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The Journal of Alatáriel, Missionary by Clodia	4 Review(s)
Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2010
In a reply, to your question... I know I have been harping about geography, and I apologize for that. I tend to think and write in a realistic style, which is why it matters to me. In this chapter, you described the landscape (and Menegroth) beautifully. For me, the chronology was the dodgy part. Few people even knew of the Narog river caverns until Finrod occupied them. And Alatriel's party crossed the river at the probable battleground where Cirdan was beaten back. It was likely infested with straggler orcs and scavenging wolves. Not at all a safe route to take. If I were their guide, I would have been happier following the Andram to the Gates of the Sirion. See, mere quibbles. Not relevant to the point of this particular story. Ah, so this was the punchline: Melian, herself! G I liked the the joke so much I definitely want it to go on! Who wouldn't? :D Author Reply: Ah, I see what you mean. Well, you're right, of course -- if this was meant to have been an actual journey taken by a couple of naive visitors from Aman, it's probably not the best route to have taken; and certainly it requires a rather high level of geographical knowledge, especially if the author is taken to be a Silvan of the Third Age. But actually the "anonymous author" is, uh, the sort of person who would have made it their business to have that sort of knowledge at the time (the Narog river caverns especially -- Thingol knew of them, after all, to recommend them to Finrod, and if messengers had passed fairly regularly between the Falathrim and Doriath prior to Morgoth's return, I don't see why they shouldn't have stumbled across the caves before) and also wouldn't have cared all that much about stray orcs and wolves at this point. Evidently it didn't occur to them that Alatariel's party would have cared either. (Well, Alatariel's Noldor kin have made such a good start at civilising Beleriand, after all...) Thank you for clarifying, anyway! I'm always interested in this sort of detail; there's just so much to get wrong with every story, especially one that covers a good deal of ground. ;)

curiouswombat	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2010
How shall I describe the tumult within my breast on finding another chapter of this fantastical account so studiously annotated by the erudite Erestor and Melinna? Well Yay! might be a good start.... Author Reply: It's the sort of language that rubs off, isn't it? Thank you for commenting, as always! You make me a happy person. :D

perelleth	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2010
Ok, I'm now more curious than ever about the promised one-shot of Beleriand Treasury about this tale, because I am now fantasizing that this was, after all,w ritten by the lady herself in plain mockery or somewhat piqued with or by someone! (Or was it celebrìan?) :-) I want to know the truth!!!!!! This said, I find this hilarious beyond believable, in the dry-humour subtle style that works best for me. All comments about Melian are a hoot, ended with the Maia herself being so sweet "and wishes to educate us in the wisdom of the Valar. There can be little doubt that she knows much we should learn.” that really killed me. Two powerful ladies competing? (And Beleg's circumspect way about Elwë's camp? Hilarious) Then the parting shots about Cirdan's poor and uneducated people...and her enthusiasm at the glorious carrer she's about to undertake beside her affectionate Partner! i'm with Redheredh here, i cnanot read that without snorting. Erestor and Melinna are appropriately dry here, notes 2 5 and 8 chuckle- inducing to the point of choking, and the last one the killer, of course. And yet, on the serious side, I had to shake my head recognizing the source in this: no thought to the most expeditious usage of their copious resources; this heedlessness is no doubt considerably exacerbated by the want of civilization. Had they excitements to diligence, and improvements in agriculture, then these plains, instead of having a few wild deer scattered thinly over them, would be alive with cattle; and a wealth of golden corn would cover the hillsides, recalling the riches of Valinor. O that the plans of myself and my affectionate Partner for evangelizing and civilizing this barbarous land may be met with success Indeed. Civilize. Well, I'm looking forward to the resolution of this joke and the underlying tale. I'm enjoying this beyond words. Author Reply: The truth will be revealed very shortly, I promise! Hopefully it'll be worth the wait. ;) In any case, SO glad you enjoyed this, and especially Melian's role -- that final line was certainly meant to provide the kick to the whole tale. Thank you so much for all your lovely comments! It means a lot to me that you've enjoyed this tale, and that you've taken the trouble to review at such length. :D

Redheredh	Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/7/2010
I was absolutely wheezing with laughter at the introductory summary. I swear Alatariel is jealous of this one Melian. Quite piqued. ;D As for being surprised to have to cross a wilderness. Really? Lost potential from lack of industry? Really?! I guess I must blame the imperialist literary source for that bit. The geography was once again anachronistic, but still referentially most interesting. "my affectionate Partner" G I still can't pass that without snarfing. But, the encounter with Beleg was excellent! That was loads of fun! And just what were they doing all that time with Cirdan, supposedly learning the language, and not learning anything of the facts about Elwe, Melian, and Menegroth? Hmmm? ;D Maybe they concentrated on sexual... eh,social... customs out of collateral interest. Just like modern missionaries and most tourists... Oh dear, did Melian say 'kinswoman'? Just who is intending to teach a lesson here? ;) Great Chapter! And very happy that there is obviously more to come! Author Reply: I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter! You can blame the source literature for Alatariel's disapproval of the wilderness -- well, partly: it seemed reasonable to me that Valinor might have been (at least perceived to be, via that descriptions of the Exiles) farmed somewhat more intensively than Beleriand, certainly Beleriand after Morgoth's return. I usually prefer not to bother with working out where everyone got their food from, or how the economy worked: that level of realism is reserved for RL work. But I do discriminate about the details I borrow from Mrs Jeffreys -- it would be unfair to judge her Journal from this one, incidentally; in her case, the missionaries had been explicitly invited to Madagascar by the local prince in order to teach children how to read and write. I am interested to know how the geography was anachronistic, though? there are shaky details, of course (I suppose you might argue that Amon Rudh should have been occupied at this point, or perhaps that the chronology is a bit dodgy) but I was trying to be as accurate as possible with the actual geography. Also, I have a confession -- and given the option, I would use the Small Text of Embarrassment -- which is that I'd planned to wrap up this story in the next chapter with a brief epilogue and a relevant one-shot. Ummmm. The anonymous author possibly feels that their point has been sufficiently made? We'll see. ;) Thank so much for reading and for your kind review, as ever!

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