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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	12 Review(s)
Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 58 on 4/7/2011
I think Ingwë is being too hard on himself. Fëanáro's madness is not of his making. It is so sad that many shall die because of this lunatic. It must be very hard for the Valar to sit by and watch. Author Reply: I agree, Tari, but Ingwë feels that he should have done better. Oh well.... he come to realize that nothing and nobody was going to get into Fëanáro's way. And it must have been excruciating for the Valar to have to sit by and watch and not interfere any more than they did. I don't envy them. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I reall appreciate it.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 58 on 3/24/2011
Too late Ingwe appreciate's Feanor's strategy. Alas that so high an Elf has fallen so far, and will lead so many to their deaths and to tragedy undreamed of. But his act in the end will allow for even greater good in the end. Author Reply: Very true, Larner, with results that Ingwë and others will regret. And while it is true that Fëanáro's actions did lead to a greater good, they were, nonetheless evil in themselves and cannot be totally excused away. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

bladwedd	Reviewed Chapter: 58 on 3/24/2011
Fiondil, Sitara and others. Finrod: "The everlasting fire of those enchanted jewels all know is cursed with an oath of endless woe, and Fëanor's SONS ALONE BY RIGHT ARE LORDS AND MASTERS OF THEIR LIGHT." JRR TOLKIEN "THE LAY OF LEITHIAN. Canto 6" Finish. No questions. Have you read "The Lay"? Author Reply: While interesting, Bladwedd, it is ultimately irrelevant and quite beside the point. My story is my story to tell as I see fit. I am using canon from Tolkien as a guide where necessary to suit the telling of my story. I use the Silmarillion as my primary source for plot material, using other sources, such as the Histories, only to fill in details that are lacking in the Silmarillion (such as the wording of the Oath), but I am not obligated to use material that Tolkien either abandoned (such as the Lay of Leithian) or radically altered (such as the original tale of the theft of the Silmarils). This is my story to tell the way I wish to tell it. In the perspective from which I am telling the tale, Fëanáro is a catalyst to the actions and behaviors of other characters and the unfolding of events but nothing more. If anyone else wishes to tell this tale from Fëanáro’s perspective, then by all means they should do so. For now they need to accept what I have written and choose whether to continue reading or not as they see fit. They will not change my options and they will not alter the telling of the tale with their rants. If they are so deeply troubled by the perspective which I present then perhaps they should wait for about 5 or 6 more chapters to pass and then start reading again. Thank you.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 58 on 3/23/2011
Now it’s more like it. There is a thing called civility and I’ll make use of it, by rewriting my review leaving the jaded ice out of it. I’d start by stating that I never said that Fëanáro was else than a criminal, all things said and done. I never said that he wasn’t possibly the Elf most tainted by Morgoth’s darkness. I never said that he was anything that a failure as King and leader of his people, his own sons among them. I never said that he doesn’t carry on his fëa the burden of unspoken horrors, for his decisions impacted the history of Arda for many Ages to come, if not forever. Nor that he had any right to take out on the whole world his bitterness and pain. What I said and I’ll always stand by it is that no one has the right to judge him. Save for Eru Himself, that’s it. However, as much as I was genuinely sorry to trash Ingwë like that (for reasons I’d explain later “grin”) , I have to say that he’s wrong. He’s not the only one, as Tolkien would present time and time again Ainur claiming that because the Light of the Trees contained inside the Silmarili was generated by Valinor, the gems should be returned there. It’s their opinion, not Tolkien’s and certainly not Eru’s. In fact, claiming any ownership to the Silmarili based on the reason that the Trees’s Light was used in their making has a fatal flaw, as I said before. The Valar gave this Light freely to all the inhabitants of Aman and it was neither on loan or as bartering chip. Varda’s hallowing of them has nothing to do with the Silmarili’s ownership. Only because Thingol wasn’t burned by it, could anyone say that the Silmaril he kept was now belonging to him? And, with all the respect, I must point out that whatever an artist does with his own creation, it’s nobody’s business but his own. You may call him crazy and you may be right but you have to admit he’s within his rights to do as he pleases with his own work. However, there is truth in saying that the Silmarili were meant for all. Yes, they were, because Eru allowed Fëanáro enough foreknowledge and skills to create them with one purpose: to contain within them the fates of Arda. This is the Silmarili’s sole true purpose: to rekindle the Trees at the End of the world thusly triggering the Remaking of Arda. Here it’s given the ultimate answer to the question of whom belongs the Silmarili. The Silmarili, or to be more exact, whatever they might have brought with them, although