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Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest by Fiondil	12 Review(s)
Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 2/25/2009
To me this chapter was about healing, both physical and emotional, and that judging someone without really knowing them can be a really bad mistake. Iluvatar made everyone and they are all equal in his sight. Therefore, no one should look down his nose at another. This is something all Elves and Maia need to understand. I think both Laurendil and Lisselindë are learning this. I hope Lisselindë is leading Glorfindel to a better understanding also. Author Reply: True, Tari. This chapter is about healing, both of hröar and fëar and the uselessness of judging others for any reason because we simply don't know where they are coming from. I don't think either Laurendil or Glorfindel are in need of learning these lessons. They have already learned them. It is Lisselindë who needs the lessoning and hopefully both Glorfindel and Laurendil will lead her to a better understanding.

Thalanee	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 2/24/2009
Another lovely chapter! +"Getting devious in our old age, are we, my lord?" he couldn’t help saying and Irmo burst out laughing.+ I really had to work holding back my laughter at that point (since I wasn´t alone in the room), but I didn´t have much success with that. The explanation for why the Maiar are more silent +allowing that they rather enjoyed seeing the Children squirm a bit+ was hilarious. Hearing about Laurendil´s history it´s easy to see why he doesn´t get along with his father... The part aboutMithlas and his family was touching, I nearly cried. Will we get to know what happened to his father? I wonder if Glorfindel will drag Lisselinde into some mischief? ;-) One never knows with that ellon! Already looking forward to the next chapter, Greetings Thalanee Author Reply: Hi, Thalanee. I have no idea if we will learn about the fate of Mithlas' father. At this point in time, only the Muse knows, and he ain't telling! grin At any rate, I'm sure Glorfindel will be dragging Lisselindë into some kind of mischief or another and maybe even roping in Tiutalion along the way. As you say, one never knows with that ellon! Glad you found this chapter amusing. Thanks for letting me know.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 2/23/2009
Sorry, I misremembered the author. The story is in a short story collection edited by Anne McCaffrey called Alchemy and Academe (which is _why_ I associate that story with her). The author is actually Keith Laumer, and the title is _The Devil You Don't_ You can also find it in the short story collection _The Lighter Side_ at Baen's Free Library http://www.webscription.net/ Enjoy :-) Author Reply: Thanks Sunny. I appreciate you sending me the information. Keith Laumer is very funny when he wants to be. I always loved his Retief stories.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 2/23/2009
Well, Glorfindel and Lisselindë make progress – this time they got along quite well and without incident. This chapter brought up something I had wondered about already. When so many elves sailed after the War of Wrath, what did they do in Aman? Particularly the ones that had never known anything other than being a warrior. They had to find a new profession, and that can’t have been always easy. "Getting devious in our old age, are we, my lord?" he couldn’t help saying and Irmo burst out laughing. Irmo was not the only one lol Cheeky elf! That was an interesting bit about Laurendil’s history and why he left Aman. Well, he didn’t escape his destiny after all, even if it took him a few centuries to end up in Lórien anyway. But when Rialcar thought work in the government was Laurendil’s only choice for the future, I am beginning to understand why they don’t get along so terribly well. And I love the explanation why the Maiar don’t speak first :) Oh, poor Mithlas! What a shock for him to meet his mother and sister again in that state! But I trust Laurendil to help them. And I have to admit, Lisselindë was rather nice to Mithlas, forgetting her earlier arrogance and simply comforting him. Considering that she said she has learned something about compassion, I really think she’s on a good way now. Author Reply: Part of the situation brought up by Laurendil and the rest of the delegation from Tol Eressëa was the fact that people there are bored, or at least the warriors are. They've known nothing else but and now they find their special talents are no longer needed or (at least among the Amanian elves) appreciated. This is something the three kings must address sooner rather than later. As Sador pointed out to Netlimirë, Tol Eressëa is a disaster waiting to happen. I have every confidence (as does Mithlas) that Laurendil will be able to bring the two ellith back from the brink. Having suffered Sea-longing himself, he is more aware of what should be done to heal them. Thanks for your review, Kitty. I appreciate it.

