Admittedly I was very pleased to know how Alassiel, Elessairon and the others reacted to the whole matter, not hesitating to let Ingwë know what they thought. And Ingwë is regretting his decision? Good :-D
When Alassiel threated to go to Lórien, I had expected her to tell Finrod what happened, of course, but never in this way! To slap Vorondil was inexcusable, and I think it was only right that she got the same from Finrod. It is good of her to be so concerned about Glorfindel, but this behaviour ... *shakes head*
And I enjoyed the way Míriel told Valandur off. Aldarion’s visit, however, left me with mixed feelings – on the one hand, I am glad Glorfindel now knows that his friends still care for him, but on the other hand Glorfindel was so disturbingly remote. It is a relief to know Martandur is so nice to him and treats him more like a son than a thrall.
Author's reply
There are a lot of emotions flying around the "Glorfindel incident" and people aren't thinking straight. So you get Alassiel acting the way she does, taking her frustration out on Vorondil. Glorfindel, of course, is trying to "brave it out", and is doing so by not reacting, by retreating emotionally. But, of course, when Valandur and then Aldarion show up, their presence shakes his resolve. Maratandur and Míriel are doing their best to help him, treating him as gently as possible.
eiluj
· 4 June 2007
· Chapter 97: Fallout
Yeah, I’d wondered if Ingwë wasn’t at least partly trying to smoke out additional Bad Guys. So Glorfindel gets to be the bait again.
OTOH, I believe I know who Arafinwë wrote and why. Good for him!
I’d been thinking along the lines of Alassiel and Melian, but this wasn’t quite what I had in mind.
An Oops: Vorondil is masquerading as “Valandur” in the middle of the scene with the Sindarin lesson. Just the once, I think.
Misery all around....
Author's reply
Thanks for pointing out the typo. Can't imagine how I missed it. Oh well....
So to whom do you think Arafinwë wrote and why? I'm curious to know your thoughts on the subject.
Anyway, there is indeed misery all around, but as they say, misery does like company....
Nieriel Raina
· 2 June 2007
· Chapter 33: Connecting the Dots
The more I read this, the more I absolutely love the way you write the Valar. The spiritual parallels are astounding. Are you a religious person? I just adore Namo now! *grin*
Thank you for sharing such a great story.
NiRi
Author's reply
Glad you are enjoying the story, especially Námo. He does grow on you, doesn't he? As for being a religious person.... a rather loaded question. I'm a Christian who, like Tolkien, adheres to the Roman Catholic faith, so much of what Tolkien writes (from a Catholic worldview) is part of my faith tradition. It makes it easy to write in the same vein.
Bodkin
· 2 June 2007
· Chapter 96: Mallessë Míretanoron
I like Mistress Miriel! A piece of her mind would be worth having. And Glorfindel is trying to be very grown up about all this, but it's hard. Still, he could do with being mothered a bit, so maybe it will turn out to be a good thing in the long run.
If Miriel was taken aback by having Glorfindel in her house, now she has to deal with Maiar dropping in. And, before she knows where she is, Namo'll be round to tea.
Author's reply
Míriel was a delight to write and to get to know. She is full of surprises and very no-nonsense. She's also not afraid of anyone or anything, as subsequent chapters will show. I'm sure eventually she'll get used to Glorfindel's friends ... er ... dropping by. *grin*
Bodkin
· 2 June 2007
· Chapter 95: Apology and Punishment
Not sure if this is too good an idea! Glorfindel is really still rather too wobbly emotionally to cope with feeling thrust out.
Author's reply
Time will tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Glorfindel may be stronger (emotionally) than most people suspect (or wish).
I am still reading, albeit, slowly. I still love every minute and have snorted in laughter so many times, my nose hurts. This chapter was anythign but funny though. Excellent insight into these characters.
I am curious though. How so you figure elfling ages? I know by 50 they are equivalent to an 18-20 year old, but I thought LACE says they grow the same as humans the first three years, then slow down? How do people figure this stuff out? Is there a chart somewhere?
NiRi
Author's reply
I'm glad you are still loving every minute of the story, even the non-funny parts. As for determining the human equivalent of elfling ages, the ratio is .42. That means, take the elf's age and multiply it by .42 to determine what the human equivalent is. This ratio is derived by dividing 21 into 50; 21 being the agreed-upon "coming of age" for humans. You can do the same in determining the equivalent ages of hobbits by dividing 21/33 and getting a ratio of .64. This is all based on Tolkien saying that elves came of age at when they were then considered adults though they continue to develop and mature for another 50 years.
