Helene
· 10 June 2009
· Chapter 2: The Beauty of the Night
I want to like youre stories, but it seems like lately your just turning reborn elves into infants or bratty teenagers. Cant you write adults?
Author's reply
I don't think I 'turn' reborn elves into infants or bratty teenagers... that is what they are, at least in some sense. I'm not exactly sure what your objections are since this story begins with Finrod being reborn and relearning all the things he's forgotten from his previous life. Naturally, as he attempts to integrate his fëa with his hröa, he will be somewhat helpless at first, as we see in this chapter. We will be following him over the next century of his new life as he strives towards emotional maturity, a maturity we see in the later chapters of "Elf, Interrupted", especially when he goes back to Lórien and becomes an apprentice to Irmo and Námo. I don't think you can claim Finrod in that story is not an adult, although he is not above letting his 'inner child' out every once in a while, as many adults do in our own world.
And it's been my personal experience that *wanting* to like something doesn't really work. *grin* You either like it or you don't and trying to like something for whatever reason just ends up making one frustrated. I had that experience with a book by a favorite author once. In the end, I realized it wasn't worth it, trying to find a reason to like the book, so I finally just put it away and never read another book by that particular author again. It happens.
Perhaps if you give this story a chance you may come to like it... or not.
Kitty
· 10 June 2009
· Chapter 2: The Beauty of the Night
So now we know why Finrod suddenly loved porridge, which he had despised in his first life *grin* This first experience of eating has left quite an impression.
It’s probably good they don’t remember much of their old life at that point, otherwise it would be even more embarassing to be so helpless. In a way, they are even worse than newborn babies – that can’t be easy to accept.
I wonder if Finrod’s panic at waking up in the dark is caused only by the rebirth itself or if there’s some memory of his death in a probably quite dark dungeon lingering in his subconscious.
Anyway, it was lovely how he reacted to the stars.
Author's reply
Yes, that's wny. *grin*
It probably is good that they don't remember much at this point, as it would indeed by imbarrassing.
Finrod's panic is most likely due to a subconscious memory of his death. He can't remember it yet and so he panics even more not knowing why he's panicking.
The stars, of course, are so part of the elvish psyche that even if he doesn't know what they are initially he reacts to them in a positive manner. The stars and their remote beauty help stem his sense of panic and dread.
ellie
· 10 June 2009
· Chapter 2: The Beauty of the Night
It is almost painful to watch Finrod go through this process of being incapable of doing anything when one can remember what he used to be and will be again. The maiar really are gentle and patient! Poor frustrated Finrod!
Author's reply
Yes, it is very painful, since we do know what he was able to do before and we know what he will be able to do again, yet, it's a necessary process that all Reborn must endure. The Maiar are patience and compassion personified; they need a lot of patience and the Reborn need a lot of compassion. *grin*
6336
· 10 June 2009
· Chapter 2: The Beauty of the Night
Ah, now we find out how Finrod developed his liking for porridge!
I can imagine how scary it must have been for him to wake in the dark, even a candle would not have been enough, Olorin is very wise in the ways of the newly Reborn. Taking him out side to show him the stars was very smart thing to do.
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Yes, indeed, Lynda! Porridge has now become his favorite dish. *grin*
Olórin is very wise indeed, and very compassionate. That's why he ultimately succeeds as Gandalf when most of the other Istari failed (I don't include Radagast in this because I don't think he actually failed).
Larner
· 10 June 2009
· Chapter 2: The Beauty of the Night
The confusion of remaking the connections so as to control this renewed body must be pretty overwhelming. But the language is there, ready to be called upon once more!
Love the desire to be there, beneath the stars!
Author's reply
Yes, I imagine it must be overwhelming. I know when my mom had her stroke she was very frustrated that she couldn't make her body 'work' the way it used to.
The Elves were born under the stars, so it stands to reason that even for Finrod who was born beneath the Light of the Two Trees, the sight of the stars would waken a primal memory.
Edlyn
· 10 June 2009
· Chapter 2: The Beauty of the Night
Oh, this was wonderful! So much emotion, the nightmare of waking up in the dark (I'm betting his subconscious was screaming he was back in Morgoth's dungeon), his awe and delight at the stars. Olorin's reassurance that all would be well.
