New and Updated Writing

This is a draft of one of nine short stories set within the Tolkien Legendarium, each recounting a possible origin for one of the Nine Mortal Men corrupted by the rings of Sauron.

Indis visits Formenos in the aftermath of the Darkening

On Tides of Light, Antariëarcalindalë, begins with Elwing's arrival upon the shores of Eldamar after her flight from the ruins of Sirion. After Eärendil goes alone into Valinor, Elwing is brought to Alqualondë. Rather than hurrying toward the celestial ascent of Vingilot, the core of the narrative is the salt-crusted halls of Alqualondë, where the Falmari must finally confront the devastating history of Beleriand's three kinslayings. 

Elwing must plead the Teleri to bear the Host of the West across the Sea. Despite a mother, survivor and also bearer of a Silmaril - the First Age converged on her: the weight of its sins, its accumulated grief, and the grace through which salvation may yet enter history.

Finarfin was always tired, but suddenly he was exhausted, just by this conversation. It would just go in circles if they let it, neither of them willing to concede to the other. He didn’t have the words for what he really wanted to say—and even if he did he wouldn’t say them. They would be a child’s words, just hurt that he had been left alone while his older brothers and sisters had gone off without him, taking everything with them that he had ever held dear. 

Family is complicated, and Finarfin is tired.

On an evening of late summer, in the shining hour of the mingling, Prince Curufinwë Fëanáro strides into Taniquetil’s teeming festival halls with the new-wrought Silmarils blazing upon his brow. That night, fire consumes Findaráto’s dreams.

***

Finrod struggles under the weight of foresight.

Gwindor and Celebrimbor share their fears, after a council meeting in which Túrin got his way.

A lament for Nargothrond, in the aftermath of the Battle of Tumhalad. (Prose poem, also an exact drabble according to MS Word.)

Tata is offered a solution to a grave problem, at a very low price...

Of course, she knew that in the Blessed Land, true harm was unlikely to come to him. The Valar watched over them all, and the lesser spirits were everywhere. It was a great hound of Oromë who had found him happily splashing in the creek, in fact. But anyone could drown in mere moments, even in Valinor. Her heart needed a break.

A story about Nerdanel, the total self-obliteration of motherhood, and what comes after.

In the wake of Sauron's death, his Mouth remembers Númenor.

He has perhaps made a great mistake, but it's too late now.

The Shadow was always meant to claim them both. Born the twin children of Celebrimbor and Sauron, Mirruin and Mírestel reflect on their doom before the end.

Written as a pair of sonnets in the Shakespearean style, and featuring artwork from 1rabong on Tumblr.

Thus, he lingers in this doomed city for yet another year—until he wakes to alarm bells ringing wildly and to the stench of smoke rising from the reeds.

Celebrimbor, at the Havens of Sirion.

Finwë received his crown from Manwë Súlimo himself, so he knows what it is to be betrayed. 
Fëanor received his crown from Finwë, so he knows what it is to die. 
Maedhros received his crown from Fëanor, so he knows what it is to burn.
Fingolfin received his crown from Maedhros, so he knows what it is to be broken.
Fingon received his crown from Fingolfin, so he knows what it is to despair. 
Turgon received his crown from Fingon, so he knows what it is to stand firm. 
Gil-galad received his crown from them all, and it’s too soon to know what he’ll do.

Gil-galad, burdened with the memories of all his predecessors, does his best.

Nienor contemplates the ephemerality of green things.

Sudden laughter startled Maglor out of his reverie.

Miriel makes a dress for Indis.

The Helcaraxë is an awful place to be.

The Herald of Maedros Noldoran rides to Doriath, to demand answer for Dior’s illicit silence. There will be Recompense or Just War to follow, and not even Maglor can say which he hopes for in truth.

In the Third Age, close to his home near Bree, Marcho, the hobbit who later, with his brother, will lead the first hobbits to the Shire, spots an unfamiliar visitor. A bit of miscommunication ensues.

She had not intended to be a mother.

Mairon sets his plan in motion.