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| Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil | 6 Review(s) |
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| hawkeye | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 9/16/2014 |
| So, if nothing else, Glorfindel's temper is in tact. Poor dear. At least the Valar aren't angry with him. I really liked Námo's explanation about how the Valar's joy stems from a delight in Eru's creation. If only we all could take such delight in creation, I think so many problems would not be the problems that they are. I am curious about a couple of things though. In the beginning of the chapter, is Námo tells Glorfindel to come, is he actually making him come? Or is Glorfindel's respect for the valar actually making him come, even though he wants to go back to the maze? I thought it was interesting that Námo never took his eyes off Glorfindel. If that's not intimidating, I'm not sure what is ;) My other question is, in your stories, are Irmo and Námo twins in Atar's thought? The similarities in their appearance makes me wonder. Although, they seem to be able to change their appearance so perhaps they just like looking that way. As silly as this may sound, I loved the image of Námo as Consoler. I think it's significant the Valar don't continue to bring up the past, but only remind him that all debts have been paid when Glorfindel brings it up. It actually reminded me of a part of the Psalms that says as far away as the east is from the west, so far have transgressions been removed. I think that the Valar are modeling this for Glorfindel here in this chapter. He has been forgiven, and Námo is present as consoler, now Glorfindel has to accept that for himself. In any case, I've rambled enough. Thank you for another lovely chapter :) Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. To answer your first question, no. Námo isn't making Glorfindel do anything, but Glorfindel's own innate respect for the Valar and having been under Námo's care for so long, obedience is ingrain however much he wants to not obey. Námo and Irmo are brothers but not twins, at least Tolkien never described them as such and as the guy had a twin fetish, if they had been twins, I'm sure he would've mentioned it. No. These two are just brothers, and like most brothers, have similar features that point to their kinship. And Námo as Consoler is his favorite role. He much prefers it over any other role he has to play. The psalm you mention (I can't remember which one it is, though I recognize the reference) is very apt here. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it. | |
| Kaylee | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 7/27/2008 |
| Well, here he is in the center of the maze. Choice writ large...I like the wording here. All paths ultimately lead to the Center...at least if one never gives up. Giving up is all too easy to do...but it's not the right thing to do. I'm glad Glorfi's finally made it to Lorien! Irmo will take good care of him. *hugs Glorfi* ~Kaylee!! Author Reply: I'm glad you got the message of the maze. It's an important lesson for us all. And Irmo will indeed take good care of our Glorfi... Namo wouldn't have it any other way. *grin* | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 2/12/2008 |
| And he learns again to choose and to rejoice in the results of his choices, as he learns that the Valar are not as judgmental as he'd thought. Author Reply: Up to now, all his choices have been in the hands of his attendants, just as if he were still an elfling, but now he has matured to the point where he must begin to make the choices in his life for himself and this is the lesson of the maze. Sometimes the lessons the Valar use may seem harsh and judgmental but that's from the elf's POV; from the Valar's POV, these lessons are lesson of love for the strengthening of the one being lessoned. The Reborn have forgotten much that all of us just take for granted and now they have to relearn what they knew instinctively as adults and had spent centuries and millennia learning and assimilating. The maze is something like a crash course in decision making. | |
| Edlyn | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 3/14/2007 |
| I do so like it that the Valar in your stories have a sense of humor. I also like the affection that that is apparent between Námo and Irmo (well, in truth, I see it between all the Valar). Both things are readily apparent in the teasing conversation they have about Glorfindel. Unfortunately, Glorfindel can't appreciate it. I suspect our favourite Balrog-Slayer is suffering from low blood sugar given his level of irritability. I wasn't surprised that Námo didn't pick him up and cradle him after he stopped crying. Glorfindel is not finished growing up yet but he's no longre a baby. He can't have ti both ways. If he wants to be treated like a grown-up he needs to realize that means he's going to be treated like a grown-up in all situations. Hmmmm. I wonder what might be an earthly version of Miruvórë? I once had some homemade mead once that was flavoured with heather and other flowers that might be a candidate, but sadly, the maker of that sublime beverage turned his interests to the making of other liquors and I've never found anything quite like it since. You know, I think Glorfindel has a mouth with a death-wish Oh, I wouldn't mind a cup of perfectly brewed tea and some strawberry tarts right now. Sigh. The contents of the vending machine down the hall is less than inspiring and the university cafeteria offerings today are even worse. Oh, well. I can vicariously join Glorfindel and imagine what it all tastes like. Uh, oh. I would think that the words "Let us begin" would be especially traumatic to Glorfindel given that he only remembered his judgment that very morning and still hasn't had time to put it in perspective yet. But in a way, it was a good thing that Lord Námo used them. It allowed he and Lord Irmo to be able to provide explanations and to correct Glorfidel's faulty assumptions about what Judgment was and who actually did the judging. Ah, forgiving oneself is always, always