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In Darkness Bound by Fiondil	10 Review(s)
Imhiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 7/9/2013
I was snickering all through the opening scenes of the chapter because of the black humour with which Námo reacts to his skewering. I could so hear his exasperated, dry voice! This struck me as particularly funny: "If you move, I will do terrible things to you," the Lord of Mandos threatened and Ingoldo gulped. "And don’t even think about fainting, either." Ingoldo shook his head. Because the threat is soooo vague and yet effective. And then the warning against fainting as if it's just another way to move forbidden to Ingoldo. re: Ingoldo being sent to the mines: "Unfortunately, I don’t think my nobles would allow it." So is there a difference between justice for the common man and justice for nobles in the Elves' court? It's odd that my first thought when reading about Tol Eressëa as the place of exile was, "It's too good for him." Although you remind us of the fact that the island is completely deserted at this point in time, I guess I still think so. Mostly perhaps for symbolic reasons, for what Tol Eressëa stood for in the Elves' past history as well as for what it is going to become in the future. re: Tulcaner: We have no real evidence that he did anything other than to obey your commands and he was very careful not to exceed them or be caught doing something contrary to law I don't think that's right. He did something unlawful because he was the leader of the group who abducted the king, he imprisoned others of the royal family in Vanyamar, and he beat up Tamurilon. He also quite clearly wasn't one of the Elves who were blackmailed into complying with Ingoldo's orders like the ones swearing fealty in the previous chapter. You could say he was following the orders of his lord, but even if you posit that that's an excuse (and at least we now generally perceive that it isn't), it still doesn't negate the unlawfulness of the action itself. So Ingwë's argument here is at least curtailed, and not up to scratch. OTOH, I'm not quite comfortable with the open-endedness of Ingoldo's exile. IMO, it would be better that, if there is to be no set time of the exile, Ingwë should at least name some terms under which he decides that it is ended. Otherwise it depends too much on the king's whim, even if I don't think Ingwë would abuse his power in this way. Typo alert: "And who’s bright idea was it to let you carry a sword, Ingwion?" - "whose" Námo had a sudden urge to slap the Elder King up side his head. - "upside" Author Reply: Thanks for the typo alert, Imhiriel. I've made the corrections. The first part of the chapter and the discussion among the Valar was fun to write, especially Námo's reaction to everything. I think lots of people were startled by the suggestion of exiling Ingoldo to Tol Eressëa for reasons similar symbolic reasons, but of course, that's from our perspective looking behind, so to speak. For the Elves of this time, it's just an empty hunk of rock doing no one any real good. I think Ingwë would've liked to have punished Tulcaner more than he did but he had no real hard evidence, other than the kidnapping and I think he was simply tired of it all and wanted to finish it up quickly. Exiling the ellon along with Ingoldo just seemed the easiest thing to do (not necessarily the right or smart thing to do, you understand; even Ingwë is not immuned to making mistakes). As for the sentence lenght being ambiguous, that's only because Ingwë is not ready to make a firm commitment as to time. That is probably something he will do when the exile goes into effec, much the same way as sentencing is sometimes postponed in a modern trial after a person has been found guilty. And none of the Elves have had to deal with this sort of thing before and so their judicial system may not be what we would wish it to be. In earlier times the nobility always had a better deal than the peasants and I refuse to "rehabilitate" the Elves to satisfy modern sensibilities. They have the right to evolve along with the rest of us, IMO. At any rate, thanks for your thoughtful review. I appreciate it very much.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 11/24/2011
LOL! The picture of Namo pulling the sword out of him with no blood under the eyes of all the onlookers is priceless. I also had to laugh at the "lucky idiot" comment. So, Ingoldo is being exiled to Tol Eressea. Poor island. Doesn't that set a precedence for future nastiness? Ingwe is a very good king to stay that calm during the proceedings and being able to judge his own brother. Author Reply: It is pretty funny, isn't it. grin I had a great time writing this chapter and was laughing like an idiot the whole time. Well, we know that Ingoldo didn't learn his lesson while living on Tol Eressëa, so there's no sympathy there, I'm afraid. Ingwë has no choice but to remain calm in public, though I have no doubt he wants nothing more than to wring his brother's neck. Thanks for reading and reviewing, obsidianj. I very much appreciate it.

