(no subject)

[applegnat.livejournal.com]

Title: Invictus
Author: Nol
Word Count: 100
Character: Ar-Pharazon
Adult Content/Pairing: Nothing sexual or violent.
Disclaimer: Benign and avocational fiction!
Author's note: Ah, this was the first drabble I ever wrote, and I thought it was fitting. Also, this is Silm.

*waves to all*



The Golden King stood unbent as the wild sea, tall at the head of his thousand ships. His eyes were grey beacons searing the sacred path all the way to the Bright Isle. This journey had been worth even a thousand such destinations.

I am your heir, after all, Mariner.

The seas had parted for him, and him only. His heart burst in its proud song. He swept back his beautiful head as the horizon came into view. Now, he thought. And now...

‘I am the master of my fate’, he cried triumphantly. ‘I am the captain of my soul!’

Comments

[shebit.livejournal.com]

"I am about to die horribly and destroy my people!"

Silly, silly king.

He really didn't get it, did he.

eah, I know, I know, he was under Sauron's influence, but still. Silly man.

Oh, and very nice drabble, by the way.

[applegnat.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

One of my favourite AU situations is the one where Numenor is destroyed even in the absence of Sauron. Pride and greed make for a fantastic Molotov cocktail.

[shebit.livejournal.com]

They do. Somewhere along the way something went a bit wrong with the line of kings. Thankfully the Lords of Andunie were there to pick up the pieces.

[applegnat.livejournal.com]

It's the old thing about pride being the worst sin. I don't know whether I love or hate Tolkien for it - but we're doing Paradise Lost in class and everyone has the same problem with Satan : Byronic hero or slimeball? I can never decide with the Numenoreans or the Noldor either.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

Oooh!

I've alweays wanted to see this moment written...

[applegnat.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hope it measured up. :)

[mrkinch.livejournal.com]

Oooh, that's hair raising! Silly king, indeed. Nice!

And thanks! *winks*

[applegnat.livejournal.com]

No thank you! I kept trying to post here and failing; then I realised I had only friended it, not joined. < / moronism >

[aesc.livejournal.com]

"Pride goeth before the fall," as they say.

I wonder what Henley would have thought of Ar-Pharazon saying this, as his ships are about to sail into disaster.

I am your heir, after all, Mariner.

An ironic comment, considering Earendil sailed to the west in search of aid, as opposed to conquest. I think they call this hubris.

Silly king, indeed. *smirk*

[applegnat.livejournal.com]

Hubris is such a fantastic thing to write about; my loyalties keep swaying one way and the other. I personally found that poem a bit odious, so I was rather happy to write it in.

[teasel.livejournal.com]

Terrific -- beautifully written and realized. And having the dope end with the quote from Invictus is inspired -- he thinks he's an original, but he's merely recapitulating one of the most fatuous and (from the perspective of Tolkien's ethical assumptions) morally suspect poems ever written. Loved it.

[applegnat.livejournal.com]

Yes! That is completely the Christian aspect of his work creeping in, isn't it - the notion of pride as the First Sin. It's why it's so interesting to work with characters like Pharazon and the Feanorians. And I love that he made them beautiful and powerful and romantic. You can weave endless circles around them. And I hate the Invictus, so it felt good to find some use for it. :)

[applegnat.livejournal.com]

Invictus, I did not mean it to possess a definite article. Also - thank you! Once again let me say how warming it is to receive praise from writers I adore.