DarkRiver

who knows, this could work

2005-04-28T06:33:10Z

I have a problem and I know there are people who, possibly, read this and can (if they so desire) help me.

I want to get "Heirs of Arda" into some good, popular archives. I just don't know any aside from the Henneth Annun cabal. Could someone point me in the direction of their favorite places so I can set about pestering/campaigning.

I am having a brief bout of confidence and I would like to exploit it.

Ta!

Curtain down

2004-12-14T03:17:33Z

The final chapter, where some stories end and others begin.

Elboron's epilogue

Elfwine's epilogue

Eldarion's epilogue

"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumbered here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend,
If you pardon, we will mend.
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long,
Else the Puck a liar call.
So, goodnight unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends."

"Midsummer Night's Dream" Act 5, Scene 1

whatever will I do when I am at last done posting?

2004-12-11T22:00:17Z

Chapter 17 A battle and more reasons for Eomer to experience heart failure.

And so

2004-12-09T06:48:25Z

Chapter 16

Where grief and war threaten all.

Unnnn

2004-12-09T06:09:12Z

Heirs of Arda is no longer a work in progress

Two years ago, I scribbled out the first scene. So many things have happened with me since then, but the story has remained mostly intact. I am so immensely proud of it.

Tonight I fashioned the final line.

Finishing a work is always an emotional experience for me, but this...this goes beyond. I am just... I feel really good about it. I accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish and everything snapped together in a way that makes me feel it was right.

Thank you all who have read and commented. Thank you SO much for your support. There were times those reviews were all that kept me going.

Final tally, 18 Chapters and 3 epilogues

At this point, it would seem more sensible to just email Sarmajere, but...

2004-12-06T07:19:41Z

This is the apex of the story and is insanely long.

Chapter 15, The Fall of Minas Ithil

Okay, you've had enough time to digest...

2004-12-04T04:40:30Z

Chapter 14

as promised

2004-12-02T03:51:16Z

I am in the process of the last chapter, so here is the first of the last 5

Chapter 13

Hi

2004-11-28T05:07:25Z

*wakes up like a bear from hibernation, shakes off the snow*

I think most anyone who pays any attention at all to Heirs of Arda checks this journal.

(insert numerous and vociferous apologies)

I have ~~three~~ four chapters done and I think I have ~~three~~ two more to go, plus the epilogues.

I will start posting soon, once I am secure my muses aren't going to go on strike again.

So, this is just a heads up. If you care to, you might want to glance back over it to refamiliarize yourself (or look at the summaries) or you might want to just have some rocks handy to throw at my head.

Be back soon with chapters!

in brief

2004-06-03T17:39:49Z

This is more meant for my FF.net readers, but it won't hurt to post it here...

Just a quick meta-post, for anyone still reading.

HOA is my baby and I will see it through to the end.

That end is approaching. Believe it or not, I'm working towards something.

Updates: I'm sorry, I've been really busy and a little uninspired.

Minas Ithil: The one reviewer is correct, Faramir did not rule from Minas Ithil. But it is important to the plot, so please bear with me.

Slash: It is not my intention to use HOA as a gay-rights platform, nor do I intend to insinuate more and more slash themes. Chapter 10 was as bad as it will get, and likely it will be rare.

However, slash is a strong underlying theme. Think of it this way, it's a slash story with all the slashiness edited out.

I am sorry for any readers who are truly bothered by the idea of two men sharing a bed. It happens. Historically, it was very common. Within the context of this story, it is an accepted and unspoken truth that same-sex friends can be bedmates.

Never more than a kiss will be seen on screen. If you can't cope, I can't help you.

The story is set in a universe where Amrothos and Eomer are closer than friends. To pretend that's not so would violate the integrity of the continuity I am building.

To all my loyal readers who have stuck with me through the dry times and the gluts, the aimless chapters and the harrowing cliffhangers, I cannot express enough thanks. More than once, I've gone back to read these reviews to bolster my strength.

I am going to try and push through another couple chapters. I think we have 4 or 5 to go.

Stick with me. It will all be worth it.

It's the end of the world as we, well, you...know it

2004-05-05T04:53:28Z

As a very special treat, or as a byproduct of an extraordinary glut of having nothing better to do, I give you not one but TWO new chapters of Heirs of Arda.

Chapter 11
In which there is much danger and a very sweet moment.

Chapter 12
In which the story moves out of Rohan and into Ithilien.

good god this number scares me

2004-04-17T03:42:10Z

Chapter 10 is done!!!!

Er, somewhat slashier than previous (Eomer and Amrothos).

Enjoy!

darkriverrr @ 2004-03-28T23:03:00

2004-03-29T07:02:19Z

Psssssst....

