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New beginnings by perelleth	7 Review(s)
Klose	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 3/15/2007
Lovely to see that short mention of Anaire - between her, Nerdanel and Earwen, people seem to forget that she also lost her husband and all her children (and most of her grandchildren) to death. Very nice to see the conversation between Ereinion and Finarfin being described to Ciran - yet another unusual story-telling device, and yet it tells us just as much about the complex relationship between Cirdan and Ereinion. Father/son, brother/brother, mentor/student, etc. And I do now feel that much more for Finarfin, too, now that I see the reason for his antagonism towards Celebrimbor. It's justified, I would say, but still a bit unfair to Celebrimbor - and that for me is such a poignant reminder of how messy and tangled relationships truly are, and I'm in awe of how you've showed that here - in this whole story, really, but also in this chapter as seen from the discussion between Oropher and Celeborn. So many difficult things tackled in this chapter, but you really do make all this look so easy, with all the details and threads you incorporate into the narrative. This is easily becoming one of my favourite 'classic' fanfiction stories! :D

elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/5/2005
It is nice to take a moment and read some fanfiction... Poor Gil-galad. I felt bad for him and his horse--I'm feeling sensitive right now and that really struck me. And I feel bad for him and his political foolishness that he must endure and try to manage. That conversation with Cirdan was great. “Mmm, first, he drank a long draught, and then he did that waving thing with his hand… why didn’t you teach me that, Círdan?” LOL! And Celeborn and Oropher were just as bad. Oropher is a riot in this...the boy king--he really is insulting. :-) And then he is crawling out of the dwarf's tent! Too much. Erestor managed that well! But I think I liked Finarfin best in this--he really handled Celebrimbor well! Author Reply: I'm glad it helped you, although this was not the funniest chapter.. :-( I shudder to think that poor Ereinion had to rule that mixed people for three thousand years and more! Patient boy, he was, indeed... Oropher is narrowly focused on his people and his own vision and grudges. To me, that was Thingol's politics since he gathered his people around the girdle, and more or less forgot about the rest, so they could see only a tiny bit of the bigger picture. His gnorance of Noldorin's tragedy was telling...:-) Ereinion, on the other hand, was forced to learn the big picture almost by force, by the example of his father and grandfather, and by Círdan's teaching, I'm sure, so he's more aware of the general well being, while Oropher is still trying to understand how it is that a Noldoboy! less than an enni of age is acknowledged King by most of those around. So Erestor has to step in and help him understand.. :-) I do feel for Finarfin. I mean, Finrod's death is such a terrible one, he must have felt toward Celebrimbor much the same Oropher feels towards Ereinion guiltless, yet son of one of those who did such horrible deed. Forgiveness is such a difficult deed to achieve! SO ,all in all, it is to be hoped that with the new age everybody shall learn something, even if it is that waving thing! :-)

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 9/1/2005
Poor Ereinion. He seems so alone - the stallion must have meant even more to him than it would to others. I keep telling myself that at least the Second Age was quite long and he had time to grow into himself and his role. Very interesting explanation for Cirdan's beard. I wonder if any other elves started to develop one - and then found another use for sharp blades. Life isn't getting any simpler round camp, is it? I hope Olvarin benefited from his dose of Ingil - and do wonder why Finarfin is so sure that his mother wants Ingil back! I feel he could be loved more from a distance. Or in the case of Oropher, a very big distance. Insuperable, preferably. He is an infuriating and paranoid example of an elf - and he is corrupting Celeborn, who should have more sense, but is probably feeling a bit Finarfined out just at the moment. I love Erestor. He is a very skilled blackmailer. And managers who can manage Oropher should be highly valued. Ereinion's response to Celebrimbor is great, too. I think he empathises with one who is never right and always looked at sideways. Although Celebrimbor isn't particularly easy. I'm glad he guilted Finarfin into going to see him (I'm longing to know what he saw in the forge) and offering to take gifts and messages back to those female relatives left in Valinor mourning the descendants of Feanor. And pressurising him to give his loyalty to Ereinion is probably not a bad thing. But Celebrimbor must be longing for someone who can accept him and know his background and love him anyway. Shame it was Sauron who came along and told him he was marvellous. This is such a fun story. Love it. Author Reply: Círdan's beard was a unique thing, we're told, at least until Gandalf shows in! and yet I wonder how he cared for it, either...Don't ask me how I came up with this stuff, honest, I don't know...:-) I believe that this was a hard time for Ereinion, actually growing up and being in charge of all that mess... thanks he had Círdan and Erestor to support him. That relationship helped him develop into what he is tryimg to be now, and what he´ll most probably become during the age, but it was a difficult beginning for him, too... feeling a bit Finarfined out ROTFL. Celeborn does trust Oropher's judgement, I couldn't believe it myself when I was writing that down, but then, Celeborn knows him better than any of us. Oropher's following his own agenda, and means well ...for his people. SO I'm trying to be patient and understanding with him...but I set Erestor upon him from time to time... I, too think that Ereinon empathises with Celebrimbor, based upon his own experience...and I found that endearing. Finarfin's reluctance, though, I found only too understandable too, in the face of what Curufin had done to his beloved son... tragedy is so deeply embedded and embroiled in this camp, they can only begin healing if they learn to look ahead, I deem. It must have been a very difficult time, and not the least for those waiting home... and do wonder why Finarfin is so sure that his mother wants Ingil back! I feel he could be loved more from a distance What if Ingil's was Vanyarin standard behaviour? :-) Anyway, I fear you´lll have to wait until the Epilogue to read about this....fortunately I'm managing to amuse you, it'd seem, so it won't be torture... Thanks for your kind words, bodkin, I'm thrilled that you're finding it amusing. At times it feels too entangled even to me, and too "full of words" but yet I don't seem able to write it differently, so it is good to know how it turns out for readers... :-)

