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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	6 Review(s)
Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 5/2/2011
As I believe I have said before, Fëanáro has lost all sense of reality. It's bad enough that he is going to his own doom without taking others with him. What an ego he has. Can't wait to see what the Valar have planned next. Author Reply: Hi Tari. It is unfortunate that he took so many with him and that is the real tragedy. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 4/11/2011
I find Nolofinwe is confusing me, for I know that Arafinwe, after his change of heart, became the Noldoran. The whole enterprise is, of course, a frigging mess, and Feanor is not doing anyone any favors. His attitude is very childish and self-centered in so many ways. I grieve for what he is doing to his people. Author Reply: "Frigging mess" just about sums it up, Larner. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 4/9/2011
Hmm…I have several issues as regards this chapter. And with Tolkien as well, for it seems he’d already written the story by the time he thought to give it a chronology. If I’m to assume that the Noldor took several months maybe even years to get themselves ready, then a lot of events as they were related in canon would not make any sense. Starting with the Valar’s behavior, of course. “grin” It would be interesting to see your take on these events, although I still believe the Noldor left in no more than three days, each of them grabbing as luggage whatever was handy at the time. Fëanáro appears to play here his part as Noldorán. Interesting. I for one never allowed him such courtesy, as I always thought he stormed out of Tirion without a backward glance and certainly no thought for the ones left behind. “wide grin” But since you have him acting as King, I’ve to say he’s not half-bad at it. He had no real desire to help the ones who had chosen to remain or to leave them part of the treasury? Does it matter? He does what he must, not what he’d feel like doing and this is the mark of a true king, in my opinion. Furthermore, he gives to the Noldor here the first real choice of their life: they can come and bring their families along, but they have to know that they and no one else will be responsible for themselves. No deceit, no promises. From this moment on, every Noldo who decided to accompany him is responsible for his own decisions. The most honest speech I’ve ever heard from a ruler, at least in Tolkien’s world. “grin” But I didn’t understand what was with the regency thing since Fëanáro had no thought of ever returning to Aman? For it wasn’t merely a quest for vengeance (for other people, that’s it “grin”) but an exodus for building a new life in another place. And I still think the Noldor left Aman just as the Hebrews marched out of Egypt, only without their leaven. “grin” Now about not so pleasing surprises….. So, to Arafinwë, seeking vengeance for a parent’s death would be …a whim? “raising eyebrows” Very revealing, from my point of view. “grin” But Ingwë is bound to hold the limelight once again. So, he will dig his fingers into the messy pie called Alqualondë? Even better. “grin” And, if I’ve got it right, he sent his son and subject to Olwë, a vassal king, and give him an account of the recent events or at least Ingwë’s version of said events. But it wasn’t all they did. Ingwë and Ingwion roped Findaráto, a subject of the Noldorán, whom he ‘d given his allegiance, face-making notwithstanding, into this. And said Noldorán wasn’t supposed to find out about this trip, which wasn't quite in his behalf. How would the Ingaran call this, I wonder? And how would he like to see the same kind of behavior displayed in his own court? Author Reply: Hi Sitara. Well, the events mentioned in the Silmarillion are a bit conflated. In Tolkien's Timeline for the Silmarillion, the Noldor did not run off immediately as they had to make various preparations for weapons, food, clothing, etc. As you read this story you will see how I handle all this. I don't specify how long it took them to organize themselves, but I do hint that it wasn't a 3-day thing. Fëanáro, now that he's gotten what he wants, is able to think past himself to some degree and act, as you say, as a true king, though ever his motive is towards leaving as quickly as can be arranged. I think in terms of the regency, it is merely a way of speaking. Fëanáro has no intention of leaving the crown behind, as it were, so someone has to be appointed to take over the government once he leaves. What people decide to do after that is not his concerned. And Ingwë, as High King, see all the Elves as his subjects, even Fëanáro, and what decisions he makes are made in that light. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 4/1/2011
