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Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 4/5/2009
Glorfindel is doing quite well, I think, in coming to terms with his behaviour the day before. The situation can’t be easy for him. Hm ... Oromë is probably right in why Glorfindel was so badly affected by this particular memory. It must have been the first huge impact on his life. Oh yes, I can imagine that particularly the Sindar and Nandor would feel at home in these woods. And having to keep an eye on these monsters might tickle the former warriors, too. lol So Glorfindel was just following his nose in the end? Of course, that was a much better guide than anything else! That Rangers post is intriguing. Though I don’t like heights, I’d love to see and explore such a flet myself. The end of the chapter was surprising. These monsters are making their way to a place 14 leagues away, and Glorfindel can already sense them? That’s certainly a much wider range than I expected, and I think the Maiar will be surprised to learn that, too. Author Reply: Even though he has had the memory of his parents' death before, the little things that, separately would not have meant anything, together just brought it all back, so it was like experiencing the memory all over again. I'm sure it's one that he wishes he never remembered. The experience itself must have colored much of his emotions and perceptions thereafter. I'm sure that Oromë is looking forward to the day when he will be permitted by Manwë to... er... recruit some of the Sindar and Nandor for his Forest. grin And I imagine that the lands beyond the mountains will be even more to the Elves' liking, since the creatures are more plentiful there and they wouldn't have to wait for any to come over the mountains to hunt them. Glorfindel is full of surprises and the Maiar and Valar keep underestimating him.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 4/3/2009
Hm, looks like Glorfindel has more of a range than was first thought, 14 leagues is quite a distance, over 40 miles, even if it is just a sense of evil! Glad Glorfindel was able to get his feelings sorted out, it must be disconcerting to have memories come out of no where to assualt him as it were! Liked your idea of the redwood lodge, don't think they grow them quite that big here, but they do get pretty tall and old! Trust Glorfindel to follow his nose, never stand between a warrior and food, they are as bad as Hobbits in that respect! More please, Lynda Author Reply: I think the Valar and Maiar are again underestimating Glorfindel. Námo keeps telling his fellow Valar that the fëar of the Reborn seem to exist on a different frequency than those of the Once-born and I don't think even he understands the full ramifications of that. As for the redwoods... they are not exactly like the redwoods of Northern California, though I modeled the ones in Oromë's Forest on them.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 4/1/2009
I may be irritating, but I cannot stop thinking about the purpose of Glorfindel's training. I know, there could be more than just one purpose, but the first image crossing my mind is the night when one Ranger and four frightened hobbits had met on the road to Imladris an Elf riding on a mighty white horse. Glorfindel was then able to recognize the Morgul blade used on Frodo and was very much aware of the approaching Ringwraiths. I'm sure it wasn't the only occasion for him to put to good use his training but this one is canon. Well, I know it has little to do with the story, but I always wondered how some fallen Men were made to be even more terrifying than fallen Maiar and why Glorfindel seemingly would have prefered to deal with a Balrog or two rather than with these Ringwraiths. I appreciate your attention for details, as in describing Glorfindel's training with Nyereser. The Noldor living in the forest , as Orome's apprentices, are certainly a surprise, but not an unpleasant one. I only hope they wouldn't have to look for new jobs, as soon as the Nandor and Sindar will be permitted to move out of Tol Eressea. "lopsided grin" . Very nice was also Lisselinde's interaction with Palarran and his wife; she's doing well enough, after all. The less pleasant thing was the little cliffhanger ending the chapter. But, for seeing Glorfindel hotly defending his supposedly hated Atar, I think I'll have enough patience to wait for the next update, in order to find out what has Glorfindel sensed. Author Reply: Tolkien does say in one of his later writings when discussing Glorfindel that he spent much of his time learning from the Maiar before being sent back to Middle-earth, so here we see the beginning of that training that will stand him in good stead against the Nazgûl and other nasties. Granted, there may be other reasons for his training, but certainly training him for what he might encounter in Middle-earth will be a primary consideration. I'm sure that Oromë's Forest is large enough to accommodate many more Elves than presently inhabit it and there are other forests beyond the mountains that might do as well. Only a small part of the continent of Valinor has actually been settled and when those of Tol Eressëa are ready to move to the mainland they will find room and to spare for all. We tend to equate the Sindar and Nandor as being primarily Wood-Elves but that is an accident of geography and history more than anything else, considering that the Teleri who were part of the same clan as the Sindar have fallen in love with the Sea and have created a maritime culture in Alqualondë, not to mention Círdan and those Elves who followed him. There is nothing genetic (as far as I can tell) that says this group or that group of Elves will be this or that. So, while most Noldor are into science and the Vanyar seem to be more into the poetic arts, that is not to say that individual Noldor and Vanyar will not find other callings and other interests and the same would hold true for the Teleri as well. Hence, Palarran and Amauriel forsaking Tirion for Oromë's Forests to become Rangers.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/31/2009
When Glorfindel goes off on a tesseract, life gets sooo _interesting_ for everybody in the vicinty. This times it was the Maiar in his company who gained the benefit – or something – of this effect. Although I am certain that Lisselindë, at least, at one point in the previous chapter was contemplating the benefits of boredom. ;-) In spite of the Life-getting-_Interesting_ effect, the Maiar seem undeterred. Though obviously Glorfindel’s reaction wasn’t something he was able to control. I very much liked the little scene of Glorfindel apologizing for his behaviour the previous day, and the answer Nyéreser gave for all the Maiar. I expect the carnitavari were _Sequoiadendron giganteum_, just given a Quenya name. And I expect Beleg would love those trees. It wouldn’t surprise me to hear, once he discovers them, that it would take a command from the Valar to pry him out of the forest again. And the same with the Sindar and Nandor currently on Tol Eressëa – once they are allowed to move to the mainland. smirks Of course, following one’s nose in going “home” can be quite effective. Especially close to supper. (What _did_ they use to spice the Stew – or is this a Management secret?) smirk grows larger Why do I get the feeling that the Maiar are going to get surprised in the next chapter? It is obvious that he already knows _where_ (more or less) he is going on the morrow. He can feel the evil like a cloud against the sun, and I expect he will home in on it like a bee homes in on honey-bearing flowers in the next chapter. It wouldn’t surprise me to see “interesting” popping up again then, too. With the hints about the possible origins of these creatures, it wouldn’t surprise me if Murphy pokes his nose in here and presents Glorfindel with a critter with a more-than-average amount of umaiarish genes. Or something with more-than-average amount of Melkor-inspired gengineering. Or a combination of the two. Or something else might happen to make things more Interesting. (And wasn’t there a complaint about not knowing how those cat-things got as far as Nienna’s house?) It seems that _Interesting_ is my Word of the Day. In particular, the flavour of the word so beloved of SF and Fantasy authors; what is described as an ancient Chinese curse: “May your life be _interesting_.” I don’t know if there is a _real_ Chinese curse like this, or if it is something invented by an author. Whatever the origin, this “Ancient Chinese Curse” has become an amazingly popular meme in the SF and Fantasy fields! And it somehow fits Glorfindel’s adventures well. ;-) Author Reply: I don't know if it's a real Chinese curse or not, though having been to China I can believe it. We'll see in the next chapter what kind of creatures they are hunting and what happens when they are found. I suppose Glorfindel gives new meaning to the word _interesting_, doesn't he? grin

