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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	10 Review(s)
Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 69 on 7/6/2013
I hadn't intended to review quite so often, but this chapter... Oh, Fiondil, what a horror to juxtapose this one with the last one. Both showing featuring familiar characters to spotlight a range of details, but what a contrast. Although over the last one already hovers the dread of what is to come, in this one you show it in stark, terrible details. Well done, but oh, my heart! I don't recall, is this the first time we actually learn something about Glorfindel's parents? Did his father recognise that he had just killed his own wife? And what happened to him - I presume he died soon, too? And this chapter was also remarkably visual - I often have a hard time really picturing scenes as more than vague outlines and nebulous figures blocked in scenes, but this I could see in my mind's eye very well. Alas! Author Reply: Hi Imhiriel. This chapter does make a nice (if that's the right word) contrast with the previous one, where everyone is leaving with high hopes, so proud and noble, and then they barely get out the door and it all goes pear-shaped in a real hurry, and again, I show the general through the particular. We actually hear of Glorfindel's parents and their fate in Elf, Interrupted, Book Two, when Glorfindel is on his way to Oromë's Forest for training with the Maiar and has an emotional meltdown that necessitates the Valar to intervene. Can't remember the exact chapter, but I think it would be easy enough for you to find if you so wish. I tried to keep the blood and gore to a minimum in my description of this chapter, focusing more on people's emotions and reactions to what was happening. I think it is more effective, if only because it leaves the reader free to imagine the horror at their own comfort level, if that makes sense. Sometime I find less is more and leave it to the readers to supply the grisly details on their own. I'm glad that the details I did provide were vivid enough that you could see this scene in your mind's eye very well. Thanks for telling me and thanks for the review. I appreciate it very much.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 69 on 8/17/2011
Ah. So we’ve come to that. First, I must do what I have to and issue a warning that may be or not needed, but just in case. I don’t intend to prolong this more than strictly needed nor to allow my temper to run higher than usual but it may happen, as Olwë Lindaran has become the focus of my review. I’ve always wondered what would have happened had Tolkien gone off with his first mindset, the one described in HoME1, as regards the events of Alqualondë. Who would have been the ones to be called “Kinslayers”, I wonder? Or, rather, slayers of ellith and elflings, but, well, the point is moot. Another thing, I still didn’t understand how in Holy Blessed Realm did the Teleri manage to do such a good job and slay the most part of Fëanáro’s vanguard to such extent that Findekáno’s troops rushed to their aid without even trying to ascertain what was going on. “Slender bows” against “fell swords” in a close-handed fight? That must have been a turning point in the military history, I reckon. But, well, that would be more of a question for Tolkien and any writer could do only so much with the sources he has. "From you, perhaps," Olwë said, "but he has not robbed the Lindar." “bursting into laughter” That’s the spirit, Olwë. Oh, innocence of the Teleri! Let’s assume now that when the Teleri first came into Valinor carrying not too much with them and being in need of countless things, the Noldor would have offered them nothing as they wren’t themselves in need. Or, even better, following Olwë’s kingly logic, what if the Noldor would have offered them…some gems when they needed food and shelter? “I won’t give you my ships because it wasn’t you who taught me how to build them!” Fëanáro is not wrong here and the proof is that Olwë cannot gainsay him. The Teleri owed them, all things said and done. “I trust to Lord Ulmo and the other Powers that they will redress the hurts of Melkor and that this darkness that is more than loss of light will soon be lifted from our hearts and spirits.” How easy is to merely speak. It remains to be seen exactly how much trust would he put into the Valar once he was himself physically affected by said darkness. “the work of our hearts, whose like we shall not make again." You’ve just stooped at Fëanáro’s level, Olwë. Worse, even, for you have even less reason than him. You and your people have bound your hearts to ships, if you can realize. And, no, unless the Teleri were all struck with a collective case of amnesia, I cannot accept your hyperbole. The Silmarili couldn’t have been replicated, period. Whyever the Swanships could not? Were the Teleri running short of timber or sails or knowledge? Olwë…. Fëanáro had bound his heart to the fates of Arda, within which burned a part of the Imperishable Flame, whereas you bound your heart to a pile of white wood. If this be innocence……I should pity you, Olwë. I do not mean that Olwë’s guilt would diminish Fëanáro’s own. By now his quest was already a personal vendetta, in my opinion not having too much to do with either the Silmarili or Finwë’s death, but rather with inflicting upon the Valar (all of them) the pain he was himself suffering. The rest …collateral damage. It’s just I shall never see one side of the coin only; there were two parties, each of them with his own guit, a battle not a massacre, for, while the Noldor went there to steal ships, the Teleri fought and killed to keep them. Not to preserve their own lives, but to preserve their ships. That’s a world difference, in my opinion. And don't tell me, please, that Olwë's oath would come into play linked somehow to that Doom of Mandos according to which "all whom ye have slain" could plead in th behalf of the doomed ones. "sour face" Just what I needed...but as for you, dear Doomsman....."evil smirk" Author Reply: Well we all know how much you despise Olwë, Sitara, so I'm not a bit surprised at your spite towards him or the negativity of your review. I really have to wonder why you even bother to read this story since you obviously despise everyone in it for one reason or another, except, of course, your precious Fëanáro.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 69 on 6/1/2011
Reading of the Kinslaying was always hard for me. That the guilty parties should be doomed to spend ertinity with Meklor seems justified to me. Author Reply: It's hard for everyone, I imagine, Tari. I'm not sure where you think the guilty are doomed to spend eternity with Melkor, for Tolkien doesn't say so, though I imagine quite a few of the survivors thought they should. grin Certainly in my own stories, that is not the case. Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing. I apppreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 69 on 5/9/2011
I grieve so for Olwe and all of both peoples who lost loved ones. And to be so caught up in the madness that the Noldor even ended up slaying of their very own--how horrible! And poor Eonwe, forced to be in the midst of it all! Author Reply: I'm sure Eöwnë insisted on a very long vacation on some nameless planet in another galaxy after this. grin It is indeed a horrible thing, but that's madness for you. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Larner. I really appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Erulisse (one L)	Reviewed Chapter: 69 on 4/30/2011
My bad. That should teach me to not read so early in the morning, or at least not until I have had a chance to wake my brain. Apologies for the name mix-up extended along with a red rose.... - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: Apology accepted. And the confusion is understandable considering how close many of the names look and sound. Tolkien didn't do us any favors with all those "Fin-guys" as a friend puts it. LOL! Thanks for the rose.

