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The Wars of the Valar  by Fiondil 12 Review(s)
ImhirielReviewed Chapter: 39 on 5/17/2009
I see that right at the start of the chapter my concerns from the previous one were wrong. Well, wrong at least for *now*.

I've always found the dynamic among Ulmo-Ossë-Uinen very interesting and am always glad when it is explored somewhat. All three strike me as very wild, unbound, temperamental (appropriate for the deep sea), and it's fascinating to ask how they would manoeuver their relationships, loyalties and duties (which also, not to forget, include care for the calmer waters on land).

but the record of the oaths uttered by ye who are from my first Thoughts shall be closed to all except me. Not even Manwë, who is my vice-gerent in Eä, will have the right to view these oaths.

Hmmmm. Intriguing.

Author Reply: The dynamics between Ulmo and these two Maiar have always been interesting for me so I was glad of the opportunity to explore it here. Many people, I know, automatically assign Osse as Ulmo's chief Maia, but given his wildness I could never see that, which is why I have another Maia, Salmar, who is mentioned as the Maia who constructed Ulmo's conches, as his Chief Maia, at least in my Valar-verse.

And Eonwe has a very heavy burden to bear, but one that he is fully capable of bearing, else Atar would never have given him the task of being His Oathkeeper.

TariReviewed Chapter: 39 on 10/29/2008
I wondered if this was the same Eönwë as in Elf Interrupted. I’m glad to see it is and to find out how he was chosen for that particular job. He was an excellent choice.

Tari

Author Reply: As far as I know, there's only one Eonwe. *grin* He was an excellent choice indeed.

Nieriel RainaReviewed Chapter: 39 on 10/2/2008
I want to thank you for bringing the Silm to such life with your musings. Watching it all play out through the eyes of the Valar has been so moving and exciting! Even though we know the main gist of the plot, you give it such color and richness! Wonderful chapter!

Author Reply: Thanks, NiRi. Now that we are definitely within canon in this part of the story I am trying to make it as interesting and as moving as possible without going outside canon too much. Glad you enjoyed this chapter.

EarlindeReviewed Chapter: 39 on 9/26/2008
So Aulendil or should I say Sauron's betrayal is near at hand! I was wondering how long he could keep up the charade. Looks like the leopards spots are showing.

Fionwë, man is he throwing me for a loop! I was thinking it would have been Eönwë to put up the most resistance, after all he had the most to loose. But he is taking it all in good stride.

And why do I get the feeling that Ossë is going to rue the day he ever even listened to Melkor. Especially if Ulmo and Uinen team up. Almost makes you feel sorry for him. Almost! *grins*

Great work as usual!

P.S. You have officially turned me into an Eönwë fanatic!

Author Reply: Hi Eärlindë! I'm glad you've become another Eönwë fan Welcome to the club! As Námo pointed out, Eönwë is older in Atar's Thought than Fionwë and so he's more mature and able to deal with the situation more easily, but Fionwë will find his way, never fear.

As for Ossë... we'll see in the next chapter what happens to him.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 39 on 9/24/2008
How terrible it must be for the Valar and Maiar to watch how their lovely world is ruined by Melkor!

Eöneë and Olórin are making good progress, I see. Fionwë, however, seems to be another matter entirely. Hopefully it will help him to hunt these beasts down; this might be a good idea to allow him to put his anger and need/wish to fight to good use.

Hm, so that was how and when Ossë erred? I wonder which punishment awaits him ... and I’d like to be a fly on the wall while Uinen deals with him ;) Not to mention Aulë and the other Valar.

Eönwë was intriguing here, knowing so instinctively that Ossë was lying. And it’s a great idea to tie this to Atar giving him his job as oathkeeper. Not we only need to find out who invented the infamous book ;)

Really, I wish Námo would have talked to Aulë or Manwë about his uneasiness concerning Aulendil, even if he had no proof back then *sigh* And I have to remind myself firmly *every* time I see the name Curumo that he’s not a traitor yet! At the moment I could nearly feel sorry for him, as much as I despise him.


Author Reply: I'm sure it was devastating which is why they 'retreated' behind the Pelóri once Valinor was built. They just couldn't handle the heartache of seeing all that they had worked so hard to accomplish be destroyed.

Eönwë and Olórin are somewhat older than Fionwë and perhaps that makes the difference in their reactions to things. I'm sure Oromë straightens him out.

As for the infamous Book... perhaps one day we'll find out.

I'm sure Námo regretted not telling Manwë and Aulë of his suspicions but that's how things go and everyone has to live with it.

