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Shire: Beginnings  by Lindelea 3 Review(s)
InklingReviewed Chapter: 28 on 2/18/2005
A very powerful and disturbing chapter, bringing to mind the atrocities of the Holocaust…another time when men refused to see the humanity in other men though it was right before their eyes.

Glorfindel’s unveiling of his power was breathtaking…straight out of one of the great fairy tales.

The murk that is briefly dispelled and then regathers raised, for me, the same question about the nature of evil that runs throughout LOTR: whether it resides in the hearts of men, or comes from without…or both.

This was definitely one of the high points of the story!


Author Reply: Yes, touring one of the infamous death camps has stuck in my memories for more than a score of years. The photographs, the testimonies, the idea of mattresses stuffed with hair...

Thanks for the note about Glorfindel's unveiling of power. I gave it long thought and much research, trying to figure exactly what the power of the Elves was, with only tantalising glimpses to work from (like Frodo's glimpse of the Elf-lord at the Ford).

I wondered about Thorn being able to see the murk... but then, Sam was able to see a light shining through Frodo, so why not Thorn being able to see the spiritual murk in the great hall?

Thanks!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 28 on 10/1/2004
*VERY* interesting! Glorfindel uncloaked his glory, and drove out the Shadow, but it was only temporary...hmmm...

Author Reply: I would love for Glorfindel to have driven out the Shadow completely and forever, but JRRT said that Rhudaur was overshadowed by evil, and so canon must overrule fancy.

Thanks!

Lyta PadfootReviewed Chapter: 28 on 1/27/2004
With a king like that to highlight their growing evil it is no wonder the kingdom fell. At least Thorn got his safe passage. I hope there are no difficulties.

Author Reply: No, not too many difficulties, and there are more safeguards in place now. Just a background note: I am thinking of the watchers who guarded the Shire and Bree-land, and how that whole business got started. Perhaps the Elves watched over the hobbits (secretly of course) until Arthedain fell, and then the Rangers became involved. Dunno. Just speculating. The story is winding down and the Fallohides are nearly home. (See "The Last Leg")

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