I suspect it couldn’t have been but Arda Renewed, belonged to them all but they were Fëanáro’s to give. By his own free will. No one would have them or what were they concealing unless Fëanáro gave them freely. Here lies the great responsibility of Fëanáro. His act of unselfishness and sacrifice would amount to no less than the Remaking of Arda. So, I believe the Silmarili were meant to be stolen by Morgoth, willed by Eru Himself. Arda wasn’t ready to be Remade then. This is why the Valar, as they knew Námo’s prophecy concerning the gems, really shouldn’t have asked for them. They ought to have known the Silmarili were meant for something bigger that rekindling the Trees and bringing Valinor and the rest of the world back to “status quo”. Which was obviously wrong. The rest of the world couldn’t have been ignored anymore. They needed light too. Fëanáro was selfish, of course. But he was asked to give no less that his heart, however wrong it was that he had hardened his heart into a gem. Ingwë did everything he could. That’s why I won’t blame him for anything, unless he starts judging people. He was gentle with Fëanáro, something that I value in gold and reward in kind. “grin” The Men…Some images from Allkalabeth horrified me and I thought instantly about them, reading your chapter. “There on the throne of hate they blessed the great evil” had me shuddering in fear. Kings of Numénor agreeing to worship Morgoth as their God, burning the sacred Trees, burning other men, women and children on the altar of Morgoth…no other race has ever done that, no matter how much evil they might have otherwise wrought. This made me think Fëanáro’s bout of prophecy deadly on. As Fëanáro had some precise goals, when he stormed into Tirion seeking tools for said goals, most of the Noldor had their own agenda. Conquering new lands, exploring uncharted territories and making new friends, genuinely feelings that the Valar betrayed their trust and maybe next time when Melkor would feel like breaching into Aman, one of them could be his new victim, stuff like that. Not many of them followed Fëanáro out of genuine respect or love. As for Nerwen Artanis, she went out there for power. Tolkien says that much. I won’t start now on her or ever if it can be avoided; I can and I will destroy her if I catch her. Ingwë is the one I should speak about since you know by now all too well how I feel and think about Fëanáro. I dreaded this chapter; I found it surprisingly pleasing instead. Fëanáro wasn’t unnecessarily reviled, for now, and the dynamic between the two was amazing. No one could have asked more from Ingwë but it was like trying to stop a tsunami with a paper sheet. It was long in coming and slow in building; if Finwë was blinded by his guilt to see it, the Valar should have. Various divergences from canon but I won’t harp on this now. It was indeed an overall awesome chapter (the old English contributed too) and I daresay much more interesting than the canon, where the infamous speech wasn’t quite interrupted by anyone. Until the oath, that’s it. “grin” Anyone would be hard pressed to find lies in Fëanáro’s speech because the facts were real. Melkor did not tell them lies, unfortunately. From a point of view. What Melkor did was to manipulate the feelings and intentions behind these facts. It all came down to pure trust in the Valar. In this Ingwë and Fëanáro are worlds apart and they both have good reasons for that. Until next time. "running for her life" Author Reply: Thanks for clarifying your position, Sitara.

Erulisse (one L)	Reviewed Chapter: 58 on 3/23/2011
Zarathustra has nothing on Feanor - LOL. Well, we all knew that it was coming, and now the Oath has been said and the events are running towards a new world and a new land. There are so many things that are wrong about Feanor's viewpoints, and so many things that are right. And I can't help but think, after all is said and done and millions of words are written, that all of this was in Eru's overall plan. It still was hard to be a witness to this, though...knowing what would come for all of these wonderful people. I am, an admitted and proud Feanorian fan, and I think you did well in your portrayal of this very pivotal event. Of course I would not expect otherwise from one of my favorite authors over so many years. Can't wait for Friday :-) - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: Hi Erulisse. I'm glad you think I have done a good job in my portrayal of Feanor and this very pivotal event. I've tried to present as balanced a view as possible given the parameters which Tolkien set up. I appreciate you letting me know and I appreciate you taking the time to read and review on such a regular basis. Thanks.

bladwedd	Reviewed Chapter: 58 on 3/22/2011
Oops! Ingwe was a communist. Communism is so much under the sway of material property, that it wants to destroy everything which cannot be owned by everybody as private property. "For I say to you, Fëanor son of Finwë, these are to us as are the gems of the Noldor: the work of our hearts, whose like we shall not make again." Valar would not have allowed Teleri to use the wood of the trees in the first place had they known that they would greedily keep the Ships to himself. Sitara is absolutely right. Author Reply: Thank you for your comment, Bladwedd, though I doubt too many people, Tolkien included, would agree with your analysis. I think you may be reading more into the story that either I or Tolkien ever intended.

