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My Oaths I Will Keep  by Encaitariel 14 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 6 on 9/12/2008
The whole story has been written with gentleness and empathy. I rejoice that Finrod remained faithful also to Gildor's own father, and that Gildor was in the end able to go to the Undying Lands and find his peace, and be reunited with the one who served as his foster father as well as, it is to be hoped, his true father as well. How proud both were of him, and with reason, of course.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 5 on 9/12/2008
It would be heartbreaking to be bade stay in such circumstances. I am glad he did. But we see the great honor and heart of Finrod contrasted with the selfishness of those two of Feanor's sons who were within his court. The snake and the shameless one? Well named!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 9/12/2008
And so they move more surely to the end of their own hidden kingdom. And several find themselves feeling that end approach, not knowing what they are to do about it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 9/12/2008
Some level of foresight resides in Gildor; now he realizes his foster father sees the same. only more clearly, I think.

Author Reply: Finrod definitely sees more than anyone else at this point. I have always seen him as one of the most astute and intuitive elves, regardless of any gift of foresight he had. I think you're right. It's pretty clear in Tolkien's text that Finrod knew exactly what the consequence of his oath to Barahir would be; at least once Beren showed up at that particular point in history. And yet he was still faithful...

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/12/2008
Alas, the end if Nargothrond approaches. But this is necessary in the end, grievous as it is.

Author Reply: The end, indeed... or at least the beginning of the end. Hm, the destruction of Nargothrond a necessity? Interesting. How do you see it?

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 9/12/2008
Lindan seems similar to Loki in many ways. And Gildor is in love? Wonderful!

Author Reply: Thanks for the review! Which Loki do you mean? The malevolent trickster god of Norse mythology? Lindan does have a certain impish quality, I will admit. His purpose in the story is to provide a lighter counter-weight to Gildor, who I have found likes to brood. I really enjoy writing him. It gives me a chance to approach the high drama and deep cogitating that I usually find myself writing from a different angle, and not bury the story beneath it. At least I hope it comes out that way.

As for Gildor and Meordel... Well, I thought it was time. If my real life projects ever die down soon, I have quite a bit in store for all three.

NeiliaReviewed Chapter: 6 on 5/10/2008
I have read this tale in full and found it to be written beautifully. Gildor is my absolute favorite Elf in all of Midle Earth and I love the way you have portrayed him. Finrod is elegant and regal. He is my favorite Elven King. Lindan is truly a character that is a highlight of this story. Anyway, I guess I really like this and it is a 'keeper'. :D Hugs, Neilia

Author Reply: Hello, Neilia,

Sorry for getting back to you so late. Thank you very much for leaving a review, and for your praise. Lindan is a character which I really enjoy writing for, so I am glad that you liked him. And I agree with you on Finrod. While this particular story is within my "Gildor as foster-son of Finrod" continuity, and is indeed centered around him, the story was built around Finrod. I wanted him to be the heart of it, seeing as it is his last appearance in this continuity (at least for a very long, long time). The scene in the Great Hall was the first thing I wrote, and everything built off of that.

So, thanks, again, very much for the review, and for the "keeping". ;)

-Encaitariel

Calenlass GreenleafReviewed Chapter: 5 on 11/1/2007
All right, I just read my review for this chapter, and was dismayed at how badly it came out. Perhaps I shouldn't review when it's late at night...

What I meant it say is, the thoughts that run through his mind--thoughts about his kingdom, his other duties, etc. But when that one moment came for mine to fulfill his oath, he just...did it. He probably already knew the consequences, but he still went. That sort of loyalty was truly admirable.

The last thing I want to say is: I've written the scene perfectly.

Hope that's clearer now, and that it doesn't sound too much like a rambling review.

~Calenlass

CalenlassReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/25/2007
Such powerful emotions...One can only wonder what Finrod was thinking when he decided to go with Beren.
You've portrayed him most wonderfully. Gildor, too. One can only wonder at the depth of his grief.

-Calenlass

Author Reply: Thanks, Calenlass, for the review. Finrod's response to Beren, at this part in the Silmarillion, is one of the reasons why I think that he is by far the greatest (and by that I mean the most worthy of honor) of all of Tolkien's elves. I think that the one short sentence which encapsulates the feelings of Finrod the Faithful on his part in Beren's quest is "Yet my own oath holds; and thus are we all ensnared". (Silmarillion, p. 205)

Raksha The DemonReviewed Chapter: 5 on 10/25/2007
Not exactly the Feanorians' finest hour, to so betray and undo their kinsman. Finrod's nobility and courage shine forth here. (sniff - poor Finny!)

Author Reply: Thank you for taking the time to review. Gildor has always fascinated me as a character, and I have often thought of how he could be "of the House of Finrod" (ignoring Tolkien's indecision on who Finrod was at that time). If you enjoyed Gildor being Finrod's foster-son, then take a look at "In This Far Land" (I'm shameless, I know!), it not as complete as this one is, but still continues it's slow progress.

Thanks, again,
-Encaitariel

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