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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	10 Review(s)
Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 115 on 5/7/2008
Sounds like Finrod is running a nursery. (chuckles) Tari Author Reply: Nanny Finrod to the rescue! LOL

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 115 on 2/15/2008
Yes, still another virtual elfling for all his chronological age. Nice audience here. Author Reply: Glorfindel, I think, will always remain an elfling at heart, which is what makes him so adorable. The audience, while difficult for all concerned, was necessary.

Hildigrim	Reviewed Chapter: 115 on 8/14/2007
I was also disturbed by Chapters 112, 113, and 115 upon first reading them, but I decided to postpone comment and ponder the story further. It was immediately clear that the punishment Finrod imposes seemed disproportionate to the younglings' crime -- a point I think Redpike makes implicitly in her prior review within her "tooth and nail" comment. However, on reflection I want to pose a harder-edged question. Why does Finrod's ordering the bearing of swords against the young trespassers in Chapter 112 not violate the Peace of Valinor? (A tournament passage at arms is presumptively consensual; this hunting with swords was not.) Moreover, why is this not exacerbated by Finrod apparently requiring Laurendil to renege on the latter's foreswearing of arms? I suppose Ingwe may cede his sovereignty over Finrod's camp in deference to a fellow king, but the Peace derives from the authority of the Valar. Having framed the argument above, I re-read Ingwe's recollection of Manwe's words in Chapter 112: "In time, those who are now living on Tol Eressëa will be imbued with our Peace. Already, those who arrived in the early years of this age have been... purged, let us say, of much of the darkness their lives entailed. They are learning to live in a land of peace without the constant need for vigilance against evil." The children appear to be paying the price of Finrod not yet having learned to do so. Author Reply: You are confusing the Peace of the Valar with the proper bearing of arms. Even in Aman there are guards and warriors and even among the Maiar there are warriors. Swords, in and of themselves, are not forbidden, but rather the improper use of them to foment unrest the way Feanor did when he threatened Fingolfin, which deed got him exiled. Besides, if you read chapters 112 and 113 carefully, the Tol Eresseans and Finrod are engaged in mock-serious activities. They know these are elflings and have no intention of harming them, but they do want to teach them a lesson they won't forget (and have fun doing it as we see when the warriors race to don their armor to form an honor guard for Finrod "court"). As for the conversation between Finrod and Laurendil... Finrod is reminding Laurendil that his Life Oath will sometimes require him to put aside lesser oaths. Finrod is reminding Laurendil that Laurendil's alliegance to him takes precedence even to his alliegance to Irmo. This is an aspect of the Life Oath that so worries Ingwe and with good reason, but the full implications of what this means for the future of Aman are not known even to the Valar. Also, keep in mind that we are imposing our 21st century human mores on nonhumans of an earlier age who would not necessarily play by our rules. While we may fight tooth and nail if someone tried to take our children from us even for a short period of time, these are elves and the High King has given his approval. They have no concept of child abuse and it would never occur to them to think that such a thing might happen to their children among strangers. That's why Lindorille's insinuations that Finrod might use Eruanna as a sexual plaything was so shocking, even to a youngster like Vorondil. It is something that no sane elf would contemplate (as opposed to the insane elves who committed kinslaying and who knows what else in pursuit of the silmarils). Finrod, unlike the Tol Eressean elves, has been purged of darkness. That is what his time in Mandos entailed. However, he is a king and even Ingwe would have acted similarly had it been his encampment that was being "invaded". I'm sorry these chapters disturb you, but try not to take them too literally or seriously. No harm will come to any of the children and while in Finrod's service they may learn a thing or two to their benefit and the benefit of future generations of Amanaians who need to accept the Reborn and the Returnees in order for the Peace of the Valar to really take hold among all the elves.

Redpike	Reviewed Chapter: 115 on 8/10/2007
First off, I'd like to tell you how tremendously I have enjoyed this story. You, (along with Claudi007) have turned me from hobbits to elves. You first drew me in with your clever title, and your Glorfindal sucked me in. The busybody Valar in your story do disturb me a bit; I'm thinking Feanor had the right idea to run off to middle-earth. This chapter also disturbed me. As a mother, I would fight tooth and nail anyone who tried to take my child away for a year for trespassing (In Valinor, no less, where there is little strife). Finrod needs to get over his siege mentality. I'm sorry this is the first time I've reviewed, I'm a hard-core lurker and really appreciate your writing. Author Reply: Hi Redpike, You mean you're an ex-hard-core lurker now that I've gotten you to post one review grin. I'm glad you are enjoying the story. This chapter would be disturbing to most parents I imagine, but given that these are elves and this has the High King's approval, there's not much anyone can do about it. The good news is that Finrod will take care of them as if they were his own children. Whether Finrod can be accused of having a siege mentality or not, I think that if Ingwe had decided that the children's punishment was too severe or counterproductive, he would have stepped in and made his own arrangements. I'm glad you appreciate my writing. I appreciate your reviewing and hope you will do so again.

