The Witch, The Elk & The Vampire - Happy Halloween from Iestil, Legolas, & Thranduil

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The Witch, The Elk & The Vampire - Happy Halloween from Iestil, Legolas, & Thranduil
// LOL Sorry I’ve been MIA -- got too caught up with other fandoms/ my schedule is abysmal haha
i’ll try to get around drawing a halloween piece-- hopefully!
Why is Iestil reborn in Middle Earth and not Valinor?
// Hey there nonny! (and sorry for the late reply, I was traveling last week so I finally have internet) Gonna answer this in ooc, because it’s probably the only way to explain my reasonings behind it and give you a general idea of what my thought process was (SORRY FOR THE WALL OF TEXT LOL) but the reasoning for Iestil’s reincarnation in Middle Earth surrounds my fic Last Farewell (gonna abbreviate it to LF for simplicity sake;; also on a separate note lol this blog was originally supposed to be a place to dump headcanons for LF, but it somehow turned into an askblog HAHA) and will be explained more once I get around to writing it. (I have a bit of writer’s block with it right now though– rip me but I have an inkling of how I want to end it) But the topic mainly deals with Mandos and more importantly what happens to a soul after an elf dies. My idea of having a non-canonical reincarnation lends a page from the Silmarillion. As far as Silmarillion goes the only elf (and I guess human too if you count Beren) to be reincarnated back in Middle Earth was Lúthien because Mandos was moved to great pity from her song. (Though it did involve other members of the Valar bc of Beren) Iestil’s reincarnation is more or less is also an exception that I made which will be explained more in later chapters in Last Farewell as stated earlier. The summary that I have on my Ao3 account alludes to this, saying: ‘Only once has Mandos been moved from pity. And only once has he been moved from compassion.'(But once again, the reasoning behind it will be covered more in depth as I continue writing LF, whenever that may be.)
When I was originally writing LF, I knew I wanted to write something that revolved around the Mirkwood couple so obviously the topic of elvish reincarnation came up since according to the movie, Thranduil’s wife was dead. I deliberated a lot with this after doing research about it since elves technically are supposed to go through the Halls of Mandos and get reincarnated in Valinor. But in order to have a Mirkwood couple fic, they kinda need to be in the same place for anything to happen, so i decided to explore some of the other options (very few) that I had regarding elvish reincarnation. lol It was a decent amount of research but I figured reincarnation in Middle Earth was probably the only plausible way of writing a somewhat dramatic story with a twist because if I wrote something starting from when Thranduil journeyed to the Undying Lands, then that’s kinda boring because it’s literally like a reunion which leaves everything pretty left out to dry. (the story would literally be oh hey reunion, oh hey let’s embrace, and then BAM, the end– very boring if I do say so myself) I also wanted to explore sides of both Legolas and Thranduil’s persona in my fic as well. Because Thranduil never stopped loved his wife even after all those years, I wanted to see how far I could push his character through the multiple facades that he had to wear in order to cope with his grief. And on the other end, I wanted to explore more of Legolas’ inner struggles with his relationship with Thranduil because ultimately I think it was his mother’s death which made the father-son relationship so distant. By adding Iestil back in the picture in Middle Earth, I feel like it give me A LOT more content to work with because it create a lot of disruption to what was otherwise something not really explored in terms of ‘what ifs’ in Middle Earth.
There, of course, is always a twist. The subject of reincarnation for Tolkien is kinda wishy washy since there were a lot of draft phases from what I read about how elvish reincarnation worked. But ultimately (I think) the way it was supposed to work was that souls which have passed through Mandos could either remain ‘houseless’ or be ‘re-housed’ in the same body before death (I think this was noted as done through special permission of the Valar tho). Ultimately, it’s the connection of the soul and body is what is important for elves; and one soul is intended for one body and one body alone. I wanted to challenge this a little to explore what would happen if a soul did not return to its correct body? Would there be a disconnect? Would the body simply fail? Or does the soul overpower such a dissonance?
