Reviews (941)

Hector the Hero · 18 March 2011 · Chapter 57: The Crowning of Fëanáro

In response to Sitara's comments: Fëanáro was tainted by Morgoth as were all of the inhabitants of Arda due to Morgoth's influence in the Music. The greater the potential, the greater the responsibility, and the greater the potential to fall for the great have greater heights from which to fall. There is a fine line between genius and madness and Fëanáro clearly crosses it multiple times. He goes from using his gifts for the glory of his people, the glory of Eru, and the sheer pleasure of making to becoming so ego-centric that even his wife who has joined with him in fëa parts from him. Fëanáro commits crimes which not only violate the PAX Valinora so to speak (laws for maintaining peace set forth by the Valar) but he also breaks the laws set forth by his own beloved atar made for the good of all the Noldor when he threatens his own flesh and blood with grievous bodily harm, namely his half brother Nolofinwë. Not only is it evil for brother to be set against brother, it is wrong and dishonorable to a king for the crown prince to break the laws which the king has set forth. Where is the love of father in that? In returning to Tirion, Fëanáro sinned again, and again it was by his own choice though this time more deeply pre-conceived that living out what in all likelihood was long a fantasy to rid himself of his annoying little brother. The taint of Morgoth runs deep indeed in Fëanáro. It also runs in Finwë and in Miriel, too. Finwë forsook his responsibility to his people for the single-minded venture of giving in to the temper tantrum of his adult son (who himself has adult sons and a grandson), and Miriel refused re-embodiment which is against the Eru-made nature of elves who have forsaken their bodies in death. As for Indis and the lawfulness of her marriage to Finwë: if it were not Eru’s will, it would not have been allowed to happen. You can’t argue with that. It simply must be accepted for Eru saw what would become of the union all the way through Finrod and Galadriel and Eärendil and the kings of Numenor and Aragorn and Arwen and beyond. One of the overall problems Tolkien presents is that the Valar do not understand how deeply the taint runs in Arda and the elves do not perceive how deeply the taint runs. And this is a taint in the Valar themselves, their blindness to the depth of the influences of Morgoth and their blindness to their own limitations no matter how good their intentions. Fëanáro is a product of this taint as well as a victim just like every other elf in Arda is a product and a victim of the taint. Fëanáro went further in bringing evil fruit to this taint though by consciously and willfully using his great power and influences to bring as many others into his downward spiral as possible. However, Eru has a wonderful way of creating unexpectedly good things out of that which Morgoth taints. We see this time and again throughout the Silmarillion and the Lord of the Rings. Gollum and his role in destroying the ring is a prime example of this. Sitara, it would be far more productive to Fiondil if you would use the review space in his stories to critique or compliment his work instead of ranting over things Tolkien decided long before any of us were even born.

