Enjoying the story thus far. Do continue with haste.

You ever gonna continue

I love the story...

I feel like Anakin's time in Middle Earth will have taught him humility.

We might be able to avoid the "unfair treatment" scene when he informs the council...

Also Gandalf v Sidious would be cool if that ever happens.

If I remember from The Silmarillion he is a angel more or less meant to guide men by the Gods right?

Absolutely fantastic! You stir my curiosity, like I stir my sugar into tea. Another glass my dear fellow. It’s time for Elevenses.

Something occurring in Aman, interesting... And I'm happy to see the thought pattern shifts in Anakin.

This is a really engaging and well written story. I think this is the fastest story I have ever read.

I do wonder how the plotters think the coup attempt will succeed. While Aragorn may be Northern there cant be any meaningful support for Umbar/Black Numenoreans in Gondor can there?

I cannot wait for the next chapter

Wonderfully written!

I am pleased that after a prolonged wait you were able to give us 2 new updates in quick succession.

The exchange between Sauron and Palatine was...palpable. Both feigning some cooperation while simultaneously planning to defeat the other in betrayal, as is their nature. Anakin's children now present for him changes the story from Canon a great deal, as is the influence of Arda. Will it be enough to save him from the Darkside?

Back on Arda, the delegate again trying to outwit King Elessar in making a treaty while trying to undermine his Kingship is utterly irritating, and downright believable, given his political responsibilities, while under the yoke of a spoiled brat.

I applaud your handling of the development of the story. I still remember your mention some of your family thought you were a plagiarist, and where the story is proof your approach was a necessity towards character development and your true independent creativity of original thought.

Again, I thank you for the story, and hope for a update as swift as you can muster.

Regards

Wandering Scion

Hi L! I've actually been following this story since chapter one, I just waited until now to post a review because I wanted to wait until all the elements of the story were in play. I could tell from the early chapters that this was not going to be a fast-paced, action-adventure tale like Arda Campaign. Rather, after reading the first few chapters, I realized this is going to be a slow burn, character-driven, intrigue story. And intrigue there is aplenty. The grammar and editing have come a long way since the first chapters of Arda Campaign, even though that never bothered me personally. The chapters feel like they actually come out of a novel, in terms of content and quality.

Sauron and Palpatine's dialogues were a little dense for me, at first. As the story's gone on, however, I've started to enjoy them for what they are; chess games between two master manipulators smiling and offering each other one hand in mutual benefit, but secretly holding a dagger in the other and waiting for the opportunity to stab the other in the heart. Even with Sauron seemingly making a mistake, it's difficult to tell who has the advantage in this battle of subtlety. Both can play the long game, it's just one is bound by mortality and the other has all the time in the universe.

I'm very much looking forward to Gandalf and Yoda meeting each other. I can definitely see these two sages hitting it off. I do agree with many other posters that the Arda delegation is going to take big issue with handing force-sensitive children over to the Jedi Order. However, I do believe Yoda is open-minded enough that the fresh perspective they bring will allow him to see how stagnant and cloistered the order has become. He's not dogmatic like Mace, so I believe there is still hope for the order.

Anankin's arc is definitely shaping up to present him with a test like never before. It's not just Padame he has to think about now. He has a son and daughter to think about. And that's definitely something he is going to keep in the back of his mind when he's weighing the morality and consequences of choices he's going to face in the coming chapters. He has to now think about what kind of example he's setting for his kids to follow. Definitely a game-changer from the movie. After his talk with Obi-Wan, I can potentially see him declining Palpatine's proposition for Anakin to be his representative on the council. But that's probably me just being hopeful.

Keep up the great work and I look forward to the next chapter.

Does sauron ever get his loyal followers back or no

I was so happy to find an update! Thank you for continuing to write the story and spreading some happiness with all that's going on. (I posted before as a guest twice; just explaining the new name in the comments.)

Another delightful chapter! I love the world-building and character interactions you have done. That really makes this story fun to read. The Arda delegation's reactions to the simple pieces of tech is very realistic for people coming from a considerably less advanced civilization. Here's hoping we get to see some adventuring on the capital world outside of the required diplomatic meetings. Of course the political chess games of those will be entertaining as well. Palpatine is really going to have to go to great pains to hide his nature from the likes of Gandalf and Galadriel, but he does have an advantage in being informed of the need to be wary by Sauron.

Anakin is doing the right thing by not keeping his visions a secret and asking for help. The real problem is not the failure of Gandalf and Yoda to provide some wisdom, but in his own reluctance to accept it. Like all of us, Anakin faces the choice of whether he wants the truth (even when it is painful) or the lie that he wants to hear. He would be smart to remember the things he learned on Arda, such as Galadriel's warning that he was going to soon discover that someone he counted as friend serves only themselves. It is also good that in this story Obi-Wan is not kept in the dark. Of course, Palpatine will be quick to remove any such influences on Anakin so he can continue leading him to the dark side.

