Reviews (392)

Kevana · 1 November 2013 · Chapter 34: Lost and Found

First of all - @Elentarri, I almost inhaled a cough drop while laughing at your comment. Bwahahahaha! I can't even. XD The chapter - well, that cleared up a few things and raised an equal or greater number of questions. I take it that Ingwë and Finwë have had their own adventures in that garden. Ingwë on a rampage must be a sight to behold! Quite an interesting few days it's been for the people in the palace in Tirion. Oh yay for Val, getting to be a Manwendur someday! Now that almost had me cheering! After all he's been through he finally gets a little ray of light that things can get better. It's really sad to see, though, that some of the Elves would consider anybody "baseborn" when they're so few generations from not having technically been "born" at all but created by Eru entirely at the shore. Society is weird and sad sometimes. Ha, look at Valandur dropping some truth bombs left and right there at the end. Preach it, dude. I think I just got diabetes from how sweet Námo and Vaire are together in this chapter... Newlyweds! Awwwwww. Hey Val, don't give up, you and Findis deserve your own time, uh, climbing mountains. Hehe. I'm stuck at home getting over the flu, but a good story makes the time go faster. Thanks for the great chapter and have a virus-free day! -Kevana

Cairistiona · 1 November 2013 · Chapter 34: Lost and Found

My heart hurts for poor Val. He really is in the crucible, isn't he, and that's never a fun process. Thank goodness for Manwe! And I love the idea of the Valar sort of experimenting with the osanwe with the Elves. I'd always sort of assumed they were simply born with it fully-fledged but it makes sense for them to have to develop it fully themselves. And Namo... good golly, he gave me the shivers in this chapter, but what a treat to think that he and Vaire as still acting like newlyweds. I loved that little detail, just as I loved the way Namo basically shoved goblets in everyone's hands. I giggled out loud at that. Finally, this idea of a Lost Garden--you'll have to excuse my ignorance, but is that your own idea or is that in canon somewhere? It's a terrific concept... well, so long as you're not the one lost in it!

Elentarri · 1 November 2013 · Chapter 34: Lost and Found

You had Valandur pee on Manwe's rose bushes?! While Manwe was watching!! Hilarious. Just to let you know I love this story and your writing, but don't have anything else to say. :)

UTfrog · 1 November 2013 · Chapter 34: Lost and Found

Poor Valandur. He really has been put through an emotional wringer. Glad he has the Valar and 2 kings on his side. Being in the middle of petty, squabbling, childish beings who think they are better than everyone else has been tough. On the other hand, he now knows he has considerable support and respect from old friends and the most powerful beings of all. Interesting trade off. Thanks again.

Sunny · 28 October 2013 · Chapter 33: A Meeting with Royals

This hasn't anything to do with this chapter, but I thought you'd like this picture: http://i.imgur.com/iTS4A.jpg The gentleman who is about to pay for his tram ticket is the late King Olav. :-D

Sunny · 28 October 2013 · Chapter 33: A Meeting with Royals

A Maia is interfering again, I see, this time in the guise of Intarion, to ensure that Val got to bring his friends into the palace. What is wrong with Ingoldo, anyway? It is truly a record-breaking level of asshattery for him to get involved in something illegal and then turn around and let his son be accused of the very crime he (Ingoldo, that is) is mixed up in. Especially when his son is innocent! And it is very clear now that Finwë, Fëanáro and Ingoldo are all in quite a lot of trouble withthe High King. Interesting, the way Valandur seemed to blunder into a maze, and then find himself in a garden without an exit (or entrance. I wonder which of the Valar has decided to kidnap, I mean _invite_ him for a little chat? ;-)

6336 · 28 October 2013 · Chapter 33: A Meeting with Royals

It will be a long time before Ingwe will forgive Finwe for his mishandling of the situation, I would love to have been a fly on the wall when Ingwe had his little chat with Feanor! Being totally isolated as a Royal is never a good thing, it pays to get out and mingle with the masses to get an idea of how peoples feelings run, or to have a good information gathering, i.e. gossip gathering network! Besides the chamber maids probably know more about what is going on the any body else. Oh, poor Valandur, his situation reminds me of a recurring dream I get occasionally in that I am trying to get some where but never do. I wonder what Irmo is trying to tall me! I hope someone comes to talk to Valandur soon or he is going to try climbing the walls and hurt himself. Huggs, Lynda