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/31/2005
I particularly enjoyed Finarfin's interaction with Celebrimbor. He set him into his place and made sure Celebrimbor knew it well. I am very curious to know what he saw, however. I am glad that Finarfin has a new respect for Ereinion, too. Poor Ereinion - one can hardly imagine how it feels to be a young king surrounded by all these ancient and (allegedly wise) Valinorians. Erestor's chipper interaction with Oropher was hilarious. Oropher is a bit..um..paranoid? Author Reply: I am very curious to know what he saw, however. We'll see...in due time... :-) What I found appealing of this particular moment of the legends was that so many different points of views converged and had to find a way to coexist. Valinoreans who had remained, who had turned back, who had been kinslayed, and elves from different middle earth kingdoms, with their own backgrounds and experiences, and a young king, son of an exile, and a kinslayer, too, supposed to be in charge of that mayhem... I really felt for Gil-galad at that time, and it prompted me to explore the different grudges, misconceptions, twisted and one-sided views, and the emotional reasons behind. Oropher is purusing his own goal, much as were Doriath's politics for quite a long time, so changing habits is a difficult thing. He's fully ignorant -and he couldn't care less- of the history of the exiles, and his aparent paranoia could be perfectly ascribed to his secluded life. Doriathrim lived behind their girdle for a long time, and the open world might have taken a bit for these elves to get accustomed to...ERestor and Celeborn know how to treat him, though :-)

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/31/2005
I have to say, I feel kind of sorry for Celebrimbor here. Sounds like he is unlucky enough to be the only average schmoe among the wild 'n' crazy Fëanorians, and therefore the one who gets the blame for their misdeeds. Considering the reception that he's getting from all the other Elves, one can see why Annatar's friendship would appeal. And poor ol' Oropher, to be turned into your punching bag. He just doesn't get it, does he? But the thing is, though his methods might not be the greatest, he does have a point. Pity he can't communicate it properly. And I loved the explanation for Círdan's beard. Author Reply: As with any other Tolkien's characters who were more or less threw in for good measure in LOTR , and then had to find their place in the rewriting of the Legends of the First age, Celebrimbor is quite a vague character. I believe that as the only survivor of his house, he would be seen as a reminder of the tragedy the feanorians brought about...an uncomfortable position, I agree for someone with a lesser background :-) I agree with you. We know so little of Oropher that I tend to see him as a quickly angered and single focused elf. But I grew to appreciate him through this story. He has his point, and he'll pursue it with the utmost stubbroness, lack of subtlety and care for his own people... and he'll eventually set east, to everybody's peace of mind, even his own ! :-) GLad you liked the tale of Círdan's beard! I enjoyed trying to figure out a legendary explanation for such an unsual fact...:-)

Thunder Pichu	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/31/2005
Oh dear... Celebrimbor never seems to end up on top. Poor guy. More to the point, I think this story is so well written I'm tempted to think of it as second only to Tolkien where the Elves are concerned. Honestly, I am so jealous! I know reviews are supposed to provide a well-rounded critque, but I can't think of anything bad about this. Keep writing! Author Reply: WEll, to me this is a well rounded critique, anyway! I'm flattered! I'm glad you like these elves, as I tried to make them look elvish, even when stuck with day to day, lack of lustre situations... Keep writing! I am. Just keep enjoying!

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 7 on 8/31/2005
I have to say your Gil-galad is enchanting. I like the scene between him and Cirdan in particular. The stuff about the maps grows more confusing by the moment. Author Reply: I'm glad you like this version of young Gil-galad. I like him too. A High King for a whole age and we only get glimpses of him...maybe these unaspicious beginnings are the reason why he wanted himself erased from history? :-) The Peredhil's practical joke about the maps will grow into something else, trust Oropher to follow any available information...Thnaks for following, daw, ,-)

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