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Makalaurë  by Eruanneth_Luin 7 Review(s)
MithLuinReviewed Chapter: 6 on 4/12/2006
This story is so beautiful! So gentle and calming, you evoke the peace and beauty (and healing) of Lorien. The Valar are calm, and yet other. Tears stung my eyes when he fled. I thought, for a moment, that he had died and gone to Mandos. Please do not do that to him!

Author Reply: Thank you, Mithluin.

Lórien as a place of healing and restoration for elves would be its very design be tranquil and harmony intended for the renewal of elves, body and mind.

Maglor might well have submitted to entering the Halls of Mandos, but for the compassion and friendship of Veryandil.

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/27/2005
It takes a great deal of grace to enter into the dream of an elf killing a female and child, and have that elf take you in his grasp.... and not fear for your own child. I understand Linwe's fears of having his son near Maglor. Yet there is something in the innocence of a child's unconditional love that can help Maglor perhaps let go of his past and become a part of the present. His leaving his hroa was well done - an escape from a physical scene from which he could find no relief. His healing reamins in his hands.... and it takes much courage to be made whole.

Author Reply: The death of the mother and child was unintentional on Maglor’s part and grieved him accordingly. Oloriel reacted to the light hidden within Maglor which is some way bears on his temporary possession of the Silmaril. Linwë is still resentful of the much older elf stemming from his perceived failure to protect his son from harm; Maglor has not been endearing himself to the unhappy father. Veryandil is certainly a loving child, and reminds us that sometimes the most unlikely of answers is presented to our problems.

Others may forgive our past misdeeds, but until we can forgive ourselves as well the healing will be incomplete. When we dislike ourselves it is difficult to care for others.

Thank you for your review, Nilmandra.

EllieReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/27/2005
This is so powerfula nd so excellent. The emotions and the sorrow and angst really make you want to help Maglor. I love the little boy in this and his mom who wants to be helpful and his jealous dad. Their reactions are very believable. Looking forward to more!

Author Reply: Alassiel and I are delighted that you appreciate the emotional struggles of all involved. Often we forget when in the midst of our own personal grief that it can seriously affect others, drawing some closer and repelling others.

Thank you for your review, Ellie.

AglarendisReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/25/2005
How am I supposed to review and offer constructive criticism when I can find absolutely nothing to constructively criticize? I do believe, thanks to you, and in spite of his horrible deeds, that I have just found my third-favorite elf.

Your picture of this tormented, guilt-ridden, gentle and compassionate singer is remarkably poignant. You do not gloss over his past actions. You describe them so that we feel them in all their horrid reality. I was honestly afraid that Maglor would kill Oloriel before he awoke. You help us to imagine the disgust he feels with himself, and the certainty that he is despised. His horrible dreams and his fear for what he might do to others cause him to take the only action he feels he can take. I hope Maglor will allow himself to be helped!

This story is so much more than I thought it was going to be! Please continue this wonderful tale!

Author Reply: We thank you most sincerely for your accolades and kind words. Yes, Maglor is a difficult elf to write, but well worth the effort. He is a dangerous mixture of guilt laden past deeds and volatile moods untempered by the much needed association with his people. Dwelling alone for long periods of time may make one uncomfortable to re-enter the company of a larger society.

Maglor is desperately attempting to find relief from the vivid dreams now coming to the surface as a result of the awakening of his emotions, so long buried that he barely remembered that they existed. If not for Veryandil’s unwavering, trusting friendship he would have fled to the Halls of Mandos to forestall any actions of his in any way hurting those who had shown him such kindnesses.

The next chapter is well under way.

Thank you for your review, Aglarendis.

GalimerilReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/24/2005
That was beautiful, once again, a very thought provoking and inspiring chapter. I look forward to reading your next chapter!
Galimeril ;D

Author Reply: This was the chapter that pushed us into the PG-13 rating and we hope is has not been too uncomfortable for our readers. However, we thought it important to explain some of the horrific past events plaguing this poor elf and so incorporated one of his dark memories.

It also shows how others not even remotely connected with an occurrence can be profoundly affected by the deeds of another.

Thank you for your review, Galimeril.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/24/2005
Poor Maglor is so haunted by the past. Veryandil is his best help - but you can't blame his parents for worrying about possible danger to the ellon from a very disturbed Nyello.

The care everyone is showing for Maglor is lovely - despite their concerns.

I can't wait for more.

Author Reply: Fortunately for Maglor, some elves are able to look deeper into a person than humans can, and their nature ‘goodness’ (and the fact that a great amount of time has passed) enables them to offer an understanding and compassion we should do well to emulate. The very young are perhaps the most open to trust and friendship freely and unconditionally given, and combined with a generous, tender heart, Veryandil is an unthreatening innocent who could very well lead Maglor onto the road of healing.

Thank you for your review, Bodkin.

orlandochick05Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/24/2005
Wow. That was really good. I used to obsess over Legolas, but I'm over that and now I obsess over Maglor. It's really nice to see such a well written, accurate story about him (I especially appreciate the use of the name Makalaure:). I love angsty Maglor, and I think you did it perfectly. Please update your story soon.

Author Reply: Maglor has had a rough time indeed. We are pleased that you are enjoying our little tale and try to keep it as close to what we know to be Tolkien’s thoughts on Maglor and his deeds, Manwë and his compassion for the Exiles, and blending them with some OC’s that belong to Alassiel. The wonderful family group is one of her many innovative contributions.

When this tale began it was the first chapter as an entire story, but has developed a path along which Alassiel and I shall travel to its conclusion.

Thank you for the review, orlandochick05

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