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| Raven Hair and Silver Eyes by Ellie | 4 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Istarnië | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 9/17/2007 |
| You know this has long been one of my favourite stories, so as I have reviewed it elsewhere I will keep my comments short here. I am enthralled by your portrayal of Anairë, and her relationship with husband and children. A sad tale - yes; but one that throws much light on the relationships of a sometimes misunderstood family. I do wish you would write more on Anairë, Ellie! And I agree with your comment to an earlier review that I suspect she would be reunited with her loved ones after their time in the Halls of Awaiting. Well - I am not quite sure what would happen with Aradhel..but the others. Excellent work! | |
| Klose | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/16/2007 |
| I was just thinking the other day that I possibly missed the point with my raving of the Fingolfin/Anaire pairing in "Still Waters" - it was probably more appropriate here, and that story was rather more a (beautiful) homage to the wives and mothers who are left behind in Aman to hope and reminisce. This story is, of course, utterly perfect. It's touching to see that Anairë's faith in her husband never wavered, it's easy to see how he might have succumbed to such great despair in Middle-earth, that he'd go on his suicide ride to engage Morgoth in single combat - clearly Anairë has been an important source of support for him. And, ah, there are just so many emotions and threads woven so compactly into this story, I'd probably end up quoting every other line if I attempt to be thorough here! I adored Anairë's narration of her romance with Fingolfin, naturally, but there were also lots of insights that I was happy to see included. I too have wondered about the fact that both Fingolfin and Finarfin have daughters, whereas Fëanor had seven children, all sons - and how each of them might have viewed it. And in my mind Nolofinwë was slightly (only slightly!) smug, perhaps a bit pitying about it, so I was nodding along with that whole bit in the fic. This is, in fact, such a great homage to Fingolfin himself... humanising him and his actions, where some might be tempted to think of him as too proud and too jealous. And I can't help but love your Anairë, she's strong in her own right and clearly has a will of her own. Turning her back on her family at the end - well, ouch, but it' certainly understandable. Thank you once again for brining the spotlight to Anairë (and her husband :)), this was really nothing short of exquisite. And as I prepared this review, I was in such awe how subtly powerful your writing is. I keep my fingers crossed that you'll return to these characters once again at some point in the future! :) | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 4/8/2006 |
| In my arms he was at peace, secure in the love and attention that he found there but profoundly missed from others in his life. I really liked this whole paragraph. It summed up the basis of their relationship so clearly. The theme phrase was well used there at the end. I hope Anaire was eventually able to forgive them. Lastly, just because I am the helplessly curious sort and I do not know this family *that* well ;) - Fingon, Turgon, Aredhrel, and ???. Perhaps someone you will introduce us to later? You know how I like your use of first-person. Author Reply: The fourth child of Fingolfin was named Argon and he was lost in the first battle fought after the Noldor came to Middle-earth. He was supposed to have been the most impetuous of Fingolfin's sons and I think the tallest as well, but I can't remember for sure. Argon was described in one of the History of Middle-earth books, perhaps the same one that mentions Anaire. I think it is called Morgoth's Ring, but I can't remember for certain. I think Anaire finally did forgive her children and husband. I did find that in writing about the relationship from Anaire's perspective I was able to more clearly see Fingolfin and his motivations and problems. I found that I pitied him and liked him much more than before. Thank you so very much for reading and reviewing! I very much appreciate it! Ellie | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: Prologue on 4/8/2006 |
| Poor Anaire. Nolofinwe has just a touch too much sibling rivalry about him when it comes to his half-brother - but he does try to keep the peace. And I can see how his father's death would drive him to try to take revenge. After Alqualonde, too, he doubtless felt damned and doomed and unable to turn back - but Anaire is another of those characters who lost everything they had and was left to remain alone in the Blessed Realm until one day - possibly - her husband and children returned from the Halls. Grief - self-righteousness - anger - all sorts of emotions might have carried them through the first centuries, but what then? The Blessed Realm - especially among the Noldor - must have been a community of abandoned wives and sweethearts. Children without fathers and parents without sons. I wonder how it would have affected the social structure... Sad story. I hope they found each other again. In the end. Author Reply: It would be interesting to explore life in Tirion about 2 or 3 hundred years after the kin slaying. The story of Anaire is sad and it is but one of many who suffered the loss of family in the rebellion of the Noldor. I think she and Fingolfin would have gotten back together once he was released from Mandos' halls. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Ellie | |