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| The Wars of the Valar by Fiondil | 11 Review(s) |
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| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 7/30/2008 |
| Silky voice? Shades of Saruman. Melkor is hideous and I can’t wait to find out how Namo escapes his clutches. Acairis giving Melkor a look of pure hatred makes me also wonder why she is even there with him. Now I know how he is rescued. How did Manwe and the others even find Namo? The poor thing; does he not know that no one can hide from Iluvatar? But deep inside he does know and turns to the Master Healer for help. Tari Author Reply: Hi Tari. Yes, Melkor is indeed a piece of work and quite hideous here. Acairis both loves and hates Melkor as evil always hates the obhect of its loves. Námo is in that state where he thinks that he is cut off from Atar because of what is happening to him, but he will learn that in such situations that is when Atar is closer than ever. In spite of feeling cut off though he does still love and trust Atar and that is why he is able to turn to him at the end. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 1/27/2008 |
| How disgusting to be kissed by Melkor! *shudder* Poor Námo, this has to be not only horrible, but humilating as well! I was *so* glad when the others showed up to finally rescue him. Though it may not have been the best reaction to change into a butterfly and to flee, I think it is understandable after all he went through that he only wanted to be as far away as possible. Poor guy. Author Reply: The entire Melkor scene is quite disgusting and I really needed a shower, both figuratively and literally, after writing this chapter. And I don't think Námo is quite sane at this point and is not actually thinking merely reacting... he's no longer chained, he can now escape and escape he does in the only way opened to him... the nermir. | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/9/2007 |
| Ok - my notes are full of 'ewww's' - I can't stand what Melkor was doing to Namo and the response from a thoroughly beaten Namo, in hroa and fea! Sent shivers down my spine during most of the chapter.... Melkor's touch was hideous. Ew!!! The mention of the Children and what they would be feeling and thinking was a nice 'diversion' - State of terror and awe. Wow. Atar had abandoned him. I like that you continue to bring this aspect of his torture out. Was it Namo who was lost or was this part of Melkor's torture? I am HOPING the voice is who I think it is and not the bright one.... *shudders for about the umpteenth time!* Author Reply: A lot of people's reviews of this chapter are full of "ewwww's" so don't feel bad. *grin* It was not an easy chapter to write and I purposely glossed over the details of the torture. Way too "ewwww" even for me. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/4/2007 |
| Ah, and what was it that Melkor forced him to do? At least Atar has heard him and has offered him peace for the moment, and he accepts it, readying himself for the next bout with his older brother. The use of the butterflies as a distraction and as a means for escape by Namo himself was wonderful. And Acairas loathes her chosen master, does she? Interesting.... Author Reply: Trust me, you really don't want to know the details, but feel free to use your imagination. Atar, of course, has always heard him, even when Námo wasn't aware of that fact in the midst of his torment. I had the feeling that the butterflies would have a part to play in Námo's rescue... I didn't expect him to *actually* take their shape and escape with them. *grin* That was a surprise even to me. I think Evil loathes Evil... it's what it does best, don't you think? | |
| MJ | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/4/2007 |
| Perhaps I'm less sensitive to written imagery (or maybe a little more jaded toward the perils of life in general), but I found this chapter oddly more satisfying than disturbing. In fact, I would not have objected to slightly more direct detail of what Namo experienced in Melkor's clutches. A part of the classic Hero's Journey is the Descent Through Hell, and if we do not see the depth of their trials and suffering, the moment of the Hero's Apotheosis is diminished. One wouldn't think so, but the fullness of the glory of light is not as well appreciated if one never sees the fullness of the terror of dark. That said, one doesn't need to see the actual physical torture if one has a chance to see the depth of the psychological effects it leaves behind, and I think that was handled quite well. For a moment, I was wondering if Namo was going to suffer from a bit of Stockholm Syndrome, but I was glad to see him avoid that (one wonders about some of the Mayar in Melkor's service, though). And I was intrigued by the commanding Voice that urged Namo into the abyss -- was it Melkor's, or Eru's? The immediate thought was Melkor, but then, Eru created Dark as well as Light, and there is more than one kind of Darkness. Good work. Author Reply: No, Námo definitely was not yet at the Stockholm Syndrome stage, though who knows if thet would not have happened eventually if not for Manwë's timely rescue. And I'm more interested in the psycho-spiritual effects of torture than exploring the actual physical act, which is why I wrote the chapter as I did. Why your immediate thought about the Voice would be Melkor, I don't know. Námo would have recognized Melkor's voice and would not have obeyed it the way he did here, even though obedience was on a purely instinctual level at this point. | |
| Edlyn | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/4/2007 |
| Meldonya, I am absolutely stunned by this chapter. So much so, that I am going to have to wait a while and let the chapter soak in before I can give you a real review. For now just let me say that I think this is some of your best writing ever. Edlyn Author Reply: Thanks, Edlyn. I look forward to reading a fuller review when you are ready to write it. | |
