Yes writing a shorter version is a good idea, LOL. I don’t think I can manage one third, but the version below is now less than half as long. To clarify, I’m only hoping to persuade the Hosts to change their minds about a few things, mainly Eol. My proposal puts Dagor Aglareb, Thingol’s Ban, Nargothrond, and Gondolin in the order the Hosts want.
I have to say, it’s really great to be able to share ideas and write collaboratively. I’ve never had the courage to write fanfic on my own.
Edited: adjusting Amras' trajectory based on an idea from Corey. trying to abridge even more.
Not yet worked in: the capture of Elves, the escape of some, the release of others under the Spell of Bottomless Dread.
Episode 1: Intersections and Intentions
Fingolfin’s folk meet Círdan, then the Fëanorians.
Fingolfin learns Fëanor is dead. Fingon learns Maedhros is missing.
Finrod ‘cheats’ with telepathy and learns Sindarin absurdly fast. He acts as a translator until the other Noldor learn it.
Círdan is happy to meet Elves from Valinor. He asks after Finwë and Olwë, and asks why the Noldor have returned. The Noldor dissemble. Nobody mentions the Kinslaying. They claim they came to fight Morgoth.
Cirdan sends Annael to Doriath as a messenger. Thingol’s reaction isn’t shown.
Celeborn and Galadriel have a first conversation. There’s a mutual respect and interest.
The Noldor remain divided. The Fëanoreans are uncomfortable to see the Elves they betrayed. They’re stuck and Maglor is not a decisive leader. Fingolfin re-forges Ringil – is he planning to fight the Fëanorians, or Morgoth, or both?
Angband: After the shock of the Sun wears off, Morgoth laughs at the division of his enemies. A cloud of smoke hides Angband from the Sun, and spreads ominously over Mithrim.
End of episode 1: Reforging Ringil? Ominous clouds? Fingon is missing? Rescue of Maedhros?
either Episode 1 or Episode 2 (end of 1 or start of 2)
Seeing the cloud of smoke, Fingon gets an idea, and departs. He rescues Maedhros, with Thorondor’s help.
Episode 2: Diplomacy
The Noldor reunite, but tensions remain. Maedhros begins to recuperate.
The Noldor send scouts around Beleriand and Ard-galen. Ecthelion leads one scouting group. In a skirmish with spying Werewolves or demon-lions, Ecthelion is amazing and awesome.
Finrod sends Angrod to Doriath as an ambassador, but cautions him to speak as little of the Fëanoreans as possible.
Angband: The villains are alarmed by Thorondor’s involvement in Maedhros’ rescue. Morgoth suspects that Men have awakened.
Doriath: Thingol asks Angrod about Olwë and Finwë. Angrod tells a very whitewashed story about the Darkening of Valinor. He avoids mentioning the Silmarils, the rebellion, the Kinslaying, or Finwë’s murder and the succession crisis. He doesn’t call the Noldor emissaries of the Valar, but paints them as coming to defeat Morgoth and help the Sindar.
Thingol is less than satisfied with this tale. He allows the Noldor to settle the north, but declares Doriath off-limits.
either Episode 2 or Episode 3 (end of 2 or start of 3) :
Angrod returns from Doriath. The Noldor hold council. But when Angrod presents Thingol’s words, Caranthir has a violent reaction. Maedhros rebukes Caranthir but dismisses Thingol’s authority outside his own borders.
Episode 3: Crowning the High King
The Noldor conclude their convocation. It is expected that the Host of Fingolfin will select Fingolfin and the Host of Fëanor will select Maedhros, and they will permanently split into separate peoples. Maedhros surprises them by declaring Fingolfin the heir of Finwë. Fingolfin is crowned High King.
The three houses decide where they will settle.
Episode 4: Places Set Apart
Galadriel goes to Doriath to become Melian’s pupil.
The Fëanorians move east, where Eöl is outraged at his new neighbors. While the Fëanorians begin building castles in the present, we learn through ‘flashbacks’ (for lack of a better word) that Eöl came to Nan Elmoth when the Moon and Sun rose, to use Melian's lingering enchantment to create a shroud of darkness. He discusses the injustice of the new situation with his servants, and with Dwarven visitors. He came to Nan Elmoth to get away from arrogant people, not to meet new ones!
Amras initially lives in Himring, judging/annoying his brothers.
(If the Fëanorian accidentally hunt Petty-Dwarves, this is the most plausible time to do it: before the Noldor meet any other Dwarves. I'd prefer that they don't hunt Dwarves.)
either Episode 4 or Episode 5:
“Of Beleriand and its Realms”. The Houses of Fingolfin and Finarfin establish their realms.
Many Falathrim move north to Nevrast and Mithrim.
Villain storyline: Morgoth is away from Angband for secret reasons. Sauron sends doppleganger spies among the Noldor. They learn some of the High Elves’ shameful secrets.
(Morgoth discovers Men in Hildórien, but avoids showing them his terrible Dark Lord form.)
Episode 5: Mereth Aderthad
Turgon hosts Fingolfin’s Feast in Nevrast. Attending: all of the houses of Fingolfin and Finarfin, Galadriel, Maedhros, Maglor, Beleg, Mablung, Daeron, Círdan, Celeborn, Annael. Maybe Amras?
