The Circles

A series of original novels set in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.

"Glory dwelt in that city of Gondolin of the Seven Names, and its ruin was the most dread of all the sacks of cities upon the face of the Earth. Nor Bablon, nor Ninwi, nor the towers of Trui, nor all the many takings of Rûm that is greatest among men, saw such terror as fell that day upon Amon Gwareth in the kindred of the Gnomes; and this is esteemed to be the worst work that Melko has yet thought of in the world."
- The Book of Lost Tales II, "The Fall of Gondolin"

Introduction

n an alternative universe set in the Third Age of Arda, the West was defeated at the Battle of Pelennor Fields and the war swept over Southern Gondor. To the dismay of all the Free People of Middle-earth, the Dark Lord Sauron regained the One Ring, His rising power threatening to plunge the world into a Second Darkness.

In the midst of this, two young maidens, twins Elfhild and Elffled, are captured by orcs in a preliminary raid against Rohan. Their world destroyed, their fate uncertain, they face the bleak prospects of slavery at the hands of cruel masters.

The Witch-king of Angmar and his fellows struggle and suffer to serve a mad God who both loves them and seeks to destroy them. In truth, they are no more fortunate than Elfhild and Elffled, for they, too, are in bondage, locked in a silent war for the freedom to live and love as they see fit.

The Dark Lord Sauron, a victim of His own lusts, wishes to possess Arda and encompass it in His twisted love. Obsessively, He craves the worship and adoration of all mankind, but His thirst for total dominion of mind and soul twists and perverts all His designs. His spirit weighed down with the frustrations of the ages, still He strives against the Valar to possess the world that He loves.

A tale of peasants and Powers; of masters and slaves; freedom and bondage; of adventure, mystery and intrigue; of wars and bloodshed; of love and loss; of spirits and magic and the unquiet dead.

ome journey to the exotic and erotic lands of the East and South - Khand, Harad, Nurn, Rhûn and Umbar... and beyond.

Add a dash of Tolkien's Arda; blend it with elements from the Gothic tradition of the 19th Century; mix it with Sir Richard Burton's translation of A Thousand and One Arabian Nights and other Orientalist writings of the Victorian Era; swirl around an exotic blend of actual ancient and medieval history; add in some Mesopotamian mythology with a pinch of Old Norse; and you have... THE CIRCLES.

THE CIRCLES SERIES

Violence and explicit scenes in some chapters.
For mature readers only.

BOOK ONE OF THE CIRCLES
The Triumph of The Shadow

The West loses the War of the Ring and the proud city of Minas Tirith falls to the forces of the Dark Lord. In these days of darkness and fear, two young maidens, twins Elfhild and Elffled, are captured by orcs in a preliminary raid against Rohan. Herded off with other captives, the sisters know little of their destination, only that they are being driven ever East towards Mordor, the dreadful land of horror and shadows. Their world destroyed, their fate uncertain, they face the bleak prospects of slavery at the hands of their enemies.

The armies of Mordor, driven ceaselessly by their masters, march ever onward towards the West. The Dark Lord Sauron sits upon his black throne, eagerly anticipating the final victory as he watches history unfold through the palantír.

With Gondor fallen, will Rohan be conquered at last... and then the rest of Middle-earth?

