House of Finwë by softmoonlightmelody  

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4th+ Generations

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XXXII. Ringmaker - Celebrimbor Telperinquar

Celebrimbor has always tried to run away from who his family was. His grandfather, brilliant and bright, burnt out too soon; Curufin anticipated that, but couldn’t stop his own pride; and of course, his mother’s ambition married her to a prince and led her to her death.

Celebrimbor wants to be what his forebearers weren’t by the end of their lives. He wants to be kind, welcoming, loyal, a builder instead of a burner.

That is why he welcomes Annatar, and as he is betrayed bitterly, he remembers his grandfather’s biggest violation of hospitality was turning Morgoth from Formenos’s gate.

 

XXXIII. Guide - Idril Itarillë

Idril was born on the Grinding Ice. A small baby, a cold baby, but hope nonetheless for the people.

Idril has long been a symbol of hope to her people.

But the Grinding Ice solidified a sort of restlessness in her bones, deep and aching, chafing against Gondolin’s strict borders. Despite it, Idril took her aunt’s fate to heart. She little likes Maeglin for it, even less for his attentions.

Idril is a symbol of hope, but she is also a person of action. She knows, deep in her restless bones, that Gondolin won’t last.

So Idril builds a tunnel.

 

XXXIV. Chosen - Tuor Ulmondil

Tuor doesn’t remember his parents. Instead, he remembers the cradle of Annael, his harsh upbringing, through no fault of Annael.

And he remembers the cradle of the ocean, a homecoming to a home he’d never been to.

He sometimes wonders if it’s because he is the Ulmondil, the Sea-Chosen, and sometimes he wonders if it’s because the ocean calls them all.

He holds his son and calls him Eärendil for the sea. And his son grows up looking in the same south-western direction, to the ocean that is their home.

The sea-longing only grows. Tuor doesn’t hesitate to meet it.

 

XXXV. Follower - Orodreth Artaresto

Orodreth wasn’t like the other members of his family, who all seemed born to understand how to rule rightly. He was made for following someone else, he thinks sometimes.

Especially just after his uncle and his wife died, in the same quest. Orodreth wondered if Celegorm was right after all. He wondered if the full might of Nargothrond may have been enough to defeat Sauron.

He felt lost, not even good enough for Halmir and Finduilas.

It was a relief when Túrin arrived. Suddenly, someone who seemed to know what he was doing took charge, even if Nargothrond fell anyway.

 

XXXVI. Traitor - Maeglin Lómion

Maeglin didn’t want to be a traitor. Despite himself, despite everything, he still loved Gondolin. It was too bright most days, and too much on others.

But Maeglin didn’t really have a choice. A child of twilight. A son of Eöl and Aredhel. Perhaps he was always meant to be the traitor of Gondolin. He’s always been ambitious, in the very least.

And Idril. She is so much that sometimes it’s difficult to understand why he loves her, but he does—and he loves and hates her in equal measure.

Perhaps Maeglin didn’t have a choice. He hopes he didn’t.

 

XXXVII. Uniter - Gil-Galad Ereinion Finellach Artanáro

Gil-Galad tries and succeeds. He doesn’t quite know how, but he holds together the Ñoldor with all his strength and all his power, and he succeeds.

It’s the last true Ñoldo kingdom. The remaining Ñoldor have nowhere to go besides him. His father may have been Fingon, not quite political, but Gil-Galad needs to be better.

He is the last valid heir besides Elrond, and the Iathrim need Elrond more than the Ñoldor do. So Gil-Galad holds the Ñoldor together for the entirety of the Second Age. His reign may not have been flashy, but at least it was long.

 

XXXVIII. Heir - Haldir

Haldir is the heir to Nargothrond, but it does not last—on the patrols he is allowed and his sister isn’t, he is trapped.

He can only wield a sword to average, and he has not musical talents to speak for and no craft, but he is the heir and he does what he can to let the merchants’ goods still reach across Beleriand.

Haldir isn’t unfamiliar with the orcs’ often cruel tactics, but he watches as his companions are killed in gruesome ways in horror; he wonders when it’ll be his turn to die. He thinks of his sister.

 

XXXIX. Princess - Finduilas Faelivrin

Finduilas is the princess of Nargothrond, never to see the world outside, trapped where she can only see the stars in short, small trips with Gwindor or a small army of guards.

Gwindor is serious and practical and kind and treats her like she’s real. Yet when he comes back to her, after a dozen years of separation, she knows him little.

He is no longer kind. He is still serious and practical, but his smiles are strained. He no longer treats her like she’s real.

She sees the man she was once in love with and mourns and mourns.

 

XXXX. Mariner - Eärendil Ardamírë

Eärendil does not wish to leave. He knows he must leave Sirion and search for salvation in the West, but that means he must leave his young sons, not yet old enough that they will remember him when he comes back.

He wants to stay with them, but he also wants them to have a future.

And he must leave Elwing, whose call is more powerful than the sea-longing and more clear than the stars which guide all mariners. And he must leave.

He does leave, but he never comes back. He does not know that yet. So, he hopes.

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Chapter End Notes

got stuck on maeglin. he's so hard to write...