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.

On the first day of winter, young Eärendil announces its arrival to his parents very early in the morning, and the chill of memories pierces Idril to the core.

The First Music goes off without a hitch; Arda is unmarred, and the Theme goes on and on without one dissonant voice in the choir.

Melkor reflects upon his past dwelling places, and the lessons learned in failure.

After a very long journey, Elwing comes to Alqualondë.

The Lays JRR Tolkien did not write for very good reasons. Part Eight: The Harp and other poems. MEFA 2010 nominee.

Mairon, maia of Aulë, is given a body, a purpose, his tools, and a warning.

Gil-galad and Círdan attend mid-summer festivities in Eregion. An unwelcome guest crashes the party.

Some people are naturally good at romance. Others struggle with it, even when surrounded by flowers, love songs, and heart-shaped cakes. Guess which group is featured in this story?
(The usual caveat applies: these are my versions of these characters, and my version of Gondolin, and so might not be to everyone's taste.)

As the rebellious Noldor begin to destroy themselves, one fëa in Mandos is forced to watch the destruction, and to know its source.

Finwë does not want Míriel's company. Drabble.

A brief conversation between Lord Oropher of Doriath and Aran Thingol's sixteen-year-old adopted human son causes Oropher a few moments of unease. Triple drabble.

Fëanor names his second son.

Findekáno explores the new lands of Middle Earth, coming to terms with what it means to call this place home. Written for B2MeM 2014.

In the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach, Lady Maedhris attempts to console her next-to-youngest sister over the loss of her musical compositions in the dragon-fire.

Níniel meets a wraith at night. Written for the Hearts in Council fic fest.

A nightmare of an Elf, one of Finrod’s companions, in his new life.

Maedhros, phantom limb. (drabble)

Long after the final ship has come to harbor, the Valar have mercy, and release some of the longest dead from the Halls of Mandos. Maedhros is among the last.

Sauron accepts Gil-galad's challenge of single combat to end the siege of Barad-dur.

At Cuiviénen, Ingwë discusses his reasons for accepting Oromë's invitation to visit Aman and what he thinks the outcome will be with his sister. In Valinor, he learns how accurate those expectations were.
(Or: in which Ingwë knowingly walks into a trap and what comes of it.)

A year into the crossing of the Helcaraxë, Finrod speculates about seal poets, Fingon inventively replaces his worn-out harp strings, and Aredhel gets drunk. In the meantime, Galadriel makes out with her new boyfriend, bonds with her favorite brother, and does battle with the Queen of the Ice Bears.