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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux  by Fiondil 5 Review(s)
hawkeyeReviewed Chapter: 14 on 9/20/2014
Sometimes I do wonder why Lord Námo didn't release them all together, but I'm sure he had his reasons. I think Finrod is going to mature a lot faster now. Glorfindel is the best medicine for him, and ironically, I think Sador is too though for another reason. Glorfindel will challenge Finrod's feelings in insecurity in a way no one else can. Interestingly, he actually felt a lot more mature in this chapter than Finrod did when he first came to Tirion. Perhaps that's just because of the comparison though. I think having Sador around will push Finrod to take charge more, and maybe even help him remember some of the qualities he had as king of Nargothrond. For instance, when he gets so upset about how Sador being treated and Sador's comment that he knows his place. Maybe this will give Finrod something tangible to work towards or, to put it another way, someone who needs a defender. I'm not sure Finrod has really had that yet, though he has been troubled by the treatment of the Reborn by other elves.

Arafinwë also has grown a lot (is that possible at his age? ... That's not intended to be insulting *hides*). Anyway, I thought it was significant that he was able to admit that even he hadn't really been treating Finrod the way that he needed to be treated. He's a king, true, and one would hope that a king would have that strength of character, but it still takes a strong person to admit their faults without excuse. Regardless, I am really enjoying reading more about him, as I've always been curious.

"No... sons. It seemed that Lord Námo could not give him back all his other children yet, so instead he had given him two orphans who needed his love and support. In retrospect he decided it was an equitable trade." This was beautiful, and something I wondered at when I read the last chapter. I'm so glad Arafinwë is both able and willing to adopt these two. As an adoptee myself, perhaps this is more significant to me than it should be. I guess what I'm trying to say is, there's more than bloodlines that make a family. But either way, I'm so glad that both Glorfindel and Sador have a family. And after all, Arafinwë has Reborn raising experience this time around, so he should be a pro by now, right? :P

Thank you for another amazing chapter, Fiondil :)

Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. The main reason Námo didn't release them at the same time is that neither Glorfindel nor Sador were spiritually ready, you might say. They still needed time to heal. FInrod had resided in Mandos longer than the other two so he was already healed when he was released. And everything happens when it should and in due time.

Arafinwë has certainly matured over the ages if you compare him here with how he was in my story "In Darkness Bound" and that only makes sense. All of us should still be growing in wisdom no matter how mature we think we are. And here we see that Arafinwë accepts the "gift" of these two "orphans" for what they are and welcomes them joyfully into his family. Doing so will have great consequences for many as we will eventually see.

Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.

KayleeReviewed Chapter: 14 on 7/27/2008
Meldonya, this chapter was wonderful. *grin* Finda storming off in a huff, Arafinwe bowing to Sador, Glorfi going after Finda, the two falling asleep in a tree (with their clothes on!) Arafinwe sitting down to watch over them, Earwen joining him and they all fell asleep together...Hey, what about Sador? He didn't get to sleep in the tree? :( Poor Sador, he missed out.

Anyway, I know you said you didn't need a review for every chapter, else you'd be answering them till the Renewing of Arda, but I think you're exaggerating, meldonya. *grin*

~Kaylee!!

Author Reply: I'm glad you liked this chapter. There was a lot going on in it and much of it very emotional. I don't think Sador minded being 'left out'. I think he was just happy to have a 'family' at all.

Author Reply: I'm glad you liked this chapter. There was a lot going on in it and much of it very emotional. I don't think Sador minded being 'left out'. I think he was just happy to have a 'family' at all.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 14 on 2/12/2008
And now King and Queen begin to more fully understand; and the courtiers must also come to accept that there is no further stain from these judged ready to return to Aman. And the royal family sleeps in or around the oak, eh? Wonderful!

Author Reply: Having Glorfindel and Sador there and seeing how their son acts and reacts around them is allowing them to understand where Finrod is coming from. They don't have complete understanding yet, but this is the first step, for them and the rest of the Noldor.

EdlynReviewed Chapter: 14 on 3/26/2007
Mea culpa! I know I said I'd do more reviewing yesterday but may I plead the exigencies of an unusually beautiful day and a severe case of spring fever for not doing so? I couldn't resist going out and walking along the river and communing with nature. Do you think Glorfindel and Finrod (and more importantly, Lord Námo) will forgive me?

I have to admit that I don't like Amarië's attitude. She's definitely got some serious hurt in her past to make her so bitter and unkind. The fact that she is selfishly looking to exploit the change in Finrod's attitude for her own benefit makes her someone that I don't think I'd want to associate with. At least she was sensible enough to pay attention to Finrod's silent censure and not push for an answer about Elenwë's fate.

I can see that Glorfindel and Sador would feel at a loss after the excitements of the day. So much had happened and Sador especially hadn't expected to be "going home" with the King! I don't think I'd be able to sleep in their situation either: a new place, a new family (one where you haven't had a chance to figure out how you fit into it or even if you do). This day has contained at least two of the top three stressors anyone can have.

