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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	8 Review(s)
Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 68 on 7/6/2013
That was a beautiful chapter, using people familiar to us through your other writings to illustrate what would be happening all over Tirion. And to learn where their stories intersect "the big story" that will lead them all on such circuitous paths back towards Aman again. I have to grumble about Ingwion here. I'm quite accustomed to the inequality of gender roles in Tolkien's writing - some window dressing about Elven equality notwithstanding, it still almost always comes down to "men first" (though Númenor was better in that regard). But Ingwion's repeated show of male chauvinism and snearing at the thought of elleth ruling, whether Vanyar or Noldor, is grating. Author Reply: When I came to this part of the story (and the next chapter), I wanted to show what was happening all over Tirion, from the palace on down, by drawing upon particular characters, both canon and OC. In fact, I kept "adding" characters to the description. My particular favorite part is Findaráto and his father commenting as the procession out of the city is stalled, never knowing that Eönwë was there delivering the Valar's message. One has to wonder what would have happened if they had actually heard it. As for Ingwion, what can I say? He is a product of his culture and in that time and place, the idea of an elleth ruling on her own behalf just wasn't something he would have thought as natural. I don't necessarily approve of what my characters believe or think, but I respect them enough not to try to rehabilitate them and make them politically correct (by our standards). That is being dishonest, both to the characters and to the readers. Anyway, thanks for reviewing, Imhiriel, and I think you're the first reviewer to actually claim this chapter to be "beautiful". Thanks for that.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 68 on 8/12/2011
Well, it looks like everyone is readying his/her luggage and making plans for their future life in Middle-earth. Oddly enough, I saw no one thinking about how would they face Morgoth to exact revenge for their king’s murder and the theft of Silmarili. Even more oddly, I saw no big and bad Fëanorian prodding them in the small of their backs with a sword and urging them to take their place in the leaving crowd. That makes me wonder whence did come such cowardice and hypocrisy upon them only a little while later. And Manwë’s overly overly delayed reaction…frankly, I don’t think I know words harsh enough as to label it as it would deserve. “His counsel”! Was it not by “his counsel” , perhaps delivered with the same pomp by the same Herald, that the Eldar had come to Aman, where were promised a happy life under the Light of the Trees and, most of all, protection against the one who took their kin and tortured them beyond imagination? What was now left of all their promises, I wonder? He has now foretold them death and sorrow beyond imagination in Endorë? Wasn’t he the same one who promised them bliss in Aman? I may very well be a mean Fëanorian but Fëanáro was right to notice that, if they were promised death and horrors unspoken in Middle-earth, it would be only the natural course of life in a land without light and left at the tender mercy of Morgoth and his creatures. Aman, on the other hand, was the “Blessed Realm”. None of this was supposed to happen there. Death and undying sorrow in Aman is that had broken their world to pieces and shattered the Eldar’s trust in the guardians of Arda. What Manwë could not comprehend was that , if there was still a time for words, those words could have been only words of humbleness and repentance for the part the Valar had played in this tragedy. It may have been the only way to stop them from leaving; even perhaps Fëanáro. Fëanáro spoke the truth. Maybe even without knowing it, but every word was in the end fulfilled. I don’t think the Valar had even begin to fathom at that time how great was the fire set in him by the will of Eru Ilúvatar, neither the ways in which a Vala could be indeed overcome. I think Túrin would teach them a thing or two about this. But first they still have some growing-up to do. “chuckle” Evil shall arise indeed from all the Noldor's undertakings but, to quote Fëanáro a bit, through this evil they have the chance to acquire something real, something that was so far circumstantial, namely real trust. Oh, trust in the Valar, of course! "sour face" Whyever did Eru left those as his appointed guardians is beyond my ability to..."wandering off grumbling to herself" Author Reply: You may be correct about your estimation of the Valar's guilt in all this, Sitara, and perhaps they should have done differently than they did, but they may well have been doing precisely as Eru Ilúvatar wished for them to do in this instance. And really, if EVERYONE from the Valar on down, had done precisely as you think they should have in all of this, there wouldn't have been any story for Tolkien to write and you wouldn't have the pleasure of dissing everything about this story that I've written, so count your blessings on that score. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 68 on 5/31/2011
It's bad enough that Fëanáro insists on going to battle with Melkor without dragging others with him. He is so blinded by hate that he cannot see the truth. Not only will he not win, but he will cause the death of those with him. Even Eonwe could not make him see reason. This is so very tragic. Author Reply: And that's the real tragedy, Tari, that he took so many with him to their doom. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 68 on 5/4/2011
At last--at a site with enough stability I can respond! Alas this day should come, with so many partings and the beginning to such horror and grief. Melkor succeeded beyond his wildest dreams, I believe. Now he sees what his discord has led to, and must be very pleased, even as the stolen Silmarilli burn his brow. Author Reply: You are correct, Larner, that Melkor succeeded too well and we are about to see the beginning of the horror and grief that will be visited upon the Noldor and others in in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Aiwen	Reviewed Chapter: 68 on 4/25/2011
Ingwion's situation at the end of the chapter hurts and is described movingly. Very good chapter. Author Reply: Hi Aiwen. I'm glad you liked the chapter, especially Ingwion's situation at the end and and that you found it very moving. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review and letting me know. Thanks.

ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 68 on 4/25/2011
I have to admit this is probably my favorite chapter of the whole story. The power, the promise, the fear and determination, the anger, the resolve, the affirmation, the persistence, the partings in which none can possibly fathom the true depth of severence... all so very powerfully yet simply portrayed. And to be able to read about the lives afterward of so many of these folks later on. It is just...wow. wow. Author Reply: Hi Ellie. I guess this chapter had it all, doesn't it. Glad it's your favorite of the whole story; it's one of mine as well. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I really appreciate it.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 68 on 4/25/2011
Well they're off, now for Anaire and Earwen to pick up the peices for those who are left. Feanor is an arrogant S.O.B. isn't he, he really has not thought this through, he is so hot to revenge his father and retreve to Silmarills, though I wonder if this is just a convinient excuse to leave Aman? I did like the way you send off all the people we know from E.I. I and II, and it explains how come Ezilmeril left, did dhe get swept up in the madness or was she afraid to come home with out her Atto? Finderato, should have taken the bow and left the harp, kiddo, you will need one more than the other. Poor Ingwion you just want to give him a hug and tell him it will be alright, but it won't will it, not for many, many years and much heart ache. Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Yes, they're off. We will see eventually what happens when Arafinwë returns to Tirion and Eärwen's reaction. I'm glad you liked how this chapter went. I had to scour my other stories to see where anyone mentioned the Faring Forth so I could put them in this chapter. grin I think Findaráto should have taken the bow, too, but I guess he felt the harp was more important. And of course we know that Ingwion survives, though just barely. I'm afraid he must wait a millennium for healing like many others. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Erulisse (one L)	Reviewed Chapter: 68 on 4/25/2011
Such hurt at the least I will do to the Foe of the Valar that even the mighty in the Rithil-Anamo shall wonder to hear of it. Yea, in the end they shall follow me. Namárië!" And Feanaro is correct in his prophecy, as much as Eonwe is correct in his words. The Valar will indeed follow him in the end, and they are the ones who will lay waste to Morgoth and his lands. Through their coming will the lay of the Silmarils come to its bitter conclusion. I loved this chapter. So many names and leavetakings that I remember from other stories of yours over the years. So many hearts breaking while the Noldo leave Tirion to enter an unknown future. - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: Yes, prophecies do have a way of coming true though not necessarily in the way they are originally understood, as we see here. I'm glad you loved this chapter, Erulisse. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

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