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The Last Messenger: A Tale of Númenor  by Fiondil 5 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/3/2008
So, it appears the family was meant to suffer its own immolation in parody for the temple to Morgoth that Sauron raised. Now, what has happened to your namesake, Fiondil? Sounds as if his sister was right to weep in anxiety.

Author Reply: I hadn't really thought about the connection between what happened to Valandil and Vandiel's family and the temple dedicated to Morgoth, but you're right. It is a sign of things to come. As to what happened to Fiondil... we'll find out soon enough.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/29/2008
Hah, the plot thickens. I liked the effect Laurendil had on Vandiel. Meeting an elf is not something she ever expected. I did a double take when your name showed up in the story. So, what is young Fiondil up to? I just hope he also makes it back alive.

Author Reply: I think meeting an elf for the first time, especially when you're not expecting to, would be somewhat traumatic, so fainting is allowed. *grin* The character Fiondil was created several years ago when I first started writing fanfic, though not at that time posting anything. When I started posting on SoA and was looking for a screen-name, Fiondil was my first choice. *grin* As to what the young Man is up to and what his ultimate fate is.... stay tuned, there's more to come.

EdlynReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/28/2008
Oh, what a good read this chapter was! I'm on tenterhooks wondering what happened to Fiondil.

I liked the use of Adûnaic, though it takes some getting used to seeing on the screen after getting used to the italics being generally Quenya or Sindarin. It's intersting how much... harsher, I guess the word is... Adûnaic sounds than the Elvish languages, not at harsh as the dawrvish language (don't ask me to spell its actual name) and definitely not as harsh as the Black Speech. Hmmm. I hadn't really noticed before that the further away the culture is from Aman and the Valar the harsher the language sounds. I wonder if Professor Tolkien consciously intended that or if it was a something that he did subconsciously. Given his religious background and his grounding in history and his interest in music as well as languages I wonder if he might have been considering how the music of man is cacaphony compared to the music of the angels.

Oops! Can you tell I'm hanging around academia again? In any case meldonya, I'm really liking this tale and look forward to it's continuation.

Author Reply: Hi, Edlyn. Well, I have no idea if Tolkien consciously or unconsciously arranged the languages in such a hierarchal order from pure euphony (Valarina and Elvish) to pure cacaphony (Black Speech) but it almost sounds like an interesting subject for a thesis paper, doesn't it? LOL Adûnaic, what little we know of it, is a rather interesting language, especially seeing the influence of Sindarin on it. When you read through the actual vocabulary list of all the known Adûnaic words, you can see where there has been heavy borrowing from Sindarin, which makes sense.

As to what happened to Fiondil.... well, you'll just have to wait and see. Glad you are enjoying the tale. Thanks for reviewing.

NeiliaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/26/2008
This intriguing story has my total interest. I am impationtly waiting for the next chapter. :-) Love, Neilia

Author Reply: Thanks, Neilia. I'm glad you are enjoying the tale so far.

RadbooksReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/26/2008
I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to meet an elf, though I'm willing to do so! Fainting seems like a perfectly reasonable response to me.

I do hope that Mardil is a faithful servant and not some sort of spy... I'm always suspicious of these sorts of people, especially after reading of the horrible fire that killed the twins' parents. As for the missing Fiondil, I'm so hoping he didn't turn against this Order. The damage he could do would be incredible, but if he had I suppose they'd already be picked up or whatever the term would be in that age!

It's interesting that the Valar didn't tell Laurendil that the grandfather was dead, I wonder what that is all about. I'm not asking, mind you, just curious! :)

Looking forward to the next chapter and looking forward to seeing Isildur.

Thanks for sharing this, it's very enjoyable. I hope you're enjoying your break, I think you're on your break now.

Author Reply: Hi Radbooks. No fear about Mardil; he's the soul of discretion as every good house steward should be. As for Fiondil... we will learn of his fate soon enough.

The Valar don't do anything without a reason and there is more going on than even Laurendil suspects.

And yes, I am officially on my winter break for the next month. *grin* So I have LOTS of time for writing. Oh joy!! *LOL* Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

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