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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	10 Review(s)
Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 7/7/2013
Aaaand I've once more forgotten to add something in my review blushes, but I have a question: Tiutalion expressly stated that the book he gave Arafinwë was for him alone, and no one would know what was in it unless he chose to share it. And yet, several Valar quite unabashedly took it without him knowing, much less consenting, and read what was written there, several times. And as someone who had to censor her own diary as a teenager because her mother kept reading it and complaining how I wrote about my parents - that seriously upset and disconcerted me. Do you have an explanation for the Valars' actions? Author Reply: I think if Arafinwë had been acting rationally at this point, they wouldn't have bothered, but his actions necessitated they find out why he was so hysterical when they attempted to move the book out of his hand just long enough to get him into the stretcher. And of course, there's nothign in the journal excapt for some notes and recipes. There's nothing of a personal nature, which is what puzzles th Valar. The closest thing to a personal entry is the smudged page where the only legible phrase is "Help me, please". I have a feeling that the Valar knew that there was nothing of a personal nature in the journal and could not understand Arafinwë's reactions. Hence, they took a peek. Maybe not the best explanation, but the only one I can come up with to justify their actions. Hope it helps.

Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 7/7/2013
What a satisfying end of the chapter and this episode in the overall story! And now I hope Arafinwë can take on a more active role in helping his own folk in picking up the pieces, and helping the rightful rulers of the Vanyar out of the mess Ingoldo made of things. I always squirm uncomfortably while reading those scenes of "thralldom" in your work, everything rebelling in me against witnessing those acts and expectations of willing subservience. But they always make me think, and weigh my opinions, and ponder, and be more aware of my own spiritual and philosophical stances. And while I still may not agree with everything presented here, I think it help me grow as a person, even as a middle-aged adult. And I sincerely thank you for that, Fiondil! Author Reply: Hi Imhiriel, I'm glad you found this chapter satisfying. We'll see how Arafinwë takes his lessons to heart as the rest of this story progresses. And I'm glad you find my stories thought-provoking. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 8/2/2011
Aren't we all to hard headed to see the forest for the trees, or something like that. Arafinwe now understands and will become the King he was meant to be. So happy that it finally happened. Three cheers for the Valar and especially Manwe for the wisdom he shared with Arafinwe. Author Reply: Very true, Tari. Arafinwe took longer than the Valar had hoped to learn the lessons he needed to learn, but he is now in the position to become the king he was always meant to be. I'm sure the Valar are breathing great sighs of relief right about now. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 7/24/2011
You have fooled me too with that dream in the last chapter. But it seems Arafinwe learned his lesson. Author Reply: I imagine a lot of people were fooled by the dream, but it was more than a dream, it was Arafinwë's last chance to be Arafinwë and not Pityahuan. As you say, he finally has learned his lesson and everyone is happy about that. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 7/15/2011
About bloody time the lesson took! Heh! Author Reply: Definitely, Larner. I'm sure everyone from the Valar on down is breathing a sigh of relief just about now. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 7/15/2011
I wonder if you had been reading C. S Lewis when you were writing this - the sentiment Manwë voices is certainly quite similar to what King Lune tells Cor (Shasta) at the end of _The Horse and his Boy_: "The King's under the law, for it's the law makes him a King. Hast no more power to start away from thy crown than any sentry from his post." And: "For this is what it means to be a King: to be first in every desperate attack and last in every desperate retreat, and when there's hunger in the land (as must be now and then in bad years) to wear finer clothes and laugh louder over a scantier meal than any man in your land." Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Of course, I've read (and re-read) the Chronicles and I do remember this part of the story, but I was not consciously thinking about it when I wrote this chapter. Certainly, Lune's words to Cor/Shasta could have been spoken by Manwë or Námo to Arafinwë. And they are as true in real life as they are true in stories, though our own leaders have forgotten this bit of dictum, unfortunately. Thanks for pointing out the parallels. I obviously internalized this concept without realizing it. grin

