Discussion The Works of Curufinwë (discussion)

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Chapter 3:
I remember our discussions about this chapter more clearly than others, I think. I liked it a lot, especially cause you'd kept the part with Fëanor's last words a secret. 👀

I loved the portrayal of the vague description of what he told his sons. The book makes you wonder what he said that made the sons repeat the Oath most of them regretted. I could see why when I read your works.

And there's Tyelpë! I know we've had a lot discussions about him and how we portray him differently, but I think he wasn't that much far from my own interpretation. At least, this still young Tyelpë. Looking forward to seeing more of him and can't wait to read the last chapter!

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Chapter 4:
This chapter was intense. I totally get the turmoil of emotions Curufin is experiencing as someone who tries to live by logics instead of feelings. He's feeling betrayed by Maedhros and guilty at the same time for abandoning him and the rest of the Noldor which is confusing him. He know he's not allowed to feel betrayed, he doesn't deserve to, but he can't help himself.

And there's also the matter of Fëanor and how he would feel if he could see. It's already established that one of the first questions Curufin would ask himself when he's trying to decide anything is that 'What would Atar think/do?' and despite knowing how Fëanor would raise hell if he knew what was going to happen, he doesn't even attempt to argue against it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but perhaps this is Curufin slowly trying to become his own person and not just the Mini-Fëanor everyone except him to be?

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

And there's also the matter of Fëanor and how he would feel if he could see. It's already established that one of the first questions Curufin would ask himself when he's trying to decide anything is that 'What would Atar think/do?' and despite knowing how Fëanor would raise hell if he knew what was going to happen, he doesn't even attempt to argue against it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but perhaps this is Curufin slowly trying to become his own person and not just the Mini-Fëanor everyone except him to be?

Good insight. It's not something I consciously make a point of while writing, but anyone should be able to see that Curufin's personality is not an exact copy of Fëanor's, even if they are quite similar. For one, Curufin usually takes time to think before speaking or acting. Fëanor, who is less reserved, doesn't do that so much, so he usually acts based on his first impressions and feelings.

Curufin loves and admires Fëanor, and tends to always agree with him. When someone is very close to Curufin's heart, he tends to take on their desires as his own, so this is why he and Fëanor are so often of the same mind, while Fëanor is alive. But after Fëanor dies, this forces him to change. He still knows what his father wanted in the past, but Fëanor is no longer there to make plans and spring into action himself, so Curufin cannot stand by him and help him with this (as he ordinarily would).

Curufin is now relying on his own way of working things out, which is much more hesitant, and waits to gather information before making plans and decisions. He thinks further ahead than Fëanor does, and thinks about many more possibilities, rather than quickly acting to fulfil his ideas. Therefore he sees that Maedhros' decision is the most practical one to make at the moment, and goes along with it, remaining silent, even if he doesn't agree with it and still wants to remain loyal to his father by carrying out his wishes.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Chapter 7, 'Fearful Hearts'

Ah, the first giant multi-part chapter. 🫠 I expected it to be long when I planned it out, since it includes everything that Curufin does and experiences during the 'Beren and Lúthien' chapter of The Silmarillion. However, I did not realise quite how long it would be. ...It's longer than the first six chapters put together, and it instantly doubled the size of my fanfiction.

Added to that, it is not a light read. So much happens, all of it with heaping doses of emotional and psychological turmoil. It really felt like a marathon to write, but I think it was worth it. Enjoy(?) 😬

Note: Celegorm's italicised words as he speaks before Finrod and his people are taken directly from Chapter 19 of The Silmarillion. So is Celegorm's 'Let it be so!' to Orodreth. Some of the brief dialogue between Beren and Curufin is also taken from the book.

 

[WatcherWraith]

First segment:

Celebrimbor is now his own person in all but renouncement. He and his father do not talk anymore, and hardly anything is left of Curufin's old loves. Even his smithwork has failed him. The Oath returns to claw at his mind.
It is a desperately sad time for the sons of Fëanor, but what can they do? They will do anything to be rid of the darkness within themselves. And Celebrimbor will watch in horror and will not understand.


Segment 2: Oi, Celegorm has the tone of a prophet foretelling doom! His quote of the Oath(for so it looked) would have left shivers throughout the hall, I think.
Oh, Curufin. The irony of declaiming Finrod's Oath as futile, though he took it in love instead of in hate. And though there was little moulding of hearts in his words, yet Curufin managed to bring to blaze what spark his brother set, and now all Nargothrond will not go....what will your son think of this, smithlord?
And now it only remains for them to crush any resistance Orodreth may bring.

