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Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest by Fiondil	10 Review(s)
Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 135 on 7/15/2010
That was certainly an interesting chapter. It took a lot of guts to do what the Elves did, but I think it was necessary to air all these incidents where they had to be feeling manipulated by the Valar. Author Reply: It did take a lot of courage for them to do this, but as you say, it was necessary to get it all out in the open. Glad you found this an interesting chapter, Kitty. Thanks for letting me know.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 135 on 7/2/2010
Indeed, how could anyone pass judgment on the Vala and if they did what kind of sentence could they possibly enforce? This gets more interesting with each chapter. Author Reply: That's certainly the million dollar question here, isn't Tari? grin Glad you are enjoying this. Thanks for letting me know.

Parmalokwen	Reviewed Chapter: 135 on 7/1/2010
I'm really glad that Manwë is not treating the trial like a big joke or a game. Hopefully the Valar will take the elves more seriously after this even if the verdict is "not guilty," because the trial sends a clear message of "we notice what you are doing and We Are Not Amused." I wonder what sort of reparations Glorfindel could claim for the potentially permanent damage done to his mind through ill-advised experimental procedures done without his consent? And Vondo-- the degree of Selmacas' guilt is unclear (he basically plead temporary insanity), but the Valar are clearly guilty of something more than the usual negligence when they let Vondo out of Lorien just to see what would happen. I am really done with trusting Irmo by now. When kids poke anthills with sticks, they usually aren't thinking about how they are destroying the ants' city. They just want to see the ants run around. But the fact remains that they have ruined a lot of hard work. Now the elves are turning out to be more like bees, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Kids and beekeepers alike learn respect for bees. Morgoth is the kid who pulls wings off of flies, of course. Author Reply: A rather interesting take on things, Parmalokwen. I have no idea if Glorfindel would even think he could recover damages from the Valar. I doubt anyone has thought it out quite that far. Ingwë did tell Glorfindel way back when the ellon first came to Vanyamar (in Book One), that when it came to the Elves the Valar were like twelve-year-olds poking at an anthill to see how the ants scurry and if you give them enough cause they'll poke even harder. But as you say, when the bees turns around and sting you, you learn to be more respectful towards them. We'll see soon enough what Manwë's defense entails and how the situation is resolved. Thanks for reviewing. I greatly appreciate it.

ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 135 on 6/28/2010
Interesting case brought against the Valar. That took guts to do, that's for sure! The evidence is fascinating and tholugh it prove that the Valar do try to intercede or influence behavior, what do the elves think they will do if the Valar are found guilty? The Tol Eresseans have got to admire the Amanians for their bravery. Author Reply: Yes,it is an interesting case, isn't it, Ellie? And it took a lot of guts. I'm glad you find the evidence fascinating. I have no doubt the Tol Eressëans are greatly impressed by the Amanians, particularly since it's Finrod who is the one prosecuting. As for what the elves think they will do if the Valar are found guilty... well, I'm sure many of them are wondering the same thing. grin Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

ninqwestilmen	Reviewed Chapter: 135 on 6/28/2010
Manwe is certainly enjoying himself through this, although the elves are not likely to enjoy the joke as much as he. Is it necessary for him to tick them off as much as he can before he explains himself? Well, I am wondering if Finrod and Manwe are playing a well rehearsed drama. Cant wait till Friday when more will be revealed :D Author Reply: Hi Ninquestilmen. Hmmm.... Finrod and Manwë playing a well rehearsed drama... that's an interesting thought. I think Manwë is simply enjoying himself at the Elves' expense. Not a wise move as they are definitely not in the mood for levity, but there you have it. At any rate, I'm glad you enjoyed this and are looking forward to the next chapter when we get to hear Manwë's defense. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Hel	Reviewed Chapter: 135 on 6/28/2010
I wonder how the Valar will talk themselves out of this and if they give the elves some real answers. This stuff about Glorfindel and Falmaron need to meet now or never sounds a bit overly dramatic. If Olwe and his family wanted to find Falmaron they would have found him. And I wonder why Glorfindel still cannot see Tancol. Maybe the Valar have overdone it by manipulating his mind. Author Reply: Hi Hel. We'll see in the next chapter how Manwë defends himself and the Valar and what the elves think of his explanations, including the bit about Glorfindel and Falmaron. As for Glorfindel not being able to see Tancol, even the Valar are puzzled by that. Perhaps we'll learn why someday. You may be right about the Valar overdoing things and inadvertently affecting Glorfindel's mind negatively. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.

eiluj	Reviewed Chapter: 135 on 6/28/2010
"Manwë ... sighed slightly, setting off a light breeze that ruffled everyone’s hair" -- snicker I may not review often anymore, but I do always read and enjoy. Author Reply: Hi eiluj. I thought that was a nice touch myself. Thanks for noticing the "Lord of the Breath of Arda" at work. grin And thanks letting me know how much you are enjoying the story. I really appreciate it.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 135 on 6/28/2010
Arrgh!!! The Cliffie King Strikes again!!! Waiting on the edge of my seat with baited breath for friday, I will be very interested in the answers Manwe gives. Frustrated Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Well, originally I thought to have this all in one chapter but then realized that a). it would make the chapter way too long, and b). I wanted Manwë to have his own chapter as he pretty much takes Finrod's case point-by-point so that chapter is about as long as this one. Friday isn't all that too long away when you think about it. You could spend the week imagining what Manwë's defense is going to be based on how Finrod presented his case. grin

