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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 8/11/2008
snort Why does the image of Aldundil storming in yelling at Ingwe remind me of Ingwion storming in to see Manwe and throwing Glorfi's knife down at his feet? wry look Ah, so Laurendil and Aldundil knew each other, hm? And meanwhile Finrod was trying to keep Glorfi out of trouble with Lord Namo. grin Well, we know how well THAT works. snicker ~Kaylee!! Author Reply: I tried to show in this chapter that there are layers of relationships that extend across time and space that make things tricky for many. Aldundil and Laurendil knew one another during the War of Wrath and are friends but Aldundil's son is in a way Laurendil's enemy because of what he's done. It makes things very difficult for everyone.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 6/26/2008
Re reading this for the umpteenth time and have come to the conclusion that Sador's appearant maturity has to do with the fact that he had less life experiance, being only 68 when he died, than both Glorfindel and Finrod. He has fewer memories to intigrate then them. He seems to be better able to cope with what life throws at him than Glorfindel especially. Lynda Author Reply: You are probably correct about Sador... his relative youth at the time of his death means that emotionally he's closer to where he was before he died than either Finrod or Glorfindel. That doesn't mean, of course, that he's not above playing "younger brother" for all he's worth. grin I think he enjoys being in that position after having been "older brother" in his first life. Glad you are re-reading and still enjoying this story. It means I got something right. grin Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate it.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 2/13/2008
That does rather put a monkeywrench into the works. Author Reply: Aldundil's precipitous arrival does rather throw things off more so than any of them can guess at this time.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 6/11/2007
I had to grin at the description of Alassiel's greeting to Glorfindel. Do elves suffer puppy love? I look at the emotional ages of the youngsters (and I still do consider Glorfindel a youngster in a lot of respects) and wonder how I'd cope if my adolescence had been as long as elven adolescences are. Teen-age angst is bad enough for the few years we go through it! "Nay, it was not an act of humility, at least not in the way you mean, but it was an act of love and I will be forever grateful." The themes of love and service and obedience throughout this tale come through here so well. Service has long been connected with love, but the lesson that an act of obedience is, when performed in its truest form, is also an act of love is one that is harder to learn. Most people obey out of habit (you do it just because you were trained to do it) or out of fear of consequences if they don't. Glorfindel's emotions must still be quite tangled right now. Joy to be reunited with his friends, of course, and humor as he talks with them, but underneath it all, he still needs to deal with the violation that he experienced. I'm certain that will happen in its own good time. The image of the Hunting party's return would make a wonderful Waterhouse style painting. As I've said before, I wish I had the skill to depict visually what you paint in words. Ingwe's amusement at how the members of the hunting party, even Arafinwe, forgot protocol in order to greet Glorfindel first, was a nice touch. Of course most of these elves are related to each other through blood or marriage, or oathtaking... The conversation that surrounded the return of Glorfindel's ring was a sobering counterpoint to the joy of the reunion. The list of crimes grows for the young ellon, and when Finrod added blasphemy to it, I couldn't help but shudder at what is potentially in store for Vorondil. The revelation that Formenos will be inhabited once more adds an even greater damper on the mood, but then our dear Balrog Slayer defuses it with his own inimitable style. I'm sure he yanked Sador's braid on purpose, and that the final consequences when Sador caught him in the garden was worth it. (I have this insistent thought that Sador tackled him and tickled him into submission grin) I felt very badly for Aldundil and Calalindale. No one wants to believe that their offspring are capable of heinous actions; and to learn that ones own actions and choices had part of leading the elfing to do what he did, however well meant... The demonstration of the Life Oath that Laurendil and Finrod presented was so powerful. Each time you have shown this special relationship, it chokes me up. So much love and so much trust tied between the two of them... One day I hope that they tell you the details of how that Oath was originally made between them. "And does that knowledge help mitigate his actions?" Aldundil asked hopefully. Laurendil shook his head. "No, mellon nÃ®n. It only makes it worse for your son. Iâ€™m sorry." Ai, that is so sad, to see the last vestige of hope that it could all be a horrible mistake fade for Aldundil. No matter the outcome of the trial, he is likely going to feel a total failure as a parent for a long time to come, even though it was his son's choice to do what he did. Author Reply: We usually equate "humility" with "lowering oneself" and there is some truth to that, but Alassiel sees Manwë's action as demeaning whereas Glorfindel recognizes as the highest expression of love that the Elder King could have given him or anyone. Obedience-from-love is very difficult for most people. We tend to stress the fear factor: "obey or else" more than the love factor: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."(John 15: 9-10) Waterhouse is a very good choice for the scene of the Hunting party's return, though I was thinking more along the lines of William Morris' "King Arthur's Knight set out for the Quest of the Holy Grail". Perhaps a combination of the two... The discussion about Vorondil's "blasphemy" must have disturbed Ingwë and Arafinwë greatly, for they cannot see how it could work. But that's true in our own world where one group declares that another group has committed blasphemy against them though most people would look at the situation and shrug, not really understanding. For Finrod, Laurendil and Sador, however, what Vorondil did was up there with burning the flag or spitting on the Cross. Certainly it can be equated with someone wearing military medals to which they are not entitled, especially those associated with a particular war or action. The problem with many of the Amandeldi who will look at this and shrug is that they don't comprehend fully what the elves of Middle-earth endured, what they went through to earn those ridiculous looking braids. They are badges of honor bought at too high a price. Vorondil can of course be partly excused by his youth and general ignorance, but he's not ten, nor is he stupid. He's old enough to know that what he is doing is wrong. I'm sure your image of Sador tackling Glorfindel and tickling him is true. Certainly when my brothers and I tackled each other during a teasing session, tickling was often the end result: "N-no...more!" "Oh, you want more? Okay".(screams of laughter) I have to wonder if Laurendil and Finrod are getting tired demonstrating the Life Oath every time they turn around. grin It is very effective though and something the Amandeldi need to see for the reasons they need to see it: life in Middle-earth was not like life in Aman and the consequences of that life are more far-reaching than many suspect or understand. Even the Valar have admitted they aren't sure how such an oath will eventually play itself out. And one day I do indeed hope to tell Laurendil and Finrod's story in Beleriand. I have, actually written the first chapter, so it's a start.

