#galaren

[chenria]

And the third portrait sketch for this month's Patreon rewards. This time Galaren for the awesome @mimikoflamemaker ♥

Galaren is her LotR OC (and Celume's - who is my OC - boyfriend). So I might be a tad biased. I just love this character and I really hope I did him justice.

(Over on my Patreon are two portrait sketch slots left for next month.)

Patreon || Twitter

[mellorian-art]

Ko-Fi sketch for @mimikoflamemaker

Her OC Galaren, brother of Lithien :)

Thanks so much! Always a pleasure to draw handsome elves. :D

Ko-Fi Sketches

[mimikoflamemaker]

I haven’t made one of these in a while and Galaren was on my mind lately. So here you go... why is making mood boards for you soo damn difficult? :/

While I do have a perfect quote for him to add here, it is one giant spoiler and well, we don’t want that.

Galaren is one of the main characters in my ongoing LotR fanfiction “Journey of Oaths”

[imago-liber]

@lieutenantdumarc

I recall a time when you knew nothing of your family. Now it seems you have more than you can handle.

[mimikoflamemaker]

JoO chp. 11 - deleted scene

Not so deleted since I came up with this little twist after the chapter was done, so it is more of “additional” material. Dedicated to @chenria​ and her lovely Celume whom I adore as much as much as my own kids ^^

On the side note I might have took some liberties with Celume’s portrayal here - take it as me and my headcanons about the elves in established relationships (circa 200 -300 years is enough to make the relationship established right? XD)

Galaren reread the last sentence of the report he was trying to compose for the umpteenth time and finally put the quill away. He couldn’t focus on that right now; the words all sounded like gibberish to him. He will probably have to rewrite the whole thing at a later date, but now putting it away was the best solution.

To be frank, he was unable to focus on anything recently, his mind preoccupied with his sister’s behavior. She refused to obey a direct order, which was something she had never done before, no matter how angry she was. But, it was also the first time, he ever had to help himself with his station in their arguments. The only thing that had stopped him from forcefully pulling her off the saddle three days ago was Elladan’s promise.

He trusted that the older twin and lord Elrond will be able to achieve, what he was so far completely unsuccessful at.

Lithien had always preferred to do things the way she thought was right and most of the time he had allowed that. He knew how much she cherished her freedom and he was the last person to ever take that away from her. But recently, he was starting to wonder if he wasn’t too lenient in some cases. 

Judging by the way she spoke to him lately, he was. And he wasn’t sure if there was anything he could do about it. 

The ellon sighed, hoping that the building headache will go away instead of turning into something worse. He reached for some reports, only to realize that he had already read them and that they weren’t distracting enough. The courier from the capital was surprisingly late this time. He could only hope that this didn’t mean some more bad news. He already had enough of those.

The decision to not see her off was mostly dictated by ager, but he had hoped for a moment, that this will at least give her a pause, if not making her reconsider the entire idea. He underestimated how stubborn she could actually be. He seemed to do that a lot recently. 

Or she was much easier to manage when she was younger. 

Knowing, that he wasn’t going to make his thoughts any less grim, he decided to indulge in the glass of wine. Maybe he will at least make some progress on that bloody report afterwards. 

His musings were interrupted by someone entering the tent. He didn’t look up, not really wishing to talk with anyone. And almost flinched when his visitor responded with a quiet laugh. 

‘Honestly my lord, I had expected a bit of a warmer welcome’ the courier said, and he instantly recognized the voice. She looked different though. He was used to seeing her in a flowing gowns of various shapes and colors, whereas now she was wearing a courier garb – boots, pants and tunic under the sleeveless vest, completed with a cape and a wide leather belt adorned at the hip with a one, long knife. The sack with the reports hung from her shoulder and she left her hair lose, just like she liked, the golden strands framing her face. Face that was currently decorated with a little, mischievous smirk – something she usually reserved only for him. 

The contrast was striking, but no less compelling. 

‘My lady,’ he said after a moment of silence. ‘What a pleasant surprise’ he smiled at her, but the wave of her hand stopped him from standing up to greet her properly. ‘To what do I owe such a pleasure?’

That earned him a chuckle, as she rummaged through her bag, piling various rolls of paper in the crook of her arm. 

‘Probably to the fact, that I almost forgot the last time we have seen each other. And, since I know that I won’t going to drag you from the border when things are looking so grim, I have decided to play the courier again.’ when she looked up at him, her expression belied the playful tone, a small furrow forming between her eyebrows. 

