"Of the Darkening of Valinor" Fanworks Rec Post

[indy1776]

This post is for any fanworks relating to "Of the Darkening of Valinor." (If you think it's relevant, it is! Gapfillers, stories that cross multiple chapters, whatever-it's all welcome.) Feel free to link to your favorite stories, artworks, etc. Shameless Self-Promotions (SSPs) are allowed. Any works created for this event should be linked to, not

Comments

[heartofoshun]

This one has been around for a while and I just recced it earlier this week in another venue, but it is a classic.

Fic rec: The Work of Small Hands by Dawn Felagund

Not a lighthearted fic, nor is it the story of an ambitious woman eager to rule, but one about the reserves within themselves that women tap when their whole world turns dark and these few are left to protect and lead their people. This is mainly the story of Eärwen, although Anaire and Nerdanel have supporting roles, and at the very end of the story, Finarfin returns, but that does not let our protagonist off the hook.

Author’s Summary:

Valinor has been plunged into darkness, most of the Noldor have gone into exile, and the Teleri grieve for those lost in the kinslaying. The Valar have turned their backs on the remaining Noldor-left without a king-and chaos rules the streets of Tirion. Can Eärwen, the quiet wife of a third-born prince, find the courage and strength to save her husband’s people?

[oloriel]

Two recs I can think of off the top of my head:

Title: The Bearer of Light by Dawn Felagund
Type of Fanwork: Fanfic
Length (if applicable): 2679 words
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Mature Themes, some violence
Summary: Fëanor has been summoned from Formenos to attend the thanksgiving feast on Taniquetil. We all know about the aftermath of that event... here's what happens just before.
Why I enjoyed it (optional): Because of the powerful imagery and masterful description.

Title: In The Interest of Historical Accuracy by Duilwen
Type of Fanwork: Fanfic
Length (if applicable): WiP, currently at 20,000+ words
Rating: General
Warnings: WiP; violence, character death
Summary: In the Second Age, an ambitious scholar tries to record and understand the Fëanorian view of First Age history.
Why I enjoyed it (optional): First off, because I think the basic idea (young scholar raised with a traditional view of history but eager to produce ground-breaking work interviews an aged follower of the House of Fëanor) is brilliant; second, because

[heartofoshun]

Dawn Felagund seems to be drawn to the period of the darkening of Valinor. She also explores the effect of that moment upon Feanor's family in her excellent, rather harrowing novella of the disintegration of the House of Feanor shortly immediately before the darkening: By the Light of Roses by Dawn Felagund. The last chapter deals with what that catastrophe felt like to the sons of Feanor isolated in Formenos and their decision to set out immediately for Tirion.

[heartofoshun]

One of my favorite short stories of my own is I Hate You by oshun. Which is set in that period before the darkening when the fault lines within the Noldor had transformed into visible fissures. Set immediately before Feanor is banned from Valinor. Inspired by Dawn Felagund’s ficlet “Hatred,” it is an account of a low point in the relationship of Maedhros and Fingon. This excerpt sums it up:

"Findekáno reflected that Fëanáro and Nolofinwë were like two ill-matched, out-of-control horses dragging a cart behind them, scattering crates of produce and squawking chickens in their wake as they tore off down the road. His Grandfather Finwë recalled to him nothing so much as a drunken teamster who had passed out at the reins."

[zopyrus]

This is one of my favorite of your stories, too. I love the sense of community you created around Fingon in the opening scenes--his interactions with Turgon, Elenwe and Aredhel all feel very distinct and realistic!

[heartofoshun]

Oh, thanks so much! I had so much fun doing this story. It was a real guilty pleasure to write. I am opinionated about this family, feel like over the years of writing and thinking about them that I really know them (or at least my version of them).

[hhimring]

Title: Along Came A Spider, by Aearwen2
Type of Fanwork: Story
Length (if applicable): 18685 words
Rating: General
Warnings: None.
Summary: Few have not heard of her, but hardly any know her true story.
Why I enjoyed it (optional): Ungoliant's story, told from her point of view, beginning with the Ainulindale and continuing on past her sojourn in Nan Dungortheb. Who she was to begin with and how she came to hate the Light so much...