Bodkin
· 12 February 2007
· Chapter 37: An Ancient Lullaby
Glorfindel is better able to realise Lirulin's state than most - but his recognition (and the lullaby) led to a mighty unusual outcome! After centuries of sedate life, the presence of the Reborn is certainly stirring old memories and new problems.
I'm glad Alassiel and Glorfindel have - er - overcome their initial distrust of each other.
Author's reply
I have written about that lullaby in almost every story featuring Námo but I didn't know unti I came to this chapter what its origins were. And yes, the presence of the Reborn is making a certain impact on the lives of the Amaneldi which can only be for the good, IMHO.
vampfan30
· 11 February 2007
· Chapter 39: Rescue Mission Into the Past
the places this story goes - I have trouble keeping up sometimes!It just keeps getting better & better.....I often find it hard to review due to the lack of words.....
Author's reply
Well, if it makes you feel any better, I have trouble keeping up sometimes myself! LOL.
Glad you are enjoying the story so much.
Ellie
· 10 February 2007
· Chapter 39: Rescue Mission Into the Past
I pity poor Glorfindel. Even when he tries his very best to obey and be good, things seem to happen to him. I hope he has found some missing healing now by seeing and realising that Gondolin is no longer home or at least not a home he can return to any more. Maybe he will settle more in the present in Valinor now.
I thought it was terribly funny that the maiar surrounded him with drawn weapons to keep him under control. Feisty little bugger, isn't he?
Can't wait for another update!
Author's reply
Most of us, I think, cling to images of the Past that we hate to give up, little realizing, or just refusing to realize, that the Past is Dead and is no longer a good place for the Living. We can learn from the Past, we can treasure its memories, but we can never live there again. Glorfindel has discovered that here and will hopefully, as you say, settle more in the present in Valinor now.
And the Maiar (and Námo) weren't taking any chances. They respect Glorfindel too much to take him for granted.
Ellie
· 10 February 2007
· Chapter 38: Ingwë Alone
Okay, now that is really really creepy that the entire city is in slumber. No wonder Ingwe was freaked out!
I think it is cool that Ingwe went back to Cuiviénen to find his peace. I also find it interesting that he seems to consider that a safe place and "home". He is such an amazing elf! Truly he is worthy of being the high king of all of the elves and it makes the Valar all the more awesome by comparison when we see the greatest of the elves curled up like a child in the arms of the Valar.
BTW, 2 things: First of all, you have far more readers for this tale than actually leave you reviews because I keep hearing about this story as suggested reading from lots of unexpected sources. Second, has anyone nominated this story for some kind of award yet or is it too soon for the awards thing? I think it deserves one!
Author's reply
Yes, the Valar, especially the Elder King, are truly awesome by comparison to anything (Eru excepted). And we all, I think, consider the place of our beginnings as safe and 'home'. For Ingwë, who was not 'born' in the same fashion as the rest of us, that can't be the womb but the place of his Awakening in Arda.
I'm gratified that you are hearing about this story as suggested reading from different sources, though I would like to know what you mean by 'unexpected' *grin*. And, no, to the best of my knowledge no one's nominated the story for any kind of award. I have no idea what the process is anyway. If you want to nominate it yourself....
Ellie
· 10 February 2007
· Chapter 37: An Ancient Lullaby
How profoundly beautiful concerning the lullaby! And how amazing that everyone was put to sleep. With sleep often comes healing...
This is such a great story!
I really like Ingwe and his family (most of them anyway). You do them justice!
Author's reply
I have used the motif of the "ancient lullaby" in all my stories with Námo without ever realizing, until I came to write this chapter, what it's source was and just how ancient it really is. Glad you like Ingwë and his family (or at least the ones that count *grin*).
hanci
· 8 February 2007
· Chapter 36: A Lesson In Forgiveness
Alassiel's life will get interesting, with Glorfindel and her anamillë.
I like her "volunteering" by being "the only one stupid enough".
Námo begging for forgivness, that had to be a shock for both. And as it was not only theirs forgivness he needed, he had had to be pretty sure of himself - or really exasperated.
Judging by his comment about Aulë, you can see why he likes Glorfindel.
By the way, what did that balrog do when his opponent turned and just walked away? I know that the fighting probably continued, but I got this image of a frozen still balrog, shocked by being ignored... I guess I'm tired.