Tira
· 29 May 2007
· Chapter 96: Mallessë Míretanoron
Having only just found this story, I read the entire thing over the course of the last two days. Me likes, as it is extremely well researched in view of the Valar and the Quenya used.
I especially like how the valar are depicted, both individually and as a whole, especially Namo as he has always, for some odd reason, been my favourite vala.
I am looking forward to seeing how 'the bait' does and how this all ends up, and of course I want to know what exactly these surprise properties Aule placed on Glorfindel's pendant from Ingwe.
Hmm. Rare that an author can grab me so well with an unfinished story, I think this is only the fourth WIP I'm reading in the past three years...
Author's reply
Well, I'm impressed. That's a lot of chapters in two days, but I'm glad you found the story, Tira. Like you, I tend not to read WIPs unless they're by authors with whom I'm familiar and know they will write a good story. Normally, I wait until the work is finished because I never know if they *will* finish it. There are lots of unfinished tales floating around SoA, unfortunately.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to review. Yet another closet Námo-lover comes out into the open. Everyone I know who admits that Námo is their favorite Vala can't really explain why (including me) yet there you are.... and the list keeps growing. *grin*
As soon as Aulë lets me know what he did with that pendant, I'll be sure to tell everyone else. These Valar play very close to their chests and half the time I don't even know what they're up to or when they'll even show up. Sneaky little.... well, we won't go there, will we?
I look forward to hearing your views on the story as it continues (or when it reaches it's end).
eiluj
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 96: Mallessë Míretanoron
Undoing his braids: hm. Yes and no.
I do hope we will have the opportunity to watch Míriel telling Ingwë her feelings!
While he accepted Ingwë’s right to punish him as he had, he still resented the public manner in which his punishment had been meted out -- Indeed!
He would not be able to compete in the New Year’s tournament as well, for he would have no opportunity to practice with either sword or bow during the time of his indenture. -- Lack of (sword) practice hadn’t stopped him from trouncing Aldarion so easily. Admittedly, the next tournament will include well-practiced experts who fought in Middle-earth. Hm -- of course, his “sword-brothers” could always help him out....
And doesn’t he even get the proverbial half-day off per week that English servants were entitled to a century or two ago?
Still the bait. Yeah, I’m worried about that too. [Surely Tulcaner’s got kin and friends in the city....] Plenty of gossip after the trial, and now re. the public apology. On the other hand, through all this, many more people will get to know (or know about) one of the Reborn.
Author's reply
Half-day off per week? For a thrall? You're joking, right? *grin*
Anyway, I'm sure Martandur and Míriel will treat him well enough, more like a son than a slave, knowing those two, especially Míriel. She has a tough interior but I think we see her soft side coming out where Glorfindel is concerned.
As Tulkas pointed out, Glorfindel will always be the bait, whether he knows it or not.
eiluj
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 95: Apology and Punishment
Making Glorfindel explain before the entire court: not good! I think Ingwë will regret this, and probably for more than one reason.
On the other hand, I spose it might make some of the court elves who are neutral about Glorfindel feel sorry for him....
It hadn’t really occurred to me that they’d have connected the missing horse to Glorfindel’s disappearance, and worried when the horse returned sans Glorfindel.
Aulë then imbued the pendant with certain properties that he did not bother to explain to anyone. -- First thought: Another one of Aulë’s little surprises -- well, that will give Glorfindel and Ingwion something else to talk about! Second thought: Maybe Aulë should warn people about these things in advance. Third thought: After this, Aulë probably *will* warn people about these things in advance.... Fourth thought: On the other hand, I’m looking forward to seeing the surprise, whatever it is.
Author's reply
That's a lot of thoughts! *lol* We'll just have to see... You'd think Aulë would have learned his lesson with Ingwion and Námo, but maybe not.
Making Glorfindel explain before the entire court... well, let's just say it might make some people think things through just a bit more and maybe the sympqathy factor will play a major part in people's opinions about Glorfindel and the Reborn in general.
Rhyselle
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 72: Return to Vanyamar
I have to admit that when Glorfindel throws a tantrum, he gives it all he's got! Although I think that some of the anger and frustration and rage is caused by more than just being told he isn't going where he wants to go. Even if Glorfindel hasn't articulated it yet, he must be angry about what happened to him, the fight and the beating and the abandonment on Taniquetil.
Yes, I'm certain that Lord Namo would not want to find Glorfindel back in his Halls! He certainly has warned his Reborn about that enough!
