“He seemed most eager to accompany me wrackspurt-hunting, but even with my Spectrespecs he can’t see them. If the wrackspurts don’t trust him, how can I?” Read more

“Ah, I’m afraid I miscalculated a bit, my dear friend—we were so close to catching that Ape, on so many occasions, that each time I thought if I just delayed my answer another day, I might be able to write you the good news of a capture—but before I knew it, I got your summons… Read more

Rain globes cling to a crystal cookie sheet The lens that separates my world from me The glass that needed cleaning yesterday To smear three weeks of fingerprints away. Read more

BY ISABELLA SUMMITT We all groaned when the two hobbits went over the horizon after so much had happened, and we didn’t want it to end. Read more

“Daddy, is everything alright?” “What’s wrong with mom?” ”Does she remember us now?” “Children, dear children, relax, I believe that everything will be fine. Just give us a little more time. When she is ready to see you all, I will call for you. I love you.” “We love you too, dad.” Read more

During a thunderstorm a little frog For reasons best known to its grey-green self Climbed stickey-toed into the chambers of The gauge, then begged for life as the water rose… Read more

BY MICHAEL HALDAS Frodo and Harry are like James and John. Both Tolkien and Rowling hint at providence being a mover behind the scenes of the story. Read more

“I think it’s reasonable to suspect that Lord Highland’s ship took a beating in the storm and needs repairs, but I’ve no report on that yet. I’ll leave those inspections to his crew, and I trust that we’ll be able to supply what’s needed for repairs.” Read more

As Abraham was called to leave his home, To serve one God in haunted emptiness Where errant spirits misguided pilgrims’ steps Into those thickets that entangled lost souls Read more

BY KEVIN MICHAEL DERBY Tolkien was sharp enough not to go too deep into the Fourth Age despite writing a handful of pages when he considered doing a sequel. Read more

“The doctor does not see a point in keeping her… They are not hopeful like we are. Her doctor told me yesterday that, in his whole career, he never saw anyone who had the same problem, waking up and coming back.” Read more

Moving forward one more step To where I haven’t gotten yet. Fall down once, get up again; Fall down nine times, get up ten. Read more

“It’s never good policy to shrink away from your kings and queens, my boy,” Lord Highland admonished. “You know better—greet them properly.” Read more

BY TIMOTHY MATHER I am a vision seeker. I look with true sight. I am the son of the West wind. I am the rustle of the leaves. I am the great whisper. Read more

BY HANNAH VINCENT Tolkien captures the essence of womanhood within his main female protagonists, Arwen and Eowyn. Read more

She hasn’t moved for almost two months. In her situation, I don’t think it’s likely she is capable any movement, let alone singing. I am sorry, Gabriel. I know that you are a believing man, and you believe that God can do miracles. Read more

The elves had been in that position for the better part of the morning, wallowing in the peaceful calm that they seemed to never be able to find as of late. Nearly every day was consumed with the hunt and destruction of any orc forces they could come across, letting their hatred fuel their need… Read more

BY VIOLET JAMES “When Robert sent assassins to kill me and my unborn child, your father defied him to try and save me.” Read more

BY SHANNON LISE JOHNSON We didn’t know when we began what new implosions of naivety awaited as we spend star-precious hours closing what is left of the gap. Read more

BY SARAH LEVESQUE The funny thing about prayer is that, in my experience, we don’t often pray that God’s will be done; we usually pray that our will be done. Read more