New Challenge: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.

Newly arrived in Lindon but fast to the High King's confidence, Elrond is officially announced to Gil-Galad's court. He learns what these formal affairs are really all about. Content warning for consensual hair-braiding and maybe one drunken kiss or two.

Two friends discuss their fears and hopes on the shores of Cuiviénen.

Maglor and Maedhros lead the remnants of their people into Ossiriand to escape the worst of the War of Wrath.

After Sauron's defeat and the return of the army to Minas Tirith, Éomer goes to see his sister and finds her changed.

Celebrían takes Elrond to meet her friend the Riverdaughter, who has news for him about someone he thought lost.

Maitimo was crossing the courtyard, thinking of lunch, when his father burst out of his workshop, where he had been holed up for the last several days, neither eating nor, as far as anyone could tell, sleeping. “Maitimo!” he cried, eyes alight with the fire of success. “Come! Come and see!”

Ñolofinwë’s eldest has always been flighty. Early in the First Age, Findekáno disappears three ways.
Written for the fan_flashworks challenge “storm”.

The letters exchanged between Maedhros Fëanorion and Elwing Dioriel, c. FA 534-537.

Something out near the entrance to the bay caught his eye. It was a small, dark shape on the water, slowly growing larger. As it passed into Eldamar out of Belegaer, Eärendil felt his breath catch. “Elwing,” he said.
“I see it.” She leaned farther out of the window, as though those few inches might grant her a better look. She had one hand raised to shield her eyes from the sun’s glare. “It looks like—”
“Yes, but it can’t be.”

Mablung leaves Doriath on the eve of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.

After being called out by Eru in front of everyone, Melkor wants to be alone. Manwe tries to talk to his brother and make him see reason.

Saeros' daughter reflects on the life and actions of her father.

“Kementári,” she prays, “please forgive me. I have failed to protect even this fragment of your creation.”
After the death of Thingol, Melian seeks guidance.

For Tolkien Latin American & Caribbean Week
Ink (black and gold) and watercolor on cardstock paper.

A skipping game, and how it connects the children of Hurin and how it doesn't.

Maglor's use of Songs of Power. Currently includes Alqualondë and the Dagor-nuin-Giliath.

In the Years of the Trees, Cirdan and a young relative of his, Voronwe's mother, decide to go on a voyage together. It promises to be an enjoyable trip. Nevertheless, Beleriand at this time is less peaceful than it was, if not as dangerous as it will one day become.

Eärendil invites Bilbo aboard Vingilot to sail the skies.

Ereinion sat on his bed holding up a mirror; its frame was ornate and heavy, but he kept it steady as he watched his father’s slender fingers twist his hair into braids befitting a Prince of Noldor. Into the braids Fingon wove ribbons—not golden threads like he wore himself, but yellow silk, bright and sunny.

The Blue Wizards seek Maglor’s help in their fight against Sauron.

Spring arrives at the Havens of Sirion.
Elwing can see that Earendil is about to go seafaring again.

Glorfindel returns to Middle-earth as emissary of the Valar and shares their warning of the growing darkness with the High King Gil-galad, confirming a doom long feared: Sauron has returned.

“Do you ever feel… hunted? Like every unmarried girl in the ballroom is staring at you and wants to exchange rings?”
One night Findekáno tells his friend about something that has been weighing on his heart.

An Orc of Morgoth - just one of the many masses that were bred for war and slaughter. But what happens when an idea of self beyond that of slave begins to form?
7-prompt path for the Matryoshka challenge.

Fingon and swimming