Ellynn
· 31 January 2011
· Chapter 44: Further Discussions Among the Valar
I read this and I really love it, but I can't help it - I feel sad, knowing what will happen in the end. :( The tragic events that will follow are in great contrast to the hope and efforts described in this chapter. Well done.
P.s. Thanks for the detailed answer last time.
Author's reply
Hi Ellynn. Yes, it is very sad knowing that all their efforts will be in vain. I'm glad you liked the way the chapter contrasts the hope of the Valar against the coming tragedy. Thanks for letting me know and you're very welcome.
Sunny
· 31 January 2011
· Chapter 44: Further Discussions Among the Valar
It seems that Finwë wants to have his cake and eat it too with regards to his kingship. When Fëanáro was exiled, he _chose_ to abdicate - to go into exile with his eldest son.
And now Finwë is having a tantrum about Nolofinwë taking his job as regent seriously! :-(
I see that the Valar are planning to send out party invitations, which means that the clock is _really_ ticking!
I really don't like that Ingalaurë is spending so much time with his uncle. Ingoldo has served the first dose of poison to his nephew by hinting that the birth order was mixed up. I am sure that he will help any crack between Ingalaurë and his brother and parents widen and deepen. As well as generally stirring the soup. :-(
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. I'm sure you are right about Finwë and he's only just realizing it. As for Ingalaurë and Ingoldo, how their relationship develops and how Ingalaurë handles it remains to be seen. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Erulisse (one L)
· 28 January 2011
· Chapter 43: Seeds of Betrayal
That he questions the birthorder, which he would not have thought of before working with Ingoldo... This is NOT good, and even Valandur seems unable to truly put this wurm to bed. The seed has now been planted and if Ingoldo has his way it will strengthen and grow into a vine that will yet choke this heir to the throne.
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
Hi Erulisse. No, it isn't good, and unfortunately Ingalaurë's own resentment of being second-born doesn't help matters and he's not seeing things clearly. How it plays out in the end, of course, remains to be seen. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Tari
· 28 January 2011
· Chapter 40: The Prince Returns
Morcocáno got just what he deserved, though whether he learns to control his temper remains to be seen. I do not have much hope there because of who he will be with.
Ingil being under the possible influence of Ingoldo is very disturbing indeed. He should be staying as far away from that one as possible.
Nolofinwe is getting stronger and wiser in his position every day. Good for him.
Author's reply
Hi Tari. I'm sure Morcocáno doesn't agree with you, and of course, we know he went to Middle-earth, so he was obviously influenced by the Noldor at Formenos.
Ingil's problems are only just beginning, I'm afraid, and how it works out remains to be seen.
And yes, Nolofinwe is indeed getting stronger and wiser and more confident in his role.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
6336
· 28 January 2011
· Chapter 43: Seeds of Betrayal
Ooo! I just want to slap Ingoldo silly! That ellon is a menace, he could not have come up with a more insidious comment if he had used both hands and all his toes!
Just how profetic is Ingalures's dream I wonder, he really, really needs to talk to someone about this and as soon as possible. Yes, I know he wrote a poem about it, so at least the Valar know, sort of, but he does need to talk this out.
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. I'm sure lots of readers want to slap Ingoldo, or worse. *grin* As to how prophetic Ingil's dream really is remains to be seen. Whether he talks to someone about it, though, is doubtful given his own insecurities.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it greatly.
Larner
· 28 January 2011
· Chapter 43: Seeds of Betrayal
Indeed, a case of Ingoldo sowing seeds intended to widen the rift between Ingalaure and the rest of his family, and particularly with his brother. Alas!
Author's reply
Very true, Larner, and just how much these particular seeds of mistrust flourish remains to be seen. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Fantasia
· 28 January 2011
· Chapter 43: Seeds of Betrayal
Hmmm, it seems to me that Ingil really needs to talk with someone, he is starting to resent his brother place. That culd be so dangerous, we only have to see Finwe's family as an example.
Ingoldo was doing OK for a while, until the comment. To be fair, it is a thought that I always have regarding twins, but when I'm sure that my thought is only curiosity about the dinamics of managing twins, I can't be sure about Ingoldo. The thing is, that not matter what he thinks, the problem is with Ingil, he is the one doubting and it could affect him and his family in a bad way.
Author's reply
Hi Fantasia. Well, Ingil did talk to Valandur, but I guess it really didn't help any.
As for Ingoldo, it is difficult to know if what he's doing is pure mischief on his part or entirely innocent. The end result is still the same though -- Ingil doubting himself and his family.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Tari
· 26 January 2011
· Chapter 39: At the Court of Tirion
So,Morcocáno is still trying to cause trouble. I fear he will never learn, but hopefully will be stopped from doing too much damage. Once again, Ingwion is proving to be the best choice for ambassador.