Segment 3: Lúthien, fair Lúthien. At this moment I could not help but remember she is dressed entirely in her own hair, woven into a dress though it is. I wonder what the brothers thought of that XD
And the brothers' response to this fair maid's request? Celegorm is filled with desire, though he sees the strategical advantage her presence poses to himself and his brother.
Curufin...feels his wife's loss. Feels it buried too deeply to really get at anymore, for he is one who buries what griefs he cannot solve. If they will let him, that is.
Their plan, good heavens! Half madness, for they do not count at all on Lúthien or what she may do to stop them. How much of their minds has the Oath consumed at this point?
Celebrimbor is reaching the end of his tether with his father. Or at least the end is in sight. Curufin's ways have wrought such sorrow upon Nargothrond, and now the people work and act almost mechanical, as Curufin would have them act. For he needs machines, not people.
What agony is there in betrayal? From strangers, from friends, and worst from family long loved and cherished. Huan has taken his choice, though we do not yet know why. The workings of his mind have set a fate upon all Beleriand.


Segment 4: Ah yes, the disembodied coolness of mere observation. I've felt that one before! Strange, how Curufin noted the people were still able to be swayed to the side of him and Celegorm, but he spoke not a word, and then accepted the fate imposed by Orodreth's promise and Celegorm's defeated defiance.
Slowly, Curufin is left all alone on his side. His captain chooses the certainty of a king he can follow and love over the steel-minded lord he has been faithful to all this while, and his son sees further behind the mask of Curufin's words than anyone else...yet still cannot reach what his father once was. And Curufin departs, at least taking leave of his son with love...but with a bitter, wounded love. For now he feels abandoned in truth, though he will not acknowledge it to himself. He will cling the more tightly to Celegorm after this.
The mighty leap of Beren! So much happened all in a few moments. I can only imagine how badly the shame stung Curufin's soul, being not only half-killed(by a mortal) but disarmed and unarmored. And Huan turns on Celegorm again, his fealty sworn to Lúthien over his lifelong master. That pain must burn Celegorm's world inside his head.
And Beren experiences near-death yet again! I do not know how many times he has been brought almost to the point of expiring by now, but it is many. I wonder Huan could not catch that second arrow, but perhaps he was still disposing of the first. Now Curufin feels...not avenged, but barely touched with bitter satisfaction, perhaps. At this point, nothing but fulfilment of the Oath will bring any semblance of peace to his tortured mind.
He has even lost his horse.


I must stop for now. It has taken me an hour to read and comment this far! I look forward to the rest another time. Your words are well-put together, Gremlin. I have enjoyed them.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Lúthien, fair Lúthien. At this moment I could not help but remember she is dressed entirely in her own hair, woven into a dress though it is. I wonder what the brothers thought of that XD

She wove a cloak or an outer robe for herself out of her hair, not a dress as such. But still, I don't think they noticed. They just thought it was a magic cloak or something. 😂

Curufin...feels his wife's loss. Feels it buried too deeply to really get at anymore, for he is one who buries what griefs he cannot solve. If they will let him, that is.

Ah, you noticed. 🥲 He misses his own 'Lúthien'.

Their plan, good heavens! Half madness, for they do not count at all on Lúthien or what she may do to stop them. How much of their minds has the Oath consumed at this point?

Indeed. 😬 Many people wonder at the apparent stupidity or lack of logic in Curufin and Celegorm's actions here. The thing is, I highly doubt they were in much of a state to think logically. Celegorm lives in the moment, is often driven by his impulses, and is not really a long-term planner. Curufin has tunnel vision, committing himself to this plan because he cannot see another way, pressed with the urgency of the Oath and embittered by the grief and trauma of losing so much in the Dagor Bragollach.

If you notice what Curufin says to the people of Nargothrond, he starts slipping into present tense, as though reliving memories of escaping his realm, ruined by Morgoth's forces. He is willingly inflicting his own pain and fear upon them.
The brothers also have a grudge against Thingol, since after they fled their land, they had to take the long road to Nargothrond, around the southern border of Doriath. Even in their time of need, Doriath remained shut to them and did not let them pass through.

Celebrimbor is reaching the end of his tether with his father. Or at least the end is in sight. Curufin's ways have wrought such sorrow upon Nargothrond, and now the people work and act almost mechanical, as Curufin would have them act. For he needs machines, not people.
What agony is there in betrayal? From strangers, from friends, and worst from family long loved and cherished.

