One In the Fires of the Heart of the World by Isilme_among_the_stars

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Fanwork Notes

Some characters I just can't bear to turn away from at the point that the story leaves them. Try as I might, I cannot tear myself away from Maedhros and Maglor, cannot leave them in a fiery chasm and beside the shores of the sea. The story may leave them there, in bitter pain and despair, but I cannot help but hope for a future where they may find redemption and healing, beyond the long and bitter stay in Mandos that Námo promises. So of course, that is where my imagination now strives to take them. 

There remains some uncertainty as to the bounds of the oath sworn by Fëanor and his sons. For the purposes of this story I have chosen to consider it fulfilled as Maedhros and Maglor's last acts with the Silmarils leave them in places unlikely to be reached. Thus I believe their possession is no longer under contestation. 

Fanwork Information

Summary:

Maedhros finds that regret and pain do not end with death. But it does at last bring release from the oath and he can at last embark upon the long, hard road toward redemption. 

Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros

Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor, Finwë & Maedhros

Genre: General, Hurt/Comfort

Challenges:

Rating: Adult

Warnings: Mature Themes, Suicide, Violence (Moderate)
Chapters: 3 Word Count: 4, 684
Posted on 16 May 2025 Updated on 5 June 2025

This fanwork is a work in progress.

Show all chapters on a single page

Table of Contents

Relief and Regret
The Legacy of Grief

This chapter explores grief, and within it a character wrestles with some quite dark thoughts. It touches on chronic illness (sublty) and mental illness (not so subtly). Please read with care.

Little Pity

There are mentions of Finwë's and Fingon's deaths in this chapter. Descriptions are brief and more emotive than graphic. Please read with care. 

Comments on One In the Fires of the Heart of the World

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This is such a good look into Maedhros after the final kinslaying. I especially like this bit:

But the jewel burned, and the anguish of being unworthy of it was too much to bear. With no more illusions, no more purpose to fill, all that was left to him was despair.

The despair wasn’t new. He had lived with its shadow for an age. But now, stripped bare of all else that he had clung to, its black maw opened before him, drawing him inexorably in. He chose instead to be swallowed by flame.

It really gives a sense of Maedhros' history, and we see how much deeper into despair he can fall. What a wonderful fic, thanks for sharing!