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New beginnings  by perelleth 6 Review(s)
KloseReviewed Chapter: 3 on 3/11/2007
Yet another fantastic chapter - mostly dialogue, but these are some very meaningful conversations taking place. Finarfin and Celeborn - I've read a few far-out philosophical verbal sword-dances between them, but this must be my favourite. Two headstrong people, both with their own agendas and intentions, each doing what they think is best - and at the same time, coming to a bit of an understanding. "...and suddenly that knowledge became admission, and the dams of pride and diffidence were overflowed by understanding and compassion, the gift of the wise." Beautiful.

And of course, there's your dry, witty style which I admit I now love to bits and wish I could emulate!:
“Look, my love!“ Galadriel chimed in a falsely mellow voice, seeing the dwarf looming over Oropher, “your kinsman seems to have made a new friend!” she laughed out heartily as Celeborn felt an overwhelming urge to gag her and pack her back to Nenuial.

And Ingil's little retrospective monologue had me laughing for a few minutes! Mistaking the Edain for the enemy, oh dear! ... because nobody had thought of carrying horses on board. *dies* :D Such wonderful details truly bring this story to life. His disconcertment with death was sobering, but also thought-provoking.

I'm terribly excited at Celebrimbor's appearance in this story. I think I'll need to read through this story slowly, to savour each chapter as best as I can, and I realise my reviews aren't quite worthy, but I just want to let you know that I'm truly enjoying this journey I've begun with these characters!

Author Reply: I'm really thrilled that you are taking the time to review each and every chapter, Klose. It is deeply appreciated!

THnking of FInarfin's feelings at this point, aout to return to safety leaving behind four dead sons and his only children was heartbreaking, and so ceelborn the Wise would have to somehow find out and understad. One of them had to take the first step and it was reciprocity all of a sudden.

Ingil came up out nothing and ended up being almost my favourite character in this story.

ANd your reviews are truly worthy and very intersting as well, than you very much indeed!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/6/2005
I've been away - and am delighted to come back and find this. It's such a gorgeous tale of frustration and decisions - and hurt and incomprehension - with a fantastic cast of characters! Such an interesting time. I feel for them all. Well apart from Oropher here - arrogant big-head. And Ingil - perhaps he should just get back on the boat and brush the dust of Middle Earth from his shiny Vanyar boots.

Delightful. I'm looking forward to the next instalment of cross-purposes!

Author Reply: Hope you enjoyed your holiday! And glad that you're enjoying this tale. YOu see, the cast increased at an almost unbelievable pace, but the setting called for it, and yes, misunderstandings, frustrations, decisions, grudges and silliness are part of everybody's everyday's life...

I must confess that I even grew to like Oropher by the end of the tale, and I so much hope that you shall end up liking Ingil! poor one, he's completely out of his element! :-)

Chapter four will be posted as soon as I'm able to locate a computer with a USB connection... :-/

Thanks again for your kind words! :-)

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/3/2005
Sorry it took me so long to review. I'm buried at work as usual this summer.

This was a great chapter. I howled when I realised Celeborn, Galadriel and Finarfin were witnessing Oropher and Gil-galad's fight. Oh, that was bad timing wasn't it, with Finarfin worried about Galadriel's safety and unimpressed with the Sindarin! That was great!

And I liked Galadriel's conversation with Ingil and her open anger that he was trying to persuade her to come back to Valinor. I doubt Galadriel would miss what was happening and she did not.

But my favorite part of this was Celeborn and Finarfin's conversation and how Celeborn saw Finarfin's point of view and the Noldo's point of view. That was really well done.

Great chapter. :-)

Author Reply: Don't worry, I can understand you only to well. It is a little comfort to know that I'm not the only one buried at work while the rest of the Northern hemisphere is enjoying a hot summer...:-)

Empathy is an interesting feeling, ins't it? Watching an elf who had just lost four children, and relating that to the pain he had seen Elu endure finally made the trick, or almost, for Celeborn. Even if Lúthien had been lost forever, losing four to Mandos' doom was not a good deal, either, I'd say...I, too, would be trying to secure what was left of that mess, although charging Ingil with the mission wasn't very useful...Galadriel's still Galadriel! :-)

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/3/2005
He sighed deeply, knowing that love hurt deeper than any sword, and crouched beside the king.

This line struck me the most, out of all of these conversation among mighty and powerful elves. No matter their differenes, they are all alike at the core with the need to love and be loved, and the grief they experience when love is sundered temporarily or permanently is the same regardless of which kindred one belongs too. Celeborn and Finarfin have reached an understanding, I think, that will undergird their relationship for all time, no matter how rocky it might be when they are all together finally.

I also liked the Vanyarin thoughts of mortals...how strange they must have found Men who willingly gave of their short lives? I do hope in reality they were better prepared for war than what his raging recollections showed though!

Author Reply:
Well…thankfully, the War of Wrath ended well, didn’t it? But I’m sure their plans needed some adjustment upon arrival. Too often hi-tech, carefully planned expeditions and projects founder in contact with harsh reality, and home made solutions and in-field adaptations are needed before plans made in one place are ready to actually work in a different environment, and before teams from different cultures can cooperate…at least in my experience! :- ) Yes, Ingil was somewhat bewildered still...too many new things for them! :-)


daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/2/2005
I would say that anyone who tries to "manage" Galadriel deserves what they get. One of Celeborn's great strengths is that he's willing to take her as she is. And in my opinion, she's lucky to have him!

Author Reply: Yep, it is an interesting relationship, isn't it? I suppose they managed to complement each other's strengths and weakenesses, not an easy task, anyway! Celeborn must have been laughing just imagining the scoldings everyone was receiving!

French PonyReviewed Chapter: 3 on 8/2/2005
Boy, Finarfin & Co. are really aiming high if they want to get Galadriel to do something she does not want to do! No matter how much they wheedle, bargain, cajole, threaten, or guilt-trip her, she will do what she will do.

“we felt their mood change many times, didn’t we, Arta…Galad…daughter?”

I loved that line. It was just perfect.

And I loved the mention of all the problems the Vanyar host encountered due to poor planning. Mistaking Men for Orcs! Forgetting to bring horses! I love it!

Author Reply: Yes, I'd say that two or three Valar must be needed to cause Galadriel just to budge...Finarfin wasn't kind to charge Ingil with trying where he had failed...

And I'm sure that the "War of Wrath" secret files must be a useful handbook of Murphy's law, Valinorean style. Such expeditions always are, and things are never as they are supposed to be... :-)

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