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| The Journey Home by Fiondil | 21 Review(s) |
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| Imhiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 7/11/2013 |
| I have a question, and I know this sounds callous and cold, and it makes me uncomforable myself, but: Why doesn't Maglor just... kill himself on the spot? Why go to all that trouble trying to die in the ice? Why not simply slit his wrists and be done with it? In all the who knows how many years of his wanderings, he must have had plenty of time, considering that the Valar needed someone or something to inspire him otherwise, and couldn't interfer directly and at a moment's notice. Does he have moral objections against a more "active" suicide? Does he use the arduousness of his journey to do penance? Or does not really want to do it, and keeps delaying it more or less unconsciously? When reading about the wise woman, of course the idea springs up that she might be more than she seems - a Maia or even Vala in disguise. But I really prefer the idea that she is "just" what she seems, "just" an "ordinary" wise woman. I had to smile when you said in another review "there are some, you know". Agreed. I like the thread of the plot of revisiting sites familiar to us through canon and how they have changed in the countless years since. And you describe it very visually. Author Reply: The short answer to your question is that Maglor talks big but in his heart he's not really ready to die and we will see this as the story progresses. And I was surprised how many reviewers were convinced that the wise woman was some Maia or Valië in disguise instead of simply a wise woman of her people. Sometimes people read more into things than is really there. I'm glad you find my dscriptions of the landscape very visual. It was interesting to imagine how the ice age may have altered the landscape and what remained the same. Thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated. | |
| Fadesintothewest | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/28/2013 |
| What a wonderful story! I have recently returned to the world of fanfic (been gone for too long) and I am delighted that yours is the first one I stumble across. Author Reply: Welcome back to fanfic world! I'm glad you are enjoying this story. Thanks for leting me know. I appreciate it very much. | |
| Kaylee Arafinwiel | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/13/2013 |
| Maglor :( poor Maglor! I think that the old crone is probably a descendant of Aragorn and Arwen, am I right? It just seems to me that she might be. I'd find it very amusing if her name was Andreth ;) what do you think, Atto? The litany of forgiveness is an interesting thing for Maglor to do. I wonder who inspired the old woman to tell him to do that? (And if she's not a descendant of Aragorn/Arwen, I'm banking on a Maia or Valie in disguise. "Esther", anyone? Though this takes place considerably earlier than that... *grin* Anyway, even if she's a Maia or Valie, I bet the other people are descendants of Aragorn and Arwen. Am I right? :) Tye-melin, Kaylee Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. I have no idea if these people are descendants of Aragorn and Arwen and I suppose it doesn't really matter. And the old woman is not a Maia or Valië in disguise, she's simply a wise woman of her tribe and there have been plenty of those down the ages. And she may not have needed to be inspired to tell Maglor about the litany; it may come from her own font of wisdom. Anyway, thanks for commenting. It's much appreciated. | |
| Kitty | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/11/2013 |
| Hm ... obviously Maglor has already noticed that someone doesn't want him to die. Sadly, he sees it only as keeping him from the easy way out, not as saving him. Oh well, that may change. He really has such a sad life, I can understand that he wants it to end, one way or another. For him it is even more true than for the others – he's not living, just existing. And for three ages of the world, if I remember correctly that this is the ice age that ended the Telcontar rule. Now you have me wonder how things would have gone if he had gone to seek out Elrond, to try and talk with him. Somehow I think his foster son would have welcomed him. And I felt so sorry for Maglor after reading how he thought of Imladris as his home, even if he never has really been there. Poor guy. He did a lot wrong, but for some reason, he's the one son of Fëanor I always liked and wished he had a better fate. That crone was wise indeed (or was that another instance where the Valar were taking on a mortal disguise?). To ask for forgiveness, and be it only in his mind, will help Maglor to let go of his past, to be less tormented by everything he has done and has happened to him, and he can hopefully one day make peace with himself. Though it's going to be a hard road for him. Author Reply: Hi Kitty. Maglor is one of those tragic characters for which you wish there was a happy ending. I suppose that's why there are a number of Maglor redemption stories out there and this is just one of them, though hopefully I have done something different from the others, none of which I've read, except one and that's because I was beta-reading it, but that was a long time ago and the premise was completely different from this one. At any rate, the crone was probably just a very wise Mortal woman (there are some, you know *grin*) and not necessarily a Vala or Maia in disguise, though I have no doubt that there was one hanging about, perhaps inspiring Maglor to unburden himself to the crone in a way he would never have done in other circumstances. We will see just how hard a road it is for Maglor (both physically and spiritually) as the story progresses. Thanks for commenting. I really appreciate it. | |
