Reviews (941)

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

I don't like Ingoldo - you already know that - but I do like the way you write him. I like how you describe his character and behavior; so well done!

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

You gotta love Ingoldo. He always manages to find a reason to be happy and cheerful, no matter what. Woe betide them all only his little plot be successful. This one could give lessons of darkness to Melkor himself and I'm beginning to ask myself what family traits would share Ingwë, Ingoldo and Indis. "grin" On the other hand, it seems that Valandur is another one who thinks the Valar are currently sitting in their chairs and busy themselves with wringing their hands. Interesting. And he's right, of course. I cannot think of any reason for which Fëanáro would give a damn about what the High King of the Eldar has to say. Oh, and by the way, I should correct Ingalaurë: the next one in line for the throne is Nelyafinwë, not Nolofinwë. "chuckle". In fact, for accuracy's sake, Nolofinwë would about the tenth in line to the Noldorin throne, counting Telperinquar as well. As much as I'm far from being fond of the Vanyarin royal family, I've to say that it's a pity to see Ingalaurë falling victim to his uncle's machinations. And somehow I have the feeling that Fëanáro would be getting the blame for this too..."growl"

Tari · 2 March 2011 · Chapter 52: At the Máhanaxar

What a shock for the Valar and Maiar who never suspected that Melkor would do such a dispicable thing. I'm sure it took them a while to get their bearings before they could respond to his actions. The elves have to be frightened out of their skins. This is an absolutely awful situation. As if this were not bad enough, Fëanáro is about to create more problems.

Sitara · 2 March 2011 · Chapter 50: Grief Unbound

Sorry for pestering. “grin” I almost forgot something in my overwhelming urge to chop the Valar’s heads off. I’m attributing my highly increased level of aggresiveness to a nasty enough case of pneumonia, you know. It must be the antibiotic. The Silmarils and Fëanáro’s overly spoken obssession with them. Well, if I may say it, his reaction when the Valar asked for the Silmarils was nowhere near the typical behavior of an obssessed person. I mean, how would a truly obssessed person react when asked for the object of his obssession by his enemies no less? It would send them …to the Void in a flash. Yet Fëanáro didn’t do that. He took his time to think about their request, albeit the Valar didn’t even try to appeal to his feelings for his family and his people. They didn’t say “Think about your father, your wife and sons, your people who are going to suffer without Light!” , they said “Help Yavanna!” Very smart move. As if Fëanáro would have had any reason in this world to help Yavanna, especially about his falling-out with Aulë having to do with Nerdanel. He took his time to think instead of outright rejecting them or saying something along the lines “I won’t give them for any league or friendship!” That would be another’s line, a person not in slightest obssessed with the work of its heart, obviously. So, in my opinion, what Fëanáro said in respect to his jewels and, bearing in mind his canon musings when he felt as surrounded by thieves or something like that, I’d say that Fëanáro rather refused to give the Silmarils to the Valar instead of refusing to give them up to whomever would have asked for them. Sorry for rambling. I’m sick and crazy with pain and therefore allowed to do so. This time. “grin”

Larner · 2 March 2011 · Chapter 52: At the Máhanaxar

Ah--the physics of creation, and the need to switch out the center of this planetary system. Alas that they have to accomplish this so quickly so as to ready all for the birth of the mortals.

6336 · 28 February 2011 · Chapter 52: At the Máhanaxar

A bit of a moving along chapter, not a whole lot going on except sending Mair to watch over the children and try to keep them calm, Nienna and Yavanna are seeing if anything can be done for the Trees except to greve over them and Varda is working on a star for Arda. I have a feeling there is a lot more going on in the background, mair scuttling around in Mandos at least, I think Namo knows he is about to have a population explosion in his Halls. I see Ingoldo is being his usual charming self. The Elves are tough, they will survive and come out of this a lot stronger than they were before. Still onward into even more Darkness. Huggs, Lynda

Sunny · 28 February 2011 · Chapter 52: At the Máhanaxar

Things have really started to spiral out of control with the Noldor now, and it is only going to get worse. And the Teleri are perhaps goiong to be the ones that are worst affected by the Darkening, once we get to the Kinslaying. And Eönwë is going to become very busy soon - which I _really_ don't think he will like. :-(

Fantasia · 28 February 2011 · Chapter 52: At the Máhanaxar

And Ingwion is back to Tirion, back to danger, he will be right in the middle of the "Noldors' Revolution" And the Valars should have stopped Feanor, I hope that they learn after this. I was curious, who is in Mandos to receive Finwe's soul? I thought that Namo should be the one to do it, but I can see that he is busy now, in fact, he should had known about Finwe's death before Feanor's sons arrived to Valmar and he didn't say anything, he seemed as surprised as everybody there.