Oh, the transformation and revelation that Yaravinon is Manwe was incredible! But no wonder Glorfindel fainted! He'd ranted and raved at the Elder King, and, too, there was his being on the mountain when he'd been prohibited to do so (although I think that he is taking the prohibition too literally as it was not his choice to go there).
I think that it was wonderful that Manwe would choose to care for Glorfindel in the way he did. I certainly do not think it a demeaning thing nor out of character for a being who loves each of the Eldar for whom he is responsible to Iluvatar.
"Probably had Lady Vairë do the mending," *giggle* Obviously, Glorfindel is feeling a bit more like himself now--his sense of humor peeking through. His reunion with Olorin was wonderful and I liked how the Maia coped with the ellon's wailing statement of how he just doesn't understand what is going on. And again, he's told that he's reading too much into the prohibition.
His return... I can just picture Ingwe running to meet him and embrace him! The High King running through the streets to throw his arms around Glorfindel and rejoice in his safe return. :) Does Glorfindel realize just how many hearts he's touched and crawled into in the time since his rebirth?
The closing scene between Ingwe and Manwe was beautiful. The affection and love and friendship between the two of them just shone through. The exchange of the kiss of peace was the perfect touch.
Author's reply
Glorfindel does nothing by halves! *grin* The anger he is expressing is of course partly due to frustration at being snowbound but mostly it is indeed an expression (not articulated as such by him consciously) of the anger, sense of violation and even fear that his beating has evoked.
Manwë, here, exhibits the ultimate meaning of kingship for me: that of a servant. And what a servant! — putting up with Glorfindel's whining all that time. *lol* But seriously, when he appeared out of the storm to rescue Glorfindel, I wasn't sure who he was either, even when he gave his name, but the moment he said to Glorfindel "I am sure" when Glorfindel expressed doubt that Yáravinyon would know the minds of the Valar, I knew who was standing there and I was just as awed by the transformation as Glorfindel.
Glorfindel's remark about Lady Vairë is a bit juvenile and he knows it, which is why he cringes and feels guilty, expecting parental disapproval to come down on him. I suspect that both Manwë and Vairë found the remark amusing and "typcial Glorfindel".
I don't think Glorfindel at this point has any idea just how far he has crawled into other people's hearts since his re-embodiment, which is really one of his charms. I would like to think that on one level he never fully understands the effect he has and the emotions of love and caring he evokes in others.
Manwë and Ingwë's reconciliation was long in coming, and it took Glorfindel's plight to bring it about, but at least they are now reconciled, which is all that matters. I'm glad that you liked the closing scene and could feel Ingwë's regret and sorrow and Manwë's loving forgiveness and his reciprocal act of atonement. I find it one of the most beautiful scenes in the entire story.
Rhyselle
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 71: Formenos
Sador's falling into Lord Orome's gaze was awesome. What an incredible display of trust. I like how the different Valar are interacting with the individual elves in this tale, taking them into their care the way they do. At first it seemed odd to me as to why Orome would have picked out Sador the way he did--and then I changed my mind. It's not odd at all, for Lord Orome can see deeper into Sador than we can with only our mortal eyes.
Arafinwe's reaction to discovering that they were going to Formenos is so sad. There are so many people who cling to the past in the way that Orome described to Sador and never turn to the future.
So, as I suspected, Sador was released from Mandos far earlier than he would have been... And the Valar have high hopes for him... that is so reassuring--and a touch scary too, until one realizes that the Valar's hopes are only a pale echo of the hopes that Iluvatar has for all of his children.
When they got to the inner chamber and saw the frames that had once held the silmarils I got a real chill. Lots of ghosts from the past here...
Arafinwe's willingness to humble himself before Orome, begging forgiveness was so touching, as was Orome's response. It must feel so good to have a Vala express pride in what one accomplishes, particularly when it is something as difficult as the thing that Arafinwe had to do--to release his anger and pain of his father's abandonment and his half-brother's rebellion against the Valar.
I think that the Eldar are frequently short sighted in their repetitive inability to remember that the Valar aren't just servants of Iluvatar, but also residents of Aman... the breaking of the Sere Valaron by the elves who await trial in Eldamar is a far more serious thing than ordinary folk want to perceive.
I look forward to seeing the trial and how that is handled.
Excellent chapter!
