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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	5 Review(s)
Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 75 on 8/11/2008
Here we have one of the parts that scares me most...Aldundil giving his life into Finrod's keeping, in a way not at all like the way Laurendil did, I'm sure. That was a very distressing scene, but necessary. I like how Finrod took things into his own hands, though it seems his atar and great-uncle don't approve even if the Valar do...grin Well, off to see what the kings have to say to each other. ~Kaylee! Author Reply: No... Aldundil does not enter into the Life Oath for the same reasons as Laurendil or others do and that makes it very scary. Finrod is showing himself here as the King of Nargothrond, an image that Arafinwë and Ingwë still can't wrap their minds around though they are beginning to understand however dimly just who their son and great-nephew truly is.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 75 on 2/14/2008
Vorondil has as yet little understanding of what has been done for his sake, but I believe he will know by the end of the thirty years. And he may not have hit Glorfindel, but he certainly kicked him! Ah, Vorondil--what will they do to you? Heh! Your father's life for yours, and now your freedom for your father's life. Author Reply: Vorondil has no clue yet what his actions have precipitated or the consequences therefrom, but he will and thirty years isn't all that long for an elf.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 75 on 6/11/2007
Valandur gave the Vala a wry smile. "Do we dare hope that Lord Oromë will make an appearance before this court?" This made me smile and the reaction of Ingwion right after, stepping quickly aside made me laugh. It must be wonderful to hear the laughter of the Valar... I do hope that one day, Ingwion will tell you of the first meeting he ever had with Lord Orome. The interaction between them during the Hunt was interesting but this exchange was even more so. It's obvious that Ingwion will be dealing with the issues that led to his accusing Lord Manwe... and, at least to me, equally obvious that the Valar have his well being in mind with this plan to send Ingwion to Nienna. I've noticed that most people after having a one on one with a Valar end up in someone's comforting hug. Orome's explanations for why each person was called to the Hunt was a succinct description of character. I have to admit that "Ingwion for his insolence" made me feel embarressed right along with the Prince. The bit that started with the question that Valadur asked about Vorondil's ragged hair was just incredible. Aldundil's reaction was striking--and heartbreaking. The description of how he grabbed the sword and the chaos, and Namo's reaction to stem it made a movie in my mind. The single light in the storm darkness of the chamber and everything focused on Aldundil and Finrod... well... it was amazing. And even though I knew that Sador, Laurendil, Glorfindel and Ingwion were there at Finrod's side, they almost didn't matter. I never did think, even when Aldundil grabbed the sword, that he was going to try to kill Finrod, but I certainly had not expected that he would offer his own life for Vorondil's. That certainly threw a spanner into the works! At first I wondered why, if Finrod chose to not take Aldundil's Life Oath, why he would be expected to execute Vorondil. But as the scene went on, I understood that there were deeper layers involved, particularly when I remembered that Vorondil was a soul twisted by hate. It made me even angrier at Ingoldo and Tinwetariel for how they took his existing despite for the Reborn, and Glorfindel in particular, and increased it and used it for their own purposes. The Oathtaking was, in a lot of ways, more profound and majestic, and awe-some than the one that Finrod and Manwen exchanged. The former oathtaking was borne of love... this one born of justice--and mercy. I was also rather upset that Aldundil put Finrod on the spot like he did, but Finrod came through with flying colours. He was the King of Nargothrond in these moments, even more than when Manwen offered her life into his keeping. Ingwe's response was a bit scary--after all, he is the High King, and normally when he forbid something, one would go along with it... but it was obvious to me that even though Finrod chose not to execute Aldundil on behalf of Vorondil, it was Finrod's decision and had nothing to do with Ingwe's order. I would not want to experience what must have been going through Vorondil's mind as Finrod spoke to him. Terror, guilt, shame, horror... I truly pity the child, although I do not feel that he should escape from the entire situation without having to bear the consequences of his actions and choices. Aldundil may have exchanged his life for Vorondil's but he could not take Vorondil's guilt upon himself. In this whole scene, including the refusal to allow Ingwe further say over Vorondil's fate, I can see the Finrod that was the Felagund, the friend and oath brother of Beren, and the one who dared to challenge Sauron in a duel of songs of power. This is the Finrod that only those in Middle-earth saw, and his family in Aman is only