This is truly beautiful. Something that I will read over and over. I can just feel my heart beat faster and faster while reading realizing that that these two will meet! After reading their dialogue, I felt real good (like leaving a a movie and feeling really satisfied with the ending)... everything was said that needed to be said between these two within a very short time.
I love Irmo's and Namo's banter. Maybe polka dots with the bright colors will help!
Again..a wonderful and beautiful story. Thanks for writing it.
Author's reply
Hello RS. Thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoyed this and that it left you with such a feeling of satisfaction at the end. That's music to an author's ears. I don't think, though, that polka dots are really Namo's thing. *LOL* Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
6336
· 27 October 2010
· Chapter 24: Labyrinth Time
Oops, that should be 'Love which moves the Sun and other stars.'
I rememberd and then went and checked.
Forgot to mention, the amount of research you have to do has the be enormous, but that is part of the fun!
Lynda
Author's reply
Indeed, it is, Lynda, at least for me. I enjoy doing the research for my stories to make sure that I get it just right. Sometimes I spend more time researching then I do writing, but that's part and parcel of being a good writer, as far as I'm concerned.
6336
· 27 October 2010
· Chapter 24: Labyrinth Time
This reminds me a bit of the saying on the door in the Chapel of Stars 'Love which upholds the Sun and Other stars'(Think I got it right with out refering to E.I.2!)It all comes down to Love in the end, if Beren and Luthien had not married and had Dior and his heirs there would have been no Estel/Aragorn to love Arwen and bring the sundered lines back together.
A most beautiful piece, one of your best.
Just what I needed this morning, I have to get a tooth prepped for a crown and I am not looking forward to it!
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. I'm so glad you enjoyed this story. I think it's one of my better ones, as well. And, yes, I suppose there are parallels between the verse from the Chapel of the Stars (or more properly Dante's Divine Comedy) and the message in this story. It does indeed all come down to love in the end. I hope you survive the dentist without too much hassle. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I really appreciate it.
Cairistiona
· 27 October 2010
· Chapter 24: Labyrinth Time
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. The story format itself echoes the parallels between the two couples' lives, and the way you have Aragorn and Beren come together joins the lines perfectly. I like how Aragorn shows wisdom and restraint in not revealing too much to Beren, and Beren's simple reply of "Hope" when Luthien asked what he'd seen was a masterful touch. This is definitely a story for my "favorites" file. Thank you for writing it!
Author's reply
Hello Cairistiona. I am so glad you enjoyed this story. Thank you so much for letting me know. I really appreciate it. It's one of my favorites, too. I enjoyed writing it. I thought it a good idea for these two Men to meet across the ages.
Tari
· 8 October 2010
· Chapter 23: One Last Journey
A most touching and for me very sad telling of Legolas and Gimi's departure from Middle-earth. My heart goes with them.
Author's reply
Hi Tari. I'm glad you found this to be so touching, if sad. I've always found the thought of these last two members of the Fellowship leaving Middle-earth rather sad as well, especially for Legolas who will eventually lose his closest friend however the journey pans out.
Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate it very much.
Larner
· 24 September 2010
· Chapter 23: One Last Journey
I have always rejoiced for this grace given to Gimli, and that he saw Galadriel again ere he died.
Author's reply
So have I, Larner, which is why I've been enjoying writing these tales about Legolas and Gimli in Valinor. I hope someday to write more such stories, especially of their time together before Gimli's death, but also stories about Legolas adjusting to his death.
Larner
· 24 September 2010
· Chapter 22: The Case of the Balrog-slayer’s Second Best Sword
So, it was a Peredhel who stole his second-best sword--just got the wrong child of Elrond is all! Heh!
Author's reply
Glorfindel was as quick to make an assumption (which proved wrong) as the Twins were. Hopefully they all learned their lesson. *grin* Thanks for reviewing, Larner. I appreciate it.
shirebound
· 22 September 2010
· Chapter 23: One Last Journey
Such a unique and special friendship! I very much enjoyed reading this.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Shirebound. Thanks for letting me know. I greatly appreciate it. It is indeed a unique and special friendship.
Ces
· 22 September 2010
· Chapter 23: One Last Journey
Legolas and Gmili definitely had one of the most beautiful and endearing friendships of any in Middle Earth and beyond. And I wonder just how many times Legolas had to employ blackmail (using Galadriel) over the years to get him to agree to sail with him?
You write their friendship wonderfully Fiondil and as usual I have a clear picture in my mind of the scene by the water and those two talking. You most definitely have a way with words.
I hope there is another one time shot showing those two arriving and Galadriel and Thranduil waiting for them?
Ces
Author's reply
Hi Ces. I'm sure Legolas had to employ blackmail any number of times with Gimli. *grin* I am so happy to know how much you enjoyed this story. Thank you for letting me know and for your praise of my writing. I appreciate your kind words very much.
And you never know. There may be another story of their arrival in Valinor some day if the Muse is kind.
Rhyselle
· 22 September 2010
· Chapter 23: One Last Journey
Fiondil, this was just beautiful. I'm sitting here, eating my lunch, and now I'm smiling with tears in my eyes. What a lovely tribute to Cormare and the joint Baggins' birthday.
