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Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux  by Fiondil 11 Review(s)
TariReviewed Chapter: 131 on 5/16/2008
Aldarion was like s soothing elixir to Turindil. That simple act of kindness, made without conscious thought will help in Turindil’s healing. I love the song Turindil sang.

Ingwë showed great sensitivity in learning the song in Sindarin. What a breath of fresh air it must have been in such a tense situation.

The tournament itself amazed me. It was so intricate. Did you get the idea from Ryselle who seems to be quite knowledgeable about these things? Do you think she (?) could help me with training tactics for my story?

Tari

Author Reply: Yes, Aldarion is a good friend and will be very helpful to Turinidil and Ingwë isn't High King of All the Elves for nothing. *grin* While Rhyselle and I discussed ways of doing the tournament, all the elements of the tournament, both the sword and shield and the archery, are my own design. *grin* You can ask her about helping you with training tactics for your story; the worst she will say is "no".

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 131 on 2/17/2008
Ah, laughter helps break tension--and hilarious that bracelets are mistaken for the windchimes! So glad he didn't hit Ingwe! And Vorondil now totally trusts Namo to offer comfort and reassurance. Poor child!

Author Reply: I'm sure Findis will be very embarrassed when she discovers she might have been the inadvertent cause of the High King's death. Vorondil is learning who truly to trust now and that will be important for him in the future.

Mysterious JediReviewed Chapter: 131 on 11/2/2007
I have really enjoyed reading this story so far. I like watching the adults interact with the children, and the Valar interact with the elves. There is so much love among the characters! It seems real, even though I know it's fiction---and fanfiction at that! Please post more soon.

Author Reply: Hi MJ... I'm glad to see you're still with this story and that it seems real to you even though you know it's not... that's what every writer aims for... that his or her readers forget that the story and the characters they are reading are imaginary... that, of course, was Tolkien's genius in creating Middle-earth, and why we all love to play in it, even if it's only by reading other people's fanfic. More's a-coming, never fear....

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 131 on 10/30/2007
Oh, I love that Vorondil turned straight to Namo for comfort and help. He didn't try and run away. I'm anxiously awaiting to see what happens there but I hold out hope that Finrod will have compassion on the young elf.

I'm enjoying the archery competition and the way you have it set up... it seems perfect for elves, difficult! The song was funny and fit very nicely. *grin* I'm glad that Turindil has Mithilas to help him right now, especially when dealing with the three kings. That would be difficult for any Sinda, I think, and especially so for one of the newly reborn.

Thanks again for sharing this wonderful tale.

Author Reply: You're welcome. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings about this tale. As a writer yourself, you know how much we enjoy being able to dialogue with our readers in this manner. Some of them even act as secondary betas, picking up errors and inconsistencies that I and my main beta may have missed. That alone is a service to me as a writer that I very much appreciate.

Anyway, I'm sure Finrod has nothing but compassion for Vorondil, though he will have to address the situation in a particular manner whether he wants to or not.

And Mithlas, having had to deal with his own terrors and sympathize better that most with the Reborn and some of their own problems that they face in their new lives. Arafinwë, of course, has had three Reborn to deal with, so he's an old pro. *grin*

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 131 on 10/30/2007
I have little marks all over this chapter. There was so much love and tenderness for the Valar by this young Turindil. Especially his reason - 'they love us when no one else can be bothered.' Phew! That one packs a wallop, it does! I thought it appropriate that the other elves could not even look him in the eye after that one!

The tests were very difficult. I liked the way you described them - easy to understand. And I certainly wouldn't want to be one to try! As evidenced by poor Aldarion's 'less than perfect' shot! ROTFL

Turindil is quite the bard indeed. I certainly can't wait to figure out who the heck he is... - you love to torture your readers! With the reaction that he had upon hearing Finrod's name and the 'I know I've seen him somewhere before' of Olwe... you've got something up your sleeve!

And I've told you before that I really like Vorondil - so how could you leave the poor elfling in such a state! I am shuddering as Finrod enters!

Hooray, please, with the next chapter????