Kaylee Arafinwiel	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 11/21/2011
Atto, Sorry for taking so abysmally long to review. Now's my time to play catch-up, lol. (And when I should be packing to go to my sister's, too...we're leaving on Wednesday and staying until at least Saturday morning.) This chapter took a while to settle in my head though. Why Tol Eressea, I wonder? It makes me worry what kind of havoc Ingoldo and his guard could start away from Ingwe's watchful eyes...I think Lord Orome's forest might have been the better option. But the first part of the chapter made me laugh hysterically for several minutes. Trust Namo to complain about what Vaire would say to him!!! snicker Oh, Namo, I love you. =D Hehehehe. Anyway, Ratty may be being put out of the way, but I doubt he'll stop causing trouble...he'll just start doing it elsewhere. Even if there's nothing on Tol Eressea now, that doesn't mean it'll stay empty forever. We know it won't. Well, off to review the next chapter, Atto. :) Tye-melin, Kaylee Author Reply: Finally, someone who actually found Námo hysterically funny here. I was beginning to wonder. LOL! Anyway, Tol Eressëa is deserted at this time so Ingoldo and his servant will be all alone on the island. There is very little mischief they can get into and the Maiar will keep an eye on them. And Ingoldo's exile will end before the Valar turn the island over to the Returnees. Thanks for reviewing, Kaylee. I appreciate it very much. Tye-melin.

Laikwalâssê	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 11/9/2011
now I´ve finally found the time to review. Sorry for the delay. Namo´s reaction was...well..unexpected and funny. Ingwe reacted really a bit naive in giving his son a sword and I could follow Ingoldo´s explanation that Ingwe should have cared more for his own people, BUT the punishment is to soft, some years in the mines had done him some good, regarding all the grief he caused, but that´s only my opinion. I´m glad this sorry affair is settled and hope the Valar can help poor Ingwion in some way. Can´t wait for the next capter. Author Reply: Hi Lai. Finally, someone who actually noticed how funny Námo was in this! Ingwë and everyone else is still very naive about things. And Ingoldo's punishment may be considered soft, but as Ingwë pointed out, his nobles would have objected to one of their own being sent to the mines, though I agree with you that that is what should've happened. I'm sure the Valar will do all they can to help Ingwion regain his equilibrium though it won't happen overnight as well we know. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Lai. I appreciate it.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 11/9/2011
Fitting, although Ingoldo and Tulcaner could possibly figure out how to build a boat to escape. Glad Ingwion's plots were nipped in the bud, though. And love Namo's appearance in Manwe and Varda's residence. Author Reply: You're proably right about that, Larner, assuming anyone is foolish enough to give them the tools they need to build one and assuming they even know how. grin I'm glad you enjoyed Námo in this. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. Author Reply: You're proably right about that, Larner, assuming anyone is foolish enough to give them the tools they need to build one and assuming they even know how. grin I'm glad you enjoyed Námo in this. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

bookworm	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 11/7/2011
Poor Ingwion. Recovery is going to be long and hard, I'd guess. (poor impulse control - check. homicidal thoughts/actions - check. suicidal actions - check. alterations in eating patterns - check. Man, he ticks a lot of boxes...) I'd feel sorry for Ingoldo (prolonged camping trip with no mod cons...poor noble) except well...it's Ingoldo...(...has anyone thought to treat Ingoldo for mental illness yet because some of that reasoning is a bit...suspect) Ingwe is being remarkably fair to everyone considering the circumstances though. Author Reply: Hi bookworm. Ingwion is going to need a lot of care, that's for sure. And Ingoldo... well, as you point out, it's Ingoldo. grin I'm glad you think Ingwë has been fair with everyone, even his brother. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

