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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	10 Review(s)
Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 102 on 7/8/2013
What an interesting, poignant, haunting twist to have the Teleri be the ones to start the actual kinslaying! It adds a whole other layer to that whole tragic mess. I wonder if that will change the attitude the Teleri will have towards the Noldor. I'm afraid not too much - nobody wants to be reminded of their own fault when it's easier to bear grievances against others. But I suspect at least Olwë will use that fact to keep a lide on too extreme reactions, e.g. by Ainairos and others of a like mindset, smart politician as the king has shown himself so far. But still, I'm with Olwë. It's the Noldor's own fault for attacking the havens and wanting to steal the ships - people have a right to defend themselves and their property, and if the aggressor and thief gets hurt, well, he put himself at risk by impinging on another person's rights unlawfully. And I also think he is right that the Valar owe him... hm, something... Before, the Valar immediately acted when the Peace was breached, when Fëanáro "merely" threatened his brother, when no actual harm bar a fright had been done. And while I do see their wisdom in what they tell the Elves here about the need to stand on their own feet, why do they decide to change their politics in the face of wholesale slaughter? As I said before, a forewarning would only have been fair for the Elves to adjust to the new circumstances, particularly the Teleri who had only sparse news of what went on beyond the Pélori. I like how you have structured these last several chapters. They go quite a bit back in time to catch the several key players up to the present, and by framing it as a narrative by the Valar to Arafinwë, you give it a nice coherency. Author Reply: The idea of the Teleri starting the kinslaying is not a twist, but an actuality. Tolkien clearly states in the Silmarillion that the Teleri "threw the first punch" so to speak. Many people automatically assume it was the Noldor, so I decided it was time to set the record straight. grin And the Valar do owe him, but what deal they make between themselves I have never learned. Maybe someday... And your point is well taken. Unfortunately, the Valar, like all created beings, are flawed, imperfect and the screw up just like the rest of us. They were so stung by Fëanáro that they went in the opposite direction. It probably took them a while to find a balance between non-interference and meddling, though I don't think they've ever gotten the hang of it. grin I decided that having Manwë tell Arafinwë what had been going on was the best way to bring all the threads together. I'm glad you liked the way I did it. Thanks for leaving a comment. I very much apprciate it.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 102 on 8/23/2011
Manwe is not being very consistent. On the one hand he preaches growing up and becoming more mature, and then he constantly addresses the elves as 'child'. Which is pretty much the most infuriating address you can have for an adolescent. What does Manwe want? Clearly for him the elves are children and I have the feeling he doesn't want them too grown up. Olwe's demand came a bit unexpected, but understandable. This crusade to have the elves grow up can be very uncomfortable for the Valar. Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. As Vorondil explained in Elf, Interrupted, Aldundil and Ingwion (when they are on their camping trip to the mysterious valley of the waterfalls) the Valar using the term 'child' is not meant to be perjorative, but as a reminder that the any Elda with whom they interact is indeed "Eruhin", a Child of Eru, so 'child' becomes more a title than anything else. But you are correct that it could be interpreted (or misinterpreted) as being a type of insult. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 102 on 8/23/2011
A bit of an awakening for Ingwion to see that Olwe is as upset in his own way with the Valar as is he. Now--to wait for the promised help. Author Reply: Indeed, Larner. Ingwion has been rather selfish, thinking he's the only one in pain. Seeing Olwe taking the Valar to task has been an eye-opener for him. As for the promised help, that will soon come. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

ninqwestilmen	Reviewed Chapter: 102 on 8/23/2011
Olwe's demand was very unexpected, but I kinda agree with him. As you say, the Teler were the first to use physical force, and the mariners were able to stand up to the attack until Fingon showed up... but they were overcome and it was in desperate times that Olwe begged aid of the Valar. That doesn't sound like they did nothing but wring their hands and wait for the Valar to show up and rescue them (unlike Ingwion who, I think, went straight to them). And considering that the Valar thought the elves to be pampered, how could they expect them to successfully cope with tough love during the biggest crisis they had ever seen? Am waiting for Eru to have a word with them... I don't see why the Valar aren't willing to talk it over with Olwe right now, what else are they doing besides having Ingwion wait, (I'm assuming that Arafinwe hasn't burnt down the cottage yet)... well maybe they are giving Olwe time to cool down. Will be interesting to see what is said when the issue is brought up again, what will they offer as reparation, or will they offer anything at all... they could always use the words they spoke when the host of the Noldor set out as an excuse - no aid to the Noldor, but no hindrance either... Olwe will probably not be happy to hear that... well anyway, it will be an interesting conversation, but I'm guessing it will be a while before we get to it. Did I tell you I love this kind of confrontation stuff, as you can see you have me all wound up :) Very interesting chapter! Author Reply: Hi Ninqwestilmen. One reason why the Valar don't discuss Olwe's demand for reparation at this time is that it would make this story even longer than it is. LOL! We won't actually see their disucssion of the issue in this story, though we can assume from "Elf, Interrupted" that some kind of resolution was reached between the Valar and the Olwe so that they are again on good terms. I'm glad you love this kind of confrontation stuff and that you found this to be a very interesting chapter. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 102 on 8/22/2011
Do you, by chance, mean a certain Noldoran who has been getting a crash course in ruling? I know, I know, wait till Friday! Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: You'll find out soon enough, I promise. grin Hugs back.