I can especially feel Findarato's frustration as he tries to move his finger, as last night I learned that a long time friend suffered a massive stroke on Monday, paralyzing his entire left side. He's already got some ability to move a couple fingers and his left foot a bit and he's trying to speak but it utterly exhausts him. His wife says his frustration is palpable because he's normally a very physically active man (he's a master archer in the SCA and taught me to shoot more years ago than I care to admit).
Thank you for this fic, meldonya. It was posted at a time that I needed some hope.
Eru bless,
Edlyn
Author's reply
Hi, Edlyn. Yes, subconsciously he's back in Sauron's dungeon where he died when he wakes to darkness. He doesn't remember that yet but it's there, a nameless fear that grips him and won't let him go. Olórin and the stars will help him work through the terror eventually.
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I know how frustrated my mom was when she suffered her stroke. Like your friend, her left side was affected and she never regained full use of it, though she did recover enough to lead a semi-active life (she did the cooking and could drive a car). I hope your friend finds healing, both physical and spiritual.
Jancy
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Hi Fiondil
You have me smiling because of this new story. :-D First Glorfindel, and now Finrod. I’m happy to read this first chapter and I am eager to read more.
Author's reply
Thanks, Jancy. I'm glad you like this new story about Finrod and are looking forward to reading more. I will be updating with new chapters once a week, most likely on Wednesdays.
Agape4Gondor
· 6 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Ah ha! Finrod Felagund.... What a delight to 'feel' that name upon my lips! Looking very much forward to this, dear Fiondil.
I loved the beginning - but don't I love all your works and words and wonders and wisdom. *blushes* I do.
Perfectly logical, though I don't remember Finrod being thus - but he must have been a logical character, before he left his kingdom to another... hmmm - should be VERY interesting reading!
Author's reply
Hi, Agape. I'm glad you enjoyed this and found it delightful and interesting.
And you're making me blush with your praises. *grin* Thanks, though. I do appreciate your kind words and your review.
Aiwen
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
I look forward to seeing where you take this. The way I found out about your stories in the first place is that I had written a story about Finrod being reborn in Valinor, and one of my readers suggested I read Elf, Interrupted which I'd never even heard of before.
Author's reply
Hi, Aiwen. I'm glad you enjoyed this first chapter and you are looking forward to seeing how the story goes. I've not read anyone else's "Finrod reborn" story so as not to be influenced by them. Well, I did read, as far as it's gone, the story by Bodkin, but her take on things is different enough from mine and mine is based on what I've already written in Elf, Interrupted. I'm glad that your reader suggested you read Elf, Interrupted. Word-of-mouth is still the best form of advertising. *grin* Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
Edlyn
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Oh, meldonya! I was not expecting this at all! What a lovely present to find when I went to look at SOA this morning. How do you find the time to do so much writing? Do you ever sleep?
It will be very interesting to see Finrod's experiences as he returns to Life. I definitely liked the voice you have chosen to use and the POV. The initial paragraph grabbed me with its first sentence and there was no way that I could NOT read the rest of the chapter (something I suspect would have happened even if I wasn't already a Finrod fan).
Bravo! I await the next chapter whenever you can post it and I promise I won't nag, honest!
Eru bless,
Edlyn
Author's reply
Hi Edlyn. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this first chapter, and were especially intrigued by the first sentence of the initial paragraph. Once I finished "Wars of the Valar", I began writing this tale along with the Darkening tale which I hope to post later in the year.
Each chapter of this story will begin with an excerpt from Finrod's diary and then I tell the story from a third person omnincient pov, though Finrod's pov is primary (I merely reserve the right to write from other people's povs when I deem it appropriate). I did not want to write the entire story in first person, so I chose this method for telling FInrod's tale.
Anway, I will be posting new chapters every Wednesday (in place of "Stirrings of Shadow" now that that tale is completed). Thanks for your review, Edlyn. It's good to hear from you again.
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 4 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Me being me, I had to go look it up. It's EI 1, Chapter 119: The First Round.
He felt an old grief at the memory of one of Lord Námo’s Maiar informing him that his firstborn had entered Mandos. The pain of it had been more terrible than learning that his other two sons had also died sometime earlier. He was surprised that that particular memory still held so much pain now that he had Findaráto back.
~Kaylee!
Author's reply
Thanks, Kaylee. I had been re-reading that section of the story recently and remembered that Arafinwë was aware that his sons had died and were in Mandos, but couldn't remember off-hand which chapter, and I was too lazy to go look it up! *grin*
Midnight Promise
· 4 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Hello, :)
Yes! A 'Finda' story! Fortunately for me, I discovered the story right before I went to bed- it was a good way to go to sleep. :3
I am glad we get to have more of Finrod, he has become one of my favorite characters. I cannot wait until he gets back with his family!