Author's reply
Each of the Reborn seem to have been "adopted" by one of the Valar: Finrod by Irmo, Sador by Oromë, and Glorfindel by everyone else *grin*. There are reasons for this, which will be revealed eventually. Sador must have felt a bit left out with his "brothers" going off and interacting freely with the Valar, so Oromë taking an interest in him must have come both as a surprise and as a delight. Someone actually wants him. His sojourn in Mandos has taught him to trust the Valar (if you can trust Lord Námo, you can trust anyone), so he is quick to obey Oromë in all things even if he doesn't understand what is happening.
Releasing Sador earlier than would have been proper is a risk the Valar were willing to take, though they must have been aware that there could have been adverse effects on the ellon, especially emotionally and spiritually, but Sador has proven to be more than he seems. In different circumstances, I think Sador would have been an excellent leader, much like Finrod or Glorfindel.
Arafinwë, of course, has a lot of emotional baggage. The years and centuries he must have spent after the Rebellion attempting to regain the trust of the Valar and the other elven clans on behalf of the Noldor must have been tortuous and heartbreaking at times. There is more than one kind of Hunt and Arafinwë has to ride the wild hunt against regret, misplaced loyalty and hatred towards his father and half-brother (not to mention any self-hatred he might harbor against himself) that has been allowed to fester all these centuries. Finrod and Laurendil, of course, have 'been there, done that', but Sador's experience has not allowed him to come to such a road yet. That Arafinwë is able to "let go and let Eru" as readily as he does once he is confronted with the ghosts of the past in the shape of three golden frames, is a testament to his own character.
The Amaneldi suffer from "familiaritis": familiarity breeds contempt. As Oromë rightly points out, the Valar were there first. They are, in fact, the "landlords" in the original sense of the word while the elves are their tenants (this word is ultimately from the Latin _tenere_ "to hold" and in this case "to hold in trust"). The Amaneldi want to ignore that relationship, but the Valar will not let them get away with it and so will insist on their "rights" when their laws have been violated.
I look forward to reading your review of the trial.
Ellie
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 96: Mallessë Míretanoron
Loved these two newest chapters. Poor Glorfy as the thrall! He did handle it with much grace until the end there. I'm really sure who I feel more sorry for: the two elves Glorfy has to serve or Ingwe after everyone gets through with him. I really like Miriel. She is a hoot and she's got an attitude. She and her hubby must be a bit horrified at what they have gotten themselves into with Maiar hanging out at their house along with a displaced lord.
I really like the way you described Ingwe's wife as being so earthy and maternal. That's the way a queen should be. I also hope to see something develop between Alassiel (hope I got her name right) and Glorfindel. I think that could be a fine match indeed for both of them. Love your lessons in jewel lore, too.
Keep up the most excellent work!
Author's reply
Hi Ellie. I'm glad you enjoyed these latest chapters. At least you're not jumping down my throat over poor Glorfy, like everyone else! I feel sorry for Martandur and Míriel, too. If anything, they're the ones being punished, having to put up with Glorfy's whining. *lol* From the moment Míriel opened her mouth I just knew she belonged to the EWA (Elves-With-Attitudes àla "The Santa Clause"). I'm sure that like many of the Amaneldi, the Maiar are there in the background, but having one show up in your kitchen (never mind three!) is not something you expect or even want.
I'm glad you like Elindis as well. She's very shy and I had to coax her out, but Ingwë and their family obviously love her for her shyness and her earthiness. She makes a good counterpart for Ingwë who often has to maintain a certain distance and "unearthiness" as High King of Eldamar.
As for anything between Alassiel and Glorfindel... only time will tell, but I think they're a good match, too.
Rhyselle
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 70: Hunter and Hunted
I like how this chapter is from Sador's POV. He has become a favorite of mine (as I'm sure I've said before!) and seeing the event through the eyes of one who had never before taken part in one of Orome's hunts lets us experience it as if we were the first timers.
Sador cannot help losing his innocence, but it was good to see how Orome protected as much of it as possible. That is the price we pay for experience though; the price for the knowledge of Good and Evil. One who is totally innocent may not be able to adequately fight Evil, though, because one needs to recognize it in order to fight it. But one who has lost all of their innocence has also lost a potential weapon against Evil as well. The middle way, which seems to be the path that Sador is being directed upon by Orome, gives him enough knowledge to recognize the feel of the blood lust, but, because of Orome's song, not so much that he is entirely overtaken by it and he retains much of the innocence that is his primal state. The grievous thing about this is the fact that it is necessary at all for anyone to have to take on the knowledge of Evil's existence and its workings in order to wage war against it; to work to ultimately eliminate it from Arda.