Author's reply
Nämo knew that what he did to Glorfindel and Alassiel stretched the envelope a bit further than Eru would have liked, so his begging for forgiveness was a necessary part of his own "punishment", but it still must have been a shock even for him to have to humble himself in that fashion.
As for the balrog: since that whole sequence was a dream, and apparently a shared dream between Glorfindel and Alassiel, then it didn't matter. Once Glorfindel turned away from the fighting the dream automatically changed to something else and the balrog, who wasn't real except within the dream, would have faded into nothingness.
hanci
· 8 February 2007
· Chapter 35: Post Mortem
I love Findis (not only) for the embroidery comment! It was so incongruous with everything else, wonderful way to cut off the discussion.
I'm glad you don't stick to one point of view, because this family debate was too interesting to miss it.
Ingwion was really nicely volunteered by his father. It will be interesting to get to know him, if Ingoldo and Tinwetariel fear him.
Author's reply
Glad you liked the "family debate". It was really too fun not to write and Findis' comment about Glorfindel's embroidery was just too funny. While the main focus of the story is, of course, our intrepid Balrog-slayer, looking at other's POVs especially their reaction to Glorfindel just makes for a more interesting story IMHO. In fact, there are several chapters coming up where Glorfindel does not feature at all (and there's a reason for this but I won't spoil it for you).
hanci
· 8 February 2007
· Chapter 34: A Lesson In Manners
Those elves have a strange view of pleasant conversation before dinner.
(Always someone reacts to hearing of Eärendil and no one tells... It will be interesting when Glorfindel finally knows - after many, many chapters of the story, of course.)
Námo being Glorfindel's mother - well, he behaves like a parent, teaching, scolding, helping... He doesn't have much of a free time, does he? :o)
His lessons are really harsh, guess it goes with his occupation.
Author's reply
Glorfindel is something of a novelty to the Vanyar, hence their curiosity and their questions. And Námo's lessons are only as harsh as they need to be, but that's no real comfort to those on the business end of them *grin*.
Bodkin
· 8 February 2007
· Chapter 36: A Lesson In Forgiveness
Poor Lirulin! Someone needs to do something about her - and quickly - or she won't be there to greet her husband as he returns.
And we have an understanding between Alassiel and Glorfindel ... but I don't think Manwe was very pleased with Namo! The end, apparently, doesn't justify the means.
Author's reply
No, the end never does justify the means, but Námo was willing to risk Manwë's (and Eru's) displeasure to teach those two difficult children some well deserved lessons. I think, though, that he was secure enough in knowing that Eru loved him to risk it and his "punishment" was to humble himself before both Alassiel and Glorfindel, not something that could have been easy for the Doomsman of Arda.
Bodkin
· 8 February 2007
· Chapter 35: Post Mortem
Isn't it typical! Those who weren't there know best what happened and who was to blame for it. Ingoldo and Tinwetariel are nastily narrow and prejudiced - if Namo wants to sharpen his nails on anyone ...
Ingwion has a much better grasp of reality!
But Not after the last time??? And what would make Ingoldo blanch and Tinwetariel gasp in dismay They are both more than a little arrogant.
Author's reply
Ah, I actualy have no idea what Ingwë is talking about. I'm curious to know why Ingoldo fears Ingwion, even if he doesn't fear his own brother. Maybe we'll all find out eventually. I have a feeling though that "last time" may have something to do with the Darkening. Perhaps Ingoldo attempted a coup in the ensuing confusion after the Two Trees were destroyed. I'm sure more was going on than just the Noldor rebelling. I've often wondered why Ingwë as High King was apparently so clueless about it all. Maybe he was too busy hanging on to his own crown to worry about anything else at the time. Now that would be an interesting story to write, wouldn't it?
Bodkin
· 8 February 2007
· Chapter 34: A Lesson In Manners
Alassiel is very ... intrepid? defiant? impetuous? attracted to danger? Declaring that Glorfindel had made his story up was not the wisest thing she could have done - but it certainly showed the onlookers something quite unexpected.
She and Glorfindel are rude enough to each other that they seem designed to be friends! And he was brave enough to kiss her - which might have seemed even worse to him, in a way, than retrieving his memories of pain.
Ingwe must wonder what he's let himself in for with Glorfindel's - er - stirring presence.
