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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
hawkeye	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/23/2014
So many interesting insights in this chapter. Olwë especially continues to amaze me, especially in his interactions with his grandson and Sador. He shows a lot of wisdom in an understated way. I'm glad he was able to talk about Alqualondë with Finrod, though I sure it took a lot of courage on both their parts. I would be interested to read more about Olwë, and his own journey. I'm sure forgiving those involved in the kinslaying was not easy, even if he only blamed Feanor for that. Arafinwë and Olwë's concern for Sador was interesting to me. It's almost as if they know something everyone else doesn't. That too, in a way, is a reflection on what it means to be a good monarch. They are concerned for people beyond their nobles and people at court. So Olwë is going to learn Sindarin? That will mean a lot to his Sindarin subjects, maybe more than he realizes. It was fun to see him make the effort though. Okay, the image of Námo laughing himself silly almost had me laughing myself silly. The elves have no idea what they're missing. That aside, Arafinwë's plans for Sador did surprise me, but they make so much sense. Given his history, I think Finrod will appreciate Sador's contributions more than others would, but hopefully that example will encourage other people to start taking the Sindar more seriously. Ahh, I should read "In Darkness Bound." Perhaps that will be my next read. As always, thank you for another lovely chapter. Your writing is always a joy to read. Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. Olwë intrigues me as well and I wish I could find the right story to highlight him more, but we'll be seeing more of him particularly in Elf, Interrupted 2. I think you will enjoy reading him when you get to that part of the story. As for their interest in Sador, whether they know anything about him or not, they are naturally concerned for someone who is essentially an orphan and being parents themselves, they certainly would feel paternal toward him considering that Sador was barely out of elflinghood when he died, so he's very, very young by elven standards, not having seen even his first century yet. "In Darkness Bound" isn't easy reading for obvious reasons but we do see something of Amanian society prior to the Darkening as well as learn what happened after Fëanor and his crew left, or at least what I imagined might have happened since Tolkien never tells us. At any rate, thanks for reviewing this story. I'm glad you are enjoying it.

Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 7/27/2008
Finrod grinned and Olwë found himself grinning as well. "So what, besides my inyë’s protestations of love, convinced you that my great-nephew was worthy of your respect?" Finrod stopped and Olwë was forced to halt as well. The younger elf stared out across the garden without really seeing it, remembering. Olwë waited patiently, willing to stand there all day if necessary. Finally, Finrod came to himself and looked at his grandfather. "He came to me and asked for my permission to court my sister." I'm glad to have the backstory for that, meldonya. I still want to hear the tales that Finduilas told on her Unca' Finda, though. grin ~Kaylee!! who thinks Sador IS the best potter ever Author Reply: I thought it would be fun to give the backstory to this conversation, which is why when the right prompt came along I knew just what I wanted to write. grin And I think Sador is the best potter ever, too. grin

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 2/12/2008
One day the story of John, Jonnie, Louie, and their family will be written, and the descriptions of the educational requirements of the Isles of Adam will be well known--I hope--one of which is that those who are judged to have a proper education MUST learn mastery in at least one practical craft as well as well as in at least one branch of the fine arts as well as in at least one form of service. Basketweaving is a necessary craft that combines artistry with craftsmanship, at least. These ellyn need to broaden their horizons. Author Reply: The crafts which the Reborn are learning will not only provide them with possible employment once released from Lórien but primarily are designed to help them integrate their fëar with their hróar more closely, especially with fine motor skills. Clearly, the courtiers do need to learn not to disparage the abilities of others.

