#elf vs dwarf

[pistachiozombie]

Ha ha it funny cause weed = epic

Anyway Bofur and Sven are friends now 

[weirdponytail]

MIC!Arya and the Infamous Tarnag Temple Argument in IC Canon (AKA Modern Inheritance’s Take on Trauma, Religion, and Arya F***ing Apologizing)

Everyone gives Canon!Arya shit for the scene in the books where she gives Gannel shit in his own temple for having religion. I agree that it’s a bad moment for her character. I also feel it comes out of left field for Arya’s character up to that point but I’ll get smacked from here to the core mantle boundary for that by some of the fandom. I digress. This is very much not about my feelings on the canon version.

Let’s move on to how it might go for my Modern Inheritance!Arya and my version of events. 

A lot of what I write about in MIC is trauma related. Arya’s one of the easiest characters for me to write for in that regard for obvious reasons, and because I’ve shaped my mental picture of her over the years so she’s the one I have the most practice with. Please note that usually when I go to bat for Arya I tend to get my MIC version of her muddled in with canon, so I apologize for any sharp words, brow beating, etc. Anyway...what was I talking about? OH RIGHT, TRAUMA AND THAT WHOLE TARNAG THING. 

So just to further stress, this is Modern Inheritance/MIC right now. 

Arya’s coming off from a hell of a time. You don’t exactly process deaths of loved ones very well while being tortured, and while she’s juggling all that plus two near death experiences that occurred probably within a week of each other, Eragon nearly dying and his back spasms, the guy that tortured her and killed her best friend and her mate is dead but she didn’t get to have a swing at him, mentally preparing to face her queen/mother, the ‘a whole clan now wants to murder Saphira and Eragon’ situation, civil unrest in the city they’re in, just Brom being Brom, physical stresses from the whole *waves hands at previous paragraph*, she’s suddenly reminded that hey...the dwarves and humans have something that elves don’t. 

What’s that? Religion. And what usually comes with a religion? 

The concept of an afterlife. The general idea that when someone dies they have not really left. The comfort that if you pray, meditate, visit a grave, do something special to you/your faith then you can make a connection to your lost loved ones and friends. The promise that even though they’ve left this world, they’re still looking out for you. And one day you’ll see them again. The separation is only brief. 

And damn. Right then, that hurts for Arya. It’s like being kicked while you’re down. 

TMI and on but off topic: My mother died when I was 12. She had a progressive neural disease which pretty much destroyed her mentally and physically over the course of a year or so. During that year, there were a bunch of ‘spiritual’ people coming over. Not mainstream religion types, but still. 

I hated them with a passion. I hated them, the stuff they said about any type of afterlife or spirituality, prayer, the idea that the dead were not all gone, I fucking HATED that bumper sticker that says ‘if anything can go well, it will’ because ho BOY did that say something for the shit I was seeing and going through at the time. 

I had been agnostic bordering on atheist before but this was the nail in it for me. After mom finally died I was a real sourpuss/snarky little shit whenever religion came up. I insulted every religion any time it came up. I shut down anything having to do with my mom ‘watching over me’ or ‘being with me/us in spirit.’ 

It took me years to understand it. I was angry because I couldn’t bring myself to believe that after all the shit I saw, the pain my dad went through, that I went through, and the whole year of watching a bright, loving, intelligent woman that was my whole world turn to a fully paralyzed drooling mess with mood swings and no voice besides a pained moan...that there was any sort of god or spiritual energy or other bullshit out there. Because then why would it happen? And why to her? People say that ‘well if there is a god then why does war/famine/assault/torture/disease/etc. happen?’ but when it happens to you, and you were already teetering on the edge of ‘does it or does it not, maybe there is something out there…’ it’s like being smacked in the face with a shovel. 

I’ve got nothing against religion now, as long as it isn’t toxic or manipulative, etc. But I can see where Arya would be coming from. 

Because deep down, Arya sees what the dwarves have. This comfort in thinking that the dead aren’t all gone, and that all it takes is reaching out to them to share thoughts and feelings, and that you’ll see them again. 

And she wants that too. She wants it so badly. She envies their ability to think that way, to simply have faith in what they cannot see. She wants to talk to Fäolin and Glenwing (who is still alive in MIC but at this point she doesn’t know that) again, she wants to tell them that she misses them and that Eragon and Saphira exist and their deaths weren’t for nothing and tell them all the things unsaid...but no matter how much she wants to, she can’t get past everything thats happened in the past 6+ months and her own cultural beliefs. 

It hurts. She can’t think of anything else to say past the hurt and so she lashes out like I did. She doesn’t understand why really, but knows that religion and afterlives and all of it just make her...angry. Because what else could that cold rock in her chest be?

