Newer onto the scene of reading fanfiction as I have been, I discovered Nilmandra's stories over the past summer. She was one of my favorite authors, and I have re-read her works numerous times, and I have currently been in the process of again re-reading them. When I came on this site to check it out for the first time, I was shocked to discover she has passed beyond the Circles of the World. I feel as if I missed much, it having been several years since her passing, for she, to me, has lived all this time when I read her stories and feel their impact in my soul. Thank you for letting everyone know, and I am glad I learned of it now though it is late. All her stories meant much to me, and as I continue to re-read them, I will look on them differently now, knowing she is gone, and I am heartened to be honoring her memory by enjoying her legacy which she so wonderfully left for us to enjoy forever. I was greatly uplifted by her writing, and I was even more so encouraged of how brightly her faith shone through in her stories, and I am excited to meet her one day in the presence of the One.
Grey-Orc
· 23 February 2022
· Chapter 999
Forgive me for contacting you this way, but I'm hoping you have some contact information that I don't for reaching whoever's running the site these days. The ads are getting out of control and I saw some with links labeled "sex shop", for instance, which makes me wonder if the site's been hacked or something. Replica watches are annoying enough to have in your search for good fics to read and re-read, but something like that isn't at all within the scope of what I think would be invisioned for this site even if it has to be ad supported. I tried rora@mindspring.com last night and got a delivery failure.
perelleth
· 25 June 2020
· Chapter 999
I´m terribly late for this. Her selflessness was an example, and her sense of humour and strength were a lesson. We were lucky to have met her, if virtually.
Marianel
· 14 May 2020
· Chapter 999
Im so sorry to hear of this and for not seeing this post earlier. I have indeed been occupied with personal losess in my family too . I love Nilmandras stories and Know them though I dont know her I see several here do. All my deepest condoleances to all of you and her family💐😢❤️
Mirkwoodmaiden
· 4 October 2019
· Chapter 999
Daw!
I've not been on this site for a very long time but I came back just the other day to re-read a few things and I saw this posting. It saddens my heart to have read about Nilmandra's passing. Her writing was beautiful Only 51. Geez. I only knew her from her written word both her wonderful writings (which I do believe influenced my own writing.)and through her reviewing of my work. She always took the time to read my work and then give thoughtful reviews. She will be missed. Namarie!
Author's reply
She was ill for a long time, so her death wasn't unexpected, but it was still sad. I can't believe it even yet.
daw
Anonymous
· 27 November 2018
· Chapter 999
PSW
· 20 March 2018
· Chapter 999
I just saw this ... I’m so sorry to hear it. She, her family, and her friends will be in my prayers.
Thranduil's wife
· 14 March 2018
· Chapter 999
Thanks for sad news.
I've long been a lotr fan and have read and enjoyed all of yours and Nilmandra's stories.
Thanks also for informing us that about her devout Christian belief, causing me to rejoice that she is in heaven with the Lord.
No more suffering for her.
God bless.
Noor
· 3 March 2018
· Chapter 999
Thank you Daw for letting everyone know. I had read your post at the time but felt so saddened by the news that I didn't know what to write at the time. It is such a loss but Nilmandra will always be remembered - through her stories and this site. I was so pleased to have found SOA all those years ago and so privileged to have read such wonderful stories. My thoughts are with her family. Best wishes and love to them.
Eriol
· 4 February 2018
· Chapter 999
I had only had a brief email exchange with Nilmandra in which we discussed why I love SOA. I cannot believe she is gone. I loved her stories and I truly appreciate that through her and others' efforts, there is a place where I can communicate with all the other lovers of Middle Earth. Professor Tolkien’s vision has stirred my soul deeply and having this site where others similarly affected share their musings and stories, nurtures and strengthens what has been stirred. Thank you Nilmandra, for what you have given us, and may you find your heart’s desire.
Alice
· 12 January 2018
· Chapter 999
I am so very sorry for your loss. I never knew her but am so grateful for her founding of Stories of Arda. This website was a respite for me during lonely high school years. She touched a lot of lives of people she never met through her work in the Tolkien fandom. I know she was important to you and I will keep her and her loved ones in my prayers.
Larner
· 5 January 2018
· Chapter 999
My prayers are with Rorra and all who loved Nilmandra. She will be very much missed.
Thane
· 5 January 2018
· Chapter 999
This week I reread May the Valar Protect Them for the first time since 2013, when I read it twice, followed by some others in the series. Then I came here, because daw's world is one of my favorites as well, and saw this. The knowledge saddens me so very deeply. I had read some fanfiction before I found her, but I had not been struck with such a wonderful and powerful story that I could love as something even more than fanfiction. I'm so sad to hear she's passed away, but I am excited to meet her in the "Undying Lands" someday. I could tell the first time I read her story that she and I shared the same faith, and I am gladdened by that. Her stories inspired me so much, and even though I never knew her, I will miss her greatly, as I know many others will.
