The Mirror Crack'd by AdmirableMonster  

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Fanwork Notes

Although inspired by Chthonion's masterful fic The Harrowing, no prior knowledge of said fic is necessary--the inspiration is mostly vibes (and also tea. Lots of tea.)

I will try to give warnings on a chapter-by-chapter basis, especially because while there will be some explicit scenes, most of the fic clocks in at somewhere between a T and an M rating.

Been working on this one a while, and I finally decided to start posting. Hope you all enjoy!

Fanwork Information

Summary:

Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new life and finds he has a queer connection with Maedhros, Himring's lord. As their intimacy grows, however, so do the dangers surrounding them, both without and within. What secrets are hidden inside the depths of Anniavas's lost memories--and how will those with whom he is forging and deepening bonds react, when those secrets are at last revealed?

Major Characters: Sauron, Maedhros, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Original Female Character(s), Original Nonbinary Character(s)

Major Relationships: Maedhros/Sauron, Fingon/Maedhros, Celegorm/Finrod, Original Character/Original Character, Fingon/Maedhros/Sauron

Genre: Alternate Universe, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Slash/Femslash

Challenges:

Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate

Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Torture, Violence (Moderate)

This fanwork belongs to the series

The Mirror Crack'd Verse
Chapters: 6 Word Count: 16, 830
Posted on Updated on

This fanwork is a work in progress.

Show all chapters on a single page

Table of Contents

Prologue
Fear Behind Him

Summary: Fingon rescues an ex-thrall with a strange artifact embedded in his spine, brings him to Himring, and gives him a name.

A/N: HOLY SHIT y'all, I was NOT expecting the response to my itty-bitty prologue? I am BEYOND flattered, and also JAIMSJAM did an amazing piece of fanart which *really* captured the atmosphere, it's like a little animated storyboard, and it's SUPER COOL! Check it out here!

Chapter warnings: eye trauma, a little bit of body horror, and very muddled mental processes from someone who still thinks they're a slave.

Chapter title from Tolkien's poem about Théoden's riding forth, "From Dark Dunharrow in the Dim Morning"

The Tea Gardens

LAST TIME ON The Mirror Crack'd: A thrall was welcomed into Himring, and Fingon named him Anniavas, "gift of autumn."

THIS WEEK: Maedhros gives Anniavas a task, and Anniavas does his best to learn about his new home.

No major chapter warnings for this one.

Tireless, Grey and Fierce

LAST TIME on The Mirror Crack'd: Anniavas started to settle into the tea gardens.

THIS TIME: Anniavas has a panic attack and unexpectedly makes a very new, very cuddly friend.

(it has been A Time lately in my life but here have a new chapter.

the only real chapter warnings are for Anniavas's continued PTSD)

Fealty

LAST TIME on The Mirror Crack'd: Anniavas adopted a puppy and met the mysterious kennel-master.

THIS TIME: Anniavas learns about loyalty and fealty at Himring. For someone who considers himself an expert in the matter, he has a lot to learn.

Chapter warnings: panic attacks and discussion of something next-door to suicidal ideation.

The Ominous Blade

LAST TIME on The Mirror Crack'd: Anniavas grapped with philosophies of hierarchy, and interpersonal relations, and was not able to swear his fealty to the Lord of Himring.

THIS TIME on The Mirror Crack'd: Domestic matters become unimportant when Maedhros's company is attacked by dark creatures. The kennel-master and Anniavas ride to his rescue.

Chapter warnings: Canon-typical horror themes and violence

For those of you who have been curious to get a peek inside of Maedhros's head, this chapter features the first instance of his point of view.

Comments on The Mirror Crack'd

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Such a powerful, intriguing opening! I love the eyes howling and warning and growling.

I also love your summary, and I've been enjoying the snippets. And I'm very much here for Harrowing inspiration and lots of tea. :) Looking forward to updates!

It's here! 
Excited to read this after seeing your snippets coming through on discord for a while and the first few chapters are already so compelling!

I already have so many questions about Anniavas, what the heck that artifact is, whether Maedhros and Finno know who he is or they're just acting that way around him because of some sort of ex-thrall protocol etc etec. Anyway, I've loved it so far and thank you for sharing. :)
I love this sentiment so much: It’s a labor of love, and love is how we say fuck you to Angband

>It's here! 
>Excited to read this after seeing your snippets coming through on discord for a while and the first few chapters are already so compelling!

Delighted!  thank you so much! I know I've been teasing this for a while, so I'm glad I felt able to start releasing it.

>I already have so many questions about Anniavas, what the heck that artifact is, whether Maedhros and Finno know who he is or they're just acting that way around him because of some sort of ex-thrall protocol etc etec. Anyway, I've loved it so far and thank you for sharing. :)

Thank you for commenting!  we are definitely in the question-raising part of the story. 

>I love this sentiment so much: It’s a labor of love, and love is how we say fuck you to Angband

I love my OCs a Very Normal Amount.  and I'm glad you like this because it's something I feel like is kind of a mainstay of my soul.  Maybe more Terry Pratchett than Tolkien but not un-Tolkien-esque either.

"Worse than sneezing." *snort*

Your description of his panic is so very vivid. And his awkwardness with his feelings. And both their awkwardness, the kennelmaster's and his. 

So interesting that his natural instinct is to help the pup. I love that! And what a darling she is! I love her already.

Another great chapter!

There is so much building up in this, I find my mind filled with questions that I know will be teased out in future chapters and I'm loving the mystery and also the glimpses as Anni's past memories poke through to disturb his days ... and also the warmth he feels in his interactions with Maedhros. I love that he makes friends so easily, and that they care about him. 

"I know what it is like to have come from a world where everything, including affection, is no more than a barter system." So horribly relatable, which is yet another reason I'm particularly appreciating Anni's experiences of a different way of living. 

This is yet more fantastic writing from you, thank you!

Also, I just love the idea that between the Bragolach and the Nirnaeth they were cultivating speciality herbal teas at Himring. ♡

I'm so glad you liked this chapter.  Anni is definitely getting some wish-fulfilment treatment from me (in a sense.  It's not like my friends and spouse won't help me the way Anni's do, so it's not exactly wish-fulfilment in the traditional sense?  But Anni definitely struggles with things I struggle with!)

And I'm having fun with the teas :D

As someone who loves tea (and also dogs), so much to love in this chapter.

I also appreciate being gradually introduced to all these Himring people. Good to glimpse Hemmoril again!

And the tension mounts! and so much is revealed! I so love that Celegorm is the kennel master!  And Anni's flash of memory and insight about the animating force. [shudder] And the danger of the blade shard in Mae's shoulder now.  I really like that Hemmoril stayed back with Anni and brought him home. Another excellent chapter. (I don't often read serials while they're in progress because of memory issues, so I really appreciate that you always start with a "previously...")

Such an exciting chapter! (I love how Anniavas got involved because he'd gone to check on his puppy in the storm, aww). I enjoyed Maedhros' POV, and how he and Anniavas think about each other. Looking forward to the next instalment!