njomo
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 2: Waiting for Elwë
Hi Fiondil,
This is quite a wonderful tale of the first years the Elves spent in Tirion. You articulate what I always unconsciously assumed-that the Quendi did not build in stone until after they reached Valinor. It makes sense to me that this skill, and others I'm sure, were taught to them by the Valar and Maiar. I can't remember at the moment what, if anything, Tolkien said on the subject-maybe it's something he just implied. Well, that's a good research project for me!
Bittersweet and sad, yes but that means you wrote the story well! And I found Ingwë and Finwë's anticipation of their meeting with Olwë very endearing. And Finwë's reaction when Ingwë tells him he wants to move closer to the Valar just about breaks my heart. One can imagine how bleak Finwë must feel.
Luckily none of the three know how long it will be before all four will be reunited nor what events will take place in the meantime. I think that's what seems most sad to me-not the length of time but all the pain and sorrow they will experience in between.
The "parting of the waters" made me smile (yes, I was thinking of that more famous event *grin*) but hey-when one has a Valar around, one should take advantage!
Thanks Fiondil.
Joanne
Author's reply
Thanks, Joanne. I'm glad this tale was to your liking however bittersweet and sad. I imagine that Finwë must have felt rather bleak with Ingwë leaving and his friend Elwë not there. And of course all the pain and sorrow that will follow before they are reunited with Elwë makes everything even more bleak for the reader.
As for the 'parting of the waters'... I just couldn't resist. *grin*
Thanks for you review, Joanne. I really appreciate it.
Fantasia
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 2: Waiting for Elwë
I was just thinking...it tooks them to meeto Earendil to know what happened to him, a lot of years...or second thought, the reborns could have tell them, but then, the reborns stated to appers after Earendil or before.. it is so confusing...
Now, these are the silliest thoughts ever, I know that elves can choose when to have a child, but do they consider overpopulation when they plan their kids, do you imagine, living with or knowing your great-great-great-great grandfather and he looks just like you...wierd and where to live? when you will be the master of your house...do no mind me, I'm bored...
Author's reply
Hi, Fantasia. I had to re-read your review several times to understand what you meant to say. I think you mean that it took until Eärendil came to Valnior before Ingwë and Olwë (Finwë was already dead by this time) learned of Elwë's fate. Is that what you were trying to say? As for the Reborn, in my stories I have them appearing after the War of Wrath, but those returning from the war could certainly have told Ingwë and Olwë about Elwë.
I'm sure that the Elves planned for overpopulation. Being essentially immortal, they probably did not produce as many children as humans do, plus there would be long years, even centuries between children.
ellie
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 2: Waiting for Elwë
What a delightful and insightful look at the building of Tirion and the working in stone with big buildings for the first time. Also the sorrow at the parting of the freidns both from Elwe and soon to be between the Vanyar and the Noldor was sad.
I liked the explanation of how Tol Eressea was named (leave it to the Noldor to name everything) and the description of the Teleri waiting there until they learned to build ships of their own.
Very fun and well done as always :-)
Author's reply
Thanks, Ellie. I'm glad you found this to be delightful and insightful even though it is also sad. I enjoyed writing this little gapfiller. I was always dissatisfied with how the Silmarillion treated this and felt it needed some... er... correction. *grin* Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it as I know you have little time for such things with the baby and all.
Thalanee
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 2: Waiting for Elwë
As sad as it was to see the poor elves so dejected at Elwe´s absence, it was a delightful chapter nonetheless (and of course we know why Elwe stayed ;-) )
*"We ought to change their name to Teleri," Finwë quipped as they made their way to the shore. "They have taken their time getting here, after all."
Ingwë laughed. "Elwë won’t be amused, but I think it’s an apt name for these laggards." * *sniggers*
that was one of the funniest parts of this story!
I always wondered about the part in the Silmarilion where it was said that teh Teleri and the Noldor didn´t meet until the Teleri settled in Aman: given how close they were it really is highly unlikely.
More please!
greetings, Thalanee
Author's reply
Hi, Thalanee. Thank you so much. I'm glad you found this story delightful in spite of its sad themes. I am sure that the Teleri were not the ones to give themselves that name. *grin* It sounds like something that the Noldor would come up with. In Helge's Quenya Wordlist, the name is actually glossed 'sea-elf' but that is certainly a later interpretation of the name. The one given in the notes is the original meaning according to Tolkien.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who found that part of the Silmarillion odd and unlikely. It just never made sense to me so when the idea to write this story came to me it was fun coming up with just how they managed to get across to the island without constructing or being provided with ships and it's unlikely any of them knew how to swim.
Tari
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 2: Waiting for Elwë
I love your interpretaion of the founding of Tol Eressëa. However, knowing what is to come makes it a bitter sweet reunion.
I think the sadness on the faces of the Maiar is do to the fact that they know something about what will happen in the future.
Author's reply
Thanks, Tari. I'm glad you liked this interpretation. Yes, it is indeed a bittersweet reunion and I think the Maiar were already aware that Elwë was not going to be coming and that is why they were sad in the face of Finwë and Elwë's expectations to the contrary.
