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The Wars of the Valar by Fiondil	8 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 1/29/2008
Ah, I’m glad Námo is able to laugh again! And he’s right, they should keep this new dimension to themselves to keep Melkor away. I don’t even want to think about what he would do. Now I am beginning to see how this experience is influencing Námo so many years later as the Lord of Mandos and his care for the ones who have died. He’s learning first-hand how to deal with these traumatised fëas. On a side note: and my vice-gerent did confuse me, as I couldn’t find any translation. Should that be ‚vice-regent’? Author Reply: Yes, Námo is beginning to learn what his role as Lord of Mandos will entail first hand, having been a traumatized fëa, himself. This will help him be more effective as Lord of the Dead. vice-gerent has the same meaning as vice-regent. I used this particular variant because that is the word Tolkien himself uses in reference to Manwë in one of his late essays, Ósanwë-kenta. Author Reply: Check my response to Larner's comments below to see the quotation from which this word is taken.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/10/2007
I found this a very difficult chapter to read... it was dark and very sad. Though there was healing - it still was difficult to read of Namo's hurt and what it had done to him..... Author Reply: It is a very difficult chapter to read and it was very difficult to write, but there is healing and there is hope, so not all is dark.

Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/6/2007
I may be wildly wrong here, but the way Námo speaks of the Tenth Dimension, and warns that the Mayar are never to be told of it, somehow sounds as if it Eä after the end of Time, when the Fourth Song of the Ainulindalë is to be sung and everything is peace and harmony. Somewhere where Melkor's Evil can not mar the very substance of it... ... unaware that the object of their hunt was hiding in the same star he’d thrown Irmo in, snickering softly. Lol! Sneaky! I would never have thought that wallowing in fine red dust (which, doubtless, would find its way into, ahem, everything...) could sound so appealing, but indeed it does g. He may not force Námo to return but he will perhaps make returning seem more desirable than staying. This is indeed a good strategy! I don't think I had really realised that Námo has forgotten - or rather suppressed - his memories of his former life. It was very moving to see that Námo is recovered now to that level that he can allow others to touch him. It's a good idea that the others now know of Námo's doubts regarding his small following. The thought that it doesn't depend on quantitiy but quality should take root when he finally begins believing their assurances. And Aulë and Ulmo as the super geeks - ha! I just love the description of Námo's laughter! Author Reply: Your supposition about the tenth dimension and why Námo feels the Máyar should not be told about it are quite interesting and probably on one leve even true though not necessarily the entire truth. For Námo all physical sensations are wondrous, however annoying we might find them to be, so find red dust getting into, ahem, everywhere would be a source of wonder and delight instead of woe. grin Námo's experiences of amnesia during his healing will no doubt inspire him to offer that same amnesia to the fëar under his care until they are ready for re-embodiment. Hopefully Námo will see that quantity is more important than quality where it concerns the number of Máyar in his service. As Manwë says, those Máyat who have taken oath to Námo exhibit a level of loyalty towards him that is not seen in any of the Mayar of the other Ayanumuz. That has to tell you something right there and hopefully Námo will eventually see the truth of it. >>And Aulë and Ulmo as the super geeks - ha!<< Hey! The geeks of the universe have to have gotten their inspration from somewhere! LOL I'm glad you love the description of Námo's laughter. It is one I've used in other writings about him. Thanks for reviewing Imhiriel. I really appreciate it.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/5/2007
"Vice-gerent"? (Giggle!) At least I'm not the only one to find myself writing parallel to my actual thought! Heh! But there is the need for the balance Namo gives to all of Ea--that is definitely true. At least now he will come, and his is again sufficiently comfortable with touch to allow the embrace of his brother. And it is good to see him playing once more. Author Reply: Well, "vice-gerent" is an actual word and ysed by Tolkien himself in one of his post-LOTR writings ["Ósanwë-kanta: Enquiry into the Communication of Thought", Vinyar Tengwar, No. 39] when describing Manwë's relationship to Eru: "If Manwë had broken this promise [to release Melkor from Mandos after a set period of time] for his own purposes, even though still intending 'good', he would have taken a step upon the paths of Melkor. That is a perilous step. In that hour and act he would have ceased to be the vice-gerent of the One, becoming but a king who takes advantage over a rival whom he has conquered by force. Would we then have the sorrows that indeed befell; or would we have the Elder King lose his honour, and so pass, maybe, to a world rent between two proud lords striving for the throne? Of this we may be sure, we children of small strength: any one of the Valar might have taken the paths of Melkor and becomoe like him: one was enöugh." To which we may all say, "Násië!" [Amen!]. And yes, Námo provides a necessary balance to all of Eä, and while he has come a long way in his healing he still has a long road ahead as we will see in subsequent chapters. Yet, now, at least, there is hope for him.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/5/2007
