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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux  by Fiondil 11 Review(s)
KayleeReviewed Chapter: 59 on 8/11/2008
Oh, here we go...Finda's on the Hunt...those ellyn that took Glorfi are SO. DEAD. I wouldn't want to be them!!!

~Kaylee!

Author Reply: No one messes with Finrod or his friends, that's for sure. The elves of Aman are about to find out just what it means for Finrod to have been King of Nargothrond and not just a minor prince in the House of Finwë.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 59 on 2/13/2008
Not a wise move--stealing Glorfindel away. Time they learn that! Now, lord and king of Nargothrond, follow in Orome's train until you find him!

Author Reply: Yes, they'll find that stealing Glorfindel away was not a wise move, not when said ellon ia the King of Nargothrond's gwador.

RhyselleReviewed Chapter: 59 on 3/25/2007
I love how Finrod handled Mithlas' asking about Glassiel in Mandos, and how he told the Sinda that it was wise of Glassiel to have forbidden Mithlas to follow her. "Because otherwise you and I could not have become friends, and I value our friendship very much." Oh, I wish that I could be among those that Finrod counts as friends. Not because he is a King, or an apprentice to Lords Irmo and Namo, but because he is such a wonderful person. I know it sounds silly to say that about a fictional character, but to have a friend like him--well, one would never go through life feeling unloved and lonely. :)

I was so pleased to see Laurendil express his hope to be Lord Irmo's apprentice. Seeing him come to be at peace with his destiny is a wonderful thing. And he, too, is learning that he does not have to give up who he is in order to become what Eru intended him to be.

Could you remind me what vorondonya means? You don't give the translation at the end of the chapter. I don't remember it specifically, although I assume that the 'vorond' part refers to faithfullness. 'Faithful friend'?

The whole issue of Finrod coming to grips with being an oath giver was utterly fascinating. Most of us end up being in positions of authority after being in subordinate positions and have the opposite problem to deal with. The change from oathkeeper/oathgiver to lover/beloved was so poignant, and it made the whole thing so much easier to understand from an emotional perspective. The revelation that Námos phrase 'best beloved' had a deeper meaning was lovely too. :)

And then comes the 'nightmares'. Obviously the first wake up was when Glorfindel's feä ran away to Lorien when he was in Námo's mansion right before they celebrated his begetting day. I'm assuming the second time was when Glorfindel was attacked and abducted.

I like how the Valar never lie--but use their words carefully. If the Eldar choose to interpret them differently than they are actually meant... well... *grin*

I like the mental image of Laurendil and Finrod bent over a draughts board, and Eärnur and Mithlas having the language lesson speaking each other's birth tongue. I thought it sweet that Finrod hoped that the message would have been from Amarië or his father. I do hope that she does write to him at some point. It would be a comfort to him, I'm sure.

He just totally snapped into King-mode--I can see anyone between him and Lord Irmo just melting from his path. I would have loved to have been able to witness his conversation with the Vala, but jumping right to their riding to Valmar really emphasized the urgency of the situation and just how important this is for them to get to where they can actively rescue Glorfindel. (It occurs to me that Glorfindel must be getting REALLY tired of being the focus of so much chaos by now. *grin*)

The last line just got me. Finrod is a good king in times of peace, but in times of war, he becomes a great leader and warrior. The bad guys don't have a prayer.

Author Reply: "Vorondonya" means "my vassal" and is the Quenya equivalent of the Sindarin "Bôr nîn". I defined it in the previous chapter.

The whole discussion about oathkeeper/oathgiver and lover/beloved is, for me, an analogy of our relationship with God on one specific level: God as Lover pursuing His Beloved (us). Yet the roles are recipricol and are not exclusive. We are at once the lover and beloved even as God is and we are as much the oathkeepers of God's promises to us as we are the givers of oaths to God when we dedicate ourselves to him and his cause.

I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall for the conversation between Finrod and Irmo, myself, but was not privy to it. *sigh* I imagine, though, that Irmo knew what was coming and half-expected Finrod to show up in full battle-mode, so wasn't taken by surprise. He probably already knew that both Finrod and Laurendil would be needed on the Hunt and so let them go without any protest.

And like you, I wish I, too, could be among those whom Finrod counts as friends, and for the same reason. With someone like Finrod by your side, encouraging you, you could never doubt yourself or consider yourself worthless.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 59 on 3/24/2007
Oh my. Finrod and Laurendil are joining the Hunt!

Storm clouds are gathering indeed - and I wouldn't want to be one of those whom the lightning will strike!

Author Reply: No, with Finrod and Laurendil in the fray, their enemies had better watch out! The elves involved in Glorfindel's kidnapping are not reckoning with the fact that Glorfindel has friends who spend hundreds of years hunting down Morgoth's own minions as a career. Hunting down elves wouldn't even raise a sweat between them.

hanciReviewed Chapter: 59 on 3/24/2007
Finrod, Laurendil and Manwen working together, what a threesome they will be!
Was the first nightmare when Glorfindel "visited"? Or was that before and Finrod doesn't remember?
Everything is as it should be... Laurendil is right to be concerned, those words are not very reassuring.
The Hunt, that sounds ominous, with that capital...

