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Tales from Vairë's Loom by Fiondil	15 Review(s)
6336	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/9/2011
Just reread this, again, and having a quite sniffle over it. Mercy is so very hard to accept isn't it, it must be like having your feet knocked out from under you and not being able to understand why? I am always finding interesting little nooks and crannies in your stories, every time I read them, again and again! Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Mercy is, I think, more terrifying than punishment, especially when mercy is undeserved (or is thought to be undeserved). A number of people have told me they often find some new facet of my stories when they re-read them that did not catch their eyes in a previous reading. I've always thought that was the sign of a good story, which is what I like about Tolkien's stories: they can be read over and over again and you're always finding something new. Thanks for re-reading and re-reviewing. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Eärillë	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 5/13/2010
I stumbled on this when searching in Google, so I thought it would be better if I left a review at once. It was a new, terrifying idea, breath-taking but beautiful at once. Just... wow. Hard to say in mere words how it felt during the reading, from start to end. It sent my heart to racing, and if I had been standing, I would have stood on tiptoes because of the suspense and thrill. It was so beautifully dark and capturing. This is one of the darkest tale of Námo I have ever read from you. (Yes, perfect for Halloween. LOL Although this was certainly a unique tale for that.) I thought the warning was for... perhaps there was a Maia or two from Melkor's forces who repented, who had been a vampire... Whoa. This was more scary. And children! Haha. Just... crazily great. And I thought someone's story (Independent77, I think) about canibalism in Maedhros and Maglor was the worst and the most inventive. I was mistaken. But Námo did get his reward, and I would not begrudge him that. A son! He had always pined for a child, in most events I have read so far which concerned him intimately. grin Good for him, although the reward was delivered in... such a way. But Eru does work in strange ways. And snicker yeah, wait till Estel grows to adullescence... smirk I wonder if he can harass his new parents so much like teens usually do? Ah, this makes me want to read more about him! Please tell about his life in Mandos some time? :puppy-dog eyes: But you know, I thought his fëa would have been swallowed - and thus totally lost - forever; or perhaps he was pulled to the Timeless Halls, like the Secondborn. The first option terrified me beyond reason. But then I saw that Eru only took the tainted part of him... Meany Fiondil. You kept me strung out through that particular scene. And I thought that 'mercy' was something very horrible, too, from the way you described it there, in the middle of the narration. You did very well when you placed yourself in the ellon's - and Námo's - proverbial shoes. Everyone was clueless, and so were the readers, and no one understood until at least Námo did. - And what an understanding it was! You always have great concepts, and this time it showed too. It was new in your writing, at least from those I have read so far, and this tale was made the fresher - and more surreal - by it. Thank you for the hair-rising tale, buddy. I have been pining for great things like this. Sincerely, Rey Author Reply: This was certainly different from my usual stuff, Rey, but a writer sometimes has to stretch him- or herself to maintain their edge and this was a challenge for me. I don't know at this time if there will be more to the tale; we'll just have to wait and see. I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Rey. Thanks for reviewing and letting me know. I appreciate it very much.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 4/7/2010
Must be quite boring for Námo without Glorfindel, Finrod and the others around to liven things up grin Even if it is good to know they are all reborn and reunited with their families and friends. That was an interesting gift Námo got - one of these few remaining Elves finally accepting judgment and repenting of his crimes. (Which, by the way, sound rather creepy) But then it got quite terrifying, I have to admit. Despite all he did, I felt sorry for Cassalcarin. So I liked the outcome; it will do Námo some good to have an elfling for himself and to raise him. Pity he isn't allowed out of Mandos - I am sure certain Reborn could give him a few ideas how to keep his brand-new parents entertained grin And I absolutely like the name. Very symbolic. Author Reply: I'm sure the 'elfling' will be able to keep his brand-new parents entertained without the help of other Reborn. grin And if the other elves still behind the Galvorn door finally are released, he'll have any number of 'brothers' and 'sisters' to help keep their parents (not to mention their 'aunts' and 'uncles') entertained. It is interesting that until Námo was asked about Cassalcarin's new name I did not even know that 'Estel' was the password that opened the galvorn door, but it certainly is appropriate.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 3/5/2010
Just reread this and have just realised how terrible mercy is. To know that Casselcarin is gone forever, really Lost, with no memory at all of who he was even to his name. It is bitter-sweet, bitter for the loss of an identity and sweet for the hope in that loss. Sorry, getting a little profound here, a long, rather anxious day, a cousin by marriage went in for laprascopic surgery and ended up having to have regular surgery when they discovered too much scar tissue from previous surgeries. What was supposed to be an overnight stay looks like being a two to three day stay. We will know more tomorrow. Lynda Author Reply: A terrible mercy. Yes. Mercy can indeed be both terrible and terrifying, which is why most people opt out of it. They are more willing to endure justice and punishment, mostly because we've been trained for it since childhood but also because, unlike justice, which is often deserved, mercy is not and that's something we are unable to accept when it is offered. I hope your cousin recovers quickly. Thanks for your comments. They are much appreciated.