NOT attending: Thingol, Melian, Lúthien, Eöl, the other sons of Fëanor, nor any Dwarves.
Daeron and Maglor singing contest? duet?
A ‘false peace’ exists, as the Sindar don’t know the truth about the Noldor, and Morgoth doesn’t seem to be doing anything significant.
Celeborn and Galadriel have a heart-to-heart. Galadriel reveals some of the darkness over the Noldor, but focuses on the personal tragedy of losing her mother. She doesn’t reveal the Kinslaying. Celeborn is sympathetic, and considerate towards her pain. Orodreth meets a lovely Sinda lady (Meril).
Sauron, or his spies, attend the Feast in disguise as Sindar. Eavesdropping on side conversations, they learn about the Kinslaying and Rebellion.
Episode 6: Questions
Morgoth returns to Angband and sends Sauron to corrupt the Second Children.
Galadriel admits to Melian that Morgoth murdered Finwë and stole the Silmarils, and hints at the Rebellion. She won’t mention the Kinslaying.
Melian shares this with Thingol, who is bothered, but doesn’t think it too serious to continue in friendship with the Noldor against their common enemy.
Orodreth marries Meril.
Some Sindar are questioning the gaps in the Noldor’s story. Speculation begins.
either Episode 6 or Episode 7:
Celeborn tells Thingol about Eärwen’s death. For now, Thingol thinks she died in the Darkening of Valinor.
Rumors about the Noldor spread through the Sindar. The rumors are even worse than the truth. (Show that demon dopplegangers are starting them.)
Celeborn and Galadriel plight their troth (or declare their love to each other).
Episode 7: The Truth Will Out
The rumors reach a head. Círdan tels them to Thingol, while Finarfin’s sons are in Doriath. When Thingol confronts them, Angrod angrily accuses the Fëanorians of Kinslaying and burning the ships.
Thingol bans Quenya, and all jewels except pearls. He sends the sons of Finarfin away, but not forever. Círdan and Thingol mourn for Olwë.
Fingolfin accepts the terms of the ban, to keep peace with the Sindar. But the Fëanorians are furious.
Episode 8: Dagor Aglareb
Finrod begins building Minas Tirith.
Earthquakes. Clouds of ash spread ominously over Ard-galen and Hithlum.
Morgoth and Gothmog unleash an army of Orcs. All the good guys must put aside their differences to unite against the assault. Forgiveness so they can work together is wise.
The Noldor set up the Siege of Angband.
Amras moves to Amon Ereb, far from his brothers. (can happen earlier)
Sauron works on inventing better armor and weapons?
Episode 9: Portents
Minas Tirith is complete. Finrod and Turgon travel to the Meres of Twilight. They receive dream messages from Ulmo warning that the peace will not last.
Angband: Sauron returns from Hildórien and debriefs.
Finrod seeks Thingol’s help. Thingol tells him about the caves of Narog, and sets up a meeting with the Dwarves to aid Finrod.
Ulmo shows Turgon the vale of Tumladen.
Episode 10: Accord and Separation
The Petty-Dwarves are driven out of Nargothrond by Dwarves of Eryd Luin, who lie to Finrod about it. He doesn’t know about the Petty-Dwarves.
Turgon’s people begin building Gondolin in secret. (Aredhel stays with Idril in Nevrast?)
Caranthir meets the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains. He insults them, and they decide to trade with Celegorm and Curufin instead.
A company of Orcs sneak round about Hithlum, and ambush the Noldor. They lose, but Morgoth was only testing the Elves. Sauron gets a new, mysterious job (breeding Dragons).
Episode 11: Hewer of Caves
Finrod and the Dwarves work on delving Nargothrond. Young Zirak offers to craft some beautiful jewelry for Felagund, but Finrod respects Thingol’s ban on jewels and has no desire to alienate the Sindar.
Turgon’s people continue building Gondolin in secret.
Círdan fortifies the Havens with Finrod’s help. Finrod builds Barad Nimras. Círdan desires to continue working with the Noldor, despite the Kinslaying.
Amras sabotages Curufin and Celegorm’s trade with the Dwarves by forbidding them from travelling through his lands.
Episode 12: The Hidden City
50 years later:
Turgon secretly moves his people to Tumladen. He establishes absolute secrecy, and nobody can leave. Aredhel disagrees with this.
Galadriel marries Celeborn.
Nargothrond is complete. Young Zirak presents Finrod Felagund with beautiful lamps, the same kind that light Menegroth. Finrod leaves Orodreth in Minas Tirith.
The Dwarves have moved their trade-road further north and established trade with Caranthir.
Angband: Villains make a cryptic reference to Men.
Episode 13: The Golden One
Young Glaurung escapes Angband and devastates the north. Fingon fights him back to Angband. Few Elves realize what a bad sign this is.
Turgon stays in Gondolin and does not fight. Thingol stays in Doriath and does not fight.
Telchar makes her last work – the Dragon-Helm – and gifts it to Azaghâl.