Erulisse (one L)	Reviewed Chapter: 69 on 4/30/2011
I knew you would handle Alqualonde well, and you did. I stumbled a bit because you have Turukano participating in the Alqualonde bloodbath, when it is most often stated that his group was third on the scene and stayed back from the fray. However, I grabbed my Sil and took a quick search and nothing specifically states that, so your version is not incorrect, just your version, and it holds as much veracity as anyone else's interpretations. I remembered Laurefindil's amme from your previous story, and have always loved how you brought him into this tragedy. As always, I am amazed by your style and ability to tell a tale that we all know with such individual focus. You make all of us feel for the individuals who are involved in the fray rather than just thinking about this horrific part of Elven history from an outsider's viewpoint. Well done. - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: Hi Erulisse. I'm not sure where you get the idea that Turucáno is participating in the Kinslaying. Perhaps you are confusing him with Turcufinwë who is mentioned as fighting against three Teleri in the paragraph before we see Laurefindil and his ammë. There, Laurefindil specifically acknowledges that he is in violation of his oath to Turucáno so supposedly he's wandered off without his lord's permission while the rest of Turucáno's people stay back from the fray. I've been very careful to make sure that the characters are acting as dictated by canon and no one is fighting who shouldn't be. That being said, I appreciate your comments concerning my style and ability to tell a tale with individual focus, especially when dealing with scenes with which we are all familiar, perhaps too familiar. That's why I tend to focus on individuals caught up in what is going on, trying to bring it down to a more personal level and showing people moved by forces beyond their ability to control. I think in this manner it makes these rather epic scenes more real to the reader. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Ellynn	Reviewed Chapter: 69 on 4/29/2011
For quite some time now, I (we all) knew this was coming. I was afraid of this moment - not because of blood, as I have no problem with graphic violence - but because of pain I knew it would bring. And now it happened. :( Well written! Author Reply: And it was a chapter I dreaded to have to write but knew it had to be written. I'm grateful to know that you found it well written, Ellynn. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 69 on 4/29/2011
A very powerfull, very sad chapter. Feanor is truely mad. Namo is going to be so busy now, so is Eonwe. I am a little tired, I was up watching the Royal Wedding this morning, what a contrast to this, a bright new beginning for them and a dark ending for the Elves of Alqualonde. Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Yes, I imagine both Námo and Eönwë are very busy at this moment. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Kaylee Arafinwiel	Reviewed Chapter: 69 on 4/29/2011
Oh, I knew this was coming, and I was prepared for the tales told by the earlier stories that mentioned them...I wonder what will come of Olwe's oath, though? Will he and Findarato after his inyo's rebirth, or perhaps he and Arafinwe after his return, have to have words about that? (remembers Finda's confrontation with the Valar over his rather similar...I think...oath) Perhaps the enormity of it hasn't truly hit me, as I'm coming to this chapter after a night at my gwathel Michelle's house watching the Royal Wedding. (The new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a splendid pair, Atto...did you see? The dress was lovely. And Kate didn't mix up her husband's names, unlike Diana who did :) It all went so well. I don't remember actually falling asleep but I must have at some point. I missed the kiss, and the actual giving of titles. I found out what the title was later.) Well, anyway, I found Olwe and Lirille's reactions...especially to Falmaron's demise (and Olwe's canon reaction to the demand for the swanships) very, very realistic and believable (as always) and those struck me as so powerful, even if I am too tired to be hit by strong emotions about much else. I was struck by the overall sadness and depth to each character here, though. Four last words to comment: Poor Finda. Poor Glorfi. Tye-melin, Atto...looking forward to Monday! Kaylee Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. I'm sure Olwë will have to deal with a lot of things, including the ramifications of his oath, though it really isn't very similar to Findaráto's, nor does it truly invoke the Valar, only Námo. At any rate, I'm glad to know you found the reactions of the characters to the situation to be very realistic and believable. And no, I didn't watch the royal wedding. I did see Diana and Charles' wedding and frankly, when you've seen one royal wedding, you've seen them all. sly grin Thanks for taking the time to read and review, Kaylee. I quite appreciate it.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 69 on 4/29/2011
No wonder Eällindo or Olwë did not recognize the look in Fëanáro's eyes - living in Valinor as they did, they wouldn't be likely to have encounter anybody who was batshit crazy, as Fëanáro is right now. It won't surprise me if they encounter some gentler "cousins" of that madness among the survivors of this first kinslaying, though. At least Fëanáro was recognized as being dangerous, but none would have guessed just how dangerous. Námo is getting a workout here, and I can't imagine he is happy about that. Author Reply:* Hi Sunny. No, I don't imagine too many Elves would have recognized madness when they saw it in someone. I'm sure many of the Telerin survivors will suffer various forms of madness borne from extreme grief. It will take a long time for them to recover and perhaps some will end up in Lórien for treatment. And no, I can't imagine Námo being at all happy with any of the Elves right about now. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I very much appreciate it.

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