Kidnap Family
| Tropes and genres | |
|---|---|
| Synonym(s) | Kidnap fam, kidnap dads |
| Related articles on Fanlore. | |
Kidnap Family is a relatively popular trope in The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings. Fanworks with this trope ususally focus on the relationship and family life between Maedhros, Maglor, Elrond and Elros. It's a typical subtrope of Families of Choice.
Canon
Great was the sorrow of Eärendil and Elwing for the ruin of the havens of Sirion, and the captivity of their sons, and they feared that they would be slain; but it was not so. For Malgor took pity upon Elros and Elrond, and he cherished them, and love grew after between them, as little might be thought; but Maglor's heart was sick and weary with the burden of the dreadful oath.The Silmarillion, Of the Voyage of Eärendil
It is the only paragraph that mentioned the kidnap family directly in The Silmarillion, though Maedhros was not included. But in an early version, it is Maedhros (refered as Maidros at that time) who "saved Elrond":
Their son (Elrond) who is half-mortal and half-elfin, a child, was saved however by Maidros.The Shaping of Middle-Earth
Also, in The Lord of the Rings, it is believed that the following paragragh is related to the kidnap family:
Elrond wore a mantle of grey and had a star upon his forehead, and a silver harp was in his hand, and upon his finger was a ring of gold with a great blue stone, Vilya, mightiest of the Three.The Return of the King, The Grey Havens
Most fans think the "silver harp" once belonged to Maglor.
Fandom
Fanworks and discussions about the kidnap family could be dated back to the early 2000s or even the 90s, as all four of the characters are popular and important in the canon. Depending on the timeline, fanworks could be roughly divided into three phases:
- Amon Ereb: The most typical fanworks, mainly depicting the twins' childhood and how they grew familiar and close with Maedhros and Maglor.
- Between the first and the second age: Such works often happen in Lindon, where Elrond is Gil-Galad's herald, or Numenor where Elros reigned, while other works explain or describe how Elrond and Elros reacted to Maedhros and Maglor having the tow Silmarills.
- The thrid age: a phase in which a lot fanworks were created, as Elrond trying to seek Maglor to bring him to Rivendell, or bringing him back to Valinor.
It should be noted that, some fics involving Elwing or Eärendil contain bash!Elwing plot.
Recently, another trend has become more popular than before. It proposes that, Elrond, adopted by Maedhros and Maglor, has automatically become Feanor's kin or one of the Feanorians, so if he could get in touch with or gain the third silmarill, the Feanorians' oath would be fullfilled, thus prevent the Feanorians being thrown into the void or the everlasting darkness, or being detained interminably in the Mandos' Hall.
Fanworks
Most fanworks rate Gen, but very few fanworks do include romantic relationship between Maedhros and Maglor or other incestous relationship within them.
| Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples. |
Fanfiction
Meta
- Take Pity upon Him: Did Maedhros Really Threaten to Kill Elrond and Elros at the Third Kinslaying? essay by Dawn Felagund (2008).
Fannish Resources
- Kidnap Family tag on AO3