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| Chrysalids by Raksha The Demon | 19 Review(s) |
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| pandemonium_213 | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/2/2010 |
| "Chrysalids" was one of the stories on my MEFA09 Wish List for which I am beating myself up over: I did not make the cut off for posting a review for this imaginative and beautifully written piece. However, the MEFA competition may be closed for voting, but happily, this enchanting story is here on Stories of Arda for comment. You say that this is not your "usual" story, Raksha. I'm not altogether clear on what you mean by that, given that it is written with care, as what I have come to expect of you, and the construction of the story allows for smooth readability, also a characteristic of your style. Perhaps the subjects themselves -- the three great Valier -- are not those about whom you write? Well, I'll say that how you have portrayed Varda, Yavanna and Vairë here works for me in a big way! Using poetic prose, you've made each goddess distinct in her own powers; I especially like how you've crafted Vairë -- she's kind of chilling like one of the Norns, and one gets a sense of her observing all that unfolds. "Goddess", I think is an appropriate term here. This trio is reminiscent of the major goddesses of the Graeco-Roman pantheon (not surprising that this might influence you). Given that in the earlier developments of his legendarium (published as The History of Middle-earth), JRRT referred to the Valar as "the Gods" (and they more closely resembled the Norse and Greek pantheons in that stage), "Chrysalids" is just perfect as far as I am concerned. I love their mild bickering, too. Again, this is a wonderful nod to the goddesses of the other pantheons mentioned. There's such a strong element of Faerie in this fic. I also like how you've handled Frodo's reluctance to leave the Shire and those he loves, in particular Elanor, the daughter-of-his-spirit. His communion with Varda is touching. I love the analogy to metamorphosis for many reasons. This fic is very much my cup of tea, Raksha, and is a nice example of the craft of mythopoiea. Author Reply: Thanx much for your very thorough review, Pande! Chrysalids wasn't my usual sort of story because of the place (the Shire) and the characters (Valar and Frodo) - I usually leave them to more Valar-or-Hobbit-savvy scribes. But once the idea of three of the Valier noting the significance of Elanor's birth as the beginning of a new Age, I had a course to follow. Yes, I envision Vaire as the know-it-all younger sister who can step back and see, if not absolutely All, then nearly All. And the notion of Faery Godmothers who were also goddesses was just too good not to use. I don't think Frodo wanted to leave the Shire so much as it became impossible for him to stay there and live. His original motivation was to save the Shire; and even if the people there sometimes exasperate him, he loves his homeland. He would have fought to stay; but there is this other, quasi-Elven spirit in him that would have helped him realize that Valinor was his destination, and even thrive there. But the choice and decision had to have been extremely painful for him. | |
| 6336 | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 6/5/2009 |
| Instead of three Good Faries attending her birth, Elanor had three Queens of the Valar! Elanor used well their Gifts! Lynda Author Reply: A belated Thank You for reading and reviewing, Lynda. I definitely had the idea of three supernatural beings, i.e. fairy godmothers or fates or whoever, gifting the newborn Elanor. | |
| Nesta | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 3/18/2009 |
| That was just lovely, Racksha! An old folktale (fairy gifts to a baby) transported to Middle Earth. It takes a really exceptional writer to dare to bring in the Valar, but you do it beautifully. And the description of poor withered Frodo brought tears to my eyes. I always thought the Valar were a bit indifferent to the sufferings of non-Elves in Middle Earth, but this gives a different perspective. Author Reply: I wouldn't normally write the Valar; they're rather intimidating to me; but this was the perfect opportunity to try. I'm glad you liked how I wrote these three Valier. I'm not sure that the Valar were indifferent to the sufferings of the Secondborn and others in Middle-earth, but their expedition to rout and finally defeat Morgoth at the end of the First Age destroyed a good deal of real estate (most of Beleriand); and perhaps they felt that stomping over Middle-earth to personally squash Sauron might cause too much destruction; so they sent the Istari. I do think that they might have sent more help (perhaps several thousand Elves), but we'll never know why they didn't... Thanx much for the review, Nesta! | |
| c ookiefleck | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/11/2009 |
| I enjoyed peeking in the window and sseing the love within. Author Reply: Thanks for reading and reviewing. There was certainly a lot of love inside Bag End; what a shame that love alone could not heal Frodo; but at least it could give him solace during those last months before he sailed. | |
| Inkling | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/11/2009 |
| A Frodo story from Raksha…what a rare treat! The Valier make the perfect fairy godmothers; no wonder Elanor was so special! I loved the flowers reacting to Yavanna like excited puppies, and the bantering among the three sisters. And the exchange between Frodo and Varda is very moving, as he seizes this chance to make a last, plaintive plea, while her words of comfort make clear the limits of her power. Thanks for this lovely New Year’s story! p.s.—the incurable proofreader in me noticed “spiritsoverflow” needs a space inserted. Author Reply: I thought that Baby Elanor deserved fairy godmothers; and special gifts, and Frodo deserved some particular attention as well. Yes, the flowers and trees get very enthusiastic when Mama-Yavanna pays a visit to Middle-earth. There had to be some reasons why the Valar didn't just come on down and help clean up the mess they were largely responsible for allowing in the Third Age; and considering the mass destruction caused by the Valar/Morgoth smackdown at the end of the First Age, I thought that the Valar can't really do much in Middle-earth in their actual forms for fear of causing more continental drift and massive floods, etc. At least not real deeds that might be pull up cosmic forces and tidal waves, etc. But I think Frodo really must have needed a dialogue with Elbereth in particular. Thanx for reading and reviewing, Inkling; I'm pleased that you liked the story. Author Reply: Oops; I forgot to mention that I corrected the 'spiritsoverflow' space omission - thanx for the heads-up! | |
| Elena Tiriel | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/8/2009 |
| What a lovely heartwarming vignette, Raksha! I enjoyed the thoughts of the Valier, and how they reassure Frodo. Well done! - Barbara Author Reply: Thanx much for reading and reviewing (and for the research assistance!), Barbara - I think the Valar would have liked Frodo; and both Yavanna and Varda might have had a bit of a proprietary attitude about him. | |
| Antane | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/8/2009 |
| An interesting story here! Ring-bearer and newborn both wrapped in love - love that for indeed as Frodo wrote there was no hobbit taken better care of than he. Little did he know that he was writing not only for his fellow hobbits and for his niece but for all of us. Love the hope he was given by Elbereth, another thing that would have eased the pain of his decision. What a glorious being Sam must have seen in his master in the West! Namarie, God bless, Antane :) Author Reply: Poor Frodo needed some hope; didn't he. I'm sure he grew in joy and knowledge in the West, not to mention health. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Antane! | |
| SurgicalSteel | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/8/2009 |
| Just gorgeous! Author Reply: Thank you for reviewing, Steel - glad you liked the story! | |
| harrowcat | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/7/2009 |
| What a lovely, gentle piece Raksha. I needed to read this today. Author Reply: I'm glad the story gave you some good moments, harrowcat; and thanks for commenting. | |
| inzilbeth | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/7/2009 |
| I'm always thought it a wonderful thing that Elanor was born on the first day of the new Age, but it's even more wonderful that three of the Valier should decide to visit her on that day. Beautifully written, as we have come to expect! Author Reply: I doubt that Tolkien had Elanor born on March 25, 3021 by accident. And I could just see at least some of the Valar come to hallow the new Age by blessing its first child. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Inzilbeth! | |