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| The Wars of the Valar by Fiondil | 10 Review(s) |
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| Imhiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 5/18/2009 |
| The description of Melkor's halls, spare as it is, makes me go "brrrr". I have no phobia against snakes in general, but biiiig white snakes somehow sound really gross. Tulkas snarled at a particularly underhanded maneuver from his opponent and slammed his fist that was encased in an iron gauntlet full in Melkors teeth. Ouch! May I picture Melkor spitting out his broken teeth one by one and henceforth as lisping??? LOL. To quote from a memorable scene by my favourite author Dorothy Dunnett: "Ith there no word in the Englith language wanting an Eth?" I find the scenes with the chaining of Melkor particularly evocative. You can feel the cold and the burning and the pain and the weight as the links wrap around Melkor. It's so... brutal, I guess, and so distinctly physical, particularly considering the nature of an usually incorporeal Ayanumuz. In the way Melkor minimises his atrocities and crimes, he reminds me of the Saruman when he made his speech to Thoden when they came to him after the Battle of Helm's Deep and the flooding of Isengard - "differences", "trivialities", indeed! Author Reply: You may picture Melkor any way you wish. *lol* I'm glad you found the scenes of Melkor's chaining so evocative. It is what I was aiming for. And of course Melkor nad Saruman are cut from the same cloth when it comes to rationalizing their evil. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 1/25/2009 |
| Nice trick to get rid of the fire-demons. Only a pity Manwë didnt discover that one a bit earlier ;) Its quite ironic that the Ayanumuz used Melkors own chain to bind him securely, you know. Oh well, serves him right, considering for what he used that thing before. Entering Utumno must have been creepy, to say the least. And to find Melkor in this state, he who was meant to be as beautiful as the other Ayanumuz, must have been hard for the others, particularly Manwë. Tulkas, on the other hand, really, really enjoyed to *finally* get his hands on Melkor, I suspect. I enjoyed it when Nmo during the trial finally faced down Melkor. Well done, Nmo! Dont give him the satisfaction of still being afraid of him! That chapter left me feeling more than once that Manwë should have listend to the others. Not only about the flooding of Utumno and Angamando, but about Melkors punishment as well. Melkor is well past correction, even if Manwë doesnt want to believe that. And poor Nmo I can imagine that he is not happy to have his beautiful halls turned into a prison and to have Melkor, of all people, there! Author Reply: Well, I guess in Manw's case the ability manifested itself when it was most needed and not before. *grin* Aul spent a lot of time investigating the properties of Melkor's chain that Orom took with him when they rescued Vair and Therind, so he was able to improve on it, much to Melkor's regret. I'm sure entering Utumno was indeed creepy and not even the Ayanumuz and Myar wanted to stay there any longer than they needed, which is why their search of the place (and Angamando) was cursory at best. Nmo needed to "face down" Melkor at that moment. It was really his last chance to be forever free of Melkor's influence. That he did so in defense of Vair rather than for his own sake doesn't matter, only that he did. I think that having done so, he was able to accept being Melkor's jailer and deal with it in a 'professional' manner. Tolkien states that even the best of us have a blind spot simply because we are imperfect creatures, even the Valar. Melkor was Manw's blind spot. Unfortunate, but there you are. | |
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 1/23/2009 |
| Ulmo is right. Flooding Utumno and Angamando with Melkor inside would be the best idea. Orom also had a good idea; put him in a desolate galaxy and leave him in chains. Unfortunately that was not to be. We all know what happens later. Im sure Atar knew Melkor would never repent which is sad because he could have had such a wonderful life if not for his greed. Author Reply: That's true, Tari, but of course, Melkor was too entrenched in his own evil to ever think about that. And, of course, there would have been no guarantee that even chained on a desolate planet in some far away galaxy he wouldn't be found by his minions and released. So, it went as it did and history is as it was, much to the sorrow of many but hopefully it will be remade into something beautiful in the end. One can only hope. | |
| Sitara | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 1/22/2009 |
Although I’d rather prefer to cut off my tongue than to admit it, I have to be fair and say that Manwë did the right thing. Except for not resolving to flood Utumno and Angamando, Manwë acted correctly, from my point of view, as in regard to both sentencing Melkor to prison rather than to death or banishment to a deserted galaxy and deciding the length of his imprisonement. For this was a war meant not only to stop a fallen Vala , but also to give him another chance. Whatever the risks would be hence this decision (“banging head against the wall and crying out”), I have to say that if Eru considered those risks worth to be taken, I will relent and accept He knows better than I do. Due to your stories, Manwë is beginning to fascinate me, forcing me to dig deeply and deeply into Tolkien’s world (I had hoped to avoid it, but you , dear writer , along with our