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

Fiondil's Tapestry  by Fiondil 9 Review(s)
Independence1776Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 2/15/2009
Oh, this is a sweet story. Sometimes, it takes a child to bring some light into an otherwise dark time.

Author Reply: Thanks, Indy. I'm glad you liked this story. And you're right. Sometimes it does take a child to bring some light into an otherwise dark time. If nothing else, their innocence reminds us that there is still hope in the world.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 51 on 2/15/2009
When I saw the summary, I expected something dark, but that was rather sweet. It's so good to know that at least one elf could find something beautiful in all this fear and despair, even if it was only an innocent elfling. Such a lovely image, Itarildë sitting on that rug, enjoying the stars and giving them names! Glad her father didn't put her back to bed but stayed with her to enjoy it, too.

Author Reply: I suspect others thought the same as you, Kitty, but I surprised you, didn't I? *grin* Even in the darkest hours one can usually find a ray of hope if one is willing to remain open to the possibility and not give into despair. A lesson that Turucáno learned from his young daughter, a lesson that perhaps he carried with him across the Helcaraxë after his beloved Elenwë fell through the ice, not knowing what lay ahead.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 51 on 2/14/2009
No, nothing is the same, but that does not mean that all is bad. And at least this child lived to find happiness in the Mortal lands before returning to Aman with her husband.

I love her delight with the stars--one who yet does not know true terror.

Author Reply: True, Larner, nothing is the same, but, as you say, that doesn't meant that all is bad, just different from what was known before. Of course, we don't know the ultimate fate of either Idril or Tuor, but wherever they ended up, they were together and I think she was content with that.

ArasindaReviewed Chapter: 51 on 2/13/2009
Dear Fiondil,

Thank you for another lovely vision of Aman and an extension of Tolkien's work from a point of view that seems to understand this world well. Having the gaps or questions regarding the lives of many important characters filled in logically and believably leaves me with joy and excitement. Sincerely, Arasinda

Author Reply: Hello, Arasinda. I really appreciate you leaving me such a wonderful comment on my stories. I enjoy filling in the gaps, as it were, especially ones that others rarely touch and for characters about whom little is written (whether by fanfic writers or Tolkien himself). I'm glad that my tales give you joy and excitement. Thanks for letting me know.

ElflingimpReviewed Chapter: 51 on 2/13/2009
Aw, that was so very sweet! Isn't it the children that can see the beauty in evrything ! Hugs Deb the Imp

Author Reply: Thanks, Elflingimp. I very happy that you enjoyed this. Hugs back.

edlynReviewed Chapter: 51 on 2/13/2009
This was so very lovely, meldonya! Your writing is always so evocative and the images your words create in my mind are so beautiful. I loved seeing Itarildë and her toy sitting on the balcony naming the stars. Isn't it wonderful how children find the beauty and wonder in things?

Thanks for this!

Eru bless

Edlyn

Author Reply: Thanks, Edlyn. I'm glad you enjoyed this. When I thought about what I wanted to write for this prompt, Itarildë sitting on the rug naming the stars was the image that came to mind and so I 'backtracked' to the beginning to find out why she was doing that. It's interesting what the Muse sends, not always the whole picture but just a snippet and you have to find out the rest on your own. Rather like a treasure hunt. *grin*

SitaraReviewed Chapter: 51 on 2/13/2009
Huh...dangerously close to my nightmares. "breathing deeply"

Such an irony..but this time a good irony, a hopeful one. Back then, Arda was still so young and in its very beginning, all seems to have come to an end. But fortunately it hadn't been so. And right now I'm imagining for the theme Beginning some moments taking place when the End will come. "smiling widely". The cyrcle would be complete only then.

I truly don't know if I'm right or wrong (small wonder about that "grin"), but I always felt that Idril' story is very sad. Beginning with the darkening of Valinor and ending with hers and Tuor's disappearance (leaving behind only a flickering hope through a ministrel' song), her life was very tragic, in my opinion. In your story, she's such a sweet child that saw what most of the adults couldn't at that time: the stars's brilliance could be seen only in darkness. Whatever Melkor did, there is still hope. Apparently, only a child had been able to see it. And soon enough, this child will begin to lose, one by one, all she had known in her life. A home, a mother, an aunt......only to begin the list.

Nenya...One of the Three Rings...very nice. I can imagine how that star was shining, like mithril.

As for the Trees..Well, after several days of rummaging like crazy through the bookshelves of each bookshop I could find, I finally got my hands on "The Shaping of Middle-earth" and I could read The Second Prophecy of Mandos. Since then,(after coming down from the clouds, of course), I keep wondering how would look the Trees rekindled. What could be that great light coming forth from them?
And then even Itarilde will be there, back to the place of her birth. And perhaps, watching in awe that divine light, she would remember the stars that one night, when her world had begin to shatter, spoke to her about this very day.

Thank you, Fiondil. You've just told us that the nightfall is always followed by the dawn. And the stars are there just to remaind us. Even if we would have to wait as long as Arda endures. The waiting is worthwhile.

Author Reply: I think there is much irony in this story and Idril's personal story is indeed very sad. But at this moment, she's an adorable elfling who is entranced by the sight of the stars and unconcerned about the worries of her parents and elders. In her innocence those around her can find hope again. No matter how dark things may appear, there is, as Sam discovered, light and high beauty still and forever beyond the reach of the Shadow. That is something we should always remember when whe think all is hopeless.

Glad you were able to find "The Shaping of Middle-earth". It's an interesting read, isn't it, as are all the volumes of the Histories.

Thanks for your review, Sitara. I appreciate it.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 2/13/2009
Oh, what a gentle little ficlet to wake up to! What a profitic(sp?) little child she is, Nenya indeed!
I am looking forward to your 'What happened in Aman' story!
More please,
Lynda

Author Reply: Thanks, Lynda. I'm so glad you found this to your liking. The word you're looking for is 'prophetic' and perhaps Itarildë is, though _nenya_ is properly an adjective meaning 'watery'. Used as a noun, though, it would have the meaning 'watery one'.

KayleeReviewed Chapter: 51 on 2/13/2009
Oh, well done meldonya! *hugs Itarilde* She's so adorable, I especially love her naming the "diamondy" star "Finda". *smiles*

See, this is what I get for suffering another sleepless night...I drag myself out of bed at quarter to five and this is what I have...a new story! I'm glad it's here, it made me a lot happier, though the pain in my abdomen is stubbornly NOT fading. Where are Este and Elrond when I need them? *sighs*

~Kaylee!

Author Reply: Well, at least you had something to take your mind off your troubles *grin*. Sorry to hear you're not feeling well, Kaylee. I hope you feel better soon. I'm glad you enjoyed this little fic. Itarildë is very adorable and perhaps somewhat wiser in her innocence than her elders.

Return to Chapter List