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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux  by Fiondil 11 Review(s)
TariReviewed Chapter: 137 on 5/21/2008
Oh my gosh!!! I am so excited. I almost jumped up and down in my chair when I saw Beleg’s name. He is one of my most favorite of the elves along with Legolas and Glorfindel. I always tear up when reading about him in the Silmarillion. I’m so glad you brought him into your story. What a beautiful ending to the tournament.

Author Reply: Well the tournament's not over yet! *grin* but thanks. Beleg has always been one of my favorites too, so I just had to bring him into the story. He will play an important role in Book Two.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 137 on 2/17/2008
A marvelous tribute to the love Beleg Cuthalion held for his friend among Men, to use that as his name. And I see Robin Hood had NOTHING on him! A most marvelous match! And a most marvelous return for the Elf as he finds himself not alone.

Author Reply: I sort of modeled the whole Turindil/Beleg subplot on the story of Robin Hood and the archery match at Nottingham where he goes in disguise. It was funny how many readers never caught on to who this ellon might actually be even with the name Turindil staring back at them. *grin*

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 137 on 11/19/2007
Lovely chapter, Fiondil. I was so glad for Turindil/Beleg that he finally had people who knew him, even though I suspected Finrod or Glorfindel would know him. But, I didn't think they would know him just from Mandos Halls, but from Arda... chapter three was a long time ago now! :)

The Beleg & Turin story is soooo sad and it'll be interesting to see how this plays out, either now or in future tales. And, just how is he related to Olwe? You've got something planned there, don't you? That's a rhetorical question since I know you won't answer it! *grin*

I also enjoyed the final of the archery contest, it was very different and well done. Oh, and Finrod and Glorfindel teaching Ingwion naughty words was very funny as well.

Author Reply: Hi Radbooks. Gald you liked the chapter. We'll find out what's up with Olwë in the next chapter. Glorfindel, living in hidden Gondolin would not have known or met Beleg. Finrod, traveling back and forth between Nargothrond and Doriath may have met him, but not necessarily enough to 'know' him well, so for all intents and purposes, Mandos is where they all first meet.

Coming up with a sutiable (for elves) final archery test was not easy and this was the best I could come up which would test their skills to the max. I'm glad readers have found it a believalbe contest.

The image of Finrod and Glorfindel teaching Ingwion naughty words in Sindarin is a nice contrast to the previous day's angst and much needed to lighten everyone's mood after the bad taste the trial must have left in everyone's mouth.

EncaitarielReviewed Chapter: 137 on 11/19/2007
Ah, ha! I knew it!(speechless at the awesomeness of Beleg Cúthalion) Really, though. "Friend of Túrin" and amazing archer? Who else in Arda could it be? Although, I honestly did not remember that he was one of Finrod and Glorfindel's playmates. :(


I seriously burst out laughing trying to visualize this! Ai, how I do love Sador!

Thanks for another great chapter. And thanks for your help!

-Encaitariel

Author Reply: Yet, how many readers kept trying to 'translate' the name from Sindarin and coming up empty? *grin* All the clues were there.... and I was betting on people forgetting that Beleg was one of Finrod and Glorfindel's playmates. *grin*

Glad you enjoyed it and glad I was able to help.

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 137 on 11/19/2007
WOW - is about all I can say. It was soooo glorious to 'see' Beleg. My gosh, my fav 1st age person/elf/man is Turin... I know, I know a lot of people don't get him or like him or whatever... but I just love the man

And I truly believe that Beleg would still, despite everything, love Turin. GREAT CHAPTER!

*goes away to quietly weep in the joy of seeing Beleg again and in remembrance of the loss of Turin Turambar*

Author Reply: Hi, Agape. All I can say is... you have strange taste in Edain! LOL

Glad you loved the chapter. *hands over hanky*

KittyReviewed Chapter: 137 on 11/19/2007
What a wonderful treat to start my week at work with! :-)

*slaps forehead* Beleg Cuthalion - Turindil - I should have known ...!!! That was far from all my vague ideas. Oh well, at least the surprise was perfect. And what a wonderful surprise! I am so glad for all of them, and particularly for Beleg himself, because he has now found some friends and has not to feel so lonely any longer. And the Tol Eressëans will be thrilled to have him back, that much is obvious.

Now I only still wonder why Olwë thought him so familiar. But I am sure I will find out soon.

You found truly a great way to make the archery contest a challenge for the competitors and very interesting for the reader. I'd not thought of this finale.

Thank you, that was another great chapter!

Author Reply: Heehee. Gotcha! Glad this chapter brightens your work week. And yes, Beleg finally has people who remember him and welcome him. I think the Valar purposely planned it this way, a sort of surprise for everyone. Glad you liked hte archery contest. Coming up with challenging trials, both for the competitors (and elves, no less!) and the readers. This last one was the hardest for me to come up with, but it seemed like the right kind of challenge for these particular archers.

