I think a really underrated dynamic and example of the poetry of Tolkien’s work is Maedhros and Elwing. Like it’s crazy that so many people, particularly Maedhros fans dislike Elwing because the differences and similarities between these two are so juicy! They each have what the other lacks. Literally!!!
Like here we have two motherless children forced into a place of power by the loss of their parents that they weren’t even able to grieve. Neither of them can go home. Their fates are cursed by the valar who refuse to help! ( yes I’m getting to the bird transformation thing don’t worry.) they are driven by ownership of the silmaril.
Maedhros writes a letter of friendship and threat to the daughter of a people he slaughtered and what does she do? Even knowing what will probably befall her? She rejects it! That’s so badass to me. Maedhros had really met his match. Remember his response to thingol? These two are peak snark!
This woman, this mother not only two twins but to a people who is young for an elf, does what she can against this force beyond her her comprehension, remember when Mae went against morgoth?! Both of them have so much inner power and strength, that courage that is the heart of them. Each driven by twins they have lost and twins that will be their legacy. Driven to the brink by the silmaril.
And when they come for her, when those monsters are finally face to face with her they really just elves! Just ragged bedraggled elves but she will not let them have this remnant of her parents! No she jumps! And it is an act of courage and the gods do smile on her.
She is water. Maedhros is fire
And ultimately maedhros one day will be driven to the brink by the silmaril once more. But when he jumps it is an act of despair and the gods do not help him
They are sooo!!!!
