Dancing In The Dark by Grundy

Fanwork Information

Summary:

History remembers Curufin as the villain. There are a few who think better of him. 

Written for the Taboo challenge. First chapter hits 'consequences' and 'ostracization and exile'. Upcoming chapters will mark off other squares. Will give warnings on chapters as appropriate.

Major Characters: Curufin, Galadriel

Major Relationships:

Artwork Type: No artwork type listed

Genre:

Challenges: Taboo

Rating: Teens

Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn
Chapters: 24 Word Count: 69, 516
Posted on 6 February 2017 Updated on 6 February 2021

This fanwork is a work in progress.

Table of Contents

Mithrim
Ne'er Be Clean

This chapter definitely covers the 'Unclean Things' square on the Taboo card. I feel like it flirts with a couple others but doesn't really deal with them head on.

People Like Us

First and foremost, all credit to Himring, whose story Galadriel: There and Back Again gave me the idea for Galadriel's trick.

Also, while I've been making progress at a pretty good clip, it's only fair to warn that there probably won't be anything more for at least a week - I have a busy spell coming up and can't be sure I'll have time to write, let alone post anything.

Finally, I'm not sure I actually hit any squares on the Taboo card in this chapter. I think I danced in the vicinity of etiquette without exactly getting to it. (And maybe Obscene Gestures right there at the end if you squint...) Worry not, there's more taboos to come in future chapters.

This Hard Land

I'd say this chapter hits Curses, Consequences, and Murder on the bingo board. (Or is murder reserved for non-Kinslaying killing?)

 

The Spaces Between

This chapter checks 'ethnocentrism and prejudice', 'culture shock', and  'cannibalism' (discussion only - no actual eating of elves).

Also, warning: there is a brief discussion of orcs which mentions implied sexual violence/forced reproduction against elves. (Again, I would rather over-warn than under-warn.)

Let It Burn

Not sure if this hits the 'murder' square or not in Taboo bingo - that depends on whether or not you subscribe to Fëanor burning his youngest son intentionally or accidentally.

Which is of course to say that they're talking Losgar in this chapter.

One Good Day

Hits "Table Manners" on the Taboo bingo card. Possibly "Etiquette" also, given that 'nudity' wasn't a space.

Despite the nudity, no warnings this chapter - just good clean fun.

In Vino...

Only just realized this chapter never got posted here!

This one hits 'weddings And funerals' and 'culture shock' on ye old Taboo bingo card.

Sweet Dreams

WARNING - This chapter ends in an unpleasant place.   Non-con.

If you need more information, there is no violence and nothing graphic. Proceed at your own risk.

The Harsh Light of Day

Right, all, this is the chapter I've had in mind since the very beginning when I said I would post warnings on chapters as appropriate.

WARNING: non-con/rape

I cannot be any blunter than that, so if you don't read that sort of thing, you should either skip this chapter entirely, or skip the first section (search for "Curufinwë to take you to the start of the rest of the chapter.) 

If anyone's still keeping track of taboo squares, this one hits 'incest', and probably 'violate Laws & Customs' as well. 

Also, I am thoroughly relieved to have this chapter done, as I've been avoiding writing the first section since September.

Picking Up The Pieces
Truth and Consequences
Hiding The Truth
Reaction
A Little Light

Content warning: pregnancy/childbirth. Nothing graphic, but if it's not your jam, skip to the end so you can get your answer about the baby. Searching on 'beautiful' should do it.

Three To Make Ready
Arrival at Nargothrond
Little Star
Two Truths
Making & Mending
Inglorion
Brothers and Sons
Small Steps
As Time Goes By

Comments

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<i> not to mention before Tyelko had pitched such a fit about not knowing where Irissë was that Nelyo had banned him from returning to their uncle’s halls<i>

Now this is an interesting concept. It has always bothered me that they just isolated and there is no record in canon of anyone complaining about it, except from the inside looking out in the case of Aredhel wanting to visit her cousins from Gondolin.

