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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	11 Review(s)
hawkeye	Reviewed Chapter: 46 on 12/17/2014
It looks like Finrod has had quite a shock now too. I thought it was interesting that Manwë seemed to be well aware of the conversation even though he was not present. Is that true of all the Valar that they know what the others are doing? In any case, Atar and Manwë appear to be on top of things. Hopefully neither of the elves will be too seriously affected. With all that has been happening lately, I think it is significant that Námo gave Glorfindel "permission" to be angry. So often people look at anger itself as bad, but it is a natural emotion. Like Námo said though, it needs to be properly placed and (I hope) channeled in the right direction. Though they don't show it, I imagine the Valar are equally frustrated at not having any answers to what has been happening. I'm really enjoying reading about Manwë, especially in the context of the other Valar. One think that I've been noticing about him is humility. As the Elder King of Arda, he doesn't insist on always being the centre of attention, in fact a lot of the time he isn't. He seems to be the calm stabilising force a lot of the time. Anyway, I really enjoy him. Námo wasn't too bad at this party laughs Still, the Valar really know how to throw one. Glorfindel will remember that for the rest of his life. I admit, I got a little misty eyed at times :) Hopefully Aulë's ring will help. One thing that I find amazing is Ingwion and Indil really do view Glorfindel as family and a "brother" to Finrod. So often, at least in our world, the term family gets thrown around a lot, but when it really comes down to it, everyone knows its not serious. At least in this case, it seems to be different for the elves. Seeing Olórin is always a highlight. But the presence of so many Maiar guards makes me uneasy. Since this is Glorfindel, there must be more adventure on the way :D Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. Well, the Valar (and Maiar) are spiritual beings who normally communicate telepathically, so even as he was seeing to Ingwion, he was keeping an eye on what was happening in Lórien. Manwë is pretty cool. I've grown to like him a lot as I've been writing my stories. He does have great humility, but he's not afraid to exert his authority as Elder King whenever necessary. In my story, Wars of the Valar, where the Valar are generally in spiritual rather than in physical form and I described them via their particular aurae, Manwë is always a steady blue no matter what is going on even though everyone else around him is pretty much having kittens. Having someone remaining calm under all circumstances does help. grin And Olórin is always a treat to write. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 46 on 8/10/2008
Happy Begetting Day, Glorfi!!! And as usual he has to cause trouble in Lorien. shakes head Namo's pet Balrog-Slayer, is he? Heh! I love the elf-stone that Olorin gave Glorfi! And the ring of course! Glorfi really needed to take better care of that ring! ~Kaylee!! Author Reply: I thought it would be fun to give a backstory to the stone which we first encounter in Fellowship when Aragorn finds it on the Bridge.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 46 on 2/27/2008
I like the meaning you gave to the Ruby. I'ts my birthstone although I don't know that it's description fits me. The party sounded like so much fun that I found myself wishing I could be there. Tari Author Reply: I didn't give the Ruby that meaning.... it is the meaning traditionally given it by medieval people. I don't make up any of the meanings for the gemstones or flowers that I have in this story, although I will adapt meanings to fit the parameters of the story and Middle-earth. I actually based the candle lighting scene on an episode of Babylon 5, believe it or not. grin

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 46 on 2/13/2008
Is Melkor's whisper getting through into Aman, I wonder? Very interesting. And is it indeed the anniversary of his coming back that sets off these episodes, or the anniversary of his death? Author Reply: Whatever the anniversary... it's triggering something. And Melkor's taint is present throughout Arda. As Tolkien himself states, "All of Arda is Morgoth's Ring". Aman may be less affected by his evil, but it's not completely free of it.

