I think a good assassin is defined as actually being able to kill on the first or second shot? But don't quote me because I don't know the first thing to being an assassin, nor have I ever met any (as far as I know). But THANK THE MAKER that arrow only grazed Esben!! Artham took the brunt of it, though. The poor man had arrows lodged into his arm and back. Not fun.

I knew Tolkien was a linguistic genius and invented his own languages, but I did not know he would recite lines of Beowulf in Old English as a starter to his day😂

That's cool! It deserves to be celebrated across worlds. Anyone plan on taking a trip with me into the wardrobe to take this haggis to the Aerwiarians? I believe the quotes were: "If there are no books we enjoy reading, then we must write them" and "We don't need more Christian books, we need more Christians writing books."

What if The Hobbit and LOTR exist in Aerwiar as books? Janner does talk about a book in OtEotDSoD about “slaying a dragon that actually flew with a band of companions” sounds SCARILY SIMILAR to The Hobbit! I think you are 100% correct, as Andrew Peterson mentions about the rich world building in Middle Earth that provides so much potential and room for story. I think Tolkien DEFINITELY influenced him — I think EVERY fantasy writer has been influenced by at least Tolkien because of what a fantastic writer he was and how influential he was on our culture. (Side note: Did you know that Tolkien actually CHANGED the English language? The original spelling of “elves” and “dwarves” was “elfs” and “dwarfs,” but he coined those terms ending with “-ves.” I dare say, if a writer such as he changed the English language, he deserves to influence fantasy writers.)

It was a LITTLE bit hard to follow, but then again, I was reading it really fast because I was so excited😂 I always wondered if some sentries in Anniera wouldn’t be very experienced BECAUSE it’s normally so peaceful. They aren’t entirely sure what “protocol” is in some situations. But I always figured the Throne Warden might be something LIKE the captain of the guard? Like do they command the crown guard or are they entirely focused on their younger sibling? Because I noticed you had a captain here in this chapter… another fold of Annieran mysteries we haven’t uncovered… I do think the percher in black is related to Squoon, but I’m not sure if they’re just a bad shot. Why would Bonifer hire someone with a bad shot? Or did they just get nervous? Or what if they weren’t entirely comfortable with shooting at their High King and Throne Warden (IF they’re Annieran)? Did they hesitate at the last moment and miss on purpose? I am VERY MUCH enjoying it! I can’t wait for more!!

Oh, my word, that was intense. Artham and Esben are very irritated with the poor sentries and staff😂 But Esben is right — Artham won’t rest or get his arm fixed until that assassin is caught. But Esben DOES pose a good point… you would think they should hire an assassin who would ACTUALLY hit their target. Is this percher in black just trying to scare them? Warn them? And of COURSE this assassin is related to Bonifer Squoon. So… will Bonifer deal with this assassin because they failed? WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN?! Definition of a Throne Warden: “Artham hesitated, his every instinct telling him to run to the ends of Anniera if necessary to hunt down and obliterate this threat to his little brother, but the sight of the red smeared hand over Esben’s arm changed his mind like nothing else could have.” That is 100% correct, speaking as a Throne Warden myself. Excellent work, Ellie!! I can’t WAIT for more and to uncover this mystery!!!

Yay! Next chapter, next chapter!! NOOOOOOOOOOOO Perhaps carrots and charrots are cousin vegetables? Wait… today is Monday (at the time of writing)…

Artham!!😂😂😂 Absolutely smitten! This is how it went: (Artham pulls a book from his shelf and begins happily reading as he normally does to pass the time.) (He finds a poem of love that gratifies and yet doesn’t even begin to describe his love for Arundelle.) Ah, how love strikes us down and quickens our heart.

RETRIEVE THE DUCT TAPE, THRONE WARDEN. It’s that time of year, after all, for all the sugar cookies to be eaten. I blame Nia and Arundelle for baking them.

I’ve missed these! Oskar’s final commentary quoting LOTR got me, dude😂😂😂

cackles manically right back, then goes back to weeping because I still have to hang in there on the cliffhanger until Monday Wait… not for a very long time… is this percher of black someone we KNOW? Or… some vile assassin hired by the even more despicable Bonifer Squoon?? I really do like it! My only note is that I believe carrots are a real vegetable in Aerwiar (I noticed you spelled it “charrots”). I believe you can find it in chapter three of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness when the Igiby’s garden is being described. screeches and sadly mopes GOOD THING THATS TOMORROW! EEE HEE HEE!

Christmas break is celebrated by writers by doing writing✍🏻

WHATWHATWHATWHATWHAT?!?!? ELLIE MEE, HOW DARE YOU LEAVE US WITH THAT!!! WHO IS THIS PERSON PERCHED IN BLACK?! Also — “‘And apparently, though I have no clue why, they want him to follow you around just in case you start spouting great and mighty words of wisdom’” — got me pretty hard🤣🤣🤣 I am loving Artham and Esben’s brotherly interactions. And I love that you put in them working in the fields like Nia described❤️ It’s perfect! BUT I NEED THE NEXT PART WHAT IS GONNA HAPPEN?!?!?!?!

THIS IS AMAZING!!! I’M DISSOLVING IN FISH LAUGHTER AHAHAHA!!!

✨Beautiful✨

I think Hollish might be the common tongue in Dang. I think it’s a good chance we can bet that Annierans spoke Hollish if they used Old Hollish in their courts. I can’t WAIT for romantic moments between Esben and Nia!!!🥹😍😍😍

SECRETS AND POWERRRRRRR!!! I LOVE the foreshadowing, Ellie! You've done an excellent job writing this out, and I can clearly see this happening while Artham and Esben translate the First Books. I do think Artham would be a linguist, and I do think Esben would know just a BIT of Old Hollish. I wonder if Hollish children are taught Hollish or Old Hollish at all. I wonder if HOLLISH is even the common tongue, perhaps? "'And O, my noble protector, what in Aerwiar did I do to deserve that?'" -- this got me so hard🤣🤣🤣 I am definitely one to sneak up on people and jumpscare them just for fun. And I can ABSOLUTELY see Esben sneaking up on Artham to scare him out of reading!😆 Excellent work as always, Ellie! Since you've made implications on Nia, I'm looking forward to that when they visit the Hollows...😏

GASP SHE’S SO PRETTY!!!😍

The sorrow because they will not actually be married for a long, long time. That... makes me sniffs SO HAPPYYYYY begins bawling And I NOTICED THE WILLOW TREE. I have NO IDEA what Arundelle's last name is. Perhaps it has to do with (but is not exactly) her pen name? Rainwater?? Exactly -- I wonder why they both waited so long! It's one of the things I explored in TFBoS, but I'm not sure if that ENTIRELY makes up for it. Perhaps Artham is busy? Or he's so unsure about being married and having children in the first place that he "tests it out" being an uncle? I have no idea. Oh, it was a possible feat. I just wanted one chapter like this with Artham and Arundelle, and that made me very happy. I am satisfied now☺️ EXACTLY. NOW YOU SEE WHY I'M CRYING. accepts tissue and blows loudly No problem!

He looks adorably like Janner -- I LOVE IT!!!😍