of his robe.

Your lips were shiny and your face warm by the time your husband pulled away from you. All the tension had melted from him, and he wasted no time in pressing his forehead against yours and letting his eyes flutter closed again. Once his breath came easy again, he gave you a chaste kiss on the nose.

“Forgive my forwardness, meleth nín,” he cooed in Sindarin, a gentle brush of his hand over your cheek.

“Nothing to forgive, husband.” A kiss to his nose. “How could I be upset at the notion that my husband, the most handsome of all who have lived, live now, and will ever life, desires me?”

A smile at your words, and another kiss on your forehead.

That evening, the two of you were entwined on the couch in your apartments. His head rested against your chest, against your heartbeat, and your fingers combed through his hair and rubbed his back.

A fire crackled in the hearth, and two half-drunk goblets of wine sat on the table at your elbow. A comfortable silence, broken after a good while by a single word.

“Beloved,” he asked quietly.

“Yes?”

“I have a confession. And need your advice.”

The hand formerly in his hair transferred to gently scratch the back of his neck and you briefly squeezed him close with the other arm. He adjusted so he could look up at your face a bit better.

“Of course, meleth nín. What is it?”

“When you were speaking to that man from Dale… I had a foolish thought. Jealousy. I’ve felt it a great deal over the past few weeks, thought I never acted upon it. Until today. I feel childish now, interrupting and publicly expressing physical affection in neither the right time nor the right place. I-”

You cut him off with a kiss to his lips. A startled noise from him, then he pulled himself further up the couch so you could kiss more passionately. He wasn’t entirely sure why you were so taken with the idea of him being so immature, but he was glad you weren’t disappointed.

A quick huff of breath as you pulled apart.

“I love you so much,” you panted, then breaking into giggles. His brows furrowed.

“What is so funny?”

You kissed his nose. “Because I have been feeling jealous the past few weeks. And I hadn’t a clue you were feeling similarly.”

“Why are you feeling jealous?”

“Because,” you flicked his chest, “you have an entourage of nobles, merchants, and ambassadors doting after you. And I was disappointed in myself for being so immature.”

“I do?”

A very unregal snort from you. “Meleth nín, for one so wise, you are so…”

“Don’t finish that sentence.”

More giggles from you. “Very well.”

He rested his head on your shoulder and his nose was tucked comfortably against your throat. The soothing warmth of his breath and the movement of his chest almost lulled you to sleep.

“I don’t think feeling jealousy is a bad thing,” you mused, fingers tracing the embroidery of his leisure dress. “It is a natural part of our behavior, to feel protective of things we love. And you weren’t rude or aggressive, for which I would have been unhappy. I’m glad you love me so much that somewhere in you,” a tap to the side of his head, as if to point the spot out, “a primal sliver encourages you to keep me all to yourself.”

A deep kiss from your husband. One hand behind your neck, cradling your head. The other crept between your back and the couch, fingers pressing into your flesh, pulling you into him as if any distance between you two still existed. You were smiling wide against his lips.

“How silly we both are,” he chuckled after leaning back for air.

Your fingers combed through his hair, finally settling to gently scratch the scalp around his ears.

“Indeed we are, my love.”

Enjoy reading this? Here's a link to my other works! Thanks for reading :-)

Posted: 2024 March 7

#thranduil x reader #thranduil fluff #thranduil oropherion #thranduil oropherion x reader

[nyxsinferno]

super quick sketch of my greenwood royal fam kids!! i promise I will actually make a post abt them some day. hopefully. anyways.

top to bottom if you can’t read my questionable handwriting is zaraieth, legolas, lyraeiel

#tolkien #nyx’s art #oc stuff #mirkwood #greenwood #eryn lasgalen #eryn galen #legolas #legolas greenleaf #legolas thranduilion #the hobbit #lord of the rings #lotr elves #lotr

[sotwk]

Food and Agriculture in Thranduil's Kingdom

It's unfortunate that Thorin's Company was welcomed as dinner guests in Rivendell but imprisoned as invaders in Mirkwood. Had Thorin just shown King Thranduil just a little bit more respect, they could have been fed a whole lot better by the Silvans. And there would most definitely have been meat!

While the Rivendell elves seem to lean vegetarian, and Lothlorien's culinary specialty is the "one bite" lembas, the elves of Greenwood know more than a thing or two about indulgent feasting. These elves consider themselves permanent residents of their land, and with that outlook comes an attitude of celebrating Middle-earth's bounties.

The Silvans of the Woodland Realm have always been fond of feasting, merry-making, and community and family traditions centered around food. Furthermore, they are ruled by a King and royal family who whole-heartedly support this culture, participate in it themselves, and encourage trade that allows the realm to access food from other lands.

