Seeds of Old Trees by Marnie
Sphinx · 27 August 2019 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Loitering in this part of the world after (probably) an Age. Pun intended. This is still so wonderful and you have woven such magic around these two, who still are so much a part of my head (despite a very long hiatus). I hope you are still writing!
alya · 15 April 2006 · Chapter 2: Two
"like Thingol himself, that beloved and long missed place had been reborn, here? A small stirring of life, of hope, took root in that thought, like a blade of grass in a concrete car park. " Excellent story but "like a blade of grass in a concrete car park" ??? Umm, serious cognitive dissonance here. Unless Valinor has cars and no one told me... Have to say though, it's the only real gap I've found in any of the stories I've read so far.
Author's reply
Thanks for the review, Alya! I'm glad you're enjoying the story, but I have to say read on, and you'll find out why I used that metaphor. Valinor has no cars, but Celeborn did not leave for Valinor until very recently - *he* therefore has knowledge of cars, acid rain, airflight, spaceflight, and all the other modern things we don't usually associate with the elves. Tolkien says that it is not known when he sailed, therefore it didn't have to be in the fourth age, he could have hung around for Ages :) Hope that clears things up!
Kalima · 1 February 2005 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
I can see this story was written with love, and may we all get to go to Valinor to such joy and reunitings. Thank you for writing it. I found it all believable, and the characters true. A beautiful, beautiful story. I loved it. I'll print it out to read when I'm feeling nostalgic and romantic.
Kalima · 31 January 2005 · Chapter 7: Chapter 7
Hey, here I am not getting enough sleep, and it's all your fault! Yes, it is. Absolutely. I know where the responsibility lies, yes I do, and I know how to examine such complex issues because I've been reading Seeds of Old Trees. Now I'm going to have to keep reading becuase I can't stand Celeborn (whom I love also, as you may have guessed) being left in despair, his head in his hands. K
Author's reply
Hopefully you've found out by now that all's well that ends well; not only for Celeborn but also for me, because I didn't want to let go of the idea that he might well still be around. I like the idea of him wandering invisibly through the world of Men. If he turns up here, I'll ask him to come and see you :)
Kalima · 31 January 2005 · Chapter 6: Chapter Six
See, here I am reading on though I have serious and even desperate work to do. I love seeing the characters I'm reading of in The Silmarillion fleshed out. How do you characterize these people? So many to dream up, and you do it so well. I have been kinda wondering if I should assume that Celeborn and Elu were lovers once, as you wrote in Summer Lightning. Should I sorta keep that in mind, or do you intend for this to be an entirely different story? It can work either way so far, I see. K
Author's reply
Sorry (not much ;) ) to take you away from your work! As far as characterizing most of the Silm characters it's a case of joining the dots from what we know about them. Finarfin, for example, was the only one of Finwe's sons sensible and dutiful enough to turn back and face the music after the Kinslaying - so he must be fairly levelheaded and reasonable; but with a dash of every father's protectiveness towards his little girl. As far as Celeborn and Elu go, the emotional dynamic is not much different either way - Celeborn adores Elu, Elu values Celeborn greatly and likes him a lot. But on the whole this is more in the series of my gen fic, fitting in with Oak and Willow, rather than Summer Lightning. Hopefully there is going to be a SL tie in - at some point - as an alternative to this, in which C+E get back together on a slightly more equal and permanent basis. But I keep putting off writing the break-up fics as they're just going to be so depressing!
Kalima · 31 January 2005 · Chapter 5: Chapter Five
Ah, how satisfying. I am deeply saddened that Melian has told Celeborn his grandfather was tortured into orcdom, but I'm hoping some kind of justice for those taken and so cruelly treated will eventually come. (Maybe not in your story ...) I liked the scene where he meets his friend Calandil again, but i wanted at least a hug between them once it was clear how close they had been! (It's okay, I can handle it ...) I love your ability for witty speech. Thanks for the story. Every chapter makes me weep, makes me smile, you have the complexity I would hope would be there. You're right. If everything is just happily ever after, what's the fun in that? K
Author's reply
Thanks! No, I felt so guilty for doing that to Elmo that I had to write 'All Hallows Day' afterwards to sort this problem out. This story just keeps generating spin-offs :) I agree that Celeborn should have hugged Calandil. I can only assume that it happened off camera because they were both too blokeish and embarrassed to do it while I was watching. This *is* a happily ever after story, but there are just a few trials to be struggled through before it gets there, because it would be very boring otherwise ;) I'm delighted that you're liking it nevertheless.
