Independence1776
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 32: Cilmë
Ooh... Yes, now I know what you meant in your reply about different types of death.
The braids of the "Elf" were Maglor's?
Love the little bits of humor in the beginning with Ingwion.
I do hope they heal, as well as Lisselindë.
~ Indy
Author's reply
Well, Aldundil thought perhaps the braid pattern was the one used by Maglor's warriors, but he wasn't quite sure... and we'll leave it a mystery for now.
I'm sure they will all heal, including Lisselindë. That is, after all, why they are with Nienna.
rick
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 32: Cilmë
thanks so much for writing another chapter. I can't wait for you to add a few more - I don't suppose you'd consider giving up your real life & just writing all the time? :)
I have really enjoyed this entire story sequence. You write beautifully. Please keep up the good work.
Author's reply
Thanks rick. I appreciate you letting me know how much you've been enjoying this series. Unfortunately, while I wqould love to devote ALL my time to writing, I do need to feed and clothe myself, so, alas! I must deal with real life. But I'm glad you think I'm good enough to be a full-time writer. Maybe someday...
Larner
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 32: Cilmë
Now--which type of death has Aldunil accepted for himself? Death as a result of despair, or death OF despair, a freedom to choose to live NOW?
Waiting!
Author's reply
We will find outthe answer to that soon enough as well as what choices the other two made.
Hel
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 32: Cilmë
Great chapter. It´s good that those three at their way to healing. But I really want to know what happened just after the darkening in Valinor.
I guess it isn´t easy beeing in the service of the Lady Nienna. Painfilled, stubborn elfs on the one side and misdirected Maia on the other.
This place at the waterfall sounds like it was made to send elfs there to help them to find their way. And it seems to be typical for Nienna to use a ruse as sending someone on a camping trip to get them to this place.
Author's reply
I hope to write the story of the Darkening soon, though a need to finish up one or two other stories first so as to free up my writing time for it.
Nienna is rather crafty... she rarely does anything directly where indirection serves just as well. That way those under her care don't even realize (usually) what she is doing or why.
GoldenFlower
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 32: Cilmë
Ooooh. I LOVED this chapter. Mysterious Strangers are such fun :D Wonderfully written, as per usual, love the mischevious-ish Nienna, and Nyereser. :D
~GF
Author's reply
Thanks, GoldenFlower. I like Mysterious Strangers, too, which is why I wrote one into the story. *grin* Nienna is pretty mischievous, not to mention sneaky. One has to wonder who learned from whom: Námo or Nienna?
Ellie
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 32: Cilmë
What a fascinating chapter! Making everyone face their inner demons - the ones they did not even like to admit to themselves. I love the complexity of your works and the things you have continued on from story to story. Deep and well done!
Author's reply
Thanks, Ellie. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. More to come!
Radbooks
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 32: Cilmë
Oh, very, very, nice. Having to choose life over death... letting go of guilt or sorrow or pain or what have you. So important to do, but soooo hard to do for any of us. A very good reminder for me. Thank you.
Author's reply
You're welcome, Radbooks. Yes, it's a lesson we all must learn and it's a very hard lesson indeed. Thanks for your review. I appreciate it.
Sunny
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 32: Cilmë
I suppose that not wanting to _go on_ with one’s life can be a form of dying, if you want to look at it that way. And there are certainly things in everybody’s life that can make one want to cling to it, without wanting to let go. Wheather it be grief, disappointment, resentment, fame, good looks, past relationships or something else, everybody have something of the sort. Letting that become the center of one’s life isn’t healthy.
Both Vorondil, Aldundil and Ingwion obviously have some baggage that they need to get rid of. Vorondil has the results of his mother’s attitudes. Aldundil, the breaking of his promise to his brother. And Ingwion – it is obvious that a good friend – or a relative – died, probably during the Darkening. Ingwion’s reaction to it makes me think that there may be more to the story than that – and perhaps you will tell that story someday?
Author's reply
As I've said elsewhere there are other forms of dying including spiritual death. As for Ingwion's story, I do intend to tell that story someday soon, assuming the muse is cooperative.
6336
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 32: Cilmë
Arrgh! A triple cliffie! Well I am hoping, as are all your loyal readers, that our three ellon all pick the right path! We know Vorondil does and Ingwion and hopefully Adundil does too!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
We will see what choices they made soon enough, though not immediately as we will be going back to Glorfindel.
Kitty
· 23 November 2008
· Chapter 32: Cilmë
Ah, so the ‚death’ was meant more symbolic – if that is the right word – as I had guessed, and Aldundil had to make peace with himself. And I see, the same goes for Vorondil and Ingwion.
So the strange elf was a Maia? Thought as much. And Nienna is right, he did very well. I really hope he was successful in the long run; all three elves need to come to terms with certain things, and I wish for their sake they do.
