Henneth Annûn Story Archive

I'm so honored you feel this way, Aiwendiel!  The final war between Angmar and Arnor appears to have been so devastating in so many ways!  We know that all took part in the defeat of the Witch-king's forces, including Hobbits.  We also know that of those who marched out to face Arnor's forces, only Bucca returned.  They must have come to have been respected in a special way by those who saw them fight and how much courage they displayed. 

And the thought that much of the courage later seen in Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam was seen in their ancestors, and that Gandalf came to respect it in them and then perhaps came to wonder if it might have been merely a fluke when for generations he doesn't see it at all--that's been fun to imagine and play with!

Now, if only the next chapter doesn't prove as obdurate as those that have come before.  The ending chapters of this story are finished, btw--have been finished for a year!  Now--to get the middle chapters written!

I've just started re-reading your new version of this wonderful tale. And it has not yet failed to intrigue and entertain me! You do a wonderful job with the characterizations of Gandalf and Saruman, of course, but all the rest of the characters, minor, major and everything in between! And that goes doubly for your Hobbits. Thanks for this work of art in progress. 

Excellent beginning - I was surprised at the petitioners but found it plausible.

I also laughed - I'm always grateful for a touch of humour.

The discourse and the method you chose to distinguish between who was speaking was well-done and easily discernible. I also like each one of the characters.

Nice beginning - I'm bookmarking this to read the rest in the near future!

Thank you Aiwendiel.  Believe it or not, I am working on the next chapter, but it is also coming, it seems, a few paragraphs at a time.  I HOPE to have it posted sometime in the foreseeable future! 

Strange--the end has been written for quite some time--it's the middle chapters that eke their way into existence.

I'm so glad I found this story and am thoroughly enjoying it. 

The five Maiar have been picked.  Unfortunatley, later on  Curumo succumbs to Sauron's power even though he swore not to.  Makes him almost human.

ooohhh, very nice, and in deed refreshingly different from all I have read this summer!

Peregrin-Ionad

Your response itself is refreshing, Peregrin_Tonad.  This will be a bit slower in coming than many of my stories, and I hope you find it worth waiting for.

 Sorry for the delay in responding, but the computer's been having difficulties, still.  I HATE hackers.

 Curumo's thirst for power and his arrogance manifest themselves already.  Vaire had a premonition of what was to come but could not alter the future.  Olorin is definetely the wiser of the two.

Oh, thanks so very much, Aiwendiel.  And you, too, are referring frequently to the Appendices?  I'm sitting here with Appendices, Sil, and UT open so much of the time!  Heh!

I have kept this until end of work on Friday as a treat to look forward to - and how right I was.

Saruman who is so full of his own importance and superiority to all those around him that he causes the heir of Cardolan to be murdered (and even benefits from the attack), is all too believable.  Then comes Radagast, who accepted the remit in trepidation but is already beginning to love this land... 

The brothers who will ride off the edge of the map, and beyond the story,  are still given personalities and individuality.  And so we come to Olorin - and the tale of his joining the Istari, his journey so far - all is so well written.

I look forward to seeing what the Eldest makes of this latest arrival.

What fascinating history of the Hobbits.  So this is how Gandalf and Bilbo may have met.  Well done.

I'm so glad you appreciate this, and to hear it's one of your favorites is wonderful.  Thank you!

I've had recurrent technical difficulties lasting so long I'm about to despair of ever getting back onto a regular posting basis; and trying to keep two ongoing sagas going makes it slower writing each chapter.  But I find looking at how differently Curumo and Olorin developed once they came to Middle Earth fascinating.  I hope to get another chapter posted within the next week.

Ah! Working in a little medical history, Larner! A tribute to Edward Jenner. Many thanks for another intriguing chapter in a fine series...

This is really just a note to say how much I am enjoying this detailed look at the history of Middle Earth from a slightly unusual perspective.

You portray the suffering brought on by the all too human attribute of pride. One powerful man who feels slighted and hurt can do so much damage... Oh, that it were not still the truth in our world today... Nice work.

Lovely detail and characterisation, as ever.

 'Troops' not 'troupes'.  Sorry....

 Very dark feeling to it, even with the hobbit episodes.  The lights are going out.

Unfortunately, within a relatively short time there will be a kingdom with no king in the south, and a king with no kingdom in the north; Arvedui will be dead alongside his second son; and his older son and widow will be taking refuge in Mithlond.  Yes, the lights are going out.

As for "troupes"--it is a variant spelling and the one I've used predominantly in my writing.  Hope you don't mind too much.

I am finding it so interesting how you are weaving the many pre-Ring war events of the IIIrd age into one tale--so many important moments (like this chapter in which Dwarves delve too deeply) but previously only appeared as footnotes in an appendix or the barest outline of an unfinished tale. And through all of it you link the "stirring rings" of various kinds and tales of the Istari -- especially one of them. I find myself smiling at the idea that our dear Gandalf manages, not unlike Forrest Gump, to be just off center of the action time and time again, sometimes on purpose, sometimes "by chance" if such a thing as "chance" exists in Middle Earth. I continue to be very intrigued and eagerly look forward to more chapters!

Mmm.. nice... I've always wanted a tale of Mithrellas, and you've given us a beautiful one. And of course, Forrest Gump -- I mean Gandalf -- shows up too... 

Fabulous chapter!

Dear Larner, I am particularly enjoying all the foreshadowing you work into this tale. This chapter is truly an excellent example of that! Well done!

Chilling interlocking tales from the end of the Watchful Peace. I am so glad that you found a way to account for all the Five, dark though your story of Pallando turns out. And of course, the threads of fate begin to weave together more tightly now, and we are introduced to a familiar and cunning character who will have so many crucial parts to play in the future. I really like his grandmother -- wise and powerful and just like he ultimately describes her! Another fine chapter. 

Shivering with the building dread!