Harry Writes

A personal challenge; a story a day, each inspired by a piece of art found here on tumblr. (Suggestions are welcomed) My Main Tumblr Page

[harrylee94]

What the River Returned

Chapter Thirty-Nine: An End

Summary:

"‘Don’t adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story’" -- Many Meetings, The Fellowship of the Ring

This is it! We're finally at the last chapter! I can't believe we've made it... It's been so fun writing and posting this that I almost don't want it to end!

And I can't make a start without saying a huge thank you to @valandhirwriter! I swear, if it weren't for you this story would never have been written.

And of course I can't say farewell without one last piece of art for you all! When @emilybeemartin posted Change of Fate for Day 6 of the last Boromir Week, I saved it so quick just for this chapter! Please, please, PLEASE go check out her work if you haven't already. It's spectacular!

[harrylee94]

What the River Returned

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Meet Again

Summary:

"We believe that we may meet again in a time to come, and perhaps we shall find somewhere a land where we can live together and both be content. But it is foreboded that that will only be when we have both lost all that we now have." -- Treebeard, The Two Towers

@valandhirwriter was her usual charming self, being amazing and supportive in every word I write. Love you so much my friend!

As I warned last week, I'm off on my holiday starting today, but I should be able to reply to any comments you guys leave.

I COULD offer a serious piece of Boromir and Frodo here... but I thought this funny doodle by @lukavyi was a lot more fun. You guys stay cool, and I'll see you all next week!

[harrylee94]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter Thirty-Seven: That Which They Defend

Summary:

"'War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.'" -- The Window on the West, The Two Towers

Have to admit, kinda struggled with finding the right quote for this one...

Massive thanks, as always, to @valandhirwriter for all her help!

Merry and Pippin made me think so much of Monthy Python this chapter, specifically the People's Front of Judea in the Life of Brian. So fun!

Have to give a shout out to Faramir, Boromir and Éowyn by @flurgburgler today because oh boy, not only is the art spectacular, and seeing the three of them together bring me great joy, but the design of their outfits makes my fingers itch to make them. It's just so pretty!

I have to warn you all; I'm on holiday for a week starting next Saturday, so my timings for the last 2 chapters might be a little squiffy, but I will at least try to make sure they're all edited and ready to be posted for you guys! (Wow, only 2 chapters left...)

[harrylee94]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter Thirty-Six: No Good Worrying

Summary:

"'Not till you've had a mouthful, Sam,' said Frodo. 'I won't budge. Here, take this elven-cake, and drink that last drop in your bottle! The whole thing is quite hopeless, so it's no good worrying about tomorrow. It probably won't come.'" -- The Tower of Cirith Ungol, The Return of the King

I have the absolute joy of working overtime this weekend, so I am kinda hanging this week, but that just makes this chapter all the sweeter to me!

Thanks to @valandhirwriter once again for all the help and support! Also, if you're interested in AKOTSK at all, I would have to recommend her story; Let the currents carry me (also here on tumblr)!

Since Aragorn's been so busy working to keep Frodo and Sam in the land of the living, I think this week's art recommendation should reflect that! Aragorn Heals Faramir by Anke Eißmann definitely suits, and their art work has brought a particular weight to the scenes depicted, or at least that's how it feels to me (sorry, their website link to the art didn't work so you'll have to put up with the FB one). I hope you like their work as much as I do!

[harrylee94]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter Thirty-Five: Regret is Undying

Summary:

“The love of the Elves for their land and their works is deeper than the deeps of the Sea, and their regret is undying and cannot ever wholly be assuaged. Yet they will cast all away rather than submit to Sauron: for they know him now. For the fate of Lothlorien you are not answerable, but only for the doing of your own task. Yet I could wish, were it of any avail, that the One Ring had never been wrought, or had remained for ever lost.” -- The Mirror of Galadriel, The Fellowship of the Ring

Always have to thank @valandhirwriter for all her help, her support and encouragement always make my day so much brighter!

As you can probably tell by the title of this chapter, Boromir's going through it this chapter, so... have fun?

I want to share The Horn of Boromir by Matthew Stewart today (I like a lot of his work), since it represents those first few minutes of regret for Boromir, even if he is fighting for both his and Merry and Pippin's lives.

... It's also just so interesting to see all the different depictions of Boromir's last stand.

[harrylee94]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Mess

Summary:

'I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess,' said Sam gloomily. 'And that'll take a lot of time and work.' -- The Scouring of the Shire, The Return of the King

The final battle for Middle Earth is over, time for the aftermath to begin!

Thanks, as always, to @valandhirwriter for all her help! You rock, my friend!

I'm going to recommend something a little different this week; the youtube channel Nerd of the Rings! I absolutely love his videos, he goes really in depth about the history of Middle Earth and all the characters within. He's also done a few streams as well, which can be quite fun to watch. Would definitely recommend if you like anything LotR!