Heirs of Arda, Chapter 9 is up.

yes, that was for you, in the back...yes, you. The one who is still reading.

http://www.heirsofarda.com

Yes, amidst the chaos there is light...

2004-02-04T21:19:51Z

Heirs of Arda, Chapter 8, has been released for your consumption. I apologize, but being at work I can't get you to the exact link. But go to heirsofarda.com and it should be there, or so my wife tells me.

Chapter 9 is in the finishing stages, it shouldn't be too long before the next installment.

I've decided to focus on things that matter

2004-01-06T06:37:53Z

Look what my beloved and brilliant wife made me!!!

My baby loves me
She makes me hot webpages...

Okay, doesn't scan well.

Anyway, Heirs of Arda, for any of you two just tuning in, has been my pet LotR project for a year now. It centers around the sons of Eomer, Faramir and Elessar and all the trouble three princes can find. As Tolkien said, the troubles did not die with Sauron.

For those of you slightly in the know...Elfwine, Elboron and Eldarion had been looking into the mysteries of Helm and the possibility there is more to his story then is known. They just learned from the Dunlendings that he may be less of a heroic figure and more of a murderer.

For those of you who inexplicably are up to date on things, Chapter 7 just went up. Chapter 8 is done and will follow.

holy crap

2003-12-19T05:06:44Z

I just looked back and I discover I started HoA in Nov of 2002.

No wonder I've lost readers.

Um, oh, we have a new place to live. Yay.

4 hours sleep whee

2003-12-18T02:01:14Z

Since everyone is just dying to get my thoughts on RotK, here they are, all cut and stuff because not everyone is a lunatic like me and my wife, seeing it at midnight.

In brief, I liked it. The heart-wrenching Sam/Frodo scenes made the movie for me.

Specifics...

I feel that the debt to Legolas and Gimli that Jackson accrued in the first movie (by ignoring their relationship) has been paid in full. Over the course of TTT and RotK, he took them through all of the necessary moments.

The Arwen scenes were not at all annoying, as they were in TTT. Though, I swear, I had Sockpuppet flashbacks when she showed up in Rivendell. Poor Rondy finally has the place to himself, he's enjoying a quiet read and feeling very triumphant for having deep-sixed his daughter's betrothal to ~~the squirrel-fucker~~ Aragorn and then the little brat shows back up to whine at him again.

Then Jackson had to do it. He just seems to lose sense around Arwen. Binding her life to the world? Why? How did this in any way add to the plot?

Now, as a writer, I see an idea there. I mean, saying she was bound to Frodo because of the whole "what grace has given me let it pass to him" BS in movie one...I could buy that. As he weakens, she weakens. Okay, I could deal.

But binding her to the world or whatever? That's the worst thing Jackson could possibly do, except for, I dunno, screw up Denethor's death.

Oh, wait...

As a rule, I approve of Jackson's interpretation of Denethor. I consider myself an armchair expert on the aged bastard, so I think I can speak fairly authoritively. The scene in the hall, where he's holding the broken horn of Gondor...spot on. That scene was set up to have you expecting the harsh, brutal steward of Gondor and then you get the total reverse. His callous disregard of Faramir, also perfect. Not a psychotic abusive behavior, just a simple attitude of disdain.

And I accept that Denethor had to be moved into the tangible menace role, replacing Saruman. But Gandalf beating him down in his courtyard?

No.

The pyre scene was within inches of perfection; I lament Beregond's absence but Pippin saving Faramir in my mind balanced the scales for the poor Hobbit who had basically screwed up everything so far. But then...then things went suddenly and inexplicably awry.

Being knocked into the fire? No! No no no!!! And there's no excuse for that. None. We weren't lacking for Gandalf hero moments. We'd already established Denethor intended to kill himself.

Throwing himself onto the fire would have been completely fitting in that scene, and even better, it would have been true to the character.

Instead of the sad loss of a great man driven to madness, a man who killed himself despite Gandalf's pleas...we get a cringe-worthy (bordering on comical) scene of Denethor running a mile (on fire) to jump to his death.

"Some that live deserve death. Can you give it to them?"

Yeah, where was this bottomless compassion, Gandalf?

That was a nightmare. A total farce, a failure and a betrayal of the loyal fans.

Now...

With that said, let me get back to all that was right. As ironic as it is to echo what Dom and Billy said in jest, having Pippin and Merry back in the main plot was like a breath of fresh air. It's basic story-mechanics; you have to have lighter characters in the mix to keep the story from dragging.

I think the journey that Aragorn took from outsider to King was both believable and engrossing. McKellan's Gandalf had some truly moving moments, like when he saw the volcano explode.

