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Droplets by perelleth	9 Review(s)
Nariel	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 6/17/2007
I first read this on FF.net. It was so touching. I could feel the internal struggles both Finrod and Finarfin had inside themselves. It's nice to find an author who writes stories about parts of the Sil that is never really seen and does well on it. Author Reply: THank you! I intended to `post the tale of the ring there as a multi chaptered story in chronological order but I have little time...

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 3/28/2007
It must indeed have been a bitter parting, and one relieved alone by the reunion to come only at the release of Finrod from the Halls. Well pictured, I think. Are you from Europe? Author Reply: Thank you, Larner. I think it took a lot of courage from Finarfin to choose between what he thought was right and his own children. Yes,I am from Europe... and not native speaker, as you surely guessed.

Haleth	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/25/2007
Finrod must grow to maturity very, very quickly and this is just the beginning of his trials. Finarfin, the stern father, can only guess what is in store for his children. The characterizations are completely in keeping with Tolkien's depictions of them. The sadness, diappointment and confusion are palpable. It makes me wonder what they would say to each other when they met again after Finrod was released from Mandos? Author Reply: Thank-you, Haleth. I think all of the Noldor lost their inocence somehow at that time -as well as the Teleri- Safe and protected and quite unconcerned about external dangers, relying on the overpowerful Valar, they were suddenly confronted with the defeat of their "heros" and each reacted different to that loss, I think. It makes me wonder what they would say to each other when they met again after Finrod was released from Mandos? A good point! :-) Personally I believe they both had reached a level of understanding and enlightenment that made it unnecesary talking about it. But that's my humble opinion... :-)

Ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/8/2007
I love Finarfin fics and this one is excellent. I like the way you portray him and Finrod both in this most uncomfortable of circumstances. Well done! Author Reply: Thank-you, Ellie. IT is true, there are few stories starring Finarfin, and this was a hard moment for father and son. I believe that remaining in Valinor tok a great deal of courage, even more than departing, I'd say, but he was a worthy son of FInwe after all...

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/4/2007
Wonderful scene - one on which I've thought from time to time. I reckon it took far more courage for Finarfin to go back than for him to follow his family and go on. But, little though he wanted to, Finarfin recognised that Finrod had to go on - and the ring that ties Aragorn to his elven ancestors and binds him to Galadriel even before he was betrothed to Arwen. What a completely dreadful time this must have been. A sort of nuclear winter, really - dropped from light and joy to almost total devastation and misery. I wonder if many elves gave up and faded. Seems quite likely. But not Finrod - who was a child no more - or Finarfin who had the courage to choose a path that divided him from all his family. At least we know that Finrod walks again with his father in Eldamar. Or words to that effect. Author Reply: Thank-you, Bodkin. I hope you are having a good week. I have also thought about this parting many times, and I had drafted the scene in different moments along the way, but in the end it was simply a crude sad parting that could not have been happy, nor hopeful. And I agree with you. Finarfin's decision took great courage.

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/3/2007
Oh, the ending was powerful. ...dispossessed of his innocence... Both of them. I liked how you used the two rings to illustrated Finrod's understanding of his responsibilities. And what would come of them. Also, that his father would not bless him in either case and it hurt. With the first he was forced back into childhood and second forced out of it. Very intriguing... You ask if Finrod would give his father's ring to Barahir. I would say even more likely, if as you have depicted it, it does represent Finrod's kingship. Besides being a pledge of honor, his setting aside his crown for the sake of that honor is foreshadowed by giving the ring away. Author Reply: I'm glad that you liked it... IT was a parting that always made me wonder. The eagerness for adventure and the unknown against the wisdom of one who does not fool himself. Poor Finarfin. I too thought that Finrod would give it away, even if that was his father´s ring. It had more of a sentimental value than political, I suspect, and , as you suggest, it would mean a very powerful promise on his part. I had trouble with Finarfin not blessing his son, but in the end I thought that would have been too much to ask from a father indeed, so he gives him his loving and kind wishes but not a blessing. Thank-you for finding time. :-)

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/3/2007
Nice job. Both Finrod and Finarfin come across as distinct, real people who have seen the same horrors, but have interpreted them in very distinct ways. There's a real sense of separation growing between them, from the beginning to the end. Finarfin seems as though he's spent his time slowly realizing that he must be the King of the Noldor, primarily because no one else seems to want to do it, and he will do what it takes to grow into the job. I loved Finrod's horror at the thought that his father might abandon the people on the journey. He takes it personally and sees it as an abandonment of himself. Yet the reality is at once so much harsher and so much kinder, as Finarfin makes him a Lord in his own right, stripping him of anything he could lean on, while making it clear that Finrod is still his beloved son. Author Reply: Thank-you, FP. I like what you say, that they interpreted the same events under different lights, for it is very true, I think. Finrod was moved from the very beginning by Feanor's words, and he dreamed of distant lands, mainly due to his Telerin side, while Finarfin could see the futility of it all, from the "legal" practical pov and his half Vanyarin mind, and could not understand that his children could actually fall for Feanor's high words. It was a tough rite of passage for Finrod, but not wholly deprived of love, despite the grief and bitterness between father and son. And I think that Finarfin proved himself a worthy son of Finwë when he decided to remain. It was a tough decision, I suspect.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/2/2007
Your stories are always so insightful, Perelleth. You see these moments when people must have had to struggle to decide what was right and then live with their choices, and you give them to your readers so convincingly. Both father and son are suffering here. You show them well. Author Reply: Thank-you, Daw. I fear I'm becoming monotonous! But that is what hooks me in Tolkien, hope, choices, consequences, price to pay, endurance and strength to stick to decisions. Mainly when I find myself in difficult situations. This parting must have been so grievious to witness, mostly for the father, I fear.

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 8 on 1/2/2007
This was really well done, Perelleth. I have often wondered what it was like for Finarfin to decide to repent and return, and have none of his children follow him. This shows the depth of the conflict going on in their hearts and I really like the sundering as you show it - that Finarfin would not give his blessing, only his ring and leadership of his house in exile. Finrod's youth comes through well too - he is full of adventure and misplaced pride and sadly, must make his own choices and live with the consequences. I assume Finarfin could have commanded his children or any of his house to stay. He shows great strength of character in letting them go. And his hope that Mandos be gentle with his son at the end... that was tough. Author Reply: Thank-you, Nilmandra, I'm so glad you found it fitting! This parting also had me wondering. There must have been sadness and bitterness. Obviously Finarfin would have expected his childrenn, at least some of them- to follow him, to see things as he did, and it must have been tough for him, though he reacted as a true son of Finwë, seeing his duty and sticking to it, despite all. While allowing his children the freedom to make msitakes. Tough. I was doubtful about the blessing. I'm not a mother, but I cannot imagine Finarfin blessing his son when he felt he could not agree with a choice that would bring so much grief to all. HE could not know what good would arise from Finrod's choice, but at that moment I believe he had reached his limit. Poor father. Remaining is much harder than departing, I have found at times.

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