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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	10 Review(s)
Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 127 on 5/14/2008
The sight of Valar and king serving food and washing dishes had to be mind boggling to the elves. They did not feel they were too superior to perform such menial tasks. But, what better way to win the trust and respect of the elves. Even the elflings are coming around. I found myself wanting to join them around the campfire. I love campfires. Author Reply: The sight of Valar and king serving food and washing dishes had to be mind boggling to the elves. Especially for the elves from Middle-earth who had never interacted with the Valar (or Maiar) and whose kings (even Finrod at the time) probably would never have thought to do anything so menial. A lesson for all of them (and us). I love campfires too!

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 127 on 2/16/2008
Much as I have Aragorn washing dishes during his first visit to the Brandywine Bridge. Yes, this is proper humility. Author Reply: I have this theme occur in some of my other stories. Those unwilling to get their hands dirty (or wet) are not worthy of following IMO.

eiluj	Reviewed Chapter: 127 on 10/16/2007
Little Elfling Ingwion! “The third remove will come out later ... just as soon as my brother figures out what it will be." -- Last-minute meal planning.... Soon, the others were rewarded with the sight of two Valar and two princes of Eldamar happily washing and drying the dinner dishes. Rumor of this spread throughout the encampment and it wasn’t long before the compound was surrounded by curious elves who decided that no one who hadn’t seen it with their own eyes would ever believe it -- Some of them will still be trying to come up with an explanation well into the Third Age. "Now, why don’t you tell everyone about the archery. I know Finrod and Haldir are especially interested in hearing about it." -- I am, of course, extremely suspicious about this Mystery Archer (particularly because of Námo’s machinations to get Mithlas to tell the story). “Perhaps we can find out when we watch him compete tomorrow” -- All they’ll find out is his name; they won’t be able to figure out why Mithlas half-recognizes him. Mithlas won’t remember where he saw the guy until the last day of the tourney. Probably at the prize-giving. Unfortunately out loud. But I think the Mystery Archer is a Red Herring -- though that doesn’t mean he won’t cause some mayhem of his own. Perhaps a better word for him would be Catalyst. What is it the physicists have? A unified field theory? Okay, I now have a unified field theory explaining the motivations of all the Bad Guys, and how they all interact. (And it will turn out to be wrong!) But in the meantime, it has everything: Spectacle, Drama, Mess, Mayhem ... Valar trying hard not to interfere ... maybe even Death and Destruction (well, definitely Destruction, and hopefully not Death unless a Bad Guy or two). And at least one elf -- either Glorfindel or Finrod, or better yet both of them -- playing a very Heroic role. How’s that for changing Public Opinion? One of the soup recipes I copied was an Oriental apricot ginger soup -- but it was to showcase apricot-flavored mead from Colorado, so I doubt it’s authentically Chinese. Author Reply: Your rather convoluted reasoning about the Mystery Archer almost makes sense when I don't think too much about it. LOL In China, when you order Peking Duck, the final course is the soup, in which they throw in the bones, along with dried apricots and spiced with ginger. The broth is not a clear broth but white. Not sure how they make the broth, but it's very good.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 127 on 10/8/2007
Since I've been out of the country and trying desperately to catch up on so many things, Fiondil, with your permission, I'm going to review Chs. 122 - 127 here. 122 - I know I'm naive - but I cannot EVEN believe that Sulimondil would not show at the High King's summons! I just sat there with my mouth open!!! I'm saddened that you didn't let Glorfindel run him through, once it was shone he lived, with hiw sword!!! And - I very much like Vorondil... good kid! 123 - I should have known the little cur would try to slink away! Shame all he got was a split lip and teeny little bruise!!! And I loved Namo's appearance AND his funereal black - should speak volumes to those two miscreants!!! Now - I'm intrigued abut the Rebellion - can't wait to find out about that. 124 - You have a knack of bringing two males together and bonding them easily. I love the time with Ardamire - absolutely loved it. Glorfindel is incredibly wonderful. Shees! As for the page, that was fun. And Glorfindel chiding Ardamire for giving up before they began... nice touch! I loved Ingwe's handling of the 'rumours' - he has quite a presence! I loved little Veryandur and Narmolle - in both chapters where he kindly introduces his 'friend' to Valar and Noldor alike. I love Eonwe and Glorfindel's relationship - makes me laugh every time! And Namo's having to change the locks! ROTFL The whole paragraph about the blood-lust and how ALL worked together to save Haldir was spectacular. The tension was incredible - but to see the Reborn work together like that - running to aid another - was great. Este healing Aldarion's hand was perfect. So - the 'nightmare for the Reborn' is not over yet. heavy sigh 125 - I truly think that if I lived in that time, and saw what was happening to the Reborn - I would have been concerned to with their 'proclivity to violence.' Did I say before how much I like Vorondil - best thing that every happened to the Elfling - running into Finrod! He is learning to know himself, he is sharp and thinks well. And Ingwe again - with his allegiance to Findor - very nice inded along with Elindis! Great sovereigns to live under. And I loved the last message to Finrod and Haldir... all has been paid. 126 - Finrod definitely invites love and loyalty. You've written him well. The Valar who serve the Elves were fun as was little Veryandur. 127 - Poor Finrod really struggles with his friend (?) Namo - very interesting times whenever the two are together. Much as Finrod invites love and loyalty, he also invites a sound thrashing now and again from the Maia... done in love. I loved Ingwion wanting a 'tabard like his!' Delightful moments. And now, as always, you bring in another piece to a puzzle that I sit and wonder about - first the Rebellion and now, in this chapter, a forgotten memory? Of whom? Great tale - you keep me glued to me seat as usual - though tonight I've been jumping up every few moments to cross my fingers watch the Indians! Author Reply: Hey Agape, I'm just grateful you've taken the time to send this review. Thanks very much. I won't comment on everything you've mentioned but — Súlimondil: Some people are born stupid, what can I say? Thank you for telling me how well I portray various characters. I do my best. Some reviewers indicated confusion about Finrod's reaction to the Valar in these last two chapters, but I think you see why he might be upset: he sees Námo and Irmo as interfering with what Finrod considers an internal matter of his household and resents the Valar "taking over", so to speak. And, like all the Elves, he still has lessons to learn about the true relationship between the Valar and the Children. Someday I hope to write about the effects of the Noldor's Rebellion on those left behind. Someday.... As to the mysterious archer and Mitlas forgotten memory.... soon. grin

