Just when I thought there couldn't possibly be any more secrets to be revealed! I'd been totally content with the canon parallel of Fingon saving Maedhros now, less directly, from his ordeal, but this added layer is such a perfect transposition. You had me so stressed out from Azaghal's reaction to Fingon (I was worried they would have had an unfortunate meeting at a party or something, if it wasn't class), and then I'm pretty sure I was as shocked as Fingon and Maedhros both were! I'm so glad they decided to tell Mae right away, and I love the way you wrote everyone's emotions in that scene.

Maedhros was indeed adorable about asking Fingon to move in with him, and I'm thrilled Tyelko and Maglor were so amicable :) Their banter with each other - and then ganging up to tease Maedhros and Fingon - completely cracked me up :D

Amazing work, as always!

What a wonderful ending to this chapter- it is so happy. I have a goofy smile on my face reading this:) And Az is great- brilliant idea, Nelya, a little bit more depth, complexity is good. Fab chapter.

You made me laugh so hard with the antics of Tyelko and Maglor - nice contrast with the previous heavier chapters!

This chapter is so lovely! It was great getting to see the spotlight on Curvo - his exchange with Orodreth was perfect. I can totally see those two as designated drivers in their wild families :) His conversation with Lanthirel was lovely, as well! It definitely takes someone who can match Curvo's level of nerdiness to get him interested.

And Caranthir and Haleth were a treat to see, too! It's always wonderful to see their whole unrequited thing actually happen, in some universe :')

The final conversation between Fingon and Maedhros is so perfectly sweet - a great reflection on how far they've come, and super cute with drunk Fingon and Maedhros having to comfort and reassure him. It'll definitely be a great year for all parties concerned :)

I'm so happy for them! It's been amazing to watch Tyelko and Aredhel's relationship evolve over the course of this fic - a bit of a slow burn, though they've been together. Seeing them finally completely open and trusting, about both their pasts and their shared future, was a delight, even as I felt for them so much as they struggled to tell their stories. You write the apprehension, regret, and tentative hope they're both experiencing so compellingly!

I loved Mae and Fingon's pep talks to each of their siblings at the beginning of the chapter, too - that's one of my favorite commonalities between them, whether in this verse or in canon, and you always make their dialogue shine in those moments :)

Lovely work, as always! (And thanks for the shout-out - it's been my pleasure!)

This is a triumph of a chapter. I love every bit of it. Stellar work negotiating a difficult, difficult conversation.
My favourite line is Tyelko’s
“He was listening. He was focused. He was fucked as far as the calm part of it went.”

Love, love, love that! :-D

Aaaand it's just as brilliant in final form!

I really love the direct comparison between the Feanor-Fingolfin feud and Thingol's equal disdain for Feanor and his family. Tyelko feels like his relationships keep getting caught up in something bigger, with he himself not being seen - or at least being seen in a false light. You write his emotions so well here - his anger, but especially his feelings of inadequacy and sorrow.

Maedhros' empathy for Aredhel really shines here, too. For all it isn't the main reason Maglor's angry, his and Mae's different takes on the situation are such a believable point of contention here, especially as they each point to the other's past as an explanation for his reaction.

Such awesome dialogue and character development in this chapter! I'm looking forward to the next!

Loving this so far and look forward to more. Like Maedhros, I have always wanted to own a second-hand bookstore and love shopping in them. I like the sound of Beleriand Books, just what a good bookstore should be - roomy, well-lit, comfy chairs and a coffee counter (though thankfully not a café, as the smell of cooked food in a bookstore is extremely distracting and rather off-putting).

Just one point though; Finwe isn't just Maedhros' grandfather, he is also grandfather to Fingon, Finrod and Turgon (Fingon & co are descended from Finwe's second wife). Do they not know that they are all part of the same extended family or are they not related in this story?

so great to see you are back! and with the most wonderful chapter as well! I loved Maglor's backstoryand his characterisation, as a man who is hard to anger but who can keep a grudge for the longest time. looking forward to reading more!

Such brilliant dynamics all around in this chapter! I really love the big-brotherliness Maedhros has taken on toward Aredhel, especially with his warning her about the strange cars. Her initial dismissal-before realizing how the idea if significant to him-is so in-character, as is her immediately beating herself up about it as soons as she realizes.

Maedhros and Fingon are so lovely working together here! They've got the oldest sibling bond, in addition to everything else that's brought them together, and it's so fun and sweet to see them managing all these family issues and trying to help their siblings.

And Fingon and Aredhel's conversation is perfect, too. Fingon draws just enough on Maedhros' experiences to refer to his own similar situation, but does such an excellent job of making Aredhel know she's heard, and that her own struggle is equally valid. They interact so tenderly, and there's such a strong sense of history there. Really well done :)

Looking forward to seeing how it goes for Maedhros with Tyelko!

Thanks for updating.

Whoa, I love Maedhros and Aredhel's interactions here! Seeing them able to understand each other because of their traumas (however different) was really moving, as was the emphasis both of them place on how their experiences made them feel weak and powerless. That strikes me as definitely the part any Finwion would focus on the most, and it works brilliantly here.

The similar experiences with panic attacks and feeling trapped make Maedhros the absolutely perfect figure for Aredhel to confide in here, even though - and especially because of! - her former concerns about him. It also broke my heart how insecure he is about how to handle the situation and help her, when he's actually doing such an amazing job.

Getting Maglor's perspective on Tyelko's reaction was great, too. Seeing Maglor on the verge of getting angry (but able to restrain himself, as is only expected :) is perfect in this situation, and the contrast between their personalities comes out even more as Maglor notices how out-of-character Tyelko is acting.

Amazing chapter, as always, and I'm so excited for more!

Hey! I'm a big fan of this fic and love how you've woven everything together. While this is definitely an AU, you've still kept aspects of their backstory strong - Morgoth (the trucking company) and their grandfather's death, etc. and you've done it in a very interesting way. And yet this is still completely new and not so hopelessly tragic as the Silm itself - in fact it's quite the opposite! This is fantastic!

I'm not usually a fan of something that is mainly focused on romance, and now I think about it, I think it's in part because of how relationships are usually written between couples of the things I read when they become the focus. So lovey dovey that's its cheesy, or causing each other agony but always coming back, and any other number of unrealistic/unhealthy relationships. But in this you execute Fingon and Maedhros (and Aredhel and Celegorm) perfectly in that they are not perfect, but try anyway. They are patient and they are vulnerable and afraid and brave all at once and I think I'm in love with the way you show true love in this.

I kind of reviewing here because, while a bit off, I think Maglor's lyrics have a lot of potential - especially if he combines the ice imagery with, say, a metaphor about a journey for a certain rescue... I will be interested to see how you shape the lyrics and what the final product is. I'm sure it will be great! I'm also looking forward to that New Year's party Fingon will be taking Maedhros too as well.

so glad to see a glimpse of Maglor againand Maedhros is the perfect big brotheras always!

You already know how much I love the dynamic in this chapter, the way you play with how Aredhel's trauma with Eol twists Tyelko's words and makes her apprehensive in a way he can't possibly understand. You write her conflict so well here. I love seeing her lookig out for herself like this after being in that situation, even though it's awful to see her hurt Tyelko.

The changes you made to those two paragraphs are perfect! Things flow really seamlessly, and the situation works brilliantly for this fic, and for both their characters.

Can't wait to see what's next!