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| The Journal of Alatáriel, Missionary by Clodia | 28 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 2/15/2010 |
| At last! Hehehhe. Now I would love to hear the exchange of arguments between the author and the editors across the years!!! And the "affectionate Aprtner's" private opinion of the tome! This was a wonderful exercise in meta, Clodia, unveiling such a world of possiblities! But this kind of whimsical chronicling really fits in what might be the pastimes of these inmmortals as the ages rolled by! thank you very much for the effort, I greatly enjoyed the tale and the joke! Author Reply: Well, thank you so much for all your support! It's really been wonderful to have your feedback all the way -- every comment made my day, and I'm so glad you shared the joke! :'D | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: Epilogue 2 on 2/11/2010 |
| A very edifying epilogue. ;) The concluding statement was indeed the summarized message of Alatriel's journal. However - as much as I love E&M and respect their wisdom, regarding note 1 - "...for ere the fall of Nargothrond or Gondolin I passed over the mountains..." This seems to say Galadriel and Celeborn spent the better part of the First Age in Eriador, not Doriath. When you look at it, their history in that realm is at variance as much as what happened in Eregion. So I suppose, one could take both, either, or neither. Personally, I take both. Which sorta puts me at a bit of difference with note 3 and 5 as well. ];} Although *you* might not think so, I loved this tale! :D And now, I am off to give you unwarranted grief about the accompanying Tale! Thank you for sharing it! Author Reply: //regarding note 1...// Hm, well, I know there is a touch of LOTR vs Silm ambiguity there (unless I'm mistaking the source); but it's only one statement from Galadriel and my general policy is to take Silm as absolute canon, supplemented where appropriate (or convenient) by *non-conflicting* material from the UT etc. The Silm has nothing to say about Galadriel's whereabouts at the time of or directly after Doriath's fall, although C. Tolkien presumes in the UT that she and Celeborn were there and I certainly go along with that; and you can of course argue over what she did next, but my personal pseudo-canon would send her to Sirion and then over into Eriador post-War of Wrath. After that I have no comments; the range of options for how events played out in Eriador gives me serious headaches and at the moment I have no intention of committing to any of them. (Although in any case, both Nargothrond and Gondolin fell pretty late in the First Age -- so the footnotes need not actually be incorrect, as long as you, uh, disconnect slightly from the version of canon they're actually referring to. ;)) There is also one way that I might wriggle out of the statement in LOTR, if I chose -- you've read the Treasury entry now: obviously Galadriel is still self-mythologising. :D Anyway, thank you so much for all your kind and detailed comments! Each and every one has made my day! :DDD | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2010 |
| In a reply, to your question... I know I have been harping about geography, and I apologize for that. I tend to think and write in a realistic style, which is why it matters to me. In this chapter, you described the landscape (and Menegroth) beautifully. For me, the chronology was the dodgy part. Few people even knew of the Narog river caverns until Finrod occupied them. And Alatriel's party crossed the river at the probable battleground where Cirdan was beaten back. It was likely infested with straggler orcs and scavenging wolves. Not at all a safe route to take. If I were their guide, I would have been happier following the Andram to the Gates of the Sirion. See, mere quibbles. Not relevant to the point of this particular story. Ah, so this was the punchline: Melian, herself! *G* I liked the the joke so much I definitely want it to go on! Who wouldn't? :D Author Reply: Ah, I see what you mean. Well, you're right, of course -- if this was meant to have been an actual journey taken by a couple of naive visitors from Aman, it's probably not the best route to have taken; and certainly it requires a rather high level of geographical knowledge, especially if the author is taken to be a Silvan of the Third Age. But actually the "anonymous author" is, uh, the sort of person who would have made it their business to have that sort of knowledge at the time (the Narog river caverns especially -- Thingol knew of them, after all, to recommend them to Finrod, and if messengers had passed fairly regularly between the Falathrim and Doriath prior to Morgoth's return, I don't see why they shouldn't have stumbled across the caves before) and also wouldn't have cared all that much about stray orcs and wolves at this point. Evidently it didn't occur to them that Alatariel's party would have cared either. (Well, Alatariel's Noldor kin have made such a good start at civilising Beleriand, after all...) Thank you for clarifying, anyway! I'm always interested in this sort of detail; there's just so much to get wrong with every story, especially one that covers a good deal of ground. ;) | |
