~ Mardil ~
a young lad
a simple stable boy
a proud Gondorian
{This is an independent role-play blog for LOTR and The Hobbit. On Arda, anytime, anywhere.
Tracking: mardilofgondor
Face-claim: Heath Ledger
M!A: currently none
This blog is for now minor-friendly. I may turn it into NSFW later, should it become necessary.}
As I'm sure many of you noticed, I've been absent lately. I occasionally lurked around on tumblr, but my roleplays, messaging and really any kind of contact have been... well, non-existent.
I've been on an unintentional hiatus; I've never posted or said anything because I didn't even anticipate it would happen. It just sort of... did.
But that be as it might, I still love you all and I haven't forgotten you. I'll stay on hiatus for a while longer I'm afraid, due to unforeseen circumstances. But I came here briefly to wish you all
a lovely Merry Christmas, I hope you're spending it well.
Kind regards to all of you, my tumblr friends and crack-writers and roleplayers and incredibly kind and loveable people.
// Also when the Guard appears on the Dark World, you see a green shimmer of magic before they show him. Upon returning to see Odin, Odin defiantly knows its Loki when he looks at the Guard and goes, “Loki.” The Guard then smirks.
Let me just use this as an opportunity to rant about Odin. We all agree he’s a dick by now, but I, for one, would really like to know why. Why is he such an asshole in TDW? How does he excuse his actions? Why does he keep punishing his ‘sons’ for doing the exact same things he does? Does he feel like he completely failed to raise them and has no idea how to correct his mistakes, or is he a narcissist who can’t handle to have his faults reflected in somebody else?
Odin is considered wise and just. Thor says that much (‘there’ll never be a wiser king than you’). Frigga, too (‘there’s always a purpose to everything your father does’). He must have earned the reputation somehow.
a) He was actually a good, wise king in the past. But he grew old. There must have been a reason he wanted to give the throne over to Thor. Perhaps he’d grown tired of being a king. It is a responsibility, after all, and maybe he wasn’t quite up to it anymore. All the movie things happened afterwards, and maybe he just couldn’t deal with it anymore, or something. Got old and bitter, you know. Burnout. It happens.
b) He used to a good king, but he lost the grip on reality. If everyone worshiped him and never dared to oppose him, it could happen. And then, suddenly, his sons began disagreeing with him. Not just that, they were the only two people (aside from Frigga) who had the power to oppose him, and that just wouldn’t fit with Odin’s perception of the world, just like the fact his plans for Jotunheim failed wouldn’t (and of course he would punish Loki for it because Odin couldn’t possibly be the one at fault).
c) His so-called wisdom and justness were just an illusion. He would have to be clever to deceive a whole nation and basically train them to worship him (then again, maybe his father had done it before? He is shown as a warmonger, just like Odin). If everything was a manipulation, then Loki’s internalised racism must have been a part of the plan, as well. However, in this case, his façade is cracking.
Whatever the case, his behaviour is getting worse with every movie he appears in. In Thor, he still seems to care about his people. After all, when he drags his sons and the Fools Four from Jotunehim, he immediately sends them to the healing rooms and he yells at Thor for exposing the Aesir to the dangers of war (which I still don’t think could actually happen, but that’s another topic). He probably does banish Thor because of the ‘old man and a fool’ insult, but hey, at least he sort of expresses concern for the citizens of Asgard. Also, judging from his general conduct in Thor, it still seems possible that he loves his sons (and considers both of them his sons), but is just a miserable failure of a father.
In the Avengers, he’s already acting worse. Yes, I know we don’t see him, but his presence is there, both in form of Thor and his ravens. There’s this fact that he sends Thor to get Loki before anything really happens (ranted about that before, so I’m not going there again). And then there are Hugin and Munin. Loki can obviously hide from Heimdall’s gaze (though there is no proof he is doing so in the Avengers. For all we know, he is just letting himself be seen. It would make sense, too, since Thor has no trouble finding him), and maybe he could hide from the ravens, too, what do I know, but they are shown flying around in the movie. Meaning Odin is informed about what is going on, and if he had been paying any attention to Loki prior to the movies, he should have known that Loki is behaving way out of character. Shitty father, really.
