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The Wars of the Valar  by Fiondil 10 Review(s)
TariReviewed Chapter: 29 on 10/7/2008
And so it begins. Again!

Where can I find Tolkien's translation of The Lord's Prayer into Quenya?

Author Reply: Tolkien's translation of the Lord's Prayer was published in Vinyar Tengwar. It can be ordered online. The best way is to google it and you should find it. He also did an incomplete version of the prayer in Sindarin.

ImhirielReviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/24/2008
Do I understand this correctly that you draw a connection between the course of the battle (and how it effects the nine planets) and the actual facts and properties of our solar system?

Unbeknown to Námo, Vairë was having a similar conversation with two of her own Máyar,

While I was reading about Námo's request to his Máyar, I was thinking to myself, "I can even imagine that Vairë has the same idea..." - and lo and behold! I am proved right. Had me laughing out loud!

Although, like the other reviewers, I also immediately thought "balrogs" at reading "beings of pure nuclear fire", I wonder if it could not also be dragons, especially in light of your revelation of the Chinese tale you were thinking of.

Author Reply: Yes, I tried to come up with a reason why the solar system looks the way it does today based on the war between Melkor and the Valar when Earth is just being formed.

Hmm... never thought about the dragons... now I have to come up with how they came into being. *goes back to list of things to write about in 'Wars' *grin**

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/3/2008
Oh, my goodness. I know the world isn't destroyed so I have hope that it will all turn out okay in the end, but I'm worried about what the cost is going to be. Are those Balrogs that came out of the stars? It sounds like it, but I'm not sure.

It was interesting listening in on Namo and Orome's conversation about how they wanted to go on the offensive. I certainly hope they don't go and do something that Manwe doesn't want them to and get in trouble by being out of place.

When are Name and Vaire just going to tie the knot! :)

Author Reply: We'll find out exactly what came out of the stars in the next chapter and what effect they have on the war. As for Námo and Oromë... they may want to do one thing but they are both wise enough to obey Manwë, though that doesn't mean that in the heat of battle all orders will be forgotten. We'll just have to see.

As for Námo and Vairë... as soon as they tell me, I'll let you know. LOL

Thanks for reviewing, Radbooks. I really appreciate it.

CesReviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/2/2008
Hmmmmm, "pure nuclear fire," a precursor to the balrogs I'm wondering?

It's always hard just waiting to see what the other side is going to do, isn't it? Although, as Manwe obviously knows, sometimes that's the smarter option. It makes both sides nervous and one is bound to make a mistake.

A great big, "AWWWWWWWW," to Námo and Vairë - they are so cute together and you are showing us a softer side of the future big bad doomsayer!

Ok, back to work for me!

Ces

Author Reply: We'll find out about these "super-balrogs" as some reviewers are calling them in the next chapter.

War is usually mostly waiting around to see what the other side will do next. A very nerve-wracking experience from what I've been told (never having been in a war zone myself).

Glad you like the ongoing Námo-Vairë romance. Maybe we'll actually see them espoused one of these days. *grin*

Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

RhyselleReviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/1/2008
Poor Lotesse. But I'm glad that she was able to give the first warning, and I loved how Orome and Vana reassured her.

It's interesting to visualize Manwe's plan of defense, and to see the other Ayanamuz's reactions to it.

In particular, though, I loved the interaction between Namo and Vaire.

"You and I have been through too much with Melkor," she told Namo. "I don't want to lose you."

"You will not," he assured her, giving her a quick embrace and a kiss. "You're stuck with me for all the Ages of Ea and beyond."


That is so tender and romantic!

I liked the three-dimensional battle. Living in a planet's gravitational field with a horizon, it's easy to forget that in space you have not just the plane of the elliptic but all the space above and below as well to worry about. And thanks to for the physical reality that in a vacuum, battle is soundless. :)

BTW, did you sketch out the orbits of the worlds when you conceived of this battle?

