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| Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest by Fiondil | 17 Review(s) |
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| Imhiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 5/31/2009 |
| I admit I don't quite understand why they all make such a fuss about the letter. I do understand that Lindorillë might feel a bit rejected, but why do the others act as if Finrod had done something abominable, when all he did was shorten the time of the children's "punishment"? Yes, they have found useful things to do in Lórien, but they could just as well continue them when not in Finrod's service. The gradual revelations of the various mysterious of this particular plot thread was done very well. Very suspenseful - while I was curious about Lisselindë's fater, of course I was still more anxious about Olórin's role in all this and how he would come out of it. It's high time Glorfindel and some of the other Elves become more "stable" and less excitable. It's odd how often so many of them react hysterically whenever they have to deal with the Valar (or "even" the Maiar) - they should know by now that the Valar aren't there to throw punishments around left and right whenever they feel like it. I loved the bit with painting Irmo's pavillion - and I bet he wonders if at the end of Glorfindel & Co.'s visit, how much of Lórien will be left standing, or left standing unscathed... I liked the description of the Maiar guards - chill and stern and majestic - are they the ones who guard the fëar who won't be leaving Mandos? Btw, I'm glad we finally got to meet Olwë's wife! Author Reply: I think it wasn't so much what Finrod thought to do but the fact that Lindorillë found the letter and misinterpreted its intent. She, especially, was still in a vulnerable state emotionally, recovering from her desire to fade, so Finrod supposedly deciding to shorten the elflings' service to him, especially Lindorillë's, would be seen as cruel given the circumstances. At any rate, I'm glad you found the way the gradual revelations of the various mysteries surrounding this plot thread very well done. I tried to keep it suspenseful without making it implausible. I'm sure in time some of the Elves will be less excitable around the Valar and Maiar. The Valar have sort of kept a 'hands-off' policy concerning the Amanaian elves but now that the Reborn are in their midst, they are taking a more active role. I'm glad you liked the painting of the pavilion. I'm sure many are wondering if Lórien will ever be the same once Glorfindel and Co. get done with it. *grin* The Maiar guards are usually the ones who guard the fëar who won't be leaving Mandos. We meet some of them (briefly) in my Tapestry story "DISORDER: Chaos Theory". | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 10/27/2008 |
| I enjoyed the trial scene a lot, especially the fact that they just had Glorfindel there to keep an eye on him. I think, however, that he was good for Finrod. Author Reply: Thanks, harrowcat. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. I think the Valar really had Glorfindel come to give Finrod support and also to give them both an opportunity to clear the air and reconcile. Of course, the Valar aren't going to admit that. *grin* | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 10/26/2008 |
| Sorry for the late review, RL has gone crazy again. "He doesn’t have very good handwriting, you know. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what I’m supposed to be writing." *rofl* Good that Lindorillë doesn’t know that she said that in front of so many people! Well, as it was inevitable to have her as a witness, I think the Valar handled it well, taking care that she is going to not really remember anything about this. Can’t help but thinking Lisselindë’s reasoning a bit weak. That a letter is signed doesn’t necessarily mean it’s being sent – I’ve ripped enough signed letters over time. Though I love the bit about the signature and it’s invalidity. Anyway, Lisselindë would benefit from spending a bit more time with Elves in general and Reborn in particular; she seems not to know much about them. Olórin, on the other hand, really was more intelligent in that. Well, I am not too surprised that he understood that – I could not believe that he would make such a mistake, too. All in all, I think the punishments for both Maiar are okay. Olórin and Námo will work well together, and ... uh, will Lisselindë have to deal with Vorondil and Aldundil and Ingwion? Well, *that* could be a punishment ... *lol* "My brother and I merely wished to keep you in our sights. You are much too dangerous to be left on your own." *snicker* And here I thought Glorfindel and Finrod have already proven that they can get into a lot of trouble even surrounded by all of the Valar, as we have seen at the Tournament! Somehow I’ve got the feeling the Valar aren’t infallible as elf-sitter, either ;-) And I absolutely love Glorfindel’s answer and Irmo’s reply to that! Author Reply: That's okay, Kitty. I appreciate you taking the time to leave me one. Lisselinde's reasoning is somewhat weak but based on what she thinks she knows about the Firstborn. I don't think she's had much to do with them, but that may change. Olorin, of course, as dealt with them in Mandos so he's a bit more familiar with how they think and act. Hopefuly, Lisselinde won't make any more rash judgments about the Elves from here on out. | |
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 10/24/2008 |
| This just goes to show what happens when someone acts without knowing all the facts. It’s a shame Lindorille had to go through all this. It’s good to know she won’t remember the trial. The Valar were most gracious in their handling of this situation. Tari Author Reply: It helps to have all the facts and also an understanding of your subject. Lisselindë has had little real contact with the Elves who come to Lórien and she's misjudged gravely in this instance. Hopefully she will have learned her lesson. And as Námo tells Finrod, the Valar aren't callous and have done all they could to lessen the shock on Lindorillë of the trial and being called as a witness. | |
