Tolkien rec, a story written for me!!

As you all know, I participated in slashy_santa this year, though the gifts were really for Valentine's Day, posted yesterday. Thankfully the recipient of the story I wrote seems to have enjoyed it, though she was pretty brief in her commentary. I was fortunate to have ennorwen write for me, and she came up with the compelling "Lodestar", featuring a favorite character of mine who doesn't often show up in any kind of fanfiction, Tar-Meneldur Elentirmo, the 'star-watcher' king of Númenor. In doing a search of a summary about him, I just stumbled across my own poem I wrote from his POV… I'd totally forgotten that I was so smitten with him once upon a time that I wrote The Love Song of Tar-Meneldur Elentirmo. Wow. Um... And I just read her reply to my review, and she used my bio for him over at HASA as a base. I'd forgotten I'd written his bio over there! Anyway, on my own web page, I kindly included a wee bit about him which I'll repost here:

For those who are not familiar with the Kings of Númenor and Unfinished Tales: from Part Two, Chapter I, "A Description of the Island of Númenor"- 'Towards the North Cape the land rose to rocky heights, and there great Sorontil rose sheer from the sea in tremendous cliffs. Here was the abode of many eagles; and in this region Tar-Meneldur Elentirmo built a tall tower, from which he could observe the motions of the stars.'

Tar-Meneldur Elentirmo was the 5th king of Númenor, and his name means 'Star-watcher.'

So! ennorwen's story is brilliantly conceived, very realistic, bringing an obscure character to life in his younger years, and an OMC who ends up falling for him, despite their very different stations in life. Here's her summary:

Relatively young, Írimion (the future Tar-Meneldur) begins work on his tower at Sorontil. He enlists the aid of a stone-mason, Minardil Gonhiriôn, and as they work, a fast friendship develops. Through a series of fits and starts and separations, they come to learn that they care deeply for one another and after Írimion’s journey throughout Númenor, he returns and cements their love with a startling revelation of his own. Written for Thevinia.

I would repost my own review, but that gives away part of the plot. You all know I don't gush about stories all that often, nor rec them, but this one is a true gem. Even without the presence of any Dwarves. ;) It is slash and it is adult, in the most delicious fashion. The primary focus, however, is on the young to-be king and the stone-mason who helps him build the tower where Írimion can watch his beloved stars.

Go and read, especially if you're a Tolkien fan and not all that familiar with the early centuries of Númenor and like to read well-crafted, thoughtful, and ultimately passionate prose. If you do read it and like it, please let her know at the site!