For all the bad things my man has done and would do again, I feel like Sauron would draw the line at rape/domestic abuse. He has the vibes of a family man, and after his Strong Feelings for Galadriel in the first season, dude is practically begging for a healthy marriage. Dude could murder a whole country and then come home to his family and dress his kids up for Samhain while he bakes brownies on the stove with his wife. Give us a whole season of Sauron giving his best take of The Way of the Househusband after he retires from Dark Lord business any day. In his spare time, he probably hunts down and tortures rapists for fun.
Things my family has said and what #RingsofPower Character would probably say the same: A thread
Galadriel: You have to assert your dominance by making eye contact. That’s how it works
Elrond: Imagine going to an orphanage, and choosing a mouse over a human child. What would that do to the kids' self esteem? They would be like "I am worth less than a mouse”
Gil-Galad: If you cough on me before I finish this coffee, I will break your neck
Halbrand: Why pay money for a meet and greet when you can get a terminal illness and meet the avengers for free?
Isildur: If we’re not supposed to have midnight snacks why is there a light in the fridge?
Durin II: When someone does something while I’m driving to offend me I have the sudden urge to commit a felony
Disa: I’m sorry, when I hashtag Treat Myself, I don’t buy cottonelle; I buy enough whiskey to seduce a cowboy.
Arondir: When you’re 18 you can go overseas and kill enemies of the government; when you’re 25, all you can do is rent a car.
Bronwyn: Could you maybe stop saying self deprecating jokes for five minutes? We are in a LIBRARY.
I cannot WAIT for season 2 of Rings of Power. You wanna know why? Season One had Elrond wanting to be a politician: he wanted to grow up in Gil-Galad’s shadow, to be someone to spread peace and prosperity to all kingdoms. Now, in season two, we see a battle hardened Elrond who will see casualties of war, experience hardship after hardship, and hopefully will see the true Elrond breaking through: the world-renowned healer, diplomat, and teacher who brought peace to so many lost souls. Plus, getting to see Celebrian and him meeting for the first time?? Count me in for embarrassed and awkward Elrond 🥰.
warning: she/her, reader referred to as princess, shitty babysitter, protective gil gadad, no elrond yet - this is just setting up dynamics
Summary: As heir to the Noldorian throne, it's about time you learn how to be a proper diplomat. It just so happens that your father's new herald is more than happy to help you settle back into life in Lindon.
Note: this is a mix of the ROP canon and Tolkien canon
masterlist | elves
"Atar!"
The piercing cry of the young elleth thoroughly startled the High-King, making him drop the letter he'd been completely absorbed by. Gil-Galad looked up just in time to catch sight of his daughter charging towards the head of the table where he was sat. Her little legs a blur as she tried to swiftly cover the distance between him and the entryway.
Realizing her intentions, he scooted his chair back to create a safe landing place for the young girl as she leapt at him. He caught her fast and pulled her into his chest before the small child could go flying face first onto the floor. "Woah, anel!" He exclaimed while the child erupted into a flurry of giggles as she wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug. "Where are your caretakers?"
"We're playing hide and seek!" She cheered right into his ear. Gil-Galad felt his eye twitch.
"I see," he said, gently pushing his daughter back but keeping his hold on her lest she fall off his lap onto the floor, "And are they aware they're playing?"
At that, her face fell into a look that told Gil-Galad he'd caught her. The High King had to fight the urge to roll his eyes. He'd avoided accidentally teaching her that expression of annoyance thus far - he loathed the day she finally found its power. "Anel," he admonished, "you know better than to run off on them." Her face fell further, taking her head with it. "They're probably worried sick."
"I just wanted to see you." She muttered, retracting her arms from his neck.
Gil-Galad sighed already caving at the sight of her saddened face, though frustrated with his daughter he couldn't bear to see her upset. "Merca alma," he brought a hand to her tiny chin, "lift your head." With gentle prompting, she did but she would not meet his eye. Gil-Galad's heart clenched when he realized it was because she was trying to hide the tears that were starting to gather. "I am not angry with you, anel nin." She tentatively looked at him. "But you must know that this behavior is unbecoming."
"I know..." she sighed, looking away again. "I just...I was lonely, atar. The caretakers never want to talk to me and I never get to see you anymore."
