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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	6 Review(s)
hawkeye	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 11/2/2014
Ingwë fascinates me. He is completely different from what I expected, though I'm not sure I could say what I actually did expect. I love the depth of character that you give him. He shows a level of concern for Glorfindel that was both surprising and refreshing, and I wonder where he comes by this. As the greatest of the High Kings, I think one would hope that he would possess these qualities, but there seems more to it than that. But, I suppose I shall have to wait and see :) I am enjoying reading about him though. He has many parent qualities that remind me quite a lot of his nephew, Arafinwë. It makes me wonder too who Arafinwë learned from, since Finwë never has struck me as the particularly caring type. But I digress. Hopefully Glorfindel is able to take Ingwë's advice and not rise to the bait, but I wonder about his capacity to do so. I don't doubt Glorfindel as a person, but his level of emotional maturity at this point makes me wonder if he really is able to take advice like this, however good it is. For his sake, of course, I think we all hope he rises to the challenge. Alassiel is another interesting character. At first I felt like "here we go again", but I am curious about her Atar. Here, again, Glorfindel partially allows himself to be baited, but overall I think he did well. I will have to see where things go with her. Findis made me smile. At least Arafinwë didn't just send Glorfindel out into the wolves, even though it might feel like that to Glorfindel. Your note at the end was also a surprise. I had heard of Findis before, but never about Finvain and Faniel. Thank you for a fun and informative chapter, Fiondil :) Author Reply: There is even less about Ingwë than there is about Finwë or even Olwë in the Silmarillion, and all that we are told of him is that he invited Finwë to his city where he meets Indis and they fall in love. After that, you never hear about him again. I felt it was high time that we saw more of him and he plays an important part of this story as you will see. As the High King above all High Kings among the Elves, he would have to exhibit parental qualities, I would imagine, and being a parent himself would certainly help him there. As for where he might have learned such qualities, well, we know that Ingwë removed to Taniquetil with his people so that they could be closer to the Valar, so I imagine he learned from them or perhaps more specifically Manwë. As for Arafinwë, you would have to read my story "In Darkness Bound" to find out. And that story also explains what Ingwë was doing at the time of the Darkening and why we hear nothing from him when Fëanor is causing havoc and mayhem among the Noldor that eventually leads to their Exile. Anyway, Glorfindel and Alassiel will have an interesting relationship in this story and Findis, while she doesn't have a very large role, is still an interesting character. You can read about how she as the oldest daughter of Finwë and Indis met and eventually married Valandur in my story "In the High King's Secret Service". Thanks for reviewing, Hawkeye. I appreciate it very much.

Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 7/31/2008
Meldonya!!! First of all, I love this: Ingwë then reached down and pulled Glorfindel into his embrace, rubbing his back to calm him. "It does no good to cower child," he said almost in a whisper, though Olórin heard him well enough. "It only makes Them more eager to see you in such a state." Olórin raised an eyebrow at that statement and saw Ingwë wink at him. He smiled and nodded. "Wh-why?" Glorfindel asked, curious in spite of himself. "Because, deep down they’re like elflings poking a stick into an ant hill just to see the ants scurry around. Give them a reason to see you scurry even more and they will take it with all the manic glee of a twelve year old." Somehow that image forced a giggle out of Glorfindel and he began trembling again, but with suppressed laughter rather than with fear. Ingwë continued to rub the ellon’s back as he held him through the spasms. Soon the laughter ended to be replaced by tears. Whatever Ingwë might say it had still been a shock to read those words from Námo. Ingwë held him then as well, never scolding him for breaking down. Finally, Olórin decided to take a hand and stood up, gently pulling Glorfindel out of Ingwë’s embrace and into his own. I think Alassiel needs to learn some humility...wry grin but of course she will, who am I kidding? winks And Findis is just lovely...especially here: "Glorfindel?" Glorfindel looked up into Findis’ eyes, full of concern, and smiled. "Your brother allows me to call him ‘Atar’." Findis nodded, smiling in return. "Yes, he told me." He gave her a sly grin, then. "So does that mean I get to call you ‘Auntie’?" Her laughter was merry. "I would be honored... Nephew." She took him by the shoulders and planted a kinsman’s kiss upon his cheek and he returned the gesture. "Now, I was asked by Uncle Ingwë to escort you back to his study, my lord." grins ~Kaylee!! hoping Fiondil is enjoying his travels Author Reply: Ingwë has dealt with the Valar for a very long time now and knows (or thinks he knows) how they are and I think his image of them here is more for Glorfindel's benefit than anything. Findis is much like her brother, Arafinwë, and Alassiel could certainly learn a few things from her if she bothered, but we know of course that she will get her comeuppance sooner rather than later via Námo and Finrod. grin Fiondil is enjoying his travels very much, thank you! LOL By the way, you missed reviewing chapter 29... no fair skipping chapters now. grin

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/12/2008
Very interesting, and wonderful tribute to your beta! Heh! Now, does a romance begin here? Author Reply: I needed to ask my beta for permission to use her name as I didn't want to upset her when I portrayed this Alassiel. SHe's been a real sport about it. As for romance... only time and the Valar will tell. Heh!

