Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux  by Fiondil 11 Review(s)
hawkeyeReviewed Chapter: 53 on 1/22/2015
"Even as you and Glorfindel and Turgon and all the others were trudging across the Helcaraxë, we have been working towards this day when you are standing here in Lórien berating me." If I didn't know better, I think Irmo likes the way that Finrod is unintimidated by him. He's respectfully disrespectful, if there is such a thing *smiles* It reminded me of Glorfindel saying that Námo prefers people who stand up to him. While Finrod isn't being belligerent here, he's comfortable enough with himself that he doesn't have a problem telling everyone what he thinks. And, he seems to have got over worrying about what others think about him. I think having Glorfindel and Sador around have helped a lot.

Irmo's explanation for his actions was thought provoking. Finrod did choose to obey, and I suppose that is an illustration of the blessing that comes from obedience.

I really enjoyed seeing more of Irmo in this chapter. This is the first time, that I recall, of a Vala admitting to being wrong. They aren't Eru, but as "the powers" it's easy to slip into thinking of them as being perfect. I think what struck me most was how easily he admitted that the Valar were partly at fault for what happened. As a Vala, I think this really illustrates that true humility is power under control. Ultimately, everything is in accordance with Eru's will.

The image of Námo and Irmo in mirror colours was fun. I can just see that too :) And Finrod, true to form, doesn't ever do anything half way. They ask him to think about it and he goes right on and makes a decision. Thank you for another fun and thought provoking chapter :)

Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. Very much later in this story, Nienna and Ingwion have a discussion about the meaning of respect and how the Valar like it when the Elves stand up to them instead of groveling or accepting whatever they say as gospel, so to speak. Of course the key is, as you say, being respectfully disrespectful, something that Fëanor never was; he was just disrespectful toward all.

I like your definition of humility as "power under control" rather than the usual subservient view of the word. And, of course, ultimately, all is in accordance to Eru's will.

I liked the mirror image of Námo and Irmo, too. And no, Finrod never does anything half way, which is what I like about him.

Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you found it fun as well as thought-provoking.

KayleeReviewed Chapter: 53 on 8/10/2008
"Remembering to call us Master...and meaning it."

*snickers*

Ah, so Finda is now a Feanturinnildo...Very good. *grin* I'm glad I re-read this chapter...I'd forgotten they were concerned with the healing of *Aman*, for some reason I had misremembered it as *Arda*. That's a much larger task, lol!

~Kaylee!

Author Reply: The task of healing Arda is the Valar's; the Fëanturinnildi are charged with healing Aman, or at least that part of Aman inhabited by the Eldar.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 53 on 2/13/2008
A more worthy one he to follow his father when the time comes for such training.

Author Reply: Finrod is indeed worthy.

hanciReviewed Chapter: 53 on 3/14/2007
What an informative chapter!
Finrod leaving Aman so he could meet Bëor... and to think he won't meet Atani again till the end of Arda, that's sad. Well, he won't have much time to think about that, with so many things going on in Aman.
Finrod has a task truly worthy of king before him. But he's up to it, although I don't know how he'll manage "the hard part". :o)

Author Reply: One shudders to think what might have happened in the history of Arda had it been someone less... open-minded who first came upon Bëor's people. And yes, the task to which Námo and Irmo appoint Finrod is indeed worthy of a king. As for the "hard part": I'm sure his Masters will be more than forgiving if he slips up now and then. *grin*

melinda1121Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 3/13/2007
I am continually impressed by your dedication to this story. There are 2-3 new chapters every time I check. I just wanted to tell you (again) how much I enjoy your work. Usually this far along in a fanfic, the author starts to run out of ideas and the flow of the story line starts to slow down. This is when I start to lose interest. Here I am at chapter 52 and I can't wait to read the next one.

I have this idea that the Tolkien Enterprise should pick the top 10 lotr fanfic authors and publish their stories as a collection. You guys would make a fortune with all the lotr fans out there. Just a thought!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

Melinda

Author Reply: Thanks, Melinda. I really appreciate your support. Just when I think the story is over, something else happens and I find myself writing more chapters (and I've written more chapters than I have posted so far). I am glad that you are enjoying this story so much. I, for one, have had lots of fun writing it, and maybe that helps.

So, you're including me in the top 10, are you? I'm flattered. Thank you.

NikaraReviewed Chapter: 53 on 3/12/2007
Hmmm... Nice to see what is going on with the others. I really need to review the Silmarillion. Oh well. Interesting concept for healing, especially the whole blood thing. Out of curiousity, did you come up with that yourself, or does it have some other background? I love the valars' various interchanges. You are leaving Glorfindel in a precarious place though- please continue soon! Also, another quick question- When do you feel that Glorfy went back to Elrond etc.? Just wanted a hint to the timeline going on here!

Author Reply: The "blood thing" is from my own twisted imagination. *grin* As for a timeline, I'm afraid you'll just have to wait until the end to find out. ;)

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 53 on 3/12/2007
"Remembering to call us ‘Master’... and meaning it."

That will be tricky! Once a king in Arda, always a king in Arda - wait - wrong set of books.

But a special group devoted to healing Aman - that will suit Finrod and give him a long-term purpose.

Author Reply: I'm sure Námo and Irmo will be very lenient with Finrod if he happens to forget, but I doubt he will.

