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Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest by Fiondil	10 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 5/1/2009
Hm, so that was the lesson Olórin was teaching? I can see why he said it was better showed than explained. At first look it might not seem like a real lesson, but I think it showed that Glorfindel did learn something about himself, particularly that he's harder on himself than on others. And it proved that he has relaxed quite a bit since he came to Nienna's first and has learned a bit of patience, too. For that alone, this trip was worth the time. Loved the little goat kid, that was cute! And the place itself sounds lovely, too. Author Reply: Some lessons can only be shown rather than described and this is one of them. As Olórin points out, even if Glorfindel never achieved the actual lesson intended, the fact that he has found some internal peace and is feeling more whole from his stay there is a positive thing and so his time hasn't been completely wasted by coming to Mornaringwë. Self-reflection is something we all should do on occasion, though few of us bother as it can be somewhat uncomfortable and, of course, in our busy lives it's hard to find the time and space to "go to ourselves". It's a worthwhile journey to take and I wouldn't mind spending a few days in Mornaringwë myself, though the goat kid had better stay away from my hair, as well. lol Thanks for the review, Kitty. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 4/27/2009
Certainly learning to see oneself objectively is a valuable lesson at any time. And nothing like having just a descriptive name for the place! Heh! Author Reply: Yes, indeed, on both counts, Larner. grin

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 4/27/2009
This was a most unusual lesson for Glorfindel, certainly not like anything he experienced in the past. Still, I think it had the most impact on him. Being to hard on one’s shelf is something we are all guilty of. It made him seam almost human. Of course, the bowl reminded me of Galadriel’s, as I am sure you intended. I think our dear Elf just took a giant step forward. Author Reply: Very unusual, to be sure, but most effective, I think. I believe Glorfindel has taken a giant step forward as well. We'll see in subsequent chapters just how well he integrates his lesson. Thanks for your review, Tari. I appreciate it.

Thalanee	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 4/27/2009
I didn´t realize that I haven´t reviewed for such a long time... So that was the lesson (I hadn´t even com close in my guesses as to what it would be about) The Mornaringwe as you described it would be one of the most beautiful places on earth. I´ve never been to the mountains (the closest of the bigger mountain ranges would be the Alps), but I imagine it must be very peaceful up there... I wonder what´s happening with Finrod, Sador, Ingwion and Arafinwe in the meantime though hint, hint ;-) Greetings, Thalanee Author Reply: Hi, Thalanee. I'm grateful that you decided to review this chapter. Thank you. I doubt too many readers came close to guessing the truth of what kind of lesson Glorfindel would have with Olórin. Even I didn't really know what the lesson was going to be about at first, not until Olórin gave him the bowl and told him to fill it. grin Actually, I've been expecting to hear people say something along the lines of 'Shades of Galadriel's Mirror!'. lol We will be seeing, beginning with the next chapter, what is going on with the others. The Royal Progress to Tol Eressëa is almost upon us and many of the other characters will be involved with that. It's time for Glorfindel's lessons to end and for him to take up his duties at Arafinwê's court.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 4/26/2009
A very good lesson to learn..... I like watching him grow. Author Reply: Thanks, Agape. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Watching Glorfindel grow is a real treat since we know where he's headed.

