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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 7/7/2013
I forgot to add one thing (and sorry for swamping your in-box!): I teared up when you wrote that Námo wept all the while he uttered his doom. I do hope his wife and the other Valar can console him. He will need all the emotional strength he can get in the next days with his halls filling with the victims of the Kinslaying. Author Reply: I have no doubt that his wife and the other Valar did as much as they could to console him and provide him with emotional support as he deals with those who have died (and will die). Thanks for commenting on this. I'm glad you recognized the emotional pain Námo had to be going through. I think of all the Valar, he is the most sensitive and caring in spite of his "official face". I never could get my head around Tolkien's description of him as a cold, unfeeling so-and-so. I decided that had to be the Noldor's perception of him based on their own guilt feelings and not the reality.

Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 7/7/2013
And lo! Behold, this is the SILM chapter when Arafinwë became of all the Elves my most beloved! (I'm infected by the grandiose language, as you see ;-), but it's true, with only a couple of others to equal him in my esteem) He is the furthest from being a coward as you can get. To 1) recognise, 2) acknowledge and 3) seek to redress the error of his ways he shows what true bravey and wisdom is. Knowing full well what will await him: a shattered, pitiful remnant of his own people, the kinslaying with his personal ties to the Teleri, the estrangement of the Vanyar, and whatever he imagines he might expect from the Valar. I truly hopes he comes to learn that his was a most brave, honourable and heroic decision! Everytime I see Námo's speech, a shiver courses through me. I always have to read it a few times slowly and really let it sink in and let it reverberate before I continue on. I loved the small detail that he was so unmoving that the wind didn't even stir his clothes. I appreciated Eru's discussion with Manwë at the end as it puts into the record one of my perennial gripes against the Valar and their disposition of the Elves and their Stewardship of places in Arda other than Aman. I didn't know this was even part of canon, and I'm glad to hear it. Author Reply: Arafinwë is the true hero here, though he does not see it, and the rest of this story, or a large part of it, centers on that belief and how he deals with it (or not) and the consequences of it for him and others. Námo's speech is chilling and I tried to make it as dramatic as possible, more so than the rather dry telling of it in the Silmarillion. And I have wanted to bring in Eru's discussion with Manwë for a long time and was glad to find the perfect story for it. This is a pivotal scene, I think, showing that a). the Valar are not perfect and b). Eru is still in charge. Thanks for reviewing, Imhiriel. It's greatly appreciated.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 9/2/2011
Another warning I have to issue for this chapter, a far more serious one, as well as for the length. “grim smile” I think it would be the last of them as the story would shift to some less perilous grounds from now on. I’m not far of thinking that, by pronouncing that Doom, the Valar lost yet another opportunity to keep their mouths shut as previously they had lost many other opportunities to speak up. Especially Námo, when Melkor was released from Mandos. Or as he’ll do later, when Eärendil would come to Aman. The matter is debatable, as it’s the fact that, after all, the Eldar were free to leave Aman by their own volition, to quote the Valar’s own words, and the most part of them didn’t spill any blood nor did they have a personal grudge against the Valar, as Nolofinwë says in HoME1. Yet the Valar would label them all as “rebels” and turn their backs on them, albeit Manwë styles himself King of Arda not of Aman only; that matter, as the Valar’s implied hypocrisy is still open to discussion. However, “to fence Valinor against you, and shut you out, so that not even the echo of your lamentations shall pass over the mountains” is what the likes of Morgoth would do, in my opinion, not Eru’s appointed guardians. That’s not just the fulfilling of a prophecy but something deliberately done. For their own safety or for revenge; two equally…ah, ignoble reasons. If the Valar really planned to “sit behind their mountains and feast”, dismissing from their thoughts all the Elves, Men, Dwarves and whatever else may be around, then I suggest them to step down their positions and take up gardening , for they are not worthy to be the guardians of Arda. It’s no less than the image of Eru Ilúvatar that they should represent to all the inhabitants of Arda. Don’t really want to ask them how much damage they did to said image. “To evil end shall all things turn that they begin well.” Unfortunately for the Aftercomers this time, so shall turn the Valar’s. And I dare to believe that the Powers of Arda would be held by Eru to a higher standard than the Noldor. And the best thing