Rare Male Slash Exchange 2023 letter
Jun. 9th, 2023 09:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
verecundaDear RMSE creator,
Hello! Thank you so much for creating me something for one of my rare ships. :D This letter contains a rundown of my general likes and DNWs, as well as some potential prompts for each of my requested ships. If you find something here to inspire you, that’s great - but at the same time, please don’t feel restricted to what’s here, either. If you have ideas of your own that you’d rather go with, I’d love to see them too!
I can be found on AO3 as![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p2.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
Verecunda.
If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to get in touch via the mod.
Likes
Art likes
Smut likes
DNWs
Arthurian Mythology
- Arthur/Kay
Beowulf
- Beowulf/Breca
- Beowulf/Unferth
- Hrothgar/Ecgtheow
Rome (TV 2005)
- Marcus Junius Brutus/Gaius Cassius Longinus
The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
- Khamûl/Witch-king of Angmar
The Silmarillion - J.R.R. Tolkien
- Bór/Maedhros
- Celebrimbor/Finrod
- Sauron/Eönwë
Likes
• Fic and art of all ratings are great.
• Most genres: humour, angst, fluff, darkfic, hurt/comfort, slice-of-life, character pieces, plotty pieces.
• I love a good happy ending, but the canons/pairings I’ve requested in this round have a definite tendency towards the bittersweet or downright tragic, so if you want to write something sad, I’m ready and willing to have my heartstrings wrenched!
• I’ve got a special fondness for works that fill in characters’ backstories, “missing scenes” from canon, and alternate POVs on canon events. Post-canon settings are always good, of course.
• I love canon compliant fic, but I also love canon divergence AUs. I love exploring the “what ifs” and roads not taken.
• Worldbuilding detail. I always want to know more about whatever world these characters inhabit. Most of my fandoms are in historical/fantasy settings, so if you want to nerd out on the background details and lore, awesome!! But this is definitely not obligatory. First and foremost, I’m here for the characters.
• Intelligent, competent characters being intelligent and competent.
• Characters with tough/stoic/snarky exteriors having to confront and/or show their vulnerabilities.
• Odd couples. I love opposites that attract: characters who seem completely different but complement each other perfectly.
• Banter! I love characters who have a good back-and-forth.
• Characters learning to love again.
• Pining!! I live for good old-fashioned, hopeless pining, especially if it’s mutual and all parties are in silent agonies, equally convinced it can never be. UST and unrequited love also hurt so good.
• The ones in love always being the last to know. Which leads to:
• Outsider POVs are always fun. What do the friends, families, or even enemies think of these two idiots?
• Pairings that cross cultural/class/professional lines, and how they navigate the conflicts that arise.
• Power dynamics in general are great, whether they’re being managed in a healthy way, or just completely fucked up. I’m also entirely weak for the trope where the character who seems to have the most power in the relationship being so totally loopy for the other that they’ll give them anything they want.
• Related to that: loyalty kink, King (or Queen) and Lionheart dynamics.
• First times: first kiss, first confession of love, first time having sex, etc.
• Smut is great, but by no means obligatory. (Smutty likes are below!) Fade-to-black or even just a few sensual details sketched in are equally fine.
• Getting together and established relationship fic are equally good.
• Quiet moments of intimacy: heart-to-heart talks; kisses on cheeks, foreheads, noses, etc.; hand-holding; face-stroking; hair-stroking; cuddles; resting heads on shoulders or chests; forehead-touching, etc.
• When in doubt, there’s always the classic tropes: sex pollen, marriage of convenience that blossoms into something more, fake relationship, only one bed, etc.
• Apart from my requested characters, I'm quite happy with other characters making an appearance in the fic.
Art likes
I know sweet sod all about art, so I find it much harder to come up with prompts on this side. I am sorry about that. Suffice it to say, anything in your own style will be wonderful! But here’s a brief list of some very general art likes:
• Portraits of my requested characters/ships, or an illustration of one of the scenarios I’ve prompted. Illustrations of key scenes from canon would also be very welcome!
• In general, I love images that tell a story.
• Details of costume and material culture.
• I love bold colours as well as black and white, mingling of light and shadow, cell shading.
• If it helps, here are some artists I particularly love: Van Gogh, Matisse, Caravaggio, Ivan Aivazovsky, John Atkinson Grimshaw, Geoff Hunt, Arthur Rackham, Beatrix Potter, Alan Lee.
• Homages to/spoofs of famous paintings - eg. characters in the pose from Klimt’s Kiss or Burton’s The Meeting on the Turret Stairs.
• Characters drawn in distinctive styles: art nouveau, Disney, etc.
• Effects of different light sources, especially firelight and candlelight; sunsets and sunrises; moonlight and starlight; light on water.
• I also love water effects: rivers and pools, waterfalls, fountains, oceans. I love ripples, currents, spray, etc.
Smutty likes
• Penetrative sex.
• Non-penetrative sex, especially frottage and intercrural.
• Oral.
• Handjobs/fingering/etc.
• Clothed or partially-clothed sex.
• Body worship.
• One character unable to see the other (whether facing away, blindfolded, etc.) and having to rely on their other senses.
• Voyeurism/exhibitionism.
• Mutual masturbation.
• Restraints, bondage.
• Breast/nipple play.
• Orgasm delay/denial.
• Toys.
• Riding, whether the rider is setting the pace or just - ahem - along for the ride.
• Sweet, slow, romantic sex.
• Equally: rough, desperate, oh-god-must-have-you-now fucking.
• Older/more experienced characters guiding their younger/less experienced partners.
• Alternatively, the older/more experienced partner being the cautious one, while the younger/less experienced one is more than raring to go.
• Anything about overcoming shyness and/or inhibitions.
• Power dynamics explored, reflected, or even dismantled through sex. Whether it’s a character in a generally subordinate position who takes charge in the bedroom, or whether one half of the ship holds all the cards, up to and including dub-con/non-con scenarios.
• For dub-con/non-con especially, the “iron fist in a velvet glove” sort of force, subtle - even psychological - force over physical.
• I have no preferences when it comes to who tops or bottoms in my ships, and very often enjoy seeing characters who fandom usually puts on the bottom get to be on top for a change. So if you’d like to depart from the usual orthodoxy, be my guest!
DNW:
• First or second person POV (unless it’s the POV of the original canon).
• Modern/mundane/coffee-shop AUs.
• Soulmate/soulmark/soulbond AUs.
• A/B/O.
• Unrequested non-canon ships. (Appearances by/references to canon pairings are fine.)
• Unrequested gender/sexuality headcanons.
• Watersports.
• Scat.
• Rimming.
• Mpreg.
• Tentacles.
• Most of my fandoms have historical/fantasy settings, with mores very different to ours, so I’m fine with references to characters being married or having sex in their early teens, but would prefer no explicit sexual content involving any characters under 16 (or equivalent, in the case of immortal/supernatural characters). Fade to black is fine, though.
• I don’t mind dub-con/non-con in a kink context, but I don’t want rape/sexual abuse/prostitution as plot devices for tragic character backstory, unless it’s already canon. Even then, I’d prefer not to dwell on it.
