Echoes of the Void: The Diary of Theseus Nightshade (pt 1)
Prologue: The Void is calling
When I was a young boy my father left me and my mother.
That sounds more dramatic than it is, so I should probably explain. He didn’t exactly leave us. Leaving implied suitcases in the hall. Late night shouting matches. It implied that he was somehow unhappy with me and my mother. None of these criteria fit in my case. When I say "he left us" I didn't mean he had enough of being a husband and father, he did plan to return to us when he was done with his mission. You see, he was- is- a cartographer and his mission was to map The Void.
The Void is a kind of dome of shimmering colours that move in unpredictable patterns, I've been told it's quite mesmerising to look at by people who claim to have seen it. Nobody really knows what it is or where it comes from and most people are too afraid to find out.
There have been expeditions inside the void, so we know that inside are stars, moons, suns and even planets, it's like the night sky is trapped inside a bubble. All we know about its age is that it's really fucking old since we found records from our ancestors that report it's been there for all their lives.
The first successful expedition came back about 50 years ago, and since then multiple teams of scientists and historians have been trying to find out its secrets and probably how to exploit them.
That being said, it is really dangerous to go there. It starts with the fact that you need a protection spell to even breathe since there is no air. We learned that the hard way.
As I explained before, my father was one of the few elves studying The Void™️, which caused quite the ruckus, since we're high elves and that's not what society demands, like he ever cared about that. My family was already disgraced anyway.
He sometimes told me stories about his work and the terrors he faced, just enough to scare the hell out of me. I always admired him for being so brave and strong and that he managed to survive such a cruel environment. When I asked how he could do it he would smile and tell me that it was the thought of my mother and me that kept him going and made him come back every time.
Until it didn't.
It has been 8 years since that fateful expedition and I still cling to the hope that he will return to me and tell me all about his adventure. But every day a little bit of that hope is chipped away, The Void is highly dangerous under the best circumstances. Being alone and without supplies are certainly not the best circumstances.
It doesn't really help that everyone who knew my father marvels at how much I look like a younger version of the great Timotheos Tiberius Knightshade. The same fiery red hair, the same green eyes, the same bronze skin. The only difference is that he's a famous adventurer and I'm not. And that he's not here anymore.
I'm so lonely. Every Time I see a shooting star I wish that he would return to me and that we can be a family again. So far no luck.
It hurt so much to see other people living the life that was taken away from me. I longed to have that father- son connection that I saw between my friends and their fathers. I wanted my father back so bad and do all the things sons typically do with their fathers, even if I didn’t exactly know what that was. I was so young when he disappeared.
I am filled with rage when I think about the people who sent my father on this stupid mission to his doom. Sure I know that he chose this and that he liked his job, it just feels good to blame someone for what happened. I know it's wrong to feel that way, Dad wouldn't want me to be revengeful, he always was a very calm and peaceful man. He never got angry.
As I was thinking about what my dad would want me to do I suddenly had an epiphany. It doesn't help my dad when I sit around all day, moping and waiting for his return. I made the decision to get a grip and get on with my life. Make him proud. He always wanted a good life for me and I was planning to have one, for him.
The very next day I enrolled at the university to study the Septem Artes Liberales to become a teacher, like my grandfather was.
At least that was the plan.
Said plan came to a sudden stop when I met Bob. Bob, short for Bobiamus Malitus, was an old colleague of my dad who bumped into me when I was on my way home from my first lesson. He immediately recognised me and offered to talk a bit about my father, tell some stories, and keep him alive in our memories.
My mom never told me much about my dad, it was too painful to speak about her lost husband, so I immediately agreed to meet with him.
"So you're old Tim’s son huh? It's remarkable how much you look like him" were the first words Bob said to me after we sat down in the pub he suggested. I was slightly annoyed at the cliché but I nodded, I do look a lot like my father.
