New and Updated Writing

Here's a tale for the "With a Bit of Fairy Dust" Challenge. It's part of my ongoing series "Fairy Tales of Middle-earth", which can be found here. I hope you enjoy it!

A collection of drabbles found in the ruins of Utumno during the years of Melkor's captivity, written for various tolkien_weekly challenges.  I am greatly indebted to the ever-awesome ignoblebard, who very generously nominated this series for MEFA 2011, thereby spurring me to get on with actually writing it. ♥

6.  After the Manner: Orcs, one drabble.

In response to Tolkien Weekly’s prompt “part” a quick look at a long journey across the Helcaraxë with Turukáno, Elenwë and Itarillë.  A turning moment for Turukáno, and one of the most grief-laden moments of his life.  A true drabble.  

A question is posed when Erestor observes Glorfindel’s wife teaching their daughter how to plait her hair.  A drabble written in response to TW prompt “plait”.  

After the Kinslaying at Alqualondë and the burning of the swanships, Fingon makes a promise. Years later, he makes a second one.

Returning to a place that she used to love, Helyanwë experiences doubt.  Written for Tolkien Weekly's drabble challenge "condition".  

Maedhros lives, and my is he bitter and twisted. That's about it for plot really, more of a character study or perhaps more accurately character assassination.

An original story based on the Ardaen Mythology, set in the more southern parts of West Beleriand: A young man from a southern city below Taur-im-Duinath travels northward to said Forest often on long travels; this time, makes an unexpected encounter with a mysterious Wisard, who was sent to redeem the Men of the South from Morgoth's Tyranny, and the young man (called 'the Hildor') has been chosen by the Gods to lead this rebellion!

Written in blank verse.

In Mandos, Namo wrestles with the temptation to cast Maedhros into the Outer Darkness.

With a vignette of Finrod and Celegorm and a couple of thoughts on Luthien.

Warning: High levels of angst.

Very generously nominated for the MEFAs 2011 by Elleth; it won Third Place in the category: "Cross-Cultural: Elder Days".

Elrond and Galadriel remember the First Age, the Silmarils, and the guilt of their people.

A sequel to Flame of the Desert.

On a hot summer afternoon, Glorfindel visits Elrond at his estate in Kortirion Province of Tol Eressëa. Elrond's longtime friend brings word from Gilfanon: invitations to a party in celebration of the blooming of one of Gilfanon's favorite roses; the Vanyarin ambassador and his retinue have been invited as special guests.  Gilfanon also sends peculiar garments that he has specifically instructed Elrond and Glorfindel to wear.  Elrond is wary.  He remembers all too well that escapade with Gilfanon in the desert of Valinor, but his inner imp of adventure inspires him, and Elrond experiences a night to remember.

Cameo appearances by Erestor and Mablung.

A bit risqué, a little bawdy, so let's rate this Teen/PG13.

Now complete!  And illustrated!  Thanks a million-fold to Robinka (see Chapter 2) and Elf of Cave (see Chapter 6).

MEFA 2011 Winner.  First Place, Humor, General

Once upon a time, Dol Amroth was elven land. So how did "Dol Amroth" come to name a city ruled by Princes of Men? Imrazor receives an unusual gift.

A grandchild of Fëanor finds her niche in his forge.  Winner of Honorable Mention in ALEC April 2011.  

Some decisions cut deeply.  A response to Tolkien Weekly Challenge prompt “cut”.  

Life after rebirth: Once around the sun, Glorfindel's first year in Imladris.

MEFA 2011: First Place: Character study, General

my thanks to Elfscribe

A meeting in early 14th-century Italy between a condottiere and a poet

A drabble for Tolkien Weekly Challenge - Curl.  A mother's love in Gondolin.  

The city of Gondolin is at peace, and yet several of its citizens harbour resentments, ambitions, and unnatural desires: Maeglin longs to assume his rightful position as Turgon's heir and Idril's spouse; Salgant hopes to avenge himself for past humiliations; and Ecthelion and Glorfindel indulge in deception even as they devote their lives to duty. Many secrets will be revealed, but only slowly and with much confusion, in this comedy of misunderstandings.  

Celegorm and Curufin learn of the Fall of Nargothrond--how do they react?

A "gap-filler", if you like, except that, this being the Silmarillion, there is almost more gap than story...

Why does Tulkas laugh, and is he the only Vala who does?  A response for HASA Nazgul of the Month for May - Heroes and Demons.  

On its final day, a woman awakens to face her fate in the doomed city of Ost-in-Edhil.  A response to the prompt "comb" in Tolkien Weekly Challenge.  

A challenge that assigned the phrase:  "Are you mad?"  This fictlet places my OFC, Helyanwe, into an early part of her childhood.  

Cultural differences among Elves did not sink with Beleriand

A friend told me that according to one place in HoME, Feanor gave the Elessar to Maedhros just before his death. If the gem was so important as being able to come into Feanor's mind in his last moment, that Maedhros should (casually??) send it to Fingon later would seem strange - unless he was instructed to. 

Before the waves bury Beleriand, the wind returns for a last visit to the destroyed hidden city of Goldolin.