of all…. iAlaharyainë. “bursting into laughter” Now I have to call you a false prophet to boot, Námo. I don’t speak about kingship; after all, you weren’t adressing to Nerwen Artanis as to be such a big issue. The Silmarili, this is the issue. And, hear me out, Námo, Fëanáro will never lose the ownership of the Silmarili; beyond all that happened and has yet to happen, the Silmarili shall really belong only to Fëanáro. One of them would be eventually brought back to Aman and styled into the Star of the High Hope but to the Valar shall be forever the reminder of the fact that they’ll never be able to do more than displaying it, ultimately that Eru Ilúvatar had placed the fates of Arda and subsequently the Valar’s fate, the guardians of Arda, in the palm of Fëanáro’s hand. And that…has to be the Valar’s own Doom. An eternal remembrace that they were tried and found wanting. And that the key to unlock the gate to a new world was withheld from them and given instead to…an intransigent Elf. Eru Ilúvatar has to have the best sense of humor. “laughing heartily” As for you, Arafinwë…had you made your decision about five minutes earlier, it’d have been the bravest thing ever witnessed on this part of the Sea. You’d have had rock upon which to build anew yours and your people’s life in Aman. Instead, you’ll have gravel to content with because, ultimately, you’ve chosen not the right thing, as it’d have been had you made earlier your decision, but a compromise, namely the lesser of two evils. You may be no coward (and, in fact, you aren’t) but you’ll never know it for sure. Doubt shall be your own doom as you’ll be struggling to patch up one crack in your relations with the Valar only to find out tomorrow that two more have just appeared. You’ll be forced one day to flee Tirion and you’ll have to start all over again, sorting out things amidst the wreckage, while wondering how did it come to this….again and what would happen next time when the Valar’s newest pet project will blow up in their faces…and yours. On top of it, the world wouldn’t be getting younger. Neither would the Eldar or the Valar, for that matter. I won’t ever say that Arafinwë did wrong…but I cannot say that it was quite right either. It was, in my opinion, something …betwixt and between. ‘lol’ Although, I admit, someone should probably have done it anyway, before or after the Doom. For that person’s sake, it’d been better to be before, rather than after. Fëanáro severed the Gordian knot, while Arafinwë chose to painstakingly untangle it, a task to which he’ll apply himself until the End. I can only wish him luck. "grin" Author Reply: Is there anything about this story you actually like, Sitara? You seem to be using my story as an excuse to vent about how you personally feel about certain characters and how Tolkien wrote them but you never seem to say anything at all about the story (or the chapter) as written. And given your disdain for most of the characters, I'm doubtful if you will find the rest of the story any less 'perilous' in that regard.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 6/6/2011
Arafinwe is anything but a coward. Standing up to his brother and refusing to participate in this folly took great strenght as far as I'm concerned. I'm glad he turned back. Nolofinwe is another story. I'm sorry that he couldn't bring himself to turn back, but I do not think the Vala will be too harsh with him knowing what was in his heart. Poor Manwe. Realizing his arrogance would have been a real shock, but there is always redemption for those who repent. Great chapter. Author Reply: Hi Tari. It is a shock to realize you're not perfect, but as you say, there's redemption for those who repent, and Manwë does. Glad you liked the chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Erulisse (one L)	Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 5/10/2011
I liked this chapter a lot. You brought out many things that I have been thinking for a long time - the chastisement of Manwe, the compassion of Namo. All of those things intertwined with a Doom that has not been matched to that time and beyond. Feanor is, by now, living in a world of his own making - not a world of reality. And the tragedy is that he has ensnared so many others within his vision. Then again, who is to say that the Firstborn should even have been brought to Valinor at all? They were born in ME, after all, not at the foot of Taniquitel. Sorry this comes late, but I did have to speak, even if it is a bit tardy. Now we're starting to get down to the "nitty-gritty". - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: Hi Erulisse. I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter. When I came across the Converse between Eru and Manwë I knew it needed to incorporated into this story. I have always felt that the Elves were meant to remain in Middle-earth where the Valar, or more likely their Maiar servants, would abide with them and teach them what they needed to know so that they in turn would then teach the Secondborn, eventually making their way to Valinor when their task was complete, leaving the various races of the Secondborn to act as Stewards of Middle-earth. Of course, that didn't happen and we are left with the consequences of the Valar's lack of estel. And not to worry. Review when you can. Thanks for this review. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 5/9/2011