I like Sador, but the idea that you will probably first describe his part before moving on to the present and the Hunt makes me really impatient.

Author Reply: Yes, the first nightmare is the one where Glorfindel 'visited'. The Valar couldn't entirely erase the memory from his mind without doing serious damage to Finrod's fëa, so the best they could do was to relegate the memory to a nightmare that he can't remember (and how many of us have had that experience? We have no memory of the actual nightmare, only of its aftereffects). The second nightmare where he wakes up screaming is when Glorfindel is attacked and beaten.

The Hunt is indeed ominous and holds danger for all concerned, Hunter and Hunted alike.

I know you're impatient, but as the Valar are fond of saying (at least in my story), everything happens for a reason and in its proper time. Sador's story is important, no less than Finrod's or Glorfindel's. Nonetheless, I do appreciate you sticking it through. We'll be getting back to Glorfindel soon enough, I promise.

EllieReviewed Chapter: 59 on 3/21/2007
Love the whole light of battle thing. This is such an amazing tale! Love the way Ingwe's son has called to Finrod for help and in warning and Finrod's right hand man has taken to his job as both apprentice and vassal to very well. Can't wait to read more!

Author Reply: Yes, Laurendil is finally coming into his own, I think, both as Finrod's vassal and as Irmo's apprentice. When his training is complete, I think Laurendil will be a force to be reckoned with, especially with Finrod by his side.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 59 on 3/21/2007
The more I read about him, the more I love Mithlas and hope, he is soon reunited with his beloved Glassiel – it would do much for his healing, I think.

And I am pleased they’re becoming friends with Eärnur as well. He’s the only one of the journeymen and masters who made a good impression on me. And Laurendil as one of the Loriennildi is a good idea. They need there someone who truly *knows* what their charges have suffered, that much has already been proven.

Glad to know Finrod is getting to grip with his new status. Knowing Melian from Endóre seems to help him a bit. But it was interesting how disturbed he was at last in Lórien. Somehow he seems to have sensed that something was not right with Glorfindel. And of course Laurendil was right about the wording of the Valar. I only hope Sador isn’t in trouble, too.

And now Finrod to the rescue! Though I doubt there will be serious fighting (they will not start another kinslaying!?), I still suppose the conspirators will get a nasty surprise. They have seriously underestimated the elves they have chosen to pick on. Even without weapons the war-honed elves from Endóre should be able to make short work of these spoiled (and rather stupid) brats. Who of them could face an irate Finrod, after all?

Can’t wait for how that is going to turn out, though I suppose you’ll now turn to Sador first before bringing all of them together again. The story sounds more and more promising *rubs hands in anticipation*

Author Reply: We may see more of Mithlas later. Eärnur, I think, will be receiving his mastership sooner than he expects, as well. Between him and Laurendil and Manwen, the plight of the Sindar should be eased somewhat.

As for Finrod: don't forget that the first "nightmare" was actually the time Glorfindel's fëa showed up in Finrod's pavillion. Even though Irmo was able to ease the memory, the terror still remained and that probably helped Finrod to pick up on Glorfindel's encounter with his kidnappers, which manifests itself in the second "nightmare".

Once Finrod joins Ingwion in the Hunt, EVERYBODY had better get out of the way! *grin*

And yes, as you guessed, we will be turning to Sador next before bringing them all together again. I'm glad you are enjoying the story and looking forward to more, because there is plenty more to come.

NikaraReviewed Chapter: 59 on 3/21/2007
Hmm... The Hunt with a capital H. This should be interesting. I was eagerly anticipating the scenes where Glorfindel would have his little "visitations". Heh. I think Finrod disliked them almost as much as Glorfy did. Can't wait for more, this is starting to get quite exciting.

Author Reply: The plot thickens, as they say. *grin* Glad you are enjoying the story and looking forward to more.

vaskeReviewed Chapter: 59 on 3/20/2007
I'd gotten so wrapped up in Finrod's story that I'd almost forgotten about Glorfindel!!!

I guess that even though that 'everything is as it should be' doesn't mean that Finrod and Ingwion have to like it being this way.

The hunt begins...

Can't wait til the next installment

Author Reply: That's good that you've gotten so caught up in Finrod's story that you've almost forgotten about Glorfindel. It means I'm doing somthing right. *grin*

MithLuinReviewed Chapter: 59 on 3/20/2007
Those pesky Valar! "Everything is as it should be" indeed *snort* I am glad Finrod and his friends are catching on to that, though.... Ingwion and Findarato will make a good team, I think. And I'm glad we're going to find out how poor Sador is faring (I'm curious what's up with his potter-master back in Tirion, but I suppose I'll have to wait quite awhile for that puzzle to be cleared up!)

A little nervous about this Hunt. It sounds official and very...very... fairy. Like the elves in the Hobbit, chasing the white stag.

Author Reply: Well, as Laurendil says, the Valar are very careful with their words. They cannot lie, but that doesn't mean they have to tell the whole truth *lol*. Yes, Ingwion and Findaráto will make a good team.

And the Hunt is quite official and very, very dangerous, as only Faery can be, according to Tolkien. It has grave consequences for both the Hunter and the Hunted, as future chapters will show.

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