A very interesting chapter. I always thought that the Noldors’ rebellion happened just after Finwe's death, I mean, immediately. Now, I see them planning, taking provisions, even thinking in those that will stay behind. It really surprise me that Feanor will think of that, another point to add to my Feanor's list "what a waste of talent" I'm curious of why his two half-brothers ended following him at least to Alqualondë. We know that Ñolofinwë went all the way to ME but Arafinwë returned (the wisest of the three) I feel sorry for Nelyafinwë, what a devotion and loyalty to his father, he is such a tragic character, always perceived him as a dark hero, with a lot of shades of grey in his spectrum. Thank you Fiondil, I really like this story. Author Reply: Hi Fantasia. The Silmarillion as written does give the impression that the Noldor up and left a week after the Trees died, but that is not the case. It took them some time to organize themselves and I show that here. We'll see why Ñolofinwë and Arafinwë end up following Fëanáro, at least to a certain point when Arafinwë turns back but that will be few chapters down the road. And yes, Nelyafinwë is a tragic character and something of a dark hero. I've always had a soft spot for him and Maglor. They could have done so much good and it all came to naught in the end. Anyway, thanks for letting me know how much you are enjoying this story. I really appreciate it.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 4/1/2011
Well by the time they are ready to leave, most small elflings will big enough for the trip! I am not sure I like his attitude to other peoples children, but then his sons are grown. I wonder how many will change their minds before they leave and how many will wish they had before this is all over, a great many will I fear. Indis is a very practical and caring ellith, her care for her people and her compassion for Amarie is very obvious. I am glad that Ingwe is going to let Olwe know just what is going on and what Feanaro plans are. I hope Olwe has the sense to realise that Feanaro will probably want to use his ships to cross to Endore, perhaps if he had had them all out to sea and barred the gates things would have been differant. The Telri are better able to handle the death of the trees as they did not rely on them for light, living to the east of the Pelori as they do, the light was a comforting presence but not necessary for day to day living. Hope all is well in Vinyamar, I don't like knowing that Ingoldo is running around loose and unsupervised! Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Well, as I pointed out to Erulisse, Fëanáro is being deliberately provocative here. And you are correct that by the time they are ready to leave you're not going to have too many little ones, though that is not to say there won't be any. I'm glad you found Indis caring as well as practical. Most people don't seem to like her all that much but she's in an untenable situation and who can blame her for how she is responding to it? As for Olwë... well it would have been nice if he'd done just as you suggested but unfortunately he did not and so we have the story as it is written. We'll see how things are in Vanyamar soon enough now that Ingwë is on his way there. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

Erulisse (one L)	Reviewed Chapter: 61 on 4/1/2011
Of course, I love this chapter and the various smaller sections of populace with their assigned duties. I had one problem with a sentence: If they want to drag their brats along, thatâ€™s their problem. It seems to me that a man who has seven sons has no problem with children and would be unlikely to dismiss them as "brats". I realize that it is just my opinion, but it seems a bit out of character for Feanaro. That said, I like the fact that you have the two cousins going off to talk with Olwe. That's a good twist. And you have the entire conclave not leaving as quickly as is often portrayed, and that also is good. A bit of foresight before the evacuation of Tirion for lands unknown would be a reasonable thing for any king to think of, even Feanaro at this point in his rule/and his grief. - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: Hi Erulisse. Well, it doesn't necessarily follow that someone who has children of their own would enjoy the company of other people's children. grin And I think Fëanáro is being deliberately dismissive here. He really doesn't care who goes and who stays. His only focus is himself and his wants, though he pretends to care about others by making provisions for those remaining behind, but it's half-hearted and the sooner he can leave them all behind the better. Glad you like the twist of the cousins going to Alqualondë. We will see what happens with them shortly. As for the Noldor leaving quickly, that is only the impression given by the reading of the Silmarillion. In Tolkien's timeline of the Silmarillion the Noldor take part of Valian year (amount of time unspecified but anywhere from 1 to 8 solar years) to prepare for the journey as the Kinslaying and the Prophecy of Mandos take place sometime in the next Valian year (1 Valian year after the destruction of the Trees). It is rather confusing, I know, but for Elves this time frame is not very long. I have kept the time frame purposely vague and only mentioning that so many Valian years have passed since this or that happened without specifying the exact number of solar years. We just know that the Trees died in VY 4500 and the Moon rose in 5000. Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

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