First. I think it's not easy, not at all, for a writer, take one of your fav character (and with "fav" I mean that he'is yours in such way, he is inside you and he has become a part of you) and torure him. I would not be able. 

Second. Sauron is simply dreadful. He is terrible because he seems human. His taste for cruelty is human. And, like human, I'm afraid of it.

Third. When the reader understands what happened to Thranduil, at the end,...well...I don't know if there's someone who has not watering eyes, honestly. 

Fourth. With their silent love, you killed me completely.

In closing. Thumb up for your historical research. 

This fic is not easy. And, also for that reason, wonderful. Thank you.