Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 63: Echoes of Judgment
In the neighborhood, was he? Heh!
Author's reply
*Raises eyebrow and looks innocent*
Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil
Reviews (1,161)
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 62: A Familiar Scene
Time to broaden horizons for these, and Sador's the Elf to do it. Just the right combo of humility and authority....
Author's reply
Yes, Sador's humility and authority will go a long way towards educating the good Elves of Tol Eressëa.
Tari · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 28: Judgment Passed
AWWWWWWWWW. What a sweet chapter. There are days when I wished I were youger again. But I don't think I'd like to go all the way back to infancy. I do love those Valar. Tari
Author's reply
Well, he didn't go all the way back to infancy, more like a toddler. *grin*
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 61: Family Ties
A wonderful surprise for the two of them. And in time they will find the rest of their family. Now, to prepare for the hunt.
Author's reply
Hopefully the entire family will be reunited someday, though in what fashion remains to be seen.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 60: Sador on Tol Eressëa
Here, too, the murmurs of Melkor are heard, and more freely, apparently, than in Aman. Time perhaps to prepare to return home and for the Hunt.
Author's reply
The denizens of Tol Eressëa are closer to Middle-earth and the Marring than those of Aman proper and it will be some time before the Peace of the Valar can purge them of the darkness. In the meantime, keeping the darkness contained on the island is probably the wisest course.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 59: Storm Clouds Gathering
Not a wise move--stealing Glorfindel away. Time they learn that! Now, lord and king of Nargothrond, follow in Orome's train until you find him!
Author's reply
Yes, they'll find that stealing Glorfindel away was not a wise move, not when said ellon ia the King of Nargothrond's gwador.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 57: Those Who Guard
So, a version of the given up has come back to him, and the weight of oaths taken and given has been felt. Now to join the true Guardians--ever a difficult but joyous task.
Author's reply
Yes, Finrod has been an Oathkeeper, but now knows what it means to be an Oathgiver and the joy of it. He will indeed be a worthy Guardian of Arda once his training is complete.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 56: Repercussions
With a bit of humor to him and perhaps some humility as well, I suspect he'd do well enough. Right now he's a pain in the patoot, however.
Author's reply
Meneldil does have his good side and he is an excellent Healer, he just needs to relearn compassion. In The Last Messenger I mention that Laurendil and Manwen are now good friends with Meneldil and that all their children studied herbology with him, so obviously over the millennia, he did learn.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 55: Vanda Mapaina
She has a good idea as to what she's done, even if she doesn't yet appreciate all the ramifications.
Author's reply
That's true, and the ramifications will make themselves manifest in time.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 54: Language Lessons
Poor Earnur--having that statement to wonder about for years! Heh! And the others enjoy the laugh. But it is time they get some folk who speak Sindarin and perhaps one or more of the Silvan tongues to serve among them! Rather stupid not to, I'm thinking.
Author's reply
We have to remember that only half a millennium has passed since the War of Wrath and the return of the Exiles to Aman. For people who are essentially immortal, there is little need to move quickly. I think the Valar, especially Irmo and Esté, were hoping that the elves themselves would recognize the need and do what was necessary. Unfortunately, it takes a catalyst, such as Finrod and Laurendil, to make it happen.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 53: Vand' Antaina
A more worthy one he to follow his father when the time comes for such training.
Author's reply
Finrod is indeed worthy.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 52: Nightmare In Broad Daylight
The amygdala at the core of the brain is part of most primitive structures within the brain, the portions that are most in keeping with the brains of other mammals. Olfactory memories are stored there, apparently, particularly our most basic such memories. That during such an emotional hijacking as this (did you realize that hysteria comes from the same root word as does hysterectomy, and is very sexist in origin?) wherein the amygdala is taking over all circuits the smell of human blood would serve to recall the individual to sense only makes sense. So, Findrod, too, has known this kind of problem, has he? Interesting. And Laurelin finds the beginning of his own healing in dealing with a familiar form of delusion.
Author's reply
Well, I'm glad I got it right even though I had no idea about the amygdala. *grin* I think that many of the warriors fighting orcs must've succumbed to this particular form of delusion trying to grapple with the horror of what they were experiencing. And language by it's very nature is sexist, as it has a biological base to it. Can't get away from the biology, no matter how hard we try.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 51: Return to Lórien
Hmm. Now I begin to see how this story and the next, the one I've started reading from the beginning, tie together. Is this Earnur, then, the one seen killed on the strand, and one who is also reborn?
