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The Findaráto Diaries  by Fiondil 10 Review(s)
hawkeyeReviewed Chapter: 22 on 7/30/2014
I really felt sad for Finrod in this chapter. Unfortunately I think it's going to take him a while to prove himself to everyone. The sad thing is, he shouldn't have to. But unfortunately that's how people are. I'm definitely going to have to check out your other related stories :) And I confess, I have peeked ahead a bit. But I shall endeavor to restrain my curiosity and read one thing at a time... Or at least review ;)

I'm glad that Lord Námo showed up. That's hopefully comforting for Finrod, since he seems to be moving from one difficult situation to another. I'm glad he was able to bond with his atar though. Maybe having some duties as heir will gain him som respect. I really enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for writing :)

Author Reply: Hi Hawkeye. This story was not written first, but after I'd already written most of the "Elf, Interrupted" story so much of what is mentioned in this story is taken up in the other, but I wrote this one in such a way that one doesn't need to read the other stories to enjoy this one, but I think when you get around to reading the other stories, a lot of inferences and references will make more sense.

At any rate, some people are just not able to be polite. And at least Námo was there to offer Finrod comfort. We'll see how things progress for him. I think some things will be improving for him soon enough and taking up some of his duties as heir should help.

Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.

SitaraReviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/31/2009
I suppose that I really am like the proverbial dog with a bone when it comes about certain things. You're right in saying that, according to the most beautiful picture that have been ever painted, if I can use this metaphor, when someone choses to sacrifice his own life for another person, whether that person deserves or not such sacrifice is inconsequential. That was precisely the point of my review, although it's possible to have remained unseen, lost among the layers of venom coating my words.

There is a difference, in my opinion, between deserving a life sacrifice and being worthy to die for. The latter has to do, at least in my mind, with the outcome of your Whereas I still keep my opinion that Beren and his reasons to undertake that quest did not deserve Finrod's sacrifice, the right to chose and to appreciate the worth of his deed does indeed belong to Finrod and Finrod alone. I shall abide by his judgment.

Another thing I wanted to say that Finrod ought to understand that Aman is not Nargothrond and perhaps you cannot apply here the same criteria in respect to judgment as you used to do there. You know, I've always felt that not having some blatant life-threatening situations to keep them on their toes was rather bad for the Amanians. "lol"

I certainly didn't want you to feel like you'd done something wrong with this bit, Fiondil. On the contrary, it was quite realistic in my opinion. I admit I was a tad shocked by that quote, but on second thoughts, why not? Surely Eru never intended to say those words just to One Person, so why not, indeed?

Well-wishes,
Sitara

Author Reply: Hi Sitara. Well I can certainly understand your pov although I do not hold it myself. I guess we must simply agree to disagree where Beren is concerned. *grin*

And Finrod would agree with you about the Amanians. Remember, he thought a nice invasion of orcs would have speeded up the court a tad. *LOL*

And I am glad you found what I wrote to be realistic. That is my primary aim, since writing fantasy entails keeping things as realistic as possible so the reader is not scratching her head.

Well wishes to you, also.

njomoReviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/30/2009
Hi Fiondil,

Points for Finrod for standing up for himself, no matter how angry and hurt he felt.

And Námo, well, what can I say except he just gets more and more perfect all the time. How good it is that he keeps an eye on the reborn. Hopefully his words and the comfort he brings will bolster Finrod in the days and weeks to come.

Thanks Fiondil.

Joanne

Author Reply: We will see shortly if Namo's words help or not. Thanks for reviewing Joanne. I appreciate it.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/27/2009
Hi Fiondil, sorry havn't been reviewing much lately, been kind of busy workinmg on Halloween costumes for the Orclings and their Naneth.
I am reminded, some what, of a story of Larner's where in a similar situation Eomer would have demanded a good brood mare from each of the litigants herds for his trouble! Wonder what the equivilant would be from the two ellith, the first fruits of their gardens?
Bad tree luring Finrod on like that! Nambarauto really is a nasty piece of work isn't he, seems to me Calalindale comes by her attitude quite honestly, she gets it from her father! Yes, I know Salmacas is her father, but if this is the kind of people he hangs around with I can see it rubbing off on her!
I do like Herendil, can we have more of him, please?
Nothing wrong with hanging from trees, wouldn't hurt a few people to do it more often!
More please,
Lynda


Author Reply: You are right, Lynda. Nothing wrong with hanging from trees at all. *grin*

We will see more of Herendil in future chapters and we will even see Aldundil briefly.

I have to admit that Larner's story that you mention was somewhat inspirational for this chapter with regards to the judgment Finrod renders.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/27/2009
A worthy judgment, and a delightful interlude with the tree--until the trouble maker came--hateful being he was! Glad Namo came to comfort him, and appreciated the Scriptural allusion.

Author Reply: Thanks, Larner. I am glad you liked the chapter and especially the Scriptural allusion. I try not to overdo that sort of thing but here it seemed most appropriate.

SitaraReviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/26/2009
Hmm..yes, I do remember those particular people from your earlier stories. As for Salmacas' and Nambaurato' words...there is much to be said, in my opinion. Assuming the risk to split the hairs a little too much "lol", I've to say that there is truth in their words. The circumstances in which Finrod, king of Nargothrond, found himself ever since Beren showed up at his doorstep wearing the ring of Barahir was aptly named using just one word: a trap. Nothing about heroism and nobility, if I recall correctly. Because I cannot possibly trust my own thinking in regard to this, I shall trust instead Finrod's himself and I'll take his own words as being the most appropriate for describing how the king of Nargothrond felt in the hour when he was about to choose between his kingdom and his personal oath.