Bob was short and fat, a typical dwarf, and he clearly spent a lot of time on his appearance, typical for rich people. "Correct, I'm Theseus" I then answered.
The dwarf nodded and opened his mouth to speak, but I was faster. "What can you tell me about my dad?" I asked and looked him directly in the eyes, not giving him the chance to waste time with small talk.
His reaction was a small chuckle and he took a sip of his tea before he answered my question. "Ah yes... Before we come to that, I have a proposition to make." I repressed an eye-roll and nodded impatiently "Yeah? What is it?"
I didn't expect his next words at all. "I'm putting together a mission to find your father and I think as his only son you have a right to be a part of it."
I could only stare at him, unable to process what he just said to me, not in a million years have I ever thought about following my father's footsteps. "You want me to go into The Void?" I finally found my voice again and it was full of disbelief.
I was 18 years old, barely an adult and he asked me to join a dangerous mission into an unknown and vicious realm where only the most skilled sorcerers and adventurers dared to venture. "I don't even know the magic" I added when he didn't say anything and just looked at me with a knowing smile.
I knew I had a talent for magic and I could perform a few simple spells but I was nowhere near ready for a mission of that scale.
"Don't worry, we have a solution for that" Bob finally started talking again. "A pair of highly trained soldiers will be part of the team to guarantee your and everyone's safety. On his arrogant, bearded face was a friendly smile, designed to gain my trust.
Still, I hesitated, it wasn't like he asked me to go on a walk in the park, plus if The Void wouldn't kill me my mum would. But I was also tempted, I was curious about the mystical realm bordering our land but even without that, I would give everything to get my dad back.
That was the reason I finally nodded, accompanied by a deep sigh. "Alright, I'll come." Part of my brain was already busy with the question of how I would tell my mum, but mostly I was excited, finally I could actually do something to help my dad!
Bob grinned widely and pulled a few sheets of paper from his fur coat as if he already knew my answer. He placed the documents, I could now identify them as a contract, in front of me along with a beautifully crafted pen and a small bottle of ink. "Splendid! You just need to sign these and then it's official!" He pointed to some areas of the contract where I should place my signature.
I started to read the document but frowned almost immediately, it was written in beautiful, hard-to-read letters and I didn't understand a thing. "Oh it's just the usual, you're doing this at your own risk, payment in case of death and so on" he waved dismissively and smiled at me, trying to be reassuring.
I stopped abruptly and looked at him, a drop of tint fell on the paper. "In case of death?" I repeated and my mouth suddenly felt dry. I mean, I knew it was dangerous but up until that moment I avoided thinking about my possible death, which seemed rather naive in hindsight.
"Well it's obviously a possibility" Bob scoffed and frowned, he seemed to think I was an idiot and I sheepishly turned red. "Of course" I mumbled and hurried to sign the papers, too ashamed to ask any more questions. Afterwards, I felt relieved but also very very scared, now there was no turning back. This was happening.
Bob clapped his hands enthusiastically and congratulated me, it felt a bit inappropriate, considering everything that could go wrong on this mission. This was a huge life decision and could very likely be my last, not everyone comes back from The Void. The best example is my dad, but he's also the reason I agreed to do this so I did my best to push my fear aside and focus on hope.
I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if we actually found him. I could be the one to bring him back from this cold, empty land and back to his family. The thought of that happening filled me with excitement and not even the knowledge of the deadly residents of The Void could shake this feeling.
Bobiamus and I said our goodbyes and I went home with a heavy heart, the conversation that was ahead of me would not be easy. But it was unavoidable to tell my mum about my decision.
At first, she was mad and yelled at me, then she cried and begged me not to go, to not leave her all alone. Her pleading almost made me change my mind, but I had already signed the contract and there was no going back.