The movie, for me, belonged to Sean Astin as Samwise. Seeing this unassuming hobbit coming into his own as a hero made me teary and proud all at once. His lows were crushing, a feat that shows Astin to be a phenomenal actor.

Now, my squee moment came (predictably) when Eldarion appeared on screen. That was a wonderful and unexpected treat.

Emotionally exhausting is how I would describe this movie.

Of the trilogy I would say that on the whole, Jackson was as true to it as 9+ hours would allow. I have quibbles and disagreements (like everyone, I'm sure) but I think there's maybe three things I would go toe-to toe with him over:

Arwen's unnecessary presence in movie 2
Lack of Saruman in the beginning of movie 3
Denethor's death

But then, I'm not a rabid fan...

Maybe I'll just call this my HOA journal...

2003-12-16T05:48:49Z

Okay, so, chap 7 is in the can and chap 8 is in process.

There is no end in sight. This is going to be longer than the original trilogy, I swear. I have so many ideas, so many things I want to explore.

Now Beregond and Bergil are sneaking into the story. Eothain, freaking Eothain and Haleth are bugging me. To say nothing of this vast Faramir arc that I now have rattling around my empty head.

I think the signpost I just passed said, "Now leaving Sanity"

*whimper*

*mock glares at PGY*

I shall rival you if in no other way than in sheer word count, so there.

Well, gosh

2003-10-27T19:57:25Z

Here I thought mention of HOA chap 7 would garner some interest.

Maybe I'll sit on it until NaNoWriMowhatsit is over.

Madonna Inn, T-Minus 3 days and counting.

Killing folks at my old company, less than that.

cough cough cough

2003-10-26T08:18:33Z

HOA 7 is in the editing stages

My moment of zen

2003-10-20T17:36:03Z

Somehow, I didn't get notified of this review on FF Net, which is a shame, since it's so greatly amusing.

Review for HOA, Chapt 6

"I'M NOT EVEN READING THIS, BUT JUST TO LET U KNOW, U SHOULD KNOW BLOODY DAMN WELL THAT FARAMIR MARRIES EOWYN! GET IT FUCKING RIGHT, WOMAN!"

This is particulary grand, since the very first scene of chapter 6 is Faramir coming home to his wife and cuddling with her in bed.

But then, what can you expect from an anonymous reviewer who signed their name "Legolasluva"?

Can I just say that I get all squishy inside when I see the only substantive complaints about HOA are that I haven't continued it?

...

By the by, I have not forgotten the writing circle idea. I had a conversation with my wife which sort of forced me to accept some things and obligated me to push the idea back until I wasn't so stressed with work (and busy making chainmail.

You guys still interested? If so, I'd like to maybe do a chat with the parties and go over my ideas for how it would work and get your input.

Oh by the unholy black heart of George Bush and his squad of fascists

2003-10-08T06:04:06Z

Arnold...

Arnold.

Arnold!!!!

You know what's scarier than the fact that we now have disposable governors is CA? And worse than the fact we elected a man who can't answer questions unless he gets them a week beforehand?

Larry Flynt got 6000 votes.
Gary Coleman got 4000
Fucking Gallager got over 2000!

Jesus. Here that, Dubya? I'm taking the Lord's name in vain! Better send the SS after me!

I voted today, so don't any of you shake your fingers at me. It's really not my fault. I stood in line, I waited and waited to do my civic duty.

And 12000 other Californians did the same so they could cast a vote as a punchline?

Somebody get Russia on the line. We need to get nuked so we can start over.

Because it needs to be said

2003-08-19T04:31:33Z

My father passed away on Friday morning.

Sorting through my feelings on the matter will be a matter of months and maybe years. I know I was not as good a son as I could have been, but that he also was not as good a father. So, I suppose we both got back what we put in.

My parents are gone and I'm not even 31. That sort of sucks.

Ilse H. Moore
June 4th 1935 - March 9th 1993

Raymond E. Moore
October 25th 1930 - August 15th 2003

May they find greater happiness wherever they've gone than they found in life.

Fic

2003-07-03T05:09:13Z

Well, this story came out of nowhere.

HP/dark/disturbing imagery, hints of but no explicit slash
Rated: R
Unraveled

Free at last!!!!

2003-06-26T17:42:01Z

Much to the horror of the Religious right, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down that horrid Texas sodomy law.

One of the idiots in opposition whined about how "taking away the government's right to define morality undermines our whole justice system" - which demonstrates the singular failing in most people's understanding of the justice system.

It exists to create an ordered society wherein people need not fear for their lives or property. It does not exist to give us moral guidelines.