Author's reply
Yes, I think people who have such strong negative reactions to one another end up (usually) becoming fast friends. And Alassiel has guts if nothing else. Glorfindel is probably the most exciting thing to hit Vanyamar in ages *LOL*. I'm sure Ingwë finds him absolutely refreshing.
hanci
· 5 February 2007
· Chapter 33: Connecting the Dots
It's a bit disconcerting having the Valar, especially Námo, popping on you now and then. A disadvantage of living in Valinor - or advantage? And Glorfindel will have to deal with his memories... It's a good thing he is with Ingwë. How do you do it that every character that appears is just so... real?
Turgon not letting his people turn back, yes, I can see him doing just that. It somehow fits with his refusing to leave Gondolin.
Will climbing Taniquetil somehow start the events leading to Glorfindel's return? I hope he won't rush, there's so much waiting to happen here.
Author's reply
I'm glad you think my characters are so real, that's a great compliment for any author to receive. I don't know how I do it, but each character, whether canon or OC, just seemes to take on a life of their own and all I do is record it. It's even more difficult to make real a canon character who is barely sketched by Tolkien in his writings, yet you have to work within that sketch. Ingwë is just such a character and it was difficult at first to "see" him properly. Now, however, he is as real for me as Glorfindel or Námo.
Climbing Taniquetil does have something to do with Glorfindel's return to Middle-earth, but Manwë knows that he is not ready for that yet, hence the prohibition.
hanci
· 5 February 2007
· Chapter 32: In the High King's Garden
It seems the stay in Vanyamar won't be boring a bit. I really hope there won't be need for more correspondence... but who knows.
Ingwë's description of the Valar is really... original. Suppose it comes from living so long so close.
Author's reply
With Glorfindel, nothing remains boring for long. LOL. And Ingwë's description of the Valar is borne from having dealt with them close at hand for thousand of years. I think Ingwë counts many of the Valar and Maiar as friends rather than as his superiors. Gives him a unique perspective that enables him to help Glorfindel cope.
eliza
· 2 February 2007
· Chapter 35: Post Mortem
I don't know Fiondil, I love this story but I'm getting a little PO'd with Namo! (Is getting mad at the valar allowed?) Why is he picking on Glorifindel? I think Ingoldo, Tinwetariel and Findis all need a lightning bolt to the butt, they've done nothing but try to humiliate poor glori. I think some one else told you this but I too enjoy how you portray the valar.
Post soon
Author's reply
Why are you picking on poor Findis? She's on Glorfindel's side after all. She's the one who admired his embroidery skills and admonished Alassiel for being rude to our hero. I'm glad though that you enjoy my portrayal of the Valar, even Lord Námo, who only picks on people he REALLY likes. LOL.
Ellie
· 1 February 2007
· Chapter 36: A Lesson In Forgiveness
Wow! Such lessons learned and the forgiveness that was needed by all of those different parties. I was very surprised by Namo's on both accounts. THis story is so very well incredible. I'm thoroughtly enjoying it and it is amazing watching the characters grow, cope, mature, and learn their hard lessons. It is amazing the lessons that are being taught to the Vanyar, I'm guessing in preparation for them ot receive back their own Reborn - once Glorfindel and Namo are finished with them. Excellent story! I always look forward to more!
Author's reply
I was surprised by Námo too, though not when he asked for forgiveness. I think this shows that there is a darker side to the Lord of Mandos (the one that the Exiled Noldor remember) and what he might have become had he too become Fallen doesn't bear thinking on. This also shows that the Valar, being created beings, like Elves and Men, can also make mistakes of judgment, but their mistakes usually have graver consequences for themselves and others. Thus, the scene between Námo and Manwë (and Eru).
Glad you are enjoying the story and looking forward to more, because there is plenty more to come.
vampfan30
· 1 February 2007
· Chapter 36: A Lesson In Forgiveness
As usual, so much stuff in so little space! I cannot even begin to say how much I love this story.... the scene between Glory & the girl was amazing. It reminded me a lot of an episode of Angel, where Doyle a visionary, gave the gift to another by kissing her. All in all, wow. (I have really started to begin liking Namo, too...)
Author's reply
I'm glad you've started to really like Námo, as well. And after all, what's not to like? LOL. I remember that episode of Angel, though I was not thinking of it when I was writing this scene. And of course Glory was taking something away rather than giving something to her.