As always, you got the "voices" of Legolas and Gimli right, and I could hear them in my head, and see the scene clearly.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Well done!
Author's reply
Thank you, Rhyselle. I wanted to write something in honor of Cormarë and when this contest came along I knew I had the perfect story for it.
I am glad to know that I got the 'voices' of Legolas and Gimli right. Thanks for letting me know how much you liked this story. I appreciate it very much.
6336
· 22 September 2010
· Chapter 23: One Last Journey
Stubborn old dwarf, he's almost as bad as Sam was about boats.
May the Breath of Arda speed them on their way and may Ulmo smooth the waters for them!
Huggs,
Lynda
(This is only the first part, right, you have to show them arriving in Aman and being greeted by Galadrial? Pretty please with sugar and a cherry on top!?)
Author's reply
He is a stubborn old Dwarf, indeed, Lynda, but I suppose old age hath its privileges. *grin*
I do not know if there will be more to this, but I wouldn't be too surprised if there is. So, don't despair. There are more tales to tell about these two friends, I'm sure.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Lynda. I greatly appreciate it.
Fantasia
· 22 September 2010
· Chapter 23: One Last Journey
Beautiful, their friendship is one of the most beautiful messages in the books, how beings so different can overcome all their race prejudices and become friends. I wish that we all can follow that example learn that lesson in the real world.
Author's reply
Hi Fantasia. Definitely, the friendship between the Elf and Dwarf is one of the most beautiful messages in LOTR and it is a message that we so desperately need to hear to day in this era of intolerance and hatred for those who can claim kinship with us by virtue of our shared humanity.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.
Erulisse (one L)
· 22 September 2010
· Chapter 23: One Last Journey
I was always comforted, when I was young and reading LOTR for the first 50 times, that Gimli was allowed to pass over on the Straight Road with Legolas. It reassured me that the Valar were merciful, for to separate such staunch friends would have been wrong and Legolas could not turn his back on the sea longing that had been awakened in him. You, as always, have come through a storyline flying high. Beautifully done.
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
Hi Erulisse. It was always a great comfort to me as well which is why I enjoyed writing about their setting off in spite of their doubts and worries, seeing it as the greatest adventure of all. I am glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
Susana
· 12 September 2010
· Chapter 6: Tenn’ Ambar-Metta
Fiondil,
I greatly enjoyed this story about Elrond receiving a letter from his brother, and the relationships between Elrond and Cirdan, Erestor, and Gil-galad. I think it might have been what inspired me to start writing more about Elrond's background in the stories I am writing about Faramir (which seems a little odd I imagine, but I see Aragorn as becoming Faramir's mentor, and Elrond was Aragorn's, so who Elrond was matters for my purposes).
There really isn't a lot out there in terms of information on the twins' early lives - I am planning to write that they fought in the War of Wrath (near the end of the War), and that they lived with Cirdan after leaving Maglor's care sometime before that. I'm probably going to put Elros with the Edain after they make the choice, but I'm planning to have Elrond remain frequently in his brother's company until Elros sails. I like the way you've written it and I completely understand why Elrond might not understand Elros' choice, and would resent it, but I think he would want to enjoy all the time he has. I'm writing that after Elros sailed, Elrond's close friends (Gil-galad, specifically- I'm writing from his perspective) notice a change in Elrond, that after Elros sails, Elrond becomes more like his brother in some ways, as if in homage to his twin.
Anyway, thanks again!
Susana
Author's reply
Hello, Susana. I'm glad you enjoyed this story and that it has inspired you to write your own stories about Elrond. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it and good luck with your writing.
Tari
· 10 September 2010
· Chapter 22: The Case of the Balrog-slayer’s Second Best Sword
This is a perfect example as to why one should never jump to conclusions. However, I do understand Glorfindel suspecting the twins because they are always getting into trouble. Legolas would never think of doing something like that. If Glorfindel had not been so stressed out, he would have realized that.
Author's reply
Very true, Tari and Mithrandir said it best that past experience does not always dictate present circumstances. And of course, Glorfindel didn't think Legolas took the sword. I don't think it would have occurred to him to accuse Legolas when he had the usual suspects in sight. *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing, Tari. I'm glad you liked the story.
Rhyselle
· 8 September 2010
· Chapter 22: The Case of the Balrog-slayer’s Second Best Sword
Awwwwww!
So that's what happened! :) I love the mental image of elegant Arwen scrambling up the chestnut tree to sneak into Glorfindel's room.
And, as always, it's nice to see another story where Thranduil and Legolas are friends with Elrond and his family. There are many out there that have a strained relationship, if not outright emnity between them because Elrond has a Ring of Power and Thranduil does not.
Thanks for the new tale! Well done!
Author's reply
Yes, that's what happened. *grin* Glad you enjoyed this tale, Rhyselle. There really isn't anything in canon that says that Thranduil and Elrond were unfriends, so I tend to write them as being allies. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Rhyselle. I really appreciate it.