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/21/2009
Meldonya, this is absolutely wonderful. Author Reply: Thanks, Edlyn. I am so glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

Midnight Promise	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/8/2009
Hello! I realized I haven't been reviewing everything that I have read, sorry! Quick note to say I have enjoyed them all! :) Namo has a kid. . .? o-o;; This will be. . .interesting. And named Estel too? Lol, aw, Aragorn will be dismayed! ;) Woot! Mention of Maglor and his story! Yay! He gets some of his brothers back! :) Still can't wait to read his story! :( Poor guys. I hope they all get reconnected again to their lives. . .to a point anyway. All that is left now is for the breaking of the world. . .wow that sounds scary. o-o Hope life has been amazing! MP Author Reply: Hi MP. Glad you liked this one. I think Aragorn might be more amused than dismayed myself. grin Someday I hope to write Maglor's story. Perhaps I will be able to get to it once I finish up "Elf, Interrupted", which I hope to finish before next summer. We will have to see. And I am sure that Namo and Vaire (and Eru) will do everything they can to help the others who reside beyond the Galvorn Door. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/4/2009
Well, speaking about a complete change, I’ve had in mind certain things, which I’m not sure I’ve understood, let alone being able to explain. “lol” I certainly didn’t want to say they would have new personalities, at least not literally, but, in some cases, it could be about a epiphany of some sort, including the intellectual level. Something like that. It looks like this morning my brains are even more jumbled than usual. “lol” I’ve spoken about Námo’s failures only because (at least in my mind) his inability to convince those Elves to accept judgment has everything to do with said “failures”. On top of that, the last glimpse of the Valar those Elves had in their life has been, coincidentally or not, the Lord of Mandos promising them “little pity” once they had passed through his door. In my opinion, their perception regarding the Valar and especially Námo it matters a great deal when it comes about accepting or not judgment. They are asked after all to put their…life ‘lol’ (or whatever they have been left with, once stripped of their flesh) in the hands of the Valar. At any rate, I don’t intended to make it the point of my review. There would be time for that later, I reckon. “lol” What I’ve found so wonderful in your story (wonderful enough to soothe the pang in my chest after reading the first part of the story) are two images: the image of both Eru and Námo holding Cassalcarin so lovingly and caringly and the image of Námo raising him as his own child. Whatever I may think the Valar did or did not, I will always aim for a full reconciliation, for an image like this and, during this process, I think all the things and doubts must be brought on the surface and adressed accordingly. Again, thank you for a masterpiece. Sitara P.S. I don't think I've managed to say all I wanted to say...but anyway, I cannot miss this. Quenya sounds so wonderfully melodious...more like a Romanic language Author Reply: Hi Sitara. Well I think you are right about the epiphany for some of the fear. And obviously some of these Elves have a skewed sense of the Valar given their history with them; others, especially the Sindar, would have no real history with any of the Valar, except the oldest ones with Orome, so whatever reason they have for not accepting judgment cannot be blamed on Namo's failure in the sense that you seem to mean. I am glad that you found the images of Eru and Namo holding Cassalcarin and Namo raising him as his son to be wonderful. I think they are wonderful too and are symbolic of the love that God has for us all whether we know it or not.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 11/2/2009
You can imagine how I flinched when I saw the words “the last Age of Arda” and “the Halls of Mandos” , Fiondil. Anyway, after the first reading, I found myself not knowing whether starting to cry or to flame. Not you, of course, and neither your story. The Lord of Mandos, however, is a different story altogether. “attempting to grin devilishly and failing miserably” I hope I won’t butcher completely your vision and understanding of the matter, but it seems to me that you took what is described as happening with the Elven fëar inside the Halls of Mandos to a new level. Meaning, it’s not (only) about ‘healing’ any longer, respectively instructing, correcting or strengthening a fëa, but about a complete ‘change of soul’. Not changed people, but new people altogether. If this is the case, then I believe that these Elves, the ones without hope, would be getting the best part of the deal. “grin” Extremely impressive the depiction of Cassalcarin’s rebirth. Almost like an exorcism, if I’m permitted to speak this way. You know, while reading the sentence “Eru would have his due and it would be nothing short of his very Self”, I forgot myself for a moment and I thought that I’m again deep immersed into Lewis’s writings. This is the highest praise