I am quite sure that the discussions about the ban on speaking their own language were heated.

Thank you!

I have come to view the Silmarillion as a sanitized version of the history of the elves - clearly it's eliding or skipping over quite a bit. So the idea that everyone just shrugged and got on with their lives when Turgon and his people disappeared seems like one of those things that got skipped. Similarly, I can't imagine the Noldor didn't complain about Thingol's ban - I just figured all the complaining got edited out. (Not by Tolkien, by his fictional chroniclers.)

I'm enjoying this story so much so far! It's always bothered me that the Silmarillion sort of depicts it as if the Noldor more or less just meekly accepted Thingol's orders, so it was extremely satisfying to read the heated debate you wrote for them! I also enjoyed reading Finarfin's offspring as less passive than usual. Galadriel's a favourite anyway. I found it very interesting to think about the immediate consequences Thingol's ban would have on her marriage, and I really liked the... not quite friendship, but reasonably close relationship she has with Curufin. You made him very human and believable (in his own arrogant way ;)), and that, too, has made this a great read! Looking forward to further chapters.

Thank you!

Yes, I can't see any people being happy about being forced to give up their native language, so the Noldor meekly accepting was never going to happen. I imagine that even for the Finarfinions, after Thingol's decree, taking up Sindarin was grudging at best.  

Curufin may have a soft spot for his little cousin Artanis, but he wouldn't be Curufin if he wasn't an arrogant bastard...

I wouldn't, usually, think it likely that Curufin and Galadriel might have a special relationship or particular affinity, but you make it work really well here.

That you've adopted the idea that Galadriel also killed at Alqualonde, but on the other side,t, certainly lends all this an extra angle, too.

It will be interesting to see what Celeborn's angle on this is--that is, assuming we get to see him, which I gather we might.

 

It occurred to me that Curufin and Galadriel, while they might seem like an odd friendship, would probably work really well - he's Fëanor but less crazy, and she's curious about many things and marching to her own drum. Aside from being on different sides of the Kinslaying (and her thinking the Oath was a terrible idea), they don't really have a quarrel. Not that those are small things...

Celeborn will be appearing, just not immediately. 

Yay for Curufin! He is a very interesting character to write - his relationship with his cousins was superb, and I like the friendship he enjoys with Galadriel.

I particularly enjoyed the part where he pretended not to speak Sindarin - it was hilarious! (Fair warinig: I lways like the sarcastic bastards ^^)

Can't wait for the next chapter!

I've enjoyed these chapters and this look at how members of the House of Finwë reacted to Thingol's ban. I like the complicated family relationships, where they can be angry at each other and even hate each other but still love each other also -- that rings true to me. And I like your more sympathetic Curufin, having some protective feelings toward his remaining family while still having that sardonic inner voice.

Thank you! It's been my experience that large families are complicated (if for no other reason than by virtue of having so many people involved) and the House of Finwë seems like that would be especially true. Curufin here is still much as I imagine he was in Valinor - he gets some flak for arrogance and sarcasm, but he's just as much part of the family as anyone else, and used to looking out for his brothers and cousins, particularly the younger ones. The years, the Oath, and the Doom haven't taken their toll on him yet.

I really like the way you contrasted the Valinorean customs with those of the Sindar. I think it's so important to remember that the LaCE (if one follows them at all) apply only to one branch of Elves, not all of them equally, so this discussion between Curufin and Galadriel was so satisfying to read! I should probably be sad about her difficulties in conveying these cultural differences to her husband and to Thingol, and sad about Celebrimbor's lack of playfellows, and worried about the amount of wine Galadriel has downed... but I have to admit that I'm so excited about the joining/binding discussion that these emotions have to take a back seat. For now.
Anyway, thank you for writing!

Thank you!

I see LaCE as something that applied to the High Elves, with the Vanyar being the strictest about it, the Teleri more lax, and the Noldor falling somewhere in between. (And even in Aman, some knowledge of older, non LaCE ways of doing things survived, although it's not widely talked about.) Needless to say, the elves of Beleriand continue with customs that developed without influence from the Valar...