esteemed Mr. Professor , have both managed to struck my most sensitive chord. “attempting a smile”). Not only that he’s giving now the full measure of his power and status, but he now displays the most touching facet of Atar’s Love: to not give up, not even at Melkor, to always feel pity rather than anger towards a fallen being. I’m even ready to bet that Manwë’s feelings are very much the same during the Dagor Dagorath as well. “smiling sweetly at the author”. But everything comes to an end. I personally don’t think Manwë would be unaware of his brother’s malice. There could be two reasons for his decisions. One, he keeps offering him a chance after another, hoping he would eventually repent of his crimes. On the other hand, you may know something, as a pure and perfect being, but you simply cannot believe it, because is inconceivable to you. Hence Melkor’s trajectory: first, the prison from Mandos’ Halls , second , the Void and, third and final, the complete annihilation. This would be one from the many reasons for me believing that Dagor Dagorath and the second prophecy of Mandos are both vital. I didn’t know for a long time about them and not knowing this seemingly unimportant detail, erased at editing, made me unable to read more than LOTR from Tolkien’s works. Therefore, I will join the already existing and growing club and I will beg you to consider writing about Dagor Dagorath and its aftermath. If and when you have time, it will be worth the waiting, how long may it be. ‘smiling widely” As in regard to how Námo would handle his charge , I think I saw something about it in my poorly translated Silmarilion: it was said that during those three ages Melkor had remained utterly alone in his cell. But I do not trust translations anymore. “grin”. If anything , I would have believed Melkor prouder. He pulled out a disgusting show, only to perform it once more after three ages. Coward and poltroon, on top of all. He’ s truly pathetic in my opinion. Yet the Light of the Two Trees seems to draw him (like a moth to a flame “sticking out tongue”) , but it managed only to make him reach new levels of malice. Námo’s anger for what the Children had suffered in Melkor’s hands enabled him to confront his enemy and this should have remained forever into the Valar’s minds. Only if they knew that this will happen again, even more grievously.... "Should not whatever punishment we devise be for his correction and rehabilitation, so that he might repent of his crimes against us and Atar?" "Oh, Brother, what hast thou wrought in thyself?" "Wilt thou not turn away from thy folly and remember thy first Joy, which rests in Atar's love for thee?" Thusly should speak the King of Arda and I would have him in no other way. You captured perfectly Tolkien's vision. "The doom of the one may well dictate the doom of the other." True enough. As true as it is that the forgiveness granted to one may dictate the doom of the other. Or at least to hasten it. Thank you, dear Fiondil, for another wonderful read and hoping for much more "grin", Sitara Author Reply: Manw's role is probably the most difficult and few could have the fortitude to do as he did in light of what they knew or thought they knew. I'm glad that my stories are forcing you to look at Manw more deeply as well as Tolkien's writings. As for the Dagor Dagorath... it is my hope to someday be able to write about it, but that day is far off. Now that "Wars" is done or nearly so (one more chapter to go) I am working more diligently on the Darkening story that I've hinted about throughout "Elf, Interrupted", though it will be some time before I'm ready to post the first chapter. Your translation of the Silmarillion is correct. The English version says, "For it came to pass that Melkor, as the Valar had decreed, completed the term of his bondage,dwelling for three ages in the duress of Mandos, alone." I think you are correct that this only made him prouder and less repentant. It might have been better if they had just dropped Melkor into a black hole and be done with him, but of course that is not what happened. Thanks for your review, Sitara. I appreciate your insights and comments. | |
| Thalanee | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 1/22/2009 |
| Another wonderfully written chapter... Having Manwe destroy several of the fire demons serves good to remind us, just how much older and more powerful he really is. Deriving Angainor from the chains Melkor himself made is poetic justice, if there ever was any (I borrowed that expression from EI 1, it certainly fits here) I really wanted to hug poor Manwe when he saw what his brother had become... what both Manwe and Melkor say during the trial shows perfectly that the former does not comprehend evil (as si said in the Sil) and that the latter will not repent. Having Namo stand up for Vaire and the Children was wonderful. I really hope there will be at least one chapter following this: Wars of the Valar is my favourite among your stories (all Namos fault ;-) ) Greetings, Thalanee Author Reply: Greetings, Thalanee. There is indeed one more chapter after this before this tale ends. I also intend to include a Timeline of Events so readers can see the actual timeframe for this entire story from beginning to end. Your observations about Manw and Melkor are quite correct and I stayed with the Silmariiion with this even though I really wanted Manw to wise up and realize that his hope of Melkor being rehabilitated was merely wishful thinking. Alas! that did not happen. Thanks for your review. I greatly appreciate it. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 1/22/2009 |
