Writing the Elves

[remix17.livejournal.com]

I'm still pretty new to Tolkien, even though I've learned a lot about the mythos, but I am having trouble with a project I want to write--specifically, having trouble with some of the Elven details.

My story will take place on a timeline of about 20 years, and two of the main characters will be Elves. Can I create a special village or place for their Elven community, or did the Elves only dwell in listed ME places like Mirkwood and such, especially since they were fewer in number in Middle-Earth and many went to Valinor? Since the story will be set against the backdrop of the second big war against Morgoth, is there a specific way I must potray this community's involvement in that? My idea is for the community to be beseiged by the enemy's forces at present.

Any help would be appreciated.
 

Comments

[sirielle.livejournal.com]

"A creature that had an unusual lifespan, but knew he would die. He also knew he was permitted to speak three times, so that gave him a conscience, every action that he does, his decisions and such.."

I'm sorry, I haven't red it yet. Huan speaking 3 times comes form 'The Tale of Tinuviel' with Beren the Gnome, whoi IMHO was then parted into Celegorm the Noldor and Beren the Human. Pity, pity, how much more interesting would be Celegorm claiming he'll take out the jewel from Morgoth's crown if that's Elu'd price. And how betraying to the oath... Or maybe he would never break his oath for love? Perhapos Tolkien saw the btale of elleth and man more romanic, perhaps didn't knwo how to solve Celegorm's dilema, so gave the girl to Beren :(

It is repeated in the Silmarillion including the prophecy that Huan he will die battling the wolf of Angband, but we don't know if that's exactly the way Tolkien would finally leave it.
Haven't seen nor followed any discussion on that - if there were another ideas on that plot in HoME - but I treat it rather symbolically that Huan was allowed to speak "aloud" 3 times only (why!?). IMHO he could talk with Celegorm in their own or dog's speech whenever they wanted. Celegorm knew not only birds language, I think, so he could talk with his companion without breaking that "3 words destiny" sentence. My compromise between Huan the Maia and Huan from BolT and to avoid "but he never spoke to Celegorm! :((( "

I also wonder what Huan did during the kinslaying in Alqualonde - observed, went for a walk, fought on one side (which), tried to catch Celegorm's ass away from the slaughter or barked at Teleri to scare them and save their lives?


"Huan was not an ordinary hound, but he was not a maiar. Maiar can do shapeshifting (think of Sauron), Huan could not."

Only Sauron could, probably. This is not closed question, maybe also early idea, which might have change with time.. Lesser spirits once they have chosen their body, their powers were weaker. All were Ainur before or other spirits, who entered Ea. Sauron could change his shape, but lost this power with time, either, as Morgoth lost his after giving too much power to Ungoliant.
Well, Melian changed her body, but this was destiny sung in the Music of Ainur, and she was powerful spirit, too. Olórin did the same becoming Mithrandir, but on Manwe's order, not by his own will. It doesn't say he never could do it on his will, though.
I can't answer that, but I guess that only most powerful spirits could change their shape and had to have a good reason for that. Sauron was probably the most powerful of all Maiar, so he had more "kits" and "inane abilities" in his character's sheet ;)

"Besides that, why would a Maiar follow an elf?"

Because it was in the Music of Ainur ;P And because one professor wrote it long time ago and liked that idea so much that never changed it. One of this "because it's fantasy" things. IMHO he had to save Beren, aid Luthien and kill the wolf, that is the reason why Manwe or Orome in this case sent him along with Celegorm. Maybe Orome foreseen that Celegorm will need help or will be dangerous himself so he gave him a guardian angel to solve things best in the future?

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, I haven't red it yet. Huan speaking 3 times comes form 'The Tale of Tinuviel' with Beren the Gnome, whoi IMHO was then parted into Celegorm the Noldor and Beren the Human.

No it's in the Silmarillion. Really.

and thus he too came under the doom of woe set upon the Noldor, and it was decreed that he should meet death, but not until he encountered the mightiest wolf that would ever walk the world.

and

Lúthien spoke often to Huan in her loneliness, telling of Beren, who was the friend of all birds and beasts that did not serve Morgoth; ad Huan understood all that was said. For he comprehended the speech of all things with voice; but it was permitted to him thrice only ere his death to speak with words.

Well, that says enough.

I also wonder what Huan did during the kinslaying in Alqualonde - observed, went for a walk, fought on one side (which), tried to catch Celegorm's ass away from the slaughter or barked at Teleri to scare them and save their lives?

