Chapter Text
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
As stated in the description, this fanfiction is a novel-length canon gapfiller on the Union of Maedhros, the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and the downfall of the Sons of Feanor; plus my take on what could have been going on in Gondolin between the Bragollach and the Nirnaeth. As such, it is filled with mythological lore, cites quite a few fictive languages, and is generally difficult to read – but hey, maybe some of you will be hooked.
'The Seven Gates' is also the first part in my 'Translations from the Elvish' verse, which regroups my "most serious" attempts at sub-creation within the frames of the legendarium. It is meant to be fully consistent with/ plausible within canon; with the sole exception that Curufin has a daughter.
I chose the wording 'meant to be' because I started writing The Seven Gates in 2015, while I was still in high school. Since then, I got two degrees in Philology and I ended up writing my MA thesis on Tolkien. I'm not saying this to brag about it, but rather to warn you that despite my best efforts in editing, this evolution is something you will definitely notice while reading. There are small inconsistencies with the Laws and Customs, The Nature of Middle-earth, etc. that I would not include today, but which ended up being essential to this story -- for example, the representation of how the Eldar sleep, and how much rest they generally need. I could find some meta explanations/ workarounds for these errors if I really tried, but let's just say that I have learned a lot since 2015:)
One more thing: while I obviously do not claim ownership over any piece of Tolkien's legendarium, this story and my OC-s belong to me. Please do not repost or translate my work without my explicit permission, and do not, under any circumstance, feed my writing to AI.
Enjoy your reading!
Laerthel
PROLOGUE
“In those days Maedhros son of Fëanor lifted up his heart, perceiving that Morgoth was not unassailable; for the deeds of Beren and Lúthien were sung in many songs throughout Beleriand. Yet Morgoth would destroy them all, one by one, if they could not again unite, and make new league and common council; and he began those counsels for the raising of the fortunes of the Eldar that are called the Union of Maedhros.”
/ J. R. R. Tolkien - The Silmarillion; XX. Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad /
An Ode to the Fallen
(as sung in the Hall of Fire by those who still remember)
Torches burnt low and darkness grew
in starlight's gleam hope stirred anew
in weary hearts of iron hewn
on brows clouded by icy gloom.
Proud kings fled and proud realms failed
our lands devoured by fire;
bury the dead and clean the mead
were all my heart's desire;
but lo! New threat comes from the North
along with hope, though be it false!
New hordes of Orcs are stepping forth
let thus a tale of woes be told;
Of he who walks in starlight,
who drapes himself in clouds
He who hides in caves and breaches,
icy peaks that Darkness shrouds;
of he who climbed those Mountains
where all paths find their ends;
of he who found pride, worth and might
where plague, danger and evil dwelt:
Of he who was not without fear
but strong enough he was;
of he whose fate, though hard to bear,
was still the one he chose;
and all those swords and all that light
and all those clear eyes burning bright;
O! Let me sing of silent nights,
of mighty deeds and twinkling stars;
Our Bane with valor in the midst
with life in death's embrace
as proud armies rode in the mist
with the worst of foes to face;
Our Alliance, our deepest sorrow
let our Great Tale begin!
Let the light of day stir by the morrow
while crows feast on our kin.
ALTERNATE COVER
(c) Hirfael 2016