Speaking of Obi-Wan he is going to have a real problem now with this Jedi covenant. He promised to help Anakin with his secret marriage and now he is technically an accomplice to it. On the other hand, this could cause some Jedi to wonder if their destiny truly lies with the order, or if it needs to lie with the order. Anakin and Padme seem to be trapped in thinking that they will have no future if their secret gets out. But perhaps they could gain something better in the simple joy of family. Maybe the Jedi might realize that they don't need to be as afraid of attachment as they are, or that their way might not be the right path for everyone with force abilities even if said people were raised in the order all their lives. As I said I look forward to seeing the delegation's reaction when they find out the Jedi take new-born children into their order not by willing consent, but by the force of republic law. Since Arda is being courted for membership its acceptance of entry would place it under the laws of the republic. This would mean that any force-sensitive children would be given to the Jedi unless Arda found a way to be legally protected as a condition of entry. I am confident that this stipulation of membership will not be seen favorably by those on Arda who will be making this choice.

Aragorn shutting Koll down was great. It is even better when you consider that Aragorn never wanted to be a king yet he is fully capable of showing that he is one. Despite the situation though, he should consider that it is beneficial that Koll does not know when to close to his mouth. His persistence in trying to get Aragorn to sign a treaty serves to show his real intentions, something that is needed since he is now part of a coup. Faramir is also great as the wise councilor and a good help for Aragorn in dealing with the difficulties and realities of politics. If Faramir his a network of spies watching Rhun and Harad then he should also have them watching for threats from within. I imagine Amathir is going to move soon. Too bad for Gondor that he is only thinking of his pain and not what is best for his people.

Once more Sauron is the show-stealer in all this. I was not expecting what you revealed him doing with Serra Keto. Using her as a test subject for experimentation in the force is bad enough. But he is actually remaking her into a servant. This is evil and yet thrilling at the same time. Is he going to release her back to the Jedi after he has enslaved her to his will? That would be quite the move as he would have his own agent in their ranks and I suspect only the members of the delegation would be able to recognize his influence on her. Is she going to be the first among other new creations of his born from his newfound knowledge?

A final note, I have to wonder if we will see some interesting combinations of tech and magic in the form of crafted items? It is just a curiosity of mine. Picture this for instance; a weapon like a sword, forged of the strongest known metals (mandalorian iron, durasteel, etc.), built with a cortosis-weave (to resist lightsabers), but also woven with mithril. Then, give it vibro technology to dramatically increase its power, and top it off with magical powers imbued to it. The right knowledge in the right hands could really bring forth objects of legend.

Great Chapter L.

Grevious's little chat with Sidious - chilling, but when Sidious started talking about how soon he would have another apprentice I felt like shaking my head at that guy.

True, in another lifetime Sidious may have been able to get Anakin as his apprentice, but in this one...given what Anakin went through in the year he spent on Arda, I doubt this will go the way Sidious thinks, especially with Gandalf around.

Plus, like I said in a previous review, I wonder what Sidious will do when he meets Gandalf. Who will sense the other's power early on, and how much of a threat Sidious will see Gandalf as?

Looks like Anakin's visions are at it again, but this time in a different way. And I can kind of guess only two of those dark figures but not the other one.

I do like how Anakin sought out Gandalf for advice first and then Yoda. Honestly, Anakin is better off taking Gandalf's advice than Yoda - especially with regards to Anakin needing to pay attention to his surroundings. Heck, Yoda should take advice from Gandalf. For all of the Grandmaster Jedi's experience, the latter doesn't have a clue. So Gandalf meeting Yoda and the rest of the Jedi Council will definitely be interesting.

I'm glad Gandalf figured out real quick that Padme was more than a "friend" to Anakin and that they were married.

(Imagine Gandalf as well as Merry and Pippen meeting Luke and Leia. That kind of scene would be too adorable.)

The Jedi's little oversight/shadow investigation is definitely going to be a wrinkle in the case of both Anakin and Obi-Wan given their respective positions. While Obi-Wan hasn't had much of a chance to talk to Anakin about what the latter revealed during that confrontation with Sauron - and I hope they're able to soon - Kenobi is going to be stuck between wanting to adhere to whom they've entrusted this oversight thing to. If Anakin and Padme's marriage is revealed, as well as their kids, and that Obi-Wan knew beforehand - not only could Anakin be expelled, but Obi-Wan as well. Plus the Jedi could still try to take the twins, which could get nasty given that they would not only have to deal with Anakin and Padme, but Obi-Wan, Gandalf, and even our two Hobbits. Hopefully we don't get that kind of confrontation.

Going back to Sidious and his dealings with Sauron - honestly, Sidious's overconfidence knows no bounds. But then again like another reviewer said best - Sidious has had success all this time that he has never had to deal with something - or rather someone - that is out of his control like Sauron. If Sidious thinks he can either put Sauron under his heel or get rid of him...Palps is going to be in for a big surprise.

In all, great stuff here L, and definitely a bit of a setup for what's to come.

Hopefully Anakin is able to make the right call when it comes down to it.

The Jedi Witch Hunt is in full effect I see. *sigh*

Thanks for another great chapter.