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| Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest by Fiondil | 14 Review(s) |
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| Imhiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 6/7/2009 |
| This is a beautiful chapter. When I came to the end and read about Glorfindel's dream, I had a happy smile on my face at the idea (and also because we the readers know who he will be "tending" in the future, don't we?). Author Reply: Thanks, Imhiriel. I'm glad you found this chapter to be so beautiful. Some readers thought the image of the garden and Glorfindel tending it cliché but then, let's face it, most dreams are of that nature, but I liked the symbolism and it ties in nicely with what he and Niondil discussed earlier. And even if Glorfindel didn't know who would end up in his garden in the future, we readers certainly know, which makes this chapter (to my mind) a fun one to read, because we can all populate the future garden with the people who will be there. | |
| Tari | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 2/10/2009 |
| I chuckled when I read that Glorfindel didn’t appreciate being treated like an elfling when in fact, that is exactly how he is acting. It’s good that he is now in Niondil’s care and learning new and important things that will help shape his future, such as worry about today, tomorrow will take care of itself. I never thought of us as gardeners before, but it makes sense. I can’t wait to see where Glorfindel takes this knowledge. Author Reply: Rather ironic, isn't it? *grin* But he does have a point when it comes to needing protection. It's everyone else who needs protection... from him! *lol* I'm not sure if Niondil will appear in future chapters, but I won't discount it where any of the Maiar are concerned. Like many of them, such as Tiutalion, Maranwë and Nyéreser, he just was there and not in any hurry to go away. We'll see.... | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 2/9/2009 |
| Knowing as we do whose household Glorfindel will join one day, and some of those whom he will help nurture, this idea of him looking at the portion of the garden to be planted and tended in time is that much more the delightful. Ah, yes, a very good day indeed for him, and now we better understand Lisselinde's trespass. Nicely done. Author Reply: Hi, Larner. I'm glad you found the idea of Glorfindel looking at the portion of the garden to be planted and tended in time a delightful image. I thought so myself. *grin* Hopefully Glorfindel's good mood will stay for a while. We'll see more of Lisselindë in the next chapter as she and Námo have their 'little chat'. | |
| Independence1776 | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 2/8/2009 |
| What a chapter! "Glorfindel nearly gave the Elder King a black eye as he suddenly launched himself at the Vala." This, for some reason, is actually my favorite line. I'm just glad Manwë knew how to handle him. However, I found the gardening stuff somewhat clichéd. But if it helps Glorfindel... His next encounter with Lisselindë will hopefully have less fireworks. I see absolutely nothing wrong with having pancakes, maple syrup, etc. Your reading of the line is how I've always read it. Author Reply: Well, in an agricultural society such as the Elves had, gardening would be a motif familiar to them all even if some did not actually engage in the activity (such as Glorfindel), so it would be natural for them to make such connections as Niondil makes between gardeners and warriors, though such a connection would make sense only to someone like Glorfindel who had experienced life as a warrior. In that case it wouldn't be clichéd, but a new way of looking at his role in life, especially since he knows he's not a gardener in the traditional sense of the word. We'll see how Glorfindel and Lisselindë get on after this soon enough. | |
| Hel | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 2/8/2009 |
| I like that picture: the future as a bare garden still to plant. It sounds like that the fight (or workout as some maiar call it) was like a storm cleansing the air. It seemed to help Glorfindel to get rid of some of his inner tension and darker emotions. At one point I really waited that Lord Manwe would try to feed the soup to Glorfindel. And is was really impolite of Lord Manwe to send three of his warriors. Two would really have been enough: one to hold each of the disputants back from attacking the other. If people continue like this Lord Namo will get more routine in having "little chats" than he like. And I really like Tiutalion and Niondil and the way they care for Glorfindel. Author Reply: Thanks, Hel. I'm glad you liked the image of the future as a bare garden still to plant. I'm sure that there was a lot of 'clearing-the-air' in Glorfindel's little workout. *grin* Tiutalion and Niondil are way cool, IMO, and I like them a lot. Sad to say, I did not create them... they both just showed up one day demanding to be part of the story. *grin*. I'm sure Lord Námo is rather used to giving 'little chats' by now. It's part of his job description. *lol* | |
| ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 2/8/2009 |
| I liked the fact that Manwe himself showed up to help out Glorfy. What a profound and prophetic dream he had. I like this deeper concept of gardner you have presented. The maiar are wise indeed. Author Reply: Thanks, Ellie. I'm glad you liked this chapter and its deeper concepts. I like giving my stories something for people to ponder as well as to enjoy. | |
| Kaylee | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 2/8/2009 |
| Meldonya! Did you make me hungry for pancakes on purpose? I see I'm not the only one you did it to. And I love Niondil! (I'm not the only one who misread his name, I see. *wry grin*) I wonder what Cemendille thinks of him? Gardener of souls...lovely! What a dream that was...and I sincerely hope that after Lisselinde's, um, talk with the Lord of Mandos she'll have learned better manners. *nods fervently* Hopefully Glorfi and Lisselinde will become friends. *hugs* Sorry I haven't been reviewing lately...I've been through a storm in my personal life. (Rhyselle and Edlyn know all about it; I've wanted to tell you but haven't seen you on IM). Thank you for such a wonderful, thought-provoking chapter! ~Kaylee! Author Reply: Trust me, the Maia's name was not intentionally chosen to confuse anyone. *grin* I'm sure Cemendillë thinks the world of him and loves him very much. We'll see in the next chapter what happens with Lisselindë. No one's giving up on her just yet, but she does have a way to go before she's fully rehabilitated. Glad you liked this chapter, Kaylee. Sorry things haven't been good for you. You can always send me an email if you don't see me on IM. I often run invisible when I'm trying to work on a chapter so I don't get interrupted right in the middle writing. That tends to annoy the Muse and then I have a balrog's own time getting him to cooperate again. *grin* I'm sure you understand. | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 2/8/2009 |
| The first part of this chapter was absolutely fraught with emotion – on MY part! I could empathize totally with Glorfindel. Ranting and raving in the arms of one who loves you is about the only way to do it. Manwë is gorgeous here…. Definitely! That Manwë should be the one who came to comfort Glorfindel seems appropriate to me. Not many of the Secondborn had ever personally and bodily spoke with Ilúvatar. There is meaning in that and I’m sure that fact has not escaped Manwë. "Would you like to help?" I really laughed at this – for a moment, I thought the Maia was asking Glorfindel if he’d like to help Vorondil attack people! : ) “The ellon stopped, cringing at the sound of the hated Quenya version of his name…” OH MY! “A gardener of souls…” – a beautiful thought. One little quibble – In researching my own writings, I have searched all of Tolkien’s books and found no mention of the word ‘soul’ – he does, however, use spirit, seemingly in its place. “You were ‘dead-heading’ a part of her that needed to be removed…” – THIS made me extremely uncomfortable, because it makes so much sense… too close to home, dear Fiondil…. As I’ve said before, my T-shirt reads: Everything I ever needed to know, I learned from Elf Interrupted! “In Ilúvatar’s eyes we are all equal.” I absolutely adored the dream of the garden – very well written. You never fail to surprise me!!!! However - - It brought to mind the image of Glorfindel dying as he slew the Balrog. It is Glorfindel’s own blood that waters the garden. A sad and chilling thought…. I will tell you this, Fiondil, you always make me think and feel and sometimes that is MOST uncomfortable. I sometimes feel like Glorfindel – slowly being nurtured into greater growth. Thank you! From the bottom of my heart! Author Reply: Hi, Apage. I'm glad that you liked this chapter so much, especially Manwë's interaction with Glorfindel and the whole thing with the garden, especially the dream. I like your idea that Glorfindel has watered the garden with his own blood. A chilling thought, perhaps, but apropos. WIth regards to the use of the word 'soul'... I debated about calling this chapter "Gardener of Fëar" but went with 'soul' (rather than 'spirit') for a couple of reasons. One, is that 'soul' and 'spirit' are synonomous. 