Author Reply: >>you love to torture your readers!<<

And you love being tortured, admit it. *grin*

I'm glad you liked the archery tests. It took me a while to come up with them. I've never really seen archery competitions so wasn't sure what was done in them. I tried to imagine what elves would consider not only appropriate but challenging, yet not impossiblly so. Certainly, most humans probably couldn't do very well with the spinning target or the blindfold one unless you're Kwai Chang Caine *LOL*.

I won't leave you hanging too long with what happens with Vorondil and Finrod. I still need to finish one more chapter before I am ready to post the next part, but it won't be a long wait, I promise.

Nieriel RainaReviewed Chapter: 131 on 10/30/2007
Wow. This chapter was so full of things I want to comment on. First, was Turindil's explaining the relationship between the Reborn and the Valar and how he feels they are the only ones who care. They are wonderful counselors. They give the Reborn what they need most...a listening ear. I remember back to Sador telling Namo about finding out Netilmire was his great grandmother, and Namo just listened. *smile* I also think this is a sournce of the great affection between the Reborn and the Valar and why they do not freak out as much in the presence of the Valar as do many of the Onceborn. There is a relationship there that few Onceborn have with the Valar.

Now, the archery competition! I LOVED the devices you came up with to challenge the competitors. Are these based on real archery competitions? I've seen a few stories in the fandom that have increasingly more difficult rounds, but yours are some of the more realisitic feeling scenarios. The blind shooting was very ingenius. Poor Aldarion though. Oops! Maybe they need to check the ladies jewelry before allowing them to attend? *grin* And the song was HILARIOUS. It was good to see it so well accepted too, and I loved Aldarion's response. And I loved both versions of the song.

It is good to see that a few at a time, the elves are learnign to deal with the Reborn. Mithlas handled that very well, and I had no doubts Arafinwe and Ingwe would be understanding about Turindil's discomfort. In the short time we've seen him, I've really come to like Turndil.

So nice to see Eonwe if briefly. I am not surprised that Ingwion and Finrod will face off, nor will I be shocked when Finrod wins, though I don't think it will be an easy task.

Glorfindel is just adorable whenever he is on the scene. *huggles elf* I love the relationship he has with Namo. It is very interesting to see Namo's thoughts on the tournament. I think that while in many ways, he is right, there is also a sense of comraderie building between the competitors. While that may not be a huge step, it is at least a small step in the right direction. I think Namo takes it all very personally, especially any attacks on HIS Reborn. *grin*

The whole situation with Vorondil is disturbing. The poor ellon has just had everything against him from the beginning. I found it telling that upon finding out his actions against Finrod, he ran straight to Namo. I don't think he even knew what he was doing and that will surely come into play. But what timing and a horrible cliffie you left us with!


Ego, teitho! I want more! *smile* Great chapter. As always I'm on the edge of my seat, longing for more.

NiRi



Author Reply: I think what separates the Valar (and Maiar) from the elves is that they are truly nonjudgmental towards the Children. They may have to administer justice and therefore judgment against them, but that's not the same thing. I think that is why Turindil is getting at when he says that the Valar love the Reborn when no one else can be bothered.

As for the archery contest... the exercises are not necessarily based on real-world competitions (although my beta who is blind told me that when in high school she took archery and her friend tried to help her by attaching a bell next to the target with a rope and then standing (she thought) far enough away to be safe, only be nearly skewered by Mari's arrow!). Really, I just thought "what would be considered interesting

Author Reply: (blast! pressed the wrong button!)

Say I was saying.... I just thought,"what would be considered interesting and challenging to elves who are so good at what they do that anything 'normal' would be boring and a waste of their time?" I decided that moving targets where they still have to hit the center would be a good test, with one such moving target being harder than the other, and the blindfold one just seemed a natural thing for elves to come up with as a test of their skills.

We will see later what truly motivated Vorondil in his 'attack' of Finrod... and it is indeed telling that he ran straight to Námo rather than trying to run away.

And you know you live for cliffies! LOL

KittyReviewed Chapter: 131 on 10/30/2007
You know, Turindil’s explanation about the relationship between Valar and Reborn was sadly touching. How lonely he has to feel when he thinks no one save the Valar cares truly for him! Well, at least he had enough humour to make this naughty song :) And I want to know what Findis said when someone told her just *why* Aldarion nearly shot the High King!