Shemyaza	Reviewed Chapter: 58 on 3/22/2011
It's odd how differently people see things and read things. I have just been reading over bits and pieces pertaining to the creation of the Silmarils and while nobody would deny that Feanor was possessed of genius when it came to creating these gems, the fact is that he still had to be allowed to take some of the unmarred light from the Two Trees plus his own essence in order to complete his creation. Afterwards, as I understand it, the gems were then hallowed by Varda so that evil couldn't either touch or use them. Obviously since Feanor's own essence was used to create them, which also probably meant that he couldn't have recreated them, then from that angle, Feanor probably did believe that the Simarils were his alone. However I strongly feel that the Valar would not have allowed him to use the light of the Trees in the first place had they known that he would greedily keep the gems to himself. Since when does an artist create something wonderful and then hog it to himself? The first instinct of any artist is to display, to show to others for them to admire. The writer publishes their books, the artist shows their paintings or other artwork, the sculptor displays their work and usually the work is available to someone who wants to buy it. Admiration is the very air an artist breathes. It's the reason they try and try again to create another work of equal value, whether they succeed or not. I don't believe that Feanor was meant to keep them entirely to himself. They were meant to be displayed and used. Remember that eventually he wouldn't allow anyone but himself to see them and locked them away in Formenos. And the Valar did not demand that he handed them over once the trees were murdered, they entreated him...in other words...they pleaded with him, which doesn't sound like an imperious demand to me at all and which comes over very clearly in Fiondil's story. Feanor was the one who selfishly refused to allow the gems to be used for the welfare and light of ALL in Valinor. After all, the Valar were not asking for the gems so they could lock them away. They knew everyone was frightened and they sought to alleviate that. Of course, not long after they asked, Feanor received the news that his father had been killed in defence of those remaining in Formenos and the Silmarils which Morgoth then took. Maybe we should ask ourselves whether the Silmarils would have been any safer if Feanor had not been exiled and the answer to that is, clearly, no. Melkor still coveted them, he would have found a way to steal them even had every Noldo been living in Tirion including Feanor and his immediate family. I suppose in a way, by exiling Feanor, the Valar made it easier for Melkor to do the dastardly deed. Formenos was far enough away that help would not have been immediately at hand. Had Feanor not been exiled it would have taken a different method to get them and perhaps many more people might have been killed, not just Finwe. The Secondborn may well have had ALL of those characteristics that Feanor listed and of course we all know that the race of Men did not always do good deeds, but neither did the races of the Elves or the Dwarves. The whole notion behind good and evil is that we ALL have a little of both in us. What God or Eru gave us was the free will to choose whether our actions would be good or bad and that was the exactly the same for the Elves and the Dwarves. I personally think that Fiondil has made the Noldor were wholly recognisable and distinct in this telling of the backstory of the happenings of the darkening of Valinor. They were intelligent people; they weren't blind ignorant creatures seduced into following Feanor. Some were greatly affected by Feanor's words and would have followed him to purgatory, but others weren't and that's the same with any crowd of disparite beings, be they Eldar or Man. Some follow, some do not. If I remember rightly it was not the theft of the Silmarils that led Artanis into following Feanor and then going across the ice; it was the lure of new lands where she could rule autonomously. She didn't hate the Valar, she just wanted to be on her own and make her own way in the world, not so much out of the earshot of the Valar, but out of the earshot of her own family. And that was because she was a strong character who felt fettered by the society the Eldar created on Valinor, not the fact that the Valar also lived there and were busy lording it over everyone. I do think that Ingwe knew full well that no oath of fealty would have stopped Feanor from getting the bit between his teeth and leaving Valinor. Even if none of the Noldor had followed him, he would have gone on his own. I think Fiondil makes it very clear that Ingwe's intention with the oath wasn't to force people to stay, but I do think he was hoping that by trying to be rational, people might think twice about abandoning their safety and their homes and lives to go off on some wild, dangerous venture which quite clearly was going to end in death for many of them. No ruler worth his salt would so willingly put his people in danger like that. A good ruler weighs the options and then asks for people to volunteer. A good ruler doesn't scream out "If you are not with me, then you are against me." which is more or less what Feanor did. Feanor was an accident looking for somewhere to happen from the day of his birth almost. And if anyone has to take responsibility for the way he turned out, then firstly it was down to Miriel, who instead of gritting her teeth and getting on with the nurturing of the child she and Finwe had willingly brought into the world, she withdrew completely and left the poor kid to God and good neighbours. Fiondil...you are a right royal pain in the proverbial! I NEVER answer with two reviews for one chapter. wanders off grumbling to herself Author Reply: I guess there's a first time for everything, isn't there, Shemayaza? LOL! A very insightful analysis. Thank you for taking the time to share your views with the rest of us.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 58 on 3/22/2011