Edlyn	Reviewed Chapter: 135 on 6/28/2010
Whew! Now I'm on even more tenterhooks! I had shivers when Manwe said, "which is why I am standing here, allowing myself, who am vice-gerent to Eru Ilúvatar over all of Arda and the Elder King above all other kings, to be put on trial." He really loves all the Children, doesn't he? Because he could as easily have told the Elves to essentially sit down, shut up, and listen to him, rather than allow the trial to go forward. Thinking about it, if the Valar (and by extension Eru) want to inform all the elves of Aman and Tol Eressëa of something important to all of them (like the opening of the southern lands, for example) getting them together at a council is a good way to do it. But opening the southern lands is something that's not going to happen for some time so there's got to be another reason for all these elves to be in this place right now. Glorfindel is really walking a fine line, isn't he?. Talk about manipulation... he's certainly learned to make use of the "I'm just recently released Reborn" to get away with things, at least when he isn't emotionally overset. His doubts that he will ever see Tancol made me think about the fact that, though they are essentially angelic (or archangelic, if you will), the Valar are not infallible. While we assume that when in Middle Earth Glorfindel could see Eärendil's star like everyone else, the words Tolkien says about Glorfindel and his conversations with Aragorn and the Hobbits never touch on the subject. So it could be possible that the block ended up causing permanant damage, essentially 'blinding' Glorfinel permanaently. "I prefer the title ‘Captain’," I can just hear the tone of Falamon's voice in that line. His suspiciousness about the "inspiration" to map the islands is reasonable but things are going to be a real mess if the elves start second guessing every idea they get because they think they are being manipulated. So yes, the trial is a good idea, if only to clear the air and reassure the elves that they still have free will. Hmmmm. Now I'm really wondering what's going on about the need for Eärendil and Elwing to be there. When I read the chapter where they were summoned I didn't really think twice about Elwing going along because the two are sort of a combination package inside my head, if you will. And like Eärendil said, traveling by way of Vingilot was an elegant solution to the need for speed. It could just be that the elves of Aewellond need to be represented at the Council, if not in regards to Tol Eressëa, then to whatever other matter the 'real' Valar-driven purpose of the meeting is. Or could it be that perhaps the Valar are going to tell them something about the fate of Eärendil's parents? (I know, that's a real long-shot, but one can hope, right?) I just wanted to give Vondo a hug. I still haven't been able to figure out the reason for him being Reborn when he was. I felt that much upset was going to come of it but couldn't figure out the why of it. I'm glad that he could give his testimony from his seat by his family and Laurendil. It's so easy to try to see the hand of the Valar in everything that's happening (maybe Glorfindel's paranoia about being manipulated has rubbed off on me) but while it turned out to be a good thing for Vorondil's recovery that he was found by his uncle, obviously they didn't influence the attack on our favorite almost-elfling. The description of his testimony added a bit of lightness to the chapter which I enjoyed. Ingwe's "My lord, may I respectfully remind you that you are the accused and your comments are in contempt of this court," statement was wonderful. I can just see his expression. Yes, if thisis going to be a serious trial, the accused needs to keep his commentary to himself. So now the really fun part of the trial begins. I'm sure there will be plenty of surprises. This was very well-written and read very smoothly. As I said before meldonya, your art improves with every new chapter. Eru bless! Edlyn Author Reply: Hi Edlyn. I imagine every Elf at the trial got shivers when Manwë said those words, as well. I know I did and I wrote them. grin While the Elves believe the purpose, the only purpose, for the Council is to decide on Tol Eressëa, I have no doubt that the Valar, who cannot be accused of not being able to multi-task, have more than that in mind for the Council. That is why, I think, they wanted Falmaron there as well as Eärendil and Elwing. They are using the Council as an excuse to further their own agenda on other matters. And you're right about the need for the Elves not to second-guess themselves. So, one purpose of this trial will be to show that not everything they do or think is because they've somehow been manipulated into doing or thinking it. They need to understand that however it may appear to them, their free will has never been violated and that's an important point for us all to remember. That's an interesting theory about Glorfindel being 'mentally damaged' so he cannot see the Star of Hope as everyone else in Middle-earth can. It would make him less 'godlike' than he is portrayed by Tolkien in LOTR, wouldn't it? Poor Glorfindel. We'll have to see if he ever does see Tancol and under what circumstances. An interesting little plot bunny...hmmm.... I really can't say what the need is for Eärendil and Elwing to be there, because I'm not quite sure myself. grin Sometimes, the Valar don't tell me what I need to know when I need to know it and I have to figure it out for myself. Very frustrating. grin As for why Vondo has been reborn at this time, way back in Book One, after Vorondil's trial, Námo tells Nienna and Irmo that Vondo could have been released from Mandos for some time, but the situation with Calalindalë needed to be resolved first. Now that it had, he could and did release Vondo from Mandos. When we see Vondo in Lórien, he has, literally, only just arrived there. Sorondil and Oromendil even tell Finrod that there had been new arrivals but they had not met them yet. Of course, the family dynamics are very unique from that of others so how Vondo's time in Lórien is being handled is somewhat different from the average Reborn. Ingwë is every inch the High King here, and he's known the Valar intimately for so long that he is not afraid to take certain liberties. Treating Manwë as any other 'prisoner before the bar' was the right thing to do, and Manwë knows this and does not take offense. So now the fun begins indeed. grin I am glad you think this chapter was well written and read very smoothly, Edlyn. Thanks for letting me know. Hopefully the next chapter will not disappoint.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 135 on 6/28/2010
Aha! A well laid out charge! Now, to hear the explanations! Author Reply: I'm glad you think so, Larner. Explanations will be coming shortly.

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