She has gotten much better at seeing through his act. He appreciated that a lot more than he was ready to admit out loud. And he wasn’t willing to force the façade into place today. 

Celúme stacked the papers neatly onto the corner of his desk and then walked around the table to stand beside him, her hip bumping slightly against the wood. She darted a quick glance at the entrance to the tent, but laced their fingers together anyway. As if she was sure that no one will interrupt them. 

‘Your men had been quite talkative when I arrived’ she said smirking when he grimaced. ‘Care to indulge me with the actual version of the story? You two argued again?’ 

Well, maybe she did know, that they won’t be interrupted. His men were aware of the bond that formed between himself and Celúme and apparently had decided that she will be the right person to approach about the recent events. He could see the merit in such decision. Still, some tongues were obviously running a bit too long. 

His thoughts were interrupted by her fingers, pressing against his jaw, forcing him to look up at her. 

‘You will have plenty of time to design a sufficient punishment for those rumors though, personally, I wouldn’t. They had the best of intentions and I am sure you know that’ the same fingers ran along the side of his face in a smooth caress. ‘Besides, the overly talkative subordinates are the least of your concerns right now…’

He glanced toward the reports piling at his desk, only to have his face turned back to the elleth standing next to him. 

‘I have seen my fair share of those reports and while I’m not an expert, I don’t think you will find something disturbing inside any of them.’ 

He looked at her, somehow managing to look both impressed and scandalized at the same time. Celume rewarded him with a grin, before moving to stand behind his chair, one arm trapping his shoulders lightly against the splat. 

‘They’re not going to run away, my lord’ she teased softly, her other hand nimbly working one of his braids loose. ‘And we need to speak about matters much closer to your heart.’ 

Galaren sighed, leaned against the back of the chair and relished in the feeling of her fingers running slowly through his hair. 

‘You know my sister’ he said at length. ‘She always does what she wants… And ends up getting in troubles.’ 

Celume waited for him to continue, both of her hands resting against his shoulders now. A skillful press of her fingers released a tension build up in his muscles and he felt the twinge running all the way down his spine. She chuckled lightly and pressed again her face hovering somewhere above his right shoulder - he could feel her hair tickling his ear. 

‘You’re right I know your sister’ she said quietly. ‘I have some firsthand experience in how stubborn she can be, how quick she is to get angry. But she is just as quick to apologize… most of the time’ she added and he knew she was smiling. Her thumbs kneaded his nape gently. ‘She probably already regrets that she left without making amends with you.’ 

‘Maybe but that doesn’t change the fact that she never listens…’ Galaren sighed again. ‘I apologize. We shouldn’t…’

He was silenced by fingers grabbing his chin and turning his face to the side, only to be confronted with the vaguely annoyed Celume. Sometimes he still allowed himself to forget how swift she could be, whenever she wanted to. 

‘We definitely should, since it affects you so much, and I care a great deal about matters that upset you in any way. Even more when this about your relationship with your sister. Probably because I care about her as well’ Celume paused and sighed. ‘Yes, she does get in troubles a lot, I have seen that too. And she is sometimes unreasonable…’ 

‘I think, you meant most of the time…’ 

‘Maybe’ Celume smiled. ‘I don’t work with her after all. What I do know however, is that Lithien would much rather take an arrow herself then let someone she cares about get hurt’ the press of her fingers returned to his shoulders but they were still facing each other. ‘Also she is not the only one to blame, you helped to rise that wolf after all.’ 

‘And what do you mean by that?’ Galaren asked failing at keeping a slight smirk out of his face. Celume’s slime widened. 

‘That you have raised brave and independent woman; one that many people look up to. Who, contrary to what you may think sometimes, does not throw herself at enemies’ swords without thinking. She is only going to Rivendell, I am sure she will be fine.’ 

‘Since when you know so much about my sister?’ Galaren smiled in earnest. The elleth smiled and reached to undo his second braid slowly, until she was faced with an impatient frown. She found him even more handsome when he was open with his feelings like that. 

‘One day, I simply waited until she was done screaming and then listened to what was left. You should try that; it does wonders to…’ 

She trailed off, because he was suddenly kissing her laughing mouth and she didn’t expect it. Not here anyway, when everyone could see them just by taking a look into the tent. But she returned the kiss eagerly. 