| 6336 | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/9/2013 |
| Was musing again and thinking the hardest person for Maglor to forgive will be himself. Hope you are snug and warm and the snow is not too bad, or did you luck out and it missed you? Huggs, Lynda Author Reply: Hi Lynda. About that you are absolutely correct, for it is always harder to forgive ourselves than others. The storm has passed and I'm fine. I think we got about a foot of snow maybe not even that. We're all plowed out and the sun is shining (a rarity in Central New York). Thanks for enquiring. Hugs back. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/9/2013 |
| I like this wise woman's advice. She sees truly, and he certainly needs to do this for his own sake. Author Reply: Yes, she does see truly and Maglor does need to do this for his own sake and peace of soul. In fact, such an "examination of conscience" is something we all should engage in every once in a while in order to "clear the spiritual air", so to speak. Thanks for commenting, Larner. It's appreciated. | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/8/2013 |
| Oh my! I was in tears myself. This Elf is one of my favoritest. What a blessing that he met the old crone.... but was she really who she appeared to be? Doesn't matter. Glad he took her advise. Very hard thing - to forgive. This is going to be a wonderful tale. Thanks for helping me get through February! Author Reply: Maglor is a favoriest of many, even those who are not necessarily Fëanorian fans. And what does it matter who the crone was? What's important is that she gave Maglor very good advice, and (miracle of miracles!) he actually took it. Forgiving is indded hard hard but asking for it (as Maglor does) can be harder. In both instances, there is a humbling of spirit and that is very hard for many to deal with. Glad you're looking forward to the rest of the tale. Thanks, Agape. I really appreciate your support. | |
| bookworm | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/8/2013 |
| *collects on bet* hah knew it =D But Oh, that kinda hurt, to watch him do that. And I imagine Maglor's list of people is VERY long. Interesting to hear that about Maedhros, tho it makes sense, of course he would be angry, and for a lot of different reasons too (not least that Maedhros left him, no doubt). I was rather surprised he wasn't angrier at his father! Man, the sort of psychiatric minefield that must be his brain after all these years *shudder* Poor Maglor! It's a wonder he's even sane. Well. Sane-ish. Sane for a Feanorion, I suppose. Looking forwards to seeing where you take this! Author Reply: Hi bookworm. I'm sure many readers collected on their bets with this chapter. *grin* It is a wonder that Maglor is even sane or sane-ish after all this time and with so much guilt weighing down his spirit. I'm sure Freud would really have a field-day with this one if he were ever to get his hands on him. *grin* Anyway, I'm glad you're looking forward to the rest of the story. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. | |
| Laer | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/8/2013 |
| Alright Maglor! I have a question, I seem to remember he had red hair. By any chance do you remember reading this? The description of what everything looks like during the ice age sounds so right. (I even grabbed a blanket to wrap myself with) We aren't supposed to be having the snow of the century here like all who live out east. But if I lived there I would be watching it thinking of this story and glad I was inside and not outside. Love the idea of him asking for forgiveness, and it might be his family he is talking to. His mother's smile (was her name Neardenal?) Back to thinking about him, I think he is one of the most interesting elves. Elrond and Maglor both are. How they handled adversity, sorrow, tragedy, siiiggghhh to be so strong and still be kind. Well, ok Maglor had some issues with jewelry, but he wasn't the only one. ;) Author Reply: Hi Laer. According to Tolkien, Maedhros and the twins (Amros and Amrod) had red or reddish hair, all the other sons of Fëanor were the typical dark brown of the Noldor. And yes, Nerdanel is his mother. And Maglor is indeed one of Tolkien's more interesting elven characters, along with Elrond, for the very reasons you give, as well as for others. Maglor is a true tragic figure and one cannot help but wish for a happy outcome for him, more so than for many other of Tolkien's characters who are equally tragic. I live in the snow belt and have survived many a blizzard, so I was able to draw on my own experiences in describing what these people are experiencing there at the end of the ice age (and sometimes it feels as if we're in one ourselves). Thanks for taking the time to read and leave a comment. I very much appreciate it. | |
| obsidianj | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/8/2013 |
| Ahh, so Maglor is the one to be rescued. I remember little about him other than that he is one of the bad guys in the Sil, and that he took care of Elrond and Elros. That old crone was a really wise woman. I commend Maglor for taking her advice, although it is difficult to follow. On the other hand he has nothing to lose. He wants to die anyway. And if you have to die (I hope is will not come to that) it is better if he dies in peace than with all the guilt and anger that is eating at him if he admits it or not. Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. Maglor is also (in the Silmarillion) said to be the greatest harper after Daeron. At any rate, you're right that he has nothing to lose by following the crone's advice. As to what happens to him in the course of the story remains to be seen. Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated. | |