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| Twice Blessed by MJ | 48 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| curiouswombat | Reviewed Chapter: 9 on 12/22/2010 |
| I am happy to think that the Silvan elves have found somewhere to feel at home in the West. I still fear, as I am sure I am meant to, that Aránayel is a major threat to the well-being of our hero... I look forward, with both pleasure and trepidation, to having time to read the next chapter. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 12/22/2010 |
| At least he knows now to look away from himself that he might learn what he needs to know. | |
| Erulisse (one L) | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/21/2010 |
| As always, your skill as a storyteller comes through with brilliant colors. When I see that I have a chapter (or two) update from you, I try and clear my calendar for an hour's uninterrupted enjoyment. Chapters 7 and 8 were no exception. The relationships are deepening and the reasons for the split between Olorin and his "ex" are also becomming clear. (One small suggestion - when you have the elfling ask about his circlet and his response, you may want to put a link to the earlier story or mention it with a link at the bottom of the chapter in case your reader(s) have not read the prequel.) I can't wait for the next few days of this "short, seven-day journey". I have a feeling that it could turn into one of the longest journeys of Olorin's life. - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: I'm glad you're enjoying the story (and I really, REALLY hope that darned block will thaw so that I'll finally be able to finish it!). I like your reference to Aránayel as Olorin's "ex" -- it's an amusing way to think of it, though since they never really had a relationship, one has to wonder "ex-what?" :) The idea of a link to the previous story... I'll have to think about it. Since my longer stories are usually all part of a larger story arc, I could wind up with a lot of links like that. I do make sure to mention that it's a sequel, so I hope people will start by reading the previous story. If I get enough requests or comments asking for such clarification, though, I will certainly consider it. Better footnotes and links that long, long recaps of what happened in the previous story! Thanks for the review, and the suggestion! | |
| Aiwen | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/20/2010 |
| Someone more inappropriate for Olorin than a certain female maia would be hard to imagine. The woman is maddening! Author Reply: Maddening. Yes, maddening. And possibly a few stronger descriptions that would blow the PG rating out of the water! | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 12/20/2010 |
| There is a discussion of the value of patience, when what you are waiting for is something of worth, immediately followed by an example of the loss of patience, when the thing to be desired will never come without a more direct approach. I'm glad he gave her a dressing-down, and served notice that he is neither her inferior nor there for her comfort, and that she has pushed him as far as she can, indeed further than she should have. Though, when he leaves to sit under the trees in the rain, and he's back to wondering how to deal with her and if he can survive the seven-day trip, I think he's just made a big step forward in dealing with her. She's an emotional bully, and the last thing a bully wants is to be stood up to. Perhaps, as a result, if she can't say something nice, maybe she will not say anything at all. I also loved to see Olorin working here. He's spoken privately to her, urging her to be cooperative, and also to the twins, urging them to be pleasant - the peacemaker at work. Gandalf gets some work done as well, lighting the little fire, and then the larger task of drying the wet goods (and himself). He doesn't notice that the exercise of power makes the crystals of his circlet glow. If anyone needed a last reminder of Eru's favor, it's an obvious one. Author Reply: Do you really think she will say nothing at all? | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 12/20/2010 |
| "I cannot imagine there is anything Aránayel could do during a seven day journey that would seem even mildly intolerable." In other words, "What could possibly go wrong?" Made me laugh, for I also could envision many things that could happen. I'll be looking forward to the ones that you come up with. Although the children may be off track about the exact depth of the relationship between Olorin and Nienna, they have recognized that there is a special regard. In this, they see truly, and it is only the more obvious when contrasted with that between Nienna and her more recent pupil. A loveable person is loved, and an unloveable person is not, unless there is someone ready to make an exceptional effort. Aránayel’s habit of bundling herself against a coldness she does not need to feel is an apt metaphor for her emotionally guarding behaviour against slights she also does not need to feel. It will be hard for anyone to get past those defences, yet for her sake I hope she will someday be able to drop them, at least a little. Finally, it is lovely to see Bilbo's walking song. May it be sung forever. Author Reply: It's nice to hear that you noticed the metaphors (sometimes, I wonder if I'm being too obvious or too obscure | |
| Rhyselle | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/19/2010 |