We'll learn more about what Olwë thinks about all this in the next chapter.

NeiliaReviewed Chapter: 137 on 11/19/2007
Wahooo! What an exciting chapter. Outdid yourself this time. Can't hardly wait for the next one. *hugs*

Author Reply: Thanks, Neilia. I'm glad you liked this chapter. Outdid myself this time, did I? *grin* That's nice to know and thanks for the hugs. Much appreciated.

eilujReviewed Chapter: 137 on 11/18/2007
Oh, I’m so glad I decided to desert the (*appallingly* thorough) NC tree recommendations to check at SoA. [Suffice it to say that 1) my lack of interest in the minutiae of trees (despite needing to plant a few) is further proof I’m not an elf; 2) I never have this problem with seed catalogs with two hundred varieties of *tomato* ... so as always, I have more in common with hobbits.]

Ha! Beleg! I figured that calling himself Turindil, it was obvious who he was -- but you can be tricky. But given that he was well on the way to winning the archery contest, how could he *not* be Beleg? I’d completely forgotten Beleg was one of Finrod and Glorfindel’s buddies in Mandos. [It did seem suspicious that neither Finrod nor Glorfindel was ever around to see Turindil, but as I’d forgotten Beleg had been mentioned in the Mandos chapters, I was thinking Turindil was someone they knew from Middle-earth.] Now we just have to find out why Olwë thinks he looks familiar.

I trust Turindil no longer feels lonely, since once the Maiar get out of the way, he’ll be mobbed by half the spectators....

*looks around unsuccessfully for Bad Guys* Hm. No Bad Guys taking the opportunity of the Distraction caused by Turindil’s recognition to wreak mayhem. Guess I’ll have to push back my scenario with all the Bad Guys until the next day.

The final archery round was interesting, in that distance wasn’t a factor at all, only accuracy.

It makes sense that the ranga is longer than the yard, since elves are taller than Men (as you are probably aware, the English yard was traditionally supposed to be half the height of a man). No, the E of A says the ranga is a *Númenórean* measurement (doubtless they got it from the elves). Of course, the Dúnedain were also taller than other Men. I’ve never seen an “official” figure for Dúnedain height before, though I remember reading somewhere (probably a fan’s estimate) that Elendil may have been eight feet tall (interesting since that’s twice the height of a tall *half*ling). Anyway, the 38-inch ranga seems a bit short to be the elvish (or Númenórean) version of our yard.


Author Reply: Well, I have no comments about trees or tomatoes, so you're out of luck there. *grin*

The measurement of the ranga is Tolkien's, so you'll have to take it up with him. Elendil is somewhere mentioned by Tolkien as being 7 feet, which is why he was known as Elendilt the Tall, since his height was considered above the average. I think the average is 6.5 feet for both Edain and Eldar. Aragorn was described as being the tallest among the Dúnedain during the Ring War and he was about 6.5 feet as well, so the height of those with Númenórëan blood has diminished over time.

Whatever....

I'm sure Beleg no longer feels lonely, now that he's been reunited with his gwedyr. *grin*

NarielReviewed Chapter: 137 on 11/18/2007
I quickly realized by the chapter's title we would discover who the archer really is and I actually didn't know until Finrod was shouting out Beleg. I should have known that Turindil meant Turin's friend, but I went deaper by trying to remember what Turin meant. I'm glad that Beleg is alive again.

I loved this chapter and can't wait for next update!!!!

So is the next chapter the match between Finrod and Glorfindel????

Author Reply: I'm sure (or at least, I hope) many readers will be going "Of course!" *slaps forehead* over this, so don't feel too bad. I'm glad Beleg is alive again, too. *grin*

The next chapter will deal with the last of the semi-final round to determine who gets fifth and third places.

Nieriel RainaReviewed Chapter: 137 on 11/18/2007
I was looking at the possible Sindarin meaning of the name rather than Quenya. *palmforehead* Never even considered one of their playmates from Mandos! *grin* So this was a lovely surprise.

I really enjoyed this chapter, especially the archery competition itself! (gee, I wonder why? *grin*) It has been interesting seeing the different challenges you come up with.

Loved Ingwion's attempts at saying 'orc spit'. LOL!

--GLORFY!---

no comment... *wink*

Very interesting that Beleg knew who Sador was. I look forward to seeing how he fits into the story.

Great chapter! I appreciate you updating on my birthday too. A great way to end the day! And it is hard to top the Cheesecake Factory, let me tell you! *grin*

NiRi

Author Reply: I suspect lots of readers were going the "Sindarin" route in trying to cypher out "Turindil". *grin*

Happy birthday, btw. I'm glad you liked my little gift. *wink*

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