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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux  by Fiondil 5 Review(s)
hawkeyeReviewed Chapter: 44 on 12/16/2014
Well Ingwion has at least inherited Ingwë's temper. The Maiar seem to take it in stride though. Having years of experience with the Children and their moods probably helps. In some ways, particularly here, the Maiar remind me a lot of the Valar, caring but seemingly enigmatic in their ways. It almost reminds me of the (often annoying) way that adults treat children. I can sympathise with Ingwion getting frustrated. His long experience with the Valar will, hopefully, prove helpful in this case.

The escort was a shock, and I wonder, despite Maranwë's words, if there isn't more to it than that. The Valar obviously expect something to happen. In fact, they seem to be trying to provoke something into happening. From some of your comments earlier about the power of a Maia, having fourteen show up does seem like a lot. I think the escort might be the Valar's way of showing that they all have an interest in the outcome of what they will learn from Ingwion and Glorfindel.

"Her voice was as musical as the nightingale and Glorfindel thrilled at the sound of it." This made me pause. The Maiar are closer to Atar than the Eldar. It reminded me a bit of the responses of a mortal when they hear an angel; a being who is both higher and good.

The role reversal, albeit brief, between Ingwion and Glorfindel shows again the special relationship that the Reborn have with the Valar. While many of the Eldar look on it with mistrust, it really is a beautiful thing.

Ingwion was pretty much cheating by making that an order *laughs* That aside, the spiral was hugely disconcerting. I'm pretty sure just looking at it would give me motion sickness XD

Calling Námo "Tiutalero" is beautiful. I think I will call him that from now on, at least when I think of him :) Of all the descriptions of the Valar so far, this is the one I love best. I think one of the things that makes Námo, and all the other Valar, as wonderful as he is is his being both Judge and Consoler. That really is what goodness and Truth are. In the terrifying edge is also the greatest comfort because, in the end, comfort needs strength to have its full effect.

Thank you for a lovely chapter!

Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. Well, Glorfindel did say that he knew the escort was for him, but sometimes it's best not to read too much into a thing even if the Valar are involved.

Tiutalero, "Comforter/Consoler", is Námo's favorite title and the role he most prefers to play.

I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

KayleeReviewed Chapter: 44 on 8/10/2008
I like the Maia honor guard and the descriptions of places in Valmar, also the descriptions of the Valar's various colors and emblems. I think that spiral maze is very pretty, but also very annoying. *folds arms and glares at it* Getting your guests to faint or throw up isn't very nice, Namo.

~Kaylee!!

Author Reply: I think the spiral maze is Námo's little joke. As he says, it cuts down on repeat visitors, although I suspect that there are other entrances less stressful but made available only to those whom the Lord of Mandos really wants to see. *grin*

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 44 on 2/12/2008
Reminds me of descriptions of mazes I've seen set in Britain, particularly one in Katherine Kurtz's book "Lammas Eve" (I think--don't feel like creeping out to the living room to check, although it's right outside my bedroom door. Heh!)

Author Reply: I love mazes of all kinds so I just had to put them in this story. This particular maze is a nod to the medieval labyrinths that have now become popular in certain Christian circles and to the maze described in Roger Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber series.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 44 on 3/2/2007
There's always rather more than expected in encountering the Valar - even if it's a maze in the entrance hall. I'm not surprised Glorfindel was scared!

Author Reply: I think the Valar just like to keep everyone guessing. When you have all the Ages of Arda to fill up, you need some diversion to occupy yourself with *grin*.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 44 on 2/25/2007
Fourteen guards for two persons seems a bit excessive – no wonder Ingwion was a bit irritated. And I was amused about the way Glorfindel used to convince Ingwion that Námo isn’t so bad.

You have a way to end chapters ... *shakes head* I am glad there is already more, so I don't have to wait and worry.

Author Reply: Well, they weren't so much guards as an honor escort (even Ingwë got one in an earlier chapter), and as Glorfindel points out, they wanted to make sure he arrived at his destination as he did have a nasty habit of late of running off without warning *grin*.

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