'Spirit' is ultimately from the French 'espirit' and Latin 'spiritus' meaning: 'the animating or vital principle in a person'. The word appears in Middle English usuage circa 1250. 'Soul' is from Old English _sawol_ meaning: 'spiritual and emotional part of a person'. In Greek and Latin the two aspects of a person (spirit and emotion) are differentiated: pneuma v. psykhe (Greek), spiritus v. anima (Latin), respectively. I decided to use the more wholistic 'soul' to convey both aspects. A second reason is that 'soul' has the additional meaning of a 'person, an individual'. 'Spirit' would not have conveyed that secondary image and I wanted to have both meanings implied. The Quenya fëa encompasses both 'soul' and 'spirit' as the emotional and animating force which lies within the hröa. There is also fëafelmë meaning 'spirit-impulse', i.e. the impulses or emotions originating with the spirit (animating force), such as love, pity, anger, hate, etc. Ultimately, though, I just decided to keep the entire chapter title in English and use 'soul' as being more inclusive of all connotations. Anyway, I hope that clears things up for you a bit. And you are most welcome. I am glad that my writing makes you (and others) think and feel even if it is uncomfortable. I want people to 'think outside the box' and see things in new ways and perhaps better ways. Thanks for taking the time to send me this review. I really appreciate it. | |
| Elflingimp | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 2/8/2009 |
| Just wanted you to know how much I liked this chapter, you really know how to write a story, can't wait to see what happens next. Hugs The Imp P.S. You made me hungry for pancakes! LOL! Author Reply: Thanks, Elflingimp> I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. I hope you got to eat some pancakes as well. *lol* | |
| Sitara | Reviewed Chapter: 43 on 2/8/2009 |
| Gardener of souls...I like this, I like it very much. I believe Glorfindel has never thought until now that all that he was striving for, as a warrior and protector for his king and people, could be summed up like this. Niondil seems to be another precious Maia. The Children surely are in need of such Maiar. "sigh" And maybe Ingwe and Olwe know more than Glorfindel thinks concerning their guardian Maiars, if I'm remembering correctly one of your vignettes. As did know Finwe and Elwe too. And to think how clumsy was Glorfindel with gardening...only to find out that there is more than one kind of gardening and a gardener sometimes has to cut off a withered branch in order to save the rest of the plant. Or to let the hroa to die in order to save the fea. Of course, Glorfindel didn't have need to go that far with Lisselinde. "smile" But..."raising in a challenge an eyebrow at the Elder King" Indeed, if Glorfindel was capable to get the upper hand confronting three Maiar warriors, he certainly will deserve a Maia's respect, even if that Maia's name is Lisselinde. Even she would undestand that her arrogance is truly out of the place. Especially after her "chat" with Lord Namo. And after such a start, her future interactions with Glorfindel could bring forth other feelings as well. Understanding, acceptance, even affection, maybe? Time would tell. But that makes me to think that Manwe's warriors need more training...after all they have at least one battle more to fight. "laughing" Don't mind me, please. Well, this time I barely kept myself from applauding Glorfindel. To try giving a black eye to a Vala! I understand Glorfindel's anger, although I believe he's taking it out on the wrong persons. Neither Tiutalion nor Manwe had deserved this but I suppose they knew that's in their job descriptions. "smile" As for Manwe...he has disarmed me just with one act, you know. His job is the most difficult from all the jobs of Arda. The dream was also a beautiful way to project both the present and the future for our hero. I loved the idea, Fiondil. The entire story is more than lovely, dear writer, and while half of my heart enjoys it, the other half is weeping. Weeping and hoping. I suppose we would learn in the near future something about our other heroes. As interesting as Glorfindel is, I already miss them. Author Reply: Thanks, Sitara. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Glorfindel is definitely a handful even for the Valar, never mind the Maiar. *grin* I'm also pleased that you liked the idea of the dream garden. As for our other heroes... we'll drop in on them eventually, but at the moment Glorfindel is taking center stage. | |