Comments

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I'm having trouble finding words to review this!  You have the terror and the loneliness and ultimately the horror of this sort of era so very well.  It reminds me very strongly of studying early modern history and the various religious persecutions going on back then.  The lost possibilities going on between Alagos and Mestië are heartbreaking.  Thank you!

When you said dark, you weren't kidding!

The details of the forced move of the Faithful and of the punishments being carried out against them really do call to mind some of the worse religious persecutions that we see - I'd say 'that have happened in the past,' but as we know, they still unfortunately do go on.

The mutual attraction/love between Mestie and Alagos feels 'real' somehow, and it's heartbreaking that neither of them realizes it until it's too late.

Mestie's observation that she's been treated 'the same as any woman in captivity' is such a simple statement that carries so many horrific implications - it almost makes me wonder if part of her seemingly calm acceptance of her fate is because she finds death preferable to continued captivity.

Wonderfully done, Indy!

Nope!

Yes, unfortunately they do still. I despair that humanity will ever change.

I\'m ecstatic that you think their attractions feels real! I do have a bit of backstory, namely that both were taught it couldn\'t/shouldn\'t happen, and when Mestië married, Alagos chose to never speak of it, especially after her husband died. But Mestië settled for Taratecil, because she thought she couldn\'t have Alagos.

Hmmm… I hadn\'t thought of that, but it makes a heck of a lot of sense!

Thank you so much, Steel!

I should have known that things would end this vay for poor Mestie but, I did not see it coming! The story was a great portrayal of the kind of injustices and punishments--and adjustments--t at they might have gone through. Thanks for a great glimpse into the Faithful's life.

Oh wow, Indy! This is so immense and powerful. How very sad that Alagos would live with that regret for the rest of his life. I love how you portrayed this grittier, more tragic, side of Numenor. These kind of stories should be told more. Life in Numenor was so multi faceted, and I love Mestie and her children. Your OCs are wonderful. I loved her acceptance f her fate, very much like the Faithful. I love that you added a tragic love story to this. I feel for Mestie in so many ways, having been parted from two loves, her husband, and then Alagos. I feel for her children too.

 This was so beautifully done, truly. Wonderful job.

Thank you! Alagos\' regret is one of the saddest parts of the story. I do wish they were told more-- life in Middle-earth wasn\'t all goodness except in Mordor and Angband. Societies have problems, even if they aren\'t visible.

I\'m glad you like my OCs-- they can be difficult for people to accept. (As I think you know.)

Their love story snuck up on me while I was writing. The scene by the window was when I first realized they were both attacted to each other, but I didn\'t want to put it in there, but they both put their feet down and demanded otherwise.

Thank you so much!

This is my first review on SWG.  I read this piece in duet form with "Every Wish."  Were those two titles chosen to complement one another - wishing on stars?  In any case, they form a sobering balance to one another: the hopeful maiden of the first piece, trying on her bridal dress, and the older and resigned woman of the second.  We have too little time with Mestië, but her sad and quiet strength in captivity deeply impressed me, and I was touched by all of the implications of her brief marriage to Táratecil, her long friendship and abiding love for Alagos, the precious lives of her two children.  Two short pieces, but I could sense something of the life of this woman.  It is sad to think of all that she was cheated.

I also loved her son Táranar's consideration in his missive to Alagos at the end.

Stunningly unimpressed by Manwë (but then again, that is how I usually feel about him.)  "Did not anticipate" indeed.  I felt as if I read something of that sentiment in Námo's silence as well, but it's probably just me projecting.

Welcome to SWG! I'm honored you chose my story to review first.

Yes, the two titles were chosen to complement each other. "A sobering balance" is a wonderful description. I'm ecstatic you love Mestië and her life. She was an interesting and fun character to write. Yes, her fate is sad-- it's the people like her who make up Middle-earth. (After all, Frodo never considered himself a hero.) And Númenor's story isn't just about the nobility.

Oh, that sentiment is there. I'm not fond of the Valar, and think of them as incompetent at best.

Thank you for reviewing!