Reviews (17)

Leithian · 30 January 2025 · Chapter 10: Extra: Time Enough for Love

Thanks for your response to my previous comment. The fact that this story is an interpretation of the line "but to none was her heart's love given." makes it even more interesting. I had forgotten (or perhaps never knew at all) that this is the story of the relationship between Irisse and Celegorm. The reason I worded the last comment that way is that I've noticed that Celegorm is one of the most hated characters in the Silmarillion... to the extent that I didn't think it would be safe to publicly say that he is one of my favourites. I never expected that you loved him. I feel less alone now. Will you write more on these characters? I'm eagerly waiting to read more of your masterpieces. May I ask your view on the Luthien scenario? For me, this is the absolutely worst thing Celegorm did, however, when I read about the evolution of the character I saw that Tolkien switched between Celegorm and Curufin as the one who loved Luthien. But later, I think that he decided that Curufin was Celebrimbor's father so he settled on Celegorm as the one who loved Luthien. But I also never understood how that was going to work 🙃 after all he could not force her against her will. I think Tolkien wanted to give Celegorm and Curufin a motive to keep Luthien in Nargothand but that's the best I could make out of it. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Take care

Leithian · 29 January 2025 · Chapter 10: Extra: Time Enough for Love

Ecthelion! So glad to see this extra chapter and to know that you're still active on SoA. I first read your story quite a long time ago, it made me cry a bit. I fell absolutely in love with this story, and I often reread it. It's your fic that made me see Celegorm as more than a villain (he was never simple for me), I came around to like him and now he is one of my favourite characters in the Legendarium. (Yeah that's true, don't kill me lol). https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.reddit.com/r/tolkienfans/comments/1aywqb9/celegormor_the_fall_of_a_prince_charmingpart_1/&ved=2ahUKEwjX_5jCoZuLAxW69LsIHaU2AOIQFnoECBkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw09pvaM9tVAkJ2y3VXW0-MJ If you're interested, this is a link to a reddit post that explores the evolution of Celegorm's storyline in Tolkien's drafts and a lot of material didn't make it to the published Silmarillion. It is really informative and after reading this I felt that my headcanon was vindicated.

Haven of Stars · 24 February 2022 · Chapter 10: Extra: Time Enough for Love

Woah! This story really made me think a lot. You made my opinion of Celegorm change considerably! How did it feel to write from his POV?

Starlight and Moonlight · 13 September 2018 · Chapter 9: Sad But True: Part Two

Your first language is not English? Wow! I couldn't even tell from your writing, it was so good!

Starlight and Moonlight · 12 September 2018 · Chapter 7: The Unforgiven: Part Three

Ugh, I am so disgusted with Celegorm right now!

Rhapsody · 6 May 2007 · Chapter 9: Sad But True: Part Two

*mutters* I don't want this story to end! This means that I have read all that is out there of you! But what a finale! I really like your take of Dior awaiting for them at the other side of the bridge instead of inside Menegroth. It's sad to think that all along he fled for himself, not taking the time what he truly wanted or if he knew himself. The realisation comes at a perfect time and is well written. I especially liked this bith, so true: Is it always so ironic? What you trust will betray you in the end, while what you neglect will surprise you? Or, it is all the opposite - what you trust betrays you because you think they will not betray you whatever you do, while what you neglect surprises you because in them you never have such confidence and expectation? Thoughts to ponder about, but I surely can relate (or does that make me just as cynical as Celegorm?). Another thing I want to compliment you for is how you write the passage of time, it flows and it feels very natural. I think you found the right balance in what you wanted to convey and what not. So when shall we read how Lachodir will avenge Celegorm? Is he the one who cruelly sends Dior's sons into death? I really hope to read more of you!

Rhapsody · 6 May 2007 · Chapter 8: Sad But True: Part One

This was spot on and often overlooked when people say they so dislike Fëanorians: …Cowards. You dare to call us cowards. Merely by words Curufin set so great a fear into your hearts that since then you have forsaken open battles and turned to stealth and ambush, wizardry and venomed dart. Who are indeed the cowards? And have you forgotten who fought at the borders and prevented Sauron's werewolves and beasts from crossing Talath Dirnen? Instead of appreciating our efforts to spare your lives, now you want to say we are cowards? If you are so eager to die, may the evil fire of Morgoth fall upon you all! Well put and I like the way how you play out Huan's betrayal, especially after Celegorm takes him in again when Orodreth uses the hound as a testimony. After all, Huan was influenced by Luthien and did not know his master's thoughts. Greatly explored, but I am in a hurry, off to read the next chapter!

Rhapsody · 6 May 2007 · Chapter 7: The Unforgiven: Part Three

Well, the truth had to hit him sooner or later. Even though Aredhel is solely responsible for her own actions, Celegorm's reaction to her being taken into marriage, forced in his eyes while he struggles that she might have loved Eöl willingly: that was powerful and well written. Could he have done things differently? Should he left immediately when she came to look for him? I wonder if that would have helped him or if his course of actions would have been differently? I don't know, given the way how Aredhel passed on her arrival, it all makes so sense. This is an action and emotion packed chapter and I read it twice to let it all sink in, his pride (he's a son of Fëanor after all), his reaction to the Balrogs appearing and acting like a responsible commander: simply wonderful writing. Also, being a fan of Metallica, these three chapters I kept the songs The Unforgiven (given the two variations) in the back of my mind... it just added an extra layer to it.

MithLuin · 5 May 2007 · Chapter 6: The Unforgiven: Part Two

This was indeed a much more bitter revenge than throwing all the ice of Helcaraxe on him. I am curious though...did she intend it? Had she gone to Himlad seeking him for a new beginning? Will he ever know?