LOTR lover
· 5 January 2018
· Chapter 999
I haven't visited SoA in several months and came back today to look for stories that celebrate the Professor's birthday.
I'm so sorry to hear that Nilmandra has passed away! My condolences, Rorrah and Daw and all of Nilmandra's friends and family. She will be missed!
Citrine
· 3 January 2018
· Chapter 999
This saddens me very much. I fell out of LotR fandom long ago, but for a long, long time this website was my happy place and my writing home for which I still feel great fondness, and Nilmandra was the one who invited me in. I wish I could have known her better. To all who knew her and loved her best, please accept my deepest and sincere condolences.
The Karenator
· 3 January 2018
· Chapter 999
It's taken a little while for me to gather words. I'm still not sure I have any that appropriately express the range of thoughts and emotions I've had since Meckinock called to tell me the news about Nilmandra. My heart is broken for those of us who loved her and knew what a truly kind, loving and generous person she was. Likewise, I'm comforted by the knowledge she is free from the illness and pain she battled for over a decade. I've tried to not focus on the emptiness I feel from her absence, but to rejoice in her freedom. Perhaps someday, I will find that proper balance.
When I think about Nilmandra, I see in my memory a strong, intelligent word and world warrior. She embraced the adventure of being a thinker and seeker. Through it all, she was funny and fun, and a happy guide and cheerleader for many of us as we pursued learning to craft stories. I'm grateful of her friendship. I loved her dearly.
Thank you, daw, for the post.
moonshine
· 30 December 2017
· Chapter 999
I am so sorry for your loss as a friend, and sad to hear the news of such a great writer.
I actually pulled up Stories of Arda to read some favorites, because I lost someone very close to me today as well. Writers such as yourself and Nilmandra have taken the amazing world Tolkien created and built a place of comfort to go to. It certainly helped me get through some tough times (including my teenage years),and is where I find myself turning to even on the worst days.
Thank you to Nilmandra for her wonderful adventures and the community she developed for all of us Lord of the Rings fans.
moonshine
· 30 December 2017
· Chapter 999
I am so sorry for your loss as a friend, and sad to hear the news of such a great writer.
I actually pulled up Stories of Arda to read some favorites because I lost someone very close to me today as well. Writers such as yourself and Nilmandra have taken the wonderful world Tolkein built and created a place of comfort to go to. It certainly helped me get through some tough times (including my teenage years).
Thank you to Nilmandra for her wonderful adventures and the community she built for all lf ua Lord of the Rings fans.
Conquistadora
· 30 December 2017
· Chapter 999
We'll absolutely remember her in our prayers. We owe her a lot.
Lianna
· 30 December 2017
· Chapter 999
May the Valar protect her. And you, Daw. Thank you for letting everyone know.
Snowline
· 28 December 2017
· Chapter 999
I just read that Nilmandra passed away. Hers were the first fanfic stories that I read about Middle Earth and I enjoyed them very much, re-reading them many times. I thank her for the stories and the enjoyment that many people got out of them.
May she rest in piece.
Thanks again.
Halrohir Haladanion
· 26 December 2017
· Chapter 999
I truly regret reading this! I only just rejoined the site today after a long absence. I trust that the site will carry forward with the legacy left to us by such wonderful people.
Rick
· 24 December 2017
· Chapter 999
My deepest sympathy for you, her family, and all who knew her. I am greatly saddened to hear of Nilmandra's passing. If her stories were any indication, she was a truly kind soul. Thank you for letting us all know.
Dot
· 23 December 2017
· Chapter 999
Nilmandra was a far better person than I'll ever be. She was generous and kind, wise and forgiving. She was funny and could laugh at herself. She was fearless in the face of such hardship and so full of joy.
I have many memories of Nilmandra from over the years, though I never met her in person. But SoA and the fact that it's still going strong and will continue to do so is a worthy legacy. Not just because it's a wonderful archive but because it inspires creativity, gives shelter from RL for those who want it and has been the beginning of so many friendships. My online friends are very special to me and I hope Nilmandra knew that by giving us somewhere to gather she helped us forge bonds that will last forever.
From someone who appreciated her encouragement when I was a nervous author, who thrilled at the sight of a review from her or the notification of a new story from her, who valued her friendship beyond words, may she be at peace and still smiling.
Deana
· 21 December 2017
· Chapter 999
I didn't actually know her, or rather she didn't know me; I feel as if she was a friend after spending so many years reading her stories. Coming here to SoA feels like coming home. If her sister ever sees this, I want to say thank you for making sure this site will continue. Nilmandra has touched and influenced so many people, and I'm sorry I never got up the courage to reach out to her and introduce myself; I look forward to getting that chance again someday. For now, I am glad she is finally well and whole again, and I will continue to re-read her stories.