now beginning to recognize. It's obvious that Ingwe doesn't like being overruled, but when told that Manwe has decreed it... what choice does he have? The way the duration of Vorondil's thralldom was decided was appropriate, IMO. And, when looked at in the lifespan of the Eldar, a mere drop of time (although I'm certain that Vorondil might not see it that way from his perspective of living 30 years serving Finrod). Tbe echoes of the Exile of Feanor in Namo's Doomsaying made me shiver. And I shivered again when Finrod said that they would see if Vorondil would be released at the end of the 30 years. Calalindale must feel caught up in a tide she can't control by the time this sequence is over. It was good to see Finrod's words of comfort to her before he sent the family to their apartments. Obviously, Ingwe is not happy about any of this. But then what king would be happy when his authority in his own hall is taken over by another ruler who could be held to be subordinate to him? grin I look forward to the consequences of Finrod's kingly actions here. And Namo and Orome exchanging satisfied grins made me shudder a bit too, although it also made me think that they had predicted at least some of what had just happened! This was one of the most intense chapters so far in this fic, I think, as much because it impacts everything and not just Glorfindel's life. On to the next chapter! Author Reply: "I've noticed that most people after having a one on one with a Valar end up in someone's comforting hug." A consequence of having a divine encounter, however benign. One needs to feel the warmth and solidity of arms around one to re-ground oneself in reality after such an encounter. At least, I think it would be the case for me if I were ever unlucky enough to having a one-on-one with a Vala. grin The whole sequence from the moment Aldundil grabs the sword to the end was so vivid in my mind when I wrote it, it was as if I were actually there. The whole thing was scary, from Námo's intervention to Ingwë's reaction to Finrod's taking over the whole scene. I think even people like Glorfindel and Laurendil were prbably a bit shocked by it all. And when Glorfindel stated so flatly that Finrod as the highest ranking warrior (conveniently forgetting Arafinwë who led the Eldar among the Host of Valinor and fought in the War of Wrath) with sole write of execution, the Amaneldi from Ingwë on down must have all thought the world had gone insane or something when they weren't looking. That any elf would even countenance such a thing would have been beyond their comprehension and I think from that one sentence and the implacability of the Endorëan elves in contemplating such a move must have stunned the Amaneldi into next week. I think at that point the Amaneldi began to dimly realize the true cultural and spiritual gulf that separated them from those who lived and died in Endoré. This was indeed a most intense scene and probably because of its subject matter one of the most intense scenes I've ever written. Too many emotions flying and too much angst, but it had to be written.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 75 on 4/13/2007
Poor Ingwion – his accusation against the Valar came back to haunt him. Though I think after all that happened it was somehow understandable what he believed when Glorfindel vanished. Aldundil’s reaction to the revelation of Vorondil’s actions was rather unexpected, but no less impressive. It took my breath away to see the drama unfold! You truly managed to make this another occasion one will not forget easily – and I think that goes for the elves as well as for your readers. And it served to convince many others that Finrod is a king in his own right and a force to be reckoned with. Anyway, Aldundil showed the honour which in his son is missing so blatantly. I am truly glad about the way Finrod handled the situation – Aldundil didn’t deserve to die, and his son now has a lot of time to think about his misdeeds. Author Reply: Aldundil's reaction was unexpected even to me! But Finrod's handling of the situation was not. It was what I would have expected from him, though obviously many who witnessed the scene were clueless. Even those who fought in the War of Wrath probably did not fully understand what was going on, since such an oath-taking was probably not witnessed by them. At the time, the only Beleriandic king who would have been alive at the time and aware of the oath would have been Gil-galad, and given his relative youth in comparison to someone like Arafinwë, the Amaneldi would probably have dismissed him somewhat out of hand. We will see later to what extent Ingwion's accusation against the Valar effects him and his relationship with them.

eiluj	Reviewed Chapter: 75 on 4/13/2007
Aha! Yes, I’d wondered if Vorondil would end up in Lórien, but couldn’t see him being other than resentful and continuing to behave badly.... This might just do it. By now those attending the trial are wondering why they ever wanted to. Author Reply: Yes, I imagine that for many, this trial is turning out to be much more than they bargained for. We will see in a few chapters from now what effect Lórien will have on Vorondil.

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