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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	7 Review(s)
hawkeye	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 12/18/2014
I think I would almost have been afraid to eat if I thought another spiral might be forthcoming. Thankfully there is another way out :) The spiral itself is really interesting to me, and I wonder why Lord Námo has it. By his own admission, he does nothing without a reason. Life is like that too. Often times, even seemingly random events do have a reason in the bigger picture. There are a lot of Maiar in this chapter. Seeing so many, even unnamed, really is like a window into another world. They take joy in serving their lords, much like the Children take joy in serving Atar as they should. It's like a picture of how things ought to be. As the designers of living things, I can only imagine what a Vala's garden would be like :) Ulmo is an interesting Vala, especially here. In this chapter, I see him as being more than just Lord of Waters. He, like the other Valar, are concerned with more than just the science and mechanics of their creations. I also thought it was interesting that he offers aid, but stops at direct intervention and I wonder if this has always been their policy, or if they make exceptions based on what they see in the future. "We do not always succeed, but we never stop trying." From my perspective, I think perhaps the elves of Aman do not know or have not acknowledged this. If the Valar are perfect and all-knowing, then it is easy to blame them for whatever happens in Aman or elsewhere. Or perhaps, it is easier to not take responsibility themselves. In a case such as the elves leaving Aman, all parties are usually at fault in some manner. But, that is just conjecture at this point. I really enjoy the bits of elvish you put in to the stories. It really adds a lot, and as a a linguist, makes me extremely happy. Just thought I'd share that :) Have a lovely week! Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. Ulmo has always been a champion of the Eldar even those who rebelled. It was he who lead Tuor to Gondolin as well as inspiring Turgon to build the hidden city and he did the same for Finrod, inspiring him to build Nargothrond. And all the Valar have learned the lesson of direct intervention. They can inspire and plead but they cannot coerce. You're right that some of the Eldar just don't understand what Ulmo is saying here. The Valar are not perfect, never have been, though they continually strive to do Eru's will in all things. Like all created beings, they fall short of the glory, but they never give up, they never succumb to despair and they live in hope that in the end Eru will right all wrongs. I'm glad you enjoy the elvish. I try to be as accurate with it as is possible given what (little) we actually know of the languages as Tolkien has given us. Having a background in linguistics myself, though I am not a professional linguist, has helped. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 2/13/2008
Ah, the will of the Valar be done indeed! So, they felt two hundred Maiar needed to be there to protect all of Aman from one Elf run amok? Interesting! But at last we're getting to the root of the problem. Author Reply: I think Ulmo was just playing it safe. When it comes to Glorfindel it's best to overestimate rather than underestimate. And this isn't just any Elf, this is one who slew a Balrog, one of the Maiar (fallen, yes, but a Maia nonetheless). That's not something any of them are going to take lightly.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 3/6/2007
I like the reminder of just how old Glorfindel is - seeing the remains of the trees wouldn't necessarily be a lot of fun to someone who remember them in their glory. Changing the opinions of the Once-Born. Probably easier said than done. There's not a great deal of incentive for the immortal to be flexible in their attitudes. But I'm sure they'll manage it. Somehow. And Glorfindel collects sworn brothers like sweets! (Fair enough, really!) Author Reply: Yes, we tend to forget that, as young as he is physically now that he's been re-embodied, Glorfindel is quite old in terms of his memory (although not as old as Ingwion). "And Glorfindel collects sworn brothers like sweets!" — yes, and he doesn't even half try, either! grin

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 3/4/2007
One thing I was glad that you mentioned in this chapter was how old Ingwion is, that he is older than Glorfindel, who is very old himself! :) I'd been thinking about that because he must be 9,000 years old or so... well, I suppose it depends when Ingwe had kids. :) I liked the talk with Ulmo and the Vala's description of what had happened to Aman... it was the truth, though I'd never seen it quite that way before. What Melkor did to that land and then to all of Arda was indeed 'rape' and no one was left unscathed. I'm anxious to see why the Vanyar have not been released... it will be an eye-opening experience for everyone, I'm sure. :) Oh, I've also really enjoyed the descriptions of the various palaces and courtyards of the Valar... they sound beautiful! Author Reply: Tolkien stated that all of Arda was Morgoth's Ring, so even Aman would have been marred to some extent, although, obviously, because of the presence of the Valar, it's less marred than the mortal lands. "I'm anxious to see why the Vanyar have not been released..." Well, as soon as Lord Námo clues me in, I'll let you know. LOL I'm glad you like my description of the various palaces and courtyards of the Valar. They are a combination of Tolkien's own descriptions of Valmar (very sketchy) and my own imagingings.

Ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 3/4/2007
This was a nice peaceful restful chapter compared to what came before it and to what will come after it. I liked the visit with Ulmo. He such a cool Vala. Author Reply: Glad you liked this chapter, Ellie. Yes, Ulmo is pretty cool, isn't he?

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 3/4/2007
I liked Glorfindel hoping that he wouldn't need to walk the spiral again to leave Lord Namo's house! :) And I truly like Ingwion more and more each time I encounter him in this tale. He really has redeemed himself from the rude comments he originally made--too bad more people aren't like him! One of my favorite exchanges between the characaters was: [quote] "No one will force you to go there, child. Indeed, I think I can safely say that Lord Námo would strongly counsel against it in your present state." The Maia suddenly smiled and a small chuckle escaped his lips. "What?" Glorfindel asked, struggling not to smile in turn, for the sound of the Maia’s laughter was infectious. "Only that when my Lord Námo said as much to me earlier he sighed and opined that you would consider such advice as an open invitation to do just the opposite." Now Ingwion sniggered and Glorfindel laughed outright. "And my Lord Námo would be correct, but not, I think, today. Today, I just want to enjoy myself." [end quote] It was such a great statement of character of all three involved in the conversation: the Maia, Lord Namo and Glorfindel. I loved the description of Ulmo's home--the stepping stones made of turtle shells made me smile--such a whimsical way of solving the issue of crossing from gate to mansion! Ulmo's blunt and straightforward description of Aman was a bit of a shock after the way I've gotten used to how the other Valar speak. We keep hearing of Endore being the marred by Morgoth, but in truth ALL of Arda is marred, including Aman, even though it obviously appears to have been less damaged than Middle-earth. But just because it isn't visible, doesn't mean the damage was not done. I am getting sooooo curious about why the Vanyar are not being released from Mandos. Almost as much as Glorfindel, I think! Ulmo's comment about nothing being as it seems made me wonder if, in fact, the Vanyar are as innocent as they profess to be. They may not have revolted against the Valar like the Noldor di in physical disobedience to the decree to not leave Valinor, but there are other types of rebellion than physical disobedience. Also, in some ways, the idea of the Noldor being forgiven and being allowed back into Valinor, reminds me of the parable of the ninety and nine sheep and the single lost one. The sheep who stayed with the flock probably never understood why the lost one was searched for and brought safely home either. grin Hmmm. Two hundred warrior Maiar... Their estimation of Glorfindel's strength would likely surprise him! Last time they thought twenty would be enough...g Poor Glorfi... Even after all he's learned so far, he still wants to go back... to serve his King... There is a line in THE PRINCESS BRIDE that sort of fits him... "You have an over-developed sense of responsibility." Hopefully it won't get him into trouble one day... BTW, I think you must have meant "Frightened people oft are a danger..." rather than "Frighten people..." Ulmo ordering him to have a good time ended the chapter on a giggle I couldn't suppress. :) Wow, I got more out of this than I expected... at first glance it seemed more of a transition chapter than an action chapter, but I've found that even your transition chapters have a lot in them to make the reader think. Good job! Author Reply: Ingwion didn't start out to be such a major character, more of a walk-on, but he sort of grew on me (Lord Námo getting into the act helped, I think) so now he's one of my favorite OCs. And, as Finrod pointed out, Lord Námo knows his elflings well. The exchange between the Maia and Glorfindel is an example of this. grin "Two hundred warrior Maiar... Their estimation of Glorfindel's strength would likely surprise him! Last time they thought twenty would be enough..." Well, even the Valar learn from their mistakes! LOL Thanks for pointing out the grammar error; even after reading this chapter several times before posting I still didn't catch it! :(

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 47 on 3/4/2007
Two hundred warrior Maiar only to stop Glorfindel’s fëa? That seems a bit excessive, but I understand they don’t want to take any more risks. And they seem to have a lot of respect for him. This is a difficult topic; I can see why the elves of Valinor resent it that just the Noldor are the first to be reborn. But it’s not fair to blame the Reborn themselves for it, either. And they may have rebelled against the Valar, but they paid heavily for it. And I somehow doubt the elves who remained in Valinor did never do anything wrong, either. Well, I fear there is no easy solution for the dilemma. Author Reply: I don't think the Valar want to take any chances with Glorfindel. They respect him too much not to. As for the question of the Reborn: actually the Teleri (or most of them) who died in the Kinslaying have already been released, but the resentment is against the Rebel Noldor who have been released before those who remained faithful to the Valar's Authority. And of course, there is no easy solution.

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