Sitara · 28 February 2011 · Chapter 52: At the Máhanaxar

Unbelievable. The whole Arda's fate at stake and a single Vala doesn't even think about asking Eru Iluvatar for a mere counsel! The same ones who hastened to ask Eru in order to assuage a single woman's grief act now like their power is truly their own and they don't have to answer before a higher authority. Well, let me tell them something, all the blood that would be spilled from now on will also taint their hands, whether they accept it or not. That fact aside, I've to confess that I'm very interested in the Valar's silent talk. Tolkien said they returned in thought back to the making of Arda and traveled forth in the same fashion to see the End. I've always thought they started to plan to make new sources of light only after the Noldor had left Valinor. As for Fëanáro...he or any other Elf has every right to reject the Valar's ruling for they utterly failed them. The Valar brought the Eldar to Valinor in order to safeguard them against Morgoth and they managed it "splendidly". So, in my opinion, to actually reject the Valar's authority is now common sense, nothing more and nothing less. Singing, huh? Something along the lines of "La Marseillase", perhaps? Very fitting.

Sitara · 28 February 2011 · Chapter 51: First Sorrow

I've always avoided to think about how Fëanáro returned to his defiled home and how did he react upon seeing his father's body. I think you've done a pretty good job picturing his and his sons' actions in respect to putting Finwë to his resting place. Huh..something tells me that Indis the Fair would be quite put out for not being invited. As would be the rest of the clan. Only when I think about it...after all that grief over Miriel and her choices, now Fëanáro has to see his father's desecrated corpse and see how horrible was his death...And from now on, all that he shall know would be only pain and suffering, for ages and ages. Give me a Vala to strangle, please! Preferably Námo. "grin"

Sitara · 28 February 2011 · Chapter 50: Grief Unbound

Was that the first time when the Valar found shattered their source of light and themselves in need to craft a new one? I didn't saw them trying to gather the broken pieces of the Lamps; on the contrary, they managed to grow another source of Light, the Trees. What about now? Now it seems that all they cared for is to see the Silmarils out of Fëanáro's hands as soon as possible. It was no secret that the Valar had always wanted to have the Silmarils in their keeping. Why? Why would they want to possess a spark of the Light of the Trees when they were out there in full blossom and their Light was much more impressive than the one contained inside three gems? Because, as I think, the guardians of Arda could never accept to see its fates adorning the brow of an unbalanced Elf. This is the name of the game, in my opinion. How would have the Elder King felt to realize that Eru had placed the fates of Arda forever out of his reach and in the hands of Fëanáro? I'm bringing an extremely serious accusation against the Valar and somehow I don't think Tolkien ever intended to have the things playing out this way. "grin" But this accusation is a viable one and this is how the Valar could be even more underhanded than their fallen Brother. "evil grin" How else should I explain their haste to ask Fëanáro for his gems, Tulkas acting like a common bully and even Námo throwing in Fëanáro's face a thing that might have meant that he knew what Melkor was about to do and did nothing at all to stop him? What if Fëanáro or any other Elf would have taken in his head after hearing those words that either the Valar were in league with Melkor and lured him from Formenos so that Melkor would do their dirty work, or that they were aware of the fact that Melkor was planning to kill Finwë and did nothing about that? Moreover, the Valar were perfectly aware of the fact that within the Silmarils lay locked something of great importance for the whole Arda, not only for Aman. So how did they dare to ask the Silmarils only to rekindle their Trees and have back only their cosy place? I found the reaction of Finwë's younger sons to be very impressive. As it was Maedhros and Maglor's tale. Poor of them...to be forced to see their grandfather in such state and then to run after their father to stop him from slaying himself...And the fact driving me crazy in all this is that, at least in the published Silmarillion, the Valar never accepted to take any responsibility for what happened here! The Powers of Arda, indeed.

Larner · 27 February 2011 · Chapter 51: First Sorrow

Alas for the grief felt by all. Too bad he feels he must reclaim the throne, for his half brother will give it over with no argument, I deem. But Melkor has now earned the name of Morgoth indeed.

