Hi all! Announcing a new Tolkien fandom event: Lúthien Week, taking place October 14 – 20, 2024 on this blog! This event is dedicated to the characters of the Beren and Lúthien story, from the star-crossed protagonists to faithful allies to villains... And everyone in between!
Why October? It captures the mood of the story. In all its spookiness, October is the perfect month for Lúthien Week, as the tale features vampires, werewolves, talking dogs, and even talking cats (yes, I mean Tevildo). At the same time, October is cozy, and Beren and Lúthien is ultimately a comforting story to read while curled up in a blanket with a warm cup of tea.
Follow this blog to stay tuned for more info about Lúthien Week! Prompts to come soon. If you have questions, send an ask! 💜
So it's been like 2 years since I wrote any Silmarillion stories, and like 4 since I wrote anything in my Victorian AU. But for @luthiendear's Luthien Week, I finally am returning to my roots and writing a short that I've been mulling over for quite some time.
Summary: Luthien duBois, Louisiana heiress and hopeless romantic, kickstarts the greatest jewel heist in American history.
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San Francisco, 1899
The Angband Club
Luthien duBois was a great believer in positive thinking. It had helped her sail through plenty of trouble already, and no matter how terrifying the man in front of her was, she decided to believe her plan would work. It had gotten off to a decent start, anyway; Beren had gone in the day before and got himself hired as a barman, and the rest was in Lulu's hands.
Mr. Morgoth, frequently described as the most evil gangster in America, looked her up and down suggestively and stroked his luxuriant dark mustache. "You're a pretty thing," he drawled. "Only reason I let you in here, really. Tell me, young lady, what can I do for you?"
"I've come looking for work," she replied with a coquettish smile. "Word around town is, you run the finest saloon in this city, with top-notch talent. And I'm an excellent dancer."
"Oh, I can well believe that. But you must understand, miss..."
Lulu dropped into a curtsy. "Call me Nightingale."
"How sweet. You must understand, Miss Nightingale, I have very lofty standards for my employees. Simple talent isn't enough, nor are big eyes and pretty ankles." He set his drink down with a clatter. "Loyalty, miss, and discretion. The same a general might demand of his troops. Behind these doors, there is no law but mine. Have you the strength of character to promise this?"
I have enough strength of character to rob you blind, you old roué, thought Lulu fiercely. But she managed an innocent giggle. "Why, of course, Mr. M! It would be my absolute honor. For you, I'm as well-behaved as a schoolgirl."
"Oh, but I do hope you won't be too well-behaved. I like my girls with a bit of...spice."
Revolting man! "Why don't you let me audition," she purred, "and you'll see just how spicy I can be."
He gestured to the small stage across the room. "Do, please. I cannot wait."
She took a deep breath and pulled the pins from her hair, letting it fall around her like a cloak. "Play something lively," she ordered the man at the piano, and hopped up onto the stage. As the pianist struck up a jolly ragtime tune, she shut out her surroundings and danced.
She'd been trained in ballet, but this wasn't really ballet, not entirely. There were bits of flamenco, some calypso she'd seen on the streets of New Orleans, a hint of Irish jig, and plenty of whatever simply occurred to her in the moment. There was no point in being shy; she did have talent, and it didn't feel like a sin to show it off. Even in this situation.
The song ended at last, and it took a moment to remember she was in a dank gentlemen's club being leered at by a slimy old criminal. She bowed gracefully, trying her best not to shudder in disgust.
"You weren't lying, my dear," Morgoth breathed. "Consider yourself hired. And perhaps I can tempt you to give me a private performance from time to time.
"It would be my pleasure," Luthien lied. "But golly, this is such an honor! We ought to celebrate, don't you think?"
"We certainly should." Morgoth snapped his fingers at the pianist. "Boy! Two brandies, double-quick!"
The pianist- a young fellow with curly dark hair and olive skin-nodded obediently and scurried to the bar, returning with two glasses. Morgoth raised his to Luthien.
"To you, my pretty Nightingale," he said, and drank.
Three...
Two...
One.
Morgoth's dark eyes grew wide and confused, and he let out an undignified burp before slumping to the floor. Luthien sighed with relief as the pianist hurried to her side.
"Nice work," she said. "Where's the real pianist?"
"Out cold behind the dustbins. He'll be fine." Beren glanced down at the unconscious gangster. "What an old pervert," he muttered, shaking his head. "Sorry you had to do that, Lulu."
Luthien, who had been rummaging around in Morgoth's pockets, withdrew her hand with a grin. In it was a tiny silver key. "Don't be too sorry, darlin'. We're halfway there."
in an earlier version of the story, beren's first words to luthien are "tinuviel, teach me to dance," and she introduces him to thingol as "a wanderer from beyond the hills, and he would learn to dance as the elves of [doriath] can dance". this is where i got the idea of beren showing luthien the traditional dances of his people!
Announcing the prompts for Lúthien Week 2024 (October 14-20)!
You can also find the prompts here, in photo and text form.
A longer description accompanying each day's prompts is coming soon. Wanted to share the prompts now in case anyone would like to prepare! Feel free to send an ask with any questions. Get excited! 💜
Hey pals! Lúthien Week is in less than 2 months (October 14 – 20, 2024). Get excited! Prompts to come soon. In the meantime, here's a bit about me and what you can expect from the event. Feel free to send an ask with any questions. Your mod, @glorf1ndel 💜