(…)

[calamity-writes]

EH 27.4 - Endgame

Cast: Haylan ( @siriusdraws ),  Rythlen Theirin ( @picchar )​, Milliara (me!) Theseus Trevelyan (@perditionxroad), Peanut Adaar ( @cupcakelogic ), Fiowyn ( @shyquisitor )

Guest appearance: Karya and Aldes ( @kingsdragonage ), Kenslynn ( @megan-mayhem ), the DuMarcs ( @fangrl-esque )

Milliara - The Winter Palace

There was always a fine line between a pleasant numbness to the evening and being tipsy and risk upsetting the careful balance the Inquisition had managed to achieve in the Orlesian court.Milliara was currently dancing along that line as though it were a balance beam, glass of bubbly wine in hand. The night had been both easier and worse than she'd imagined and she wasn't about to go through the rest of it sober.

Sooner or later she would have to address what had happened, explain to Theseus why Frederic was dead, and figure out where to go from there.

But right now there was waltz playing and she hadn't danced properly in ages and anyone who even thought about stopping her from getting onto the ballroom floor was going to have the empty champagne flute shoved into their face or worse. Speaking of champagne... she finished off the flute and set it down on the passing tray of a human server who was passing by. Celene had found replacements for all the dead elves, somehow. Now food and wine was flowing again, a fact that went a long way to relieving stress in the court.

Spotting the New Guy speaking to one of the Lesser DuMarcs, the bard in Millie stirred, and she breezed over to join them, slipping her hand into the crook of Galaren's elbow.

"Why Mister DuMarc," Milliara said, purposfully forgetting the man's purchased title. It was paltry, anyways. The Patriarch and the main line were carefully avoiding the New Guy, despite the significant resemblance of the man's brows and chin. "Do you mind if I steal your nephew for a dance?" A twisted blade of a phrase. The man speaking to Gal couldn't have been more than ten years his elder, but the titters of onlookers ensured that they'd heard Milliara purposefully call him older, and tie Galaren to the family name.

"Inquisitor," the older man said with a stiff bow. "He is yours." Then a beat later. "please."

"Oh he's not mine," Milliara said with a laugh to end all bitch laughs. "Not yet."

Winking at the older man, she guided Galaren towards the ballroom floor, smirking at the sputtering she left behind.

"Have I mentioned that I like you?" Galaren said, grinning and glancing over his shoulder. "Because I do."

"Everyone likes me until they get to know me," Milliara said easily. That statement was a little too true after tonight. "I hope you know how to dance. Also, they should at least have sent your actual uncle over to try to shame you into leaving, not second-cousin Patrick."

"Someone did their homework," Galaren said, turning to pull her into a dancer's frame as they reached the edge of the floor. It appears he did, in fact, know how to dance. Or enough to not be horrid at it.

Milliara eased into the frame, adjusting her natural position for his height and frame. It was second nature, easier than riding a bike, even after so many years away.

"No," she said. "I used to be a pet of a member of the court, dealing with your family was part of the Game. Well, extended family, I'm assuming. Very extended based on the Ferelden accent, hm?"

He stepped forward and she followed, flowing with him into the slow circuit of dancers. They'd cleaned the floor but she was sure there would still be drops of red somewhere underfoot. That was nothing new, of course.

"My mother's side," Galaren said with a twitch of his shoulder. Milliara felt it through his forearm where her hand rested delicately at the crook of his elbow. "And they'd hesitate to let me use the name but it was on the certificate after I was born."

Illegitimate then, Milliara reasoned.

"The guy you took out, that you were yelling about earlier- that was the guy who used to own- er," Gal started, then stopped, realising what he'd said.

"No, you're right," the bubbly wine said through a lying smile full of teeth. "He owned me. See that's what happens when a ranked Chevalier rescues a street rat and pays for her education, food and housing. Slavery is only technically illegal on Orlais."

They danced without saying much for a few bars, and Milliara thought about her cousin. This was were Fiowyn would say something cute and suggestive and then have a fling to ease off the stress. But everything Milliara could think of just kept swirling back around to work or the murder of her ex. Besides, she didn't even know this man, aside from that he was a DuMarc and had been stiffed by Gaspard.

"I hope it hurt," Galaren said after a moment.

Reflex got the words out of Milliara's lips before her brain had a moment to think about them.