Bodkin · 7 October 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Just out of interest - are all Galadriel's older brothers going to be sitting round the table with them come dinner-time? Because there is absolutely no chance whatsoever of this very delicate situation remaining calm. At least one of them will have to needle her into full fury. Older brothers (even ancient elven reborn ones) are never going to let an opportunity like this drop. The sisters-in-law are less likely to say anything - but the look on their faces might be even more infuriating. If they last the evening, they probably stand a pretty good chance of survival. A bit of solitude and bond renewal will do wonders. (And give the family a chance to get over their sniggers.)
Author's reply
Hm, it would be fun if they were! Aegnor's still in Mandos, of course, but I thought of the rest of them as having their own houses close by, and so not being there. Just Finrod and Orodreth. And Orodreth's too quiet and too nice to do more than smile. You're making me feel sorry for Galadriel. Poor girl! The amount of teasing she's going to be coming in for. But no doubt she'll sail through it serene as a swan, leaving everyone thinking how gracious she is... Though that might be more difficult, now I come to think of it, with her own brothers :)
Bodkin · 3 October 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Not even if I said please?
Bodkin · 3 October 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Not THAT kind of visit from Finrod!!!!! A talking over old times kind of visit. Though that could happen . . . and then his sister arrived and gave him that LOOK, with her foot tapping and her arms folded until he got the general idea. I would just love to see the dancing around when Galadriel arrived back at the house with Celeborn in tow. Finarfin looking him over, inspecting him for bloodshed . . Earwen noting the bruise . . Galadriel putting up her chin and daring anyone to mention that she said she never wanted to see him again . . Celeborn treading on eggshells in an attempt to keep all these emotions relatively stable.
Author's reply
LOL! They are such a fun family! And now poor Finarfin has to try to get to like him after all. But at least Celeborn will get his revenge when they go back to Doreden and Galadriel has to put up with all the smug looks, and the 'he's only got to snap his fingers and she comes running' comments from *his* friends. Oh don't! You'll have me wanting to write a sequel, and that would never do :)
Fyre · 1 October 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Oh, that was lovely! I seldom read fanfic in the Lord of the Rings world, simply due to time constraints, but Redpanda recommended this and I have such a soft spot for Celeborn that I could not resist. The way you wrote the Elves and the image of Valinor that you presented it absolutely beautiful and Celeborn's initial reaction is perfect. more than perfect. I had never even considered this angle, but it is perfect, as is Galadriel's behaviour. I do believe I will be looking for more of your work when I have time :)
Author's reply
Many thanks for the review, Fyre! I'm flattered that you'd make a special effort to read my stuff and glad that it didn't disappoint. You must be a person of good taste to like Celeborn - we are a small but select elite ;) Valinor was never one of my favourite places in Tolkien, but I think that like Celeborn, I've got reconciled to it now. It makes a difference, to me, thinking of it as a new beginning rather than the end. Anyway, thanks again, and I hope you like the rest of my stuff if you get round to reading it :) Marnie :-)
Bodkin · 1 October 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
'As for talking, I suspect there'll be several hours more talking - with Finarfin and Earwen et al - before they have to face the question of whether he's still going to be sleeping in the guest bedroom or not.' - If he is, I'll bet I know who else will arrive there! (And I don't mean Finrod.) 'I do have an idea for a happy ending for Elmo. Fingers crossed, that might be a sequel.' Yes, please. (And Oak and Willow, too.) I have now read this several times and it gets better with each reading. I won't go through it, but I'll just point out one or two of my favourite bits - 'Long he had lain dormant in the dark earth, drenched with cold rain, but the sun had returned and brought forth life.' - So Lord of the Trees. Beautiful image. 'She was well aware that he followed her now. Her mind refused to contemplate the black pit of rejection if he had not.' - All that saying she didn't need him - I'm glad he didn't take her at her first word. 'a dark yew hedge, where grounded raindrops glimmered golden among the fleshy, coral berries.' Nothing to do with C or G, but such a gorgeously expressed image. - All the storm/tempest/sea compared to his harbour/solid images - I loved them. 'that empathy and kindness in her which had saved her from becoming another Feanor.' - Interesting idea that these qualities countered her less attractive arrogance and hunger for power. What would she have been like, how would she have ended up without Celeborn? 'If you feel it worth the fact that he will remind you of it until the end of time.' - He will, too! I love Celeborn's concession to Celebrimbor's genius, as a gesture because he has regained Galadriel. - The significance of the absence of Nenya. And I loved, simply LOVED the mallorn seeds. They were absolutely perfect and led so well to the optimism of the ending. Have you realised yet that I really enjoyed this story? And its ending? And its reviews?