Arthurian Mythology
Pairing: Arthur/Kay
Ahhhh, I love these two. Kay has been part of Arthur’s story from the beginning, both in-universe and in the development of the mythology, and I often think that he must be one of the ones who must truly know Arthur the man, not just Arthur the Once and Future King. To get it out the way first, I much prefer Cei’s characterisation in the older Welsh stories, hot-tempered and always ready to throw hands, but one of Arthur’s premier warriors, rather than just the asshole buffoon he is in the later medieval tradition. On the other hand, there’s good stuff you can do with asshole!Kay. Maybe he’s hideous to everyone else, but Arthur is one of the few who sees the good in him, and his loyalty to Arthur is beyond doubt, so everyone else just has to lump it. So, really, whatever characterisation you prefer! Either way, considering Arthur’s role as a force for unity and peacemaking, there’s a marked contrast with Cei/Kay’s personality, which would be great to explore.
I love their history as foster-brothers — T.H. White’s depiction of their dynamic is great, with that mix of fondness and fighting — and in shippy terms, I like the thought of them becoming pretty much everything to each other as they grow up: family, best friends (or frenemies), as well as lovers. Maybe there’s angst about the fact that they’ve basically been raised as brothers, or maybe they’re so close that getting together just feels like a natural development.And let’s be honest, dodgy sibling relationships are kind of a theme for Arthur. Or maybe their relationship develops after Arthur becomes king. Does it happen as a response to their whole world turning upside-down after the big reveal, seeking familiarity among the upheaval of their new lives? What sort of tensions/conflicts do they encounter as Arthur comes into his own? Is Kay such a dick to other knights because he’s jealous, fearing his place in Arthur’s heart might be usurped?
What about the two of them on a classic Arthurian-style quest together? Maybe one of them gets captured by Saxons/Black Knights/Morgan Le Fay, prompting the other to ride to his rescue. Or one of them falls under an enchantment which can only be broken is for the other to reveal his true feelings. Whether this is something mystical and emotional, or if you’d rather go for a good Magic Made Them Do It plot, that’s up to you!
I’d also be interested in seeing something set during Arthur’s later reign. It could be a good time to explore their relationship and how it’s evolved over the years. Does the Guinevere/Lancelot situation somehow trigger something between them? (Alternatively, maybe Arthur was quite content to turn a blind eye to their affair because he had Kay.) Does Arthur ever confide in Kay about Mordred? Arthurian myth being what it is, I’m certainly not averse to something tragic, if you want to go there, and Kay’s ultimate fate is kind of variable, so you have plenty of room to get creative. Does he fall at Camlann? Or, for something slightly more hopeful - does he perhaps get to join Arthur in Avalon?
General Arthurian stuff: I do prefer a noble Arthur. Human and flawed, sure, but I’m not very into the deconstructions that portray him as ineffectual or just another scumbag Dark Age warlord. There’s no one version of the mythos I’m particularly attached, so feel free to mix it up as much as you like. That’s what myth is for, after all! I love everything to do with Roman Britain, so I very much enjoy a Roman/Celtic Arthur, but if you prefer the more classic high medieval setting, or even a fantasy version of ancient Britain as in BBC Merlin, go for it. This also goes for character and place names, if you prefer to use the more familiar medieval forms, the older Welsh or Latinised forms, or even a mix of them all. I love legend and fantasy, so feel free to pack in as many dragons, Holy Grails, spells and magical doings as you can stand. On the other hand, I also love retellings like Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff, which imagine what a “historical” Arthur might have been like, without all the mythical trappings. (If that’s a route that appeals to you, I wouldn’t consider that a clash with my “no mundane AUs” DNW.)
Beowulf
So. I’m going through a teensy bit of a hyperfixation after reading the Heaney and Tolkien translations, and the three pairings I’ve requested struck me as having some interesting potential! In general, I’m fascinated by the whole world of the poem, the mingling of pagan myth and Christian belief, that rather melancholy Old English preoccupation with lost ages and the transience of human life and achievement… I’m also fascinated by the fact that the Beowulf story is clearly only one part of a wider tapestry of legend and pseudo-history, which was obviously familiar to the original audience, but which we can only now catch glimpses of through incidental mentions of characters, backstory and events. So if you want to explore any of these things, great!
Pairing: Beowulf/Breca
From Beowulf’s tale of the swimming/rowing contest, I get the feeling that these two were inseparable, certainly in their youth, and that they probably had all kinds of adventures together. I love brothers-(and more!)-in-arms and battle couples, and they seem admirably suited to those tropes. Having them as young men together also opens the way for all the awkward teenage crushing mixed with competitiveness and bravado, first kisses, first time together, etc. Plus if they’ve known each other since they were young, Breca is probably privy to a side of Beowulf that not many other people get to see: the man behind the myth, the doubts and vulnerabilities that he’s had to overcome while building his reputation.
Even allowing for the fact that he’s speaking angrily, Beowulf’s words about Breca are interesting because while he seems to be someone who is renowned in his own right, with strength to match Beowulf’s own, Beowulf doesn’t credit him as much of a swordfighter. Does this mean that Breca’s renown lies in some other direction? Perhaps in quick wits or diplomacy, or some other way? Alternately, from a certain angle, perhaps Beowulf’s dismissiveness of Breca’s swordsmanship indicates that they’ve fallen out? If so, why — and do they ever make things up again?
Or, if there’s no quarrel, how often do they see each other? What about an AU where Breca travels with Beowulf to Denmark (I’d prefer for him to survive, but given the source material, I’m not going to insist upon it…) Or what about after? By the time of his death, Beowulf is very conspicuously without a son, presumably unmarried, so I’d say there was room for him and Breca to set up together permanently.
Pairing: Beowulf/Unferth
Something about the inherent homoeroticism of challenging each other’s manhood in a crowded mead-hall, then reconciling to the point that you’re willing to give each other your swords. There’s lot of interesting stuff you could do with these two, for sure! Unferth has a lot of fascinating baggage, and it all makes him a very interesting foil for Beowulf. And there’s nothing tastier than narrative foils who also kiss. :D
I wouldn’t complain if you want to focus on the rivalry between them, where they both piss each other off and turn each other in equal measure. Want to explore what other tensions might be simmering during their flyting at the feast? I’m down for that! I’d also really love something exploring the shifting dynamic between them. What is it that makes Unferth come round in the end? Is the moment where he loans Hrunting the first sign of reconciliation between them, or did they get to settle their differences before then? (Where was Beowulf sleeping the night Grendel’s mother attacked?) Beowulf’s POV on their relationship would also be great. Is he at all surprised by Unferth’s hostility? It does really seem to get to him!
I think there’s also some interesting ways in which these two are in a position to really understand each other. Unferth is a kinslayer, and Beowulf’s own father committed an apparently politically-sensitive killing, so he probably has some idea of the stigma Unferth lives with. Likewise, Unferth has a fairly ambiguous position in the court: clearly high-ranking, though living “under a cloud” after killing his brothers, and though Beowulf is now a beloved kinsman of Hygelac and renowned member of the Geatish court, the poem does say that “He had been poorly regarded/for a long time”, so he and Unferth probably can relate to each other on that score. In a nutshell, I’d really like to see what sort of dynamic these two would have in private, minus the public challenges and formal boasting.
Anything else? Something centred around the whole Hrunting thing would be great, because that is clearly a sword of some note. Does Unferth ever get to redeem himself for the killing of his brothers, perhaps with Beowulf’s help?
