Stories of Arda - Lord of the Rings Fan-Fiction Archive


	About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search

Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	13 Review(s)
hawkeye	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/15/2014
Ingwë is fascinating, though, for some reason I am still not quite sure of him. I think Glorfindel feels the same way, and given the reactions he's had from the other Vanyar, I don't think it's too unreasonable. You do an amazing job of writing deep characters. It's possible to write a three dimensional character that isn't deep, but the depth of the characters is something that I really enjoy in your writing. I am constantly guessing and actually wanting to learn more. Anyway, back to my review. Ingwë. He shows a lot of subtlety here. A part of me absolutely does believe him when he says that he isn't asking questions to make Glorfindel uncomfortable or to get enjoyment at his expense, but there is another part that is afraid he might turn. I think that Ingwë is very well aware of what is going on around him. Having lived as long as he has and having been high king for so long, he has got to be a master at reading people. I suspect that, whatever his outward reaction might be, he has a fairly good idea of what Tinwetariel is like. "Child, I never do anything without a reason." This made me shiver, and it makes me wonder what all Ingwë playing at. I'm sure we will never know completely. Having already made the statement that Glorfindel killed the Balrog before his court, I think Ingwë is knows perfectly well the validity of the story without needing Glorfindel to confirm it for him. But if I had to guess, I think this is more a test of Glorfindel than an attempt to confirm events. Sometimes I think that more can be gained from how something is said than just from what is said. Ingwë, being the master reader that he is, wants to see how Glorfindel sees his life and by continuation, himself. He knows Tinwetariel well, it's Glorfindel that he doesn't know. I enjoyed the little glimpse into Glorfindel's past from his own perspective, however brief, especially his perspective on Turgon. Námo showing up was a surprise. "You could not see, but I, too, was weeping.” This is so true of life, isn’t it? We have no idea, when we sin, what we are really headed for. I’m not sure how I feel about Námo’s revelation about the time that Glorfindel can go to Taniquetil, though I am sure there is good reason. I suppose we shall have to wait and see. Thank you for another wonderful chapter, Fiondil. I’m sorry this review was so long in coming. I’ve actually written it twice. The first time the computer decided to eat it :P Hope you’re having a wonderful week! Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. Ingwë is very deep and, trust me, he's on Glorfindel's side all the way, as you will see. As for Glorfindel, we see one effect of being a Reborn, where random connections to memories are made and they overwhelm him with the emotions they evoke. We will also see how the prohibition against going to Taniquetil will play out as the story progresses. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. It's much appreciated.

Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 8/5/2008
glares at Turgon How...how could he...Huggles Glorfi Oh, wouldn't I love to be a fly on the wall for that Judgement...I think my dislike of Turucano would be just as great as for Morgoth (and as great as it was for Feanor, until "Ascent" showed up...) IF Glorfi hadn't stepped in to defend him. Gondolin being for another's benefit...Earendil, as you said to another reviewer...Hmm, any chance of an AU-fic where Earendil comes into his own? I like how both Ingwe and Namo call Glorfi "yonya". He has lots of atari...Arafinwe, Ingwe, and Namo! which means his new amilli are Earwen, Elindis and Vaire. grin And a new Auntie, Findis grins more ~Kaylee!! Author Reply: Turgon does have much to answer for and someday I hope to tell his story (or part of it including his judgment). I have no plans to doing an AU-fic about anyone. I prefer to remain as close to canon as I possibly can. Glorfindel does indeed have lots of 'atari' and 'amilli'. If anyone needs them, he certainly does. grin

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 2/12/2008
Here my dislike of reading the Sil tends to work against me. Have read it through once and graze on its tales from time to time, but don't remember much in it other than Turin and the creation story. Remembering all the battles with Morgoth just gets beyond me, I admit. Appreciating how Gondolin came to fall takes some remembering, I fear. Author Reply: The Silmarillion is not easy reading, but it is essential reading. I do know that any number of people have told me that since reading this particular story, they've been able to go back and read the Silm with new understanding and appreciation.

