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Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest by Fiondil	10 Review(s)
TobyRi	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 3/24/2009
It is wonderful that he is going to be able to fulfill that oath one day.. :) This is amazing writing! I have been reading this for, well, a year now and I also read the first book, and they are... I can't find a decent word to describe it... Fantabulous...? But anyways, I love the way you portray the characters and how they are so full of life! And how the Valar also make mistakes, even with their power and 'greatness'. :D I'm looking forward to the next chapter !! :) ~TobyRi Author Reply: Hello, TobyRi. Thanks so much for letting me know how much you've been enjoying "Elf, Interrupted". I really appreciate you taking the time to do so and I think 'fantabulous' is an excellent word. grin

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 3/23/2009
I came home from a weekend away from the computer to find this lovely, lovely chapter; what a nice welcome home present, meldonya! I love the balance of emotions throughout this. And if I list all the lines that made me smile or laugh this would be as long a review as your story. But I think my favourite humourous line was the one about Tuitalion stealing the wine from Nienna's own cellars. Nienna is very good at what she does, isn't she? Though I find myself wondering if she ever gets a chance to take a day off so she can leave off being the "big sister"/teacher/couselor for a bit. I certainly would have liked to have been sitting round that fire listening to Glorfindel tell of the coming of Tuor to Gondolin, but I suppose I shall just have to apply my imagination since I couldn't. You have done your usual excellent job, meldonya. Thank you for sharing! Eru bless! Edlyn Author Reply: Thanks, Edlyn. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. I'm sure Nienna takes some time off, just like the rest of them. I would certainly hope so, else I would fear for her sanity. grin

Hel	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 3/22/2009
So Nienna prevents Lisselindë from sensing the cats to teach her a lesson. Yes, sounds like her. And as we see, she gets her point across both of them. And I think everyone would be uneasy at the thought of Glorfindel and Finrod sparring after the last time. Teaching and honing Glorfindel´s ability to sense evil will be vital for his future and his future role. And it will keep him occupied and out of trouble for the moment. So Tiutalion has an even bigger mischievous streak than Glorfindel. Well he is a maia and older. But if Glorfindel tries he will shurely get even. And I don´t wonder that everyone is interested in hearing Glordindel´s version of Tuors arrival in Gondolin and his life there. I would like to hear it too. I´ve also wonder where Tuor and Idril are now and if they have a further role to play and if they meet Glorfindel again. Maybe it would help Glordindel to speak with them about the flight from Gondolin and to accept that by fighting the Balrog he has fulfilled all his oaths to the fullest. Sometimes he sounds as if he should have done more and as if he feels like he has failed his king. Author Reply: Hi, Hel. Yes, Nienna is very good at getting a point across, isn't she? grin As for Tuor and Idril... well, that was always the big mystery, wasn't it? Tolkien never said (if he even knew), so I am tempted not to say as well, though the Muse may have other ideas. grin And Glorfindel does feel as if he failed his king on some level, which is why he acts as he does, though, as the Valar keep pointing out to him, Turgon never demanded an oath from him to see to the safety of the king's family. That was something Glorfindel placed upon himself and when he fought against the Balrog he was fulfilling that oath even if he did not personally live to see Tuor, Idril and Eärendil safely to the Havens at Ethir Sirion. Hopefully, in time he will come to understand this and accept it. Thanks for this review, Hel. I enjoy hearing from you.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 3/22/2009
'Take up your sword, Glorfindel, whenever you see a need to do so.' I love this line - simple, yet powerful. "You did not sense the alatyauli because I prevented you from doing so." Hmmm - tricky - even to their own kind. Hopefully, Glorfindel will note this and not be quite so ready to rebel against the Valar. '...were being treated by Lady Nienna almost as elflings sitting before their tutor.' I had to giggle at this one - as soon as I saw the word 'stools' I had the same feeling!!! And yet, I love Glordindel's obedience and observations regarding the Maia... '...we will train you to use this power to its fullest...' What a gift!!!! '...he would make it a point from now on to be very careful never to make her angry.' Another giggle from this reader. '...how long it took to bring my brother Námo around.' I love this line for it seems to give some perspective, hope, and