Smoke and Mirrors by Cirth

Those are very compelling scenes and strong descriptions.

When your Uldor enters Amon Ereb, does he already know what his people are eventually going to do? I find that difficult to make out.

Most times fanfiction is easier to read than original ficition because of shared knowledge and assumptions. If those shared elements are missing it can be difficult. I never have known as much as I ought about the Easterlings. Almost as though I was scared away by the same prejudices which you describe in this story. Oh, Villains! But not pretty, clean, anguished villains like the Feanorians, but grubby, hungry, oppressed, with all of the faults of the oppressed (i.e., oppression oppresses), unrefined, often crude villains, but as you write them, you make me care about them because you write them as heartbreakingly human.

The descriptions ring true. (Speaking of dirty vs. clean--wow! that first description of Maglor is powerful.) The transitions are a little difficult for me, because I don't remember my texts--time for review. (It's your choice to throw the casual reader a bone and give them heavier hints, or not--and you clearly wrote this knowing your audience--I just missed being that favored audience by a hair.) I need to re-read and refresh ny menmory. Anyway, great story! Silmultaneously harsh and warm. Very emotive. A fine line skillfully tread.

I didn't see any glaring flaws! (Ha! I could go back and look for some, if you like! Just kidding!) Every time I open one of my own stories, I find a new typo! We won't even talk about my glaring flaws! I was telling Dawn yesterday that I never take down or re-write a story once it is published--I've closed that door. I do correct typos and other obvious mistakes!