Reviews (1,565)

Larner · 17 April 2010 · Chapter 113: Enquiry

Melkor must be snickering in his sleeve over this turn of affairs! Poor Herendil!

Larner · 17 April 2010 · Chapter 112: Gurthalion’s Demons

To be so enslaved by the memories of what had been is terrible; at least he is now free. Poor Gurthalion--he had demons indeed!

Larner · 17 April 2010 · Chapter 111: An Audience with the Valar

Somehow I find it reassuring to realize even the Valar can feel discomfited at least a bit to have reminders there is at least One higher than themselves also interested in what will come of their machinations! Heh!

Rhyselle · 16 April 2010 · Chapter 114: Repercussions of an Oath

This chapter was my reward for making it through a full 8 hour work day plus 9 1/2 hours of overtime... I'm exhausted but when I saw the noticed that it was up, I dove right in. I'm too wiped out to make a detailed review, although this chapter deserves such; but I had to tell you that I really, truly loved it. I am really looking forward to the day that Vorondil Sr. and Vorondil Jr. meet each other. :) Vorondil Sr. sounds like he's a mischievous fellow. I guess being a mischief maker runs in the family! LOL! When you first introduced Vorondil, Jr. into the story, way back when, did you ever thing that he would become such a fascinating and beloved character as he has become? I loved Namo's suggestion to Vorondil Sr. to play Hide and Go Seek in the maze. :) I wouldn't have minded being part of that game! The discussion of the oath and the consequences that derive from it will have to wait. It's far past the time to go to bed, and I'll have to re-read and think about the issue of the Warrior Braids and the atmosphere in Aman when the soldiers came home from the War of Wrath... I think I feel a little bunny nibbling at my heels. As always, this was so well done!

6336 · 16 April 2010 · Chapter 114: Repercussions of an Oath

Ooops! Did I just marry her off to her father-in-law? Sorry! In a hurry to get to work. Another fun day picking up after other people and taking their money! Lynda

6336 · 16 April 2010 · Chapter 114: Repercussions of an Oath

Well that clears up a lot of loose ends and explains more clearly why Finrod took Adundils oath. Very pleased to see Herendil and Finrod back together again, will Salmacas ever understand why Calaindale coerced Herendil into marrying her, it's a bit 'If I can't have him I'll have you', it is also, in a twisted way, a way to keep both Herendil and his brothers oaths? Liked Vorondol Snr. checking in on Vorondil Jnr., hope he and his minders had a good time in the maze and it took just long enough to find him and the way out! Eru is drawing crooked again! Lynda

Mr.Namo · 16 April 2010 · Chapter 114: Repercussions of an Oath

Wow! Didn't see that coming. The other Vorondil. Hmmmm. Guess we won't be seeing him again for a while as he seems very emotionally young. Glad Herendil got a grip on himself. That was quite surprising seeing the normally calm laid back Herendil lose it like that. Vorondil (younger) is going to have a heart attack if Namo is still there when he awakens. Probably will think he died or something..... :D Love this chapter Mr.Namo

Sulwing of Mirkwood · 15 April 2010 · Chapter 113: Enquiry

Ohhhh no, not good. Poor Finrod! I hope Herendil will try to think a little clearer. How can he reason it's Finrod's fault? Hope we'll see Glorfindel again soon! Heh-heh, finally got some time off from real life again! I had almost 15 chapters to catch up on!

Sulwing of Mirkwood · 15 April 2010 · Chapter 112: Gurthalion’s Demons

Woooowww! Intense chapter is right! I feel so bad for Gurthalion. Go Finrod! Glad Vorondil is okay...

Sulwing of Mirkwood · 15 April 2010 · Chapter 107: Delegation

oh yes, let's do go visit the master of doom and judge of the dead. he has lovely roses! *lol*

Sulwing of Mirkwood · 15 April 2010 · Chapter 106: Waiting Game

Oh gosh! "I need a Maia!" And three promptly appear--I don't know why but that part made me laugh so hard! :) How handy that must be. Of course, those Valar and Maiar can be tricksy!

Aiwen · 14 April 2010 · Chapter 113: Enquiry

Golly, what a mess! Herendil's accusation isn't terribly rational, but people often aren't.

