Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Deific Flame  by Bejai 6 Review(s)
eHiyAskainLjZaQReviewed Chapter: 10 on 5/31/2012
That's a smart way of thniknig about it.

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/8/2006
Yeah for Redheredh! Glad she inspired you (hides from whatever you were supposed to be doing).

This was a great look at how the Last Alliance was formed, but what really grabbed me was the opening - how Sauron heard the call, but how he was not 'whole' when he heard it, having 'chained' a large part of himself to a piece of metal in a mountain far away.

Author Reply: Thanks, Nilmandra. That Sauron scene has actually been written for months. It was the only part of this whole chapter that cooperated and wrote itself. The rest was a hideous slog. For some reason, Sauron seems to be a particularly good muse for me. I'm not sure that's entirely a good thing ;) Glad you enjoyed the chapter.

RedheredhReviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/8/2006
Oh wow, this was good! Merciful Este, *everything* you write is good!

The opening was fantastic. The whole idea that he forged his own chains in life. ;) But, his hatred allows for no act of repentance, not even cautioning those who would fall prey to the same as he. I love it!

I also love where you pick up events. Heh, we once talked about the fact that powerful people are never completely alone, especially in a less mechanized world. But, who wants all those oc's around? And you used it to your advantage! Sly trick, lady.

The council in Lothlorien was great - the conversation very realistic emotionally yet rational for their dilemma. Oropher is such a wonderful character to have around as a foil for these issues. Amroth practically siding with him caused a sharp pain. I have to say that I adore your Amdir's sweet nature. That Celeborn lent aid to Anarion and Isuldur is very interesting and quite reasonable if he and G were occupying the Dol Amroth at that time. You set this up nicely last chapter with Isildur their visit with him.

Galadriel and Isildur's conversation was wonderful too. What a comparison of two kinds of despair and hope. The affinity between Isildur and Celeborn you had established already was not a surprise, but you pointed out some other less obvious things besides. I liked how Celeborn was very willing to help with the sapling and Isildur ready to ask for it. The White Tree and the royal line of Numeanor runs together as fortold and it was interesting how you kept that parallel going here not only including saving the sapling as part of this story, but its condition and Isildur's emotions. It is a nice reflection of the future when Aragorn must rediscover his royal roots by finding his hidden sapling, healthy in the wild, or deem himself a failure.

Gil-galad's council was most informative about the initial preparations needed to prepare for this war and the forming the Last Alliance. Everyone will have their part to play in it. But, exactly what is the king planning for Celeborn, eh? I have my guess... which I must wait until the next chapter to see if I am right... darn... However, you know already that I am *usually* of the patient sort.

What a wonderful Sunday treat this was to find waiting!


You are so kind not to say that I am a wretched thorn in your side. But, if I just knew what it was I said that got us this chapter to read, I most certainly would say it again. ];}


Author Reply: Thanks, Redheredh. I wasn't anything you said, so much as the last push I needed to remind me that I had some friends out there, maybe waiting for me to finish the chapter. Inspiration is a fickle thing ;)

So delighted you enjoyed the chapter. The scene with Sauron was the only part of this chapter that flowed for me. It wrote itself months ago. I just had to look briefly at his return from his point of view.

I was nervous to write Oropher. I enjoy him a lot, but worried that I'd hit the wrong tone, or that I would get it wrong. It seems to have worked out, though. He'll be back in the next chapter, and I hope I do right by him.

The White Tree thing was another beat I knew this chapter needed, given its place in the LotR mythology, and the way it had already played in the story. I went digging through the books, and when I discovered that the original White Tree that came over from Numenor died in Minas Ithil, it was just too good to pass up.

As for Celeborn's job ... he's not happy about it, I can tell you. But he'll do it.

Thanks for the fantastic review

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/8/2006
Oh yes. This was a good moment. When a new chapter appears of something long awaited and it is as enjoyable as this. A good morning!

Somehow the image of Celeborn all silver and green in his cunningly crafted armour was worth it on its own!

The start, with Sauron returning had a beautifully mythic feel of the inevitable rise of evil. And then a switch to normality - as far as normality can ever exist when Oropher and Celeborn are occupying the same forest. Celeborn is right though - what choice to they have when it comes to confronting something like Sauron, Disciple of Morgoth? Oropher's Silvan elves won't take the 'sail' option - and doing nothing just means they'll be picked off in ones and twos and small groups. Going to war won't avoid death - but might protect the women and children. Goes against the grain though for Oropher to agree.

Celeborn thought it more prudent to lead a force to Gondor's aid before it was too late, than ride the other direction to talk about it. What a sensible elf!

Galadriel does enjoy being prophetic - it's a bad habit. She should try a bit of straight talking sometime! But I do like the idea of the life of the White Sapling being tied up with Isildur's will to live. And that, even as they go to war, the elves know that this is their last chance to rid the world of Sauron.

I was so happy to see this!

Author Reply: Glad you enjoyed Sauron's return. That was the only easy part of this chapter. Gah! Although I must say, I love it when Celeborn shows up in his armor. Just gotta sit back and admire for a minute ;)

I was nervous about writing Oropher. I think he's a great character, but wasn't sure if I'd be able to get his voice. I hope I did right by him. He'll show up in the next chapter--which won't be a very pleasant experience for him--so I thought it was only fair that he get a say in this chapter.

As for Galadrile and prophecy ... LOL, it really is a bad habit. But then you look at Celeborn, and the fact that he nearly came to blows with Oropher because of his habit of being ... somewhat blunt, and you start to understand Galadriel a little better. If no one knows what the hell you're talking about, maybe that isn't so bad after all ;)

Thanks for the great review!

perellethReviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/8/2006
Now, this was a very welcome update, Bejai!

I liked the inmediacy of so many things about to happen, the meaningful conversations and the feeling of doom. Orpoher was great in his rueful understanding of the inevitability of it all, and I can only picture the dismay in both forests when Celeborn departed after such brief and decisive council.

Everybody´s character seemes perfectly pinned down to me, yet I was particularly mopved by this Glaadriel heralding the decay of elves. It was jsut great, you captured perfectly the difference between men and elves in Isildur´s restlessness and gloominess and her calm foresight and rendering of the whole picture, and at the same time capable of concentrating in the here and now.



Author Reply: Thanks, perelleth! It was a welcome update for me too! Such a relief to get this chapter out at last.

Glad you enjoyed Oropher. I was a little afraid of writing him, but it seems to have gone well. Good to hear that it worked!

I'm so glad you enjoyed the beat between Galadriel and Isildur. I think Isildur feels very helpless, but Galadriel helped him put things into perspective. At least his entire race isn't decaying.

Thanks for the review!

ShemyazaReviewed Chapter: 10 on 1/8/2006
I have read this story over a period of a couple of years, as you posted each chapter. I understand that real life gets in the way of writing sometimes, because it does with mine, but I for one am delighted always to read another wonderful chapter.

Write when you can, each one is a gem.

Author Reply: Wow, thank you so much! Always good to hear from new people.

Gah, it has been years, hasn't it? I went back and looked at the stats on this story. I posted the first chapter in Feb. 2004. I feel like I've finally turned the corner on this story ... maybe I'm half way done at last! I was only able to write three chapters last year, but I'm very hopeful that I can move forward with better speed in the next.

Thanks so much for the review. I always treasure new comments, especially from readers who have been in the background the whole time. I makes me hope that other people are quietly enjoying it as well.

Return to Chapter List