By the Shore 

ABOUT THIS BLOG

• Mun is of age, so no worries about upsetting laws there.
• There may be NSFW content here but it is more likely to be in the form of gore or violence than sexual content but that does not mean there will likely be smut here. I’m actually not much of a fan of it and that means I’m not much of a fan of seeing an abundance of it on my dash - especially in the forms of images and gifs. If there is smut, it will be under the tag not safe for lil octy!
• OCs are obviously welcome, that’d just be silly if I wasn’t open to others when I have one of my own! I do tend to avoid people that are miraculously related to others or go against canon, but we all started somewhere so I’m willing to try to give everyone the benefit of a doubt.
• I DO NOT DO M!As! I refuse to do them. They make me uncomfortable beyond all reason and that’s simply because I am a damned control freak when it comes to my muse.
• I’m not opposed to shipping, but I would prefer it be something that comes about through RP rather than ‘omg they’re just so hot’ and based from that.
• Crossovers are okay. It does help if I’m familiar with the verse that I’m crossing with but I am not so strictly set in the Tolkien verse with Círdan.
• All timelines are open! Círdan was one of the first Elves to ever exist and will likely be one of the last Elves to ever exist. He has a timeline that spans from the very beginning to the very end. So if you have a character at any one point in any timeline, we can make it work.
• Don’t god-mode. Don’t say my character did something, don’t write dialogue for my character in your post UNLESS you asked me OOC and we’ve discussed it and I’m cool with it. I won’t do that to your characters, don’t do it to mine.
• I’m always open for new threads! Just send me a message (since tumblr has a wonderful habit of screwing up their tag system and tags can be missed) and we’ll work it out. I’m open to all manner of timelines, settings and crossovers within reason and I’m sure we can figure out something.
• Feel free to remind me about threads! Please don’t be rude and hound me about it but after a few days, please remind me. I do have a life outside of tumblr and I can get distracted, but I don’t want to ignore anyone so just poke me and I’ll do what I can. If you feel like I’ve left you waiting too long, just drop me a message and let me know. I do work and my schedule varies week to week, sometimes things end up delayed.
• I do have Skype. If you ask and we’re on good terms, I’ll likely give you my name there and you’ll learn that I’m actually a total goober. • Icons/Credits: Pretty much all graphics, icons and gifs were not made by me and if I have failed to credit you or link to you? By all means, let me know! Artists deserve credit and acknowledgement for their hard work.

"As they came to the gates Círdan the Shipwright came forth to greet them. Very tall he was, and his beard was long, and he was grey and old, save that his eyes were keen as stars; and he looked at them and bowed, and said 'All is now ready.'"

ABOUT CIRDAN

‘Before they ever came to Beleriand the Teleri had developed a craft of boat-making; first as rafts, and soon as light boats with paddles made in Imitation of the water-birds upon the lakes near their first homes, and later in the Great Journey in crossing rivers, or especially during their long tarrying on the shores on the ‘Sea of Rhûn’ where their ships became larger and stronger. But in all this work Círdan had ever been the foremost and most inventive and skilfull…’

Círdan, or Nowë as he was know then, was among the original elves that awoke by Lake Cuivienen and was without parents for it. He was a kinsman of Elwë and Olwë alike and shared in the unique identifying feature of silver-grey hair. When the Elves accepted the Valar’s summons to Valinor, he was amongst the most eager in the journey as it was his greatest desire to see the Light of Valinor. However, when Elwë disappeared in the forests, he put aside his desires and looked for his lost kinsman. In doing so, he passed up the chance to make the journey. He traveled far and wide along the coasts, improving his skills with boat building but also forming a close friendship with the maia Ossë in the process.

‘Some he persuaded to remain; and those were the Falathrim, the Elves of the Falas, who in after days had dwellings at the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest, the first mariners in Middle Earth and the first makers of ships. Círdan the Shipwright was their Lord.’

It was through his loyalty to Elwë and the convincing from Ossë that he missed the second voyage to Tol Eressa, coming too late to the shores and most of his kin sailed to the west. This was the pivotal moment in his lifetime.

‘’…Then it is said, he stood forlorn looking out to sea, and it was night, but far away he could see a glimmer of light upon Eressëa ere it vanished into the West. Then he cried aloud: ‘I will follow that light, alone if none will come with me, for the ship that I have been building is now almost ready.’ But even as he said this he received in his heart a message, which he knew to come from the Valar, though in his mind it was remembered as a voice speaking in his own tongue. And the voice warned him not to attempt this peril; for his strength and skill would not be able to build any ship able to dare the winds and waves of the Great Sea for many long years yet. ‘Abide now that time, for when it comes then will your work be of utmost worth, and it will be remembered in song for many ages after.’‘I Obey,’ Círdan answered, and then it seemed to him that he saw (in a vision maybe) a shape like a white boat, shining above him, that sailed west through the air, and as it dwindled in the distance it looked like a star of so great a brilliance that it cast a shadow of Círdan upon the strand where he stood.