I was always glad that Arafinwe turned back. That he sees it as cowardice is too bad, really. At least he has gifted his daughter with a governor on her impetuous nature. And Feanor failed to perceive that Namo wept at his stony rejection of the Valars love and advice. Author Reply: So was I, Larner. We will see in subsequent chapters how Arafinwë handles his feelings of worthlessness and what comes of it. And he knows his daughter too well. I doubt if any of the Elves perceived that Námo wept as he watched them leave. Perhaps if they had, some more might have turned back. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it a lot.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 5/6/2011
Well he's been and gorn and done it now! Though after Alqualonde there was no turning back for Feanaro and his sons, the others, maybe. I think Arafinwe is very brave, he really did not want to go in the first place, but only went to look after his people and he is still doing that by turning back with them. I wonder what Earwen will have to say when he shows up on the doorstep of the palace! Now to find and rescue Ingwe! Just where could Ingoldo have hidden him? Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Arafinwë is very brave, though it will take him time to realize this. We will get to Ingwë soon enough and we will see what happens to Arafinwë after he returns to Tirion. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Shemyaza	Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 5/6/2011
Poor Arafinwe, he judges his own actions as cowardice when in fact if anything, it is Feanor who is the coward. Rushing towards certain death doesn't always mean that one is a hero especially given that Feanor is not rushing to save anyone else, he is blinding rushing to save three inanimate, non-sentient objects and dragging everyone else with him to share in his doom. What Arafinwe has discovered is that sometimes discretion is the better part of valour, although I sense that he won't see it that way for some time. I feel so sorry for him, but sometimes it takes more courage to go back and admit that you have made a mistake than it does to carry on blithely making mistake after mistake until you face your own doom. They also serve who only stand and wait. I also feel desperately sorry for Intarion. He started off with such a strong conviction that he could talk Findarato around and to have to admit defeat must have torn him in two. I had a feeling that Manwe and the rest of the Valar's odd decisions would not go unnoticed or unremarked on by Eru. I guess the whole "you look after Arda for me" is a massive learning curve for them and I wonder what the Eldar would have thought had they realised that the Valar were as prone to making mistakes as any of the rest of them. Clay feet anyone? At least some of the parents had the good sense to give their children in to Arafinwe's care rather than put them through the harrowing events to come. What a pity they didn't see far enough to realise that those same children, having been deserted by their parents, would be traumatised beyond belief. Arafinwe is going to have to get his kingly hat on a little earlier than planned. Author Reply: Hi Shemyaza. It will take Arafinwë some time to realize that he isn't a coward as we will eventually see in subsequent chapters. And Intarion's inability to get to Findaráto and having to turn back will be a deciding factor in the future when he decides to join Arafinwë in going to Middle-earth at the time of the War of Wrath. I felt it necessary to have the conversation between Eru and Manwë at this point, to show that there is indeed a massive learning curve for the Valar. Eru has been very patient, waiting for the right moment to chastise his vice-gerent for his lack of estel. But, as I've been very careful to stress in all my stories, the Valar, as created beings, are not perfect and they can and do make mistakes, except when they make mistakes, others tend to suffer as well. Anyway, I'm sure the elflings will be taken care of and hopefully the trauma will eventually be lessen, but I can imagine many of them join in the War of Wrath for the sole purpose of looking up mom and dad and finding out whatever happened to them. Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Laikwalâssê	Reviewed Chapter: 71 on 5/6/2011
Hi Fiondil, for me, this is the most awesome scene in the SIL and has ever gripped me when reading but your telling sent shivers down my spine and made the scene all the more powerful. Your talent of telling what Tolkien did not is amazing. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Lai Author Reply: Hi Lai. Thanks for letting me know how much you are enjoying this story. I appreciate you taking the time to do so. And I'm glad you found this chapter so powerful. It's a real spine-chiller, that's for sure.

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