I am growing exceptionally fond of King Arafinwë. He is a king, and a good one from what I can see so far, but he remains a loving father and husband (unlike a certain Ruling Steward of Gondor who I can name who seems to have forgotten how to be either by the time the Ring War occurs). The way he stopped to check on Glorfindel and Sador just touched my heart. And then when he sat up all night watching over his sons...

I was chuckling right along with Arafinwë about the image of the puppy huddle. It's a charming echo of the pile of sleeping fëar in Mandos' Hall of Renewal.

Well, Finrod seems to be something of a morning person, even if Sador doesn't appear to be. I laughed so much at the "Does your amillë know you talk like that?" line. I can just see all their faces in the various expressions of amusement, surprise, teasing and embarrassment. It's quite obvious that our three Reborn ellyn are definitely in an adolescent state!

The teasing at breakfast was also very well done. And the hints of what Finrod was dealing with in trying to find his place among his family and people upon his return made me sympathise with him completely. Glorfindel handled the situation perfectly.

I loved the segue into the teasing of Glorfindel and the idea of Lord Námo throwing a party for the other Valar in celebration of Glorfindel leaving Mandos and Lorien. If the party actually happened I'm betting the miruvor flowed quite generously!

I was so glad to read that Arafinwë finally and truly in his heart believes that his other sons are safe and happy in Mandos and that they WILL eventually come home.

Finrod's little temper tantrum was quite impressive and why am I not surprised that he ended up in a tree? I also think that both Finrod and Glorfindel are more upset at people snarking at Sador than themselves (I know that I can tolerate being harassed and and teased myself better than I can tolerate someone who is under my care being harassed--I once punched a wall, breaking my wrist, rather than literally strangle a person who totally destroyed the self-esteem and confidence of one of my technical trainees. I'm betting that I had something like the light of Mandos in my eyes at the time. Luckily, my wrist healed OK and the person who did the damage to my trainee was demoted two pay-grades and removed from thier supervisory position. Unfortunately, my trainee ended up changing his mind about re-enlisting after the incident.). It's the protector in them.

Oh, I definitely don't want to get Arafinwë upset with me if

Well, I'm sure the palace population is bemused by the idea of their prince sleeping in an oak tree and their King and Queen sleeping under said tree. There are definitely a lot of adjustments going on among all sides but I've come to the conclusion that once the adjustments are made things are going to be wonderful for the entire royal family.

Thank you for the chapter, mellon-nin. It was great fun to read.

May you lived blessed,

Edlyn



Author Reply: Well... if Lord Námo can forgive you, I guess I can. *grin* Actually, I envy you the chance to having a spring day in which to play hooky. It's still somewhat cold here in Manzhouli and we still have snow in the forecast.

Anyway, Amarië does have some long-standing issues that need to be resolved before she and Finrod can resume the relationship they had before the Rebellion, but it will take time and divine intervention before that happens.

And if Námo did throw a party, I'm sure more than just the miruvor was flowing! *lol*

Isn't it interesting how we can put up with a lot of abuse for ourselves, but God help anyone who harrasses someone else, especially someone we perceive as being in need of our protection? We tolerate so much for ourselves that we would not tolerate for another, yet why should we have to tolerate it at all? Is not abuse against us just as evil as abuse against another? Do we really think we get merit badges for putting up with it? Of course, in Finrod and Glorfindel's case, they're warriors and know how to take care of themselves, whereas Sador is not a warrior and being so much younger than they anyway, they probably have a "big-brother-little-brother" complex going on here (not necessarily a bad thing and Sador certainly needs the love and support and encouragement that only older siblings can offer their younger siblings).

Probably when Finrod first returned home everyone was walking on eggshells around him and he was doing the same with them. It's not until Glorfindel and Sador come that he begins to relax enough to begin expressing himself more openly. It helps when you have at least one other person who's 'been there, done that', something that no one else in the king's household could claim. It makes a great deal of difference. So now the king and his household have to make a different kind of adjustment. At least Arafinwë and Eärnur are willing to do so. Amarië, of course, is not, but that's another chapter....

hanciReviewed Chapter: 14 on 12/15/2006
I like the idea of Arafinwë having these children instead of his own for a while. And him being comforted about his sons in Mandos, too.
You write really funny banter, really, and not just in this chapter.
Not to forget, the cumulative oak-sleeping was very nice.

Your spellchecking didn't catch everything - "...where they preceded to make themselves presentable." - proceeded

Author Reply: Oops. Thanks for the spell-check. I'll fix it.

I think Arafinwë knew intellectually that his other two sons were well, but I don't think he understood it in his heart until now.

And thanks for thinking I write really funny banter. It's not as easy as it looks *grin*. I appreciate the fact that you enjoy the banter, here and in other chapters.

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