This tale was the winner of the "Runes of Daeron" Contest, made by the Conselho Branco - Sociedade Tolkien - a non-profit brazilian organization created to study and publicize the fantastic work of writer, professor and philologist J.R.R. Tolkien. It was published in issue 22 of the Council's newsletter, "O Palantir", in 2012. As a big fan, it's an honor for me. The tale accompanies the conversations of a Balrog with the elf Fëanor. In the mythology created by Tolkien in The Silmarillion, Fëanor rebelled against the gods, and after his death his cursed spirit retreated into the halls of Mandos and never returned to his relatives. The Balrog (also known as Valarauko) decides to tell his story, from the origin of the world, to the elf, because he thinks it will make a difference in his life.

Even Dark lord's get that festive feeling...and no one deserves to be alone at Yuletide...right? All credit goes to the man himself, the Professor, JRR Tolkien! I am merely borrowing his world to spread some festive joy, even to the meanest of us all...everyone needs a little Christmas love! Cover: created using the wonderful fanart of Phobs. Media: Sir Christopher Lee - Jingle Hell

Love and devotion belong solely to others, and are not, by any circumstance, reserved for the likes of Melkor. Or are they? If Elves and Men can be infested by darkness, why should not be otherwise for the Dark Lord and his servant? To that, histories never paid heed, despite the fact that love between Melkor and Sauron could be on par with that of Beren and Luthien, Thingol and Melian.