Hello, I wanted to tell you I enjoyed this story and your gifted writing. I come apart at redemption stories and I have yet to read this approach. I loved your take on Tom and Goldberry and your hints at their purpose and nature. I also adored your characterization of Sauron and his evolution from fearful sprite to thoughtful pilgrim. His verbal sparring with first Tom and then Gandalf was delightful. I loved your use of symbolism and ritual and the hermetic notion that the spoken Word grants is Life and Meaning. Your writing was evocative and polished in a beautiful way. The ending was brilliant, I think, and like nothing I have read before. Indeed, what if the barest source of Creation had been through it all itself, and learned true Freedom through its own trials and mistakes, only to finally conclude "Let there be life." Let there *be* life: not fettered, not directed, simply *be*. I loved the way you linked Middle-earth to the cosmogonic myth and theory of Creation. The Epilogue was simply breathtaking. Thank you for this fic!

Enjoying this story and the characterization of Sauron immensely! I also found a magical realism touch to the shamanical way you're approaching Tom and Goldberry so far. I see them as manifestations of Nature and its primeval Song and to me, that somehow resonates with how you've drawn them here, though that may not have been your intent. Thank you for sharing this.

So Sauron has the same power as Eru?

Oh it's very, very interesting!

That was awesome!
I wasn't sure if I should read the epiloge or not, because I love mystery and uncertainty in a story but now I am very glad that I did. I emagined Sauron to reach another world, likely ours, and doing stuff there but this is so much more fascinating. Thank you for writing this peace of gold!
I also loved how Tom Bombadil and Sauron interacted, an unlikely pair :D And they still feel in character. And the idea to give Sauron a body made of twigs and mud that is bound to toms valley was a great way to force them to remain at one place that did not seem forced. No one ever made me immagine Sauron with a flower necklace - it does not go well with the haircolor I have in mind for him - that usually only happens in silly crack fanfictions, I love it :D
Goldberry is just sweet. I can immagine her helping everyone no matter what he or she did, the hunt for the ghostly sheep was one of my favorite szenes.
I would love to know what Frodo thinks of their meeting, did he realise that he met his enemy peacefully walking the street?
Most storys about what happens to Sauron after his defeat are more or less the same, it's so refreshing to read something unexpected, this story should be a must read

I cannot tell you enough how much I enjoy this story. Your intense character study of Sauron, the rich detail in which you describe your setting, and the intriguing possibilities of your story have led me to read this fanfic so many times. I can't believe I am only putting this in writing now. Thank you for all of the joy that this has brought me over the years!

To start, this opening captures what I imagine his life must have been like after the loss of his ring. He's just a little wisp of ether hopelessly adrift, and at the mercy of the wind. I feel bad for him.

Tom Bombadil! Oh my word! You've done wonderful with him! I love this, absolutely love him and his singing. He's so perfectly rendered, he leaps off the page, and I just love it.

I also like, how he knows so much, but remains mysterious and enigmatic, even as he wields incredible power, re-embodying a Maia- how powerful is this guy? He's truly more than he seems. I like the mystery around him and have desire to know what he is, becasue that's part of the fun. But I am curious to see what you're thoughts are regarding his nature, should they be addressed in this fic.

Goldberry too was wonderful. I love how calm, elegant, and regal she is next to Tom. They are a perfect pair, even if at first glance they seem at odds.

As for the main Maia himself, I'm sure he's got to be feeling better. Especially when he realized his fair form has been recovered. That'll really tickle him.

I am so excited for what's to come! Sauron in the house of Tom Bombadil, is not a scenario I had ever imagined so I'm very curious to see what you do with it.

Take care!

-Squirrel

What an excellent story! I think this is the absolute best lotr story that i ever read, apart from the real books! The language is almost the same, really spot on! The dialogues are amazing the characters Very believable. And the storyline is amazing! What a Great idee and fitting end for Sauron! Love it! Thanks for writing!

Interesting. Sauron as a God (I pity that universe). Is he supposed to be a being like unto Ilu, yet if so wouldnt Ilu have known what was to become of Sauron. It is imaginative though to think outside of Ilu's creation. Good to use in the end Saurons chief weapon and tool is again his Will when throughout history his will was shown to be so strong and he desired to bend it over all things. You gave the fucker his wish.

Anyway, this is definitely one of the more superior Silmarillion stories and your dedication shows. Now if only I could find another good Gandalf and Sauron frenemies fic...

Oh Valar Gandalf and Sauron it is too good *laughing* Gandalf is so sarcastic and honestly fits so well. Where does Sauron think he is going? I think Olorin would happily misinterpret his desire and do the honours kicking him into the Void instead.

I do love that you bring Eru into potentially saving Sauron. In my story Im working on Aule finds Sauron and acknowledges he is beyond their help, but not Eru's.

This story is just so different. I love the deep character analysis going on. Submission or annihilation, lies of Melkor. Im already disappointed im already halfway through

This is just awesome. Tom matches Sauron's personality perfectly, great idea! I have wanted to read a post fall Sauron story and I was actually begining my own. I like how you have not changed Sauron from a villain, even before he gets his full consciousness he is having dark impulses, and its sad to see him loath nature and cringe away from starlight.

I was actually disappointed to see Old Man Willow go, he was dark but also a wonder of the old world.

Such a creative idea, loved it! Especially of course the end - no suprise our world is such a desolate place if Sauron is our god and creator, really devious but ingenius twist to the story. The characters are very well done too in my opinion. Tom Bombadil and Goldberry could have been written by Tolkien himself, and your Sauron is a masterpiece - defiant, arrogant and stubborn to the last, but at the same time clever, and the chapter when he realizes all his mistakes and the two options he has was also touching in a way. One feels sorry for him, even though he has brought that on himself. The story is sad, but then again also not since Sauron gets a (not well deserved) happy end, and then the conversations between Sauron and Gandalf made me laugh several times- hilarious how they snipe at each other. Well done and written in short!

Well, this was a breath of fresh air! Your characterizations are excellent, though you've taken them in a new direction. I've never seen Tom like this, Sauron is a wonder, and Gandalf is his old cranky self. Loved it!

First of all, thank you very very much for writing this piece, it was something I didn't know I wanted until I actually read it. I've come to enjoy exploring Sauron's character, and in my eyes you managed to give him depth, but still retain both his essence and Tolkien style. And the epilogue, I love it to bits! Trust Sauron to find another way. Thanks again for sharing this with us.