Anyone want to read a First Age Tolkien Fan-Fic?

[Curufin]

Now, while I've RP'ed a lot in my life, this is my first adventure into the world of Fan Fic. A friend on another board and I are in a RP together, and we decided to do some PM RP between our characters so we could figure out exactly what their relationship was. It was way more fun than we expected, and we decided to turn it into a fan fic.

Those characters are Nolofinwë (Fingolfin) and Anairë (his wife).

We'd love to have criticism (as long as it's constructive ) and comments about what you think we could do better, etc., etc.

Please read here and let me know what you think. There are four chapters (as of 9/4/08), so make sure you read them all.

[Earniel]

I'm surprised you're writing about Fingolfin, I was fully expecting you to write about Fëanor's line instead.

I like the story so far. Fingolfin's frustration with his half-brother is well-written. I can see where the guy's coming from. But aren't you giving away the ending already by referring to Anairë as his wife?

[Curufin]

Well, the strories I write on my own are about Fëanor's line.

This one I'm doing with a friend.

It actually started because a friend needed me to play Anairë in our RP, and I had to do some background stuff so that I could actually like the guy.

As for the name, I guess I assumed that Silmarillion-familiar readers already knew Anairë was his wife?

[The Dread Pirate Roberts]

Some questions. You may answer or consider them rhetorical, as you like.

Did you discuss and decide to write in the first person or did it just come out that way as a result of the RPing?

Same question about using the Quenya names that most readers won't know. Conscious decision? Reason?

How old is Maedhros at this point? Since Fingolfin isn't married yet, there is no Fingon. Fingon and Maedhros are later close. I always assumed they were very close in age. What is their age difference?

Have you considered foreshadowing that relationship?

Does Feanaro/Feanor really have a leg to stand on in the argument so far? Were these sorts of dance rankings common in Aman or only in his mind? The story shows that clearly Finwe sides with his eldest, but is that supposed to be seen as a flaw? Who is *really* in the wrong? Or do you prefer to leave it open to reader interpretation?

How does one pronounce Anairë?

[Curufin]

Originally Posted by The Dread Pirate Roberts

Some questions. You may answer or consider them rhetorical, as you like.

Did you discuss and decide to write in the first person or did it just come out that way as a result of the RPing?

Well, we did our PM RP third-person, but it didn't give us enough insight into their thoughts and feelings, so we decided to do it this way.

Same question about using the Quenya names that most readers won't know. Conscious decision? Reason?

They're the names they would have used. Quenya=language of the Noldor in Valinor. It's simply what they would have said. Anairë, for instance, wouldn't have even known the name 'Fingolfin.' That's a Sindarin name.

How old is Maedhros at this point? Since Fingolfin isn't married yet, there is no Fingon. Fingon and Maedhros are later close. I always assumed they were very close in age. What is their age difference?

From the timeline on which we have decided, and based on what we've read in HoME (which tells us that Fëanor married 'while still in his early youth'), Maedhros is only one year younger than Fingolfin. We feel that the difference of 80 or so years is not going to make much difference to friendships among the Noldor.

Have you considered foreshadowing that relationship?

Well, Fingon isn't born yet. Once he is, I'm sure it'll be mentioned.

Does Feanaro/Feanor really have a leg to stand on in the argument so far? Were these sorts of dance rankings common in Aman or only in his mind? The story shows that clearly Finwe sides with his eldest, but is that supposed to be seen as a flaw? Who is *really* in the wrong? Or do you prefer to leave it open to reader interpretation?

That's all up to you. I'm sure Varna and I have our own different opinions on that as well.

How does one pronounce Anairë?

I think (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) that it's A-NEER-ay.

[Earniel]

Originally Posted by Curufin

As for the name, I guess I assumed that Silmarillion-familiar readers already knew Anairë was his wife?

Oh, was she? It's been a while since I read the Silmarillion, that's probably why the name didn't ring any bells.

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by Curufin

I assumed that Silmarillion-familiar readers already knew Anairë was his wife?

No, not Silm-familiar readers, only Silm-obsessed ones would remember the name.

[Curufin]

Oops, my bad.

'Anairë' isn't in The Silmarillion at all...

She's in The Shibboleth of Fëanor...

So, er, maybe Silm readers wouldn't get the name...

[Earniel]

Okay, that explains so much more.

[Curufin]

Yeah, sorry about that. It all seems to run together in my mind.

I'll talk to my co-author...maybe we will change that part.

[Earniel]

Let us know when the next chapter is up.

[Curufin]

Chapter 6 has been posted!

My co-author and I are discussing making a list of Quenya names and their Sindarin equivalents, as well as a list of Quenya terms. Would that be helpful? We thought it might be important, since we've begun to mention the ideas of the Ósanwe-kenta, and it will become even more important later.

[Curufin]

Chapter 7 is up, if anyone is interested.

[Earniel]

"Are you the one I didn't see?" Yes, very smooth, Fingolfin.

Have you two decided on a title yet?

[Curufin]

Yes, we're calling it 'All Fair Things' - from a quote in the Athrabeth 'All fair things grow dim...'

[Curufin]

Chapter 8 is up.

[Varnafindë]

Originally Posted by Curufin

A friend on another board and I are in a RP together

And now I'm not only on that other board any more

Originally Posted by Eärniel

But aren't you giving away the ending already by referring to Anairë as his wife?

Ending? What ending? Their wedding is not the ending, it's not even the beginning of the ending - but it is perhaps the end of the beginning

Originally Posted by The Dread Pirate Roberts

Does Feanaro/Feanor really have a leg to stand on in the argument so far? Were these sorts of dance rankings common in Aman or only in his mind?

In my mind, he just suddenly came up with something new. There must have been tons of parties before the journals started, where he didn't see a problem. (I guess that could be seen as a weakness in the story.) I certainly found nothing in Tolkien to suggest such rankings, they are all my own fault. I need something for them to quarrel about, something to cause tension.

Originally Posted by The Dread Pirate Roberts

The story shows that clearly Finwe sides with his eldest, but is that supposed to be seen as a flaw?

Fingolfin sees it that way

[Aikanáro]

Originally Posted by Curufin

Chapter 8 is up.

And, much like the previous chapters, it's very good! *can't wait for more*

I love Arafinwë's reaction when he finds out that all Nolofinwë did was smile...

I'd pronounce Anairë more as an-EYE-ray, but I don't know that that's right either. Whichever you prefer, I guess.

[Curufin]

Chapter 9 is up.

[Willow Oran]

No, not Silm-familiar readers, only Silm-obsessed ones would remember the name.

If someone is obsessed enough to be reading Silm fanfiction it's a fair bet they'd be obsessed enough to have found out the name of Fingolfin's wife somehow.

Now excuse me while I go read chap. nine...