He fell under the doom of the Noldor, so yes that is also about fighting & killing at Alqualondë.

Only Sauron could, probably. This is not closed question, maybe also early idea, which might have change with time.. Lesser spirits once they have chosen their body, their powers were weaker.

Nopes, more could. Olorin, Thuringwhetil for sure... Radagast, there was something about him as well.

Maybe Orome foreseen that Celegorm will need help or will be dangerous himself so he gave him a guardian angel to solve things best in the future?

No. He gifted Huan long before it was clear what would happen to the Noldor. Orome could not look into the future (every valar had their own expertise, just as Manwe could not see the evil of Melkor where Tulkas could) and equip Celegorm with a hound.

[sirielle.livejournal.com]

Who said Orome cpuld never look into the future? Some elves cpould, why not a Vala? Maybe he felt this boy will need a special friend ;) He must have had a reason for that.

"Nopes, more could. Olorin, Thuringwhetil for sure... Radagast, there was something about him as well."

Were is it about Thuringwhetil? I'm curious about her, but Silm doesn't say much and there is nothing on her in the Tale of Tinuviel, or I just don't remember (but Tevildo the kitty is there, pity they got rid of him ^_^)
I wrote about Olorin - Manwe's order, it wasn't his choice; anyway he was a powerful Maia, as Melian and Sauron and all other Maiar becoming wizards were the same strong. Saruman being the most powerful of them (but in the end when Mithrandir was sent back to ME became the most powerful one I think).

"No it's in the Silmarillion. Really."

I know, but it cames from the early ideas like the Tale of Tinuviel, I mean the fairy tale factor. It's often in fairy tales that someone can do something only 3 times. And the oldest visions were very fairy, including fairy tinny gnomes-elves, while they have got nothing in common with Quendi.

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

No Valar were assigned to their bits in the music: Vaire wove the tapestries and could perhaps look into the future.

From The Silmarillion:

And many other things Ilúvatar spoke to the Ainur at that time, and because of their memory of his words, and the knowledge that each has of the music that he himself made, the Ainur know much of what was, and is, and is to come, and few things are unseen by them. Yet some things there are that they cannot see, neither alone nor taking counsel together; for to none but himself has Ilúvatar revealed all that he has in store, and in every age there come forth things that are new and have no foretelling, for they do not proceed from the past.

These are his gifts:

Oromë loved the lands of Middle-earth, and he left them unwillingly and came last to Valinor; and often of old he passed back east over the mountains and returned with his host to the hills and the plains. He is a hunter of monsters and fell beasts, and he delights in horses and in hounds; and all trees he loves, for which reason he is called Aldaron, and by the Sindar Tauron, the Lord of Forests. Nahar is the name of his horse, white in the sun, and shining silver at night. The Valaróma is the name of his great horn, the sound of which is like the upgoing of the Sun in scarlet, or the sheer lightning cleaving the clouds. Above all the horns of his host it was heard in the woods that Yavanna brought forth in Valinor; for there Oromë would train his folk and his beasts for the pursuit of the evil creatures of. Melkor.

All from the Silm

He turned aside therefore at Sauron's isle, as they ran northward again, and he took thence the ghastly wolf-hame of Draugluin, and the bat-fell of? Thuringwëthil. She was the messenger of Sauron, and was wont to fly in vampire's form to Angband; and her greatfingered wings were barbed at each joint's end with and iron claw. Clad in these dreadful garments Huan and Lúthien ran through Taur-nu-Fuin, and all things fled before them.


Then Beren perceived that Lúthien could not be divided from the doom that lay upon them both, and he sought no longer to dissuade her. By the counsel of Huan and the arts of Lúthien he was arrayed now in the hame of Draugluin, and she in the winged fell of ThurIngwëthil.

Thuringwëthil 'Woman of Secret Shadow', the messenger of Sauron from Tol-in-Gaurhoth who took the form of a great bat, and in whose shape Lúthien entered Angband. 216

It's all in there.

[sirielle.livejournal.com]

"He fell under the doom of the Noldor, so yes that is also about fighting & killing at Alqualondë."

Not all Noldor were kinslayers, yet they were doomed and they brought this doom to others as well. So it doesn't prove Huan was fighting with Teleri.

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

"Maybe Orome foreseen that Celegorm will need help or will be dangerous himself so he gave him a guardian angel to solve things best in the future?"

This is what I have to believe! It's such a lovely concept.