Finally, there is TDW (with its first ten minutes that made me crave a plastic bag to throw up into, and put every bone in Mardil’s hand in danger of being crushed. Whoops…). Let’s start with Loki’s… um. That’s not a trial. That’s just. Well. That. The level of hypocrisy there is so high it’s not even on the scale anymore…
If Odin is so wise and all, how did he not see that Loki didn’t really want a throne? Odin should be able to tell that, especially if his reputation is the result of careful brainwashing. Unless:
a) Loki is an even better faker (then again, perhaps Loki had managed to convince himself, probably with some unwelcome help from the Chitauri and Thanos, that he actually wants a throne. Hm);
b) Odin is simply blind for it. Selective perception and all;
c) he sees the truth but pretends he doesn’t because it fits his plans and world-view better to make a scapegoat out of Loki.
Another thing that bothers me about that scene is Loki’s hair. I don’t know if that was just carelessness on Marvel’s part, but it’s bad either way. As far as I understood Marvel, that scene was supposed to happen right after the Avengers, but Loki’s hair is the same length as it is later in the movie. So, either Marvel was too lazy to find the wig he wore in the Avengers, which is bad, or Loki was already in prison for a year, and is then dragged in front of Odin only to be sent back to prison, which is worse (I’m sure Loki’s brain would use that year of uncertainty to come up with some lovely ways of punishment that could be awaiting him…).
And remember all those fanfics and speculations about the possibility Loki would be tortured in Asgard that some people opposed the moment they saw the trailer because, hey, he’s got a nice, clean cell, he’s healthy, all is well. Riiiight. His sentence is nothing but torture. He is about to spend 4000 years without any physical contact. I’m no expert on that, but the brain chemistry gets all fucked up when somebody is isolated. It would make him go mad. Worse still, he’d be aware he’s going mad. At the beginning of the movie, he at least has Frigga talking to him, but after her death? What if Thor didn’t break him out of the prison? He wouldn’t even have anyone to talk to. This is sick on so many levels…
Don’t even get me started on how Odin praises the acts of his father, who fought the Dark Elves when they wanted nothing but to regain what was once theirs. If, say, the Jotnar managed to conquer Asgard and the surviving Aesir won it back, that would be considered a glorious, honourable battle. If the Dark Elves try the same, they are the personification of Evil. Or when Loki says he will bring peace to Earth… It makes me think there might have been some really bad parenting involved in the royal family long before Thor and Loki were even a plan…
So, Odin is not only hypocritical when it comes to Loki (I don’t know whether that makes me feel better or worse). He clearly shows just how he doesn’t give a damn about humans (they are just mortals, they don’t belong to Asgard any more than goats belong onto a feast…), yet he get so very protective of the petty, tiny mortals when he has to justify his judgement towards Loki. Hell, he wouldn’t even let Jane get healed in Asgard. The woman his son loves. He would rather have her die and Thor grieve for her then allow her to be treated. As if she were undeserving of the healing Asgard can provide just because she will eventually die. But (*gasp*) so will Odin! (Give or take 5000 years…) I can’t even…
Not only that. Suddenly, he is willing to sacrifice Aesir lives, too, just to preserve his ego. What meaning would that victory even have? What would it help him to slaughter the Dark Elves if there was nobody left alive in Asgard? Even if can’t find compassion for his subjects, he could at least care about that: you can’t be a king if there is nobody to rule. He has to be losing it at that point, and while his previous actions can’t, this one could be attributed to the grief he feels for Frigga. As Mardil pointed out, though, Loki acts out of grief, too, but nobody cares about that.
TDW gave us plenty of reasons to dislike Thor, as well, but it gave me a couple of reasons to like him, too. Perhaps the best thing Thor does in the movie is confronting Odin about his decisions (although, where was he when Loki’s fate was in question?). That moment when Thor asks how Odin is any better than Malekith? Odin is not even trying to say that he is. Unless he thinks that whoever wins is the good guy. Or that he is the good guy by default. Whatever. Is he even aware that what he wants to do it cruel and unfair towards his people? The Aesir might like war and think it heroic to fall in battle, but what of their wives? Children? I’m sure they don’t want them to die for no good reason.
