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In Darkness Bound  by Fiondil 7 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 2 on 10/6/2010
At least the Valar recognize the one truly at fault is Melkor, and love that they recognize the irony of the situation Finwe's abdication leaves.

Author Reply: Very true, Larner. And it is a rather ironic situation, isn't it?

TariReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/14/2010
Poor Eönwë. The need for his silence put him in an uncomfortable position. As always, Eru is in charge and all must follow his dictates just as Eönwë did.
It had to rankle the Valar, especially Manwe, that a lesser being was in Eru's confidence on something and they were not. That's just the way it goes.

Author Reply: Poor Eönwë, indeed, Tari. Yet he is equal to the task and he has Námo supporting him and that has to be a great help for the Maia. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

ninqwestilmenReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/7/2010
Poor Manwe. The realization that all his hopes for reconciliation with his brother will never be must be terrible. And then with what happened now and what is to follow, the elder king certainly has a trying time ahead of him. Knowing that one different decision on his part may have spared so mush grief is a devastating burden to bear.

Author Reply: Hi Ninquestilmen. Yes, you do have to feel sorry for Manwë. He wants his brother back and he's desperate for Melkor to return to the fold, as it were, and that is his blind-spot. Yet, would we want Manwë to be other than who and what he is? I fear that if he had done anything different, he would not have been the Elder King we know and love. In the end, we have to trust that Eru will make it all turn out right.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

FantasiaReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/7/2010
I always though that the Valars were a little naive with regard to Melkor. Never understood why they trusted him again...It is good to forgive and all that, but there are certain individuals that are beyond "Rework", to call it with a Manufacturing term....I think too that they were to comfortable in their world that they missed all the unrest within the Elves, they might be immortals, but they were not perfect, and sometimes, I can see why they believed that Valinor was a golden cage.

Thank Fiondil for posting again, know that I'm reading even if I'm slow reviewer. As usual, a grest story.


Author Reply: The Valar were certainly naive, or at least some of them were, and unfortunately they were, as you point out, somewhat complacent. They had known peace for so long that they had forgotten that Melkor was unlikely to reform just because they wanted him to.

Thanks for reading and reviewing, Fantasia. I look forward to any review you are able to leave and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Erulisse (one L)Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/6/2010
Poor Eonwe. As keeper of the records of oaths, I imagine that his job has been very thankless at times. But he seems to be able to stand up under the wilting gaze and unspoken accusations of Manwe.

And Manwe - again it is demonstrated how he fails to act boldly and in a timely fashion, thus causing more harm in the end. I am fully aware of his position and station, but my basic respect for him fell when he was taken in by Melkor's lies the last time. And this time his belief and trust in his brother will ricochet, decimating the Eldar in the near future. If I was the Allfather, I might feel quite tempted to turn him over my knee and give him a spanking. Since there is time, distance, and position between them, I suspect a tongue lashing about trust may have to suffice. Those who are in power cannot be overtrustful.

- Erulisse (one L)


Author Reply: I have often wished that Manwë had shown more backbone and less naiveté towards his brother, but I guess we all have a blind spot where family is concerned. Also, I've been very careful to follow Tolkien's own reasoning for why Manwë did as he did. Eventually, Manwë will wise up and ask Atar about it all, and what the One tells him will be unpleasant hearing, to say the least.

Oh well... I suppose if it had been otherwise, we wouldn't have any need for this or other stories. *grin*

Thanks for reading and reviewing, Erulissë. I appreciate it very much.