Calenlass Greenleaf
· 30 January 2007
· Chapter 33: Connecting the Dots
Lovely story. It was a pity I didn't have time to review...until now.
Your portrayals are endearing. Very endearing. I love your Glorfindel, especially your Finrod. I guess it's because Finrod hold a place in my heart that no other elf can take, not even Legolas, whom I dearly love next to Aragorn.
There so few Glorfindel stories in the realm of fan-fiction...*sigh*...which makes your story all the better. I may just have to add him to my list of favorite elves. :-)
Author's reply
I'm glad that you are enjoying this story. Glorfindel and Finrod have always been my two favorite elves of any Age, so it's been fun to write about them being together in Aman before Glorfindel is sent back to Middle-earth.
Ellie
· 28 January 2007
· Chapter 33: Connecting the Dots
Still loving this story. Your characterizations are wonderful and I feel soooo sorry for Glorfindel. I am glad that Ingwe's taking under his wing. Keep up the good work. You are an excellent writer!
Author's reply
Thanks Ellie. I appreciate your kind words and I am glad you are enjoying the story so much.
DJ
· 27 January 2007
· Chapter 33: Connecting the Dots
Hi, Fiondil,
This is a wonderful story, and I am enjoying it tremendously. I love how you've developed your characters, not just Glorfindel (who is a charming big elfling), but also Gandalf/Olorin, Arafinwe, Finrod, Ingwe, and especially Lord Namo. Somehow I think this is the way Namo (and the other Valar) would be--not just the stern and forbidding Doomsman, but loving, kind, and understanding, although sometimes it's tough love.
I love your depiction of the Halls of Mandos, where the fear learn to feel safe, and then to play with others again. You've provided a perfect continuation with your gardens within the halls where each reborn learns to live within a hoar again. Then, in Lorien, you have them learn to live and interact with others and recover their memories. Your whole conception of the progression the reborn go through just makes perfect sense to me.
Watching Glorfindel, Finrod, and Sador grow up again is by turns happy and fun, frustrating, and sad. I think Eru's idea is for the once born (love that term!) to welcome the reborn, and to help them through the growth process. What a disappointment the current attitude of most of the once born must be. I hope Arafinwe's three "elflings" will begin to change that.
Glorfindel in Vanyamar looks to be interesting. I wonder why he is not allowed on Taniquetil yet? And what questions does he want to ask Manwe? Namo himself showing up to tell Glorfindel not to climb Taniquetil suggests to me that Glorfindel was planning to do just that, and with a determination that any lesser messenger might have been ignored. I wonder if even Namo's warning will keep him off the top of the mountain?
I confess I'm a terribly selfish reader, and seldom log in to leave a review. It's only when I've read so much by an author that I've enjoyed, or a story that I reread over and over that my conscience kicks me to say something. I've reread this story about five times now, and anxiously await new chapters (Thank you for updating so regularly!), so I had to tell you it's wonderful.
DJ
BTW, I do know that many of the "Tolkien" words I used should have accents, etc. I don't use diacriticals in e-mails or on anything I post on the web, since I work on a Mac and diacriticals aren't mapped consistantly from font to font, let alone cross-platform. Rather than have stuff garbled up with strange characters (that are not the characters they are supposed to be), I just stick to plain text.
Author's reply
Hi DJ,
Thanks for reviewing. I'm like you. I don't always review every chapter of a story I'm reading or every story immediately. Sometimes I need to step away from the story or reread it a couple of times before I can come up with a coherent review, so don't worry about it. I appreciate you taking the time to review it now. And you don't need to apologize for not using accent marks. Some people do, some people don't. Even my Dell computer won't let me map all the accents I like to use when working outside of WordPerfect, so I don't always use them consistently either.
I'm glad you've enjoyed this story so much that you've read it five times now LOL! I have always 'rated' a story by how often I'm willing to reread it, so I'm flattered that you have reread it that often waiting for the next update.
While the main focus of this story is of course Glorfindel, the other characters, canon or OC, are just too interesting (for me) not to develop them and give them their own stories to tell. It makes for a more interesting tale anyway.
