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They Did Not Take Root In That Land by perelleth	7 Review(s)
elliska	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 3/18/2007
Well, at least Gil-galad did apologize and tell Oropher all the info (even if it was after he already knew it). So I suppose that is appeasing. But of course we know that his promise to leave Oropher out of his war games doesn't end well for Oropher. And the departure was very well done. You had me worried there about Oropher's guard. Great chapter! :-) Author Reply: I am so glad that you enjoyed this during your break, and grateful that you tok the trouble of reviewing each chapter! And still find time to update Interrupted Journeys! NOw that was a productive break! :-) Elves sailing seem a sad yet hopeful event for me. I am glad that you liked that scene!

French Pony	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/10/2007
Oropher definitely deserves that apology. Gil-galad absolutely should have informed him of any growing threat, whether or not it menaced Oropher directly, and whether or not Oropher decided to do anything about it. I suppose that's just Noldor paternalism, withholding valuable information so the Sindar and Silvan won't worry their pretty little heads about big bad Sauron. I liked the going-away ceremony. Simple, but very meaningful. Author Reply: Sorry that i failed to reply here! Yes I think that is exactly how Oropher would have seen it... :-) Miscommunication is the cause for most of grudges and misunderstandings, I think... Thank you again, FP, for taking the time.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2007
I love Glorfindel's reassurance to Miluinn. She needed that so badly - and he was able to offer her something that no-one else could. If Oropher could only ... relax a bit. Let go of the past. He and Gil-galad have a lot in common - and could help each other. But elves aren't always that good at forgiving. Not even at forgiving the actions of ancestors unto the third and fourth generation. But Gil-galad's maturity is eroding many of Oropher's objections to him. (Although the map joke, by now many centuries old, should be forgotten! Oropher seems the kind of adult who insists on reminding the kids into middle age of the follies of their early childhood.) Glorfindel might be glad to know that exasperation with his innocent glory is bringing others together. Maybe. Although I'm pleased to see him bonding - in the nicest possible way - with Elrond. And Cirdan. Beautiful ceremony - so sad. The uncrossable division between those who remain and those who go is so hard on both sides. I loved that the trees for each of the ships that sail west are volunteers for the task. I love your spin on this world - and all the great characters in it. Author Reply: Thank-you, Bodkin. I am thrilled that you picked up that little detail about the trees...beacuse that is exactly what I meant, although it is not sso clearly expressed that thye volunteered. I figured that a lot of care and devotion would go in the making of the ships that sailed west. I am beginning to suspect that part of Oropher's attitude is a facade to protect himself. And after all Elves do have long memories! :-)

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/6/2007
Ah, more than a few things of note this round - - "I am king by consent" Something we both agree on. There is a social contract that both parties, the leader and the led, participate in for a greater good. And when it is good, it is very, very good. - "I am only glad that I can fufil that duty" Gil-galad's way of redeeming himself from his heritage? - "more bendable to his designs" Very interesting viewpoint. But, sad that Gil-galad sees this knowledge being of little aid in the prevention of another downfall. - "the strength to resist his treacherous words" Without help, Annatar would have swayed Gil-galad? Well, it did take Gandalf to keep Saruman's even simpler persuasion at bay... - "whom is he that we are fighting here" So, still a mystery, eh. What a blow it will be when they find out. - "he is as exasperating" Heh, I like that Gil-galad finds Glorfindel a bit of a trial. And that Oropher understands why. - "I would consider Maentew as yours" Yay! Maentew will have a place in the Greenwood after the Last Alliance. - "it is enough for me to know that you are not involved" Tsk! That a gift for Gil-galad threatens their new-found understanding. Pranksters really do no understand the long-term consequences of their actions. ;) Although, some people definitely carry a grudge too long, too. - "Now lead if you can, youngling" I liked this whole opening conversation so much, and the mutual respect they show each other as, so Gil-galad reminds his councillors later, allied kings. The antics and emotions around Miluinn's leave-taking were touching - tenderly humorous. I hope someday we get to hear more of the lady's tale. - "I am still learning" I like seeing Glorfindel finding his feet this way. :) However, imho your explanation as to why those in Ennor do not have knowledge of the reborn was interesting, but not very reasonable as to why they are not given it. What real harm could it do? I think such news would inspire people to go west just as the Valar always wanted them to. Gil-galad has matured nicely. For a few minutes though, I thought the jig was up with the plot in the Hall of Maps! Let's hope Erestor was joking about how to enlist Oropher's help! - "memory is the treasure of our kin" And their burden. The solace and sorrow of the elves. That was a lovely speech. The sea-longing passage elves experience seem so much like succumbing to old age for a mortal - departing this trying world for the next, more peaceful realm of existence. The parting can be sad, but also eased by the promise of rest from turmoil and the promise of a reunion with loved ones. A very interesting and entertaining chapter. Author Reply: Thank-you, Redheredh! What a checking list! :-) I'm so tickled that you singled out these points! As I said to another reviewer, I am using the story to explore points, so I really love dwelling on it. Oropher does not know much, if anything, about Annatar, since he has been isolated for the last ennin, and cares not much for what is oging on. What Gil-galad knows or suspects he is not disclosing for now. At this point I think that nodboy knew officially that Annatar is Sauron. "more bendable to his designs" Gil-galad is here reflecting on the sad history of his people. Melkor used their love of secret knowledge to his purpose, and so he managed to embitter the NOldor among them and against the Valar. And an age later, another creature enslaves a group of NOldor with secret knowledge and promises of power. I would not be very proud or myself or my race in his place! :-) And as if he would have been swayed... it is himself speaking, I do not know. He says he doubts his stregth, and pride was another of the markings of NOldorin failure, so perhaps he is being humble and not overestimating his own strength of character. AS for GLorfindel.. well, answering a review is hardly a place for an essay, so I went with the ban on spaking about the returnees in the story...and summed up the explanation to another reviewer. As to why, well, for one point, I do not see the Valar sending away GLorfindel with a census of reborns, so he would tempt their friends and relatives to Valinor. THe Valar opened the way WEst at the end of the First Age and then they let them free to choose their moment, not trying to sway them in any way. Also I do not think that speaking about the reborn was a common sbject for conversation, nor can see a flow of news about "who came back and wo did not make it yet" flowing to Middle earth. THose were separated realms, and information was not exchanged among them. We know not of another reborn going back, so I think that for this specific case sepcial rules were made, and much as the MAiar were dispossesed of their appeareance, rank and powers when sent there, I think that GLorfindel would have been expressely forbidden to speak openly of the things rgarding Mandos and life after the Halls. THat would be fairer as well for all involved, in my point of vie. At least it makes sense to me, but if you have a more reasonable theory I would love to read it! :-) THank you again for your wonderful and inspiring feedback! Oh! btw, Maentew remains in Greenwood during the Last Alliance, so he survives Oropher!:-)