Pairing: Hrothgar/Ecgtheow
Why shelter a man exiled by his own people, and pay his wergild to boot? Because they were banging. Obviously. :P
I don’t really have many solid prompts for this pairing, but I do very much like the sort of dynamics thrown up by their situation: the various currents of friendship and protection, honour and obligation that continue through the generations. The exile and his protector: a relationship born out of necessity, maybe even desperation on Ecgtheow’s part, that becomes something enduring and sincere. (Those “oaths of allegiance” that he swears to Hrothgar have some nice shippy potential!) I’d also love to know the story behind the killing of Heatholaf. Did Hrothgar have any political motives for sheltering Ecgtheow at first, only for him to fall for the man himself? Did they eventually have a painful parting, or did Ecgtheow remain at the Danish court for the rest of his life?
Being Beowulf’s father, did Ecgtheow possess similar qualities of nobility and kindness? Is Hrothgar so fond of Beowulf - not just for saving Heorot - but because there is something about him that reminds him of Ecgtheow? Is their relationship something that Beowulf is aware of when he arrives in Denmark? If you wanted, it might even be nice to do a retrospective kind of thing, with Hrothgar talking about Beowulf about Ecgtheow and their relationship.
Rome (TV 2005)
Pairing: Marcus Junius Brutus/Gaius Cassius Longinus
I’ve been fascinated by the Brutus/Cassius dynamic ever since reading Julius Caesar in high school, and their Rome incarnations are my favourite after the Shakespearean ones. There’s a strange, twisted kind of intimacy in being bound together by something like conspiracy and murder, and their relationship involves the tension between idealism and the murkier side of high politics. Plus, the way Cassius looks at Brutus!!!
There are quite a few ways I can see this ship going. One is that Cassius starts off intending simply to convince/manipulate Brutus into joining the conspiracy, but ends up catching feelings along the way. On the other hand, his first line when he appears - “Lovely to see you again, it’s been too long” - could suggest that they already have a History, which is gradually rekindled as they’re thrown together. Perhaps Servilia even knows that Cassius has feelings for her son, and uses that to recruit him into her revenge plot. Given that Cassius is so often portrayed as the great manipulator, it could be quite fun to have him being manipulated for a change!
But for all the shady goings-on, I love the genuine affection between them, and the banter when they’re getting on well together. We don’t get to see nearly enough of them in series 2, but what we do see is wonderful. I’d adore absolutely anything about Cassius trying to take care of Brutus during his downward spiral of despair (that scene in the tent gets me every time - Cassius’ face when Brutus shouts at him to leave him alone is heartbreaking!). Or anything later on, when Brutus is back on form. How does Cassius react to his spiritual rebirth? They seem to get on much better after that, and are working well together, so it could be interesting to follow the development of their relationship once Brutus is more emotionally equipped to handle it. I also like the dynamic we see at the start of “Philippi”, with Brutus as the idealistic one, and Cassius the grumpy, practical one. Also: Cassius’ armour kink. “You look magnificent,” indeed!
The “No more running” scene just before the Battle of Philippi breaks my heart in about a hundred ways. Brutus is so ready to face his fate, and there’s such a sense of deep understanding between him and Cassius. The looks and the sad little smiles that pass between them… it’s just beautiful, and I’d love anything that built on it. An emotional last night together, perhaps?
Historically, Cassius was married to Brutus’ sister Junia Tertia, while Brutus was married to his cousin Porcia, but since both are Lady-Not-Appearing-In-This-Series, I’ll leave it up to you if you want to sneak them in somehow, or just stick to the characters in the show. And don’t be afraid about including character death if you have to. I don’t mind a bit of tragedy!
The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
Pairing: Khamûl/Witch-king of Angmar
The Lord of the Nazgûl and his second-in-command? Now there’s a dynamic rife with possibilities! And hey, they even have matching rings. ;)
Since we know virtually nothing about these two as individuals, you have complete carte blanche to do whatever you like with this idea. And as per my general likes, I love things that fill in characters’ backstories. So tell me all about these two and whatever it is that’s between them. Who were they when they were alive? We know Khamûl was an Easterling, but the Witch-king’s identity is unknown. He may be one of the three Númenórean lords who accepted rings from Sauron, but it’s equally possible he belonged to one of the indigenous kingdoms of Middle-earth. Did he and Khamûl know each other before they joined Sauron - old rivals, perhaps, who were constantly at war with each other? Cue all the Nemesis Mine scenarios, UST-laden sword-fights, etc. Was one of them ever a prisoner of the other 👀? Or maybe they were even unlikely allies, who banded together against some common enemy, and discovered they had even more in common than that? Did Sauron recruit them individually, or did he get them as a package deal? Did he somehow manipulate their relationship to bring them under his thrall? Were they willing servants of the Dark Tower, or were they originally noble figures, whose good qualities were twisted towards evil ends? Did one of them end up in some sort of mortal danger, prompting the other to turn to Sauron to help him save him, only for them both to be caught in his net?
Honestly, I’ll take absolutely any sort of story about these two, any kind of dynamic. Enemies to lovers, enemies with benefits, or even a completely devoted captain and second-in-command? Mordor’s equivalent to the Sacred Band of Thebes??
If you’re into worldbuilding, this pairing has so many opportunities to build on! Cultural differences - and similarities - between the Men of the East and the West. Different perceptions of kingship and lordship, territorial rights, courtship, m/m relationships… the whole lot! I’d love to know more about Easterling history and culture, their POV on the history of Middle-earth.
And how does their bond work as they stop being living men and become wraiths? There’s some sense in canon that although they are totally in thrall to Sauron, they’re not quite mindless drones. The Witch-king in particular seems to have some personality of his own, and the fact that they have different degrees of power suggests there are some traces of individuality still there. Do Angmar and Khamûl retain some sense of their own personalities and their relationship? Do they still have feelings for each other, and if so, how does that gel with the fact that their raison d’être is now wholly to serve Sauron and the Ring? Can wraiths even have personal relationships? Does Sauron get any cruel enjoyment out of manipulating their bond for his own purposes? And what is Khamûl’s reaction when the Witch-king is slain? Is he still able to feel grief?
The Silmarillion - J.R.R. Tolkien
Pairing: Bór/Maedhros
This does not appear to be a thing, and I would very much love for it to be a thing! Maedhros, the eldest son of Fëanor, the moving spirit of the great union of the peoples of Beleriand, and Bór, just about the only Easterling to get a good rap in these books. This pairing strikes me as having lots of great potential. All the battle couple tropes, as well as opportunities to bond on other levels. Considering how often the Easterlings are associated with Morgoth, maybe Bór and his followers are regarded with some suspicion by some within the Union. Maedhros could certainly relate to that: being a member of a people who haven’t exactly ingratiated themselves to the rest of Beleriand recently.
First things first: how did they meet to begin with? Through Caranthir, maybe, since he also dealt with Ulfang? Trade? Or a chance meeting? Meeting Maedhros must’ve been a hell of an experience for any mortal king. I can only imagine what Bór must have thought, meeting that huge, grim, flame-haired, one-handed Elven warrior for the first time. That must have been a first impression and a half!
This is one of those pairings where there’s lots of opportunity to weave in worldbuilding, backstories, etc. The various joys and tensions of immortal/mortal pairings; the differences in culture between Elves and Men, the West and the East. What made Bór buck the general Easterling trend of allying against Morgoth (did he buck the trend)? I’d love to know more about his story. Does he also have some sort of Morgoth-related trauma in his own past? What sort of lore and insights do he and Maedhros share with each other? This is a pairing that could be absolutely built on the meeting of different worlds.
There’s also room for all the good battle couple tropes, with the two of them fighting side-by-side - and tending each other’s wounds afterwards. ;) Perhaps featuring Maedhros’ old scars (yeah, yeah, I know, he was healed in body and all that, but let’s face it, we all love our scarred fanon Maedhros).
