Home Alone: Forgotten in Formenos

Published on 25 December 2019 | Novella

In the rush to depart for a Yule celebration in Taniquetil, Amrod and Amras are accidentally left behind by their family. When two skeevy Maiar vying for Melkor's attention set their sights on Fëanor's treasury, only these two can protect it. Yes indeed, it is a Silmarillion/Home Alone crossover.

Boundaries

Published on 18 July 2019 | Short Story | Gift Story 

Fingon is constantly pushing Maedhros's boundaries, but this time, he has gone too far. Put on mandatory sick leave after an injury, Maedhros decides to spend his three weeks recuperating alone, setting Fingon on a chase across Aman to find and make amends to his lover ... and yes, transgress one more boundary, one more time.

Hastaina

Published on 12 February 2010 | | Author's Choice | Award Winner | Gift Story 

While embarking upon an Arctic expedition in hopes of discovering secret knowledge that might relieve the marring of Arda, a loremaster of Tirion makes a much darker discovery that undermines the very foundation of his belief. Inspired by the style and mythology of H.P. Lovecraft.

Essecarmë

Published on 21 December 2005 | Short Story | Award Winner | Gift Story | Reader's Choice 

Curufin, the fifth son of Fëanor, is said to have been his favorite. Why did Maedhros get passed over for this honor? This story looks at Eldarin naming traditions and the family dramas they create.

This work is part of the collection Felakverse.

The Bearer of Light

Published on 10 March 2012 | Short Story | Reader's Choice 

Fëanor has been summoned from exile by the Valar to attend a feast on Taniquetil and with the expectation that he bring the Silmarils. His refusal to bring the Silmarils reveals the growing madness of his House and the forebodes disastrous events to come.

This work is part of the collection Felakverse.

Rekindling

Published on 1 December 2007 | Short Story | Author's Choice | Award Winner | Gift Story 

Fëanor and Nerdanel meet again at the end of the world. A tale of loss and redemption.

This work is part of the collection Felakverse.

Paper

Published on 18 October 2005 | Short Story | Author's Choice | Award Winner | Gift Story 

Curufin escapes to the realms of fantasy to escape the pressures of his family and discovers the thrill of first love.

This work is part of the collection Felakverse.

We Are Fëanor? Thoughts on Reading Moral Ambiguity into the Characterizations of the Fëanorians

Published on 8 March 2015 | Essay

Reflecting on my experiences as a teacher at an alternative school and my fascination with the Fëanorians, I conclude that the question of what turns a person to violence is one of the most pressing--and frightening--to explore in fiction.

Finding Footing in a Forest of Fins: Name Etymology as a Characterization Technique of the Finwëan Noldor

Published on 7 April 2018 | Conference Paper

Tolkien often uses etymology to develop narrative by exploring what Tom Shippey terms an "asterisk-world." This paper, presented at the 2018 Tolkien at UVM Conference, explores the concept of "asterisk characterization," or the use of characters' names to develop their personalities and narratives, with a specific emphasis on Fëanor, Finwë, Curufin, and Maedhros.

The Deaths of Kings: Historical Bias in the Death Scenes of Fëanor and Fingolfin

Published on 8 March 2017 | Essay

The death scenes of Fëanor and Fingolfin parallel each other closely in plot, beginning with the rash pursuit of single combat with Morgoth. Yet the manner in which the narrator of The Silmarillion, Pengolodh, employs language and symbolism leads to two very different conclusions that likely served to advance Pengolodh's political and personal agenda.

On Writing Aman, or the Balance between the Mythic and the Real

Published on 6 March 2017 | Essay

Fantasy writers, including creators of Tolkien-based fanworks, have long struggled to depict the "otherness" of realms like Aman. In the past, the Tolkien fanfiction community showed a preference for an idealistic portrayal of Aman that left little room for imperfection. My work has long taken the opposite approach, and in this essay, I argue for the artistic need and canonical basis for grounding stories set in Aman in a more recognizable reality of human experience.