If that’s the way Odin’s been ruling all the time, how come nobody has tried to usurp the throne? Or maybe they have. We don’t actually know what the people’s opinion of the king is. Sure, they are cheering and all at Thor’s coronation, but if there’s one thing people have always liked, it’s a spectacle, and what is a coronation if not a spectacle? It doesn’t reflect the reality of the situation, whatever it may be like.
To conclude this, Odin has no right to demand the vows from Thor. Guard the Nine Realms? He condemned Jotunheim to a slow decay. Preserve the peace? How? By raising the enemy’s child and putting him on the said-enemy’s throne as a puppet king? Cast aside all selfish ambitions and pledge yourself to the good of all the Realms? If you’d excuse me, I need to find the closest toilet to puke in.
// This. Although the potential crushing of my fingers was commented with a mere 'Whoops,' I'll look past it to applaud to this rant. (My fingers are all fine, after all, I can do that!)
On one hand, Odin is hardly worth the attention, so Kuddos, Shades, for insisting to go into all this careful detail and try to make sense where there is none. Someone wrote how A. Taylor seems not to have shied away from his obvious dislike with Odin so far and allowed him to be a... well, a d*ck that he is. xD
On the other, this is wonderful. There is still hope that slowly, some knowledge about audiences will trickle to the movie-makers. We are, in fact, intelligent people capable of critical thinking - and we VALUE quality entertainment.
aneleth replied to your post: Mun here! (For RP-ers)
// take your time sweety, sometimes the best replies come unexpected. And we have plenty of ways to go about this. You can integrate some of your dreams if you like, or wake up and play with this ol’ cat :) (careful with the fleas!)
// Thanks! :D Probably wake up, although he doesn't know how to play with cats at all... which should make it hilarious. xD If she has flees, he may or may not try to... uh. Give it a bath? I take no responsibility for what transpires there! It's Mardil!
First of all, my apologies for not being available much here. My appearances on tumblr have been quite sporadic and brief and I haven't yet managed to catch up with everyone. It's just... life had caught up with me some and I wasn't able to be here everyday, or to RP or plot daily.
I haven't forgotten you all, however! I still want to RP and plot with so many of you... If memory serves, this is how I left the place:
- chaos-in-the-making, we were plotting vaguely, weren't we? I know you're in seclusion for now, but do let me know once you've seen the movie. I miss you! And Mardil misses his friend... ;)
- fractumdominus, I've read your message. Take your time and don't worry. I am awaiting your reply and title, but take as much as you need. :)
- aneleth, I owe you a reply to 'Feeling ticklish?' I haven't decided yet whether he'll wake up or keep on sleeping, but the cat was a wonderful idea... seeing how Mardil has no clue what to do with them. xD
- Pi, I've finished a cat thread with you; whenever you have any other crazy ideas with any of your many muses, let me know. :) Crack. We all do it for crack.
- Immortal bros, meaning irmolorien and judgeofarda, I currently don't have any threads with you, right? Well, not counting the usual Crack!AU with my not-quite-dead guy smoking pipeweed, learning that Irmo likes spicing up plants and kissing Namo. I am always open for new threads, crack or actual plot, so feel free to contact me anytime. ^^ Long live the crack...
- starlightandsilverfalls, we've been plotting and discussing pros and cons of angst, right? Sorry for delay, but I'm back and will be messaging you shortly. Or you can nag me any time you want. ^^
Have I forgotten anyone????? Please let me know, ok?
Also, new followers and folks who aren't new followers but haven't even spoken to me yet: please don't be shy! Even if I'm not yet following you back, I'll be at the latest once we start plotting. I just try to keep my dash as topic-related as possible, so don't be mad or worried.
