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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	7 Review(s)
Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/26/2011
The Valar are so guilty for all the horrors happening just now that I feel steam coming out of my ears whenever I read about their behavior towards the Exiled. For this reason I've always found revolting all that thing about someone needing to come and plead with them for help against Morgoth. It's their fault as much as it's Melkor's. They were responsible for the well-being of the Trees, of the lands and even for their Elven guest's lives. They failed to take minimal security measures during this stupid festival and their negligence became crime. They were honor-bound to help them because it was their fault in the first place! And Finwë....I too thought that he willingly went to his death. In my opinion, he has always tried to somehow rectify his mistake, to break somehow that fateful triangle and by confining himself forever to the Halls that Miriel could be released he wished to make the things right. How horrible.....to have to face alone Melkor and that eight-legged monstrosity. But, frankly, I blame the rest of the Valar even more than Melkor or Ungoliant. You don't simply leave precious items without guard, not when you have a dangerous enemy on the loose. They practically betrayed the trust the Eldar put in them when they had come to Valinor. In my opinion, at this rate, the Eldar owed them no longer. Author Reply: I suppose there are many ways of interpreting the actions of the Valar throughout this tale, Sitara. And, of course, if they had done everything you say they should have, there wouldn't be a story at all and neither the Silmarillion nor the Lord of the Rings would ever have been written. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/23/2011
A dread day indeed. Alas that Finwe and his people chose to follow Feanor into Formenos, although I am glad they have the tunnel to escape through. We can trust Melkor to be vicious in what he does. Author Reply: Yes, a dread day indeed, Larner. And Melkor is nothing if not vicious in all that he does. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/21/2011
The death of the two trees was so hard to read. Too bad Ungoliantë didn't explode into a million pieces after gorging herself. I can't imagine how frightening this was for the elves and how frustrating for the Valar. They keep giving Melkor chances and he keeps spitting in their faces. Author Reply: I bet it was very hard to read, Tari. And unfortunately, Melkor just can't accept Manwë's rule. He wants it all for himself and in the end he gets nothing. Very sad. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/18/2011
Melkor's petty spitefulness - stopping by the Mahanaxar just so that he coud spit on Manwë's throne - seems very much in character! At one point in this chapter i whas somewhat confused: when Findaráto says to Elenwë, “Elenwë, ... I will find her. Where is Turco?” Turco definitely sounds like it would be a pet name for _Turcafinwë_, though I suppose it could be used for Turucáno too. Or did you just slip up here? A tunnel? So that is how the Noldor at Formenos are getting around the Valars' restrictions! Finwë's experience as leader of the Noldor during the march, and before, is clearly useful to him here. Get the vulnerable ones out of the way and protected when something seems wrong or danger threatens. But he is setting himself up as bait, and seems unaware of how his death may (will) affect his eldest son. But offering himself as bait should allow Melkor a sufficiant amount of "fun" by ensuring that only the readily available people will get killed, and not everybody else - like all those elflings. :-O Author Reply: Oops, yes I did slip. It should have been "Turo" and I wasn't paying attention. I've since made the relevant changes in the text and note. Thanks for pointing it out, Sunny. Melkor is rather petty in his spitefulness and Finwë shows something of the king he was and should have been for all his people in this particular hour. I don't think he could have done anything other than what he did, knowing that he at least was doomed. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I greatly appreciate it.

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/18/2011
It is happening, finally Melkor has made his move and all the Valars were caught unaware. I said it before, but what a traumatic experience for Feanor's son and people to see the Darkness first hand. I can see why they took the Oath right away and leave Valinor, when people are grieving and wrathful, they are not very rational. I guess that they didn't trust too much in the Valar to keep them safe and for revenge. I always remember a quote from the Iliad, something like: when the Gods want to ruin a man, the blind him with ire. I'm confused; it is always day in Valinor at that time? They never see the starts? Author Reply: Hi Fantasia. It had to be a very dramatic experience for all the younger Elves, many of whom had probably nevver traveled down the Calacirya to see the stars and now all of a sudden, there they are. In answer to your question, while the Trees bloomed there would be two periods of a kind of twiglight as one is fading and the other is blooming and these two periods were the times of Mingling when the light was softer, but it never got entirely dark so the stars were not visible. And actually the time frame is not as close as you think from reading the Silmarillion. Fëanáro and his sons did not utter their Oath immediately. Some time, as you will see in the next few chapters, passes before that particular event occurs. And your quote is usually translated in English as: "Whom the Gods would destroy, they first make mad." Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/18/2011
Very nicely done, I liked the little interlude with Itralde and Finderato. Finwe really is a selfish S.O.B.(With apologies to Atar!) he sends his love to his children and his last thoughts are for Miriel, what about Indis!? Now the 'fun' starts. Waiting patiently for Monday! Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. I borrowed the scene between Itarildë and Findaráto from my Tapestry story "END: Nightfall in Aman" which tells this from Itarildë's pov. I'm afraid Finwë just never got over Míriel. Very sad, really. You have to feel sorry for Indis, at least I do. And yes, now the fun starts. Glad you're looking forward to it. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

ninqwestilmen	Reviewed Chapter: 49 on 2/18/2011
What a profound sense of dreadful anticipation you paint here... the loss and the confusion and the fear... wonderfully portrayed indeed. And I am so glad to see Finwe in this chapter, I have been waiting to see his nobility and bravery come through. And selflessness I might add, his facing of Melkor in such bleak circumstances underlines his worthiness for the fierce loyalty that he inspired in his children. And to think of Miriel at such a time, that thought touched me to the core... The Valar must be completely in turmoil, to think that the lamps were destroyed on a day of festival when they were unaware, and again history repeats itself... they must feel as such failures at the moment, and when they learn that an elf was murdered in Aman... A wonderful chapter Fiondil, I've been waiting for this one all week long and it exceeded my expectations. Author Reply: Hi ninqwestilmen. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter and I'm glad that you weren't disappointed. This was not an easy chapter for me to write and I wanted to cover as many different bases as possible to show how the death of the Trees affected different groups. I think you are correct that the Valar must have felt like utter failures right then. I know how that feels myself, so I can thoroughly sympathize with them. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

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