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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
hawkeye	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/2/2014
So this is what Glorfindel and Finrod were doing while they were in Mandos, though I have a feeling that this isn't all they were up to. If Glorfindel and Erestor can wreak so much havoc later with their "competitions," I can't imagine what chaos Finrod and Glorfindel created for Lord Námo XD I suppose the real question is, who instigated more of the adventures? laughs For some reason, I really liked that Finrod was the one to initiate here. So often I see Glorfindel as taking care of other people, it was nice to see someone look out for him for a change. Then again, I just love Finrod so I might be biased. The poor Maiar trying to sort out the fëar. I wonder how difficult that is. They seem to be a patient lot though ;) Glorfindel's "flashbacks" are interesting. It seems like most forget their lives while in Mandos, but apparently at least some do not. Elenwë didn't seem to remember Glorfindel. In some ways, the memories almost seem like a kind of "muscle memory." A part of their fëar remember, but not completely. They react almost reflexively. I felt really sad at the end of the chapter. A part of me still wants to shout "Arafinwë can wait." Is that selfish? :P I know he's waited thousands of years, but still... sigh At any rate, I'm back now and enjoying your wonderful stories. Thanks Fiondil, for a lovely read! Author Reply: Hi hawkeye. When I wrote this chapter, I had no real idea of what went on in Mandos with these two clowns, though I give hints later on in this and other stories. My Tapestry story, "DISORDER: Chaos Theory", was an attempt to fill in the gaps, so to speak. I'm sure that both Finrod and Glorfindel were guilty of instigating their adventures, taking turns, which probably drove Námo and his Maiar up the wall. grin At any rate, Glorfindel seems to be a special case and we will actually learn more of why that is so much, much later in the story, but you're right that such flashbacks, when they happen, and Glorfindel is not the only case of this, are a type of muscle memory. The problem, of course, is that since the memory is so incomplete and there's no context for it, that sends the person into a panic, which is what happened here. And Arafinwë has only had to wait about 900 years for Finrod to return. grin I'm glad you're enjoying this story. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

Celeth	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/13/2013
I'm glad Glorfindel made new friends so soon, and that he had a long time to rest after his judgment. I often wonder how you got all your ideas about what the elves go thru during their time in Mandos. What a terrific imagination you have! Author Reply: Hi Celeth. I can't honestly say just where I get my ideas, except that the first five chapters of this story came to me as a series of dreams and I just started writing them out and the story was born. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/26/2008
Ah, and so our favorite Balrog-Slayer meets our favorite Prince of the Noldor. :-D Again. grin I recognized the names of the other ellyn (and elleth) from your other fics, but I don't remember ever seeing Saeros again. Will he be returning? That was a bit forward of Finda's niece, kissing his friend like that. grin Hmm, perhaps when Glorfi returns from Middle-earth (again), he'll find Finduilas waiting for him? snicker Was she ever espoused or will she wait for Glorfi? ~Kaylee! Author Reply: Saeros does not appear after this though that is not to say he won't. And of course none of them know who the other people are. Finrod and Finduilas do not recognize each other. She was actually Turin's beloved. I'm not sure hoe that would affect any other relationship she might have with an ellon.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/12/2008
Read your historical notes as to why I made the comment that Turin was a haunted creature, my friend. Author Reply: I always forget about those historical notes that I write. grin

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/12/2008
Turin was a haunted creature, wasn't he? But now Glorfindel learns a bit of his own future as his spirit heals. Author Reply: Not sure what you mean by any of this since I never mention Turin in the chapter or anything about Glorfindel's future that I recall. Oh well....

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/4/2008
I love it. You brought another of my favorite elves into the story. Beleg! I do hope there will be more of him to come. This is so good. I love the way the Valar heal the wounded elves. They are so kind and loving. Tari Author Reply: Námo has a gift for healing wounded elves and his Maiar are good at what they do as well. As for Beleg... you'll have to wait and see. grin

