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A Long-Expected Wedding  by Fiondil 12 Review(s)
ImhirielReviewed Chapter: 18 on 7/10/2013
It was no great surprise that the china turned out to be ugly. But I would never have guessed that it would provoke such a reaction - poor ellyn!

Oddly enough, in Germany we would know exactly what to do with the china, appropriate for the occasion. There is something called "Polterabend" (poltern: to crash about, make a racket; Abend: evening), commonly translated as eve-of-wedding party. It usually takes place in front of the bride's or her family's house. Friends, family and neighbours come, each bearing china, crockery, tiles and similar breakable things (but not glass or mirrors, because that would mean bad luck) and crash the things with as much racket and noise and clutter and mess as possible on the ground. Then bride and bridegroom have to sweep up the mess, and afterwards a "normal" party starts.

Of course, normally you would use old or broken or leftover china and shards - but maybe the Elves just don't mention that detail to Almáriel...?

Author Reply: There are similar traditions like the one you describe here in America and indeed elsewhere in the world. There's a name for it but I can't recall it offhand. Anyway, you will find out what fate the china suffers by the end of the story, I promise.

Thanks for the review, Imhiriel. I appreciate it.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 18 on 12/25/2011
Uh ... the balrog is in charge of the china *and* the clothes? That's going to be a disaster, no doubt.

Poor Edrahil. I think Finrod is right about the reasons for his recurring dream. He must feel bad for not helping his king, even though he did something important.

Oh, I knew it, that china sounds not exactly beautiful – to put it mildly. The guests would need sunglasses to dampen the effect.

Ouch. The reactions of the Reborn are horrible! There's no way they can use that china, or there's no telling how many elves will end up in that state! I was glad Vardamir understood what was happening and took charge and explained. And it was good the Maiar came and were able to help so fast.

Um ... don't repack the china very well and then make sure to put it somewhere where it is likely to be 'accidentally' destroyed? I could even offer our ponies – I remember vividly the chaos they caused when someone forgot to bolt the door and they got into the storeroom where we have food, saddles and everything else ... *shudders* It took me forever to clean up that mess! My saddle still has the teeth tracks from that incident, as one of them seems to have chewed on it.


Author Reply: I tried to make the china look as ugly as possible, Kitty. From your's and everyone else's reactions, I think I succeeded. *grin* We'll find out just what fate is in store for the china at the end of the story.

I know what you mean about ponies and horses... had one or two experiences of my own in that department.

Thanks for commmenting.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/17/2011
Almariel seems to have a thing for pink and green, check out Tea with Balrogs..er..Sugar in E.I.1.

I wonder if she is getting back at Finrod for making her wait for another 12 years to see he and Amarie married.

By the way there is a china pattern out there, can't remember if it is Lenox, Royal Worchester or Royal Doulton that has a dark green back ground with a very elaborate multicoloured pattern on it, not too bad, in small doses!

Huggs,
Lynda

Author Reply: Hi Lynda. I have no doubt that Almáriel is getting back at Finrod, not only for having to wait another 12 years but for before as well. Some paterns are quite pretty when taken in small doses. *grin* Thanks for your thoughts.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/5/2011
Edrahil's visit brought on the memories slightly, and then the awful chinaware! Alas that such fugues are bound to happen from time to time!

Author Reply: It is indeed unfortunate that these fugues happen from time to time, Larner, but at least there are people who are there to help them through them. Thanks for reading and reviewing. It's much appreciated.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/5/2011
What is it with Almariel and pink and green, does she want them to blend in with the china?

Poor ellyn, what a thing to remember, as they say it can take just a colour or a noise or a smell to bring back memories one would, sometimes, rather forget.

Well at least they all ahd a fun time working and playing with the clay!

Huggs,
Lynda

Author Reply: Hi Lynda. I'm not sure what is up with Almáriel. Maybe she's color-blind. *grin*

I know from my own experience that a color, a noise or a smell or just about anything can bring back memories that you never thought were there. I remember watching the Berlin Wall coming down on TV and suddenly 'finding' myself standing on the tarmac of the local airbase with the smell of melting tar in my nostrils (it was July) watching the B-52s coming in, my Dad being on one of them. His National Guard unit had been sent to Europe during the Berlin crisis and he'd been gone since the previous November. I was 7 at that time and until I watched the Wall coming down, I'd completely forgotten about that. It was incredible to re-experience that scene some 30 years later.

