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Never Look Back by Independence1776	6 Review(s)
Nerdanel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/26/2010
This is so wonderful. I have always been so curious about how Elros and Elrond each made their decisions as to which race they would belong, and you did a very nice job explaining it. I also really like how you show Elrond's loyalty to Maglor. Poor Maglor. I wonder if his hand will ever heal? I am glad he left Elrond his harp, though, before he disappeared forever. The parting of Elrond and Elros is so sad - and yet it presages Elrond's parting with Arwen thousands of years later. Elrond lost so much, and yet to stay so strong - he is a very admirable character. I loved the way you portrayed them both. Author Reply: Thank you! I've always been curious myself, and especially because their decisions had to be natural, and not just have one reason. As for Maglor: I know I'm probably a bit strange in having Elrond so close to him, but I'm glad someone else can agree that his loyalty makes sense! As for the harp: it's a nod to the silver harp Elrond carries to the Grey Havens in RotK. I couldn't resist having it be Maglor's originally. "Elrond lost so much, and yet to stay so strong - he is a very admirable character." That's one of the reasons he's one of my favorite characters. He's gone through a lot, and yet he's still described as "kind as summer". That says something about his character. Again, thank you. :D

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/8/2009
Lovely - I especially loved Elrond's loyalty to Maglor. I'm not well versed in the tale of the Feanorians - but I did like this very much! Author Reply: Thank you! I'm glad you liked his loyalty. It's canon that Elrond and Elros loved him, and I couldn't see them spending decades with Maglor without being loyal even though the people they end up living with have little reason to like him. I'm glad you took a chance reading it, then. :) ~ Indy

Alassiel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/8/2009
This is an excellent character study of Elros and Elrond. I liked that you showed the situation from both points of view. I am glad that there was at least some reconciliation between the brothers—that each began to understand the choice of the other. The meeting with Maglor was poignant, loving and sad. I wonder if he ever allowed his hand to heal. I think he would, especially after the meeting with Elrond. Blessings, Alassiel Author Reply: Thank you! The story didn't cooperate until I added Elros' POV. I can't imagine them not being able to reconcile-- they're twins! But understanding is hard, and isn't an easy process. Poignant is a very good word for their meeting. And, yes, his hand did heal, but it's badly scarred. (This story's actually set in the same universe as a Maglor novel I'm working on.) ~ Indy

Cairistiona	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/6/2009
So much to like about this glimpse into Elrond and Elros' decisions. I liked the overall poignancy of it... it's impossible, really, to look at Elrond's life and not feel the sorrows that he has lived through and with, and you've captured the sense of that so well here. And you've shown the seeds of his wisdom and strength at the same time. I like your reasoning for the two brothers' choices, and the scene with Maglor was warm and heartwrenching at the same time. Really a fine look at a crucial time in Elros' and Elrond's lives. I enjoyed it very much. Author Reply: Those sorrows and his reactions to them are much of the reason Elrond is my second favorite character (Maglor's the first). I'm glad the Maglor scene was both warm and heartwrenching-- I was going for that effect. Thank you!

SurgicalSteel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/6/2009
This is a wonderful story. I love the shifting points of view, and I think you've handled that really well. The differing personalities really help make the different choices make sense - Elros seems less willing to watch the world and more eager to interact with it, while Elrond seems quite content, for the most part to observe. And yet - they're similar enough that both assume the other will just understand their choice without explanation. The use of different patronymics simply serves to emphasize the differences between them. I also like that they finally come to a sort of understanding of one another, and that it doesn't come easily. The final bit about Elros helming his own ship - for me, that reiterates that Elros is already becoming a leader of Men whereas Elrond has centuries yet before he'll become a leader among the Elves. Wonderfully done, Indy! Author Reply: Thank you! Good-- I was worried about that since it's a challenge in first person work. I'm glad their choices came across as flowing from their personalities, especially with their similarities. From my experience, few true understandings in hard situations like this come easily. I can't imagine either one being truly accepting until they sit down and talk about it, and even then, it's something they'll have to continue to work on. Exactly! Thank you again, Steel! :)

Raksha The Demon	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/5/2009
I love explorations into the early days of Elrond and his ties with Maglor; and this was a very enjoyable story. Excellent contrast between the less patient, mortal-leaning Elros and the more reflective Elrond. And I so enjoyed that Elrond had a chance to say goodbye to the wounded, damaged Maglor; and the latter's giving his foster-son the silver harp was a nice touch. Excellent detail in the end - the bit about Elros personally steering his ship is very telling about his evolution into a leader of Men. Author Reply: I'm glad you enjoyed it! I love reading stories set in that area myself. Maglor walked into the story and refused to leave, telling me exactly what he told Elrond-- he was their father and he wouldn't leave without saying farewell. The silver harp I actually took from the end of RotK-- Elrond's carrying one to Mithlond and I wondered where he got it. Yes, I love that little bit myself. Elros is certainly not incompetent.

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