| It is too bad that he chose such an existence. Perhaps he was the greatest at first, but he does not appreciate just how much he has spent of himself, reaching for what is not his to have. Alas, for he grows less and not greater as a result. Author Reply: Too true, Larner. And the real tragedy is that Melkor isn't even aware of the fact. | |
| Independence1776 | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 1/21/2009 |
| Reading this chapter was very, very difficult, for the simple fact that we know what happens. I understand that it was mercy and hope that led the Valar to imprison Melkor, but it's hard to see it practised for someone who is Evil. "There was absolute silence for the longest time as everyone alternated between staring at the space where the demons had been and casting surreptitious looks of awe and amazement at Manw, who ignored them all. 'Well, shall we get on with it?' he asked no one in particular, his tone quiet and matter-of-fact." *blinks and laughs* Well, it's about time. Pity he couldn't do that earlier. "Melkor is going to regret ever having made this." Truth. But I would not like to be Nmo and Vair at this point. Aul examined the stonework with professional interest, the granite pillars upholding the ceiling unadorned but solidly built. 'He may be evil, but he knows how to build things to last,' he muttered with a tone of approval that made more than one of his companions stifle a laugh." That's Aul for you... But it's a pity this particular fortress will survive. "'Oh, Brother, Manw whispered, shock mingled with pity rising within him, 'what hast thou wrought in thyself?'" And I feel nothing but pity for the Elder King. "Manw thought for a moment before nodding and addressing Enw. 'Have the Myar pile a hill of stones over Utumno to ensure that whatever may lurk in the shadows cannot escape to trouble the world. Do the same with Angamando.'" Yet another decision I fail to comprehend. If they knew that there were too many places for evil things to hide, why didn't they do more? Sometimes, the Valar seem incrediably shortsighted. "The doom of the one may well dictate the doom of the other." *nods* You of all the Valar may have an idea, but still... "Nmo stared at Melkor for a long moment, then shook his head. 'Hes not worth the effort,' he muttered before moving away to find Vair." No, he isn't. A perfect showing of the inherant honor the Valar have. "Melkor stared at them in shock, though a deep hunger began to gnaw at him and an inchoate desire rose within him, a desire that he kept carefully hidden as he lay before his brothers feet." *moans* "Ah... I see my two favorite... playthings have finally become espoused. I must say, Little One, it took thee long enough, but I suppose being damaged goods...." And this is part of why I truly fail to comprehend the Valar's mercy. "Should not whatever punishment we devise be for his correction and rehabilitation so that he might repent of his crimes against us and Atar?" Just and merciful- and this is the only possible explanation that I can even try to understand. "'I still believe they were never meant for the Firstborn, save that Atar allowed him' he pointed imperiously at Melkor 'to do what he did.'" But the question will become: how much did Morgoth cause Fanor to act as he did and if the latter's actions would have been the same or have similar results if Morgoth hadn't been released, given the Valar cannot interfere with free will. "I can create a chamber from which none can escape, not even one of the Ayanumuz." And there will be similar chambers being created in the future... "Melkor only glared at his brother [. . .]." That should have been all the information they needed to know he wouldn't. You did a wonderful job expanding the brief passages available. (Yes, I admit I'm geeky enough that I went and read the little bit available in Morgoth's Ring to see what you did with it.) I find it awe-inspiring that you manage to work with the timelines, contradictions in HoME, and all the information available into a coherant storyline, here and in EI. Author Reply: Thanks, Indy. The Silmarillion has so little information, just the bare bones of what happened with no real detail that I was happy to find more detailed information in Tolkien's other writings. Of course, much of the descriptions and motives were drastically changed over the 50-odd years from when Tolkien first started writing the Quenta Silmarillion, but I was able to take what I thought was consistent with the Silmarillion as published and working with that. It's quite a challenge but I enjoy doing it and I'm glad that you feel that I've succeeded in making a coherent storyline in this tale and in EI. Thanks for your review. I always look forward to them. | |
| Earlinde | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 1/21/2009 |