Poor Celebrimbor is still so willing to give his father the benefit of the doubt, remembering how his father cared for him in the past. Added to that, Curufin never showed his nastier side in front of his son.
Curufin, on the other hand, knows his intentions are not as pure as his son believes them to be. He lashes out, and actively wounds both his son and himself in doing so. 🥲 Indeed, this agony might be the worst, for both of them.

Strange, how Curufin noted the people were still able to be swayed to the side of him and Celegorm, but he spoke not a word, and then accepted the fate imposed by Orodreth's promise and Celegorm's defeated defiance.

Well, I don't think Celegorm and Curufin would be able to sway them any more. The people hate them too much for that. But Curufin does note how changeable the people are due to their fear, willing to follow anyone who will give them some assurance of the future. Even if that means turning against Celegorm and Curufin, whom they followed before.

Slowly, Curufin is left all alone on his side. His captain chooses the certainty of a king he can follow and love over the steel-minded lord he has been faithful to all this while, and his son sees further behind the mask of Curufin's words than anyone else...yet still cannot reach what his father once was. And Curufin departs, at least taking leave of his son with love...but with a bitter, wounded love. For now he feels abandoned in truth, though he will not acknowledge it to himself. He will cling the more tightly to Celegorm after this.

In the end, it was quite a shock for Celebrimbor to see and realise just how far his father was willing to go to achieve his ends. It is something he can no longer abide near in peace, despite the love he still holds for him.

I must stop for now. It has taken me an hour to read and comment this far! I look forward to the rest another time. Your words are well-put together, Gremlin. I have enjoyed them.

Thank you very much. ☺️

 

[WatcherWraith]

Segment 5: I almost feel sorry for this version of Curufin. His actions and Celegorm's have led to such a devastation of their own attempts to reassert their Oath they could not repair if they tried a hundred days. And now, humiliated from his beating by Beren and the loss of Lúthien, crushed with the weight of the Oath and the loss of his people and his son, Curufin's spirit is dying. Even Celegorm is unable to help him here, for Curufin's mind is drifting away to places the huntsman can neither reach nor understand. Celegorm has his own troubles, and they are many, but he at least seems able to keep his feet and maintain the fire inside him. Curufin is just...going out. Like an abandoned forge.


Segment 6: Aye, now Maedhros arrives! The eldest Fëanorean has much to deal with in these two troublesome brothers of his, especially when they have been avoiding what they probably suspect will be a rebuke from their leader(sort of). Now...how will Maedhros respond to the strange and twisted tale Celegorm tells him? How will his love of his brothers and his loyalty to both them and his Oath express itself?

My word. It was instead Curufin himself who razed the ground between them. I did not expect it, but the outburst was certainly not out of character. Indeed, it had some hint of truth in it, if not more. For though Maedhros is not and never will be strong enough enough to take on Morgoth himself, he is the most well off of all the sons of Fëanor. What help could he have given his brothers? What could they have done had they decided to join forces and fight? Curufin, it seems, now feels not only abandoned directly by his people and by Celebrimbor, but abandoned indirectly by a brother whose inaction has been wearing on him for a long time.

And his own thoughts forbade him. Some part of Curufin's mind understood the seriousness of his words, how badly he could hurt both his own and Celegorm's position, but the wound will not close by mere command anymore.
Still, as he noted, Maedhros knows and understands his brothers' pain. There is no banishment for them here, because Maedhros is still their elder brother, their caregiver and the one to whom they come with all the problems they cannot solve.

Alone in the forges, alone in his mind, alone in his heart. Curufin sees the emptiness he has left for him in his life and he can't take it. Not only because he truly does need and love others around him(others he can rely on and trust), but because of the grinding torture it was losing them one by one. What is left of Curufin is in desperate need of comfort and help...but how will he get it? And how could he accept it even if it were given? The Oath eats away at him, gnawing pieces from his fëa until its shrieks pierce his mind, until it maddens him beyond care for life.

Maybe this, above all else, is why the Fëanoreans will dwell long in the Halls of Mandos: their own Oath has damaged them so much they can never be whole again on this earth.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Segment 5: I almost feel sorry for this version of Curufin. His actions and Celegorm's have led to such a devastation of their own attempts to reassert their Oath they could not repair if they tried a hundred days. And now, humiliated from his beating by Beren and the loss of Lúthien, crushed with the weight of the Oath and the loss of his people and his son, Curufin's spirit is dying. Even Celegorm is unable to help him here, for Curufin's mind is drifting away to places the huntsman can neither reach nor understand. Celegorm has his own troubles, and they are many, but he at least seems able to keep his feet and maintain the fire inside him. Curufin is just...going out. Like an abandoned forge.

