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Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest by Fiondil	12 Review(s)
Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 9/3/2010
The way the Council is shaping up is very interesting and revealing. On the heels of the uproar and the (overdue, in my view - and just how come that often the most odious people are chosen as leaders?) departure of the thoroughly unpleasant Morcocáno, and after hearing much of the others before telling of their lives in beleaguered Beleriand, Brethorn's turn was the brillant high point. So incisive and unsparing, from one who before seemed the most playful; and yet with a perspective spanning all the other delegations, as death comes upon all, no matter their lands, guilds, races, families, personal actions or personal guilts. And no one is exempt from prejudices, condescension, hatred, dismissal, neglect; not any one common heckler, not a King (and that last, at least from the perspective of the Tol Eressëans, even the Valar). I'm really glad the Council of the Reborn has now chosen to come forward out of the shadows. I know how hard it has been to listen to the Reborn among you speaking of forgiveness. It's odd, isn't it? They are so angry at the Kinslayers - on behalf of their victims, most would claim. Yet when those very victims counsel forgiveness, they are ignored. Which goes to show that there is a part of selfishness in not letting go of that anger, rather than concern for others. Author Reply: Brethorn's speech actually was not planned by me. grin It really was a toss-up as to who would end up speaking last. So when Morcocáno walked out on the Council (and I didn't quite predict that event either), I was glad that Brethorn was there to give the rest of them some hard truths. This is one of my favorite scenes in the whole story actually. For many of the survivors, anger on behalf of the victims is the only thing that's kept them going, anger and the need for revenge. So when the victims return and are unconcerned about exacting revenge and couseling forgiveness instead, the survivors just can't deal with it. Part of it I suppose has to do with survivor's guilt, which can make things very messy for everyone. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 5/26/2010
This was a shocking revelation about Olwe's son. I'm guessing he was killed in the kinslaying and the whole reborn thing did not go well at all in Olwe's house. That outburst from teh Reborn delegation was most unexpected. So all of the kings have something traumatic in their pasts, huh? This was a very powerful chapter and that whole situation with the Reborn was amazing. I love this story! Author Reply: Hi Ellie. I was just as shocked as you when Brethorn mentioned Falmaron. Even I wasn't expecting that. We'll meet Falmaron in a later chapter and learn his side of the story. The Reborn are not as cute, cuddly and clueless as some of the Once-born would like to believe, and Brethorn has proved it here. I'm very happy to know that you love this story. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I greatly appreciate it.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 5/24/2010
I agree with Marthchall and Brethorn. One impartial person to overlook all the elves would be the wisest choice. Having individuals in charge of each group would not work. It hasn't up till now, so why would they think it would work in the future. Having only one "ruler" is the only way to start the healing and overcoming of prejudices in my humble opinion. Author Reply: I suspect you are correct, Tari, and hopefully, the other delegates will see it Marthchall and Brethorn's way, although we still need to hear what the Avallóneans have to say about it all before anything can be decided yea or nay. We will hear their views when the Council next meets.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 5/24/2010
It appears that all have managed to fail themselves and one another; yes, time for a better form of government that accepts all equally. Author Reply: Very true, Larner. Now to see if they are courageous enough to recognize this and work together towards an equitable government.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 5/24/2010
While Galadhwen is as arrogant as ever, Marthchall said it best of all, I think. Though it's not a surprise that the miners, who are shunned by most of the islanders, see more clearly where the government is lacking than the ones who are profiting from the current situation. And his opinion that they need a leader from outside left me thinking of Ingwion. I am sure he could do it. Oh well, we will see. sigh I knew it, now that it was Morcócano's turn there was no way the peace of the morning would last. Though I was surprised that one of the Teleri had to start it, and in such a rude way. Oh well, at least she got thrown out, and as far as I am concerned, the Council can go on without her. Brethorn's speech must have stung. You know, coming from the Reborn, who so many see as children, it was ironic to hear they were waiting for the Once-born to mature grin That ellon isn't afraid of speaking out uncomfortable truths, isn't he? But his words may give certain people something to think. The kings already know they neglected their duties, but I doubt most Amanians outside of the circle around the kings see it the same way. Oh well, at least the session ended with on a more light note, with the Valar poking fun at Námo. As for your first note, that was interesting. Haven't seen that detail before, but it explains a lot; I had always wondered why Aragorn with 20 didn't even know Arwen existed, after living so long in Imladris. Author Reply: Usually the outsiders (or those who have been marginalized by society) have a clearer understanding of what needs to be done to fix a particular problem. Certainly Marthchall and the other miners qualify. As to who might possibly fit the bill of an outsider acting as their leader, we'll have to wait and see what the Council members come up with. I am sure many readers were surprised that it was one of the Teleri who started the trouble, but when you think about it, and the history between the Teleri and the Noldor, I don't think it's too off base. Not every Teler is going to be as forgiving as Olwë or Lindarion. I'm sure it was quite a shock to hear such harsh words coming from someone that most probably dismissed as being feckless. It shows, I think, that the Reborn aren't above using that image to their own advantage. Hopefully, his words will have the desired effect and get people thinking. As for my note... I tried to remember just where I read that about the elves (it's not something that I would just make up) but I couldn't find it, yet I know I read it somewhere. I had always thought it odd that Aragorn was unaware of Arwen's existence, too, so when I came across this idea in one of Tolkien's writings (most likely it's hidden in one of his own 'Notes'), it finally made sense.