Now enters Findarato. This should be most interesting.
Author's reply
Well, of course, chronologically speaking, this is the FIRST time Morcocáno causes trouble *grin* but you are correct that he takes a long time to learn his lesson. And Ingwion is doing pretty well as an ambassador, which is good training for when he later becomes the emissary of the Valar to the Elves of Tol Eressëa. And what will happen now that Findaráto has returned to Tirion remains to be seen.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Tari. I really appreciate it.
Ellynn
· 24 January 2011
· Chapter 42: Of Births and Betrothals
Ingoldo as a regent? Uh, makes me feel uncomfortable.
I have a question. Who are Falmaron and Salmar? I only know of Salmar the Maia. Are this some of your Telerin OCs? *unsure*
Author's reply
Hi Ellynn. As to how Ingoldo works out as Regent, we will see soon enough. He won't be Regetn for too long so he probably won't be able to cause too much grief.
For who is Salmar, please see my reply to Fantasia's review. Falmaron appears in Book Two of "Elf, Interrupted" and he is the reborn son of Olwe. In my stories, Olwe has 3 sons -- Lindarion, who is his heir, Falmaron and Salmar -- and 2 daughters -- Earwen and Olwen who will eventually become betrothed to Ingwion later in the Second Age. Only Earwen is officially canon; the others are merely assumed to be Olwe's children. Salmar, of course, was most likely named after the Maia, who, in my stories, acts as Ulmo's Chief Maia.
I hope that helps clear things up for you. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.
Fantasia
· 24 January 2011
· Chapter 42: Of Births and Betrothals
So Idril is born...I keep waiting for the Noldors "revolution", it is like I'm downcounting the years (not that I know the precise time, but I assume that it is close)
Who are Faniel and Salmar? I can't remember them, did I miss something? Sorry Fiondil, I'm really bad with names but bery good in remembering facts, stories. I started to do my own list.
Author's reply
Hi Fantasia. The Noldor's revolution is still some years off, though it's drawing closer.
Faniel is the canon daughter of Finwe and Indis, though neither she nor her two sisters (Findis and Finvain) made it into the published version of the Silmarillion. Salmar is the non-canon youngest son of Olwe. While we are told that Olwe had several children, we only know the name of one, Earwen. And we don't know how many children he may have had. In my stories, besides Earwen he had 3 sons and another daugther.
Hope this clears thing up a bit. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
6336
· 24 January 2011
· Chapter 42: Of Births and Betrothals
I am pleased with the way Ingalaure handeled himself, as much as he must have wanted to go to Tirion to welcome his new cousin he was mature enough to realise that going off and leaving Ingoldo to act as Regent without someone to monitor his actions was not a good idea.
What a beautiful Naming Ceremony, children are a joy and should be treated as such.
So Finderato and Amarie are betrothed, it will be a while till the wedding though, a very long while.
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. I think Ingalaure handled himself rather well myself. *grin*
I am glad you liked the Naming Ceremony. I had fun devising it.
And yes, the wedding is going to be a bit delayed. *grin*
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Erulisse (one L)
· 24 January 2011
· Chapter 42: Of Births and Betrothals
Well done, as usual. A question...Turucano named his daughter in this chapter, but there was no mother name. Would there have been a similar ceremony, or at least a public acknowledgement of the mother-name in the Fiondil-universe? Just curious...
The paragraph about the lindon trees was very interesting. My grandfather-by-marriage was from Germany and had planted two Lindon trees in his backyard. One of those had to be taken down a few years ago - around the time that his oldest son passed. His second son still lives (my father-by-marriage) and that tree still lives, although it will need to be taken down within a few short years. Maybe there is more to this than immediately apparent...
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
Hi Erulisse. I think that there is no public mother-name ceremony since that name is rarely used in public. The father-name is the public name. I imagine that it is similar to certain human cultures where a person has a public name by which he or she is known to everyone and a second, more private name known usually only by the immediate family.
And maybe there is more to the custom of planting linden trees than meets the eye.
Glad you liked the chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.
Larner
· 24 January 2011
· Chapter 42: Of Births and Betrothals
A most lovely ceremony. Unfortunately the marriage of Finderato and Amarie shall not occur within the next yeni.... Alas that this proved true. But what she goe in the end was a far more mature and proved individual as her spouse, one who embodied the fullness of nobility and honor.