| Tira | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/3/2007 |
| oh, how angsty! ack! *bangs head* why why why do I read works in progress? Author Reply: Because you're a glutton for pain and anguish? *LOL* Read on, it does get less angsty after this, at last for a little while. | |
| Imhiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/3/2007 |
| Oh, I am very glad we saw the Máya with his whip only indirectly through a memory, not the episode directly! And that the memory faded out before we could see whatever happened (although the hints throughout the further narrative are tantalising, I think I'd really rather not know - my imagination is bad enough)! Melkor whispered, his voice dark with a desire that was nameless even to him, For some reason, I liked the fact that even Melkor had no name for this. Melkor comforting Námo? Ewwww... I think I was even relieved when he slapped him, as it was not such a travesty, but revealed his true character. And then the rescue! *breathes hugh sigh of relief* Poor, poor Námo - it was all too much for him. His desperate call for help and the Voice answering moved me tremendously. Now I am on tenterhooks wanting to know where this Abyss is. The Timeless Halls? Can he go back there, after all? Yes, yes: "stay tuned for the next installment..." *g* This was a most suspenseful chapter, Fiondil, in a wide range of ways. Author Reply: I'm equally glad I never saw the full scene of what happened between Melkor and Námo. What little I've seen is more than enough, thank you. Melkor is as clueless as the rest of them as to what he is actually experiencing through his hröa when he chooses to incarnate. The Ayanumuz (and Melkor included) have no words yet to describe what they are experiencing since what they experience is outside their normal worldview, you might say. It will be some time before any of them are able to articulate what they are experiencing and they may well have to wait until the Children come into being before they can name their experiences because truly incarnate beings will have done so as a natural aspect of their existence. We will learn in the next chapter what the Abyss is and where. The chapter will also be less suspenseful and more sedate. We all need a breather after the events of the last few chapters, I think. *grin* | |
| Rhyselle | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/3/2007 |
| Even having read this when I stood in as beta reader, and having discussed it with you prior to posting, I still get chills as I read this. Like other readers, my mind shys away from the close detail of what happened to Namo prior to this scene--and I'm rather glad that it does! Forgive me if I do not discuss the interaction with Melkor--just the mere thought of him makes my skin crawl and my soul feel dirty. Ick! But I had to say that it is totally understandable that Namo would want to flee even those whom he loves when they come in to rescue him. Victims of horrific crimes frequently feel that they are not worthy of the love and care of others, even though it is a false thing to believe. The isolation of a victim from those who care is an additional crime to be laid at the perpetrator's feet. Thankfully, Namo has the faith--the estel-hope--that allows him to go to the One who is able to heal him. I know that Atar will soothe his soul and help him to face what has occurred and to move on to return to his family and the work awaiting him so that the Children will have a home to come to. Powerful, scary chapter, and I'm darn glad that the next one is going to be filled with Light! Author Reply: Hi Rhyselle, Thanks for your comments, even though I already knew what you felt about the chapter from your beta-reading. *grin* Nämo's estel-hope is, at this point, totally unconscious and he's much like a wounded animal that seeks shetler instinctively. Nämo is acting purely on instinct at this point, even to calling upon Atar for help even though he has no conscious knowledge of what he is doing. And yes, the next chapter is definitely Light-Filled, as well you know! *grin* | |
| Nieriel Raina | Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/2/2007 |
| I can hardly see to type for the tears! What a powerful chapter, Fiondil. Horrifying, yet ending with such... awe. Yes, I'll use your word, for that is all I feel. Poor Námo! I have no doubts he will be well with his Atar. And this brings me to the chapter we just read in EI, where Námo comments of Ingwë and Glorfindel's fleeing their bodies, that Eru did not orchestrate it, but took advantage of it to use it for good... and Námo was very confident in that. I have no doubts he has learned that for himself. I don't want to comment on the horror part, for I'm sure I don't wish to know what Namo was forced to do, and it was simply... I need a stronger word than horrifying! Bone chilling? You manage to lure the reader into the darkness of the tale so that she is morbidly fascinated. Now I am greatly looking forward to seeing what happens next and how Atar deals with all that has happened and how Vaire comes into Namo's healing... Great chapter (if short), Fiondil! *applause* NiRi Author Reply: Thanks NiRi. I know how difficult these last chapters have been for many. The last part was truly awesome (in the truest sense of the word) for me as I wrote it. When I heard Atar say "Come!" the first time, I was fairly shaking inside. An interesting way of seeing Námo's words in Elf Interrupted in relation to this (chronologically earlier) story. Thank you for pointing it out to me, it makes Námo's character even more complex and multi-faceted than before. No, you don't want to comment about the horror part and you don't want to know what Námo was forced to do... I don't want to know, which is why I wrote this chapter *after* the fact. I leave it to the moribidity of my readers to fill in the blanks to their hearts content. The next chapter will be more light-filled (literally). | |