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 13 April 2010 · Chapter 113: Enquiry

Atar Fiondil! Of *course*, Lynda's review just had to remind me of your Tapestry stories again...I have a feeling you were reminded of this particular one too, judging by your answer. *lol* Of course I mean "FAULT: Pointing Fingers" (which is here http://storiesofarda.com/chapterview.asp?sid=5793&cid=24815 in case anyone wants to go reread it and forgot where to find it *wink*) Poor Eru, He gets blamed for anything, from the Hobbits' curly hair to creating Morgoth! *lol* I wonder what the Ainur and Eru think when they hear the Eruhini blaming Eru for things! Anyway, I'm off to bed but I just wanted to agree with Lynda that it's Morgoth's fault, even if it is, ultimately Eru's 'fault'...I'm sure He doesn't quite appreciate that, but who knows, I certainly don't! *lol* Goodnight, Atar Fiondil! Tye-melin! Kaylee P.S. Before I forget...I got 94 percent and 100 percent on my two finals for this module...just one module left, six out of seven are done...then the externship, then graduation...school's nearly over!! (And then back to reading and reviewing your stories full time, I hope! *grin*)

Tari · 13 April 2010 · Chapter 113: Enquiry

How sad for Finrod. I feel that Herendil in his concern for his son is judging Finrod unfairly. Hopefully he will come to understand that his friend was only trying to help someone in deep pain and did not cause the attack on Vorondil.

6336 · 12 April 2010 · Chapter 113: Enquiry

I don't see how Herendil can blame Finrod, if he wants to lay the blame at somebodies feet then Morgoth gets my vote, if he had not killed the Trees and stolen the Silmarills and killed Finwe, Feanor would not have sworn the Oath and left Aman taking most of the Noldor and his nephews and neice with him, Vorondil senior and Aldundil would not have sworn their oaths and fought in the War of Wrath, Vorondil jr. would not have been born and been twisted by his mother and ended up as Finrods thrall. Drop a pebble in the pond, or in Morgoths case a large rock, and watch the ripples spread, and they are still spreading. By the way how is Mrs. Aldundil, sorry can't remember her name, doing also Vornodil Snr. Lynda

Rhyselle · 12 April 2010 · Chapter 113: Enquiry

Oh, my! What a thing for Herendil to say! Between the account of the various parts of the inquiry, and my worry for Vorondil, I was already feeling sniffly, but when Herendil blamed it all on Finrod, its was like a punch in the gut. Unfortunately, I can see several reasons why Herendil could point the finger of blame for the issue at Finrod: Making Vorondil his thrall and having him be in Lorien where the mentally unstable are brought to heal, and Finrod was a significant part of the decision to bring Gurthalion to Lorien from Tol Eressea, etc. But it is really an unfair accusation. It was just chance that Vorondil happened to be there at the moment all heck broke loose, and it is quite possible that things could have been just as bad had Gurthalion attacked one of the Loriennilde or one of the other patients. I had a really lousy day at work and a nearly 12 hour shift, so getting to escape into Elf Interrupted was a good thing to be able to do tonight. I'm glad that you had those few light-hearted moments in the chapter, though. I don't think I could have dealt with a truly dark chapter today. I look forward to the next one, where, I hope we get to find out just how Vorondil is doing and whether or not Herendil really has cut off his friendship with Finrod over this.

Tari · 12 April 2010 · Chapter 112: Gurthalion’s Demons

Getting rid of one's demons is not a easy task. It's a good think Finrod was gifted with this kind of healing. What a scary situation for both of them; now Gurthalion can begin to truly heal.

Sunny · 12 April 2010 · Chapter 113: Enquiry

The last year has been a bad one for Herendil and his family. Their grandson got drawn into a nasty plot that drew the very negative attention of the Valar. And probably the only reason he was not exiled with the other conspirators was his father’s intervention – which ended up with Finrod taking Aldundil’s Life Oath, and taking Vorondil as his thrall for thirty years. I suspect that Herendil doesn’t really understand the Life Oath, since he may not know much about Sindarin culture, and the needs of war, which shaped it. He may have picked up something, if he followed Arafinwë in the War of Wrath, but that doesn’t mean he would understand that situation. And since he is now running on emotion, I suspect that he may feel that Finrod has stolen his son and his grandson. The other painful thing here is something that became known at the trial during the new year tournament: how Calalindalë had talked Aldundil into marrying her, making them both oathbreakers in the process. And subsequently instilling in her son a hatred of the Reborn. Herendil probably does not know how badly Calalindalë twisted her son’s fëa, and I have sort of gotten the feeling that she was not kind to her husband either. And I suspect that both Herendil and Vandacalimë felt that all was not well in their son’s life. It would not have helped matters any that when Vorondil was attacked Finrod did not at once leap to aid him. Oh, no – he immediately started to help his attacker!!!

ellie · 12 April 2010 · Chapter 113: Enquiry

Oh my...Herendil blames Finrod for this? And where was Herendil when Vorondil did what he did to land himself in Finrod's service to begin with? grrrr... Very intriguing chapter!