hanci	Reviewed Chapter: 115 on 8/8/2007
I think many parents would react as did Oromendil's father but everything went well. Finrod is gaining quite a retinue(?), isn't he? Glorfindel will think his stay in Imladris a holiday, after Aman... Author Reply: "Glorfindel will think his stay in Imladris a holiday, after Aman..." snicker He probably would, too!

Nieriel Raina	Reviewed Chapter: 115 on 8/5/2007
Am I behind again? Oh bother... Fiondil, I simply cannot tell you how much your description of the Valar, and expecially Lord Námo, touch me to the core. It awakes a longing deep within for things that simply do not exist in today's world. The Valar remind me of how spiritual leaders should be, gently always pointing to the Source. Námo's care of Glorfindel always pierces me (even when he pretends to be all huffy and not caring). And if I say more, I'll cry. It was not hard to believe Glorfindel had just had too much. I know I was overwhelmed by Ingwë's apology. But my poor elf! I wasn't at all surprised that he had been released from Mandos early as well, though I was surprised Námo admitted it to those present. 'Oromendil’s atar spoke up, sounding somewhat belligerent. "What do you mean to do with them then? Turn them into thralls like that... what’s his name... that Noldo brat?"' OH MY! I'm with Agape4 on that! Dem's fightin words! And I HAVE my swords right here handy hanging over my desk! arms self Wow, they still have a long way to go, don't they? I do sympathize with the parents, but on the other hand, if MY girl had been up to something like that? I think I'd offer her up! grin A year with Finrod would do her good, though she'd be as sulky as Vorondil about not being able to train with a sword. Child beats up the neighborhood boys! shakes head I'm off subject. I am surprised that Finrod choose this course, however, hasn't he been reprimanded by the Feanturi for taking on Vorondil? scratches head trying to remember I thought his taking on people got him in trouble? Though I do think it is good exposure for the kiddies. If you want to bring change you start with the young people, who are sure to affect their parents when they return. grins Loved Glorfindel being lumped with the elflings! And think he would be highly insulted. LOL! And here I am, left wanting more and more and more. sighs and looks at empty inbox Guess I'll have to wait. Thank you for another wonderful chapter! NiRi Author Reply: Thanks, NiRi and you're welcome. I'm pleased that you like my portrayal of the Valar, especially Namo. The Vala sometimes acts cold and forbidding (when it suits his purpose to do so) but underneath he is not so much the Judge or the Ordainer of Fates, as he is the Comforter of Souls. That is the role he much prefers and Glorfindel gives him plenty of excuses to indulge himself in that role. lol Oromendil's atar's words are certainly provocative, but Finrod is above such things and takes it in his stride while still properly reprimanding the ellon. Finrod wasn't in trouble for taking on Vorondil, so much as the Valar never anticipated him doing so. All the possible futures that Namo saw for Vorondil saw him in Mandos and they still don't understand why. Finrod taking on the elllings might be considered unorthodox but certainly within his rights. As he reminds the parents, as soon as the children crossed into the encampment they were under Finrod's jurisdiction as the de facto leader of those residing in the tent city for the duration of the tournament. Even Ingwe was forced to recognize Finrod's authority as a king in this instance. And Glorfindel is the biggest elfling of them all, though he would dispute it with his dying breath! grin

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 115 on 8/5/2007
I just had to stop reading after the first part and sit back and take a few quiet gulps of air myself. Beautifully written... dearest Glorfindel - what a shock! And Ingwe was perfect!!!! 'Oromendil’s atar spoke up, sounding somewhat belligerent. "What do you mean to do with them then? Turn them into thralls like that... what’s his name... that Noldo brat?"' OK _ those are fighting words!!! Where'd my sword??? I'll lay the scoundrel low! My heart really went out to the parents of the elflings, though. It is a hard thing to have to 'leave' your children in the hands of one you do not know for such a long time - but it had to be done. Great chapter... sits drumming her fingers waiting for the next and the next and the next..... Author Reply: Thanks, Agape. I'm glad you liked this chapter. I like to think that Ingwe has redeemed himself before his court and before my readers. Let's hope he's learned his lesson. I'm sure that the elflings' parents will eventually adjust to the situation, as will the elflings themselves. Frankly, they could have done much, much worse than falling into Finrod's hands, couldn't they?

