#and winter came...

[stingrayextraordinaire]

Enya Song Moodboards // “Stars and Midnight Blue” by Enya

You have lost yourself in dreaming. I have lost myself in you.

[keatondj]

My Personal Ranking of Enya’s Discography

Before I really started getting into pop music and the music of today, before I was a true Little Monster or Arianator, before all of that, I had one true music idol: Enya. Enya is one of the most divine artists of our time, I think. 

I knew many of her songs from dancing to them at ballroom concerts or gigs (such as It’s In The Rain, Dreams Are More Precious, and Wild Child), but I never took the time to listen to how beautiful they were. I dug out Watermark from my parent’s CD cabinet one day in my junior year of high school, and became completely enraptured. I wouldn’t go a day without listening to her; yes, I would even fall asleep to her music. I just think she has the most incredible ear for rapturous orchestration, otherworldly vocal arrangements and layering, and heavenly melodies. I always look for music that is just beautiful, and she is the epitome of that for me.

Certain albums speak more to me than others, but all of her work is just absolutely divine. I’d love to share my thoughts and express my gratitude for her incredible work.

Reminder: this is my opinion. Everyone has a different ear, and certain sounds and songs resonate with different people. I’m just sharing my personal thoughts and experiences with these albums.

8. And Winter Came... (2008)

Although Christmas is my favorite holiday and the holiday season is just a sweet time of year, I’m not terribly fond of holiday releases. Other than Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”, many modern holiday releases are not noteworthy, and can’t live up to the true holiday classic we know and love. This album, unfortunately, falls in that category.

As a whole, this album just falls flat compared to the majesty of the rest of her work. Certain songs just don’t gel with me like “One Toy Soldier” and “My! My! Times Flies”; the use of the electric guitar in the latter just sounds corny, and I don’t enjoy it.

The album has its moments: “Dreams Are More Precious” as I mentioned is one of my introductions to Enya and it’s also one of my favorite songs of hers, the title song follows the tradition of a killer title song on an Enya album, and the “Oíche Chiúin (Chorale)” is Enya vocal-layering at its best, and it’s wonderful to hear such a beloved holiday hymn in another language.

It’s not an awful album; it’s not just heavy in my Enya rotation, we’ll say.

Favorite Songs: “And Winter Came...”, “Journey of the Angels”, “Dreams Are More Precious”, “Stars and Midnight Blue”, “Oíche Chiúin (Chorale)” 

7. Amarantine (2005)

This is another album that just doesn’t stand out too much for me. I actually think it’s quite a lovely album, and the fact that it has the first use of the Loxian language that Roma Ryan invented is exciting; “Water Shows The Hidden Heart” is probably my favorite song on the album from the use of the language and the fact that it’s just a really gorgeous song.

I don’t have a lot to say, really. It’s a fine album, but it just doesn’t resonate with me as much as her other albums.

Favorite Songs: “Amarantine”, “It’s In The Rain”, “If I Could Be Where You Are”, “A Moment Lost”, “Water Shows The Hidden Heart”

6. A Day Without Rain (2000)

This is an interesting album for me. It contains some of her strongest work and some of my most favorite of her work, but it’s not a favorite of mine either. I think the album artwork just speaks to quintessential Enya (and may be my earliest picture of Enya in my mind, I’m not sure), but it’s not my quintessential Enya album. The critics of the time absolutely hated it; I don’t necessarily agree with them, but I think I understand.

The album is incredibly top heavy, in my opinion. The title song is pure bliss, “Only Time” obviously took the world by storm for good reason (and unfortunately in the meme world as well, which I don’t appreciate), and “Deora Ar Mo Chroí” is one of the most beautiful and tragic songs I’ve ever heard. After “Flora’s Secret” (another song I danced to in ballroom), it really loses steam and power. I can hardly ever finish the album for this reason.

It’s musically one of her most gorgeous albums, but it’s not the most impactful or inventive.

