What Next To Read . . .?

I had thought of writing a novel set in an ancient fantasy world, whereby the good cities are at great trouble with their enemies from the Dark Lands and require aid from their allies from overseas. This sets an opportunity for an unknown hero and his crew to journey across the ocean on a ship to rally the aid of the allies, in a trek which would intitially bring great dangers from piracy and more. Upon return with these key allies, the dark armies are held at bay. A new partnership is forged between the two kings who have mastered this victory, and should the need arise, one day each would serve the other in the same way again.

A very sketchy plan (I don't want to give too much away!), but such stories can be made without trying to emulate the LOTR. I can't see how I would use elves or dwarves though. In a world of men & monsters, these two races are hard to fit in with everything else.