tolkien100 | A Different Kind of Flame, by Himring (Challenge: Hot and Hotter)

Author : Himring
Fandom : Silmarillion
Rating : PG-13
Characters : Original Female Character (Elf, Noldor)
Disclaimer : The Battle of Sudden Flame is Tolkien's; Curutane and her village are mine.
Spoilers : For the destruction of Thargelion in the Dagor Bragollach, I suppose?
Summary: A craftswoman weaves Feanorian flames, but Morgoth's flames prove deadlier.
A/N: posting this together with a non-challenge drabble about the same character that I had not cross-posted here yet. The second drabble is set in the Halls of Mandos, although that is not made explicit. (The first drabble will also be posted to Tumblr for Tolkien OC week.)

A Different Kind of Flame

Curutane spent seven long northern winters weaving flames into brocade so that Maedhros should finally have a robe she considered suitable to his role in Beleriand. Curutane was no courtier, but a dedicated craftswoman; she had moved to a small village because she found the main settlement at Helevorn too distracting. However, she held firm opinions. The robe had been gift, compliment, reproof and exhortation all at once. That her cousin had acknowledged it and wore the robe was all the reward she craved.

Then a black winter came. Flames hotter than any she had woven destroyed craftswoman and loom.

Fire and Terror

Curutane wanders in a haze of scorching heat. Veering right, left, backward, forwards, she cannot get away from the fire in which she died. Flames surround her still. Helplessly, she dodges them, vaguely aware that there is nothing left to burn: she is all burnt. Still, they reach for her hungrily and, still, she retreats, hemmed in and herded by their silent hissing.

Until a sea voice calls and, somehow, she stumbles onto a bit of beach.

A white shell washed up on the wet sand—she stoops—cool it lies in her trembling hand.

Behind her the flames recede.