"when I crawled up from the Abyss? Only a bit." Tick, tick, tick, and she realised he hadn't used the terrible pickup line. "Wait- you said you hoped it hurt, not did it hurt." She pursed her lips, frowning slightly. "I think I can't hold as much wine as I used to be able to."

"I could try a pickup line," Galaren offered with a wink but then shook his head. "No, when you killed him. I hope it hurt."

Milliara thought about the ribbons of skin and flesh, covered with pink foam and slicked red.

"It did," she said with a small nod. "Excuse me, I think I need some fresh air actually," she said, stepping back and out from the frame of his arms. "You should go ask that man over there to dance," she said, gesturing over towards Dorian. "He'll be better company, I'm sure."

She bobbed her head as a half apology and slipped through the dancers towards the balcony where she had climbed up only an hour or so before. The night air was cool and fresh, and she sucked it down to try to calm the roiling in her chest. It helped, but more than that, it was the quiet, being away from the Vipers and whispers and eyes.

Curling her fingers over the marble ballistrade, Milliara leaned forward and rested her hips against it, looking out into the garden. Half-heartedly, she debated hopping over and making a run for the hotel, just disappearing and lettng the party run its course without her. But that would send the other Inquisition members into a Panic. Cullen was already grieving, Josie was playing catchup with the Rousseau clan after Fred's death had come to light, and she couldn't abandon them, even if she wanted to.

"I thought I might find you out here." Milliara looked over her shoulder to see Solas standing at the doorway into the ballroom. "Do you wish for company? If not I will let you be alone."

Milliara glanced past him, but it seemed he was alone. Small blessings.

"No," she said quietly, turning to face the garden again. "I actually don't know what I want, to be honest." Whoops. That was the wine again. "I mean-"

When she glanced back, he was smiling, and he rested a gloved hand on her forearm. Kid leather, black and soft, she could feel the warmth of his skin through the thin leather. Milliara tried not to think about how his hands had felt on her back.   "It is a reasonable answer to everything that has happened tonight," Solas said gently. "I did not mean to cause any of-"

"Solas," she interrupted. "You couldnt have known, I- I kissed you. I don't regret it, not really. Sure the timing could have been better. But if it wasn't that, something else would have set him off. Being here, around everything that I used to be, everything he used to be, it would have happened sooner or later." It boiled down to that, really. Deep down, she and Fred had been poison. Now he was gone, and Milliara wondered if she was poison without him. Could she move on now, and be the person she wanted to be? Or would she have to face the fact that she always had been and always would be a bad person?

The thought terrified her.

"You don't regret it?" Solas asked, lifting his eyebrows. "I thought you had made your choice for the Templar."

Milliara shook her head.

"I thought I had too," she admitted. "But now..." After seeing him angry, seeing him act a little too much like Fred, even if it had been valid, scared her almost as much as his use of Lyrium did.

"You should speak with him," Solas said, stepping back from the railing. "However, if the offer is not unwanted, I cannot allow this opportunity to pass me by. Lady Inquisitior, may I have this dance?" He dipped into a courtly bow, looking up at her with a small smile.

Heart hurting, Milliara took his offered hand and stepped away from the railing. Tonight, she would just enjoy this. She could sort out feelings and the mess she'd made tomorrow.

Stepping into Solas's arms, she blinked in surprise, a slow smile spreading on her face as he guided her into a slow waltz on the balcony itself, away from the crowd. The smoothness of his steps and ease of movement surprised her, but she bit back the questions on the tip of her tongue. They could wait.

As the music slowed, song drawing toward an end, Solas cupped her cheek. Lifting up onto her toes, Milliara closed the distance to his lips. This kiss was everything the other was not. Soft and quiet, not impulsive and meant to burn away old memories. His lips were warm, and he tasted like wine and cake and magic. The heady flavours made Milliara cling closer, tucking herself into Solas's arms where she was safe and warm and-

Milliara heard a scuff of shoes on stone behind her and a sharp intake of breath. Breaking the kiss, she turned, and felt her heart twist in her chest at Theseus's face.

"Forgive the interruption," Theseus said coldly. His face was tight, hands balled at his sides. "Excuse me." He turned on his heel and hung there for the barest of hesitations. Milliara knew this was where she was supposed to call out and apologize, explain. Something. But there was just... nothing left of her to put into it.

It seemed as though she was poison after all, entirely independent of Fred's presence.

Theseus marched out of sight, shoulders taut. Millie let him go, biting her lip.