Aiwen	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 5/23/2010
The timeline notes were useful, and this chapter tied many loose ends together in interesting patterns. Author Reply: Hi Aiwen. I'm glad you found the timeline notes useful. I know that not everyone has a firm idea of the chronology of events during the First Age since the Silmarillion does not give any specific dates, though Tolkien did work out chronologies for all the major events during that time period which can be found in the Histories. And I wanted also to put Laurendil's story in context, since I know many readers are curious to know what he was doing during this time after Finrod died. Someday I hope to tell the whole story about Laurendil and Finrod and how Laurendil met Manwen. Someday....

Hel	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 5/23/2010
The peace didn´t last long. But that a Teleri would be the first was surprising. And once more I wonder how Galadhwen and Morcocáno get the heads of their respective delegations. Did they blackmail or bribe someone? I really loved Brethorn´s curtain-lecture and guess that no-one there expected something like that. But it is also a little bit condescending. I mean the Reborn had the chance of a real restart. They had the time in Mandos and Lorien to, if not forget, but to forgive their former enemies. They have the experiences of a first live and the time being dead to aid them in their new live. The other elves, who survived, had to live with the memories without the aid of Maia or Valar helping to deal with them. They had to tell the families that their loved ones had died respectively live with the death of family members and they had to pick up the shards of their lives and go on. What Brethorn calls their "petty games" is a part of this going-on and giving life a semblance of normality. It is not a good solution or a constructive one and you somehow expect something more, but I guess wanting revenge is a normal reaction even for elves. And I don´t think that the Reborn can really understand that, because the time in Mandos gives them a distance to the past and the feelings connected to it and that helps them to deal with it better. In other words the wounds of the Reborn, body, mind and soul are healed that of the Once-born are not. And I want to know more about Falmaron and Olwe and what happende between them not to mention the secret which surrounds Ingwion and the time of the darkening. Author Reply: Yet, the fact that it is a Teler who breaks the peace shouldn't be all that surprising, considering Elvish history. You are correct, Hel, that Brethorn is being somewhat condescending. Much of that is out of frustration at the way the Once-born have dismissed him and the other Reborn as having nothing important to say about anything. So, he's being a bit harsh here. Yet, that does not negate the validity of his argument. We will actually learn more about Falmaron shortly, but you'll have to wait to learn about Ingwion's secret a while longer. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Hel. I appreciate it very much.

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 5/22/2010
Now I think I understand why Olwe reacted to Beleg the way he did when the latter was discovered at the tournament... :) I love learning more about the Teleri in your stories. Is Falmaron older or younger than Earwen? or hasn't the muse told you that? I found the "fireworks" very believeable and realistic. Like having a baby, there's going to be a lot of pain and effort before the desired good end result of a viable solution to the governance of Tol Eressea. I do like the thought of an impartial leader who can have the final word over a ruling council. As to who it might be, I've got a possibility in mind but I'm not going to give a name here. grin It will be fun to see eventually if I've guessed correctly. I think the one point that really grabbed me was when it was pointed out that the children and subsequent generations who are innocent of the crimes of their parents and grandparents have been painted with the same brush. Someone once said that people will live down to expectations. If you treat someone like they are a thief or murderer, they just might be inclined to take up the practice. I do hope that our wonderful council of the Reborn continue to make their wake-up calls on the rest. Being the truly innocent ones at the table, they really are the perfect ones to make people admit to the actions and feelings and prejudices they refused to admit to themselves much less out loud. Looking at this, I have a feeling that the only truly impartial ones at the table ARE the Reborn. I really look forward to next week's chapters. As always, WELL DONE! Author Reply: Hi Rhyselle. Falmaron is younger than Eärwen and Lindarion but older than Olwen and Salmar, so he's a middle child. grin What you say about living down to expectations is correct and too many of us are victims of that sort of thing in our own lives. I'm glad you found the 'fireworks' believeable and realistic and that you liked the Reborn in this (or at least Brethorn). They are in a better position than the others to see things in a clearer light and that will be important for them all. Whether they are truly impartial remains to be seen, but certainly they have their own agenda which doesn't necessarily coincide with the agendas of the other Tol Eressëans. Manwë was smart to insist that they come as their own delegation. Their presence is a powerful statement of things the others would prefer to forget or ignore. Thanks for reviewing, Rhyselle. I really appreciate it.