Author's reply
Wow! Bodkin! I'm starting to realise that you must have quite liked this story! I'm sure you're right about the spare bedroom thing - and no, *not* Finrod, this isn't *that* kind of story ;) If he had decided to take her at her word and not go to her, I'm sure she would have gone to him *eventually*, but then there would have had to have been much more violence and recrimination before they worked it out. The idea that it's Galadriel's empathy and ability to believe the best of others which saved her from becoming like Feanor is based on what Tolkien says about her in 'The History of Galadriel and Celeborn' - about how she saw deeply into the characters of others but judged them with goodwill. Who knows what she learned from Celeborn, but she's the only one of her family to have survived past the First Age, and the only one who can be said to have 'gone native', and that almost certainly had something to do with him. I'm also pretty sure she would have taken the Ring, if she hadn't already had to listen to him nag her about what a mistake it was taking Nenya for an Age of the world ;) I put the mallorn seeds in because of what Haldir said to the Fellowship about 'it would be a poor life in a land where no mallorn grows, but if there are Mallorn trees beyond the Sea, none have reported it.' I felt it couldn't really be a happy ending for him and all the other Galadhrim unless the mallorns got introduced. It also seemed nicely symbolic of C+G's relationship starting again from the seeds of what they had had in the past. So I'm glad they worked for you. Fabulous comments, btw! It makes it all worth while for me. Thanks again.
Belle Bayard · 1 October 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Wonderful conclusion to this story, Marnie! Truly hope we get to see them again in a future story. As usual, you have done a lovely job of showing us Elves as imperfect, yet incredibly fascinating creatures. And yes, we do miss them very much. Belle
Author's reply
Thanks, Belle! I had, this morning, an idea for a rather strange story where Celeborn finally finds his grandfather. So that may be coming up soonish. But I really ought to try to do some more Oak and Willow first. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Amarie · 1 October 2004 · Chapter 2: Two
I just love this story. Are you planning to do a sequel? Where the mortals who have died can come to Valinor through the Halls of Mandos. It would be nice to see Arwen reunited with her father and Luthien with hers.
Author's reply
Thanks for the review, Amarie! I'm hoping to do a very short sequel where Celeborn finally rescues his grandfather Elmo. But Arwen and Luthien, I'm afraid, are gone for good - Mortal souls only go to Mandos for a short time and then go off somewhere completely different, where elves just can't go. Unless something unexpected happens after the end of the world they never will ever be reunited with their fathers or friends or families. It's kind of miserable, isn't it? Poor Elu and poor Elrond! At least I was able to get a happy ending in there for almost everyone else :)
daw the minstrel · 30 September 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Lovely finish, Marnie. I'm so glad that Galadriel let her anger go. I liked the seeds. I see where the title comes from and the suggestion of things beyond trees.
Author's reply
Thanks, Daw! As you can tell, I had the ending in mind from the beginning - hence the title. And in fact the title comes from the end of Battle of the Golden Wood where - just before he and Galadriel part - Celeborn says that the Doom of Mandos isn't a curse at all but the way the world works; you pick the seeds up, take them somewhere else and plant anew. Even there he wasn't really just talking about seeds either. So, much kudos and worship to you for spotting the theme!
Sulriel · 30 September 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Wonderful. Also, an aside from the main plot line. - I'm always tickled (and amazed) at the understanding and depth of characterization you have of the differences between the races of Elves. The line about the garden being groomed to look wild is so deliciously Noldorian, I've been giggling about it all day. I love how such a simple statement so completely defines one of the elements of 'feyness' of the Noldor.