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked the ceremony, Larner. Thanks. And yes, the wedding is a long way off for these two, though no one realizes it, but, as you say, when they do wed, Amarië will have a spouse who is more matured and proved, one who truly embodies the fullness of nobility and honor. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Sunny
· 24 January 2011
· Chapter 42: Of Births and Betrothals
Things definitely seem to be heating up here! I don't know that Ingoldo is going to take this chance to make his grab for the crown, but if he doesn't, he is certainly going to make use of this chance to set things up.
Hopefully, Ingalaurë will be able to screw up whatever his uncle's plans are.
Intarion (and everybody else) is definitely going to wait for quite a while - considerably more that that yén he mentions - to see Findaráto and Amarië married. Findaráto does after all have some things to do in Beleriand first. Not that any of them know that...
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. We will see what mischief, if any, Ingoldo gets himself into in the next chapter and how Ingalaurë reacts to it. And, of course, Findaráto and Amarië's wedding will be a long time coming, but of course, none of that know that, which is what makes this scene bittersweet, at least for the reader.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I greatly appreciate it.
Larner
· 23 January 2011
· Chapter 41: Amilessi
At least Ingoldo is for the most part staying on topic. But this dream is troubling to all, it appears. Most interesting.
Author's reply
Very true, Larner, on both accounts. And how it all plays out in the end will be revealed eventually. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Tari
· 21 January 2011
· Chapter 38: First Impressions
This was a very impressive first day for Ingwion. I think he will be an excellent Ambassador. There will be some real challenges for him in the days ahead, but I am sure he will be able to handle them.
Author's reply
Hi Tari. I think Ingwion will make an excellent Ambassador as well and we see in "Elf, Interrupted" that the Valar believe the same since they make him their ambassador to Tol Eressëa. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Fantasia
· 21 January 2011
· Chapter 41: Amilessi
Hi Fiondil:
Guess what, I read the whole story yesterday night, I was behind. I'm so confuse now that I can give a coherent review just that I loved, for some reason, I've learned to care for the elves in Valinor through your stories, before they were irrelevant to me.
I have enjoyed the comments too; people have so different points of view, very interesting.
I have a request, could you have a character list? I'm so bad with the Quenya names, well with all the names, even in English. It will help me a lot.
Ingoldo is Alassiel grandfather, no? The one that plotted to kill Glorfindel? I think that he really was not a traitor before; his actions were as a result of his son death. Did he son die during the kinslaying or in the war, when they went to help the Noldor in ME? The same with Ingalaurë? He is a Vanya, no reason to be in Olwe's kingdom when the kinslaying. Well, I'm sure that you will tell us in time.
What I wanted to say is that the Noldor exile was very traumatic to everybody and while the Noldor suffered a lot in ME, I think that they were able to vent a lot of their frustrations fighting against a real enemy and because of that they were able to unit at the end, and mix with other elves and man and learn to live together again, maybe healing a little bit. But the ones isolated in Valinor, they were confused, blaming each other and no healing properly, I think that a lot of hurt was festering inside they souls and many of them never forgive and all went out when the reborns and exiles were coming once again to Valinor.
OK, I will stop, because I'm not making too much sense. From now on, I will read when you update, so I can have proper reviews.
Thank you.
Author's reply
Hi Fantasia. I do have a character list but I won't be posting it until I finish the story simply because it's still a work-in-progress and if I posted a list now I would still have to update it with new characters so I'm afraid you'll have to wait until the end to see the list. Sorry. Perhaps you can make your own in the meantime to help you keep track.
Ingoldo will become Alassiel's grandfather. Intarion will die in the War of Wrath as it is mentioned in my story "Elf, Interrupted". As for the rest, you will have to continue reading this story to find out. *grin*
The events surrounding the exile of Fëanáro were indeed traumatic for everyone to one degree or another and that is the reason for this story, exploring the ramifications of the exile on the Elves in Aman and what it might mean for the future.
Thanks for taking the time to read and review and letting me know how much you are enjoying the story so far. I really appreciate it.
ninqwestilmen
· 21 January 2011
· Chapter 41: Amilessi
Hello!! (Long time since I reviewed, I know... I have been following the story with plenty interest and have given myself a slap on the wrist for postponing a review for so long...)
A lovely chapter as always, interesting to see a different side of Ingoldo... I suppose it is purely with an ulterior motive, but I find myself hoping that some part of his nice-ness is genuine. (Not that it is gonna do a lot of good for him in the foreseeable future and beyond, but still...)
I am also glad to see Ingalaure coming into his own in this chapter, and I don't just mean in his Atar's court. For so long his under confidence and insecurity had me thinking that he would end up being easy pawn for his Uncle to manipulate. But as a guardian of the throne I anticipate much more from him and would be glad to see him leave a significant mark on history.
