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Once Upon a Blizzard by Fiondil	15 Review(s)
Eruherdiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 7/20/2014
Awww. The last bit with young Legolas was really adorable. I think you made Beregond rather emotionally unstable. He reminded me of a young reborn. Why did you do that? ~Eruherdiriel Author Reply: Hi Eruherdiriel. Hmm... you have to understand that Beregond is young, perhaps in his early twenties, and he is the only Mortal in Gil-galad's tent that night. The youngest Elf there is probably Gil-galad and he's close to five hundred years old. Yet, given the time period, Beregond was probably considered an adult by Mortal standards by the time he was fifteen or sixteen. Even so, he's still hasn't reached a level of emotional maturity that would allow him to dismiss Nambarauto's slurs against Finrod, who is his hero. So if he seems emotionally unstable, he's not really, just young, surrounded by immortal beings, some of whom remember times before the rising of the sun and moon, some of whom probably remember Cuiviénen. I hope that clears things up for you. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

ElvenRanger	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/20/2013
Great story. I think Beregond's character was really well-written. Also, the description of Gil-galad throwing him out of the tent "casually" gave such a funny image I couldn't stop laughing for five minutes. Author Reply: Glad you enjoyed this story, ElvenRanger. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. I like Gil-galad here, too. He's pretty cool.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/28/2009
This was interesting, to hear Finrods discovery of the Edain from their point of view. It could have been summer when they came over the mountain, who knows how long they were encamped before they were found. Somebody needs to teach Namburato and Linder how to listen quietly. I wonder how long it took Eonwe to realise that mixed troops did better? Good to hear that Beregond survived and made it to Numenor with Elros, what happened to Namburato, did he make it back to Aman under his own steam or by way of Mandos? Keep them coming, Lynda Author Reply: You may well be correct about when Bëor and his people made it over the mountains. It could have been summer at the time, but it was late autumn before Finrod found them. The Nandor that he encountered along the way spoke of strange beings that had entered Ossiriand without really saying just how long they'd been there. I don't think it took Eönwë too long to figure things out. He's not Manwë's Herald and Chief Maia for nothing. I suspect that after the first few sorties when the body count started getting higher than it should have been he realized that there had to be changes or none of them would survive. I have no idea what happened to Nambaurato but I think he survived the war and returned safely. Thus, he would have been on hand when Finrod was released from Mandos. Perhaps he was one of those in Arafinwë's court who gave Finrod the cold shoulder when the ellon first returned to Tirion. Who knows? If I ever find out, perhaps I'll write about it.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/19/2009
Oh, yes, a very, very nice Gil-galad story! It would have been very intimidating for a man to sit there and tell a story to elves... especially a story like that and to know they are making sure you have all the facts straight. I'm really, really glad that Beregond got a few licks in on Nambaurato! He deserved everything he got. :) I liked the twist at the end where it was a story Thranduil was telling to Legolas... that was a surprise! I was trying to remember back to when I first started liking Gil-galad so much and of course it's always so hard to pinpoint it. I think it may have been with Nemis's stories on ff.net. I really, really like him in Nilmandra's, but I don't think I read those until later. Author Reply: I knew you would like this one, Radbooks. I was even thinking of you when I wrote it, knowing how much you like Gil-galad. grin The rules of the Teitho challenge require that Legolas and/or Aragorn have to be in the story somewhere. They don't have to be the main characters but they have to at least be mentioned by someone, so that is why he appears at the end with his ada. This really is a story within a story within a story... sort of like one of those nested dolls. grn I've not read any of Nemis's stories. I will have to check her out. I liked Nilmandra's take on Gil-galad as well. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