The bit during the rest period where Arafinwe confessed to Orome that he did not know what to do about the rebels and that he was tempted to ask Finrod about it really touched me. I liked how Finrod was so gentle with his father, and I loved how Arafinwe really seemed to recognize that his son truly had been (and still was) a king in his own right. It was a very short scene but I can see the implications for the future and for the changes in the relationship between Arafinwe and his Reborn son--changes that I think will be for the better for both of them.
I liked how Sador showed his youth in his pouting about having to be nursemaided by Laurendil. Finrod had a good point about Sador's inexperience, and like all children who are reminded that they don't know everything, it's a hard thing to take when you are young. But it's good that he aquiesced and didn't make a scene about it... so he was starting to show some of his own developing maturity there after the initial bit of resentment.
Poor Vorondil is so nervous even before the Hunt arrived! His conscience must be working on him; he knows what he did was wrong, but doesn't want to admit it. And then to have Ingwion and Finrod both coming down on him.... oooh! No wonder he panicked and ran. I thought it appropriate that it would be Sador, who had been deemed unimportant, to be the one to actually capture him and bring him back.
Oh, I truly want to know just what is in the background between Ingwion and Ingoldo that has the latter so afraid of the former.
Finrod cutting off the so-called warrior braids from Vorondil is one of those scenes that would be extremely powerful if this were in a film, as would be the way that Ingwion pulled the ring free. In some ways I'm glad that Vorondil is still underage because if he'd been fully accountable as an adult, I shudder to think of what the final consequences of his actions will be. They are going to be bad enough anyway, I'm sure. Why am I not surprised that it was Laurendil who suggested beating the answer of how Vorondil got Glorfindel's ring from the ellon? *wry grin* He's learning to be a healer but the warrior is still inside of him, obviously!
Vorondil's reaction to Orome's gaze was sad... because he should never have been in such a position to have to face the wrath of the Vala this way in the first place. At first when Orome grabbed Vorondil, I think I missed the significance of the comment about him being lucky if he would not be facing the judgment of the Valar in the Mahanaxar... but re-reading it--is this foreshadowing of what is to come? Upon consideration, having to live out his immortal life with the horrible knowledge of what he's done could be considered a worse punishment than dying and facing the gift of judgment. We'll see.
That blood ritual both chilled and fascinated me. Was this based, even loosely, upon some real life ritual you've read about? Or was it one of those things that showed up in your head and insisted be written? In any case, I found it to be as powerful as the Warrior Initiation that Sador experienced in Eldamar.
While I don't have much sympathy for Ingoldo and the soldiers, I still find that I feel pity for Vorondil. He did a seriously wrong thing that he knew he should not do, but I still think that had he not been pushed the way he was by Ingoldo and Tinwetariel, his resentments would not have necessarily turned into the actions that they did.
That last image of Orome dancing beneath the stars stuck with me... very beautiful.
Author's reply
For all that Sador is younger than Vorondil emotionally because of his recent re-embodiment, Sador is still chronologically an adult, while Vorondil is still technically an elfling and will be one for another five-six years. Vorondil exhibits the characteristics of an older teen — brash but insecure, trying to be "grown up" but often failing miserably at it. Sador, of course, has his memories of his first life on which to draw and can therefore slip into the role of an adult at need. We see this here when he does not carry on when Finrod tells him to stick close to Laurendil. He doesn't like it, but he accepts it. Vorondil would never have accepted such a thing.
The effects of the Hunt on Sador's innocence is, as we see, quite terrible, but innocence lost has always been so. Yet, no one can grow spiritually if they remain in a state of spiritual infanthood. Growth demands change and loss, whether physical or spiritual, and Sador is experiencing this. Oromë's handling of it, though, is gentle and loving so Sador does not suffer unduly from the effects of the bloodlust.
As for the story between Ingwion and Ingoldo... well, Ingwë refuses to discuss his brother with anyone. Ingoldo won't talk, period. And Ingwion is too busy playing "The Apprentice" to bother. *Sigh* Maybe some day I'll get the story out of one of them.
The scene between Arafinwë and FInrod I think is very poignant. It's hard enough for most parents to accept their adult children on their own terms without the added burden of not even knowing what those terms are. Arafinwë never saw Finrod in his role as King of Nargothrond or as a respected war-leader of the Noldor who was also accepted by the Sindar. His memories of Finrod are centuries out of date and then the new Finrod with his elfling-like demeanor must have thrown him for a loop. It has only been recently, with the trial, especially, that Arafinwë is seeing the Finrod that Laurendil, for instance, remembers.
