Title & Chapter Number: Elencálë (The Light of the Elves) 0/?
Author(s): - Author's Index
Fandom: Middle Earth/Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Rating: NC-17 Romance/Adventure
Disclaimer:
Warnings:
Betas:
Cast: Legolas/Shu Lien
Timeline: AU - Post RotK
Spoilers: None
Summary: This story takes place about 100 years after the quest of the One Ring. Even after the fall of Sauron, the foul breath of evil can still be felt on the winds of Middle Earth. Some say it is just the nature of the world, the shadow of the light. Some say it is rising and has once again become sentient. King Elessar rules with a just and even hand, but Men throughout the land are falling into darkness, succumbing to greed, hatred and violence among themselves and against the world. The Light of the Elves departs as the Eldar continue to withdraw to the West, leaving darkness in their wake.
Notes: Elves do not close their eyes during Reverie. While I have updated the sexual culture of the Eldar to reflect more modern values (and indeed the fact that I feel that such sensual and advanced beings would revel in such a pass time and consider it natural and pure), the concept that Elves can tell if other Elves have had sex actually is Tolkien's.
Intro
Very long, drawn-out, and ridiculously detailed Introduction: This is a fantasy that has knocked around in my head for months and I decided to write it down for myself. This is the first time I have written in many years. As I spent more and more time trying to bring the details in my mind to life on paper, I began to consider posting it, and now, obviously I have come all the way to that point! I tell you it is my own personal fantasy because it has written itself in my head, I have had very little conscious part in its creation, seeming to be merely a mouthpiece for its telling. I have never written fantasy or romance, but have dabbled in writing descriptive prose. I must say I am enjoying writing this immensely.
This is the story of my two favorite characters, who have always belonged together in my mind. Legolas, who needs no introduction to this group <grin>, and Shu Lien (kinda pronounced like Julienne) who is the heroine of my other favorite movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. She is my personal role model. If you have seen that movie, you will see that she is a bit different in my story than she is in that story... I have made her (as my role model and as this character) less suppressed, with a sense of humor, and slightly more like Li Mu Bai (another character in that movie). If you haven't seen the movie, I recommend it, though warn you that it is done in the Asian Wuxia martial arts style, so if you are not used to watching people fly up onto rooftops, you may be a bit taken aback.. but hey, you like LOTR, so you can handle a little symbolic fantasy, right?
You don't need to know the movie to get this story... I will even be uploading some pics so you can have an image in your head! What I attempt to relate with her character is that she is perhaps superhuman, but not supernatural as is also true of martial arts movies - the characters do amazing things, but things you can almost imagine an intensely focused, trained and disciplined person being able to accomplish. She is exceptional to a large part because of how hard she works. Legolas is as close to perfection as they come (IMHO), so I wanted to pair him with someone similarly exceptional. Plus their vibes go so well together (in my mind at least!)
For Tolkien purists, you will be a little annoyed. I have loved Tolkien's world since fifth grade, and have drawn pictures of elves since I was about 7. I have tried to be mindful of his actual Middle Earth but I change a few things for my convenience <grin>. For instance many of the Elves who have by this point (perhaps 50-100 years after the Fellowship) left for Valinor are still hanging around. I guess I pattern things after the movie version too, preferring the darker, complex, (and IMHO more realistic and accurate - er.. if ME actually existed) psychology/depiction to Tolkien's more whimsical one. I have created another culture of ME which is Shu Lien's - called the Mandärin (pronounced like Sindarin) - which is patterned after Taoism, Zen (Japan), Shaolin (monks who do martial arts - China) and Wuxia Pian (kind of Middle Ages errant knights - China) and martial arts culture. It is a created culture and is only based on these values and is ABSOLUTELY NOT an accurate depiction of any Asian culture/philosophy. I place the Mandärin on the Eastern shore of Middle Earth (undisclosed by Tolkien).
This is a romance/adventure. I have a few rather explicit, but hopefully tasteful and non-gratuitous sexual situations later on that are designed to illuminate psychology as well as provide a small measure of er... <blush>
One more note: Language. It is important to *me* and I use it as a cultural marker. Quenya is the ancient language of the high elves (from Valinor originally) and was replaced ages ago with Sindarin. (Quenya is still used for ceremonies etc.) However on the Eastern shore - isolated from Middle Earth proper, they still use it quite a bit. I think I explain and indicate it fairly well, but most conversations are in Sindarin unless indicated otherwise.
Again.. I have never written anything even near this genre... but I am just describing the lurid details that play in my mind. So I am not very good at the writing tricks and plot twists that you professionals use. I would LOVE some feedback and/or constructive criticism. Especially if it is specific. As I said, I am most interested in a believable, complex and consistent psychology so anything you catch that doesn't work in these areas is VERY much appreciated. Another thing I am interested in knowing is whether you like/think I read well the Legolas character.
What I am most interested in achieving is creating developed and believable characters whose psychology is evident and complex and an important aspect of the plot. I want to create a sort of fantastical realism. (I have a Pisces moon and Scorpio rising, so I am a very intense fantasizer!). The plot has several elements of a very sappy (I am a major sap) and pure fantastic nature, but hopefully it will be presented in a way that is real, if that is possible! ;-)
Lest you think I take this all a bit too seriously, let me assure you.. I do! <snicker> Well, I know it is just fan fiction and believe me, I laugh at myself quite often. I just tend to be a bit...ahh... err... intense. <grin> My fantasy world is a very important part of my reality!
Be warned: any symbolism, inferences etc. are more than likely intended. ;-} I leave some points' elaboration to the inference/imagination of the reader. Let me know if that doesn't work...After this long soliloquy... I do hope you enjoy it!
Again... it may not be quite right for this group. Please be honest. As I said, I wrote it for myself and *I* find it diverting (the way it is in my head, at least), but I am interested to see if others find it amusing as well.
Aloha, (from Hawaii)
Chris/Taoist Elf
~ Next Chapter ~
~ Library Main ~
~ Author Index ~ Character Index ~ Title Index ~
~ Hall Of Fire ~ Gallery ~
~ Links ~ Shops ~ Map ~ News ~ Rules ~ Lists ~ ~
This page is in no way affiliated with New Line Cinema or Tolkien Enterprises, and no profit is being made.
The information contained herein is NOT to be used to spam or in any other way harrass its members. Be advised that abuse of this site will not be tolerated, and the appropriate legal action will be taken.
Hall-Of-Fire.Com v.4.0, Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 by Cristine Cook-Fireheart. All rights reserved. This web site may not be reproduced in any form, except as occurs in normal browser caching, without express written permission from the author.
Website by Infinite Connections Design.
