"Women's Sceptre" Challenge Entries

[dawn_felagund]

Yesterday, our Women's Sceptre challenge closed with fifteen sixteen stories and poems! (And I know a few late ones are on their way ... in part because one of them is mine! :) Go check them out, and if you enjoy the author's work, please consider leaving them a comment letting them know. Here are the challenge entries for this month; links go to the Table of Contents.

both the Seen and the Unseen by hennethgalad. Melian takes Galadriel on a farewell trip.

The Decadent Queen by Scribe of Mirrormere. Tar-Anducal and Alcarin remember Tar-Vanimeldë differently.

An Education in Stone by Erulisse. Nerdanel is given a commission - present a sculptural work to the people of Valinor that will feature images of the Valar. But as an artist, she must remain true to her personal vision. What does that vision convey to the people and to the Valar who are depicted through her carved stone?

Excession by hennethgalad. Celeborn falls under the shadow, and is drawn back to the light by Galadriel.

First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by oshun. Fëanáro remembers Nerdanel. A story of redemption. If you do not like Fëanor, you will probably not want to read it.

Flight Through The Dark by Tyelca. In the form of a swan Elwing flies over the Sea, carrying a Silmaril and looking for her husband.

Her Father's Daughter by Grundy. Findis was the only one who stayed.

I Will Wait by Lotrfan. Turgon, after the Fall of Gondolin.

Jewel of Hope by Linda Hoyland. Galadriel muses on the past and finds hope for the future.

Like a Shooting Star by StarSpray. For into darkness fell his star
In Mordor, where the shadows are

Looking Up by Lyra. Andreth muses on the present, the past, and a potential future.

Love and Trust by Silver Trails. Telpelindë wants to leave Aman and find Curufin and Celebrimbor.

Never Shall I See The Place by LadyBrooke. Never shall I see the place,
Where Enel woke and Enelyë roamed.
A poem of a Sindar/Silvan elf in Valinor.

A Queen for the Fourth Age by Kaylee Arafinwiel. Elessar’s great-great-granddaughter is set to become the Two Kingdoms’ first queen. After all, she was firstborn, before her twin brother – the Princess’ Champion. But there may be trouble ahead...

We Cry the Same Tears by just_jenni. The three most important people in Aredhel's life try to come to terms with her death.

Words by Himring. A short extra scene in the Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth: Finrod and Andreth discuss matters of language.

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Housekeeping Things
I really dislike having to make these kinds of decrees. They make me feel too much like I'm at my day job as a middle-school teacher. But I was disturbed by something I learned this past month, so decree I shall.

Folks. The purpose of the reviewer stamps is to encourage people to talk to authors whose work they enjoy. It's too easy to read and click off to the next thing, so if a little graphic encourages us to talk to each other, then I think it's worthwhile.

But that purpose is ruined when people comment to authors that they are only reviewing for a stamp.

This is not a widespread behavior (I hope!), but I know that it happened to one of our authors last month, and so I'm putting it out there in official, moderatorly, make-no-mistake-about-it terms that this is unacceptable, and if it happens again, then that reviewer voids ALL review stamps for that month.

Speaking of stamps, I will hopefully get all stamp books updated this coming weekend. However, as some of you know, I am hosting a Mereth Aderthad this summer, and with the event's website just opened a few days ago, I have been busy with (and prioritizing) that. When I post the new challenge on Monday, I will update as far as progress on stamps goes.

Speaking of new challenges, our next one is coming on Monday, May 15. This one is one of our more experimental formats, but it is partly in honor of the forthcoming Beren and Luthien book, and I hope a few of you will take our dare and try it out. (If you absolutely detest next month's format, no worries--we'll be back to something more usual in June.)

And finally, I want to extend a huge thank-you again to oloriel, who made ALL of the beautiful Women's Sceptre stamps for this month.

Comments

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

Late (and short) entry, "A Queen For The Fourth Age". I apologize! Mom's been in the NSICU for two weeks, and was only been moved to a regular hospital room yesterday, so I didn't have much time to focus on writing. :(

Kaylee Arafinwiel

[dawn_felagund]

I added you to the list, and I'll award you the stamp as well. I'm sorry to hear about your mom though glad she's out of intensive care ... I hope she continues to improve.

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Dawn. She's got a couple of surgeries upcoming, so I don't know how long she'll still be in the hospital, but she's already looking a lot better than she did two weeks ago. The sepsis could have killed her. *shudders* I'm so glad it didn't, I don't know what I'd do without her. :( My mom is my support.

[ladybrooke]

I hope your mom continues to improve as well. *hugs* Sepsis is terrifying, so I'm glad she's looking better.

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

Thank you Brooke. *hugs back* I've been laid up with a heavy cold myself, so I haven't been back to the hospital for a few days for fear of re-infecting her. I should be well enough to visit by Saturday though. I'm definitely glad she's looking better from all I've been hearing. At least she's off the ventilator, talking and eating, and beginning physical therapy.

[dawn_felagund]

There's definitely a time to be hardnosed about deadlines--most of the time!--but this is not one of them. I'm glad you managed to get your story written; I hope it was some positive distraction in these last few weeks.

I'll keep you mom in my thoughts. I can only imagine how terrifying her ordeal was for both of you.

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

*huggleclings the Dawn of modly sparkles* I appreciate the lenience, believe me - I completely lost track of what day of the week it was, nevermind day of the month, with all this going on. The story's not as long as I would have liked but I'm sure I'll get inspired to continue it at some point. Mom's ordeal is not over yet but at least the major hurdles seem to have been gotten through. Thank you so much for your support.

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

Also, can I just add a huge "wtf?!" to the Housekeeping note? Seriously, someone said that? O_O Lord, of all the things to say...*hugs Dawn some more, and whoever got that review* Cripes...

(Donut-muse adds 'no fish' for that person)