Beruthiels Cat	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 11/29/2007
Hi Fiondil! I'm going back (yet again) to pick up tidbits from the past...as another reviewer wrote, I don't retain as well as I used to, lol... In this instance, pertaining to your answer to a reviewer of this same chapter, speculation about Turgon's reawakening for his own judgment. Any further inspiration since this was written? Also glad to hear of your own thoughts regarding faith...and having written accordingly. I'm also Christian, and love the way you've woven your worldview into the story. Living in China must be quite the experience in that regard? All we know about China is what we hear in the news, most recently to do with the limitation of Bibles into the Olympics. I had to wonder if the possibility of smuggling was that great a concern? Would love to have your thoughts on this in a PM if you have time... Cat Author Reply: Hi Cat, so how many times does this make it? grin and just as we're wrapping up this particular arc of the story. I do want to write about Turgon's judgment but haven't quite found the right vehicle for it. Hopefully, my muse will cooperate on that soon. Living in China, I really don't hear any such news and don't really pay attention to it. I brought my Bible with me with no problems (they never bothered to check my bags). Using the Olympics to smuggle in Bibles for the purpose of giving them to the Chinese I think is a different thing altogether and I don't want to get into it here on this forum. Feel free to PM me anytime and we can chat about it. I personally prefer talking about the religious motifs and such that Tolkien incorporates into his stories and essays on Middle-earth and how I have done the same in my stories and why. That, to me, is a more interesting topic of conversation. Anyway, enjoy the re-read. That so many people tell me that they re-read this story not just once but several times is a hugh compliment and very gratifying for me as a writer. It means I'm doing something right. grin

Beruthiels Cat	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 6/8/2007
Hi Fiondil! I'm re-reading through yout story again, lol...I wish I could retain as well as I used to, but such is not the casem so I'm now a repeater. (sighs) That's okay, though! I love reading it all again. Question: In this chapter you refer to Gondolin's not having been built for Turgon's benefit, but for another's-and I know I'm missing something obvious, but it just won't come to me. Whose benefit? Sorry to be so dense! BC Author Reply: Eärendil's benefit, of course, although Turgon would not know that. No one would, save the Valar. Author Reply: And don't feel bad about being a "repeater". I don't always remember what's in my own stories and I wrote them! lol

Nieriel Raina	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 6/2/2007
The more I read this, the more I absolutely love the way you write the Valar. The spiritual parallels are astounding. Are you a religious person? I just adore Namo now! grin Thank you for sharing such a great story. NiRi Author Reply: Glad you are enjoying the story, especially Námo. He does grow on you, doesn't he? As for being a religious person.... a rather loaded question. I'm a Christian who, like Tolkien, adheres to the Roman Catholic faith, so much of what Tolkien writes (from a Catholic worldview) is part of my faith tradition. It makes it easy to write in the same vein.

