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.

It was a legend among the Sindar. It was said that Tilion loved Arien, but Arien did not love Tilion. Struggling with the pain of love unmet, Tilion implored to the Valar on behalf of all who were like him: let the lonely ones find a way to ease the ache, and help all who were left alone to find someone of their own.
(Glorfindel/Erestor)

"But Eärendil came, shining with white flame, and about Vingilot were gathered all the great birds of heaven and Thorondor was their captain, and there was battle in the air all the day and through a dark night of doubt. Before the rising of the sun Eärendil slew Ancalagon the Black, the mightiest of the dragon-host, and cast him from the sky; and he fell upon the towers of Thangorodrim, and they were broken in his ruin." (Artwork)

Story about the recovery of Maedhros and his efforts to find himself in this new reality, but also to stitch back what was torn among the Noldor. Lots of relations between brothers.

Death of a Golden Flower. (Poetry and Artwork)

Maedhros looks at the sleeping twins and says they look like their great-grandfather.
Maglor knows Maedhros thinks Elrond and Elros look like someone else, as well.

An excerpt from the memoirs of a Dwarf of Belegost, concerning her childhood in Menegroth.

The dragon and his executioner. A take of the death of Glaurung, but with a twist. (Artwork)

Galadriel has a vision;
Elrond has a reputation;
Erestor and Glorfindel have a conversation;
Celeborn has an objection;
And Celebrian has a big surprise.

Idril sits down to dinner with her cousin Maeglin shortly after the deaths of his parents. What begins as an uneventful meal dominoes into resentment and defensiveness as her own traumatic memories of her mother's death surface.

It is an ill omen when a Prince of Doriath appears in the tent of a Dwarf without any weapons and lowers himself to sit beneath her while they speak of important matters.

Melian is bored and travels to Arda to see the Quendi. She meets Elwe. His people wonder where he is.

Celegorm's musings before, during, and after the Battle of Menegroth.
Warning for: incest (referenced), non-graphic violence, major character death, and Celegorm's IssuesTM

The actor Melairë writes to his lover to tell of meeting Glorfindel.

Turgon dies on the Ice instead of Elenwë. This is the story of what happens after that.
Written for Solanaceae for Ardor in August 2017.

Anarion, son of Elendil, on his way into exile.

Nerdanel looks back on her marriage as she watches the return of Finarfin with Anairë and Eärwen.
This is as grim as you would expect.

Back in Nargothrond after several seasons on the northern border, Túrin finds himself entangled in Gwindor's personal and political conflicts and comes to a decision about his own future.

At Nienor's request, the women of Brethil share stories and songs about Haleth, the river's daughter, and those they loved. (Goldberry/Haleth, Goldberry/Nellas, Haleth/OFC)

Caranthir the Dark does business with an Edain, and unwittingly gives rise to the hope of Middle-earth. Maedhros forms a plan.

The first Crown Prince of Arnor comes to Mandos.

Of the Petty-Dwarves, the Elves, and first encounters. What they told themselves, and others.

About the Nauglamír and the other side of the story. Of culture clash, betrayal, and lost art.
We have our teaching, and the Elves have theirs. Through countless years, they have continued to tell their own version of events about the Nauglamír. Ever they turn the story against us, saying it reveals the greed of the Dwarves, and our treachery.
They say that Elven memory is perfect. And yet it seems not so.

Caranthir is offered a chance to read an unpublished diary entry. It’s a copy of a recently discovered ancient manuscript apparently written by Haleth the Hunter. It’s a follow-up to my previous story The Manly-hearted Woman, but can be read independently of that one. It is also an entry in the SWG Challenge Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song. (“...use a popular love song as a prompt to inspire a fanwork about romantic or sexual love. You will choose your own prompt from the list of love songs below.” I chose "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers: video | lyrics).

“You come all the way to Belegost to see the Lord of Himring?”
“Yes,” says Amlach.
“I hope you’re not here to impart a message of doom upon him—a memorandum that one of his brothers has died, a notice that the Dark One has broken the Siege, something like that.”