Now, I know it seems as if I’m trying to take on a lot as far as canon stuff goes (pretty sure 50% of my fic will be non-canical lol) but I really wanted to see what would happen if such a thing occurred. In Iestil’s case, when she first gets reincarnated to Middle Earth, she is without a memory of who she is – a dissonance of her soul which does not belong to the proper body. And because she no longer possesses that feeling of completeness, as far as she is concerned, her goal is to find out who she is and her purpose of returning to Middle Earth since her persona of having a strong sense of self still resonates within her soul. (Which in a sense can imply that the Valar was involved in this soul into the wrong body mishap, but I won’t go spoiling my story line because it’s not 100% thought out yet haha)
And so we have LF three story lines of the Mirkwood family all into one fic that will eventually overlap:
Iestil: To discover who she is and what her purpose of returning to Middle Earth. What is the origin of that sea of black that plagues her mind? And could she fall in love once more with the same elvish king which she had wed so many centuries ago? Or perhaps, there is little love between a Woodland King and a mere elleth who doesn’t even know who she truly is. (Her development is centered more around self discovery and platonic friendships that she makes along her journey)
Thranduil: After recovering from his blindness from his own selfishness at Erebor, how far is he willing to go for the sake of his memories of his family? This is a person who has lost everything he holds dear– incredibly fragile, yet full of many facades which he displays to the world. He would do anything to get his family back, yet at the same time he knows it is impossible. His wife is dead and his son chose to leave him. So what would happen when he crosses paths with the very person he had cherished the most once more? Will the very foundation on which he had built around him start to crumble when he realizes that maybe there is a chance that his wife is still in Middle Earth? (This, I found rather interesting topic to explore because it’s like will Thranduil still love the same person even if the soul is the same but the body isn’t? It really challenges all perceptions and ideals of elvish love since I believe it’s the soul, not necessarily the body that is connected.)
Legolas: On a path of his own, to escort a ring bearer with the Fellowship while battling his own inner thoughts. While a part of him does regret leaving his homeland behind, he often thinks of what it would have been like if his mother was still in the picture. And the root of this thought? It was from Thranduil’s departing works above Ravenhill (in the movie) when he said the “Your mother loved you,” quote. I feel like that resonated with Legolas and having Thranduil finally showing some emotion sparked this suppressed thought of just what if things were different.
And that’s it. So long story short, Iestil’s reincarnation in Middle Earth was unintended, but it was done for my fic (LF) purposes to keep things interesting. (LOL which is probably a really lame reason, but I swear I thought things over a lot before deciding about it) So while yes, it’s more of a non-canonical exception, it was the only option that kinda fit in terms of; it being somewhat plausible, and it allowing me to write a decent fic that won’t fall flat. But yup! That’s the general reasoning behind why I chose Iestil’s reincarnation to be Middle Earth and not Valinor– hopefully that wall of text made some sense. (The actual in depth reasoning behind it will be expanded upon in LF. I already have a rough idea about how i want to end it– I just have to solidify several headcanons and finish writing it … eventually lol) But thanks for reading! :D (Needless to say, I have a lot of headcanons bahaha) //
It was where it all began. The garden that Oropher once built was now the garden where they would raise the child that grew within Iestil. It was no doubt a daunting task, but also one that brought great joy to the Mirkwood couple as they passed their days in serenity patiently awaiting the day to welcome their child into the world. And it was underneath the pale leaves of spring, that they would often find themselves reminiscing of times past and how far they have come – together.
“My only wish is to raise our child as my father once did with this garden — with all the love and care in all of Arda.” – Thranduil to Iestil
She was the most radiant around flowers, he’d often recall her smile as they would stroll through their gardens at night, taking time to admire the bulbs that would eventually come into bloom. He had taken her to see his father’s gardens the first time they had met, and he could still remember the way her eyes lit up with awe as she looked around, admiring the scents and colors of the flora around her. It wasn’t until after Oropher’s death when he decided to close the gardens off, making them private.
