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The Findaráto Diaries by Fiondil	9 Review(s)
hawkeye	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/28/2014
Wow. I was really impressed with Námo in this chapter. His reputation is cold, and in the very beginning of the chapter, I wasn't sure where he was headed. I liked that he seemed to both be able to give Finrod what he needed and to a certain degree what he wanted as well. I enjoyed Finrod's attitude in this chapter as well. Apparently his benaviour is a bit elflingish as well. Now that he's moving around this could be interesting for his lovely maiar caregivers :) Author Reply: Námo is impressive and his reputation, especially among the Noldor, is unfounded. And Finrod is still in an elfling-like state and his emotional maturity will take decades, so we'll see a lot of elflingish behavior from him even as we see him trying to reclaim his previous level of maturity. Thanks for commenting. I really appreciate it.

Agape4Gondor	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/27/2009
Yikes! As always, my heart goes out to the brave and glorious Finrod Felagund... I know he grows from this, but oh my! The horror! Must be a wee bit difficult to write, dear Fiondil..... Author Reply: Just a wee bit, Agape. I tried to show it as a dream sequence the way a pleasant dream suddenly and inexplictly changes into a nightmare, using the Ring of Barahir as the focus for the shifts, and at the same time convey the sense of horror and terror Finrod is experiencing both in the dream and in his waking mind. I'm glad that I succeeded in conveying all that. Things are not quite so bad for him after this, though that doesn't mean that every comes up roses, either. He still has a way to go.

Sitara	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/26/2009
Ah, Fiondil...just when I was about to say something real, real nasty, you had to go and placate me, didn't you? You had to make me remember that I'm addicted to your non-romantic fluff, just when I was preparing to have a word with Olorin and to find some people for putting a bit of blame on them ....oh well. Finrod's state of mind is now extremely delicate, so I can understand he's been upset at the thought of not seeing for a while his favorite star. I'm glad to see the Ainur treating him with such gentleness and love. About damn time, if you'd ask me. "grin" Somehow, to see the King of Nargothrond reduced to such a state is unsettling for me, you know. But, at the same time, I know there is no other way and even it's for the best. Yet one thing is to know it, but to actually experience it, it's a different matter altogether. And, because I keep drooling over the Lord of Mandos rocking Finrod in his arms (me and my darn soft spots), I'd give Namo a piece of advice, just in case. "grin" Actually, from his point of view, Finrod's case is in fact an easy one. I mean, he didn't do anything wrong actually, as to have to witness himself killing his kin or whatever. Namo must prepare himself because, at one point, he will be dealing with cases much more difficile than Finrod's and even greater horrors. I'm not speaking about certain cases, which I'm positive that are beyond his ability to handle, but about ones like Glorfindel's father, for instance. "shudder". I wouldn't want to be in his skin, really. Author Reply: Hi Sitara. The Ainur have been treating Finrod with gentleness and love all along, though that doesn't mean he realizes it. grin It is very difficult to see anyone reduced to such a state of terror. Luckily, Finrod has a few people who genuinely care for him and are trying to help him through the darkness. As he grows stronger, he'll be able to face much of his past in a better frame of mind. Certainly his death and the manner in which it happened has to be the most horrific thing in his life; after that, everything else is easy (more or less). As for Námo.... well, he has his own experiences (as described in my "Wars of the Valar") to draw on when dealing with the Reborn... been there, done that, so to speak, though I imagine he does indeed leave certain cases to Atar to deal with.

Tari	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/26/2009
Learning to overcome ones fears is always difficult. Having no idea why you are afraid has to be awful. Finrod is so lucky to have ones who love him help him to overcome his dreams. Author Reply: Would that we all had such people as Olórin, Tindomerel and Námo around to help us when our own terrors overtake us.

Larner	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/25/2009
A moment of instense fear and grief as Finrod comes to accept his own death, and the fact Melkor and his minions hold no power now over him. Alas for the terror he must face. Author Reply: Very true, Larner, but in facing the terror and naming it, it no longer has any hold on him. As Námo tells him, 'thou'rt safe,' and that's all that matters now.