Kaylee Arafinwiel	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 7/15/2011
Atto, All I can say to that is, it took him long enough!!! I'm so glad he's finally learned what he needs to learn. Thralldom being equated with kingship - I hadn't thought of that, but it's true, isn't it? Emma and I wrote a story called "Tithen Aran" where a little Thranduil played at being King, but tried to do whatever he wanted. Oropher told Thranduil that a good King listens to his advisors and subjects, and tries to satisfy them in a way that works best for the kingdom. He equated being a king with being a father (ironic, as Oropher wasn't yet King in Greenwood, merely Ereinion's advisor in Lindon for his Sindarin subjects, and yet Oropher will end up being both father and King) and Thranduil, young as he was, understood that lesson. Parents, too, need to do what is best for their children, and can't (or shouldn't, I ought to say) run from them. I think both our analogies work well. What do you think, Atto? I like yours, and Arafinwe's finally come to understand. Now to see him actually get the collar off for real, right? And then hopefully find Ingwe! Hey, Aule, if there's any mithril left over from the collar and chain, make another collar for Ingoldo. There's someone who deserves thraldom at the least! Tye-melin, Kaylee Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. Long enough, indeed! But better a slow learner than no learner. grin And I agree that both analogies work well. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us. And next chapter we will see what happens to the collar. We'll also be backtracking a bit story-wise to see what Intarion and Lirulin are up to before we return to Ingwion and Ingalaurë. Eventually, all the different story threads will come together, I promise. Now that we've gotten Arafinwë where he needs to be, we can see how Ingwë is rescued and what happens afterwards. Thanks for reading and reviewing, meldanya. Tye-melin.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 7/15/2011
Well it took him a while, but, I think Arafinwe has finally pulled himself out of his funk and is ready to pick up the peices of his life and get on with the job of being Noldoran! I did like Manwe's insight's on being a ruler, something that not only royal rulers should keep in mind, but also elected rulers, they even moreso, if they don't do a good job they will be out on their ears at the next election if not sooner! Now to reforge that collar, go to Tirion and grovel for forgivness from Earwen and find Ingwe! Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Manwë's (and Námo's) insight on being a ruler apply to our leaders even today, though few would even give lip-service to the concept, never mind, actually follow through with it. And that's unfortunate and probably why the world is in such a mess when our leaders can't remember that they serve us and not the other way around (and that goes for any kind of leadership role, whether in the government, the church or wherever). What happens to the collar and to Arafinwë now will be revealed in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Laikwalâssê	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 7/15/2011
at last he has stepped out of his self-pity. It´s about time to become what he is born to be - a King! I liked how Manwë described this position - ever to be at the mercy of others. I´m curious how he will return to his family/people. I wonder if his time with the Valar has not really happened "outside". I like the phrase "I could not love you more than I already do, nor could I love you less. I can only love you" - how true. The (your) Valar always surprise me. Thank you for this wonderful chapter. Lai Author Reply: Hi Lai. We will be seeing in the follwing chapters what happens with Arafinwë as he re-enters Eldarin society. He won't be returning to Tirion immediately because the Valar need him to help Ingwion find Ingwë and set things right in Vanyamar before he can take up his duties as Noldóran (and there also needs to be a coronation which we'll see). Glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 91 on 7/15/2011
So Arafinwë has finally come out of his funk and is willing to take up his duty as Noldoran. A very good thing - for the Noldor, for Eärwen (who gets her husband back, but I suspect he is going to work at it to earn her forgiveness for running away and leaving her and Anaire to run the kingdom), for Arafinwë himself, and for the Valar. And probably also for Ingwë and Inwion as well. And what Manwë told him about the nature of Kingship is a very good description of what it should be. It is more than wearing a blingy hat and sitting at the head table wearing fancy clothes at feasts. And I _thought_ that collar was going to get reforged. And in the dream at least it was. Is it going to happen _outside_ the dream as well? Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Yes, finally! Now let us rejoice and sing hosannas! LOL! We'll see in te next chapter what the fate of the collar will be. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

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