The Silmarillion Survivor

[Anguirel]

Temporary pause as I go off to revelry for my sister's birthday party this weekend.

[Anguirel]

RESULTS OF DAY SEVENTEEN-GOOGLE

The Valkyries had spoken truly. Valinor was no longer the Blessed Realm in any sense of the word. In the halls of Valimar, the Valier were shrieking and scrathing, tussling in a colossal hair-pulling struggle. Varda kept trying to be aloof and get the moral highground, but the taunts of her colleagues tended to lure her back to the fray.

"I know something you don't know!" jibed Vaire.

"Still haven't mastered the art of waltzing? Dear me," sniped Nessa.

"Darling, you're watering that flower far too much! No need to drown it," said Yavanna, scratching Vana in the face as she passed.

"Right, that's it," muttered Varda between gritted teeth. With a few awesome words of command, she called down several constellations against the infuriating Yavanna. "Drag her to the Void!"

The screams of heaven's flower-girl filled the air, and then silence returned.

RESULTS OF THE CHALLENGE

Carried by the winged Valkyries of the Vanyar, Earendil did not have to set foot on the forbidden ground and so escaped any grim punishment for sacrilege. Dangled by Indis and Amarie, he came into the Ring of Doom, where the Valar-many rather bedraggled-awaited him.

"What do you want, titch?" asked Varda, knocking back a bottl of Taniquetil Highland Whisky.

"Isn't it obvious?" boomed Ulmo. "The whole of Middle-earth is about to be mangled by Melkor."

"That's your fault," Vaire pointed out. "You should have made that city of yours stronger."

"That's your husband's doing, with his stupid Doom! It's ruined everything," interjected Orome.

"Orome will suffer from insomnia for the next three millennia. So it is fated," remarked the Doomsman.

"Look," said Aule kindly, for he was in a good mood since recent events, "you're not going to get any help from this lot, old chap. But I'll put you in touch with a nice Maia."

"None of your Maiar are nice," objected Orome. "Earen-thingy, the chap you want's called Alatar. A fine hunter."

And so Orome introduced Earendil to Alatar, who was playing cards with Pallando and Olorin.

"It's a good thing Curumo's left," Pallando was saying. "He always used to cheat."

Alatar and Pallando agreed to help, though Olorin admitted he was far too scared, and contented himself with wishing them good luck, and trying to persuade Mandos to rescind the Doom.

And so Earendil returned to Middle-earth, with the aid of the Valkyries, Alatar, and Pallando, on Day Eighteen...

The contestants:

VALAR

Elbereth (a confirmed alcoholic)
Ulmo
Mandos, Doom of

VANYAR

Indis
Amarie

NOLDOR

Maedhros
Maglor, possessor of the Silmaril
Ereinion Gil-Galad, High King of the Noldor
Salgant

TELERI/SINDAR

Cirdan
Elwing
Celebrian

MAIA

Uinen
Alatar
Pallando

PEREDHIL

Earendil
Elrond
Elros

FORCES OF EVIL

Morgoth
Sauron
Smaug

The challenge: EXCALATION. You have an almost free hand today, but vote for you ever you feel it's necessary to lose to make the upcoming conflict more interesting.

This day will finish a bit late, at about 6:00 pm tomorrow.

[The 1,000 Reader]

++Earendil.

Valinor is coming to save the day, so Earendil needs to make some kind of sacrifice to pay for this.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

+ + Morgoth

This would put pressure on Sauron. Could he
"Step up to the plate, be the man, when the going
gets tough would he get going"?, etc.

[Lalaith]

++MANDOS, DOOM OF

Olorin's efforts succeeded.

[Alcarillo]

++Maglor
Because he has a Silmaril. I'd like to see who grabs it next.

[The Saucepan Man]

++ CIRDAN

Just in case any Elves were thinking of slipping off to Valinor to avoid the forthcoming conflict. If we eliminate their means of leaving, then they have no option but to face the "music", thus ensuring a much more comprehensive (and therefore interesting) battle. I am assuming that Cirdan is the only Elf with sufficient knowledge to craft a vessel capable of making the journey to Valinor. If that is not the case, then I nominate his (unnamed) apprentices to be evicted with him, together with any currently extant sea-worthy vessels.

[Anguirel]

Well, Saucy, Earendil has proved himself capable of sailing to Valinor, after all...perhaps you should target him...

Tempting though Earendil and the Doom of Mandos are as evictees, my main regret about the War of Wrath's aftermath was the senseless drowning of Beleriand, destroying so much beauty and history. And that has to be at least partly the fault of the the Lord of the Waters. I'm going for Ulmo.

