How 'Scattered Leaves' was born:

My sister: "I dare you."
I: "No. It simply can't be done."
My sister: "Double dare you."
I: "Just leave it be. Many have tried, but few have succeeded."
My sister: "Please! I just can't take it. Legolas needs to find love, first or after. He can't have spent thousands of years on his own. I'm not asking you for anything elaborate, like Tenth Walkers or insertions from Earth. We all know that's the path to Sueland. But you could make up an Elf."
I: "An Elf. Well, yes, that'd be reasonable. But no Noldorin princesses."
My sister: "No, no indeed."
I: "No daughters of Galadriel or Haldir, sisters of Arwen, or nieces of Gandalf."
My sister: "Nieces of Gandalf! Have people really done that?"
I: "Yes, they have. No, I could take a Silvan Elf...borrow for her an ancient name...no made-up ones."
My sister: "No, really. Either you speak Elvish or you just can't go there."
I: "Well, perhaps I could whip up something, after all. Only..."
My sister: "Only?"
I: "I always wanted to write about Faramir, too. My protagonist could go visiting Ithilien...better still, go back there..."
My sister: "Wait! Hey! Let's talk about this!"
Sound of typing from other room. Fanfic on its way.

After long and slow persuasion, my super beta Encairion has finally convinced me my readers might enjoy some illustrations...so here go a few images to accompany 'Tainted Light'.

The hero being the hero, let's start with Maitimo: this was a commission fantastic artist GoldSeven made for me, and one I am very glad of seeing every day on my wall: http:///?qh=§ion=&global=1&q=maedhros#/d2nm7hs

Feanor, some of you may have noticed, is a great love of mine; and when I think 'Feanor', here's what I visualize: http:///gallery/#/d15exxn (artwork by tuuliky)

Fantastic deviantArt artist kittykatkanie accepted a commission to draw Silme, in a very elegant manga style...here goes! http:///#/d2yotei

'Scattered Leaves' is also archived at LotrFanfiction, OpenScrolls, Tolkien Fan Fiction, the FaramirFiction Archive and Henneth Annun.

'Tainted Light' is also archived at LotrFanfiction, OpenScrolls, Tolkien Fan Fiction, SilmarillionWritersGuild and Henneth Annun.

'Tolkien in Love' is also archived at LotrFanfiction, Openscrolls, Tolkien Fan Fiction and Henneth Annun.

Thanks to the readers who have nominated my stories for this years MEFA awards! Love you all. :)

And thank you to the reader who has nominated Losing Mary for this year. :)