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 2: Waiting for Elwë
Finally, meldonya! Took your Muse long enough! *teasing grin*
I'm just kidding. I know you said twice a month. and so I'm happy. I'm also happy the Teleri finally made it!
Love the AU "Moses element" as I shall call it. Of course you know what I mean. *grins* That was brilliant work, meldonya. I hadn't remembered that they didn't greet the Teleri right away...my first guess would have been taking a ship, but then the Teleri were the eventual shipbuilders and, of course, there hasn't been time yet, so that's out.
Alas for Elwe, Elmo and Olwen! But eventually, Olwe will see his younger siblings again. And *eventually*, at the Remaking, Finwe will too...it's just a very, very long time to wait.
And of course their tarrying in Beleriand is not without purpose, for without it there would have been no Luthien, no Galadhon (and therefore no Celeborn and Galathil, therefore no Nimloth) no Dior, and, well, you know. And we know why Olwen's important. *nods*
Lovely, meldonya! Eagerly awaiting next month's tales.
Tye-melin,
Kaylee!
Author's reply
Hi, Kaylee. The 'Moses element' *lol* I guess that's what it is, but it was the only really logical means of letting the elves get to the island without ships and as there is no moon at this time to make tides, the Maiar have to do it themselves. *grin*
Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed this one. Hopefully I'll have another story up in a couple of weeks. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Mr.Namo
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 2: Waiting for Elwë
Wow. That’s a bit depressing when you think about it. They won’t be together till the fourth age or even longer.
Great story though. I always thought it was a bit heartless when no one came to meet Olwe and the Teleri till years later.
BTW, Is Finwe one of the elves stuck in mandos forever or is that just Feanor and company?
Author's reply
It is said in the discussion of Finwë and Míriel in "Laws and Customs of the Eldar" that when Finwë died, he agreed to remain in Mandos for all the ages of Arda while Míriel was re-embodied, though she retired to the House of Vairë rather than rejoining the Elves in Eldamar (see Morgoth's Ring, HoME X).
Glad you liked the story, even though it really doesn't have a happy ending. And I'm glad I'm not the only one to feel that it was heartless of no one to go and meet Olwë and the Teleri when they arrived. That never really made sense to me.
Sunny
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 2: Waiting for Elwë
I came away from this story feeling a bit sad: We know that Elwë and Finwë won’t meet again. And there will be a long time before Ingwë – and Olwë, too - will see him again, and he will die and be reborn first. And here Ingwë and Finwë kept hoping that he would come soon, only to see those hopes dashed.
This is just a quicie comment, there may be more later. Now I am off to thread meat and veggies on skewers, and make a salad for this evening’s party
Author's reply
It is a very poignant moment for them all, I think, realizing that they will not meet any time soon. Finwë, Ingwë and Olwë cannot even imagine that Elwë would actually die first before he is reunited with them. That thought has not entered into their hearts.
Enjoy your party!
6336
· 19 June 2009
· Chapter 2: Waiting for Elwë
Once again another excellant expansion of small snippit of Tolkiens universe.
You're right, I can't see them waiting all that time before meeting kin again, I could see the more adventurous floating across on logs or something though!
Poor Ingwe and Finwe, they will be waiting a long tine for Elwe.
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Thank you, Lynda. I was never really satisfied with how the Silmarillion treated this momentuous event when the Teleri (or at least a fair number of them) finally come to Valinor. The idea that Finwë and Ingwë would just shrug and go on with whatever they were doing when the news arrives that their kinsmen have come never sat well with me, thus, this this story came to light. I'mm glad you enjoyed it.
Thalanee
· 6 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
A great way to start this new series: statrting at the very beginning of everything (or at least the very beginning of what we call our universe).
"only one Ea that we know of": One cannot help but wonder but wonder if there are things like parallel universes. Why not?
It was really funny to see how confused the Ayanumuz were (with the exception of Manwe: he probably knew from the beginning).
I`m already looking forward to the (hopefully) many stories you´re going to write!
Greetings, Thalanee
Author's reply
Thanks, Thalanee. I'm glad you liked this story. I thought starting at the very Beginning of Everything would be appropriate for the launching of this new series of short stories.
I'm sure Manwë knew or at least suspected the truth but was willing to let the others come to it on their own.
I'm glad you are looking forward to more stories. At least initially, this series will not be weekly, but probably bi-monthly. Eventually, assuming the Muse is kind, it will be updated more frequently.
Kitty
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
The perfect title and story to start this new series :) It's a great idea to start this off with the very beginning of Eä.
Seems the Ayanumuz got a little surprise from Atar for their new place - to create it all by themselves. It's always nice to be able to set up your playground to your liking, after all ;) And they rose to the challenge.
Author's reply
Thanks, Kitty. I thought it appropriate to start off with the very beginning of Eä, since all else flows from that. And the Aynaumuz did rise to the challenge. The end result might not have been the perfect cosmos they envisioned in the Timeless Halls, but it does well enough, I think. *grin*
njomo
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
Aaahh, but where better to begin...but at the beginning?!
