The Fire of Life by StarSpray  

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Fanwork Notes

Fanwork Information

Summary:

“What if,” said Manwë, regarding Maedhros with star-bright eyes, blue as sapphires and piercing as blades, “you were sent from these Halls for a purpose, son of Fëanáro?”
“I suppose, my lord,” Maedhros said slowly, “that would depend upon the purpose.”

Maedhros is sent back to Middle-earth, in the company of the Maia Olórin. 

Major Characters: Maedhros, Gandalf, Elrond, Erestor, Lindir

Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor, Elrond & Maedhros, Gandalf & Maedhros, Elrond & Erestor, Elrond & Gandalf

Genre: Alternate Universe, Drama, Family, General

Challenges:

Rating: Teens

Warnings: Mature Themes
Chapters: 6 Word Count: 26, 114
Posted on Updated on

This fanwork is a work in progress.

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Table of Contents

One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six

Comments on The Fire of Life

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What a meaty (meet-y?) chapter!

So many reunions - both pleasant and less so. (Elwing clearly isn't that happy to see him, much less learn where he's going!)

Make him regret it - oh, Celegorm, you really think you needed to tell him that?

Can't wait to see what will become of those little charms, and how the encounter with Cirdan goes. 

Ooh, I'm really intrigued by this new story! I love the setting of this canon divergence AU, and that it's from Maedhros' POV. Most of the Elves re-embodied fics I've read are about the Fourth Age, after the events of LotR, so this is a fantastic fresh take. Knowing that Curufin is still in Mandos where Celebrimbor is still healing makes my heart ache.

Olórin is such a prominent character, and really himself, eager to go to Middle Earth, but also testing Maedhros to learn more about him... sneaky! And the family reunion was touching, especially as all the brothers (who were there) were napping in Maedhros' bed. Closeness! Touching! The detail that Maedhros' body was like before, but his eyes felt still his, was a great one. Can't wait to read more of this fic!

I lose track of where I've commented, but maybe the last one was on AO3. I was very curious to know what Maedhros' reception would be in the Havens, and I really enjoyed Círdan (and love that he's so sympathetic about Maglor as well as Maedhros' desire to find him) and Gildor being so easy going ("I think I rather like you"), and Erestor (bless his distrusting socks, being protective on behalf of Elrond methinks.) 

I so enjoyed your descriptions of Cirdan's house, and the land along their journey, familiar yet so different to the fellowship's one later, with all the towers and places still in use and thriving — it feels very alive. 

And I love little details like Tol Galen still being above the sea, even if its not quite an island.

And the heartwrenching bit about Maedhros completely forgetting about Maglor, not only when he touched the Silmaril, but even in Mandos. Oh, very ouchie! 

"Finding Maglor came first in his heart, but it could not come first in his actions." This is expressed so well!

Ooh, no one's quite sure what to make of him - and most of Elrond's family is away, so there's less buffer than there might have been.

(Also, the update emails taunted me cruelly - I got more than one this morning and so hoped for more than one chapter.)

Another great chapter!

I like Elrond's pragmatism: people must get used to the idea, and yes, one can get used to anything.

I love the way Elrond can not only sense people in his domain, but also senses a shadow over Maedhros. I enjoyed your description of their first meeting and also "a long pause in which Maglor's name hung between them, both a barrier and a bridge". 

As Elrond so rightly knows, forgiveness is not done for another but for oneself. And although he may think Forgiveness was easier when he thought he'd never see him again, I'm sure he'll discover it's even easier now he's here, and genuinely sorry. 

Aww, Elrond not wanting to burst into tears in front of Gildor was such a sweet moment, I just wanted to give him a hug! (Which he probably would have hated because then he would definitely have burst into tears!) But the whole Pengelodh revenge thing is hilarious!!

Also,  "what do they know in the West that we do not?" Is something I've wondered about — or rather, how did they know? I guess Manwë and Ulmo at the very least are still keeping tabs on things in Middle-earth.