There’s definitely plenty of potential for angst, what with the inevitable tragedy of the Nirnaeth and Maedhros’ - well - everything. And maybe he knows something of the sorrows Finrod inevitably suffered in losing mortal friends like Bëor. But there could also be a lot of optimism. The Union is formed during a period of renewed hope after the deeds of Beren and Lúthien (who, incidentally, have also shown that human/Elf pairings can work out). So something reflecting that mood would be lovely. Let Maedhros snatch some happiness while he can!
And if they get together, how do their families react? Imagine Bór being subjected to the scrutiny of the other Fëanorians! What do Bór’s sons make of it? (I’ll leave it to you to decide whether Mrs. Bór is still around.)
If you want to go with something tragic, I’d love to see something centred around the Nirnaeth. Is Bór with Maedhros when the sons of Ulfang fight their way almost to his standard? Does he put himself between them and Maedhros, giving his own life battling his own people to save his lover? Does he die in Maedhros’ arms? Wrench my heartstrings, they can take it!!
Alternatively, I’m always up for a good fixit, so what would happen if Bór survived the Nirnaeth? How would the aftermath affect his relationship with Maedhros, and/or later events in the story?
Pairing: Celebrimbor/Finrod
These two strike me as having some interesting things in common. They’re both good guys notable for their friendships with other peoples, they both love crafts and jewels and sharing wisdom and expertise. They both also have a certain ambitious streak, and they both come a cropper of Sauron. Plus volume 12 of HOME mentions that Celebrimbor came to love Finrod during his time in Nargothrond, so… :D
The Nargothrond era is definitely the obvious time for something to happen between them. Celebrimbor may or may not have known Finrod well before then, but now suddenly he and his father are refugees, and despite former treacheries on the Fëanorian side, Finrod has given them shelter in his kingdom. Maybe Celebrimbor has a serious case of hero-worship to begin with, which grows into something more mature the more he gets to know Finrod. I saw someone post a headcanon once about Celebrimbor serving as Finrod’s cup-bearer in Nargothrond, and a scenario like that would definitely be good for bringing them together. All that close proximity, the growing trust and intimacy…
How would they feel about falling in love? Would it be angsty, perhaps with Celebrimbor feeling torn between his father and his growing feelings for Finrod? Would Finrod be wary about taking advantage of someone under his protection, or constrained by the knowledge of the doom hanging over him? Or do they both quickly figure, well, if it’s genuine on both sides - no harm, no foul?
Would it be a secret relationship, or does word get out? How would their close kin react, especially Curufin and Celegorm? Is Curufin furious and all the more determined to topple Finrod, or does he see an opportunity to turn it to his advantage? Perhaps he’s even the one who puts things in motion, setting up Celebrimbor to seduce Finrod (with or without Celebrimbor realising what’s happening)?
Beren’s arrival on the scene also seems like it might be good fodder for angst and conflicted loyalties. Does he come along and remind Finrod of his oath, just when things are established and going well with Celebrimbor? How does Celebrimbor feel? Does he try to convince Finrod to let him join the Silmaril quest, or is he still, at this point, just not quite able to step out of Curufin’s shadow? Do they have a last emotional farewell before Finrod leaves Nargothrond?
I’ve been concentrating on Nargothrond as the obvious time for something to happen between them, but there are other possibilities. At Himring, maybe, with Finrod visiting Maedhros when Celebrimbor also happens to be there? Maybe they set out together on a diplomatic mission to the Dwarven cities of the Blue Mountains, and discover the things they have in common. Something set post-canon with them both reborn in Valinor would also be lovely. After they’ve both been through torment and death at Sauron’s hands, they’d be in a position to understand each other and help each other heal from the trauma of their old lives. Or what about an AU? Finrod survives Tol-in-Gaurhoth? Or perhaps after being re-embodied, he returns to Middle-earth during the Second Age to help seek and battle Sauron, where he joins Celebrimbor in Eregion. Does he realise Annatar’s true identity, try to extricate Celebrimbor from his evil influence? (I think in this scenario, I’d prefer a happy/hopeful ending, but it’s not an absolute.)
Pairing: Sauron/Eönwë
This is one of those pairings that has exactly one canon interaction — but oh, the possibilities! I like to imagine that when Sauron dons his fair form and surrenders to Eönwë after the War of Wrath, we’re not just seeing Morgoth’s lieutenant surrendering to Manwë’s herald, but two Maiar who were once friends meeting again after several ages apart. Friends… or possibly even lovers?
Imagining they did have a history together, what was it like? Perhaps a slow, tentative evolution from friends to lovers: flirting in the gardens of Almaren, first kisses, experimenting together as they get to know how their physical forms work. Or is it something that lies between them, unspoken, perhaps not even fully understood, still unfulfilled when Mairon leaves to follow Melkor? Did Mairon ever confide in Eönwë about his doubts and inner conflict as his allegiance began to shift, or did he keep it all absolutely secret? Did Eönwë ever sense that something was off with him, or did Mairon’s betrayal take him completely aback?
Alternatively, perhaps their relationship originated while Mairon was still in Almaren as Melkor’s spy. Did he perhaps strike up a flirtation/seduction of Eönwë in order to gain information about Manwë’s intentions?
And when Mairon does leave, does Eönwë learn of his betrayal, perhaps confronting him before he leaves? Does Mairon try to convince him to come with him? Or does Eönwë only learn of his betrayal after he’s gone? What are his feelings when word gets out about Melkor’s terrible new lieutenant? Does he think that Mairon might have been taken by force, or does he guess the truth at once?
There’s so much scope for conflict and angst and regret in this pairing, especially after Mairon has gone over to evil. Just as Manwë gives Melkor a chance to redeem himself, does Eönwë hold out hope that Mairon might still come back to the light? And what about Mairon? I adore how absolutely, gleefully evil Sauron is in the Silmarillion, but according to Tolkien himself, he still wasn’t completely beyond redemption even then. Are there ever times that he finds himself remembering, with just a teeny-tiny tinge of regret, what he had with Eönwë? During the various wars with the Valar and their hosts, does he ever subtly deflect Melkor’s attentions away from endangering Eönwë?
Then we come to his surrender after the War of Wrath. Is it simple manipulation on Sauron’s part, assuming his fair guise in the hope that he can use their former relationship to seduce Eönwë into showing him mercy? Or if we go with the view that Sauron’s repentance at this point was genuine, what sort of emotions and memories are stirred up? Is Sauron surprised by how strong his feelings for Eönwë still are, after all this time? Does Eönwë try to resist his own feelings in order to carry out his duty properly? Does he believe in Sauron’s sincerity? When the book says that he doesn’t have the authority to judge a fellow Maia, but tells Sauron to face the Valar’s judgement, it sounds to me like he genuinely wants to help, but his hands are tied. Is there a passionate but short-lived reunion between the two of them before Sauron flees? Is Eönwë crushed by this latest betrayal, or did he know in his heart that Sauron would never return? And does Sauron feel any last lingering regret for betraying Eönwë yet again as he disappears into the East?
And what about the Second and Third Ages? How does Eönwë feel, learning about Sauron’s rise as the new Dark Lord? The Maiar have the ability to walk about the world undetected even by the Eldar, so does he ever travel to Middle-earth and witness Sauron’s atrocities for himself? Do they ever meet again? At the end of the War of the Ring, does Eönwë have to go out and gather up whatever little is left of Sauron’s spirit so he can be cast into the Void once and for all? Or does he bring him back to Aman in the hope of rehabilitating him? I’m not particularly fussed about a redemption arc for Sauron, but in terms of this pairing, it could be interesting.