The Ainulindalë was always my favorite part of the Silm. To be honest, it was years before I could read much further than that. So that makes this story that much more special.
There is something about less than perfect "gods" if you will, even "minor" ones that I find endearing. Or maybe it's just the way you write them and portray them as individual characters.
And yes, the difference between Vision and Reality...but the Reality they create, as you say (or rather as Manwë says), is for "the love [the Ayanamuz and Máyar] bear for the children to come."
Perfect!
Thanks Fiondil.
Joanne
Author's reply
You're welcome, Joanne. I'm glad you enjoyed this. The Ainulindalë has always been one of my favorite parts of the Silm, too. And, in my mind, since the Ayanumuz and Máyar are created beings just as we are, they can't be perfect, though they may be *more* perfect than we are, but that's not the same thing. Besides, characters without any flaws or idiosincracies to them are boring and no fun to read. I'm glad you find my characterization of the Powers endearing. I never cared for the standoffish, cold and uncaring attitude that some writers give to the Valar. It never made any sense to me.
Aiwen
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
Their confusion is extremely funny, yet also understandable. I am amused to see that you started this series of stories at the very beginning of Ea.
Author's reply
Well, it just seemed logical to start this series with a story about Eä's beginning, a sort of prequel to my "Wars of the Valar". I'm glad you found it amusing, Aiwen, especially the confusion felt by the Ayanumuz. It must have been quite the shock to come into Eä expecting to see it all laid out for them and then realize they have to do some of the 'grunt work' instead.
Vilwarin
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
Oh, I loved it. A new start with a bang! It was great to see the initial confusion, the philosophical and then the mathematical approach. You had me giggle at the idea of parallel "playgrounds".
Author's reply
Hi, Vilwarin. I'm glad you enjoyed this story. Thanks for letting me know.
Tari
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
I am sooooo happy to see the Valar back. I really missed them.
Perhaps Adar wanted to see if they rememnbered what he taught them. There is no reason why there couldn't be more than one Universe. Only Iluvatar knows the answer to that question.
I would be happy just being a minor Maia in service to any of the Valar.
Author's reply
Thanks, Tari. I'm sure you are correct about why the Valar found a wasteland instead of the cosmos they were expecting. Eru does like us to do for ourselves, after all. *grin*
I would be happy just being a minor Maia in service to any of the Valar.
Me, too! Though I think I would like to be in Námo's service more than any of hte others.
Alassante
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
Great! I'm glad you're inspired by some of our past themes. :) This was a nice look at this part of the Silm. I must admit the whole 'singing into being' was my least favorite part of the book because it was a little bit like reading the bible. (I was okay once the elves woke up though :P) But this helped me look at it from a story perspective and that I like lol Now was this before or after Melkor went and messed things up?
Author's reply
Hi, Alassante. I'm glad you liked this and that it has helped you to see the Ainulindalë in a different and more positive light. That part of the Silm is actually one of my favorites. *grin* And this is before Melkor messes things up, for until the Valar actually bring Eä into existence, there isn't anything for Melkor to mess up. I was happy to find the theme when I did as I felt it was a good prompt with which to start of this new series.
6336
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
Back to the Beginning! A good place to start your new series of ficlets.
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
I thought so, especially when I saw the prompt. *grin*
Edlyn
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
This was a most lovely brginning (in more ways than one!) I loved the way that Námo reassured Maranwë. Also, the conversation between Vairë and Námo was very sweet.
Th idea of there being other "playgrounds" for the other Ayanumuz is also very pleasing to me. I have always felt that Eru's powers weren't limited to creating only one universe.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of these tales, meldonya and hope that you remain well and happy. ERu bless!
Edlyn
Author's reply
Thanks, Edlyn. I'm glad you liked this. I thought the prompt and the story that it inspired was appropriate for the first story out of Vairë's Loom. Subsequent stories will be all over the Middle-earth map. I don't intend to write in any kind of chronological order, just as the Muse directs. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Larner
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
Indeed a new beginning! Nice to see this collection at its inception.
Author's reply
Thanks, Larner. I'm glad you liked this.
Sunny
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
Well, you certainly started this new series out with a bang!! ;-)
Author's reply
*LOL* No pun intedned, of course. *gives sly wink* Glad you liked this one, Sunny. Thanks for letting me know.
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
Ah, so this is the beginning of the Beginning! At least, it is once they are outside the Timeless Halls.
My favorite part was when they were discussing 'other playgrounds' for their brethren...*snicker*
I wondered what the plural of "Ea" was, if there was need for one (and it seems there is, where else would Atar put those other playgrounds after all...)
Wonderful, meldonya! I'll be eagerly awaiting this story's updates! Thank you for brightening my (very early) morning! (it's 1 AM...*wry grin* Yes, yes, I know...bed.)
Tye-melin!
~Kaylee
Author's reply
Thanks, Kaylee. I'm glad you liked this and that I was abel to brighten your very early morning. This series will probably not be updated every week, at least not immediately, but I hope to have at least two stories every month to start with.