| Wow! I like this story as much as its prequel! The plight of the children is heartbreaking, especially with the fates of their parents and the low likelihood of their being released from Mandos for any of the foreseeable future. I think that going to Lorien to live with Olorin and Frodo will be a good experience for them, if only Aranayel doesn't muck things up for them while pursuing her own goals. I really liked your description of Nienna's home. I could picture it very clearly, and I particularly liked your description of Nienna herself, and the points made about the purpose of solitude and a non-distracting environment when one is healing from emotional pain. I look forward to the future chapters of this fic, and hope that it won't be too long until you post again. Well done! Author Reply: As you can see, it wasn't too long. I'm just hoping that by the time I get to the spot where the story is blocked, things will start flowing again. But I'm very happy to hear that you're enjoying it thus far -- although we can expect that Aranayel will be doing her share of mucking things up before all is said and done! Thanks for the review! | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/17/2010 |
| Wow, that is one incredibly self-centered Maia. I wonder what part she had in singing the world into creation - the invention of mirrors? Now I know she's had a long punishment time in which to become bitter, but I think Olorin's being more than charitable when he says he thinks she's changed for the better. I see a superior and judgemental attitude, a dismissing and unforgiving spirit. It amazes me that Olorin's time of study under Nienna taught him compassion and pity, and she spent probably longer there and learned nothing of these. What will it take for her to learn empathy? That's what's actually defective: she has no recognition at all for what others may feel in response to what she says or does! /rant. (i feel better - a little) Actually, that's rather an intersting question. What will it take for her to learn to regard the feelings of others? Punishment obviously has not, which really isn't surprising - it doesn't usually work when a change of heart is what is required. In my experience, punishment may serve to get someone's attention, but then a good example is much more instructive. Perhaps that is Olorin's function. If Olorin can respond compassionately to Manwe's betrayal, and see the benefits it brings to both parties, (as well as the approval of others, probably a good hook in her case) perhaps it will cause her to see things differently. Frodo is wise in compassion as well, and perhaps can also contribute, especially if he can be compassionate to Aránayel. Author Reply: Nice rant. :) As someone who lived with a mother who was a textbook case of narcissistic personality disorder, I suppose some of her crept into Aránayel (but only a little bit). I personally never thought of the Ainur as perfect little angels — we have too many examples of their imperfections, great and small, for me to think otherwise. Especially now that they are essentially trapped within Eä until the End, I imagine there will be problems (although that particular can of worms is one I'm saving for another story, which is in the works). Aránayel, obnoxious as she is, is a part of that spectrum as I see it. The question of what she might have sung in the Music will come up at some point (though it may not be definitively answered). But as Nienna suggested that in helping others, Olórin may find the answer to his own problem, this is a rocky road he needs must travel to find his own answers. Frodo will indeed have a part to play, but what form that role will take remains to be seen.... | |
| FantasyFan | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 12/17/2010 |
| Olorin thinks that he has truly forgiven Aránayel, and that she cannot distress him. Yet, he is saddened, regretful and apprehensive, and not really happy to see her. I think he sometimes protests too much when he insists he has forgiven her, and wishes her well. She, on the other hand, is bitter and vengeful, and chafing after a very long confinement. This isn't going to go well. Hopefully, the presence of the twins, Frodo, Vanyalos and other residents of the area might rein her in - too many others to tell tales if she doesn't behave. As to his impulsive offer to help: yes, that is what got him in trouble once before, although he doesn't mean it the same way this time. It is simply his nature to go and help. He can't help it, and he shouldn't try. He needs to be himself whether anyone else likes it or not, imho. Author Reply: Olórin isn't the only one who needs to be himself — but that's part of what the story is for, in the end, the road to self-discovery (which does indeed go ever on). I suppose I could have looked to The Bard and another quote for the the title — "To thine own self be true" — but that was a bit less to the point, and didn't make a very good title for a novel :). Thanks for the review! | |
| Erulisse (one L) | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/13/2010 |
| Oh my, Aranayel. It is obvious that not only the children require healing, but Olorin and Aranayel need the healing that they required ages ago and the Valar will make sure that it happens, one way or another. At any rate, it will be a glorious thing to get these children away from the stormclouds and into the sunshine again where they can grow and flourish. Great couple of chapters, I can't wait for more :-) - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: Well, the Valar may arrange the circumstances, but it's up to Olórin and Aranayel to make of them what they will. There are still adventures ahead... :) | |