Kevana · 28 October 2013 · Chapter 33: A Meeting with Royals

I just had a flashback to the time I got lost in a giant parking garage and spent an hour looking for my car, only to realize there was a little arch opening I'd come through connecting two different garages and that I'd walked past it five or six times before seeing it because it was the same color as the wall behind it. At least in my case the door was actually still there. *grin* Got any rock-climbing gear, Valandur? No? Well, maybe try calming down and see what happens. Apparently somebody with reality-modding powers thought you needed a time-out. Finwë I do believe your nickname must be Rover because dude, you are so in the doghouse. I'm glad Ingwë offered Intarion some comfort, the guy's needed a hug for about the last five chapters! LOL at Ingwë telling Val's otornor to get off their knees. I imagine that kind of thing gets old real quick. Also LOL at them being overdressed for meeting the kings. Fabulous chapter! Thanks for the update and have a great week! -Kevana

Laer · 28 October 2013 · Chapter 33: A Meeting with Royals

Ingoldo was involved after all. Why would he mortify his son like that? unless it was to place another nail in Val's coffin :( Findis dumping him for someone due to their rank in society. He must not know her as well as he thinks..or maybe he knows her better than me? Guess we will see before it is over with as to whom is correct in the suppositions. Kind of sounds like "someone" is wanting to give Val a chance to calm down and think before he goes to far. Hope he does just that. Sitting in a sealed off garden should give him time to see that this garden could be his soul if he didn't stop with all the self loathing. Over grown with seeds of doubt instead of being tended with the loving hands of Findis. LOL

UTfrog · 28 October 2013 · Chapter 33: A Meeting with Royals

So Ingoldo was involved. Why am I not shocked. Loved the Maia intervention and Morion's colorful expressions. Maybe he invented them! Getting all three kings together was brilliant. They have to work out some relationships or the darkness will come faster than ever. Great job. Was out of town and failed to review last chapter. Loved the entire chamber pot episode. I can only imagine Valandur's embarrassment. Thank you.

Larner · 26 October 2013 · Chapter 32: At the Rose and Crown Again

An excellent plan, I must say. And it is plain that someone wished the scheme that Intarion and Valandur set into motion should fail. I doubt that Ingwe will be pleased by what has been done by whoever started the mischief. Someone has been terribly naughty, I'd say.

Laer · 25 October 2013 · Chapter 32: At the Rose and Crown Again

Poor Valandur. I know I had done something similar, thought I was dying. I haven't' drank in years...or even decades. And I don't even miss it. Or the being ill part either. sometimes you live long enough to become smart. Valandur is very lucky tho, his friends (and he does have a few of these) are helping him despite himself.

Kevana · 25 October 2013 · Chapter 32: At the Rose and Crown Again

So Valandur was the "designated driver" among his otornor and now they get to return the favor. Somehow I don't think he much cared for the experience. *grin* Poor fellow worries Findis does not miss him, little enough chance of THAT, I think! A flying leap off Taniquetil. There's a phrase for the ages. And now things get even more complicated. I do hope they get Intarion's reputation cleared, he's such a sweetie, offering to pay to make sure the homeless villagers didn't go hungry. And to then get beaten up and accused of treason! No wonder he was in such a state. In "relating real life to the Silmarillion" news, this is absolutely incredible. It's finally getting cold here, so time for some hot coffee (*sigh* though I am restricted to decaf) and warm blankets. Hope you have a lovely autumn weekend and thanks for the great chapter! -Kevana

Cairistiona · 25 October 2013 · Chapter 32: At the Rose and Crown Again

Poor Val, but one can hardly blame him for going on a bender. I laughed out loud when he woke up and found the High King holding his chamber pot! I'm very keen to hear how the meeting with Ingwe goes. Such tangled webs!

Sunny · 25 October 2013 · Chapter 32: At the Rose and Crown Again

Hope Valandur learns something from the night after he fled the palace - namely that trying to drown your sorrows in alcohol won't actually work - you still have all your problems after, and a hangover on top of it! I see that Ingwë hasn't forgotten the time when he wasn't a King - the time back in Cuivienen and on the Great Journey when they were all just Elves, and not even the leaders held themselves too good to deal with even the most humble everyday tasks. Calandil and Morion's stories were interesting - I wonder if this was some scheme of Fëanáro's, or if someone just took advantage of the situation, since Fëanáro already had a couple of convenient scapegoats already lined up to take the blame. It is reflects well on Valandur that he is able to think beyond his own pain right now, and do what he can to provide the High King with the information he needs to deal properly with a crisis which has effects that cross clan barriers. And I don't think Ingwë is going to overlook such devotion to duty!

Larner · 21 October 2013 · Chapter 31: The Justice of the High King

So, it was merely an attempt by Feanaro to sabotage the trade negotiations with the added benefit of making Valandur unpalatable as Findis's suitor? Petty, petty, petty! Is Finwe so under his son's thumb, though? At least the paperwork was in good hands. Feanaro has even more to answer for, however. Grr!

