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Beginnings  by Fiondil 6 Review(s)
eilujReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/30/2009
Hi, Fiondil, it's me again. I slipped back into rarely-reviewing mode, but ... well, it's the editor in me. Sorry.

"Finrod knew him to be a competent councillor and administrator to his friend Beren’s great-grandson, Elrond, who was also Finrod’s nephew-by-marriage as well as his first cousin twice removed."

Through Dior, Finrod and Elrond are *second* cousins twice removed (Eärwen and Lúthien being first cousins).

Also, through Nimloth, Finrod and Elrond are second cousins three times removed.

And through Celeborn, they are second cousins once removed by marriage.

Hope that's right. [I finally had to make separate charts for all the ways people are related to each other (especially Elrond), because otherwise I couldn't remember them all. I'm obviously not a hobbit.]

Bumped into this story on a search for something else; it's just as enjoyable the second time around.

Author Reply: Hi. I will have to recheck my own chart. I probably misread it and there are a couple of different ways to denote relationships between cousins and terminology is not always the same. Thanks for the heads-up, though. I am glad you found this just as enjoyable the second time around. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much.

hanciReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/18/2008
Not only Glorfindel, neither you have ever mentioned his family (the first one, not the adopted one).
It's wonderful to meet everyone again and to see them through Erestor's eyes.

Author Reply: Thanks Hanci... since Tolkien never specifically stated what Glorfindel's parentage was I've hesitated doing so myself. I am simply assuming that he is at least part-Vanyarin because of his golden-hair, but that's as much as I've been willing to go.

Nieriel RainaReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/16/2008
Thank you so much for writing this, my friend! I simply LOVE IT! Your version of a shy Erestor is just perfect and so endearing. And I loved seeing Finrod playing matchmaker. *grin* Love seeing characters we know from EI so far into the future. I was saddened to see that there is still some unresolved feelings on Ingwe's part. I hope one day the two of them will finally be able to put that behind them.

Great chapter! I just love this. I think it will be one of my favs of yours. *grin*

NiRi

Author Reply: Thanks, NiRi. I'm happy you like the story. Erestor isn't someone I know very well, so I wasn't sure if I got him quite right. Maybe he'll be a little more forthcoming about himself and I may write more about him.

I'm sure when Glorfindel returns to Aman he and Ingwë will have the chance to work things out.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/16/2008
Will the ISP from Mordor allow reviews today? I HOPE so!

A lovely beginning, and I can certainly empathise with Erestor's unease. Now to hear the rest of the story....

Author Reply: Well, it at least allowed you to post this. *grin* Glad you liked this first chapter.

EdlynReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/16/2008
A new story! Hurrah! And one with Erestor! How wonderful to find it this morning when I came online (I was studying my Latin yesterday and didn't go online at all except to check something about declining third declension adjectives and i-stem nouns--I think I now know how certain Sindarin-speaking elflings in Rivendell must have felt about learning Quenya!).

It's nice to see Lindorillë grown up and I do hope that she treats Erestor kindly. Poor Erestor, he's like a teenager at his first dance! He's very lucky that Finrod has taken him under his wing.

I'm not at all surprised that Erestor broke down weeping at the mention of Glorfindel. Leaving that loveable "blond streak of aggravation" (as another friend of mine who writes Glorfindel stories calls him) must have been as much if not more of a wrench than leaving Arwen, Elladan, Elrohir and Estel in Ennorath.

I wasn't surprised that Erestor who was essentially a non-combatant reacted the way he did when brought into the antechamber. Nor am I surprised that Ingwë recognised what his subtle actions meant. Even non-combatants living under the threat of attack will develop the same defensive mechanisms as a warrior. In fact, I suspect that as a non-combatant, Erestor actually suffered more from the situation of living constantly under seige than someone like the Twins or Glorfindel who have the means to effectively do something tothe threat that a non-warrior would not.

It was good to see Ingwë, Arafinwë, Ingwion, and Sador again. But why does Ingwë think that Glorfindel still hates him? I thought they had gotten things sorted out between them (literally) ages ago.

I know I'm going to enjoy this story, meldonya. On to chapter two!

Edlyn

Author Reply: Thanks, Edlyn. I'm glad you liked this chapter. I think Ingwe is suffering from residual guilt, or perhaps the manner in which Erestor told the story made him think that Glorfindel still hated him. Who really knows? Hopefully, Erestor will disspell any residual guilt Ingwe may have as he shares his memories of Glorfindel with the High King.

Erestor may have been a non-combatant but that doesn't mean he didn't see action. Being a scout during the War with Saruon in the middle of the Second Age, he would've had several run-ins with the enemy. That's a given. Of course, he has given all that up to be Elrond's Chief Councillor and Administrator but that doesn't mean he's forgotten how to be a scout and how to be aware of his surroundings at all times. I think it's telling that Ingwe, who apparently has never experienced combat, reognizes this in Erestor. That what makes him such a great High King.

Thanks for reviewing.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/16/2008
Even if you've taken a break from 'Elf interrupted', you can't leave all of them for long ;-) It was so nice to see the Kings of Aman again, and Lindorillë - she seems to have improved quite a bit.

When Erestor approached her I was torn between amusement and pity. The poor guy still feels rather unsure of himself, what's probably only to be expected. And of course, now I'm hoping for a bit of romance.

Even if Erestor misses him, I am somehow glad Glorfindel remained behind for now, as I hope that means he'll drag the twins to Aman in the end (I still have a bone to pick with the Professor for hinting it could be otherwise instead of making it crystall clear that they sailed!)

Anyway, I hope it will help Erestor to be able to talk to someone who loves Glorfindel as much as he does. And the Amanians will probably be happy to have someone who tells them stories about the 'impossible golden-haired ellon'.

Author Reply: I am having fun in "projecting" these characters from "Elf, Interrupted" intothe future to see what has happened to them, especially without Glorfindel making things interesting for them. *grin* I think the kings had a double purpose in asking Erestor for tales of Glorfindel... to learn more about one whom they all love and miss and to help one who was also a friend of Glorfindel find his way in new surroundings. I suspect Finrod and maybe even Elrond put them up to it, not that they really needed an excuse to ask Erestor for news about Glorfindel, but it's nice that they go out of their way to make him feel welcome because of his friendship with " that impossible golden-haired ellon". *grin*

Glad you enjoyed this little tale. Thanks for reviewing.

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