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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux  by Fiondil 8 Review(s)
hawkeyeReviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/8/2014
Glorfindel dear, you really do need to learn to keep your clothes on. You'll get more hugs if you do ;) Glorfindel really did need lots of hugs in this chapter. He is definitely maturing, and it's wonderful to see him starting to take charge of his new life. He's never struck me as being the passive sort *chuckles* I can so relate to the gardening woes, as I'm not much of a gardener either. I would love to garden, but I fear Yavanna isn't too pleased with my efforts.

I really enjoyed Yavanna in this chapter. She comes across as both loving of her creations and the creations of others. In some ways, nurture of people is a lot like nurture of plants and I loved seeing how adept she is at both. It was a good reminder that she can still be scary when she wants to be though. Your story is really making me rethink my original ideas of the Valar, and this is a great example. They are not only interesting characters in their own right, they are actually characters that I want to know more about. Prior to finding your stories, I wasn't terribly interested in them and now you've got me wanting to write them too.

And referring to your earlier comment, I agree about listening to trees. One of the things that fascinates me about elves is their ability to communicate with living things. It was so easy for Glorfindel to connect with the maple tree. But I agree, I think there is a life in everything that can still be heard if one takes the time. Anyway, I'm rambling.

Thank you for an entertaining read. Hopefully Glorfindel learns to stay dressed. I pity the ellith otherwise :)

Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. I'm glad you liked Yavanna here. As the story progresses we will actually meet all the Valar, or rather, Glorfindel will. I've tried to imbue each of them with their own personalities and quirks, so even if they only appear in a single chapter, I hope that you will enjoy them as much as you have enjoyed Yavanna and Námo.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

KayleeReviewed Chapter: 7 on 7/26/2008
"In the meantime, Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower," Yavanna said, her voice going stern with the echo of thunder and earth tremors in her tone, "you must never wish to be Unhoused again. That is not your destiny and such a wish is an insult to Ilúvatar who has granted you this time to live once more. Do I make myself clear?"

ROFL!! It looks like Namo isn't the only one who can pull a Wrath-of-Mandos, meldonya. And I felt sorry for the poor maple tree, losing its favorite elfling and its leaves. At least it got the leaves back.

~Kaylee!!

Author Reply: Hey, it's not nice to piss off Mother Nature. LOL I think the maple tree has seen many a Reborn come and go. It may miss them but it knows another will find its branches soon enough.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 7 on 2/12/2008
And the day will come when he rejoices that the asea aranion lies in the hands of the proper King for use on others who, like himself, are needed within this world.

Author Reply: And hopefully he won't mistake it for a weed by then. *grin*

EdlynReviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/13/2007
Oh this chapter made with laugh but it was with sympathy.

My mother had a green thumb and loved plants of every type and they definitely loved her back. She had the most gorgeous gardens everywhere that she ever lived. I inherited her artistic talents but alas, I did not inherit her green thumb. I can tend bonsai and cactus (and oddly, German irises) but any other plant unfortunate enough to come into my care will likely have a short life. One time I was given a gorgeous wandering jew plant by a friend along with detailed instructions as to how to take care of it, where it needed to sit to not have to much or too little light and so forth. Within two weeks it was practically dead inspite of my following the instructions to the letter. There was only one short tendril with a couple of leaves on it when I called my mother in despair. She took the pot home with her and within two months it had revived and was trying its best to take over the living room picture window. So I truly understand how Glorfindel feels. Though I admit I never cried over deadheading the roses!

I also like the fact that Glorfindel is inept at gardening. He truly wanted to learn but he certainly doesn't have the aptitude (something I think everyone is familiar with that situation in at leastone aspect of thier life). I just wanted to hug him.

One thing I have enjoyed about this entire story is the way Glorfindel's experiences can be directly related to thngs that I have experienced in my own life. It feels as though I am right there along side him and I want to turn to him and say, "Oh, I've done that, too. I've felt the same way. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's done X, Y, or Z."

Oh, yes. The automatic assumption that an authority figure is angry. A very human response, isn't it?

It was fascinating to see Yavanna use her power to change the seasons from summer through autmn to winter. Oops! Glorfindel should have listened to Yavanna. I cringed because I could actually hear Lord Námo's voice as I read the words (Boy, Dad is REALLY mad this time!) In a way I was surprised at Glorfindel's response to the threat of not seeing Finrod but then again I've heard my neices and nephews say similiar things when they are angry and frustrated beyond bearing (I know I said the same kind of things as a child, particularly when I was trying to learn mathematics and failing abysmally--it's very difficult to be mathematically inept when your grandfather is a mathematicican and chemist).

I'm glad the maple tree decided to dump Glorfindel out and that it did so in a manner that sent the elf into Lord Námo's arms. I can visualize it so easily!

Ah, time for a little talk. I felt amused looking at the scene from the aspect of an adult, and at the same time I was experiencing events from the viewpoint of Glorfindel. Oh, what an elfling!