understanding to Lisselinde... gives a concrete example of someone even greater than she needing help. Lovely! (though I cringed at the word 'rehabilitation' - I think that would have rankled me, if I were the Maia!) I loved the 'which of use is crazier' line and felt deeply Glorfindel's uncertainty about being 'trouble.' WOW - the ending was perfect - I did so love Ulmo joining them - seemed only right if they were going to talk about Tuor... but I can understand Glorfindel's sudden discomfiture. Lovely lovely chapter.... Author Reply: Thanks, Agape. There is a lot in this chapter, both humorous and profound, and that you were able to appreciate both makes me very happy. Thank you for letting me know how much you enjoyed this. I really appreciate it.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 3/22/2009
Glorfindel's worries about using his sword are understandable, IMHO. Was thinking along the same line myself. Glad Nienna did reassure him in that regard. raises brow Nienna did prevent Lisselindë from sensing these cats? Interesting! It explains a lot, of course. And I see, Glorfindel did much better with that test than she did :) Hm, yes, the ability to sense evil would be very useful for Glorfindel when he returns to Middle-earth. But of course they will not tell him any time soon that he will be the first elf to be sent back. Glorfindel did make a big step ahead this day, I think. He felt more ... at home, more secure of himself when he acted on his warrior instincts, and his thoughts about Nienna's dinners seem to indicate that he is now beginning to accept the intent of the Valar, instead of resent it. Oh, dinner as picnic at a campfire? That sounds great, and I guess Glorfindel will feel much more comfortable with that than with a formal dinner. So Tiutalion is even more mischievous than Glorfindel? No wonder he was the one to get the job of keeping him company lol Such a pity you will send Glorfindel off with Lisselindë soon. The Maiar didn't manage to drag Glorfindel into real mischief so far, after all ;) But the end was lovely, Glorfindel sitting there at the campfire and telling the Valar about Tuor and Idril. I think that was what he needed - to be able to talk about his former live with someone who really listened and cared for him, and it will help to make him feel more comfortable around the Valar, I believe. And I'm sure he will meet Eärendil. First, he's one stubborn ellon who knows usually gets what he wants, and second, you mentioned that already somewhere. I really look forward to that :) Author Reply: Hi, Kitty. Yes, Glorfindel will eventually meet with Eärendil though the how and the why of it still remains to be seen. I think Glorfindel has taken a huge step towards where he needs to be and the elf we all know and love from the Third Age. And while the Maiar didn't get a chance to get him into any mischief this time, they may have opportunities in the future, you never know. grin I'm glad you liked the end. I think it was important for Glorfindel to speak about Gondolin to, as you say, those who really listened and cared for him. Of course, with Glorfindel, nothing is ever straightforward or easy, and we will see what happens to upset him once again in the next chapter. grin Thanks for your review, Kitty. I really appreciate it.

Thalanee	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 3/21/2009
I really liked this chapter. Glorfindel in elfling mode snicker that had me laughing. Arafinwe may complain a bit about our favourite reborn elves getting into trouble, but I think he actually enjoys their antics very much ;-) the bonfire under the moon was a wonderful touch... that almost makes me want to set out myself tonight (there´s even a lake close by) I always thought Aman and Valinor meant the same thing, but the way you used them they obviously mean something different? The ability to sense the presence of evil will be pretty useful for him in Middle Earth (Ringwraiths and all). Greetings Thalanee Author Reply: Hi Thalanee. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Valinor is the name of the continent as a whole while Aman, which is probably dervived from Valarin _Amanaphelun_ 'Blessed Dwelling', is that part of the continent where the Valar dwell. Eldamar 'Elvenhome' is that part of Aman where the Elves dwell. There are other regions of Valinor outside of Aman proper, which are mentioned in the 'Silmarillion', such as Araman to the north, which is the barren wasteland the Noldor traversed on their way to the Helcaraxë and Avathar to the south where Ungoliant dwelt and where Melkor fled.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 3/21/2009
