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| Fiondil's Tapestry by Fiondil | 15 Review(s) |
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| Kaylee Arafinwiel | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/16/2012 |
| Namarie Atto, I just wanted to tell you I've re-read this one a few times today (December 15 is a hard anniversary for me, what with it having been my grandmother's death six years ago, plus the news from CT required some soul-searching). As ever, I was calmed and comforted by Atar's gentle treatment of His Children, and His coaxing of them toward the answer to His question. Indeed we all have free will, to accept His love...or not. He may not stop His Children from committing evil acts, but ultimately, somewhere some good will come out of it - at the very least, the outpouring of compassion for the families. I'm keeping them and all those affected in my prayers. It's also interesting to come back to my old reviews and note in them how things have changed between us since I started reading your stories... *hugs Atto* Tye-melin, tenn' Ambar-metta. Namarie, Kaylee Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. I'm glad this little ficlet has given you comfort this weekend with all that is going on. Sometimes it helps to be reminded of these things so we don't lose all perspective. Thanks for letting me know how much this story has helped you to get through a difficult time. It's greatly appreciated and gives me a boost, as well. Hugs and tye-melin. | |
| Edlyn | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/15/2008 |
| You have made me weep with this one, meldonya; good tears, tears of grace but I weep nonetheless. I am also laughing through my tears at Phanaínithil's, "Perhaps Thou shouldst have sent me instead, Atar. Mbelekoro never did like my poetry." You've given me a gift with this story, by reminding me of the first and most simple of truths and in doing so have helped me deal with an issue that has been eating at me for several years. Thank you. ERu bless and keep you well, meldonya. Edlyn Author Reply: Hi, Edlyn. I'm glad that this has been such a gift for you. I'm honored and humbled that through this little fic I was able to play a small part in helping you resolve this issue of yours after so long. Thanks for letting me know. Eru bless. | |
| Erulisse | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/14/2008 |
| More than 18 years ago, my Unci (Grandmother) taught me the freedom and requirement of releasing gifts given. The fact that I could not, and should not, influence the final disposition of any gifts I gave was a difficult lesson and one which I have never forgotten. To hear Atar say the same thing to his Children strengthens me further. I have now read most of what you have written and must thank you for your scholarship, your linguistics, and your knowledge of a large amount of historic literature. My life has been enriched by these past few weeks of sharing your writings. Vala valuvar. Author Reply: Hi, Erulissë. Thank you so much for this. I'm glad that your Unci and I are in agreement. *grin* Thank you for letting me know how much your life has been enriched by my writings. When people tell me this (or something similar), it really warms me and makes all the hair-tearing and cursing at my Muse worth it. *lol* I really appreciate you taking the time to tell me and look forward to reading any future reviews from you should you be so inspired to write them. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/14/2008 |
| That ficlet answers a question I'm sure many have wondered about (I know I did) - why did Eru not stop Melkor? And though I understand the reason Atar gives here, that doesn't mean I'm happy with it. I find it rather difficult to watch Melkor destroying so much, and knowing what is about to happen doesn't help, either. But I was highly amused about Phanaínithil's idea why Tulkas was sent to help Manwë and the others in Eä and the idea of herself as the next secret weapon *lol* Errr ... would you be surprised that I am glad I don't have to learn Valarin? It's bad enough to *read* these names - don't want to even think about having to pronounce that different! ;-( Author Reply: I'm glad this little tale helped answer sowm of your questions even if you didn't care for the answers. *lol* I actually find Valarin quite intriguing, but like you, I'm glad I don't have to try to pronounce it! Thanks for your review, Kitty. I appreciate it. | |
| ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/13/2008 |
| Yay! I guessed the "free will" answer before they did! A very insightful tale. I liked that Tulkas is the secret weapon and the "other" secret weapon reminds me of Hitch Hiker's Guide and Vogon poetry as a form of torture. wonderful little story! So, at the chaining of Melko, did she recite poetry to him? Author Reply: I'm sure many readers guessed the answer before the Ayanumuz did. *grin* I'm glad you enjoyed this and found it insightful. I think having Phanaínithil recite poetry to Melkor while being chained in Mandos would be considered cruel and unusual punishment. *lol* | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/12/2008 |
| The intervention of the Creator is seldom that which we would consider best, but is always that which in the end proves best. "All things turn to the good for them that love the Lord." One of my favorite comforting admonitions. Author Reply: Very true, Larner, and I like this admonition as well. | |
| eiluj | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/12/2008 |
| The Ayanumuz are endearingly young and uncertain. I love the idea of amateur poetry as a weapon against Melkor-with-all-those-extra-syllables. Maybe in the Dagor Dagorath? [But then again, I'd think the Good Guys who were within hearing would be cringing just as much as Melkor....] It is much easier to sing that second line in English than in Quenya! Too many syllables. I am congratulating myself for actually understanding why "Iluvala" means that. Psst -- in the A/N, I think Tulkas's name has a typo. Author Reply: Thanks for the typo alert, Ellie. I'm not sure how I missed that one. Anyway, I think you're right about the amateur poetry, but at least Phanaínithil's heart is in the right place. *grin* Well, as for the song... it probably shouldn't be sung to the tune with which we are familiar... I really just 'borrowed' the words and adapted them to Middle-earth's cosmology and theology. Glad to see that you are beginning to understand Quenya. It is a quite beautiful language. | |
| Independence1776 | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/12/2008 |
| Wonderful! "All that happens, even that which ye account as evil, ultimately will be for the joy of all My children, for in the end, nothing can be done unless I will it so. Mbelekoro thinketh he is frustrating My Designs in what he doth but in truth he is merely Mine instrument in bringing all My Designs to fruition in the fullness of Time." These are the best lines of the story. It's heartening to think that joy is the ultimate end. This reminds me of a quote from Morgoth's Ring in which Tolkien says that "the evils of the Marrer, or his inheiritors, are turned into weapons against evil." The Ainur in the Timeless Halls will just have to wait and watch, though because they're outside of time, they can see the connections and consequences moreso than anyone inside of time. ~ Indy Author Reply: I like that line from Morgoth's Ring as well. The Ainur of the Timeless Halls do have the advantage of seeing things in their connectedness that we who are within Time cannot, but personally, I think they miss out on a lot, being only observers and not participants. | |
| Thalanee | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/12/2008 |
| P.S.: Where do you get the Valarin names from? The History of Middle Earth or another book? I was actually astonished when I realized that I knew which of the Ayanumuz the Valarin names were referring to, without having read them before. But now I`m really curious... Author Reply: The Valarin names of the Valar are recorded in HoME, vol. 5, The Lost Road, Section V, "The Lhammas". Unfortunately, Tolkien did not give us the names of all the Valar in their original forms so I don't use them in my story, The Wars of the Valar. The names of the Ayanumuz in the Timeless Halls are constructed based on the Valarin words recorded in the "Lhammas", using the attested Valarin names as models. | |
| Thalanee | Reviewed Chapter: 41 on 12/12/2008 |
| I really enjoyed this chapter, especially because most of the time one tends to forget, that not all of the Ayanumuz and Mayar entered Ea and a good number of them remained in the Timeless Halls. It was nice to read a story showing their point of view. Today we take our freedom of will for granted, I guess, and forget that it is indeed the greatest gift we have. Thanks for reminding me! Author Reply: According to the Silmarillion, most of the Ayanumuz remained in the Timeless Halls. Only the most powerful of them ventured into Eä with their Máyar servants. I thought it would be interesting to see the struggles of the Valar from another POV. And I'm glad I was able to remind you that free will is indeed the greatest gift any of us could ever receive. | |