Can you elaborate more on your thoughts on the awakening of the elves? I enjoy the story of the awakening quite a lot and would like to know which parts of it you have merged into your universe.
Author's reply
Hello, ninquestilmen. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter and none of my 'villains' are so one-sided that they don't have something commendable about them. Unfortunately, *they* don't see that 'niceness' as important to their goals unless, as you say, it is a means to an end. Villains who are completely evil are no more interesting to me as a writer or a reader than heroes who are complelety perfect without any kind of flaws to make them more 'human'.
As for the Awakening, I have touched upon it slightly in some of my other writings though not directly. I don't think I could elaborate on it here nor do I really wish to. I may write about it someday from someone's perspective (Ingwë's for instance), but at the moment I don't have any plans to. I haven't really studied it enough to decide how it would merge into my Valar-verse but you get hints of it from my characters.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.
6336
· 21 January 2011
· Chapter 41: Amilessi
A somewhat prophetic dream in truth, poor Ingalure, poor Ingwion.
Perhaps Ingoldo should start tutoring Elves in LACE, it might give him purpose and take his mind off not being the king.
I am pleased that Ingalure is still wary of Ingoldo .
The board is in place and the pieces are moving into position, still some years yet until the game comences.
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. Your suggestion for Ingoldo sounds interesting but I don't really see him as the professor type. *grin*
Te board is indeed in place and the pieces are beginning to move into position but it will still be some years before the game truly commences, though it's closer than everyone thinks.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
The re-emergence of Ingoldo into the peripheral edges of the Council through his nephew is worrisome. Yes, he has great knowledge of the mechanics of politics in the kingdom, but I trust him not.
The poem, as well as Namo's reaction to it are also cause for concern. I am curious if the two mother-names of the twins are canon? Not that it matters, but I live a curious life :-)
Well done, as always. The spirals are tightening with each paragraph.
- Erulisse (one L)
Author's reply
Hi Erulisse. Ingoldo is indeed worrisome whatever he is doing. And Ingalaurë's poem... well, we'll see if it is indeed prophetic. As for the mother-names, since neither Ingwion nor Ingalaurë are strictly canon, their mother-names are not and are of my own invention for the purpose of this story. Tolkien does mention a son of Ingwë in the early versions of the Silmarillion but sometimes he is called Ingwion and sometimes Ingil. I split the difference and gave Ingwë twin sons. *grin* Since I'd already used 'Ingil' as the name of one of Irmo's Maiar, I gave Ingil the Quenya version of Inglor which seems to be a name associated with the Noldorin and Vanyarin royal families.
And indeed the spirals are tightening.
Thanks for reading and reivewing. I really appreciate it.
Sunny
· 18 January 2011
· Chapter 40: The Prince Returns
I am another who hopes that the Muse will decide to adopt the Reborn Nolofinwë plotbunny. :-)
Author's reply
LOL! Well, in that case I'll put it in my 'plot bunny' file for future reference and who knows, you-all just may get your wish someday.
6336
· 18 January 2011
· Chapter 40: The Prince Returns
In response to your reply to Ellie's offer of another Plot Bunny. By the time Nolofinwe makes it out of the Halls Arafinwe should have dealing with Re-born down pat, if he can survive Finrod, Glorfindel and Sador having an older brother acting like a twenty year old will be nothing new. The one he will be most pleased to not have to reraise would be Galadrial, having to deal with her again would have both he and Earwen running for the Halls, plus half of Tirion!
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. Luckily for Arafinwë and Eärwen, not to mention the good people of Tirion, Galadriel didn't die so she was never reborn. *grin*
bladwedd
· 18 January 2011
· Chapter 40: The Prince Returns
Thanks.
"And quite frankly, what you quote is of the future. Finwë at this point in my story is still very much alive and Ñolofinwë has no reason to think of himself as king in his father's place or suspect that at the end of the exile period he won't step down as Regent"
Future? I will repeat...
The History of Middle-earth», Volume X, «The Later Quenta Silmarillion»:
"By this name he also became generally
known; though after the rule of the Noldor was committed to
him by Manwe (in the place of his elder brother and his father)
he took the name of Finwe, and was in fact usually called
Ingoldo-finwe."
Rule of the Noldor was committed to
Nolofinwe by Manwe. Íe took the name of Finwe, and was in fact usually called
Ingoldo-finwe. This was in pursuance of his claim to be the chieftain of all the Noldor. He was not regent.
"Ñolofinwë, indeed all the Noldor, are not the major characters in my story. My focus is on the Vanyar and their reactions to all that is happening because of the Noldor."