When it comes to food, the Greenwood elves are actually more alike Dwarves and Hobbits than they are the lofty High Elves.

Below the cut are SotWK headcanons regarding Food and Agriculture in the Woodland Realm:

Food, Cuisine, and Agriculture in the Woodland Realm

Prior to the establishment of the Woodland Realm and in the early reign of King Oropher (c. SA 700), the Silvan Elves populating Greenwood lived in smaller communities spread throughout the vast forest, but predominantly in the southwest, closer to their kin in Lorinand. Limited subsistence farming was practiced by a few, but by far most food at this time was obtained through hunting and gathering. The rich and bountiful Greenwood had always provided more than enough resources for its dwellers.

GATHERING

Greenwood Elves happily spend most of their immortal lives within Eryn Galen and the lands of Rhovanion, so they are accustomed to living off solely what the forest produces, and their diet is influenced largely by it.

The most commonly foraged edibles are:

Nuts: hazelnut, pecan, walnut, hickory, beechnut, chestnut

Fruit: plum, apple, grape, persimmon

Berries: mulberry, blackberry, currant, elderberry, raspberry

Wild garlic and ramps

Fungi: mushrooms and truffles of many varieties

Eggs: from various wild birds

Herbs and Spices: fennel, corn mint, dandelions, ground elder, pigweed, cicely, sorrel, hogweed, stinging nettle, watercress, wild carrot, rowan, wood avens, sneezewort

Maple: sourced for sugar and syrup

There are also hundreds of plant species native only to Greenwood and Rhovanion that are valued for their uses in healing. However, the Silvan herbalists of Greenwood are usually the only ones able to effectively extract the curative properties of these plants, indicating a connection between Elves and homeland may be necessary for the healing to work.

Art from Fantasy Flight Games

HUNTING

Greenwood Elves are expert hunters and trackers, with unparalleled mastery within their forest and the lands that surround its borders. With careful consideration and instinctual knowledge of the forest ecosystem, they select their prey according to what's most populous, and rotate as necessary to balance out conservation levels.

Among the animals they hunt regularly for meat consumption are rabbit, squirrel, duck, turkey, quail, weasel, racoon, boar, deer, wild oxen, and elk. On rare or special occasions, they hunt less common game such as lion and bear. They also obtain fish and freshwater mussels, clams, and snails from the Forest River and various streams.

It is illegal in Greenwood to hunt or kill specific animals that are declared a protected species, including the King's Elk (the breed of Thranduil's war elk), the silverwolf, and all species of eagle or falcon.

Any fauna or fauna may also be temporarily decreed off-limits for hunting or gathering, by order of the Elvenking and his council.

Any animal taken in as an elf's pet or familiar may also not be killed, so long as it has been properly tamed and does not pose a risk to others.

Throughout the Second Age, the Woodland Realm's population steadily increased under the wise rule of King Oropher and his court. As the communities and villages that made up the kingdom grew larger and more numerous, the practice of agriculture became more widespread to bolster the realm's food supply.

In the Woodland Realm, farming would always remain secondary to hunting and gathering due to the preference of Silvans for wild game and native vegetation. Farmed products serve primarily to enhance cuisine, supplement large feasts, provide reserves in case of war or famine, and as goods for trade with other realms.

FARMING and LIVESTOCK

Tracts of community farmlands were gradually cultivated in the arable fields between Greenwood's western borders (near the capital of Amon Lanc) and the Anduin River.

In order of output, the food crops most commonly grown are: wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, and peas.

Fiber crops grown for cloth, paper, and rope include: flax, hemp, and cotton.

Domesticated animals are raised in small numbers solely for their by-products and not their meat. In order of importance, livestock that are raised are:

Sheep: source of wool and milk

Chickens: source of eggs

Cows: source of milk and for birthing calves

Animals raised for labor include:

Horses: highly valued and raised exclusively for transport and mounted cavalry

Oxen: used as beasts of burden (large-scale/community work)

Donkeys: used as beasts of burden (small-scale/family work)

When Prince Thranduil built his own palace of Bar Lasgalen just south of the Old Forest Road (which would later become the new capital upon his ascension to the throne), he helped the Silvans residing in the valleys of the Emyn Duir to initiate small-scale agriculture, which encouraged further migration into that area and northward towards the Grey Mountains.

Elvish historians refer to the first millennium of the Third Age as the "Golden Age of the Woodland Realm". During these years, the kingdom enjoyed an unbroken peace under a wise King and Queen who also had five sons actively involved in the governance of the realm.