Sitara · 26 February 2011 · Chapter 49: iMaptalë Cálëo

The Valar are so guilty for all the horrors happening just now that I feel steam coming out of my ears whenever I read about their behavior towards the Exiled. For this reason I've always found revolting all that thing about someone needing to come and plead with them for help against Morgoth. It's their fault as much as it's Melkor's. They were responsible for the well-being of the Trees, of the lands and even for their Elven guest's lives. They failed to take minimal security measures during this stupid festival and their negligence became crime. They were honor-bound to help them because it was their fault in the first place! And Finwë....I too thought that he willingly went to his death. In my opinion, he has always tried to somehow rectify his mistake, to break somehow that fateful triangle and by confining himself forever to the Halls that Miriel could be released he wished to make the things right. How horrible.....to have to face alone Melkor and that eight-legged monstrosity. But, frankly, I blame the rest of the Valar even more than Melkor or Ungoliant. You don't simply leave precious items without guard, not when you have a dangerous enemy on the loose. They practically betrayed the trust the Eldar put in them when they had come to Valinor. In my opinion, at this rate, the Eldar owed them no longer.

Erulisse (one L) · 26 February 2011 · Chapter 51: First Sorrow

The death of Finwe and theft of the Silmarils and other jewels here clearly have thrust a knife through Feanor's heart, yet he has to be strong for his people and, more specifically, for his sons. That first twist of the knife was at the festival, when the darkness came and when the initial news of Finwe's death was delivered. The second, and unintentional twist of the blade, was when the guard at the gates of Formenos called Feanor "Your Majesty...". It must have hit him like a load of stone. It brought mere words into true reality and then that reality into anger and focus. Having his sons trying to internalize the reality of their anatar's death as well, pushed him outside of himself and back to the role of father. I think that helped pull him through the terrible things that he had to do - washing, preparing and dressing the body, deciding how his own beloved father would be memorialized and entombed, and determining his next actions. The grief and control of Feanor comes through so clearly in your words throughout this chapter. But that control is borderline madness and will soon shift to true madness through grief and shock. I am curious about timeframes and distances here. How long would it take to get to Formenos from the festival grounds? Rigor generally sets in on a body (at least a human body) after 2-3 hours, increasing in intensity for 12 hours and then gradually decreasing over 72 hours to disappear at the end of that. Given that it is a two-way journey from Formenos to the festival and back, how many hours have actually passed between the murder of the king and the arrival of Feanor afterwards? One of the things that drew me into your tales several years ago when we first started corresponding was your grasp of the language. Here, the two new terms that you introduce to us - tulma and hahta - are perfect for their usage. The idea that new terms had to be invented because death had not existed in Valinor prior to this time was a precious nugget of thought that helped to make this chapter so believable. And Feanor falling to his knees in sorrow when he is finally alone and able to grieve in private was one more window to his soul. A beautifully crafted chapter. - Erulisse (one L)

ninqwestilmen · 25 February 2011 · Chapter 51: First Sorrow

May Finwe rest in peace. Feanor carries himself quite well in this chapter, his great love for his father has manifested into a heart-rending devotion that is stirring to see... very touching chapter...

Fantasia · 25 February 2011 · Chapter 51: First Sorrow

This is heartbreaking. You can say whatever of Feanor, but he did love his Father, that is for sure. I was moved by his dedication to him, how he bathed and clothed him for his final rest. You are good with the details that they have to find names for the bier and the tomb, because I suppose that were not known in Valinor. That his mother had woven a diaphanous cloth so many, many years ago and was still preserved and used as a shroud, that they though to cover him so the women and children were not frightened. All those little details showed me their grief much better than thousands of tiers. Well done. I think that if I were at Valinor at that point, I will be following Feanor, at least, for now; my confidence in the Valars could be very low. The kinslaying is another matter. Now, the madness continues.

