Comments

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Thank you! I really like her too. She just arrived in my mind around 3am and said "Hi, I have a story for you."

I think they're very practical, down-to-earth people; living in the harsh conditions they do rather demands it. I imagined her being very curious to learn what she could from Fíriel and the pair really enjoying each other's company. Especially when Fíriel experienced exasperation at her husband's erratic moods and behaviour since his head injury.

The brain damage also makes feel feel better about his apparent arrogance at ignoring the Lossoth's advice — and I guess everyone was just really weary and worn out and really just wanted to get home.

Beautiful but sad.  I really enjoyed the imagery you used: 'deceptively calm blue sky in faint feathery ice clouds'  ?

(I confess, I never thought much about the Lossoth until I played Lord of the Rings Online but that is still one of my favorite regions!)

Thanks Cuarthol. I'm so glad you enjoyed that line — it rearranged itself a few times before it said it was satisfied.

Yes, I find Arvedui's story one of the moments of great loss — all the more poignant because he had the prophecy from Malbeth the Seer as well as the warning from the Lossoth. But I imagine they were really worn down by that stage, and one's judgement can be heavily influenced by the thought of getting home after such a long ordeal.

I haven't played any games (I banned myself after a sleepless week of Civ back in the day!) but Tolkien Gateway mentioned the chieftain's name in LOTRO, and that their inspired by the Finnish, Sami, and Inuit peoples, so I grabbed that idea gratefully.

So happy to see a new bit of writing from you! As I hoped, it set up a lovely environment and mood and featured an intriguing original character. I really appreciate the attention you give to these lesser-known cultures and periods of the legendarium. 

It was eerie how you chose to have Láilá speak of the weather brought on by the Witch-king by personifying him ("his fingers") the way one might personify the sun or moon. 

Clever use of the prompt, too.

Aww! What a heartwarming comment, thank you Polutropos! I'm delighted that you like this little view into this rather untrodden part of the legendarium. As you've noticed, I do enjoy exploring the fringes, although it's also partly because I don't feel confident writing the more well known characters. (There's so many really good versions of them!)

I took the idea that the Lossoth believed the Witch-king could control the winter weather, mixed it with what I know of prefrontal warning clouds, and that image just popped out. Writing is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get! (With apologies to Mr Gump.)

I like Láilá. She seems a sensible person, her sorrow of having to let her friend go... It's so sad how Arvedui won't listen to people who would know better (I also like that part of that is due to his head-injury). I also liked that glimpse of the giving of Barahir's ring and what the Lossoth thought of it, not having the context.

Thank you for your lovely comment. I'm glad you like Láilá .

I keep trying to override Arvedui 's decision and bring that ship back to the surface, and save all the Elves and Men who drowned, and the Palantíri. Perhaps if the chieftain had spoken directly to the captain...

I found it quite refreshing that the Lossoth had no use for gems — practical items like furs and food would be far more valuable in their terrain; they were probably very surprised with what they received from the Rangers whey they eventually ransomed the ring.

So pleased you enjoyed those aspects.

So sad, if Firiel tried to argue with him as well and nevertheless drowned with him, out of a sense of a duty!

I like the idea of her having made friends among the Lossoth.

Arvedui's head injury is an interesting suggestion and its effects are very believable.

I had always thought that maybe he was putting too much trust in the elvishness of Cirdan's ship and his mariners (rather than outright disbelieving the Lossoth, that is).

And, of course, there would be the emotional strain that you hint at, too!

 

Aiya! I so appreciated all the points in your comment and they have remained in my mind, but I see now I never let you know.

I did need to give him a bit of an excuse, but it is very interesting to think about all the contributing factors that led to his decision. I had never really considered the possibility that he might put too much faith in Elvish sailors and the capabilities of the ship, which actually makes a lot of sense, especially by this point in the Third Age when elvish powers may be becoming more legendary from the perspective of Men.

But ultimately, I think there is often just a tendency to not fully comprehend the degree of something hitherto unexperienced.

And as for the prophecy, thinking about it now, it may well have seemed to him that the ship was in fact the less hopeful option... (Darn prophecies, can't they speak in plainer language!?)

Fíriel had said her husband was less amenable to the council of others since receiving a head wound in the battle with the Witch King’s army, and this was clearly evident now. 

 

Ohh, I love this headcanon (no pun intended!)

 

This was a lovely character piece - very atmospheric.  I especially loved the Witch-King's Winter...a bit like Jadis, in Narnia?  

 

Really beautiful writing <3