Reviews (48)

Larner · 22 December 2010 · Chapter 5: Chapter 5

She does appear to be quite the petty one, this Aranayel. Needs some growing up, obviously.

Larner · 22 December 2010 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Now, THIS is a surprise! Has she learned courtesy and humility in the past few yeni? I certainly hope so!

FantasyFan · 22 December 2010 · Chapter 10: Chapter 10

I think I see her plan. She is going to make him reject her, probably publicly, after gathering as many allies as possible with her charming and solicitous manner. She will totally turn the tables, and make it look like she is the wronged victim, and he is as cruel as she was once thought to be. It's a brilliant plan, but she will have to be very skillful in order to get people to believe it of him. And she will have to severely restrain herself from gloating, even privately. And now I'd like even more to hear more from Ornedil. I'm sure she paid no heed to his attention to her, as she must feel he has no value as an ally. I think she will similarly dismiss Ványalos, unimportant as mere messenger, and at times annoyingly silly as a Took. We'll see what she makes of Frodo.

FantasyFan · 22 December 2010 · Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Arggh, it seemed too good to be true! She put up the tent, she didn't argue or sulk (much), she worked concientiously with the twins, the offered useful information freely but otherwise didn't butt in, and she even seemed, at times, to be genuinely trying to understand Olorin. And not one bit of it was real. I think all along she's been trying to find what attitude will be of most advantage to her, and now she thinks she's got it. She's going to bask in reflected glory, seeming to accept Olorin's forgiveness so as to use it to gain the forgiveness of other more important contacts, and insinuate herself into the exalted company he keeps. She knows he will not take that forgiveness back, even when she doesn't deserve it. Somehow, I don't know how yet, she's got a plan to stick a knife in his back, and twist it for good measure. What she doesn't realize, I think, is how much he is genuinely loved, and how many people will be trying to protect him from just that eventuality. I'm glad to hear there is still hope for Radagast. There's a huge difference between forgetting himself in his fascination with middle-earth, and deliberately turning to evil, as the other Istari did. I wonder if there can be some plan devised to reawaken his self-awareness, when he has finished what he can of his work? Yes, Sauron is gone: the primary mission is over and Radagast did little to further it, but there is a lot that he could do now to heal some of the hurts Sauron caused, to the land and the creatures. In this task, perhaps Aiwendil could find redemption and a return to his true nature. I doubt the Valar would send another emmisary in this new age to help, but just because Gandalf couldn't recall him, doesn't mean that nobody could. I'm looking forward to hearing what his brother has to say. (And there seems to be a lot of deferential non-communication that went on in the past. The Valar have made so many mistakes that I wonder that they are still left in charge!)

AzureSkye · 22 December 2010 · Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Excellent chapter. Aranayel is seriously getting on my nerves, one of those people willing to manipulate anyone and anything to get there way. Grr. The more I see of her the less I like her. " I think there is much that the people of Aman might learn from the hobbits, while they are with us." I can't help but wonder if that comment is directed to Aranayel, at any rate, I can't wait to see Frodo meeting her. I'm also curious about the crystal circlet, at one point he touches is, and knows he's not making his suspicions up. What kind of power does it have, and will we be seeing more of it? Anyway, can't wait for the next installment, and I hope your writer's block loosens!

curiouswombat · 22 December 2010 · Chapter 9: Chapter 9

I am happy to think that the Silvan elves have found somewhere to feel at home in the West. I still fear, as I am sure I am meant to, that Aránayel is a major threat to the well-being of our hero... I look forward, with both pleasure and trepidation, to having time to read the next chapter.

Larner · 22 December 2010 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

At least he knows now to look away from himself that he might learn what he needs to know.

Erulisse (one L) · 21 December 2010 · Chapter 8: Chapter 8

As always, your skill as a storyteller comes through with brilliant colors. When I see that I have a chapter (or two) update from you, I try and clear my calendar for an hour's uninterrupted enjoyment. Chapters 7 and 8 were no exception. The relationships are deepening and the reasons for the split between Olorin and his "ex" are also becomming clear. (One small suggestion - when you have the elfling ask about his circlet and his response, you may want to put a link to the earlier story or mention it with a link at the bottom of the chapter in case your reader(s) have not read the prequel.) I can't wait for the next few days of this "short, seven-day journey". I have a feeling that it could turn into one of the longest journeys of Olorin's life. - Erulisse (one L)

Aiwen · 20 December 2010 · Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Someone more inappropriate for Olorin than a certain female maia would be hard to imagine. The woman is maddening!