Another fascinating chapter. And now hopeful our favourite Balrog-slayer will make his appearance and liven things up a bit more *grin* After that is over, most of the Valar and some Maiar are needing a long, looong vacation, I think ;-)
Author's reply
There are many ways to 'die' and not just physically. Sometimes the hardest 'deaths' are the death to self and to all our guilts and expectations and me-isms. Each of the elves needed to 'die' to something that was holding them back to full spiritual growth.
We will be returning to Glorfindel very shortly. As always, he's the calm in the center of the maelstrom. I imagine that even Atar is going to need a very long vacation once the dust settles. *grin*
Thanks for reviewing, Kitty. I appreciate it.
Kitty
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
Vorondil's eagerness to go exploring is so sweet! Though I am glad his father kept him from waking Ingwion up - I can imagine what would have happened otherwise! And why do I get the feeling our dear Vorondil has a serious case of hero-worship for Finrod? *grin*
The waterfall sounds absolutely beautiful! Though Aldundil's reaction to it was worrying, to say the least. And even more the second time. Somehow I think he has to finally get to make his peace with his past, and this vale may force him to do just that. At least I hope that's why he is feeling he'll find his death there - I certainly hope it is *not* meaning any real death. It would devastate Vorondil, no doubt.
And really, Eönwë should made himself useful and stop Vorondil and Aldundil instead of recording oaths! I hope there are some other Maiar around to do that.
Now I am really worried about these two. Can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's reply
I think perhaps Vorondil has a slight case of hero-worship for Finrod in spite of everything that's happened lately. *grin*
There are, of course, many ways to 'die' and not all of them have to do with physical death. We will see in the next chapter just what happens to the three of them.
Eönwë can only do what he is instructed to do, either by Manwë or Eru, and his task is not to interfere with what the Children do but to record their oaths. It's no doubt hard at times for him to remain uninvolved but he does take pride in his position and carries out his duties faithfully.
Thanks for reviewing, Kitty. I appreciate it.
harrowcat
· 18 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
Woah! A fearful situation to be faced indeed. You have me thinking about a certain maze.
Author's reply
Well, with the Valar anything is possible. *grin*
6336
· 17 November 2008
· Chapter 30: By the Shore of an Endless Sea Once More
While rereading this chapter I was struck by the image of Manwe in jeans and a tee shirt,a belt pouch of carpenter's tools at his waist, sucking his thumb and cussing out his hammer, with Eonwe standing there recording everything in the White Book and trying not to laugh!
Lynda
Author's reply
I'm re-reading this story, too, and can't believe I missed this, so my response is about 4 years out of date and you've probably completely forgotten about it, but I like your image of Manwë and Eönwë, though, of course, that's not what actually happened. *grin* Sorry about the delay in response. Not sure how I missed this.
Tari
· 17 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
It’s sad that Aldundil thinks someone wishes him dead. It certainly wouldn’t be Iluvatar’s wish, or that of the Valar. Vorondil seems to have developed quite a bond with Findarato.
Somehow I don’t feel anything terrible will happen to the three once they are inside the valley. It sounds so wonderful; I’d like to be there myself.
Author's reply
I don't think Aldundil thinks someone wants him dead. I think he merely believes that his death, however he may be defining it, lies within the valley. How that all plays out will be seen in the next chapter.
Rhyselle
· 17 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
This probably will sound odd, but after re-reading the chapter after sleeping on it (and actually dreaming a bit about it) I awakened with the conviction that Aldundil is going to meet his brother, and Vorondil, his namesake uncle. Where, when and how, I have no clue. I also awakened with the conviction that another fragment of the grief that has caused Ingwion the pain central to his life will be revealed.
It was an odd feeling.
Regardless of whether the above happens in the next chapter, I had to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. It's emotions and the mystery (and I mean that in a spiritual sense as well as the nominal meaning) would not let me go, and I look forward to the next installment when you get it posted.
Well done!
Author's reply
A very interesting conviction, Rhyselle, and we'll see how close (or not) your ideas come to reality when the next chapter is posted. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. I hope you find the next one equally enjoyable. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Larner
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
Now, to learn what this means in the here and now.
I'd wondered if all roads led to Rome in this tale. He has something definitely to face here--that is certain.
Author's reply
In this case, all trails lead to the Fana Nírion. *grin* We will see in the next chapter what comes of it all.
Independence1776
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
Nice little roller coaster, this chapter. Little bits of humor and beauty interspered with serious matters.
"Instead, a sense of calm inevitability stole over him and he somehow knew that his death was waiting for him in this vale." Uh-oh. Foresight like this is not usually a good thing.
Vorondil, couldn't you see that your actions just made it absolute certainty that your father would go into said vale?
Oh, that oath may come back to haunt Ingwion, mighten it?