The blooding ritual is adapted from an informal English fox hunting initiation ceremony in which the face of a novice is smeared with the blood of the first fox that person has seen killed. If, as Oromë pointed out, this had been a normal Hunt, the quarry would have been a fell creature of Morgoth and it would have been its blood that Oromë would have smeared on Sador's face. But this is not an ordinary hunt and the "quarry" has been elves, Vorondil especially, so it is Vorondil's blood that he smears on Sador and for the reasons given by the Vala. Sador is now no longer a novice in the Hunt for Evil, however it is manifested.
Oromë dancing under the stars is an image that to me is both beautiful and haunting, for one wonders what music he hears as he dances. For me, Oromë dancing is an act of cleansing after the earlier darker events. It is as if Oromë, in dancing, is purifying the darkness that has been tainted by evil in the shape of elves bent on destroying the Sérë Valaron. This is one scene that I think would also be extremely powerful if it were in a film or simply if it were painted. A Vala (any Vala) dancing must be a wondrous sight to behold.
Elflingimp
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 96: Mallessë Míretanoron
I know I don"t review this story very often but I love it all the same and let me tell you I am in line with the rest! I felt so bad for Glorfindle gosh what a complete jerk Ingwe was to him!
Author's reply
Well, you'll have to take a number! *lol* I'm sure Ingwë is beginning to regret a lot of things where Glorfindel is concerned.
MithLuin
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 95: Apology and Punishment
I liked your introduction of Ingwë's wife. My first reaction was "who's she?" so I thought it appropriate that she was mentioned to be a bit on the shy, quiet side. And it was a very nice image of her visiting in the gardens! You are portraying very formal courts, so it is nice to see someone high-ranking being so down-to-earth and approachable (not that the others aren't, but she seems to be particularly so).
Also nice to see the woman win the sword competition. It is almost cliché to let women excel with a bow, so I thought that was a nice touch. And it makes sense among elves, where the men and women have such similar builds (imagining a tiny woman besting a brawny guy with a sword *is* kinda silly, after all!)
Author's reply
I'm glad you like Elindis. It suddenly occurred to me that unless the elleth went to Mandos, she had to be hanging around the palace somwewhere so it would be nice to introduce her. Her shyness keeps her in the background much of the time but she is well-loved by all and very approachable. She makes a good foil for Ingwë, where he many times has to maintain a certain royal distance, she can be more down-to-earth and approachable for their subjects.
I almost fell into the stereotypical gender trap but at the last minute thought it would be fun to switch the roles around a bit, thus letting an elleth win the sword competition instead of an ellon. Of course, if Ingwë had let Glorfindel compete....
MithLuin
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 96: Mallessë Míretanoron
Interesting...very interesting. I wonder just *why* Ingwë is so angry? I imagine he was much more scared then he was willing to admit when Glorfindel disappeared, and when he found out he 'just' left, and no one took him, he must have felt a joke had been played on him? Or something like that.... And it is true that you can't just steal a horse whenever you want to go somewhere.
Public humiliation may be good for making him 'bait,' but it isn't going to be good for his relationship with Ingwë. It is hard to take such punishment magnanimously, and they were doing so well before. And I notice he isn't wearing his special Aulë-made necklace....
I feel most sorry for his masters, though. It is like having a TV crew show up at your house because you have a celebrity guest - three Maiar in the kitchen!
Author's reply
Your analysis of Ingwë's state of mind over Glorfindel's disappearance is very near the truth. I'm not a parent, but when I was in Haerbin on holiday with the other English teacher, Blair, who is half my age, I had an inkling of what my parents went through with five boys. Blair decided to "stay out" for a while the first night we were there and check out some of the beer tents that were beginning to spring up now that winter was over. I went back to the hotel figuring he'll return around midnight or so. He finally showed up at 7:30 am! I spent the night more or less lying awake wondering if I was going to be spending my holiday checking out hospitals and morgues instead of museums and Buddhist temples. I could have killed him when he finally showed up.
How Glorfindel and Ingwë deal with their relationship from this point on will of course be grist for the writer's mill and we will see what effects this has on Glorfindel himself and how he relates to others.