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/6/2007
I don't think I've ever seen a more touching picture of elves sailing west, nor one that articulated better the sorrow and pain of leaving and the joy of going home. And Oropher does all right when the chips are down. He understands Gil-galad's position, if not what help he's supposed to supply in the Hall of Maps. Author Reply: Thank-you, daw! That means a lot to me! I am only too familiar with that bittersweet feeling, but one thing is knowing what you want to express and the other is managing it. if not what help he's supposed to supply in the Hall of Maps. LOLOL! I take your hint! :-) SInce not much seems to happen in my stories I must restore to that old trick of hiding things from the reader to keep part of the interst! :-) BUt I am definitely getting to like Oropher a bit mre each day.

Nilmandra	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/6/2007
The chapter was great, Perelleth, but I'm afraid that Glorfindel's glowing has blinded me so that all I can see is him! That scene with the housekeeper was very nice - so good of him to calm her, to see what waits for her beyond. At the end, I felt sad that they turned him from Gil-galad, who appears to need the same peace that Glorfindel gave to Miluinn. I am very curious to see what Elrond and Erestor are planning for Gil-galad, and what contribution they need from Oropher. Back to Glorfindel.... :D I found it interesting that the two he sees so clearly are Cirdan and Elrond - Cirdan makes sense, I think, in that his mind must remain unclouded since he is in contact with the Valar, with Ulmo. Why Elrond? Because he is Earendil's son? Author Reply: Thank-you NIlmandra! I took me exactly a month to write the second part of this chapter and in the end I was not sure it was making sense. At times I wished I could have kept the story in just Oorphe's pov! I too think that ELrond is a key character in Middle-earth, not for anything special that he did on the first place but rather because he was somewhat chosen and then answered the calls that were presented before him. And yes, partly because he is Earendil's son, but most directly because of his close exposure in childhood to the Silmaril, I often thought. I cannot elaborate much, because I haven't actually given deeper thought to it except that as the people of Sirion thought that their blessing came from the Silmaril, I used to think that ELrond and Elros, as Elwing's children, would have received part of its beneficial influence (it came from Valinor, it had ben hallowed by Yavanna, their sires had sacrificed everything to rescue it..) so that is why I think that Elrond's inner light would be purer, or clearer to see for those who could distinguish such things. I hope this makes sense.

erunyauve	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/6/2007
>>the Noldo dismissed his concerns with a lazy wave of his hand, a movement he had mastered with the years, Oropher noticed wickedly ::snerk:: >>"It is said that of the three Elven kindred Morgoth chose the Noldor because he gauged us the more bendable to his designs. And he was not disappointed," The querulous Noldor! >>It was not that he was not allowed to speak about Valinor –except about those who had been released as well from Mandos’ care, and of those he had met a very few, anyway. That's always been a question to me - how much did the Elves know of the fate of their kin who died? Glorfindel would have known something, and so would the Elves of Tol Eressea who had contact with the Numenoreans. And I love the reference to Olorin! I particularly like the way you portray Elrond, as a contemporary and sometimes somewhat irreverent advisor. There's no evidence anywhere that Gil-galad 'fostered' the twins - they would have been too close in age. Cirdan, maybe, but I've always liked the implication in the Silm and Tale of Years that Maedhros and Maglor raised them rather than abandonning them in a cave. Author Reply: I admit that I am using this story to articulate my views on several facts. FOr instance, it makes sense to me seeing Gil-galad as Fingon's son, and to the fact that the line of the kings of FInwe's house ends with him, and the House of FIngolfin redresses its mistakes in judgement through his long and wise ruling. In my case, I think that the reborn would not speak much of their experiences because of that ineffability, and I do not think that the ELves of Eressea would speak of the reborn to the men of Numenor. I have often wondered about Glorfindel reborn and being in Midle earth and not telling Galadriel that Finrod was reborn as well... or would he (tell her?) I personally think that he would have been expressly recommended to keep quiet about those who were returned, lest that information would interfere with people's decisions of sailing or remainig, but that is my personal view. IN that draft about Glorfindel in " THe peoples of MIddle earth" I seem to remember that it says something about Glorfindel and Olorin meeting in Aman, or elsewhere, not sure, but since we know that Olorin liked to mingle with the Quendi, I thought it appropriate..and I am thrilled that you liked it. ANd yes, I definitely prefer to think that MAglor and mAedhros raised Elrond and ELros. IN "New beginnings" both come out as even more unruly, and I was clear as well that they were too close in age to Gil-galad to consider him a father figure. I am so glad that you are enjoying, eunryauve, and I really thank you for the kind feedback.

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