Can you make up your mind, either she's smart making good decisions following her own path, or she a wimp like a little child who needs a spank from every person and can't stand up to anyone. It's really annoying that 1 second she's strong and the next she's whimpering on the ground

I think of all of them, the meaning behind the new incarnation of Lumeya is the one I like the most (so far anyhow) of them all. It's symbolism of breaking a repeating cycle is the most poignant thing possible, considering how the great gift of men was to die and pass beyond. It was always a curious thing to me, that death was a gift from Iru to men. (and men alone) But given the mythic cycle motif Tolken had put so much time and effort into building? Now it makes proper sense, because that trait meant a future that isn't a simple repeat of the past.

I admit, I am curious as to who the last four of the nine will find to bear them. More than that, I am curious as to what The One will be like this time. I can only imagine that rubicon will be crossed at some point, given how thoroughly you have forded each previous one in this delightful story.

It's curious, but I feel the need to inform you that if this story never get's continued, I would not resent that. The corner has turned and the future (while not without shadows) is bright in it's promise. I do dearly want to see you weave this tale to it's fullest, it's final conclusion as intended by you and those aiding you. But if that is not to be in this life, I won't resent that. Regret? Yes. But not resent, and that is something very few stories uncompleted but of great value provoke in me. So, Lithos Maitreya, (and all your beta readers and helpers unnamed) I thought you should have the chance to know that. You may never read this, but that you might do so and appreciate the feelings you've given me is enough to make me smile.

Oh I do love this timing and reveal and reasoning for this new verse for such an old ring. The ring leads, the One Ring Rules all others. But where it leads is up to the maker of that Ring, now isn't it? It serves it's maker. If it's maker had been striving for good, it would have dragged them all behind it just as surely as it dragged them into darkness. It's a good thing a forever has passed, since that means the rings aren't bound there any longer.

Oh I do love an intentional biblical reference well used! It's just a lovely thing to see THE classic used appropriately.

I think the interactions between Sophia and Taylor here are so wholesome I'd keep reading even if the rest was bad, and it's very much good. Hi Sunrise!

Well it's good to see Narya find it's home. It's entirely appropriate to have it do so now, and cathartic as few things can be, the resolution of a plot point long in coming and executed well.

You know, I hope Taylor gets to learn of this. Because it'll be another good thing to come out of her actions. Giving the ring to Amy wasn't altruistic, not fully, but it did cause some good. She'll need that knowledge.

Words can not express how happy this chapter makes me. But I thought you should know.

Okay, this is officially the best way this could end. Because it's exactly what Tolken would have wanted. Humanity defeats darkness, not by force of arms, or clever trickery but by being what it is. Now comes the hard part, trying to fix what was broken for so long and all the damage done.

Okay, I love this chapter. Especially because we have Armsmaster and Sophia Hess getting to tell someone opposing fething Sauron that they're wrong in their methods. The same mistake so many would make with The One Ring, of trying to use the same methods against evil to defeat it. The parallels are delicious, more even than the slip of Emma's tongue here that demonstrates exactly why working with evil dirties you.

Oh Cauldron you idiots. I know that 'playing with things beyond mans comprehension' is your whole deal, but this is pure hubris. It'll be fun to watch it all come tumbling down around their ears because they assume they can control a Maia. No amount of human life experience is going to give you an in to stop that you fools.

And this is why Sauron is an absolute nightmare. Condescending, well meaning, and the greatest nightmare fuel after his master, Morgoth. Taylor's hurt, hiding, and all Sauron had to do was offer her an out, to give her what she wanted. That's all Sauron ever does, give you what you want while manipulating you until you want what it does. If Taylor manages to wrestle back to sanity, she will look back on what she did during this time with just as much horror as Sauron here has of her 'naive' view of the world... and a hell of a lot less condescension.

Narsil took one look at where Taylor went and said 'How many times do I have to teach you this lesson old Maia?' Good call on it's part!

I absolutely love how you've had two people approach Taylor losing her mind from totally different angles and found a way to get them working together here. They both want the same thing, they both see the problem and they both have their own reasons.

Well congratulations QA, you just woke up one of the most spiteful, hateful and vicious of higher beings to ever exist in fiction. Even IF you crawled away from that and live, the entire plane of existence is screwed. Your entire race will pay for your mistake in not accepting a simple 'No.' They'll die cursing you for ever existing, because you just earned them doom, ere the worlds ending.

Okay, I feel the need to comment on this chapter. A lot of people would say it's not needed (ignoring how Interludes are supposed to work but whatever) but I am glad it's here. We get to see Rune for who she is, and most importantly Oracle's reasoning. It's ironic that she's the antagonist but she is utterly right about the difference between Taylor and Annatar. Watching how Taylor tempers the nightmare that we the readers know is part of her now (or always was potentially) is the hook to keep us reading. The great execution is what keeps us here I believe.

It's ironic how the chain goes, Sophia triggers - causes Taylor to 'trigger'- causes Emma to trigger and it's likely just a matter of time before something Oracle says breaks someone else.