Something which came to mind a couple of times when thinking about my story was the concept of Pity or Mercy, which is in the end so important in the Lord of the Rings (primarily Bilbo and Frodo's compassion for Gollum). Gollum was evil. Willingly evil. And yet there were things about him and his situation which moved Bilbo and Frodo to pity. Frodo, especially, through the burden of the Ring, grew to understand that part of Gollum's suffering.

If Elves in general were 'good people', as Tolkien describes (in The Hobbit I think), it is an especially sad thing to see their goodness marred and distorted through evil, both through outside forces and their own decisions.

The beginning of Chapter 11 of The Silmarillion is quite relevant here, as it recounts the reaction of the Valar to Fëanor's words and deeds as he convinced the Noldor to leave Valinor. Here is a quote from it:

And they [the Valar] mourned not more for the death of the Trees than for the marring of Fëanor: of the works of Melkor one of the most evil.

The Valar mourned for Fëanor, even before his death.
In the text of the Silmarillion, no-one is said to have mourned for Curufin. But this is more an effect of the 'zoomed out' nature of the narrative, and the fact we rarely get to hear the perspectives of the sons of Fëanor themselves. No doubt they would have had compassion for each other, as they always were a close-knit group. It would be doing them a disservice not to show that.

One of my aims with this story was to present the perspective of a son of Fëanor. As I wrote, I realised something more and more, which can be aptly summarised by Frodo's words about Gollum: For now that I see him, I do pity him.

Curufin is just...going out. Like an abandoned forge.

I like your choice of words here.
He is a small Spirit of Fire, a 'Spirit of Candle', as I humorously call him. And the candle is indeed now guttering. It is a fragile thing.

My word. It was instead Curufin himself who razed the ground between them. I did not expect it, but the outburst was certainly not out of character. Indeed, it had some hint of truth in it, if not more. For though Maedhros is not and never will be strong enough enough to take on Morgoth himself, he is the most well off of all the sons of Fëanor. What help could he have given his brothers? What could they have done had they decided to join forces and fight? Curufin, it seems, now feels not only abandoned directly by his people and by Celebrimbor, but abandoned indirectly by a brother whose inaction has been wearing on him for a long time.

We do not know what troubles Maedhros experienced during the time Celegorm and Curufin were in Nargothrond, even if he was victorious against his assailants in the battle.
The thing is, Curufin doesn't know either. And he feels very alone. Even if he is supported by Celegorm, both brothers are in the same boat, and have suffered the same hardships, and hold the same grudges. There is no help from outside, nor is there fresh perspective.

And his own thoughts forbade him. Some part of Curufin's mind understood the seriousness of his words, how badly he could hurt both his own and Celegorm's position, but the wound will not close by mere command anymore.

He knows he can break things beyond repair, and he fears it. What he doesn't consciously realise is how he has broken himself too. But it is plain to see for the reader, and perhaps plain to see, in some ways, for Maedhros.

Alone in the forges, alone in his mind, alone in his heart. Curufin sees the emptiness he has left for him in his life and he can't take it. Not only because he truly does need and love others around him(others he can rely on and trust), but because of the grinding torture it was losing them one by one. What is left of Curufin is in desperate need of comfort and help...but how will he get it? And how could he accept it even if it were given? The Oath eats away at him, gnawing pieces from his fëa until its shrieks pierce his mind, until it maddens him beyond care for life.

Well observed. 😞
Especially the part about accepting help. His own shame, distress and lack of trust have him retreating further away from others. Some level of self-knowledge and care for oneself is needed in order for someone to accept help. At this stage, Curufin has not much of either, though he still has his pride and dignity, not wishing to be seen as something pitiable or inadequate.

Maybe this, above all else, is why the Fëanoreans will dwell long in the Halls of Mandos: their own Oath has damaged them so much they can never be whole again on this earth.

Indeed. It is not only the evils they have committed against others, but the evil they have done to themselves. It is a sad fate. Yet, I think, not without hope.

 

[WatcherWraith]

I wish I could love your comment three times. The way your mind works in respect to these characters and the fashioning of your story is enthralling. I could read this one post many times in a row and enjoy it every time.

