Discussion One Life For The Sake Of The Rest Discussion Thread

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

I'm Finally posting this on TTF as well. Some of you might recall me mentioning how I was starting to work on my Of Doom & Death series but changed my mind as I wrote down my idea. Well, this is what it ended up to be.

This story is heavily inspired by old wives' tales and folklore regarding the departure of souls when we dream, and some Native American lore as well. (I'm not quite positive about the source of this, as I was inspired by a TV series and did not do much research on it from the real source.)

this work has three chapters, which I will be posting in the span of next week or so. Hope you all enjoy it, and I appreciate if you had any thoughts or comment you want to sure.
You can read the story here.

 

[WatcherWraith]

I recognized it from the pieces you've posted before. It was just as sad and heart-rending as when I first read it. I wonder(I don't remember much further beyond what I've read here) how Celegorm will solve this. I recall things got very sad for the poor elf prince and his brothers, but I look forward to seeing more soon.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Had he reached there through a battle? It did not explain a damn thing. Why would he be lying on the hard floor of his uncle's chamber if that was the case?

Tyelko is confusetyelko.

Fingolfin seemed unaware of his presence yet. Celegorm cocked his head, eyes so focused on this laid back and almost vulnerable figure of someone he thought invincible, his soul almost left his body when the shoulders started to shake, and Fingolfin let out a loud sob.

Well, uh... y'see bro... this might actually... already be the case.

“I…Himlad is overrun…what happened to you, my boy? Oh Eru…it's all my fault! I'm so sorry, nephew! You shouldn't be the one gone. Not you too. Aiko and Ango's losses were enough. How am I to face your father now? Am I to tell him I let his boys perish because I was too filled with pride?”

They have all long been grown, but Fingolfin talks about all these lords of Beleriand as if they were still the little children he once knew. 🥺

For the first time, he looked at his uncle, only to find him clad in mail and paddings, ready to head out for a battle. What was going on?

“What are you doing, Uncle?”

Fingolfin smiled, resigned and defeated, but so full of fire. In fact, it was the first time he could look at him and mistake him for his father.
“Something I should have done centuries ago, so maybe lives could have been spared.”

A moving and almost stirring moment, for we all know what's going to happen next.

Celegorm wasn't sure for how long, it felt like years, yet passed by in the blink of an eye, when the darkness faded, and he was met with a scene out of hell. Or the stories of those brave enough to get too close to Angband and come back unscathed.

He looked around the barren, blackened land, covered in soot and ashes.

Arien’s might meant nothing there. The sky was as dark as the land he stood upon.

Rocks, sharp as spears, sprouted from the ground for one purpose only. To break the body and soul of any who dared come too close.

A chilling and yet very fitting description of this place. 😶

“Uncle! What are you doing here?! Are you mad?!”
He said before he could stop himself, and Fingolfin's gaze snapped to him, the thunder in his eyes softening under the weight of his love.

This. Just this description. So fitting for the situation. It fits with Fingolfin's despair over the destruction of the elven realms being mixed with grief for the fates of his family. :<

The laughter halted, and Fingolfin settled for a scoff. It sounded too sad to be even considered ridiculing. Still, Fingolfin didn't scoff. He didn't laugh like he was being cut open from inside. His laughter was kind and booming and if Celegorm was still as small as he used to be, he could hug him fiercely around the middle and feel it in his chest with his cheek pressed into it–

Such a sweet memory in the midst of this. 🥲

Celegorm walked up to him, slow and mindful as if he was reaching for a wild beast. Or how he used to approach his father the last days of his life.

The resemblance was making him sick to the stomach.

Oof. 😖🥲

Another step, and Celegorm scrambled away just so the shadow of his form would not touch him.

This also is quite a powerful piece of description. Morgoth looks and feels so evil that Celegorm doesn't even want to touch his shadow!

Celegorm was frozen in his place, and for those cursed minutes which followed, even the unrelenting voices in his head, forcing him to move and to attack and to take back what belonged to him, nor the ever weakening state of his uncle as he landed hits after hits, gifting each to the spirits of his last born, his good-daughter, his father and fallen brother, and finally, Celegorm himself, was able to move him.

