I adore this idea! Beleg's death has always seemed to me to be one of the saddest and most pointless moments in the Silmarillion (I mean, Turin's life was already going to hell - why did Beleg have to be dragged into it?)

I like how this is very much a look into the minds of these two elves in this awful moment in time. Gwindor being unable to even utter the word brother is practically heartbreaking, as is his wolfing down of food and water. The setting and the atmosphere is tense and there is a sense of being in a hurry, while I as the reader just want to hold Beleg back from going to his (supposed) death and at the same time loving him for his undying loyalty. Oh and I can practically hear the Belthronding creaking as Beleg pulls it - I am right there in the battlefield with them. And yay!! for an orc arrow at the right time. (I never thought I would write such a thing!)

It is beautifully done - and I love how this is a canon-compliant AU, if there is such a thing. ;)

Another great chapter, and it is interesting to see in more detail what goes on among the different important players in that time.

I'm particularly pleased to see Mablung of course *smiles innocently*  - he is a very neglected caracter, though he must have had much to do with the important events in Doriath. I like how you allude to his friendship/mentorship with Beleg - how he misses his council now that so many threats stalk the borders.

The Fëanorians are great too, though fallen from grace and having spent many years now in the wild. They are all tortured by their losses and mistakes. I am amazed at how you have portrayed their different personalities and also the dynamics among them.  

The glimpse of intimacy between Thingol and Melian show the king and queen to be only "human beings" for lack of a better description. And Melians foresight is creating a lot of tension for what will come. 

I am slowly working my way through this story one more time, and savouring it a lot along the way.

A beautiful AU, it was engrossing and I think I will now rea this every time I read COH or the Silm, just to think what might have happened. Well done! * Cheers *

I admit I have not paid much attention to Beleg before although I felt bad when I read about his "useless" death.  I'm enjoying the tension and the drama in the story so far and the presence of Beleg and the promise of the Fëanorions in future chapters will keep me hooked.

I enjoyed the scenes with the Fëanorions--their distinct personalities, the dialogues.  It's nice to get a glimpse of how they wandered about Beleriand after their fall from grace. 

Maglor's more active role here is great. I've always wondered why Maglor did not rescue Maedhros in Thangorodrim and why he was given the most dangerous watch in North Beleriand.  I'll be following this closely.

It's great that you included Maeglin here. I'm curious to see the role he will play.  (More gorgeous elves mean more fun IMHO).

The scene of the Fëanorions slaughtering the orcs was great in that it still shows how strong their brotherly bond is despite their very different personalities, their losses and their sometimes opposing motives. 

And now the two groups have joined. Yey!  

Great turn of events here.  If only Thingol did choose to negotiate rather than ban the other Noldor altogether!  How things could have turned out differently.

I'm enjoying the interaction between the characters.  It's also good that you introduced Nellas and I'm sure she has an important role to play.

As usual, any line of Celegorm's is bound to cause a scene. He's my favorite blond though. And having Maglor use Daeron's room was priceless!  I'm excited to see more what our nice minstrel is planning.  Like I said, this is such an interesting AU, the Feanorions in Doriath before its fall.   Wonder where Luthien is though.

Melian is a bit "sly" here though. Wonder if Thingol knows this or is it all part of his plan. Very very nice complicated characters.