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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	6 Review(s)
Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 12/28/2011
Well, I did say that I wasn’t done with Olwë, especially when he keeps handing me weapons. Let’s find out how much would he like to see himself judged as he had judged Fëanáro, for sake of fairness. Apparently, the Teleri knew all too well the meaning of the word “vengeance” when that Darkness they knew only from hearsay came to affect their lives and property. Furthermore, the “innocent” Teleri would have liked to exact revenge on people who had no part whatsoever in what happened at Alqualondë, only because they were born Noldor, as it seems. As for not wanting to have anything to do with the Noldor anymore, I recall that the same Noldor were more than handy when the Teleri first arrived in Valinor, even if Olwë didn’t seem to do it anymore. However, I would commend Olwë for not condoning his people’s intentions, although I would point out to him that actually it wasn’t the case to worry about the Teleri becoming Kinslayers like the Noldor; tehnically, they already were. They slew their kin as surely as the Noldor did, all of it for ships, and the worst part in my opinion is that they never acknowledged it as such. A real pity, for them. As regards some of Olwë’s decisions….it seems that he decided to burn the bodies of the dead Noldor, as being only fitting for their crimes. From what I know and read so far, I gather that it wasn’t a practice of the Eldar to burn the bodies of their dead. Now I’ll ask him: did he order to be burned along with the rest also the body of Glorfindel’s mother? Did he ever think that he ordered to be defiled the bodies of people who were only caught in the crossfire? If Fëanáro was accused with good reason for what he did in the aftermath of Morgoth’s crime, then I bring the same accusation against Olwë! To desecrate the bodies of slain enemies was ever condemned throughout the history, ranking even among the war crimes, and Olwë’s deed speaks volumes about his character, in my opinion. Even more than in Fëanáro’s case because Olwë was granted a thing that Fëanáro was never allowed to keep: hope. He knew that one day he’ll have his son and people back. His loss wasn't to last forever. Although, well, after an age of salvaging hope, as the Lindaran said, the Teleri were ready to let their Sindar kinsmen at Morgoth’s tender mercies only to ensure that no Noldo would ever again board one of their vessels. Truthfully, their "innocence" scares me more than any of Morgoth's evils. Author Reply: Well, Sitara, it isn’t a crime to defend yourself or for a people to defend their homes. The greater crime against the aggressors would have been to let the bodies rot and be eaten by carrion. Olwe did as he needed. Even Feanor’s body was burned when he died. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Erulisse (one L)	Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 5/10/2011
So the question bears asking, is there any way that Arafinwe can bring his people back to Tirion without passing through Alqualonde? That passage will prove to be quite tense and may well result in increasing unrest among the peoples of the coastal city. Of course I feel great sympathy for Olwe, having lost his son to this madness. He seems to be handling things with grace, as I would expect from a sea dweller who understands the power of the constant pressure mounted by water against a shoreline. But the Valar have to get involved again. Their standing aside working on the lights, etc., is increasingly turning the people against them because of their continued absence. For beings who created the world and who normally can multi-task with ease, this withdrawl is not only harmful, but seems to be against their nature. They normally are a bit more "in your face" than this. I look forward to your next chapter, as always. You never disappoint. - Erulisse (one L) Author Reply: Hi Erulissë. Your question will be answered in the next chapter actually which will detail Arafinwë's return to Tirion with those who decided to turn back and what happened when they reached the borders of Alqualondë. I think the Valar are suffering from "once-burned-twice-shy" syndrome. Fëanor's actions and those of the Noldor under him shocked them to the core. They never expected it and now they're afraid to do anything at the moment. But don't worry. In a subsequent chapter we will see Olwë bringing them to task for their inactions. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Laikwalâssê	Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 5/10/2011
Olwe´s advice to stay calm is sound, of course, even if I can understand the cry for vengeance a bit. And the King is further right: how should he shun all Noldor from the city with so many of mixed blood? Olwe handles the situation quite well although he has much reason to grief himself. What a heart-wrenching and strong chapter. I could feel the desperation while reading, amazing. Thank you. Lai Author Reply: Hi Lai. Olwe is very strong here, as he needs to be, but I'm sure he would much rather have been able to hide himself away somewhere and grieve fully. That you found this chapter heart-wrenching and that you could feel the desperation is what I was aiming for here. Thank you for letting me know. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 5/9/2011
At least Olwe is wise enough to know that vengeance is, in the end, a vain solace, as it begets merely more violence and division in the end. And to take out on the innocent the anger at the absent guilty is foolish as well as being more wicked in the end than those who gave the first blow. Ainairos appears to be perhaps seeking to hide from all, including himself, his own guilt for having abandoned those who died in the attack, including his brother. He needs Mandos's healing, perhaps, more than does his dead brother. Author Reply: Olwë is very wise, indeed, Larner, and he knows the futility of vengeance, for it solves nothing and no one is saved by it. I think Ainairos may well be guilty of perhaps abandoning others, including his brothers, at the time of the attack. He certainly does need healing, but whether he will ever receive it, or more importantly, allow himself to receive it, who can say? I'm sure both Irmo and Námo will be busy in the near future attempting to help these people, including Ainairos. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 5/9/2011
Well Olwe seems to be handling things in a competent manner, he is keeping his wits about him. I should think, though, all he wants to do is crawl off in a corner and howl his grief, for his son and his people. I am not surprised that some of his people want vengence, Olwe is right, some of the Noldor in the March are going to their deaths and gruesome some of them will be, going after the remaining Noldor in Tirion will not help anybody, when they find out what happened in Alqualonde they will be as shocked and dismayed as Arafinwe and Nolofinwe. Let the wind take the ashes of the Noldor, they need no memorial, Elves, after all, have very long memories. Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Olwë is a natural leader and he knows he does not have the luxury of breaking down, at least not yet. Perhaps eventually. In the meantime, he must devote much of his energy in keeping his people calm and focused on rebuilding rather than on revenge. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 72 on 5/9/2011
The ones who are most driven to vengeance, are in dire need of one of the Loriennildi, I think - and no doubt many others need healing from the traumas of the Kinslaying and the aftermath. At least OlwÃ« prevented his people from going off and indulging in a bit of kinslaying of their own! And hopefully he will also prevent Ainairos from going off to kill in the future - or inciting others to kill. I think he is one who might need to stay for a while in LÃ³rien! Author Reply: Hi Sunny. I suspect that as soon as things settle down (i.e. the Valar finish creating the Sun and Moon), Irmo will be devoting his time in grief counseling along with his Lóriennildi. And certainly Ainairos is a good candidate for a prolonged stay in Lórien. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I quite appreciate it.

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