Author's reply
This Eärnur is the one mentioned in The Last Messenger who, in that tale, is presumed to have drowned (his body was never found). Eärnur is a rather common name, especially among the Telerin elves, which is where the confusion lies.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 50: Taken
Ah, opium, eh? They are fools, aren't they? Now, to see what comes of all of this. And I don't think Tulcaneer liked having his arm slashed open. I suspect he takes his name a bit too seriously as well.
Author's reply
Yes, they are fools and that will be their downfall, their foolishness and the arrogance that goes with it.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 49: Plots and Counterplots
Ah, so it does appear that Melkor continues to have listeners even there within the heart of Aman! Didn't expect Ingoldo to be part of it, but I'm not truly surprised, I suppose.
Author's reply
Well, with Ingoldo being married to Tinwetariel, why are you surprised? Those two have a history of causing trouble, something I hope to write about some day.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 48: Echoes of the Past, Storms of the Present
Then who is the target, if Glorfindel is the bait? Sardos? Finrod? Finarfin himself?
Author's reply
As we will learn, the target is those who would disturb the Peace of the Valar. Glorfindel is the lion's goat, though he doesn't know this yet.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 47: The Will of the Valar
Ah, the will of the Valar be done indeed! So, they felt two hundred Maiar needed to be there to protect all of Aman from one Elf run amok? Interesting! But at last we're getting to the root of the problem.
Author's reply
I think Ulmo was just playing it safe. When it comes to Glorfindel it's best to overestimate rather than underestimate. And this isn't just any Elf, this is one who slew a Balrog, one of the Maiar (fallen, yes, but a Maia nonetheless). That's not something any of them are going to take lightly.
Larner · 13 February 2008 · Chapter 46: A Belated Begetting Day
Is Melkor's whisper getting through into Aman, I wonder? Very interesting. And is it indeed the anniversary of his coming back that sets off these episodes, or the anniversary of his death?
Author's reply
Whatever the anniversary... it's triggering something. And Melkor's taint is present throughout Arda. As Tolkien himself states, "All of Arda is Morgoth's Ring". Aman may be less affected by his evil, but it's not completely free of it.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 45: Slipping the Leash
So, it's Finrod he's seeking this time. At least Irmo is there to see to it he's all right.
Author's reply
Yes. Glorfindel has learned that a place is just a place, but 'home' is people you love.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 44: The Spiral Maze
Reminds me of descriptions of mazes I've seen set in Britain, particularly one in Katherine Kurtz's book "Lammas Eve" (I think--don't feel like creeping out to the living room to check, although it's right outside my bedroom door. Heh!)
Author's reply
I love mazes of all kinds so I just had to put them in this story. This particular maze is a nod to the medieval labyrinths that have now become popular in certain Christian circles and to the maze described in Roger Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber series.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 43: Meeting With the Elder King
Now, who is planning what, and where? And now we see that Elvish devious natures have nothing on those of the Valar! Heh!
Author's reply
No, the Elves have nothing on the Valar with regards to being devious. They probably learned deviousness from them anyway. *grin*
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 42: An Appointment in Valmar
Sounds as if he has "first-night jitters." Now, he'll be fine, once he gets started with this interview. Love the description of Manwe and Varda's mansion.
Author's reply
Yes, this is a rather momentuous occasion for Glorfindel, so he's bound to be a little nervous. Glad you liked the description of the mansion.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 41: A Slow Recovery
Is he ready to learn Earendil's mission, and to see him as he's become? Although I think he's far stronger than many realize.
Author's reply
The Valar don't believe so and we will see in Book Two the lengths they went to ensure Glorfindel's ignorance as to Eárendil's fate and the consequences that follow from that decision.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 40: Damage Assessment
Quite a reality to waken to. Restraints! Oh, brother! Some folk need a hit up alongside the head with the rubber hammer of reality!
Author's reply
The healers are clueless about what is really happening to Glorfindel and Ingwë's refusal to allow the Valar to help makes the situation even worse.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 39: Rescue Mission Into the Past
Hmmmm. I'd recognized the moebius strip, of course. I still don't quite understand quite why all fell asleep, though.
Author's reply
Well, the Valar were singing a lullaby and I think they were hoping that there might be some healing for everyone who heard it. Probably worked for most but not for all the elves.