A wall was built cutting the inside off from the rest of the world. It was a place that his father had painstakingly created when they had first relocated from the treetops of Greenwood. To others, it could have been viewed as a tribute to the fallen king who found beauty in nature, but to him, it was much more than a simple tribute. It was a place that contained his father’s love, a father’s love which he would never feel again. And even though he knew it was selfish, he wanted to keep it to himself.
The garden was a place where he’d find himself in silence, lost in an array of thoughts, a place he would come to escape the whispers and murmurs that filled his halls after his father’s passing. It was originally a place for him to seek refuge in, but it soon became a way for Thranduil to cope-- for him to recover. It was a safe haven where he could be surrounded by nothing but nature, a place where the outside world couldn't interfere with the internal war that brewed within him. A place where the nightmares of the past couldn’t reach him. It was a place that reminded him of his father’s love and the comfort of her smile.
It was support, not pity, that she had shown him during that prolonged period of grief. It was something which, he realized after her passing, he had took too much for granted.
While most of his advisers were trying to ask him questions relating to his new found kingship, she provided the much needed comfort of silence. He had felt lost and alone, struggling to find his own identity. Too long he had just been known as the son of Oropher. But at that moment in time, he was no longer a prince, but a king. And honestly, it frightened him. Was he worthy of the throne in which his father once ruled upon? Was he even fit to be a leader to his people? Or would he only lead them to the path of ruin and despair?
But her constant presence quelled the nerves that shook him. And more often than not, he’d find her sitting by his side at night in silence as the two of them would look upon on the stars among the small blossoms of flowers that surrounded them-- the only sound was the soft sound of rushing water by an adjacent stream reminding them both that time was still ticking away. It was moments like that which filled him with a warmth that he had not felt since the day he had left for war. Tranquility.
And it was within those closed walls where he grew to love flowers as much as she had. And it was within those walls where he regained his composure and confidence, where he regained his mind back from the waves of self-doubt that once clouded over his mind. And as the weeks passed and turned into months, he had changed. Changed into someone who was no longer a prince standing in the shadows of his fallen father, but a king, someone who could rightfully rule upon the woodland throne as his father had once done—king, of the woodland realms. - Last Farewell, Ch. 8
AU!Game Night with the Mirkwood Family & Extended Family (click for full res)
It’s all fun and games … until someone goes bankrupt!
Let’s see how this little family get together is going …
Thranduil, has taken the role of announcer/shoutcaster since his son is doing so well, and now won’t shut up about how well Legolas is doing #dotingfather #itsonlyagameman
Iestil, is praying for her son’s good fortune to continue bc it’s such a beautiful sight to behold #blessup #shedsasingletear
Legolas, has somehow managed to get both Park Place and Boardwalk properties and has hotels sitting on those properties, is currently rolling in moolah because unfortunate souls keep on landing on his properties #definitionofMonopoly
Elrond, is the unfortunate soul who landed on Boardwalk AND Park Place not once but THREE TIMES and went bankrupt and had to sell his properties to pay up #rip #soulhasleftbody
Tauriel, the banker, also happens to have a Monopoly on the railroads, is currently showering Legolas in dolla dolla bills (courtesy of Elrond) #makeitrain
Galadriel, is in jail because of a Chance card and has yet to roll doubles to get out– it has now been 7 turns #wtfisthisluck
Celeborn, is wondering how in the world did this game turn so one sided/ how he and Galadriel are losing to the rest of their family #hasfinallylosthismarbles #thinksheorhiswifeshouldbewinning
// Draw Your Squad Meme : Mirkwood Fam Version iamnotsorry
Blank meme can be found here
Well, to be fair, I did say I was working on some drawing memes and some memes are simply too glorious/ left me cackling for hours because of the poses. If Iestil had her family over for game night … I’d probably say this is actually a pretty decent representation of what would happen. All I have to say is I’m SO sorry Elrond HAHAHA LOL this is def some sort of AU because I can’t take anything seriously anymore LOL GOODBYEWORLDIAMJUSTLOLING
// in other news, lol photoshop decided to not save the last two pieces i was working on, so there’s that too -__- my motivation is goneeee
Are you alive, Iestil? I long for the tales of your life with Thranduil. Please return to us lowly kingdom of elves
“My sincerest apologies, Melon. I have been away on a journey to visit my dearest parents. Once I return, I pray I will not disappoint with several tales of my husband for he can be quite the jester at times.”