In MIC, Arya is not as stubborn when it comes to atheism or other cultures. Before the ambush, she frequently asked questions about the dwarvish religion, not exactly realizing that her questions could be considered more of ‘you dare question the faith’ than ‘so wait what if this happens? Do you still get to go to the afterlife? But what about when you feel a mind die? Where does it go?’ innocent type questions that come from curiosity. She still has the feeling that the money donated to religions could go to better places, but also realizes that sometimes the religions actually send said donations TO those places/the needy, and that structures/art/etc that were built long ago do kinda need upkeep. So instead of being a dick about it, when the dwarves at the temple bluntly tell her ‘would you shut up and leave already we don’t want to answer your questions’ she adds a cheeky ‘sure I’ll go as long as you donate to the Varden’s current fundraiser’ and goes on her way when they agree to donate.

But Arya still blatantly crosses a line by confronting Gannel rather sharply about her newfound feelings on religion while Eragon is there. She’s been following them as Eragon’s bodyguard (why the HELL did canon!Arya leave Eragon alone, even in a temple full of warrior monks, wheN A WHOLE CLAN WAS TRYING TO KILL HIM?!)  and she doesn’t even realize that she’s said anything until Eragon looks back at her like ‘ooooh nooooooOO ARYA WHAT THE HELL?! WAS THAT?!’ and she sees that the back of Gannel’s head is turning purple with rage. 

Eragon manages to extricate himself from it all and meet up with Saphira, and after a rather...heated...uh…”discussion,” Gannel finally flames that while Arya’s questions before pushed the limit, this was beyond unacceptable and asks what the fuck is wrong with her. Arya just storms out.

Arya comes back to the temple later that night, asks for Gannel, and pretty much kneels down and puts her forehead on the floor in front of him (MIC elves do this only when they realize they REALLY fucked up and use this stance as an open way of saying that they fucked up, apologize, and will accept the consequences) with a sincere apology for her earlier conduct. Honestly, her ear is still red from where Brom had twisted it when he caught wind of what she had done, but she’s not apologizing just because of that. 

She wants to learn how to pray. 

Not to a god or spirit, but how to talk to the ones she’s lost. The idea of religion giving a false sense of hope still hurts and angers her...but she’s realized that maybe there’s a reason why it can bring comfort. 

Gannel awkwardly explains that a way to get started is to simply speak aloud, as if talking to someone that isn’t there. When he realizes Arya isn’t pulling his leg or going to go off on him again, he decides to give her the ‘how to talk to dead people’ primer course over some mead and does his best to keep the more hard religion stuff out of it. As a priest/monk, he’s used to consoling people who have lost family and loved ones. He can pick up the signs easily enough...when the person isn’t ready to punch a hole in his fancy history wall. 

As she leaves, Arya apologizes again. 

And prods Gannel to donate to the Varden’s current fundraiser. 

[legolaslovely]

His

A/N: Some of our baby Kili. I used another one of @thefandomimagine ‘s great imagines- this one but tweaked it a bit because Thranduil gives me trouble haha. Hope you enjoy!

Pairing: Kili x Reader

Word Count: 1,193

Warnings: Mostly fluff, short harassment section of elf’s unwanted flirting with reader, minor injury for reader, little talk of blood, tiny angst for plot

Summary: Kili wants to take care of (Y/N) while the elves taking the company to Mirkwood harass her.

You stumbled when the elf behind you shoved you hard on your back. Luckily, Kili wasn’t far and he caught you, supporting you with his tied hands.

“Don’t touch her,” he growled fiercely.

You trudged along at the back of the group as the company was led (pushed) through the gates of Mirkwood and down into the cellar jails. You dreaded what would come next. You weren’t afraid orcs, wargs, goblins, or anything of the like, but elves you just weren’t fond of. The corridors smelled weird, their clothing was ugly, and their speech was too gooey to understand. And why in Mahal’s name don’t they braid their hair back so it doesn’t get in their face all the time? Helpless, appalling creatures with zero backbones.

The only comfort to you in this moment was Kili. Since you were shoved, he always had a hand on you. The only fear you had while you were in Mirkwood was being separated from the company, and you knew Kili wouldn’t let that happen. Sure, he was dense sometimes and always played his tricks on you, but his honor and loyalty was matched by no other. Besides his brother, who was at the front of the charge.

“Look at this one,” one of the elves behind you said to his comrade. He was speaking in the common tongue simply to aggravate you. “If it wasn’t so curly, her hair would be almost elven.” He hit your braid and it whipped over your shoulder to the front.

You whirled to him, growling. “Do not touch me again.”

