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The Wars of the Valar  by Fiondil 8 Review(s)
TariReviewed Chapter: 14 on 8/11/2008
The Maia get into trouble? No way. Tehehehehehe. Námo’s feeling a little playful hmmmm. That’s a good sign.

I don’t think things will ever be the same for Námo and Irmo, I think they will be better. The stars rejoiced as they do when one of us has been lost but now is found.

Tari

Author Reply: We always want things to be "as they were" but of course that cannot happen. That doesn't mean that relationship are changed for the worse; often they are matured to a deeper level than could have been possible if certain things had not happened. This is the situation with Námo and Irmo. And the stars do indeed rejoice.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 14 on 1/29/2008
I’m supposed to refer to her as She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named from now on? *lol* Reminds me of Voldemort. Oh, as I said before, I’d have some rather fitting names for her. Though I’m not sure Námo could translate them correctly ;-)

Now I don’t know if I should be amused or better feel sorry for all of them – Námo for still being so confused and traumatised, the others for having to put up with his rather unpredictable behaviour.


Author Reply: When Vairë insisted no one mention Acairis' name in her presence, I just couldn't resist and I definitely had the Harry Potter series in mind when I wrote Námo's response. LOL

This is a trying time for them all, Námo trying to recover from his trauma, and the others trying to come to terms with what happened and trying to understand why Námo is acting the way he is. It's both amusing and sad, so both reactions are appropriate.

Nieriel RainaReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/24/2007
Oh dear! I got no alert for this! ARGH!

I loved this chapter, Fiondil. I find it interesting to see Namo dealing with so many things he will find later in the Children. I am seeing just how deep his compassion goes, for those who have experienced the darkness feel more deeply for those in it. Namo's childishness with Vaire had me chuckling. I was glad to see Vaire sent home to do some healing of her own. She just isn't ready to really help Namo yet, is she? I mean, no fault of hers, just she has some things that need to heal as well. I finally felt for her here.

I was worried with Namo's playing with temptation with the black hole. Do you think he was thinking he might find some relief or oblivion there from his memories and pain? I think I broke into a sweat there.

I am enjoying seeing a more immature Manwe learn to deal with everything too. He is still more mature than the others, but so far from the Manwe we know in EI. Orome also makes me chuckle. Loved Irmo's interest in dreams and was great to see, too.

I wonder why Namo sleepwalks? Will we find out?

okay I'm off to read EI update. Great chapter, Fiondil!

NiRi

Author Reply: Glad you loved this chapter, NiRi. All of the Valar are still "young" in comparison to what we see in EI or in the Silmarillion, so even Manwë has things to learn about being the "Elder King". We are also seeing incipient aspects of their ultimate interests and "job descriptions", like Irmo being interested in Námo's dreams and Oromë's hunting skills, etc.

As to why Námo sleepwalks... it may be a consequence of his nightmares and the trauma he's experienced, it may be something else entirely. Too early to tell.

Beruthiels CatReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/23/2007
Enjoying this tale immensely, Fiondil! Námo's "sleepwalking" is a charming touch, and opens the door (along with his nightmares) for further grooming of the others in the roles we have become so accustomed to seeing them.
Laughing at Oromë's assignment as bodyguard, lol...and looking forward to Tulkas' eventual appearance.
The Biblical references were a wonderful touch; well done! I think we forget at times that the divine has a capacity for humor as well as joy- I digress a little there, but I knew you'd understand my rather fragmented train of thought...
Interesting to see how you're setting this up, especially in regards to Námo's personal future... as he will have the most difficult role of all (The Valar) I'm speculating his experiences will be "specifically" tailored to deeply understanding those with whom he will be charged-and how he will react to those lessons...