6336 · 25 February 2011 · Chapter 51: First Sorrow

The King is dead, long live the king! So the journey into darkness begins. A very sobering chapter and I wonder what Feanaro's reception will be like when he gets to Tirion. Huggs, Lynda

Sunny · 25 February 2011 · Chapter 51: First Sorrow

This must be an emotional earthquake for all the Noldor: Their King is dead - unnatural for a people of immortal beings. And so the world will never be quite the same again for them - and even the Light seems to have vanished with the death of the Trees. They may not have had the personal relationship with Finwë that his family had but it is still an emotional earthquake. I can remember when King Olav died in 1991 - he was old, and his health was not good, but he was loved. And overnight the plaza in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo turned into one giant shrine to the beloved monarch, all filled with candles, flowers, pictures and childrens' drawings. Seeing Finwë laid out like that would no doubt have angered all the Noldor - I wouldn't consider it too far wrong to say that the exodus from Aman started there. No doubt all those who saw Finwë's body would have wanted revenge, so convincing those who were there to follow to Middle-Earth would have been fairly easy. And Fëanaro and his sons would have had all those feelings, and on top of that those very personal feelings about the loss of a parent and grandparent, and a great desire for revenge. And for Fëanáro, there was in addition his obsesssion wit the Silmarils.

Larner · 23 February 2011 · Chapter 50: Grief Unbound

Somehow the fact Manwe knew of the tunnel is heartening, as is the fact the residents of Formenos were allowed to continue in its excavation unhindered. But the grief at the loss both of the King of the Noldor and the Trees, not to mention that of the Silmarils, is overwhelming. I am glad that Olwe arrived when he was needed to offer comfort. Alas that Feanor felt that his life was so desperately linked to the Silmarils themselves.

Larner · 23 February 2011 · Chapter 49: iMaptalë Cálëo

A dread day indeed. Alas that Finwe and his people chose to follow Feanor into Formenos, although I am glad they have the tunnel to escape through. We can trust Melkor to be vicious in what he does.

Erulisse (one L) · 22 February 2011 · Chapter 50: Grief Unbound

So, things are now set in motion that will define the subcategories of elves from this point on. Now there will not only be Vanyar, Teleri, Sindar and Noldor, but also Amaneldi, Tol Eressean, Native, Immigrant, Returnee and Reborn. The society under the Valar is now starting to fracture and the echoes of Feanor's "No" will echo for ages to come. Throughout Elf Interrupted there were references to the Darkness and what happened. Now we are starting to get to the meat of the matter and I, for one, can hardly wait to finally find out what happened during the Darkness in your view. I look forward to Mondays and Fridays knowing that I'll have my next chapter in the saga, and I love walking the path that you are tracking throughout Arda. - Erulisse (one L)

Fantasia · 21 February 2011 · Chapter 50: Grief Unbound

Wow! I can only say: poor everybody, from the Valars to the last creature in Middle Earth, because Melkor started in Valinor but it will end in ME, making everybody life miserable. Well, the darkness and the madness have just got loose, waiting to see them in all their glory in part three.

Tari · 21 February 2011 · Chapter 49: iMaptalë Cálëo

The death of the two trees was so hard to read. Too bad Ungoliantë didn't explode into a million pieces after gorging herself. I can't imagine how frightening this was for the elves and how frustrating for the Valar. They keep giving Melkor chances and he keeps spitting in their faces.

6336 · 21 February 2011 · Chapter 50: Grief Unbound

Well that was intense for a Monday morning, and before my morning cuppa too! Poor Feanaro, poor Nolofinwe, poor Finwe, poor Elves, poor Valar, poor Arda! I think Manwe knew that Feanaro would not give up the Silmarills but he had to ask and now they are gone and the question is moot. You tend to forget that Finwe had other sons, since so much emphasis is made of his connection to Feanaro and his sons. Waiting till Friday for the Part Three, knowing that things are going to go from bad to worse! Huggs, Lynda

Sunny · 21 February 2011 · Chapter 50: Grief Unbound

In a way, I can understand Fëanáro snapping. He has been exiled for what he undoubtedly considers unfair reasons, and his detested younger brother Nolofinwë has (in his opinion) usurped his father's crown, since Finwë decided to go with his eldest son into exile. Then came Melkor's first visit, and now he had been ordered to attend a festivasl and strong-armed into reconciling with Nolofinwë. And Fëanáro is a proud and stubborn ellon, and this was probably seen as the Valar rubbing his nose in what he considers a humiliating situation. Then the Trees die, and Fëanáro is asked to give over his Silmarils, which are an obsession for him. And then he learns that his father has been killed my Melkor - utterly unnatural for an immortal, and the Silmarils were stolen. No, I am not at all surprised that Fëanor went more than a little crazy.