Kaylee	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 2/23/2009
Ah...just thought I'd quickly review this one, too, before I forgot again. How lucky I am...TWO welcome home presents! snuggles meldonya Thank you! This chapter was lovely, I'm really liking how Glorfi is coming along and how Lisselinde is changing for the better. Mithlas! I love Mithlas. (And he loves juicy apples!) Here we see his family...minus Glassiel and his adar. What happened to Mithlas' father, I wonder? inquiring look at Fiondil And there was Laurendil at his "Findarato is my aranya and if you cross him I won't be happy with you" finest. snort I'm glad he saw fit to treat Lisselinde as he would any other apprentice. She's the one who needs taking down a peg or two! "Devious in your old age..." snort! I'm really having to control my laughter...it hurts! But that line, and the bit about Glorfi repainting the lintel were two of my very favorites. snuggles Glorfi No, he's not a prisoner. That wasn't much of a prank. Look out, Nienna, when Glorfi can think of a REAL prank...! Tye-melin, Kaylee! who is really going to go to bed now, as it's well past 1 AM Author Reply: Hi, Kaylee. I'm very happy to know that you found this chapter so delightful. I'm afraid I don't know yet what Mithlas' father's fate ultimately was. Perhaps some day we will find out. I'm sure Nienna isn't quite holding her breath over whether Glorfindel will pull a real prank or not. grin She's probably looking forward to it... Glorfindel doesn't quite understand yet just how much the Valar and Maiar find him so amusing, tantrums and all.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 2/23/2009
Greatest of virtues, compassion. Now, to learn where Elendir is indeed. Author Reply: Yes, compassion is perhaps the greatest of virtues from which all the others flow. Whether we ever learn of Elendir's fate remains (even for me) a mystery at this time. It's the not knowing that is the hardest on people as we know from those whose loved ones go missing without a trace.

Independence1776	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 2/22/2009
Aw, man. I kind of wished the lintel painting would have stayed. Ah, yes… the Shibboleth. So much trouble from such a little thing. Though I liked the explanation of why the Maiar tended not to speak first. Compassion is a very good start. Author Reply: Well, maybe he and Lisselindë will find something else to paint on the lintel. grin Usually the largest troubles begin with the smallest things. And compaassion is a very good place to start for anyone.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 2/22/2009
Looks like Glorfindel and Lisslinde are starting to show some maturity, at least they are not screaming at each other! Makes you wonder what Glorfindel would have been if not a warrior. I have often thought that Elven warriors should have a backup career, it must get awfully boring being a warrior all the time, maybe taking a break every few centuries would be good for them! A little bit of R & R to break the monotony, try some thing different for a time! Will we ever find out what happened to Mithlas father? Off to see the Orclings and their Adar and Naneth and my ion tomorrow, be back in a week. More please, Lynda Author Reply: I'm sure that elven warriors weren't warriors 24/7 but in the uncertainties of life in Beleriand at the time, they were probably 'on' more than they were 'off'. Even during the Long Peace there was vigilance, though it didn't help them in the end. I have no idea if we will ever know the fate of Mithlas' father. Some things in life are simply mysteries that remain unsolved and this may be one of them. I imagine that Mithlas' family was not the only one that suffered in this manner. Too much destruction at the end must have meant that some were lost in spite of the best efforts of the Maiar to rescue everyone that could be rescued.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 2/22/2009
Lisselindë couldn’t help feeling superior to the ellon at the moment - Good grief! Will this Maia never learn!!!! Lisselindë had to admit to herself that she was one of them - hmmmm. Hmmm - again - I think someone somtime might be inclined to wring Eonwe's neck... Lots of stuff to digest in this chapter. Very nicely written with so much to say. Author Reply: Well, Lisselindë isn't going to change her attitude overnight (who does?) and there are times when we all feel superior over others because we know something they don't. grin Glad you liked the chapter, Agape, and that you found much in it think about.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 45 on 2/22/2009