Sitara · 18 March 2011 · Chapter 57: The Crowning of Fëanáro

Nobody has the right to accuse Fëanáro. To people who would feel like it, I strongly recommend them to put themselves in his shoes and try to walk around for a little while. After that I’ll be perfectly willing to heed their charges, be them of Elvish or Valarin sources. It’s fairly easy to hurl accusations but I would like to see anyone who dares to do that how much better would have done in his place. No Elf and no Vala could ever understand Fëanáro because they won’t be ever likely to experience the things Fëanáro had gone through. No Man either for no Man would be bound to Arda for its lifetime. Respect for the rules of the Blessed Realm or for the Valar? Do they deserve at this point any trace of respect from Fëanáro when they didn’t even blink when one of Eru’s most sacred rules, the bond of matrimony, was blatantly broken? Furthermore, they even provided the means for those three foolish Elves to shun that particular rule. You just stay in Mandos forever and you two could live happily forever after. There, problem solved. And they would ask themselves afterwards why Eru forfeited their rights as guardians of Arda: to have in their keeping the fates of Arda. Respect when they exiled him in the utmost illegal manner or when their incompetence or idiocy allowed Melkor to kill his only living parent and his only remaining thread of sanity when they brought them all to Aman specifically to be guarded against Melkor? I dare them or anyone to judge him or the state of his conscience after living his life for a little. The Valar or others would condemn and blame Fëanáro for all their woes but have they ever stopped to ask how much of his madness was the result of their own actions or lack of it? They speak of his lack of regard for others but who could really know how many of his creations were and would be bettering the lives of both Elves and Men? Starting with his tengwar , with his lamps, followed by the palantiri for which generations of Kings of Men should thank him and ending with the Silmarili. Created not to be shiny toys to be gawked at but because of a foreknowledge of darkness threatening them all, knowledge which wasn’t given even to Valar themselves. And in this particular case, he undoubtedly might have thought to use the Noldor and the Teleri for his own purposes but in fact he was the one who ended up used by them. He became the ideal scapegoat for both tribes and when the things would turn sour, they won’t have to do else but to point a finger at him and say:” He made me do it!” What point to think about my own shortcomings and soul tainted by Melkor’s darkness when I’m just a poor innocent victim "besotted as with wine" by fell Fëanáro? Why should I think that I ended up hoarding ships for their own sake when I'm too busy to whine all my way through the First Age and possibly further, because of what that wretched Elf has done? But, in the end, one thing would remain: that this psychopathic, self-absorbed individual shall be the one who would sacrifice his heart for Arda to be Remade. And that’s Eru’s Judgement of Curufinwë Fëanáro. Okay, that’s not a review, obviously. That’s a pure rant and I would apologize if I were in the least bit sorry. Sorry for making you skimming through this, yes, but I’m not sorry for what I’ve said. Well, you do know what to do if it bothers you too much. On the bright side, they say (I think) that a successful writer is a writer who manages to make his readers act like all would be reality not fiction. “grin”

Fantasia · 18 March 2011 · Chapter 57: The Crowning of Fëanáro

I don't know what he will say, but I'm sure than Ingwë will regret his generosity later. Maybe he will proclaim his desire to go back to ME, and his insubordination towards the Valars. I think that after that, there is not point to take an oath; Ingwë won't tolerate that kind of behavior. I was thinking that they still underestimate Feanor, "child"? He is anything but a child, even with all his twisted goals, he was one of the greatest Elves ever, I think that we have here some of the old generation incredulity to see the value of the new generation. I don't know the age difference between the heirs, but it seems to me that Ingwion is much younger than Feanor, or at least, he acts as a younger elf. There you can see the difference between their characters. Thank you and I'm waiting to see how the exodus will start.

Shemyaza · 18 March 2011 · Chapter 57: The Crowning of Fëanáro

And so begins the speech that always makes me see Feanor as a psychopath.A truly self-absorbed individual with no conscience or feeling for others and for whom social rules have little or no meaning. The only thing that he didn't lack, unlike a true psychopath was passion, but none of that was directed at others with the notable exceptions of his mother and father and his creations. He still, for me, fulfils all of the elements of that condition. They tend to operate with a grandiose demeanor and an attitude of entitlement and fearlessness, although true psychopaths also partner that with a tendency towards sadism which of course we have no idea whether Feanor was because it's unlikely that Tolkien saw one of his most colourful characters in that light when he wrote about him! Feanor always reminded me of a high-peed vehicle with ineffective brakes. Poor Ingwe; the guy knows fine well that the missile is heading straight for them. He could see it from miles away but can do bugger all about it. I feel so sorry for him because he knows that the aftermath will not be good. Of course it seems so obvious to us that the Valar should interfere, but their hands are tied because if they do, then they will be giving credence to both Feanor's and Melkor's accusations of wanting the Eldar to be their slaves and not their beloved children. It must have nearly destroyed them to watch as events unfolded and not be able to act. I wonder if they suspected that bloodshed and pandemonium would follow? I have a feeling they did. As always, a riveting read from you. You bring Valinor and its inhabitants to life for me more so than any other writer.

6336 · 18 March 2011 · Chapter 57: The Crowning of Fëanáro

Short and relatively sweet, Feanaro is up to something, as if we didn't know. I am not too happy thinking about what his speech will be, knowing what is to come, I am very concerned also as to why he is insisting on not giving fealty to Ingwe until after the speech. Tricksey, that ellon, very, very tricksy! Huggs, Lynda

Sunny · 18 March 2011 · Chapter 57: The Crowning of Fëanáro

Seems I forgot to insert the word "speech". :-O

Sunny · 18 March 2011 · Chapter 57: The Crowning of Fëanáro

Ingwe was royally scr*wed here - Fëanáro seems to be quite the slick politician. I expect Fëanáro's to be the call for the Noldor to follow him to Ennor - and then the Oath will follow. All bets are off when that is done.