Day extended by a couple of hours, by the way...

++ULMO

[Gothmog]

At the moment the Evil Side looks quite strong... Without the help of Valar, the battle ahead will be tough for the elves and good men. But to vote for one of the few evil forces left...hmmm, no. So therefore I vote

++Doom of Mandos

Without that old doom, things will at least look a bit brighter for the elves. And to all of you saying this would make the story will be less interesting without the doom, don't you think there will be enough problems? I can't see Angmod letting the free people of ME go without worries for eternity...

[Anguirel]

Tally so far:

Earendil-1
Morgoth-1
Mandos, Doom of-2
Maglor-1
Cirdan-1
Ulmo-1

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Anguirel

Well, Saucy, Earendil has proved himself capable of sailing to Valinor, after all...perhaps you should target him...

Yes, that point did occur to me. But I thought that Earendil was more of a mariner than a ship-wright. And he can't sail to Valinor if there are no ships to sail in.

Plus, given that he journeyed to Valinor specifically to recruit aid for the coming battle, he is hardly likely to be offering to ferry potential combatants away from it.

Originally Posted by Anguirel

Tempting though Earendil and the Doom of Mandos are as evictees, my main regret about the War of Wrath's aftermath was the senseless drowning of Beleriand, destroying so much beauty and history.

But the drowning of Beleriand came about in consequences of the Valar's involvement in the battle, didn't it? Since the Valar will not be putting in a personal appearance, the battle will be much less geographically destructive (albeit probably much more personally destructive for those who stand in opposition to Morgoth).

[Anguirel]

The Valar did not fight in the War of Wrath, but the Valarin Host of warrior-Maiar led by Eonwe caused the Drowning. However, I always got the feeling that it was a lesson in humility for the Noldor, destroying all their work. Since the army fighting Morgoth is far less powerful, I fear Ulmo may be commanded to encompass the destruction instead.

And I like evicting Valar.

[Anguirel]

The day thou gavest Lord is ended...and the Doom of Mandos is to bite it. Look for my coming at dawn, at dawn, look to the east...

[The 1,000 Reader]

Originally Posted by Anguirel

The day thou gavest Lord is ended...and the Doom of Mandos is to bite it. Look for my coming at dawn, at dawn, look to the east...

Dawn?! Surely the write-up won't take that long?

[Anguirel]

Rather longer. Sleep and Greek detained me!

RESULTS OF DAY EIGHTEEN

The return of Earendil with the aid from Valinor caused much jubilation. But the Wise knew that the war was about to start, more fiercely than ever before.

"The war is about to start," Elrond said, staring portentously into the distance, "more fiercely than ever before."

Maglor looked on in pride. Truly his pupil had mastered the art of being Wise.

Soon scouts of the Laiquendi brought fell news. The Dark Lord himself marched on Sirion. Angband was emptied, (the forces of evil don't bother with garrisons) and the army contained numberless Orcs, Balrogs winged, wingless and vestigial, and the remaining host of Dragons, led by Smaug the Magnificent.

From Taur-Nu-Fuin tidings came that Sauron had emerged once more, with a vast and terrible host of misshapen and petrifying creatures of shadow. Werewolves marched forth, and ogres, and Stone Giants, controversial though they are, vampires and Orkneys and People of the Toadstools, ghosties and ghouls and Cursed Villagers, several disaffected banshees and at least seventeen spin-doctors. Where this host went, there people trembled.

But the Elves and Edain prepared to resist. Gil-Galad the High King and the Lady Celebrian led the Noldor of Sirion, and Cirdan with Telerin archers flanked them. The Valkyries circled overhead. The Edain, led by Earendil and Elros and counselled by Pallando, were armed for battle.

The ghastly horde of Sauron's minions were fallen on by Maedhros and Maglor, with Elrond and Alatar guiding their movements. The forces of good were solidly united.

It was then that an ominous, familiar apparition coalesced into view.

"Noldor," it called, "you're doomed!" And a shiver ran through their ranks.

But an answer came from an unsteady, hiccoughing female voice that transcended the music of the stars.

"Doom," it pronounced, "you're fired!"

And the Doom disintegrated, never to be seen or heard of again.

Coming up-results of the challenge.

[Anguirel]

RESULTS OF THE CHALLENGE

Morgoth was displeased by the departure of the Doom of Mandos, but not dismayed. Remembering still the blows of Fingolfin, he led his Balrogs and Orcs into the line of the Edain, sending Smaug and his Dragons against Gil-Galad, Fingolfin's descendant. He trusted that Sauron would be able to prevent the Sons of Feanor from intervening.

