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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil	15 Review(s)
6336	Reviewed Chapter: 134 on 7/16/2009
Rereading this, again, and I was wondering just what twisted Calalindale? I know that in a future chapter her parents response to Adundil is less than enthusiastic as is their response to Vorondil. Melkor seems to have a few willing pupils still. Darn Unvalar, nasty, nasty being! How is your internet situation, hope all that coffee you are having to buy is not making you too jittery? Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. I think that it was the realization that she would have to wait until her betrothed was released from Mandos and not wanting to wait that twisted her. She saw any who died as weak and unworthy of her love. Internet situation is still the same and will be for at least the next month, but I do not have to buy anything at the cafe so not to worry. grin

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 134 on 2/17/2008
So, the healing begins, with justice that is beyond mere justice. And in the end it was not Finrod who ordered the punishments but the Valar. And the healing has its chance to come. Now I fully appreciate why I was confused when first introduced to the young Vorondil who obviously hated the Reborn and kicked Glorfindel when he was down. And Glorfindel loves both the one not yet reborn and the nephew who perhaps ought to have been the son.... Author Reply: Vorondil's character started out very black and white and very disagreeable, but as time went on I began to see some of the hidden depths of his character and slowly, ever so slowly, the truth has come out. Justice is not healing but it is a start and hopefully Vorondil now has a chance for full healing. I'm sure Glorfindel will be the first to welcome the senior Vorondil once he's released.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 134 on 11/14/2007
I just went cold when it came out that Calalindale actually hates her own son. If Vorondil had not been named after his uncle, would she have moderated her despite, at least in regards to Vorondil? We'll never know, and I think it is awful that she admits it right in front of him. That "Nothing to do with me" line has so many possible meanings. First, the literal meaning of it in context with the preceding sentence--that Vorondil's character was not affected by anything she did. Then another meaning it can have: That she wants nothing to do with him. Poor elfling. But I can think of fewer places I'd like to be for comfort besides Lord Namo's arms! The description of the audience's changing attitude and perceptions in regards to Glorfindel was very well done. It shows how very quickly he is maturing in only a few months. I like the ongoing play on the "I never whine" thing. I wonder if the first thing said to him upon his return from Middle-earth is "Are you still whining?" LOL! The summoning of Eonwe and the explanation of the Book of Oaths was good. (Lovely tie-in to Wars of the Valar with the tapestry!) I would like to have a memory even a tenth as good as his! The content of the oaths were sobering. And I felt so bad for Vorondil hearing that his existence was because of oaths broken. Beyond bleak indeed! His calling himself an abomination was a bit extreme, but I can fully understand where he's coming from. Even a child who was not so prone to seeing things as far worse than they really are would feel traumatized and worthless after hearing all of this! I liked the bit of humor about Vorondil being a pain in the neck sometimes but nothing worse... it was a needed bit of tension release to have that bit of a grin and giggle before going into Calalindale's oath. I just want to grab that elleth and shake some sense into her! Her oath was contingent on Vorondil's safe return? It certainly didn't read that way to me either... I am assuming that the brief hesitation before Namo explains about Vorondil's last thoughts as he died was our dear Lord of Mandos obtaining permission to share what is a very private and personal thing that normally would only be known to him and the Reborn him/herself as his/her memory returned. The history/civics lesson on Namna Finwe Miriello was deftly put in, and we finished up the testimonial evidence portion of the trial with a LOT to think about. I thought that the verdict was properly rendered, and that Vorondil's reaction to hearing what his punishment would be was spot on. Will Voondil get to go clamming again? Perhaps with his father this time? :) I really liked Ingwion's choice to go back to Nienna's home--He's still got a way to go on his own healing, obviously, but he's grown enough to recognize it, where he couldn't before. I hope that Vaire won't get too frustrated by Calalindale's attitude--and that the elleth is able to come to an awareness that she erred mightily in breaking her sworn oath--and even though I get upset when I read about her, I do hope that she can find healing as well. Excellent chapter... deserving of a much less disjointed review than this one, but I'm fighting off sleep in order to finish it after a long and busy day of training and team-building exercises. I am looking forward to reviewing the newest chapters... and seeing if my ideas on how the tournament finishes out comes through. Well done! Author Reply: Calalindalë has a lot of... er... issues for sure and hopefully Vairë and her Maiar will be able to help her come to terms with them. I don't think she is irredeemable, but she is certainly cold-blooded in a way you don't expect in elves, until, of course, you remember someone like Eöl. In Calalindalë we see the Marring in psycho-physical form, showing that even in the Blessed Lands, there is no guarantee that the Marring will not affect those living in Aman. Vorondil's "I'm an abomination" is somewhat extreme but understandable under the circumstances since if all had gone as it should have he would not have been born anyways. Knowing that he is the product of oaths broken has to be spiritually damaging and it will be some time I think before Nienna and Námo and Aldundil will be able to convince otherwise. Námo's brief hesitation was indeed his seeking permission from both Manwë and Ilúvatar to speak of what would normally be a private matter between the fëa of the dying and Námo. Sort of like the Catholic confessional in that regard except there isn't an absolute prohibition against speaking about such things to others. Still he couldn't just speak on his own authority and needed Eru's permission as the ultimnate holder of our most intimate thoughts and prayers. The reassessment of Glorfindel (as well as Finrod and Sador) is long overdue, of course. Too many of the Vanyar have probably dismissed Glorfindel on the grounds of how he was when he first arrived in Vanyamar and the events that occurred after that. Here they are beginning to see him in a truer light. Whatever his emotional maturity level, he's not an idiot and he does have the memories of his former life to fall back on and use to good effect when the occasion calls for it, as with this trial. Thanks for the review, disjointed or not. I always enjoy reviews from you, as they give me the opportunity to expound on themes and motivations that are impossible to write about within the chapters themselves but are always there in the background as I write. I look forward to your other reviews of the newest chapters and you won't have too long to wait to see if your theories about the ending of the tournament play out or not. grin