I personally can bring to a writer. Mercy instead of Forgiveness….In another universe, the most fitting word would have been Grace. Only after being lost, you can be truly found. No word could encompass so much beauty. Unfortunately (or not), I’m not capable to end it here, as no doubt you can guess. What I’m going to say next sounds incredibly audacious, even for my own ears. But such deed is necessary. …. the failure was never on your part. Actually, it was. Regardless of how annoying I must sound and speaking without passions and prejudices, some serious accusations can be brought against Námo (and the rest of the Valar). To ellaborate a bit and using the one case I’ve thoroughly analysed, Námo’s actions have drastically impinged upon his foremost prerogative , namely the right to judge. Other charges, regarding hope this time, are even more serious, in my opinion. Through their actions, in some cases, the Valar have provided the opportunity to be viewed as nothing more than Morgoth’s kin and the quest for jewels and new lands to become also a personal vendetta, directed against them as much as it was against Morgoth. The relationship between Námo and the Elves entrapped in that Hall is a two-edged knife, in my opinion. I’ll stop here for two reasons. One, there is a Vala that I really wish to spare and any accusation I’ll bring would be directed firstly at him. And two…the image of Námo playing happily with his children, when said children are the likes of Eol, of Celegorm or of Maeglin, has struck the words in the back of my throat. “smile” One last thing. I swear, absolutely the last. “lol” Umm…I should warn Námo about a bit of …miscalculation in his bookeeping. “lol” “They can never leave Mandos until Arda is Remade.” Not quite. “cough” And, if I may suggest, Námo should already start looking for a conqueror of fate. Because, Arda still fully Marred, a Man who should be beyond the circles of this world , and an Elf, whose likeness should have never appeared again within Arda, shall step forth, at Eru’s Will. One will kill Morgoth, the other shall destroy Morgoth’s legacy. “smiling like sun” Only after, all the Elves would awake and all their dead would arise. Sorry for rambling 'that' much but after all, I did warn you, Fiondil, that this one would be memorable. At last, in length. “lol” Author Reply: I do not think the elves will be changed into new personalities but rather restored to what they should have been, but perhaps for some there would have to be a change as you describe. As for Namo's "failure"... he is not speaking about what the Valar did or did not do at the time of the Darkening or before (or after) but in his inability to convince these elves to accept judgment (and by the way you will have to blame Tolkien about that since it was he who described Namo as being the Judge grin). As for the rest... I am sure Namo is as aware of the prophecy as any but he is merely speaking in generalities here, since for the other elves what he says holds true.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/30/2009
How wonderful that one of these lost ones is restored, ready to be raised properly, to learn how to live in righteousness and joy, and with such parents! Lovely theme for both Halloween and All Saints! Author Reply: Thanks, Larner. I am glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for letting me know.

njomo	Reviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/30/2009
Bravo! This story works so well on many different levels. I admit I approached it with trepidation. Not because of the rating at the beginning of the story, but because...well, I thought, vampires in Tolkien's world? Oh no! But trusting you as I do, I read on and was not disappointed. What impressed me the most was the explanation you gave for Cassa's behavior. I was wondering how you would explain vampirism in the context of what we know about Ennorath. I couldn't see...just couldn't see a Dracula type figure, in spite of Morgoth. And so you passed that test with flying colors! And then, near the end, I wasn't sure at all what was really happening to Cassa, though I should not have doubted that Eru would not fulfill his promise to Namo without compassion toward both he and Cassa. To know that one so ravaged by what he had done could find relief, new life, and love...and loving parents...well, what more perfect ending could one want? And Eru, well, was just Eru, knowing the deep felt desires and fears of Námo and seeking to fulfill and assuage. Námo may have his hands full in time, but I'll bet he enjoys every minute! Thanks Fiondil! Joanne Author Reply: Hi Joanne. Well, we know from the Silmarillion that there were vampires in Morgoth's army. Exactly what they were is never really described, but vampirism itself exist even in our own world. There are people who get a rush from drinking blood. I am glad that you were not disappointed in the story. It's quite a bit different from anything else I have written to date and I was of two minds as to whether I would post it or not. Thanks for reviewing and letting me know what you thought of the story. I really appreciate it.

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