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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	8 Review(s)
hawkeye	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 1/20/2015
Wait! What happened to Glorfindel!? You can't be meaning to make me wait to find out cries Hmm. Where to start with this chapter. I really enjoyed seeing Finrod acting more as his old self. He handled Laurendil well. I'm a bit torn on what to feel about both Laurendil and Finrod in this chapter. I suppose I'll start with Laurendil. He definitely has some baggage, but that is probably true of most who left Aman. It's sad to think of him not being welcomed by his family, and one would that that Rialcar, being one of Arafinwë's advisors, would be more understanding. But I suspect there is probably a lot more going on as well. Laurendel's comment about wanting to escape "them" is very telling. I'm not sure what the story is there, but I suspect that, more than anything, Laurendil's parting with the Valar was less than happy. That is why Irmo really puzzles me in this chapter. So far, I've never seen, or even had the impression, that the Valar ever force themselves on anyone. Yet, it feels like Irmo is being very heavy handed in this chapter. Laurendil clearly wants nothing to do with him, but Irmo seems to have already decided that Laurendil is going to serve him. As a child of Eru, Laurendil doesn't belong to Irmo, so does Irmo even have the right to demand what he is? The sad thing is, I think Irmo probably really could help Laurendil if he would only allow the Vala to help. Laurendil is like most of us in that respect. He needs help, and probably is well aware of that, but for whatever reason is unwilling to accept that. I think too, he probably fears not only to see himself, but also to lose himself. In Endórë, like Finrod, he has a new life and a new identity. He naturally fears the destruction of his sense of self. On the one hand, I'm s bit surprised that Finrod hasn't said anything about Irmo's treatment of Laurendil. He knows, I think, that Irmo probably does have Laurendil's best interest at heart. Regardless, I hope that it doesn't backfire and something bad doesn't happen to Laurendil. I think Manwen will have a lot to say about that. Interestingly, I wonder if Manwen isn't part of the reason for the coolness between Laurendil and his atar. Irmo seems to be in quite the mood in this chapter grins Though his methods of taking on new apprentices did rankle a bit. I'm not surprised that Finrod was upset, but ironically I think it was good for Laurendil to not be the only one. Still, it seems like Finrod is being coerced into things. Regardless, Irmo is very devious, especially given what his future plans where. I found myself wanting to laugh and throw something at him at the same time. I wonder if Finrod felt the same way. Oh, is it twenty-four solar years? I think this interaction shows a lot of maturity for Finrod. His responses are by no means childish and I saw glimpses of the former King of Nargothrond throughout this chapter. Interesting that Irmo says that Laurendil is specifically running from him. It looks like Laurendil is going to face his fears whether he wants to or not. He doesn't seem to have the ability to say no to Irmo even when he does want to, though I got the feeling that Finrod might have been able to. But perhaps that is reading too much into things. "I am not as averse to the idea of being here as Laurendil, but I am a prince of the realm and have other duties. I cannot waste my days holding Laurendil’s hand... or anyone else’s for that matter." It does seem like an odd time to be taking Finrod from his atar. So does this mean that Arafinwë is a Manwendur? Thank you for another amazing chapter. There are so many possibilities for where things could go from here. Given that this is Finrod, I doubt that everything will go according to plan :) Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. We'll return to Glorfindel eventually. He's not going anywhere. grin We need to backtrack a bit and see what is happening with Finrod and later with Sador during this time. Eventually the three plotlines will meet, I promise, at least for a bit. As a Vala, Irmo isn't forcing himself on Laurendil, but he wants him as one of his healers because that is Laurendil's ultimate destiny as it is Finrod's, though his is a special case as we will see shortly. Finrod actually contemplated becoming a healer while he was in Lórien shortly after he was reborn, but the time wasn't right for him to take up such studies. At any rate, we'll see how both Ellyn handle their new roles over the next several chapters. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 8/10/2008
As they were sipping the wine, Irmo gave the three elves an appraising look, tinged with humor. "I imagine you are all anxious to learn what is expected of you as my apprentices." Laurendil flinched at the Vala’s words and Manwen went pale, though her eyes were bright with anticipation. She, at least, wanted to be there. Finrod simply stared at Lord Irmo in disbelief, suddenly aware that the Vala had included him in that statement. "Excuse me?" he asked. Irmo gave Finrod a wry smile. "You didn’t think I asked you here on a whim, did you, child?" "But...but..." Now Laurendil smiled grimly, the first real emotion he had exhibited since arriving in Lórien. "So now that the orc is on the other foot, aranya...." Manwen sniggered at her husband’s words and Irmo raised an eyebrow, his amusement obvious. Finrod had no choice but to laugh. "‘Orc on the other foot.’ Oh my, I haven’t heard that expression in... in ages." "Rather colorful, to say the least," Irmo said, his smile deepening. snort I'll say. Laurendil's expressions are quite amusing, meldonya. grin ~Kaylee!! Author Reply: I wanted to come up with a Middle-earth equivalent to "shoe on the other foot" that might have developed in Beleriand and that's what I came up with. grin

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/12/2008
I just got back from a short vacation and have resumed reading this wonderful story. What happened to Glorfindel in the previous chapter was horrible. I can't wait to see what happens to those who were so cruel to him. They don't realize it is they who will be punished, not Glorfindel. As I said before, they are a bit on the stupid side. In this chapter, the healing begins. Something that is sorely needed. I think Finrod will make an excellent healer. Tari Author Reply: It will be several chapters before we get back to Glorfindel, but eventually we will see what happens to everyone involved. The elves who have abducted Glorfindel are probably not the sort to converse with Maiar or Valar so are forgetful of the fact that they share Aman with others who are well aware of their activities even if their own people are not. Healing has indeed begun and Finrod will prove himself to be an excellent healer in many ways. Thanks for sticking with the story. Just as an incentive, I will be posting the first chapter of Book Two of this tale in a few more days.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 2/13/2008
Hmm. Now I begin to see how this story and the next, the one I've started reading from the beginning, tie together. Is this Earnur, then, the one seen killed on the strand, and one who is also reborn? Author Reply: This Eärnur is the one mentioned in The Last Messenger who, in that tale, is presumed to have drowned (his body was never found). Eärnur is a rather common name, especially among the Telerin elves, which is where the confusion lies.

