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Far Horizons by Bodkin	6 Review(s)
lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/2/2004
So a ring will be Minastan's downfall, too? I liked Elrond's reaction when he first looked at it...not possessing the evil power of the One Ring, but still a symbol of power and authority for the one who wore it. I started to feel sorry for Minastan after reading his history (and understanding the meaning of that awful name his mother gave him)...until I remembered the way he did away with Nessa and wondered if one so merciless deserves mercy at all. If he receives it, I think he would believe those who offered it weak and stupid. I'm sure many elves suffered the loss of a parent or loved one, and through that the further loss of someone who grieved for the dead. I think very few resorted to the destructive, cruel vengeance that he did. Still, one can grieve for the child, if not for the adult, I guess. Sirithiel and her encounter with Celebrian and Galadriel in the tree was so special! It really emphasized the part the husband plays in the well-being of his pregnant wife. Poor girl, sitting in tree, longing for her sweetie, and humming that "plaintive" song! I was so glad that her naneth and daernaneth-in-laws (is that a word? lol) were there to lend her support and share the first fluttering movements of the babies with her (tho' I'm sure she wished for Elrohir!) I can't think of anything sadder than Ancalime reading through her daughter's journals and seeing her sweet child's gradual destruction, bit by bit. It certainly sets up the very end, with Nessa's Adar waiting for that snake to make an appearance. Great, but very sobering chapter, bodkin! linda ('tis not flattery, m'dear, I just wish my brain could make such connections...jealousy, maybe? yup! :-) ) Author Reply: They say that abusers were often themselves abused as children - and Minastan was a victim of terrible emotional abuse. Other elves have lost loved ones, but Minastan had no-one who loved him. Legolas lost his naneth, but was cared for lovingly by his adar and assorted carers and friends, but Minastan had no adar, his naneth was - well, mad, really and his grandparents were so concerned with her that they had nothing much left for him. He would have been better in the elven equivalent of care. It doesn't excuse what he has done - he is old enough to know right and wrong, but it explains why he is the way he is. I'm sure she would have preferred Elrohir to be home, but Celebrian and Galadriel are very strong - I'm sure they will be able to support her until he returns (which won't be too long!) Ancalime seems to me to be one who internalises personal tragedy - whereas Macar needs someone to blame and hurt. Nessa wouldn't have been able to keep everything secret, even if she was afraid of Minalstan - she was a naturally light-hearted, chattery sort of elleth. His actions with her are probably the worst thing he has done - and the most unforgivable.

Ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/1/2004
The bad guy's past is very interesting. I feel sorry for him in a way, but he's really gone bad. I like the suspense you're building with his trying to return for his ring. I think he's gonna be toast before he gets captured though. Another excellent chapter from the maker of Far Horizons... Keep up the good work! Love your fics! Author Reply: It's hard to imagine an elf who is just plain bad, without something that has driven him that way. He's an example of an (emotionally) abused child becoming an abuser. His naneth and grandparents have a lot to answer for. I've started to feel sorry for him - but what he has been doing is inexcusable. Not many more chapters - so something is bound to happen to him before long. I hope you continue to enjoy. I shall miss it when it's finished.

