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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	12 Review(s)
hawkeye	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 1/24/2015
People like Meneldil make my skin crawl. Unlike Finrod, who is powerful but in a much more real sense, Meneldil is on a power trip. He is the complete lack of humility and flaunts his authority, rubbing it in the faces of those who he perceives as powerless to resist him. Eärnur really stood out to me in this chapter too. He may not have reached his second yén yet, but he handled Meneldil and his rudeness with a lot of class. It's hard to be respectful and call someone to task at the same time. This is probably one of the most (if not the most) powerful chapter I've read in fiction anywhere. It's hard to say much about it because, at least for me, it almost diminishes what is there. Understanding the oath taking really adds a whole new dimension to the story and I find myself wondering if Glorfindel's oath was similar. I worry as well for Manwen. Despite the Valar being pleased, I can't imagine how it would feel when realisation finally sank in. "Findaráto is no longer a king, as he rightly reminds us, but he still retains the authority of one. That authority was never rescinded, neither by us nor by Eru." This is very interesting, especially coming from the Valar, no less. Finrod might not have a kingdom, but I think his fears of his being less than what he was are not going to be realised. If anything I think he may be headed for greater things, but, as often happens with Eru's will, it might not take the form that he had envisioned. I really loved this chapter. It gave me chills, especially Finrod's, or Another's, admonishment to Laurendil. Thank you for sharing it :) Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. You're right that Meneldil is on a power trip. We'll see how he is dealt with eventually. I am sure that Glorfindel's oath to Turgon was very similar, although in a more formal setting than the dining pavilion in Lórien surrounded by Reborn. grin We'll see what happens to Manwen when realization sinks in soon enough. And Finrod will always be a king, whether he wears a crown or not, whether he even has a kingdom or not. That is just the nature of who he is at all times. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 8/10/2008
LOVED the master healer being put in his place, and the oath-taking, so much, meldonya! But for some reason, the funniest thing for me was right at the end... Without a backward glance, Finrod left the pavilion and none followed. Where he spent the night, no one knew, save for the Valar, two Maiar, who watched over him by Námo’s command, and one delighted oak tree deep in the heart of Estë’s island. I like the idea of a delighted oak tree holding Finda all night. grin ~Kaylee!! Author Reply: I'm sure the oak tree did too. grin