Well, look at this. Another chapter prone to set some spirits aflame. But I’ve got my warning and I’ll try to behave, even if the definition of this word may be questionable. “eyes glinting” Okay, let’s get us started, shall we? Unfortunately for the past chapters I was too busy ranting and I lost my opportunity to ask the High King of the Eldar some pertinent questions. My mistake. But now, if His Majesty wouldn’t mind, I’d like to ask him however did he reach the conclusion that the Silmarili belonged to them all? I suppose that, using the word “us” he would have meant all the Eldar and possibly the Valar, isn’t it? Following Ingwë’s logic, because Fëanáro used the Light of the Trees, which weren’t of his own making, by capturing it to create his Jewels, this would make them the property of them all. Fascinating. I wonder, what would have Ingwë’s own subjects said if he had one day candidly told them that their crops belong to them all because they used the Light of the Trees to grow them? Was there anything grown or created in Aman without people using the Light of the Trees? The Light of the Trees was used for about anything in Valinor, for warmth, for light and for every little thing in Aman could be safely acknowledged the contribution of the Light of the Trees. Or, if that’s not enough, because after all, the Light of the Trees didn’t keep its initial appearance in crops, let’s assume that I’m going to the forest and cut a tree, also grown by Yavanna, and use it to make myself….a ship, for instance. Would that make that ship the property of them all or, at the very least, the Valar’s property? Somehow I think not. "grin" Or, at the very worst, if the Valar wished to lay a claim on the Silmarili because the Light they were encasing was provided through Yavanna’s work, then I should start wondering whether they were laying a similar claim on every single thing grown or crafted in Aman, by the rights of having grown the Trees which Light they used in their daily activities. Or other kind of trees used for other crafts. Melkor would have loved to hear this. So it looks like Ingwë gave us a sterling taste of his kingly logic. Again, what was that it entitled him to be ….elected as the High King of the Eldar? Apart from being the first Elf to awaken, which I’m sure it’s brilliant recommandation, but maybe, just maybe it wouldn't be quite not enough. I’m sure Ingwë would find out eventually, but the Silmarili shall belong to them all only the day Fëanáro would give them freely. Never before. By the way, what would have the Eldar said, had they found out that Eru never intended for them to leave Cuiviénen? Shame to Melkor for not getting ahold of this juicy tidbit! Hmm…So, another bit of foreknowledge from Fëanáro regarding the Secondborn after that one concerning the Silmarili and in my opinion, truer words were never spoken. Some parts of Allkalabeth would prove him more than true. After all, if I’m to assume that he just hated the poor , not even born beings , I should assume too that in speaking about the greatness of the unborn sons of Indis before Finwë was given leave to marry her, a certain Vala might have wanted to manipulate Finwë into marrying Indis. Which of course, it’s an outrage. This prophecy business is a tricky thing. You don't say quite the things you may want to. Frankly, I couldn’t recognize the Noldor in this chapter. The same ones who didn’t want to speak Quenya as Fëanáro was teaching it, albeit it was the correct form, were now more than ready to go up to the hilt only to bring back for him his shiny toys? That’s a marvel in itself. Pity we couldn't see there Nerwen Artanis bouncing on her toes with impatience to go and wrench from Morgoth's grasp her uncle's Jewels. That'd have been a sight to behold. I suppose there will be plenty of opportunities to talk about the poor misled little angels and what was concocting in their innocent minds in the future chapters. Poor Fëanáro. Au voleur, un voleur et démi. Let’s just say they reciprocally used themselves, to their mutual dissatisfaction. “grin” Another thing, the fealty business. Even if Fëanáro had given his fealty to Ingwë, would that have stopped him from leaving Aman? Personally I think not; so Fëanáro could have peacefully minded his business and reading his luggage for the upcoming trip, while Ingwë would have done what? Would he have asserted his authority as High King by keeping by force in Aman some people who genuinely wanted to leave? I for one would have loved to see that. And this time I do mean it.”grin” Well, it would also be the Oath thing but…nevermind. Instead I’ll express my admiration for the wording you used for this chapter, a masterpiece of English language, which old form I simply adore. Sorry for writing so long a review, but, you see, it takes time to reason with the High King of the Eldar and congratulate Melkor for destroying the Trees, since it was the only way for the Valar to remember that they were supposed to guard Arda wholly and not partly. And it was truly a pleasure to follow and comment through this chapter albeit I'm ashamed to admit I could never had any concision. "grin" Would that make it a rant? Author Reply: It would make it almost as long as the chapter itself, Sitara. Beyond that.... I'm glad you at least like my use of language, if nothing else about the chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Shemyaza	Reviewed Chapter: 58 on 3/21/2011
