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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 67 on 2/13/2008
Ah, but they shall soon learn the full truth of it all. Now, what is poor Glorfindel doing up there on that mountain all this time? Author Reply: The truth will out, as they say. As for Glorfindel.... grin

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 67 on 5/7/2007
Boy, it seems like Real Life doesn't want me writing reviews! Finally was able to come back and re-read this chapter. I love how Laurendil took charge of things, and I loved his reassurance and then his teasing of Sador about the one-braid look and starting a new fashion among warriors. grin It seems that he, too, has sort of taken Sador on as a "younger brother". Sador's choice to just let the shortened hair be neatly trimmed is a great description of his inborn practicality. I'm so glad that Sador didn't have to choose between his anamme and his adopted family. I do hope that as time goes on, his family grows--by their release from Mandos or their coming to Valinor from Middle Earth or where ever they are currently living. I thought the description of Arafinwe and Olwe "in all their terrble splendour" was stunning. Without detailed descriptions of robes and jewels, I can still envision their power and majesty as they are doing what I still consider one of the most important jobs of a king: determining justice. I'm certain that there might be some of the conspirator's supporters who might grumble about "conflict of interest" in the case of Sador's attackers and abductors being judged by his foster father, but who else truly would be in a position of enough authority to judge and sentence in this case (outside of the Valar) but Arafinwe and Olwe? I like the continued layering of the whole issue of the Reborn throughout the tale so far. Even the most trivial thing seems to come back to the hows and whys that specific elves are released from Mandos and not others, and the feelings of the once-born about that. The issue of the higher prices intended to foment discontent on Tol Eressea in the hopes that it would lead to rebellion is, hopefully, going to be resolved once the citizens of the Lonely Isle learn that the inflation of prices for items from the mainland was not something decreed by the Amaneldi. I guess it will depend on how information is communicated and by whom. Boy, a lot of people certainly need to be re-educated about a lot of things. The idea of a rebellion and possible kinslaying is a frightening one--I sincerely hope that it does not occur... The revelation that even Finrod was afraid of what the reaction of his own family would be was interesting. I would like to think that eventually, Haldir's family will repent of their attitude towards their Reborn, and welcome him back into full familial relations... but even if they were to, I'm sure that Wilwarin would have a lot to say to them about how they treated her husband! Ah, Arafinwe is going to Valmar! Lots of major players coming together in one place... looks like things are going to escalate again! Good chapter, even if there wasn't a lot of physical action in it, a lot of loose ends got tied up, and the ones still dangling are fascinating and make me eager to charge forward through the upcoming chapters! I'm glad you are safely back from vacation! Hope you had a lovely time! Author Reply: This is one of those transitional, wrap-up loose ends, type of chapter that still moves the plot along and gives hints of other subplots developing. We see Sador maturing through his recent ordeal. I think earlier, the loss of the braid would have been more devestating for him, after he had gone through the ceremony of obtaining it. Laurendil's teasing was just the right note to keep things in persepective for Sador. I often forego detail descriptions of things to allow each reader to fill in the blanks as to what "terrible splendour" means to them. Everyone has their own image of kings and rulers and this gives them the freedom to relate to the characters in their own way. Certainly, having just one king sit in judgment would be daunting enough, never mind two, especially when these kings are the epitome of what kingship is all about. The effect would be different, say, if they were mere puppet rulers. I'm sure many of the Reborn, especially among the Noldor, fear the reception they might receive from family and friends whom they deserted so long before. The Reborn have been cleansed of their "sins" and have been forgiven, but as we see, that doesn't mean that the elves of Aman have moved past their own hurt and anger to welcome their prodigals back.

ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 67 on 4/3/2007
Loved Finarfin and Olwe in this! I think it is great that they are working together on this and the trial was impressive. Love your wise Finarfin, well I love Finarfin anyway, but you do his character great justice and have him administering great justice! I think those bad dudes are in for a surprise when they realize that the three kings of Aman are united against them. I loved those last few lines of this chapter. They have soooo messed with the wrong people in going after Glorifndel and Sador... The Hunt is on indeed! Author Reply: I'm glad you like my rendition of Arafinwë. He started out as a shadowy character for me but has developed into a force of his own, and he only get more impressive as the story progresses. People are going to find out that Arafinwë and the other kings won't tolerate what's been going on now that they've learned the truth. The ones fomenting discord have indeed messed with the wrong people and the Hunt is indeed on!