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 5/4/2007
Oh, I DO like Ingwë in this chapter! "Because, deep down they’re like elflings poking a stick into an ant hill just to see the ants scurry around. Give them a reason to see you scurry even more and they will take it with all the manic glee of a twelve year old." Oh, I was falling out of my chair laughing at this line, meldonya! I can even hear the tone of voice that Ingwë says it in. And see Olórin's face as well. This was absolutely priceless! Glorfindel is certainly rather fragile in the beginning of this chapter. Well, he is rather fragile all time time right now because of where he is in his development but right now he's not capable of hiding it or his hurt. Ingwë and Olórin's little running commentary regarding being incorrigible was very funny and was exactly the kind of thing to bring Glorfindel's spirits up. I loved the mendacious "Blatant, no," from the high King and can just see his expression. I really like that about hte way you write, meldonya, I feel like I'm really there, participating in the scene, not just a fly on the wall. I shivered with delight and awe right along with Glorfindel when Lord Manwë showed up. I keep wondering if I'd ever be able to handle being in the presence of the Powers with equanimity that Ingwë does. I seriously doubt it. My response would more than likely be the same as our balrog-slayer's. Oh, when you described the garden I was reminded of the many beautiful gardens I visted in England when I lived there. Kew Gardens of course, and the gardens at Sudeley Castle, and Blenheim Palace come to mind as well as Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania that I visited many times as a young girl (it was the water lilies, meldonya. I adore the water lily garden at Longwood and probably would have spenthte whole day there if I could). Gardens are such healing places aren't they? There are at least three wonderful gardens open to the public within a thirty minute drive of my home and I lvoe to spend time there. Unfortunately, I can only enjoy looking at them because I have the opposite of a green thumb (I even killed an air fern, if you can imagine it). Another reason I feel very close ot Glrofindel, I think! Was there a particular plant you had in mind when you described the one Glorfindel was looking at when Alassiel appeared on the scene? I like Alassiel very much. It's obvious she's rather young herself given her petulance, her doubt, her embarrassment, her willingness to start over, and even her unfeigned delight at finding out Glorfindel is a Reborn. It's obvious that Tinwetariel has been busy feeding Alassiel her bigotry but aso obvious (to me at least) that it isn't terribly ingrained in the elleth. Well, the fact that none of the Vanyar have left Mandos as of yet would certainly cause resentment in certain quarters (but in my opinion should not result in hatred of the the exilic Noldor who have been Reborn). It will be interesting to see if Glorfindel and Alassiel do manage to become friends. I'm looking forward to the next chapter. May you live blessed, Edlyn Author Reply: You can probably just imagine Olórin trying desperately not to laugh at Ingwë's description of the Valar, not wanting to spoil the mood. Ingwë, of course, has had LOTS of practice dealing with the Valar (or should I say "handling" them? grin), so he's able to take their presence with greater equanimity than most. I based the High King's garden partly on the El Generalife, the moorish garden next to the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. I spent a lovely afternoon there and its beauty was such that I think I measure all other gardens against it. I've been to Kew Gardens and several other gardens in England and on the Continent. Gardens and Cloisters.... to me they both symbolize healing, and a link to the Divine that I have never felt anywhere else. Most of the reviewers seem not to like Alassiel right off, but she does grow on you as you will see in subsequent chapters. Unlike her grandmother, Alassiel is willing to learn from her mistakes and misconceptions, which is probably her one saving grace. Author Reply: >> Was there a particular plant you had in mind when you described the one Glorfindel was looking at when Alassiel appeared on the scene? Not really, as I'm not a botanist, but I've always found myself attracted to flowers that have deep shades of purple to them, such as the "black" tulip, except this particular species of flower has a scent which tulips do not.

hanci	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 2/5/2007
It seems the stay in Vanyamar won't be boring a bit. I really hope there won't be need for more correspondence... but who knows. Ingwë's description of the Valar is really... original. Suppose it comes from living so long so close. Author Reply: With Glorfindel, nothing remains boring for long. LOL. And Ingwë's description of the Valar is borne from having dealt with them close at hand for thousand of years. I think Ingwë counts many of the Valar and Maiar as friends rather than as his superiors. Gives him a unique perspective that enables him to help Glorfindel cope.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 32 on 1/27/2007
Alassiel might have some of her grandmother's characteristics, but they're muted - and actually seem more likely to make her a good candidate for becoming friends with Glorfindel. Which will be a good thing! He needs friends. Ingwe is a very impressive character. Very impressive indeed. Author Reply: Yes, Glorfindel needs all the friends he can get. grin Glad you are impressed by Ingwë. He impresses me too.

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