6336	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 11/7/2011
Yep, I could see Vaire being a little upset with Namo, do you know how expensive good silk velvet is and how complex it is to make? She would be one pissed Valier! Well, I think the trial went very well, I still don't trust Ingwion not to find a way to get to Ratty in some way or other and I don't think Mrs Ratty is as innocent as she makes out. Let's hope Tulcaner is a half way decent cook 'cause I don't think Ratty knows one end of a cooking pot from the other, he strikes me as the kind who will sit back and wait for some one to 'do' for him. I can't see Mrs Ratty going, I think Ratty would like her to stay behind to keep an eye on things for him. Erunaro and Manveru need to keep a closer eye on Ingwion, will he be going to Lorien for treatment? Now to get things sorted out in Vanyamar and see how things are going in Tirion and Alqualonde, we still have to see how Arafinwe's return to Tirion goes and also his coronation and how Aule has reworked the collar, and Ingwe and Elindis and their family still have to greive for Ingalure. Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. I'm glad you think the trial went well. And I'm sure they will be keeping a very close watch on Ingwion for some time yet. Manwe isn't about to call off his Maiar any time soon. I suspect Irmo will insist Ingwion come to Lorien for a little while to heal. I hope Tulcaner can cook too or those two are going to be very unhappy. grin And yes, now it's time to wrap things up and get Arafinwe crowned. That will be the focus for the last remaining chapters. We're almost done with this story. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 11/7/2011
Now I know why Tol Eressëa is having so much trouble, it is contaminated, If Ingoldo was there, he left part of his bad energy there.... Ingwion needs a lot of care. Everybody is out of their comfort zone, they all need help and learn about it. Author Reply: Hi Fantasia. You may be right about Ingoldo contaminating Tol Eressëa with his presence. grin And Ingwion does need a lot of care, as do the others. We will see how things go as we wrap this story up. Thanks for reading and revieiwng. I appreciate it very much.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 11/7/2011
No wonder Tulcaner was such a nasty character in EI - no therapy sessions for him, just an exile on Tol Eressea with Ingoldo! I wasn't really worried about Námo - something more powerful than even the best forged steel would be needed to hurt him. Though seeing the Lord of Mandos skewered on Ingwion's sword would no doubt have been shocking for everybody. Including Ingwion himself. And seeing two Maiar squirm was no doubt an even more ... interesting ... experience. Presumably the two of them will be more watchful in the future. Hopefully this will be a lesson for everybody. Don't let Ingwion near any sharp and pointy things when Ingoldo is around. Speaking of whom - perhaps he needs to go and change his breeches again? I think this just solidifies Ingwions status as a very, very dangerous person in Ingoldo's mind. I think healing Ingwion is likely to be a long and difficult project for Irmo and Námo. Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Yes, Tulcaner didn't learn his lesson any better than Ingoldo. I suspect during their time of exile the fed each other's resentment and only faked repentance to get off the island. Námo can certainly take of himself, and neither Ingwion nor any other Elf has any power to really harm him, but I'm sure it was a 9-day wonder nonetheless seeing Námo pulling the sword out of himself with no sign of blood. grin And hopefully everyone will be extra careful to see that Ingwion doesn't play with sharp pointy things anytime in the near future. Of course, we see him carrying the High King's sword in "Elf, Interrupted" so apparently by that time (a millennium later) he's considered rehabilitated and safe around sharp pointy objects. And we see why Ingoldo is afraid of his nephew when he's not afraid of his brother. We also know that it will take a long time before Irmo and Námo are done with healing Ingwion. He won't be completely healed until Finrod and Glorfindel show up to make life interesting for everyone. grin Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

Malice2	Reviewed Chapter: 124 on 11/7/2011
Nice chapter, I loved how Namo settled the situation. Did they talk about the beating up of Tam and Ingil during the trial? Cause it seems to me that the judgement deals with the rebellion and not so much with how he scared and threatened people and families, and physically mistreated those who opposed him. But I'm sure you've got a reason for the verdict you had Ingwë give... ;-) Author Reply: Hi Malice. Yes, they did cover all of that, but the main focus was Ingoldo's treason and the events leading up to Ingil's death. I didn't want to bog down the chapter with all the details of the trial. The verdict of course is consonant with what would be considered proper given Ingoldo's status. And it does explain how it is that Ingoldo is living in Vanyamar when we meet him in "Elf, Interrupted". Glad you loved the way Namo handle things. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciat it very much.

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