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The Wars of the Valar by Fiondil	10 Review(s)
Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 5/18/2009
I think it might be interesting to look into Aulë's psyche at this moment in time: the betrayal of Aulendil (and perhaps he, too, has already doubts about Curumo like some others), the Dwarves which put him at odds with Ilúvatar and his wife, his going of to Endor for long stretches - again without his wife, now the scene with Námo... Poor Aulë! It's good that Yavanna seems to be a no-nonsense person, and that Aulë always has so much work he can turn his mind to. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that there is a passageway connecting the two strongholds. Their attacks are too coordinated. Somehow messages are being sent and received between Utumno and Angamando." Not that it might not be possible, but isn't the simplest explanation that they are talking to each other in their minds? Is Ulmo's Canal the Firth of Drengist, above Nevrast? If so, it's nice to remember that it's not too far from Tuor's Vinyamar; and to remember the special bond Ulmo had to the place and to Tuor. Hmmmm... What exactly are Varda and Námo planning to do? Read on... A-ha! Oh, wow, this is a splendid idea! Oddly enough, the eventual dispatch of the dragon actually reminds me of the slaughter of a stranded whale. I was under the impression that Ancalagon from the War of Wrath was the first dragon who could actually fly. Even Glaurung didn't have wings. I suppose it's possible that the one you describe here is simply another kind, by why would Morgoth go back from that "improved" kind to dragons who were unable to fly? Author Reply: Tolkien does say that even among the Valar and Maiar the transference of thought when they are incarnate would not be as easy or as swift than when they are not, so possibly some sort of physical connection must be there between the two fortresses, especially when one remembers that Angband was originally Melkor's armory. He would want easy access to it at all times. The wording in the Silmarillion is ambiguous, and one can assume that dragons even early on had flight capability. But beyond that, consider that Melkor had untold ages in which to create dragons in his laboratories in Utumno, but with its destruction, he would have to start all over again once he returned to Middle-earth at the beginning of the First Age. Then, he only had a few hundred years in which to create dragons all over again. At least, that is how I've interpreted all this. Others might have other opinions. As I said, the language Tolkien uses in the Silmarillion is just vague enough in description to give you more than one interpretation of the capabilities of dragons in the First Age.

Nieriel Raina	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 1/17/2009
Interesting chapter. I like that they used the asteroids to break into Utumno. Very nice! I do have a problem with the reasoning behind the prototype dragon, though it's your story and I have no problem with it in general; just the reasoning behind it. :p While I can accept the reasoning that Glaurung may have been the first dragon the elves came across, my problem lies in the fact Glaurung and those first wyrms did not fly, and to me, the way the Silm reads is as Morgoth perfected from there. Flying drakes don't come along for a while after Glaurung, and with the way the Silm words the evolution of the dragon, I conclude Morgoth was still tinkering and perfecting even then. The 'prototype' described here is pretty perfected as the typical dragon (in fact, I could easily picture Smaug from this description - the typical flying, armored, fire-breathing drakes), so I can't imagine Morgoth would revert from this to such dragons as Glaurung that crawl on their bellies and seem weaker by comparison. It seems a step backwards, IMO. Still, overall a very interesting chapter. I look forward to seeing Melkor taken and the trial. Author Reply: Hi NiRi. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter in spite of your objections. However, nothing in the Silmarillion really contradicts what I have described in this chapter. Here are my reasonings for what I wrote: a. From the time Utumno was built until the time it was destroyed, Melkor had 11,456 solar years (according to Tolkien's timeline) in which to 'tinker'. According to the Silmarillion, Glaurung appeared approximately two hundred years after the Dagor Aglareb which occurred in FA 75. From the time Melkor stole the Silmarils and returned to Middle-earth, only 323 years passed. So he hasn't as much time for 'tinkering' as before. b. When Melkor returns to Middle-earth he no longer has access to his main fortress of Utumno and Angband was little more than an outpost and armory. Melkor would have had to rebuilt is 'laboratory'. It is possible that Sauron attempted to follow in his master's footsteps and try his hand at making dragons, but while he is obviously an excellent metallurgist, I don't think he was a bio-engineer of the same calibre as Melkor, though he obviously learned something from him considering he must have created the flying creatures for the Nazgûl. c. Melkor may have decided that a flying creature was more vulnerable than one on land and so Glaurung appears not to fly. Yet, there is really nothing that I could find in the Silmarillion that specifically states that Glaurung was unable to fly. I take my inspiration from a line in chapter 21: "...and Glaurung the Urulóki passed over Angauglith.....". This suggests to me that it could fly though others might have their own interpretations. And perhaps, at the immature stage in which Glaurung first appears, he had not yet developed wings, which came later. d. And finally, let's face it... a fire-breathing flying dragon is much more exciting to read about than one lumbering about on land. grin The next chapter will see Melkor taken and tried.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 1/15/2009
Sorry, Fiondil, have been barely at home over the last days and fallen behind in reviewing quite a bit! Oh, good, the problem Aulë is solved. It’s better for him to give Melkor and his troops a headache instead of hiding from Námo – much more fun ;) Um ... "I think you two are having more fun than any Ayanuz should be allowed to have." Are at least your readers allowed to have as much fun? Because I think that was a great idea, to use the remains of the planet Melkor destroyed to destroy his own troops in turn. Poetic justice, indeed! :D Another fun part were the ideas of the Máyar building the canal. I can just see that, lined with marble and vessels floating on it! snicker So that was how Melkor occupied himself during the long siege – creating the dragon version 1.0? Glad the Máyar destroyed that monster before it caused even more harm – I am so sorry for the ones it burned! Very satisfying end to the chapter! There’s nothing better than watching Melkor and his people being beaten. Now it can’t take too long until he gets caught :) Author Reply: No problem, Kitty. I always tell people to review when they can and worry about it. I think my readers are allowed as much fun in reading this story as they can handle. grin I certainly have had lots of fun writing it. Actually Melkor didn't destroy Námo and Vairë's planet... Námo did that, but it was because of Melkor that it was destroyed so I suppose it comes to the same thing. We know from the "Silmarillion" that Melkor was busy creating orcs and other creatures with which to darken the world so it makes sense that he would try his hand at making dragons as well. We will see in the next chapter how Melkor is captured and what follows from that. Thanks for reviewing, Kitty. I really appreciate it.