As we now perceive, this was a foretelling of the ship which after apprenticeship to Círdan, and ever with his advice and help, Earendil built, and in which at last he reached the shores of Valinor. From that night onwards Círdan received a foresight touching all matters of importance, beyond the measure of all other Elves upon Middle Earth”

Círdan took up Lordship of the Falas, where he continued to build ships for the Eldar and worked to master his craft. He did his best to establish a safe home, later swearing fealty to Elwë, otherwise know as Elu Thingol. Throughout the battles of the First Age, he continued to be a figure of bravery and wisdom and frequently sent the Elves of the Falas to aid his neighbors while bringing in refugees into his kingdom. He fought in the Battle of the Sudden Flame (no, it was not started by putting candles on his birthday cake) and the second assault on Hithlum. His ships became of great aid in the battles against Morgoth.

‘…all the land was now invested by the spies of Morgoth: he feared the ships of Círdan that would come at times raiding to the shores, and join with the forays sent forth from Nargothrond’

It was only a matter of time before Morgoth attacked as the Falathrim mariners harassed the orcs with guerrilla attacks from the sea. The Elves of the Falas were overthrown despite their best efforts and both Brithombar and Eglarest were fell in the assault and most of the Falathrim were either killed or enslaved though many escpaed by sea. In this attack, he took Gil-galad with him and went to the Isle of Balar to found a new kingdom. Ships were also kept at the Mouths of Sirion, where he continued to make a home for those that sought refuge there.

‘…This remnant sailed with Círdan south to the isle of Balar, and they made a refuge for all that could come thither; for they kept a foothold also at the Mouths of Sirion, and there many light and swift ships lay hid in the creeks and waters…’

Círdan crafted several ships that were sent to Valinor but found the way to the West was closed. After the Fall of Gondolin, Gil-galad was announced High King of the Noldor while he continued to dwell with him in safety, but also Eärendil came to the Havens of Sirion. The shipwright soon became a close friend of the young peredhil and took him on as an apprentice, helping him and advising him in the build of a new ship - Vingilot - remembering his vision upon the shore and the ship was indeed a fulfillment of it.

When the Sons of Fëanor came to the Havens of Sirion, Círdan and Gil-galad and their armies and mariners were too late to stop the bloodshed of the Third Kinslaying. Eärendil had departed on his voyage and was spared from the loss and his journey was successful - the ship managed the great winds and waves of the sea.

After the destruction of Beleriand, Círdan established another home off the Gulf of Lune in Harlindon. He welcomed the (then unfallen) Númenóreans and taught many of ships and seaside architecture before moving on to settle in Mithlond.

He, with Gil-galad, turned away Annatar and advised against the creation of the Rings of Power but his counsel went unheeded - a very common pattern in his long life! When the alliance was formed to fight against Sauron once he revealed himself, he joined and served as Gil-galad’s lieutenant. He fought readily beside him and was there with Elrond trying to counsel Isildur to destroy the ring but yet again, great advice was ignored.

Círdan had earlier welcomed the Istari (and Glorfindel) to Middle Earth and was one of the few that knew the purpose of the Istari. Upon meeting Gandalf, he saw he was the one with true potential among them and gave him Narya, his ring of power.

“Gil-galad before he died gave his ring to Elrond; Círdan later surrendered his to Mithrandir. For Círdan saw further and deeper than any other in Middle Earth, and he welcomed Mithrandir at the Grey Havens, knowing whence he came and whither he would return.

‘Take this ring, Master,’ he said ‘for your labours will be heavy; but it will support you in the weariness that you have taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill. But as for me, my heart is with the Sea, and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you.’”

The Shipwright aided in the battle against the Witch King of Angmar, rallying forces of elves, men and even hobbits alike in the attack. He was later part of the White Council though often communicated via proxy or word sent ahead, which is also what he did with the Council of Elrond - sending Galdor to Imladris in his stead.

‘But at length the shadow returned and its power increased, and in that time was first made the Council of the Wise that in called the White Council, and therein were Elrond and Galadriel and Círdan , and other lords of the Eldar…’

He will remain in Middle Earth until all have had their chance to sail, vowing not to leave any behind and will take the last ship to the west.