Martandur and Míriel are both at a loss as to how they should handle this and having three Maiar show up in their kitchen definitely doesn't help the situation. *grin*
Kitty
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 96: Mallessë Míretanoron
Tomorrow is soon enough to continue with this charade of you being our thrall. Whatever was the High King thinking? I expected better from him than to humiliate someone in this fashion over a horse." *applauds* Well said, Míriel!!! And I would *dearly* love to witness her giving Ingwë a piece of her mind, too! I am glad to know this couple is nice to Glorfindel, at least.
There may be some who will see Glorfindel’s fall from grace as a license to take advantage of the situation and do the ellon an injury. Exactly my worry. I have to admit, I am glad to know Námo is feeling similar to me. Honestly, even if Ingwë and the others were worried and Glorfindel should have told him that he was leaving, and even if he is in the care of the High King at the moment – Glorfindel is no ten year old elfling who can’t be allowed to leave on his own. In my opinion Ingwë’s punishment is going too far. I’m sure it is true he doesn’t understand how much of Glorfindel’s behaviour is completely normal for a Reborn and not truly Glorfindel’s fault.
And if Ingwë keeps Glorfindel from the tournament at New Year, I have to join the line, right behind Manwë, Námo and Míriel! But wait ... I think I will join anyway. And somehow I suppose Arafinwë, Finrod, Sador and Ingwion will have something to say about that, too.
Author's reply
Feel free to get in line. I'm sure everyone else will, too. *grin* Martandur and Míriel are in an unenviable position that has been forced on them for reasons they cannot fully comprehend or appreciate, but they're doing their best to make the best of the situation, so they are very sympathetic towards Glorfindel.
Fiondil, you are priceless!! I don't know what you're up to, but I'm enjoying every minute of it...can't wait to see Ingwë's reaction when everybody gets through with him!
Literally laughing out loud,
BC
Author's reply
Thanks Cat. I appreciate the compliment. I suspect that many readers are going to be less than thrill at what has happened to Glorfindel, so I'm happy you find the situation amusing. We'll see the fallout on all of this in the next couple of chapters with, I think, some surprising twists.
Kitty
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 95: Apology and Punishment
You know, I was okay with not allowing Glorfindel to take part in the tournament as a punishment, but to force him to talk about all this so publicly and then to sent him with Martandur as a thrall ... I am not sure that was Ingwë’s best idea. Particularly considering Glorfindel’s current state of mind *sigh*
And I fear it will be even more fuel for all these who despise him anyway.
Author's reply
Ingwë is reacting rather than acting in this instance. The real terror he must have felt thinking something terrible had happened to Glorfindel when he disappeared followed by the utter relief when said ellon showed up unharmed has taken an emotional toll on the High King. Making Glorfindel make a public statement, I think, is an acknowledgement on Ingwë's part that others were equally concerned and deserved an explanation as much as the High King does. As for the ramifications of all this....
Calenlass
· 28 May 2007
· Chapter 96: Mallessë Míretanoron
Glorfindel as a thrall--that was a bit of a shock. At least he's able to serve someone who is nice, so it seems. But poor Glorfindel didn't take it very well...
Seeing him as a thrall would be most interesting...
Author's reply
"Seeing him as a thrall would be most interesting..."
As well as the ultimate reason behind Ingwë's decision.
Bodkin
· 23 May 2007
· Chapter 94: Vanda Envinyanta
The 'one person at a time' advice was superb! (Although at that pace, it might take a while. Although it would be a geometric progression, I suppose.) But Glorfindel's still a bit of an emotional wreck at times - as if all those adolescent hormone surges are going through him at once. And he's dealing with post-traumatic stress at the same time.
Author's reply
You start with one person and that person goes to another person and that person... eventually you get to everyone. Glorfindel isn't totally in control of his emotions yet. It's possible that Námo had the right of it and that he wasn't ready to face judgment as soon as he did. That may have contributed to his erratic behavior. Neither Finrod nor Sador seem to be as affected as Glorfindel is.
Bodkin
· 23 May 2007
· Chapter 93: Lessons
Looking at Glorfindel from a different angle - what do they see? Someone who is, really, remarkably impressive!
I am still greatly enjoying this story. The descriptions of the Valar and Glorfindel are just greatly amusing, yet sobering. Glorfindel has long been my favorite character, and this story is just reemphasizing that to me.