Independence1776	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 1/14/2009
"Aulë! If I have to level this entire range of hills to find you I will. Now stop sulking and show yourself." snickers Wonderful plan! And poetic justice indeed. Those Maiar building the canal... shakes head while smiling Oh, dear. Dragon prototype. Your explanation for its presence makes sense. Few things are perfect the first time around. "Some of them chuckled at their brother’s levity, but Manwë noticed that Námo was not one of them. Indeed, the Doomsman of Arda’s expression was grim beyond telling and Manwë wondered what he might be seeing at that moment. He started to ask but on reflection he decided that he really did not want to know." Somehow, I get the feeling it may involve events of the First Age... Hmm... wonder what lasting effects the deviation caused. Glad they're still thinking of the Children, not that they ever really stopped. ~ Indy Author Reply: We will see what effect the 3-degrees deviation will have on the ultimate fate of Ultumno and Angamando in the next chapter once Melkor is captured. As to what Námo may or may not have been 'seeing' at that moment.... like Manwë, even I've decided not to ask. grin

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 1/14/2009
I should say that you have my have my utmost respect for the amount and the quality of the research you've done in writing this veritable epos. The way you've surprised and written down such a plethora of both cosmic and earthly phenomena is taking my breath away every time I read a new chapter of this story. Within this one, to see the second law of termodynamics so beautifully thought and enounced by Aule, it was truly a delight for me. I noticed once again the brilliance of Namo's war strategy and his extremely well chosen means to end a long time siege. A force to be reckoned with, this particular Vala has become. For perhaps only Manwe's responsibilities would be greater than his. And Namo's more than somber expression at the thought that Melkor's doom is at hand shows us if anything that the gift of foresight could be labeled only as excruciating painful. His doom..not yet, is it? Not until after an unending ocean of blood and tears would be spent, not until other creatures, pure and perfect, would become like him. "wiping off heavy tears" A dragon..the newest creation of Melkor. But my question is what or who was once again used for this purpose? What creature was twisted by Melkor, once the most fair and full of Light and Song of all the Ainur? What was the reason for Yavanna's anger? I pity Aule. At the degree that a Vala can be pitied, of course. "smile". Three betrayals from the ones who cared for, one more painful than other, without counting Melkor's, which would be the fourth one . A Vala, two powerful Maiar and the greatest Elda. "deep sigh" Maybe he's asking himself now that he perhaps did something to drive Aulendil from him. As far as I know, your saga is quite unique with such a topic and I'm waiting eagerly for more because, you see, the title of your story intrigued me from the beginning. It's the "wars" , not the "war" and perhaps...please, at least let me hope, I beg of you! Author Reply: Aulë is indeed to be pitied for all the betrayals he has endured from those whom he trusted. One has to wonder why him and not others. Yet, he never stops caring and that shows his greatness in the midst of his woes. Dragons are often called 'wyrms' and so they seem to be related to reptiles in that respect. Yavanna's anger is based on the way in which Melkor has corrupted natural creatures into something horrific. The title of this story is indeed about the Wars of the Valar, but if you've been reading it you will have noticed that this is not the first of the wars but the next to last (the last war of the Valar will not occur until the end of Time). This is actually the third war which the Valar fought against Melkor from the beginning of the creation of Arda, though they fought an unknow number of wars previously, which are hinted at in the earlier chapters of this story. So, I'm afraid that once this war is done then so will be the story (it does have to end at some point, after all). Perhaps if the muse is kind I will someday write about the Dagor Dagorath and the final War of the Valar.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 1/14/2009
Beautiful justice wreaked as we see the Valar doing their best against Melkor and Aulendil. The embarrassment of Aule was well done, as well as the reassurance offered him; and loved the use of Namo and Vaire's planet's remains to open up the fortress and force Melkor out into the open. As for the canal--brilliant! And it appears perhaps Atar might have interfered slightly, for reasons of His own. Now, to watch the final capture and trial! Author Reply: Thanks, Larner. I'm glad you likde the various elements in this chapter. The final capture and trial of Melkor will be coming up soon.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 1/14/2009
Wonderful way to break a seige! I admit that I've been thinking rather Arda-bound so the idea that they used the remnants of Namo and Vaire's world to smash into Melkor's lair was a nice surprise. I have no problems with the prototype dragon at all. In order for the later ones to have been so awfully effective, Melkor must have had a lot of failures to begin with. I feel bad for the Mayar who got burned. Having been severely burned when I was in my early 20s, I just cringed at the thought of what they were experiencing. But Irmo and Este will get them well again. Excellent chapter! I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next as the Valar move towards the conclusion of this first War against Melkor. Although I'll be sad to see it end too. You've created a masterpiece in this story and I think that it's the best of your long pieces. Well done! Author Reply: I think a lot of readers have been rather Arda-bound in their thinking of how the siege could be broken. The "Silmarillion" of course does not give any real details, merely stating that Utumno was unroofed and its gates broken. I had to come up with a plausible way in which this could be accomplished. Meteorite strikes seemed the most plausible. Irmo and Estë will take very good care of the Máyar who were burned and we know they will return to full health, eventually. After all, you might recall that we see Salmar in "Elf, Interrupted" whole and hale. Actually, this is not the first war against Melkor but the third war since the creation of Arda itself. How many actual wars were fought against him before that is only hinted at in the events that unfolded in this story before Arda was created. The Valar will not go to war again until the very end at the Dagor Dagorath. Thanks for letting me know how much you've enjoyed this story. I'm glad it's your favorite. Others have told me that "Wars" is also their favorite. I will be sad to see it end as well, but as they say, all good things must come to an end and of course there's always a sequel. Someday I would like to try my hand at writing about the Dagor Dagorath.... someday....