Gil-Galad's face fell. It was true that he hadn't had any time to spare his adopted daughter ever since he became High-King of the Noldor and now he could see lurking in the depths of her eyes that the separation was taking its toll on her. Casting his gaze to the letter detailing the latest struggles of Beleriand, he made a decision. While he couldn't leave the matter be, there was a way to also enjoy some quality time with the girl. "Anel nin, dry the tears in your eyes. I have a task for both of us."
Her head tilted to the side as her undefined brow furrowed. "For both of us?" She echoed.
Gil-Galad nodded. "I have also missed our time together, anel nin. But, until the darkness is gone from this land we will continue to be separated." She frowned but he pressed on. "So, that leaves us with only one option."
"Banish the darkness?" The elfling hazard, voice sounding shaky.
Gil-Galad nodded and lifted the girl off his lap to set her back on the ground before rising himself and snatching the letter off the the table. "Precisely, and we'll start doing that together. Come along." He started walking, trusting that the little girl would find a way to keep up with his long strides. "You are going to help me draft an address, merca alma."
"An address?" Her bell like voice piped from behind him. "What's that?"
"A letter." He amended. "You'll send countless in your lifetime." Gil-Galad turned down the hallway that led to his study.
"Oh." His daughter hummed in thought. "Who are we-?"
"Aranel! There you are!" A scolding feminine voice suddenly boomed down the hallway, making both elves pause - the younger of the two taking shelter behind her father's midnight blue cloak. Gil-Galad raised his gaze from the girl that clung to his leg and to her caretaker - Almarian, if he remembered her name right - who was approaching with a thunderous expression. Only to falter when she realized he was there. "Oh, Your Grace," She drew up short and fell into a curtsy. "A thousand apologies, my king," The pale haired old elleth began to ramble, ripping her gaze away from his eye to stare down the young girl still cowering behind him, "The princess managed to slip out of her room without our notice. I hope she hasn't been bothering-"
"Quite the feat," Gil-Galad interrupted, "considering she is but a child and you are four keen-eyed caretakers." Her face paled. "And I can assure you that my daughter is no bother. Not to me," the high king narrowed his gaze at the uncomfortable elleth, "nor should you consider her one." When Almarian failed to respond in a timely manner, Gil-Galad reached behind him to nudge the girl into her line of sight. "My daughter will be spending the rest of the day with me." He said icily and watched as the elleth before him squirmed. Normally, he didn't like pulling cheap power plays like this - but a line had been crossed. "I suggest you return to your comrades and tell them that I will be arranging a meeting with all of you to discuss how my daughter is being cared for. You are dismissed, Almarian." He hissed her name and she at least had the decency to look abashed. "Now," he turned his attention back to his daughter, laying a hand atop her head, "come along, ingaranel."
Turning on his heel, he started to walk, but was stopped after taking a single step by the feeling of his daughter's tiny hand taking hold of his. Gil-Galad looked down to find her beaming up at him, her eyes twinkling as if they held stars within them. "Thank you, atar."
warnings: she/her, reader referred to as 'my lady'
note: somebody wrote an elrond x celebrimbor's daughter! reader that inspired this and I cannot find it. If I do, I will link it here.
masterlist | elves
Lindon was more beautiful than you could have ever imagined. Lush and teeming with golden light, it seemed as if the very air was filled with the song of creation. And with every passing moment you were growing happier and happier that you'd begged your father to take you with him.
But, sadly all good things must come to an end and it was almost time to return to Eregion. However, this time you'd be accompanied by your new friend Elrond Peredhel who was to assist your father on his latest project.
Elrond was as charming as any elf-lord, perhaps even more than some you'd been forced to suffer conversation with on your father's behalf. And just as noble but far kinder than one would think his station as the High-King's herald would encourage. He'd swept you off your feet with the first five words he'd uttered to you, "Welcome to Lindon, my lady." Words so simple, so cordial, and proper and yet something about his voice had enchanted them and bewitched you in one breath.
You were with him now, the two of you enjoying one last walk about Lindon before setting out. "I must thank you, Herald Elrond, for offering me your company on this fine evening." You broke the comfortable silence that had wrapped around the two of you. "Without it, I'm quite certain I would have gotten lost again."
"Please, my lady," Elrond laughed, "you do not need to use my title when you address me." He patted your hand that was hooked around his arm. "We are friends now, are we not?"
