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The Wars of the Valar by Fiondil	12 Review(s)
Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 5/17/2009
Tulkas’ explanation that she was probably deciding how easy it would be to haul some of that liquid light up to Ilmarin for a bath had them rolling on the ground in laughter. Yes, I had to laugh, too. But at the same time I sighed inwardly, "Oh, wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to bathe in liquid silver light?" The thought alone gives me goosebumps of longing. Learned a new term (+ concept) in this chapter: "albedo". Fascinating! (Imhiriel mutters: I still do not like Varda, despite her beautiful stars..) corrupting darkness of the Fallen One, an unclean darkness that threatened all of Atháraphelun. It's odd: In my mind's eye, although one would normally say, "dark is dark", I somehow can see/sense a difference between "normal darkness", this "unclean darkness" and later Ungoliant's "Unlight". Regarding what I wrote above about my feelings for Varda, it's nonetheless beautiful and perhaps even appropriate that her shining creation inspires and stands witness for Námo's and Vairë's betrothal (and acknowledgment of their further healing). Author Reply: In both Sindarin and Quenya the Elves have two words for 'dark of night' of which one literally means 'dark of night untainted by fear or horror' while the other word means just the opposite. In our own human cultures, 'dark of night' has generally had the connotation of a time when evil walks abroad and normal people are right to be afraid. Hopefully, a time may come when this will no longer be true. Varda has her good points. When I write her I sort of imagine her as an Ethel Merman type -- loud and acerbic but at the core kind-hearted. lol

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/23/2008
No more so than the next male of the species? snicker And here I thought it were the females usually accused of that! Even more so considering the behaviour of Varda and Vána. Somehow I feel sorry for Varda for her feeling not to be able to create this great light. But I am tickled pink by her hope Melkor is not pleased with her work. It’s sad that some of the Mayar left, but as one of them is Melyanna/Melian, I see the necessity. And Námo FINALLY asked Vairë! YAY! That was about time! And so sweet, Námo calling out to Atar and to imagine them dancing on the beach! Author Reply: Well, I think both males and females find the other enigmas at times. grin In the Silmarillion it states that all the Valar (not just Varda) had a hand in creating the Sun and Moon. In fact, it appears that much of the work was done by Yavanna whose creation the Trees were. I think that Melian was not the only Maia to leave Aman for Middle-earth, but she's the only one we read about in the Silmarillion. I like to think that the few others who left did so because they were needed in Middle-earth rather than just because they felt like going there. I'm glad you liked the ending with Námo proposing to Vairë. The wedding, I promise, will not be too far off. Thanks, Kitty, for your review. I really appreciate you taking the time to leave one.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/21/2008
They might not have back their innocence, but they have in its place much wisdom and compassion--and willpower they would not have known had they not experienced Melkor's betrayal. Author Reply: Exactly. I couldn't have said it better. Thanks, Larner.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/21/2008
Námo speaks in riddles? Sounds like Gandalf had a teacher. The way Námo proposed to Vairë was so sweet. It is hard for me to understand why any Maia would want to leave and go to the Outer Lands. I know I would definitely not go. I would want to be as far away form Melkor as possible. I hope they do not regret their decision. Author Reply: We know of course that at least one named Maia, Melian, did leave Aman for Middle-earth. I think there might have been others as well. Why, we'll never know. Perhaps Atar inspired them to leave to work in the various lands of Middle-earth to heal them and protect them. They may indeed be the genesis of "guardian spirits" known in every culture down through the ages. I'm sure some if not all returned to Aman on occasion, just as Melian did.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/20/2008
While I enjoyed reading about Varda's actions and the creation of the constellations (and all the little humorous bits, like Orome obeying Vana's injunction to "Go hunting" grin), my very favorite part was the the last. As I read and envisioned Namo and Vaire on that beach, though, I was taken back in time myself, to the night that my husband asked me to spend eternity with him. And I knew exactly how Vaire felt when she said "Yes" because I felt the same way. happy sigh And Namo's crowing to Atar about Vaire's answer was perfect! :) Thanks for such a beautiful chapter! going back to work with images of Namo and Vaire swirling about each other on the beach in the starlight dancing in my brain Author Reply: Hi Rhyselle. I'm glad this chapter was such a delight for you, especially Námo's proposal to Vairë. Thanks for letting me know.