// SO SORRY NONNY! I have been traveling a LOT recently, so I haven’t had that much time to update this blog Q_Q (that and Pokemon Go, but that’s another story haha) I just returned from a week trip and and in preparations/planning my next one, so these next few months will be rather hectic unfortunately. (Didn’t help that I had no internet either) But here’s a small doodle in compensation (Thranduil ofc is cheery af bc his family is cute af) //
// sometime this week . . . i will attempt to revamp my layout/links to be more aesthetically pleasing; slowly getting out of my art slump. might post more art meme prompts later to get my muse back into gear
“Ionneg Legolas, if I were to ask of you for one thing, it would be to know that your Nana and Ada love you more than all of Arda itself,”
Mother's Day: One of Iestil's fondest moments, back to peaceful times with her husband and son.
Wishing you all a Happy Mother's Day from the Mirkwood Family
I grabbed some palettes from all over and made a big fat list of them because I’m starting the color palette challenge. So send me a number and a character and I’ll (possibly, depends on time and junk) draw them in that color scheme.
// trying some new (art) memes out! :) feel free to drop a request for the mirkwood fam/friends!
(will delete later)
3/25 - Happy Birthday Lee Pace!
“You are safe, that is all that matters,”
"A great serpent of the North, they had said, a creature that brought fear and death to all in its wake. Dragon fire is unlike most fires we are well accustomed to, it is like a potent poison-- it burns and corrodes with every intention of turning all that it touches into ash.
I first heard the news when I was visiting my mother and father in Lothlorien, that the company of elves coming out of Greenwood had been decimated by a great serpent of the North.
Our healers worked feverishly to heal his wounds before my arrival, but in the end, even I could not save his eye entirely. We traveled swiftly to Imladris shortly after, for there is no greater healer in Arda than Lord Elrond, but ultimately, Lord Elrond could only confirm our greatest fears— that his eyesight could not be salvaged."
“Anthon 'ûr nîn anlen,”
“It is a holiday celebrated by man is it not? While we do not have such a day in our culture, Thranduil and I have grown to celebrate our union with every passing day. There is a fondness in our hearts that links us together, and it is through that unbreakable bond which we appreciate what we have. For while the seasons may change as the winds come and go as dictated by Eru above, not a day goes by where I will do cherish him with my heart.”
“It is quite intriguing that you bring such an inquiry up, mellon, for it is a memory that I fondly remember. Yes, there have been several times where I would do my husband’s hair for him, but after a while, Legolas seemed to take an interest in it.
Our Little Leaf would often watch as I would braid his hair and occasionally his father’s; a simple braid entwined with flowers that bloomed during each season, encapsulating the colors and spirit of our forests. There were several occurrences where Legolas would try to braid his father’s hair, I believe he was trying to emulate the way I did his,” Iestil can't help but laugh as she recalls the memory, “but ultimately he wound up knotting up Thranduil’s hair despite trying his hardest. Although, if I remember correctly, he also haphazardly took the flowers from his own hair and stuck it in his father’s, along with random blossoms that he found within our private gardens.
Afterwards, Thranduil took it proudly in stride and paraded throughout our halls with his hair in such a configuration, flowers protruding out and all. I wish you could have seen the smile upon our son’s face as his eyes lit up at his masterpiece getting shown off by his father,”
“My love for you will never fade,”
Rhîw, the fifth season of the Elvish calendar--the time of winter and of the bitter cold. It was the season that reminded her of his eyes the most —- a piercing color of icy blue. Like the first snowfall of the year underneath clandestine skies-- like the translucent blue of cerulean that reflected upon the frozen lakes across Mirkwood. As delicate as crystals, yet hardly fragile at all. Ice, was the color of his eyes. . . cold, yet beautiful, but his heart reminded her of the warmth of the vigorous spring in which he was named after. Warm and full of life.