I actually can't see how Ingwe was even partially at fault for Feanor's actions after his coronation. True Ingwe's presence at the coronation was a bit like a red rag to a bull, but he and Ingwion were there with the best of intentions. They weren't know that Feanor would behave like a complete jackass, although I think Ingwe did half expect him to. However I'm sure that he probably didn't realise just how MUCH of a jackass! So in addition to being arrogant, egotistical and self-centred we can also add jackass, tyrannical and xenophobic! He hated the Secondborn and he hadn't even met the poor buggers yet. I suppose in a way he was right about the fact that the Valar brought the Elves away from the place they awoke in, but given that he was only born after Ingwe, Finwe and and the others had arrived in Valinor then Endore was not his birthplace, nor was it his birthright. In that he was echoing Melkor's words. The crazy thing is that Feanor doesn't seem to be able to see that he is actually doing everything that he'a accused the Valar of. He expects all his subjects who just swore fealty to him just to drop their own lives, leave their homes and their work, follow him to some godforsaken place and die so that he can get his Silmarils back. The Silmarils that he wasn't prepared to share with anyone, let alone the Elves who he was asking to lay down their lives for the damn baubles. "Follow me boys...over the top, let's get those precious jewels that you're never even going to get a glimpse of! We're going to get them over your dead bodies." What they should have said to him was "They're your bloody jewels, YOU go and get them." Feanor unfortunately has very few redeeming features. His love for his mother is possibly the only one I can think of and even that, like his love for his father, was obsessional at best. The flawed son of very flawed parents. I suppose the poor soul didn't really ever stand a chance of being anywhere near normal! Oh you've riled me all up Fiondil, you bad, bad man. Loving it though. Author Reply: Riling you up, am I, Shemyaza? And you're loving every minute of it. LOL! Unfortunately, whether one can blame Ingwë or not for contributing to the mess, his own sense of honor leads him to believe that he is somewhat responsible for what happened and that if he'd been a little smarter or more eloquent then things would have turned out different. Of course, we know that nothing anyone did or said would deter Fëanáro from his course. And you are right, that he used his people for his own gain, though they did not realize it or refused to see it. Well, there's more to come, so you have plenty of more chances of getting riled up. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing, Shemyaza. I really appreciate it.

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 58 on 3/21/2011
Fiondil this is your best chapter ever! Madness, I can feel the tension, the horror, and how powerful Feanor really was. He was a master manipulating the feelings of their people and a genius, so bad that it was applied to the wrong cause. Speeches are very powerful and no doubt, Feanor was a master with words. I think that one of the first mistakes in all this craziness was taking the elves to Valinor so early. It is true that the intentions were good, but they should have developed in Endórë, learned to live with the Mortals and come to realize, in their own pace, that their place was really Valinor, Endórë was and is for the mortals. Of course, I can say too that the Valars were extremely knave and merciful with Melkor in the first place. You can tell Feanor that I’m offended with his words describing us. He is the proof that Elves are not really better. Now, there is such a madness in the air, I can see why the attacked anyone that opposed to them. I want to point that Ingwe is really a great King; compassion is really one of his strongest qualities. Author Reply: Hi Fantasia. Thank you. I'm gald you think so. There is indeed a lot of madness and tension and no one is thinking straight. Fëanáro is a master of words and manipulation, as we see here. And more than one person would agree with you, including Tolkien, that the Valar erred in bringing the Elves to Aman when they did. But such is the way of things. I'm sure a lot of Mortals would be offended by Fëanáro's words, considering he never met any of us. grin And yes, I always considered Ingwë to be a very good king and very compassionate, a trait that Fëanáro lacks. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate you taking the time to do so.

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