Author's notes:

Firstly, words of thanks. This story was a very, very long time in the making, and during that time, several people saw fit to comment on bits of it I spread at random, greatly encouraging me to continue. Those same people were also amazingly kind in general, talking about this story, waiting for it, often providing inspiration, the works. Those people are Mouse, Le Chat Noir and Jen Littlebottom, all of whom have my sincerest thanks. The Lady of the Fountain Mouse also has my thanks for beta-reading.

Secondly, the reason that this story was a long time in the making. Running the risk of sounding pretentious, this is very much a – call it summary of a great deal of what the Silmarillion means to me. Writing it was quite the experience, and never done lightly. I only hope the result is good.

Being the summary it is, this story is very strongly linked to many others. This is the background "The Song of the Rock" takes place against, and "The Far-Reaching Hand" touches very much on the same themes, as does, in a sense, "Alqualonde". Those three, as well as the poem "To Sing of Her", complete a single greater work. Call them the Architect's Cycle if you will.

Finally, a word or two on influence: As the title suggests, this story was heavily inspired and influenced by Ayn Rand's brilliant novel "The Fountainhead". But it was even more inspired and influenced by a comic book series called "Zot!" – particularly issue #18 – courtesy of Scott McCloud, my very favorite writer. If you frown at the idea that a Tolkien fanfic was inspired by a comic book, I frown at your shocking ignorance. Another great help was Cat Faber with her song "Under the Gripping Beast". At last, this story would never have happened without a few other works of fan fiction, chiefly Finch and Mouse and their characterization of Turgon, Le Chat Noir's various poems, and Jen Littlebottom's "Freefall", which was both inspired by this story and inspired it in turn.

Thank you for your time and attention, everyone. I do hope it was worth it.