FantasyFan · 20 December 2010 · Chapter 8: Chapter 8

There is a discussion of the value of patience, when what you are waiting for is something of worth, immediately followed by an example of the loss of patience, when the thing to be desired will never come without a more direct approach. I'm glad he gave her a dressing-down, and served notice that he is neither her inferior nor there for her comfort, and that she has pushed him as far as she can, indeed further than she should have. Though, when he leaves to sit under the trees in the rain, and he's back to wondering how to deal with her and if he can survive the seven-day trip, I think he's just made a big step forward in dealing with her. She's an emotional bully, and the last thing a bully wants is to be stood up to. Perhaps, as a result, if she can't say something nice, maybe she will not say anything at all. I also loved to see Olorin working here. He's spoken privately to her, urging her to be cooperative, and also to the twins, urging them to be pleasant - the peacemaker at work. Gandalf gets some work done as well, lighting the little fire, and then the larger task of drying the wet goods (and himself). He doesn't notice that the exercise of power makes the crystals of his circlet glow. If anyone needed a last reminder of Eru's favor, it's an obvious one.

FantasyFan · 20 December 2010 · Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"I cannot imagine there is anything Aránayel could do during a seven day journey that would seem even mildly intolerable." In other words, "What could possibly go wrong?" Made me laugh, for I also could envision many things that could happen. I'll be looking forward to the ones that you come up with. Although the children may be off track about the exact depth of the relationship between Olorin and Nienna, they have recognized that there is a special regard. In this, they see truly, and it is only the more obvious when contrasted with that between Nienna and her more recent pupil. A loveable person is loved, and an unloveable person is not, unless there is someone ready to make an exceptional effort. Aránayel’s habit of bundling herself against a coldness she does not need to feel is an apt metaphor for her emotionally guarding behaviour against slights she also does not need to feel. It will be hard for anyone to get past those defences, yet for her sake I hope she will someday be able to drop them, at least a little. Finally, it is lovely to see Bilbo's walking song. May it be sung forever.

Rhyselle · 19 December 2010 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Wow! I like this story as much as its prequel! The plight of the children is heartbreaking, especially with the fates of their parents and the low likelihood of their being released from Mandos for any of the foreseeable future. I think that going to Lorien to live with Olorin and Frodo will be a good experience for them, if only Aranayel doesn't muck things up for them while pursuing her own goals. I really liked your description of Nienna's home. I could picture it very clearly, and I particularly liked your description of Nienna herself, and the points made about the purpose of solitude and a non-distracting environment when one is healing from emotional pain. I look forward to the future chapters of this fic, and hope that it won't be too long until you post again. Well done!

FantasyFan · 17 December 2010 · Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Wow, that is one incredibly self-centered Maia. I wonder what part she had in singing the world into creation - the invention of mirrors? Now I know she's had a long punishment time in which to become bitter, but I think Olorin's being more than charitable when he says he thinks she's changed for the better. I see a superior and judgemental attitude, a dismissing and unforgiving spirit. It amazes me that Olorin's time of study under Nienna taught him compassion and pity, and she spent probably longer there and learned nothing of these. What will it take for her to learn empathy? That's what's actually defective: she has no recognition at all for what others may feel in response to what she says or does! /rant. (i feel better - a little) Actually, that's rather an intersting question. What will it take for her to learn to regard the feelings of others? Punishment obviously has not, which really isn't surprising - it doesn't usually work when a change of heart is what is required. In my experience, punishment may serve to get someone's attention, but then a good example is much more instructive. Perhaps that is Olorin's function. If Olorin can respond compassionately to Manwe's betrayal, and see the benefits it brings to both parties, (as well as the approval of others, probably a good hook in her case) perhaps it will cause her to see things differently. Frodo is wise in compassion as well, and perhaps can also contribute, especially if he can be compassionate to Aránayel.

FantasyFan · 17 December 2010 · Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Olorin thinks that he has truly forgiven Aránayel, and that she cannot distress him. Yet, he is saddened, regretful and apprehensive, and not really happy to see her. I think he sometimes protests too much when he insists he has forgiven her, and wishes her well. She, on the other hand, is bitter and vengeful, and chafing after a very long confinement. This isn't going to go well. Hopefully, the presence of the twins, Frodo, Vanyalos and other residents of the area might rein her in - too many others to tell tales if she doesn't behave. As to his impulsive offer to help: yes, that is what got him in trouble once before, although he doesn't mean it the same way this time. It is simply his nature to go and help. He can't help it, and he shouldn't try. He needs to be himself whether anyone else likes it or not, imho.

