Reviews of Last Goodbyes Series

Haleth · 14 March 2006 · Chapter 5: Five Finwions meet in the Highlands of Dorthonion, Winter, First Age 455, to settle a yearly contest

Funny, isn't it? Just when you think no one's paying attention, someone leaves a review. For what it's worth, I don't find these drabbles pretenious. As for the Finwions... So many of the stories are devoted to unhappy things happening to them that it's hard to think there were good times as well. Tolkien mentioned it in The Hobbit. Unpleasant events make good stories in a way that peace, comfort and good fellowship seldom do. But the happy times are as much a part of life as the bad. This drabble gives a hint into what these characters were like when they weren't fighting epic battles. It helps to round them out a little, make them more real. Haleth

Author's reply

Yep, it was fun to try and show them relaxed, blessedly ignorant of what was coming next... And wine is always a good thing to relax around...it eases the atmosphere :-) Thanks again, Haleth ;-)

Haleth · 12 March 2006 · Chapter 5: Five Finwions meet in the Highlands of Dorthonion, Winter, First Age 455, to settle a yearly contest

Oh my! A who embarrassed himself the most in the past year contest! It's funny and at the same time very poignant because the reader knows, although the participants don't, that it is the last one.

Author's reply

ROTFL! Believe it or not I was thinking of bringing these down yesterday (sunday) They are quite old ( first things I wrote, at the end of 2004) and quite pretentious. (Not that I'm doing far better, mind you..) Anyway, this is one of my favourites. Life is always normal just before it changes, and it was poignant, as you say, to imagine these five engaging in some family bonding right before the impending Dragollach... Thanks! ;-)

The Karenator · 20 March 2005 · Chapter 13: Beyond the circles of the world, take 2

Your last two drabbles about Elros and his death were lovely. In this last one where his mother and father made haste to come to him at the hour of his death was such a wonderful visual! Sailing on the winds and star path to go to their son...nice imagine. Terribly sad and bittersweet. Just wonderful. Karen

Author's reply

Well, thanks! Sad but hopeful was what I meant. Earendil *finally* getting to say goodbye to at least one of his children was... rewarding to write down, and it was a fitting end for it all...

Lackwit · 20 March 2005 · Chapter 13: Beyond the circles of the world, take 2

These are just wonderfully poignant. I especially love these two about Elros/Tar-Minyatur.

Author's reply

I'm glad you liked them, Lackwit, and took the time to review. Never meant to be depressing, but to offer a bit of hope, so poignant could be the word!

daw the minstrel · 20 March 2005 · Chapter 13: Beyond the circles of the world, take 2

Oh that's so sad. I really do think that when the world ends, these people will all be together. To do anything else seems cruel. But of course, no one seems to know what happens to men when their souls flee beyond the circle of the world.

Author's reply

Well, I like to think that Finrod had an accurate insight in his conversation with Andreth, and that the Great Hope is what helped elves and some Men confront death with some resemblance of equanimity...This case is especially poignant, I think, so I like to think they truly expected to be reunited... Author Reply: ..and btw, thanks for your comments! :-)

daw the minstrel · 14 March 2005 · Chapter 11: Pity. Take 2

I suppose Maedhros must often have felt cursed rather than the beneficiary of pity.

Author's reply

I wonder what would have happened had Fingon managed to shoot that arrow? Thanks again! Just one more installment to go!

daw the minstrel · 14 March 2005 · Chapter 10: Pity, Take 1

I've always admired Fingon. He seems to have lived by what he felt was right and got caught up in the doom of others.

Author's reply

Yeah, that's moving, isn't it? I personally think that's the inner reason for his being called "the Valiant" his choices, rather than his deeds...

daw the minstrel · 14 March 2005 · Chapter 9: Under the trees of Eryn Lasgalen

Well that was a nice surprise! Thank you, Perelleth. And what I like the best, oddly enough, was the bit at the end about how sometimes you've said goodbye before you actually leave. When Legolas had sea longing, it must have felt like that. And of course, I also liked Thranduil thinking of his son as a piece of his heart.

Author's reply

In fact, it was Thranduil taking such counsel and comfort from his trees that came directly from your Thranduil! Yep, I think sea longing must feel like when you know you're ready to move on even if you wouldn't wholly like it... and of course, thank *you* for those wonderful stories!!!

daw the minstrel · 14 March 2005 · Chapter 8: Under the mallorn tree.

Elves like Celeborn must have many lost friends and family members to mourn. Sometimes living for all of time must not seem like such a blessing.

Author's reply

See, I think time is the key, yet... I have a slightly different perception, and..since your the only reviewer here...forgive me for imposing my reflections upon you... I think time and memories are natural for elves, or at least in their nature, so the longer they live, the more burdened they become, but it's a natural burden, a part of themselves, not a bitter feeling. I think they have trouble facing change, abrupt change, but they feel comforted with all those memories to hold on to, until they too become livin' memories... and depart or fade. That's what I find comforting in most of these drabbles, which came to me as a kind of emotional discharge or study of how I deal with loss and moving ahead...but I concede you that's an uncommmon point of view... Thanks again for reading and reviewing, this is quite a personal project, but still I'm truly glad you find time for reviewing. I'll move soon into happier issues...

daw the minstrel · 9 March 2005 · Chapter 7: Father and Son, Take 2

This was very moving. I think I was as stunned as Finrod was.

Author's reply

Woa! that was so fast! I was still logging out! Yep! one of my favourites. This is one out of two partings that have kept me wondering fo years. The second one will come in the next installment, I think, and its final form was somewhat inspired in your wonderful stories.. Thanks ;-)

daw the minstrel · 6 March 2005 · Chapter 3: We'll meet again

We seem to be going backward in time. And no, Fingolfin, you won't.

Author's reply

Mmm... yes, there's no chronological order... In my twisted sense of humour, I believe he knew they would, indeed...though in a faraway location.. Sigh. Thanks again!

daw the minstrel · 6 March 2005 · Chapter 2: Upon the Hills of Hithlum

Oh dear. Another good bye to Gil-galad. It's always amazed me that a parent could send his child away like this and yet it was the only thing for the child's safety.

Author's reply

Yep! strange thing.. and very... Fingon's? I think its unexpectedness can be counted as one of those moments when the Valar did not know what Eru had made with their music!

daw the minstrel · 6 March 2005 · Chapter 1: Under the Starlight

So is this Cirdan about Gil-Galad? And he stayed in ME rather than go to Valinor at the end of the First Age? This is touching. I like the idea that even in the midst of these great sweeping battles, what matters is family and love.

Author's reply

I'm so glad my first review in this site comes from you! thanks daw!(bows and blushes) Well, yes it is Cirdan. He's talking about the time some of the Teleri stayed in ME cause they were searching for Elwë. There is a beautiful draft about Cirdan (in HoME 12, I think) in which Tolkien says how Ulmo bade him stay, in spite of Cirdan's desire to see the light of the trees. In exchange, Ulmo granted him visions of things to come, and comitted him to wait in ME until the last ship were to sail west. That's a long time indeed! And I toyed with the idea that love and family were things strange to the Valar but very important for the Elves... Thanks again! . You see, I had to help time pass while waiting for more of your stories!;-)

Reviews (13)