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 2/13/2008
She has a good idea as to what she's done, even if she doesn't yet appreciate all the ramifications. Author Reply: That's true, and the ramifications will make themselves manifest in time.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 3/17/2007
I haven't left a review for a time because I have company and I barely have time to print the chapters and run off to read them. :) But I've thoroughly enjoyed the last 7 or 8 or however many it's been since I last reviewed your story. I'll try and give you a few thoughts here. :) My heart so aches for Glorfindel and what he's going through. I just know that if they hadn't had swords he could have taken those cowards. Well, maybe. :) The fact that they took his peridot ring concerns me since I know the Valar gave that to him so that he wouldn't 'slip his leash' and I'm afraid he might do that when he wakes up and realizes where he is. I can only hope that Ingwion finds him first, though that seems unlikely at this point. I think that he is just too many hours behind right now. Part of me wants to say that elves would never, ever do things like this to each other and then I remember Feanor and the kinslayings and that jealousy and hatred can raise its head in any living being. As much as I want to find out what is happening with Glorfindel, I am glad to see what is happening with Finrod. I can just imagine his shock at discovering that he was intended to become an apprentice! The plans we set for ourselves are not always the plan that God, or in this case, Eru, has for us. At least he was able to see that and come to full acceptance of that idea and submit to the plan that Irmo and Namo have for him... it sounds interesting to say the list and somehow I can't help thinking that it's going to involve Glorfindel here soon. :) The part where Finrod and Laurendil rescued the master healer from the Sinda warrior was revealing. The arrogance of those that are trying to help those in need is appalling and highlights the obvious need for elves like Laurendil and Manwen and Finrod... elves that have compassion and can at least understand what the elves are going through!! Wow, the oath ceremony was... it's hard to describe. I remember back when Glorfindel asked Olorien about if oaths ended with death and evidently they don't and now I can see why not! One thing I didn't understand was why Finrod made the comment to Irmo that he had taken a valuable apprentice away from him. Laurendil has made the same oath and there didn't seem to be any problem with him being an apprentice. Couldn't they have an oath to an elf and still be an apprentice to a Valar? I would think that Finrod has an oath to his father - but maybe not - and he just swore and oath to Irmo and Namo. But, I do suppose it could get tricky to have these oaths to both because if you've given your word to Finrod and then Irmo tells you to something else or the opposite, who do you obey? Perhaps I'm overthinking this a bit! Anyway, I'm really enjoying this and looking forward to the next chapter! Author Reply: I can quite understand how real life can get in the way of more important things. grin I am glad though that you are enjoying the story whenever you get a chance to read it. I know what you mean about the oath-ceremony... after I wrote it I just sat there stunned for the longest time, not sure what it was I had written, or even how (it was almost as if someone else — or Someone Else — had written this chapter for me). I think what Finrod was referring to about taking Manwen away from Irmo is that Finrod now has the power of life and death over her that he didn't have prior to the oath-taking. Also, Laurendil's oath to Finrod was given before he became Irmo's apprentice. This particular oath doesn't preclude other lesser oaths to be given. Manwen's oath to Irmo would not be considered one binding unto the ending of the world, but merely for a period of years agreed to either between the two parties to the oath or by convention (in this case, 24 years). The particular oath between Finrod and Manwen cannot be severed even by death, which is why it's considered such a dangerous oath with ramifications that cannot be safely predicted even by the Valar, much less by the elves.

hanci	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 3/16/2007
I think Meneldil still bristles over the scene earlier, with Mithlas. And poor Eärnur gets caught up in it. Light bickering -who can order Laurendil from the pavilion- suddenly turned much more serious. I had no idea an oath between vassal and lord was so personal. That's not an oath one would take -or break- lightly. (No wonder Glorfindel still feels his fealty owed to Turgon, if he swore an oath like that.) ...delighted oak tree... :o))) Author Reply: Yes, that oath is very dangerous, as Nienna tells Manwen. When Laurendil first appeared in Tirion and said those words "You have my life", I had no idea then just how literal those words were or what their true import was until Laurendil and Finrod's little demonstration and then Manwen's reaction. Of course, four Valar showing up as witnesses might be another clue.... grin

Calenlass Greenleaf	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 3/15/2007
I wasn't know for my patience. grin But I'll wait. Even if it kills me. This is story is just to good to put aside. In the meantime, I'll read your Thorongil story...I have yet to review that one. Berates self for being lazy Later! ~Calenlass Author Reply: Patience is a virtue most people have ceased to cultivate in our instant-gratification-oriented society, but when we practice it, we sometimes are rewarded in most interesting ways. grin