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/6/2007
The third chapter... and Glorfindel's healing continues. It doesn't surprise me that it takes time for Glorfindel to process his judging and the memories that he had to live through again. It was obviously traumatic (though very necessary) and the completely overwhelming experience of feeling the unconditional love of Ilúvatar is yet another thing that his psyche needs time to sort out. The forgetting is interesting. I wonder how much of it is Glorfindel's own subconscious doing it and how much the Valar and Maiar are causing. Unlike the "Obliviate" spell of the Harry Potter universe (which in my opinion should be an Unforgivable Curse) where the memories are destroyed, this "forgetting" seems to be a case of taking the memories, folding them neatly and tucking them on shelves in a sort of mental linen cupboard where they are shut behind a door until they are needed or wanted again. It also allows Glorfindel to begin learning to live again without the unhealthy habits of his earthly lifetime barging in and interfering with his acceptance of forgiveness. "Go play." I smiled at that. I have to remind myself to "go play," to give myself permission to enjoy others and the gift of the world we've been given. I found it interesting that Findaráto has decidedly chosen to be known by his Middle-Earth identity of Finrod and isn't shy about telling people the fact, thought he does accept his identity (and prior life in Aman) as Findaráto. However, as he told Glorfindel, he's been in Mandos for a longer time and has had time to process his experience and grow. I also found it interesting that Glorfindel only identifies himself as Glorfindel instead of by his Quenya name that he bore before the rebellion. It's very telling and demonstrative of his determination to live up to the consequences of his previous actions, and perhaps is not a denial of his former life in Aman but reflects his belief that when he made his choice to follow Turgon, he gave up his previous name and identity. Or it could be that he feels that if he goes back to his prior name it negates all his decisions and actions as Glorfindel. (Yes, I have a "thing" about personal identity. It likely comes from being an identical twin and the struggle to develop an identity of my own while trying not to break the intensely close relationship I've had with my twin since our birth.) The nightmares and the remembering of witnessing Elenwë's death on the Helcaraxë makes it obvious that Glorfindel's healing is a process, one that will be long and likely arduous at times. Ah, so the tapestries show the deaths of the ellyn and ellith. I would most certainly think that seeing a depiction of his death would upset and frighten Glrofindel, even to the point of paralysis. And Lord Námo once again appears in his aspect of the Consoler, bless him. When Finrod left the Halls to be re-embodied it reminded me of the first time I was separated from my twin for more than one night when we were 8 years old. I was devastated (as was my twin) when she stayed at our Grandmother's house in Maryland for the summer while I had to go back to Ohio with the rest of the family. I was terrified that I'd never see her again and cried pretty much constantly all the first week. Eventually, I believed my mother when she said that my twin would be coming home at the end of the summer and it was wonderful in August when we were together again and each of us had different stories about our adventures to tell each other. The experience helped each of us begin to find our individual selves but initially it was one of the most miserable times of my life. Glorfindel needed Finrod to be his friend but if Finrod hadn't go on ahead it is likely that Glorfindel would have remained dependent upon his presence eventually to the point of it being unsafe and unhealthy for each of them. It's obvious (to me, anyway) that the Maiar and Lord Námo care very much for their charges but it seems that Glorfindel is already filling a particular spot in the Valar's heart. This was beautifully written and I can hear Lord Námo's voice singing in the back of my head as I type this. May you live blessed, Edlyn Author Reply: Your description of the process of "forgetting" is not only very beautiful — I wish I'd thought of it :( — but also very apt. I refer to it as Námo's Gift to the Dead, so that the guilt of their former lives does not burden them as they learn to relive in innocence again. Eventually, once they are Reborn, that "linen cupboard" is slowly opened as needed for them to reclaim their former identities but now with the ability to (usually) put the guilt aside. Glorfindel has that problem at times as you see in later chapters, but he is beginning to process the events of his previous existence and putting them in proper perspective of what he now knows as "truth": that whatever his flaws he is beloved of both Eru and the Valar. I think in both Finrod and Glorfindel's cases their insistance on using their Sindarin names is a reflection of the fact that under those identities these two elves "found" themselves. The difference is, I think, that Finrod also recognizes that he is also "Findaráto" (or will have to take up that identity once he leaves Mandos) and is comfortable with either identity, though his preference is for "Finrod". Glorfindel, on the other hand, has tied up his identity with his life in Middle-earth so completely that he does not see himself as "Laurefindë" at all and wants no part of what that identity would mean for him if he did. The Valar respect that, which is why they always refer to him and address him with his Sindarin name rather than with the Quenya equivalent.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/28/2007
I find the thought that even when he doesn't remember why, Glorfi's subconscious is still trying to get back to Gondolin interesting. I like the mental image of him looking over his shoulder at the Maia uncertainly, and her pushing him forward. I did that with my little ones when we visited new playgrounds when they were small. And I likely had the same kind of smile on my face as I said "Go play" to my children. :) I like the little group of friends that Finrod introduces him to. I particularly like Glorfindel's reaction to Finduilas! LOL! That she LET him catch her was cute. And when they've worn themselves out, and fallen asleep, the idea that they need to be detangled one from another made me laugh! I've been in that position before of pulling my kids from the "puppy pile" and carrying them off to their own beds. I found it interesting that even though Glorfindel came into the hall to play after the others had obviously been there for at least some time before his arrival, that he didn't require as much sleep as they did. He is either strengthening faster than the others, or he's just stubborn and wants to be awake with his best friend and MAKES himself wake up early. grin The farewell from Finrod was sad and sweet. But we know that Lord Namo never makes a promise that is not kept, so that must have been reassuring to Glorfindel to be told he would see Finrod once more. I know that there are days that I'd love to have Lord Namo stroking my hair and singing me to sleep! :) Author Reply: I'm sure many parents and caregivers of children, upon reading this chapter, are able to identify with it. I'm not a parent myself but I've observed the way children play and the way the younger ones will drop without warning and just fall asleep. Glorfindel not requiring as much sleep as the others who'd been there before him is probably due as much to Námo's influence as to his own determination (albeit unconscious) to "get going and get out", although he still has some time before he is ready to be released. And, of course, Finrod has a great deal to do with it as well. grin

Aglarendis	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/6/2006
How beautiful, a return to the innocence of a child! What a precious gift to receive, if only for a time. The picture of the mayar having to sort out the fear gave me an extra smile. I like the fact that you included both Sindar and Noldor elves in the group who played together. Neither Finrod, nor Glorfindel would care to which group an elf belonged, and you brought this out well. Speaking of Finrod, well, there is another dear friend. Will this be the last time he is seen in the story? No, say tis not so! Now then, things I learned from this chapter: I was saying "well met" wrong. One of the phrase lists has it as "Mana omentaina", but I'll trust your language skills. So Finrod has blue eyes, hmm? Is this cannon, or is it your imagination? Finrod died in 468, and Glorfindel in 510. I never could figure out what years they died in. How good authors like you keep all these facts straight, I will never know. Once again, a very well-written chapter! Author Reply: Thank you for your review, Arglarendis. I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Yes, a return to the innocence of a child, however temporary, is a precious gift. And the elves in Mandos, not having any memory of their previous lives, would not understand nor care about the distinction between Noldor, Sindar, Teleri, or whomever; they are simply elves. Never fear! Finrod will return in due time. I don't know if he has blue eyes or not, but I figured with golden-blond hair it would be most likely. We now know that the Quenya equivalent of the Sindarin "mae" is "mai" based on recently released writings of Tolkien. As for keeping facts straight, that's what Wikipedia or the Encyclopedia of Arda is for. grin

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