Thread of Fate

Fanfiction
Title:	Thread of Fate
Author(s):	Forodwaith
Date(s):	2003
Length:	~1400 words
Genre:	character vignette, gen
Fandom:	Lord of the Rings
External Links:	@HASA; @ff.net; @AO3
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Thread of Fate is a Lord of the Rings vignette by Forodwaith, published in February 2003. Set in Rivendell, it is a gapfiller that expands on the canonical line, She wrought it in secret, and long was the making, depicting Arwen weaving the black banner received by Aragorn in Return of the King. The author's summary is:

"No cord nor cable can so forcibly draw, or hold so fast, as love can do with a twined thread." As Arwen weaves a banner for Aragorn, the ties binding her to her people begin to weaken.

The story is set in the bookverse, and refutes the notion implicit in Peter Jackson's films that Tolkien's Arwen needs to pick up a sword to be strong. It contains a thoughtful exposition of elven magic and a delicate depiction of Arwen and Aragorn's relationship. Other characters include Galadriel, Halbarad and Elrond, with mentions of Elladan, Elrohir and Celebrian.

Reception and Awards

'Thread of Fate' was widely recommended, being praised as a good example of a gapfiller, for invoking an Elvish feel, and for its positive and unusual view of Arwen. It is an early take on the popular topic of Arwen making the banner, and is cited as an influence by some later authors. In a detailed review at the Middle-Earth Fanfiction Awards, Marta draws attention to the action focus of 'Thread of Fate', compared with a later story on the topic by Dwimordene: But whereas "Standards" seemed to focus more on Arwen's musings, the driving force behind "Thread of Fate" is Arwen's actions. The cutting of diamond, the infusing of the hair, all of that has some sort of symbolic or emotional significance, but it's still an action.

The story was the runner up in the category 'Best story focusing on Elves' in the Mithril Awards 2003. It won the Romance set in Rivendell category of the Middle-Earth Fanfiction Awards 2005.

Reviews

Far too little LotR fanfiction focuses on Elves, other than the ubiquitous Legolas. In this magical vignette, Forodwaith takes a few meagre sentences from (book) canon and unpacks them to cast fresh light on the enigma that is Arwen -- her strengths, her loves, and her sacrifices. This is a story that I re-read over & over, and find something fresh each time. (Espresso Addict at Crack Van)

I've read several pieces that deal with Arwen's weaving the standard, and this is one of the best on that theme I've come across. I couldn't help comparing it to Dwimordene's "Standards" as I read it, and both of these pieces are good in their own right. But whereas "Standards" seemed to focus more on Arwen's musings, the driving force behind "Thread of Fate" is Arwen's actions. The cutting of diamond, the infusing of the hair, all of that has some sort of symbolic or emotional significance, but it's still an action. This made for a very different read. (Not better or worse, just different, but I liked it nonetheless.) I did have one quibble about the fact that Elrond completely did not discuss Arwen's choice with her. I can see her discussing it *at one point* when the choice was first made, and then going silent. But not totally refusing to discuss it. He'd need to understand why Arwen was choosing mortality, to explain it to Celebrian at the very least. ... Anyway, I loved this story. Especially the revelation by Arwen that she may not finish in time. That seems like a very mortal thought for an Elf. Nice segue. (Marta)

Yet another stellar effort by Forodwaith to give Arwen some justice. Whereas "Greenery" focuses on Arwen in her role as teacher, herbalist, and healer, here we see Arwen as artisan. The story of Arwen's weaving of the standard for Aragorn is reduced to a few lines in the Appendix, and a mention on the sly in "Return of the King"; as a symbol of Arwen's hope and her choice, it is an obvious and fruitful place to write Arwen, and Forodwaith does it very well. Here, we can see the effort and anxiety, the ninety-nine percent of perspiration that gives birth to any work of art or science. It's a labor of love, but not one free of its own turmoil, since Arwen is not just weaving a banner, but is literally weaving her own path in life, unbinding herself from one family and people in the very knitting of fabric that will bind her to another people, all of them symbolically bound together under one banner against the darkness. Well done! (Dwimordene)

There's something particularly Elvish about this fic - its sense of time, how it deals with the work of creation and the learning of new skills, the craft of magic and the magic of craft. We don't know how long, except "long was the making" it took Arwen to weave Aragorn's standard; but this is certainly possible, and it's a great portrayal of Arwen's love, loyalty and faith being put forth to sustain her beloved just as effectively as her brothers do by steed and sword. (Azalais)

I very much enjoyed this take on Arwen and her weaving of the banner. The emotion was poignant but not overdone, and the details of the craft of weaving helped make it believable. A well-crafted story that successfully weaves together threads of memory, hope, sadness, and longing. (Aliana)

Arwen actually making the banner that Halbarad brings to Aragorn is a story I've never seen investigated, and the idea that Forodwaith has put forward, that she must invest herself into its making the way she has, even providing the hair for the cloth, is an intriguing one. A lovely short story, and vrey well told, Forodwaith. (Leaward)

Made me think a whole new way about Arwen (Fileg)

Here be gapfillers rich with intriguing local colour and custom. A writer after my own heart, Forodwaith gives Arwen space to speak. (Stultiloquentia)

There's a quiet strenght in Arwen that this story shows off wonderfully. It tells about her own secret labours against the shadow. (Ghani Blue)