MithLuin · 5 May 2007 · Chapter 4: The Unforgiven: Part One

Oh, this is so heart-wrenching! It hurts to see this dream, knowing what will be. It is an even greater wonder that he did not kill Eol after this....

Rhapsody · 5 May 2007 · Chapter 6: The Unforgiven: Part Two

For so long he feared the unevitable, losing her to another, knowing she would marry one day, but still his heart was bound to hers. I wonder what he would rather have wanted: her throwing ice bergs at her or piercing his heart so cruelly. His reaction to Maeglin: "you should not have existed", it leave syou wondering what indeed he could have stayed her and ride home directly once he knew she was on his lands. Since I know HOME quite well and what you are referring too (although much more about Celegorm can be found in other parts of HOME), in the way you wrote Curufin so far, his reaction later on to Eöl makes a lot of sense. One sidenote, this chapter needs the touch of a beta, I noticed several points where an esl writer-mistakes pop up (being one myself makes it a lot easier to find them, it's word order, punctuation and such), so please don't feel rushed to unlock chapters in a rapid succession (although reading this story is such a treat!). This being said, if you want someone to go over it, let me know.

Rhapsody · 5 May 2007 · Chapter 4: The Unforgiven: Part One

Oh my goodness, this was a good read. The dream was just so beautifully written, the meaning of the swan was so well woven into it: I immediately knew what it meant for him and why she didn't understood it. But of the end, the sundering and him feeling how Eöl claimed her (well that's my interpretation, the sudden darkness, a shield as if he was experiencing the darkness of Nan Elmoth), that was so devastating and I can only imagine, in this story what impact it will have on him and how this will determine the course of his action. I do have to admit that I would love to see the sword fight between Caranthir and Celegorm fully written, but the dialogue, observations, the conversations of the brothers: fantastic!

Rhapsody · 4 May 2007 · Chapter 3: Through the Never

Even though my interpretation of Maglor's character and actions is completely different from mine (but that makes reading Tolkien fan fic so much fun, to read the takes of others on it), I really like how you weave in the questions asked by Lúthien in the first chapter into this one as well. The dynamics between the brothers, their reasoning on why they did not act, but oh, what really took my breath away was reading this: Under the first-rising young sun he stood in front of the camp of the House of Fëanor near the Lake of Mithrim, gazing at the banner of blue and silver flying afar in the golden sunlight, and suddenly realized that the most difficult part for him was not facing the rage of their father's half brother. This is a stunning and evocative piece of narrative, besides the gems of (inner) dialogue. The way you pace the telling of the events during the first battles, the death of Fëanor, the oath taking again ect ect: it reads very natural. Personally I wonder what will happen, in your words and view, if Maedhros and Celegorm really have an argument. I'd probably buy first row tickets for that.

Rhapsody · 4 May 2007 · Chapter 2: Do Not Tread on Me

I will admit it straight away, while reading this chapter I was so curious how you would use the statement of Tolkien that to none of the Fëanorians, Aredhel's heart was given. Given chapter one, I was more than curious how this would be explored. I really like the way how you applied this by means of a dream. I laughed at their first meeting, it felt so typical Aredhel to me: two strong minds, both loving their freedom so much. But the end, of that was so perfect: the way how Celegorm and Maedhros exchange a glance, Celegorm's thoughts: My brother, don't try to fool me or even yourself. Your so-called friendship only triggered your weak words; in fact you have never tried to change anything. Words or action. In this sense, you are no better than me. I am looking forward to chapter three, this is such an excellent story!

Rhapsody · 4 May 2007 · Chapter 1: Holier Than Thou

Oh yes, this is just as I hoped: excellent written thoughts & the character Celegorm. I have been writing him for some years now and he's a fascinating character to write & explore, still I sometimes dive into parts of him that surprise me. In this opening chapter you do not hold back, nor make up excuses for him how he came to be, yet you offer the reader shards of 'human' motivations of why he has come so far, even though after so many years, the Oath has formed him into something he might never have considered himself to become. Since when has betrayal turned into something so ordinary? Since when has killing ceased to be so disgusting? Since when has even biting the hand that feeds become something acceptable, actually quite natural? Simply superb! It makes sense in his train of thoughts and it sometimes makes it so hard to explain to people who smack a label of evil on the Fëanorians. Oh and this bit: If Finrod wanted to die for his own stupid oath, let him be, - but not for the Silmarils, their Silmarils. The Silmarils they vowed to take back at a stake of Everlasting Dark. The Silmarils they would never allow others to take, have or keep. Finrod knew this. When they took their oath, was he not present? - But he still made such an unbelievable decision. If the sons of Fëanor could allow this to happen, would there be anything else on Arda that could not be allowed? Spot on! I recently had the pleasure of exploriing how Curufin considers this, so yes great writing. Now quickly onto chapter two! And thanks for re-publishing this story again!

French Pony · 4 May 2007 · Chapter 2: Do Not Tread on Me

I admit, I also found that line "to none was her heart's love given" rather interesting; it implies that one, possibly more of them, expected her heart's love, and no one was unduly shocked by this. But what you've done with her here is great -- very much in character, both the willfulness and the compelling attractiveness. Poor Celegorm, perpetually pwned by all the women he loves.

French Pony · 3 May 2007 · Chapter 1: Holier Than Thou

This is definitely interesting. Lúthien is certainly more than a match for Celegorm; he just hasn't figured that out yet. He strikes me as someone who has never had any trouble getting what he wants, and he can't fathom the possibility that he might not get Lúthien. She, of course, knows exactly how to hit him where it hurts.