The cunning of the Dark Lord caught the Free Peoples off guard. Earendil was aware that his men could not stand in the face of Morgoth himself and all his direst evil; so he fell back to a pass between hills, and commanded Elros, Elwing and much of his army to retreat to Sirion. Then, with the Maia Pallando, he made his stand, and the two confronted Morgoth together. The Balrogs quailed at the approach of a Maia from the West, vigorous and dauntless.

But Morgoth did not. Raising Grond, Hammer of the Underworld, in both his hands, he struck at Pallando with all his might; and the Maia knew his time was ended. With his last breath he cast a glamour upon Earendil, making the Peredhil invisible for a short time; and so protected, Earendil dealt Morgoth a sore blow. And in cowardice, the Dark Lord retreated, but commanded his minions to make another charge. Seeing Pallando dead and Earendil vanished, they attacked eagerly, and though the Edain fought bravely, they had no choice but to flee; though sometimes a Balrog would fall by some unknown hand. In this way Earendil escaped his people's ruin for the present, and made his way to the High King's side.

The Noldor were regretting the absence of the Naugrim, and the battle with the Dragons was going ill for them. Everywhere Gil-Galad led by example, and Aiglos, his spear, slew three Dragons of Smaug's brood, but to no avail. Even as Earendil and the Valkyries rallied to his side, the fourth High King of the Noldor, after Finwe, Feanor and Maedhros, was consumed in flame and perished.

But now the Dragons, in their hour of victory, were beset by the Valkyries, winged as they were, and skilled with bows. And Indis and Amarie lifted Earendil to Smaug's belly, and he struck the wyrm hard; but Smaug's body brought down Earendil and Indis in its fall, and Amarie escaped with a tale of woe as the last Dragons fled. When Elwing saw what had befallen, she threw herself from the wall of Sirion.

Cirdan and his Teleri were now surrounded by Balrogs and Orcs, and there seemed little hope for them, though they loosed many vorpal arrows. The Valkyries and the remainder of the Noldor assailed the Orcs, hoping to but them time, but were sorely defeated. Cirdan was cut down, and Amarie and Celebrian led the survivors into Sirion.

Now Morgoth's horde invested the city's landward side, and it seemed it must fall, though Elros within defied him. But even as his siege towers approached, a new force of Elves shimmered before him-Maedhros's warriors, who had marched concealed by the enchantments of Alatar. And Morgoth beheld a bloated bat skewered upon a tall spear, and knew that Maedhros had had the better of Sauron. (Though Sauron, it is said had wheedled his way out of actual death. As usual.) The Dark Lord's laughter was bitter.

"You have ever defied me, Sons of Feanor. Now hear this. I have had a trinket stolen from me. Surrender the gem and I will spare the city."

And Maedhros spat before Morgoth, and challenged him to single combat; and the Dark Lord, remembering that it had been said that Maedhros was more skilled even than his uncle Fingolfin, lurked at the rear of his Orcs. And the Balrogs declared a charge.

Celebrian and Amarie, who had ever distrusted the Sons of Feanor, would not sally out. But Elros remembered that his brother was the herald of Maglor, and he led out the Edain in a counterattack.

There stumbled Maedhros the Tall, with all the Balrogs dragging him down. But of the five that remained, he slew four ere he died, and one fled, and burrowed itself beneath the mountains. And Alatar bound Morgoth, and forced him to give up the Silmarils before he was hurled into the Void; and the two that remained were given to Elrond and Elros, sole heirs of Beren and Luthien. But Maglor had worn his Silmaril long enough; it burnt him not, but its sight, after his brother had fallen defending it, was hateful to him. He gave it up to Alatar, who set it in the sky.

And Maglor, broken by sorrow, wandered alone, and of his fate no song can sing.

(Though Salgant, Lord of Harps, and notoriously jealous of Maglor's talents, likes to sing that he married a Petty-Dwarf and went into the East.)

HERE ENDS THE QUENTA SILMARILLION AS DISGRACED BY ANGUIREL.

The final vote: which of the survivors should be the Survivor?

VALAR

Elbereth (a confirmed alcoholic)
Ulmo

VANYAR

Amarie

NOLDOR

Maglor
Salgant

TELERI/SINDAR

Elrond
Celebrian

MAIA

Uinen
Alatar

MEN

Elros Tar-Minyatur

FORCES OF EVIL

Sauron

You decide! Votes are NON-RETRACTABLE. Vote for the winner!