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 5/18/2007
Hi meldonya! It's Friday afernoon and as I'm waiting for the time to set up a colloquium room (I have to wait for the current occupants to clear out) I decided to get started again on reviewing. First of all I liked the mention that Ingwe noticed Glorfindel's expression and so forth. I would like to think that the High King would be the type of person to notice things. A ruler who doesn't notice things can find himself in all sorts of trouble. The mental image of Findis herding Alassiel from the study was amusing. I can just see the expression on the elleth's face as she looks back to try to get a glimpse of hte beginning of the talk or to overhear what Ingwe has to say to Glorfindel. So the Valar aren't the only ones who don't say or do anything without a reason behind it. I wonder why it is easy to identify the wrong reasons for doing something but so hard to identify the right reasons for doing something. I have felt like Glorfindel in regards to that issue many tmes and I'm certain that I'm not the only one to do so. But I truly like the way that Ingwe is handling Glorfindel in regards to the matter. If for no other reason than this conversation with the High King Glorfindel coming to Vanyamar is a good thing. Of course, I'm certain that the reasons behind the visit are far more complicated and myriad. I like it that Ingwe's gried isn't just for Glorfindel's suffering but for all the Noldor's suffering. I also liked it that Glorfindel is honest enough to say that any suffering they went through they brought upon themselves. A sign of maturation, I think. Though I know that he's got a long, long way to go before he finishes growing up (if he ever does!) I can just hear the "What did I do wrong now?" in Glorfindel's head as he approaches Lord Namo. Oh, what a connection to make! I'd be screaming, too! I think that is the worst thing about making these mental and emotional connections for any of the Reborn. One never knows what will set them off, when or where they're going to happen or how badly they're going to affect one physically as well as mentally and emotionally. I'm so glad that it was Ingwe who comforted Glorfindel. For one thing it will help build trust between them and given the subject matter of the connection, it would probably have freaked the ellon out even more to find himself in Namo's arms. As far as facing the memory, oh, that had to be so very hard, even with the support of Ingwe and Namo. I am as outraged as Ingwe to hear that Turgon wouldn't let any of his people turn back, forcing htem to go on, despite their fear and possible changes of heart. Glorfindel must truly have felt bound by his oath to Turgon to push aside his desire to turn back and keep marching onwards to the Helcaraxe. I also think it likely that that oath and the later oaths (like the one he takes when he is elevated to lordship of the House of the Golden Flower) he made to Turgon has made his feeling of responsibility towards the King so strong. Mind you this is merely my opinion on the matter given my background. The shared look between Ingwe and Namo has to be the same one my mother and fther shared at times over me. I suspect that Glorfindel's response to being reminded of the ban on his going to Taniquetil was highly coloured by how out of control he feels. Not only is he stuck in a city he didn't want to come to in the first place, he now has to look forward to possibly more of these mental connections being made at who knows what time and place, and the reminder that he is restricted from free movement just was the straw that broke his temper to the point where he can't think about "to everything there is a purpose and a time for every action under heaven." No, patience is not Glorfindel's strong suit at this time (It wasn't mine as a teenager, either, if I recall). Goodness, its been a busy and rough day for Glorfindel and it isn't anywhere near over with yet! Excellent as always, meldonya. I really like seeing how Glorfindel deals with his new circumstances and the hints of his future relationship with the High King. I also think that the Eldar are incredibly lucky in the quality of their rulers. May you live blessed! Edlyn Author Reply: Well, it's Saturday evening here as I respond to your review! grin Ingwë has probably had lots of practice noticing things, especially noticing the expressions and moods of those around him, a necessary talent when you are a ruler who wants to keep his throne. Inattentive rulers tend not to last too long. Turgon's arrogance and intransigence is a subject for debate, of course, but I have shown him in my stories as suffering from such deep-seated guilt over the destruction of his city and that he is the primary reason for that destruction that his fëa is unable to withstand Judgment and he sleeps under guard of four Maiar until such time as he is strong enough to enter the Ring of Doom and face the Valar. Someday, perhaps, I may write about that. We will see in subsequent chapters why Glorfindel has such an obsession about Turgon that goes beyond just the consequences of having given Turgon his oath. Glorfindel's reaction to the ban is of course very adolescent, wondering if the ban applies to him specifically or to all the Reborn. I think he would not mind it so much if it were the latter rather than the former, so the fact that the ban is directed towards him specifically probably rankles, thus his reaction to Námo's reminder. And yes, the day isn't over for our intrepid Balrog-slayer. There's more to come and not all of its is pleasant.

hanci	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 2/5/2007
It's a bit disconcerting having the Valar, especially Námo, popping on you now and then. A disadvantage of living in Valinor - or advantage? And Glorfindel will have to deal with his memories... It's a good thing he is with Ingwë. How do you do it that every character that appears is just so... real? Turgon not letting his people turn back, yes, I can see him doing just that. It somehow fits with his refusing to leave Gondolin. Will climbing Taniquetil somehow start the events leading to Glorfindel's return? I hope he won't rush, there's so much waiting to happen here. Author Reply: I'm glad you think my characters are so real, that's a great compliment for any author to receive. I don't know how I do it, but each character, whether canon or OC, just seemes to take on a life of their own and all I do is record it. It's even more difficult to make real a canon character who is barely sketched by Tolkien in his writings, yet you have to work within that sketch. Ingwë is just such a character and it was difficult at first to "see" him properly. Now, however, he is as real for me as Glorfindel or Námo. Climbing Taniquetil does have something to do with Glorfindel's return to Middle-earth, but Manwë knows that he is not ready for that yet, hence the prohibition.

Calenlass Greenleaf	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/30/2007
Lovely story. It was a pity I didn't have time to review...until now. Your portrayals are endearing. Very endearing. I love your Glorfindel, especially your Finrod. I guess it's because Finrod hold a place in my heart that no other elf can take, not even Legolas, whom I dearly love next to Aragorn. There so few Glorfindel stories in the realm of fan-fiction...sigh...which makes your story all the better. I may just have to add him to my list of favorite elves. :-) Author Reply: I'm glad that you are enjoying this story. Glorfindel and Finrod have always been my two favorite elves of any Age, so it's been fun to write about them being together in Aman before Glorfindel is sent back to Middle-earth.

Ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 33 on 1/28/2007
Still loving this story. Your characterizations are wonderful and I feel soooo sorry for Glorfindel. I am glad that Ingwe's taking under his wing. Keep up the good work. You are an excellent writer! Author Reply: Thanks Ellie. I appreciate your kind words and I am glad you are enjoying the story so much.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page

Return to Chapter List