Discussion Ill Chances and Strange Fates Discussion

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

From what I've learned in the Chaotic thread, I was very confused and kept thinking Who's this Raiwen?

Lol, yeah, we tend to get a bit carried away in there with our OCs. But you will definitely get to know Aranya better as I continue to update this!

I like the way you said the other healers know about what's going on between them, and how she doesn't trust anyone else to take care of Matimo. Your description of Matimo's room was really good, especially how he has a bunch of pictures of his family. It's so like him to just keep on trying to work even though he about got frostbite.

Thanks! You know, I just added all that stuff you mentioned a few days ago (the prologue has been in existence since November) so I'm very glad I added those details and that they made an impact on you!

 

[Ashley]

Lol, yeah, we tend to get a bit carried away in there with our OCs. But you will definitely get to know Aranya better as I continue to update this!

I just meant I forgot about Quenya and Sindarin names. I love seeing little glimpses of the story in there.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Chapter 1 is up! Enjoy the fluff while it's here! Looking forward to your thoughts!

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Maitimo: My little brothers and cousins are such a handful. I love them dearly, but I can't even take my eyes off them for a minute. 😐

Maitimo after several verbal missteps while talking to Aranya: ...And clearly I am no different. 😓

Aranya: *Can't take her eyes off him either, but for an entirely different reason*

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Maitimo: My little brothers and cousins are such a handful. I love them dearly, but I can't even take my eyes off them for a minute. 😐

Maitimo after several verbal missteps while talking to Aranya: ...And clearly I am no different. 😓

Aranya: *Can't take her eyes off him either, but for an entirely different reason*

So very accurate! 😂 Basically, "Where's an adult? I need an adult-- I am the adult!!"

(Maitimo's not quite adult, of course, but he might as well be the only adult of his family.)

 

[WatcherWraith]

So much warmth in both chapters! Funny, considering the cold of the first one and the chilly responses Aranya initially gave, but true. I could practically see Maitimo, probably half his armor still on, hunched over his desk, fingers half-consciously following the unfamiliar Khuzdul patterns. The fire being the only light source in the room, leaving almost everything else shrouded in shadows. And then Aranya comes in and the focus is on her and Maedhros as she kneels beside him to offer help. The firelight now lights up the pair of them, and the focus is made all the brighter.

Then the second chapter, and we see the responsibility Maitimo deals with, and the strain it puts on him. The absence of Maglor implies he either doesn't help or is busy with his own responsibilities elsewhere, perhaps learning or watching over Caranthir. I wonder what Fëanor will think of Maedhros' new friendship. Not much, I'll imagine. Fëanor is very proud, and will not be pleased by his son's attachment to a mere healer. Yet still, the warmth is there, first found in Maedhros himself as he cares for his brothers, empathizes with them, and then in Aranya as it is provoked by the elf lord's attempts to correct his mistake.

I look forward to more :]

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

So much warmth in both chapters! Funny, considering the cold of the first one and the chilly responses Aranya initially gave, but true. I could practically see Maitimo, probably half his armor still on, hunched over his desk, fingers half-consciously following the unfamiliar Khuzdul patterns. The fire being the only light source in the room, leaving almost everything else shrouded in shadows. And then Aranya comes in and the focus is on her and Maedhros as she kneels beside him to offer help. The firelight now lights up the pair of them, and the focus is made all the brighter.

I love these visuals! Very glad that's the impression you got!

Then the second chapter, and we see the responsibility Maitimo deals with, and the strain it puts on him. The absence of Maglor implies he either doesn't help or is busy with his own responsibilities elsewhere, perhaps learning or watching over Caranthir.

You'll see Maglor soon!

I wonder what Fëanor will think of Maedhros' new friendship. Not much, I'll imagine. Fëanor is very proud, and will not be pleased by his son's attachment to a mere healer.

Heheh, yeah, you'll see his reaction eventually... Especially since she's a servant of the house of his half-brother!!

Thanks for your comment, and I'm glad you enjoyed the prologue and first chapter!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Chapter 2 is now up! Maitimo and Aranya have their first actual conversation-- how do you think it went? I look forward to your comments!

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Maitimo talking about his adorable little brothers: 🥺
Aranya: 😑 when do you sleep?

Also, I wonder whether their unusual interest in each other's lives (even at this early stage) comes in part from the sheer difference to their usual routine. Their first interaction was strange and awkward, something that would stick in your mind. But it also jolted the pair of them for a moment out of their normal 'script' for their everyday lives.