Nieriel Raina	Reviewed Chapter: 127 on 10/7/2007
Okay, I was expecting it, but it was still very lovely to see Namo and Irmo taking over kitchen duties. (Have I mentioned I LOVE Eonwe? His sense of humor reminds me of mine. grin) I love Veryandur's childish "How'd you do that?" and the Valar's overlooking the question. LOL! Nothing like a reality check on who these two are, but to a child's mind, they are now cool guys who like his toy and then... whoa! grin I think I forgot to mention in my review of last chapter, how much I really liked Glorfindel's understated roles in these chapters, and yet, he still shines. I LOVED him asking Namo and Irmo for invitations! LOL! and his amusement just continues to amuse ME! And not that it is anything new, but Finrod's reaction to all this really puzzles me still. It just seemed out of place in this situation, but again, I don't have Valar dropping in constantly... Ingwion's readiness to join his Master was lovely to see, and his comment about his Master losing a bet had me chuckling, almost as much as his request for a tabard like Namo's...and getting one! LOL! -- Námo raised an eyebrow. "You’re in the middle of a tournament," he exclaimed in feigned asperity. "Pick something!" -- snorts I just LOVE him! And now I'm REALLY curious about this archer Mithlas can't quite place. Father, son, relative of someone important? His reaction to Namo was well done. As was Amarie showing she has a sense of humor. I didn't like her much at first, but her change has been nice to see. I'm glad Vorondil will be able to keep working on his archery (I hit the target quite a few times at the Faire!!!). It is a skill lost over time. The elves coming to watch Namo, Irmo, Ingwion and Finrod washing up was priceless! Another fabulous chapter, Fiondil! NiRi Author Reply: Thanks, NiRi. I'm glad you liked this chapter(and the previous one) so much. Eönwë pobably ran to the Valar laughing in manic glee as soon as he finished recording Haldir's oath with a "Guess what Haldir just said? Wouldh't it be funny if we actually took him up on it?" LOL Glorfindel is somewhat in the background here, but he does have some of the best lines and manages to keep his finger in the pie, so to speak. And I bet ALL the elves there would have liked to have known how the Valar did what they did along with Veryandur, only he was the one brave enough (or innocent enough) to ask them. grn Ingwion has indeed come a goodly way from when he first went to Nienna's. I'm sure Irmo laughed himself silly at Ingwion's request. Of course, there was no bet lost (that I know of); this is merely Ingwion's assumption based on previous experience, but you can see how nonplused such a question would leave the other elves who aren't in on the joke. I'm sure Finrod will make sure that Vorondil has all the archery practice he needs to keep his skills up and perhaps we'll see him compete in some future competition. As for the archer Mithlas tells them about... we'll learn more about him soon enough.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 127 on 10/7/2007
Hm ... I truly wonder, along with Finrod, what all that was about. It doesn’t seem as if it was only to show the connection between Lindorillë’s parents and Súlimondil and Valacar, though I have no idea what the Valar are up to, at least not at the moment. Glad to see Ingwion has made his peace with serving the Valar, and I loved his question about the bet. Now I’m curious, too grin Even more curious I am about this archer Mithlas mentioned. Somehow I get the feeling he may be up to no good, but maybe I’m too suspicious. Well, no doubt they will find out together who it is. Oh, I can imagine all the elves in the encampment showing up to have a look at Námo, Irmo, Finrod and Ingwion doing the dishes! A sight to remember, no doubt! And now, after reading this, I am hungry! As I doubt Námo and Ingwion will show up at my door, serving a feast, I’ll have to go and find something to eat. Author Reply: Hi Kitty. Truth to tell, even I don't have a clue as to what the Valar (and particularly these two Valar) are up to, and I'm writing the story (at least, I think I'm the one doing the writing). grin I guess we'll all just have to wait and see what develops from this. Well, there really was no bet. As Finrod tells Haldir, Eönwë seems to have an odd sense of humor and the Valar are merely responding to Haldir's words spoken in the last chapter. I'm sure the Valar are highly amused to take those words literally for a change. lol As for the archer.... time will tell. Thanks for reviewing.