BC

P.S. I think I have an idea about where those missing Rohirrim went (and how) but that's another story...*winks*

Author Reply: Hi Cat! Thanks for your review and I'm glad you're still enjoying this tale. Yes, Námo's experiences, difficult and as traumatic as they may be, will stand him in good stead when faced with the fëar of Elves and Mortals under similar conditions. and of course we are beginning to see each of the Valar begin to take on the roles for which they are known to us through the Silmarillion. Tulkas, of course, is a late-comer on the scene, but he will show up, I promise. *grin*

And if you have an idea where the missing Rohirrim went, send me a private email... I'm curious to know, because I have no clue myself what happened to them. *LOL*

ImhirielReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/23/2007
I found it sad yet very realistic that Námo would soon "come down" from the childish elation of the last chapter - I guess there had been a good lacing of pent-up hysterics responsible for the giddiness, no true and lasting recovery yet. But it was good to see that even then part of his wicked sense of humour shone through (even if Vairë was the "victim"). And was that a tiny allusion to *whisper*Voldemort*whisper*?

The discussion about the "strange" phenomena of sleep and dreaming was very interesting, and I had to smile at Irmo's eagerness to learn all he can about them: the master of dreams and visions gets his first glimpse of his future area of responsibility.

A right and good suggestion to Vairë regarding her Máyar and her need for time to recover from her own ordeal. I wager she had been so concerned about Námo that she had had no time to dwell on it until now, but that now he is found, there is the real danger that it is all going to come crashing to the fore.

And again the charming sight of an Ayanuz playing with the features of the universe - niiiiice!

For some reason, Irmo's shouts of joy, "My brother has been found" reminded me of the story of the Prodigal son. I don't think there is any direct parallel to your story - I think it was the very contrast between Irmo's joyful and relieved reaction to Námo's return, and the sullen, grudging reaction of the Biblical brother at the return of his brother and the glad reception of his father.

Author Reply: Well, maybe there was a very tiny allusion to HP *grin*. It was really too good to pass up, especially the way Námo and Vairë were going on like a couple of pre-teens. I half expected Námo to stick his tongue out at one point! LOL

Yes, Námo's recovery I think is going to be a case of "one step forward, two steps back" for some time to come and he's not the only one in need of healing, of course. Vairë and her Máyar need healing and there are Námo's Máyar as well, bereft of their lord and in terror of what has happened to him. I'm sure Nienna and Estë have their hands full.

There are obviously a number of biblical parallels in this chapter, though nothing explicit nor direct. Larner found one parallel, others have mentioned the Prodigal Son, as well, not for the older brother or even for the younger one, but for the joy of the father in having one he thought lost returned to him.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/23/2007
"And who, having a hundred sheep and one strayed, will not leave the ninety and nine to seek the one lost; and having found it will lay it upon his shoulders as he carries it home again, calling out to his fellows, 'Come, rejoice with me, for the lost has been found again!'"?

Yes, they have reason to be glad indeed.

Author Reply: Indeed they do. I'm sure many readers will recognize the biblical allusions, not only to the passage you just quoted, but to the Parable of the Prodigal Son where the father rejoices in one he thought lost. Not that I wrote this chapter with that conscious intent, but it's hard not to find biblical parallels when dealing with Tolkien's "Archangels". *grin*

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/22/2007
Wow - great chapter - and as I was reading it, I remembered the many Elves that Namo has helped through the screaming terrors that they have been assailed with. I wonder how often he remembered the arms of his Atar... and offered his own.

Great chapter.

Author Reply: Thanks Agape. I'm glad you liked this chapter. I'm sure Námo's own experiences here will help him with dealing with the terrors suffered by the Elves (and perhaps even some Mortals) and help them through them, just as Atar is helping him through his.

AlquawendeReviewed Chapter: 14 on 10/22/2007
This is a treat! Thanks for working on this! I loved the part where Namo annoys Vaire with him chanting 'Acairis...' I wonder what other things that they shall discover other than the ability to dream and sleep when in their hroa too much... Is this to prepare them for the coming of the Eldar and Atani?

Author Reply: You're welcome. I don't intend to abandon this story any time soon, so don't worry. *grin* Yes, Námo is definitely in "wee!Námo" mode here, isn't he? LOL I'm sure that the experiences they have while in their hróar will help them to understand where the Eldar and the Atani are coming from. This will be especially true of Námo who will have the most direct contact with the Eruhíni when they die.

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