And now, with their first meeting alone, there is a sense of possibility or 'newness'. With the limits of their ordinary lives put aside for a moment, they default to being their unfiltered selves, almost as if they were 'alone in their thoughts'. But together.
Free from the usual boundaries of society (both conscious and unconscious), they can easily take a genuine interest in this other person.

If they each see the other person as a sort of escape from the unpleasant and wearying parts of their lives, they are all the more likely to be quickly interested in learning more about each other.
Maybe 'escape' is not the right word. Maybe it's more of a realisation that 'oh! so things can be different, after all!'.

 

[WatcherWraith]

I must admit, I related very, very much to the opening bits of that chapter, to Maitimo in general(worrying when you get to an agreed-upon meeting place first is painful) and then to Aranya as she tells more than she intended and then has to figure out how to use her words properly and how much of her story to tell...

Growing up, my parents fought a lot. Don't get me wrong, my dad is someone I'd die for, and he's always been the good one of the two. It was just scary. And yeah, it was always nice when he took things upstairs or sent my siblings and me out of sight so we wouldn't be involved.

I have high hopes for Maitimo and Aranya, though...I share Kano's feelings: Maitimo is doomed. Not in a dangerous way, perhaps, but doomed by the difference between his station and Aranya's, doomed by his father's expectations, and by things he doesn't even know are coming yet.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Maitimo talking about his adorable little brothers: 🥺
Aranya: 😑 when do you sleep?

Maitimo: I Don't.

Also, I wonder whether their unusual interest in each other's lives (even at this early stage) comes in part from the sheer difference to their usual routine. Their first interaction was strange and awkward, something that would stick in your mind. But it also jolted the pair of them for a moment out of their normal 'script' for their everyday lives.

And now, with their first meeting alone, there is a sense of possibility or 'newness'. With the limits of their ordinary lives put aside for a moment, they default to being their unfiltered selves, almost as if they were 'alone in their thoughts'. But together.
Free from the usual boundaries of society (both conscious and unconscious), they can easily take a genuine interest in this other person.

If they each see the other person as a sort of escape from the unpleasant and wearying parts of their lives, they are all the more likely to be quickly interested in learning more about each other.
Maybe 'escape' is not the right word. Maybe it's more of a realisation that 'oh! so things can be different, after all!'.

That's a really good point! They both have these fairly rigid routines in their lives, so the mere novelty of breaking up said routine will be really exciting for them both. (And in Aranya's case, she's going on a date with a prince! Even though she doesn't love Maitimo for his status, you can't deny that would be super thrilling to unexpectedly have a person of power and status take an interest in you.)

I must admit, I related very, very much to the opening bits of that chapter, to Maitimo in general(worrying when you get to an agreed-upon meeting place first is painful)

Yay, glad you found it relatable! If you ever wanna know where Maitimo's social anxiety comes from, just know, it comes from me. 🙃

Growing up, my parents fought a lot. Don't get me wrong, my dad is someone I'd die for, and he's always been the good one of the two. It was just scary. And yeah, it was always nice when he took things upstairs or sent my siblings and me out of sight so we wouldn't be involved.

I get that. Thankfully, my parents don't tend to fight a lot, but I remember when they were going through some rough patches when I was younger, and it always put a sick feeling in my stomach to hear them argue.

I have high hopes for Maitimo and Aranya, though...I share Kano's feelings: Maitimo is doomed. Not in a dangerous way, perhaps, but doomed by the difference between his station and Aranya's, doomed by his father's expectations, and by things he doesn't even know are coming yet.

Oh yeah, absolutely! They're both kind of doomed in a way, for reasons you'll see as the story progresses.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Hey @Ent , since you were talking last night about getting caught up on fanfics around the forum, might I suggest this one? No pressure, since I know your free time is limited, but this story is very near and dear to my heart, so if you ever read it, I'd be honored. Besides, might I pull the card that this is a story by one of your Grand-elflings and fellow mods? 😉

Only the very beginning is posted here, but I hope to post more chapters soon.

 

[Ent]

Zounds, I'm going to need to make a list..! Set up a regular cycle of visitations, so everybody - (the 'bodys' being the various fanfics and writings, not the Elves, Men, Dwarves or other peoples) - gets a visit..! Sounds like fun.

Yes indeed, I'll give it a go @Maedhros_Nelyafinwë. Almost done with this consumptive move, then will get myself organized. Will be 'hit and miss' for a couple weeks until then I fear...

(being old, I still love planning-and-organizing calendars, and often the computer isn't where I do 'em..!!! gimme something tangible to 'hold'..!)
)

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Chapter 3 is up! You get to see all the ways in which the Sons of Fëanor are an absolute menace. (Not counting kinslaying.) I look forward to your thoughts!

