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| Rhyselle's Library by Rhyselle | 5 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Fiondil | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/6/2009 |
| A beautifully written piece, Rhyselle. Manwë's role is often misunderstood by many fanfic writers and readers of the Silmarillion. Here is an exerpt from Tolkien's essay "Ósanwë-kenta: Enquiry into Communication of Thought" [Vinyar Tengwar 39/28-29]: 'If we speak last of the "folly" of Manwë and the weakness and unwariness of the Valar, let us beware how we judge.... Manwë had the authority to rule and to order the world, so far as he could, for the well-being of the Eruhíni; but if Melkor would repent and return to the allegiance of Eru, he must be given his freedom again. He could not be enslaved, or denied his part. The office of the Elder King was to retain all his subjects in the allegiance of Eru, or to bring them back to it, and in that allegiance to leave them free. Therefore not until the last, and not then except by the express command of Eru and by His power, was Melkor thrown utterly down and deprived for ever of all power to do or to undo.... The weakest and most imprudent of all the actions of Manwë, as it seems to many, was the release of Melkor from captivity. From this came the greatest loss and harm: the death of the Trees, and the exile and the anguish of the Noldor. Yet through this suffering there came also, as maybe in no other way could it have come, the victory of the Elder Days: the downfall of Angband and the last overthrow of Melkor. Who then can say with assurance that if Melkor had been held in bond less evil would have followed? Even in his diminishment the power of Melkor is beyond our calculation. Yet some ruinous outburst of his despair is not the worst that might have befallen. The release was according to the promise of Manwë. If Manwë had broken this promise for his own purposes, even though still intending "good", he would have taken a step upon the paths of Melkor. That is a perilous step. In that hour and act he would have ceased to be the vice-gerent of the One, becoming but a king who takes advantage over a rival whom he has conquered by force. Would we then have the sorrows that indeed befell; or would we have the Elder King lose his honour, and so pass, maybe, to a world rent between two proud lords striving for the throne? Of this we may be sure, we children of small strength: any one of the Valar might have taken the paths of Melkor and become like him: one was enough.' | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/6/2009 |
| One of the most terrible moments - and yet so belated..... I have never fully understood the Valar's decision - in fact, I have never understood ALL their decisions.... but I would not take that onerous duty on. | |
| Celeritas | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/6/2009 |
| Nice job getting into the head of one of the Powers that Be. I've heard a lot of criticism of Manwe & co. for trusting Melkor, but I think that as the beings of Good that they were, they simply couldn't understand what a lie was. So shocking to one of us in this day and age! At least Manwe is taking action now! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/6/2009 |
| Ah--a perfect response to the prompt! Alas that they must fight their brother--but it is his own overweening pride that has brought them to this. I am sorry for Manwe, but proud of him as well. | |
| utfrog | Reviewed Chapter: 19 on 3/6/2009 |
| Powerful, powerful writing. Wonderfully conveyed pain and resolve. Thank you is not quite the right term, but I have none better. This story will stay with me. | |