It took some time but eventually, she calmed down and we hugged. "I'll come back, I promise" I tried giving her a reassuring smile, but she just looked tired and my smile faded. "That's what your father always said.. and look what happened" she sighed and shook her head. "You're just a child..." I didn't know what to say and just hugged her again. "This will be different, you'll see." My voice was solemn, I was determined to survive, so my mother wouldn't be alone. "Just.. be careful..." She gave me a weak smile, but at least it was a smile. We talked some more and then called it a night, we both had some stuff to think about.
Two weeks after I met with Bob, he finished the preparation for the mission and contacted me to meet him at Snowtooth, a fortress at the outermost border of my country, Rionnag Mara. My mum accompanied me until the Gate, where we hugged and said goodbye. I took a deep breath and stepped into the dark, frozen building.
Inside I was greeted by Bob, who seemed to be in a pretty good mood. "Welcome! Let me show you around! You'll sleep here tonight before you leave for The Void tomorrow." I could only nod, fear lay in my stomach like a stone. Bob sighed, but then gave me a tour of the fortress, which didn't help with my nervousness. It wasn't a very nice place.
The last stop of our tour was the dormitory where we all would sleep, the rest of the team were already waiting for us there. Our leader was a high elf named Sylwanin, who barely even looked at me when Bob introduced me and my heart sank a bit. This was not a great start. The two human wizards, Kiowa and Sal, seemed nice enough though and smiled at me. The last two members were two Sidhe Warriors- to keep us safe apparently- named Cinder and Thorn, they were even more seclusive than Sylwanin.
I didn't get much time to talk with them anyway because Bob ushered me forward to get me fitted with my gear. They got me a magic cloak that would allow me to breathe and keep me warm in The Void, since I couldn't really use magic that was the best solution. I also got a sword, a backpack with rations and a sleeping bag.
At that moment I was very grateful for the sword fighting lessons that my best friend Fergus forced me to attend with him, at least I wouldn't be completely helpless. Then I put my gear away and followed Bob outside again, he wanted to show me the vessel that would take us to the void. I was a bit distracted though, I was thinking about Fergus and wished he could come with me, the whole thing wouldn't be as scary then. But Bob refused that, even before I could ask him, he said it was risky enough to bring one inexperienced elf along and that we didn't need a Púca causing chaos.
He had a point, of course, Púcas are known for their chaotic energy and Fergus was no exception. In his human form, he looked almost innocent with bright blue eyes and fair, blonde hair but once he starts shapeshifting into a cat or goat the illusion fades quickly. I chuckled at the thought of our shared adventures that didn't always end well.
I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice the ship until Bob came to a halt right in front of it. It was a small sailing ship placed on logs that was, as I was told, enchanted through and through and as we got closer I swore I could feel the magic inside the ship. Her name was 'Queen Mab', which told me a lot about who was sponsoring our mission as if the two sidhe warriors weren't obvious enough. A little detail Bobiamus forgot to mention, I just didn't understand why the queen had any interest in saving my father. For now, I didn't question it but I would keep it in the back of my head, something wasn't right about this.
My guide finished showing me around the fortress and together we entered the 'war room' where the other members of the rescue team were waiting. The room was small and narrow with maps hanging on every wall and candles burning in regular spaces to light the dark room. In the middle stood a table with seven seats which were usually for the commanders of the Queen's army when they were making a battle plan. But today the table was reserved for us and a large illustration of The Void lay on the table, it was almost like a real map but it showed certain star formations that where discovered on previous expeditions. When we arrived everyone except Bob, who positioned himself at the front end of the table, sat down and waited expectedly.
Bob cleared his throat for dramatic effect and started speaking: "As you all know we are attempting to rescue Timotheos Tiberius Knightshade, a great researcher and scientist who got us a lot of the knowledge about The Void and went missing 8 years ago. He was a good friend and for years I have tried to get the funds for a rescue mission, but no one wanted to risk it. They all said that the chances for his survival were too low." He lowered his gaze for a moment and paused his speech and I couldn't tell if he was actually grieving or if it was just for show. "But everything changed a few weeks ago when we found his journal at the edge of the void. The entries were up to date and indicated that he is still very much alive! With that proof, I was able to convince our benevolent queen to sponsor the expedition to save him!" Hearing that made my heart race. They found his journal! My dad really was still alive and out there somewhere! And I was going to find him! Bob talked a bit more about our journey and the dangers we would face but it was hard for me to concentrate, if it were up to me we would've left immediately.
