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The Wars of the Valar by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 2/28/2008
I would have found it to be incredibly difficult to be one of Namo's people at this time. Reminds me of losing a loved one to Alzheimer's or dementia. Very sad, difficult and heart-rending... Author Reply: It would be very hard for Námo's People to understand why their Lord is acting the way he is at this time; they really have no comprehension, except intellectually, in what form Melkor tortured him. At least, they are willing to "play the game" according to Námo's (and Manwe's) rules for now and that can only make the bond between Námo and his People stronger.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/30/2008
Manwë’s way to deal with Námo is bordering on blackmailing, and I can’t say I am happy with that. And the threat to put him among the Mayar in front of his own people seemed rather humilating glares at the Eldest The reaction of Námo’s Mayar was nicer! (Why do I feel so protective of Námo just now, I wonder?) That was a nasty setback for Námo sigh The way the memory was triggered and the consequences reminds me of the Reborn and their problems. Another similarity. And now he will feel terribly bad for hurting his brother and Mayar. Author Reply: Manwë's way of dealing with Námo does border on emotional blackmail, but sometimes that sort of wake-up call is needed and the fact that it happens in front of witnesses (Námo's Máyar) makes it even more potent. I don't think Manwë is very happy with his role as the "bad guy" here, but sometimes a leader has to play that role to ensure everyone toes the line. Setbacks are to be expected, but even setbacks are a form of healing because in this case it forced Námo to confront memories he doesn't want to face or think he cannot face. Setbacks, while no fun, do force the issue and help him to move forward.

Nieriel Raina	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 1/6/2008
Better late than never right? I hope this lets me review this time! --He will never be the same as before, child, he felt Manwë bespeak him with compassion, but he will still be your lord and you and your brethren must take comfort in that thought. -- I found this very sad, and yet....I can’t help but think of myself and my own personal hell of the past years. Like Námo, I will never be the same as before, but that doesn’t have to be just a bad thing. Without pain, growth never comes, and I wouldn’t go back if it were offered to me. The lessons learned, the character developed, far outweigh the innocence lost. Or perhaps not so much innocence as naivete? If that makes sense? -- "What about Vairë? She knows nothing of quantum mechanics or interdimensional physics." – Other than weaving, what are Vairë’s gifts? Seriously. Other than putting up with Námo, I mean. GRIN -- "And you are just as beautiful, brother," he said firmly, "else the nermir would not have accepted you amongst them, for they are Beauty personified and will not suffer anything that is not beautiful in their midst." -- Oh, this was so moving. I am so glad Irmo was sensitive to his brother and reassured him of his own beauty! -- "What you feel and what you are are not always the same thing, child." -- This is one of those statements that pierced me. -- "Remember what I told you, Námo," Manwë said firmly, attempting to stave off the coming storm, "about placing you among the Máyar." -- Yikes! What an attention grabber! And in front of Námo’s people too! Worked though. Loved Maranwe’s response though. I really feel for he and the read of Námo’s Mayar here. Great bonding time to rest with him. I thought it great fun that they eventually got into the spirit of Námo’s play! LOL! But throughout this chapter, while Námo is healing, it is still hard to see him so lost and confused at times. His hesitancy is so out of character, yet not all considered. When he struck out at his people and Irmo... wow. There is just so much foreshadowing through all of this of Námo’s role later as the comforter of spirits. Again, it’s amazing how circumstances we go through shape us, and only through them, do we come to be empathetic to others going through such things. Six or seven years ago, I could not comprehend why some people acted in certain ways when in severe emotional pain. Now, I understand all too well. And I can see it in Námo too, which makes this fic hit so very close to home at times. But that isn’t a bad thing. Námo’s realization of what he had done was especially heartbreaking. And also, again, such foreshadowing. I’m thinking especially of the Reborn and their memories showing up unexpectedly during the Tournament in Elf, Interrupted. I can understand his response to them so much better for this story. Kudos to you for fleshing this all out so well! -- Varda smiled, then her eyes glinted with mischief and before Manwë could avoid it, she was pushing him into the surf. He came up sputtering and laughing and went to grab her. When he finally did catch up with her on one of the beaches of a small island in the middle of the ocean, it was because she wanted to be caught. After that, all thoughts of Námo and their concerns for him fled as they enjoyed each other’s company. -- Have I told you how well you write this subtle romance stuff? happy sigh Great chapter! NiRi Author Reply: We are all the product of our experiences, good and bad. As painful as the bad experiences are, they give us depth of character (usually) that good experiences don't always give, so while we hope never to lose our innocence, we definitely need to lose our naiveté in order to mature and this is what has happened to Námo, bit time, yet given his future role he will need this more than any of the other Valar. Irmo's response to Námo's self-doubts was just right for the situation. And as Manwë says, "what we feel and what we are aren't always the same". Our feelings about ourselves are prejudicial, usually in a negative way, and usually different from how others perceive us. Námo's feelings of worthlessness are conditioned by his experiences, or what he remembers of them, and thinks that others feel the same way towards him as he does towards himself. This is wrong thinking of course, but Námo isn't in a position yet to realize this which is why Irmo and Manwë set out to tell him differently. All this, of course, as painful as it is, will stand Námo in good stead when he has to deal with the broken fëar of Elves and Men within the Halls of Mandos. Have I told you how well you write this subtle romance stuff? happy sigh Hey! what can I say? I'm a romantic kind of guy. LOL Glad you liked the chapter. Thanks for reviewing.