It was _Nienna_ who prevented Lisselindë from sensing the cat-things?? picks jaw off floor I suppose the test here was whether she would trust that Glorfindel knew what he was doing. And failing it probably irks her – but hopefully it will also aid in her rehabilitation. And if _that_ won't, I suppose tutoring Glorfindel will ;-) As for Glorfindel – he didn’t actually know what he was doing – or rather, was sensing. He was just running on instinct. And now that instinct is to be honed into a weapon – which should be very useful when Glorfindel is back in Middle-Earth. The dinner was certainly different! And campfire food, especially if you catch it yourself, has its own special savour. I don’t suppose Glorfindel’s skill at such cooking was the reason why Ulmo also decided to invite himself to dinner, but then it might have provided a suitable excuse. ;-) And now Glorfindel will go off on his quests: The one suggested by the Valar to hone his ability to detect evil, and the one that is his own, and which he evidently isn’t going to talk to anybody about. Hmmm. I had a look in _The Tough Guide to Fantasyland_ on the subject of Quests and Quest Objects. I suppose that the ultimate Quest Object on this Quest is going to be for that rarest Quest Object of them all, namely Self-Knowledge. And it seems Glorfindel got started with Questly stuff a bit early - he has already made a Stew! :-D Author Reply: Hi, Sunny. Yes, the test was to see if Lisselindë would trust that Glorfindel knew what he was doing, even if she didn't see it herself. As Nienna said, she has to learn that, Maia though she may be, she does not know everything. Glorfindel was indeed acting on instinct, but that instinct will be honed into a weapon which will be useful when he returns to Middle-earth. The Quest for Self-Knowledge is no doubt the rarest of Quest Objects and thus the most prized. Few ever totally achieve it. Glorfindel may not even recognize what his quest will be about even when he's in the middle of it (most of us do not even recognize that we are even on a quest never mind what the quest object might be for us). But I'm confident that in the end he will achieve his quest and learn from it what he needs to know in order to be the elf we first meet on the road to Rivendell.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 3/21/2009
Hm, I wonder how much of that wish is Glorfindels and how much is the Valars? They are a devious bunch and not above taking advantage of a situation, if not Tourgon's grandson, how about one of his greatgrandson's and his sons?! Very neatly done Fiondil Muse! More please, Lynda Author Reply: I'm sure most of that wish is Glorfindel's, though inspired, not by the Valar, but by Eru who is even more devious that the lot of them put together. grin Thanks, Lynda. I appreciate your comments.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 3/21/2009
It seems to me that this chapter has just marked the turning point regarding Glorfindel's endeavour. He still doesn't know what happened to Earendil and his wish to look for him is very natural. Whom he will actually find..that's another story. "grin" Although Glorfindel never knew he had more audience than he had thought, said audience is very impressive for us, the readers. Tuor's coming to Gondolin, one of the most important events in the history of Arda? I think that's about Earendil's birth and his part during the War of Wrath, (not to mention he acting as a guardian while sailing every night until the End) in which case I totally agree with you. By the way, Tuor shouldn't have arrived in Aman by now? So, Nienna was the one meddling with Lisselinde's perceptions. No wonder that both Glorfindel and she were feeling like two pupils in a schoolroom, although I would say rather like a two guinea pigs inside a glass container. But, I have to say that swallowing your pride and annoyance and actually listening to the Valar is something worth to be done. I think both Glorfindel and Lisselinde do agree with me on this. "grin" I'd like to see Glorfindel interacting again with Orome, as I liked to see his interaction with Ulmo, as awkward seemed to be at first. And now..So, Findarato' sister and her gift to see evil in others."bristling" She does have this gift, of course......as long as she's not looking in the mirror. "Cheshire cat grin" Author Reply: You are correct that this is the turning point in Glorfindel's search for meaning. How he achieves it and what he finds in the end will of course take up the bulk of the rest of this story. Tuor coming to Gondolin was of course a turning point in the history of the First Age with ramifications that echo down even to the Third Age and beyond. Since Tolkien leaves the fate of Tuor and Idril, last seen sailing west, a mystery, I have kept it that way myself. Some mysteries in life are never solved and we are left to wonder. We will see Glorfindel interacting with Oromë later on while he is learning to sense the presence of evil more clearly.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 3/21/2009
Ah! He begins his long quest now as he prepares for the shorter one. A believe Eru is taking an active, quiet role in his preparation. Author Reply: I suspect you are correct, Larner. Eru is always taking an active, quiet role in all our lives, whether we are aware of it of not.

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