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 4/5/2007
Greetings, mellon-nin! It's snowing outside as I type this (flurries and it's not sticking but it's SNOW!) and to think that only three days ago it was in the 70s here! While spring seems to be busy reversing her progress, I'm glad to read that our three Reborn and their family members are making progress in a positive manner. As I read each section I found myself relating the different definitions of progress (both as a noun and an intrasitive verb) to each character, including Olwë and Arafinwë. I so enjoyed this chapter, especially the description of how Celeborn and Finrod met and eventually bridged that "chasm." I can just see the fond reminicient (and perhaps a bit sad) smile on Finrod's face as he says: "He came to me and asked for my permission to court my sister." This story has a lot of subtext through it encompassing forgiveness, mercy, growth, spiritual development, and especially bridging differences and bringing people together in understanding. I think I knew the latter was there all along but until you specifically stated (through Olwë, in this instance) the bridging of the cultural chasm between Sinda and Noldo that particular theme stayed in the background for me. Rose gardens make a good place for important and emotionally wrought conversations, don't they? They tend to be private and the scent of the blossoms is soothing (at least I find them to be). Of course, roses mean love in all it's varied forms and forgiveness, too (why else are they the most popular "I'm sorry" gift?). "When I was first re-embodied Lord Námo told me that all judgments have been rendered and all debts paid. I have to believe that, all of us Reborn do. It’s the only way any of us can go on, in spite of our memories." Oh, what true statement! For us, we have to remember that we are loved and forgiven, and to forgive ourselves, as well. I think the times we aren't able to accept the truth of God's love and forgiveness all stem from our inability to forgive ourselves. I think that even with the Gift of Forgetfulness and the stripping of the emotional connections the Reborn may still have trouble forgiving themselves for certain things they did during their lives. Or they may believe in their own forgiveness for a time and then self-doubt rears its head and the belief in their forgiveness slips. And I think it likely that when they do make an emotional connection to certain events it is likely to put strain on their relatively new understanding of being forgiven. I think that section really speaks to me today since tonight I am participating in the Mass of the Lord's Supper and will be participating in all the Easter Liturgies between now and Sunday (inclusing a four hour Vigil Mass!) Forgiveness and thankfulness are both on my mind more than usual. I wonder how many of the Once-Born have been spoken to by the Valar and just didn't recognise that was what was happening (oh, my, that is an awkward sentence!), or like Olwë, decided that it had to be his imagination. How lovely for Sador to be able to share the good memories of Doriath and his family with someone. I had to smile at Sador's response to being asked something he doesn't have an answer for; there's a lot of people who won't do something as simple as keeping quiet when they don't know what to say (myself included at times). And Olwë's promise to make inquiries regarding his family...I'm just ready to burst with happiness for him. (I'm sure that some psychologist has a fancy name for the prediliction to reacting to fictional characters as though they were real people that you interact with in the real world, but if that is a mental disorder, I don't want to be cured! The thing is I have come to love your characters and to care what happens to them, the samew way I came to love and care about hte characters Tolkien created.) Ah, Námo and Manwë are betting again! I bet it drives thier spouses nuts at times. But I have to admit the idea tickles me no end. I'd iketo meet Netilmirë. She sounds in ways like my Laurel (who is a potter BTW - Mistress Nonna the Midwife of Stormgangr - none of her apprentices have been potters: a cook, a leather worker, and a scribe (me), but no potters). Ah, Sador has slipped into the crafting trance. That happens to me when I am working on an illuminated page, or writing or composing music on my flute or guitar. I get started and the next thing I know it's hours later and the project is finished and I haven't a clue exactly what I did to get it that way. I would like to learn the basics of wheel pottery one day but it's been difficult for Nonna and I to get together since she moved to another state (Maybe I might be lucky and the college will offer it as a class over the summer). Oh, Arafinwë is truly wise. If one is granted the gift to create beauty then it is the ultimate sin not to use that gift and train it to its fulfillment. I suppose life would be all right if I didn't make books and paintings and write songs but I think it would be a far more barren and empty life. And to be blessed with the chance to further both your "everyday" employment AND your art? I hate to admit it that I'm jeaulous of Sador! LOL! Oh, dear drunk teenager elves... I can just imagine what they got up to while celebrating! Three cheers (each) for Finrod and Glorfindel for supporting Sador in front of those idiot courtiers. When I read the descriptions of what the two of them learned in Lorien, it reminded me of Baron Lorimer MacAtlin, Baron Flaming Gryphon back in 1980 who was both a puissant fighter and did the most gorgeous embroidery. I haven't tried basket making but I'm sure there have to be secrets to getting it to work out properly, just as there are little tricks to ensuring the gold leaf lays smoothly and stays where one puts it when illuminating a page for a book. I can just see the gobstuck faces on the listening courtiers as they try to reconcile their perception of their Prince with basket-weaving and the warrior Glorfindel with ribbon embroidery . Of, course, all the arts and crafts stuff is really a useful form of occupational and physical therapy, isn't it? Not to mention a useful form of stress relief and a way of expanding one's self-image beyond that held before their death. And it is a way of integrating former warriors into a culture where there are relatively few places of employment in the martial arts. Here's a hug and warm wishes for a blessed Easter. Stay well, and know you are in my (admittedly sometimes scattered) thoughts. May you lived blessed, mellon-nin, Edlyn Author Reply: >>It's snowing outside as I type this (flurries and it's not sticking but it's SNOW!) and to think that only three days ago it was in the 70s here. LOL! Sounds like typical early April weather to me! And just in time for Easter, too. I think the last time I definitely remember a GREEN Easter was in 1976! Forgiveness, especially self-forgiveness, is very difficult for many people (myself included). I think intellectually we know (because we are told) that God forgives us, but emotionally, we don't have that feeling, so we get stuck in useless recriminations when God is more interested in telling us how great we are just for being ourselves. >>I'm sure that some psychologist has a fancy name for the prediliction to reacting to fictional characters as though they were real people that you interact with in the real world, but if that is a mental disorder, I don't want to be cured! "Násië!" as Lord Námo would say. Some cures are not worth it and this particular disease is much more fun than reality anyway. One of the things I've always said about writing is that if the reader doesn't care for at least one of the characters, the writer has failed in his art. Readers should even care for the "evil" characters, if only to the extent that they would sorely love to beat the snot out of them. That's caring in a negative way, but it's caring nonetheless. I once read a book by an author whose previous books had me so in the grip of the story and its characters I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Then, I picked up his next book and never finished it. Why? Because I couldn't find one character in the story that I cared about, so why should I bother to read it? In fact, when I found myself hoping that something bad would really happen to the main character, I knew it was time to stop reading the book. Sadly, I've never read another book by this author because of that experience. >>I wonder how many of the Once-Born have been spoken to by the Valar and just didn't recognise that was what was happening...or like Olwë, decided that it had to be his imagination. I wonder how many of us can say the same thing with respect to God? grin I know what you mean by the "crafting trance". I experience it myself when I'm writing or doing embroidery or quilting or crocheting. There are chapters in Elf Interrupted that I still don't know how they got written! It's almost as if someone else (or Someone Else) has written these chapters for me and I was just a convenient vehicle. It's scary sometimes, but that's when I feel most as if I'm in the sub-creative mode of reality that brings me closer to God as Author and Creator. Also, like you, I often find such arts and crafts very therapeutic and excellent stress-breakers (unless I have to rip out five rows of crochet stitches because I counted wrong! lol) May you have a blessed Easter as well. "Hrist' orortanië! É ortaina ná!" — Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