MithLuin	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 4/12/2007
Have I mentioned lately how awesome you are for updating so frequently? Well, you are :) I doubt Aldundil is to blame - there is no rule that says you have to share harsh truths with your children while they are still young. But...I am curious why he was completely unaware of his son's attitudes. At first, I thought his son was a bit of a rebel, but to have his parents be completely surprised means he wasn't showing them that face. And if he didn't get it from them....who are his friends? Decent people can have unpleasant children, but there has to be something more to it.... Author Reply: The trick to frequent updates is to be several chapters ahead of where you are posting. In this case, I've written 20 chapters more than what you already have read and I continue to write at least two new chapters a week, sometimes even three. Aldundil is not to blame entirely for Vorondil, but I think Aldundil's rendition of the War of Wrath may have been less harsh than it should have been. And perhaps Vorondil isn't as bad as he makes himself out to be at this point. His problem is with the Reborn, for whatever reason, and in all other cases he's fine. It's a case of extreme prejudice against one group based on a child's twisted logic that "atto went to war and he could have died and if he had died he and emmë would not have met and then I wouldn't have been born and it's all these Rebel Noldor's fault that atto had to go to war in the first place and why are they being released from Mandos when my atto wouldn't have been released had he died, so the Valar must also be hated for letting these Rebels go without punishment for making my atto go to war and if he had died I wouldn't have been born....." The cirularity of such thinking is hard to break and as Vorondil gets older it becomes so ingrained that it becomes unconscious, he's not even aware of such thought, especially when he half-suspects that they are forbidden thoughts. The fear factor of "what might have been" also plays a major role. The thought that he himself might never have existed had his father died in the war and being able to blame the Reborn for it is also a driving force. Being forced by circumstances to interact with Glorfindel, who he sees as the epitome of all he should hate, and then meeting Ingoldo and Tinwetariel who merely feed upon his hatred for the Reborn just makes the situation worse. Aldundil is clueless because Vorondil adores his father and wants to emulate him, so that when he's around his father he puts on his dutiful son face, knowing deep down that his father would not approve of his hatred for the Reborn and he wants nothing more than to have his father's approval in all things.

