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.

As evening falls, Tar-Míriel's faithful handmaiden awaits her return in her chambers. (Sapphic verse. Tar-Míriel/OFC.)

Caranthir is a socially awkward public servant and Amarië is a politically radical performance artist when a prestigious battle of the bards entices them to come together in an unexpected friendship that produces an even less-expected new musical genre. Part of the Republic of Tirion series but you don't have to be familiar with the other stories to understand this one. Also featuring the printing press, underground nightclubs, an electric guitar, and Caranthir's bitchy resting face.

There are some elves out there who still need to find their way home: Maglor, Daeron, Mithrellas.
Somehow, they will.

Definition: An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.

Gwindor considers the best route home.

Elrond receives fateful news from Númenor, and has to come to terms with them.
Written for the "Competition" Challenge, for the prompt Lights and Shadows by O'G3NE. Rather less encouraging than the song, I'm afraid.

When Finrod had previously considered his death, he had thought it would come in battle, at the end of a sword or a mace or an arrow.

For we have to remember that a falling star is nothing but a meteor, a burning mass of rock and ice that rapidly descends through the atmosphere before crashing on the surface, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.
Seven stories for Fëanorian Week.

In Nargothrond, Curufin leaves behind the last remains of the heart that was once filled with fire... and a letter.

Findis has to re-evaluate a friendship in light of fresh information.

Feredwen copes badly with the aftermath of the Third Kinslaying and sees the new star rise for the first time. (With cameos by Maedhros, Maglor, and a Silmaril.)

A tale of how a Maia got seduced by Melkor to his side and of the price she had to pay for her fall.

In the face of dragon-fire and misery, Maedhros rides to the aid of his eldest younger brother. Eventually things are said but not discussed. If either is for the best is neither here nor there.

In the Fourth Age, young Barahir comes up with a conspiracy theory about a Numenorean queen and explains his theory to Ivriniel of Dol Amroth.

Barely a long-year after the Last Alliance all is not well in Imladris. Elrond's household has been dealt a crippling blow: a very young Elrohir has disappeared. After decades of false leads he is found in the Far South of Middle-Earth. Can Glorfindel find and rescue the descendant of Earendil once more? There is just one problem: Elrohir has no memory of who he was, and little interest in leaving his people's fight against the Black Nùmenoreans of Umbar...
A huge thanks to my beta, the irreplaceable Dawn Felagund, who made this tale at least twice as good as it was originally. All remaining mistakes are mine.

Early in the Second Age, Elrond drags an orc-poisoned Maglor to Lindon. Hurt/comfort.

Ungoliant hurts, and watches the sky.

The last stand of the Entwives and the burning of the Brown Lands.

As Sauron’s influence grows in Númenor, Míriel and a scholar of the Faithful discuss the translation of Elvish poetry.

Under the growing shadows of Angmar and amid her prophecies, Malbeth loves Fíriel and bides her time.

Each Fëanorian gets their own headcanon and short story of 600 words or less for this character exploration!
Written for Fëanorian Week 2018.

Belen, son of Beor, speaks of his youth.
(For 2018 B2MeM. Music of the Waters.
Also a story I was going to use for Breaking Boundaries.)

Emeldir in the Battle of Sudden Flame.