njomo	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 4/26/2009
Interesting that you place Glorfindel and Olórin in a setting that is very special to me. Mornaringwë as you describe it is similar to some favorite places of mine in the mountains near where I live. Mountain goats reside in the mountains here also but I've never met any as inquisitive and friendly as Glofindel's young goat friend! I'm glad that Glorfindel was gifted with this interlude, especially with a companion such as Olórin. A gift of time as well as place, to come back to himself as it were. I have had similar experiences over the years spending time in the mountains. For me, being in the mountains is very calming and healing, and it seems the same has happened to Glorfindel. Of course, I've not had the extra help of the bowl, as Glorfindel has, to help with one's reflections. But I think that this medium is very helpful to him. Afterall, whatever he sees is between him and the bowl, so to speak, and even Olórin does not pry into the details of the experience. And it seems it's much easier for Glorfindel to take the lesson to heart in this manner. Would that we could always be "shown" instead of "told." But I think also that Glorfindel is definitely growing and maturing, as evidenced by his willingness not to dismiss any of what he sees of himself, however long it may take him to integrate what he has learned. Thanks very much for this Chapter, Fiondil. I tried all week long to imagine what form this lesson of Glorfindel's would take, and never in a million years would I have guessed correctly! Now to think on what's in store for us readers next week--with nary a clue! Haven't a chance, but I'm sure you will please and surprise us as always! Joanne Author Reply: Hi, Joanne. Well, as I told another reviewer, I modeled Mornaringwë on a particular place in the High Tatras of Slovakia, though I made some changes to it. I love mountains, too, and have always enjoyed trekking through them when the opportunity arises. There is a serenity to them that defies description and I tried to convey that here, at least in part. I'm sure Glorfindel will take this lesson to heart and accept it fully in time. And I'm glad (from a writer's pov) that your guesses as to what sort of lesson Glorfindel might have did not come close to the reality. Keeping the reader guessing and remaining interested in what will happen next is sometimes hard to do and I'm glad when someone tells me that I'm doing it right. Thanks again for your review. I appreciate it very much.

Radbooks	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 4/26/2009
Ah, very nicely done. A lesson we all could profit from I think! We are usually much too hard on ourselves and give more grace to others than we give to ourselves... well, at least I tend to do that. :) It certainly sounds like a beautiful place to go and I'm so glad that Glorfindel is finally relaxing a bit and settling down from all of the upheaval in his life over the past months, he definitely needs that. Love the baby goat, not that I would want one in my hair when I woke up in the morning! :) Thanks so much! Author Reply: Hi, Radbooks. Yes, we're often harder on ourselves than we are on others. We are, in fact, our own worse judges and rarely allow ourselves the same measure of grace as we give to others. I modeled the location on a mountain tarn I came across while hiking through the High Tatras of Solvakia many years ago. That particular place was far more desolate than Mornaringwë which I softened with an alpine meadow. Of course, when I came upon the particular tarn in the High Tatras, it was October and it was snowing so perhaps in spingtime it's much more lovely, but even then there was a serene beauty to the harshness of the landscape that pierced one's soul to the very core. It's a place I will never forget. Someday I'd like to return there. I'm glad you liked this chapter, Radbooks. Thanks for letting me know.

Hel	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 4/26/2009
So the whole trip was to teach Glorfindel something about himself: to be nicer to himself and not put to much pressure on hiself. And that he feels more centered, will shurely help him. And as his training is about to start again, we will see if he will apply the lesson. And Lisselindë has had time to replenish her store of bandages. Author Reply: Some lessons in life are self-reflective, teaching us something about ourselves, either something we didn't know before, or something we have forgotten and of which we need reminding. Of course, the trick is to apply the lesson once it's presented to us. That is something Glorfindel has to do next. I'm sure Lisselindë welcomed the respite as well. grin Thanks for your review, Hel. I appreciate it.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 4/26/2009
One of those bowls could put a lot of analists out of buisness! Let's hope that Glorfindil takes this lesson to heart, he is too hard on himself at times and when he fails he spends too much time beating himself up! He should let the Maia do it for him! Hay! He managed to go a whole week with out hurting himself, Lisslinde will be so pleased! More please, Lynda Author Reply: Yes, one can only hope that the lesson will stick. I'm sure, though, that Glorfindel is at least going to try to be less hard on himself and shower a little of his compassion for others on himself.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 55 on 4/26/2009
The kid thought Glorfindel was mama? Or perhaps it was the golden hair that was so enticing? ;-) The lesson was definitely something different – and certainly not something Olórin could explain beforehand. Let us just hope the lesson takes! Author Reply: Probably thought Glorfindel's hair would be good to eat. grin And, as you can see, it really wasn't a lesson that could simply be explained. I think Glorfindel will take the lesson to heart, though that doesn't mean it won't take a bit for the lesson to sink in.

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