 

[WatcherWraith]

Good grief, menaces indeed! Clear signs of cold heartedness from Curvo early on; he's the instigator of an interrogation of his oldest brother! With ropes and torture tactics(mild though they be).

I wonder why Fëanor is such an absentee father...most bad elven parents, as has been mentioned before, are of the controlling variety. Is Fëanor just that absorbed in his projects? How will this affect his relationship with his children, since none of them appear so far to have a close bond with him? How will this make sense of their choice to not only swear the Oath with him, but leave their mother behind in Valinor?

All will be revealed in due time ....

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

This one's a rollercoaster chapter.

I loved the interaction between Tyelko and Maitimo at the beginning. It's kind of sad when it's hard to be a 'good kid', and you are now old and aware enough to recognise this about yourself. And yet Tyelko is naturally strong-willed, emotional and impulsive, so it's very difficult for him to attain his older brother's level in being 'good and nice'.

And then of course, Maitimo is feeling the weight of looking after his younger siblings, both out of perceived necessity and out of his love for them. The relief of his uncle not judging him and instead offering to help is a little unexpected and overwhelming, and moves him to tears.

Lastly, the interrogation. 😂 The sweet moments with his little brothers don't last, do they. Unless he finds the tiny elves' interrogation attempts to be endearing. Which, well... maybe at first, and he is a supportive older brother for even their strangest endeavours, but after a certain point, it gets old, fast. In this case, when they start using cold water on him. Because now he's tired, cold and wet, and his brothers definitely suspect something about his activities. And he knows they won't give up easily, once they have their hearts and minds set on something.

 

[Ashley]

The younger Feanorians would seem to have a penchant for mischief and chaos. I'm not sure which is crazier; the rock fights or Curvo's interrogations. I wonder what information they found out on their previous attempts. And I think I might have a guess as to how they will attempt to ascertain Tyelko's suspicions.
I liked the scenes between Matimo and Tyelko and then with Nolofinwe. I was very impressed with how Matimo handled the situation and made up with Tyelko. It's really sad to see how Feanor's parenting style has made him think he would get in trouble for asking for help with his siblings. Also, Tyelko's comments about Huan are so relatable because my brother gets super annoyed whenever our dog tries to lick him.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Good grief, menaces indeed! Clear signs of cold heartedness from Curvo early on; he's the instigator of an interrogation of his oldest brother! With ropes and torture tactics(mild though they be).

And Maitimo encourages him in his morbid little hobby... 🙃 Or, he did anyway. He might not be so keen on it anymore.

It's kind of sad when it's hard to be a 'good kid', and you are now old and aware enough to recognise this about yourself.

For someone so often thought of as emotionally stunted, it is surprisingly self-aware of Tyelko.

And then of course, Maitimo is feeling the weight of looking after his younger siblings, both out of perceived necessity and out of his love for them. The relief of his uncle not judging him and instead offering to help is a little unexpected and overwhelming, and moves him to tears.

I've had these sort of moments quite often, where I'm extremely stressed out and the simple thing of somebody showing me concern will bring me to tears.

Unless he finds the tiny elves' interrogation attempts to be endearing. Which, well... maybe at first, and he is a supportive older brother for even their strangest endeavours, but after a certain point, it gets old, fast.

Yeah, absolutely!

I'm not sure which is crazier; the rock fights or Curvo's interrogations.

They both could have been pretty disastrous!

Also, Tyelko's comments about Huan are so relatable because my brother gets super annoyed whenever our dog tries to lick him.

Heh, I'm with Moryo on this one. I'm not a dog person, and I find dog drool disgusting, and I hate being licked by dogs. Maitimo feels this way too (especially having to help Tyelko take care of a giant dog the size of a horse!) But he's more tactful about it.

 

[Ent]

Wow. A lot of work is in this already. Nicely done.
I've scanned it from beginning thorugh 3 finally. (Just scanning, sorry. Will dig deeper later.)

I'll probably copy and print it out for a closer read. I just do better horizontally at times. Especially when I want to take it slow and absorb.

I join the others in looking forward to where you're taking me with it.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Wow. A lot of work is in this already. Nicely done.
I've scanned it from beginning thorugh 3 finally. (Just scanning, sorry. Will dig deeper later.)

I'll probably copy and print it out for a closer read. I just do better horizontally at times. Especially when I want to take it slow and absorb.

I join the others in looking forward to where you're taking me with it.

Yay, I was so excited to see you started reading it! It definitely has been a lot of work so far; I've been working on it since November. Can't wait to hear your deeper thoughts on it whenever you get a chance!