Comments on Unhappy Into Woe

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I just want to keysmash in adoration for such a fantastic start to what no doubt is going to become a fantastic fic, but Maglor taking his lessons from the Sea and trying the Ainulindalë approach of working Sauron's notes into his own song of survival is what absolutely and completely killed me in the best way possible. I adore this and can't wait for the next chapter! 

This is amazing! I like the concept of his voice making their ears bleed and driving one mad, and then how that actually just forms an introduction to what's to come. Maglor's song is marvellous, and cunning, he's definitely learned a few things in the years since all the happenings Sauron sings of. But Sauron is still Sauron, with vast power even when recovering his strength.

I'm riveted and really looking forward to the next chapter!

ETA I forgot to say how much I speak love the way he can hear the Trees and your description of them, being sick yet physically healthy. And the way Sauron's"energy-stench" pervades throughout, and your description of Sauron himself. 

And from the first lines of Maglor's song I was delighted!  The slow, gentle, inexorable power of water, and the power of its beauty too. Simply marvellous!

 

!!!.

Oh my gosh! This seemingly senseless torture is horrible. (In the best possible way.) Urgh, poor Maglor, so alone and bereft. And WTF is Sauron up to?

Well, you just keep ratcheting it up! 

The dream is so beautiful, your description of that beach!!! I love it and want to go there. So Sauron is now using Dreams of Power instead of Song. Clever. How on Arda Maglor doesn't cave... I guess hanging out for so long after everyone else is long gone, he's got some serious willpower. So Sauron's method behind the madness becomes plain, and for sure, Maglor is worth at least 9 nazgûl to him, if not more. And who is the person he's running to? I can't help wondering whether Elrond... I'll soon find out!

Marvellous stuff, thank you!

Oh dear, you were not joking about the whump factor of this! It keeps going up, painfully.

All the details and the arc are really well handled.

I find myself hoping that Maglor has not lost that connection with the Sea and that insight that he had gained, initially, beyond regaining, with the war of attrition that Sauron is waging on him. But surely not beyond regaining, in Arda...

Maglor is not in a good place right now. You have written his despair and disorientation so well, and the pointless beating scene was chilling and indeed well written whump. 

Poor Celebrimbor! And so cruel that Maglor has to relive his nephew’s torment. I like how you had pictured Sauron, not much more than a wraith, but still full of fire, and that burning gaze, and a face without expression.

!!!!

This is awful! In the best possible way. (Especially asI now know abouta sequel!) But OMG! Just when I was thinking "Ah! A Gandalf!" you go and throw that last line in. *Shudder* ETA that I got my events mixed up, but still, stitching them shut! And then the brief hope of ... a wizard? Only to have left him again...

A cold wind blew—and Maglor woke up, alone in the dark deep beneath the tower of Dol Guldur, and knew that he was utterly forsaken.

Chills went down my spine. 

And with that he swept out, leaving Maglor shuddering and shivering in the sudden cold of his absence, and with tears still falling as the echo of Celebrimbor’s last days played over and over through his mind.

Poor Maglor.

This is fantastic! I really love how you give just enough details and Maglor's horror and fear and pain. The branding and the sewing his mouth shut! And the old man!!!

Love the description of the battle! And Maglor's confusion with Elladan and Elrohir. And Galadriel! The comfort that is hard-won and something that he can't quite believe.

Who was he, if not a singer? What was he, without his voice?

Stunning final lines.

Starspray, I love this fic so much! You included so many of my favorite whumpy things and I'm sitting here with a huge grin on my face.