I like your attention to detail. Fingolfin lands seven blows, the five named here, as well as Aegnor and Angrod (named earlier).

Certainly a very captivating first chapter, though very sad. 😓

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

The second chapter is up! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

 

[WatcherWraith]

Not the worn, starved looking man sitting by his side, cheeks hollowed and bones sticking out bcs he had not slept or eaten anything worthwhile for weeks now.

A very serious moment, this, so I thought you would like to have that typo pointed out to you ':]

"The King is dead. Long live the King.”

That was a chilling moment. Poor Celegorm, lost in a mental whirlpool he cannot see a way out of. And Poor Fingon, when he hears of who has died. 😭

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

A very serious moment, this, so I thought you would like to have that typo pointed out to you ':]

Thank you! I don't know why I wrote it like that lol!

That was a chilling moment. Poor Celegorm, lost in a mental whirlpool he cannot see a way out of. And Poor Fingon, when he hears of who has died. 😭

It is. I just wanna give him a hug.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

I really love the way you write the relationship between Finrod and Celegorm. Finrod is sweet and caring, with a core of steel that others may perhaps not expect. The way he considers Tyelko as his brother... 🥺

I also like how Finrod can find genuine humour even in such a distressing and painful situation, and do it all while trying to understand and help Celegorm. It speaks to the strength and stability of his character.

“I'm gonna let go of you now and take the paper and charcoal out of my pocket. Don't try to run away. You haven't had anything to eat for days now, and I've always been faster.”

Celegorm's jaw dropped at the last jab and Finrod's audacity. He scowled at him, and Finrod grinned.

Curufin can also crack jokes when he's under severe stress, but it's not quite the same: it's not caused by buried joyfulness coming to the surface despite everything, and he isn't attempting to change someone else's mood with it. It's more of a reaction to release tension from his own mind.

Finrod did not wait to think and reached out, pulling him into his arms.

“It's alright. I'm sorry. I'm sorry…”


And he was, but not for asking. Not for trying to help. But because nothing they did seemed to be good enough.

And poor Tyelko indeed needs all the Findo hugs. 😞 He needs help, even if he rejects most attempts to help him due to the dread and trauma inflicted upon him by such a terrible 'dream'.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Chapter 3 is up! Hope you enjoy it!

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Tyelko is confusetyelko.

Indeed he is. he needs a break.
Or two.

They have all long been grown, but Fingolfin talks about all these lords of Beleriand as if they were still the little children he once knew. 🥺

Fingolfin becoming a dad to them all is canon to me. And you know how I view his and Celegorm's relationship.

This. Just this description. So fitting for the situation. It fits with Fingolfin's despair over the destruction of the elven realms being mixed with grief for the fates of his family. :<

I think this is something he and Feanor have in common actually. Fingolfin just never gave into his insanity as much as Feanor did.

This also is quite a powerful piece of description. Morgoth looks and feels so evil that Celegorm doesn't even want to touch his shadow!

That was exactly my intention. He needs to feel terrifying enough so Fingolfin anf Finwe's stands against him would not loose their meaning.

I like your attention to detail. Fingolfin lands seven blows, the five named here, as well as Aegnor and Angrod (named earlier).

Certainly a very captivating first chapter, though very sad. 😓

Thank you. It just came to me in the moment and I realized if I add Tyelko to them the numbers would make sense. (Which wouldn't have been possible in the original.)

Indeed it was. It was very fun to write, but definitely took me a while because of the mental strain.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

I really love the way you write the relationship between Finrod and Celegorm. Finrod is sweet and caring, with a core of steel that others may perhaps not expect. The way he considers Tyelko as his brother... 🥺

Yeah ?I just can't stand the 'They hated each other' slanders! There had to be some connection between them so they could have received the warm welcome the did. And based on some versions where Aiko and Ango are best friends with C&C, it doesn't really make sense for them to have any beef against Findo who is friendly with everyone to not have a good relationship with them.

I also like how Finrod can find genuine humour even in such a distressing and painful situation, and do it all while trying to understand and help Celegorm. It speaks to the strength and stability of his character.