// I agree. He needs to be stopped. I mean. Not only those ridiculously sinful, slender, LOOOOOONG(er than Monday) fingers, but also... TOUCHING HIMSELF. Just... Just... Someone put a stop to all this. Evil Creature of Doom. Yes. My new nickname for him. Also, payback time, I'm so tagging Loki-Mun here... >:)
Also the Dark Elves. I know they were technically trying to wipe out the universe, but they were treated in a very two dimensional way. We don’t really see their motivations, we are supposed to assume they are evil. But if we look at it from their point of view ***possible spoilers - they were there first, the light came and with it new creatures that tried to wipe them out. I’d be pissed off too!*** What little motivation we are given for them, to me, makes their actions understandable, but we are supposed to cast them as monsters based on limited information and the fact that they “look like monsters”
// Hello, stranger. I'm smiling now because, and I kid you not, I SAID THE EXACT SAME THING to Shades (a friend) the moment we were out of the cinema. :) Yes, !SPOILER! why indeed would the Dark Elves NOT be pissed? I would be if not only I had to suddenly share my space with creatures completely different than me, but also those creatures being intolerant and wanting to destroy me. Heck, defense is the best offence. And more than that, Asgard sometimes seems to attack purely out of concern someone might be a problem, or too strong. And their idea of peace is to snort at at best. Honestly, !SPOILER! watching the beginning of TDW was appalling - it's like watching Thor all over again.
Think of the number of followers you have. It doesn't matter if you have 10 or 1000, imagine ALL of them in the same room with you RIGHT NOW. That's a lot of people who have common interests and common obsessions. That room full of people is a room full of potential friends. You are NEVER alone. REBLOG IF YOU LOVE ALL OF YOUR FOLLOWERS.
Spoilers are hitting my dash about Malekith’s motivations and characterization, (or the lack thereof), and that’s getting me thinking about another well-known Thor villain. No, not Loki this time. Rather, the Jotuns and the very weird way they were treated by the writers. Cue long-winded rant. (No seriously, this is ridiculously long, so I’m putting it under a cut.)
Has anyone ever wondered why Odin is concerned about the war at all? The Jotnar don’t have any means to get into Asgard on their own, so unless he thought they could have used whatever way they’d used to sneak in, there really was no reason to worry. And even if the Jotnar had found that path on their own, I doubt a whole army could squeeze through there (especially if all the paths are as narrow as the one Loki uses in TDW). Jotnar don’t have a bifrost, and the Casket has been taken from them. So, basically, Odin is worried about being attacked by a nation that can’t get off their own planet. Where is the sense in this?
OOC: Thor: The Dark World - Rant and Some Observations (Spoilers!)
// After having thought about the movie for a while, I am now far more objective about it that I was. Frankly when I made it out of the cinema, I was only happy that it didn't suck completely.
Still, despite seeing it only once and thinking that it was decent, there were just things that just bothered me, even during the movie.
I watched Thor twice and watching it the first time years ago, the movie simply didn't sit right with me. I enjoy Hopkins as an actor, but the character he portrays just... sucks. He is the villain, except nobody ever noticed, or so it seemed. When I saw it months ago for the second time, I was even more intent about the fact that, to put it bluntly, he's a dick. I remember discussing it with Shades and we somehow came to agree that some fanfictions were far better off portraying him as more likable - but the movie version itself only got more and more grotesque.
I wonder if A. Taylor purposefully intensified the hypocrisy that rolls off of him freely in TDW. And I should hope yes, because if nobody is aware of that than I will once again find myself very disappointed in the movie-makers and their ability to research. As Shades pointed out right after the movie, when Thor asked Odin how he is any different than Malekith, Odin only says he'll be the one victorious - BUT DOES NOT deny any other difference. And another thing: at the end, when the "guard" tells Odin they found a body, the Alldaddy doesn't seem surprised or grieved, or anything. He simply states the name... probably relieved he no longer has a powerful sorcerer on his hands.
2.) Horrible parenting
More ranting about Odin, yes. Because there was another thing that was so obvious during the movie. Behavioral patterns. Much has been said about superiority complex already, so I will not waste anyone's time with that. But here's a thing I do wish to point out: it is DAMN obvious where Loki (and Thor) got his (their) attitude towards everyone seemingly lower than themselves.
As Thor so aptly phrases it: "You think yourself above them?" And Loki answers: "Well, yes."
