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Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest  by Fiondil 7 Review(s)
KittyReviewed Chapter: 122 on 5/24/2010
Nice way to decide on the seating arrangement – now no one can complain that he/she wasn't seated appropriately.

Urgh. Morcocáno *and* Galadhwen? That's a guarantee for trouble, that much is certain. Otherwise, that introduction went at least peaceful, though i doubt that will last once they get on to the task. Things are difficult enough without these two, but with them?

You and I checked that area just two millennia ago and it was perfectly fine." *snort* Of course, what could change in these few days?

Author Reply: The seating arrangement does add an element of chance as to who sits where and with whom and shows no favoritism. Morcocáno and Galadhwen are very strong personalities and, whatever their personal failings, they are good leaders for their people. We've simply seen them at their worst because neither one cares for the intervention of the Amanians into their affairs and the affairs of the rest of the island.

And what's a millennium or two when you've been hanging around for over 13 billion years as it is? *LOL*

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 122 on 5/19/2010
It would appear that all goes well for this first important meeting of this council, and love the symbolism of the reborn's tabards. Also love the Valar's concerns expressed--a worthwhile reminder that these are above the interests of mere people at times.

Author Reply: Glad you liked the symbolism of the Reborn's tabards, Larner. I thought it was a nice touch and I'm sure it made some of the other delegates think. And it was very important for the Elves, especially those from Tol Eressëa, to realize just who the Valar truly were and what their mandate was and under whose authority. I think even those Elves of Aman needed this little reminder as well. As they say, familiarity breeds contempt and why should the Elves be immuned to such a maladay?

TariReviewed Chapter: 122 on 5/17/2010
The Reborn are proof of the fact that we should never loose the child in us. I know I haven’t... Meril is the perfect foil for Galadhwen, who still needs a serious attitude adjustment. She seems quite able to keep Galadhwen in line.

I think the first session went very well in spite of Galadhwen’s prickly nature.
Hopefully the future sessions will be just as fruitful. The presence of the Valar was a good thing also.


Author Reply: It does help to never lose the child within us, Tari. I think that's how we stay young even as we grow old.

How the rest of the Council goes remains to be seen, but I don't think even the presence of the Valar will stop certain people from acting up. *grin*

HelReviewed Chapter: 122 on 5/16/2010
The system of drawing lots every session for the seating-order has one very big advantage: nobody has to sit next to the Lady Galadhwen the whole time. She just has to be disagreable, hasn´t she. I have the impression she is even looking down on the Valar.

As for Manwe cheating: if he wants someone to sit at a certain place he will make shure that the elf will get this place with the neighbours he want the elf to have.

And I can just imagine how the elves get big ears when the Valar talk about business and wonder what they are talking about and what it means. I just wait for them to ask more questions about Eä and it´s workings.

Author Reply: Hi Hel. That is certainly one big advantage and maybe Galadhwen will get the point of it sooner rather than later. *grin*

I don't think Manwë could cheat even if he wanted to. It's not in his nature.

And even those Elves who are in regular contact with the Valar need a reminder now and then of just who they really are and what they are all about. That's even more so for the Tol Eressëans who will not have had the experience of dealing with the Valar directly.

Erulisse (one L)Reviewed Chapter: 122 on 5/14/2010
Love the references to the greater tasks of the Valar and the beginning of the interactions of the various delegations. I feel almost as giddy as a member of the Reborn delegation - time for fun and games :-)

One small dropped letter - you don't make mistakes often so I suspect it was on your list of things to do and you simply forgot. "We felt this was the fairest way to seat everyone. Even Lord Manwë as agreed to this procedure and will abide by it." I believe that Lord Manwe HAS agreed to this procedure.

The gemstones is a wonderful touch, and the listing of the various guilds of import is very illuminating. Thank you for another stimulating chapter.

- Erulisse (one L)


Author Reply: Thanks Erulissë. The 'h' on my keyboard tends to stick and sometimes I don't always notice it.

Glad you loved the reference to the greater tasks of the Valar. I tend to insert such reminders in my stories because I think readers tend to forget that they are not only the Guardians of Arda but of all of Eä as well.

I thought the gemstones was a wonderful touch, too, and makes it easy to seat people without anyone arguing about it and therefore wasting everyone else's time. *grin*

Thanks for reviewing and letting me know how much you enjoyed the chapter. I really appreciate it.

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 122 on 5/14/2010
Does nobody like Lady Galadhwen? I see that two delegates commented on sitting beside her: Gilvagor with dismay at having to do so, and Manwë with (apparant) relief at not having to.

The Warrio's Guild was something of a surprise - but then it may be not so surprising at all if some warriors find it difficult to start a new career as something else.

I suppose that the idea of having to draw lots for their seats may be a useful idea for future conferences of a similar kind. So this at least may be a precedent for future arrangements. And speaking of drawing lots - I wonder if perhaps the laws of probability are going to be stretched and twisted into pretzels occasionally during the conference? Which makes it really smart that Manwë decided that the Valar would take the last seat - just to prevent rumours that they would influence things. :-)

Author Reply: Hi Sunny. I guess Galadhwen is just one of those personalities that rub people the wrong way. She's abrasive, but as we saw in an earlier chapter that abrasiveness is a front to hide her true feelings of loneliness and fear. I think things will be better for her once her husband joins her in Life.

I think it would be natural for the warriors to band together to help one another in their new lives. And it's a smart move because they could very well take out their boredom and frustration out on the populace. This way, they are controlled and their energies redirected to more positive pursuits, such as acting as guards and such.

I have no idea if the laws of probability will be stretched and twisted occasionally. I rather doubt it. I think the Valar will just let things go as they will. No sense making a difficult situation any more difficult than it needs to be, right? *grin*

6336Reviewed Chapter: 122 on 5/14/2010
Well I see Gladhwen is being her sweet and adorable self, as usual! Pity Meril is not the leader of the delegation from Kortirion, things would go a lot smoother all round.
Like the idea of a round table and everybody changing places every time they meet, a bit like musical chairs!
Hope Manwe can get those two star systems to avoid each other, could be a bit messy otherwise, lots of star cores for Aule though!
Lynda

Author Reply: Hi Lynda. I think Meril prefers working from behind the scenes, which is why she hasn't tried to take Galadhwen's place on the city council. Glad you liked the seating arrangements. I'm sure the Valar will be able to fix the stellar problem without too much trouble. Aulë will have to find is star cores somewhere else, though. *grin*

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