The council on Olympus Mons just held me enthralled, and I got a shiver at the way the voices of the Valar sounded in my mind as they discussed the situation and worked on making their decisions on what to do next. When Manwe said that he feared that the viciousness of the attack would only get worse and could possibly destroy Atharaphelun, I just shuddered and went cold all over.

Varda is so wise: "It will be as it will be," Varda intoned calmly, her expression hardening to resolve. "Our task is to preserve what we may. If only Ambarhíni survives this war it will be enough. The other worlds, dear to us in their own way as they are, are not the focus of this conflict."

Of course the younger ones would prefer to take the battle to the enemy instead of fighting a defensive line. I like how here we see Namo's continuing maturity as he agrees that following Manwe's lead is best.

I chuckled at Namo and Vaire each assigning Mayar to protect the other, and to try to keep the origin of the orders secret from the one they love. I enjoyed reading the Mayar's responses to their respective Lord and Lady.

Erunaro and Manveru have become favorites of mine from your other stories, and it is good to see them in action here.

The ending scene, with the "super-balrogs" (well, that's what my mind came up with when I read about the three of Melkor's people) racing towards them, is probably the most nerve-wracking cliffie you've written so far!

I'm really looking forward to the next chapter! I'm very glad that you update so quickly. :)





Author Reply: Actually, I never did plot out the solar system for this battle, but maybe I should have. *grin*

I'm glad that my descriptions of the battle, especially the three-dimensional aspect of it worked for you and you were able to visualize it without too much trouble. Like you said, living on a planet we tend to forget that a space battle would be three-dimensional and that there really is no sound in space.

Anyway, you're not the only person to think 'super-balrogs'. *grin* We will see what happens to them in the next chapter. I actually was inspired by an ancient Chinese legend I came across while living here. I think you'll find it interesting. *grin*

Thanks for reviewing.


6336Reviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/1/2008
Ooh! Melkor!!!Just has to spoil everything dosen't he!Nasty little squirt! Let's hope they can figure out how to stop the Super Balrogs before they do too much damage!
I do like how Namo and Vaire are taking care of each other, I think their Maya are enjoying them selves doing it as well!
More please,
Lynda

Author Reply: We will see what happens with the 'Super Balrogs' in the next chapter as well as how Námo and Vairë react to learning the other has set guards on them. And the Máyar are definitely enjoying themselves doing so. *grin*

KittyReviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/1/2008
Love Námo and Vairë together here. Námo looked at her and smiled and it was as if a hundred stars had gone nova all at the same time. Nice image *grin* I think it is good for him to be so much in love; it’s distracting him from his bad experiences. And it was sweet that both sent two of their Máyar to guard the other. Can't wait for them to realise :D

Melkor, OTOH ... what can I say, save that he’s awakening my worst site? I could think of a few things to do to him, and I would have a few fitting names for him, but I doubt Nilmandra would appreciate to find them here ;-(


Author Reply: Námo and Vairë are becoming an interesting pair to write about now that they have finally professed their love for one another. Melkor, however, is not interesting at all, but then I never found Evil quite as interesting as others seem to find it. Anyway, I can just imagine what names you would like to call him, because I call him those names, too, though only to myself. *grin*

KayleeReviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/1/2008
Oh, meldonya, this chapter was brilliant and beautiful...the attack made me cry but I'm sure Manwe's got things under control with Atar's help...But of course my VERY favorite part of the chapter was THIS...

Then Námo took two of his younger Máyar aside, holding a private conversation. *Elemmartamirë, thou and Morinehtar have a task that I wish ye to perform, though I doubt not that ye will resent me for it."

The two Máyar exchanged looks, then Elemmartamirë turned to Námo. *Á quetë, héru, núrolyar lastëar,* she said simply and Morinehtar nodded.

*I would have ye guard the Lady Vairë for me,* Námo told them, humbled that they would be so willing to do his bidding though they knew not what it was.