[The 1,000 Reader]

++Maglor.

He was around from the beginning, and he lived in the end. Plus, unlike Sauron, he didn't have to weasel his way out of death.

[Anguirel]

In the event of a tie, since I am aware I am completely and utterly biased, I'll toss a coin!

[The 1,000 Reader]

Originally Posted by Anguirel

I am aware I am completely and utterly biased

Just like me!

[Gothmog]

I don't know if anyone of those still left is really worthy of the title. But if i must choose one, it's going to be either Maglor, Elrond or Elros. Elrond and Elros is quite new in the game and that speaks against them. On the other hand, we know more about Elrond than the other two. But to be a son of Feanor, Maglor is a nice lad. This is hard, but I'll actually go for

++Maglor

Even though Elrond deserves to be mentioned too...

[The Saucepan Man]

I too am tempted to go for none of the above. I don't find any of the Survivors particularly inspiring and, after all that has been said and done, I cannot bring myself to vote for the Angmod's pet. But after due consideration, and recognising that my vote shall probably stand alone, I shall plump for ...

++ SAURON

Last bad guy standing (well lurking, probably). That's gotta count for something.

[Formendacil]

Definitely Sauron.

Everybody knows that that guy is a Survivor. He survives the destruction of Utumno and Angband, he survives embarrassment at Luthien's hands, he survives the War of Wrath, he survives the war in Eregion, he survives the Downfall of Numenor, he survives his own death and the robbing of his ring, and even though he is reduced to a mere spirit by the Ring's destruction, he survives, nonetheless.

Clearly, the best Survivor of the bunch is Sauron.

++Sauron

[Anguirel]

I won't vote in this final. But I may argue, if I find it particularly hard to restrain myself...

[The 1,000 Reader]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

Definitely Sauron.

Everybody knows that that guy is a Survivor. He survives the destruction of Utumno and Angband, he survives embarrassment at Luthien's hands, he survives the War of Wrath, he survives the war in Eregion, he survives the Downfall of Numenor, he survives his own death and the robbing of his ring, and even though he is reduced to a mere spirit by the Ring's destruction, he survives, nonetheless.

Clearly, the best Survivor of the bunch is Sauron.

++Sauron

Actually, some of what you said goes against him. Being utterly defeated by a woman and a dog, though surviving, is still something to count severely against him. Also, he
died three times. Once in Numenor, once in the Dagor Dagorath, and lastly when the ring was destroyed. Varda would be the better choice if you were going to pick an ainur.

(Everyone in Middle-Earth is a spirit housed in a body. Sauron died, it's just that his spirit was more noticeable in the physical world. If we go by your logic, Then Feanor, or even the first guy off, could win, because his spirit is still around.)

[Gothmog]

I don't find any of the Survivors particularly inspiring and, after all that has been said and done, I cannot bring myself to vote for the Angmod's pet.

Indeed, voting for his favourite seems like betraying yourself. That's the major thing speaking against Maglor. Angmod made him go this far by manipulating, which takes some skill. But I'm not going to care about who's on who's side this last time, I'm just going to vote for the one most worthy. Notice "most worthy", not worthy.

And Formendacil is right when saying that Sauron is a survivor. He is, but since when have the people being able to survive on an island for real won the TV-version of survivor? It's hasn't happened yet in the Swedish version. Therefore I vote with my heart. Well, actually I like Elrond more but his such a newbie in survivor

[arcticstorm]

Out of all the remaining individuals the one with the most honor, most worth, and the one most willing to be the ultimate survivor is none other than that magestic sone of feanor ++Maglor He was able to willingliy give up a silmaril in the end. He was able to calm his brother down when he was upset about the advocating of his throne by gilg-galad the unjust. And he hsd kept a calm spirit and a wise mind the entire game.

[Lalaith]

++AMARIE
Last survivor of the brave Valkyries.

Maglor I can see the point of voting for, but why the creepy lieutenant? I see the Sauron of the First Age as a kind of Igor figure, slinking obsequiously behind the mighty Morgoth, rubbing his hands and saying 'yes Master.'
Yuck.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

+ + Elbereth
Looking ahead, so Sam and Frodo have someone to cheer them up away in the future, (later in this same story that goes on, with new characters).

[Anguirel]

You still have some time to vote-I'll declare the winner tomorrow morning.

