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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux  by Fiondil 7 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 87 on 2/14/2008
Mentor and student, teacher and learner--always a situation of teaching and learning.

Author Reply: Teaching and learning for both of them.

MithLuinReviewed Chapter: 87 on 5/4/2007
Hmmm, Ingwion took to this Oath a little more easily than the others have. I wonder why? Or has it just not hit him yet? I know he doesn't like it, but he's fairly accepting.
The idea of Námo having an apprentice foisted on him is almost as shocking as him losing a bet! Hehe, I suppose the Doomsman of the Valar is seldom mistaken, though of course the Children of Ilúvatar can always be surprising. I forgot to mention it earlier, but I was amused for find out that when he 'loses' it's usually on purpose ;).

Author Reply: Ingwion is older by far than the others, even older than Finrod, at least chronologically if not in experience, so he may not be effected by his Oathtaking as the others were, though that doesn't mean he does not or will not suffer any effects. It just might take longer to sink in.

When you can see further into Eä's history than any of your fellow Valar, you do have a distinct advantage, so losing on purpose keeps the betting in the realm of "fun" for them all. Whether the other Valar realize the Námo sometimes loses on purpose or not is another matter.

eilujReviewed Chapter: 87 on 5/3/2007
"Yet you wear his sister’s emblem, which is the first step in being Námo’s apprentice" -- Okay, I’m confused: why not Námo’s own emblem? True, aside from the Fëanturinildi, he doesn’t seem to have elves helping him (then again, Nienna doesn’t seem to, either -- at least at the moment).

"I will try my best to be obedient to Lord Námo’s word, Lord," Ingwion said. Ulmo laughed. "But I hope not too obedient." When Ingwion gave him a quizzical look the Vala just laughed louder. "Child, I sincerely hope you make my brother’s life miserable. He’s getting much too complacent and needs a little shaking up and I think you’re just the elf to do it, too."

Interesting insights into the Valar’s culture.

The front of the tunic was stiff with silver thread embroidery showing Telperion in full bloom with the moon above it. -- Hm. Telperion and the moon together. Interesting.


Author Reply: The whys and wherefores of apprenticeship with the Valar are probably too convoluted to go into right now. Námo has never had any apprentice exclusively, though he's shared apprentices with Irmo (the Fëanturinildi). Nienna probably has had some in the past as well. They tend to also be Lóriennildi or Estenduri. Learning Pity from Nienna is probably part of the apprenticing of Irmo and Estë's people. I suspect that when Námo got cornered into taking Ingwion as his apprentice, he agreed on the stipulation that Ingwion start out with Nienna first, which is why he was sent there, though that's not the reason given initially. Also, just as the Fëanturinildi are "hidden" from the other elves, Námo may have decided that Ingwion would be safer if no one knew of his apprenticeship to him, thus the subterfuge of sending him to Nienna first.

I hope in future chapters (and perhaps even in future stories) explore further the Valar's culture, which is mostly unknown to the elves.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 87 on 5/3/2007
It seems Ingwion is finally coming to terms with the whole matter and finding his peace again, as far as one can be at peace with the perspective of this particular apprenticeship in mind.

"Child, I sincerely hope you make my brother’s life miserable. He’s getting much too complacent and needs a little shaking up and I think you’re just the elf to do it, too." Well, I doubt Ingwion needs much encouragement in this regard *lol* The way he told the Valar in his room off ...

Is it very bad of me to have been enjoying Námo shouting at Manwë and Aulë on Ingwion’s behalf? Though this capacity of the ring is interesting and will come in handy, I suppose. Not to mention it is foreshadowing future chapters ...

Author Reply: I have no fear that Ingwion will settle in quite nicely as the apprentice-from-hell, and for all his protestations to the contrary, I think Námo is looking forward to the challenge. *lol* The two of them will be good for one another in the long run. I don't think badly of you for enjoying Námo shouting at Manwë and Aulë... I rather enjoyed the show myself. *grin*

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 87 on 5/1/2007
Ah, now I have to wait for you to return, I do hope you had a good time and got well rested!

Why was Namo so set against having apprentices? He does already have Finrod, though he's sort of special since he's shared with Irmo. Maybe he's just old and set in his ways! :) Also, was he just mad about the ring because they didn't tell him? It wasn't that he didn't want Ingwion to have special help like that, did he?

Anyway, very nice and I can't wait for more!

Author Reply: Yes, I had a very good time and am more or less well rested. I will be posting new chapters by the weekend, once I've finished unpacking (always a chore).

As for Námo's reluctance to taking on an apprentice, I'm not sure what the story is there. Maybe one day we'll be told. As Ingwion is slowly learning, the Valar themselves have a society of rights and obligations which is incumbent upon its members. Recognizing that such things exist and liking them are two different things. Námo may agree that certain duties are necessary for him to perform without having to like performing such duties (the same is true for us as well). I think he's also a bit put-out that no one *told* him about the ring's extra features and that's what's gotten his knickers in a twist.

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 87 on 5/1/2007
He managed the 'M' word.

And to be openly indignant at the superfluity of Valar and Maiar cluttering up his room. I think he'll survive the experience of apprenticeship. But will Aman? (I suspect it'll be better for the experience. After all, something clearly needs to be done. And the Valar are gathering a mighty collection of elves to do the job.)

Author Reply: I think Ingwion is much like Finrod in this regard. Being the firstborn son of the High King, Ingwion has had lots of experience watching his atar react to "superfluity" in lots of situations and has simmply taken his cue from him. The Valar apparently recognize the "Ingwë look" in the son and find it all rather amusing.

vampfan30Reviewed Chapter: 87 on 4/27/2007
Just when I thought that Namo couldn't get any neater, you fool me!!! I think I might be a little in love with him. The way you describe him in these last few chapters really wowed me......That, & I am just a sucker for a good head of black hair ^_^!

Author Reply: Námo is just full of surprises, isn't he? *grin* He definitely isn't your typical "doom-and-gloom" Vala, that's for sure. I think Ingwion (and others) will be redefining how they label the Valar after the dust settles on all of this, Námo not the least. I'm glad you are enjoying the story and Námo. Thanks for letting me know.

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