Comments on The Snakes and the Flowers

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What was Finrod thinking? Perhaps, if he truly wanted to court her, he thought she ought to know what kind of tangled mess she might be getting herself into if she accepted him? Poor girl!

I loved this part:

He had watched the proceedings and made the occasional respectful remark, while she had watched his lovely profile, the elegant manner in which his hand cupped his chin, the attentive way in which he leaned forward, the sparkle in his eyes as his focus shifted from one speaker to the next.

So much fun to read. She was a clever maid, but one who found herself there because she was simply attracted to this handsome, charming young man. (One might see Finrod in later years as a snake charmer himself. Since in M-e he seemed to be the one who tried to stay on good terms with all of kinsmen, despite their complicated differences and alliances or lack thereof.)



Well, he thinks that these council sessions are super exciting and didn't realise that others might find it less interesting. But as you say, letting her see how complicated his family is isn't the worst idea if he's serious about courting her. :D

She does figure it out neatly enough. (And that's a neat thought! Well, he does keep on wearing that ring until he gives it to Barahir!) Glad you enjoyed it!

Despite the mix of blood that Finrod has, I think that the Noldor predominates in him so he must find discussions about sewage repairs and mining committees fascinating. Does he realize that Amarie, and the Vanyar in general I suppose, must be bored to tears by these topics? Smart girl Amarie who picks the undercurrents right away!

she realised that comparing the commonwealth of the Noldor to a furry little burrower might be a little insulting.

Feanor and Fingolfin's behaviour make marmots seem statesmanlike and dignified!

Lovely story




I think he enjoys the sense of duty and political participation more than the actual content of the discussions, FWIW. ;) I don't think he realises that Amárie might not see it the same way. On the other hand, it does give Amárie plenty of opportunity to analyse the unspoken!

Hah! No self-respecting marmot ever swore an unbreakable oath, or challenged Morgoth to single combat, either! Perhaps she didn't want to insult the marmot?

Thank you!

I love this idea! Really very clever and a perfect use of canon!  You made me spend a long time on the web trying to find an artistic representation that resembled your description of the ring. Did you have an inspiration or have you drawn one? This one was the closet I could find.

http://ominously.deviantart.com/art/Ring-of-Barahir-149044694

Like the characterization and interaction of the three of them very much.



Ooh, thank you! Glad you liked my idea. Barahir's ring - or rather, the fact that it is supposed to be the emblem of the House of Finarfin - is rather enigmatic, considering that the heraldic designs Tolkien doodled tend to look... completely different from the snakes and flowers described in the Lay of Leithian. And I am extremely underwhelmed by the way it was executed in the LotR movies, I must admit.

As it happens, I do have a rather shoddy sketch that comes closer to what I imagine, although that doesn't really do it justice either. It's missing the coiled snake bodies too - I only thought of that detail later on, TBH! And obviously, I am less skilled as an artist than Fëanor is as a goldsmith! (Well duh.)

Anyway, I'm thrilled you like both the description of the ring and the characterisation of these folks. I don't often write Finarfinians (or Vanyar) so it was a fun new thing to try.