eiluj	Reviewed Chapter: 134 on 11/8/2007
Sador’s decision to stay with one braid is interesting. As the years pass, it will certainly confuse people -- though I don’t think he cares about that. Poor Calalindalë doesn’t exactly cover herself with glory. I wish I could feel there was some chance she can change, but I don’t hold out much hope for her. Pity Vairë’s poor Maiar! Ingwion.... Nienna’s is a good place for Vorondil and Aldundil. Aldundil had proved a disappointment to her both as a husband and as a man -- Did you really mean to say “man”? The family dynamics are very logical and convincing -- though o.c. horrific. I am reluctantly entertaining alternate ideas about Turindil’s identity, though not entirely happy with any of them [Elf A; miscellaneous kin to Elf B; Elf A who turns out to be kin to Elf B; Elf C -- unlikely but ironic!; Elf C who turns out to be kin to Elf B; Elf D -- even more unlikely]. I’ve decided my Unified Field Theory of BGs at the Tournament still works even with Turindil being a Good Guy: Mithlas will finally realize who Turindil is at the prize-giving (or some similar event at the end of the tourney), and that will provide the same Distraction necessary to set the whole thing in motion. sigh No need to say I’m wrong.... Author Reply: "Aldundil had proved a disappointment to her both as a husband and as a man..." Yes, I really meant to say "man", in the sense of "male". I could have used the Quenya word "nér" which means, 'adult male of any (thinking) species', but simply decided to use the English word uncapitalized, instead. In my story "Tad Edhil a Firion", where there is always a mixture of elves and human males in a group (Elrond, Glorfindel and Aragorn, for instance), I used "man/men" to refer to the males regardless of species, as opposed to females, while "Man/Men" was reserved strictly to speak of humans, in particular, Aragorn or the Men of Dale or Lake-Town, regardless of gender. Aldundil, as far as Calalindalë is concerned, is thus deficient both as a marital partner and as a male among males. Turindil's identity will be revealed before the end of the tourney, then you'll see which of your theories comes closest to the truth.

NiRi	Reviewed Chapter: 134 on 11/8/2007
Am very annoyed at the site deleting my quotes. pouts Just so they make sense... grumbles --Aldundil tried to comfort him, but he refused it, turning abruptly away and falling into Námo’s arms.-- It is good to see this little one turning to a good source of comfort. --Every warrior there saluted the Maia, who acknowledged their salutes with a slight nod, his expression one of solemn joy. In his hands was the Book of Oaths. -- And once again Eonwe shows up! cheers -- The Book was, for him a prop, for the benefit of the Children, nothing more. -- Not to mention a great source of entertainment for himself. grins and recalls the fun that maia has had recording some oaths Does he record the oaths of the Valar too? Thanks for explaining the tapestry. And I look forward to getting back to the tournament though this was a nice diversion too... well not nice, but interesting? smile I'll wait patiently for the next epic. taps foot Are you done yet?? runs NiRi Author Reply: Okay, now I know to what you were referring. And yes, I'm sure Eönwë finds the Book of Oaths a great source of entertaining 'reading', especially late at night. LOL. I'm not sure if he does record the oaths of the Valar, but if he does, I think he records them in a completely different Book, the location of which is known only to him and Eru. Maybe one day we'll find out.... And you may run, but you can never hide. LOL