CesReviewed Chapter: 39 on 9/24/2008
Eönwë has quickly become quite a favorite with me. I'd love to see you do some little ficlets with him recording some oaths of certain elflings (Legolas, Elladan/Elrohir, Arwen, etc.)

Until then I will enjoy his appearances in this story. He was just so awed and honored with what Atar bestowed on him, wasn't he? How much free time does he get anyway with all the oaths to be recorded?!

And we see that Aulendil has shown his true colors. Poor Aulë.

Do you realize that whenever Atar shows up in your stories it puts me at peace? I can feel myself relaxing and it always brings a smile to my face. Thanks for that!

Ces

Author Reply: Hi Ces. I'm glad you like Eönwë so much. From the moment he showed up in "Elf, Interrupted: Book One" he was an instant hit with everyone, including me. *grin* Perhaps some day he'll let me get a peek at his Book and then I can write about some of those oaths. *grin*

I'm sure as a Maia he is able to multi-task and has as much free time as needed.

Poor Aulë indeed, especially when he loses a second Maia (Saruman) later on.

I'm glad that Atar's appearance in my stories puts you in peace. That's great.

Thanks for reviewing and letting me know what you think about this tale. I really appreciate it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 39 on 9/24/2008
Well--at last Aulendil begins to display his true colors and nature. When at last he is encountered again, it will be with a true appreciation of where his loyalties lie.

Excellent.

Author Reply: All too true as we will see in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing, Larner. I appreciate it.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 39 on 9/23/2008
Oops, I seem to be repeating myself, sorry about that, but it is apt!
Lynda

Author Reply: no problem.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 39 on 9/23/2008
Oh, very nice chapter here. I love the 'commissioning' of Eonwe into his place as Oathkeeper. What a huge responsibility that would be and it would seem so overwhelming, especially the part about not letting anyone see the oaths of the Valar and Maiar... that would be a very tough thing to do! How do you say no to the lord you've sworn allegiance to?

The way the whole planet is changing is just creepy all the way around... makes me shudder to imagine it and now Sauron has disappeared so that can't be good.

I liked meeting Oshosai and Uinen... they are an interesting couple! Oshosai is never quite... tamed, is he? *grin* He does like to stir things up around the waters of the world!



Author Reply: Hi Radbooks. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. I sort of relate Eönwë's position as Oatheeper to something similar to that of a priest and the 'seal of confession' which is inviolate. And of course at this point of time none of the Valar and Maiar are aware that their own oaths are being recorded, only Námo knows about that but then his position is unique.

According to the Silmarillion Oshosai/Ossë is never quite tame, which is why Uinen keeps a tight leash on her husband. *grin*

Thanks for commenting. I really appreciate it.

eilujReviewed Chapter: 39 on 9/23/2008
So now Eönwë -- or someone -- needs to invent writing, paper, pen and ink, and book-binding! Luckily there's plenty of time available....


Presumably Eönwë records the oaths in the same language they're uttered in. He would have begun recording oaths in the Elvish languages long before the elves invented their own systems of writing, so it would make sense for him to continue using the symbols he originally began using (rather than switch to the elves' alphabets when recording oaths in their languages).

Yet the elves developed their own alphabets rather than use the Ainur's -- which leads me to assume they didn't ever encounter the Ainur's writing (or not until after they developed their own). Interesting.

I'm wondering if Eönwë is responsible for recording the oaths of Melkor's people, and/or the oaths of those who are currently concealing their true allegiance. If so, that rather puts him in the same category as Námo, though with different knowledge.

[Mental picture of all the Ainur attending classes to learn how to read and write.]


"Cipher" seems an odd word to use re. Fionwë. I don't think you're using it in the sense of "nonentity." Of course, it can also mean "code," but that doesn't seem to have the connotation (or denotation) of "mystery," which is the best I can interpret that sentence.

Author Reply: Tolkien says that once the Valar encountered the Eldar and learned their language which we now call Quenya they abandoned their own language and adopted Quenya completely. As for writing systems, I suspect that Eönwë may have developed a written system to record the oaths of the Valar and Maiar which were made originally in Valarin but once everyone (even Morgoth and Sauron seemingly) made the switch to the Elvish languages and writing was invented, then he recorded everything in those languages. I think he might have even inspired Rumil to come up with a writing system and Melian would have encouraged the elves of Doriath to devise their own system as well.

As to whether Eönwë is responsible for recording the oaths of Melkor's people... read my Tapestry story "Secret and Silent: the Oathkeeper" to find out the answer to your question.

As for cipher... I guess I was using it to mean "mystery" since usually a code is initially a mystery. I was unaware that when referring to a person it means someone who is a nonentity. Thanks for pointing it out to me. I've since changed the word to "enigma" which is what I was aiming for.

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