Comments on Dream of the Black Sword

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This was so beautiful but also so very sad - the reference to being cautious when dealing with the wounded and terrified!  Oh if only Beled had seen that more clearly.   Poor Gwindor.  ((hugs both tight))

Thank you! I've thought so hard about this, and I can only think that Beleg's love for Túrin meant that he couldn't bear to see him in fetters, so he just rushed in to free him the moment he could, without any of the caution he'd have used with anyone else. :( 

However...my ideas for Chapter 2 are evolving, and there may yet be hope, where there was none...

The dialogue in here sounds so true to Tolkien's characters. I like Beleg's moment of feeling conflicted over whether to stop and help. Of course his generous compassion wins out, but the hesitation is believable, and shows how badly he wants to find Turin. Beleg's use of song for comfort and healing is very Elvish. Poor Gwindor, escaping so much horror just to get a glimpse of everything else fate has in store for him. (UNLESS... he and Beleg manage to evade their respective dooms...) This is both sad and heart-warming, and very well written! I will keep an eye out for future chapters.

Doom averted! This is the hero moment that Gwindor deserves after all he's been through. I especially liked him saying, "For who am I to deny the bonds of love, or judge others for actions which seem rash?’" Too true. He definitely let love (or at least grief) overpower his wisdom.  I think you do a good job representing Gwindor's initial arguments against the rescue too. "It is better for one of you to be free, believe me.’" -- oof, that line hits hard. Beleg proving himself with a kiss -- ah, that moment is so very sweet, and well deserved. Just the right balance of hurt and comfort in here. Thank you for sharing! 


 

Oh my gosh, this is just so very satisfying!

I just love the way this flows, not letting on how it'll come together, especially Gwindor's prophetic dreams of doom (Ulmo still dabbling in oneirology, it seems) and his sense that he has a part to play and saves Turin from that doom. And the contrast between the gentle way Beleg sings to soothe Gwindor at first, and then in his eagerness and familiarity forgets to do the same with Turin, until he's reminded. 

Turin is still mortal, so what Gwindor warned about will still come to pass, but at least they have more time, and a little more insight, and who knows, perhaps in this !verse they break Morgoth's curse on Húrin's family!

Love it! ♡

Thank you so much for this lovely comment! I think my main hopes, once Beleg survives, are that Gwindor and Finduilas can reunite undisturbed, and that Túrin will see his mother again, and meet his sister and know who she is. Morgoth's curse is only deflected, and I'm not sure what will happen at Nargothrond - but if Beleg and Túrin die fighting side by side at Doriath, that would be a far better, though still tragic, end for both of them, I think...

Your fix-it healed my soul 😌, to see Beleg being able to talk to Turin about what happened after his capture and process their grief together over the loss of their company! And Gwindor my baby!  With Beleg’s support I hope his time back in Nargothrond will be less isolated.