[Glirdan]

Just to let everyone know that I will be starting Hobbit Survivor soon after this is over. I just have one question for everyone before we start. Do you want more people than all those involved? Or do we want to figure out another way of lengthining the game because I'm telling you now that this will be a fairly short game. What say you?

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Actually, I think a Hobbit Survivor could be about as long,
if, for example, various incidents in TH are featured
(the meeting at Bilbo's -does someone get poisoned? -
Trolls, Rivendell, Goblins, warg meeting place, Eagles aerie,
Beorn, etc.).

Of course, for the dwarves it could end up being a
version of Agatha Christie's "Ten little Indians"/ "And then
there were none."

[Glirdan]

Well see, I was planing on doing it the same way that Boro ran LOTR Survivor. We could extend the voting for two days if necessary. We could add characters if we have to, like the Necromancer for instance. And those who are even mentioned like Lobelia.

[Anguirel]

I've decided to include a Survivor Party when all the contestants will join together for a rave in the Halls of Mandos in the write-up...

[Celuien]

++MAGLOR
Last of the Feanorians, present from the beginning, now singing in sorrow and solitude at the end. The poor fellow needs something to cheer him up.

Besides, I don't want Sauron to win. I was hoping Celeborn would still be here to take the victory, but such is life.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

oh the final !

well there is non who is worthy of the victory left.

++Celebrian

After all she is the silver queen

[Anguirel]

FINAL RESULTS

Maglor-4
Sauron-2
Amarie-1
Elbereth-1
Celebrian-1

Kanafinwe Makalaure Maglor Feanorion is the Silmarillion Survivor!

Sauron, called Gorthaur, the second Dark Lord, is the Survivor Runner-up!

Elbereth is the randomly determined winner of the third prize!

However, since Maglor has refused his prize, the three Silmaril Awards go to

Sauron

Elbereth

and

Amarie, with Celebrian winning a consolation Mallorn.

Write-up describing the Silmarillion Survivor Party, featuring all contestants except the winner Maglor who has mysteriously absented himself, coming up...

[Anguirel]

THE GUEST LIST

Every contestant except Maglor will be at the Halls of Mandos...

Tribes

VALAR

Manwe (Thrust into the void by the other Valar)
Ulmo (Survived!)
Aule
Tulkas
Namo aka Mandos
Mandos, Doom of (Lifted by Varda at Olorin's request)
Orome
Lorien
Varda/Elbereth (Survived! Won third place and a Silmaril Award)
Yavanna (Thrust into the Void by Varda)
Nienna
Este
Vana
Vaire
Nessa

NOLDOR

Finwe (Slain by Morgoth)
Feanor (Slain by Gothmog)
Fingolfin (Slain by Morgoth)
Finarfin (Shot by an Orc)
Maedhros (Slain by Balrogs)
Maglor (The Survivor! Won the show but disappeared soon after)
Celegorm (Slain by Ancalagon)
Caranthir (Slain by Ulfang)
Curufin (Burnt by a Silmaril)
Celebrimbor (Slain by Glaurung)
Amrod (Slain by Ungoliant)
Amras (Slain by Orcs in the Bragollach)
Fingon (Slain by Gothmog)
Ereinion Gil-Galad (Slain by Smaug)
Turgon (Murdered by Glorfindel and Ecthelion)
Idril (Slain by Scatha)
Aredhel (Died of grief)
Maeglin (Slain by Glaurung)
Finrod (Slain by a werewolf)
Artanis aka Galadriel (Died in the Ruin of Nargothrond)
Orodreth (Killed accidentally by a poisoned trap)
Finduilas (Poisoned by alcoholism and Mim the Petty-Dwarf)
Gwindor (Slain by Orcish torturers)
Aegnor (Slain by Orcs in the Bragollach)
Angrod (Slain by Ungoliant)
Salgant (Survived!)
Glorfindel (Slain by Orcish torturers)

TELERI/SINDAR

Olwe (Slain by Ancalagon)
Thingol (vanished chasing a Maia even prettier than Melian)
Celeborn (Slain by Glaurung)
Celebrian (Survived! Won consolation mallorn)
Mablung (Burnt by a Silmaril)
Beleg (Lynched by Turin and the Gaurwaith)
Daeron (Went East and vanished)
Saeros (Drowned in the Great Ocean)
Eol (Fell on Anguirel)
Cirdan (Slain by Balrogs)
Nimloth (Slain by Dwarves of Nogrod)
Elwing (Perished of grief)