shidghedancer	Reviewed Chapter: 127 on 10/7/2007
Good morning Fiondil, Sorry I haven't reviewed in a while, but I been loving every chapter. You wrtie with humor as well as drama. The Vala serving diner and meeting stuffed toys is going to be a memory that will keep me amused for a while. I find your explanation for different gems very interesting as well. I can't wait for the next posting. Thank you again for sharing your wonderful writing with us. Nancy Author Reply: Hi Nancy. Thanks for your review(s) and your kind words. I appreciate them very much. I'm glad the memory of Námo and Irmo serving dinner and the elflings showing them their toys will keep you amused for some time. grin I found it amusing myself. Just goes to show the Valar aren't as aloof and unapproachable as they seem.

Nariel	Reviewed Chapter: 127 on 10/6/2007
Yay! You have finally updated after that huge break. Thanks for including Amarie. She's actually one of my other favorites. Hope to see her more. The Feanturi are so kind. I enjoyed seeing them listening to the elflings telling about their stuffed toys. And how they acted jealous when Veryandur had introduced his toy first to only the Elder King and Star Queen. The feast is making me hungry. It sounds so delicious. The Valar cooking and washing dishes, that would be a sight to see! I would definitely be one of those curious elves in the encampment. I am starting to like the elflings more and more often. Who is that elf that Mithlas was talking about that was in the Opal team and was a good archer? Is it a female archer? Is it someone we already met up with because that is what I am thinking right now. Is the elf and exile even? OR did he come to the Hither Lands in the War of Wrath like the characters are suspecting. This made my day Fiondil! I cannot wait for more updates. One last thing though. I have always wondered how you would write Finrod and Amarie's wedding. Hint, HINT! Author Reply: Hi Nariel. It wasn't that huge of a break, dearie, less than 2 weeks. Now if it'd been 2 months you would have reason to complain. gr8n Yes, Námo and Irmo are certainly kind and know how to respond to elflings (big and small). I'm sure when the elves return home and tell those who hadn't come to the tournament about seeing the two Valar washing dishes, their stories will be met with disbelief. This is definitely one of those times where seeing is believing. The identity of the mysterious archer will be revealed in time and I may indeed write about Finrod and Amarië's wedding... someday. grin

amber	Reviewed Chapter: 127 on 10/6/2007
Can I borrow the Vala to do my dishes? That was just great. Author Reply: Sorry, Amber. The Valar are all booked for the foreseeable future. grin Glad you liked this.

Tira	Reviewed Chapter: 127 on 10/6/2007
both of these chapters were...delicious! (I love that adjective.) and really now, what bet did Námo lose this time? Author Reply: Glad you liked these chapters, Tira. And there was no bet. The Valar are acting on Haldir's words "May the Valar help us!" when Finrod told them the elflings were serving dinner that night. grin

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