Alquawende	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 12/22/2007
Enjoyed! Can't wait for more. The part where it was told that Este gave Namo's mayar lectures was funny. Thanks for writing! Alquawende Author Reply: Thanks, Alquawendë. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter especially the part about Námo's Máyar fearing one of Estë's lectures. grin

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 12/22/2007
Melkor was a royal pain in the patoot! Poor Namo, with a flashback near the red dwarf. Now, to find healing again. Author Reply: That he was, dearie, that he was, but Námo will be the better and the stronger for what has happened to him. In the end, Melkor loses... and that's a good thing.

Tira	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 12/22/2007
g ypu write our favourite vala with such....life. really makes you feel for his predicament. Author Reply: Thanks Tira. I'm glad you are finding Námo a sympthetic character. It's what I am aiming for. grin

MJ	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 12/22/2007
Ah, very good! As you well know, I've felt that in order to truly grow into his role among the Children, Namo would need to experience for himself as much as it was possible for him to experience of death, loss, violation, etc., and this you have done (or are doing, as we now see). It parallels quite nicely the progress of rebirth and it pains and problems that you are showing in "Elf, Interrupted" -- in some ways, they make excellent companion pieces. The growth and development of Namo provides insights into the motivations of the Valar as regards the reborn, and I look forward to seeing more of this process. It also makes me smile to see how Eru's words to Melkor -- telling him how in the end, all would be shown to be but a part of His greater Music -- are being played out (though I'm quite sure Melkor is completely blind to it). One can also see in this the roots of Manwe's future remark, that evil will be good to have been (and yet remain evil, as Namo will so appropriately point out). Without Melkor, Namo would not be the Namo we know. An excellent interpretation! Author Reply: Thanks, MJ. This is pretty much what I've tried to convey in this story about Námo's ultimate role as Lord of Mandos. There is no Mandos at this point in time, so why would he even know or care about what the Children will experience? Having undergone a similar experience himself and having his own Máyar undergo the experience of caring for one who is "damanged" can only help when the Children come to him in Mandos.

Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 12/21/2007
Is Námo aware that his Máyar can hear his conversation with Irmo? A la: I can't bear speaking with them myself, but they can hear what has been happening to me... "And you are just as beautiful, brother," he said firmly, "else the nermir would not have accepted you amongst them, for they are Beauty personified and will not suffer anything that is not beautiful in their midst." Oooooh, I love it! If at all possible, I'd like to have more scenes with the butterflies... "We are that glad of thy return, Lord, for none of us wished to be on the receiving end of one of Lady Estë’s lectures." This is very funny, especially when taking in conjunction with the archaic forms of address. Irmo gently rocked the core to help his brother relax while Námo’s Máyar stood around and sang him to sleep. So, now they even have stars functioning as rocking cradles? Is Vairë still recovering with her Máyar and with Nienna? If so, I suspect that it would not be good for either her or Námo to meet yet. Author Reply: I'm not sure Námo is fully aware of anything at this point except for immediate need. Perhaps the butterflies will show up in future chapters. They are too beautiful not to. grin >>So, now they even have stars functioning as rocking cradles?<< LOL! More like my explanation of Cepheid variables, but hey! whatever works, right? No, now is not a good time for either Vairë or Námo to meet yet, though that time is soon. In fact we will see it in the next chapter.

Nikara	Reviewed Chapter: 17 on 12/21/2007
It is so cool to see everyone eventually learning their roles. The Mair are certainly learning to deal with damaged souls, and are especially relearning the importance of play. Nice chapter! Author Reply: Thanks, Nikara. I'm glad you liked this chapter. Yes, Námo's Máyar are slowly learning the skills they will need when they are ministering to the fëar of Elves and Mortals.

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