Favorite Songs: “A Day Without Rain”, “Only Time”, “Deora Ar Mo Chroí”, “Flora’s Secret”, “Pilgrim”

5. Enya (1987) / The Celts (1992)

At first listen, I really did not like this album. I thought it wasn’t pretty enough, it didn’t have the key Enya elements, and it was too weird. Listening to it more and more, those are actually the reasons I really quite enjoy it now. 

It’s nothing like the rest of her work, which makes it so unique. She was just starting to find her musical sound and sensibilities, and this involved a lot more experimentation on her part. It’s so musically interesting and diverse, and so wonderfully late 80′s. It is a compilation of songs used on the show The Celts, but the fact that it holds up so well as an album itself is remarkable.

This album was a perfect starting point for the rest of her career and it holds up as a great album now.

Favorite Songs: “Aldebaran”, “Deireadh an Tuath”, “Fairytale”, “Boadicea”, “Dan y Dwr”

4. Dark Sky Island (2015)

You have no idea how excited I was to be getting a brand new album from Enya after I started being a huge fan. I wasn’t sure if we would get a new one after And Winter Came..., and little 19 year old me was geeking out too much at the thought of a new Enya album. To say the least, I was not disappointed at all.

This is one of her strongest releases in a long time; 7 years break from releasing music really benefited her, and she came back more powerful than ever. This is such a solid album, and I definitely had it on loop when it first came out.

I will say that none of my favorite tracks stand out against her earlier work, and there is no true powerhouse of the album. It is a very cohesive album, however, and that is how it is so successful. It’s a pleasure to listen to from start to finish.

I sure do hope we get more records from her in the future. I would be so eternally grateful if she could bless us just once or twice more.

Favorite Songs: “The Humming”, “The Forge Of The Angels”, “I Could Never Say Goodbye”, “Dark Sky Island”, “Diamonds On The Water”

3. The Memory Of Trees (1995)

I got this album for Christmas a few years back along with And Winter Came..., and believe me, I was listening to this album non-stop. This is the album that solidified my status as a true Enya fan.

For a while, this was my favorite Enya album, and maybe my favorite album of all time. However, my opinion has shifted, and I realize that I was just devastatingly in love with a few certain tracks. Like A Day Without Rain, this album is very top heavy for me, with the last few tracks not carrying the power of the beginning of the album.

“Athair Ar Neamh” took my breath away when I first heard it; I think it is her most beautiful song to date. I was just absolutely ravished by the haunting nature of the song with the signature Enya production behind it. It’s a song I can always throw on to feel comforted. 

All in all, this is an absolutely gorgeous album, and it’s part of the reason I’m so in love with her work.

Favorite Songs: “The Memory Of Trees”, “Pax Deorum”, “Athair Ar Neamh”, “Hope Has A Place”, “Once You Had Gold”

2. Watermark (1989)

This is the album that catapulted Enya into international stardom, and for good reason. This entire album is ethereal and blissful perfection. It really creates its own world and transports you on a journey filled with desire, contentment, and adventure.

It’s the first full Enya album I listened to, and I can always find joy and comfort in its gorgeous melodies, her haunting vocals, and the spectacular production on Nicky Ryan’s part. “Evening Falls” and “Na Laetha Geal M'Óige” were the two songs that established my sensibility towards Enya’s softer and slower songs, and I hold every other song to their standard, basically.

There is not a bad song on this album, and it definitely could take the number one spot. This is the perfect starter album for anyone trying to get into Enya, and it’s one of the most beautiful albums ever made.

Favorite Songs: “Watermark”, “On Your Shore”, “Exile”, “Evening Falls”, “Na Laetha Geal M'Óige”

1. Shepherd Moons (1991)

This is the quintessential Enya album in my opinion. It checks every mark, and then some. Everything about this album is just so perfect, incredible, powerful, etc. This is where she hit her stride, and delivered her most incandescent work. I can truly escape into another world when I listen to this album. It’s an album I need all the time; it’s one of the albums that really defines me. 