“Fierce little thing, isn’t she?”

“Just because you took her weapons, doesn’t mean you won’t lose a hand to her,” Kili warned. His inflection was almost amused, he was speaking from experience.

You looked to him and your glare broke as you smirked. He knew not to mess with you too much.

Soon, the winding staircases led to the dungeons. All the cells were fairly close together in the bottom floor of the tall cellar. From high above, you could hear annoying, soft, boring music. “So not only are we stuck in the elven dungeons, but we have to listen to their blasted fairy music all night as well?” you said. Kili chuckled at that.

Then he was pushed harshly into the last cell. You moved to follow him, but the elf who had been teasing you held onto your arm with a vice like grip. “No, no. You come with me.”

The bars of the cell slammed closed and Kili ran to them, reaching for you through them. “No! She stays with us- she stays with me! Let her go, now!”

Panic rose in your chest. You knew this would happen, you couldn’t trust elves. You looked around quickly seeing no escape and every one of your comrades already in locked cells. You pulled your arm from the elf, but he only leaned closer to you.

“Can’t have a lady down here. It wouldn’t be right. Even if you are a dwarf.”

You looked to Kili and tried to find some sort of strength. You breathed deeply as the elf circled around you and held your jaw tight in his long fingers. “And you are a pretty one, aren’t you?” he whispered in your ear for only you to hear.

You jarred your face free and spat on his hand.

“If you take her with you, she’ll find a way to escape. She’ll free us all and I will find you and kill you, elf.” Kili’s glare was dangerous. His bright teeth were bared, his neck was red with fury and his eyes dark and animalistic.

The elf’s lips returned to your ear, grazing against your neck as he spoke. “Is that what you want? To stay in these dungeons instead of having a nice dinner with me?”

“Dinner is not all you’d be wanting,” you said.

He straightened, tightening his grip on you. He opened the cell door enough to throw you in and then slammed it closed again. “Fine. Rot down here. I don’t care.” He stormed off, up the stairs and far away from you.

You blinked away your tears of panic and frustration as Kili helped you up off the hard floor. “Are you all right? That bastard elf. I should’ve ripped his head off when I had the chance. How dare he speak to you like that. Touch you like that? Mahal, I could just… Are you all right, (Y/N)?”

You nodded, brushing the dirt off your trousers. You stepped away from him, turning your back while you gathered yourself. “I’m fine.”

“No you’re not. You’re bleeding.”

You looked down. You had landed hard when the elf pushed you into the cell. “It’s just a scratch. It’s nothing.”

“Here, let me help you,” Kili said, taking your hand in his.

You ripped it away. “I’m fine.”

“You won’t be fine when it festers!” He grabbed you and pushed your back against the wall. “Why are you always so stubborn when I’m trying to help you?” His voice echoed through the cellars. Then he checked himself, taking a deep breath. “Stay put.”

He brought the hem of his tunic up to his mouth and ripped it with his teeth. He pulled off a strip from the bottom and wrapped it securely around your palm. “I’m sorry. I’m taking my anger out on you and I shouldn’t be.”

“No, I- I’m stubborn.”

“I know that. I’ve always known that.” He tied a knot in the makeshift bandage and held your hand, bringing it up to his lips. He kissed your fingers. You couldn’t read his expression and his eyes didn’t meet yours as he spoke. “I should have made you go into the cell first.”

“You didn’t really have a choice in that,” you said.

“Well, I should have done a better job of protecting you.”

“I can protect myself.”

He sighed. “I know that.”

You squeezed his hand as much as your injury allowed. “But I know that if I can’t, you’ll always be there to help me. To keep me safe. To-to keep all of us safe.”

He stared at your feet. “(Y/N), when I thought that elf was going to take you away, I…” he shook his head, lost. “I just, I couldn’t…”

“I know.”

“No, you don’t. I couldn’t do anything! If he… If you ever…”

“Kili,” your fingers brushed his cheek. “I know.”

His hand rose to the back of your head and his lips crashed to yours. His kiss was urgent, needy, protective. You were his.

“If we could stop kissing and figure out a way to escape, that would be great.”

You drew away from Kili, laughing at his brother’s voice. “It’s your turn to come up with the plan, remember?” you called to the next cell.

Kili kissed your forehead and told you to sit. He landed behind you with his back against the cell wall and pulled you between his legs, letting your back rest against his chest. His arms encircled you securely. “You should get some sleep. I’ll keep you safe.”

“I know you will.”

[wallflowerw]

Thorin: You really think you’re so great, don’t you?

Thranduil:

[grynetskle]

[madwomanlexie]

Either Thorin has lost his marbles or Thrandy really isn't all that intimidating.