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 12 April 2010 · Chapter 113: Enquiry

Well. *blinks* That was certainly...dramatic of Herendil. I can understand why he's angry, but I'd have expected him to direct his fury at Gurthalion or Marthchall rather than Finrod. Why Finrod? Is it because he knows Finrod better and that makes him an acceptable target for some reason? Whatever the reason is for that, I now feel as sorry for Finrod as I do for Gurthalion...you've put poor Gurthalion through the wringer these last two chapters, Atar Fiondil! And what of poor Vorondil? Will he be all right? I hope Melian can handle the other elflings...I can't wait to see the next chapter! Tye-melin, Atar Fiondil! Kaylee

Hildigrim · 10 April 2010 · Chapter 111: An Audience with the Valar

I believe that by canon, Arafinwe is held to be the wisest of the sons of Finwe. In recent chapters of your story, he has been "leading from the front" a fair bit, with the result that other attributes are seen, and some of his actions might be perceived as less than wise. His activity level also increases the richness of the tale, giving you another major tactical element leader in addition to Glorfindel and Findarato. In any event, Arafinwe's summation of the crux question in this chapter was welcome and very solidly in canonical character. I particularly liked the sentence: "Ultimately, I believe that you are the future of our race and it behooves us all to see an end to the conflicts that have arisen among you over how you will govern yourselves." In some ways that is a generous statement, in that Arafinwe and Earwen themselves epitomize cross-clan societal integration, as a Noldo and a Teler -- and hence so of course does Findarato. (I smile every time you write about Arafinwe and Earwen bantering as a couple.) Great work....

Sunny · 10 April 2010 · Chapter 112: Gurthalion’s Demons

Oh, my! that _was_ intense!! But I am glad you didn't water it down. Given how deeply traumatized Gurthalion is, the wounds and scars in his mind must be extensive – and the experiences that damaged him so deeply would have been very bad indeed. The “orc-ghost” (for lack of a better desctiption) that haunts him so probably has that form because he was likely whipped more than once himself, as well as seeing others being whipped and abused, often until they died. And he had to excorsize that ghost himself – deal with the fear and pain. Others might help him, like Finrod did, but they couldn’t do the job for him. But now that he has taken that all-important first step - _killing_ that “orc-ghost”, he will know that he can do it again, if he must. As well as dealing similarly with any other “haunts”. It shall be interesting to see how Finrod deals with Vorondil’s trauma. I expect Vorondil will be terrified of Gurthalion, and no wonder, since Gurthalion nearly killed him. Gurthalion was hardly in his right mind, but Vorondil is unlikely to appreciate the finer distinctions of sanity (or lack of it) in the ellon who attacked him. And Aldundil is probably going to be out of his mind with worry. I have a sneaking suspicion Finrod is the one who is going to be the one who gets to deal with the aftermath of this situation. Both Vorondil and his father are “his”, after all: Aldundil due to his Life Oath and Vorondil due to his status as Finrod’s thrall. And since Finrod made that deep dive into Gurthalion’s mind, it wouldn’t surprise me if he for that reason will be considered the right person to render judgement on him. I can hardly wait for the update!!

ellie · 10 April 2010 · Chapter 112: Gurthalion’s Demons

Poor Gurthalion! Those are some horrible demons he still has/had to oversome. I'm glad Finrod was there and able to help him face them down. Finrod's gift is a rare one but a precious one, too. It isn't astral travel but I wonder what the name for such a method of spiritual healing would be? I bet Master Healer V (can't rememver his name right off) is enjoying the opportunity to be a healer with a real task instead of his probably boring or somewhat boring job at the palace. How much healing is there for a Master Healer to do in Tirion?

ellie · 10 April 2010 · Chapter 111: An Audience with the Valar

Loved Arafinwe in this. He deserved the praise from Manwe and I'm glad to see him get it. I also was fascinated by the awe with which the other Valar looked at Manwe in teh end when he was communing with Eru. It is still surprising to see that for all of their might they are but Children as well and stand in awe of their Creator. I think the Valar hosting the counsil is a very good thing and will serve as an excellent intorduction to the Valar for most of the delegates.

Rhyselle · 9 April 2010 · Chapter 112: Gurthalion’s Demons

Oh, this just makes me want to cry. Poor, poor Gurthalion! Poor Vorondil too. When I think of Lorien as a place where healing takes place, it's easy to assume that it happens miraculously, and all is good and joyful. But even Aman is in Arda, and damage done in Arda is rarely easy to fix... especially damage to the mind and spirit. I think that is why, as sad as this chapter is, I like seeing the effort and energy that goes into healing--and the setbacks too. It feels more realistic. I admit that I'm a tad suspicious that there weren't any Maiar about when everything went pear-shaped. It seems lately that when you don't need them about, there they are, but when something like this happens, they're nowhere to be found. Of course, in the end, I'm sure that Finrod will have learned a bit more about his ability to "follow" a fea into another's mindscape, and that he will put all of this to good use as the Ages of Arda go by. Thanks for an interesting albeit intense chapter. This must have exhausted you to write. I know that I'm sitting her feeling like I've been helping to hold Gurthalion down! Well done! (And I hope that this traumatic experience hasn't done too much damage to Vorondil from an emotional/mental/spiritual standpoint. The kid has been having rough life over the past few years!)