"Solas," she said, looking back up at him. "Would you escort me back to the hotel? I think... I'm done with the ball." The hotel had hot showers and wine and beds, and maybe if she was feeling like enough of a bitch, an apostate who could help scrub away the lingering grime of the night.

"Of course," Solas said. Stepping back, he offered his elbow to her, and she took it, grateful for an anchor in the middle of too many feelings.

[mimikoflamemaker]

OC asks: 44, 59, 63 for Galaren maybe? :3

43.What kind of sense of humor does your OC have?

Surprisingly a sane one, if a bit dry at times. Galaren isn’t a person of jokes and to be quite hones he doesn’t have many reasons to. Galaren knows how to be charming if he wants to be and people flock to that. Most of the time it seems like he isn’t even trying even if it is most likely a staged up act. When he truly does not care is where the dry/deadpan sort of humor come in – he know that he doesn’t have to dance around his men or his sister and goes straight to the point. He doesn’t like teasing and most of the time answers it with irritated quips rather than teasing of his own.

59.What does your OC think of him/herself?

Oooh, we are touching complicated matters here. To put it simply, he thinks himself much less that he has a reason to. It has a lot to do with his upbringing and a father who constantly urged him to be better than he already was. So even when he is on top of everything and receives praise for the way he handles his duties (or anything really) there it that small nagging voice at the back of his mind that makes him wonder if there was anything that he could have done better. And there is also the fact that he is not necessarily happy with what he is doing though he came to terms with his duties enough to get some form of comfort from doing things right. I am honestly not sure if he even knows who else he could be if he wouldn’t pursue the carrier in military. My point, I think, is that while everyone see a great leader, a devoted lover and brother and a loyal friend, he doesn’t see it himself, constantly feeling like he had not done enough.

63.How does your OC display love?

I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that he shows love by worrying. Galaren has a very protective nature so it kind of natural for him to worry about the people he loves. To the point of being overbearing as we see in case of Lithien, thought I wouldn’t say that those worries are unfounded in her case ;) But since I know what exactly are you after, let’s talk about how he display romantic kind of love ^^ He isn’t big on public displays of affection – that would be reduced almost completely to simple touches, looks and holding hands. Unless he was previously put under a lot of stress and the relief or whatever he is feeling is just too overwhelming (as we could see when he just pulled Lithien into a hug when he saw her sound and safe back in Lórien.). In private though, he would be much more open than that – bold even ^^ He wouldn’t shy away from hugs and kisses or some gentle teasing. And I do think that his perfectionist streak carrying over to the bedroom can only be counted as an advantage ;) All in all he would make sure that his one would feel the appreciation and love he feels for her.

Thank you so much for the ask! *hug*

If anyone wants to, I am still accepting asks

[mimikoflamemaker]

5 OC facts meme

I was tagged by @chenria (thank you!)

Rules: Pick one character and give us five facts about them! The facts can be anything really - from trivial to super duper important. Then tag others for them to play too!

Well I always use Lithien for theses thins, but I do think her brother I equally worthy of spotlight ;)

Tagging (if they want of course) @noonvraith @lenkalost @have-fun-storming-the-kastle @missjanuarylily

Galaren

1. Galaren is the more artistic of the two - where Lithien never pursed other activities than dancing, he enjoys playing lute and has very pleasant singing voice. If you get him to actually sing that is - he doeasn’t feel even half as confident about his talent as he is in every other aspect of his life.

2. Due to his duties, Galaren doesn’t have much time to engage in activities he enjoys. One of his favourite “hobbies” is hunting with birds of prey. Or dogs. But he loves birds the most. Falcons especially.

3. Galaren is 450 years older than Lithien. Which make him both an older brother and a father figure. Especially considering what kind of neglectful parent Daugion was. Hence why he never quite accepted the fact that Lithien grew up :)

4. He never really wanted his career to  go so far. He never really wanted to be a warden even, but before he could really figure out what h wanted to be, his father pushed him down the military path. Once he found himself walking in his father shoes, it was difficult to turn back. So he figured it would be much better to become exceptional.

5. Much like his sister, Galaren’s weapons of choice is a sword. He is also, though he will never ever admit it, kind of Glorfindel fanboy (because who wouldn’t ;) ) So when he said that he wasn’t  jealous about Lithien training with him... that wasn’t entirely true. And Lithien never passes the opportunity to bring that out