[JaneDoe]

Something that has always intrigued me in just about anything is what lies hidden. Whether that be in history, people, stories, or whatever, I like going beneath the surface. I like uncovering things that were ignored, omitted, or what have you. Since this is a Tolkien forum, I wanted to put out an idea that would be cool to explore, especially in an A/U fic or a "liberal interpretation of canon" fic.

How about, instead of adhering to what Tolkien wrote, having stories that deliberately subvert them to show the "truth" behind the "history"? Tolkien himself wrote that he considered himself more of Middle-earth's historian and linguist rather than its creator. Even he says of the things he writes (particularly the much-referenced LACE) that these are not accurate records but the stories passed down through generations amongst various peoples and places. It nigh inevitable that some things get translated, reinterpreted, or mistaken. In the spirit of that perspective, how about we play with it a bit? Describe some things Tolkien writes of Middle-earth that could be glaring errors, slight misinterpretations, or deliberate cover-ups.

Let me start:

1. Aragorn son of Arathorn did not come to Rivendell because his father was killed. The truth is that Arathorn couldn't bear the responsibility of being a husband and a father. He missed the freedom of the open road. Therefore, he left his wife and son (just an infant at the time) to wander the woods with the Rangers of the North. He eventually was killed, but not when the history books say he was. Gilraen went to Rivendell, two-year-old Aragorn in tow, and the rest is history. What is unknown is: who decided to keep things secret, who besides Gilraen knew the truth, and why it was done.

2. Elrond Half-Elven is not the biological child of Earendil. Who knows the identity of Elrond's natural father is uncertain. Elrond knows he is not truly Earendil's son, but he does not know who his biological father is. Cirdan, Galadriel, and Glorfindel may know. Gil-galad may have known. But that is not the most important question. The most important question is: if Elrond's father turns out to be Elven, why were he and Elros given the choice of the Half-Elven?

3. In the "Debate between Finrod and Andreth," Andreth, when speaking of her love for Aegnor, left out a tiny little detail. She and Aegnor did sleep together, and they both shared feelings for each other. Though this made them married in the Elvish sense, Andreth never told Finrod because, as a mortal woman, she would not know of the Elvish custom and likely had very different marriage traditions and ceremonies. After their encounter they never saw each other again. Andreth has lived under the belief that Aegnor got what he wanted and left, unwilling to tie himself down to someone "beneath" him. Aegnor, for reasons unspoken, believed that she would be better off without him.

[KhazarKhum]

Here's some more to play with.

1. Helm's Deep was a minor skirmish, involving at most a few hundred warriors. It has become a myth unto itself.

2. Denethor is cold towards Faramir, because he suspects that Faramir is not really his son. Since Faramir resembles Finduilas, he can't prove anything; but he's always wondered about that Thorongil character who hung around his wife.

[mistressofbucklebury]

You should totally suggest this as a challenge. I'd definitely be up for giving it a go.

[Eyborg]

Here is one from me:

We know that both hobbits and men live in Bree. The fact is, quite a number of the people there are half-human/half-hobbits, because over the years, there have been many interracial marriages (hence all the surnames). - Among those is Mr. Barliman Butterbur, his mother being human and his father a hobbit.

[KhazarKhum]

Butterbur is too big for hobbit blood to be that close. Maybe the hobbit was his great-grandfather.

Here's some more:

1. We're told Morgoth corrupted beings into Orcs. That's not entirely true. He found some primitive men--the equivilent of Neanderthals. When the more highly-evolved Men and Elves arrived, he protected them from their more ruthlessly efficient cousins.

2. Rohan is brutal when it comes to eliminating local people who are holding good grazing lands. The Hill folk are striking back, guerilla-style, in an attempt to reclaim their ancestral lands.

[Eyborg]

[KhazarKhum]

Maybe it's a Butterbur "family secret" !

[inglor]

Gil-Galad is Finrod's son... oops that one has been done

Gildor is Finrod's son... oops done too

Finrod already had a son before leaving... yep

Finrod was gay...

Finrod was in love with his neice...

Finrod was in love with Luthien (WIP )



JD, this is real fertile soil. What fun is to be had...


Inglor

[JaneDoe]

Inglor: Do you mean Finrod or Fingon. Finrod had a girlfriend who stayed in Valinor (Amarie). Fingon, on the other hand, seems to have been a confirmed bachelor.

Another juicy tidbit: Turin Turambar and Beleg Cuthalion were more than just friends.

[NancyBrooke]

[Eruanna]

[ArtanisOrangeBlossom]

it's been covered BUT:


Galadriel and Celeborn being portrayed as this cold and uncaring (towards one another) couple. I believe i've seen the quote "There was great love between them." therefore they weren't cold....it may appear that way because their not fondling each other in public a la Britney Spears/Kevin Fedorline but they love each other. by the way....thank you Eruanna for the quote up there....(you left in a review of 'Stars In her eyes')


AND another thing:

Why do people feel the need to have Celebrian be so cold and uncaring to Elrond when they do an Elrond/OFC romance? (granted i have seen a few that did not follow this) And it then brings up this question: WHY would you want to write that? I mean....Elrond HAD to have loved her on some level at least; c'mon folks...look at how long he waited.

[JaneDoe]

Artanis>

We're talking about something entirely different.

[ArtanisOrangeBlossom]

[KhazarKhum]

Don't feel bad...I've often thought the same thing.

Now, more Untold History:

1. The Hobbits are rather reticent about their part in the war against Angmar. Since they participated as archers for Gondor, why are they so quiet? It's because there were Hobbits on *both* sides, and the later chronicler was embarrassed by this fact.

2. Also in the wars with Angmar, Gondor never becomes involved until Arthedain falls. This is because the Gondorians were waiting for someone else to take out the kingdoms of Cardolan, Rhudaur & Arthedain, so they could then make a claim for the entire old kingdom.