FORCES OF EVIL

Morgoth (Thrust into the Void by the Valar)
Ungoliant (Devoured herself)
Sauron (Survived! Won second place and a Silmaril Award)
Gothmog (Slain by Ecthelion)
Eonwe (Slain by Hurin and Maeglin)
Curunir (Slain by Idril)
Draugluin (Eaten by Dragons)
Glaurung (Twice wounded by Maeglin, slain by Nienor)
Ancalagon (Slain by Celegorm)
Morgoth, Curse of (Lifted by Varda)
Scatha (Slain by Tuor)
Smaug (Slain by Earendil)

MAIA

Osse (Divorced by Uinen and taken to the Void)
Uinen (Survived!)
Huan (Tricked into deathtrap by Tevildo)
Olorin
Tilion (Crash-landed)
Arien (Slew herself)

VANYAR

Ingwe (Banished to the Halls of Mandos)
Indis (Crushed by Smaug)
Amarie (Survived! Won a Silmaril Award)

MAIA/ELF

Luthien (Died of old age, ahhh)

DWARVES

Azaghal of Belegost (Slain by Glaurung)
Telchar of Nogrod (Slain by Maedhros)
Mim the Petty-dwarf (Died in the Ruin of Nargothrond)
Khim (Slain by Turin)
Ibun (Slain by Turin)

MEN

Balan/Beor
Baran
Bereg
Marach
Amlach (All the above died of causes natural or Orc-induced)
Haldad (Causes Orc-induced)
Haleth (Died of old age)
Haldar (Causes Orc-induced)
Barahir (Slain by an Orc-captain as he slept)
Bregolas (Fell in the Bragollach)
Hador (Natural causes)
Galdor (Orc-induced)
Halmir (Etc)
Haldir (Etc)
Beren (Died of old age, ahhh)
Dior (Burnt by a Silmaril)
Hurin (Slain by Morgoth)
Huor (Slain by Eonwe)
Morwen (Whipped to death by Brodda)
Turin (Shot by minions of Brodda)
Nienor (Slew herself after killing Glaurung)
Tuor (Fell to a Balrog in the Siege of Gondolin)
Handir (Orc-induced)
Bor
Borlach & co. (Nirnaeth-induced)
Ulfang (Slain by Maglor)
Uldor & co. (Slain by Caranthir)
Brodda (Slain by Turin)
Brandir (Slain by Glaurung)
Forweg
Androg (Both crushed by Tilion's craft)
Elured
Elurin (Both slain by Dwarves of Nogrod)

PEREDHIL

Earendil (Crushed under Smaug)
Elrond (Survived!)
Elros (Survived!)

Quite some party!

[Anguirel]

The party got off to a rather baroque start when Feanor poured wine over Indis' hair after she made a jibe about his mother.

Manwe quickly restored order-he was gloating about his temporary return to power from the Void-and the Valar and Maiar opened a vast waltz. Soon Elves and Men alike joined the dancers, followed by Dwarves, Dragons and sundry other types.

Ancalagon and Scatha performed a particularly fiery and passionate slow dance, thereby settling the vexing question of Scatha's gender. There were romantic scenes of reuniting as sundered couples like Tuor and Idril, or Celebrimbor and Nienor, danced together one last time.

To everyone's shock and surprise, Amarie turned down Finrod for a spin with the dashing Caranthir, but after they rowed fiercely over a bottle of Dorthonion she was seen returning to her true love's side, Silmaril and all. Elbereth flirted outrageously with Beren to irritate Luthien, and certainly succeeded.

Over the whole scene, from vignettes glittering to tawdry to torrid to heartrending, the musical support of Daeron and Salgant wafted, though Maedhros stood apart sadly, wishing a third harp could be playing.

But everyone agreed that the evening's finest couple were Turin and Finduilas. If only things had worked out differently in life; but afterlife had healed some of the damage.

As Maeglin whirled by with the Valier Nienna on his arm, Morgoth growled in possessive jealousy, but Nienna consistently refused to take to the floor with him.

Perhaps the most astonishing spectacle of all was Survivor runner-up Sauron drifting past with Melian on his arm. Where the enchantment of Melian met the sorcery of Sauron, eh, eh...

On that somewhat unexpected note, the party concluded, and the parties went their separate ways, and destinies, once more.

THE END.

Coming next in the Survivor series...the Hobbit Survivor, hosted by Glirdan. Make sure you catch it!

[Lalaith]

Ah...how nice that Turin and Finduilas got to do a little post-mortem cosying...so what *did* happen to Maglor? Where Is He Now?

[The 1,000 Reader]

To put it in orcish terms, Maglor is being emo on a beach.