Thanks so much, Zeen! Yes, I figured this would be a difficult story for most, and as a consequence, was (and am) not expecting it to be wildly popular, but I kinda had to write it. At times I fret that infusing Sauron with more humane characteristics might make him seem "too nice," so hopefully this story will exorcise that worry.

*admires your appropriate shuddering Ichabod icon*