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 115 on 8/5/2007
Well, I suppose it was only to be expected that Glorfindel is still in a state of shock, poor guy. Over the last time, there has happened a bit too much to him. No wonder the Maiar were so worried his fëa would run away again. After reprimanded even by Lord Námo, Ingwë - and probably not only he – will probably be much more careful before putting Glorfindel through anything like this any time in the near future again. It was about time Námo told them what he did; maybe he should have done it earlier. But of course, if he’d done it, then what about the story? ;-) The three older Kings have to understand that the Reborn are not always as strong as the Once-born, at least not in the first few years. I’m wondering about these elflings. It just struck me that while in Finrod’s care, they’ll learn quite a bit about the Reborn and the elves returned from Middle-earth, and that can only be a good thing. So there would be at least some elves in this generation thinking a bit different about them than the older elves of Aman. Good to know Veryandur and Eruanna got better off than the other three. And of course, I was amused that Finrod counted Glorfindel among the elflings. Somehow I am not sure our dear balrog-slayer would agree to be counted among those so very young grin Author Reply: There is a lot of re-education needed among all the Amanian elves, even those who are accepting of the Reborn. I'm sure that Ingwe has learned his lesson with Glorfindel. Namo probably did not reprimand him earlier because Manwe forbade him from doing so, deciding not to interfere with what was happening. At any rate, Glorfindel and Ingwe have reconciled and that's the important thing. Certainly the elflings will be given their own education, learning not only about the Reborn but the Returnees who come to Lorien for treatment. Hopefully they will learn something to their benefit, especially the three older elflings who seem to have picked up on their parents' prejudices more than the two younger elflings. No, I don't think Glorfindel would find it amusing to be counted among the elflings in Finrod's entourage, even if everyone else does, at least until he matures a bit more. grin

eiluj	Reviewed Chapter: 115 on 8/5/2007
A very satisfying chapter! (I’ve been waiting impatiently for Námo to tell off Ingwë -- i.e. explain just why it was such a bad idea -- for a couple of months now! And that’s a couple of months my time, as well as time in the story.) “The Ball will not start for a couple of hours yet” -- Well, why not: they’re elves, they don’t really need sleep. “Tra-la-la-lally” and all that. Námo addressing them as “Once-born” -- The Once-born feel their state is the norm for elves. Elves are immortal; they don’t die (in Aman, at least, the vast majority of them). Elves who die are an aberration: and it’s not quite decent! What the Once-born don’t realize is that the norm for elves was always intended to be larger than the Once-born’s own situation, and now a whole new -- and much more complicated -- norm has come into play for elvendom as a whole. And it’ll doubtless take an age for the new reality to be understood and accepted.... Ingwion had removed the crown of state -- I think you mean “Ingwë.” In service to Finrod for a year! That’ll complicate things in many ways -- not that Finrod isn’t capable of handling an increasingly-larger and more complex entourage. I’m wondering about Amarië’s reaction when she finally realizes that this sort of thing not only keeps happening to Finrod, but is actually typical for him. (It also fits right in with Beor & co.) Looking forward to the Lóriennildi’s reaction to the pack of elven kids.... Author Reply: I'm sure many readers will be happy to see that Námo has reprimanded Ingwë, even if obliquely, for what he did to Glorfindel. His statement that the Once-born do not understand how fragile the state of the recently Reborn can be is a reminder that the center no longer holds. Circumstances have changed the dynamics of life in Aman and the Amanian elves need to accept it and work within it, rather than trying to impose outdated solutions to these new problems. In time, I think, they will understand and accept the new reality, though, as you say, it will probably take an age or two for that to happen. Thanks for pointing out the error in names. Someone else alerted me to it and I've since made the correction. As for Finrod... well, I think he's in his element and Amarië will have to adjust to the situation. As for the Lóriennildi... I'm sure they learned their lesson with Vorondil and will welcome the kiddies with open arms, or at least with resigned smiles. grin

Tira	Reviewed Chapter: 115 on 8/5/2007
"Glorfindel of course" perfect! and so glad that it's all good concerning the children. How does Finrod get himself into these messes? how many little servants can he have???? Author Reply: I'm sure Finrod will manage somehow. grin And he seems to thrive on such things if you notice.

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