Curufin can also crack jokes when he's under severe stress, but it's not quite the same: it's not caused by buried joyfulness coming to the surface despite everything, and he isn't attempting to change someone else's mood with it. It's more of a reaction to release tension from his own mind.

It does. I think Findo would try to cheer people up even when he himself is dying inside. That's why when he is sad, everyone is unsettled.

Yeah, Cruvo's jokes are completely different. To some people they could be perceived as annoying lol.

 

[WatcherWraith]

Elves may not need to sleep like humans, but even they will lose their minds if they don't rest. Tyelko may have been a bit unbalanced already when he cut himself. I'm honestly glad Curufin drugged him. Maybe he won't dream in that state.

Curufin's protectiveness was wonderful to see, however painful it was to experience. The brothers are a tight-knit group, and anyone who tries to get at them will meet a bristling wall of death. Celebrimbor, though he is older, was also precious to watch. He still depends on his father, and is more emotionally open, too.

I did not expect to see Edrahil here! When I saw his name, I was pleasantly surprised, and now I'm wondering what else we'll run into. Any of his friends?
Edrahil's loyalty is a rare and priceless treasure. I hope he outlived his lord, if only because it would be a shame if the world was deprived of him.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

This was why he didn't want Curufin around. He was going to see the mess he had become and he was going to be sad and disappointed.

Curvo: Bro. I would be more sad and disappointed if you got worse. Or died. ಠ_ಠ

He breathed out roughly, heart beating wildly as he struggled to keep his eyes open. A face came into view as he felt himself go limp. Curufin was there, his face no longer calm but contorted in pain.

“I'm sorry.”

“Came back for bandages. I was waiting for him. Fed him some of your Uncle Nelyo's sleeping herbs. He won't be up for a few days.”

And thus, of course, Curufin is willing to do whatever it takes to help Celegorm get better. Even if it's against his will, and even if Curufin hates forcing such a thing upon him. 🙁

Celegorm looked back at him. Curufin still looked calm. Celegorm blinked slowly. He doesn't have to chew and swallow this. There would be no crunching sounds. Better than the crystal Finrod had offered him.

Poor Celegorm, though. Not only will he not allow himself to sleep again, he won't even eat most things, as the crunching noises probably remind him of what happened to Fingolfin's body. 😖

Curufin felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to find his son's teary eyes. He couldn't imagine his heart breaking to smaller pieces, yet he had been proven wrong again and again.

Celebrimbor opened his mouth, and then closed it. And, giving up on words, he knelt in front of his chair and reached out for a hug. Curufin went in gladly.

His son hugged his middle, burying his no longer small but no less precious face in his chest. Curufin cupped the back of his head, stroking his hair.

Such a sweet and sad moment between them. 🥲 I like the way you wrote it.

Curufin couldn't help but snort.

“Are you apologizing to me for wasting Ingoldo’s time? Son, I'd pay you to do it.”

😂

He will get better. Just let him decide when he wants it to happen.

And if Curufin had, he would have to search for his dead body around this cursed city.

Curvo: Precisely what I said above to Tyelko. ಠ_ಠ

They reached Felagund's study sooner than they had imagined and Celebrimbor, as if just realizing he had been holding his father's hand all this time, let go of him quickly before knocking. Curufin couldn't help smiling, which was gone in an instant as he stepped into the room.

🥺

“Any minute now.”
Curufin whispered. Finrod’s eyes narrowed and he huffed.

😂


I definitely liked the way you wrote the personality clashes between Finrod and Curufin during their meeting. Both care about Celegorm, but their approaches are quite different, which becomes a source of conflict, especially as they are feeling the strain of all these recent tragedies. 🙁
I also like how they are subtly still affected emotionally by each other. Their relationship might not be that close, but you can still see they care about each other.

And then we have Edrahil. He brings calm into the situation, both with his gentle, serious manner, and with the practical solution he offers. And of course, he is so generous, and cannot countenance not offering his help, if he sees someone in need of it.
And Curufin is willing to listen to him, as he has been calmed by Edrahil's practical suggestion for a way to help Celegorm.