Reviews (17)

singing-sorrowless · 20 April 2026 · Chapter 3: The Siege Of Time

This is so sad and so beautiful! I'll add it to my very short list of fanworks that make me feel sympathetic for Maeglin. I also love how conflicted Aredhel is about Eol--I tend to think of her as being more of a prisoner than anything else in Nan Elmoth, but this more nuanced look at their relationship is almost more tragic.

Lainey · 29 January 2009 · Chapter 3: The Siege Of Time

Nice work! Maeglin and Aredhel are two of my favorite characters and I often feel there is not enough fanfiction centered around them. Thanks for writing!

elliska · 19 December 2005 · Chapter 3: The Siege Of Time

Catching up again... First let me say that I am really sorry this story is over and I hope you write more Eol and Maeglin again. I really think you did a great job showing Eol as a character who was messed up but just didn't see that in himself and showing the child's transformation from Lómion to Maeglin. I particularly like in this last chapter when Aredhel calls him Maeglin and Eol calls him Lómion while trying to comfort him. That was very powerful. Great story!

Bodkin · 17 December 2005 · Chapter 3: The Siege Of Time

Poor Maeglin. Although he should realise that if his mother is to keep the peace for him, she will have to accept Eol's name. And, in her heart, he will always be Lomion. This is not a happy household. It's no wonder Maeglin turned out the way he did.

daw the minstrel · 15 December 2005 · Chapter 3: The Siege Of Time

Sometimes I feel very sad for children. You see them when they're little, and they're all vulnerable and hopeful and eager for life. And so many of them get just beaten down by life. Every twisted adult you see was once like that.

perelleth · 15 December 2005 · Chapter 3: The Siege Of Time

Now! you got me going back to see how exactly Aredhel addressed her son in his father's presence, you clever FP :-) This is a disturbing subject in general terms, yet the thing around the naming is an intersting event in Maeglin's turbulent life. I must confess that I never understood Eöl, either, and that sentence saying that "It was never told that Aredhel wasn't happy..." in the Silm always made me wonder. Kind of dwarvish elf, if there ever was one! Anyway it was very interesting to read about this strange family! I hope you find time and inspiration to keep elaborating on them!

Nilmandra · 15 December 2005 · Chapter 3: The Siege Of Time

Poor Maeglin.... he is torn between these two people who fight over him in ways far more subtle than two gulls fighting over a fish. He went from having an indefnite identity to two identities and now only one... and what a shock to him. Very sad.

perelleth · 14 December 2005 · Chapter 2: Bitter Be The Day

So behind in my reading...as in the rest of things! sorry. This is a sad story, I fear. I'm curious to see how Maeglin develops his love for the forge and his own name, for the fact that he was known by that name till his end may suggest that he learnt to love it, doesn´t it? Strange elf, this Eöl. You´re managing to give sense to that sentence int he SIlm when it says that Maeglin was kind of dark fruit of the kinslaying... interesting subject, Fp, and the boy´s pov is very engaging!

elliska · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 2: Bitter Be The Day

Sadly, given what we know of Eol from the Silmarillion, I think you have his character absolutely perfect here. I can so see him flinging out the name and not giving it another thought because it is his to give; I can so see him saying to his wife 'you will return'; I can so see him dealing with Maeglin in the forge that way and then giving him a coin--something to possess. Poor Maeglin--you can really see parts of his canon personality developing here too. This is really powerful stuff, FP. I really like this one a lot!

Bodkin · 9 December 2005 · Chapter 2: Bitter Be The Day

Poor child. Between the devil and the deep blue sea. It's no wonder he turned out less than he could have been.

Nilmandra · 8 December 2005 · Chapter 2: Bitter Be The Day

You know, on the one hand, one can say that Eol was not entirely unkind, that he had some respect for his son's skills and aptitude. He seemed to be a decent teacher. Yet, in that time spent together, he completely shattered the trust between child and mother by telling him that Aredhel had left him, and that she had done it before. The work seems hard for a child of 10 too... and the fact that he was too tired to play in the forest and he was sore proves this. The childhood of the Eldar is supposed to wonderful and carefree, but we see a child who sees his worth in what he does, not in who he is. Its a very sad childhood you're establishing for Maeglin.

daw the minstrel · 8 December 2005 · Chapter 2: Bitter Be The Day

I knew this would be sad. So what are you thinking is the trouble here? Eol seems to love his son in a rather selfish way. Actually I think that might describe Aredhel too. She does leave, after all. Reminds me in a way of that old movie "Kramer vs. Kramer." The mother (Meryl Streep, I think) is being smothered in her marriage and leaves her husband (Dustin Hoffman) and a little kid. The father turns into super dad. Not exactly Eol, I guess.

perelleth · 4 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Twilight's Son

I´m terribly late in reviewing this, but it was a nice surpirse, first to see that you´re back at it that soon, and second, because of the subject, which shall, no doubt, be dark and interesting at the same time. I do not have my Silm here, so I don´t remember if Tolkien gives an indication of precisely the kind of incident that earned MAeglin his father´s name, yet it doesn´t matter. It was perfectly chosen and described, and you manage to give Eöl a solidity as an individual that I had never before considered. Looking forward for more... at my own pace! :-)

daw the minstrel · 1 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Twilight's Son

This will be sad and I can hardly stand thinking about it. Children are all so hopeful and trusting and the world twists some of them out of all recognition. It just isn't fair!

elliska · 1 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Twilight's Son

This is wonderful. First of all, I love Eol. And you worked so much into this chapter. So quickly, this family is so richly characterized. I loved the opening sequence with the firefly and Maeglin later saying 'no being likes a cage' in front of Eol. And the mention of Idril. And Maeglin first getting his name (not mention the reason for the meaning of it). I loved that. And Maeglin's reactions to everything from the food to his mother's name for him to the activities he shares with his parents--so well done. This was a really great opening chapter and I am so looking forward to seeing where you will go with this. These characters are fascinating and you have already made them more so.

Nilmandra · 1 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Twilight's Son

You know, Eol is one of the most strange characters of The Silmarillion. He takes Aredhel by some strange enchantment, though perhaps she is not entirely unwilling, and then has a son he doesn't name for 10 years. It is no wonder Maeglin grows up so strange... and becomes what he becomes. Will you be taking through his life? I like this look at him still innocent and sweet.

Bodkin · 1 December 2005 · Chapter 1: Twilight's Son

So Eol has only just got round to calling his treasured son by any name? That's going to do a lot for his self-esteem! They seem to have a very small household - it's just as well Aredhel has been properly brought up and knows how to make bread, and complete the mending. I'm not surprised she seems a bit snarky. After all 'she was not unwilling' is a whole different ballgame to 'she couldn't keep her hands off him'. It's hardly surprising much of her teaching is rooted in Valinor - however much it irritates Eol - because that's what she knows, loves and misses. If he wants to teach his son other things, Eol needs to involve himself. Not a happy household. Not miserable, but not happy. Caged. Need to be free.