With all this talk of elves and this new story, it reminded me of the story about Maglor you wrote for your tapestry shot. Has the Muse been nice enough to give inspiration or has it been left alone?
Again, I cannot wait for more. With Finrod (and many other characters) I had some apathy towards, I could never properly view them. But your depictions hit the mark, brings them to life, and compliment the characters beautifully!
Blessings for inspiration and *no* writers block! :0)
Author's reply
Hi, MP. I'm glad Finrod has become one of your favorite characters. He's always been one of mine so I'm glad to have a 'Finda' story where he's not sharing the limelight with Glorfi. *grin*
I do have every intention of expanding on the Maglor story, but I think that is something that will not happen any time soon. There are other projects that I'm working on at the moment, including "Diaries", but I think before the end of the year I'll have Maglor's story written. I'm as curious as everyone else to know if he and Denethor and the other Elves find the Straight Road.
I'm glad that my writing has helped you to lose some of your apathy towards Finrod and others. Thank you for letting me know and thanks for the review. I appreciate it.
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Mai omentaina, meldonya!
FINDA!!! *resists temptation to put many more exclamation points*
It's Finda! You're telling us Finda's story!! Yay, yay yay!!! I'm so excited, he's one of my favorite elves!!!
Very well done first chapter meldonya, I can't wait to see what happens next!
Namarie,
Kaylee!
P.S. I have to wonder; did Arafinwe know his son was dead?
Author's reply
Hi Kaylee! Yes, Finda's story. I know how much you love him, so hopefully you will enjoy this little tale. In 'Elf, Interrupted: Book One', (I forget which chapter exactly but it's during the New Year Tournament) Arafinwë remembers how the knowledge that his firstborn had died when one of Námo's Maiar came to tell him, had hit him harder than when he was told many years earlier that his other two sons had died.
6336
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Ah! Now we find out how Arafinwe was able to cope so well with Glorfindel having been through it before with Finrod!
Could this be considered Caring for the Reborn. A Guide for Concerned Parents?
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
I suppose that "Caring for the Reborn: A Guide for Concerned Parents and Other Guardians" could be considered a subtitle to this story. *lol* We'll see how Arafinwë and Eärwen cope with their newly reborn Finda, though we have to get Finrod out of the Gardens of the Reborn and Lórien first.
njomo
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Hi Fiondil,
What a happy surprise to wake up and find this new story of yours waiting to be read!
I like the way you start off with an excerpt from Findaráto's diary. I hope that continues to be a part of each chapter.
Of course we know well Glorfindel's experience as a new Reborn, so it will be interesting to see how and if Findaráto fares differently. I'm sure each reborn reacts differently (in some ways at least) to the experience.
I'm curious to see how Findaráto and Olórin interact. Guess I'm used to watching Olórin and Glorfindel and for some reason haven't thought about how Findaráto and Olórin get along.
Congratulations on an excellent start to what I'm sure will be quite an interesting tale!
Joanne
Author's reply
Thanks, Joanne. I'm glad you enjoyed this first chapter and are looking forward to the next. The reason for the title is that every chapter will begin with an excerpt from Finrod's diary with each diary entry serving as a kind of summary or setting the theme for what happens in a particular chapter.
Finrod's experiences will be similar but not exactly the same as Glorfindel's and since this story will not be quite as epic as "Elf, Interrupted", I spend a bit more time detailing his experiences within the Gardens of the Reborn and then in Lórien before he is even reunited with his parents. Naturally, the bulk of the tale will center around his trying to re-adapt to life in Tirion as the heir to the Noldorin king's throne.
As for Olórin... well, I wanted at least one canon Maia tending to Finrod. I'm not sure how large a role he will actually play in this story as he will be busy helping Námo to keep Glorfindel in line for the next century. *grin* But, I'm sure he'll pop in every now and then to see how 'Finda' is doing.
ellie
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
*Jumps up and down for joy* YAY! a Finrod story. YAY! I am so glad you are writing the story of his rebirth. yay! Excellent start so far. *Popping poopcorn and fixing tea in preparation for the next chapter* may the next chapter be long and posted yesterday.
BTW, when will you start posting that Finarfin story?