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 5/21/2010
Wow, what a council! I mean, it was intense, no one is free of guilt here, no even the Valars. They really need all the help that they can use, because it is a mess. I guees that will be easier to have all of them becoming reborn and start all over again...but that means a very busy Namo... I want to know what is Ingwion's problem. You made reference to it in other chapters, but keep the secret. I'm missing Glorfindel. BTW, love Namo, I'm going to re-read now his story...the one that you wrote, of course. Author Reply: Hi Fantasia. Glad you liked this chapter. Yes, it was pretty intense on many levels. I'm sure Námo would be just as happy if they did all end up in Mandos right now. Just think of the paperwork involved. LOL We will learn about what Ingwion's problem is in my upcoming Darkening story which I plan to start posting sometime this summer. Glorfindel will be showing up soon enough, never fear. Just be patient. Glad you love Námo (so do I). Have fun re-reading "Wars of the Valar", which is what I am assuming you mean by 'his story'. Thanks for reviewing, Fantasia. I appreciate it.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 5/21/2010
The afternoon session certainly made up for the quiet morning. It was like a string of firecrackers going off! The first item was innocuous enough, but then I have been hoping for the full story of the meeting between Manwen and Laurendil since Manwen’s little comment of “have you conveniently forgotten that it was I who skewered that orc that almost got you?" It woud certainly have been an interesting way to start a courtship! So has the Muse seen fit to provide you with more details? What the representative of the despised outcasts Angrobel wanted was simple enough: to be left alone, and fair trading. And he certainly had a very valid point about having a leader who is an outsider. Galadhwen’s snotty expectation that Kortirion should be the capital of Tol Eressëa and she as leader of the Kortirion council should be the de facto Queen of the island only serves to accentuate the need for someone who stands outside all those factions. I suppose Morcocáno might have served up as snotty an expectation as Galadhwen’s of Avallone being the capital and he the ruler if he had not been so deeply insulted by Uinendilmë. I hope Lindarion will be able to handle the Telerin delegates. But I am sure Uinendilmë – and any other Teleri who attempt to derail or sabotage the conference – are going to regret it when they get back home. Olwë seems determined to stomp out such attitudes! Then came the real surprise: The sweet, innocent, childlike, gentle, cute and fluffy Reborn delegates turn out to be a pride of dangerous lions with long, sharp and deadly fangs and claws!! The lecture Brethorn delivered found its targets everywhere – except among the Valar and possibly the despised outcasts of Angrobel. And the dart aimed specificially at Olwë’s family makes me suspect that even they – who perhaps right now are among the Teleri who are least prejudiced against the Noldor – still may resent them. I expect Brethorn’s lecture will provide both food for thought as well as anger. Hopefully more of the first than the second! Author Reply: Hi Sunny. I'm not sure if I will ever have an opportunity to tell the entire story about Laurendil and Manwen, although it's sitting there on the backburner. I have long wanted to tell the story of Laurendil's relationship with Finrod in Beleriand but other stories have interevened. The synopsis of Laurendil's life after Finrod's death that I give in the Author's Note is just a hint of what happened to him. Maybe someday if life and the Muse are kind I will be able to devote time to their story. For now, you'll just have to be content with the snippets that are offered. Yes, the Reborn are not as sweet, innocent, childlike, gentle, cute and fluffy delegates as everyone believed. That's obvious a very good camouflage on their part. grin Brethorn's attack on them was defintely an eye-opener and hopefully some people will come away with a new respect for the Reborn. As for Olwë and his Reborn son and their relationship...we'll learn more about all that soon enough. Thanks for reviewing, Sunny. As always, I really appreciate it.

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