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Still Waters  by Ellie 4 Review(s)
KloseReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/8/2007
This was amazing - short, but powerful.

You have a flair for narration, very elegantly and concisely laying this out - for example, I really felt like I could see Earwen and Finarfin bid Anaire farewell, through her eyes.

And lovely use of imagery, as well - water in all its different forms, organic and all around, and constantly reminding Anaire of her loss. (Also an interesting parallel with Feanor's fiery-ness?)

I've re-read this several times, and the last paragraph always give me the shivers. One line in particular makes butterflies flutter about in my stomach: "I can pretend that my adoring husband with his broad shoulders, sensuous lips, and practiced hands awaits me in my bed."

I've always rued the lack of Fingolfin/Anaire in fandom, so it's great to see they still get a little love once in a while. Thanks for writing this, and sharing!

Author Reply: I'm pleased that you enjoyed the imagery and were able to see this through Anaire's eyes. I had fun using the symbolism of the water and its many forms and uses in this story, too. I also like the line that you picked out. Finwe was a tall and handsome elf and Fingolfin was described as being very much like him in appearance, so he had to have been gorgeous and the memory of him had to have stirred much in his wife - expecially since all she had left were memories.

I enjoyed writing about Fingolfin and Anaire in this story and in Raven Hair and Silver Eyes. Maybe my Fingolfin muse will resurface and give me another tale about him and his wife.

Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Eruanneth_LuinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 10/10/2005
How sad to find oneself bereft of husband and children to such a bleak future, ever wondering, never knowing. And the significance of waters, tamed or unbridled, of tears and seas, and the thicker-than-water fluid of elven blood, blending together in an endless torrent of sorrowing. Alone where once there were many, abandoned by loved ones swept away on the madness spawned by Melkor’s hatred of the elves, alone until her family’s return, she must shed tears un-numbered, waiting, watching, hoping. So often we forget the suffering of those left behind.

Author Reply: When I wrote this story, I was very stressed by RL. I was not expecting the still waters in Anaire's life to be a nightly hot bath, but that's the way it worked out. I think I was lusting after a bubble bath myself the night I wrote this.

Nothing much is really ever said of those left behind and the anger, frustration, lonliness, and shame they had to cope with. It is interesting exploring what they must have endured.

Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Ellie

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/26/2005
Poor Anairë.

When you first hear all the stories of battle and derring-do that are associated with all the History of Middle Earth adventures, they are stirring and brave and frequently bull-headed and mistaken - but after a while you do start to think about those behind the stories. Indis, left grieving for her husband and son and grandchildren. Finarfin and Earwen - bereft of their children and most of their close kin and enduring the anger and bitterness of the Teleri. And how did those who dwelt in Aman deal with all the after-effects of that? So many of the nameless mothers and sweethearts - so many children could have been left fatherless. It could change the whole way society worked - and that doesn't even touch on private grief. And guilt.

And then being elves, there was no prospect of the sorrow ending. I hope Nolofinwe got rehoused and sent back before too long.

Author Reply: There is not enough written about those left behind and their struggles. It would have been very difficult to be one those still in Aman afterward, indeed.

Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Ellie

ponypetterReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/25/2005
Lovely. The wives of many of the Noldor rarely get little more than a mention in Tolkien's writing. It's nice to imagine what they must have been like, and why someone like Fingolfin's wife would refuse to join her husband and children on their journey. She stayed behind while almost her entire family left.

Author Reply: Thank you very much! It had to have been hard for those left behind. Not only were their loved ones gone, but they were cursed as well.

I hope that Fingolfin had a short stay in Mandos' Halls, too, but I think he had a lot to atone for in his life due to where his jealousy led him.

Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Ellie

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