Anyway, it's always fun to play with clay. *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

Erulisse (one L)Reviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/5/2011
In the right hands, a pattern such as that could be quite beautiful. Obviously, the coloring, patterning, and painting was not done by the rignt hands and was badly designed all together. I think they should hold a china-smashing party. Smashing plates can be wonderfully cathartic, and the shards can then be mixed with other items for wonderfully creative mosaic work. Just a thought, my friend....

As always, a delightful chapter from one of my favorite authors.

- Erulusse (one L)

Author Reply: Hi Erulisse. you are correct that in the right hands any pattern can be quite beautiful, and it's hard to imagine any Elf making something ugly, and actually, I don't think the pattern itself is ugly, just unfortunate in how certain Reborn react to the color combination. I like your idea of making the shards into a mosaic. And I'm glad you found the chapter delightful. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/5/2011
Atto,

I have to agree with Earwen; Almariel has neither taste or sense. In fact she seems to be trying to be the mother-in-law from Angamando on purpose. Is she trying to sabotage her own daughter's happiness, or is she just an idiot? Maybe Irmo, Namo, Vaire and their respective Maiar can give her some tips on color and design...and I'm sure Este would like input. The Children aren't getting any rest with efforts like this to sabotage the wedding. Here's hoping Finda and the others can salvage it...next Wednesday can't get here fast enough!!

Tye-melin tenn'Ambar-metta,

Kaylee

Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. Yes, Almáriel does seem to have bad taste. I think she is just not thinking and perhaps she is exacting revenge on Finrod for deserting her daughter the first time. I think she's become bitter over the centuries, since she doesn't appear to be that way when we see her in Darkness. Oh well....

Anyway, I think once this wedding is officially done with, she may just mellow, especially when Finrod and Amarië start giving her grandkids. *grin*

Thanks for reading and reviewing, yendenya. Tye-melin.

FantasiaReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/5/2011
Wretched china indeed! Did you imagine using that china in the wedding and all of the former warriors having flashback episodes? What a disaster!

And we finally found out how Intarion died. He was saving Arafinwë. I'm not surprise that he went to ME with the host, he loved Finrod and maybe he was looking for him. What a shock must have been to get there and find out that he was already dead. Arafinwë never said anything about this; he lost his cousin that day. Ingwon went too? I don't remember if you ever said about him.

The Ingil name confussion always make me laugh.

it could be a good story to see Arafinwë and Intarion reaction to the news of all his family (except Artanis) was dead. Meaning sons, brother, nephews, nieces, almost everybody. Most of the family survivors were unknown to them.


Author Reply: Hi Fantasia. It would certainly be a disaster if that china triggered massive flashbacks among the Reborn.

Ingwion did not go to Middle-earth. He was forbidden by both his father and Arafinwë, which is why Intarion went in his place. The reason why Ingwion was not allowed to go is hinted at in Book Two of Elf, Interrupted and more explicitly shown in In Darkness Bound.

Thanks for the story suggestion. It certainly has merit. I'll keep it in mind for the future. And thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

elizaReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/5/2011
Fiondil,
How very beautifully sad. Wonderfully written and expressive. I often wonder do we think of how war scars the soul. ***sighs***. Interestingly enough I think Glorifindel vision moved me the most, I guess I always think of him as so strong and stoic when not happy. never vulnerable.


Sador, As a Amme to 4 mortal children simply find some elflings (the ellyn variety works well) and tell them they may play with any thing in the crates. Then explain to Almariel that the crates must have mistakenly gotten mixed up and the china is done. Thank her for the gift and tell her it made a memorable impression. which technically isn't a lie but will need to be said with a straight face.

Author Reply: Hi eliza. Thanks for the suggestion about what to do with the china. We'll have to see what they end up doing. Glorfindel's memory was very poignant and it shows that he can indeed be vulnerable just like the rest of us. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

TkidReviewed Chapter: 18 on 10/5/2011
Best chapter title ever! I laughed as soon as i read it. Is it bad I thought everyone's responses to the chinaware was funny?

Maybe Arafinwe can convince Almariel the dinnerware fell off the cart during delivery?

Author Reply: Glad you liked the title, Tkid. I had to work on it for a bit until I got it just right. And if you thought people's responses to the china were funny, I can't argue with you on that, as I was having fun coming up with the responses in the first place. *grin* I have no idea what Arafinwe will tell Almariel about the china. We'll have to wait and see. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate it.

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