After the meeting a simple dinner was served and I got the chance to get to know Sal, one of the human wizards, a little bit better. He was not as arrogant as Sylwanin and was actually quite funny. Talking with him made some of my anxiety go away and I could enjoy dinner, although I got the feeling that everyone thought I didn't really belong with the mission. I didn't blame them. Shortly after dinner, we all went to bed, but it took me a long time to find sleep.
I woke with a start when I felt ice-cold water on my face. I jumped up and wildly looked around, I was staring into the amused faces of the rest of the team and then met the cold gaze of our leader, Sylwanin, who apparently was the one who splashed the water on my face. "What was that for?? Wasn't there a nicer way to wake me?" I asked her with a harsh voice, not realizing how disrespectful I was being. She didn't seem to care, since her expression didn't change one bit when she answered me. "This was the fastest way, it's your own fault for not waking up sooner." That was all she said to me and then turned away. "Get dressed, we leave in an hour" she added, not bothering to look back. A bit taken aback by her nonchalant attitude I just nodded and started dressing.
The other members of the team, except the two sidhe warriors who were nowhere to be seen, were all ready to go and waiting for me. I was embarrassed for sleeping so long so I hurried to get ready.
It didn't take long and soon the four of us left our quarters and headed for the magic ship that would take us across The Void. In the courtyard, the two Sidhe joined us again and followed us silently to our vessel.
Before we could board the ship the corpulent figure of Bobiamus appeared in front of us and greeted us with a large grin. "Good morning brave adventurers! A few last words before you depart!" I could see how annoyed Sylwanin was with him and I could relate, I didn't particularly like Bob either and right now I couldn't care less for his attention-seeking. But he was the one who put this mission together so we all waited patiently for what he wanted to say. "You're about to embark on a very dangerous journey and I just wanted to wish you all good luck. May the gods watch over you and make sure you come back safely with Tim. Be careful out there." He smiled and shook hands with each of us before he cleared the way and we could finally board the ship. I could barely contain my shaking, I hated it but I was scared to go into The Void, I had heard too many stories about the dangerous creatures lurking within. Sal saw my pale face and leaned over with a reassuring smile. "It's going to be fine, we are all experienced Void travellers, don't worry about it." I looked at him and smiled back, there was a warmth in his brown eyes that helped me calm down a bit and I was able to control the shaking. "Thank you," I answered but he just ran a hand through his short, brown hair and shrugged. "Don't mention it." With that, he walked over to Kiowa, who was looking at us with an unreadable expression.
I looked at the two of them and thought to myself that they were pretty much exact opposites. Sal had honey-coloured skin, dark brown hair and eyes and a short, well-trimmed beard while Kiowa had long, silvery hair that hung tangled from his shoulders and no beard. His appearance looked a bit worn but his grey eyes looked kind. My observation was interrupted when Sylwanin silently walked up to me, startling me back to reality. She was your typical high elf, with a slender figure, long auburn hair that was braided beautifully, pale, flawless skin and sapphire blue eyes that never showed any warmth. "I hope you are prepared for this. The Void is no place for children." She didn't look at me and her face stayed emotionless but I still got the message that she disapproved of me joining this mission. "I know. But I won't let you down." I promised her with a firm voice, that under no circumstances did I want to show her how scared I was, although she probably already knew. As a response she just nodded and walked away, leaving me wondering if she believed what I said or not. I sighed and turned to look at the shimmering wall of colours in front of the ship, The Void. It looked almost alive, the way the colours moved around and swirled into each other in a mysterious pattern that seemed to always be changing.