"With three Reborn ellyn who all speak it, it is a simple matter of survival. I need to know what they’re plotting." *snicker* That’s the best reason to learn Sindarin I’ve seen so far!
Enjoyed the archery contest as much as the swordfighting one. Only a pity it’s nearly over – but then, I doubt they can stand much more of this excitement ;-)

After thinking the chapter over a bit – the main reason for the tournament may have failed, but I don’t think it was completely wasted. At least the competitors got to know each other better, some new friendships seem to begin blooming, and I think there are stronger bonds developing between the Tol Eressëans and the Reborn, and even some of the Amaneldi – not least the three Kings. There are *some* elves who will have a better understanding.

Do I need to mention that I can’t wait to know more about this meeting between Finrod and Vorondil? That were great chapters. This is already the longest story at SoA, but it’s still getting better and better, and I don't want it to ever end :)

Author Reply: Of course, Námo's perspective on things is not that of the elves, and while the true purpose of the tournament may not have happened, I thihk you are correct that friendships have been forged, at least among the competitors, fighters and archers alike, who can at least relate on a professional level in terms of their fighting and archery skills.

The next couple of chapters will deal with Finrod and Vorondil, culminating in a public trial where the outcome will be somewhat different from what everyone may expect.

NarielReviewed Chapter: 131 on 10/29/2007
I'm so glad that you updated within a week with two chapters this time. Is there a catch to you updating with two chapters faster than you had done previously in the last few weeks?

We finally find out who the mysterious archer is! I wonder why he acted like he did when Finrod's name was mentioned? Was he an elf who had lived in his realm of Nargothrond? If he was, I'm thinking that he is most likely feeling guilty for abandoning Finrod in his moment of need in the Lay of Luthien. Or was he a friend of Finrod's in Beleriand? I wonder...

Mithlas has improved a lot since we last met up with him and now he's helping another Moriquendi. I'm not using it as a deragatory term here if you are wondering. It's nice to see him make friends with Turindil who seems like he needs one. What does Turindil mean? I'm thinking it means 'friend of...' It isn't a lot but at least I know that 'dil' is 'friend' in Quenya.

The part where Aldarion misses by a long shot is quite funny. I did archery as a teen and once I shot it in a hill which happened to be extremely far from the targets. I think I lost the arrow which I had to at least try and find. I so want to see Findis's reaction to when Aldarion tells her that her bracelets destracted him and almost made him hit the High King. Will we get to?

You responded in the chapter where Finrod and Haldir fight that you would never leave a reader hanging. Well now you have with this evil cliffhanger that I so want to find out what happens.

Thanks for updating today! It made me really cheerful to see this. I had a really bad day today with some people who were being jerks so this was a treat and a suprise for me.

Author Reply: Hi Nariel. Glad these chapters made your day. Turindil's name can be translated as "lover of victory". And we will learn the truth of his history very shortly, before the tournament ends.

Also, I said that I wouldn't leave readers hanging for long, not that I would never leave them hanging. *LOL* And cliffhangers are only evil from YOUR perspective, not mine *smirk*

Beruthiels CatReviewed Chapter: 131 on 10/29/2007
AARRGGHH!!! Give us TWO lovely chapters so you can leave us with another cliffie...that's evil. More, please!
I like Turindil. Hmmm...released ahead of time, and seemingly familiar. What ARE you up to NOW, Fiondil?
*Grins*

BC

Author Reply: Not telling! *LOL* But don't worry, the next chapter will be posted fairly soon. I just need to finish writing the chapter after that, as they go together. Have patience.

BTW, if you sent me a PM, as you said you were planning to do, I have yet to receive it.

LilandrielReviewed Chapter: 131 on 10/29/2007
*sighs* i forgot to fill in my name and email!

*slaps forhead* time for bed.....

Author Reply: That's all right Lilandriel. It happens. Yes, it is rather sad that the Reborn are subjected to such disinterest. I rather liken them to the vets returning from the Vietnam War or some other unpopular confrontation and the reaction of the people back home.

As for the archery contest... just used my imagination and tried to figure out what would be considered suitable tests of an archer's skill, especially elven archers.

And the song... well, let's just say the Muse was on a roll... *grin* Glad you found both versions amusing.

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