It seems that Lisselinde had been given more that she bargained for when she agreed to follow Glorfindel around in order to learn more about Firstborn. Let's see...firstly, a fight between an Elda and three Maiar warriors, then a.."cough" meeting with the Lord of Mandos and now Laurendil's lifestory and witnessing how the Elves are returning from Middle-Earth, equally broken and in need of healing, whether they are or not Exiled. Facets of the Elven life. Very moving the moment when she embraced Mithlas, without thinking anymore about the diference between Ainur and Elves, or about proper honorifics. She's now well on her way to become a fine Maia, like Olorin or Tiutalion, for an instance, in my opinion. Her interactions, with both Glorfindel and Laurendil, were meant to teach her some unforgettable lessons, about what means to be a warrior, for example, and that her perceptions about some things were not necessarily true as it seemed to her at the moment. Her small but deferential gestures towards Glorfindel are speaking volumes, from my point of view, compared with her small and not so innocent gestures concerning the language problem. And in order to learn compassion...it was all worth, even a chat with Lord Namo. "grin" The sea longing's effects have always got me frowning. So, if it's affecting Sindar, people and offspring of people that have refused the Valar' summons and the consequences are that grave, that could only mean Valinor was deemed to be the Firstborn home. Perhaps not from the beginning, but certainly after the War of Wrath, if I recall correctly. I wonder if the Sindar were affected by Sea longing before that War.. An excellent job, Fiondil, the way you've managed to create the story of the fall and rehabilitation of Lisselinde. Granted, said story is far from over, but I can see a happy ending to it. Small wonder now regarding Laurendil's outburst towards Irmo when he realised that he cannot avoid making his choice anymore. The pieces of the puzzle are falling, one by one, back in their proper places. ....."taking a deep breath" I suppose you'd know by now that I'm far from done with this chapter. Out of respect for you and for a wonderfully done work, I'll refrain from another bout of ramblings having little to do with the unfolding of this story. But only for now... I'll say only this. Lisselinde's perceptions about the Noldor's flight from Aman were, I strongly believe, based on the deeds of one Elf. A common mistake among the Ainur at that time, in my opinion. There was always a crowd to consider, each with his own reasons and agenda (if I may add), not only one Noldo. Well....I suppose there is always something to learn, even for the Ainur. "smile" Author Reply: I think the Sea-longing is something that was instilled within the Elves who did not cross to Valinor, something that lies dormant until they encounter the Sea or some other force wakens it. The prime (and only) example of this is Legolas. It can be held at bay but eventually it becomes too strong to ignore. I doubt this is something that the Valar did, but perhaps it was something that Eru did, and not just to the Sindar but to all the elves as a means of preventing them from fading. In Aman the effects of fading would be slower (Tolkien did say that ultimately all elves would fade, their fëar consuming their hröar, but in Aman the effects would be slowed if not stopped). I'm sure Lisselindë's perceptions about the flight of the Noldor are not unique to her. Even we mortals tend to judge the masses based on the actions of one or two people (usually the leaders). That is a common response, believing that everyone has the same motives for doing what was done when in truth there are a variety of motives and agendas happening all at once but in some way they seem to meld together out of convenience. As Laurendil pointed out to Lisselindë, he used Melkor's lies and Fëanor's views on the Valar as an excuse for joining the Rebellion, not because he actually (or fully) believed in those lies and points of view. And we know from the Silmarillion that people like Arafinwë and Finrod went out of love for Fingolfin and his sons, not because they believed in Fëanor. But, looking at it from a distance, as the Maiar did, they would not have recognized the various motives and agendas, concentrating only on Fëanor as the ringleader of the disaster unfolding before their eyes. Laurendil's confession hopefully opened Lisselindë's eyes to the truth of what really happened back then.

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