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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux  by Fiondil 8 Review(s)
TariReviewed Chapter: 120 on 5/12/2008
I really am enjoying this tournament. Finrod took his defeat with grace as befits a prince.

Just how old are the five elflings? Euranna reminds me of a two year old, but no child that young would be able to do the work she is doing. Perhaps their punishment will have more benefits than the original purpose. Getting along with others who seem different is a most important lesson to learn.

Tari


Author Reply: In human terms the elflings range in age from 9 (Veryandur) to 12 (sorondil). Glad you are enjoying the turnament and it's only the first day. More to come. Finrod is in a class all to himself, IMO. *grin*

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 120 on 2/15/2008
And the suspicions must be defeated, one Elf at a time.

Love that final image of Finrod followed by his chicks.

Author Reply: Love that final image of Finrod followed by his chicks.

I'm sure everyone in the encampment found it equally amusing.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 120 on 9/11/2007
Two chapters! Yay! A very nice treat. Having five young ones stand by while you eat would definitely be a punishment for them!

It's a good thing that elves live so long because I think it's going to take a long time for the Aman elves to overcome these prejudices they have against the reborn and the returned elves. I know Lindorillë is just the tip of a very large iceberg and you wonder what she has overheard to make her feel that scared. I doubt her parents where speaking in front of their children about things because her brother doesn't seem unduly afraid. Perhaps she heard things elsewhere. Whatever the source it is not something that will be easily dealt with except over time and being around the reborn and the returned elves and seeing they are just normal people. But things like this will help... it is with small steps that change is made.

Oh, I love the fact that the two youngest elflings already care so much for Finrod and the ellon is worried that he lost. But the older ellyn made me mad when they were calling him a baby. I deal with kids like that fairly often and I don't like it when kids that have sensitive hearts are made fun of for that sensitivity.

Anyway, wonderful chapter as always!

Author Reply: Hi Radbooks! Thanks for reviewing. There's a lot of history to get through with the Elves and they have long memories. The Amanian elves had nearly 600 years to nurse their prejudices against the Exiles and the Reborn. I hope that Lindorillë isn't hearing these things from her parents, but she is getting her ideas from somewhere, perhaps from a source that is unaware of "little pitchers with big ears" listening in. Certainly her brother isn't as upset as she. Hopefully Finrod and Arafinwë between them will bring her around.

I'm glad I got the dynamics of older and younger elflings correct. I'm basing their interactions on my "failing" memories of when I was a lad, plus what I've observed from watching other people's children as I don't have any of my own. Being one of the "sensitive hearts" myself, I well remember the taunts I was forced to endure from other kids who were less sensitive. Not fun.

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 120 on 9/11/2007
It seemed appropriate that poor Vorondil had trouble accepting his father's 'defeat' - but hopefully, Finrod will help him see the difference between defeat and real victory. Of course, this doesn't mean I'm giving you permission (LOL - the temerity!) of having Finrod or Glorfindel loose.

I am definitely torn - who - who do I want to win... It's like cheering between my own kids! DRAT

Also - loved the elflings - they are so vulnerable - reminded me so much of Glorfindel running off to hide!!!

My goodness - these dear Elves have an uphill battle before them...

Good chapter!

Author Reply: Vorondil is typical of most younglings who can't distinguis between losing with honor and being defeated. They are not the same, of course, but even some adults I know have a problem understanding the difference.

Yes, the elflings are very vulnerable especially as they are also impressible, so what they learn from the adults around them sticks with them into their own adulthood. Hopefully, Finrod, et al, have "caught" these particular elflings, especially the older ones, at the right moment so they can be 'retrained' in their thinking.

EdlynReviewed Chapter: 120 on 9/10/2007
Hello, meldonya!

I really enjoyed this chapter. I truly love seeing Finrod interact with elflings because he's such a loving soul. He's so understanding!

Poor Vorondil, he certainly has a lot to learn, doesn't he? All those incorrect preconceptions that he has to unlearn and replace with correct information. Though I can understand his misconception about what is exactly going on in the tournament, having seen the children of several SCA fighters struggle with the same idea that when Daddy loses a bout it doesn't mean he failed. Of course, the youth combat (aka boffer combat) marshals spend a lot of time making it clear to the kids that if they lose they haven't failed so long as they did their best and were honorable. I'll have to email you and describe how Sir Ix explained about winning and losing graciously to a dozen under-twelves at youth tournament that I was listmistress for. It was charming ot see how serious these 6 to 12 year-olds were about it. I saw a lot of chivalrous acts among those children that day.

The little scene between Veryandur and Finrod was wonderful. And I can just see the elflings standing and fidgeting while the grownups eat. It reminds me of hte little crew I had who volunteered to help serve a feast. I was Hall Steward and made sure that the kids got to eat till they were bursting before the feast itself started. I'll have to find the pic of my little feast servers and do a manip giving them pointed ears and send it to you.

I was glad to find that Irmo had praise for Vorondil's progress as an apprentice, especially after he had to scold him last chapter (that was the last chapter wasn't it?).

I knew that it would take more than that one conversation between Finrod and Lindorillë to make her believe that Finrod (or any of his household) wouldn't do anything dishonorable to to her. I'd like to wring her parents' necks, actually. It's sad that the elleth can't trust her liegelord. But she is only an elfling after all and doesn't understand that the oath between her and Finrod protects her. He's honorable and would never violate his responsibility to see her kept safe and honoured. Of course, that doesn't mean he won't teach her humility but that won't include hurting her. I hope she learns to trust him soon.