However, I believe that the point in dying for someone is not whether that person deserves or not such sacrifice. As a matter of fact, Beren didn't and I'm afraid here is more than my personal dislike with the man, although I'll leave the details for another time, preferably when the man himself would be present to speak for his own, as I don't recall him saying a single word after finding out exactly what kind of Pandora's box would be opened during his quest for a bride. "lol"

Anyway, the point in all this mess is that Finrod died to save the life of someone, as unworthy as this might have been, and for this he deserves respect. But again, it's hard to see it when your no one was there to save your own son-in-law-to-be too. Even harder, when everyone sees only one's own side of story. On top of that, Finrod's attitude during his father's court was hardly helpful, in my opinion.

You made me rant again, Fiondil. As to end my ramblings launching another poisoned dart "grin", I'll say that Aman was "a hallowed land" (to quote a bit from HoME) only in Namo's mind. "making faces at the Lord of Mandos" And to think that after a hundred of years, the things weren't much better..."sigh" Hallowed lands, yeah right. Say, Fiondil, do you think Atar might find some fresh Ainur in the Timeless Halls? But, please, not another Tulkas!

Huh...I suppose that after venting out my "little" grudges with the Valar, I may admit that I liked how the same Lord of Mandos conforted Finrod. Some things, albeit true, are better to be left unspoken or, at least, saved for another time or another pair of ears. Namo's, for instance. "lol" And don't think I haven't recognized *that* sentence.

Author Reply: Whether a person is deserving of dying for or not is, to me, immaterial. If we stopped to analyze if so-and-so is worth dying for, no one would bother to risk their lives for another. Whatever the merits of FInrod's sacrifice might be, only he has the right to say that it was worth it. No one else has that right, not even the person who was saved. That is a gift to be treasured and not something considered earned in any way. That, in a nutshell, is the basis of the Christian story after all (just read St. Paul).

I am glad you liked Namo comforting Finrod. At least I did something right. *LOL*

SunnyReviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/26/2009
Hmmm. That Nambarauto is _definitely_ overdue for a few lessons. Perhaps Finrod will be the one to administer a one – or more. Though I suppose it may have to wait for him to grow up a bit again. Unless, of course, he fancies himself a warrior. In which case a bit of sparring might chasten him just a bit... *grins evilly*

Calalindalë certainly seems to have come by her attitudes honestly. Her father certainly is a nasty piece of work! It makes me wonder if Calalindalë will be able to mend her ways. If not, well, Aldundil and Vorondil (jr) do at least have each other. And _Aldundil’s_ family does at least seem to be considerably nicer – at least if Herendil is an example.

I can just bet Námo also wishes Glorfindel was there ... What has he been _doing_?? ;-)


Author Reply: I wrote this chapter for a number of reasons, one of them showing an earlier Calalindale where we see, as you say, that she gets her attitudes honestly. And I wanted to contrast the attitude of her father and Nambarauto with Herendil's and by implication Aldundil's. We will see more of Herendil in later chapters.

As for what Glorfindel has been up to... you will have to go back to "Elf, Interrupted: Book One" to find out. *grin*

KittyReviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/26/2009
Glad that Finrod and Arafinwë are growing so close again. Finrod needs it, I think.

Enjoyed Finrod's explanations how he made sure people didn't bother him with petty problems *grin* Oh yes, I can see him use the infamous book about punishments on these people ;)

Yay, you wrote that nasty Nambarauto meeting Finrod! :) And I enjoyed it, though I felt like kicking Nambarauto a few times. Glad Finrod tapped into his old, more mature self and gave him a piece of his mind! That was more than deserved.

Herendil, on the other hand, was nice. That's one I'd like to see more of.

And I know perfectly well why Námo wishes that Glorfi were there, too - he wants his peace in Mandos *eg* Nice of him to show up and comfort Finrod, btw.

Author Reply: Hi Kitty. Glad you enjoyed this chapter, especially Herendil. We will see more of him in the future, I promise. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

TariReviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/26/2009
Nambarauto may consider mortals to be useless, but I’m sure neither Iluvatar nor the Valar would agree with him. He’s so full of anger that he can’t see the error in his thinking. He may regret what he said to Finrod someday. At least I hope he does.

I was not surprised when Lord Namo appeared before Finrod to comfort him and give him words of wisdom to help him deal with the cruelty of others.



Author Reply: I think your estimation of Nambarauto is very apt, Tari. Hopefully he will learn the error of his ways and regret what he said to Finrod, but some people never change no matter what.

Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 22 on 10/26/2009
Sorry for being gone so long, Atar Fiondil! I promise I've been reading faithfully, even though my reviews have been sparse. Swept up in school...test time again, and my first month is over! I hope I'll do well, as I can't retake anymore tests now!

But on to my review. I loved Finda's judgement of the two ellith's problem, it was great! And the tree was so nice to him. But those ellyn...yes, I remember Herendil and Vorondil, and Aldundil. And I knew which Vorondil it was, of course. I remember Aldundil's wife, too, of course.

Nambarauto...Nambarauto...I barely remember him from Once Upon A Blizzard. My *first* reaction was your Tapestry story where the Laughing Vala burned down, but of course THAT Nambarauto was Namo! LOL! Although I wouldn't be surprised in the least if some of these ellyn were among the group that caused trouble.

Tye-melin Atar Fiondil! More please!

Kaylee

*going back to studying and reading too*



Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. I hope your tests all go well and I am glad you are still reading, just as long as the reading does not interfere with the studying. *raises eyebrow and send significant look your way*

Anyway, Nambarauto was not a pleasant character in "Blizzard" and I am afraid he did not improve over time. Well, maybe Herendil will straighten him out some.

Anyway, more to come so just be patient.

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