Prologue - Yôzâyan (5/12/05)
Chapter 1 - News From the King (5/14/05)
Chapter 2 - The Muster of Rohan (5/16/05)
Chapter 3 - Days With No Dawn (5/19/05)
Chapter 4 - The Clouds of War (5/19/05)
Chapter 5 - Raiders in The Night (5/23/05)
Chapter 6 - The Bitter Cost of Strife (5/26/05)
Chapter 7 - East Away (6/2/05)
Chapter 8 - A Crimson Stain in the Hallowed Wood (6/11/05)
Chapter 9 - The Conquering Army (6/26/05)
Chapter 10 - Mysteries and Promises (7/7/05)
Chapter 11 - All Things Forbidden (7/10/05)
Chapter 12 - Of Valor and Sorrow (7/17/05)
Chapter 13 - The Men of Darkness (7/18/05)
Chapter 14 - Three Honeyed Kisses (7/19/05)
Chapter 15 - Knives in the Flames (7/28/05)
Chapter 16 - Dreams of Blue Eyes (7/29/05)
Chapter 17 - Sweet Temptations (8/2/05)
Chapter 18 - Lórien's Gifts (8/8/05)
Chapter 19 - A Memory by the Wayside (8/14/05)
Chapter 20 - Dreams of Conquest (8/18/05)
Chapter 21 - The Dance of Blood and Death (8/18/05)
Chapter 22 - Riders of the Winds (8/25/05)
Chapter 23 - Promotions (8/31/05)
Chapter 24 - Battle of Fire (9/2/05)
Chapter 25 - A View Into the Palantír (9/10/05)
Chapter 26 - Wings of Death (9/21/05)
Chapter 27 - Field of Defeat (10/2/05)
Chapter 28 - Treachery Rewarded (10/8/05)
Chapter 29 - The Eyes of the Dark Lord (10/16/05)
Chapter 30 - Úmarth en Aran Morgul (10/23/05)
Chapter 31 - Mistress of the Eastern Wind (11/3/05)
Chapter 32 - "Bring to My Remembrance Tol Sirion..." (11/8/05)
Chapter 33 - A Gift Spurned (11/10/05)
Chapter 34 - Innocence Lost in Almaren (11/12/05)
Chapter 35 - The Flame and the Wind (12/1/05)
Chapter 36 - Those Doomed to Die (12/12/05)
Chapter 37 - Those Doomed to Live (12/30/05)
Chapter 38 - Those Doomed to Love (1/9/06)
Chapter 39 - And He Gathered Them Unto Himself (1/28/06)
Chapter 40 - The Conquest of the Ninth Ring (2/12/06)
Chapter 41 - Ruins and Ashes (2/20/06)
Chapter 42 - Requiem for Heroes (3/3/06)
Chapter 43 - Silence in the Dark Tower (3/11/06)

BOOK TWO OF THE CIRCLES SERIES
Journey of Sorrow

After arriving at the ruins of Minas Tirith, the captives are handed over to a group of Haradric slavers, led by Esarhaddon uHuzziya, one of the owners of a slave trading business in Nurn. A man of might and mastery, this handsome, rakish Southron symbolizes everything that the Rohirric women dread.

Orphaned, their land destroyed, Elfhild and Elffled struggle to remain defiant against their foes, even when faced with ghastly reminders of the enemy's might. Goldwyn, stern and proud, refuses to surrender to despair like so many others have done.

Each step on this journey of sorrow takes the Rohirric captives closer to Mordor, the Land of Shadows from which there is no return. Is there any hope of escape, or is slavery to be their doom?

Prologue - The Fury of the Forgoil (3/20/06)
Chapter 1 - So White the Simbelmynë (3/31/06)
Chapter 2 - A City Lost and Dead (4/5/06)
Chapter 3 - An Inspection (4/15/06)
Chapter 4 - Red Fell the Dew Like Tears (4/23/06)
Chapter 5 - The Unquiet Field (5/1/06)
Chapter 6 - The Clerk (5/8/06)
Chapter 7 - A Band of Iron (5/15/06)
Chapter 8 - The Cobbler (5/22/06)
Chapter 9 - A Lesson in Business (6/5/06)
Chapter 10 - An Unwelcomed Edict (6/12/06)
Chapter 11 - Comforts and Concerns (6/21/06)
Chapter 12 - Desperate Measures (7/3/06)
Chapter 13 - Rohirric Roses Among the Thorns (7/10/06)
Chapter 14 - Sunset on Osgiliath (7/24/06)
Chapter 15 - A Stroll in the Ruins (7/31/06)
Chapter 16 - A Glorious Folly (8/5/06)
Chapter 17 - To Rouse the Appetite (8/19/06)
Chapter 18 - A Tempting Dish (8/27/06)
Chapter 19 - The Sweetest Dessert (9/9/06)
Chapter 20 - Not Without Honor (9/16/06)
Chapter 21 - Will We Ever Meet Again? (9/23/06)
Chapter 22 - Flight Through Osgiliath (10/6/06)
Chapter 23 - Racing Towards Freedom (10/13/06)

BOOK THREE OF THE CIRCLES SERIES
To Escape a Dark Destiny

Driven by her pursuers into an old crypt in Osgiliath, Goldwyn finds herself trapped in a nightmare from which there is no awakening. But are the horrors real, or only figments of her guilt-tormented mind?

Having successfully evaded the orcs, Fródwine, Frumgár and Fritha, the three sons of Goldwyn, embark on a quest to return to Rohan. However, this is not some childish adventure - it is a matter of life and death.

Journeying through the wasteland of Anorien, Elfhild and Elffled desperately try to keep one step ahead of the slavers. But perhaps there are others who are far more intimidating than the Haradrim...

Can any of them escape the evil destiny which the enemy has planned for them, or is to attempt to do so utterly useless?