[harrylee94]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter Thirty-Three: Hosts of Mordor

Summary:

"All about the hills the hosts of Mordor raged. The Captains of the West were foundering in a gathering sea. The sun gleamed red, and under the wings of the Nazgul the shadows of death fell dark upon the earth. Aragorn stood beneath his banner, silent and stern, as one lost in thought of things long past or far away; but his eyes gleamed like stars that shine the brighter as the night deepens. Upon the hill-top stood Gandalf, and he was white and cold and no shadow fell on him. The onslaught of Mordor broke like a wave on the beleaguered hills, voices roaring like a tide amid the wreck and crash of arms." -- The Field of Cormallen, The Return of the King

An absolutely huge thank you to @valandhirwriter, as always, but especially so here! I always feel like I'm stumbling when I write fighting scenes, but she gave me the confidence in my writing to just go for it, and I think it worked out pretty well!

Some obligatory TWs for the brutality of war, but I think I kept things relatively tame... kinda.

Okay, so I had some serious luck with the timing here, because @emilybeemartin posted Boromir and a Nazgûl in Osgiliath for day 4 of Gondor Week and it just fit this chapter so perfectly! I cannot get enough of her work, it's always so beautiful! (Even the comedic skits!)

Hope you all enjoyed! And I'm looking forward to seeing your thoughts... XD

[harrylee94]

What the River Returned

Chapter Thirty-Two: Darkness and Foul Dreams

(tumblr's being weird again and not letting me post the link like normal DX)

Summary:

"'Only that?' said Frodo. 'It seems weeks. You must tell me all about it, if we get a chance. Something hit me, didn't it? And I fell into darkness and foul dreams, and woke and found that waking was worse. Orcs were all round me. I think they had just been pouring some horrible burning drink down my throat. My head grew clear, but I was aching and weary. They stripped me of everything; and then two great brutes came and questioned me, questioned me until I thought I should go mad, standing over me, gloating, fingering their knives. I'll never forget their claws and eyes.'" -- The Tower of Cirith Ungol, The Return of the King

I have to say, when I was writing this it took me completely by surprise, but good god I am SO happy with it! I've been so excited to share it with you!

@valandhirwriter was her usual wonderful self with all her comments and suggestions, and she always has my thanks.

TW for death and descriptions of torture (it doesn't actually happen in the chapter)!

I'm going to share some more art from @emilybeemartin this week I think, one of her more recent works; Her For You. I seriously love her work and I always get excited when I see she's posted something new!

Next week; the Battle of the Morannon!

[harrylee94]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter Thirty-One: Those who Listened

Summary:

"Those who listened unwarily to that voice could seldom report the words that they heard; and if they did, they wondered, for little power remained in them. Mostly they remembered only that it was a delight to hear the voice speaking, all that it said seemed wise and reasonable, and desire awoke in them by swift agreement to seem wise themselves. When others spoke they seemed harsh and uncouth by contrast; and if they gainsaid the voice, anger was kindled in the hearts of those under the spell. For some the spell lasted only while the voice spoke to them, and when it spoke to another they smiled, as men do who see through a juggler’s trick while others gape at it." -- The Voice of Saruman, The Two Towers

That march to the Black Gates is LONG guys, so they're not there yet! Doesn't mean nothing interesting happens...

@valandhirwriter was her amazing self, as always, and she continued to support and inspire me!

We're getting closer and closer to the final battle now...

I have to recommend Éowyn and the Nazgûl by Matthew Stewart and Nazgul by Derek Zabrocki this week! There is just such an abundance of Ring Wraith art, but I had to share these!

[harrylee94]

What the River Returned

Chapter Thirty: Food and Cheer

Summary:

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." -- The Hobbit

Thanks once again to the lovely @valandhirwriter for all her help!

And with that certain pair of Hobbits, I present you with Longbottom Leaf by @captbexx! It's such a fun piece, and really captures the two of them so well!

(Also, I found this piece of Merry and Pippin with Faramir and Éowyn, which is just SO PERFECT for how this chapter ended, but I can't find the artist!!! If anyone knows please let me know so I can credit them properly!!!)

Faramir and Éowyn are just so cute together, I seriously love writing them so much!

(Also I'm posting it like this pecause tumblr is being stupid and I spent 15 minutes trying to get it to accept the chapter link as an actual link before giving up)

[harrylee94]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter Twenty-Nine: First Faint Presage of Spring

Summary:

"'It is too late, lady, to follow the Captains, even if you had the strength,' said Faramir. 'But death in battle may come to us all yet, willing or unwilling. You will be better prepared to face it in your own manner, if while there is still time you do as the Healer commanded. You and I, we must endure with patience the hours of waiting.' She did not answer, but as he looked at her it seemed to him that something in her softened,as though a bitter frost were yielding at the first faint presage of Spring. A tear sprang in her eye and fell down her cheek, like a glistening rain-drop." -- The Steward and the King, The Return of the King

Okay, so we are finally past the grief (though it will, of course, continue to linger) and onto a somewhat more hopeful topic this week! This is one of those chapters that I had been looking forward to for a very long time, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it!

Once again, @valandhirwriter was my faithful friend and beta reader for this chapter, and I continue to be in awe at just how lucky I am that we stumbled across each other all those years ago...