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 67 on 4/3/2007
Interesting that it is some among the Tol Eresseans exploiting the others. Interesting, but not surprising. The sort of people who become multi-millionaires by running sweat-shops. While deploring the prejudice of others who try to keep the refugees down. Olwe and Finarfin - a good thing to see them work in combination. (Although, in a way, it's a shame Finrod wasn't part of it. That might impress the TE's more.) "Certainly the testimony of the Reborn would go a long way towards dispelling such lies among the Tol Eressëans," Olwë commented. Yep. Integration. That's what's needed. Thus, the King of the Noldor was seen riding out of Tirion along the Eastern Road towards Valmar with a retinue that included his ward and Lord Laurendil and many marveled at the sight, for few had any memory of their king riding out in full battle dress with a fell light about him. Wow! I'm glad Finarfin has made it very clear that if you mess with his wards you mess with him. Regardless of whether they are Reborn, Noldor, Sindar, sons of his body or of his heart - people should take note. Times, they are a-changing. Author Reply: Usually, the worse explotation is committed by those who are the 'natives' rather than foreigners. That is true even, and especially, in our own world. Integration, of course, is only part of the solution. Revelation is also needed (in the strict sense of the word). The Reborn need to speak out, but they also need an environment where they can do so safely and they have not had that yet, as Haldir explains. Hopefully, this trial will open a way for the Reborn on Tol Eressëa to tell the Once-born the truth about Judgment and their treatment from the Valar. Arafinwë's decision to ride to Valmar is very revealing on many levels, and other levels will be revealed in subsequent chapters. But, times, they are a-changing, indeed, and the elves of Valinor are about to find that out in spades.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 67 on 4/2/2007
This story turns out to be not quite what I expected. My love lies more with the Northern Dunedain, but the summary intrigued me and I started reading mainly because of Glorfindel who is sadly absent for a good while now. But you hooked me with this story. I find the picture you draw of the Undying Lands, the Valar, and the Maia fascinating. I love the relationship between the Reborn and the Valar you develop, and the relationship between the different kinds of elves and the Reborn. I never really thought about the issues coming up between all these groups and all the resentment building up over the ages between immortals who can't forget. I hope we will hear more from Glorfindel soon and what is it with this hunt? Is this something mentioned in the Silm and I just forgot about it or is this your invention? Author Reply: I'm happy that you have found this story interesting enough to stick with it, even though it's not the sort of story you normally read and that you find my depiction of the Undying Lands and its denizens fascinating. It means I'm doing something right. grin We will meet up with Glorfindel and find out something of what has happened to him at the next update. Promise! The Hunt, as it will be depicted here, is not mentioned in the Silmarillion, however, it is based on the fact that Oromë is said to ever hunt the fell creatures of Morgoth in the wastelands of Valinor and in Middle-earth, so it's partly canon and partly my own invention. We will learn more of it at the next update, as well.

eiluj	Reviewed Chapter: 67 on 4/1/2007
It’s been over a week since Finrod arrived in Valmar, and no one’s found Glorfindel yet -- or if they have found him, no one’s telling Ingwion and Finrod? Surely this is taking evil-cliffiedom to excess! [Well, okay, I’ve come up with an explanation which works. It’s doubtless wrong, but it will content me for another few days. But hopefully Lord Námo is regularly informing Ingwion & Finrod that, yes, Glorfindel is still alive -- somewhere.] I’d liked the notion that the Hunt catches up with Ingoldo & co. while they are hunting -- the hunters becoming the Hunted. But the Bad Guys have surely returned to court by now -- their hunt was only going to last “several days.” And after all, there is more potential for Spectacle at court than there is out in the woods.... Just hoping blood is kept to a minimum, though of course we’ve already had one death. This is not how I’d imagined Valinor, but now I wonder why not. [And I’m sure there’ll be another -- even worse -- time of Morgoth-inspired turmoil before the Dagor Dagorath.] First Ingwion & Glorfindel have an escort of 14 Maiar on their way to Valmar, and that freaks out the denizens of Eldamas. Now for well over a week there have been many odd goings-on in Eldamas. Next, Arafinwë & co. will ride into town armed to the teeth (!). The elves of Eldamas must be wondering what’s up: this is more excitement than they’ve seen in the last few yéni put together! I’m wondering what an elvish gossip-columnist would be speculating.... Patting myself on the back, because I did expect to see Laurendil showing up to rescue Sador from some problem. Author Reply: While it seems like a week has gone by, that is only in the real world. The clue as to how much time has actually passed is in the scene with Námo and Ulmo on Tol Eressëa, where Ulmo talks about taking another look at the temporal equations. This is only about where Glorfindel is recovering from his psychic breaks while at Valmar. So, in reality, Glorfindel has been missing only for a few days at most. I have tried to keep the different goings-on in line with one another though I may have fudged it a bit here or there, but hopefully not too badly. Remember, Glorfindel is not the Hunted, he's the bait. The object of the Hunt we will see is not to find Glorfindel, but that, as they say, is another chapter....