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

@Server Room Gremlin, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! How am I supposed to react to this all? 🥺

Essentially:

Noooo, Curufin!
Noooo, Finrod!
Noooo, Celegorm!
Noooo, Curufin!
Noooo, Celebrimbor!
Uh ohhhh, Lúthien!
Uh ohhhh, Beren!
Noooo, Huan!
Noooo, Curufin!
Noooo, Celegorm!
Noooo, Curufin!
Noooooooooooo!

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

It's a rollercoaster, that's for sure. Curufin doesn't catch a break, and neither do we. 😂 🫠

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

I missed one: Boooo, Eöl!

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

How did you find Lúthien, in her brief appearances?

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

I thought the enchantment effects and how they were perceived by C&C were cool! It isn't something you normally think about when they encounter one another. I also liked their reaction to her when they actually see her for the first time. Very realistic and plausible. Neither of which, again, is something typically thought about.

(My thoughts are a bit disjointed, so it helps if you have leading questions about aspects of the story in particular. It jumpstarts thoughts on what I wanted to mention and hadn't put together.)

This is random, but I thought it was déja vù when Curufin feels "betrayed" because someone else other than a Fëanorian accomplishes something against Morgoth (Fingolfin). Then his own futility manifests in the conversation with Maedhros. And awww, I'm sure Maedhros was comforting Celegorm about Huan. And then Curufin leaving and having no one... No one. The utter devastation upon the full realization Celebrimbor and everyone were gone. 🥺 Gravity which took him could not bely how far he had fallen. 😔

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

And awww, I'm sure Maedhros was comforting Celegorm about Huan.

That and everything else. 😬 I could also imagine him comforting Celegorm about the loss of Celebrimbor here. Celegorm loved his little nephew too, but he largely glossed over that part in his recount to Maedhros when Curufin was present, not wishing to reopen the wound by focusing on it.

I thought the enchantment effects and how they were perceived by C&C were cool! It isn't something you normally think about when they encounter one another. I also liked their reaction to her when they actually see her for the first time. Very realistic and plausible. Neither of which, again, is something typically thought about.

I'm glad you think it's realistic. The more fairytale-like feel of Beren and Lúthien presents some issues with weaving it seamlessly into a more 'legendary history' or 'historical fiction' type of story.
My RP with Tyelko about Nargothrond helped a lot with developing Lúthien's character, which I hadn't thought about much before. After all, the story tells of her deeds, and we get dialogue from her, but it's a bit hard to figure out a personality from that, given the different tone/feel of the narrative.

Celegorm steps forward and bows his head briefly. “If you return with me now to Nargothrond, I promise you that you shall find help in your need. For did not Doriath help Finrod Felagund when he sought a safe place to build his hidden stronghold?”
Lúthien nods once, her voice soft. “I have not forgotten my kinsman and the friendship between us.”
She pauses, looking from one brother to the other. “...And if you so freely offer your help, I will take it, for all whom I thought I could rely on I have had to leave behind. My aid will come from an unlikely place, or so my heart tells me after this strange chance meeting of ours.”

^ I particularly liked this part. She has some awareness of the workings of fate, and yet she is not all-knowing. She is also a gentle soul, and while she is trusting, I do not think she comes off as naïve. Her strength shows in her determination.


Any thoughts on Celebrimbor and his relationship with Curufin over the course of this chapter?

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

Any thoughts on Celebrimbor and his relationship with Curufin over the course of this chapter?

Celebrimbor, the poor lad, had no idea how idealistically and literally his father had fallen. The division between them was growing throughout the tale, but Celebrimbor actually was trying to fight the distance between him and his father at first. The fact Curufin so utterly rejected his son must have been heartwrenching for Celebrimbor. (And for Curufin, too, but in a completely broken and miserable way.) Of all the things he could have anticipated or expected, such was not imaginable in his still unfortunately preciously naive mind... That, no longer. Essentially, Celebrimbor has been growing up too quickly from the start, and the next compounding factor is his own father's deliberate proclamation of his falleness just by one look of hatred. The way Celebrimbor shriveled up at that was so sad. He was so desperate to believe Curufin didn't want to harm Finrod. 🥺 And yet, when faced with such, dare I say betrayal, he could yet stand to side of what he believed was right, and he could no longer see his father at all in such a way, nor could he bridge a chasm carved and chiseled and smote by his father intentionally. And that captain of Curufin's as well, something like that, too, I believe, but on a much minor degree. Either way, it's a sad, sad day for son and father.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Chapter 8, 'Sharp Notes on a Knife-Edge'

I have put a bit of wordplay into my chapter titles before.
'Band of Steel' refers to the ring Curufin made, but it could also refer to what Maedhros' hand was trapped in on Thangorodrim.
In 'Dark Horse and Straight Shot', the dark horse refers to Curufin's actual black horse, but it also refers to Eöl, the dark elf in dark armour who unexpectedly surpassed Curufin, the elf of Valinor and son of Fëanor.