Hoo boy, is there an abundance of art of the two of them! I'm sure you guys will be able to find plenty, so I will restrict myself to just 2 pieces today.

They may not be quite there yet, but this piece of Faramir and Éowyn walking together by @pipis-took was just too perfect not to recommend, and then this one of the two of them by @verkomy was just so soft and wonderful!!! Please do check those out!

[harrylee94]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter Twenty-Eight: In sorrow we must go

Summary:

"'So it seems,' he said. 'But let us not be overthrown at the final test, who of old renounced the Shadow and the Ring. In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory. Farewell!'" -- Appendix A "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen", The Return of the King

We're coming to an end to the more overt grief of Denethor's passing now. It was both difficult and easy to write, for various reasons.

As always, a huge thank you to @valandhirwriter for all your help! You continue to inspire so many ideas.

I hope you enjoyed the song! I think I spent a whole day trying to suss it out; a good challenge, to say the least!

The search for images of Denethor with his sons in happier times was just as fruitless as it had been last time I made the attempt, but I was able to find an image of Rath Dínen by MatejCadil. It feels as desolate and beautiful as Pippin views it, in my opinion.

[harrylee94]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Do Not Weep

Summary:

"'Yes,' said Gandalf; 'for it will be better to ride back three together than one alone. Well, here at last, dear friends,on the shores of the Seas come the end of our fellowship in Middle-earth. Go in peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.'" -- The Grey Havens, The Return of the King

Okay, so I noticed there was a bit of contension in the comments last chapter. Thank you to everyone who did leave a comment, but please remember to keep our words kind!

Anyway, I would like to thank @valandhirwriter as always for all her help and the suggestions she made for this chapter!

TW for the aftermath of suicide

I think this week I'll do a bit of a callback with the art recommendation. I absolutely adore this image of Boromir's Last Stand by Shagan-fury! It captures the action so well, the desperation… I could look at it for hours!

Thank you all again for reading, but just a reminder to keep things cordial in the comments, please!

[harrylee94]

What the River Returned

Chapter Twenty-Six: He that Says Farewell

Summary:

“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens,'said Gimli. 'Maybe,'said Elrond,'but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” -- The Ring Goes South, Fellowship of the Ring

So this chapter was almost entirely written by Valandhir. I will admit that it hadn't been where I had originally be intending to take things, but it just fit so perfectly. It made sense.

So, with that said.... TW for suicide.

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Easter or Passover if you celebrate it. I will see you all next week, and please, take care of yourselves.

[harrylee94]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter Twenty-Five: Counsel for the Peril of the World

Summary:

“That is the purpose for which you are called hither. Called, I say. though I have not called you all to me, strangers from distant lands. You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world." -- The Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

I am back from my holidays and I'm FINALLY over my jetlag! I know I didn't change up the posting schedule, but things are returning to whatever 'normal' is for me. It's so nice to be home again!

A huge thank you to @valandhirwriter for everything, as always! You rock, my friend!

I think that this image of King and Steward is pretty much what Denethor and the rest of the Council of Nobles saw in that meeting (by Idolwild on deviantart). Boromir has found his King, and he will not be swayed from his side!

And thank you all for reading, as always!

[harrylee94]

Chapter Twenty-Four: Elfstone

(The above is the link to the chapter; I'm away from my computer so it's a little different from normal!)

Summary:

"At the doors of the Houses many were already gathered to see Aragorn, and they followed after him; and when at last he had supped, men came and prayed that he would heal their kinsmen or their friends whose lives were in peril through hurt or wound, or who lay under the Black Shadow. And Aragorn arose and went out, and he sent for the sons of Elrond, and together they laboured far into the night. And word went through the City: ‘The King is come again indeed.’ And they named him Elfstone, because of the green stone that he wore, and so the name which it was foretold at his birth that he should bear was chosen for him by his own people." -- The Houses of Healing, Return of the King

More thanks to @valandhirwriter for reading through everything and making sure I made sense!

TW for some descriptions of injuries.

Now I absolutely MUST share 'The Pippining' by @emilybeemartin, which certainly holds true to how Boromir has been behaving since he's returned home. Unfortunatly, my Pippin was far too exhausted to tire him out further with his stories, but at least now they can all rest!... Probably.

[harrylee94]

Chapter Twenty-Three: World Behind and Home Ahead

(The above is the link to the chapter; I'm away from my computer so it's a little different from normal!)

Summary:

“Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are all alight. Then world behind and home ahead, We'll wander back and home to bed. Mist and twilight, cloud and shade, Away shall fade! Away shall fade!” -- The Walking Song, The Fellowship of the Ring

@valandhirwriter told me I was a much nicer writer than she is when it comes to the first few paragraphs here, so take that how you will... We will get to see some of that cruelty eventually though, hehe.

TW for some mentions of amputaion and other such wounds.

I wish I could find art of Denethor hugging his boys, but he's a bit more heartless in cannon, so I suppose it makes sense that it's hard to find. However, I do love this piece; Stewards of Gondor by @evankart. I may have been trawling through their Fili art recently and stumbled across it... Very talented!