making elf culture my own: so, i know i am writing a canon tolkien character but i just wanna note that i am going to be making up some aspects of elven culture just because i can and i wanna. so, here are some things about elves in my own interpretation
elves have a very intense hair culture similar to dwarves. while in dwarven culture, braids and the act of braiding is symbolic, meaningful, and intimate, elves find the care of hair to be the same. braiding doesnāt mean much to the elves. i am making this up because tolkien never really spoke of elves hair except for this passage here.Ā but, in my interpretation of elvish culture, washing and brushing hair is almost like a religious ritual. elves naturally have beautiful, nearly flawless hair but of course, they do keep it up. brushing each others hair out is an act of intimacy reserved for lovers, with exception of parents caring for their children. elves do braid, but unlike the dwarves, it is seen as a practical way of keeping their hair from their face when being active rather than symbolism like the dwarves. idk if iām explaining any of this right but there you have it.Ā
elves typically mate for life. already it is elvish custom to only marry once. (thatās just canon right there) and elves typically are not fueled by lust. in my interpretation of haldir, he mates for life like all elves do, but he is lustful to the potential lover he has chosen. not outright like men usually are but he certainly fantasizes and can be a bit suggestive. i write it like this, because there are always exceptions. haldir is an exception. he likes sex, what can i say?Ā
while elves only marry once, i am going to follow that rule lightly in case any need for angst arrises.Ā
I am going to completely ignore theĀ ā no premarital sexā rule that is canon for elves in tolkien lore.Ā