Tari · 16 March 2011 · Chapter 54: Mahalmacundo

I, too, have reservations about Ingoldo attending the meeting. I don't think he will accept Elindis as the ruler in her husband's absence. I fear he will learn something that he will be able to turn to his benefit.

Fantasia · 14 March 2011 · Chapter 56: Fëanáro’s Return

Well, if nothing, the noldors are really inventors; I think that they were the most industrious of the clans and for that reason, maybe, the most ambitious. Knowledge expands your mind and makes you seek outside your boundaries. I think, that they really could not be happy in Valinor without a purpose, they remind me of men, always seeking, moving. The bad thing is when you applied that thirst of knowledge to pursuit the wrong ends. So, Feanor is there and they have accepted him. Ingwë was concerned with Feanor, but at the end none of the Noldors heeded his advice, so better for him to part to his kingdom and let the noldors to manage their affairs. What it worries me is that if he goes to Olwen, he may be there when that madness unleash, and Ingwion as well. What a mess!

6336 · 14 March 2011 · Chapter 56: Fëanáro’s Return

Well he's back, now for the explosion! Would have been interesting to see what Ingwe would have said but I think Nolofinwe averted a serious incident by doing what he did. Franaro is too calm for my liking. Huggs, Lynda

Fantasia · 11 March 2011 · Chapter 55: The Queen’s Council

I have a proposal, send domeone to spy Ingoldo's activities.

6336 · 11 March 2011 · Chapter 55: The Queen’s Council

I'm with Ingalure, come home Ingwe or you may find yourself ousted by Ingoldo and his cronies, I'm sure he has some! Let Feanaro and Nolofinwe sort themselves out, I someehow can not see Feanaro bending his knee to Ingwe! Huggs, Lynda

Erulisse (one L) · 11 March 2011 · Chapter 55: The Queen’s Council

I am reading this chapter while hearing of the ever-increasing death toll from the Japanese earthquake this morning. It has resonance for me in both of the worlds - Tolkien's and real life. Ascertaining the damage of the people and possible emergency measures that may need to be taken is always the first priority in times of disaster, and the destruction of the Trees was certainly that. Ingoldo is completely untrustworthy and worries me, especially him leaving the council so quickly pulling his wife along with him. Ingwe needs to return and return quickly or he will have difficulty resuming his throne, no matter how much Ellendis and Ingalure have worked to keep it open for him. - Erulisse (one L)

Larner · 10 March 2011 · Chapter 54: Mahalmacundo

A most difficult situation, I must say. One does wonder who is pulling Ingoldo's strings. Am rather proud of Ingil at the moment,

Larner · 10 March 2011 · Chapter 53: A Conspiracy Suspected

Ingoldo is sowing his own seeds well, isn't he? Yecch! Poor Ingwe and Ingwion, as they will be the ones who will have to deal with the aftermath.

Tari · 8 March 2011 · Chapter 53: A Conspiracy Suspected

So now Ingoldo is beginning his attack. Ingalaurë is right to have fear of him. Unfortunately, the seed of doubt has been planted. Only time will tell if Ingalaurë is wise enough to see thru his uncle's clever words.

Erulisse (one L) · 8 March 2011 · Chapter 54: Mahalmacundo

Sorry I'm so late with this, I ran out of time to read it until this morning. I love the reactions of the people after the most stunning catastrophe of their lives. The dazed expression, the outbursts of anger, all of these things are more than plausible in situations of great stress such as this. And, of course the Valar are not doing a great deal to help calm the populace - the populace that they wanted to reside with them so very much. Sometimes they just bother me! I loved Ingil's oath at the end. He truly will guard the throne, even as his mother-name implies. - Erulisse (one L)