I tried to show how being Reborn couldn't possibly be as simple as people would like to make it out to be. There has to be some sort of an adjustment period, both on a physical and on an emotional level. The physical adjustments would come the easiest; the emotional adjustments would take some time, and if that's one thing elves have plenty of, is time, so why shouldn't it take a hundred years for a Reborn to mature? What's that to an elf?
So thanks for reviewing and I look forward to perhaps receiving another review from you when the story is complete.
Bodkin
· 27 January 2007
· Chapter 33: Connecting the Dots
Scary flashback. And as for Turgon not allowing his followers to choose to return .... Well - that was not kindly done.
And I hope Glorfindel pays attention to the instruction not to climb Taniquetl! He seemed to be having a bit of an adolescent reaction to the instruction.
Glorfindel should have an interesting time with the Vanyar.
Author's reply
Turgon has a lot to answer for and maybe one day I might write about his judgment.
I think Glorfndel is beginning to wonder if all this atttention by the Valar is a good thing or not. And like most adolescents, he probably is sick and tired of everyone telling him what not to do.
I think that as you read future chapters about Glorfindel's time with the Vanyar, 'interesting' will not be the adjective that comes immediately to mind....
Bodkin
· 27 January 2007
· Chapter 32: In the High King's Garden
Alassiel might have some of her grandmother's characteristics, but they're muted - and actually seem more likely to make her a good candidate for becoming friends with Glorfindel. Which will be a good thing! He needs friends.
Ingwe is a very impressive character. Very impressive indeed.
Author's reply
Yes, Glorfindel needs all the friends he can get. *grin* Glad you are impressed by Ingwë. He impresses me too.
Bodkin
· 27 January 2007
· Chapter 31: Glorfindel Among the Vanyar
Well - good for Glorfindel. He might have been rather rude - but he was responding to rudeness! I'm glad Ingwe is going to have a word with Tinwetariel. She needs to have her mind opened! Perhaps the assistance of Lord Namo is called for here!
Author's reply
Well, Lord Námo can't be everywhere at once, you know! Give the Vala a break! LOL
MithLuin
· 25 January 2007
· Chapter 28: Judgment Passed
This chapter is simply amazing. The knowledge that Finrod, Friend of Men, will never again meet a mortal has to be...gutting. It also helps to explain his anger and insolence. I was having trouble picturing Finrod the Wise mouthing off to the Valar like that, but in light of this....he would be very angry indeed (even if he didn't know why).
I have to admit, though, that I was a little nervous for Manwë. After all, this is an elf who had just killed a werewolf with his bare hands! :>
The experience of divine love at the end was very cathartic. To know that, somehow, even the judgement was for his good. Your writing is beautiful and eloquent, in such an economy of space.
Author's reply
I'm sure Manwë was a little nervous for himself as well. LOL
Thank you for your review. I pleased to know you think my writing is beautiful and eloquent. These two chapters describing Finrod's judgment were not easy to write on several levels but I knew they had to be written so we would understand the extent of what Finrod sacrificed and lost in dying.
MithLuin
· 24 January 2007
· Chapter 33: Connecting the Dots
I was so happy to see your update! I just started on your story, and already there are new chapters :)
Poor Glorfindel, he is having a rough time of it. In these chapters, he sounds so much like...a teenager. Complete with roiling, incomprehensible emotions.
The Valar do seem to meddle quite a bit, though! It's good Ingwë is so used to dealing with them. Visits from Namo are a bit...disconcerting.
Author's reply
In many ways, emotionally, at least, Glorfindel is a teenager with all the angst that goes with it. Visits from any of the Valar, I think, would be a bit disconcerting, so having someone like Ingwë around helps.
hanci
· 24 January 2007
· Chapter 30: Departures
Námo did leave a strong impression... What awaits Finrod in Lórien? And Sador is gone, too.
The trip to Taniquetil will be really interesting.
None of the Vanyar have been released from Mandos? Well, I guess since they have had much less dead... Doesn't Glorfindel count a bit? He has some Vanyar blood, or not?
I'm so happy you update so often!
Author's reply
Yes, Námo is pretty impressive. What awaits Finrod in Lórien? Well, you'll find out soon enough. LOL. Updating on a regular basis, to me, is only common courtesy, when faithful readers are waiting for the next chapter. I hate waiting for months on end for the next installment of a story that I'm interested in. Sometimes I forget I was even reading it!