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This is a wonderful first chapter. Not only do you give us great descriptions (that early description of Glorfindel in his Haradrim outfit is to die for and the last description of Erestor getting a look at him in their cabin) but character development of Glorfindel and Erestor is amazing and the minor characters are so clearly drawn as well. Lots of great lines. One of my favorites is "I have met the Valar and I am not frightened of them" (Great Nolodorin comment. Love it. Go Glorfindel!).

Hi Oshun.  Mmm, so glad you liked my description of Fin. (That image did me in as well. Licks lips.)  In fact that opening image of him in the Haradrim costume was the original inspiration for the story - the rest flowed from that.  I'm pleased you felt their characters worked.  My aim in writing this was to try as much as possible in the face of fanon to create more multi-dimensional characters with a little different twist. As for the line about the Valar, well Fin thought of that himself without my help.  LOL.  So, it must have been true.

First, let me thank you profusely for directing me to this. 

This chapter is a fantastic entry into the story and assures that I will be reading the novella in full.

The characters, from the two protagonists to the bit players, are brilliantly drawn.  Rakish Findel, uptight (but not simpering) Erestor, Cap'n Armalak and coquettish/coltish Ardan are all written with such wit and so distinctlvely.

You've really captured a sense of place and culture.  I bow to your use of adjectival descriptors!  And I love the intercalation of recognizable features of our primary world (the rhino horn -- snerk!) esp. that of Southern and Eastern cultures here.  Really, this chapter abounds with all sorts of fantastic details which craft a tertiary world out of Tolkien's secondary world.

With regard to m/m slash, as a reader of the genre, I am very picky.  Even without getting to the juicy bits, I can tell this will meet my benchmark which is this: there have to be two guys involved, not a guy and a woman in guy's clothing.  Findel and Erestor are already convincing to me (and how!) as authentic.  

Finally, your characteristic dry humor had me hooting aloud while reading this.

It's fascinating, too, to see the many renditions of these canon characters.  

I will be reading chapters one by one as life allows, but be assured more comments will be forthcoming.

The end of the story left me smiling, in satisfied happiness, but in truth, this story was more bitter sweet then anything else, and the parts of the divine tyranny were harder to bear, maybe *because* they were coated in the sweetness of the description. The seemingly willingness.

I enjoyed many things in the story, Glofindel's strength, beauty and his ability to communicate with Oiolairë. I loved Erestor's sharpness, Ardan's description and the glimpse into the Harad ways.

Thank you for an enjoyable reading.

Ah, you tried this one.  LOL.  I'm so glad you enjoyed it.  I got it as an assignment for a Slashy Santa swap and was at first dismayed since there were so many stories already about Erestor and Glorfindel that I didn't think I could make them unique.  Coming up with an unusual background for Erestor and putting them in the unusual situation in Umbar helped. Interesting that you used the word 'bittersweet' as I think that word applies to much of what I write.   It's always great getting reviews on old fics. Thanks Scarlet, for letting me know you liked it.