Hello.

I have been writing for a long time but mostly for my own amusement.

What It Means to be A King started when I decided to use Tolkien's work as a writing prompt to practice writing techniques and plotting. I chose a fanfiction because I wanted to focus on the writing and not on a world building. I chose Tolkien because I love his world and I feel as if I know it well. I am an avid reader and Tolkien is my special favorite. He shares my love of Celtic and Norse history and mythology.

Among Tolkien's work, Silmarillion and Children of Hurin are two of my favorites.

Although it started as a writing practice, it turned into an obsession of sorts. I read the Histories of Middle Earth and Unfinished Tales as well as essays by other Tolkien scholars so I can adhere to his canon.

There are divergences, however, but only where I felt there were discrepancies in Tolkien's work or where it was left vague. Where nothing was mentioned, I filled them in with my own imagination. Also where different versions exist, I chose one which supported the overall scheme of my work(I will mention these as I go).

This story focuses mainly on the three characters: Elrond, Gil-galad and Thranduil because I find the lives of these three fascinating. They were children born during the turbulent times in the First Age. Given that Elves feel everything acutely and that their memories do not dim by the passage of time, there must have been much suffering and sorrow. Yet, they have risen from the destruction of war and doom to become the great leaders of their people. This is a story of the Second Age. (I wrote the Third Age, too, but I will bring that out only when and if there are people interested in reading it.)

Among the three, the main focus is on Thranduil because there is practically nothing written about him. Thus, most of his background and personal events are my own. I believe if Tolkien lived longer, he would have eventually given the Sindarin kings of Greenwood a more thorough and lofty background and history just as he did with Galadriel and Celebrimbor.

Because I know there are many who came to love LOTR through the movies, I added references which are familiar to book readers but not to others. I wanted the story to be as easy to read for the movie-Tolkienites as well the book-Tolkienites. Thus, I limited the use of Elvish and incorporated many background information of the history of Arda into the story. Also, the calendar is given in Shire format rather than Elven one as Shire calendar is similar in form to ours.

Through my story, I hope I can give you a glimpse into the vastness, the depth and the beauty of Tolkien's world.

The story will seem to unfold slowly but bear with me. I guarantee that all my guns will go off by the end of the story.

Thank you so much for reading. Any constructive criticism is welcomed with open arms.