Neil: There was a version of the script where I was asked - and I did - they asked me to do it [baby swap] in a way that the viewer would think that the Americans has actually wound up with the baby [Antichrist], but it seemed…
Douglas: …sounds like hard work…
Neil: …it seemed like hard work and it wasn’t actually funny at that point if you don’t know that everybody is screwing up.
Ahh! Just had a thought and no time to write it, so it’s up for grabs.
I see all the amazing ‘Hob hates Shakespeare’ posts out there.
But I raise you:
‘Hob wants to see what’s so special about Shakespeare that his Stranger abandoned him, so he starts hanging out with him and accidentally becomes one of his patrons. Shakespeare then falls in love with Hob and tries to woo him with some lovely sonnets and comfort him after his son’s death because Shakespeare has been there too.’
Meanwhile, in the Dreaming, Dream is grinding his teeth over Shakespeare’s new sonnets. He didn’t give that stupid bard all that inspiration just for that stupid bard to go and seduce HIS human with all that sappy poetry.
Turns out Hob is the Shakespeare fan when all is said and done and Dream can’t stand him.
hob: oof, had a pretty brutal nightmare last night
dream: !!!!!??? who dared--? i shall--
hob: but you know, i hadn't actually thought of that memory in that context before... 🤔
dream:....
dream: did you not find it frightening?
hob: well sure but isn't the point kind of like to confront it in a contained space so you can understand it?
dream:................
hob: so in that respect it was kind of helpful, actually
dream: you... appreciated.... the nightmare?
hob: yea-- wait, are you crying?
later
dream: he-- he-- he appreciated my nightmares. sister. he. appreciated *sniffling, crying* he understood them, he liked them, he liked my nightmares, HE--
death, patting his back: alright let's calm down now sweetie (i wonder if i can somehow give hob Premium Immortality....?)
(dream, later: should i send another one do you think?
death: yeah i'm gonna vote no on intentionally giving your crush a night terror)
Thranduil's anger was actually beautifully raw in this scene where he is confronted by Tauriel, who was behaving like the child she was (compared to her king). My dear girl, who exactly do you think you are drawing an arrow on your king in front of his own people, and then hurling such an insult as "There is no love in you"?!
Thranduil fans who have theorized endlessly on the facts surrounding Legolas's mother know better. There is tremendous love in the Elvenking's heart, which is why it was then filled with equally tremendous pain when the object of that love was taken from him.
Is Tauriel arguing that there is no love left in him ever since his wife died? Did she not see his face as he surveyed the dead bodies of the Mirkwood elves he led into battle?
Let's review:
It would seem that this was a king who valued the lives of his subjects as though they were all his children, and a good father will not stand for anyone threatening his family. One could fairly argue it was already generous of him to sacrifice as much as he did at that point. Unlike the High Kings of the First Age who lost their entire kingdoms in wars, Thranduil had control over his pride and refused to needlessly give his people up to slaughter. Is that not a form of love? I am not arguing that he made the correct moral choice to refuse further aid, but to say that his refusal to send more elves to fight was because he had "no love" is preposterous and insulting.
And finally, just to stick the nail in the coffin of Tauriel's self-righteous, ignorant accusations, what did Thranduil look like when he said goodbye to his son after letting him walk away from their home?
I do believe that is the face of a father who just gave up his last shred of happiness just so that his son could go seek his own happiness.
Love. Not even the coldest of fronts that he puts up and harsh words he hides behind could deny the obvious proof in his actions.
In conclusion: Tauriel, despite being captain of the guard, raised in Mirkwood, and supposedly a beloved friend of Legolas, knew nothing about her King. The shame is on her alone.
According to the lay known as “The Fall of Gil-Galad”, upon this elven-king’s death, he was “the last whose realm was fair and free, between the Mountains and the Sea”.