the hardest thing to do. That is one thing I like about my current parish priest. I had several conversations with him regarding the sacrament of Reconciliation (as they are calling it now; I still think of it in my mind as the Sacrament of Confession) not too long ago and one of the points he made was that we can't truly accept God's forgiveness for our sins unless we can forgive ourselves for doing them. So reading Námo's and Irmo's words concerning the Ring of Máhanaxar did me some good as well as Glorfindel. Hmmmm. Well, it seems that my interpretation of the Maze wasn't exactly like what Lord Irmo described in his explanation but it doesn't look like what I got out of reading the last chapter is incompatible with the word from the Maze's creator/owner. I can just hear Glorfindel's voice when he asks if he'll be emotionally mature when he leaves Lórien. I can't help smiling because I can hear him thinking 'I'm going to be here FOREVER!' as he asks the question. I wish I could disconnect some of my memories from the emotions that are presently attached to them but if the only way for that to happen is to lose the emotional connection to all my memories, I'll think I'll keep them. Of course, the Reborn need to have that separation or it will drive them insane and they won't heal. Besides, it's probably easier to learn to not make the same mistakes when your thought processes aren't burned into the same rut that they were in when you made your original mistakes. So now, on to more lessons in Lórien for our elf. Well written, mellon-nin. May you live blessed, Edlyn Author Reply: I suspect that much of the conversation between Námo and Irmo is a test for Glorfindel, trying to gauge his emotional reactions. And, you have to wonder how many times have they done this with all the other Reborn (not just Glorfindel)and how many times they will do it in the future. They have to find amusement somewhere. *grin* And the Valar say nothing without purpose (unlike us humans), so Námo using the phrase "Let us begin" and possibly even altering his tone a bit was deliberate on his part. Your interpretation of the Maze was quite excellent I thought and also quite true. Irmo's explanation, however, is tailored to Glorfindel's question and to his personal experience while in the Maze, something he can relate to and apply to future happenings in his life. The Maze itself is a maturing process which all the Reborn go through. One wonders, of course, if on occasion, Maiar have to be sent in to effect a "rescue" of those Reborn who get hopelessly lost (and if you've ever been in a maze you know how easy that is to do). Hopefully, such incidents are rare and handled gently so as not to overly traumatize the newly Reborn. | |
| hanci | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/11/2006 |
| I found your story a bit late to review each chapter, so to summarise things I like about first ten chapters: - Your concept of Halls of Waiting is truly captivating, original and ingenious. Fëar starting like children and slowly learning and maturing… It’s a good place. - Valar are kind and mighty, clever, caring and amused. Mandos, Yavanna getting Glorfindel from the tree, Mandos and Lórien betting on Glorfindel… And it's good to see Olórin, of course. - The elves (or fëar at the point) help, teach and heal each other, it’s not only on higher beings. BTW, I noticed all Glorfindel's friends had had some connection to humans, is that on purpose? And when he met the twins, I thought – he will be prepared for Elrond’s sons. :o) - And Glorfindel, of course, is just great. With other elves, with the Valar, gardening, not wanting to wear clothes... Author Reply: I'm glad you found my story, early or late. So many writers depict Mandos as something between Alcatraz and the Gulag and I just can't imagine it that way. Same with Námo. How can any being who has stood before the Throne of Ilúvatar be anything but joyful? I suspect that our impressions of this particular Vala are based on the Exilic Noldor who had good reason to fear the Lord of Mandos. Actually, I didn't notice that all Glorfindel's friends have some connection with humans, although maybe I did on an unconscious level. Now that you've pointed it out to me, it does make sense — Glorifndel has had almost no experience with dealing with humans, having only known three. He will need to have a better understanding of humans when he returns to Middle-earth, for he will be dealing with them on a regular basis, even help raise them. As for the twins, well Manwë did tell Námo that Glorfindel needed the practice. *grin* Thanks for reviewing and I look forward to reading any other reviews you care to send my way. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 10 on 12/1/2006 |
| Somehow, I can really sympathise with indignant Glorfindel, who feels he is being laughed at by the grownups! It's not easy growing up, even if it is to return to an interrupted life - and the Valar are just a touch too sure of themselves. (Understandably, I suppose.) And so Glorfindel moves on to the next stage! Author Reply: *Somehow, I can really sympathise with indignant Glorfindel, who feels he is being laughed at by the grownups!* Especially when said grownups seem to be setting you up for you to fail, not realizing that they are merely providing you with a necessary lesson. It's not enough to simply tell a child, "this is so, or that is such". They have to discover it for themselves. Sometimes, though, the grownups have to provide the 'environment' in which the child can discover these truths for himself. If the grownups seem to be laughing at the child as he flounders around looking for answers, it's only from the child's perspective that it is so. In Glorfindel's case, that 'environnment' is the Maze where he learns the inmportant lesson of Choices and the necessity of making them and accepting the consequences of doing so. Up to now, Glorfindel has not had to make any, and indeed, has not felt the need to. He may think he's not getting anywhere fast, but actually Námo and Irmo are quite proud of Glorfindel and are pleased with his progress towards maturity. | |