Laer · 21 October 2013 · Chapter 31: The Justice of the High King

Val needs to remember it is not Intarion fault, well kind of any way. I mean he didn't mean to cause him issues he was more into self preservations. Poor Val going to each one of the villages to rebuild. Pretty much a slave for a couple of Yen? Oh my.....not good :( Glad they got to the truth, but it isn't all of the truth yet is it. :/

Sunny · 21 October 2013 · Chapter 31: The Justice of the High King

Small addition to the review I left - I meant to write that Herencáno had earned Fëanáro's _hatred_, but clearly something happened to that essential little word. An additional thought - I wonder what had happened to the evidence that Herencáno came forward with - would it have been disregarded if Ingwë and Olwë had not been there? Just a little thought...

Sunny · 21 October 2013 · Chapter 31: The Justice of the High King

Finwë doesn't exactly shine here, but Fëanor is shown to be so, so much worse - Finwë seems to have gone along with the plans for the trial partly because he believed in his son, and partly because he did not approve of Val as a potential suitor for his daughter. With Fëanáro it is a case of blatant racism - he wants to punish Val and Intarion as representatives of the Vanyar (and Ingwë), and if the trade talks founder, and the Vanyar are worse off for it, that is probably just a bonus in his eyes. Herencáno has probably earned Fëanáro now, since he accepted Findis' commission to be the custodian of Val's documents, that proved his innocence, and the daring to present said papers at the trial. And I don't think Ingwë missed Finwë's reluctance to have the proofs found. I suppose Herencáno might be in a bit of disgrace with Finwë over this matter, but not too much - Herencáno has after all been instrumental in saving him even greater embarrassment, and when Finwë cools down enough to think rationally again, I think he will realize this. A really great chapter, Fiondil!

Cairistiona · 21 October 2013 · Chapter 31: The Justice of the High King

When I saw the chapter title, I started rubbing my hands together with glee. But what a harrowing experience for our Val. That bit where he didn't want Finwe judging his fea was wrenching. And of course, all these little clues about Feanor are so telling, even if a reader doesn't know how heinous a crime he'll eventually commit with the Kinslaying. Stuff to make one shudder with dread. Really good, tense, revealing chapter... lived up every bit to the gleeful hand rubbing! :)

Ellie · 21 October 2013 · Chapter 31: The Justice of the High King

This is still one my all time favorite chapters you have ever written. So much happens here and so much groundwork is laid here unwittingly for the horrors that are to come with the Noldor. Even if Ingwe had handled Feanaro differently here, Ingwe, and Olwe, too, earned Feanaro's hatred in what had to be done in order to bring justice to this situation. I think that Val figuring out the real crime committed here against the Vanyar and the clear evidence of the real criminal has solidified his position with Ingwe and perhaps in a way made himself a further enemy of Feanaro. Before Val was just an annoyance who was inferior in all ways to Feanaro, but in calling out Feanaro for the crime against the Vanyar when even the kings missed the clues in the wording...that is something more. Val is lucky that Feanaro has never come against him personally. Hmmm...plot bunny if you get bored one day (yeah, right) and feel like writing about Feanaro plotting revenge. awesome chapter...

Siiw · 21 October 2013 · Chapter 31: The Justice of the High King

I guess the charge against Valandur was very convenient for Finwë at this moment. It would solve his worries about Findis. I guess he really wanted to believe they were guilty, because of that. No, Valandur, don't just run out of a trial! That isn't wise! It was going so well up to that! Finwë's line about Findis before the "mindreading" surprised me. I wonder how much he means it.

Twoflower2 · 21 October 2013 · Chapter 31: The Justice of the High King

I held my breath reading all these last chapters. And even now somehow can't let out a sigh of relief. Have a suspicion that more is in store for Valandur. And your Feanor is a pure nightmare. It's very much believable that in a few hundred years (millennia?) he will be a kinslayer and will bring the disaster upon the Noldor. It's all there in a nutshell. Perhaps, it's after this case with Valandur and the fiefdoms that the Valar give him an opportunity to meet Nerdanel, who will be able to take him in hand for a while :) Thank you again for the story, I am enjoying it immensely

Kevana · 21 October 2013 · Chapter 31: The Justice of the High King

This chapter makes me want to kick somebody. Hard. Right in that really painful spot on the shin. And I have my choice of several likely recipients for said kicking. Hmph. You know you've done a good job, Fiondil, when you incite your readers to desire violence against fictional characters! Well, I will just have to leave Ingwë and Olwë and Indis to administer any necessary (though in their case probably metaphorical) shin-kicking. Still. *hmphs loudly in certain directions* Have a spectacular week! Thanks for the update! -Kevana

UTfrog · 21 October 2013 · Chapter 31: The Justice of the High King

Wow! That was intense. I am afraid Ingwe may have done more harm than good with his treatment of Finwe, but Ingwe had few choices and plenty of reason to be angry. I love the way you are making Feanor the jerk he turns out to be, even as a youngster. Really good morning read. Thank you.