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 3/15/2007
Meneldil, on the other hand, needs to open himself to the idea that even Masters keep on learning as long as they are breathing. And probably afterwards, too, given Namo's character. 'Merely a patient? Isn't that at least in part the purpose for Meneldil's way of life? Arrogant snot. I'm glad Irmo decided to - er make a statement that might hold off the morons. The results of Manwen's offer were rather - scary. And a good reminder to the rest of the company that Finrod is rather more than a mere apprentice, whosever the tabard he wears. Author Reply: I suppose Meneldil represents all the narrow-minded bigoted "experts" in any field unable or unwilling to keep an open mind. And I've met too many doctors in my life who see you, not as a fellow human being, but as a disease, something fit only to be found under a microscope. It's not a pleasant feeling. I guess Meneldil and his... er... problems with Finrod is my revenge on all of them. grin The oath that Manwen takes is very scary with ramifications that I don't think even someone like Finrod totally understands. Many of the Lóriennildi remember Finrod from before when he first came to Lórien from Mandos as one very confused emotional elfling, and now they see him coming into his own as a king in his own right. The two images are rather hard to reconcile for many.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 3/14/2007
Yes, stick with food nouns and verbs... LOL! Oh dear, I wondered how fast Meneldil would show up again and what his reaction would be to the new apprentices. It figures that he'd jump on them about not standing... I had something similar happen to me on one of my military deployments with the Navy... normally if you are "under cover" or beneath a roof, you don't wear your uniform hat and don't salute officers. I had just stepped onto a covered porch and was reaching for the door handle to open it when it opened and an officer came out and he got all over my case because I didn't salute him instantly... but I was under a roof, and therefore by custom was not required to do so. Unfortunately, I'd only been there a few hours and no one had told me that on that particular base, even if you are on a covered porch, if you are outside the door you had to salute. The officer's reaction to my explanation was on par with Meneldil's attitude towards Finrod's explanation. I loved how Eärnur was polite and respectful but called Meneldil on his rudeness in the way he referred to Finrod and Laurendil. I do feel sorry for him though.. Meneldil's reprimand obviously is a serious matter. When the Master turned to Finrod and pretty much stated that he was to be punished too, it made me as mad as Finrod was! If all of the Masters there are like him, no wonder the Sindarin's are mistaking them for orcs! I loved Laurendil standing up to him. And I loved Finrod reminding Laurendil that there were THREE who could order him from the pavilion. grin I knew even before I read it further down the page that one of them would be Manwen! That demonstration of Laurendil's vassalage to Finrod just was so powerful. And I was just stunned by the emotion and power of Manwen's oathtaking. This obviously is something VERY important to a greater purpose... FOUR Valar showing up! And Eru speaking through Finrod. I got the shivers when I read that... the good kind, like I get when I hear a particularly meaningful hymn or hear someone bear testimony or I read a scripture that I really NEED to know. I love it that Eru speaks through many, and not just the Valar. :) The ending phrase, for me, somehow reflects this entire story for me... it's a story about Joy, when we get down to it. And the "delighted oak tree" just seems to personify (tree-ify? g) it for me. Thanks for the two new chapters! Author Reply: When I started writing this chapter I figured the "main event" would be a confrontation between Finrod and Meneldil, but when Laurendil told the Master Healer that only two people could order him from the pavilion and Finrod came back about there being three... all of a sudden the scene took a decidely unexpected turn. And Laurendil and Finrod's "demonstration" suddenly gave Laurendil's original greeting to Finrod "You have my life" a whole new set of meanings about which I was unaware when that phrase was first uttered. And then when Manwen spoke the words.... I finished writing that chapter and had no idea where it came from. I re-read it in a state of shock no less than Manwen's, I think, and over the next several days kept going back to read it, not really believing that I'd written it. It's probably one of the most powerful scenes I've ever written. The full implications of this particular oath are explored in later chapters. And the ending sentence seemed so right to me when I wrote it; I had a smile on my face when I did.

Nikara	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 3/14/2007
Hmm... That seems like a little bit of forshadowing for Glorfindel, eh? Not even death can sever the oath? That should play out interestingly. Very nice two chapters. I love the Sindarin lessons. I need an elf to teach me, maybe then I could get by the three or so words I know! Author Reply: Glorfindel has not said, but it's possible, perhaps even probable, that he gave a similar oath to Turgon, which is why he's obsessed with the idea of serving him again.

Calenlass Greenleaf	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 3/14/2007
The Sindarin lesson was funny. LOL. I understood half of the "orc" phrase, snicker well, the lover part, anyway. LOL. Finrod is very admirable...drool...I love your portrayal of him. Looking forward to more. By the way, when is Glorfindel going to make an appearance? When the Valar inform Finrod what happened to his friend? Author Reply: I'm glad you found the Sindarin lesson funny and that you like my portrayal of Finrod. Glorfindel will make an apperance when the tme is proper for him to do so, as the Valar would say. Be patient.

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