Author's reply
Hi, Ellie. I'm glad that you are all excited about this story. I will be updating with new chapters once a week, usually on Wednesdays, so you have plenty of time to pop the popcorn and fix the tea. *grin*
I will not be posting the Darkening story for some time yet, though hopefully before the end of the year. I need to get Elf, Interrupted done first, though I am writing the Darkening story even now (20 chapters so far). Just be patient.
rick
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Yay! Finrod! my second-favorite character after (you guessed it) Glorfindel. Now, of course, I will be urging you to abandon real life altogether in favor of writing (again, or maybe as usual) . So he's been embodied & we'll see him adjusting as we did Glorfindel in EI1, yes?
Keep up the good work!
Author's reply
Thanks, Rick. Well, as much as I would love to abandon real life altogether, I fear I will have to bother with it on occasion. *grin* At any rate, I'm several chapters into this story already and will be posting on a regular (read: weekly) basis. And we will see Finrod adjusting much as we saw Glorfindel do the same, though their stories are not the same, and in some cases, there will be more details as to what adjustments he has to make, both in the Gardens of the Reborn and in Lórien before he is reunited with his family and mus then make the necessary adjustments of living in Tirion.
Arwen75
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
I was so happy to see this this morning - and am really looking forward to seeing how you take this forward. Finrod is someone I have really got to know through your depiction of him and I will enjoy reading more about his time after his rebirth. I wander how much trouble he can get into....
Author's reply
I'm so glad to hear how happy you were to see this chapter, Arwen, and that you are looking forward to more. Finrod has always been a particular favorite of mine, which is why I love writing about him. As for how much trouble he can get into, only time will tell. *grin*
Kitty
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Yay, finally the first chapter! :)
Interesting look at the first problems with being reborn and how difficult it is to suddenly have a body again and to use the senses again that haven’t been necessary for centuries. That must be quite confusing and frightening for poor Finrod.
Why do I have the feeling Námo is just now throwing a party to celebrate that he now has to deal with only one of the Terrible Two? *grin*
Author's reply
Thanks, Kitty. I'm glad you enjoyed this first chapter. I'm sure Námo held some sort of celebration when he got rid of... er... I mean, sent Finrod on his way. *cheeky grin*.
Sunny
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
So it is _Finrod_ who is the central character in your new story! *rubs hands with glee*
Nothing much happened in this first chapter, but I suppose Finrod will make up for that as soon as he gets to be a bit more mobile. Is he going to be as big a magnet for trouble as Glorfindel?
A good beginning!
Author's reply
Thanks, Sunny. No, not much does happen here. This is more of a prologue you might say to the rest of the story. Finrod might not be as great a magnet for trouble as Glorfdinel, but that's not to say he doesn't invite any trouble. He is a Reborn after all and trouble is a Reborn's middle name. *grin*
Elflingimp
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
This sounds so very interesting I can't wait for more! I could feel his frustration at it all. Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Thanks, Elflingimp. I'm glad you are looking forward to more of this story. I'll be updating on a regular basis, so keep your eyes open for the next chapter.
Thalanee
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
A wonderful first chapter!
So we will learn more about one of our favourite elves. This story has just statred and I already find myself wondering about his adventures in the Gardens of the Reborn and the havock he´s going to wreck in Lorien (even if Glorfindel´s not with him, I guess he´s fully capable of getting himself into trouble... I can´t help picturing Namo saying something to Irmo along the lines of: "You´re lucky you only have to deal with them one at a time. Together they´re a menace to civilisation not to mention a threat to my sanity." Come to think about it you actually wrote that in one of your stories (The Tapestry piece about Vaire´s plan to cheer Namo up...) I´ll look it up
;-)
And I´m already looking forward to every single appearance of Namo!
Greetings, Thalanee
Author's reply
Thank you, Thalanee. I'm glad you are excited about this new story. I'm not sure how often Námo will show up in this story, but he'll be around. And yes, Finrod is fully capable of getting into trouble without Glorfindel's help, as you will see in subsequent chapters. The first few chapters are going to on the short side, but they will get progressively longer as Finrod interacts more with others.
Larner
· 3 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Death Is but the Beginning
Definitely a new beginning as he strives to remember what living means! Poor Elf!
Author's reply
Yes, indeed, Larner, but at least we know that he succeeds in learning to live again. This story will explore what he experiences as he attempts to live again with all the ramifications that entails.