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Carmina Brethilia by Robinka

This story is an unusual take on an unusual subject--and as such highly interesting!

The protagonist, as often in Robinka's stories, is Beleg. But not necessarily the same Beleg  we  already know: this, I suspect, is one of the toughest Belegs around.  Although very much a Sinda and in touch with nature, he seems unusually robust and soldierly. (So does Robinka's Mablung.) This is definitely a Beleg who has spent a lot of his time patrolling the borders against orcs and other malefactors, dealing with a merciless enemy. Yet Robinka's Beleg by no means lacks a heart; he has a knack with children and is ready to sympathize with the young and weak.

The Battle of Brethil is an episode in the history of Beleriand that is often overlooked--and yet it is not only the exception to the rule that Thingol withdrew his troops from any major involvement in the struggle against Morgoth after the first battle of Beleriand: if we believe what the Silmarillion text says, this was in fact the battle that stopped Morgoth's troops advancing further into Southern Beleriand at the time of the Dagor Bragollach and therefore an important event at a time of great turmoil in the history of Beleriand.

The battle of Brethil--or rather the friendship between Doriath and the Haladin of Brethil more generally-- is also the exception to Thingol's general rule of non-involvement with Edain (before his daughter took a hand, that is). It is not often one sees a lot of the Haladin, except for Haleth herself. Robinka devotes considerable attention to the Haladin community, as observed by Beleg as a friendly outsider, and to the characters of Halmir and Haldir. We also get a glimpse of young Hurin and Huor.

This all might sound like a very masculine proposition. But in fact the story features not one, but two strong original female characters. Beleg's love interest may be involved in the gentler pursuits, such as cooking and library work, but she is still headstrong and independent-minded. And Beleg's female colleague Sullinn is a formidable Ranger, who is capable of giving Beleg a run for his money!

Chapter One deals with the run-up to the battle. As such it begins cheerfully, even humorously, but the tension mounts and in the description of ugly incidents such as happen in real war, Robinka pulls no punches. She should be strongly encouraged to write the next chapter and give us the battle itself.

On the Edge of Ruin by MithLuin

A classic