New Challenge: Allusive
Literature and art constantly refer back to each other using allusions, and this month's prompts are inspired by allusions to literature, myth, art, and history.

"Few stories were told of Nienna, not because she was not loved, but because she was loved too much. Those elves who dwelled in Valinor knew her sorrows and did not pry at them. Her part in the stories of others was glossed over, her name whispered gently, her tale left unspoken and unrecorded. Such was the respect given to her, for all people might need pity some day.
If an exile from over the sea needed to learn, or a new child asked, they were shared only snippets of thought, memories, echoes of what was told perhaps only once long ago.
These were the things that were not said."

Five people Finarfin did not expect, and one he did.
--
It was the Silmarils that had sent Fëanor on his mad way to Beleriand like a falling star, pulling all the youth and brightness of my life in a long tail after him; and the very Silmaril Elwing and Ëarendil brought here now had drawn Finrod my son into darkness and death, and torn him to pieces.
"To be fair, that was the wolf,” Finrod said.

The brewing of ale and beer was a woman's work, and thus (because Bunn is a terrible enabler) this little ficlet about Anairë and Nerdanel and some unexpected lavender happened.
Amnesty sitcom fic for the You did WHAT?!? prompt.

The story of the Quorin, the Silent People, and their home on Tol Úpahtëa.

A Yuletide Ball set in Vinyamar in the First age.
This work is for elemmire-of-aman for the Tolkien Secret Santa Exchange 2018.
It can be read as a standalone or as part of the Silver & Gold Verse (soon to be published)
Prompt: Glorfindel, Fingon, Maedhros, Russingon. No NSFW.

“But no, it is not ruins or pottery I am interested in. They told me that Maglor was living on Himling.”
Círdan set down his glass. He did not look surprised. “I had heard rumors,” he said. “The fishermen up the coast that way are a superstitious folk, and I’ve long thought that their ghost stories might have a particular source. But I did not think he was still there, or that he’d gone out to Himling Isle.”
“It makes sense,” Elrond said, staring down into his glass and watching the liquid catch the sunlight as he turned it in his fingers. “Is there a boat I could borrow?”

Gil-gala, Idril Celebrindal and Celebrimbor meet on the Isle of Balar.

Ereinion Gil-galad sets out for the Falas.

December 25 3018: The Fellowship have just left Imladris...

A song from the heart may melt snow and ice - and bitter hearts.
Young Elrond and Elros establish a dear family tradition.

The children of elves die easily, for their souls are thinly bound to their bodies and their fate is to endure but not survive. So when faced with a young hostage he really can't afford to let fade away, Sauron is very careful not to do anything too traumatizing.
(Mostly.)
Luckily Feanor's grandson is an interesting child to babysit.

Aredhel and Egalmoth share a quiet moment on the Grinding Ice.

On the voyage back to Middle-earth, Glorfindel remembers, and makes some new friends.

Maitimo and Findekano in Valinor during the time of the Two Trees when they are first realizing their feelings for each other. Mutual pining, both painfully oblivious to each other's true feelings. Maitimo is helping Findekano study for his upcoming examinations and they naturally are spending an significant amount of time alone together which brings their repressed feelings for each other further to the fore. They have support from an unexpected source.

Luthien runs into a strange and batlike creature on her way to rescue Beren.

A series of snapshots from Fëanor’s early life, centred around a beloved stuffed owl.
(Or, adventures in single fatherhood with Finwë)

Celebrimbor, Curufin and Celegorm in the aftermath of Fëanor’s death.

Curufin is accused of a crime he didn’t commi, but wishes he did.

Finwë reflects on the similarities between Tyelkormo and Míriel

Celebrimbor is his father’s son.
(snapshots from the life of a more Fëanorian Celebrimbor)

Haleth looks at Caranthir and wonders what he's lost.
Or the first meeting between the two. Written for the Starter Prompt for the Holiday Feast.

A Fëanorian Hanukkah,
Or,
Fëanor and his seven sons: eight drabbles for eight nights.

Spending the holidays with your family is always difficult. Especially if you've disowned them.
Or, Celebrimbor discovers you can choose your own family (sometimes, it's even the people you're related to).

The Entwives tend their orchard.