Author's Note
Sorry folks this is not a new chapter but hopefully what I have to say will make up for it! :)
I just wanted to let you all know that I have now completed two more stories based in Tolkien's world. Despite my stern words to myself about focusing on my original novel I could not resist delving again into the joy that is Middle Earth, especially after seeing the beautiful woodlands of Ireland last year and being inspired to write another story based around the Elves! Truly I think Tolkien was thinking of Ireland when he wrote about the Elven kingdoms!
The first story that will be posted over in the LOTR category is called The Providence of Mercy and could be considered a sequel to this story as it is based on when Aragorn takes Gollum to Mirkwood. I will be uploading it first – although not all in one day! I'm trialling doing the posting of chapters over a period of time (but not too long a time, I promise!).
The second story was inspired by a review left on this story by PegasusWingsVW who wished to see the first meeting between Thranduil and Aragorn. It is called The Bonds of Friendship and will be uploaded once I finish posting the LOTR story. I will most likely post it here in The Hobbit category.
I hope you all enjoy reading them and I will take this opportunity to thank everyone again for the lovely reviews you have left (especially the guest reviewers as I have not had a chance to thank you before this!) and also to express my gratitude to all those who have favourited/followed my story or added me to their favourite author list. You have no idea how happy it makes me to know that other people around the world have enjoyed my work. Bless you all.
Best Regards
Sarah
A sneak preview of part of the first chapter of The Providence of Mercy:
Having brought the creature's movements to a forceful stop with a short jerk on the halter, the man gave a harsh warning: 'be silent; or I shall replace the binding over your mouth.'
Snivelling miserably, the creature shot a malevolent look toward the man but did not dare utter another word. However, a very different voice did speak; the stern, but not unpleasant, sound coming from inside the hidden depths of the forest.
'Declare your name and allegiance prior to entering the Woodland Realm of Mirkwood,' it commanded, 'ere we place our own binding upon you.'
Straightening to his full height, the man looked in the direction of the voice. 'I am known by several names,' he replied, his words spoken fluently in the elven-tongue. 'I am friend to Gandalf the Grey and known to your own king, Thranduil, son of Oropher. I hold captive the one called Gollum.'
A moment of silence passed. Then, from out of the forest stepped a tall, fair Elf, arrayed in garments of green and brown with white gems sparkling on his collar and belt; the arrow fitted to his bow was pointed with deadly precision at the man.