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| Tales from Vairë's Loom by Fiondil | 12 Review(s) |
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| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/1/2009 |
| Legolas Greenleaf? That name threw me for a moment, until I remembered that there was another one with that name back there in the First Age. Eärendil was a brave little lad, and I was somehow glad Glorfindel could smile about him. Maybe that gave him some good memories to hold against all that death and destruction. But of course, now I want a reunion between these two in Valinor more than ever ;) As sad as it was to see Haldir die, it was a great tie-in to EI. I was really glad Glorfindel kept Gwilwileth from jumping after him. As for Glorfindel himself ... famous last words, eh? Somehow fitting for him to use his favourite curse in that situation. It was admirable how he kept calm and just did what had to be done, knowing he would very probably die in the process. This story was a nice look at the Fall of Gondolin from Glorfindel’s POV, giving the reader an idea of how he tried to deal with the situation and the losses he had just suffered. Author Reply: Yeah, the *other* Legolas Greenleaf. *lol* Eventually Glorfindel and the now grown Eärendil will meet and this little memory probably helps Glorfindel to keep things in perspective. There was much death and destruction, but there was heroism as well and a small boy trying to be brave through it all. When I originally started to write this story it was actually from Tuor's POV but Glorfindel sort of butted in and I knew that it was really his story to tell. *grin* | |
| rick | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 7/1/2009 |
| Nothing like an Oh, sh%t moment! After all, what else can you say, when the world is falling apart around you? I can see the Tales are as good as the Tapestry, yippee! Too bad real life has to interfere with the important stuff - keep writing! Author Reply: That's exactly what it was, Rick. *lol* And what else can one say at such a time that's even worth saying? Glad you are enjoying this series as much as the Tapestry series. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it. | |
| Kaylee Arafinwiel | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/30/2009 |
| Hi Atar Fiondil! Sorry about taking so long to review! I thought I had but I hadn't! Silly me...Anyway I loved it, it gave me shivers and chills in all the right places and then Glorfi's last words had me nearly falling out of my chair. How typical! *wry grin* Only Glorfindel. I wonder what Ecthelion's last words were? By the way, what's "Amon Gwareth"? I know "Amon" means mountain or hill, but "Gwareth" I don't know...actually...*goes to Encyclopedia of Arda quickly* 'Hill of Defence'. Hmm. It also says 'Hill of Watch' but I would think that'd be Amon Tirith, or something. What do you think? Poor Glorfi...but at least we know now he lives again and his death was not in vain, for he defended Turgon's family well. *huggles Glorfi* But I agree with whoever it was that said his naneth didn't attend to his language enough as an elfling. *grin* He's Glorfi, what do you expect? Tye-melin Atar indonyo! Kaylee Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. Actually 'Amon Gwareth' is not translated, at least not in the Silmarillion. The verb 'to defend' in Sindarin is _gartha_. _Garth_ means 'fort, fortress'. Thus, 'Hill of Defense' would be _Amon Garthad_ or, more likely, _Amon Garth_. As far as I can find, there is no other word similar to _gwareth_ in either Sindarin or its percursor, Noldorin, that would give us a clue as to its meaning. At any rate, 'Hill of Watch' would indeed be _Amon Tirith_. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed this story in spite of Glorfi's bad language. *grin* I'm sure Ecthelion's last words were much better. Tye-melin yeldë indonyo! | |
| Natalie | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/30/2009 |
| A wonderful piece. (Well, no wonder. I tend to like catastrophic stories). I love the title. It tells so much and yet so little about the story, and seems to be screaming to the potential reader: "Read me, now!" Well, I found myself unable to disobey this command. Tell me, how do you do this? Your descriptions are short but so complete and they create a perfect picture in my mind... I guess that's what we call talent :) You do not write much about the emotions of the characters, but somehow you don't need to. It's astounding how you manage to show them all beautfully through a short dialogue or just a few words about someone's reaction. Great. I love it, I do. I found the ending of the storyl most appealing. The mixture of calm heroism and humor is simply awesome. Natalie PS. And I now know how to call people I don't like. *rubs hands with a wicked smile on her face* Pui-en-orch, hah! They won't understand and I'll surely enjoy the satisfaction of calling them so. *Morgoth laughter* Author Reply: Hi Natalie. I had to really think about the title, sine the theme "Last Words" really summed up the story as well but I didn't want to use it as the title. I tried rendering the Latin into Sindarin, but decided the Latin worked just as well. Since this story is from the pov of Glorfindel, who is in total warrior mode at this point, you're not going to see much emotion from him as there's no room for emotions when they're fighting for their lives. I'm glad though that you like my descriptions and characterizations. I think I belong to the miniamlist school of writing: give the readers enough information for them to 'see' what is going on but leave the rest to their imaginations, filling in the blanks as they please based on their own personal experiences, etc. Anyway, I'm glad you found the ending most appealing. And you are a wicked girl. *lol* Thanks for reading and reviewing, Natalie. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to let me know how much you enjoyed this story. | |
| Thalanee | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/30/2009 |
| P.S.: I love the way your different stories interconnect! More please! Author Reply: Thanks, Thalanee. I like interconecting my various stories into the same 'universe'. Of course, the downside to that is trying to remember to remain consistent from one story to the next. *grin* | |
| Thalanee | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/30/2009 |