Nieriel Raina	Reviewed Chapter: 134 on 11/7/2007
<> It is good to see this little one turning to a good source of comfort. <> And once again Eonwe shows up! cheers <> Not to mention a great source of entertainment for himself. grins and recalls the fun that maia has had recording some oaths Does he record the oaths of the Valar too? <> And this time... I am confusedated. I read a review reply you left for someone else referencing that those who have read WotV would get this. Is this when Namo received the oaths of Vaire's maiar? I need to go read that whole thing again. But I guess I am failing to understand the significance since Eonwe wasn't one of those...or is it the significance of the room? Still pondering that paragraph. Anyway, I liked the conclusion of this, and yes, I can see it fitting for Vorondil to spend some time with Nienna. So...back to the tournament? blink blink blink NiRi Author Reply: The tapestry does indeed show Námo accepting the oaths Vairë's Mayar from "Wars of the Valar". Eöwnë, of course, "recorded" those oaths in him memory. It may be that the uniqueness of the situation — an entire People of one Ayanuz taking oath with another Ayanuz — is the reason this particular scene was hung in the Chamber of Oaths ["Sam en-Gwist" (Sindarin) "Sambë Vandaron (Quenya)]. And yes, we will be getting back to the tournament. We're in the "home stretch", as it were, I promise.

MJ	Reviewed Chapter: 134 on 11/7/2007
Ah, what nice reading to come back to after weeks of remodeling (both house and dental). I'm happy to see the story progressing, but there is one little thing that's niggling at me more and more, the farther the story goes: the "intro," that little description of the story at its start. It makes it sound like this is really Glorfindel's story and that he will be the primary focus, but one can't really say that, anymore. It's really become a story about the Reborn, and all that the process encompasses. This is not a complaint, mind you; I think that the differing points of view contribute greatly and significantly enhance the greater meaning of the tale. It would have been nice, focusing strictly on Glorfindel and his personal experiences with the process, but this is so much more. Which makes me wonder if some folks might be put off reading it because the "advertising" does make it sound like it's a Glorfindel story. A very odd thought, but there it is. And though I have been quite entertained by Eonwe and "The Book," I was also glad to see a bit greater detail about the truth of it. It added a bit of "otherness" to him -- now very much a Maia of great stature, and not just one of the crowd. Enjoyable indeed. Author Reply: Well, this story originally did start out to be exclusively Glorfindel's story, but obviously it's expanded somewhat. Yet, ultimately, it still is about Glorfindel, for it begins and will end with him. If I sometimes shift the focus to other characters, almost always there is still a connection with Glorfindel. He impacts the actions and responses of the other characters, sometimes directly, often indirectly, but he's always there somewhere in the background and I eventually do come back to him. He is the catalyst for everything that happens in the story. So, I don't think I can be accused of "false advertising" grin And so far, no one's come up to me and said, "This isn't a story about Glorfindel, you should change the blurb." If people are put off because they think it's a story about Glorfindel, they'll be put off because the story has Glorfindel as a character, and a main character at that, so it won't make any difference what the blurb says or doesn't say. I decided it was time to explain "The Book of Oaths" a bit more and show that as a Maia Eönwë is indeed a different order of being than the Eldar. Much of what the Eldar see with the Maiar and the Valar are "props" for their benefit, being corporeal beings and therefore bound to physicality which is merely a form of "dress" for the Valar and Maiar.

Camryn	Reviewed Chapter: 134 on 11/6/2007
My God, I love this story. The relationships and the character growths are fascinating and I can't wait to see what happens next. But what did Valandur say to Ingwe? Does it have something to do with Glorfindel? bites lips I really really want the next chapter and you'd think I'd be satisfied with a hundred and thirty-four chapters (which have taken me the past two days to read and wow my eyes really hurt right now) but no. Your writing is too addicting! And now I shall have to go read your other stories and I shall never sleep again. gives you a sad look I would blame you but I love this story far too much. So here's hoping that your muses for this story continue to speak! Author Reply: Hi Camryn! I'm glad you found this story and have been enjoying it. As to what Valandur said to Ingwë... it does indeed have to do with Glorfindel, but we won't find out what was said until later. The next chapter of Elf Interrupted won't be too long in coming, I promise. In the meantime, by all means, read my other stories while you're waiting. grin Thanks for taking the time to let me know how much you enjoy this story.

Lilandriel	Reviewed Chapter: 134 on 11/4/2007
oh! i am truely intrigued regarding the passage about the Book of Oaths. i think, however, i understand, though i can't find the words to explain. i'll admit, i had no idea what the outcome would be, and i am very pleased that things worked out the way that they did. maybe those in need can finally find some peace, and in time, healing Author Reply: Hopefully, healing will eventually come to all concerned. The description of the room of the Book of Oaths, especially the tapestry, will make more sense if you were to read my WIP "The Wars of the Valar". Those who have read it, to date, will recognize the scene depicted in the tapestry and its significance.

Beruthiels Cat	Reviewed Chapter: 134 on 11/3/2007
In a word, Fiondil-POWERFUL. Your best yet... Cat Author Reply: Thanks, Cat. I'm glad you think so.

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