"But it is a title well-earned, herald. And I make a habit of celebrating my friend's accomplishments." You smiled, squeezing his arm and admiring the bashful smile that flickered across his face. "But, I will also tell you the same thing - my name is more than acceptable. 'Lady' is just an inherited title, after all." You added dismissively.
"Forgive me," Elrond hummed, a small smirk on his face, "although your name is elegant on its own, the title of lady makes it befitting your beauty."
You could feel your face flush and thus you had to look away before he could notice. "Oh you are a politician." You laughed nervously. "Your ability to flatter is truly admirable."
"High praise from the elleth who could move the stars to write poetry for her."
A thought struck you which caused you to stop and tug your arm free of his. Which made the ellon turn and face you, in kind. "Now is it just my beauty you find worthy of praise," you folded your hands primly before you, "or are there any other attributes you like?"
"There is much I could compliment, mellon nin." Elrond sent you a small, disarming smile. "Where would you like me to begin?"
Compliments, curse the compliments. Back in Eregion that was all anyone offered you, hoping you'd pass a good word onto your father. You frowned. "I'd like you to start with the truth, Elrond Peredhel." Your voice was level as you tried to bite back the accusatory tone that threatened to slip. Aside from the sudden flattery, you had no proof Elrond had other intentions in befriending you. Yet. "What do you want from me?"
An expression you couldn't quite name overtook his charming face. "I'm afraid I don't understand-" he stepped towards you, "my lady, have I offended you?" He reached out his hand for you to take, "If I have, please tell me how so that I may rectify my mistake."
"You have not offended me," you amended, softly - the look on his face made it hard to hold your own hard expression, "but you have said things eerily similar to that which I so often hear in Eregion." Your gaze zeroed in on his hand, "Words spoken only to gain my favor," you flicked your gaze back up to his, "that I may say a positive word in the flatterer's own favor to my father."
Elrond sighed your name, his expression softening as he lowered his hand. "I do not speak idle flattery to anyone," he stepped forward, bringing the toes of his boots nearly to yours, "least of all to you. I-" he brought his hands up as if to take your face in them only to pause, "-may I?" After a single, consenting nod, he proceeded, holding the sides of your face with a gentility you did not expect. "I find you truly captivating, my lady. And I wish to gain your favor not to sway the opinion of your father but because I wish for you to think highly of me." He rested his forehead against yours for a brief spell. "So that you will continue to bless me with your company." His eyes darted down to your lips and you understood.
"Elrond," you breathed out, your own hands came up to rest on his chest of their own accord, "forgive me, I-" your fingers curled into the soft material of his tunic. "For assuming you weren't genuine."
"There is nothing to forgive." He murmured, the movement of his lips effortlessly pulling your attention to them. Delicately, he bumped his nose against yours. "May I kiss you?"
"I would like nothing more." You grinned, returning the gesture with the same gentility he had used. Tilting your head a little bit up with his hands, Elrond pressed his lips against your own.
It was like drowning in sunlight, warm and gentle, it felt like new life breathed into your lungs. You felt safe with him. Truly safe, wrapped in the affection he held for you that spurred your own heart to release its hold on the feelings you'd been harboring for him.
Your hands reached up, taking the back of his head and neck into each. His hair was softer than anything you'd ever felt and it flowed like water between your fingers. Tilting your head once more, now to the side allowed you to deepen the kiss and further ensnare you in him, in Elrond Peredhel.
Elrond's own hands descended, finding your waist and bringing you chest to chest with himself so he could press harder against you. His lips worked against your own in a careful dance that left your head reeling and all senses consumed and overwhelmed.
At length, you separated and found yourself a little out of breath as you laid your head against him, your curled against his chest once more. "Melleth nin," Elrond hummed, his own head resting over yours while his arms wound tight around you. "Antan melmenya lenna."
"Ma meluval ni tenn' oio?" You murmered quietly, pressing a small kiss to his neck.
"Ni indome." Elrond sighed against the crown of your head. "Indome tye?"
Pulling away from you, you looked into his eyes which shone with soft adoration and placed a hand to his cheek. "I will, for eternity and after." His smile could put the brightest star to shame. "Shall we continue our walk, melleth nin?" You asked, an impish smirk on your face.
Laughing lightly, Elrond stepped back and offered his arm to you once more. "Of course, my lady."