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/31/2009
A beautiful chapter - especially after the last one was so horrific and sad. I found a peace and beauty - even knowing the 'task' ahead for our hero - yet, the beauty of the forest, the people who loved it, and the obedience of Glorfindel were touching.... I remember reading somewhere - sometime - that Glorfindel, when he came back to Middle-earth, possessed so many gifts that he even rivaled the Maiar. I can't remember where I read this - but if the dear Elf suffered so, and yet, through it all, kept that flame of passion alive..... Wow... And to think that the Valar so valued that flame - Thank you for writing this - the whole thing - it has been an experience - life-changing almost - definitely thought provoking. Let nothing stop you, dear Fiondil, from taking your place as one of the great writers.... Blessings, Agape Author Reply: I'm glad you found this to be a peaceful chapter, Agape. I figured everyone needed a break from the last one. grin Tolkien does say somewhere that Glorfindel spent much of his time after he was reborn learning from the Maiar so that he was nearly like them in power. And now you're making me blush with your high praise. Thank you for your support and encouragement. I appreciate it more than you can know.

Aiwen	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/31/2009
I thought they sounded like redwoods... I am enjoying seeing Glorfindel heading towards his return to Middle-earth. I wish JRR Tolkien had told us a little more about precisely what he did in Middle-earth during the second age. Author Reply: It would have been nice if Tolkien had given us a bit more about Glorfindel's life than he did, but this way, we at least can have fun imagining what it was like, which is how this particular tale of his time in Aman came about. grin

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/31/2009
It appears Glorfinel’s senses are much stronger then he knows. That is what saved him from falling into a deep hole and probable sustaining serious injuries; something he doesn’t need at this time. Already he senses evil in the far east. Good for him. I think he will be a quick study. Author Reply: I think Glorfindel will be a quick study as well, Tari. He never seems to fall into the expected categories that the Maiar and Valar place other elves, does he? grin

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/30/2009
An interesting training, and one I can appreciate from my own. I, too, have used olfactory feedback as well as auditory cues to correct my path while under blindfold. That was nicely done, as well as the mention of the hole he blithely remained ignorant of. I love the description of the treetop home for these rangers. Now, he feels the evil there already! It will be interesting watching him learn to use these skills. Author Reply: Hi, Larner. I've never undergone such training myself, though I'm aware of it. I'm glad you loved the description of the treegard. We'll see in the next chapter how things turn out.

Hel	Reviewed Chapter: 51 on 3/30/2009
That up-date was fast. I hadn´t even time to comment the last chapter. No wonder that Glorfindel had such a bad day. From all the horrible things that happened in his life, the murdering of one parent by the other must be the worse. And I think another factor is, that he is in some kind of second puberty. The woods sound great. And Noldor living as Woodelves, who would have thought. But Glorfindel is right in thinking that the Silvan and Nandor would love this place and would be more than happy to live there. And I think as soon as they know about it and are alowed to leave Tol Eressa a lot will move there. Will we learn more about the elves who serve Lord Orome? I hope so. They sound very interesting. I´m a bit surprised that Glorfindel can feel the evil from this distance. Nyéreser sounds like he expects Glordindel feeling them only at a much shorter distance. Or did I get that wrong? The next chapter will hopefully give some answers. One could get used to the short up-date-intervals. Author Reply: I'm not sure he is in some kind of second puberty except possibly emotionally, but certainly his emotional immaturity must play a part in his responses to things, especially to his memories. I think Noldor and Vanyar and even a few of the Teleri live in the Forest serving Oromë. After all, the Sindar and Nandor are woodelves mainly because of geography and history. I'm sure that once they are permitted to leave Tol Eressëa many of them will apply for positions as rangers. grin As to whether we learn more about these rangers depends on the Muse. Perhaps they will show up in other tales. I'm glad you find them fascinating. I do as well. I think the Valar and Maiar may be underestimating Glorfindel's abilities, although, I suspect that having been exposed to evil in ways that most Amanian elves have not, has sensitized him more than most. Next chapter will be the actual hunt. Thanks for reviewing, Hel. I appreciate your comments and I'm glad you are still enjoying this tale.

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