In your Return Home fic, you mention something about Haldir's "patrol braids" and "marriage braids". Can you please explain a little bit about what those are, what the difference is between the two, and what they look like?
Hello! So this is roughly based on the fact that every elf we see on screen in the variations of middle earth have different braids and braiding styles (some have none like Thranduil).
So my theory is that depending on station (family or guard/Marchwarden status), sometimes activity, and culture that elves have different types of braids. And I’ve also more than once come across fics that say that elves will braid their partners hair as a courting gesture or that only family/partners can touch another elf’s hair outside of like a healer with injuries.
For example, both Tauriel and Haldir have fishtail or partial fishtail braids despite them living in different kingdoms. However, they’re both Silvan elves and are in a formal guarding capacity. So it could mean that fishtail braids indicate that an elf is a guard and depending on length, other patterns, or just where you are regionally that it could even possibly indicate rank.
I haven’t honestly given much thought as to what they look like because I struggle with visual representations, but here’s some thoughts I have:
Ways to denote titles (outside of circlets or crowns) can be used with flowers, gemstones, golden or other high-quality threads, beads, rings, pearls, etc. Ofc these can be highly regional, such as Teleri are more likely to use pearls and Glorfindel may be more likely to use well, golden flowers. Which personally hc as either sunflowers or mums but that’s neither here nor there.
Those with rank of monarch, lord or lady, etc tend not to wear braids (as we see with Celeborn, Galadriel, Thranduil, Gil-galad, and I think even sometimes with Elrond) because their rank is shown by their circlet/crown. Also - even though no Ñoldo will ever tell you this - the braids hurt to wear with the circlets and it absolutely wrecks whatever hairstyle you’re trying to pull off.
Also, I’ve noticed that at least based on the cinematic Tolkien stuff we’ve got, Imladrin elves tend to wear their hair down with less braiding. Maybe there’s less rank stratification there due to it being a Homely house? Idk
I like to think that Marchwardens/Captains of the Guard all wear their fishtails when their on patrol across all elven kingdoms so it’s easy to see who to ask for help, especially if you’re being chased by orcs. Only part of the uniform when you’re actively on patrol. It’s not required in off time unless you’re of a more high-ranking status like Haldir and you’re at some feast or other main event as he’s a symbol and member of Lórien.
Patrol braids vary slightly from region based on other braid patterns, which is why Tauriel’s starts at the top of her head and ends at the back of her skull and Haldir’s at the back of his head and down.
Patrol braids are also designed to be able to braid other patterns into for whatever reason.
Most elves when they are seriously courting spend time braiding their partners hair. This is to find and create patterns that they feel adequately represents them as a couple. Themes involved are usually their love and how they feel it visually is represented (and this is the big one), past history and family (eg, Legolas’ braids will have regional Mirkwood styles and there are Mirkwood royal styles he can incorporate), and/or what they hope their futures look like.
Marriage braids are only shown to others once they well, marry. It’s an incredibly intimate process and usually there’s a lot of tears and crying involved. Its often done as part of the wedding ceremony, but can be done privately before the ceremony if you choose. Usually the same style for both partners as elves keep their hair long.
I also hc that elves trim their hair during big life events, such as births, weddings, deaths, etc.
If you have children in your marriage, your marriage braids lay the groundwork for personal familial styles. Such as adding more strands when you have children.
Also marriage braids in some cultures can be more important than sex! (Obviously I’m not LACE-compliant but). If you’re parent says you can’t marry someone but you come home with braids. Well.
Haldir (and quite a few other wardens) choose not to wear their marriage/familial braids on patrol. He’d rather associate them with his partner and their love than the grief and hard days in the outposts.
In essence, patrol braids are tight and functional, marriage braids are often softer and for beauty and love.
Examples of patrol braids:
Examples of potential marriage braids:
It’s kinda not fully fleshed out as a concept, but there ya go! Thanks for the ask ❤️
