They are just things. A ring like any other, a sword like many other swords. What makes them so special, then? It is their history - the hands that touched them, the kings and heroes who owned them. They are heirlooms, given from a father to son, from mother to daughter for generations. And Heirlooms are the theme for this month's challenge. Thanks to WhiteGloves for the suggestion!
When we think of heirlooms in Middle-earth, we think first of Barahir and The-Sword-that-was-Broken, but Tolkien mentioned others as well. When Gimli asked Galadriel for a single strand of her hair, he said he would have it encased in imperishable crystal and it would become an heirloom of his house. Eowyn gifted Merry a small horn - made by the Dwarves - that Eorl the Young brought from the North. They are not only things, but symbols. They can be connected to the status of the line that owns them, to lordship or even kingship. They can be a precious memory that should be preserved for the next generations.
But not only objects can be inherited. An heirloom can also be a secret knowledge or advice, a song, a tale, a name, or even some special talent... You can write about or draw both of them - material or immaterial heirlooms, about their history, how they were acquired by our heroes, or how they were passed on.
The deadline for this challenge is May 25th.
For writers: send your stories to teitho.contest@gmail.com. As usually, the contest is anonymous and the story can't be published publicly until the results of the challenge are posted.