Medium Dawn Felagund of the Fountain

The Hero's Journey challenge closed yesterday. (When I say "closed," I mean that challenge entries posted going forward will not receive a stamp. If you are still working on your story, you're welcome to post it under the challenge! I'm still working on mine, in fact.) Here is the list of stories written for this challenge. If you check them out, please consider letting the author know if you like their work by leaving a comment. All links go to the Table of Contents, where you can view additional information about the story.

Before the Dawn by Grundy. Though all seems bright in Gondolin, Idril is troubled.

Companions on a Quest by oshun.

The Crownless Queen by Tyelca. She is a Queen without a crown and he is a shining opportunity. Or, how Ungoliant and Melkor poisoned the Trees and stole the Silmarils.

A Day in the Life by hennethgalad. The youth of Glorfindel in Valinor. (Additional installments in this story can be found here: The Hero's Journey 2 | 3 | 4 | 5)

A Hero of the Day by Robinka. Just an ordinary day out there on the Northern Marches of Doriath. Or maybe not so much…? Featuring your tall, strong, and handsome, not to mention favorite, wardens and some surprises.

In the Darkest Days by LadyBrooke. Elu has gone to Valinor with Finwë and Ingwë, and those left behind are forced to make up for their absences, no matter how young the ones left behind are or if they have to find their own families.

Let Us Sing Together by StarSpray. There are strange things dwelling in the forests of Eriador.

One Woman's Journey by Lyra. From the bliss of Valinor to the turbulent shores of Middle-earth, the life of Galadriel never gets boring.

Safety Net by Fernstrike. The year is 502 of the First Age. Doriath has already seen the Shadow seeping into its borders - and for Oropher, one of Thingol's chief counsels, it will not be long before it pierces into the vibrant heart of the realm.

A Tale of Two Lirillos by Kaylee Arafinwiel. Lirillo the prince and Lirillo the Maia - an adventure of Alqualonde's youngest prince, coming of age during a time after the Trees, just before the sun and moon. Will the grandson of Olwe prove a match for Ulmo's servant, or will the Maia be up to the task of shepherding his young namesake into this new world intact?

Water Music by Ysilme. As he walks, water is bringing back memories.

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I'm interested to know if you all liked this challenge format? This was the first time I've ever used this format. I know I learned from the experience, if we do it again: 1) Don't allow just one month to complete this challenge. 2) Make the prompts sets have different prompts because people will ask for multiple sets. 3) Be clearer on word count expectations, when they exist. If you participated, what did you like and what would you change? If you didn't participate, what would have to change about the challenge to make it something you might want to try?

Perhaps most importantly: Should we do it again next year?

I will be working on stamp collections tonight and tomorrow. If Tuesday arrives and your is not correct, please let me know. If you have commented on a 2017 challenge entry for Strength & Beauty or earlier, please let me know so that I can award you your stamp, as I am not monitoring those challenges any longer.

Finally, remember that our New Directions challenge is currently underway:

This month, we challenge our authors and artists to attempt creating a fanwork about a character they've never written or drawn before, using one of the best resources on the SWG website: our character biography collection. From our list of character biographies, choose someone that you do not know much about or have not written/drawn before. Read the character biography and create a fanwork about that character.

Fanworks must be posted by July 15 to receive the stamp for this one.