Queen of Her Domain, by Elleth

[ladyelleth.livejournal.com]

B2MeM Challenge:
G59: Off the Map's Edge: Land of the Sun
B6: Smells: Wood Smoke
Format: Drabble
Genre: Character Study
Rating: General
Warnings: N/A
Characters: Arien
Pairings: N/A
Summary: Arien walks the Outer Lands.


Melian was not the only one who walked in the dark of Middle-earth. When Arien grew tired of the restraints and lights of Aman, she forsook her incarnate form and passed as a flame across the skies, resuming it in a dark land of the utmost East. Her footsteps, for once unrestrained, left wildfires, burning the forests into a desert of great dunes, sand that prickled and melted on her skin, wood smoke that veiled her. Where Melian walked with nightingales and stood bespelled by love, Arien laughed freely, step by step laying claim. This land would evermore be hers.

Comments

[dwimordene-2011.livejournal.com]

Love it! This drives home how dangerous even the friendlier powers of the world can be to those not of their element. I love the description of the forests becoming sand dune deserts, and then even the sand melting as Arien passes. Arien reads as very elemental here, a force that goes without ethical constraint. Thanks so much for playing this card - I've been really hoping people would take it up.

[ladyelleth.livejournal.com]

Thank you for putting it together! I had great fun researching and writing for this card, it really did take me off my usual (very Fëanorian-centric) Map's Edge. And you're very right about Arien, ethical concerns are the least thing this particular spirit of fire has on her mind when she goes walking. :)