He had always told her that her eyes were the opposite of his own. A mysterious grey-blue. Like the cloudy peaks of the mountain tops during the winter, like the light snow that refracted the colors of the sky upon it—an ethereal misty blue. 'Innate warmth'. he said they reminded him of Echuir, the time of ‘stirring’. . . when winter melted into spring. - Excerpt from Prelude to Spring
// Happy 2016 from Thranduil & Iestil!
Blue. Was his fingers interlaced with her own as they strolled through Mirkwood during the winter, bundled up for the cold winter. She would often find herself pressed up against his chest, as he would drape his robes around the both of them. Blue was the color of his eyes that she knew all too well when he stared into her own for many night on end- his the color of ice and hers, the color of mist upon the sea. Blue. That was the color that he told her she reminded him of; gentle as the morning sky, yet mysterious as the ebbing tides of the great oceans. Blue, was the color he said he liked best on her. - Prelude to Spring
“Meleth Nîn, no matter what the tides may bring, remember, I will always be with you.”
C o l o r s [excerpt]
Red. Was the color of his lips upon hers. It was a color of blood, but also the color of passion. Red was the color of his favorite set of robes, scarlet, like the roses that bloomed in their garden with an underlying sheen of silver when worn out in the sunlight. Red was the color that she thought looked best on him. It was a color of power, which he displayed when he ruled upon his throne, but also the color of intimacy which he showed when they would retreat to their chambers once the light of day had turned into night. Red, was the tantalizing heat she felt when they were alone, his kisses running up and down her body, from her lips, trailing down her neck - sending shivers down her spine. Red was the color of rose petals that littered the silk sheets upon their bed and red, was the color of the first hint of the sun peeking from the horizon, signaling the start of the new day to come.
Silver. Was the color of the armor that adorned his body. Built and designed by their kin, it was something almost too beautiful to be put to use in war. Silver was the color of the rings they had exchanged when they wed, a day of pure bliss and celebration-- a day filled with memories that she kept close to her heart. And silver was the her bow that he had given her, made from the branches of a mallorn tree-- but now, it had been painted a brilliant red.
Gold. Like the sun kissed treetops of autumn that reflected off the first rays of sun peeking around the horizon. Gold was the color that reminded her of him. Golden, like the sun and like star-shaped flower of elanor that she loved so dearly; a color of warmth and safety -- one that reminded her of his presence and aura. “You are safe with me,” He had said before, during their courtship. “I will always have your back, that I promise you,”
Blue. Was his fingers interlaced with her own as they strolled through Mirkwood during the winter, bundled up for the cold winter. She would often find herself pressed up against his chest, as he would drape his robes around the both of them. Blue was the color of his eyes that she knew all too well when he stared into her own for many night on end- his the color of ice and hers, the color of mist upon the sea. Blue. That was the color that he told her she reminded him of; gentle as the morning sky, yet mysterious as the ebbing tides of the great oceans. Blue, was the color he said he liked best on her.
Green. Was the color that reminded her of home, of the lush treetops that the woodland elves dwelled in and of the rich forestry color of the lands that she knew and loved. Green, was the newly budded leaves during spring as they emerged from the tips of their branches after a long winter. Green was his scent, earthy yet crisp, it reminded her spring. Green, was the color of serenity and of tranquility. It was the color that reminded her of her son, their treasure and small bundle of joy. Legolas. Green was the steady beat of their hearts beating as one during their precious moments together.
Black. Was the obsidian sky that they would often look up to at night, gazing at the stars that painted the black canvas of the sky. It was the color of the shadows that they had feared that closed in on Mirkwood, the color of darkness and the color of dread. And black was the color slowly seeping into view-- of the world slowly fading out of focus. Black was the color of death. And black was the last color she saw.
And then . . . there was nothing at all. - Excerpt from Prelude to Spring