Odin. And his raising of kids. Odin who goes on and on about how they aren't gods and how Loki cannot rule Earth, even as a benevolent god... and then soon after, he likens the humanity to goats who don't belong in the mighty and shiny Asgard. You know what? We never gave any indication we even WANT to be there, oh You Wise King, You. (Ok, Jane and her science, but even she never said she wished to stay.)
Thor. Thor and his "Humans are so petty. And tiny."
Yes, why indeed would Loki also share this belief. Why was Thor even surprised? And this is sounding too much like a Lokean rant, so I'll just move along.
The next is the whole belief that servants, meaning everyone beneath him, are disposable. Loki in Thor thinks all Jotnar are, as are two guards of the vault.
But hey, Thor thinks his friends are just as disposable, at least in the beginning of Thor, because he has no qualms and no concerns leading them to Jotunheim, and not giving a damn that one of them gets frostbite while all of them were in danger because of him.
But more than that, Odin, the Allfather, the Wise KING that is oh-so-good as a ruler, has ABSOLUTELY no qualms about sacrificing the entire race, HIS OWN SUBJECTS to fight Malekith with no guarantee they'll even win, based only on a madman's grief. (Grief, Odin. Welcome to Loki's world.)
Some people really should not be parents.
Some more hypocrisy: this is the wise, benevolent ruler that told Loki, whom he paraded around collared, shackled, chained, etc., that he couldn't be a benevolent god on Earth. God or King, yeah, I know there's a supposed difference... except there doesn't seem one for Odin. He does as he pleases. I guess he really is convinced all AEsir wish to die a warrior's death, Valhalla and all. Good for him. (Terrible for everyone else.)
3.) Cruelty
Odin towards Loki. No questions why Loki did what he did, only assumptions and accusations. And no, Loki cannot be expected to try and dissuade them, because hell, why bother.
He would be dead if not for Frigga.
And everything Odin said, you know, the whole "both born to be kings..." no longer applies, because Loki was actually born to be dead.
Frigga to Loki. I still like the character somewhat, but don't tell me there isn't some terrible parenting there, too. I was face-palming in Thor when she answered Loki's question why he wasn't told with "He didn't want you to feel different." Woman, are you blind, deaf and bathing in the Egyptian river each day?! Loki on Asgard sticks out like a sore thumb. He had always felt and been different, don't tell me you haven't noticed.
And then when the son who had returned, who you thought dead because he committed suicide and then reappeared clearly not in any better shape... then when this son of yours reappears and you've pleaded for his life, all you tell him is to "not make it worse." Yes, because Loki is so at fault. Blaming the victim because the sadist is being a... well, a sadist. What she doesn't get is that Loki doesn't care how much worse he makes it, because it really doesn't matter.
Then later, in the cell, when she's done "everything to make him comfortable," was it necessary to push it? She didn't answer any of Loki's very valid questions why neither Odin nor Thor had to take up any responsibility. She had to push it, however, with the "Am I not your mother, then?" It was a struggle for Loki. He had called her "mother" before and only renounced Odin and Thor so far. But of course after she asked, his pride didn't allow him to say anything but what he did, even as she seemed to realize it.
Thor to Loki. I'm not talking about The Evil Clip of Doom, as Moggy and Krakensdottir so aptly named it. I'm talking about something else that I've picked up on and that bothered me A LOT the moment I saw it.
Loki asks Thor if Frigga suffered when she died. Thor never answers, never tells and instead verbally attacks and accuses Loki. He denies him any consolation that sharing the grief they both feel could possibly bring. Loki knows neither Thor nor Odin ever ask about him, but now knowing the person who still bothered visiting him is dead... and worse, not knowing whether she suffered, this is, in my opinion so very cruel. It's not much, but knowing she died quickly would have possibly been a small consolation for Loki, who might have been feeling a bit guilty about her death, anyway.
4.) Lack of Loki Angst in TDW
Loki in TDW is basically the God of Sass. And while I appreciated it, because it made the movie more dynamic and because it was IC for him, I missed another level on his character. The level where he's hurt, grieving and where his sanity is frail at best. The banter and sass he has with Thor (any pretty much everyone) is all right and could even be seen as a defense he puts up...