*Doth not thy lady have her own guards, lord?* Morinehtar asked, sounding puzzled at the request.

*Yea, she doth,* Námo conceded, *but I would have ye beside her for my own sake. I trust ye to protect her.*

Elemmartamirë gave her lord a shrewd look, then smiled wickedly. *Thou meanest, lord, that thou wishest for us to keep thy lady out of trouble.*

Námo had the grace to blush at being caught out. *That, too,* was all he said.

For a moment the two Máyar did not respond, bespeaking one to the other in ósanwë while Námo waited patiently for their answer.

*Thou dost not command us to this task, lord?* Morinehtar asked.

*Nay, I do not,* Námo stated, but would not elaborate.

*Then, lord,* Morinehtar said, *rest assured that Elemmartamirë and I will do all in our power to protect the Lady Vairë and to keep her out of harm’s way.*

*And may Atar have mercy on any who seek to prevent us from fulfilling thy wishes, lord,* Elemmartamirë added, her aura going from its placid green to a deep purple as she spoke her vow, her demeanor cold and purposeful.

*That is well, my children,* Námo said, *but be mindful of your own safety. I would not lose either of ye.*

*What should we say to thy lady if she asks why we are guarding her?* Elemmartamirë asked, ever practical about such things.

Námo smirked. *Tell her anything you want, just don’t mention my name in the telling.*

Both Máyar laughed aloud at that. *We will do our best to keep thy identity a secret, lord,* Morinehtar said with a smirk of his own.

Námo nodded. *I thank ye, my children. My heart will be the lighter knowing that two whom I trust implicitly will be watching over my lady.*

*The honor is ours, lord,* Morinehtar said with a bow, which Elemmartamirë echoed. *Our joy is in serving thee in all ways.*

Unbeknown to Námo, Vairë was having a similar conversation with two of her own Máyar, Ancalequirindë and Ardalanyamo. "Ye understand what I ask of ye, my children?"

The two Máyar nodded in acquiescence. "Aye, lady, we do," Ardalanyamo said. "We are to make sure thy lord comes to no harm."

"But what should we say if he questions why we are always beside him during the conflict?" Ancalequirindë enquired.

Vairë merely shrugged. "Whatever ye wish, so long as my name is not mentioned." She gave them both a meaningful stare and the two Máyar grinned, giving their lady a bow before going off to carry out their duty.

****

*laughs* Well, well, well...I wonder what will come of *that*...*chuckles*

~Kaylee!!!!!!!!!!!

Author Reply: Thanks, Kaylee. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter especially Námo and Vairë both trying to protect the other. We'll see how that all works out soon.

Beruthiels CatReviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/1/2008
*Billiards* on a galactic scale...a bit tough to wrap the mind around, but immensely entertaining. Loyalties seem to be coming in for the full test here.
LOL at Námo and Vairë sneaking around to protect each other! This is going to be such fun when they each realize...(You'll need to pick up a typo where Morinehtar is speaking... "ot of harm's way".)
Melkor's three beings coming in at the last sends chills...shades of Ungoliant!
Hope the next chapter isn't long in the works, *grin* What a cliffhanger!

Cat




Author Reply: Thanks, Cat. I've made the correction on the typo.

I tried to keep the battle scenes believable and clear enough so most people would be able to follow what was going on. One has to remember that a 'space battle' would be three-dimensional in scope rather than two-dimensional. At any rate, I hope I don't lose too many readers with this.

As for Námo and Vairë... they're going to be rather embarrassed when they find out what each has been up to. LOL

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 29 on 6/1/2008
He is a tricksy one, isn't he, our Melkor? Nasty soul, he is; and intent on full destruction. Ah, but the damage will be fairly minor, we know; yet it may cost many much.

Author Reply: The damage will be extensive enough that the Ayanumuz will have to spend much time reparing the damage. How extensive the damage will be will be revealed in the next chapter.

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