Flight to the Ford

My version:


Reference images:












Analysis (whoo, scientific): I think this is the most reference pictures I've ever posted for a style. We only get glimpses of the back, it's either dark or Arwen is in rapid motion, it's hard to pick up the contrast with her dark hair, and the style itself is complicated. However, I absolutely love this style, so it was worth the work. The hair is gathered into three fishtail braids. Pictures 1, 2, and 4 show the leftmost braid, as well as how high it starts on the head. Picture 3 shows the rightmost braid. For some reason, it looks like it might sit lower on the head, although it may have just slipped; you can see in picture 5 that the style looks pretty loose and disheveled at times. Pictures 6 and 10 are the only pictures that show all three braids. There is one on each side, high on the head, using the top section of the hair. The third braid is set in the middle, between and just below the other two braids. Picture 7 shows that the ends of the braid are wrapped in hair to hold it (or just cover the tie). Legolas and the other elves also have a piece of hair wrapped around the ends of their braids, so it must be an elf thing. Incidentally, the elves seem to favor fishtail braids above normal ones; nearly all the elves in the saga have some sort of fishtail braid. Getting back to this style: picture 8 shows two of the braids, whipping around to the front as Arwen rides. Picture 9 shows a good view of the top; the hair looks only slightly parted, rather than carefully divided into two sections for the braids. Two small pieces of hair (the "sideburns", if you want to call it that) hang down in front of the ears.

Directions: Starting a little above the ears, divide the top 1/3 of your hair into two sections, being careful not to get too definite of a part or pull the hair too tight. On Arwen, the division is just to the left of center. Fishtail braid each section (see Dreamweaver Braiding for directions on how to do a fishtail braid). Make sure the braids start fairly high on the head so you have room to do your third braid. Tie off both braids with a small elastic, leaving a tail of a few inches, and wrap a small piece of hair around the elastic to hide it. Now take the hair that is under and between the two braids you just did and fishtail braid that as well, fastening it the same way. Bring a small section of hair in front of both ears. That's it!