Hello! Thank you so much for creating me something for one of my rare ships. :D This letter contains a rundown of my general likes and DNWs, as well as some potential prompts for each of my requested ships. If you find something here to inspire you, that’s great - but at the same time, please don’t feel restricted to what’s here, either. If you have ideas of your own that you’d rather go with, I’d love to see them too!
I can be found on AO3 as
If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to get in touch via the mod.
Likes
Art likes
Smut likes
DNWs
Arthurian Mythology
- Arthur/Kay
Beowulf
- Beowulf/Breca
- Beowulf/Unferth
- Hrothgar/Ecgtheow
Rome (TV 2005)
- Marcus Junius Brutus/Gaius Cassius Longinus
The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
- Khamûl/Witch-king of Angmar
The Silmarillion - J.R.R. Tolkien
- Bór/Maedhros
- Celebrimbor/Finrod
- Sauron/Eönwë
Likes
• Fic and art of all ratings are great.
• Most genres: humour, angst, fluff, darkfic, hurt/comfort, slice-of-life, character pieces, plotty pieces.
• I love a good happy ending, but the canons/pairings I’ve requested in this round have a definite tendency towards the bittersweet or downright tragic, so if you want to write something sad, I’m ready and willing to have my heartstrings wrenched!
• I’ve got a special fondness for works that fill in characters’ backstories, “missing scenes” from canon, and alternate POVs on canon events. Post-canon settings are always good, of course.
• I love canon compliant fic, but I also love canon divergence AUs. I love exploring the “what ifs” and roads not taken.
• Worldbuilding detail. I always want to know more about whatever world these characters inhabit. Most of my fandoms are in historical/fantasy settings, so if you want to nerd out on the background details and lore, awesome!! But this is definitely not obligatory. First and foremost, I’m here for the characters.
• Intelligent, competent characters being intelligent and competent.
• Characters with tough/stoic/snarky exteriors having to confront and/or show their vulnerabilities.
• Odd couples. I love opposites that attract: characters who seem completely different but complement each other perfectly.
• Banter! I love characters who have a good back-and-forth.
• Characters learning to love again.
• Pining!! I live for good old-fashioned, hopeless pining, especially if it’s mutual and all parties are in silent agonies, equally convinced it can never be. UST and unrequited love also hurt so good.
• The ones in love always being the last to know. Which leads to:
• Outsider POVs are always fun. What do the friends, families, or even enemies think of these two idiots?
• Pairings that cross cultural/class/professional lines, and how they navigate the conflicts that arise.
• Power dynamics in general are great, whether they’re being managed in a healthy way, or just completely fucked up. I’m also entirely weak for the trope where the character who seems to have the most power in the relationship being so totally loopy for the other that they’ll give them anything they want.
• Related to that: loyalty kink, King (or Queen) and Lionheart dynamics.
• First times: first kiss, first confession of love, first time having sex, etc.
• Smut is great, but by no means obligatory. (Smutty likes are below!) Fade-to-black or even just a few sensual details sketched in are equally fine.
• Getting together and established relationship fic are equally good.
• Quiet moments of intimacy: heart-to-heart talks; kisses on cheeks, foreheads, noses, etc.; hand-holding; face-stroking; hair-stroking; cuddles; resting heads on shoulders or chests; forehead-touching, etc.
• When in doubt, there’s always the classic tropes: sex pollen, marriage of convenience that blossoms into something more, fake relationship, only one bed, etc.
• Apart from my requested characters, I'm quite happy with other characters making an appearance in the fic.
Art likes
I know sweet sod all about art, so I find it much harder to come up with prompts on this side. I am sorry about that. Suffice it to say, anything in your own style will be wonderful! But here’s a brief list of some very general art likes:
• Portraits of my requested characters/ships, or an illustration of one of the scenarios I’ve prompted. Illustrations of key scenes from canon would also be very welcome!
• In general, I love images that tell a story.
• Details of costume and material culture.
• I love bold colours as well as black and white, mingling of light and shadow, cell shading.
• If it helps, here are some artists I particularly love: Van Gogh, Matisse, Caravaggio, Ivan Aivazovsky, John Atkinson Grimshaw, Geoff Hunt, Arthur Rackham, Beatrix Potter, Alan Lee.
• Homages to/spoofs of famous paintings - eg. characters in the pose from Klimt’s Kiss or Burton’s The Meeting on the Turret Stairs.
• Characters drawn in distinctive styles: art nouveau, Disney, etc.
• Effects of different light sources, especially firelight and candlelight; sunsets and sunrises; moonlight and starlight; light on water.
• I also love water effects: rivers and pools, waterfalls, fountains, oceans. I love ripples, currents, spray, etc.
Smutty likes
• Penetrative sex.
• Non-penetrative sex, especially frottage and intercrural.
• Oral.
• Handjobs/fingering/etc.
• Clothed or partially-clothed sex.
• Body worship.
• One character unable to see the other (whether facing away, blindfolded, etc.) and having to rely on their other senses.
• Voyeurism/exhibitionism.
• Mutual masturbation.
• Restraints, bondage.
• Breast/nipple play.
• Orgasm delay/denial.
• Toys.
• Riding, whether the rider is setting the pace or just - ahem - along for the ride.
• Sweet, slow, romantic sex.
• Equally: rough, desperate, oh-god-must-have-you-now fucking.
• Older/more experienced characters guiding their younger/less experienced partners.
• Alternatively, the older/more experienced partner being the cautious one, while the younger/less experienced one is more than raring to go.
• Anything about overcoming shyness and/or inhibitions.
• Power dynamics explored, reflected, or even dismantled through sex. Whether it’s a character in a generally subordinate position who takes charge in the bedroom, or whether one half of the ship holds all the cards, up to and including dub-con/non-con scenarios.
• For dub-con/non-con especially, the “iron fist in a velvet glove” sort of force, subtle - even psychological - force over physical.
• I have no preferences when it comes to who tops or bottoms in my ships, and very often enjoy seeing characters who fandom usually puts on the bottom get to be on top for a change. So if you’d like to depart from the usual orthodoxy, be my guest!
DNW:
• First or second person POV (unless it’s the POV of the original canon).
• Modern/mundane/coffee-shop AUs.
• Soulmate/soulmark/soulbond AUs.
• A/B/O.
• Unrequested non-canon ships. (Appearances by/references to canon pairings are fine.)
• Unrequested gender/sexuality headcanons.
• Watersports.
• Scat.
• Rimming.
• Mpreg.
• Tentacles.
• Most of my fandoms have historical/fantasy settings, with mores very different to ours, so I’m fine with references to characters being married or having sex in their early teens, but would prefer no explicit sexual content involving any characters under 16 (or equivalent, in the case of immortal/supernatural characters). Fade to black is fine, though.
• I don’t mind dub-con/non-con in a kink context, but I don’t want rape/sexual abuse/prostitution as plot devices for tragic character backstory, unless it’s already canon. Even then, I’d prefer not to dwell on it.