Tkid	Reviewed Chapter: 102 on 8/22/2011
This is the cynic in me coming out, but I would haul my tail to the end of the hallway and intercept Ingwion pronto. The Valar have watched the Noldo spin themselves into a frenzy, see Olwe and his people slaughtered and now Ingwion is in a fury? They've got two of the major families in strife, they do not need the third family to go the same way. But I do wonder what happened with Findarato? He seemed to go into some beserk frenzy every time he went near his kin. I like how he seems very young in this series, more honed during his judgement, and very mellow afterwards. It is a nice progression of his character. If Feanaro ever comes out of Mandos, I'd like to see the Noldo deal with the state they worked themselves into and the harm it did to so many. Author Reply: Hi Tkid. Well, as you saw, Orome did intercept Ingwion and give him the riot act. He still has some growing up to do. I'm glad you like how I have deal with Findarato and the way he has progressed over the centuries through the various series. No one, not even an Elf, can remain the same; you either grow or you stagnate. As for Feanaro, I don't think I even want to contemplate that scene. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 102 on 8/22/2011
Having the Valar go cold turkey on the Guiding-the-Children thing seems to be rather damaging to their relationship with the Elves. Yes, it is the best thing, and while their relationship will be the better for it eventually, I think it will be quite a long while before the Valar regain the trust of those who have been most badly affected by the things that happened during the Darkening. Like Ingwion. I have a suspicion that he is not going to entirely trust the Valar again until EI. So Oromë is going to join Ingwion in the search for Ingwë? I suppose this is another of Oromë's Hunts, like what we saw in EI? Hopefully Oromë's presence will at least put a patch on the badly strained relationship between Ingwion and the Valar. Author Reply: Hi Sunny. I don't think there is ever a good time for 'tough love'; but I think the Valar are using all that has happened as the excuse they need to pull back and let the Children grow up on their own. It's not easy and it ain't pretty, but there you have it. Ingwion was a long time coming to trust the Valar. We don't really see much of him in EI to see how his mistrust and cyncism has played itself over the centuries but we get a hint of it when Glorfindel goes missing. The veneer of civility he has kept before the Valar slips and we know what results of his confrontation with Manwë. I think Oromë joining in the search for Ingwë (and it is indeed one of his Hunts as we will see) does help ease the strain between Ingwion and the Valar but the full healing is a long way off. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 102 on 8/22/2011
I know that the Valars are right, the Elves need to take their responsibilities, but it was a bad time to start with. Everybody made mistakes in this sad affair, from the Valars to the last elf. I liked Namo's observation, everybody killed that day, and there is always different POV in every situation. Olwe is really a very brave elf. I'm not sure if reparation from the Noldors is necessary, the ones that stayed behind are really innocent, why they should pay for the ones that left? And those ones, no doubt, will pay dearly their sins My heart goes to Ingwion, he might be selfish, spoiled, but at the end his fears for his Father overrule everything, his question if he was alive was really emotional. Author Reply: Hi Fantasia. It's always bad timing no matter what is going on. LOL! That's just the way life is, as I'm sure many can testify. Olwe is indeed brave and it's not so much that he is demanding reparation from the Noldor so much as Arafinwe and those who returned with him feel they owe the Teleri some kind of compensation, even if it's just to help rebuild what was destroyed. Ingwion still has some growing up to do, but his heart is in the right place. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 102 on 8/22/2011
Well. that was a surprise, to find that the Taleriwere in fact the First Kinslayers and not the Noldor! I can understand how it could happen though. I can see how Olwe could be asking for Reparations from the Valar but I can see the Valar's point of view, though their timeing was lousy! But then the Valar have a lot of growing up to do too! At least Ingwion is willing to listen to Manwe and is, also, willing to follow his advice. Just who is going to come to him? Interesting twist to this tale. Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. Yes, a careful reading of the Silmarillion shows that while Feanor and the Noldor attempted to take over the ships, the Teleri were the ones to first kill by sending the Noldor into the drink to drown. Olwe isn't pulling any punches here and he means for a lot of people to pay up for what happened to him and his kingdom. And, yes, Ingwion is at last willing to listen and in doing so obey (the original meaning of the verb). As to who is coming... can you not guess? grin Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

Laikwalâssê	Reviewed Chapter: 102 on 8/22/2011
hurra! finally someone who has the nerve to adress the Valar. Even if I understand their reason not to help they could have at least warned the Teleri in some way. When I want my child to grew up and stand on his own does not mean I let it get killed. Liked this chapter very much - thank you. Lai Author Reply: Olwe definitely has a lot of courage and believes himself to have the high moral ground in this debate. Eventually he and the Valar will come to a mutual understanding, as is evident in my other stories, especially "Elf, Interrupted". I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, Lai. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

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