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The Journey Home by Fiondil	20 Review(s)
Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/16/2013
OHG - I loved the first line. Sounds so much like when I'm traveling, whether it be with friends or the kids. Shees! Patience, Damrod. It's going to be a long journey. ROTFL It almost hurts to see the landscape changed so. You do a wonderful job of describing what ought to be where, what might this be, and, good grief, could this be the great Anduin? I wanted to sob. It felt like - see how the might fall. Not only the landscape - but the peoples of Middle-earth. I wrote a scene at Cair Andros one time. It's good to 'see' the prow still there. One piece of hope to hold onto. As for the Elf -- I love how you portray the hidden hope that propels him onward. He doesn't realize it, but love of life still burns deep inside him, to not fade, nor give over to storms and perils, is to grasp onto life. Excellent chapter. I do so love the interplay between the Harthadrim. You rock! Author Reply: Hi Agape. Well, there's always someone asking that kind of question in any trip. Why should Elves be any different. grin I'm glad you think I did a wonderful job of describing what the landscape might have been like after an ice age has destroyed things. And it does almost hurt to realize what has been lost. I think you're right about Maglor's hidden hope propelling him onward. I think that's the key to his continual survival, whether he realizes it or not. And I'm glad you like the interplay between the Harthadrim. They rather grow on you as you get to know them better. Thanks for commenting. It's very much appreciated.

obsidianj	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/15/2013
What a bleak landscape and then blizzards on top of all the ice and cold. I loved the last line: "He still had a long way to go to die." That made me chuckle. He really could have it easier if he just wanted to die. Does Maglor even know what he is seeking? I can't be just death. That litany of people he asks for forgiveness seems to get longer and longer. It is so depressing. How did he survive with that much guilt for so long and still keep his sanity... or most of it. I'm not sure I would call it sane to make a journey of several hundred miles on foot to die. Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. I don't think Maglor is working with a full deck, if you catch my drift. He has to be slightly unbalanced by now and working solely on instinct. And you're right, he doesn't really know what he's seeking, he only knows he has to get to Imladris. After that, who knows? At any rate, I apreciate you sharing your thoughts. Thanks.

curiouswombat	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/14/2013
I am really rather sad to see the lands we know so changed - a sign that you have thought well about it, and are doing an excellent job of describing them. I wonder if any of the party have any thought as to who it is they are following? I wonder what they will think when they find out? All fascinating stuff. Author Reply: Hi curiouswombat. It is very sad but I am glad you think I have done an excellent job of describing what they might look like under the ice. I'm sure Denethor and the others have many theories about who they may be following. When they catch up with Maglor, we may find out what they think of it. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Kaylee Arafinwiel	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/13/2013
Atto, "He still had a long way to go to die." Stubborn Maglor! On the other hand, if he wasn't stubborn, the other Elves' mission would probably have been doomed to failure by now already. You know, I can see Nyereser coming to stop Maglor and asking him riddling questions and other things about where he's going, why he's going there, why he's so intent on dying, etc. until he sees the truth. :) Head him off until the Elves catch up... By the way, I really really REALLY like the "Middle Earth as it was and is now..." things you're slipping in here and there! I wonder how the landmarks line up now, in our own time? Wasn't Great Britain meant to be Tol Eressea? Or was it Ireland? And was the Black Forest in Germany the Greenwood? Black Forest sounds like a likely inspiration for "Mirkwood" anyway... Tye-melin, Kaylee Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. Yes, Maglor is indeed very stubborn which is why he's still alive and hasn't faded (or else there wouldn't be a story, would there? grin). I'm glad you like the way I've described how Middle-earth might've looked during the Ice Age. I have refused to assign landmarks to align with what we have today. Suffice to say that there are changes in the topography and more changes to come. Thanks for leaving a review. I really appreciate it. Tye-melin.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/12/2013
The Harthadrim seem to be making better time than Maglor - that storm should have helpedwith that, since it seems that they were far enough away that they were not caught up in it. And it might also help if Maglor decides on a detour to Helm's Deep. But eventually they will all end up in Imladris... So Maglor was once almoust caught by the Elrondionnath while flitting around the borders on Imladris? I wonder what sort of report they gave Elrond, and what he told them. If he suspected that Maglor were "visiting" from time to time, he might well have kept his mouth shut about it, for whatever reason. At least the trip to Imladris has given him some purpose for now, so that the Maiar watching him aren't at quite such a high alert. But I'll expect they still are at a high alert. Hmm. I wonder if Irmo might not have detailed one of his People to, let's say "enhance" the effects of Maglor's litany? Those "visions" of his seem very strong and lifelike... Author Reply: Hi Sunny. Yes, the storm should help them get catch up with Maglor sooner than they otherwise would and we'll see how that comes about in the next chapter. I'm sure Elrond knew about Maglor through the power of his ring, since he would've been aware of all that occurred within the Hidden Valley, but if he did know of Maglor's visits, I suspect he kept mum about them, though he might have confided in Glorfindel as his Captain of Guards. As for any Maiar about, I have no doubt that their orders are not to let the guy out of their sight until told otherwise. You may be right about the enhancement, though I have no idea. Still, it can only help the poor Elf in the long run. Thanks for leaving a review. I really appreciate it.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/12/2013
And unknowing they follow in his footsteps, and not that far behind him. I wonder if that storm was intended to make it easier for them to catch up with him? Author Reply: I have no doubt the storm was a delaying tactic on the part of the Valar, Larner. They do want Denthor and company to succeed, after all. grin Tnanks for leaving a comment. It's much appreciated.