Erulisse (one L) · 13 December 2010 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Oh my, Aranayel. It is obvious that not only the children require healing, but Olorin and Aranayel need the healing that they required ages ago and the Valar will make sure that it happens, one way or another. At any rate, it will be a glorious thing to get these children away from the stormclouds and into the sunshine again where they can grow and flourish. Great couple of chapters, I can't wait for more :-) - Erulisse (one L)

FantasyFan · 13 December 2010 · Chapter 4: Chapter 4

As I began to read this, it came to me that the last youngster that Olórin probably had a lot of contact with would have been Pippin. I don't know if that would be good preparation, or a bad thing! ;) I wonder how many birds Nienna is trying to hit with one stone here. So far, we have the tasks of distracting Olórin from his thoughts, helping Lére and Melui come to terms with their new lives, bending the stiff neck of Lindarinë and bringing him some peace, and now Aránayel is involved as well. I wonder how many awkward conversations you can put in one local before it all becomes counterproductive? (At least they weren't serious about adding the redemption of Fëanor to the mix!) Well, it will be an interesting trip home.

FantasyFan · 13 December 2010 · Chapter 3: Chapter 3

I love the description on Nienna's home and country. It reminds me of descriptions of the high Scottish moors. Quiet and desolation, the absence of business and distraction, are the perfect place for reflection, retreat and contemplation. And with acceptance of the bleakness, beauty is revealed. It is an aspect of Eru not often appreciated: God is sometimes most obvious in the powerlessness of those who have nowhere else to turn. I'd love to spend some time there myself. Contrast to this the description of the Void: a nothinglessness that brings madness. Olórin went there when he died, but not by choice. That Morgoth repeatedly sought out that place where there are no connections to life, to others, to creation describes a defect in his character, a fundamental pride that he didn't need those connections, and his huberis was his downfall. I agree that Olórin is missing that essential pridefullness, unless he has fallen into the trap of one who is proud of his own humility, but I don't think so. His estrangement with Manwe must have some other root. We will wait with him to discover what it is. I am liking Helyanwë. She seems like she could be a good friend to Olórin. Perceptive, caring, discrete, able to listen to advice as well as to give it: I'm looking forward to seeing more of her.

Larner · 11 December 2010 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2

A good resolution to the problem of the electively mute children. Now--to see what comes next!

Larner · 11 December 2010 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1

It is hard to forgive and to mean it, I know from personal experience. I hope it comes to Olorin soon, however.

curiouswombat · 10 December 2010 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2

How good to see more in this 'verse. I look forward with interest to both Olorin's quest and Frodo's time alone.

FantasyFan · 9 December 2010 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2

More talk of forgiveness here. Ványalos's apology is more sincere than Olórin has heard before, and what is different is that more information and personal experience has led Vanyalos to more understanding. Also on the theme of forgiveness, Manwe will not allow the release from Mandos of those who do not understand and sincerely repent of their errors. It seems these three things are indivisibly linked: understanding, repentance and forgiveness need to be present for the restoration of right relationships. We'll see if Olórin's service to two lost elflings can shed any insight onto his own problems. Personally, I have always found that the best way to minimize my own distress (real or imagined) is to focus my energies outside myself. Would be nice if this worked for Olórin too.

FantasyFan · 9 December 2010 · Chapter 1: Chapter 1

They say that if foregiveness isn't easy, it's not true forgiveness, which seems to be happening here. Of course, we're only getting one side of things here, Frodo's understanding of Olorin's words, but I wonder at the fact that the estrangement goes both ways: Manwe is also not communicating with Olorin. Perhaps he is giving him time to work things out for himself, but I would thing he would also be trying to make further amends. Foregiveness need not always be tied to repentance on the part of the person who needs the foregiveness, but it does make it easier. Perhaps Olorin can't forgive, because he is still afraid, deep down, of being betrayed in the same way again? Anyway, I love your descriptions of the work in the garden and of the homey tasks interspersed with the weighty conversation. It lightens the scene and reminds me of the humble natures of these beloved characters.

Erulisse (one L) · 9 December 2010 · Chapter 2: Chapter 2

MJ - What a delight to have you writing and posting here again. And, as usual, you are continuing your usual excellent quality tale into another chapter of the continuing lives of Frodo and Olorin. The new character of Helyanwe is very interesting. I can see that she and Olorin would make a good team. And I look forward to understanding Nienna more - her role is always rather amorphous and hard to pin down, yet so very important. I look forward to more chapters in this as extra holiday gifts as we approach Solstice, and I thank you. - Erulisse (one L)