Sorry to be so late in getting this review posted... too much to do and not enough hours to do it in... par for the course for this time of year. I enjoyed Ulmo being frustrated by what he doesn't know. Most of the scientists that I know are like that. Irmo might feel superfluous, but I think that it is often those individuals who aren't "experts" who frequently ask the questions that end up triggering those "Eureka!" moments and give the researchers new paths to explore to find their answers. And Aule goes and coins a new word... "patient." I think there is irony in his choice because I don't know of too many patients that have patience! LOL! The thought of Namo fighting with Eru is an interesting one. At first it seems that arguing or fighting against God is a sin in some people's eyes--but then I got to thinking about it. When my youngsters argue with me and push their limits, sometimes it irritates me, but other times it makes me feel good, because they are thinking on their own (even if their conclusions are mistaken) and they care enough about what they think and want to fight for it. That indicates to me that I'm doing a good job as a parent, for my child is developing as he/she ought. And sometimes their justifications for wanting their own way are just plain amusing! The change in Namo's attitudes when they talk about whether the Mayar should ever be allowed to know of the 10th dimension is fascinating. He goes from the child to the authoritarian in no time at all, not suggesting the rule but emphatically stating it as a directive. And then, afterwards, when he hears that Manwe is coming to visit Namo, to talk privately with him and with Atar, we see our future Lord of Mandos slide back into the childlike behaviors once more. "Catch me!" grin I love the idea of Namo hiding where he'd tossed Irmo... I admit to having done something like that before playing hide and seek. Lots of fun to see Namo laughing for real instead of hysteria. Namo's falling asleep in the middle of the game reminds us that fear are fear no matter whether Vala or Elda or Man... and that healing requires rest and respite. His uncertainty as to whether or not he really wanted to get better was so telling. You are well aware of how hard it can be to reintegrate oneself into the "real world" after having been convalescent after a long illness. It can be scary to do so. His reluctance is understandable... but as Namo had told Ingwion in Elf Interrupted, what we want is trumped by what we need--and Namo needs to go home. Ulmo's smile makes me wonder if Atar gave him a bit of foresight or insight. I've used "the alternative is a lot worse than the thing you are grumbling about" method to get my kids to do what I need them to do before... The conversation between Namo, Manwe and Atar was wonderful. The range of emotions that Manwe was feeling as the interaction progressed were realistic and I liked how Atar pretty much made Manwe decide how to respond to Namo's issues and fears. While Namo still has a way to go before he is fully healed, we can see that he has made sigificant progress thus far, even if his level of self-esteem is still extremely reduced from what it was before he was captured. I don't think he's going to have any success in convincing the Mayar that he didn't "sacrifice" himself for Vaire, though... grin Great chapter! Author Reply: Oh, there are many people who probably are in the same boat as you are this time of year, Rhyselle, so I'm just glad you were able to find the time to write at all, never mind such a nice long review. grin Frustration, I think, is the normal state of most scientists, wanting to understand everything, yet out of that frustration is born the great concepts of science that have spurred our own civilization over the millennia. Irmo may feel bored about all that 'science-speak' between Aulë and Ulmo, but he's a scientist in his own right, a scientist of the mind and spirit, and I'm sure Aulé and Ulmo would feel equally bored to listen to Irmo, Estë and Nienna 'talk shop'. grin I think that the fact that Námo is able to joke about his fighting with Atar is telling as well as how he shifts from child to adult and child again when discussing the tenth dimension and the need to keep it a secret even from their own Máyar. We are seeing a glimpse of the Doomsman and Singer of What Will Be at this moment. And Námo is still Námo, so naturally he has to play. grin If nothing else, it gives his older brothers an excuse to stop being serious for a while and have some fun, which is what I suspect is the true purpose of younger siblings with respect to their elders. So besides having to deal with his own insecurities, Námo will also have to put up with some 'hero-worshipping' from the Máyar....poor Vala snicker