Kitty	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/24/2009
Not a good day for Finrod. First 'his' star will not be seen for some time, and second, the memories of his death are coming back ... a bit much in one day, however necessary. But I was glad Olórin and Tindomerel were so nice and understanding and even Námo came when he was most needed. It would be so much worse when he had to go through this alone. Hm, this might be a step forward in his development; to remember how and why he died may help him with his fear of darkness and to remember who he was. And this must be one of his worst memories; after that, there can't be much that is equally bad. Would be nice to know other memories coming up would be less frightening and more positive. Though I guess this his worst memory will return again and haunt him for a while. Author Reply: No, not a good day for Finrod at all. grin Still, as you point out, Kitty, this is a step forward in his development. He can now name the darkness that had him so terrified before and deal with it. Other memories of a more positive nature will start coming to the fore, but he needs to get past this particular memory first, since it is the last and more horrific than any others.

njomo	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/24/2009
Hi Fiondil, This is an interesting and thought provoking chapter indeed. One of the first things I found interesting is Finrod's reaction to Tancol and the calm and hope he felt while looking at it even though its light is from one of the Silmarils. I can understand why he thinks of it as "his" star, seeing how it effects him. It would be especially troubling in his situation, with what he's trying to deal with, to know that he'd have to do without it for a few days. How to cope, and where does he find tranquility without it? And yes, I realize he's not quite ready to make the connection yet between Tancol and the Silmaril. Hopefully he'll remember the hope Tancol gives him when he does. I also like how we find out, along with Finrod (if we forget what we already know grin) that his dream is really a memory of his last days of life. It just struck me that he was scared, as many of us can be when waking from a bad dream, but that he didn't realize the significance, say, of the "eyes in the dark" until he begins to tell Námo about the dream. And I remember, especially as a child, waking in the middle of the night knowing it's dark and not wanting to open my eyes. Whatever might be out there in the dark wasn't real and couldn't hurt me as long as I wasn't looking... And capping the chapter are Námo's last words, "...it is done, thou'rt safe." What words of comfort to hear, especially from this particular Valar. Quite wonderful! Then I remembered a certain chapter in EI-2...no wonder Finrod is so familiar with Eärendil’s Star when he and Glorfindel see it! Thanks Fiondil. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment. Joanne Author Reply: Hi, Joanne. I'm glad you found this chapter both interesting and thought provoking. Finrod doesn't know at this point that the Silmarils are tied up with 'his star', only that it is a sign of hope. Naturally, how he defines 'hope' will be different from how others define it, but for him it is the hope of a better future for himself, hope that all the little frustrations of bringing his hröa under the control of his fëa again will improve. I had a similar experience as a child as you, about waking up in the middle of the night and not wanting to open my eyes. Even as an adult, I still have that same reaction after waking from a nightmare. And, of course, Námo's preferred role is as Comforter, so his words to Finrod are the words of a parent comforting a child who has woken from a nightmare. Knowing that one is 'safe' is the greatest of feelings. Thanks for reviewing, Joanne, and I'm glad you are looking forward to the next installment.

Sunny	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/24/2009
I don’t suppose this is the real memory of how Finrod died. But it is certainly an echo of it! Yet the mere echo is still enough to turn Finrod quite hysterical. So Finrod thinks of Tancol as _his_ star, does he? And gets angry at the prospect of its disappearing for a time? I suppose he isn’t quite ready for a lecture on orbital mechanics quite yet... ;-) Author Reply: Probably not, or actually it's more a dream-memory, but certainly it's terrifying for him. And no, I don't think a lecture on orbital mechanics is on the schedule that Olórin and Tindomerel have set up for our Reborn. grin

Kaylee Arafinwiel	Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/24/2009
Aww, poor sweetling! cuddles Finda Yes, his star is going to go away, for a little while. But Tancol will come back. It has to. nods And at last, Finrod has faced the darkness and faced his inner demons. Why do I get the feeling that the first time will not be the last? It was a wonderful chapter, atar indonyo. smiles (Yes, you were very right about what I meant to say before...because you are that to me. I think I'll keep saying it for some time to come. grin) But back to Finda before I get sidetracked. He's dreamt of the Ring of Barahir, and of his confrontation with Sauron, now...I always like the description of the ring. It must have been breathtaking to see. And now I'm going to go reread the Tapestry story, because I want to see that scene again. :) Tye-melin! Kaylee Author Reply: Hi, Kaylee. Yes, Finrod is finally facing the darkness and his inner demons and no this will not be the last time he will have to do so, but at least he is now learning ways to deal with them as they come up. I'm sure the Ring of Barahir was indeed breathtaking. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, yeldë indonyo (I misspelled it the last time). Thanks for letting me know. Tye-melin!

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