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Moments in Time  by Larner 12 Review(s)
Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 70 on 8/24/2009
I would dispute that Maglor was still intending to fulfill that wretched Oath at this point, but the rest of the story is haunting and powerful. You capture Maglor's loneliness brilliantly; I wanted to yell at him to Get On The Boat! (because I feel that the Valar would have relented, since Maglor had pretty much renounced Silmaril-hunting by throwing one into the sea) I loved it that Maglor, as weary and heartsore as he was, still had enough empathy in him to wish Frodo well, and to sing that last song for him and Elrond, weaving in some extra wind-and-water enchantment.

ArianneGReviewed Chapter: 70 on 12/17/2008
I've read all your stories posted here so far, and have always felt more than a touch of canon around. You have a knack for writing fics that closely echo the Professor's, so much so that one could imagine that the stories are canon. Heaven knows I've caught myself doing that many times now.

Oh poor Maglor! Heartbreak for him all around--his foster son going where he is banned from returning, the last of his kin in Galadriel departing, and the Ringbearer's phial gone with the last Light of the Silmarils; and him no closer to pardon. My heart broke when I read the end of the Quenta Silmarilli and he was left to wander the shores lamenting. He didn't deserve it--he wasn't all bad--none of Feanor's children were in the beginning, especially not Maglor or Maedhros, I feel. Drat that blasted Oath. Feanor really can't have been that tightly wrapped to begin with, in your own words--he struck me as the highly obsessive type. Melkor must have been overjoyed in being able to so thoroughly influence Feanor when the Valar naively let him have his freedom. And it's worse that what was surely one of the greatest of Iluvatar's Children could become so twisted. One can imagine the theme of the music growing horribly distorted at that point in the Ainulindale. Morgoth surely derived as much pleasure from twisting Feanor as he did in making the first Orcs.

I'm glad that Frodo knew in some fashion the power of the greatest musician of the Noldor and that it comforted him, that Elrond knew that his foster-father was there. And Galadriel wishing her kinsman well was just perfect. The chapter has a sweet melancholy, then hits you all at once with Maglor's very real despair. I'm holding you to your promise of a happy ending for Maglor: the poor elf has been through too much already. :D

Author Reply: I'm honored, ArianneG. I have found that Maglor seems to be growing on me, and his situation is definitely one of the most tragic. None began badly, not even Melkor himself. But when one turns from others to oneself, then the individual tends to fall into error, and the errors have a habit of compounding over time.

The idea that Melkor enjoyed twisting Feanor as he lager did when making the first orcs is a profound one, I find. Thanks for that thought. Will have to consider on that one.

And I, too, like to think that Frodo heard one of the true masters of music from among the Elves, and that Elrond was able to bid Maglor farewell.

As for the happy ending--it's been written for some time--now to finish the rest of Stirring Rings so I can get that part posted! Heh!

Queen GaladrielReviewed Chapter: 70 on 12/17/2008
Oh my! Seventy stories here now! I'll have to read backwards, I guess.

I don't know much about Maglor, but one doesn't have to, to have the same emotional response. This is incredibly sad and touching, sweeping like the waves to surround one in the vastness of time along with the immortal main character, and it all comes to life in sound and sight and touch. Brilliantly done, and so beautiful.

Author Reply: Well, you'll see more of him in the stories of a good number of folk, when and if you have the chance and energy to read more fanfiction again. Am so glad you loved this one. The person who requested it asked for a story involving Maglor, and this helps set up the final chapters of Stirring Rings--supposing I ever get to the point of actually posting those final chapters! Heh!

Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 70 on 12/15/2008
I don't know the Simarillion very well,only having read it once, but I found this touchin and beautiful

Author Reply: I've read it through once and have grazed within it from time to time. But this I felt would be very possible.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 70 on 12/10/2008
That ficlet got me all teary-eyed, Larner. How touching that Maglor played this farewell song to Frodo and Elrond! I *so* wished Maglor would at least get a last farewell hug from Elrond *sniff* Though I always despised Fëanor and his sons, Maglor was always the one I saw a bit different. He paid the heaviest price, I think - while his brothers died, he had to live on for so many millennia, bearing a heavy burden of guilt and shame. Somehow I hope for a happy end for him.

Author Reply: I am so honored this one again managed to move so many. It's not hard to feel compassion for Maglor of all of Feanor's sons.

As for a happy ending for him--if I EVER get "Stirring Rings" completed I believe you will be happy with it!

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 70 on 12/9/2008
I have always had a soft spot for Maglor. He was certainly no angel, but I have always felt that he was royally scr**ed by his father. And the Oath being a part of that.

When I read the desctiptions of Fëanor’s speechmaking in Tirion after his father’s death, when Fëanor was swaying the Noldor to follow him to Middle Earth, I somehow tend to associate this with footage from the political rallys of Nazi Germany, or possibly the nastier variety of charismatic cult leaders – the Jim Jones of Jonestown variety comes to mind. The sort that has left sanity far behind. And Tolkien made it clear that Fëanor had charisma to burn!
Fëanor would not have been entirely sane at that time. The trauma of the death of the Trees, and that of his father (He’s an elf! He’s not _supposed_ to die!!), would certainly have seen to that. And perhaps he was not very tightly wrapped even before that. Some say that genius and madness are very close. And Fëanor would certainly illustrate that. Still, there were choices involved, and I would say that madness aside, he would have been sane enough to be accountable for those. It was a great pity his forceful personality dragged his sons into ruination along with him. (Well, I suppose _some_ needed less “persuation” than others)

*sniffles a bit, and hopes for a bit of, well, _hope_, at least, on Maglor’s behalf*


Author Reply: Oh, but I agree with you, Sunny. One who certainly deserved not to be led into such hatred and error, and who has much to overcome! Feanor was maddened by loss, and so led many to doom and loss in their turn. And this one son remained a witness for so very long.

Although one day I shall post my chapters on Maglor in "Stirring Rings," although that time is yet to come! Heh!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 70 on 12/9/2008
What lovely gifts given to Frodo - Gandalf's ring strengthening him, the sound of the Elven music even causing a smile - and a gift he gave right back - the shining of the phial. Another retelling of the holiness of this night. Hantanyel!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Indeed, there were gifts to be found even there. And Maglor will one day fully appreciate the greatness of Frodo's compassion.

Independence1776Reviewed Chapter: 70 on 12/8/2008
*weeps for Maglor*

I am very glad Elrond heard his song.

~ Indy

Author Reply: I, too, felt Elrond should hear this song, and am honored you appreciated this and that it moved you. Thank you.

SiiwReviewed Chapter: 70 on 12/8/2008
You wrote tears into my eyes with this.

Author Reply: I am honored, Siiw. Thank you.

inzilbethReviewed Chapter: 70 on 12/8/2008
Oh this is just marvellous! I do wish we knew what became of Maglor, but how fitting that he should be there to witness Elrond sail.

This was so beautifully written and moving.

Author Reply: I agree--this would be such a fitting thing, for Maglor to watch the grey ship sail from the same site from which Aragorn a few days later sees the ship find the Straight Path.

Thank you so. And this will be working into the end of Stirring Rings, once I finally get that far with it.

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