vampfan30	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 4/12/2007
I knew it was one of * those * guys...... I think that I absolutely adore Sador..... Yay ! Glory is coming home ! Author Reply: Ah, but was it the right guy? grin I absolutely adore Sador as well. He's one of my favorite OCs.

eiluj	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 4/11/2007
Glorfindel put his arms around the ellon’s shoulders in sympathy. "I’m sorry I’ve been the cause of so much grief for you all." Elessairon gave a snort of disbelief. "Nonsense, meldonya. You’ve enjoyed every minute of it, and frankly, when all is said and done, so have we." -- When the news gets out that Glorfindel is heading back to Middle-earth, there’ll be a long list of protests to the Valar by elves who realize how bored they’re going to be in Aman without Glorfindel around. I’ve been wondering where Ingwë’s wife is; my first theory was that she’s visiting her other children; now I’ve got the possibiity too that she’s visiting Indis in Lórien. No mention of Tinwetariel in this chapter. I assume she’s either in custody or being watched. Tulcaner seems to be still on the loose. Well, doubtless he'll turn up at some point.... Author Reply: >>When the news gets out that Glorfindel is heading back to Middle-earth, there’ll be a long list of protests to the Valar by elves who realize how bored they’re going to be in Aman without Glorfindel around. Either that or the Valar will throw an Aman-wide party and there will be dancing in the streets! lol Ingwë's wife will be mentioned in later chapters, though she tends to be in the background. She probably has been visiting Indis in Lórien lately but will be returning soon.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 4/11/2007
I’d hope for a bit of romance between Alassiel and Glorfindel, if I’d not know Glorfindel will eventually return to Endorë, so a relationship with her wouldn’t be wise. They seem to get along very well now. Anyway, I am glad they are all reunited. Blasphemy? Hm ... hadn’t seen Vorondil’s undeserved warrior braids this way, but Laurendil’s explanation makes sense. The elves who fought in Middle-earth must feel mocked to see this coward with warrior braids – kicking an unconscious Glorfindel is certainly no reason to be proud of. Seems it was too much to expect that nothing happened at the feast, even if this time neither Glorfindel nor Finrod or Sador caused it. As much as I can understand why Aldundil is furious, he doesn’t know his son very well if he truly thinks he is too young to cause much trouble. That was no prank, after all, but a serious crime. Laurendil and Finrod have a rather ... startling way to explain the oath that’s binding them, particularly in public ... shakes head If they continue in this way, others will soon be rather wary to approach them, considering this intimidating habit to hold knives at other people’s neck. Well, I suppose it was a lucky coincidence that Laurendil knew Aldundil back then; it may have helped the latter to calm down a bit. I feel a bit sorry for him; though I’m not sure how far it may be his own fault how his son turned out to be. Author Reply: Blasphemy is usually associated (with us) with speaking or acting impiously or irreverently against God, but it can also means "an irreverent or impious act, attitude, or utterance in regard to something considered inviolable or sacrosanct" (quoting Dictionary.com). And this is true with regards to the Sindarin warrior braids as far as people like Finrod and Laurendil are concerned. As Laurendil says, the Amaneldi can call it anything they want, but for the elves of Endórë, who understand more fully than anyone else the significance of the braids, Vorondil has committed blasphemy. >>Laurendil and Finrod have a rather ... startling way to explain the oath that’s binding them, particularly in public ... Sometimes a demonstration is more powerful than a whole lot of words. >>Well, I suppose it was a lucky coincidence that Laurendil knew Aldundil back then... As Olórin would say, "If you believe in coincidence...."

Calenlass	Reviewed Chapter: 73 on 4/11/2007
Manwe? It was Manwe? Oh my goodness--Glorfindel really had a shock. g And So did I. :) ~Calenlass Author Reply: Surprise! grin

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