Jane	Reviewed Chapter: 46 on 7/24/2007
Oh. My. Goodness. I absolutely LOVE this peek into Glorfindel's ever-so-mysterious encounter with life and resurection. I'm am ever so grateful I stumbled across it. My friend (literally) had to drag me away from it. The thing that draws me most to this story is the very spiritual quality of it. There's something in your description about the Valar and ESPECIALLY Eru that reflects God's presence in our everyday life. Just the descriptions of Eru's love bring tears to my eyes, and give me bittersweet memories. I'm still reading it, but it keeps on getting better and better. -Jane- Author Reply: Hi Jane, I'm glad you have discovered this story and are enjoying it so much. I have endeavored to imbue it with spiritual "truths" that, while reflecting the realities of this imaginary world of Elves and Valar (and Eru), nonetheless resonate with our own world so that readers can apply these truths to their own lives. Please continue to read and review. I appreciate you taking the time to do both.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 46 on 3/2/2007
Forgetting that little incident is probably best for both Glorfindel and Finrod. I like the begetting day party - and it made a great reason to give Glorfindel the ring. And for Olorin to turn up with his gift. I hope they work! And the fourteen armed Maiar can act as back up! Author Reply: Some things are not meant to be remembered, and this little incident is one of them. And I didn't think about how coincidental the begetting day party really was. Námo only tells Glorfindel that they're a little late in celebrating it, but he doesn't acutally say how late! LOL So hopefully Glorfindel won't be too suspicious of the Valar's gift.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 46 on 3/1/2007
Well, I couldn't wait any longer, I finally had to read this and once I started I couldn't put it down! In fact, I read it twice. :) If I really get into a story I read it so fast that I end up skipping over a lot of the details - like your wonderful descriptions of clothing and such - so that I can see what's going to happen. But then if I really enjoy the story, I'll read it again slowly and take in the nuances and details that I missed the first time. :) It's so very, very good that I don't know where to start. Glorfindel is my favorite elf character and so besides the fact that I've never seen any other stories about Namo and the other Valar, that is something that drew me to this story and I wasn't disappointed. It breaks my heart to see him going through the things he has to go through... sometimes it's two steps forward and one step back for him. I want to slap some of the 'Once-born' for treating him and Finrod and Sador how they do. But, I know that the Valar have a plan... seemingly. :) I liked how both Glorfindel and Sador (probably Sador especially - he really touches my heart.) were so lovingly welcomed into the house of Arafinwe. It was needed for all of them. I love Olorin and all of the Maiar. You really write Olorin much as I would imagine he would be in that state, unencumbered by the flesh as he was when he was in Middle-earth. The rest of the Maiar are shown as loving servants of their lords and ladies and just... I don't know how else to say it but, cool. grin Then, the Valar. Well, lets go with Namo first. He's just written so well... you really keep him in character. He is loving and kind and yet can inspire... fear. But it's almost a fear that's more like awe... which is what I think you want. Glorfindel is only a child and so is fearful... but I think he is learning a bit as he grows that he shouldn't quite fear Namo (or the other Valar) that what is done is out of love. To help him to grow into who he can become. I'm not phrasing this right I know, but it's more like the fearful awe we as people have for God maybe? Anyway, I do enjoy the interplay between Namo and Glorfindel and then between Namo and the other Valar. Oh, that one scene between Namo and Manwe after Namo asked the girl to forgive him... that was so moving. Scary that Namo had done something that was bad enough to warrant that sort of scene... it seemed that way to me at the time (I was surprised he was putting the girl through that!!)... but good to know that there could be forgiveness between them, too. Well, I wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed this story and I'm eagerly waiting for the next updates! Author Reply: Hi Radbooks! I'm glad to know that you have finally joined us and that you are enjoying this story so much you've read it twice already (and we're not even at the end!). That, to me, has always been a sign of a good story, that I want to read it again even knowing what will happen next. I'm especially pleased that you like my depictions of the Valar (and Maiar). No one really writes about them except as Deus ex machina type characters with no real life to them. I've tried my best to make each one as individual as possible with their own quirks and foibles (Varda being fond of verse 31, for instance; even her Spouse didn't know about that one! LOL). And the scene between Námo and Manwë I think was inspired (half the time I swear I don't even know what I've written until I've finished writing it and then wonder where the scene came from; this scene is one such) and shows that even the Valar (being created beings) can make mistakes of judgment. Námo was just pissed off enough at both Glorfindel and Alassiel that he decided a little lessoning was in order, knowing that he was clearly in the wrong but willing to accept the consequences of his actions (and probably guessing that with sincere repentence he would be forgiven). But it is a scary scene nonetheless if only because we can get a glimpse of what Námo might have been like had he joined Melkor in rebelling against Eru. That sort of thing doesn't really bear thinking on, yet it's there in the background for all of them. Thanks for reviewing and I look forward to additional comments along the way. This story isn't over with by a long shot. grin

Nikara	Reviewed Chapter: 46 on 2/26/2007
I've just enjoyed a lovely evening reading through this story. I love any good stories about Glorfindel, and the way that you are able to utilise the Silmarillion is excellent. I think my favorite line thus far is in the previous chapter, where the Valar intend to study Glorfindel's DNA for any strange mutations. It made the scientist in my giggle. Author Reply: Welcome, Nikara. I'm glad you found this mostly-Glorfindel story and have enjoyed it so far. Believe me, there is plenty more to come. We tend to forget, I think — so caught up with the mythology of the place as we are — that the Valar and the Maiar had to have been of necessity great scientists and engineers in their own right as they 'built up' Eä from scratch, so to speak, even Lord Námo. After all, what did he do for all those countless eons before any of the Valar even got to Arda and there weren't any Halls of Mandos or elves and mortals to deal with, hmmm? grin Thus, the tracking of Glorfindel along the space-time continuum into the past and the mapping of his genome. Writing things like this make it all the more fun for everyone, I think. Thanks for reviewing.

Ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 46 on 2/25/2007
These last three chapters were very interesting. I like the idea of slipping in and out of fea as a defense mechanism and the playful interaction between the Valar themselves. The begetting day celebration was wonderful as were the gifts. You have painted such an amazing picture of the Valar. Well done! Author Reply: Thank you. I'm gratified that my portrayal of the Valar has been successful. I have tried to show them as compassionate beings with a well-developed sense of play, yet, who are not afraid to show their power when necessary (and in future chapters you'll see some of them doing just that to the consternation of the elves). At the same time, I have also tried to portray each of the Valar and some of their Maiar servants as individuals with their own set of quirks and POVs (just like real people) that set them apart from everyone else and make them the unique person Eru made them to be. And, of course, as in these last few chapters, I have tried to show them as having knowledge and ablities that the elves do not have and are unaware of until they are manifested (Námo calling up a representation of Arda's space-time continuum to track errant fëar, the mapping of the elves' genomes, etc.).

vampfan30	Reviewed Chapter: 46 on 2/25/2007
Oh, how I love that you post three or four at a time! these few chapters are amazing & a little confusing, but, I'll survive. the lines about the spiral cutting down on repeat visitors & the retort about him being a lot of fun at parties was hilarious. the humor that slips in from time to time breaks up the tension quite well. can't wait for more! Author Reply: Thanks vampfan. I'm glad you liked these chapters, confusing though they might be. I thought Námo's explanation for the spiral was quite reasonable myself LOL. Intentional humor, I find, is very difficult for me to write, but, as in life, unintentional humor always abounds and that's the sort I like to write when it presents itself. When Glorfindel asked Námo the reason for the spiral, the Vala's answer just came and everything else followed.

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