I just had a heart-shattering realization

[ainu_laire]

I was finishing up writing a prompt fic that takes place in late 3021 (which really does not exist, since it became FA 1 in spring). The date of the story matches the date of something in canon, so I was trying to figure out how this Shire Reckoning date (since all days/months are listed as such in Appendix B) would be as a FA 1 date, since March

Comments

[shirebound]

Those calendars make me dizzy, too! My best advice would be to pick whatever best fits your story, and if you feel a need to explain yourself, you can always use a footnote or author note.

[ainu_laire]

That is probably the best solution. I should stop over-complicating things :)

[cairistiona7]

What Shirebound said.

Sometimes canon can be confusing at best, and agonizing over a detail like this, one that isn't clear in canon, will just make you crazy. Choose the dates that fit, and if you feel you'll need to justify your decision to the .0001% of readers who will read your tale and waggle niggling fingers, leave an A/N explaining that you know the problem/discrepancy/call it what you will and chose "A" rather than "B" because of "C" etc.

[ainu_laire]

Yea, I am such an agonizer over details, it's not funny! XD My head is my worst critic, always looking for those nagging details...

[estelcontar1]

I wouldn't let this discrepancy bother me. I'd just do as Shirebound and Cairistiona have mentioned. There are a lot of points in cannon Tolkien left obscure or contradictory. You just have to read HOME carefully to see what I mean. I guess feeling unable to make everything fit together is one of the reasons why he never finished The Silmarillion.

I myself enjoy these little contradictions. It makes his legendarium feel truer to real myth.

[ainu_laire]

Yea, he definitely has many contradictions that don't quite make sense. Very confusing for one like me who loves getting everything all straightened out and logical. :D

[narukyu]

lol. You're funny. XD *hugs*

[ainu_laire]

I know. You are too <3

[rs9]

huh? *blank stare* Oh man!

I agree with shirebound and cairistiona. I believe a footnote at the bottom will leave a Tolkien purist satisfied.

And who knows, this little predicament might form a rather interesting debate/discussion.

[ainu_laire]

Yea, it will have to leave my own nagging brain satisfied as well.

Well, it leaves the five day gap with the Shire/rest of the world interesting... :D