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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/18/2010
Alas for the realization that Melkor has lied and is again sowing evil in the world. Author Reply: Indeed, Larner. And his lies will yield bitter fruit for them all.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/16/2010
Finally able to get some reading done. So, this is mostly from Ingwion's POV? Author Reply: Most of this story is from Ingwion's POV but not exclusively.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/6/2010
Well, of course, you’re right and Námo isn’t the only Vala responsible for that legal abuse, if I could call it so. Only that he’ll be the first to suffer the consequences because he is the Doomsman of Arda and he’ll have to judge dead Elves on a daily basis. Because of their uninspired action, from now on, Fëanáro will have both the capacity and the reasons to defy Námo in his face, in his own demesne, and the poor Lord of Mandos will find himself removed from his place as Doomsman and placed in the dock! “grin” Lovely. But I was about to ask about Elwë and something the Elder King said about his kingdom from Beleriand. “Would ye take from him what was never yours to begin with?" Huh? What was never theirs? I mean, Thingol would have rights to rule in Middle-earth and the rest of the Eldar wouldn’t have them? I should keep to myself my opinions about Sindar and Teleri kings so I would ask only what was trying Manwë to say, if you don’t mind. One last thing that I just have to say. Firstly, I should say that I don’t know why I have such a soft spot for Nolofinwë of all people. But I’ve always asked myself why he didn’t get to receive a slap on his wrist for provoking Fëanáro into drawing his sword and threatening him. He never tried to replace his half-brother in their father’s eyes, is it? To me it seems that it was exactly what he kind of did. Furthermore, taking into account exactly when and where Nolofinwë decided to become Finwënolofinwë, I’m getting increasingly suspicious. “grin” Author Reply: Well, I doubt even Fëanáro will ever call Námo to the dock, Sitara, though it certainly is an interesting plot bunny. grin Anyway, to answer your question: Manwë is merely pointing out the fact that Fëanáro has no claim to any lands in Middle-earth because a) his atar renounced any such claims when he willingly moved to Aman and b) Fëanáro himself was born in Aman and not in Beleriand, therefore, if he were to take up his supposed inheritance, he would have to usurp Elwë to do so since Elwë rules the Elves of Beleriand. Of course, we know that the Noldor did set up kingdoms in areas of Beleriand where few of the Sindar and Nandor resided, but Manwë's point (and Námo's) is that Fëanáro was never 'robbed' of his inheritance, because his inheritance lies in Aman and not Beleriand. As for Ñolofinwë, the provocation was only in Fëanáro's mind, at least that is how I've read the Silmarillion, though I imagine there are other equally plausible interpretations in which the second son of Finwë was more devious than he seems. grin

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/4/2010
“Not thralls”, isn’t it? Let us see how much truth is hiding behind those words. On the other hand, it looks like I’ve finally got the chance to get off my chest a few things I’m still keeping bottled up regarding this infamous trial and I thank you for this. "lol" Hopefully it won’t be too bad. Simply put, in my opinion, the trial was as much as unlawful as the deed that was to be judged itself and Fëanáro should have never shown up or carried that sentence. “ducking flying tomatos” Let me try to give an explanation as to why I think this to be the truth not merely my perception. At that moment, the Noldor had a ruling king, the deed had occurred on Noldorin grounds and the two people involved were subjects of the Noldorán. Well, where is then the trial that should have been held by Finwë? What rights had the Valar to take judgment out of the Noldorán’s hands in regard to one of the Noldor , said Noldo without being tried first by his own king? None. You may say that the Valar had the right to judge Fëanáro, as they were ruling over Valinor and therefore having the right to judge anyone dwelling within their borders. True. But one does not go to the High Court without being first judged by the county court or whatever, something like a local court. Only if Finwë had judged Fëanáro and the Valar had found his judgment lacking, only then they would have had the right to do what they did, not before. They interfered into a Noldorin private affair and thus they gave a strong flavor of truth to Melkor’s lie. Even if this matter was concerning all of the Amaneldi , the Valar still wouldn’t have had the right to take judgment upon themselves without Finwë’s input. Does anyone still wonder after this why Finwë renounced his position as a king of the Noldor? Many people are condemning Finwë, saying he did it in order to not be parted from his beloved son, but in my opinion, he left his position as Noldorán because, courtesy of the Valar, he wasn’t one anymore. Therefore, in my opinion, the trial was very much illegal and the sentence , legally speaking, was null. The Valar violated Finwë’s foremost prerogative as a king: the right to judge. This is the way you treat puppets not free beings, whom you’re supposed to respect. How to believe after this that Melkor was lying? This is why I’m saying that Námo’s actions have seriously impinged upon his position as the Judge of Arda and Fëanáro has now every reason to reject any further judgment that may come from Námo’s lips from now on. In my opinion, Námo has no right to judge Fëanáro any more. I know you’re going to disagree with me but I think the fact that the Valar handled this wrongly is undeniable. And I'm not speaking only about the trial but about everything the Valar did after this. They understood far too late the gravity of the situation and thought then that, once Fëanáro punished and publicly humiliated, the deed was done and all the problems solved. The seeds of the Darkening weren’t sown only by Melkor. I don’t believe (barely) that the Valar were other but well-intended but that wasn’t enough. On another note, something interesting about Ingwë, who has grown from this complacent king, never questioning the Valar’s decrees, although remembering how it was to live outside Aman, to the one we know from EI. As for the rest of the Vanyarin royal family…a bit naïve, in my opinion. Life is from their perspective all but dyed in black and white and a garden full of roses on top of that. Ingwion however will learn better, but, as much as he’ll suffer and grow into maturity, he’ll never know suffering and loss the way Fëanáro does, even now, in the bliss of Aman. One last thing and I hope you won’t mind. I read once a few sentences in HoME 1 regarding this trial and from what I’ve gleaned, although none could withstand the strength of the Lord of Mandos, Fëanáro did manage to hold his ground before him. I wouldn’t expect less from him. “grin” I’m anxious to see what happens next. Keep up the good work. Ah..and I may have a question or two about some statements concerning Thingol but tomorrow perhaps. Now I feel I brought this too far. “grin” I truly don’t want to decapitate either Manwë or Námo but I feel that if these things aren’t going to be aired up someday, it will never be true Peace in Valinor. Author Reply: Hi Sitara, You can't blame it all on Námo. grin All the Valar were acting as judges. Námo merely announced the Doom. And, even if your arguments are correct, there's nothing that can be done about it since this is how Tolkien wrote the story. Perhaps Finwë simply refused to adjudicate the offense and the Valar decided at that point to step in. Disasterous? You bet. But the Valar are not omnipotent and they screw up big time. Still, Fëanáro and Finwë are also culpable or certainly are responsible for their own actions. It's all about choice... Fëanáro could have chosen not to believe the rumors that his brother was trying to supplant him in Finwë's eyes, but he didn't; Finwë could have chosen to remain in Tirion and rule, but he didn't; the Noldor could have chosen not to listen to Melkor or to Fëanáro, but they did, and from these choices and many more all else flows, whether we like it or not. The naivity of some of the characters is about what you would expect in a society that has never known strife. You are seeing these characters at a much younger and more innocent stage of their lives than when you meet them in "Elf, Interrupted". And please keep in mind, as you are reading this story, that the various characters have their own opinions (informed or not) as to what is happening and why and they are not necessarily those of the author. grin