Ellynn	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/12/2013
Just a little bit of nit-picking: "It will be colder then and the ice will be more frozen." Uhm, ice can't be more or less frozen; the water is either liquid, or solid (frozen). Once frozen, the structure doesn't change; instead, the ice can be thicker. ;) And just a note about the coasts, in case you'll mention any in the chapters to come: during ice ages the sea level is significantly lower. ;) But you probably know that. I guess one of your goals was to create the feeling of anxiety, and you're doing well. When I imagine Middle-earth lifeless, all covered with ice, and so many places, people and deeds forgotten, it makes me quite sad, and I have a feeling that things can never be good again. :( Yes, you do mention hope, but right now, things don't look very good. Storm, wind, cold... brr! :( Author Reply: Hi Ellynn. Thanks for pointing out the error. I think I meant "thicker" but wasn't really thinking about it. And yes, I do know that the sea level was significantly lower, and that fact will play an important role in this story as you will eventually see. And yes, one of my goals hsa been to create a feeling of anxiety in both the characters and the readers at the lifelessness (supposedly since there are animals who thrive in such conditions) and the destruction of the great civilizations of Middle-earth. And based on the reviews for this chapter, I guess I've succeeded. grin Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate it very much.

Laer	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/12/2013
It makes me sad to think what the ice did to the lands of old, and because deep down I have always wanted to think they were in our past; that elves, dwarfs and hobbits did in deed run the world with man. That and the changes in the land would be hard for even an elf to find (I think). Well, I know I would have been a Popsicle if I was to have tried this "little" walk about. Can't help but think the storm was sent to keep him there for just a little longer. To slow him down so that he can try to make his peace. I have a feeling he is really seeing them through his own guilt. As to how they will react when he really sees them...well maybe he is right with what he thinks. Author Reply: Hi Laer. It is sad to think of all that the ice destroyed and it would be hard for anyone who remembered how it was before to have to see it now. And the storm may or may not have been deliberate, but it did indeed slow him down a bit so the others could begin to catch up as we will see in the next chapter. You're right that Maglor is seeing the people on his "list" through his own guilt and how they might react if they were ever to meet him might not be the way he imagines they would. Some (if not all) have probably forgiven him already. We'll have to see what happens if and when he reached Valinor. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it very much.

Celeth	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/11/2013
I can't imagine how utterly lonely it must be, to be all alone in that world of white, "still a long way to go to die." It's like a burial, except that he is all alone, and the I e who is to be buried is himself. I guess he has been alone for such a long time, longer tha. I can imagine, that he might have gotten used to it. Then again, does anyone ever get used to such loneliness? I do like his "litany of forgiveness," however. After all the grief and sorrow that he and his family have inflicted on themselves and other elves, he really needs it. Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful fruits of your talent and imagination with others. More stories to come! ;-) Author Reply: Hi Celeth. It does seem almost like a burial and it is very lonely, and while one can get used to just about anything, loneliness I don't think you ever really get used to no matter what you say to yourself to the contrary. Some small part of you wishes for companionship with others. And we all need a "litany of forgiveness", I think. And thank you for letting me know how much you enjoy my stories. Eru willing, there will be more stories to come after this one.

Fantasia	Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/11/2013
Poor Maglor, he has such a long list....I re read Alone, to remember the story. Being immortal must be exhausting, if you can remember every bad deed and live with the consequences forever... Author Reply: A very long list, Fantasia, and it must be exhausting remember so much, whether good or bad, but especially the bad. Makes you grateful that you only have to remember a handful of decades worth of memories, doesn't it? Thanks for commenting. I appreicate it.

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