And wrong set of books or not, the sentiment holds true anyway. *grin*

EllieReviewed Chapter: 53 on 3/11/2007
Okay, so you were right we'd hate you even more after chapter 50. You've left poor Glorfindel in the hands of fiends and just abandoned him! For shame!

Now we're off in Lorien with Finrod the yummy. I must admit he has an extremely cool new job now. So, wil the others who will serve along side him be allowed to know of his existence and he of theirs or is this organization sooo secret that the servants don't know each other? I wasn't expecting the diced Vanya at breakfast, but it was a very interesting solution to the problem (sorry for the cutting remarks :-) ahahahha)

Please do another mid week update and PLEASE don't go skipping off into Tol Eressea land with the other Reborn dude and leave us hanging even longer. Pretty please with a cherry on top?

This is such a great story and the gem symbolism and character development and everything is just so great! Well done!



Author Reply: Sorry, but we'll be sticking with Finrod for the nonce AND then we'll skip off to Tol Eressëa to check out the other Reborn dude. *lol* Finrod and Sador have important roles to play, and not just to hlep in finding Glorfindel, either, so be patient.

I'm sure that Finrod will learn the identities of the other Fëanturinildi if and when it's proper for him to learn them. I suspect that it's on a need-to-know basis.

I plan to update every 4-5 days from now on, so the next update will be soon, never fear! I'm glad you are enjoying the story so much. Thank you for your continuing support.

RhyselleReviewed Chapter: 53 on 3/11/2007
*Big beaming grin*

Oh this was absolutely awesome! :) From the opening light conversation to Finrod's disgust with the people who hold prejudices against the exiled Noldor, to the variety of Lord Irmo's expressions in reaction to Finrod's statements and opinions, I really felt as if I were right there watching the interaction take place.

While I've never believed in utterly controlling fate, I do believe in fore-ordination--the idea that some choices will always be presented to us, no matter what our actions and decisions have been in the past. The plans "that have been in the making since the Darkening of Valinor" feel like that to me.

That much had been abandoned due to the changes that the Eldar of Middle-earth caused by their free will decisions and actions makes sense, but there is still an overarching plan in the mind of Eru that brings good out of evil, and ultimately His will is done.

I appreciate that Finrod was able to contemplate and think about all that Irmo told him. He's losing his impatience, I notice, and this shows another aspect of increasing maturity.

I love the idea of Námo and Irmo looking like mirror images of each other in their formal clothing. The velvet robes and the jeweled belts and the elf-braids and circlets just make such a gorgeous picture in my mind. (BTW, the spelling is "dyed" not "died")

The explanation of the tabard, and the way that Finrod was hidden from any who would observe them, was interesting. The secrecy of this particular order of servants is bound to have significance further down the line I daresay!

I love how Lord Námo reassured Finrod about Artanis/Galadriel. :)

The bit about obedience being an acceptance of their offer to become one of the Fëanturinildi made me think. We do make choices when we choose to obey... even if we aren't consciously aware that we are making such a choice.

Finrod's realization that this was, indeed, the answer to his desire to serve and was a calling that he could devote his life to, brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my lips. The oath-giving was wonderful scene, and I liked the humor you incorporated into it. Irrepressible Finrod! :)

And I do hope we get to see more of Estë in the future. Her rather ascerbic comment about them going somewhere else so she could sleep made me laugh!

Hmmm. I wonder what effect this commitment that Finrod has made will be in regards to his betrothal to Amarië? She's waited so long for him and she's finally really truly fallen properly in love with him and he with her... I hope they won't have to wait another horribly long time to wed! :) (And I hope it is before Glorfindel goes back to Middle-earth, for I know that Finrod would want him to be there!)

Excellent chapter! Will we get to see Sador next?



Author Reply: My beta-mon pointed out to me that one of the main themes of this story seems to be "obedience" and the proper sphere in which obedience is played out in the relationships between Valar and Eldar and between Eldar and Eldar. I wasn't really aware of it myself until she pointed it out to me, but I suspose it is a concern of mine: what is proper obedience and how is it manifested in our relationship with Eru and with each other?

Finrod is beginning to mature at a faster rate. I think the presence of Laurendil has helped there with him calling Finrod "aranya" (my king) all the time. It reinforces in Finrod's mind that fact that he was and indeed still is a king with all that that implies. He is beginning to claim that aspect of his past more fully. We will see the consequences of that in later chapters.

I don't think this commitment will effect Finrod and Amarië's relationship all that much. The terms of his apprenticeship will not be for very long and once it is over than he will be free to continue in his role as haryon (crown prince) to the Noldóran.

Anyway, we'll be sticking with Finrod for a while before picking up Sador's story and then we will go back to Glorfindel. He is, after all, the main character. *g*

KittyReviewed Chapter: 53 on 3/11/2007
The Fëanturinildi are charged with nothing less than the healing of Aman itself." Hadn’t seen it that way before, but of course Námo is right – in the end that is exactly what the healing of the rift between the elves would lead to. Finrod is certainly right – it is a worthy calling! I'm glad he agreed to it in. And the end, of course, was funny *grin*

Author Reply: While Aman is not as marred as Middle-earth is, it is still marred to some extent and needs healing as much as the rest of Arda. That is where the Valar and the Fëanturinildi come into the picture and Finrod will fit right in, especially as he's had direct experience with the Marring from living in Middle-earth.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List