Aiwen	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2010
I'm delighted to see this story starting to go up, and I look forward to seeing where it goes . Author Reply: Thanks, Aiwen. I hope you enjoy it.

ninqwestilmen	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2010
Hi Fiondil, I guess it makes perfect sense for Ingwion et all to side with their cousins over Feanor, but its nice to see that Ingwe maintains an objective view atleast. I was rather surprised to see Finwe at the hearing, I had thought he would not respond very well to the Valar seemingly interfering in the affairs of his family. But at the same time I wish we had more than just a glimpse of the one who put the Finwe in Arafinwe, so to speak. I just hope that the story takes us to him at some point. As always a work well written, can't wait for more. Author Reply: Hi Ninqwestilmen. While the primary focus of this story is on the Vanyar, and especially Ingwë and his family, we will be see Finwë and the Noldor along the way, as well as Olwë and the Teleri. Much of this story centers around how the Vanyar and the Teleri were affected by the doings of the Noldor, rather than on the Noldor themselves, who, frankly, have gotten enough press, IMO. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing. I apppreciate it very much.

Kaylee Arafinwiel	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2010
Well, yes, of course he was lying. We all knew that, yes. wry grin at Atar Fiondil I just got a bit excited. We all knew he was lying...except Manwe. And, as we see here, Feanoro. It's interesting to see this from the POV of the Vanyar, and to meet Ingil before his death. I hope I will like him as much as I like your other Ingil. grin I wonder if anyone in Lorien ever got the two confused? Way to take charge Ingwe! (after the Valar disappeared) But then, it is his job. Most favorite line in the Mahanaxar scene? "Excuse me, while I go find our errant brother." Without another word he simply disappeared. Three words: I love Tulkas. Although Namo is still my favorite Vala, of course! I wish I had a picture of the Mahanaxar, I'd hang it in my room. Those thrones sound beautiful!! Tye-melin atar indonyo! Kaylee Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. Much of this story is from the POV of the Vanyar. This story arose out of a question that I always had concerning the Darkening: If Ingwë was the High King of All the Elves, where was he and what was he doing when Fëanor was making life miserable for everyone. Anyway, thanks for letting me know your favorite line. I rather like it myself. Tulkas is pretty cool. And I would love to see the thrones of the Máhanaxar, too. I bet they are just incredibly mind-blowing. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Kaylee. You know how much I enjoy reading your comments. Tye-melin!

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2010
Melkor's lies have found fertile ground and bourne fruit. Feanaro did not like Melkor but I wonder if he would have rebelled anyway with out the stimulus of Melkor's words to goad him on. I understand Indis not coming but I find it telling that Nardenal was not there either, I have a feeling she gave Feanaro an earfull about his behavior! Lynda (Who hopes this posts, I got 'you are not authorised to view this page' the last time, need to check with Rorrah!) Author Reply: Hi Lynda, I have the feeling tat Fëanáro would have rebelled eventually, whether goaded by Melkor or not. He just strikes me as that kind of person. But, of course, we'll never know, and maybe there wouldn't have been a story or it might have been a different kind of story. Anyway, that 'not authorized to view this page' message crops up every once in a while. I've had it show up 3 times in the last month. I wrote to Rorrah but she's never responded. At least if you just wait 10-15 minutes you usually can get back in, but it is annoying.

Erulisse (one L)	Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/3/2010
The majority of tales view this scenario from the POV of the Feanorians - whether Finwe, Feanor, or others in the family. It is interesting to have a view of this scene from the point of view of Ingwe and his family. I hope that they discuss this a bit, but whether they do or not, I am looking forward to some very different viewpoints and events while seeing them through the eyes of the servants of the Valar and the High King of the Eldar. Now...onwards to the next scenario (rubbing hands in glee).... - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: I think the Fëanorians have gotten too much press. LOL Which is why I've written this story primarily from the POV of the Vanyar. In the next couple of chapters we will indeed see how various groups of people -- Noldor, Vanyar, Teleri and Valar -- react to the trial and its outcome. I'm glad you are looking forward to the different viewpoints, as that's what you're going to get. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing, Erulissë. I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me your thoughts.

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