Story Recommendation

[dawn_felagund]

A few months ago, I posted a chapter I'd been dreading to AMC. Dreading? Why? Because it went beyond the realm of "slight AU" in which I usually play and did something flat-out awful and extreme to a canon character. Granted, it is never said that this flat-out, extreme treatment of such a character didn't exist...but I think we all agree that it was mostly my twisted imagination.

In AMC, the loremaster Rumil of Tirion is a survivor of Angband who was mutilated horribly by Melkor, both deafened and muted, leading him to design the Sarati as a means to communicate. I thought that I'd be skewered by readers for this little non-canon spin, but the chapter actually provoked some of the best discussions of any of my AMC chapters.

Still, I was quite surprised when, a few nights ago, tuxedo_elf IMed me to ask if she could borrow Rumil. Not her usual adorable Lorien Rumil but my angsty mutilated one.

She showed me the resulting story today, and I must say that I thoroughly love it. It expounds on the tragedy of his story but ends with hope and leaves me loving his character all the more. If Tux isn't on your flist, I encourage you to check out her story, "A Gilded Cage".

And thanks, Tux, for writing such a wonderful story! :)

Comments

[dawn_felagund]

Sure! It's a chapter of my monstrous ne'er-ending novel, actually. It's Chapter 22, here. The Rumil bit will stand on its own, at least, though.

And I shall also have to read yours too! I'm just thoroughly intrigued that we both had the same idea. GMTA, I guess. ;)

[tyellas.livejournal.com]

Like I said in my other comment, I found it, and I have more feedback. After reading every Tolkien canon scrap I could find about rune-Rumil, I honestly don't think your interpretation of rune-Rumil is that AU. It doesn't seem to me to contradict the little canon there is about Rumil, beyond his being unable to talk and hear, which would make talking to birds and beasts irrelevant. The escape from Morgoth is still there, as is his invention of writing.

Another thing your Rumil reminds me of...and I mean this in a good way...is Frankenstein. The lank hair, the hollow cheeks, the height and broad shoulders and big hands, the isolation and horror, the parallels with monstrosity.

Now I'm off to read Tuxedo Elf's story.

[dawn_felagund]

Yes, I guess he does! Now I'm snickering at the idea of Feanor knocking on the door and Frankenstein answering...thanks.... ;)