…say what now? Excuse me, dear Middle-earth minstrels, but you seem to have forgotten about THIS GUY:
King Thranduil Oropherion is the Sindarin counterpart of the “High King of the Noldor”, and therefore comparable to the renowned High King Gil-Galad, but is sadly not given the same amount of recognition in stories and songs.
Allow me the honor of “singing” the ways Thranduil is very similar to Gil-Galad:
(1) Both were born in the First Age, and as young elves witnessed the destruction of the cities they lived in: Thranduil in Doriath and Gil-Galad in the Havens of the Falas. They were exposed to war and bloodshed at an early age and experienced living as refugees.
(2) Both survived and possibly participated in the War of Wrath. (You know, that really terrible, bloody, decades-long war that literally broke the world--that war.) According to certain interpretations of the film “The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug”, Thranduil likely did fight in the War of Wrath, where he “faced the great serpents of the north”. Elven warriors of the First Age were incredibly fierce warriors out of necessity, and if Thranduil survived those great battles when he was about 150 years old, that makes him extra badass.
(3) Both inherited their kingships from their forefathers. Gil-Galad’s claim to the Noldor throne (like his canon parentage) is a little murky, but he is related to Fingolfin whose line was pretty much wiped out, so only Elrond or Galadriel could have challenged his claim (which they didn’t). Thranduil’s claim is far more direct as the son of the first King of the Woodland Realm and ruler of the Silvan people.
(4) Both were warrior kings. Because canon stories of Thranduil are very sparse, we don’t know for sure which wars he did or didn’t participate in during the Second Age. What DID he do those 2,000+ years while his father was establishing and ruling the realm? Honing his warrior skills seems to be a fair hypothesis. How else would he have developed the deadly skills he exhibited at the Battle of Five Armies? How else would he have kept the foul creatures of Dol Goldur at bay without a magic ring? It’s very possible he’s seen more time on the battlefield than official historical accounts say.
(5) Both fought at the Battle of Dagorlad, during the War of the Last Alliance. Gil-Galad fought hard and valiantly to the end at Mordor, slaying Sauron by his own spear. Because Oropher died at the first onslaught, it was likely that Thranduil had to exit the war early, either to bury his father and their slain soldiers, or because he himself was injured. There may have been enough time for him to rejoin the Alliance at the Siege of Barad-dûr, to avenge his father and salvage his family’s honor and pride. But Thranduil, whom people mistakenly dismiss as arrogant or proud, was a king who valued his people and the soldiers under his command. It would have been easy glory to join the Siege since by then the war had been all but won (and won by the blood of his people, might I add). Thranduil chose to stay with his kin and help them through the loss of their king and many loved ones, and to reassure them that they were in good hands with him as their new ruler.
It’s a big, sad shame that Tolkien was not able to write more stories about Thranduil, his family, and the Mirkwood elves. Based on the theories we, his fans, are able to formulate about him, it seems he may have been the most successful, even most benevolent, Elven ruler of them all. He will just have to get his glory and renown in the “songs” and “lays” of our headcanons and fanfics.
ik “everybody ships it” is a popular trope for a reason especially the “gandalf ships it” subvariety but in the case of bagginshield i just think its much funnier if its the complete opposite. gandalf thinks thorin is intolerable but knows bilbo is bitchy enough to match the energy so he sets thorin and bilbo up on a date as a prank on both of them and then receives a wedding invitation in the mail six months later and puts his head in his hands. Fíli and Kíli contriving situations where thorin has to carry bilbo across a river or huddle with him for warmth because they think its funny to annoy their uncle except now thorin and bilbo are going out of their way to do those thing voluntarily and Fíli and Kíli are worried their hubris might have added an insufferable honeymoon romance to everybody’s long-term living situations
origamiaround
romaincrisis
areudirty
pixelskylines
turnnoffyourmind
dailybridgerton
amandla
gummygunk
titsay