hanci	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/14/2007
"Orc on the other foot," indeed. :o) A surprise for Finrod! (Laurendil's comment "Sounds familiar," made my day.) Twenty-four years of apprenticeship? That's a long time. Of course, compared to the lenght of their lifes... - And thanks for the note, I wondered about how the years were counted in the Time of the Trees. Author Reply: Twenty-four years sounds like a long time for us mortals, but it isn't any time at all for elves. They have, as the saying goes, all the time in the world, literally. And I had fun coming up with an equivalent of "shoe on the other foot" that would be uniquely Middle-earthish! grin Glad this chapter made your day.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/12/2007
I can't help but wonder what the problem is between Laurendil and his father ... And why the Valar make him so uncomfortable. (In which case he's definitely in the wrong place - as far as he is concerned, anyway!) Finrod is disconcerted by the idea of being apprenticed! But spending the rest of his immortal life being nothing but Finarfin's son would bore him intensely once he's properly grown up - it's probably a good move, even if he doesn't quite understand it yet. Author Reply: Laurendil's problem with his father probably stems from the fact that their parting was not amiable and there is some guilt on both sides over that. I'm sure as Laurendil begins to heal he will reconcile with his father completely. Finrod isn't really averse to the idea of being apprenticed to Irmo, but he is confused as to his role. He thinks he was re-embodied to help his father, which is true, but not the whole truth, as he will discover in due time.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/11/2007
What a lovely gift to find upon my return home from church today. :) Finrod, as always, is a joy to meet again. I love his concern for Laurendil, and I liked his getting to know Manwen. I smiled when he considered whether to order Laurendil to smile... but I'm glad he didn't. He's matured a lot since we saw him so unhappy while waiting for Glorfindel to be reborn. That brief retelling of how Manwen and Laurelin met has me intrigued. I'm not quite to the fall of Doriath in my re-reading of THE SILMARILLION but now I'm going to probably be imagining them at the Havens at Sirion. I love how your minor characters come along with back-stories just begging to be explored. I do want to shake Laurendil, though. Sulking in the inn while they were in Valmar. He's bloody stubborn! And his rudeness to Lord Irmo was... well, extremely inconsiderate and impolite. Finrod putting on his "King of Nargothrond" hat was very effective... I wonder how many times he'll find that useful as he continues on in his second life? :) I am now exceedingly curious as to what Laurendil's reasons for wanting to escape Aman actually were. Eärnur is a nice surprise for Finrod! I like how we are now getting more glimpses into Finrod's time in Lorien as he prepared to go out into the world again. The description of the pavilion on the shore of the lake made me long for a beautiful place like that to sit in peace and tranquility... something in short supply in a family with as many children as I have! I find it interesting that Finrod's identity has been moving towards the Findaráto lately. He's obviously been coming to terms with being as much of Aman as he was of Middle-earth now. But I think that he's really, deep in his heart, Finrod, even if he's not got any problems with responding to his original name. "Now the orc is on the other foot, aranya..." LOL! That was priceless. And I can just see Finrod in my mind, gaping at Lord Irmo and stuttering. "You will learn to minister to the other Reborn." Ah... so now we know more of just what's up with the things going on in regards to Finrod. This makes so much sense! And, looking back, in a lot of ways, he began "training" for it when in the Halls of Renewal when he befriended Glorfindel and made him feel loved and accepted there... or so it seems to me. That bit about Arafinwe being apprenticed to Lord Manwë was interesting... but it certainly makes sense! I liked Manwen's response to Irmo's discussion of her experience. It's true that people who have never experienced the horrors of war can never really understand it, no matter how well meaning they may be. Laurendil's capituation: Even admitting that you don't know of what one is afraid of is a way to begin to face and overcome those fears. I look forward to seeing how Laurendil does in the future. Is he one of those minor characters who took on a life of his own, or was he planned for in your original conception of this story? I'm certain that Finrod will come to accept what has been arranged for him, and will come to find joy and happiness in doing it. Let's face it, when a King is immortal, what else is there for an heir to do? Unlike Men, Eldari crown princes have a long time to wait for papa to retire... they need alternate employment. I liked how we got to know more about minor characters in this chapter as well as more about Finrod. I look forward to seeing what happens next! :) On to Chapter 52! Author Reply: Finrod and Laurendil, of course, have a history together, and that is a part of Finrod's former life that he is beginning to reclaim. With someone like Laurendil around calling him "aranya" (my king) all the time, that aspect of Finrod's past is becoming more present to him and he is beginning to take up the mantle of kingship once again. We will see this happening more and more in future chapters. Laurendil was not originally planned, although he already existed (and someday I hope to finish writing his story). I was unaware that he was part of the Tol Eressëan embassy until the doors opened, he walked in and went directly to Finrod. Only at that point did I know who he was.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/11/2007
Laurendil seems to need help rather desperately. He has obviously not come to terms with being in Aman at all, poor guy. As for Finrod, I think I understand the reason behind the whole thing – another way to mend the rift between Reborn and One-born (nice expression, btw). Could be very interesting, and knowing your fic so far and considering the other part with Glorfindel, I’m sure there will happen something, too. Author Reply: Yes, Laurendil does need some healing, but at least he's in the right place to receive it, especially with Finrod there to help him.

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