I am understand. I have specified. Vanyar:
"I have no doubt that he will prove a better ruler than Fëanáro could ever be, perhaps even better than Finwë."
No doubt Vanyar would prefer to have Nolofinwë in the King's seat.
Author's reply
Bladwedd, while I appreciate you taking the time to point out some of these references from the Histories, I don't appreciate you attempting to rewrite my story to suit yourself. In writing this story I have taken as my primary and, in most cases, sole authority the Silmarillion AS PUBLISHED. While your references to Manwë giving Ñolofinwë the kingship of the Noldor in place of Finwë and Fëanáro prior to the Darkening is interesting, it is immaterial. Nowhere in the published Silmarillon does it state that this is what happened. Naturally, if it had appeared in the Silmarillion I would be obligated to incorporate that particular plotline into my own story (unless I wanted to make my story AU), but since it does not appear in the Silmarillion, I am not obligated to use it, since it isn't officially canon. Certainly I have used the Histories and other of Tolkien's writings to fill in details that may be lacking in the published version of the Silmarillion, but I haven't used them to inform my plotline, so please do not read into my story any more than what is there. As far as I'm concerned, Ñolofinwë is Regent only. If you object to that fact and to the fact that I don't incorporate the bit about Manwë giving Ñolofinwë the crown into my story line please feel free to write your own version and share it with the Tolkien fanfiction community.
And that, as far as I'm concerned, is the end of the discussion.
Sitara
· 18 January 2011
· Chapter 40: The Prince Returns
Well, at least, I am learning to rant less, am I not? “grin” However, this Ñolofinwë is the one about Tolkien says that he was jealous about his half-brother’s rights and possessions. As I couldn’t think he’d have wanted the Silmarils or anything else of that nature, I was only forced to gather that he wished to be Finwë’s heir. After all, what else was there to be desired, concerning “rights” and “possessions”?
Okay, okay, I got it. I’m going to shut up. “grin”
Author's reply
Perhaps, but as I keep pointing out, Ñolofinwë is not the focus of the story and we see him through Ingwion's eyes, who can only take his cousin at face value. I'm sure there was sibling rivalry and being the second son always sucks when one is dealing with "rigts" and "posessions". And certainly that plays into what happens later. But at the moment, Ñolofinwë is not thinking of these things, at least not outloud, so Ingwion is unaware of any hidden motives his cousin might have and that is what needs to be remembered here: the story is about the Vanyar and not the Noldor. Tolkien already wrote about them. No need to reinvent the wheel where they are concerned. *grin*
Sitara
· 18 January 2011
· Chapter 40: The Prince Returns
I agree. Nolofinwë has indeed the makings of a great king, greater than any other of his family, including Arafinwë’s line, except for Ereinion. Which is why I never had anything ill to say about his wish to become one, as I still think it was the case, for certain reasons. As for the sentence passed out to Morcocáno, it was the best way out of a sticky situation, although I believe that if his half-brother would have had any intention to kill, not to get his point of view across, Nolofinwë would have been dead and buried. Anyway, it was certainly a kingly behaviour. Not to mention that he didn’t have any other…means and facilities at hand, for cases like this. “grin”
It would also seem that the Valar could actually learn from their mistakes, at least from certain ones. Finally something positive to be said about them. “grin” As for the rest of the family, including Ingwion…they certainly have a lot of growing-up to do and I’m afraid that would be about the nicest thing I can say for now in respect to them.
I mean it. If you had them portrayed as pillars of wisdom and nobility , the Valar included, it would have been a complete AU, in my opinion, considering HoME 1. And if I didn’t say so far, I liked very much Nolofinwë and his actions in this chapter.”grin”
Author's reply
Hi Sitara. Please read my reply to Bladwedd as I don't plan to repeat myself.
Ñolfinwë is beginning (and I stress that word) to act as a king should. He's not there yet though future circumstances will force him to be the king. However, projecting into the future I think does a disservice to the story as it is presently written. Future motives are not in play here and readers need to take characters at face value and forget what they know or think they know about a particular canon character with regards to what they will do sometime after these events. Those events do not dictate present motives. It's just the opposite. Present circumstances will eventually dictate future motives and that is what needs to be remembered.
And yes, even the Valar can learn from their mistakes. *grin*
As for Ingwion and the other Elves, including the Noldor, they all need growing up. They have lived in the bliss of Valinor where nothing bad has ever really happened. They are complacent in their innocence and part of this story is an exploration of how that complacency is destroyed and how certain Elves mature (or don't) because of what happens. So, naturally they are not all paragons of wisdom and nobility, nor should they be.
Thanks for reading and reviewing.