2025 Birthday Bash Prompt Fills by silmalope

For the 3.14 prompt poem Wake, butterfly – / it’s late, we’ve miles / to go together, I drew Melian mourning the death of Thingol. I’ve always associated her with butterflies for some reason, and it occurred to me that for a Maia, even the thousands of years she spent with her love would feel far too short. So I interpreted the poem as her inner thoughts, unable to bear the thought of journeying on alone.

For the 3.15 prompt “a time to gather stones, and a time to cast them away” I drew friends and collaborators Celebrimbor and Narvi, eagerly planning a new project together. :)

WARNINGS APPLY: in-universe slavery, underweight character

For the 3.17 prompt “I used to think I had no message, but the message is me — bloodshot and hungry …” I drew Túor enduring harsh treatment as a thrall in Hithlum. While the Silm focuses on his heroic and glorious moments as a lord of Gondolin and messenger of Ulmo, I think it’s interesting to look at how his resilience is informed by the hardships of his youth.

For the 3.18 prompt poem The snow of yesterday / that fell like cherry blossoms / is water once again, I drew Finrod newly returned from the Halls of Mandos, looking down at his  unscarred hands with mixed emotions. I think he might struggle with the idea that he has no physical traces left of the years and experiences that mattered most to him.