Hello there, I bring you all a small analysis of the nature of Daerundros and Minyelaire's friendship. This includes Daer's point of view in regards to Minyelaire, and vice-versa. :)
(:O from 900 to 1200 page views in four days? Wow xD)
I. Meeting Minyelaire
When Daerundros first met Minyelaire, Daerundros could only be intrigued by this maiden, so tough, so cold, so mean-minded. At first, Daerundros began to formulate a plan to prove to everyone that an Elda and Avar could be friends, but she gradually warmed up to the then-dangerous maiden, perceiving that she, of her own accord, also had a plan involving Daerundros. (Note: The two plans are mere coincidences :P)
Slowly as days passed by, she found Minyelaire, injured, and offered to treat her. This saw the beginning of a steady, yet still cautious, friendship. Daerundros chose her words carefully, knowing that Minyelaire could still be dangerous even though she trusted her to some extent, and they departed, seemingly trusting each other.
II. The Troubles to Come
A friendship with Minyelaire proved to be dangerous, for the Eldar in Imladris were now cautioning Daerundros, and pressuring her to stop this "foolish friendship" with the Avar. In the days to come, Daerundros saw herself angrier and more frustrated than before, wondering why everyone was so afraid of Minyelaire, knowing that, though she is of a strange nature, the good in Minyelaire was still clearly somewhere, and Daerundros had reached out to find it.
Daerundros and Minyelaire became closer in those days, and Daerundros could tell that Minyelaire was slowly warming up to her, her plan being reformulated. Daerundros felt like an object in the first few days, but made an effort to at least change Minyelaire slightly, and effort, though not so clear, made Minyelaire rethink her actions... and even discard some of her odd ways.
(This ends the summary of the course of Minyelaire and Daerundros' shared memories)
III. The Balance and Differences between Them
Daerundros is Minyelaire's greatest Rival, not in strength and arms, but in emotions and social situations. Whereas Daerundros can swiftly interact with various free people and show emotion, Minyelaire has a hard time befriending these people at all, having been isolated far too long. They are a type of Yin and Yang, providing balance and support to each other, and, if seperated, usually revert to their usual actions and habits, which are drastically different if they are not together. Minyelaire hunts, while Daerundros looks to social interaction, which, in these days, is no longer possible, due to the house of the Bar-en Vanimar.
The Difference between Minyelaire and Daerundros, not counting their houses, are, of course, they minds and actions. Daerundros heals, sings, and makes music (not counting battle), whereas Minyelaire hunts, isolates herself, and battles often.
Daerundros sees Minyelaire as a Quendi who, though of her slightly tainted being, has a good heart deep inside of her, sealed away. At first, she did not think much about her, choosing to socialize with her simply to learn more of the Avarin Society, and slightly aloof and staying away from any bad deeds that Minyelaire would talk about. Yet now, she blames Minyelaire's slightly corrupted nature on the Enemy, taking it upon herself to try and cleanse it. She chooses to see this corruption as fatal flaws, hurriedly discarding any mention of it and reverting the subject if the topic of Minyelaire's "other deeds" is ever brought up. Daerundros loves Minyelaire like a sister, knowing, that, though Minyelaire still has some mischevious plans and tricks up her sleeve, Minyelaire is not entirely heartless and cruel.
Minyelaire sees Daerundros as a friend and dearly loved one (though she continuously denies it), whom she thinks deserves happiness away from the "dreadful" society in which the North Elves dwell in. At first, she saw Daerundros as just another fancy-elf, yet she was impressed, to some extent, when she found Daerundros was different from all the others. She regarded Daerundros as a possession, the centre of her plans to humiliate the Noldor, but has slowly grown to love her as her best friend, though continiously denying her affections. Daerundros is the only one (besides Minyelaire's brother, Nevyniral), perhaps, to which Minyelaire has ever lost a spar to (but Daerundros does not count this spar as a real one, due to Minyelaire's injury). Yet despite her earlier plannings, she truly loves Daerundros and is willing to do anything for her.
IV. Notes
You may perceive Minyelaire and Daerundros' friendship in any way you wish to. I sincerely thank you for reading this Analysis, and you shall know, to some extent, the diverse differences in their friendship, and how it tends to counterbalance the other in times of need.
I wish you good fortunes in your travels,
The Person behind Daerundros :D
V. References (Hey, a research topic does need references, right? ;D)
I. Daerundros' Profile - "Daerundros believes in firm friendship between the Eldar and Avari, considering her friendship with Minyelaire of the Cinn-lai, to be proof. She likes Minyelaire, despite her hostile nature, not caring if she is an Avari or not, preferring to believe that Minyelaire has feelings as much as any Elf, not treating her with suspicion or fear, but instead smiling at her."
II. Daerundros' Adventures (Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17)
III. Minyelaire's Adventures (Chapters, VI. VII. VIII.)
IV. A Journal for the Journey - Entry 1 - "Slowly we started talking about many things. I started droning on about how Minyelaire was no different from other Elves, and she told me about the Grand City of Kei Urdhasa, the main settlement of the Cinn-lai. Wondrously I listened as she told me about the various "castes" as they were called, and she blinked in bewilderment as I asked her if music and dresses were forbidden among the hall. ("What have the fancy-Elves been telling you?! That we devour Elves' hearts every full moon?")"
V. The Will of an Avari - The Theft - "Yet slowly and in the next days, doubt befell me and my voice with which I poured sweet poison into the Maiden's ear. I did not feel anymore so indifferent about her or the urge to bring her into my possession. Of cause I held unto my plan but with another angle. I honestly and truly liked Daerundros and did not want her to sicken in that valley. I wanted to let her see the wide world and far places. Simply said: I wanted Daerundros to be happy. She was my friend now and I cared for her."
VI. To Veryacano - "I warn thee to set bounds for Daerundros or to forbid her coming with me! I acknowledge not thy law, nor thy lordship over the Noldor. Thou may hast right for claim of Daerundros for she is of thy kin, yet so have I the right for I call her dear and friend. Let any remain in this Vale, let them go back into the cage, where they soon will sicken as they have ever sickend before. But not so Daerundros. A friend of mine thou shalt not withold from me. I will not abide thy decision and if I must take the maiden with me by force. Thou shalt not hold what is mine!"
VII. A Letter to Minyelaire
(End of the Paper on Minyelaire and Daerundros' Relationship.)
