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To Save The Whole  by French Pony 5 Review(s)
Eruanneth_LuinReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/22/2004
Oh my, this was a rough chapter. Yet so well expressed, details honest and painful. That Fingon suffered cruelly also is so true. Elves just did not DO this kind of thing with cold deliberation. To so wound a friend would have been damaging to both. When they left Aman little did they imagine that it would lead to this end.

Once again the importance of family to elves is brought forth with insight and compassion. Fingon's punishment was in many ways a blessing in disguise.

Thank you for the glimpse into a difficult time.

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 4 on 12/10/2004
Ouchie! I never thought how physically grueling it would be for Fingon to cut off Maedhros' hand. You wrote the scene very well; and it can't have been easy. That Fingon is one gutsy elf!


elliskaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/30/2004
Yeap, that chapter needed the warning alright! :) Absolutely gruesome and realistic. But not just the physical actions--the emotional ones as well. Very well done. I think Fingon would be deeply affected by having to maim (sp?)his dear friend in such a way to save him. Losing a hand back then, especially the right one, meant not using a bow again and possibly not using a sword as well (though we know Tolkien says Maedhros came to wield his sword with his left hand as mightily as he had with his right). Not to mention how just plain horrible it would be to cause that kind of suffering to one you love. I think Fingon's reaction to what he did was right on.

And if anything, I think Fingolfin's was restrained. Sure his son did something that would be sung about but geez, that was one hell of a risk. I think I'd hug my kid and then beat him senseless for running off alone to Morgoth's stronghold! Of course these are grown kids (except Idril) but Fingolfin is the lord of his House. And he shows it here well.

I like the detail of Fingon apologizing for leaving the harp but telling Idril it helped save a life and Idril being worried that Fingon would feel she betrayed him. That shows, for lack of a better word, their humanity very well and their family bond. Great job.

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/29/2004
The hand hacking was really gruesome, as I knew it would be. I think it's realistic that Fingon is almost overcome by the horror of what he did, even though he did rescue Maedhros. He feels guilty instead of triumphant. As I say, that's realistic, but it's also odd and a sign of something good about Fingon, I think.

I was interested in the way Fingolfin plainly rules his house, even though his children are adults. I see that as realistic too, given that Tolkien says elves were organized into houses. Their families were their political units in a way.

As I read this, I kept thinking about the tragedies that lie in the future for these people. Only Idril comes to a more or less happy ending.

KarriReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/29/2004
A very intense chapter. Nicely written.

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