Author Reply: And I forgot to say that Eönwë is made of sterner stuff than we know. He has to be, otherwise I don't think Eru would have given him the job. He takes his duties as Oathkeeper very seriously and is very proud of the trust which Eru has in him. I'm sure when Manwë gets over his anger, he will realize this. Certainly, Námo does, even if the other Valar don't and I know Eönwë has the deepest respect for Námo.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/6/2010
Well, that's one decsion Manwe is already regreting.
What a mess and it's going to get a whole lot worse brfore it gets any better.
Poor Eonwe, knowing and not being able to do anything.
I am wondering about Eru's conspicus absense in all this, surely Manewe would have asked him his thoughts on the matter? I can't see him deliberately allowing Melkor to run loose like that, with all that is to flow from that decsion. My self I would have stuck a couple of Namo's 'humorless' Maia on him, 24-6!
Huggs,
Lynda


Author Reply: I sort of see Eönwë's role as Oathkeeper as being on par with a priest and the Seal of Confession, at least where the oaths of the Ainur (good and bad) are concerned, since, obviously, the oaths of the Elves and Mortals are opened to review by any of the Valar. And I think Eru is simply allowing things to play out as they will, since apparently Manwë has not at this time consulted Him about the matter. Melkor, of course, bided his time and made sure that he earned his parole which would allow him to leave Valmar and mingle with the Elves. Possibly, if he'd been forced to remain within the confines of Valmar where he would have had little or no interaction with the Elves, things might have turned out differently... or not. *grin*

SitaraReviewed Chapter: 2 on 9/6/2010
Well, that’s certainly interesting. Finally Eonwë’s got to spill the soup but a little late and, in my opinion, he did make his Master to look a bit like a fool before the other Valar so Varda’s and her husband’s displeasure are understandable. On the other hand, Námo was right this time in telling Manwë that he did the only thing that could have been possibly done. This time. “grin” I’ve liked also Ulmo’s justification, though I cannot say the same thing about Námo, though, who kept himself utterly silent, while Ulmo voiced his doubts.

Tulkas…well, Tolkien’s story of Melkor escaping the Valarin riders sent to pursue him is certainly …..embarrasing for the Valar, to say it mildly. So, I won’t rub it in their faces, as much I’d like to do so. “smile” But, speaking about the Valar, in lieu of concerning themselves with whatever Melkor filled the Eldar’s head, they should have asked themselves what they had been doing while Melkor was so succesfully busing himself?! Why none of the Eldar trusted them enough as to come to them and ask:”Look what Melkor said to us. Is this true?” Or they thought Melkor was imparting his wisdom only to Fëanáro and the rest of the Elves knew nothing, either about Men or about forging weapons?!

As for Námo and a certain dock….”laugh” oh, but he will be called to said dock, Fiondil, and Fëanáro could and would do it. My only problem about this would concern Námo’s answer to the charges brought against him because I’ve raked my brains and come up with nothing satisfactory. Námo is as guilty as they come. In my opinion, at least. “lol”

Yes, your explanation about inheritance does make sense and I thank you for providing it to me. As for Nolofinwë..it remains to be seen, although the words he spoke to his father seconds before his half-brother barged in sound to my ears kind of provocative, especially that part concerning his two sons who will hold steadfast on their father’s choice to live in Aman. I could translate this with “Look at me and my brother, we’re going to honor your choice while your favorite son has no respect for you and everything you’ve ever toiled for. We’re good, he’s bad!” Or something along the lines. “grin”


Author Reply: I don't know what the Valar might have been doing, Sitara. Tolkien only says that they were unaware of Melkor causing trouble and Fëanáro's attack on his brother took them by complete surprise. I suspect that that the unpleasantness of the surprise made them react as they did. Fëanáro never listened to Melkor, though other Noldor did. It's one of their faults, being duped by evil because it suits their own purposes, as we see in a much later age when Melkor's lieutenant, Sauron, disguised as Annatar, fools Celebrimbor, Fëanáro's grandson, into forging the Rings of Power.

Anyway, Ñolofinwë may have simply been trying to get his father to actually take note of the fact that he did indeed have two other sons who were loyal to him, though in my opinion, that loyalty was misplaced. Finwë was too besotted of his firstborn son to see him in a bad light and would hear nothing against him.

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