| artistic sprite | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 10/23/2008 |
| I guess Lisselinde deserves it. " I am afraid thou and I are stuck with one another once again." The way he said is just hilarious! Good to see Olorin have a sense of humour in such a grim trial!:D Author Reply: It always helps to have a sense of humor in any situation. *grin* | |
| Independence1776 | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 10/23/2008 |
| Mae govannen, Fiondil. I've been lurking for a while, and finally decided to get an account here. I love your stories, especially EI. These last four chapters are my absolute favorites of the ones you've posted so far. I've been anxiously awaiting the updates. My favorite lines so far are: "They are both getting too dangerous to be allowed to remain together" and "My brother and I merely wished to keep you in our sights. You are much too dangerous to be left on your own." I have to say, I wouldn't be reacting nearly as calmly as Glorfindel if I was in his situation. One minor quibble that I've noticed you sometimes make: "it's" is the contraction for "it is" and "its" is the possesive, not vice versa. Other than that, your works are fabulous. I read bits and pieces when I'm in a bad mood, and it usually helps cheer me up. I've even picked up a smattering of Quenya vocabulary, something I had never anticipated doing, since I plan on learning Sindarin. Thank you for such an enjoyable read. ~ Indy Author Reply: Hi Indy. Thanks for letting me know how much you've been enjoying my stories, especially EI. As for the "it's vs. its" thing.... a real bad habit of mine and I need to make sure my beta catches it. It would be helpful if when people find such an obvious error that they note it and send me an email and let me know. Telling me there's an error but not telling me where does me no good to go back into the story and correct it. *grin* | |
| Nieriel Raina | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 10/23/2008 |
| I really enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for sharing! Author Reply: Glad you liked the chapter, NiRi. Thanks for letting me know. | |
| eiluj | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 10/22/2008 |
| I'm guessing those strange Maiar of Námo's are usually to be found guarding the Void -- and perhaps he also uses them to intimidate the unrepentant elves who don't qualify for Rebirth? Really, they're too grim: Námo should definitely let them get out more! Picnics in sunny meadows of flowers; butterflies, petit-fours, their choice of wine, string quartets: that sort of thing. Though then they wouldn't be nearly so intimidating! [What became of the repentant Úmayar? Sauron pretended to be (but then didn't follow through), so I assume there must have been others. And I assume the *un*repentant Úmayar ended up in the Void with Morgoth -- probably hiding from him.... *shudder*] About Glorfindel's being present even though he's not a witness: I daresay it helped Finrod to have him there. And of course the trip to Eldamas gave the two of them the opportunity to be friends again. So now will Glorfindel go *back* to Lórien a second time, when he'd said he wasn't going there in the first place? Hm ... what would make the Valar's lives the most interesting? With apologies to my great-grandmother Sarah, who wrote English grammar textbooks, and her son, my grandfather, the newspaper editor (I've realized the compulsion is genetic), let me point out a problem sentence: "A smaller group, whose dress was more muted than even those worn by the Teleri, marked them as Tol Eressëan." Here, "whose dress was more muted than even those worn by the Teleri" is a subordinate clause. "Marked them as Tol Eressëan" refers to "dress," so it's part of the subordinate clause. The main clause is supposed to be able to stand by itself as a complete sentence, but it consists solely of a subject ("a small group"); since there is no verb, what you have is an incomplete -- though very complex -- sentence. You could do something along the lines of "A smaller group, whose dress was more muted than even those worn by the Teleri, and marked them as Tol Eressëan, stood warily next to Vána's throne." Or don't split the main clause: "A smaller group stood warily next to Vána's throne; their dress, more muted than even those worn by the Teleri, marked them as Tol Eressëan." Technically, "dress" is singularly, while "those" is plural. "if he findeth thou hast neaten his desk" -- Here you want the past participle "neatened" rather than the infinitive (cf. the next sentence: "he hath *left*"). Author Reply: Thanks for the grammar lesson. *grin* I've made the necessary changes. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 10/22/2008 |
| Oh, Olorin--thou sly fox! Heh! And he and Namo are stuck with one another--again? I doubt Olorin minds all that much! Nice save there, him recognizing the signature wasn't valid in Aman and that Finrod had already decided not to send it after all. And the poor Maia--caught by her own machinations! Author Reply: I doubt Olorin (or Namo) minds that much too. *grin* | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 28 on 10/22/2008 |
| I really shouldn't be laughing for it was a most difficult trial - however, Olorin and our two heroes definitely make for an 'interesting' time for all of Aman.... Really great chapter. I'm sorry that Lisselinde has to suffer like this - but I'm glad the other Elves were about to 'see' that the Valar do not take their guardianship lightly! Very nicely done! Author Reply: Glad you liked this chapter, Agape. No, the Valar do not take their guardianship lightly and the elves need to see this. | |