This challenge marks a special occasion, because it is our 60th monthly challenge. That means, Teitho is celebrating is 5th birthday! As of this moment, we are having 60 challenges on the site with 548 stories that were submitted for them: a big chunk of amazing reading for everyone interesting in Lord of the Rings fanfiction. Thank you everyone who participated in one way or another - by writing, reading, voting, commenting, suggesting themes or just stopping by occasionally.

But, without further ado, here is the theme for the January challenge: The Price of Freedom.

Freedom is one of the most precious things in life. Unfortunately, often we only start to appreciate it once we've lost it. And since it is so precious and fragile, sometimes we have to go to great lenghts to ensure it or win it back. This time around, we want you to explore these lengths.

What are people willing to risk? What is the price they pay, willingly or unwillingly? Who would threaten freedom and why? Spin a tale for us!

Here are the stories for this challenge. To vote, please send your top three stories to teitho.contest@gmail.com till February 14th. This theme was suggested by Elven Fforestydd, thank you!

And here are the winners:

A Valuable Lesson by Daisymall13
All That Matters by Adonnen Estenniel
Enduring Moria by White Wolf 3rd place
Freedom is Never Free by Nieriel Raina 1st place
One Last Thing by Aeärwen
Release by WendWriter
Sacrifices by AiedailWing
Sticks and Stones by Linda Hoyland 2nd place
The Thousand-Yard-Stare by Elven Fforestydd
Things Beyond Price by Nautika
To See The Light by Mirach 1st place

Your Teitho-moderators,
Alina & Michelle