History: "The Braided Stream", Éorlingas

[just_ann_now]

Title: The Braided Stream
Author: just_ann_now
Characters: The children of Éorl
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Not mine, merely borrowed.
Inspired by alex_quine's incredibly vivid MEFA-nominated short story, Invisible Ink. The phrase "hear, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" is from the Episcopal Prayer Book.

Comments

[shirebound]

the Éorlingas wonder at those who keep their history locked away in books, instead of breathing it anew each day

This is beautifully poetic and lyrical, and gives a wonderful insight into a people who are "living history".

[just_ann_now]

Thank you! I'm in the middle of my annual LOTR reread and have just gotten to the part ("The Riders of Rohan", TTT) where Aragorn describes the Rohirrim as wise but unlearned, writing no books but singing many songs. In her story alex_quine tells of the mnemonic songs and games handed down through generations to sharpen observation and memory skills, to carry on the oral traditions. It's a lovely, lovely read, if you haven't come across it yet.

[hurinhouse]

beautiful. i love the fact that they believe themselves the norm, i love when people use human nature in their fics this way.

may i ask what piece your icon is from?

[just_ann_now]

My icon is by fileg at Gryphonsmith Graphix. It's a detail from a cave painting; unfortunately I don't know from which cave (Altamira or Lascaux, I'm guessing). Thanks for reading and commenting!

[just_ann_now]

Thank you very much! Do you post your stories publicly anywhere? I'm always ready to read about the Rohirrim!

[just_ann_now]

Thanks for the link - I'll definitely check out the site.

[alex_quine]

You layer language like the songs that underpin the memories. I love the image of the braided stream, so complex but unknowable, impossible to take one element of it away without destroying the pattern...and I'm really pleased that the original fic was part of inspiring this. Lovely. Thank you for posting.

[just_ann_now]

Your imagery of the mnemonic songs and games was so powerful - I love thinking about the children of Rohan being so imbued with a sense of history that the heroes of the past are as real to them as their parents and friends. The "braided stream" weaves the past and present together, moving toward the future, and (as you said) impossible to remove a single element. Thank you for writing such an inspiring story!

[fallingtowers]

This is one of the most evocative and most insightful explorations of Rohirric culture that I have ever read, and you succeeded in capturing it in a mere 100 words only. Brilliant!

[just_ann_now]

Brilliant! Eeek! Words like that always make me feel guilty for, well, not being brilliant all the time, but thank you anyway *g* Though this drabble would never have happened if it weren't for "Invisible Ink", so go read that, too - you'll be very happy that you did.

[fallingtowers]

I'll make sure to do so!

[edge_of_ruin]

Absolutely wonderful! Thank you.

[just_ann_now]

Hello, it's good to see you here! Thank you for reading and commenting.