I'm going to regret this probably but: MAGLOR.
Character memefor @eldochflamma (bro, you sure like hearing people talk about you!)
First impression: Stop that harping bro! The first time I read about him I was impressed by Maglor’s contradictions. He is an artist and a formidable warrior, he can be ruthless and compassionate, still I must admit, much to mi chagrin, that I did tend to see him as much softer than he is. I focused too much on how his character arc ended rather than how it developed.
Impression now: I love Maglor, I think that he is, among his brothers, the one that questions the oath the most because he is the one that manages to keep his own art to the last, all the others end up losing what they built and gained, in a way: what defined them, in pursuit of both the Oath and the war against Morgoth (something too often forgotten..), still Maglor is the one that manages to keep his art, to pass on the Noldolante. The one that, in the very end, is still able to see a life past the Oath, even though how much of that is something he himself sees as wishful thinking is debatable. His kindness has an iron core, he doesn’t disdain vengeance and is capable of taking satisfaction from it, still he is also incredibly Noldorin in his will to build, create, try.
Favorite moment: For all my love of “love grew between them, as little may be thought” I still like both his one-shot decapitation of Uldor and the idea of him writing the Noldolante, something that will tell of his people’s struggles and their history from a perspective that is not Gondolin or Doariathirm centred. This is a hard choice, one I am laothe to make. So I will not XD When he is NOT harping at 4 am
Idea for a story: Years ago I was writing about his fading and had this idea that he left behind a spark of what he was. Such a tiny piece that all that is left is his voice somewhere along the coast, ashore from where the Silmaril he recovered is, something that seems to have a will of its own. A voice that can either lead people to their doom, or uplift the desperate, those who feel they have nothing to lose anymore. It speaks of pain, regret, and an old rage.
Unpopular opinion: He can relate to his father as an artist more than any of his brothers, and he and Fëanor have a deep respect for each other’s abilities. Maglor can be spiteful especially when music is involved, and his acquiescence to Maedhros’ last plan is not just dictated by weariness, but a need to know he has done all he could for his brothers. Him letting go of the Silmaril is him letting go of his identity, in a way, wanting to forget who he is.
Favorite relationship: Hard question. Maglor ‘s similarity to Nerdanel is, in my opinion, tied to his ability to build meaningful and deep relationships with all people he comes in contact with and likes. His “gentleness” is tied to his art, his ability to create emotions in others. If I had to chose one I would probably go for his relationship with his father though, merely because it is rarely explored. Other relationships I love are, in no particular order: with Elros and Elrons, with Maedhros, with Curufin (I feel they are each other’s foil in the way they relate to their father’s abilities, still they have a deep affection for each other), with his wife (pure headcanon here, but I have an OC.. like everybody on this fandom XD), and with art.
Favorite headcanon: He was the one that codified tonal music, thus differentiating “new” Noldorin music from the old and respected modal tradition that the Teleri and Vanyar use and write in. It is not a chance that he decided to approximate the error by making the notes seven. His wife was a contralto and that is why he wrote some of his best pieces for a female contralto voice, thus deviating even further from tradition.