Author's reply
Thanks, Sulriel! I reckoned that as the Noldor were both obsessive artists and rather inclined to conquer and control they would prefer even their wilderness to be crafted to perfection :) The Silmarillion does that 'the Noldor were greater of mind and body, and more intelligent, and more inclined to arts and crafts and lore and battle and magic and... but the Sindar were good at singing' thing. So it's interesting to wonder why they're simply not noticing any Sindar achievements at all. Maybe Sindar culture was less inclined to put a big imprint on the land, and more involved in just appreciating it for what it was? Either way the divisions seem to be so very important in the Silm that you'd hope they were noticable in other ways than the participants just trying to kill each other ;)
RAKSHA THE DEMON · 30 September 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
This has been a delightful read; full of unexpected pleasures. I never thought I'd come to like Celeborn and Galadriel; but you brought them to life even better than Tolkien did...Which is no mean feat.
Author's reply
Many thanks for the kind comments both here and on the list, Raksha! I am really pleased if I've managed to make you even slightly fond of Celeborn and Galadriel. Galadriel does well enough, but Celeborn needs every supporter he can get ;) It's very special to get a review from someone who liked the story without really being a fan of those characters. Thanks again!
Bejai · 30 September 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Oh, bravo Marnie! A wonderful finish to what has been a very facinating story. So many good things! I could go through line by line, raving about the brilliance in a turn of phrase and the images you evoke. The reunion was everything I hoped it would be. A little bit irrational on both sides, loving and fearful, angry and ecstatic. You wrote it will all the heartpounding, breathtaking emotion that I knew you would. The details! Such genius. He deserved the hit, he really did, but I'm so glad she found it within herself to forgive, and I'm glad he was willing to stand in the storm until she worked it out. This really summed it up for me: "He understood that she needed him to be a harbour, to brace himself and take the storm, until the waves could fall back and the sea lie calm within his encircling arms. But sometimes, he thought, shakily, she did not know her own strength, she did not know how close she came to breaking him." Yeah. That's it right there. After you mentioned in in an email earlier this year, I finally found a copy of 'Smith' a month or so ago and read it. And you're right ... the Elf King and Queen did seem rather familiar. This is such a wonderful, unexpected tie in! Took my breath away when I realized what you'd done. Now I must go read 'Smith' again with this background in mind. Love the idea that the token was made by Celebrimbor. And in a star, to annoy Celeborn. Ha! Celeborn's words about men were so poignant. The reminder that they are their distant grandchildren, who remember the elves distantly, who long not to be the only speaking ones in the universe! Who send messages out into the void, and hear only silence! Good of Celeborn to think of them, and know our hearts. Breathtaking, Marnie. Sad to see it end. You're downright Tolkienesque in that, leaving gaps that leave the readers wondering about what we didn't see and with questions about the future. If you're not careful, people are going to start writing fanfiction about your stories ;) A wonderful journey, as ever.
Author's reply
Thanks for the review, Bejai! I am very glad that you think the end didn't let it down, as I've been rather fond of this story and was worried that I would do something to ruin it, or at least not do it justice in this chapter. Their reunion in Deific Flame was something that I often held it up to in the hopes that it would be as good as that. (Though the shirt-twisting incident is just incapable of being equalled.) There's a slight problem with chronology in tying it in with Smith - which was published, obviously, some time ago. But perhaps Celebrimbor's device had a few teething problems, like sending its user not only back to Ennor but slightly back in time too, the first time it was used? I've got space travel, why shouldn't I have time travel too ;) I do think it's odd, the way we are so despirate to believe in life on other planets, that we are not alone. It does almost seem to point to the fact that we know we shouldn't be, and we can't understand how it came to be like this. Tolkien's set up, of us having the elves at first with us, in our distant prehistory, and then having them going away, fits so well with that feeling, that it almost has to be true... if only we didn't know that he'd made it up. As for people telling the rest of the story - the 'elves in space' saga etc I'd love to read it. If only! Mind you, I do have an idea for a happy ending for Elmo. Fingers crossed, that might be a sequel. How's DF coming on? And is the foot completely better by now? I hope so! Marnie :-)
Nilmandra · 30 September 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
Oh, a wonderful end, Marnie (you romantic, you!) There are some just glorious moments in this chapter! She shook herself, as though breaking from a spell, and her eyes flashed as she drew herself up to her full height, lifted her fist and slapped his upraised face with all her strength. Trust Galadriel to smack him! She is lucky he didn't smack her back, but I guess he is a gentleman even when she forgets to be a lady. Their pain is very palpable - yet despite harsh words, it comes through clearly that neither is taking a chance on losing the other, no matter what little games they have been playing. I like this too: Sometimes it was as though she held the spirit of all three clans within her, and one never knew which would come to the fore. and this he began to think that he was not so unnatural a Teler after all. Did he not love this sea, dangerous as it was, in all its moods? That sums them both up very well. I had to laugh at what Celeborn noticed too - thinking this after battling with his wife: It was, Celeborn knew at once, carefully tended and designed to look wild, and he felt a small quirk of private laughter at the strangeness of the Noldor, who strove so hard for an effect they could have achieved by doing nothing. It rather reminds me of their relationship actually - not that it could be achieved by doing nothing, but if they spent less time at each other's throats, they might have been happier. Oh well - they are what they are. Wonderful ending. I couldn't figure out why they would still be talking, and with Finrod, when they had finally made up *grin* - but I love the idea of the Straight Road and the Fay-star and searching for their lost kin. A wonderful story, Marnie. I'm sorry to see it end.
