Hello! It may be helpful for you to know, Haradrim is plural. It wouldn't be standard grammar to say "a wounded Haradrim" any more than it would be to say "a wounded guys" or "a wounded men"
HaradrimPeople of Harad.
If you're wanting to say one person from the south, as you are here, you'd want to say Adan o Charad, or Adan Harad.

Wow. Very powerful! I love the line about glory always fleeing and leaving death behind. It's easy to forget the harsh realities of the aftermath of war, but I think it's good to be reminded! Beautiful writing!

This is really excellent!

Such a ghastly, haunting image of the living combing the field for their comrades, and more so once we learn that this Rohirric fellow has already recovered the one he had the most reason to search for. Makes it even more gut-wrenching, as if he's searching less for fallen comrades and more for some sort of absolution.

You sketch his emotions out beautifully without ever getting heavy-handed about it, and though I've never ever been in his shoes (thank goodness) I find his slightly scattered, disconnected train of though to be very plausible given the situation. He seems to be living more in memory and regret than in any sort of present awareness.

The way the Haradric soldier "haunts" him when he returns from the city is spooky and yet beautifully described.

A well deserved first place. Congratulations!

Blessings,
Ev

I loved this when I first read it at Teitho and am proud to say it gained my first place vote.
The story is well written and captivating the characters utterly believable and the plot would fit well with any wartime scenario. I even found myself having to wipe my eyes to read the last few lines.
A very well deserved win for a beautifully crafted story. Thanks for sharing it here. :)

Your language is evocative and flows well. Your story just makes me think of all those other wars that actually occurred in history — especially the First World War, where many young boys enlisted on both sides — so this is an idea that is timeless and therefore works.

Not sure about the adjective 'Haradrim' to describe the young boy — the word is actually a plural noun and is used to denote the race as a whole. Perhaps 'Haradrin' would be better, but don't take my word for it. Additionally, the random POV switch between first person and Aragorn, and back, towards the last quarter of the passage, is a bit jarring and you could probably do without.

Overall opinion: evocative and moving, with some minor inaccuracies.

Good day!
A.B.C.

Reading this on the site I knew it was yours. Regardless though I still thought it deserved 1st place. Very beautiful piece of work. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, what a great story! Thank you!

Good.
Reminded me of a story (probably snitched from a medieval chronicle, as most of the book itself) where during battle a knight took mercy on a young looking opponent and took him prisoner. Ransom was probably an issue too, I presume. Nevertheless the prisoner ended up as the knight's son-in-law and - as he had daughters only - heir to his estate.
So, in a twisted way, your story has a "life for a life" exchange. The Rohirr lost and gained a son. Unless the Harad is an ungrateful git ...
Borys

an incredibly moving story please tell us what will happen to the haradrim boy will he return home to harad?

... Dear Eru in the Timeless Halls.

I am CRYING. YOU HAVE MADE ME CRY YOU HEARTLESS LITTLE - yeah I know I'm a hypocrite.

*sob* but it's so beautiful and so precious and one of your best and most well done pieces and this deserves a medal and people all over the world need to see this and I love it and please please if possible continue this OR LET ME CONTINUE IT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.

Dear Valar. This is just beautiful, genius, captivating, intense, moving. I am blown away. *hugs*

I'm becoming a hopeless sap. Your fault.

I thoroughly enjoyed this piece when I read it on Teitho-congratulations on the placing! You write very well and the concept was beautifully executed. I particularly enjoyed the dialogue at the end. Your narrator's voice 9s clear and strong. I look forward to saving this and reading it again in the future! Thank you for writing and sharing.

Great job. Very believable character.

This is probably the most beautiful story I have read yet on this site. You are an incredible writer, and I salute you. Thank you.