Independence1776	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/19/2008
Oh, I love this chapter. Varda creating the stars is one of my favorite parts of the Silm. And if she's creating them, that means the Quendi aren't far away. And that's even more certain with Melyanna leaving. Slightly humorous story about the Big Dipper- I was out in the early morning walking my dog a couple days ago, and looked up to see said constellation. My first thought was not Big Dipper or Ursa Major. Instead, it was Valacirca. (Sometimes, I think I'm a little too obsessed with Tolkien.) Yes! They're finally engaged! joins the couple in dancing ~ Indy Author Reply: Thanks, Indy. I'm glad you liked this chapter. As you say, with Varda creating the new stars and all, the Quendi cannot be too far away from awakening, thouogh of course the Ayanumuz don't know this and won't for some time. I think it's cool when people translate everyday experiences into Tolkien's world. When I was in China last year I climbed Mt. Tai at night, which is the most popular way to do it). Anyway, we were all making our way to the lookout point to watch the sunrise. At 1540 meters (.93 miles) up we were above the clouds which spread out like an ocean around us so the lower slopes of the mountain couldn't be seen. High above was Ithil at full and directly east was Eärendil. In fact, I was so tempted to say, "Aiya Eärendil, ancalima elenion!" but I just pointed and said to my companions, "Oh, look! There's Venus". LOL So you see, you're not the only one. grin

Elena Tiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/19/2008
Hi Fiondil, Really enjoying how your story embellishes the bits of canon (whether detailed or sparse) that Tolkien gives us. You give real personalities to the Valar and Maiar that makes them much more personal and interesting than the sketchy details from the Silm. And you give them an emotional range, including humor, that doesn't necessarily show in Tolkien's writings. ;-) I especially liked reading this chapter, since it expands upon one of the most beautiful and moving passages of the Silmarillion. Very nicely done! And then I was astonished to see the reference to my WIP drabble series in Eiluj's comment to this chapter! The story is titled "Fell and Fair" (at henneth-annun.net/stories/chapter.cfm?stid=5160); it is about the sons of Elrond. The notes Eiluj refers to are about a drabble from the night before the Battle of the Field of Celebrant, when a Balchoth (Easterling) seer consults the stars, searching for favorable omens.... As a stargazer, I noticed from Tolkien's own description that Borgil had to be Aldebaran in Taurus, rather than Betelguese... but I was pleased to find the essay Eiluj mentions, by an astronomy professor that confirms my opinion. LOL! Anyway, congratulations on the remarkable amount of research that goes into your story, which makes it especially inviting to a canon fan like me. Fine work, Fiondil! - Barbara Author Reply: Hi Barbara. I'm so pleased that you are enjoying my story. I've done my best to stay in canon while offering my own take on things. Tolkien merely sketches the Valar and their doings and there's little enough information even in HoME with which to work, so I'm glad that you think the embellishments work, especially for this chapter which appears to be a favorite with a lot of people, myself included. I will have to go and look at your story and check out the astronomer's essay. As a lover of astronomy myself I'm always interested in reading such things, especially as they relate to Middle-earth. And thanks for letting me know how much you appreciate my research efforts. I really appreciatge it. Of all the stories I've written to date, this one has involved a great deal of research and consultation to make the story believable while still staying within canon.

Nieriel Raina	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/19/2008
Oh, how sweet! Been waiting for this. :) Author Reply: Thanks NiRi. I hope the wait was worth it. grin

eiluj	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/19/2008
Oh dear. I'm speculating on the possible effects if Varda had bathed in the Tree's light. "rearranging the universe to suit herself" -- snicker And now the elves are awake! Yay! So is the wedding (another Yay!) before or after Oromë finds them? [It's an interesting question as to whether Oromë or Námo knew about the elves first. I guess I assume Námo: another sad experience for him.] Speaking of Tolkien's constellations, are you familiar with this essay about Borgil? The E of A says it's Betelgeuse, but a footnote by Elena Tiriel in her story "Fair and Foul" says: "The Elves gave the name Borgil to Aldebaran. (Borgil is sometimes mistakenly identified as Betelgeuse in Orion, but that theory is effectively refuted by the astronomy professor Dr. Kristine Larsen in an essay here [“A Definitive Identification of Tolkien’s Borgil: An Astronomical and Literary Approach,” at http://www.physics.ccsu.edu/larsen/borgil1.pdf], which is continued here [www.physics.ccsu.edu/larsen/borgil2.pdf].)" I found it convincing, but what do I know? [Elena Tiriel's story is at HASA. And no, I don't know which footnote -- I saved this quotation long ago, converting the links to addresses -- but most of them are worth reading, as is the story.] Author Reply: No, I am not familiar with the essay or even with the story by Elena Tiriel. Thanks though for pointing them out to me. I'll have to go and read them sometime. The elves may or may not be awake at this point though the Valar will not know of their existence for some time yet. Their discovery by Oromë will in fact take place after the wedding. grin As to who learns of the elves first... that remains to be seen.

Thalanee	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 11/19/2008
Yay!! It has happened! She said yes! That was such an incredibly sweet scene! It's wonderful. Thank you ;-) I can hardly wait for the wedding- chapter. I really loved Vana's "Go hunt something" and Orome returining a year later (of course time doesn't really mean much to the Valar...) More please! Greetings, Thalanee Author Reply: Hi Thalanee. You're welcome. I'm sure many readers can't wait for the wedding either. And one needs to keep in mind that a "year" for the Valar at that time was equivalent to almost ten years as we know them today. But when one is immortal that hardly matters. grin

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