One thing I must complain about however is the note referring to white horses being called grey. I've worked with horses all my life, and there is a distinct difference between a white horse and a grey one. Maybe I'm being overly picky, if so, forgive me. True white horses are called white, not grey. A grey has some black or other color hairs mixed in its coat. Grey horses turn lighter and lighter every year, eventually becoming white or almost white by the time they reach 20. Grey horses are born a dark color and once they shed their foal-coat they start having more and more white hairs mixed in with the dark until they appear grey, or eventually white. A true white horse has no other color hairs mixed in with it, but is pure white. White horses are born solid white and stay white. So if your Asfaloth is a true white horse, he would not be called a grey. I've always thought elven horses were pure white. Tolkien calls the Asfaloth in FotR a white horse. *grin*
I do love your description of Asfaloth in this chapter.
NiRi
Author's reply
Thanks for your review. I'm glad you're still enjoying the story. Tolkien refers to Shadowfax as a grey and according to my sources the term is used to indicate a white horse. But you're probably right. I don't think it really matters if Asfaloth is pure white or not. The horse Glorfindel rides in LOTR is described as white but not necessarily pure white and no, not all elven horses are pure white, at least I wouldn't think so. Rather boring if EVERY elf had a pure white horse to ride. *grin*
eiluj
· 22 May 2007
· Chapter 93: Lessons
Good idea to prepare for the Mahtalë Mahtalion (and hopefully enthusiasm won’t wane as several ages pass). Were his elders *deliberately* avoiding telling Glorfindel that the Aman elves have been sparring (i.e., were Arafinwë & co. planning to wait until Glorfindel’d matured a bit more and was calmer, before encouraging him to play with sharp objects), or was it simply a case of your keeping the story manageable, to postpone the issue until now?
I loved Valandur sending the guard to summon Ingwë. Because after all, just about anything might happen, and it’s even odds whether Ingwë wants to be there to *see* it, or needs to be there to *stop* it -- or both.
“Perhaps Finrod can come and play with me sometime, or even Ingwion." -- Is anyone going to warn Ingwion of the treat in store for him? On the other hand, I suppose it won’t be long after Ingwion’s return that someone tells him about Glorfindel’s little demo with Aldarion....
So with his vision of shooting at orcs and wargs, Glorfindel nowhas some intimation that he *will* return to Endorë.
Some few elves in the galleries were heard to snicker. Ingwë frowned and whispered something to Valandur, who nodded before getting up and leaving. -- Is Valandur telling the snickerers to shut up, or is something else going on? Have I missed the obvious for the umpteenth time, or is this part of something we’ll see in a future chapter?
Author's reply
With regards to Glorfindel and sharp objects: his elders were indeed waiting until he was a bit more mature before letting him know about the training. After all he was living in Tirion for some time and Arafinwë never told him. Ingwë actually has decreed that no elf under the age of 75 would be allowed to train in sword fighting. He wants them to be a bit more mature than "just come of age" and let's face it, Glorfindel is still quite "young" emotionally. Even he recognizes it, which is why he "gives up his sword" to Lord Námo.
As for the snickering elves: I think Valandur was sent to see who was doing the snickering so that Ingwë could later have a... er.... little chat with them. *snicker*
Kitty
· 22 May 2007
· Chapter 94: Vanda Envinyanta
The beginning of Glorfindel’s and Aldarion’s first lesson together was so much fun! Odd way to damp someones excitement. And smiling upside down *snicker*
For most Amaneldi these little glimpses of Glorfindel’s former life and the fall of Gondolin have to be rather disturbing, I suppose. But maybe it helps them in the end truly to understand better that the rebels weren’t punished only by exile, but by centuries of fighting against Morgoth and his creatures, which in itself is worse than any punishment in Aman I could imagine.
Hmmm ... this tournament could easily become another occasion for the elves from Endorë to prove to the Amaneldi snobs that they’re not better in everything, as I suppose there are many experienced warriors like Laurendil who could easily best most Amaneldi. Maybe it earns them a bit of respect. If that is one of the reasons why Ingwë did it, it is a great idea, and I hope the Tol Eressëans do take the opportunity.
It was rather unexpected that Glorfindel felt the need to renew his oath. Was it to be sure it is still binding, even if he should know not even his death has changed anything? Well, maybe it was a consolation to know Eönwë himself recorded it and that his former oaths are recorded, too.
Now I look forward to the tournament!
Author's reply
I am sure that the Tol Eressëans will welcome the idea of a New Years tournament with glee and are already preparing for it. I'm equally sure that Ingwë has more than one agenda going with regards to the tournament. He is one very complex elf, as I'm beginning to find out and as I hope the readers are beginning to find out as well.
Glorfindel is very conflicted in his relatonship with Turgon, thus the need he feels to renew the oath. Eönwë's presence I think helped him to come to terms with all that to a greater degree than he had been feeling before.