Erulisse (one L)
· 8 September 2010
· Chapter 22: The Case of the Balrog-slayer’s Second Best Sword
Fiondil - One of the things that I most appreciate about you as an author is your ability to take threads from your various tales and knit them into a tight braid of storyline. It has many similarities to a Celtic knot of words. You have done that again here, bringing the end of "EI2" into "Tales" via the return of Glorfindel's sword into the hands of Namo. Wonderful! Looking back through your varied stories there are only a couple of story sub-plots that are yet to be either resolved or come through in a different incarnation. I hope that they also will see additional life.
Again, a triumph. Nothing more than I would expect from one of my favorite authors.
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
And not only EI2, Erulissë, but in Elf Academy, Olórin makes a reference to this same incident in chapter 19. I do enjoy weaving the stories in and out of one another, like one of Vairë's tapestries.
I'm glad you liked this story. I appreciate you letting me know.
Sunny
· 8 September 2010
· Chapter 22: The Case of the Balrog-slayer’s Second Best Sword
Glorfy, Glorfy, Glorfy! I think this was lesson no. 7493 on this particular theme: Never underestimate the ellith!
That was really fun, Fiondil!
Author's reply
You're probably right, Sunny. Glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.
6336
· 8 September 2010
· Chapter 22: The Case of the Balrog-slayer’s Second Best Sword
Darn, I had Erestor pegged for it, in retaliation for the 'Privy' Incedent!
This was fun!
Huggs,
Lynda
(Who hopes third time is the charm, as the server is having a bad morning!)
Author's reply
Sorry, Lynda, but not this time. Maybe we'll see Erestor's revenge in another story someday. Glad you liked this anyway. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
Ces
· 8 September 2010
· Chapter 22: The Case of the Balrog-slayer’s Second Best Sword
This was great Fiondil! Poor Glorfindel outsmarted by little Arwen! And I love the twins throwing poor Legolas to the wolves to take the blame!
What a great way to start my morning!
Ces
Author's reply
Hi Ces. Glad you liked this. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
Tigger
· 1 September 2010
· Chapter 21: Breath of Arda
Oh!!
Love this Fiondil!! So well done and a wonderful take on how the Valar came to the decision, w/Eru's permission of course, to help swing the odds in favour of the Forces of Light. What tipped this over from loving it to adoring it though?
You used my favourite Contemporary Christmas Song. Love Amy Grant's Breath of Heaven and have put it on many Christmas Mixed tapes back in the day and now Christmas Mixed CD's. I was going to use it for my performance in Collage way back when during the Christmas Talent Show, but then got nailed by Laringitis Nazguls and had to pull out. Since I know the song soooo well, imagining it as sung by the Valar had chills racing down my spine. You could not have chosen a better song to use for this story.
Very Well Done!! :o)
Author's reply
Hello Tigger. Your favorite contemporary Christmas song? Well, I'm very happy to hear that. *grin* I've never heard Amy Grant sing it; I've only heard it sung in our church on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, which is always dedicated to Mary. One of our parishoners always sings it solo and every time I hear her sing it, it brings tears to my eyes. When I came up with the idea for this story, that was the song that came to mind.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Tari
· 31 August 2010
· Chapter 21: Breath of Arda
Excellent once again. I would love to see what happens when Denethor and all when they arrive in Mandos. (Especially Denethor) This is definetly food for another story.
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked this. While it would be interesting to see what happens when certain people show up in Mandos, I have enough on my plate that I doubt I will write anything about it anytime soon, but perhaps later. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.
Rhyselle
· 27 August 2010
· Chapter 21: Breath of Arda
Oh, Fiondil, this is exquisitely beautiful. I could almost hear Manwe singing, and my heart grieved for the fear arriving in Mandos when I read Namo's thoughts on the consequences of the battles that were taking place. I love the idea of Theodred being allowed to meet his father, and in regards to Denethor, I feel so bad for him, but I want to shake him, too, for having given up so close to the time that things turned around.
An excellent addition to the Tales, and now one of my favorites.
Well done!
Author's reply
Hi, Rhyselle. I'm so glad you enjoyed this and that it is now one of your favorites. It's one of mine as well. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Larner
· 27 August 2010
· Chapter 21: Breath of Arda
There are many powers and Powers all battling that particular day. Good to see them addressing the Song Itself!
Author's reply
Very true, Larner, and we see just how the Powers join in the battle. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Fantasia
· 27 August 2010
· Chapter 21: Breath of Arda
What a beautiful picture, all the Valars together, singing a song of power to help Middle Earth in one of his final battles.
I only disagree with Denethor portrait; I respect him, even after Faramir's attempt. He is only human after all, overcome by a very powerful mind after years and years of fighting for the White City against Mordor, in a way that none the previous Stewards had done, with literally no help and losing all his family. I think that he was a very capable leader and Aragorn owes him his Kingdom survival.
It is only my opinion Fiondil you tale is beautiful as ever....
Author's reply
That's all right, Fantasia. Everyone has their own opinion about Denethor. He is not an easy character to pin down. This is really Námo's opinion of him and not necessarily mine. My characters do have minds and opinions of their own that don't always coincide with mine. *grin*
Anyway, I'm glad you found this to be a beautiful tale. Thanks for letting me know. I much appreciate it.