Author's reply
LOL! Thanks Nilmandra! I would have said I didn't have an ounce of romance in my soul, but perhaps it's Celeborn's influence and he has a carefully hidden romantic streak? You're quite right - there was no way they weren't going to make up, but there was a serious amount of hurt to get out first. I was glad you liked the idea of Galadriel as a sort of fusion of all three clans, Tolkien showed her Vanyar side, and her Noldor side, I think, but apart from sailing in a swan boat she doesn't get much of a chance to show her Teleri side. With all those sides it's not surprising that their relationship has a tendancy towards turmoil! But they might well have profited from just relaxing a little more. As for talking, I suspect there'll be several hours more talking - with Finarfin and Earwen et al - before they have to face the question of whether he's still going to be sleeping in the guest bedroom or not ;) I'm really glad you liked it. Thanks!
Bodkin · 30 September 2004 · Chapter 8: Chapter Eight
You FINISHED it! It's too soon. Want more: want lots more! What a fantastic story - I just loved all of it. And the reconciliation! It's a good thing that Galadriel bent when she did - and that she was aware of Celeborn's feelings. I most certainly wouldn't have wanted to be on the receiving end of that swing - and I suspect poor Celeborn will feel it for a while. I'm so relieved that in the end they couldn't resist acknowledging their deep love of each other and that they were each prepared to make concessions to the other. I shall doubtless have to comment again after the next couple of readings, but I just had to let you know what a deeply satisfying conclusion this was to a beautifully crafted story.
Author's reply
Thanks Bodkin! I couldn't have carried on longer - I was already getting threats about what would happen if I didn't have Celeborn and Galadriel together by the end of this chapter ;) And then when they did get together, despite both being so stiff necked and bloodyminded, they were still far too sensible to let the estrangement go on any longer. I'm delighted that you think it works as a conclusion though - that's great! I wasn't confident about it - I never am confident about my ability to write all that relationship stuff :)
Sphinx · 19 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Chapter 7
Bejai is right. Worldwide hair tearing. Now, to sit back and watch Her Highness try and rip all that lovely silver hair out. ;) To tell the truth, I’m divided in my opinion of this chapter. Part of me wholeheartedly wants to form some sort of Noldor defence, while the other half just wants to grab Finrod and take him Far, Far Away. Space travel, Elf-style. Why not? ;) An ingenious plot twist, one that is not quite so AU once you sit down to think of it. I’m waiting eagerly to see what becomes of it. But...Celebrimbor? A Pro-Noldor part of me awakens. Why does he not have the reborn joy that Calandil does? It is a Feanorian stereotype, I fear – rude, self-obsessed, creatively brilliant – but a sulky Mandos-returned Celebrimbor is hard to digest. But for all Celeborn's tactlessness, and his desire to grant Celebrimbor a knuckle sandwich, their meeting is a shade too bitter. It is as if neither has learnt anything with respect to the other - not Celebrimbor from Mandos, and not Celeborn from the Third Age and various years after that. But I like Earwen in this, however brief her appearance. The opening scene set the tone for the ending, which was a rather terrible cliffhanger for people wanting to see the pots and pans fly. Worldwide hair tearing. Remember that. :) Sphinx
Author's reply