SharonB	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/1/2004
Ah, so Minastan has been found out. I can understand that he didn't like the name his mother gave him. I hope Nissa's father does not blow the trap for him. Or even worse, comit another kin-slaying. I'm sure in the end that Minastan will get charged with the attempt on Logolas. Yes Elrond is right ... "however much we may pity him, his actions put him outside society. We may forgive him, but we cannot condone what he has done." How much more he would have gotten if he had tried to straighforwardly give his greivences to Thranduil. But he has apparnetly not been shown much pity in his upbringing and has not much to spread around. Yes, also it's time to bring Elrohir home to his wife. She needs him, and he her at this time. Author Reply: Poor Minastan had no chance of growing up normal with his childhood - he is a victim of emotional abuse - and abused children frequently become abusers themselve. However - that does not excuse him: he knows what he is doing is wrong. Nessa's father is in deep despair at the moment and doesn't really care what he does or what happens to him. Sirithiel needs Elrohir - I shouldn't think he'll be away for much longer. Not much more to go.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/1/2004
So Minastan is the child of one of Oropher's fallen warriors. How sad. The descriptions of his childhood just break my heart. But then Nessa's mother reading of her daughter's slow destruction was horrible too. At least Calion seems to be coming along and Sirithiel felt the babies moved. :-) The situation at the end looks to me to be ripe for mistakes and further tragedy. I did like the detail about rain at the market though. Weather is so often absent in fanfic. Author Reply: I don't think an elf could be just plain evil without some extenuating circumstances. I think Elrond already feels guilty that he didn't insist on doing something to help Minastan when he was an elfling, but he has grown into a very unpleasant person - an example of an abused child becoming an abuser. Poor Nessariel deserved better - she was hypnotised by him and couldn't walk away. Calion is doing well - he has found himself in a nurturing environment and is benefiting from it. And Sirithiel is getting female support until Elrohir comes home. Fingers crossed he doesn't get away. It was pouring with rain here - and it must rain in Valinor or it wouldn't be green and beautiful! I just had an urge for some weather.

	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/1/2004
So it all comes together. Poor Gurthion. As they said--you feel for the suffering his life must have been but his actions are still unacceptable. In truth--poor Thranduil. It is not as if he would have felt nothing about all the people lost under his command so long ago and then to see this outcome. It just brings it all home again. I like how Celeborn comforts him speaking of Legolas. I love how these elves that were allies but also rivals work together in the Blessed Realm. And I adore your Galadriel. She is perfect. I certainly hope no more tragedy come's to Nessariel's father. And I really have come to like Calion. He really got what he needed from good old Thranduil. I hope all turns out well for him. I will be so sorry to see this end! I love it. Author Reply: I couldn't see a normal rational elf behaving like Minastan/Gurthion - there had to be something that has pushed him beyond the bounds. He really is the product of an abused childhood - he has been neglected emotionally and has not received the careful nurturing that is usual among elves. Were he a teenager that might be more of an excuse, but he is old enough to know that what he does is wrong. In my mind Celeborn and Thranduil had time to grow close after most of the elves had left and they came together in Lasgalen, and a lot of old rivalries were outgrown then. Although of course Thranduil is still not too fond of Galadriel. I hope Nessariel's father survives this - Ancalime needs him. And I think Calion has fallen on his feet with Thranduil. I will be sorry to see it end too. It will leave a big gap.

Jay of Lasgalen	Reviewed Chapter: 24 on 9/1/2004
At last, a few answers! I thought Minastan's father had died at Dagorlad; hence his resentment of Thranduil's house. But for his own mother to treat him like that as well, calling him Gurthion - Bodkin, despite that, I refuse to feel sympathy for him! I knew it couldn't have been any of Elrond's spies who spooked Minastan - but Nessariel's father, that makes sense. I just hope he doesn't do anything that lets his quarry get away. And poor Sirithiel - yes, she does need Elrohir. She needs his strength and support, and he needs to be with his wife - the poor elf has missed the first movements of his children! (Maybe this early deprivation of their father's presence is the reason they're so wild?) Jay Author Reply: I found it hard to imagine an elf being evil just because he was - there had to be some reason. I think his mother was mad, really - and her parents so worried about her that they had little time for him. And she was obsessive and he has apparently inherited that. It's a rationale rather than an excuse, because, after all, Elrond had a pretty rough childhood and he's all right. I hope Macar doesn't do anything foolish - but people do, when they are in despair as he is. I did consider whether lack of early paternal support might be a factor in his offspring's wildness - I think it could have a bearing, especially as Sirithiel is quite stressed and worried by all the things that are going on just now. And, of course, Galadriel has been offering her support - who knows what her input might have done!

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