Sitara · 7 March 2011 · Chapter 54: Mahalmacundo

Well, look at this. So Elindis did remember that she is in fact the ruling queen. To tell you the truth, I was fully expecting her to follow the (future) example of Melian, who, as we all know, did a stellar job as the Queen of Doriath. I guess I cannot bring myself anymore to really feel for the Vanyar. Anyway, it's good for her to arise from her mourning and actually do something useful. And yeah, Fantasia is right. What is it with Findis? Has she already forgotten that she used to have a father and he's been brutally murdered? Canon Findis would retire with her mother, somewhere in Lorien, I believe, if I recall correctly. Ingalaurë should have restrained himself, if you ask me. Personally, I don't think that the High King's throne was worth such an oath. Or such a fuss. Oh well. And I loved that food-fight. "grin"

Fantasia · 7 March 2011 · Chapter 54: Mahalmacundo

I'm so weary of oaths lately, and because we know that Ingil was kill at some point, this oath make me uneasy. Is not Findis Finwe's daughter? she does not seem to affected for his death, as Feanor and his sons. I could expect her to go to Tirion and be with her family, but I'm not sure if she was her daughter or not, I have to re-read the story. Great chapter, as usual.

6336 · 7 March 2011 · Chapter 54: Mahalmacundo

Ah, good. I am pleased to see Elindis come out of her funk and that Valandur has his sources still feeding him information. What a shock for everyone, one minute you have light and an orderly existance and the next you are are plunged into darkness and confusion. At least Elindis has her priorities right, light and food will go a long way to normalizing things. Next up how to prevent panic and keep watch on Ingoldo, I don't trust that ellon one tiny bit! Huggs, Lynda Bye the way, just what were the Cook and Under Cook getting in a hair tangle about?:<)

Sunny · 7 March 2011 · Chapter 54: Mahalmacundo

Hearing about Ingoldo's suggestion that perhaps she wasn't really up to looking after things certainly put the steel into Elindis' spine! And his kind offer to look after things should ensure that it stays there, I think. It would be interesting to find out where Ingoldo gets his information. Ingalaurë's oath is probably a warm-up exercise for Eönwë, and I hope it is a nicer one than the ones that are going to follow. It will also be interesting to see what effects it will have.

Sunny · 4 March 2011 · Chapter 53: A Conspiracy Suspected

A good story really needs a good villain. Though perhaps "good" may not be quite the right word here - the sort of villain that we all can love to hate. ;-) I know - there is always Mogoth, but in this case he is perhaps a bit too elemental, IYKWIM. Good thing I am so fond of SF and Fantasy - if necessary i can dwell on a favorite Bad Ending from a book and picture Ingoldo in the middle of that.

Fantasia · 4 March 2011 · Chapter 53: A Conspiracy Suspected

What a mess! The queen needs to snap and take control. IMO, Ingoldo is wort than Feanor, at least, Feanor i snothing but sincere, he is not working in the shadowa and everybody knows what to expect while Ingoldo is a perfect intriguant.

6336 · 4 March 2011 · Chapter 53: A Conspiracy Suspected

Excuse me while I go brush my brain, Ingoldo has left a nasty taste in my mind! Just what was Atar thinking of when he created Ingoldo, must have been an off day. Poor Ingalure, everything he has been dreaming about and thinking of coming to the fore, Ingoldo has been taking lessons from Morgoth on how to intimidate people and coerce them into doing what he wants. What would happen if he does convince Ingalure to take the throne, just how long would Ingalure last before Ingoldo took over, methinks the first Kinslaying would not have been in Alqualonde and it would not have been Feanor's followers who did it! Time to come home Ingwe, let Feanor and Nolofinwe fight their own battles, though I think Nolofinwe will be only too happy to hand the throne over to his brother! Huggs, Lynda

Kaylee Arafinwiel · 4 March 2011 · Chapter 53: A Conspiracy Suspected

Oh, Atto! It looks like Ingoldo is up to his tricks again...Valandur should really keep a closer eye on him and Ingalaure. Valandur's right...Ingwe, or at least Ingwion, needs to come home. Ingoldo is in no way right of course. Hm...I saw Sitara's remark. If Feanaro was barred from the throne, would that mean Nelyo, too, was at this time? He did willingly give the crown to Nolofinwe later, though, didn't he? Poor, poor Ingil...oh, and the little bit between Olorin and Valandur was very interesting! Things just keep getting better and better. Tye-melin! Kaylee