Arthurian Mythology
Pairing: Arthur/Kay
Ahhhh, I love these two. Kay has been part of Arthur’s story from the beginning, both in-universe and in the development of the mythology, and I often think that he must be one of the ones who must truly know Arthur the man, not just Arthur the Once and Future King. To get it out the way first, I much prefer Cei’s characterisation in the older Welsh stories, hot-tempered and always ready to throw hands, but one of Arthur’s premier warriors, rather than just the asshole buffoon he is in the later medieval tradition. On the other hand, there’s good stuff you can do with asshole!Kay. Maybe he’s hideous to everyone else, but Arthur is one of the few who sees the good in him, and his loyalty to Arthur is beyond doubt, so everyone else just has to lump it. So, really, whatever characterisation you prefer! Either way, considering Arthur’s role as a force for unity and peacemaking, there’s a marked contrast with Cei/Kay’s personality, which would be great to explore.
I love their history as foster-brothers — T.H. White’s depiction of their dynamic is great, with that mix of fondness and fighting — and in shippy terms, I like the thought of them becoming pretty much everything to each other as they grow up: family, best friends (or frenemies), as well as lovers. Maybe there’s angst about the fact that they’ve basically been raised as brothers, or maybe they’re so close that getting together just feels like a natural development.
What about the two of them on a classic Arthurian-style quest together? Maybe one of them gets captured by Saxons/Black Knights/Morgan Le Fay, prompting the other to ride to his rescue. Or one of them falls under an enchantment which can only be broken is for the other to reveal his true feelings. Whether this is something mystical and emotional, or if you’d rather go for a good Magic Made Them Do It plot, that’s up to you!
I’d also be interested in seeing something set during Arthur’s later reign. It could be a good time to explore their relationship and how it’s evolved over the years. Does the Guinevere/Lancelot situation somehow trigger something between them? (Alternatively, maybe Arthur was quite content to turn a blind eye to their affair because he had Kay.) Does Arthur ever confide in Kay about Mordred? Arthurian myth being what it is, I’m certainly not averse to something tragic, if you want to go there, and Kay’s ultimate fate is kind of variable, so you have plenty of room to get creative. Does he fall at Camlann? Or, for something slightly more hopeful - does he perhaps get to join Arthur in Avalon?
General Arthurian stuff: I do prefer a noble Arthur. Human and flawed, sure, but I’m not very into the deconstructions that portray him as ineffectual or just another scumbag Dark Age warlord. There’s no one version of the mythos I’m particularly attached, so feel free to mix it up as much as you like. That’s what myth is for, after all! I love everything to do with Roman Britain, so I very much enjoy a Roman/Celtic Arthur, but if you prefer the more classic high medieval setting, or even a fantasy version of ancient Britain as in BBC Merlin, go for it. This also goes for character and place names, if you prefer to use the more familiar medieval forms, the older Welsh or Latinised forms, or even a mix of them all. I love legend and fantasy, so feel free to pack in as many dragons, Holy Grails, spells and magical doings as you can stand. On the other hand, I also love retellings like Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff, which imagine what a “historical” Arthur might have been like, without all the mythical trappings. (If that’s a route that appeals to you, I wouldn’t consider that a clash with my “no mundane AUs” DNW.)
Beowulf
So. I’m going through a teensy bit of a hyperfixation after reading the Heaney and Tolkien translations, and the three pairings I’ve requested struck me as having some interesting potential! In general, I’m fascinated by the whole world of the poem, the mingling of pagan myth and Christian belief, that rather melancholy Old English preoccupation with lost ages and the transience of human life and achievement… I’m also fascinated by the fact that the Beowulf story is clearly only one part of a wider tapestry of legend and pseudo-history, which was obviously familiar to the original audience, but which we can only now catch glimpses of through incidental mentions of characters, backstory and events. So if you want to explore any of these things, great!
Pairing: Beowulf/Breca
From Beowulf’s tale of the swimming/rowing contest, I get the feeling that these two were inseparable, certainly in their youth, and that they probably had all kinds of adventures together. I love brothers-(and more!)-in-arms and battle couples, and they seem admirably suited to those tropes. Having them as young men together also opens the way for all the awkward teenage crushing mixed with competitiveness and bravado, first kisses, first time together, etc. Plus if they’ve known each other since they were young, Breca is probably privy to a side of Beowulf that not many other people get to see: the man behind the myth, the doubts and vulnerabilities that he’s had to overcome while building his reputation.
Even allowing for the fact that he’s speaking angrily, Beowulf’s words about Breca are interesting because while he seems to be someone who is renowned in his own right, with strength to match Beowulf’s own, Beowulf doesn’t credit him as much of a swordfighter. Does this mean that Breca’s renown lies in some other direction? Perhaps in quick wits or diplomacy, or some other way? Alternately, from a certain angle, perhaps Beowulf’s dismissiveness of Breca’s swordsmanship indicates that they’ve fallen out? If so, why — and do they ever make things up again?
Or, if there’s no quarrel, how often do they see each other? What about an AU where Breca travels with Beowulf to Denmark (I’d prefer for him to survive, but given the source material, I’m not going to insist upon it…) Or what about after? By the time of his death, Beowulf is very conspicuously without a son, presumably unmarried, so I’d say there was room for him and Breca to set up together permanently.
Pairing: Beowulf/Unferth
Something about the inherent homoeroticism of challenging each other’s manhood in a crowded mead-hall, then reconciling to the point that you’re willing to give each other your swords. There’s lot of interesting stuff you could do with these two, for sure! Unferth has a lot of fascinating baggage, and it all makes him a very interesting foil for Beowulf. And there’s nothing tastier than narrative foils who also kiss. :D
I wouldn’t complain if you want to focus on the rivalry between them, where they both piss each other off and turn each other in equal measure. Want to explore what other tensions might be simmering during their flyting at the feast? I’m down for that! I’d also really love something exploring the shifting dynamic between them. What is it that makes Unferth come round in the end? Is the moment where he loans Hrunting the first sign of reconciliation between them, or did they get to settle their differences before then? (Where was Beowulf sleeping the night Grendel’s mother attacked?) Beowulf’s POV on their relationship would also be great. Is he at all surprised by Unferth’s hostility? It does really seem to get to him!
I think there’s also some interesting ways in which these two are in a position to really understand each other. Unferth is a kinslayer, and Beowulf’s own father committed an apparently politically-sensitive killing, so he probably has some idea of the stigma Unferth lives with. Likewise, Unferth has a fairly ambiguous position in the court: clearly high-ranking, though living “under a cloud” after killing his brothers, and though Beowulf is now a beloved kinsman of Hygelac and renowned member of the Geatish court, the poem does say that “He had been poorly regarded/for a long time”, so he and Unferth probably can relate to each other on that score. In a nutshell, I’d really like to see what sort of dynamic these two would have in private, minus the public challenges and formal boasting.
Anything else? Something centred around the whole Hrunting thing would be great, because that is clearly a sword of some note. Does Unferth ever get to redeem himself for the killing of his brothers, perhaps with Beowulf’s help?
Pairing: Hrothgar/Ecgtheow
Why shelter a man exiled by his own people, and pay his wergild to boot? Because they were banging. Obviously. :P
I don’t really have many solid prompts for this pairing, but I do very much like the sort of dynamics thrown up by their situation: the various currents of friendship and protection, honour and obligation that continue through the generations. The exile and his protector: a relationship born out of necessity, maybe even desperation on Ecgtheow’s part, that becomes something enduring and sincere. (Those “oaths of allegiance” that he swears to Hrothgar have some nice shippy potential!) I’d also love to know the story behind the killing of Heatholaf. Did Hrothgar have any political motives for sheltering Ecgtheow at first, only for him to fall for the man himself? Did they eventually have a painful parting, or did Ecgtheow remain at the Danish court for the rest of his life?
