Back to Middle-earth Month

Where do I start? This is wonderful. I love the world-building, the back story worthy of the subject--the politics, the nuances of personalities, and prejudices. But most of all the characterization of Indis. She is a veritable bundle of contradictions and conflicts, of a very earthy and realistic love (Arda Marred perhaps?), despite her background and social conditioning the farthest thing imaginable from a stereotypical Vanyarin maid, even with her efforts to present a good front. Yet, she is sincere in accepting aspects of those conventions and beliefs, but never without being torn. I loved the drafts of her letters to Finwe. As attractive as I have always found Finwe, don't think I ever wanted to be married to him myself. (That is from long-married woman with a husband turned faithless when the chips were down! TMI! But so much of what makes literature relatable to us is our own life experiences. Yet nothing is oversimplified in your characterization of anyone--not Finwe either!)

I loved Nerdanel's letter too. Just wow! (I tried to guess the missing words--knowing you, I am sure you know what they are!)

This is my favorite story posted so far. I am looking forward to couple of others, which I have had a peek at also. I loved it. I readily can accept your canon on this. It rings so true for me. I love the glimpses of Finarfin and Fingolfin! I adore them both as you write them. And Vorondil! I am such a geek.

Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful story here!