I'd have liked to have been a fly on the wall of the pavilion so I could hear the dissection of hte morning's battles (I admit it I'm a tournament and Court junkie).

The image of the children following Finrod like a gaggle of goslings after their parent just made me smile. A most excellent chapter!

Author Reply: Hi Edlyn! I'd be interested in seeing the pics of the "elfling" servers *grin* and reading about Sir Ix's explanation about winning and losing graciously.

It's probably difficult for many of the younger elves who never saw service in the War of Wrath to understand that what is going on in the tournament is not a life-and-death situation, so that losing a match is not the same as losing one's life (not that there is anything dishonorable about that, either), so Finrod's elfling's and Vorondil are reacting the way they do. I'm sure even some of the adult elves among the Amanians are also finding the tournament a bit unsettling, which is why some of them stayed away during the afternoon's matches.

Lindorillë, for some reason, has absorbed the more negative objections the Amanians have against the Nolodorin Exiles, more so than her brother or cousin, and it will take some time for Finrod to gain her trust, but he's very patient (dealing with Glorfindel has taught him how to be patient *grin*) and eventually he'll win her over.

Thanks for reviewing.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 120 on 9/9/2007
Regardless of what Oromendil and Sorondil think, *I* was touched that Veryandur was so upset that Finrod could lose. He’s a sweet elfling.

Don’t know what to say about Lindorillë. One truly wonders how much of this nonsense she heard over time to react with so much panic. She certainly has a lot to learn about the Reborn and Tol Eressëans! Well, one year is hopefully enough for her to learn enough ...

And Eruanna seems to do what we in Germany call „to ask someone holes in the belly“ ;-)

Hm, I shouldn’t read other people’s reviews. Now I can’t get rid of the image of Finrod walking through the encampment, elflings trailing behind, like a mother hen with chickens *grin*

Author Reply: Well, the image of Finrod walking through the encampment, elflings trailing behind, like a mother hen with chicks was too good to pass up. *grin* He is gathering himself quite an entourage, and a very odd mix of one, though mostly, if you notice, they are elflings (or act like one).

The elves of Aman had centuries in which to hone their hatred for the Exiles, especially as no word ever came to them from Middle-earth so they only had their own imaginations to fall back on. I'm sure that there was a great deal of resentment against the Returnees as well. Lindorillë and the other older elflings have grown up in a climate of mistrust and misinformation about the Exiles and what they did (or didn't do). One year may not be enough for her to relearn things, but hopefully it will be a start. And who knows what will happen in that year?

eilujReviewed Chapter: 120 on 9/9/2007
Yay! Two chapters!

So who is the leader of the tinca team? Plenty of lords....

Lunch cooked by elflings the equivalent of ten- and twelve-year-olds: Lumpy sandwiches with way too much mayo, and badly-butchered crudités (worse than mine, even). Mixed salads that haven’t really been mixed, doused with dressing that suffered when the bottle of herbs was upset into it.... Yes, I know Sador and Alassiel are there too. But I still keep seeing the sandwiches. (However, there are pastries from the bake shop in town, and Alassiel made a very successful pudding.)

Five elflings trailing behind Finrod and Glorfindel like so many chicks -- LOL!


Author Reply: Glorfindel would, by acclamation if nothing else, be considered the leader of the the tinco-list, but he is also the leader by right of the fact that, like Finrod, he is the highest ranking warrior among the tinco-fighters.

I'm sure that Sador only let the elflings think they were making lunch and he and Alassiel did most of the cooking, etc. themselves. *grin*

Nieriel RainaReviewed Chapter: 120 on 9/8/2007
Oh goody! A double dose of EI! *grabs Fiondil and hugs him tightly* How did you know I needed it? Hmm? Oh, sorry. *releases Fiondil so he can breathe* You must forgive my exuberance. I've been holed up just me, a warg and a house all week. And dust. Packing is such a pain! And I'm not even moving yet! So, dull week, no contact with people, and then two chapters from you? *bounces happily* You made my day!

This was a sweet chapter. I love watching Finrod interact with the elflings. And Glorfindel's smugness is pretty cute too. I'm hoping Lindorillë will come around soon. But seeing how Vorondil was transformed, I'm sure the others shall be too. I'm glad the kiddies will be allowed to watch the next round! I wanna go too! *waves green banner with golden rayed sun* Wait. He's not fighting again yet, is he? Ok, I'll cheer for Finrod then.

I caught a typo! "The two older ellyn looked concerned but not frighten, " I think that should be frightened.

Great chapter, Fiondil! I'm rushing off to the next now.

NiRi

Author Reply: Thanks NiRi. I'm glad I was able to brighten an otherwise dull week for you. Packing is indeed a pain, especially when you're stuck doing it all by yourself. Been there and done that.

I'm sure Lindorillë will indeed come around as she see's Finrod interacting with the other elflings and herself and see that she has nothing to worry about. And when they get to Tirion and start their training there, things will be even better, so that by Midsummer when the three older elflings will transfer to Lórien, she will feel more comfortable around Finrod and the other Noldor.

Thanks for pointing out the typo. I've made the correction.

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