Heart and Stomach by janeways  

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Fanwork Notes

This story was written for Mereth Aderthad 2025, to accompany the presentation "'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium" by polutropos.

This story touches on my Gil-galad parentage AU, Scion of Kings. In this AU, Gil-galad's parentage is unknown to everyone, including himself. In case anyone is interested in reading it, I will not spoil the ending :) I attempted to write this story in such a way that it may be read as part of that AU, or as a standalone piece with its own take on Gil's lineage.

Fanwork Information

Summary:

As a very young child, Gil-galad arrived on Círdan's doorstep with no memories and nothing but a brief letter containing two things: a request to foster him, and a name, Ereinion. Silver-haired scion of kings, he always suspected his lineage was more vexed than anyone, Noldor or Sindar alike, was comfortable admitting, especially in those fragile last days before the War of Wrath.

Parents as well as kings must make difficult decisions. After the Third Kinslaying, Gil-galad learns this the hard way.

Title is a reference to Elizabeth I's Speech to the Troops at Tilbury.

Major Characters: Gil-galad, Círdan, Maedhros

Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros

Genre: Family, General

Challenges:

Rating: Teens

Warnings: Mature Themes
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 2, 061
Posted on Updated on

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Heart and Stomach

Comments on Heart and Stomach

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Gah!! This is quite something. I've read it three times now and it still hits each time. I love that you chose Gil-galad as the vehicle to explore the themes of my presentation. And what a Gil-galad! Bitter, lonely, burdened. And how could he not be, at this stage of his life? Thrust into kingship at the WORST possible time in history. 

I appreciate that you Went There with Gil-galad's judgement of Elwing. It may be difficult to read, but I like that he's not perfectly compassionate and all-seeing. He's flawed, she's flawed, they all are, even beloved Cirdan. 

I admit I'd not thought much about how Gil-galad and Elrond & Elros share the experience of being fostered in a time of war and what that might mean for how they understand each other. The envy present in "“I don’t understand” was all he could say, when what he meant was, I was such a lonely child." -- is a fascinating angle. 

“Yes. So did my father,”  !!! Gil-galad and me are both struck. 

The implications about his silver hair though... Am I reading correctly that he maybe actually *is* Feanorian? Or, at least, *he* thinks he might be... Amazing stuff. 

Thanks so much for writing this. It's given me lots to think about.