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A Darkness Lies behind Us  by Bodkin 14 Review(s)
Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/24/2008
My heart did break for the women left behind... it must have been horrible... then to learn of the deaths of those they loved....

I LOVE the phrase... he made friends as easily as others made... purches of fruit - excellent phrasing!!!

OH good grief and the nightmare statement - all suffered - but Finrod has the courage to change that - to make amends - to heal others as well as himself. Beautiful...

Ah ha! I loved the reunion - I will say no more - as you were quite discreet!

I loved the meeting with his grandparents and the gentle sea over his toes...

A splendid chapter - filled with trepidation, beauty, and love.

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 4 on 5/12/2008
It is interesting to think of programs, for lack of a better word, in the rehousing of the dead and reintroducing them to society. I like the spontaneity of it, in how the pieces seem to come together on their own. That seems right to me.

Author Reply: It needs to come from the elves though, I think. Valar-stimulated, maybe, but the locals need to be ready. And there's nothing like a bit of barn-raising to pull a community together.

AlquawendeReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/4/2007
This is a really good story. This whole take on what to do when the Reborn come back is something I haven't thought of that much, but I'm really enjoying yours.

I was looking at someone else's review and I can't believe that there are going to be ten chapters to this. That's going to be great! More Finrod! Yipee!

Hope you don't get destracted anymore, and thanks for writing!

Alquawende

Author Reply: Well - I've got the titles, Alquawende, now I've just got to get round to writing the story!

One of the most fun things about writing fan-fiction, I think, is looking at something that's little more than an idea and trying to figure out how it would work. The whole Blessed Realm, for example, is so complicated - layer upon layer of infrastructure, not to mention age-old resentments and grievances.

Hopefully the next chapter will spin itself more quickly. Thank you, Alquawende.

NarielReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/12/2007
I was reading this over again because I love it that much. Okay maybe it's just because of Amarie but who cares. I see you haven't updated in a *LONG* time. I do wish though that you update. *No one here's getting any younger* How far are you in the story any way? Do you know how many chapters there are so that we the readers are assurred that this amazing story of yours will even be finished? Will you please update?!

Happy writing and updating and Namarie!

Author Reply: Thank you, Nariel. I have got about half a chapter written - and am trying to focus on it. Unfortunately, I keep getting distracted by boring things like work. I will get to it, I promise. I have about ten chapters planned. Although I've got a few more good chapter titles ... It will be finished.

Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/8/2007
I love this! You make the reader want to read more. I am now under your spell. Finrod is so realistic, I could almost feel as though I was there with him.

Amarie. Poor Amarie. All she does is wait, never anything else. Whenever I read about her, she is always the one waiting. Maybe Finrod should wait for once. She is always so gentle in this story. And patient... Right when she has Finrod within her grasp, he must leave again. And she must wait. Finrod better hurry before she is too old in her mind to wed or she no longer wants to.

It's a pity for Finrod that he loved Middle-Earth a lot and that the time of his greatest happiness was there, but marred by not having someone to share it with. If only Amarie, had journeyed with him to Middle-Earth...


Author Reply: Thank you. I'm sorry this story is moving so slowly. I keep getting distracted from it!

It's a good thing that time doesn't mean the same thing to elves - because Amarie had had to wait a very long time! But I suspect her patience will be rewarded. Eventually!

Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/23/2007
Cannot wait to read more chapters to this story, because you have done a terrific job so far! I do hope you continue this! Hope to see more chapters extremely soon and updated quicker!!!

Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it and there will be more - but it is moving slowly. Except for the chapter titles. I've got them all planned out!

perellethReviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/25/2007
FInrodīs return would be a catalyst for healing for many other, one might expect! I loved his meeting with Amarie and how he humbled himself, and also his conversation with FInarfin, although seeing that one begins to wonder about that being the "blessed realm" :-)

Author Reply: The feeling that you get from the 'Finrod walks with his father ...' comment is that he is pretty much the first to return. My feeling is that he probably wasn't - but he was the first of the royal families to return from exile and death. How others were received - whether others were allowed to be freed - would probably depend on how Finrod behaved. And, I think, if any of those proud scions of the House of Finwe could be trusted to behave well, it would be Finrod.

And you might have spotted that I don't really get the whole Blessed Realm thing if Blessed Realm is supposed to be synonymous with mindless bliss. It wasn't like that before Feanor chased off after his stones and it wouldn't be now - elves are obstinate, determined, inventive, contentious ... lots of other things, too! ... and would challenge each other throughout eternity. Even those with the best of hearts! And for the best of motives.

Thank you, Perelleth.


EllieReviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/19/2007
What a very moving chapter! The insights into the deeper problems in the Blessed Realm are so well realized and stated by Finarfin and Finrod. The meeting of Finrod and Aaire and between Finrod and his grandparents was excellently portrayed. You have shown the courage of the reborn and those who love them quite well. Nicely done!

Author Reply: Thank you, Ellie. Elves are such complex and long-lived characters that I really can't imagine life in the BR being all sweetness and light. I suspect the rulers of Alqualonde must have come to terms with the Kin-slaying - if only to survive it - but that doesn't mean every Teler will have done. And Finrod wouldn't want to hide behind his grandfather. His reconciliation with his Teler side would have been important, I think.

InglorReviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/18/2007
One of the things that is truly striking about your writing, to me anyway, is your imagery. Sight, sound, and especially smell are clear yet understated. It makes the "suspension of reality" completly effortless.

And your insights
And characters
And pace
etc.

Finrod's comment about nightmares was a masterful stroke, both what he said and how he said it

Author Reply: Thank you, Inglor. I have to work to keep the imagery under control - it flows quite easily for me! I'm very flattered by your additions! Finrod is a very strong character, and insightful with it. Glad you liked it.

RedheredhReviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/18/2007
I am very happy to see you continuing this story!

That was a sweet reunion between Amarie and Finrod. :) Her observation very informative about the nature of Finrod's re-embodiment.

Finarfin's conclusions were rather insightful. But, poor Earwen... being told there were already reassimilated (more or less) returnees, when she and the other ladies had come to see their mission as very needful. She had a right to be bewildered and question what was really going on. Her speculation about the best treatment of 'hard' cases was also insightful.

It was wise of Finrod to seek official forgiveness and show humility. Olwe too was wise to explain his reasons for giving it - with conditions. I am glad to see that his people respect their king enough to wait upon his judgement and not accost Finrod outright.

Although, as yet, it seems most people only resent not having their loved ones back when this prince has been returned. However, I am worried that the 'tendrils of resentment' will become braided into a garrote of vengeance. The Teleri are pretty good at rope-making. But, I fear the kin of someone who has perished in Finrod's company even more.

One thing that has to be said is that your writing makes every tale - even those of a pondering nature - a pleasure to read. The well-depicted settings and the little personable details you include draw the reader unsuspectingly into grander themes - not just painlessly, but delightfully.

I like this chapter as a bridge to the next movement in the disrupted song of marred Eldamar.


Author Reply: The idea of returning to live again in the west becomes more and more complicated as you think about the implications. And the numbers. And quite how you would deal with being reunited with members of your family who died a violent death thousands of years before and who have missed all the experiences that came between then and now.

I think Finrod would have realised the need for an official expression of regret. He has the instincts of a king and he is deeply interested in other people. And matters are in flux rather at the moment and could go all sorts of ways - including ways that could prove disastrous. Hopefully the leaders have enough eyes out there to be aware of where they need to push and where to soothe.

Thank you, Redheredh. I'm glad you liked it - although it is not a story that is flowing very well. Fits and starts, I'm afraid. But it will continue - I am determined on that!

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