Calenlass Greenleaf	Reviewed Chapter: 67 on 4/1/2007
You're nicer to your OCs then the canon characters. glares At least Sador will be fine. But what about Glorfindel? It's been counts 17 chapters! Ah well...even if I have to wait twenty more chapters, I will. grin All the nice writing makes up for the wait. ~Calenlass Author Reply: Of course I'm nicer to my OCs than to the canon characters! They're my OCs after all and the CCs can take care of themselves! lol 17 chapters! Has it been that many? grin Don't worry, I give you my word that we will see Glorfindel again at the next update, which will be sometime mid-week. Trust me, the wait will have been worth it.

vaske	Reviewed Chapter: 67 on 4/1/2007
I have this mental image of elves with only one side of their hair braided:) I hope it doesn't take too long to grow back. It's good that the kings are finally learning some of the lies and misdeeds and are acting to fix some of them. The prisoners must have felt extremely hard done by to even contemplate another rebellion or kin slaying! Now that even the Noldóran is riding to Valamar are we going to find out what happens to Glorfindel? grin Or are there yet more twists and turns to make? Well, I don't really mind either way, all the other detours have made very enjoyable reading:) Author Reply: It's taken some time for the lies and misdeeds of the Tol Eressëan elves and those of Aman to come to light, but now that they have, the kings can do something about it. And don't worry, now that Arafinwë is riding to Valmar with Sador and Laruendil, the Hunt is about to begin and Glorfindel's fate will be revealed shortly.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 67 on 4/1/2007
Glad to know Arafinwë still considers Sador his family and welcomed him so lovingly. Laurendil got Olwë’s personal ship? Well, that’s a honour! And I think it’s a sign for every other elf thinking to do something that stupid, too – the times are past that they did get away with their hatred and more. Now the Kings are aware of the problem, there will change a lot. The Reborn telling the other Tol Eressëans about their judgement would be a first step, I think. I am sure Haldir and Gwilwileth will see to that as soon as they are back on the Island. Uh – the Guild Masters are the ones responsible for the higher prices? Well, that’s unexpected! And all that only to foment war and maybe worse? shakes head Did they not learn anything from what happened earlier? Now I am truly curious what their punishment will be. To be honest, I don’t know what I would do with them under these circumstances and don’t envy the King this problem. But now I’m wondering just what they had planned to demand in exchange for Sador’s life. Lower prices or the like, as I first thought, wouldn’t make much sense if the Tol Eressëan guilds are behind it. The end - Arafinwë riding with Sador and Laurendil to Valmar in battle dress – is so promising! I can only repeat: Can’t wait for more! Author Reply: I think the Guild Masters were responding to the reception they received from those Amaneldi who spread the lies about the Dead being brought to judgment in chains. Being sindar, they would have been appalled that any of their loved ones would be so treated and were retaliating against it by trying to foment unrest against the Valar. I think any Noldor who had been told such lies would have been more accepting of them as only what they thought they deserved for what they had done. They would not have liked the idea but it would not have set them against the Valar as it did with the Sindar. It's a sorry mess, however you look at it and I'm sure the Valar were aware of it and were just waiting for the Amaneldi kings to learn of it and act on it, though it took Sador's kidnapping to bring it about.

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