| curiouswombat | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2010 |
| How shall I describe the tumult within my breast on finding another chapter of this fantastical account so studiously annotated by the erudite Erestor and Melinna? Well Yay! might be a good start.... Author Reply: It's the sort of language that rubs off, isn't it? Thank you for commenting, as always! You make me a happy person. :D | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/8/2010 |
| Ok, I'm now more curious than ever about the promised one-shot of Beleriand Treasury about this tale, because I am now fantasizing that this was, after all,w ritten by the lady herself in plain mockery or somewhat piqued with or by someone! (Or was it celebrěan?) :-) I want to know the truth!!!!!! This said, I find this hilarious beyond believable, in the dry-humour subtle style that works best for me. All comments about Melian are a hoot, ended with the Maia herself being so sweet "and wishes to educate us in the wisdom of the Valar. There can be little doubt that she knows much we should learn.” that really killed me. Two powerful ladies competing? (And Beleg's circumspect way about Elwë's camp? Hilarious) Then the parting shots about Cirdan's poor and uneducated people...and her enthusiasm at the glorious carrer she's about to undertake beside her affectionate Partner! i'm with Redheredh here, i cnanot read that without snorting. Erestor and Melinna are appropriately dry here, notes 2 5 and 8 chuckle- inducing to the point of choking, and the last one the killer, of course. And yet, on the serious side, I had to shake my head recognizing the source in this: no thought to the most expeditious usage of their copious resources; this heedlessness is no doubt considerably exacerbated by the want of civilization. Had they excitements to diligence, and improvements in agriculture, then these plains, instead of having a few wild deer scattered thinly over them, would be alive with cattle; and a wealth of golden corn would cover the hillsides, recalling the riches of Valinor. O that the plans of myself and my affectionate Partner for evangelizing and civilizing this barbarous land may be met with success Indeed. Civilize. Well, I'm looking forward to the resolution of this joke and the underlying tale. I'm enjoying this beyond words. Author Reply: The truth will be revealed very shortly, I promise! Hopefully it'll be worth the wait. ;) In any case, SO glad you enjoyed this, and especially Melian's role -- that final line was certainly meant to provide the kick to the whole tale. Thank you so much for all your lovely comments! It means a lot to me that you've enjoyed this tale, and that you've taken the trouble to review at such length. :D | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 5 on 2/7/2010 |
| I was absolutely wheezing with laughter at the introductory summary. I swear Alatariel is jealous of this one Melian. Quite piqued. ;D As for being surprised to have to cross a wilderness. Really? Lost potential from lack of industry? Really?! I guess I must blame the imperialist literary source for that bit. The geography was once again anachronistic, but still referentially most interesting. "my affectionate Partner" *G* I still can't pass that without snarfing. But, the encounter with Beleg was excellent! That was loads of fun! And just what were they doing all that time with Cirdan, supposedly learning the language, and not learning anything of the facts about Elwe, Melian, and Menegroth? Hmmm? ;D Maybe they concentrated on sexual... eh,social... customs out of collateral interest. Just like modern missionaries and most tourists... Oh dear, did Melian say 'kinswoman'? Just who is intending to teach a lesson here? ;) Great Chapter! And very happy that there is obviously more to come! Author Reply: I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter! You can blame the source literature for Alatariel's disapproval of the wilderness -- well, partly: it seemed reasonable to me that Valinor might have been (at least perceived to be, via that descriptions of the Exiles) farmed somewhat more intensively than Beleriand, certainly Beleriand after Morgoth's return. I usually prefer not to bother with working out where everyone got their food from, or how the economy worked: that level of realism is reserved for RL work. But I do discriminate about the details I borrow from Mrs Jeffreys -- it would be unfair to judge her Journal from this one, incidentally; in her case, the missionaries had been explicitly invited to Madagascar by the local prince in order to teach children how to read and write. I am interested to know how the geography was anachronistic, though? there are shaky details, of course (I suppose you might argue that Amon Rudh should have been occupied at this point, or perhaps that the chronology is a bit dodgy) but I was trying to be as accurate as possible with the actual geography. Also, I have a confession -- and given the option, I would use the Small Text of Embarrassment -- which is that I'd planned to wrap up this story in the next chapter with a brief epilogue and a relevant one-shot. Ummmm. The anonymous author possibly feels that their point has been sufficiently made? We'll see. ;) Thank so much for reading and for your kind review, as ever! | |