Being Beowulf’s father, did Ecgtheow possess similar qualities of nobility and kindness? Is Hrothgar so fond of Beowulf - not just for saving Heorot - but because there is something about him that reminds him of Ecgtheow? Is their relationship something that Beowulf is aware of when he arrives in Denmark? If you wanted, it might even be nice to do a retrospective kind of thing, with Hrothgar talking about Beowulf about Ecgtheow and their relationship.
Rome (TV 2005)
Pairing: Marcus Junius Brutus/Gaius Cassius Longinus
I’ve been fascinated by the Brutus/Cassius dynamic ever since reading Julius Caesar in high school, and their Rome incarnations are my favourite after the Shakespearean ones. There’s a strange, twisted kind of intimacy in being bound together by something like conspiracy and murder, and their relationship involves the tension between idealism and the murkier side of high politics. Plus, the way Cassius looks at Brutus!!!
There are quite a few ways I can see this ship going. One is that Cassius starts off intending simply to convince/manipulate Brutus into joining the conspiracy, but ends up catching feelings along the way. On the other hand, his first line when he appears - “Lovely to see you again, it’s been too long” - could suggest that they already have a History, which is gradually rekindled as they’re thrown together. Perhaps Servilia even knows that Cassius has feelings for her son, and uses that to recruit him into her revenge plot. Given that Cassius is so often portrayed as the great manipulator, it could be quite fun to have him being manipulated for a change!
But for all the shady goings-on, I love the genuine affection between them, and the banter when they’re getting on well together. We don’t get to see nearly enough of them in series 2, but what we do see is wonderful. I’d adore absolutely anything about Cassius trying to take care of Brutus during his downward spiral of despair (that scene in the tent gets me every time - Cassius’ face when Brutus shouts at him to leave him alone is heartbreaking!). Or anything later on, when Brutus is back on form. How does Cassius react to his spiritual rebirth? They seem to get on much better after that, and are working well together, so it could be interesting to follow the development of their relationship once Brutus is more emotionally equipped to handle it. I also like the dynamic we see at the start of “Philippi”, with Brutus as the idealistic one, and Cassius the grumpy, practical one. Also: Cassius’ armour kink. “You look magnificent,” indeed!
The “No more running” scene just before the Battle of Philippi breaks my heart in about a hundred ways. Brutus is so ready to face his fate, and there’s such a sense of deep understanding between him and Cassius. The looks and the sad little smiles that pass between them… it’s just beautiful, and I’d love anything that built on it. An emotional last night together, perhaps?
Historically, Cassius was married to Brutus’ sister Junia Tertia, while Brutus was married to his cousin Porcia, but since both are Lady-Not-Appearing-In-This-Series, I’ll leave it up to you if you want to sneak them in somehow, or just stick to the characters in the show. And don’t be afraid about including character death if you have to. I don’t mind a bit of tragedy!
The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
Pairing: Khamûl/Witch-king of Angmar
The Lord of the Nazgûl and his second-in-command? Now there’s a dynamic rife with possibilities! And hey, they even have matching rings. ;)
Since we know virtually nothing about these two as individuals, you have complete carte blanche to do whatever you like with this idea. And as per my general likes, I love things that fill in characters’ backstories. So tell me all about these two and whatever it is that’s between them. Who were they when they were alive? We know Khamûl was an Easterling, but the Witch-king’s identity is unknown. He may be one of the three Númenórean lords who accepted rings from Sauron, but it’s equally possible he belonged to one of the indigenous kingdoms of Middle-earth. Did he and Khamûl know each other before they joined Sauron - old rivals, perhaps, who were constantly at war with each other? Cue all the Nemesis Mine scenarios, UST-laden sword-fights, etc. Was one of them ever a prisoner of the other 👀? Or maybe they were even unlikely allies, who banded together against some common enemy, and discovered they had even more in common than that? Did Sauron recruit them individually, or did he get them as a package deal? Did he somehow manipulate their relationship to bring them under his thrall? Were they willing servants of the Dark Tower, or were they originally noble figures, whose good qualities were twisted towards evil ends? Did one of them end up in some sort of mortal danger, prompting the other to turn to Sauron to help him save him, only for them both to be caught in his net?
Honestly, I’ll take absolutely any sort of story about these two, any kind of dynamic. Enemies to lovers, enemies with benefits, or even a completely devoted captain and second-in-command? Mordor’s equivalent to the Sacred Band of Thebes??
If you’re into worldbuilding, this pairing has so many opportunities to build on! Cultural differences - and similarities - between the Men of the East and the West. Different perceptions of kingship and lordship, territorial rights, courtship, m/m relationships… the whole lot! I’d love to know more about Easterling history and culture, their POV on the history of Middle-earth.
And how does their bond work as they stop being living men and become wraiths? There’s some sense in canon that although they are totally in thrall to Sauron, they’re not quite mindless drones. The Witch-king in particular seems to have some personality of his own, and the fact that they have different degrees of power suggests there are some traces of individuality still there. Do Angmar and Khamûl retain some sense of their own personalities and their relationship? Do they still have feelings for each other, and if so, how does that gel with the fact that their raison d’être is now wholly to serve Sauron and the Ring? Can wraiths even have personal relationships? Does Sauron get any cruel enjoyment out of manipulating their bond for his own purposes? And what is Khamûl’s reaction when the Witch-king is slain? Is he still able to feel grief?
The Silmarillion - J.R.R. Tolkien
Pairing: Bór/Maedhros
This does not appear to be a thing, and I would very much love for it to be a thing! Maedhros, the eldest son of Fëanor, the moving spirit of the great union of the peoples of Beleriand, and Bór, just about the only Easterling to get a good rap in these books. This pairing strikes me as having lots of great potential. All the battle couple tropes, as well as opportunities to bond on other levels. Considering how often the Easterlings are associated with Morgoth, maybe Bór and his followers are regarded with some suspicion by some within the Union. Maedhros could certainly relate to that: being a member of a people who haven’t exactly ingratiated themselves to the rest of Beleriand recently.
First things first: how did they meet to begin with? Through Caranthir, maybe, since he also dealt with Ulfang? Trade? Or a chance meeting? Meeting Maedhros must’ve been a hell of an experience for any mortal king. I can only imagine what Bór must have thought, meeting that huge, grim, flame-haired, one-handed Elven warrior for the first time. That must have been a first impression and a half!
This is one of those pairings where there’s lots of opportunity to weave in worldbuilding, backstories, etc. The various joys and tensions of immortal/mortal pairings; the differences in culture between Elves and Men, the West and the East. What made Bór buck the general Easterling trend of allying against Morgoth (did he buck the trend)? I’d love to know more about his story. Does he also have some sort of Morgoth-related trauma in his own past? What sort of lore and insights do he and Maedhros share with each other? This is a pairing that could be absolutely built on the meeting of different worlds.
There’s also room for all the good battle couple tropes, with the two of them fighting side-by-side - and tending each other’s wounds afterwards. ;) Perhaps featuring Maedhros’ old scars (yeah, yeah, I know, he was healed in body and all that, but let’s face it, we all love our scarred fanon Maedhros).