Chapter 1 - Whispers From the Past (10/18/06)
Chapter 2 - Possessed by Love (10/26/06)
Chapter 3 - On Their Own (11/12/06)
Chapter 4 - Descent (11/25/06)
Chapter 5 - Knights-Errant (12/3/06)
Chapter 6 - Blighted Spring (12/9/06)
Chapter 7 - The Aftermath of the Storm (12/16/06)
Chapter 8 - The Barbarians (12/24/06)
Chapter 9 - How the Ignorant Grope (1/9/07)
Chapter 10 - Cup of Kindness (1/20/07)
Chapter 11 - Land of the Dead (2/3/07)
Chapter 12 - Two Healers; One Harlot (2/15/07)
Chapter 13 - An Argument Between Sisters (2/24/07)
Chapter 14 - Mists Along the Anduin (3/9/07)
Chapter 15 - Games Played by Moonlight (3/15/07)
Chapter 16 - Kiss of Icy Darkness (4/1/07)
Chapter 17 - Sticks and Stones (4/7/07)
Chapter 18 - Out On a Limb (4/14/07)
Chapter 19 - From Ancient Acorns... (5/1/07)
Chapter 20 - The Root of the Matter (5/19/07)
Chapter 21 - The Mysterious Malady (6/2/07)
Chapter 22 - A Brief Farewell (6/16/07)
Chapter 23 - False Modesty (6/24/07)
Chapter 24 - Olórë Hwárin Mallë (7/6/07)
Chapter 25 - Yavanna's Mercies (7/25/07)
Chapter 26 - Sweet Houris (8/10/07)
Chapter 27 - A Strange Turn of Events (8/18/07)
Chapter 28 - The Hamlet by the Wharf (9/8/07)
Chapter 29 - The Deserted Village (10/7/07)
Chapter 30 - Heat of the Afternoon (10/21/07)
Chapter 31 - Thieves (11/14/07)
Chapter 32 - Supper With Tarlanc (12/2/07)
Chapter 33 - Daughters of My Ally (12/23/07)
Chapter 34 - Unshackled (1/9/08)
Chapter 35 - Night Riders (1/20/08)
Chapter 36 - The Long Road Home (1/28/08)
Chapter 37 - The Physician's Initial Observations (2/10/08)
Chapter 38 - The Draugr (2/23/08)
Chapter 39 - Crossing the Great Road (2/29/08)
Chapter 40 - A Message and a Bottle (3/15/08)

BOOK FOUR OF THE CIRCLES
Paths Both East and West

As the last wain in the slaver's caravan crosses the Anduin, the fate of the captives is sealed. At the mercy of her enemies and the delusions of her own mind, Goldwyn resolves to kindle her hatred into a burning passion, even if it means spurning those who might truly care for her.

Meanwhile, twins Elfhild and Elffled and the three sons of Goldwyn - Fródwine, Frumgár and Fritha - journey through Anórien, though the courses which they take vary greatly. Danger lies everywhere, but what about friends unlooked-for?

Chapter 1 - Perceptions (3/25/08)
Chapter 2 - Life Is Wonderful! (5/12/08)

News of the Chronicles

Chapter Two of Book Four, "Life Is Wonderful!" has just been posted. While Goldwyn and Aziru wait for Goldwyn's new handmaid to arrive, Aziru remembers the day he bought a very special book.

Chapter Three of Book Two has just been added to Henneth Annûn and LOTR Fanfiction. The novelty that the sisters are twins draws the unwelcomed attention of a slave merchant.

As we reread these older chapters, we are editing mistakes that had been missed the first time around, improving sentence structure, clarifying concepts that were a little foggy, and making other minor changes. There will be no major plot changes, just improvements that we hope will make the story flow better.

If you wish, leave a comment about the latest chapters in The Circles Discussion Forum.

If you have questions or comments, or want notices of updates, write to Angmar.

Origins of "The Circles"

Bibliography

The Circles Art Gallery

Comments from Readers

The Circles on Henneth Annûn

The Circles on LOTR Fanfiction

The Circles on Open Scrolls Archive

Elfhild's Stories on Open Scrolls Archive

Nazgûl Information Page
Almost all you ever wanted to know about the Nazgûl. A lengthy compilation of quotes gleaned from all the works of Tolkien, as well as commentaries and articles from Nazgûl scholars.

There have been visitors since May 2, 2005.

All original characters and their names copyright their creators and may not be used in other stories. All Tolkien characters copyright J.R.R. Tolkien. This series of books by Angmar and Elfhild was inspired in part by Tolkien's collective writings: The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and the History of Middle-earth series. We derive no profit from this venture.