New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.

A young child of Men befriends Sámaril, the troubled master smith of Imladris. The Noldorin craftsman experiences the joy and pain born of friendships between the Eldar and mortal Men and comes to question his people’s values as his life becomes entwined with Isildur’s youngest son and two powerful women of the Dúnedain. A sequel to The Apprentice.
Chapter 38 - The Crow's Nest: While Elerina establishes her informal seat of power in Gaillond, thus revealing to Sámaril her former role as Isildur's queen, the elven-smith quickly becomes bored with trade negotiations and resolution of disputes among the local nobility. The reminders of Isildur continue to exert a negative effect on Sámaril, causing frustration between the couple. But Sámaril also begins to dream of the Sea, which sparks a desire to take ship out on to the open waters, ostensibly to learn more about the working men of the Númenórean exiles. He finds the ship on which he wishes to sail and meets its captain.

Celeborn and Galadriel, the early years: from Doriath to Balar.
MEFA 2008 Races: Elves: General: Third Place

Mahtan on the birth of his daughter Nerdanel: on lives changed and dark destinies fulfilled. For Rhapsody.
MEFA 2008 nominee.

During the preparations for the War of Wrath, a recently restored Glorfindel and his father come to a better understanding of what transpired for them both since the rebellion of the Noldor.

The night before the departure of the Vanyar for the War of Wrath, King Ingwe comes to terms with the decisions he has made leading up to this event.

On the eve of her wedding night, Amarië has a startling revelation about herself and her love for Finrod.

" ...And Beleg and Túrin were companions in every peril, and walked far and wide in the wild woods together." Six vignettes of Beleg and Túrin, on the marches of Doriath and beyond.

For Oshun, how Maglor devised the Noldolantë. 2008 MEFA nominee.

For Allie, Nerdanel, Finarfin, and Eärwen on the day of Finarfin's coronation.

For Tarion, Caranthir discovers a dark secret about Maedhros, the revelation of which could irreparably divide the Noldor. Will he reveal what he knows? Slash; Maedhros/Finrod. 2008 MEFA nominee.

The loss of innocence with the Kinslaying at Alqualondë, the invocation of Doom at the very edges of Arda... and then, the parting of Fingolfin and Anairë.
[Written in honour of Fingolfin being character of the month at SilmarillionWritersGuild for January 2007 (I've been slow to post it to this archive!), and also because I refuse to believe Anairë's friendship with Eärwen was the sole reason for their separation.]

For Elleth, Fëanor and Nerdanel meet again at the end of the world. A tale of loss and redemption. 2008 MEFA nominee.

For Hannah, an "AU in which Fëanor outlives all of his children." Fëanor and Maglor, together at the end. MEFA 2008 nominee.

It is written that Tar-Miriel was too late to reach the supposed safety of the Meneltarma when Numenor sank into the sea. But why was she late? What was so important that she would risk her life, knowing she would not survive?

Sometimes it takes more than one night of passion to start a relationship on a sound footing. (Glorfindel/Erestor) Sequel to Osse's Gift.

Manwe discovers both the delights and the dangers of assuming corporeal form as he is drawn into a relationship with the brilliant, prideful Feanor. In trying to dissuade Feanor from leaving the Undying Lands, he learns more than he would like about why Feanor created the Silmarils and why they hold him enthralled. An elemental clash of titans.
This story won first place in the MEFA 2008 awards for First Age and Prior: General
and 2nd place in the 2007 My Precious Awards for LOTR fanfic in the “Best Minor Character” category.

For the Anniversary Contest: An AU of the what-if persuasion.
Chapter One: After the Darkening, the Kinslaying and the Flight of the Noldor, Nerdanel retreats to Alqualondë. What and whom will she find there, and where will her steps lead afterwards?

And now for something a bit controversial: Elrond stands on the deck of the ship carrying him to Aman writing notes in a journal.
MEFA 2008, Second Place, Elves: House of Elrond
SWG Silmarillion Anniversary Contest, Third Place Winner, Short Works

During the final moments of the Nírnaeth Arnoediad, a captain and his men rescue two elves during their last and desperate stand.
~MEFA 2008 Second place in Times: First Age and Prior: General, thank you Pandemonium for nominating it!~

Indis, Nerdanel, and Anairë on their grief and their duty to help in healing the Noldor.

A retelling of H.C Christiansen’s The Match Girl. It is Midwinter festival in a village of men and one lost little Elven boy who makes his living selling sticks for the fire is left alone in the cold.

Meleth has to come to terms with the changes of her life after the fall of Gondolin and while fulfilling her duties she loses Earendil...

It is Midwinter and Maedhros refuses to celebrate and scoffs at Maglor’s attempts to cheer him up. Later that night he is visited by the ghost of his dead lover and later of three ghosts. Yes, it is a rewrite of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol.

Fingon has kept his feelings for Maedhros hidden for many years but under an unexpected visit from his cousin he finds himself unable to hide them any longer.

The story follows Glorfindel and Ecthelion’s relationship from the move from Nevrast until the fall of Gondolin in a series of four short stories. The crumbling relationship between Glorfindel and Ecthelion is used to illustrate the growing divisions in the hidden city until its fall.