News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| Golden Flower Blossoms by Redheredh | 6 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Kitt Otter | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/7/2008 |
| Geesh, Glorfindel is so conceited… but I LOVED him here - maybe for that. The “Rat-slayer” is too funny… the way he deals with rats, I *almost* feel sorry for any Balrogs he had dealt with. It is sad about his family disowning him, though is raised an interesting philosophical discussion: is it so bad that they do not want to sit at Manwe’s feet? They have their own ways of service, I guess. I am plenty glad that over the centuries he has not forgotten Ulbanis! -Kitt Author Reply: Ah now, Glorfindel has some maturing to do, just like any hero. :D I just thought he would need a little more motivation to ever go back to Ennor. To me, the Vanyar represent institutional morality for the Eldar culture. He certainly did not. After this, when you get time, you might like to read Bodkin's stories "Exiled" and "Walking the Tightrope". | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/30/2006 |
| Rat-slayer indeed. It made me laugh, too! This self-centered Glorfindel is so funny, and how he feels overwhelmed by the number of thngs he may have done, or forgot doing, to cause her sorrow and hey! it is not about him in the end! There's a hidden piece of so profound knowledge about how males' brains (is that a contradiction in terms?) work that I had to stop there and give a laugh or two! Even if our views on this matter (Valinor) are totally different, I like how you manage to imply the depth of the problem. A disowned, rejected, malcontent Vanyarin Glorfindel makes an interesting approach of his story. And I really like the relationship he has with Ulbanis... a strong friendship that might... evolve eventually? Only... I was a bit unsettled by how harshly they deal with -and speak of- the rats in the first part... they're Yavanna's creatures, after all... but,that's only me, I'd guess. ;-) Tell mother Ulbanis for me that building a store upon stone pillars and leaving a good gap between the stone stair and the entrance to the store has been an ages long solution to keep rats from grain.. and she would not need to massacre the creatures then! :-) ( LAthough, on second thoughts, she would not need her rat-slayer, either, and that would be a pity....) Nice, entertaining chaper Redheredh! Apologies for the dely, but I´m on the run again... and online time becomes a rarity these days... Author Reply: I am so pleased you found it entertaining! :D And men do so have brains! Glad I did not totally turn you off the story! I was afraid I was doing a PeterJackson and getting too caught up in developing the hero's motivation to the detriment of his future personality. Ya know, Bodkin is wondering where this relationship is leading as well. But then, she can dictate where we can only suggest. You feel sorry for the rats? Oh, I do understand for I dislike cruelty to animals as well. However, elves are farmers and hunters so... Ulbanis did say she would have done something more to discourage them if she knew they would become such a problem. It may be that the usual methods just did not work as well as they should have. But, I think the wide-spread problem will be alleviated. Perhaps by Yavanna herself,if the Valar deign to involve themselves. Glorfindel would have come to see Ulbanis no matter what before he would leave Eldamar. He *just happened* to show up when she also needed him. Thank you so much! I hope the trip is going well and I am really happy to hear from you! Thanks very, very much for the review! | |
| Ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/29/2006 |
| I felt so sorry for Glorfindel. I had never before considered that his parents might have disowned him. Poor guy! I like the realtionship he has with the Mother and I loved his signature on the letter. I hope you will write a runion chapter for them. This was precious. More, please! Author Reply: Gosh, I just figured if he were a Vanyar and not Noldor royal like most people assume he would need some heavy personal motivation to do the crazy... eh, heroic... things he does. Next chapter, some more explanation, but not from Glorfindel himself. ;) And who knows about a reunion. However, it is not planned as part of this story. Thank you for taking the time to review! I do appreciate it. | |
| Bejai | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/29/2006 |
| Heh. Glorfindel the Rat Slayer. Too funny! I enjoyed how this chapter went back and forth between humor and seriousness. I think with Glorfindel, things would have a tendency to do that. The list where Glorfindel apologizes for everything he might have done made me laugh out loud ;) I enjoyed your realistic portrayal of the business and politics that would have to be behind a house for the reborn -- charity, the support of the community, an annoying landlord, a sense of responsibility both to the people you serve and the people who make it possible. I think it would be so, even in Valinor. Author Reply: Oh so you liked that ephitaph? Glad you enjoyed his confusion. ;) Hey, you are active in your church and can appreciate the subject matter. So, I appreciate the compliment. Although, I am sure you would have said to take it out of you had betaed the chapter. ];} Thank you again for the reviews! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/29/2006 |
| I love the picture of Glorfindel in his saggy, muddy-kneed leggings comforting Ulbanis. And how well she understands him! Author Reply: Ha! And how well you rephrase my descriptions! ;) I do appreciate the instruction though. You and your second reviews... Not that I am unhappy to see them! Not at all! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 1/28/2006 |
| What a gorgeous Glorfindel - self-centred, of course, but hey, that's pretty much what you'd expect from a hero who has returned to be rejected by the rather smug elves west of the sea. (In a way it makes his relationship with Ulbanis more mother/son. Kids never know when it's about you rather that you-in-relation-to-them.) I love him comforting her - and offering to become Aman's own Pied Piper. I had never thought about things like rats and death-watch beetle and bacteria arriving back in Aman with the host. And it would be like mice and rabbits and Australia, wouldn't it? (I remember seeing film of grain stores in Australia that were nothing but seething masses of mice. Ugh.) No understanding of the problem and no natural predators. Even the cats, over the generations, have unlearned ratting. Glorfindel's family sounds a right pain! I'm not surprised he is desperately seeking a purpose in his new life. A good thing that (I hope) Manwe will listen to him and see the perfect task for him. Ulbanis recognises from his letter that he is happy - he has grown into the role given him and it has suited his needs. And even after a couple of Ages, he is still her friend - and rat-catcher. Just out of interest - and not, of course, because a romantic interest between Glorfindel and Ulbanis would be a delight - do the vows of those dedicated to Nienna last for ever? It's one thing among Men, where life-long vows last at maximum about 70 years - but life-long among elves is until the end of the world! And, even in Aman, where things take their time, change eventually happens. Now I'm going to go and read it again a couple of times. Just to enjoy the political and social nuances of elven society, of course. Not to picture a wet and unhappy Ulbanis and a muddy, depressed Glorfindel together over spoiled grain, a crate of dead rats and squelchy grass. Not at all! Author Reply: To me, Glorfindel has a tough job that requires a good measure of self-confidence and that would not come from being an actual prince. So, his talents have got to be stellar. Thankfully as a Vanyar, he has a good heart to go with it. I had thought about the Pied Piper image he might project, and perhaps that sort of thing being carried out by a Maia or Vala as the answer to Aman's problem. ;) Ah yes, here again I violate the sensibilities of many about the paradise that awaits in the Undying Lands. But, I have never met a Land of Milk and Honey that did not have a few problems going on within it. Natural or otherwise. Once again, we can pretty much guess the Valar's motivations for sending help eastward, but what were the motivations of their agents? And how much freedom were they allowed before their contracts would be abrogated? I like to think of the Istari and Glorfindel as, in a sense, privateers. I fancy like any people that have come through an crisis together, they will remain close even if they never see eachother again. Service buddies often never want their comrades to use any name other than their nicknames. Even grown children appreciate being called by old endearments. I actually do not know about Ulbanis' vows. I suppose, as in our world, clerical callings can be relinquished. But, ya know, Ulbanis does belongs to you... if you have some suspicions about her future. Ha! You should talk! After the all the mud you have put E2L through! Thanks for the review! | |