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Beneath the Hollow Hill  by Haleth 9 Review(s)
curiouswombatReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 12/22/2008
I always feel so sorry for Maglor - I so want to be able to give him a hug and let him go home. I like the idea of the Tuatha de Danaan being elves also.

Author Reply: Thank-you, curiouswombat.

I really feel badly for Maglor, too. I'd love to write a story where he gets to go home and be reunited with his wife and mother, but then the evil plot bunnies that dwell at the back of my mind ask 'what if he decided to go after Earendil to get the last Silmaril back?'

There are some uncanny similarities between the legends of the arrival of the Tuatha de Danaan in Ireland and the Noldor's return to Middle-earth, including burning the boats upon arrival. Learning about them was the direct inspiration for this story.

MithLuinReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/22/2007
Beautifully done - the sadness, loss and fading of the elves is palpable, and for Maglor to meet 'Maedhros' like this was just....well, it was well done. I have just found another story that likens Maedhros to Nuada ('Morning Mist' on HASA), but Maglor's reaction is what makes the parallel work here.

Author Reply: Thank-you, MithLuin.

Maglor, I imagine, would have been quite affected by the sight of Nuada after years of wandering, assuming his madness and grief ever faded enough for him to think clearly again. To see a brother one thought was dead after all that time would be overwhelming.

Thank-you again,

Haleth



Yavieriel TarandirReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/22/2005
Well done indeed! It is nice to read a piece by someone else who knows the old legends. I have always had a soft spot for Nuada Airgetlam, as he was one of the first elves I ever 'met', along with Finvarra, Lugh Samildinach and the rest of the gang (Unusually enough, my first encounter with elves was not Tolkien's Quendi, but the Irish Daoine Sidhe, via an obscure novel by Tom Dietz titled Windmaster's Bane which I fell in love with, and highly recommend, if you haven't already read it). You describe the Tuatha de Danaan excellently, but I particularly loved your description of Maglor's playing. You captured the essence of the tale of the Noldor beautifully. I hope you will perhaps do some more work in the same vein, although I can see why it would be difficult to continue.

Yavieriel

Author Reply: Thank-you, Yavieriel

I haven't read the novel, but now I'm going to hunt it down.

I don't know that I could write anything else like this. The story is self-contained. It's hard to picture Maglor among the Greek pantheon or Maglor in Asgard.

Haleth

The KarenatorReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/18/2005
What a lovely tale, sad and beautiful at the same time. The haunting descriptions were wonderful. Very nice, Haleth.

Karen

Author Reply: Thank-you, Karen. The descriptions were painful to write. I'm glad that they worked.

Haleth

TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/17/2005
That was a lovely story, beautifully worded. You succeeded in capturing the tone of ancient tales in yours. Very, very nice. TF

Author Reply: Thank-you, Tithen. Coming from you, that is high praise.

Haleth

TithenFeredirReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/17/2005
That was a lovely story, beautifully worded. You succeeded in capturing the tone of ancient tales in yours. Very, very nice. TF

LarnerReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/17/2005
An Elf of Middle Earth is seen as a mortal by the Tuatha de Danaan?

Very interesting premise, and well written.

And definitely true to the day!

Author Reply: Thank-you, Larner.

About the mortal comment, I was thinking of comments made in one of the History of Middle-earth volumes. The Elves are bound to Arda and will last until the end of it. They don't know if there's a role for them after the end of their world.

I don't know what, if anything, limits the life-span of the Tuatha de Danaan. Does anyone know?

Haleth


LeawardReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/17/2005
Very Tolkien to weave together two ancient stories like that! And very appropriate for St. Patrick's Day.

When you mentioned that Nuada had a single hand, I started thinking of Beren or Maedros. I had never heard the story of Nuada and Tuatha de Denaan before. Now I will have to google to find out more. So in writing your tale, you have inspired me!

Author Reply: Thank-you for reviewing, Leaward. I instantly thought of Maedhros as the handless, dispossessed king, too. I think you'll enjoy the legends.

Haleth

elliskaReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/17/2005
Absolutely excellent blending of legends and Tolkien. I really enjoyed this!

Author Reply: Thank-you. It's interesting to look at the old tales and see the similarities to the stories of Middle-earth.

Haleth

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