Yes, now I understand why you didn't translate the name in the previous chapter.
Wonderful chapter that sent chills up my spine. I'm *almost* dreading reading what will happen next.
Author's reply
Not all foretelling is a bad thing and "death" has many shades of meaning as we will see in the next chapter. In fact, while only Aldundil understands in some incohate way that his "death" lies in that vale, that is true for the other two elves as well, though they are unaware of it.
Edlyn
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
Oh meldonya! What can I say?
Aldundil's terror was heart-wrenching. Vorondil's awe and wonder at the waterfall and birds was contagious and reminded me of my first sight of a sizable waterfall in the Rocky Mountains. And Ingwion, well, what can I say about him. He';s as close to perfect as I think he can get.
But best of all you gave us these beautiful words: “That’s not why they call us that, Atto,” Vorondil said, surprising the two older elves, when he stopped to address them.
“Oh?” Aldundil gave his son an enquiring look.
Vorondil nodded. “Master says they call us that to remind us and them that we are indeed Ilúvatar’s Children and therefore beloved by the Valar for that reason alone and for no other. Master says it’s not an insult but an affirmation of who and what we are before the eyes of Eru.”
I participated in the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick today at Church and reading Vorondil's words echoed the feeling of grace and love that I felt as the priest touched my brow with the consecrated oil.
Thank you so very much for this chapter. Yes, I'm probably going to figuratively be tearing my fingernails to shreds hanging on this cliff you've left us at but I know it will be worth it!
Eru bless!
Edlyn
Author's reply
Hi Edlyn. Thanks for your review. I think the central core of the chapter is the very part you've quoted. I'm glad that it spoke to you so deeply during the sacrament. I know from my own experience that this particular sacrament can be very powerful and healing.
I hope you have some fingernails left by the time I post the next chapter. I promise not to let anyone hanging for too long. *grin*
Agape4Gondor
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
I'm sorry - as tense as the chapter was - I could not help laughing at the sight of Eonwe... You just can't make an oath anywhere without him showing up.
Poor Vorondil - he does love his father... I do so hope you have no deaths in store for your poor readers....
Author's reply
Well, there's death and then again there's death. *grin* As for Eönwë... he does evoke a smile or two whenever he shows up, doesn't he?
eiluj
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
Often in fiction we are warned of the dangers of straying from the path. Here the danger seems to be in *following* the path....
“Yet someone made this trail" -- Or some *creature*. Anyone who's lived in southern New England knows all about cow trails, because people like my dimwitted ancestors decided to use them for roads, no matter how meandering and awkward. Give me a good grid street system any day! Probably no cows in the wilds of inner Valinor, but maybe deer?
"Several rainbows danced in the spray and birds flew through them on business of their own" -- Lovely!
"I bet he’s gotten all his tunics creased" -- The Vorondil point of view.... That should have had a keyboard warning (i.e., not to read while drinking).
And another Evil Cliffie. *But* *I* *want* *to* *read* *it* *now*.
Author's reply
We will see what happens to our three campers soon enough. *grin*
6336
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
Why do I get the impression that all the trails in that map would lead to the Veil of Tears?
Adundil needs to be allowed to work through this by himself, I know Namo will not let him come to him in Mandos.
Adundil has to forgive himself for failing to save his brother and for marrying and fathering Vorondil, if he can do that it will go a long way towards healing him.
Okay, enough profound thoughts for the day, good chapter!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Your impression would be correct. *grin* And you're correct about Aldundil... he needs to come to terms with what he's done and forgive himself. There are many kinds of "deaths" and not all have to do with physically dying. Aldundil believes that he is meant to die physically to atone for his 'sins', but that isn't what the Valar are asking of him as he will discover in the next chapter.
GoldenFlower
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
Ingwion is so wonderfully calm and collected. :D So, when do we get see the wonderfull, havoc-causing Glorfindel again? Speaking of Glorfindel, there really isn't enough well-writtn fanfic about him, which would be yet another reason I love this story so much.
Wonderful chpater as usual, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
~GF
Author's reply
We will be seeing Glorfindel very shortly and we'll see just what havoc he causes next. *grin* I'm not aware of too much fanfic written about Glorfindel which is why I started writing "Elf Interrupted" in the first place, so I could indulge in one of my favorite characters from Middle-earth. *grin* I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, GF. Thanks for letting me know.
Sunny
· 16 November 2008
· Chapter 31: Fana Nírion
Oookay...is this one waterfall or two? I know, they went off in different directions on the two days, but with the Valar, I suppose you never know. And I suppose that if they want to, they can make the geography of Aman look like a Klein bottle.
Author's reply
No, there's only one waterfall... hence the title of the chapter. In this particular part of Valinor all trails ultimately lead to this particular valley. Just shows how sneaky and devious the Valar can really be. *grin*