There’s definitely plenty of potential for angst, what with the inevitable tragedy of the Nirnaeth and Maedhros’ - well - everything. And maybe he knows something of the sorrows Finrod inevitably suffered in losing mortal friends like Bëor. But there could also be a lot of optimism. The Union is formed during a period of renewed hope after the deeds of Beren and Lúthien (who, incidentally, have also shown that human/Elf pairings can work out). So something reflecting that mood would be lovely. Let Maedhros snatch some happiness while he can!
And if they get together, how do their families react? Imagine Bór being subjected to the scrutiny of the other Fëanorians! What do Bór’s sons make of it? (I’ll leave it to you to decide whether Mrs. Bór is still around.)
If you want to go with something tragic, I’d love to see something centred around the Nirnaeth. Is Bór with Maedhros when the sons of Ulfang fight their way almost to his standard? Does he put himself between them and Maedhros, giving his own life battling his own people to save his lover? Does he die in Maedhros’ arms? Wrench my heartstrings, they can take it!!
Alternatively, I’m always up for a good fixit, so what would happen if Bór survived the Nirnaeth? How would the aftermath affect his relationship with Maedhros, and/or later events in the story?
Pairing: Celebrimbor/Finrod
These two strike me as having some interesting things in common. They’re both good guys notable for their friendships with other peoples, they both love crafts and jewels and sharing wisdom and expertise. They both also have a certain ambitious streak, and they both come a cropper of Sauron. Plus volume 12 of HOME mentions that Celebrimbor came to love Finrod during his time in Nargothrond, so… :D
The Nargothrond era is definitely the obvious time for something to happen between them. Celebrimbor may or may not have known Finrod well before then, but now suddenly he and his father are refugees, and despite former treacheries on the Fëanorian side, Finrod has given them shelter in his kingdom. Maybe Celebrimbor has a serious case of hero-worship to begin with, which grows into something more mature the more he gets to know Finrod. I saw someone post a headcanon once about Celebrimbor serving as Finrod’s cup-bearer in Nargothrond, and a scenario like that would definitely be good for bringing them together. All that close proximity, the growing trust and intimacy…
How would they feel about falling in love? Would it be angsty, perhaps with Celebrimbor feeling torn between his father and his growing feelings for Finrod? Would Finrod be wary about taking advantage of someone under his protection, or constrained by the knowledge of the doom hanging over him? Or do they both quickly figure, well, if it’s genuine on both sides - no harm, no foul?
Would it be a secret relationship, or does word get out? How would their close kin react, especially Curufin and Celegorm? Is Curufin furious and all the more determined to topple Finrod, or does he see an opportunity to turn it to his advantage? Perhaps he’s even the one who puts things in motion, setting up Celebrimbor to seduce Finrod (with or without Celebrimbor realising what’s happening)?
Beren’s arrival on the scene also seems like it might be good fodder for angst and conflicted loyalties. Does he come along and remind Finrod of his oath, just when things are established and going well with Celebrimbor? How does Celebrimbor feel? Does he try to convince Finrod to let him join the Silmaril quest, or is he still, at this point, just not quite able to step out of Curufin’s shadow? Do they have a last emotional farewell before Finrod leaves Nargothrond?
I’ve been concentrating on Nargothrond as the obvious time for something to happen between them, but there are other possibilities. At Himring, maybe, with Finrod visiting Maedhros when Celebrimbor also happens to be there? Maybe they set out together on a diplomatic mission to the Dwarven cities of the Blue Mountains, and discover the things they have in common. Something set post-canon with them both reborn in Valinor would also be lovely. After they’ve both been through torment and death at Sauron’s hands, they’d be in a position to understand each other and help each other heal from the trauma of their old lives. Or what about an AU? Finrod survives Tol-in-Gaurhoth? Or perhaps after being re-embodied, he returns to Middle-earth during the Second Age to help seek and battle Sauron, where he joins Celebrimbor in Eregion. Does he realise Annatar’s true identity, try to extricate Celebrimbor from his evil influence? (I think in this scenario, I’d prefer a happy/hopeful ending, but it’s not an absolute.)
Pairing: Sauron/Eönwë
This is one of those pairings that has exactly one canon interaction — but oh, the possibilities! I like to imagine that when Sauron dons his fair form and surrenders to Eönwë after the War of Wrath, we’re not just seeing Morgoth’s lieutenant surrendering to Manwë’s herald, but two Maiar who were once friends meeting again after several ages apart. Friends… or possibly even lovers?
Imagining they did have a history together, what was it like? Perhaps a slow, tentative evolution from friends to lovers: flirting in the gardens of Almaren, first kisses, experimenting together as they get to know how their physical forms work. Or is it something that lies between them, unspoken, perhaps not even fully understood, still unfulfilled when Mairon leaves to follow Melkor? Did Mairon ever confide in Eönwë about his doubts and inner conflict as his allegiance began to shift, or did he keep it all absolutely secret? Did Eönwë ever sense that something was off with him, or did Mairon’s betrayal take him completely aback?
Alternatively, perhaps their relationship originated while Mairon was still in Almaren as Melkor’s spy. Did he perhaps strike up a flirtation/seduction of Eönwë in order to gain information about Manwë’s intentions?
And when Mairon does leave, does Eönwë learn of his betrayal, perhaps confronting him before he leaves? Does Mairon try to convince him to come with him? Or does Eönwë only learn of his betrayal after he’s gone? What are his feelings when word gets out about Melkor’s terrible new lieutenant? Does he think that Mairon might have been taken by force, or does he guess the truth at once?
There’s so much scope for conflict and angst and regret in this pairing, especially after Mairon has gone over to evil. Just as Manwë gives Melkor a chance to redeem himself, does Eönwë hold out hope that Mairon might still come back to the light? And what about Mairon? I adore how absolutely, gleefully evil Sauron is in the Silmarillion, but according to Tolkien himself, he still wasn’t completely beyond redemption even then. Are there ever times that he finds himself remembering, with just a teeny-tiny tinge of regret, what he had with Eönwë? During the various wars with the Valar and their hosts, does he ever subtly deflect Melkor’s attentions away from endangering Eönwë?
Then we come to his surrender after the War of Wrath. Is it simple manipulation on Sauron’s part, assuming his fair guise in the hope that he can use their former relationship to seduce Eönwë into showing him mercy? Or if we go with the view that Sauron’s repentance at this point was genuine, what sort of emotions and memories are stirred up? Is Sauron surprised by how strong his feelings for Eönwë still are, after all this time? Does Eönwë try to resist his own feelings in order to carry out his duty properly? Does he believe in Sauron’s sincerity? When the book says that he doesn’t have the authority to judge a fellow Maia, but tells Sauron to face the Valar’s judgement, it sounds to me like he genuinely wants to help, but his hands are tied. Is there a passionate but short-lived reunion between the two of them before Sauron flees? Is Eönwë crushed by this latest betrayal, or did he know in his heart that Sauron would never return? And does Sauron feel any last lingering regret for betraying Eönwë yet again as he disappears into the East?
And what about the Second and Third Ages? How does Eönwë feel, learning about Sauron’s rise as the new Dark Lord? The Maiar have the ability to walk about the world undetected even by the Eldar, so does he ever travel to Middle-earth and witness Sauron’s atrocities for himself? Do they ever meet again? At the end of the War of the Ring, does Eönwë have to go out and gather up whatever little is left of Sauron’s spirit so he can be cast into the Void once and for all? Or does he bring him back to Aman in the hope of rehabilitating him? I’m not particularly fussed about a redemption arc for Sauron, but in terms of this pairing, it could be interesting.