Thanks for the review, Sphinx! I'm sorry that you think Celebrimbor is a bit of a stereotype, but I had to take into account that he *was* a genius, that he *did* usurp rule of Eregion and then abandon it to make a futile gesture of defiance towards Sauron, which led to Sauron getting hold of the Nine. He doesn't have Calandil's joy (a) because Calandil is a happy-go-lucky sort of person, whereas Celebrimbor is - canonically - a secretive genius, and I do not believe that the basic personality is changed by Mandos. And (b) because his moment of triumph has just been spoiled by the sudden reappearance of his rival in love. My thoughts on Celebrimbor are that he is brilliant, and he knows that he's considerably cleverer than Celeborn, and - because Celeborn has got the girl - he can't help but rub it in that Celeborn is thicker than he is. In my mind it's not a Noldor/Sindar thing at all, but a rivalry in love. Celeborn is jealous and suspicious of him, he is jealous and suspicious of Celeborn, and they both use whatever weapons are to hand to try and keep each other in their place - which in Celebrimbor's case are his superior intelligence and his superior status as a Calaquendi, and in Celeborn's case is the basic threat that he's going to knock Celebrimbor's teeth out. They both know better, of course, but neither of them are exactly having a good day. Do you really expect Celeborn to be reasonable on a day when he's uncertain whether his marriage is over for good? The only part of Celebrimbor's Feanorian heritage which I was consiously using was his genius. His own, canonical actions, and the fact that he is in love with Celeborn's wife, seems to be enough to me to explain their animosity otherwise. Author Reply: Thanks for the review, Sphinx! I'm sorry that you think Celebrimbor is a bit of a stereotype, but I had to take into account that he *was* a genius, that he *did* usurp rule of Eregion and then abandon it to make a futile gesture of defiance towards Sauron, which led to Sauron getting hold of the Nine. He doesn't have Calandil's joy (a) because Calandil is a happy-go-lucky sort of person, whereas Celebrimbor is - canonically - a secretive genius, and I do not believe that the basic personality is changed by Mandos. And (b) because his moment of triumph has just been spoiled by the sudden reappearance of his rival in love. My thoughts on Celebrimbor are that he is brilliant, and he knows that he's considerably cleverer than Celeborn, and - because Celeborn has got the girl - he can't help but rub it in that Celeborn is thicker than he is. In my mind it's not a Noldor/Sindar thing at all, but a rivalry in love. Celeborn is jealous and suspicious of him, he is jealous and suspicious of Celeborn, and they both use whatever weapons are to hand to try and keep each other in their place - which in Celebrimbor's case are his superior intelligence and his superior status as a Calaquendi, and in Celeborn's case is the basic threat that he's going to knock Celebrimbor's teeth out. They both know better, of course, but neither of them are exactly having a good day. Do you really expect Celeborn to be reasonable with one of his wife's suitors on a day when he's uncertain whether his marriage is over for good? And if Celeborn is unreasonably aggressive towards Celebrimbor (which he was), do you expect Celebrimbor to meekly take it without finding some (in his case perfectly non-violent) way of asserting his own self-worth? The only part of Celebrimbor's Feanorian heritage which I was consiously using was his genius. His own, canonical actions, and the fact that he is in love with Celeborn's wife, seems to be enough to me to explain their animosity otherwise. Author Reply: Sorry! Didn't mean to do that twice, and now I can't figure out how to delete one of them. Do ignore at least one if not both ;) Thanks again, Marnie :-)
Bodkin · 17 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Chapter 7
I wonder if she is waiting outside, looking for that moment of despair to hit him, just so that he realises that he is not the only one who can be manipulative. Even though she has told him not to come, I think she wants the approach to come from him. Can't wait to find out! (I love the suggestion that only inter-racial co-operation will get this project going. And what will the Valar think of elves swanning off to the stars?)
Author's reply
To tell the truth, I really don't know! This is where my inspiration dried up, and I have no more idea than anyone else how they will come back together. I shall no doubt find out when I come to write it :) I think/hope that the Valar have learned to be a little less nannying since the Noldor rebellion, and to allow the elves a bit more independance. The Children of Eru are growing up!