Nieriel Raina	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/5/2007
Don't hurt me! I'm here! I'm reviewing! Call off these Maiar please? gulps and tries not to prick self on sword points Aule and Ulmo are such great scientists! I love it when they talk and I love Aule's search for the perfect word. LOL! And Irmo's lack of interest is adorable. grin --"More than I did," he finally said. "I always lost." -- Ain't it the truth? Good call on keeping the 10th dimension from the maiar. The Valar's own private retreat. ... Why does Namo feel safer around Orome than the others, btw? Is it because he was there during one of Melkor's attacks? --"Catch me!" he cried and then was gone. -- Namo, Namo, Namo... too cute. --The four Ayanumuz exchanged amused glances and with a single thought went after their charge unaware that the object of their hunt was hiding in the same star he’d thrown Irmo in, snickering softly. -- LOL! Oh I just love him! --"There’s nothing back there for me, except Melkor waiting for his chance to take me again. At least here he can’t find me or... or touch me." -- That is so telling. My heart just breaks for what Melkor has done to this precious soul. So much pain and damage done. I look forward to seeing this hurting Namo become the mighty Vala worthy of the 'Wrath of Mandos' look of EI. I am so glad Manwe reminded him of just how much he is needed and how special he is. Reminded him of his talents. --"No, child. No one can make you do anything you do not wish to do, not even Atar." -- This story has had so many lines that pierce me through the heart. This is one of them. The spiritual parallels are just stunningly vivid for those who dare to look. --"Atar won’t allow him that luxury. He may not force Námo to return but he will perhaps make returning seem more desirable than staying." -- shakes head There's another one of THOSE lines. --You are the key.-- Does this mean because he has the coordinates to where it will come to be, or is it deeper than that? Oh it was so nice to see him finally allow himself to be comforted by one of his own. --"Sacrifice! I’ll ‘sacrifice’ them," he said darkly and Manwë could not help but laugh.-- LOL! Oh, he is such a kindred spirit. grin* I LOVED this chapter. More please? NiRi Author Reply: Hi NiRi! I'm pleased that you enjoyed this chapter so much. Yes, Aulë and Ulmo are great scientists... they were after all instrumental in creating Arda. And Irmo... well, any brother of Námo... grin As for why Námo feels safer around Oromë than around the others, even his own brother, I suspect that in part it is due to their "adventure" together and perhaps he is seeing Oromë as his "otorno" [sworn brother]. And I am happy that you find lines in the story that pierce your heart. I am purposely writing this story with a blatant spiritual component to it, for one of the major characters is the Creator Himself, and so it's difficult not to incorporate a spiritual dimension into the story. Those who wish to ignore these spiritual parallels, though, will lose half the story. Thanks for reviewing. More will come soon, I promise.

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/4/2007
Oh, I loved this chapter, meldonya. I haven't time to say more than that as my break time is about up and I haveto go back to work. I'll let hte chapter sit in the back of my mind ths afternoon and provide a longer and (hopefully) coherent review when I get home. Hugs, Edlyn Author Reply: Glad you loved the chapter, Edlyn. I look forward to reading your thoughts in more detail later.

Tira	Reviewed Chapter: 15 on 12/3/2007
sigh poor Namo. oy, and I know regnant is a word (means reigning, che?) but...what did you mean by vice-regnant? huggles Fiondil great chapter though! me ish loving this story. (forgive me, tis almost 2 am, I'm loopy) Author Reply: Hi Tira. The word should be "vice-gerent" (Tolkien uses the word in describing Manwë's relationship with Ilúvatar as the Elder King). I guess I wasn't paying attention. Thanks for point it out. Thanks also for the huggles.grin I certainly need it.

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