Every song is just so good; there’s not a dud at all. The ones that impacted me the most are “Caribbean Blue” and “Marble Halls”; both epitomize the qualities I love most about Enya. They are my two most favorite songs of hers, but I’m going to say that “Marble Halls” takes the cake for the top spot. It’s not an original work of hers (funnily enough), but it’s just the most gorgeous song ever. Nothing else to it; it’s absolutely flawless, divine, and any other adjective meaning “perfection”.

I love this album so much, and I will forever be indebted to Enya’s brilliance and majesty because of this album.

Enya is an absolute goddess of music, and I hope she knows how much impact she has to all her fans around the world. She is just amazing, and I will love her and her art forever.

[beaulahmae]

Meet two new characters for my “Two Thrones” series, from Part IV, “Legolas, Ion nîn.”  Evranin is an Elf from Lothlorien who is very shy and works in the Libraries for the Lord and Lady.  Her brother Orlin came to Dale for a wedding, and urged her to come and get her nose out of books for a while.  

Rôgon, or “ Rôg” as everyone likes to call him, is an Elven blacksmith from Mithlond, who was looking for a change, and bought the house and forge formerly owned by Bron and Adila.  He is casual, friendly, and doesn’t care much for propriety and pomp.  His work is gritty, and he doesn’t mind that all, because he is an expert in the making and repairing of Elven weaponry and his skill is renowned.   

He is about to meet another Elf who is very prim, proper and organized.  Will opposites attract, or will they hate each other? (A ZILLION thanks to @fromeroicawithlove for his input on this guy!  We’re going to have some fun with this!!)

[stingrayextraordinaire]

Aesthetic Moodboards // “Trains and Winter Rains” by Enya

Every time, it's the same: one more night, one more train.

(requested by @thesparksbro)

[beaulahmae]

It was hours before dawn, when the Kings’ bedroom door was slammed open.

“DA!  ADA!!” A small voice cried at the top of her lungs, as little legs ran in place.  “DA!”

“WOOH!!!” Bard jerked awake and sat up, swaying.  “Wha? Wha?”  His hair was sticking out in all directions, and he could hear the blood pounding in his ears.  “Whassa matter?  What happened?  OOOF!”

A tiny, wiggly body landed on his stomach (and other parts), squealing like a piglet

“Amarth faeg!” Thranduil sat up, startled.  “Ci vaer, Tithen Pen?”

“Tilda! Wh... whas wrong?”  Bard squinted at her.  “…you hurt?” Still drunk with sleep, he began to feel her arms and legs, and checked for injuries or broken bones.

“NO!” She threw her arms up in the air.  “It’s today, Da!”

Bard squinted at her.  “Wha’s today?”

“MY BIRTHDAY!  I’m not seven anymore!  I went to bed last night when I was SEVEN, then I woke up, and now I’m EIGHT and it’s my birthday and my party is TONIGHT!  A real party!”

The Elvenking groaned, flopped back down and closed his eyes. “Your daughter is awake much too early, Meleth nîn.”

“Why is she my child, in the middle of the night?” Bard scrubbed his face and looked out the window.  “Beanie… it’s still dark out!  You’re supposed to be sleeping.”

“Da-a!  I can’t sleep!  I woke up and I even waited a long time, really I did!  Besides,” she reasoned, “if I’m awake early, then my birthday will last longer!”

Thranduil yawned, reached over and grabbed their youngest and made her lay down next to him.  “You must calm yourself, my little love.  You know what Daeron said about getting excited.”

“I know, Ada, and I really, really tried, but I never had a real birthday party, and I’m going to have TWO of them!” Her voice was a high-pitched squeak.

“You are?”

“Uh huh!” She grinned from ear to ear.  “Cook told me yesterday he wants to make cakes for my class at school to give to everybody!  And Auntie Hil says we’re going to have a party here, and EVERYBODY is going to come!”

“That is very nice, and you must be sure to thank Cook,” Thranduil tried to reason with her, “but it is much too early for us to be worrying about this.  You are not due to get ready for school for another…” he looked at the water clock on the dresser by the wardrobe, “Ai! Two hours!”

“It’s that early?”  Bard muttered.  “Bloody f—”

Thranduil jabbed him hard with his elbow.  “Language, Da!”