| WOW! This was fantastic! Finally that you-know-what Melkor got what's coming to him! Well sort of. And I have to give my main man... Ayanuz, Namo credit because if I had been the one that damaged goods comment had been directed at, my foot would've made his face damaged goods! And while I do love Manwe he needs to just give it up. MELKOR IS EVIL! But that's what happens when you've got someone who can't fully understand evil. *sigh* I happen to be with Aule on this one. Lock him up and throw away the key. Everyone know time outs don't really work! Not for Melkor anyways. It would've saved a whole lot of trouble later on. I'm suprised Varda didn't have more to say on the issue. Pity I was rather looking forward to that. *grins* Great Job, but you hardly need me telling you that.*wink* P.S. Maybe you can settle a bet for me. Are Manwe and Melkor twins or just normal brothers. And what do you think is the birth order for the Ayanumuz? Thanks in advance! Earlinde Author Reply: Hi Easrlind. I have no idea if Melkor and Manw were twins or just siblings. Tolkien never actually specified, but given his propensity for writing twins into his stories, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they were. As for the 'birth order' of the Ayanumuz... I sort of take my cue from the Silmarillion by the order in which Tolkien himself introduces the Valar in the "Valaquenta" with some slight differences. Thus, for purposes of my story, I have Orom being older than Nmo. Nienna is older than her brothers and Nmo is older than Irmo. Nmo is younger than Aul, Yavanna, and Ulmo as well. Manw and Varda, of course, are older than all of them. Naturally, the question is: how much older (or younger) is everyone to everyone else? Who can say. I think Tulkas was one of the last of the Ayanumuz to be 'born' before Eru started bringing forth the Myar, but that's just my take on it for the purpose of my story. Anyway, I'm glad you found this chapter so fantastic. The problem as readers is that we *know* what the outcome will be of all their decisions (good or bad) and wish that things had gone differently. But, if they had, we probably wouldn't have a story to tell, would we? *grin* Thanks for your review. I greatly appreciate it. | |
| Sunny | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 1/21/2009 |
| Hmmm. Manwe fries the balrogs with his lightning. No mean feat that, since they were demons of _fire_! And Anglachel, when Aul now unveils it, turns out to be something that Melkor himself had made originally but now improved. I am sure Melkor would gnash his teeth at Auls description of it as crude. But then geology, metallurgy and materials science is his turf, and I am sure Melkors encroachment upon it added a certain zest to Auls studies and improvement project. Given Nmos previous encounter with the thing, no wonder seeing it again gives him a turn. It was rather amusing in an otherwise grim chapter to see Auls approving attitude at the construction details in Utumno. While he cant approve of the places general purpose, he is able to find a certain pleasure in good stonework. And Yavanna didnt press to discover Melkors biolabs and sterilize them down to the least, most insignificant virus? Considering her reaction to the dragon in the previous chapter I am somewhat surprised at that. Bioscience is _her_ turf, and that was evidently a particularly nasty example of Melkor's meddling there. So the balrogs and Melkors chief flunkies were not found. Considering how much damage they did down through the ages, I am sure the Valar regretted not hunting them down at that time. But then, hindsight is ever perfect even for the Valar, I suppose ;-) So the Valar pulled back to Aman, save for those who were guarding the Children, the last in order to protect them from possible retaliation from Melkors flunkies. There may also have been a desire to limit the damage to the planet behind the retreat, even though you did not mention this in this chapter. Who _knows_ what sort of side effects the warfare of the Powers would have had? The Valar would try to do the least damage that was consistent with their goal of destroying Utumno and Angband. The other side would not have restrained themselves in such a manner. Melkor still regards himself as the greatest of them all, even when he has bled away so much of his substance that he has become a mere shell to the other Valar, at least. And what substance he has left seems to consist mostly of malice and spite. Which Manw cant or wont see, though the other Valar are less gullible. And Nmo who begged not to be one of Melkors guards on the way back to Aman will now become his jailer for the next three ages. Which may be a necessary job, but I am also quite sure it is one he will detest. Though we all know he will do the job he has been given. Author Reply: Hi Sunny. You're confusing Anglachel, which is the sword El gave to Thingol made from meteoric iron that eventually ended up in Trin's hands, with Angainor, which is the chain Aul crafts with which to bound Melkor. I think Yavanna was more interested at this point in helping to capture Melkor rather than destroying any bio-labs that Melkor had set up. Much of later events in Middle-earth (dragons for instance) could have been avoided if the Ayanumuz had flooded Utumno and Angamando, but that's hindsight which is always 20-20 vision, even for the Powers who, after all, are not perfect since they too are created beings like the rest of us. I don't envy Nmo the task of being Melkor's jailer but I know he rises to the occasion and does what is necessary. Thanks for your review, Sunny. I really appreciate it. | |
| 6336 | Reviewed Chapter: 54 on 1/21/2009 |
| Uh Oh, Manwe, should have listened to Ulmo and Namo and flooded both Utumno and Angband, would have saved a lot of bother later on! I do feel sorry for Namo and his maya having to guard Melkor for three ages, pity they did not 'void' him right off! Oh well now to get busy and clean up M.E. and go check on the Children. More please, Lynda Author Reply: Well, if he had listened there wouldn't have been much of a story afterwards, would there? *grin* Anyway, I feel a bit sorry for Nmo too but I know he's up to the task and will do what he has to with grace and nobility. | |