I couldn't help but laugh at Námo's response to Yavanna's invitation to help replant the asëa aranion. And the conversation Yavanna had with Glorfindel about what he could do definitely planted some seeds for the future, didn't it? I'm coming to the conclusion that the Valar never say anything without an underlying purpose .

That last reminder from Yavanna reminded me of the old "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature" commercials that ran back in the 70's. And I loved her final comment about Glorfindel's prediliction for running about unclothed.

Wonderfully written, mellon-nin!

May you live blessed,

Christine

Author Reply: I'm a rather indifferent gardener myself. I can kill off a plant with the best of them, although I've successfully had balcony gardens of herbs and flowers before I moved to China where there aren't any florists or gardening shops that I've been able to find so far. However, I'm not dedicated enough to deal with all those sensitive plants that need a lot of TLC. I tell people I don't want to deal with any plants that are in dire need of psychotherapy. *grin*

So, Glorfindel having trouble in the garden has my sympathy. And actually, I wanted to show that our intrepid balrog-slayer isn't perfect at everything. That's one thing I don't like about some fics: they tend to make the elves so perfect (as compared to mere mortals) that you can't relate to them on any level that makes sense. While Elves are certainly better at things than humans are that doesn't mean that they are all better at everything. Each is a unique person and has strengths and weaknesses that are unique to them. Glorfindel is a great warrior and a wise councillor but I wouldn't trust him around gardening shears for anything! *lol* And that's as it should be. We all have our talents, and gardening is not one of them for Glorfindel.

Actually, Yavanna's "solution" and Námo's threat came as a surprise to me. I didn't expect either one of them to do what they did. Glorfindel's response was the only thing that didn't surprise me, as I've "been there, done that" enough times to recognize where he's coming from.

And, yes, the Valar are very careful with their words, recognizing that Words have Power for good or for ill, and nothing they say is without purpose.

AglarendisReviewed Chapter: 7 on 1/8/2007
Awwww! Poor Glorfindel! And I agree with Namo, he should not have made that threat about Finrod. And that was quite cute with the tree not wanting Glorfindel to have to leave it at first. I agree completely with Yavanna, there are more than just earthly gardens which want tending.

Author Reply: Yes, sometimes even the Valar can make slight errors in judgment. The difference being that Námo was quite willing to carry out his threat if necessary, which makes it all the more terrifying from our POV, doesn't it? And I'm sure that particular tree has had any number of Reborn elves taking refuge in its branches so that it has almost a proprietary feel towards them. Yavanna's comment of course directly links "garden" with "soul", the former being a metaphor for the latter.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/26/2006
Poor Glorfindel - being reborn to an adult body must be remarkable difficult! I love his relationship with the tree. And Yavanna seems very understanding and patient with him. He is making progress - but it is going to take its own time. At least time doesn't matter much to elves (or the Valar and Maiar) so there's no need to rush his recovery. Most enjoyable.

(I have a slow-progressing Finrod story where I'm about three-quarters of the way through the second chapter - he is currently in Lorien's gardens. And becoming lost in the sensation of clothing against skin. I promise it was written weeks ago! I'm sort of stalling on it now because of this and French Pony's Celebrian story.)



Author Reply: Yes, being reborn in an adult body but having the emotions of a ten year old can't be easy. It's like those people who slip into a coma as children only to awaken years later to find themselves adults. And you're right: for elves and the Valar and Maiar, time isn't a major factor. As Námo points out to Glorfindel, he has taken as much time as he's needed to get where he is, no more, and certainly, no less.

And while the focus at the moment is on Glorfindel, Finrod will be getting his share of the limelight. We will even see what his own judgment within the Ring of Doom was like in a later chapter.

Glad you are enjoying the story.

vampfan30Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/24/2006
I find this story so intresting as this is the first fanfic I have read concerning the rehousing of any one & the Halls. my favorite line was " he would burst into tears every time he had to deadhead the roses. "
even though he doesn't remember being a Balrog slayer, just the thought of such a great, strong character that has done so, crying over 'hurting' a rose...pricless. this is one of those amazing stories, looking forward to more.

Author Reply: Yes, our favorite Balrog slayer is something of a softy when it comes to roses *grin*. He has begun remembering his former life, but hasn't put all the pieces together yet and doesn't recognize himself in those memories. That will take a while. Certainly, the Glorfindel we meet vying against the Nazgul isn't the Glorfindel here, crying over 'hurting' a rose. He's very much still an innocent at this point and has far to go yet. Glad you are enjoying this story. More to come... lots more.

ElflingimpReviewed Chapter: 7 on 11/24/2006
That was so very fluffy,I hope Glorfy behaves himself,I cant wait to see what he does in Lorien.

Author Reply: Well, you need a bit of fluff every now and then. You can't be angsty all the time, leastwise, I can't *grin*. As for Lórien: well, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?

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