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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	8 Review(s)
Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 82 on 7/15/2011
Arafinwë is so convinced he is to be punished that no one can convince him otherwise. He has put unnecessary grief on himself. Why would the Valar punish him; he has done nothing wrong. As was stated, he is stronger than he thinks. I can’t believe he will never see Tirion or his loved ones again. Author Reply: Very true, Tari. And, of course, we know from the Silmarillion (and from my stories) that he does return to Tirion. Just how he gets back is the subject of much of the rest of this story. Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 82 on 6/20/2011
Anger doesn't do well at encouraging good communication, does it? Poor Arafinwe! But she will come around. And he has done well after all. Author Reply: No, it doesn't, Larner. Unfortunately, anger is sometimes all there is left. And yes, eventually Eärwen will come around, as will Arafinwë. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

bookworm	Reviewed Chapter: 82 on 6/15/2011
urge to hug Arafinwe: rising Survivors guilt much Arafinwe? Although I understand Earwen's frustration too, I know the feeling of wanting to smack someone out of their depression! And Olorin is such a sweetheart! (haha. Late review is late. Sorry!) Author Reply: Hi bookworm. I think there's a hint of survivor's guilt in Arafinwë and I wanted to smack the ellon myself as he wallowed in self-pity. We'll see how the Valar handle it. And Olórin is always a sweetheart, even when he's not. LOL! Thanks for reading and reviewing and as far as I'm concerned, the only late review is the one that's never written. grin

Rhyselle	Reviewed Chapter: 82 on 6/13/2011
While I can understand Earwen's frustration and anger at Arafinwe's behavior since his return, I also understand that she doesn't really get how much Arafinwe's fea has been damaged by his experiences. It certainly didn't help things that he was not only the "spare", but the "spare's spare" when it came to Finwe's male children, and that until now, he's always been shunted aside--which does nasty things to one's self-confidence. He's simply not capable of recognizing his own strengths at this time, and I an see that he's been headed for a real breakdown for quite some time. This has all been building since Finwe went to Formenos, and something had to give. It occurred to me today that Arafinwe really hasn't been allowed to mourn his father. Finwe left, and then he was gone for good, and Arafinwe never even got to visit the grave site to say farewell and to get some closure to the strained relationship. I have to say that I suspected that Ranyar was Olorin pretty much from the first. :) The mental image of him holding Arafinwe's hand and moving it to touch and then stroke the tree was just beautiful. The tree recognizes him as King, as do most of the remaining people in Tirion, and even his family. He just needs to recognize it himself--which is why he's eventually here going to serve that apprenticeship with Lord Manwe, I know. I also liked the mental image of the Maiar standing around him, guarding him and watching over him until he awoke so they could escort him to Lord Manwe. It would definitely be unnerving to wake up to that sight, but it would also be wonderful to experience the loved and compassion that they have for Arafinwe. Little Aldundilme is a sweetheart, and I have a feeling that she is going to do more to help heal Arafinwe's spirit than a lot of others can. :) Her name sounds vaguely familiar but I can't remember why. Is she mentioned in one of your other stories? Keep up the great work! :) The way you are filling in the blank spaces of the Silmarillion is just lovely! Author Reply: Hi Rhyselle. Well, to answer your last question first: perhaps Aldundilmë's name sounds familiar because its the feminine form of Aldundil, who will be little Herendil's second son (and Vorondil's father). With Aldundilmë playing "big sister" I'm sure Herendil decided to name his son after her. grin Arafinwë, as you so aptly point out, is the "spare's spare" and has had little training, which is where Lord Manwë comes into the picture, although the nature of Arafinwë's apprenticeship will not be how most readers are expecting. We will also learn why the Valar in EI call him "Pityahuan". At any rate, we will see how he grows and matures into the ellon and king that we know and love from my other stories. Filling in the blank spaces of the Silmarillion is lots of fun and I have plenty of other stories to tell, Atar willing. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate it very much.

Laikwalâssê	Reviewed Chapter: 82 on 6/13/2011
I feel sorry for Arafinwë but I can also understand his wife´s anger. He´s surely no coward, though. In his situation it´s more then understandable to despair. I look forward how the meeting with the Valar will turn out. Olorin was again great, as always. Loved this very much. Thank you. Lai Author Reply: Hi Lai. You have to be sympathetic to both characters, though for different reasons. Arafinwë's meeting with the Valar won't go quite the way he's imagined it as we will see in the next chapter. Thanks for letting me know how much you are enjoying this story. I appreciate it very much.

ellie	Reviewed Chapter: 82 on 6/13/2011
this chapter of partings covers so many things. I am glad that you have shown Arafinwe's strength and courage in his actions even though he can't see them. so may people depict Arafinwe as being weak but you have amazingly shown his strength and courage in spite of and because of what he has chosen to do. Hope that makes sense. Author Reply: Hi Ellie. I'm glad you recognize Arafinwë's strength and courage and thanks for your words. I never thought of Arafinwë as weak and I'm glad that I've been able to portray him as strong and courageous even if he doesn't see it himelf. And it makes perfect sense, thank you.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 82 on 6/13/2011
So Arafinwe has finally got the nudge he needed to get up off his knees and stop wollowing in self pity and get on with doing some thing, even if, in a way, he is running away again, leaving Earwen to hold things together for him! I can't say I blame Earwen for being a little upset with Arafinwe though, but in some ways, at this time, she is better suited to rule than he, she has had the management of a large household for some time and in ways that is very similar to running a kingdom, though on a larger scale. Olorin/Ranyar is such a helpfull Maia isn't he, I hope Manwe does something really nice for him one of these yen, I wonder what Manwe has planned for him when he gets back from Middle Earth in a couple of Ages!? Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. I suppose you can say he's running away again, but the end result will be different, I promise you. And Eärwen has probably had more administrative experience running her household than Arafinwë ever did. I'm sure Manwë will reward Olórin for his helpfulness. As to what Manwë has planned for him when he returns from Middle-earth, that's a pretty good question. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 82 on 6/13/2011
It really gets darker and darker. I feel sorry for Arafinwe, but on the other hand, he also has a lot of growing up to do. I think most of the confusion and indecision, I can feel in the elves is that nobody informed them that they are on their own now. That they have to make decisions. It hasn't sunk in or, like Arafinwe, they are not aware of it. When I compare this Arafinwe with the one from Elf Interrupted than he feels almost childlike in some regards. Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. Yes, it is getting darker and darker. Those who remained behind in Aman had their own tales of woe no less than those who left. And you're right that Arafinwë has a lot of growing up to do and we will see how that is accomplished in the following chapters. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

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