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Shadow and Flame  by quodamat 8 Review(s)
LevadeReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/21/2018
I love this story (it's little secret I love Glorfindel so... ;). It fits right into the way I see him and really Tolkien's description of him. I love the many details you fit into the story with each character he spoke to. I always wondered what he thought when he heard Gandalf had fallen to the Balrog of Moria and if he even knew it was there up until then. Well done!

Author Reply: Thanks, Levade! I'm glad you liked my take on Glorfindel. Based on the role he plays in canon, I tend to imagine him as being very much a protector, and also someone who has been deeply traumatized, but also unusually well equipped to reflect philosophically on trauma. I imagine he'd have to be a comforting presence as well, given his role in service to Elrond, whose personal life often resembles one long string of traumatic events.

My mind continues to circle and hover around a prequel story about Glorfindel's take on Gandalf's Balrog encounter. Hopefully it will come in for a landing someday soon!

elizaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/2/2016
What a great story, lol it doesn't hurt that it features one of my favorite characters, Glorfindel.

I love how all the players cannot see their "courage" without the some one lending their own particular analysis.

Well done, and I agree with Gandalf, a shocked and quiet Glorfindel doesn't happen every day!

Author Reply: Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! You make a great point about the characters needing outside perspectives to see themselves clearly. While I wasn't actually thinking about this while writing, parts of these conversations (especially the one with Legolas) are quite reminiscent of talks I've had with close friends when one or the other has needed encouragement. Thanks again for commenting!

ConquistadoraReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/2/2016
A very nice little story, with some lovely character interaction! Very well-written. Although it seems like they might find more privacy in an El Paso railroad station, as they say. ;)

Author Reply: Thanks so much for reading, and for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Regarding the privacy challenges, somehow the image of one person after another popping out of the shadows was just way too entertaining to pass up, especially Gandalf being totally unrepentant about listening in, after giving poor Sam so much trouble for eavesdropping! :)

tharseoReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/1/2016
Great conversations between Glorfindel and his companions.

Author Reply: Thanks for reading, and your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed!

PSWReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/1/2016
Oh yay! I have been waiting for this to post so I can tell you how much I loved it at Teitho -- it was my number one vote. :-) The conversations flowed so seamlessly -- each led right into the other, and each brought out a different but very important point. Glorfindel was just how I like to picture him -- wise with the weight of his years and experiences, but still joking about the appetites of Hobbits and children of Men. Thanks so much for writing!

Author Reply: Wow, thank you so much! I was awfully nervous to post a story for the first time (first on Teitho, then here), so I'm very glad you enjoyed it. I really appreciate the feedback as well, and I'm glad you thought I got the characterization right for Glorfindel.

shireboundReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/1/2016
These are wonderful and healing conversations. Truly, they all share a common experience.

“I know well how it feels to be swept into memories of shadow and flame by a bare hint of smoke on the wind,”

That's very haunting, and beautifully written.

Author Reply: Thank you so much for your kind words. "Healing" is exactly what I was hoping to capture in these dialogues. I tend to think that by the end of The Lord of the Rings, pretty much everyone is going to need some good counseling!

UTfrogReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/1/2016
This is beautiful. Thank you so much.

Author Reply: Thank you for reading, and for the encouragement. It means a lot!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/1/2016
Oh, another conversation I've long awaited seeing set down! Excellent!

Author Reply: Thanks so much! Once I started thinking about how common trauma-by-fire seems to be in Middle Earth, I was eager to get these characters talking.

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