Departing from his father's more isolationist leanings, Thranduil encouraged trade with realms across Middle-earth. It included all the races except for Hobbits, since the Shire did not yet exist prior to the darkening of Greenwood.

Sadly, most trade came to a stop by the end of the Third Age, with the exception of the nearby Dale, due to the struggles with Dol Guldur. However, after Erebor was reestablished by King Thorin, trade gradually resumed with the Dwarves. After the War of the Ring and the Cleansing of Dol Guldur, Eryn Lasgalen once again thrived with renewed relations with their trade partners--finally including the Shire!

AGRICULTURAL TRADE

The Woodland Realm's three most valuable exported agricultural products are:

Rare spices

Mushrooms and truffles

Medicinal herbs (extremely valuable but highly controlled to prevent misuse)

Imported goods are considered luxuries and not necessities, and are brought in seasonally for community feasts and celebrations (of which there are many). Everything is meant for the consumption of all the kingdom's citizens, regardless of status; there is never anything reserved as "special" for the royals or nobles.

The top agricultural imports, usually from realms/communities of Men, are:

Wine

Textiles (silk, cotton)

Seafood

Sugar

Cheeses

ARTISAN COOKS and BAKERS

Exposure to outside realms and cultures also resulted in an expansion of the culinary arts within Thranduil's kingdom. Cooking and baking became full-blown, respected and sought-after professions instead of tasks done within individual households. With the King's support, talented Elves were sent to other realms to learn their culinary practices; chefs from other kingdoms were invited to Greenwood as royal guests to do the same.

A few culinary feats and innovations the Woodland Elves became known for:

Use of offal (innards) in recipes that actually taste fantastic, thanks to seasonings and skilled cookery

Using literally every single part of a butchered animal with zero waste

Aphrodisiacs in common food recipes, using plant ingredients (partly responsible for their marriage and birth rates and large families)

Salted game meat (jerky) that is highly nourishing and excellent for travel; essentially a meat version of lembas

The use of whipped egg whites to make essentially a type of meringue--which opened up an entire category of desserts that became staples at feasts

Bonus Fun Headcanons! (as a thank you for reading this far)

Mealtimes in Thranduil's Family

No one can beat Ada in drinking contests, ever; it has been attempted hundreds of times--usually with Dorwinion wine--and Thranduil has never been dethroned by his sons.

The King and every single one of the Princes are all heavy eaters, and everyone, including the Queen, eats meat.

While they all observe formal manners at the table, the Princes can get rowdy when not in the presence of their mother--especially when there's drinking involved. (Not quite as bad as Thorin's Company, but close.)

Breakfast: Taken individually in their own rooms, according to each one's schedule/leisure

Lunch: The most commonly skipped meal; usually taken "on the go", and oftentimes with people outside of the family (e.g. business lunches, lunch with friends)

Dinner: The family meal. Everyone is expected to sit down and eat dinner with the rest of the family, unless traveling or there is a prior commitment that takes precedence.

Random Fun Food Facts with the Thranduilions

The Princes regularly compete to see who can eat the most exotic/"disgusting" food items. Turhir remains champion at this (able and willing to eat literally everything), with Legolas frequently trying (and constantly failing) to unseat him.

They have also competed to see who can eat the riskiest (aka poisonous) food items. Arvellas has somehow proven to be the most impervious to natural poisons, much to Gelir's frustration.

Legolas can go the longest without eating food, but no one really cares to try to beat his record.

Mirion is the heaviest eater, but is also the fastest, and because he has flawless table manners no one really notices.

Gelir can find truffles just using his sense of smell--yes, like a truffle pig. He has successfully trained other similarly gifted Elves to do the same.

For more Thranduil/Mirkwood headcanons: SotWK HC Masterlist

Tolkien Headcanon tag list: @quickslvxr @laneynoir @auttumnsayshi @achromaticerebus @tamryniel @friendofthefellowshipsnerdblog @blueberryrock @aduialel @glassgulls @ladyweaslette @klytemnestra13 @creativity-of-death @heilith @fizzyxcustard @absentmindeduniverse @lathalea @tamurilofrivendell @jordie-your-local-halfling @ladyk8tie @scyllas-revenge @asianbutnotjapanese @conversacomsmaug @lemonivall @ratsys @a-world-of-whimsy-5 @entishramblings @stormchaser819 @freshalmondpandadonut

#sotwk headcanon #thranduil #thranduil headcanon #legolas #mirkwood #mirkwood elves #the elvenking #the hobbit #lord of the rings #tolkien #tolkien headcanons