The West Wind Quartet by Himring

I thought having you as a favourite author would notify me whenever you updated but apparently it works with stories and series only, so imagine my surprise when I check the site, and find out I missed this story’s update twice. I took the chance to read it from the beginning. This will be a long review :)

Overall I liked how you used the POV of an OC to show us the relationship between Maedhros and Maglor. I already told you I loved how you write it, but it’s even more beautiful when it’s seen from the eyes of a stranger. The bond they share shines through. I also liked the references of future events and foreshadowing, how they were spaced throughout the tale.

Chapter 1: I liked how, through Emlinn, we first see Maglor as something awe-inspiring and remote, and how that changes by the time Maglor sits with his back to her. Maedhros will be seen in the same light, but it’ll take longer for that to change. And yet he’ll remain remote… 

Chapter 2: The sense of confusion before the reality of war came across really well! I enjoyed that mention of Turin :) Thumbs up to Maedhros’ strategy against Glaurung!

Chapter 3: Absolutely my favourite chapter! So many things worth mentioning… I saw once the performance of a martial artist using a sword. That display of skill accompanied by music is wonderful, so I imagine Maedhros’ must have been quite a sight. Add that that it was Maglor the one playing… good for morale is an understatement. And I keep forgetting Maedhros is no longer beautiful by Elven standards :P  I liked how even during the music lessons there are signs that they are on a siege, letting us have a respite without forgetting that things aren’t going well. Maglor taking a second to fix Maedhros’ hair during battles; the villagers referring to Maedhros as left-handed; how their public actions are so political (it’s deliberate, but doesn’t seem deliberate, so ingrained it is.); the rumours about Maedhros and Angband (can’t help thinking that Maedhros would prefer that rumour to one that hits closer to home). Here it’s shown that Maedhros draws strength from his brother’s presence, while his presence inspires Maglor… And I wonder if Maglor blames himself for Maedhros’ death, if that is the real reason Maglor refuses to seek Valinor, the one thing he can’t forgive himself for.

Chapter 4: I hated she had to part… but I think it was best for her than witnessing first hand what happened after the Nirnaeth.

Chapter 5: How bittersweet the ending! Her grief at the beginning is very believable, she knows they’ve done something terrible but she also knows they aren’t evil and it’s hard to reconcile those thoughts. How the rearrangements were a smart way to keep Maglor’s legacy, though I sympathized with Erestor. Also enjoyed that mention of Elrond and Feanorian silences :)

I end the review with something a sentence that I think says a lot about Maedhros, though I can’t seem to find the words to explain why: “I was the real thing. Maedhros had said so”.

I just wanted to say I really, really enjoyed this fic. I loved how it focussed on Maglor as a musician instead of mainly concentrating on his later possible angsting. The bond between him and his brother was realistic, and your OC well rounded and believable. I'm a musician myself, so throughout the fic I found myself alternatively wishing myself in her place and being very grateful not to be ( being taught by someone you truly admire is nerve wrecking! And I've only experienced human teachers: lessons with Maglor would probably kill me, haha) I also really liked the idea of him maybe hearing shards of his songs sung by strangers as he wanders later on. One of the most beautiful things about music to me is that it is a very direct form of communication able to break barriers of time, place and culture. Somehow that just is a beautiful idea...sorry, I'm not very eloquent. :P

Hi Himring,  I thought I'd repost my Mefa review here:

This is the story of a Sindarin musician named Emlinn, who becomes Maglor's pupil. Emlinn is a clear-eyed, down-to-earth individual, humble about her own abilities, although clearly she is a skilled musician. She is thrilled when Maglor chooses to tutor her, telling us that even though a Noldo he is arguably the greatest musician in Middle-earth. (The Noldor/Sindar factionalism is well portrayed.) Even though Emlinn's feelings about Maglor's character are tempered by his actions at Doriath and the Havens, she is able to see him in his entire tragic complexity and is responsible for later popularizing his music. I love the logic of this, because of course how would his music have become widely known without an elf like Emlinn to promote it?

Something unusual in fanfic and an aspect I liked is that Emlinn is married, and that her relationship with Maglor and Maedhros is not romantic in a sexual sense. Nevertheless, it is a love story of devotion and loyalty to a gifted teacher.

The minute I started reading this, I realized I was in a storyteller’s capable hands. First and foremost there is Emlinn’s strong voice. ["As a solo player, I’m a good harpist and a decent singer, no more, but I’m an excellent accompanist, even if I say so myself, and an experienced teacher. I learned with the best. For a time I was a student of Maglor Feanorion. You would prefer me to say that it was Daeron who was the best, not Maglor, because he was one of ours? But to compare Daeron and Maglor is to compare a pomegranate with a bunch of grapes."]

Secondly, there are so many vivid and wonderful scenes: Emlinn’s first meeting with Maglor; the terrifying encounter with Glaurung; the marvelous portrait of Maglor and Maedhros’ relationship, exemplified by Maglor’s musical accompaniment of Maedhros’ martial exercise -- a magical moment. Emlinn's unique perspective allows us to see the two brothers in all their majestic power and heartbreaking “humanity.” In the best fanfic tradition, this story gave me a view of them that I didn't have before and I thank Himring for that.

Himring’s prose is clear and artful and enhances her story without calling attention to itself or getting in the story’s way. Even the author notes and character descriptions are engaging -- written in a gently humorous manner. I especially loved the quotes from her “actors” Emlinn, Maglor,and Maedhros, grumbling about Himring’s rendition of their story. [Maglor: “You do realize that I'm considering sueing you for defamation of character, just as soon as I've finished charging you for all the extra hours of overtime? Not to mention the copyright issues.”]

All in all, Himring is a marvelous storyteller and this is a fantastic story.

Amazing story, Himring! The spririt of Tolkien's books literally breathes out at me from this fic. You managed to keep Tolkien's realia and characetrisations including mannerisms and ancient politeness of speech, and given it all an everyday reality dimension. I'm astonished. Great job, really.

This is one of my favorite Maedhros stories. I read it a while ago and didn't review (sorry!!) but I stumbled across it again and wanted to let you know. He just seems so complex and real here. You really show how much he strugged to keep Himring (and Beleriand in general) safe and protected. One of my favorite parts is when Emlinn talks about the library being burned:

"But that Maedhros should have forced himself to destroy them by his own command is what breaks Erestor’s heart, more than the destruction wrought by orcs or balrogs of whom no better could have been expected.

I do not think myself that Maedhros loved his books so much that he would not have grieved a great deal more for the loss of all those people, dying within the brief space of  a couple of days like flies. When, towards the end of winter during the siege, there was no kindling left for the fires in the hospital wing, he offered pages from his books to the healers to light the fires. He selected the pages carefully and ripped them out himself, but I saw no sign of regret on his face." 

It conveys a lot in only a short space. My favorite line, though, and one that has stayed with me is: "...I saw Maedhros miraculously transmuting himself into a tireless hero with nerves of steel again, the unbowed spirit of Himring, as he leapt lightly down the stairs."

I also love the part where Emlinn calls others out for speaking ill of Maedhros and Maglor, when they previously benefited from their protection. 

Emlinn herself is a fascinating character; I like how we get to see all of her preconceived notions and how they measure up to, and are changed by, reality. Even knowing things couldn't last, I was sad when she was sent away. The things we learn from her, like the rumors about Maedhros in Angband, are interesting and insightful as well.

That got way longer than I intended, so I'll leave it there. Anyway, this is an amazing story and thank you for writing it!! I'm sorry I didn't say so sooner.