This chapter title is entirely wordplay. It means both these things:

Sharp/critical remarks about the edge of a knife (which is what Curufin does)
Sharp notes (a type of musical note) during a tense or dangerous situation (which is what Curufin experiences/hears)

And you can find other fitting/applicable meanings to the title:

Another meaning of 'note':

(communication with Thingol's kingdom is something Maedhros and Curufin discuss, and Curufin's 'note' to Thingol was very sharp indeed)

Another meaning of 'knife-edge':

(Himring is part of a mountainous region, and it is a flat-topped treeless hill. Possibly with some sharp ridges around the edge?)



The content of this chapter matches the intricacy of its title.
It is a break in the action, based on the very beginning of Chapter 20 of The Silmarillion, where Maedhros is preparing for what will become the Fifth Battle (and Celegorm and Curufin antagonise Thingol some more). I did not have as much book plot to stick to, and therefore I could focus more heavily on doing two of my favourite things to do when writing: painting pictures with my words and phrasing things in a poetic manner.

This chapter is still, thoughtful, and reflective, a welcome breath of fresh air after the pain and madness of Chapter 7, and a deep breath before the plunge of the equally impactful yet very different Chapter 9. I very much enjoyed writing it, and I hope you enjoy(ed) reading it too.

 

[WatcherWraith]

Going out like a candle-flame, worn away like an ever-sharpened blade, picked away at by his own words and actions, and worst of all...forgotten. The last of these is yet to come, yet Curufin can still see it coming. It is true The Silmarillion mentions some of Maglor's lays and in other notes of Tolkien there may yet be more, but what of Curufin's works? We know nothing of the works of his hands. For all he inherited the skill of his father, he never created what would pass into legend or tale. How must that gnaw at him? I know it would gnaw at me.

And what of his brothers? None appear to be fading as he is. Celegorm still has the strength of bitterness, supported by his long-cherished skill in combat and in the hunt. Maedhros grasps after a united truce, hopeful in spite of his siblings' unwitting sabotage. Maglor sings, pouring passion and pain and wounded pride into his work until it makes the very walls vibrate. And there sits Curufin, withering.

Caranthir, Amrod and Amras have not yet shown themselves, but one can imagine what they may be doing. The twins are aided by each other's eternal company, sharing grief and passion alike, riding out on their vast plains in temporary freedom. Caranthir, in his dark vale of rocks and cliffs, keeps an ever-watchful eye on Thangorodrim, his own withering held back by a need to be ready, always ready. How many weapons have his smiths produced by now?

I was saddened to remember we know nothing Curufin accomplished, beyond the making of the Oath and his eventual death. His son's name will ring throughout Middle-earth, both for good and ill, but at least the elven rings and the doors of Dúrin will speak for him. Fëanor made many things, and we have some hint of them besides the Silmarils. But Curufin? The son of such a great master was dashed against an Oath and an enemy he could not free himself, his mind or his skill from. What a waste.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

And what of his brothers? None appear to be fading as he is.

...Not yet, anyway. 😬

Curufin seems to have fallen hard and rapidly. Rather like Fëanor, in fact. Though this is one of the similarities I do not think he would be pleased with, if he realised it.

I was saddened to remember we know nothing Curufin accomplished, beyond the making of the Oath and his eventual death. His son's name will ring throughout Middle-earth, both for good and ill, but at least the elven rings and the doors of Dúrin will speak for him. Fëanor made many things, and we have some hint of them besides the Silmarils. But Curufin? The son of such a great master was dashed against an Oath and an enemy he could not free himself, his mind or his skill from. What a waste.

You state here the very thought or question in my mind that gave me the idea to write this. The book says Curufin 'inherited most his father's skill of hand', then it never mentions anything crafted by his hand. Even his famous knife which Beren uses to cut the Silmaril from Morgoth's crown is Dwarf-made. A sign of friendship with the Dwarves, but it still gives us no clue as to what kinds of things he made.

 

[WatcherWraith]

Bah, only one emoji reaction and bah I wanna-

scribbles scribbles in sympathetic frustration against the fading memory of a skill and mind undeserving of forgetfulness

Bah. Humbug. Humbugs. Many humbugs, humbugging into oblivion.