crack_van | A Boy, A Girl & A Dog: The Leithian Script Project by Philosopher at Large (PG)

Fandom: SILMARILLION
Pairing: Beren/Luthien
Author on LJ:

bellatrys
Author Website: Odd Lots
Why this must be read:

The tale of Beren & Luthien is central to Tolkien's myths, and their travails prefigure those of Aragorn & Arwen. P@L's take on the story is a unique blend of humour and drama; cast in Shakespearean style but using modern informal English, it has simply got to be read to be believed. Interesting characterisations all round, though I'm particularly fond of Celebrimbor and his clock. Technically speaking it's still a WiP, as Act IV remains incomplete, as far as I'm aware, but the parts do stand alone.

GOWER: ...--Let thy mind
make of our panel white and keystrokes black
Shining caverns, enlumened all with bright
lamps of white gems all fashioned fair
upheld by dragons carved and gilt,
and water flowing o'er the stone
like to a grotto fashioned of the gods
where birds do sing beneath no sun --
Here,
into the shade of the holy trees
Luthien Tinuviel doth lead her love,
Beren the wanderer from out the woods,
before her mother musing and infuriate sire
before the assemblage of her friends and kin
and doubtful Daeron that betray'd of love...

LUTHIEN: Mom, Dad -- this is my fiance, Beren.

THINGOL: Well, well, well. So you're the fellow who's been camping in my woods this past year. How did you get past the security system?

BEREN: Um?

[distracted by the spears/crowd/nightingales/jewels/waterfall/trees/Melian]

How ...? I, er, just, erm, kept walking, and ... then I was here.

Act I: An Appointment in Menegroth
Act II: The Sojourn in Nargothrond, or Houseguests from Hell
Act III: Tinuviel at Bay: A Caccia of Beleriand
(All three are also available in illustrated PDF form c/o Odd Lots)