But still. The only time we see the real depth of his simmering anger and rage, even prior to Frigga's death, is when he lashes out. And who gets to see it? Frigga. Notice he's not sassy towards her. He's bitter, he's lashing out, he's demanding answers. He shows his anger for what it is, even though it's dripped with sarcasm. If only his mother wouldn't dismiss it... She was the only one he showed this.
In a way, it's obvious he puts up a front for Thor. Why wouldn't he? But still, it seems all the bad feelings towards his brother are forgotten and he is just a bit too easy towards him. Then again, it's not too surprising, since he hardly has any choice.
Still, I missed seeing more of his actual feelings. Because there's no way he could have simply shrugged off the depression, internalized racism, anger, grudges, bitterness and lingering effects of torture. Or the touch deprivation, or isolation, or falling through space and the such.
It just seemed too easy sometimes.
5.) The fact that everyone forgot the most obvious thing...
I don't know if this is really the characters forgetting it or if the writers just insisted on stuffing Loki in that box, but...
I, personally, twitched when it was said repeatedly and throughout the movie, that Loki wanted to rule and wanted the throne.
By Loki's own admission (it could be a lie, but the circumstances in which he said it warrant to think it was the truth, since he would gain nothing by lying): HE. NEVER. WANTED. THE. THRONE.
And yet Odin seems to think so. And as Loki, disguised as Odin, says it in the end, it is something Odin would say and Thor obviously accepts without question.
When Loki says he wants to rule, it's in five instances:
- Ruling Asgard ("Asgard is mine") when talking to Laufey, his ENEMY. If Thor is too dumb to lie to his adversaries, it doesn't mean Loki is. It stands reason to believe he could be fibbing to appear real enough to Laufey, so that his scheme works out and that he survives the encounter.
- Ruling Earth, first to Fury and then to those people... interesting enough he never says HE would rule them DIRECTLY. It is heavily implied, but then considering his actions, that was all just a speech he needed to give.
- Ruling Earth to Thor when they're fighting. And truly, why should he not? If Odin can rule Asgard... but more importantly, even Thor asks "who controls the would-be king." Stands reason to believe something's fishy about all that Earth-ruling business Loki has going on.
- Talking to Odin. But if this isn't obvious mocking of the Alldaddy, then I don't know what is.
So there's five instance where it stands reason to believe he's fibbing or saying what he needs to, and one instance where he's being painfully obvious and truthful, stating the opposite. I wonder which one we should believe.
She had watched him from afar. He had already told her, so many times, he was clumsy and awkward. And now she had seen him, going about his daily chores, a serious face trying to please the lords and ladies he served.
Aneleth chuckled, found him quite endearing. She herself was not much older than him, yet the last month of traveling had made her gain the advantage of many years knowledge on the way of the world. She would not go as far to say she knew it all. But she felt confident in who she was and was not sure if Mardil was shy, or just not very sure of himself.
Seeing that his chores did take a lot of his energy, she watched him as he had sat down next to the gate that held the horses. And surely, she saw him fall asleep as some leaves rustled by and the late autumn sun warmed him.
Blushing slightly on account of her wicked plan she set herself against one of the trees, knowing this was a safe settlement and no one would suspect a woman dozing off. And just for laughs she closed her eyes and shifted into one of the elderly stable cats that lived in the barn.
Trotting towards Mardil, who was now sound asleep, she teasingly brushed her whiskers against his cheek to see if she could wake him up.
After he figured it would be all right if he rested a bit, he found a calm, sunny spot near the stables. He was once again tagging along from Minas Tirith with a group of travelers to cater to the horses; he had seen this settlement before and was familiar enough with the place and schedules that he knew he had some time.
He didn't quite intend to doze off, but the sun felt so pleasant and his body relaxed so quickly to various yet distant sounds of the village.
He didn't quite know what he dreamed of, but it was something soft and pleasant... a lovely, delicate quilt? But the sensation was on his cheek, why would anyone want to cover his cheeks?
Still, it felt nice... soft, somewhat ticklish, so light it was... but nice. And he rarely dreamed such odd dreams, so he could at least enjoy this one.
