An interesting reworking in that you actually followed the format of the Silmarillion. It feels rather incomplete, but at the same time, it served its purpose as a simple and "balanced" AU.

... /whoa/.

I read this when it didn't go beyond chapter three, and to be honest didn't think it very good. There didn't seem to be any real changes to the original story.

Then I came back for chapter four, and realised why. This is really quite incredible. I understand now how you meant that the Second Age will be very different.

Couple of points, though. One, why did no-one attempt to break Morgoth out of Angband? Sauron was still around, presumably, and Glaurung for a time, so why was there no attempt by the Forces of Darkness to free him? (On another read, I note that there was a guard set there, but still).

Two, Turin. The reason his life was such a mess was that Morgoth cursed him. Being locked up in his own dungeon, I can't see how he'd do this. This invites the obvious question of whether his story would indeed have been so tragic (a question added to by the fact that there seems to have been no reason for Morwen to have sent him away), but it can probably be justified by plot necessity, or even by Sauron meddling. (Or did you do something to Sauron? I forget)

Three, which isn't really an objection, you've made me want to write a story in which - somehow - Finrod, Fingon and Maglor-or-Maedhros end up running things in the war against Sauron. (This is partly due to my own speculations on the state of things in Hithlum while Maedhros was in Angband - three junior heads of Houses, and yet far more interesting than their respective fathers). But until I come up with a good justification - not to mention the time necessary to write a full-scale Silm. AU - I'll just have to settle for your Second Age. When you write it.

Ack! Long review! Summary: Very nice story, definitely proved its worth in the last two chapters, will now sit and wait for the sequel.

You wrote a nice little short story that was quite a nice change of pace from some of the other longer stories i read. I can't wait till you stop writing about the second age. Though it shouldn't be to much of a contest because if finrod was just about equal to sauron in the sil then Maedhros and Fingon are both stronger than Sauron.

I loved this chapter. I don't know whether to be happy because Fingon is still alive (and so is Maeglin!), or sad because Maglor is dead.

The best part was the last paragraph. Oh, the possibilities for the two elves... I'm anxiously awaiting the adventures of Maedhros and Fingon in the Second Age. :)

you mean there will be a secuel? oh dear, angst for poor Maedhros for the next 50 years! ;D
great job, though I'm mildly sad for the loss of Meglor.

Oh, wow, now *this* is a change. Fingon and Maedhros alive, Maglor dead, no Earendil and no Elrond... interesting. Can't wait to see how the Second Age plays out, and I won't even try to think of the Third Age and beyond (if M-e *survives* the Third Age, that is!). Wonderful work!

*cheers and waits impatiently for sequel*
As you can tell, I like it. I think Himring will be important later . . . hm . . . I just realized that, if you follow the pattern you seem to have made, Elrian will marry Celebrond son of Celeborn.

My, things are going to get ugly, aren't they?

Oh wow! Good work. Now the story starting to change, I see.

Voronwe and Elwing geting married was quite a surprise. So Elros lives, but Elrond doesn't... I can only imagine how things will fold out from here.

Of course, to the Teleri the Feanorian are the devil(s). *sigh* My only complaint is the Voronwe/Elwing. I am a huge Earendil/Elwing fan. I have no idea why. Anyways, keep up the good work!

Ambitious, are we? Rewriting history is hardly easy.

I love the Thindar and Thindarin and Thingollo.

...such a loyal son Maitimo is.

Good luck with the rest of the story. ^_^

Brilliant. Did you sell your soul to the devil to write this well?

Oh! What a pleasant surprise! I didn't even know you were going to continue this. :)

I have to say, you have some very facinating ideas for this AU. So it's Amrod that loses his hand, I see. And I'm anxious to see what Maedhros does in Middle-earth without being bound by the Oath.

Is this going to be a very long story with a lot of chapters, covering all of the First Age, or have you only planned out a couple of chapters? I'll be happy either way, though the more there is, the happier I'll be. :D

>>"Nelyafinwë! You live!" he cried happily.
>>"Obviously," said Maedhros...

I really like this line... poor Curufin getting put in his place, hehe. Nice. :)

I'm going to send you an e-mail with my real review, if I may, since I do have a lot to say and don't want to take up a ton of space on your review-thing.

This was very interesting. So, after the end of this story, does everything fold out like it does in Quenta Silmarillion? Does Maedhros still lose his hand? (I hope he dosen't, the poor guy's already died once