“Well, what do you expect when I’m woken out of dead sleep?  Just give me a second to put my heart back in my chest!”

Tilda became very still, and her eyes got wide.  “Sorry, Da.”

Thranduil gave his husband a dirty look, and gathered her close.  “Da is not mad, Tithen Pen, but you startled him.  In the future, you must always remember that such things are for emergencies.”

“What’s that?”

“It means only when someone is sick.  Or bleeding,” Bard laid back down and closed his eyes.   “Or a fire.  Or a flood.  Or if the Eagles come.  Stuff like that.”

“Oh,” she said with a small voice.

“But of course, your birthday is very important, is it not, Da?” The Elvenking took two fingers and flicked his husband on the forehead.

“Ow!”  Bard sat up again and yawned, then stroked Tilda’s hair.  “I’m sorry, love; I don’t mean to be grumpy.” He kissed her.  “I’m just really tired, that’s all.”

“You have never had a party?” Thranduil asked.

“None of us have, except for Sigrid.”

“Why not?”

 “We were too poor.” Bard answered for her. “But Hilda and Percy would come over and we would have a pie or something.” He tugged at Tilda’s braids.  “Now, remember the rule: only gifts from family.  We don’t want gifts from the people, right?”

“Uh huh!  That’s why Cook is making the cakes.  I want to give my friends at school presents.”

Bard smiled sleepily. “I think that’s wonderful Little Bean,” he yawned, “but could we talk about this at breakfast?”

Thranduil got up and put on his robe.  “Come, hênig.  A little girl only has one eighth birthday in her life, but your Da has been working long hours and needs his rest.”

He picked up the birthday girl and carried her to the door.  “Let us go into the sitting room and talk quietly, until everyone wakes up, shall we?  Ai!” The Elvenking exclaimed, when he saw her bare feet.  “Where are your robe and slippers, hênig?  Tilda, you really must not forget to put them on…”

Bard listened to his Elf whisper to Tilda, and smiled, as he snuggled down to get a few more hours of sleep.

From “An Invincible Summer,” Part III of the “Two Thrones” series on AO3:  https://archiveofourown.org/works/14127870/chapters/32556594

[beaulahmae]

Thranduil froze; he had no idea what to do...

From the look on Bard's face, he was just as shocked and uncomfortable to see him, too.

At last, he found his voice, which came out shakier than he’d like.  “I am sorry Bard.” He swallowed hard. “I was told...  Hilda must have made a mistake.  I will go…”

He turned and dove towards the door, and when he opened it…

…there was Hilda, with her hands on her hips, and Galion was right behind her, with his arms crossed, looking equally determined.

“There –“  Thranduil started to say.

“No; there is no mix-up.” 

“Did you – “

“Aye; we set you up.”

“I shoul –“

 “No; you’re not going anywhere, and neither is Bard.”

“You sai…”

“I lied.”

“But…”

“No buts.”

“I do not –“

“Don’t care.”

“I cannot –“

“Yes, you can.”

“Please –“

Hilda let out an exasperated sigh. “You two need to work this out, one way or another, and the longer you put it off, the worse it’s going to be.  So, you turn right around, and get your arse back in there.  Neither one of you are allowed out, until noon tomorrow; is that clear?”

“But Hilda – “

“Oh, good!” Hilda clapped her hands together, merrily.  “So glad to see you boys understand!” She said with delighted sarcasm.  Then her face became severe and would brook no argument. “I meant what I said: neither one of you are to show your faces until tomorrow.  After lunch!”

And with that, she shoved the Elvenking backwards into the room, and gave him kind, but firm look.

“We love you both, very much,” she said.

Then she slammed the door in his face.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12026709 

[vintageseawitch]

This song makes me miss a home I've never known, a time I couldn't possibly have experienced in this lifetime. It's bittersweet & so lovely; as always, Enya is a master at invoking such feelings in one's heart, & I will never stop seeking it out...

[kitty-playlist]

Enya - Trains And Winter Rains