Revolution

February 2017 SWG challenge Revolution banner with a flier on a brick wall

On Modern-earth, in many parts of the world, February is Black History Month, a reminder of how justice is often wrested and seized from the powerful through the courage and sacrifices of the oppressed.

The early ages of Arda are likewise defined by revolution. Ossë's rebellion against Ulmo. The return of the Noldor to Middle-earth. Barahir's outlaws. The Kings' Men and the Elf-friends of Númenor. Into the Third Age, the Gondorians rebelled against the cruel usurpation of Castamir. Then of course there are the individual revolutionaries of Arda: Fëanor, Andreth, Aredhel, Isildur, Ar-Pharazon. (And who could forget the ur-revolutionary Melkor?) Between the lines, many fans read resistance against dominating--even colonialist--cultures by the unsung peoples and heroes of Middle-earth.

For this month's challenge, participants will receive a quotation, artwork, speech, or song concerned with protest and revolution. Your final piece does not have to include a revolution or concern revolution in any way, but you should use some aspect of your prompt in the final story. While not required, participants are encouraged to include characters of color or from underrepresented cultural groups.

Writers, comment on our LiveJournal or Dreamwidth, send our tumblr an ask, or email us to receive your prompt. Please specify if you have a preference for the format of your prompt (song, speech, art, or quotation).

If you want to create a fanwork other than fiction, your challenge is to create a piece of protest art in any format that you choose.

This challenge opened in .

Prompts

Choose your prompt from the collection below.

View Prompts

Fanworks Tagged with Revolution

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Far Too Many Of You Dying by StarSpray

After the Noldor depart, Alqualondë is left reeling.

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Your Image in an Antique Book by IgnobleBard

After the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, Maedhros revisits Fingon's fortress.

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Those Who Remain by Tyelca

In 1997, Maglor visits the musical The Scarlet Pimpernel shortly after the premiere, and one song in particular catches his attention.

Also featuring Fëanorian Stubbornness.

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Obsidian to Cut by LadyBrooke

He is reborn in Valinor, and they assume he died because the Kindi were incapable of standing against Morgoth, especially after their King and Princes were not.

(The Noldor forget that their relatives weren't left behind on the March because they were incapable, but because they didn't wish to come.)

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Like The Fall Of Night by hennethgalad

Morgoth sells the concept of swords to the elves through his minions.

 

(Ah, er, contains a canon error. Mairon was not in Valinor at the same time as the elves.

However, i could just change the name of the evil maia and it would be compatible...)

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The Parting of the Ways by Lyra

On the eve of the Great Journey, Morwë discusses his doubts with Finwë.

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Early Roman Kings by mangacrack

The degree of civilisation of a society can be judged by entering its prisons.

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Uncertain Seas by Grundy

Today changed everything, and Artanis isn't certain of anything now.

 

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Give Me Freedom, Give Me Fire by Fernstrike

In the week after the beginning of Dagor Bragollach, an elfling and his mother flee their settlement near the Fens of Serech. With his father's fate unknown and his home destroyed, the elfling considers what is to come next.

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Three by the Door by Himring

Elros, future King of Numenor, makes the acquaintance of some of his future subjects--and finds out that some traditions that he thought forgotten have survived the drowning of Beleriand.

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A Different Kind Of Peace by Tyelca

During various moments in his life, Celebrimbor is forced to reconsider the meaning of peace.

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The World Will Know by Lotrfan

written for the Revolution Challenge 2017. The prompt was the song “The World Will Know” from Newsies.

“And the world will see that we had to choose

that the things we do today will be tomorrow’s news.

And the old will fall

And the young stand tall

And the time is now

And the winds will blow

And our ranks will grow and grow and grow and so

The world will feel the fire 

And finally know!”

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Musical Interpretation by Erulisse

Feanaro intended his sons to be smiths or artists as he and Nerdanel were. His second son seems to have a different idea and when he spends a day at the Forge, it is a eye-opening experience for both Feanaro and his young son, Maglor. Written for the Challenge - Revolution. 

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No Small Dreams by just_jenni

After the Noldor are victorious in the Dagor-Nuin-Giliath Finrod and Turgon fall asleep beside the River Sirion while on a camping trip.  Ulmo, having come up the river to find them, lays a deep sleep complete with heavy dreams upon them.  Each elf will remember that his dream involved building new cities or realms which are places of refuge or retreats for their people during a peaceful time; for at any moment this peace could be broken by Morgoth and his evil army waging war on them once more.

This fic deals with the fact that despite being best friends (perhaps even closer than that) since childhood, neither Finrod nor Turgon will disclose each other's dream to one another.  I tried to understand why they would not and describe the reasons they might have for not doing so.

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Morning Hath Broken by Kaylee Arafinwiel

One fair morning in Harlindon, Oropher tells the story of the Iathrim's first sunrise to the most precious light of his life - his only remaining son.

Chapter Two is up! (And silly me, Oropher had to include the first moonrise first!)

 

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We Weren’t Born to Follow by oshun

In response to the SWG Challenge "Revolution." Prompt: Bon Jovi, “We Weren’t Born To Follow”? video | lyrics

The Noldor were always a contentious people. Finwë and Míriel before they leave on the great Trek across the mountains to the sea.

 

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