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moonhaslosthermemory — The Mariner's Wife

Published: 2007-03-14 21:16:58 +0000 UTC; Views: 793; Favourites: 10; Downloads: 14
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Description A re-edit of one of my very favourite pieces, one of the first I created with the GIMP. I've touched the colours up a bit and took out some of the glaring over-exposure from using the dodge brush too many times on the waves.

Aldarion was the Prince of Numenor in the Second Age of Arda. He fell in love with the Lady Erendis, but the Sea claimed his heart with stronger bonds than any woman could put upon him. As they fell in love, the Sea and Aldarion's many and lengthy voyages on it continually came between them. After many trials, Erendis and Aldarion were wed, but their bliss did not last. Aldarion could not end his longing for the Sea, and voyaged long away, leaving his lonely wife at home. At last, after one wounding too many, Erendis' love for Aldarion grew into hate, and they seperated, she taking their daughter Ancalime. Many long cold years passed, and as Erendis grew old and faded near to death, alone and forsaken by most who knew her, in her loneliness she once again longed for the husband she had spurned. But he was gone on another voyage across the wide Sea, and she could not make amends nor hold him close again. The records are not clear on her demise, and it is said only that "Erendis perished in the ocean". I imagine that she, in her desperation, went down to the shore to curse Uinen Lady of the Seas who had stolen her husband away from her, and there the waters took her down to her grave.

(Summarised from 'The Mariner's Wife' in J.R.R. Tolkien's Unfinished Tales)

Erendis: ~flying-dolphin-stock
Ocean: ~gothika-stock
Brushes: ~darkecho , ~sykil
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Comments: 9

Terinqui [2008-04-24 23:35:21 +0000 UTC]

This captures the emotion overall of Erendis's whole life, I think. I love the story even though it's sad. Remember, Tolkien did have a line, where he assumes the reader will understand that Aldarion, towards the end of his life, realized that his time with Erendis, before their marriage, had been the happiest years of his life.

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Gregoria [2007-04-21 00:36:06 +0000 UTC]

I don't know what i said about it last time, but my view of it being a stunning piece hasnt changed at all! Wow, so much to this, the intensity of the dark sky, the clouds rolling in, the foam of the sea, the fact that she just blends in to the piece adds more mystery. so many layers, so many interesting textures, and beautiful story.

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Athansor [2007-03-17 02:12:13 +0000 UTC]

Oh, this is truly well done, my friend!!! It is light and graceful...and eery...and her white hands and feet are reaching towards the white foam of the waves, and the fog binds them together--and it's beautiful, but frightening... Bravo!!!

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moonhaslosthermemory In reply to Athansor [2007-03-19 00:57:37 +0000 UTC]

~flying-dolphin-stock , who happens to be a very good friend of mine, was splendid enough to do some stock for me in exactly the poses I needed. I'm glad that you're seeing the nightmarish quality that I was trying to portray, too. (I've never been able to get mist that nice with my grunge brushes again, though. Alas.)

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Athansor In reply to moonhaslosthermemory [2007-03-19 16:25:24 +0000 UTC]

ARGH!!!! Don't you hate it, when you get something just right, in one photo--and never manage to reproduce the effect???!!!!

I've got a rule, for dealing with that...I try to make a conscious decision never to try to reproduce any type of effect like the fog...I'm hoping that way I can sneak up on it again.

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Haone [2007-03-15 19:56:43 +0000 UTC]

Very nice. I love the waves, and it's defintely Tolkien-ish. I like the darkness of it as well.

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moonhaslosthermemory In reply to Haone [2007-03-19 00:55:38 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! The old version was a bit too bright, I think; I wanted to add some more depth. Glad you like!

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EcholaliaRicochet [2007-03-14 23:24:43 +0000 UTC]

This is really beautiful. The rough texture of it suits tolkein too.

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moonhaslosthermemory In reply to EcholaliaRicochet [2007-03-19 00:55:00 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!!

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