Independence1776	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/19/2009
"Some of the Elves from Aman had sneered at the thought of allowing any of the Edain leadership roles in the army. However, the Beleriandic Elves, Sindar and Noldor alike, had made it a point to include the lords of the Edain, few though they were, in all deliberations." I am truly not surprised. The ones from Aman had no idea of what had occured. "Also, I think I can speak for all here that this will be the first time we have ever heard this tale from the point of view of the Edain." The best reason to hear. So it isn't just Finrod with his creative punishments... "Tell that to the Belain, my friend. Aman is as paradisaical as you will ever find in this world, but Lord Manwë does like his snow — lots of it." laughs Now I'm picturing snow mounded taller than the Elves. "'He may have been a king, as you say, but he could not have been a good ruler, considering what he did.' [. . .] 'He got himself killed for an Adan,' Nambaurato retorted with a dismissive sneer. 'He got himself killed for no good reason when we....'" And once again the inherant assumption of the Amanians that they were superior to anyone who hadn't lived there rears its ugly head. Very glad Gil-Galad gave corrected his assumption. "Of all the Firstborn, he saw the worth of the Edain and rejoiced, for you were more than any had expected and we who have fought the long defeat honor the sacrifices your people have suffered for our sake." Again, something the Elves of Aman don't understand, for they have never been at war before now. The little bit between Legolas and Thranduil at the end was precious. Author Reply: Nambaurato really has no clue about what the Elves and Edain suffered in Beleriand. He's only been in Beleriand himself for seven years and has not had time to learn anything save how to stay alive. He may even be regretting coming at all at this point. Hopefully, by the time he leaves Beleriand (by ship or by grave) he will have learned differently. I'm glad you liked the ending. Thanks for reviewing. You know how much I enjoy reading your reviews. The longer the better. grin

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/18/2009
You know, it was crystal-clear who wrote this beautiful story from the moment it was posted on Teitho contest site. "wide grin". After waiting nearly a month, I'll take the chance to write down a couple of my thoughts I had reading it. Oropher from Doriath? "That" Oropher? The ruler of Greenwood who resented to join his troops with the High King of the Noldor and submit to his leardership (I don't even want to think who were the ones responsible for that "wiping tears"), the one who perished along with most of the army from Eryn Galen in the battle which ended the Second Age? I don't know much concerning Tolkien's works, beside LOTR, I'm afraid, so I believe I might be wrong. Findarato, as a one of the Powers in Men's eyes..Huh..The Elves from Aman didn't give him too much credit, he was after all the child of third son of the Noldoran. Yet was he named the most righteous from the princes of the Eldar, not another."deep sigh" And the attitude of that Elf from Aman is for me proof that the darkness is present even in Valinor, under the watchful eye of the Valar and the Renewing is as necessary in Aman as is in Middle-Earth. One word concerning Thranduil. If someone deserves my utmost respect, that would be Thranduil. Not only for ruling the most dangerous elven realm that remained in Middle-Earth during the Third Age (Dol Guldur and the expanding Shadow), WITHOUT wielding any Ring of Power (I refrain to make any comments about Cirdan, Galadriel and Elrond), but he did the impossible: he refrained from filling his son's heart and mind with all the hate and bitterness from the past ages.(I suppose I should keep my mouth shut, but I can't: because of those reasons, I would have gladly punched Aragorn squarely in his face for his misplaced comments regarding Thranduil's people at Elrond's Council, altough I like the Man) And so we have the merry Elf we all know from LOTR, a fact that your story depicts perfectly. Waiting eagerly for more, Sitara. Author Reply: Yes, that is the Oropher, originally from Doriath who led a large group of Sindar out of the ruins of Beleriand to eventually settle in Eryn Lasgaalen, there intermingling with the Silvan elves who already were living there. It is a testament of Thranduil's character that he did not imbue his son Legolas with the prejudices of past ages. I always thought Aragorn's words were harsher than necessary but considering what he endured to bring the miserable creature Gollum to the Woodland Realm, I'm not surprised at his reaction. I'm glad you liked this one, Sitara. Thanks for reviewing.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/18/2009
Ah!!!! Another fine offering to your devoted readers. I rejoice in seeing a 'different' tale from you - for though I love your other tales, when some new 'piece' of the Tolkien puzzle is attacked by you - I nod my head in appreciation of your writing skills. Another great tale - I laughed often over the constant interruptions - very difficult for a story teller to endure - especially one as young as Beregond. The disdain between elves and men and elves and elves and elves and everyone else is quite remarkable to me... yet I should not be surprised - the 'tradition' carries on even now as we disdain each other, country by country, sect by sect, philosophy by philosophy. How Beregond ever continued, after the first outburst, is beyond me. I would have had a difficult time - having to now chose my words carefully - knowing a hostile audience sat before him..... It is a shame that the tale was never finished.... Finrod Fingolfin is one of my favorite Elves..... Author Reply: Hi Agape. I'm glad you enjoyed this 'different' tale (and it surely is). I think that Beregond's tales went as far as it was going to go considering everything else. You'll have to read the Silmarillion to find out what happened next. grin I'm afraid that the disdain that is found here among the various parties is part and parcel of the Marring and can be laid at Melkor's feet, though certainly the Elves and Men have the opportunity to rise about their prejudices. Luckily, most of them do else I doubt the War of Wrath would have ended the way it did. I don't think Beregond thought of the elves as hostile except possibly Nambaurato. Certainly Gil-galad was a calming force, keeping all parties focused on the tale the Adan was telling rather than on their pettiness in what they thought of the Edain or Finrod.

Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/18/2009
Meldonya, what a thrilling tale! grin And I liked Nambarauto's name. I was half wondering if it wasn't Namo in disguise, but I guess not. winks I loved hearing the story from the Edain's point of view! Finda as one of the Powers! Heh! Not likely, but his harp playing is wonderful isn't it? :) (By the way, you mentioned to another reviewer that you had previously mentioned one of Legolas' brothers' demise but didn't recall where. This would be in "Dinner with Namo and Vaire" when they were telling the story of Brethilion's failed suit of Celebrian.) ~Kaylee! Author Reply: Thanks, Kaylee. I'm glad you enjoyed this tale and thanks for letting me know which story I mentioned one of Legolas' brothers who did not survive the long siege with Dol Guldur. It was driving me crazy trying to remember but I was feeling too lazy to go look it up. grin

Thalanee	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/18/2009
That was a wonderful tale! I loved it. Nambaurato.. wasn´t that the elven name Namo used when he, Orome and Tulkas had their little adventure at the Laughing Vala? "Maybe after all that these people suffered before reaching Beleriand," Lindir suggested mildly, "this place seemed like a paradise to them and everyone knows that no paradise is touched by winter’s frost." Nambaurato snorted. "Tell that to the Belain, my friend. Aman is as paradisaical as you will ever find in this world, but Lord Manwë does like his snow — lots of it." I can just picture Manwe and the Valar playing in the snow whith the rather disgruntled elves watching them: a hilarious picture. I wonder if Finrod didn´t have a draft of his "Creative Punishments" somewhere in Middle Earth and Gilgalad got his hands on it ;-) I wonder if he knew that the Edain thought him one of the Powers... Thranduil and Legolas sitting together in the cave with Thranduil telling stories to his little elfling was just lovely Already looking forward to more of your stories! Greetings Thalanee Author Reply: Hi, Thalanee. Nambaurato is actually the Quenya version of the Sindarin Damrod. Námo chose it as his alias because of the similarity of the initial sounds in both names. The Valar having snowball fights while the Elves look on.... that is a funny picture. grin Well, Gil-galad was Finrod's nephew so I'm sure he 'inherited' his uncle's sense of humor when it came to punishments or probably heard enough about them from others to come up with his own. grin I think Finrod was aware of the initial reaction to him by Bëor and his people and quickly taught them the truth. I'm glad you liked the image of Thranduil and Leoglas together in the cave. I think it's a lovely, warm image myself. grin Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know how much you enjoyed my stories.

Alquawende	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/17/2009
Another excellent story from Fiondil! :) I liked reading the oft told story of Finrod's meeting with mortals, for the first time, from an Edain's point of view, especially since Beregond was a descendant of Beor's House. Not to mention, any story that praises Finrod, I just have to read... The other thing I liked was that you brought up the issue that there could've been much conflict between the elves from Aman and the exiled Noldor, Sindar and Edain in Beleriand. Thanks for writing! Author Reply: Thanks, Alquawendë. I"m glad you enjoyed this story. I'm sure that initially there was a lot of conflict between the Amaneldi and the Elves (and Men) of Beleriand. No doubt the Elves of Aman considered this mission a 'rescue' mission rather than a war against the Enemy. They probably considered the peoples of Beleriand to be 'poor cousins' and therefore of little worth. Naturally, they were proved wrong. grin

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