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 1/14/2009
Ironic, that Melkor himself created the ammunition used to break Utumno The Mayar on ditch-digging detail were evidently having _way_ too much fun. Details of the boats their masters might use to sail it, and plans to line it with mable … rolls eyes Did they pick aa particular _colour_ for the marble, too, or perhaps decide to make a special sort of marble just for this project? Oh well … it was a method to relieve stress, I suppose. A dragon – already! But it really makes sense that such an ambitious bioengineering project would have taken more time than the scant handful of centuries available in the First Age – and I suppose Utumno would also have better facilities for that sort of thing, too. Angband wasn’t more than an outpost for Melkor’s _real_ base, after all (And who knows what other sort of horrors Melkor might have cooked up in his labs? We know about Orcs – but what else might have been in development?...) No wonder Yavanna is pissed at Melkor. And a look at his labs would make her more pissed still, I think. Small nitpick: a string of variable. Shouldn’t it be _variables_? Author Reply: Thanks for the typo alert, Sunny. Not sure how that got by me and my beta. Even in the midst of war people need to relieve stress and often do so in absurd ways, as we see the Máyar doing here with their plans for pleasure cruises and marble-lined canals. Yavanna would indeed by pissed if she knew just what horrors Melkor was cooking up in his labs. And according to the Silmarillion the Ayanumuz never found all of his chambers when they took Utumno, much to the detriment of later ages.

ArianneG	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 1/14/2009
Oh YES! Beautifully executed battle plans always make me happy. I was laughing at the idea of Ulmo taking a pleasure cruise down that canal--and perhaps knocking on the gates of Angamando? The idea of using asteroids and floods is awesome. But why do I think that those 3 degrees of deviation are rather important somehow? Author Reply: Hi ArianneG. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. The three degrees of deviation has prevented Utumno from being flooded from the outset of the strike. This will prove important in the decisions made by the Valar after Melkor is finally taken captive. Stay tuned for the next chapter to find out why. grin

Thalanee	Reviewed Chapter: 53 on 1/14/2009
Aule and Orome giving Namo advice on how to be a good spouse,Namo and Varda teaming up against Melkor and arguing over which celestial object would be best suited to hit his fortress with, the Mayar discussing which sorts of boats to build for their masters... the students sitting next to me probably think me crazy for laughing like that! Thank Heaven I wasn´t drinking anything or my keyboard would have been a mess ;-) In the course of the last chapters it was easy to forget, that the Valar are not constrained to Earth. I wonder what Namo was seeing... but I guess we will see soon enough I´m already looking forward to the next chapter (as always... and to the first meeting of the Valar and our three future elven kings, though that is still far off, I guess) Greetings, Thalanee Author Reply: Unfortunately (for many readers), "Wars" will end with Melkor's trial, or shortly thereafter. You might consider this tale as a Prologue to all that follows once the elves come to Aman. Since this story is about the wars which the Valar fought against Melkor before the coming of the elves, this is the final war in which the Valar and Melkor go at each other. The Valar do not personally participate in the War of Wrath that ends the First Age. They will not go to war again until the Dagor Dagorath at the End of Days.

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