| Aiwen | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/4/2010 |
| This story is really neat, especially the comments. The story itself... makes me badly want to see the anonymous author face Lady Galadriel's reaction. I suspect she might be torn between laughter and horror. Author Reply: I'm so glad you like this piece! :D There may be a chance to see Galadriel's reaction; but that's another story... Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, anyway. | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/1/2010 |
| With this chapter, I think the author of the journal has arrived at the first point he really wished to make. In that I mean, Galadriel's role does not dimminish the tragedy itself, and she is exemplified in her personal assessment of it. As self-possessed as her goals are, anyway. "my affectionate Partner" *snork* Interesting that the Lady has to turn extensively to other people's words on this occassion, though. Good for this reader that geography is a moot issue. Or that alternative history seemes to say that C&G actually departed before the Darkness. 'Cause where's the drama in that. ;) Now,I just hafta ponder over the identity of the author of the journal. Since this is during the Watchful Peace post-Amroth, it can be none of the Fellowship. And must be someone well-read in Elven classics, which few men of this post-Numeanor period would be. If so admiring, likely aquaintanced in some fashion with the Lady. Therefore, one who would know it would stir up her ire to expound an apocryphal story of alternate history. And, wise enough not to own up to it by hiding behind the 'ignorance' of an Umanyar (Moriquendi). So, the key question is: who would get a big kick out of such an elaborate joke? I can think of one or two noble elves with the chutzpah. Else, I am just off on the wrong trail entirely, and its a modern-day writer fallen into Middle-earth... I am sooo enjoying this story! Author Reply: I am so glad you're enjoying the story! And I say that every time, but only because it's true. Your reviews make me terribly happy. :D It's certainly true to say that the Journal's author wanted to comment on the awfulness of the sack of Alqualonde by Feanor et al, and that Galadriel's role (whatever that might have been) doesn't diminish it at all. This story is in general not at all serious, of course, but what happened at Alqualonde is a very serious episode -- the "anonymous author" has some experience of this sort of Noldorin behaviour -- and needed to be taken seriously. (That said, of course, the way is now clear for the Journal's punchline in the next chapter. :D) Turning to other people's words, well, the missionary's journal I'm mimicking was sadly lacking in action scenes and it did seem like the perfect opportunity to use the Lay of the Children of Hurin, which I hadn't touched at all before this story. ;) As for departing before the Darkness, both of the UT versions have Galadriel and Teleporno fighting at Alqualonde, although for all I know there may be half a dozen other versions elsewhere that have her safely away before that. *shrug* You know how it is. I... will not comment on your very interesting speculations, except to say that your characterisation of this as an elaborate joke is absolutely spot on. Maybe I could point out the origins of most of "Alatariel's" citations? And suggest a close reading of the preface and editors' foreword? :'D Thank you, as ever, for reading and commenting! | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/1/2010 |
My one consolation – and it is but slight – is that I saw neither my father nor my brothers anywhere during the fighting. I can only hope that they took no part in this most terrible of Elven deeds The sadness and grief of this terrifying moment in the history of Valinor comes through nicely in this chapter, despite the author's liberties with formal history. Whether she fought there with her Telerin relatives against her Noldorin kin or not, the sorrow of it all - the loss of the Trees included, which must have been such an incomprehensible loss for all of them Valar and elves alike- is well described. Even the footnnotes are more sober than playful here. Well done! :-) Author Reply: Fantastic, it's so good to hear that this bit works out seriously! I mean, the piece as a whole is not serious, but of course this particular episode is a very serious one and I wasn't trying to take it lightly. So it's great to hear that it comes across well. ... and now the serious bit is over, the way is clear for the punchline in the next chapter. :D As ever, thank you for reading! | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/31/2010 |
| Alas for the battle happening at all; but this is so silly, to try to make of Galadriel a missionary! I want to laugh at so much of the fake nobility of her speeches! Author Reply: Wonderful, that's precisely the reaction I hoped for! Thank you for saying so! :D | |