Mirkwoodmaiden · 17 September 2004 · Chapter 1: One
What a wonderful idea for a story. I love all the detail included about Valinor and its various inhabitants. When I have more time I shall read all seven chapters! The chapter itself is a good set up for the rest of the story. I will read with excitement why Galadriel is not eager to see her husband of millenia. Great story so far! MM
Sulriel · 16 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Chapter 7
What an exciting twist! Has Celebrimbor made a Dilithium Crystal? Will we meet a Noldor named Sarek?!?
Author's reply
LOL! No and no. I can't tell you how much I hate the idea of Vulcans being elves. They have nothing in common, not even the ears! Glad you approve though!
daw the minstrel · 16 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Chapter 7
OK, Marnie. This is such a strange mixture of Tolkien and scifi. I don't mean that as a criticism, just as a statement about my feelings on reading it. It's taking me a while to adjust to it and see how well you actually work all this together and make it plausible. I like your characterizations of Galadriel and her mother, who knows her so well. The three males are also interesting in their three-cornered conversation and personalities. Poor Celeborn.
Author's reply
Thanks for the review, Daw. Yes, I thought that it might be a bit of a stretch, incorporating elvish space-travel. But after all, this is set in the present day, and elves are clever people, and have plenty of reason to want to expand their horizons. And all those reborn Noldor geniuses have to have something to occupy their hands and minds with while the centuries pass. I'm hoping that it's still consistent with Tolkien, who, after all, was the one who first said that the Teleri vessels go through Space on their journey to Valinor, (I think it's in his Letters) and who introduced Earendil in his sky-ship as a satellite of Middle-earth. I hope it hasn't put you off reading the final chapter! Thanks again.
Bejai · 15 September 2004 · Chapter 7: Chapter 7
Gahh!! You are aware, aren't you, that you've got all your readers tearing their hair out? That's world wide hair-tearing going on. The waiting is killing me! Which, of course, it is doing to Celeborn as well. Wonderful way to make us feel it. When they DO finally meet, we're all just going to be quivering masses of jello. Wait ... they are going to meet ... aren't they? Loved the confrontation with Celebrimbor. I thought it was very restrained of Celeborn not to put Celebrimbor's nose into the back of his skull. After dooming Eregion and introducing those dratted rings, he certainly would have had it coming. I'm at the point in my own story where I'm going around on the rings again, so that moment here struck quite a chord. And Celeborn already knew what the stars were. Take that, twerp. Elves in space ;) Not the first time for you either, if I recall. And the wonderful part is that it is completely believable. It is interesting to see the difference between the reborn and those who have been slogging through life. Finrod and Celebrimbor have this kind of strange ... acceptance. Galadriel and Celeborn are both still so torn up. Almost makes me think that a trip to Mandos would have been better for them, if not for the fact that all the reborn are creeping me out a little bit. I can't really put my finger on why, but there is something about wiping away one life and starting over that bothers me. Like they are no longer connected to the consequences of events they set in motion so long before. Am rambling now. Loved the chapter, even if you are killing me with the suspense. Looking forward to more, as ever.
Author's reply
Well, Celeborn has not once, since arriving in Valinor, doubted that all he had to do was turn up and she would be overcome by his wonderfulness and forgive him. This chapter he finally got some of that masculine self-centredness knocked out of him. I think he deserves it! I had no idea of the level of animosity there was between Celeborn and Celebrimbor until I put them together, at which point Celeborn could hardly stop himself from strangling the blasted Noldo, and Celebrimbor just couldn't stop needling. Still, it must have been quite a disappointment to Celebrimbor that at the moment of his triumph his old, detested dark-elf nemesis should turn up. I guess they're both having a bad day. I'm glad you thought the space travel idea was believable - I knew it was a risk, but on the other hand there's Earendil as a prototype, and they *are* the people of the Stars - they're obviously clever enough and the Noldor are restless enough to be looking for the next challenge by now. I'm delighted that there's a noticable difference between the reborn and the still-alive. I wondered myself whether those who don't die at least once aren't missing out on something - a chance to be healed and forgiven of what has gone before. I think that putting down of the burdens of the past must be a good thing for people who live so long, but the problem comes when they have to interact with people who haven't done that. It makes enormous demands on the charity of those who haven't - to have their hurts treated like something which has no relevance any more. And now I'm rambling in return. Thanks ever so for the review. The hint that DF is progressing is wonderful. I can't wait!