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| Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil | 8 Review(s) |
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| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 2/14/2008 |
| Ingoldo and his wife have MUCH to learn! May they now learn it. Author Reply: Whether they do or not remains to be seen. Some people just aren't willing to learn anything from their past mistakes. | |
| Rhyselle | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 6/13/2007 |
| Ingwe asking Finrod to sit in judgment with him and Arafinwe was a perfect follow up to the events of the prior chapter. The transformation in the eyes of the observers from Finrod to Ruler must have been amazing. The bit about the prisoners being unable to resist the potency and power of the three kings was a bit shiver-inducing. I certainly would not have wanted to have stood before them and had to confess wrong doings... I got the feeling reading this, that it lightly echoed standing before the Valar in the Mahaxanar. And having Lord Namo there too... "What the Elder King chooses to reveal to you Children and when he chooses to do so is his business. If Glorfindel says these others are hiding in Eldamas, I would suggest you take his word for it." Here he paused and gave them all a brilliant smile. "For some reason, my brother is rather fond of our little Balrog-slayer." He looked directly at the prisoners then, his expression never changing. "So he takes a rather dim view of all that has happened to him... as do I." This is another shiver-inducing moment. It sounds odd that Lord Namo smiling is as frightening as Lord Namo frowning, but that's what I got out of it. Certainly the prisoners seem to feel likewise! Again, Finrod seems to take over this chapter. His response to Tulcaner's anger was just amazing to me. I got so emotionally involved in this scene that I was breathless when I sat back at the end of it. Lord Namo's talking to the people in the room about Finrod's death was another that goes on my list of top ten scenes in this tale. The character testimonial he gave was wonderful. Besides informing the Amaneldi of just what and who this Reborn kind was and did, he was able to add to the ongoing education of the Eldar about Judgment. He's telling them the same things that the Reborn have been saying but the Amaneldi really hadn't been listening before. " ... Faithful or no, Rebel or no, Judgment comes to all who enter Mandos. Eru decrees it and I see it done. Judgment most often is the most terrifying thing any face, but afterwards comes Forgiveness and Reconciliation and the Renewal of Hope. Love there is and Mercy and none who come before us come chained." Wow... That reiteration just gets to me every time I read it. I do like it that he doesn't tell them why the Amaneldi kinsmen are not yet being released, but he reassured them with his promise that they would be released in time. And when a Vala gives a promise, we know it will be kept. Patience and Faith... two of the hardest things for the Children of Eru to exercise, but oh the most worthy! "Did We not warn you, my brother, after the last time, that you should watch yourself? We know you have no fear of Us, but Ingwion is another matter...." He nodded in satisfaction when Ingoldo blanched. "Yes, and We would like nothing better than to leave you to his tender mercies." Oh I do wish that Ingwion and Ingwe would tell you just what the heck they are referring to in regards to Ingoldo's former actions. This is so frustrating to know there's a story there but the characters aren't telling it. LOL! The sentencing of the guilty is done well. I'm glad that no elf will be forced to go to Formenos to be gaurds to ensure that the banished prisoners do not seek to return. I am amused at the mental image of Tinwetariel tending sheep... *snicker* Although she'll probably bully the other prisoners to do it for her... The fact that an Age's banishment may not yet be the end of the punishment of Ingoldo and Tinwetariel is an interesting thought. I suspect that the lesson that Lord Namo will be teaching the other prisoners upon their release is that of Atonement. Although I truly can't imagine what task they could be given that would allow them to redress the wrongs they've done. And I wonder if Tulcaner ever will learn to repent of what he did. I look forward to seeing the pronouncement of the Doom against Ingoldo and Tinwetariel. Author Reply: The elves of Aman know little about Finrod and have no basis with which to take his measure since he came into his kingship in Endórë and then he had to die first before he could return to Aman. It's interesting to note that ALL the elves who held kingship in Endórë died rather than returned to Aman by taking ship. That must mean something I'm sure. Anyway, Finrod shows his true nature at this trial when Ingwë asks him to sit with the other two kings. Up until now, everyone could safely (if foolishly) treat Finrod as "Arafinwë's firstborn" but now they have to start treating him as a king in his own right even though he no longer has a kingdom to rule. Námo smiling is probably (psychologically) as scary as Námo frowning and for the same reasons. I'm sure Námo does these things more for effect than anything else in order to keep the elves unbalanced. In that way the Eldar hopefully learn not to take the Valar for granted simply because they usually treat the elves nicely. Námo (and therefore the other Valar) are certainly using the excuse of the trial as a learning situation for the Amaneldi about the Reborn and about Judgment. Whether the lesson sticks or not is another matter. Patience and Faith are difficult for any of the Children to exercise, even those who have all the Ages of Arda before them, yet it seems that in this case both virtues are lacking among the Amaneldi and they must be continually reminded, individually and collectively, of them. I am hoping that someday either Ingwë or Ingwion will tell me what's up with all that... I'm curious too, but so far they've been rather tightlipped about it. I think it's a sore point with them and the memories of what happened are a bit raw. Still, it would be nice to know what all that is about, wouldn't it? Anyway, with regards to everyone's punishment, I suspect that you are correct about Námo teaching them Atonement. I have no idea what Námo has in mind, but I'm pretty sure it will be creative and quite to the point. The prisoners are going to find that the Valar are not taking any of this lightly. | |
| Edlyn | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 4/17/2007 |