| A sad ending... but since we know what happened to our Balrog slayer it isn´t that sad. Nicely written as always *grin* To answer your question from your answer to my last review: At the beginning (meaning the first four semesters) I´m studying four different branches: classical archaeology (ancient greeks and romans), Pre- and Early History (the BC- millenia in Europe), Near eastern Archaeology (Mesopotamia) and Biblical Archaeology (Archaeology of the Levante meaning Israel, Syria, etc.) There´s also Christian Archaeology and Byzantine Art, but I may only pick four branches. So my timetable during that time was full (really full). Now that I´m Fifth Semester I´m specializing in Near Eastern Archaeology until I write my Master thesis after tenth semester. I´m actually interested in all branches of archaeology: Archaeology of Asia and the Americas, and so on. That´s why I´m collecting all archaeology books I can lay my hands on. Even if I can´t study them in university, I´ll study them at home! ;-) That´s a cumbersome way to talk... Greetings, Thalanee Author Reply: Yes, it's not quite as sad an ending as it would be were Glorfindel Mortal, but as he isn't.... That's quite a lot on your plate. I've also been interested (lately) in the Archaeology of Mesopotamia, particularly Sumeria, and of course Biblical Archaeology. I used to subscribe to Biblical Archaeology Review and its sister publication Biblical Review. But like you, I like all branches of archaeology. | |
| njomo | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/29/2009 |
| Hi Fiondil, Oh my, what a job you did intertwining details of your own story with that of Tolkien's. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for not over-embellishing Tolkien's work. I always thought the simplicity of his narrative made the impact of the story that much more terrible, and I feel the same about your story. By this I mean that you did not add a lot of emotional content that detracts from the main story, and what you did add is, I think, entirely appropriate. I did enjoy the glimpse of Tuor and Idril, and Glorfindel's interaction with them. And we may laugh about Glorfindel's last words, but I liken them to the equivalent of certain four letter words one might hear today in similar "no win" situations. I found it interesting when reading this through the first time that you describe Glorfindel as "an island of calm..." But the last two sentences say it all, especially when, as you put it, he spoke that epitath "half in disgust and half in resignation." Glorfindel knew and accepted the probable outcome, and you did an excellent job of capturing the moment. I can think of few more beautiful things to see than the rising of Ithil, and the contrast of that beauty with the scene Glorfindel sees at that moment is chilling indeed. Most well done! Thanks Fiondil. Joanne Author Reply: Hi, Joanne. Writing a canonical scene without simply lifting everything from Tolkien is not easy. It helps to do so through the pov of one of the characters as I do here with Glorfindel. Then the reader only knows what the character knows rather than what the narrator tells us in the original. Tolkien, for instance, gives an explanation for the sudden fog on the plains, but the people making their way across the plain to the mountains would have no idea for it, only that there has never been fog before and now it comes almost providentially to hide them from the enemy. And writing this from Glorfindel's pov means that I don't have to be too emotional about it; Glorfindel is a warrior who can put aside whatever emotions he might be feeling, especially over the deaths of Turgon and Ecthelion, to do what needs to be done to see everyone to safety. Time for emotions later, if there is a later. You are correct that Glorfindel's last words are the Sindarin equivalent of certain four-letter words we hear today in, as you put it, 'no-win' situations. Such words sum it all up (at least to the mind of the person uttering them) and really, what other comment is needed? *grin* Anyway, I'm glad you thought I did an excellent job of capturing the moment and that you found the rising of Ithil in contrast to the horror that Glorfindel sees all around him chilling. That's just what I was aiming for. Thanks for reviewing, Joanne. I really appreciate it. | |
| ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/29/2009 |
| I read this for ALEC without knowing you wrote it (hooray for anonymous contests!), yet my mind registered the events of the story somewhere as relating to Elf Interrupted. Later when I read ELF Interrupted last week and saw reference to the events of this story, I then sat there trying to remember where in Elf Interrupted this incident with Haldir's death took place. Then I discovered that you had written this short story. I hate when my subconscious mind is smarter than my conscious one. It confuses me. But, considering the conditions under which I regularly read, it is a wonder I remember anything that I read at all! Chalk one up to the subconscious mind! Glorfy is very compassionate and almost fatherly in this in his regard for Haldir. I felt very sorry for Haldir's wife and her widowhood so soon after marrying. All of your stories are good and a pleasure ot read. Author Reply: Ah... and I thought for sure Glorfindel's final words would be the give-away as to who wrote the story. *grin* We see Glorfindel as he was before his death. He is the consummate warrior, of course, but he is also Lord of his House, who cares for all who under his protection. We see him here much the way we see him (however briefly) in LoTR. I'm glad you enjoyed this story (and all my other ones), Ellie. Thanks for letting me know. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/29/2009 |
| This fits in well with Glorfindel's Quest, of course, and it's--well, not "nice" but perhaps fitting--to see how it was that Haldir fell and so was lost to his wife. And trust Glorfindel to use that epithet as he leaps upon the Balrog! Author Reply: Yes, Larner. When I first wrote this, I realized I wanted to bring Haldir into the story and describe his death as a sort of microcosm of all the other deaths that ensued that day. Glorfindel's death, of course, is a special case, but I wanted to convey through Haldir, an ordinary elf, the horror that all of them faced and the deaths that many of them suffered. Later, when I came to write the chapter in EI2 where Haldir describes his death to his father, I already had this story to draw on. And Glorfindel was just being Glorfindel at that particular moment. *grin* | |
| 6336 | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/29/2009 |
| I should have known, with Glorfindel around, what else!? Obviously his Naneth did not use enough soap when she washed his mouth out! Nice tie in with Haldir and Gwilwileth by the way. More please, Lynda Author Reply: Of course, with Glorfindel, what would you expect? *grin* When I began writing this story, I finally realized what Haldir and Gwilwileth's stories were in relation to Glorfindel's so I was glad to be able to tie them in. This story was already written when I had Haldir describe his death to his atar and Arafinwë in chapter 63 of EI-2. | |