No wonder it took you some time to gather the strength to write this chapter! It's quite a lot to deal with. Poor Galadriel. Poor Curufin. Poor unborn little thing! I shudder to think what will happen to him. I shudder to imagine Sauron messing with these two, also! I wonder how he managed to worm his way into Galadriel's dream. Was it the drink? Or is it just one of the perils of sleeping out in the wild? I guess if Ulmo can put dreams into Finrod's or Turgon's minds, it isn't beyond Sauron either. Either way, what a mess. Kudos to you for managing to write it, though! Hope you're feeling better now that you've excorcised this chapter. ;)

Thank you. I'm doing better now - my only challenge now is getting everything written down that's coming into my head since I'm no longer hung up on that unpleasant section!

Sauron was able to take advantage of both Galadriel and Curufin being at a relative low point, with their guard down, and the worse for too much wine. Galadriel was also uniquely vulnerable between her unusual separation from Celeborn at a time when a newly married couple would normally not be parted and this being the first time she's been outside of the Girdle in some years. It was really a perfect storm from Sauron's perspective, and he didn't waste the opportunity.

Just starting this! I didn't realize it had grown so large and was so plotty. I read the new chapter first and then realized it was a mistake that it is actually kind of a novel or novella and not a series of stories. It's fascinating so far. (Good thing I do mind spoilers--I am as likely as not to hop forward and look for them as avoid them.)

Big story! I love stories about Curufin especially if they do not cast him as a unremittingly evil character.

“Who would have thought his judgement would align so closely with the Valar’s?” Curufinwë mused.

It is interesting and always gave me pause. He did, of course, go to Aman and meet the Valar, but did not after returning to Middle-earth seem in any hurry to get back there!

I am loving the whole scene with the messengers--seeing variations on how different individuals react. Love the characterization of Galadriel and Curufin.

I do love him acting like he can't speak Sindarin. I have been known to do that myself with Spanish when having to deal with particularly annoying and obtuse Mexican bureaucrats over issues of customs and immigration.

Thingol puzzles me greatly! He came back all fired up to go to Aman, then he meets Melian and doesn't care anymore? It makes no sense. Then the whole overreaction about the Kinslaying...

Curufin acting like he can't speak Sindarin has real life inspiration. (I haven't deliberately mangled a language like he does, but I have on occasion been known to play innocent about how much I understand of what's being said in non-English languages...or sometimes vice-versa!)

 

"Nelyo will no longer go to Mithrim."

Hmmmmmmm is there some kind of mystery there?

 

"Curufinwë preferred his father name, but from his father’s half-siblings, he answered without complaint to the name his mother had bestowed on him, understanding that it was strange for them to use Fëanaro’s father name for him. Especially since Losgar, family relations ran smoother if his aunt and uncle spoke to Atarinkë rather than Curufinwë."

Can I say that I love the name-drama in this, because it's 100% elvish and 100% the kind of drama such a family can have.

Though tbh, calling Curufin "Little Father" will also remind everyone he is Fëanor's son, so there is no good option there!

 

Artanis fighting in Alqualondë! <3 Irimë in council <3 Yay for females characters actually existing (and having attempted to flesh them out myself: it's work, way more work than for the male characters, so every author who actually does that deserves the kudos for the extra work).

 

"“My cousin would be Curufin were his name Sindarized,” Laurefindil said with a smirk. “Which his father never used, and though not his preferred name, would probably be more to his liking than Atarinkë.”"

He does have a point here !

 

So! First chapter review!

1) Family drama! Everywhere! The amount of it shows just how much thoughts you gave to all of them and everything going on prior to the story.

2) Language drama! Name drama! So elvish <3

3) Some well deserved in world Thingol bashing, yet not gratuitous, always much appreciated.

 

PS: I often do not get notifications for answers to reviews on SWG so don't be afraid to poke me on discord <3