| Good evening, meldonya! I know that I am still trying to get the reviews on the previous chapters done and have a long way to go till I reach this one but I saw a quote today that brought to mind Lord Námo's words in this chapter: "Findaráto, and all who have died, including the Vanyar and Noldor who died in the War of Wrath, suffered Judgment. There is no escape from that. Faithful or no, Rebel or no, Judgment comes to all who enter Mandos. Eru decrees it and I see it done. Judgment most often is the most terrifying thing any face, but afterwards comes Forgiveness and Reconciliation and the Renewal of Hope. Love there is and Mercy and none who come before us come chained." The quote is from Thorton Niven Wilder and goes as follows: "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning." Anyway, I wanted to share that while it was fresh in my memory. I will do a proper review of this chapter once I work my way through the others. May you lived blessed, Edlyn P.S. I just got "The Children of Hurin" this afternoon along with Brian Sibley and John Howe's "The Maps of Tolkien's Middle-Earth to add to my overflowing Tolkien bookshelf. I fear my living room is looking rather like Bilbo's study at Bag-End rather than Lord Elrond's library! Author Reply: Thank you for the quote, Edlyn. I appreciate it. You will have to tell me how you like "The Children of Húrin" once you've read it. It will be a while before I can get ahold of a copy, hopefully when I come back to the States this summer in between teaching jobs. I look forward to a "proper" review whenever you can get around to it. | |
| Beruthiels Cat | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 4/14/2007 |
| OUCH!!! Can I come out from under the table now? A much-needed wakeup call for those elves that may have become a little too complacent? It doesn't pay to assume the Valar won't take them to task when necessary, even if they've been rather "quiet" in the past...Another excellent chapter! BC Author Reply: Yes, you can come out now, the coast is clear. *grin* The Amaneldi are beginning to realize that just because the Valar have been rather "quiet" in the past is no guarantee that they will stay that way in the future. The Valar's silence isn't necessarily a sign of approval on their part, merely a sign of their patience until they are ready to act. And when they act, they act decisively. Glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for your comments. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 4/13/2007 |
I’m pleased Ingwë acknowledged Finrod’s greater experience with these matters and asked him to join him and Arafinwë. the ones who did not die on the shores of Mistaringwë during the Battle-under-Stars or in any of the other battles fought across the face of Beleriand, the ones who were not enslaved by Morgoth to toil in darkness and despair? Those Faithful?" *snorts* What’s so faithful in that? The first two reasons, having rebelled against the Valar and taken part in the kinslaying, I can understand, but *that* is certainly no reason to think himself a better elf than the ones who fought the shadow for centuries and paid the ultimate price for it. And I was glad Finrod rubbed it in that seven of them attacked Glorfindel who had done nothing wrong. But now I am wondering – if the Vanyar had been released before the Noldor, wouldn’t the Amaneldi think their kin had been rewarded and the Noldor punished this way and feel even more convinced that they are superior to the rebels? Could this be one of the reasons why Námo held the Vanyar back? Do you realise this chapter is another reason why you have to write more about Ingoldo and Ingwion one day? I’m bursting with curiosity ;-) Hm ... interesting. Very interesting. So Valandil thinks even Fëanor had more honour than these conspirators? Another blow to the pride of certain people. And farming is hard work – I think it will do the exiles some good to have to *work* with their own hands. Not to mention they will be guarded by Maiar – very intimidating for them and another hint for the others how seriously the Valar take their offense. Oh, and have I to tell you how *very* satisfied I was with the harsh punishment for Ingoldo and Tinwetariel? They deserve it – after all, they did not only do something wrong themselves, but did lead young elves like Vorondil astray. And the prisoners have to go to Mandos after their exile? Well, that could be interesting ... Thank you – that were some *very* intriguing chapters! Author Reply: People who label themselves "good" on the basis of what they didn't do rather han what they did do usually end up being less good than those whom they have labeled "bad" on the same basis. Probably you are correct that the Valar would have seen that releasing the Vanyar and Noldor "faithful" first would have made things worse, not better, and elected to hold them back. I may indeed write about Ingoldo and Ingwion some day... just as soon as one of the coughs up the story (though I would trust Ingwion's version over Ingoldo's any day of the week) *lol* Comparing Fëanáro to these yahoos and declaring that the elves' favorite "villain" had more honor in his little finger than the whole lot of the conspirators put together would indeed by ego-deflating for some people, but also very true. | |
| eiluj | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 4/13/2007 |
| How satisfying that these arrogant Vanyar and Amaneldi-hating elves of Endorë will have to learn to coexist in their years in Formenos.... And how useful for them to have a weaver and a smith present. I’d thought we might return to the Máhanaxar. Author Reply: Yes, it is a rather satisfying sort of justice to throw these two groups of agitators together and force them to live with one another. | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 4/13/2007 |
| Much as I was delighted to see this - and I was delighted - I'm left thinking six chapters to review! And what chapters! Aldundil has been ... very clever, in a way - and yet ... Well. It will do Vorondil good to learn the truth. And the end of the trial - amongst the three Kings and the Valar, there's not much opportunity left for misunderstanding. (Although I think I might have to fight my irritation when the Valar reveal information as and when it suits them. Still, Glorfindel seems to have coped with the idea of the Valar letting him be bait. Beaten-up bait, at that.) (I am sort of returning to my Finrod story. I hope it's not showing too much influence from yours. But I can't bring myself to stop reading to cut out any effects. I'm enjoying your story too much!) Author Reply: Oh well... take your time reviewing; I'm not going anywhere. *lol* We will see in subsequent chapters just how well Glorfindel deals with the idea of being "Valar-bait". I hope you do continue with your Finrod story. There's no such thing as too many stories about Finrod. *grin* | |
| Calenlass | Reviewed Chapter: 77 on 4/13/2007 |
| A most interesting trial. :-) I should say I'm satisfied with the results of it. ~Calenlass Author Reply: I'm glad you enjoyed these chapters. | |