J.	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 12/19/2006
LOL. Teleporno...I was having indecent thoughts about that. One thing is that Glorfindel is a member of Noldorin Royalty (that Tolkien never accounted for). From what I gleaned from 'The Silmarillion' the Noldor were dark-haired, and the people who had 'golden hair' were Finarfin, his kids and Idril Celebrindal - both the descendants of the Vanya (Indis and Elenwe). Or he may be related to the daughters of Finwe or the wife of Fingolfin or Turgon. Otherwise, somewhere in his family line there is Vanyarin blood, such as through his mother (which would account for his being blond and still allow him to be counted among the Noldor). Another thing is that the Noldor are accounted the greatest of the Elves in lore, warfare and smithcraft. :P But anyway I really enjoyed reading your story, please update soon :) Author Reply: Since Tolkien never specifically states Glorfindel's parentage, I purposely have left if vague. That he may be a member of Noldorin royalty, I think, would not impress Glorfindel in the least. Glad you are enjoying the story. I will be updating every week, never fear.

hanci	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 12/16/2006
Another great chapter! Funny and serious, you write both equally well, it's a treat. Olwë and Finrod talked, Sador has his future planned and an unusual master... After all they did since being reborn, weaving baskets doesn't sound that strange, does it? :o) - I'm curious, how did you pick Finrod's crafts? (Last review - my problem was with "it's" instead of "its". I'm sorry for not being clear, I was running out of time. Even though, you are probably right to add the Valar in your explanation - once more you broaden my horizons, I was content with only the kings.) Author Reply: Thanks for the clarification. I'll go and make the correction. As for Finrod's crafts: the horseshoeing, etc. was a natural choice given the society in which he lives. I thought it would be fun that a Prince of the Noldo would have to learn how to shoe a horse and make his own bridle, etc. before being allowed to ride one again, especially since that kind of physical activity would further help to integrate his hröa to the physical world. The basket weaving came about because of all the jokes of people "majoring" in basket-making in college while on an athletic scholarship. Plus, I've seen traditional basket-weaving done and it's not as simple as one might think. And I wanted a craft that was so incongruous to the image most of us have of this particular noble Elf-lord for the humor of it. Hopefully no one will take offense grin.

vampfan30	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 12/15/2006
Can't put into words how much I have enjoyed this story so far. I get up at the crack of why am I awake to send my girl off to school & I get 3 chapters this morning & could barely get there for the giggling I was doing over those three now-inseperable guys....... Author Reply: Yoú're welcome. Think of it as an early Christmas present. Glad you're enjoying the story.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 12/15/2006
This is just such a gorgeous feelgood story - I smiled all the way through reading it. Hopefully I will get back to you with something more coherent and admiring later! Author Reply: Glad you are enjoying the story. I look forward to whatever review you care to send me, coherent or not grin.

Elflingimp	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 12/15/2006
I enjoyed your last three chapters and hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Author Reply: Thank you. And a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too.

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