#tefain nin

[arofili]

A Comprehensive Map of Middle-earth and its Surrounding Lands

Original map credited to the Cartographers’ Guild of Rómenna, with “special thanks” to Falmalórë Círdilion of Pelargir. Recreation, commentary, and Third Age map by Caleneth Leptafinya and Barahir of Ithilien.

CLICK and ZOOM IN on the maps to see the details!!

for @silmarillionepistolary week Day 2: Exploration, New Lands, MAPS!

For a detailed commentary on the maps and an exploration of all Middle-earth, click HERE!!

[arofili]

Trans Tolkien Fic Exchange - Interest Check

I (@arofili) am considering running a trans-themed Tolkien fandom fic exchange later this year, and I want to gauge the fandom's interest in

Hello, Tolkien Fandom!

I am considering running a trans-themed Tolkien fandom fic exchange later this year, and I want to gauge the fandom's interest in an event like this! Please give me your honest answers so I can figure out how best to run this :)

Additionally, if you are interested in ANY kind of trans-themed Tolkien event, even if you don't want to participate in a fic exchange style of event, I'd love it if you could take the survey anyway - I have some questions about different kinds of events you might prefer instead.

There are only two required questions, though I'd appreciate if you'd answer the optional ones as well.

You do not have to be trans yourself to take the survey! This event will be focused on trans characters, trans headcanons, and trans themes, but will not be exclusive to trans fans. Cis fans and folks who otherwise don't use the "trans" label are welcome to participate, so long as you are respectful and supportive of trans identities!

Anyone being transphobic regarding this event (or just in general) will be blocked. If this isn't your thing, you can take the survey and answer "no," or else just move on with your life.

[arofili]

@nolofinweanweek day one | gil-galad

Gil-galad was an Elven-king Of him the harpers sadly sing The last whose realm was fair and free Between the Mountains and the Sea.

—The Fall of Gil-galad, tr. Bilbo Baggins

[arofili]

@nolofinweanweek day four | elrond

He was as noble and fair as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer. 

—The Hobbit, “A Short Rest”

[arofili]

@gondorweek day one | the line of kings | the towers of the kings

          Other strong places they built also upon either hand: Minas Ithil, the Tower of the Rising Moon, eastward upon a shoulder of the Mountains of Shadow as a threat to Mordor; and to the westward Minas Anor, the Tower of the Setting Sun, at the feet of Mount Mindolluin, as a shield against the wild men of the dales. In Minas Ithil was the house of Isildur, and in Minas Anor the house of Anárion, but they shared the realm between them and their thrones were set side by side in the Great Hall of Osgiliath.           [...] And in the days of Eärnil they [the Nazgûl] made their first stroke, and they came by night out of Mordor over the passes of the Mountains of Shadow, and took Minas Ithil for their abode; and they made it a place of such dread that none dared to look upon it. Thereafter it was called Minas Morgul, the Tower of Sorcery; and Minas Morgul was ever at war with Minas Anor in the west. Then Osgiliath, which in the waning of the people had long been deserted, became a place of ruins and a city of ghosts. But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel a white tower, very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and strong was that city, and in it the White Tree still flowered for a while before the house of the Kings; and there the remnant of the Númenóreans still defended the passage of the River against the terrors of Minas Morgul and against all the enemies of the West, Orcs and monsters and evil Men; and thus the lands behind them, west of Anduin, were protected from war and destruction.

—The Silmarillion, “Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age”

Minas Anor art by Volodymyr Ivanitsky | Minas Morgul art by Ted Nasmith Iron Crown of Angmar from LOTR Fanon

[arofili]

@russingon-week day six | rescue from thangorodrim

Thus Fingon found what he sought. For suddenly above him far and faint his song was taken up, and a voice answering called to him. Maedhros it was that sang amid his torment. But Fingon climbed to the foot of the precipice where his kinsman hung, and then could go no further; and he wept when he saw the cruel device of Morgoth. Maedhros therefore, being in anguish without hope, begged Fingon to shoot him with his bow; and Fingon strung an arrow, and bent his bow. And seeing no better hope he cried to Manwë, saying: ‘O King to whom all birds are dear, speed now this feathered shaft, and recall some pity for the Noldor in their need!’ His prayer was answered swiftly. For Manwë to whom all birds are dear, and to whom they bring news upon Taniquetil from Middle-earth, had sent forth the race of Eagles, commanding them to dwell in the crags of the North, and to keep watch upon Morgoth; for Manwë still had pity for the exiled Elves. And the Eagles brought news of much that passed in those days to the sad ears of Manwë. Now, even as Fingon bent his bow, there flew down from the high airs Thorondor, King of Eagles, mightiest of all birds that have ever been, whose outstretched wings spanned thirty fathoms; and staying Fingon's hand he took him up, and bore him to the face of the rock where Maedhros hung. But Fingon could not release the hell-wrought bond upon his wrist, nor sever it, nor draw it from the stone. Again therefore in his pain Maedhros begged that he would slay him; but Fingon cut off his hand above the wrist, and Thorondor bore them back to Mithrim.

—The Silmarillion, “Of the Return of the Noldor”

Thus he rescued his friend of old from torment, and their love was renewed; and the hatred between the houses of Fingolfin and Fëanor was assuaged.

—The War of the Jewels, “The Grey Annals” (Year of the Sun 5)

[arofili]

Tolkien: Every writer in the fandom: So obviously Maedhros' second-in-command is a no-nonsense woman who makes sure he stays grounded and also oversees his army and is possibly more competent than him, leaving him all the room to do important things like fighting and politics and kissing Fingon I mean dealing with his demons. Also she's a lesbian

[arofili]

prideboards ♡ ace boromir ♡ for @king-on-carven-throne ♡ picrew

Boromir, five years the elder, beloved by his father, was like him in face and pride, but in little else. Rather he was a man after the sort of King Eärnur of old, taking no wife and delighting chiefly in arms; fearless and strong, but caring little for lore, save the tales of old battles.

—The Lord of the Rings: Appendix A, “Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion”