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The Journey Home  by Fiondil 20 Review(s)
ImhirielReviewed Chapter: 4 on 7/11/2013
Perhaps a partial answer to my questions from my previous reviews. Maglor wants to die in Imladirs, although he doesn't know himself why he feels that way.

Continued haunting, vivid descriptions of the changed landscapes.

I think Denethor a quite well-chosen name. I have fond memories of the elf of that name from the SILM; and I somehow feel as if through this present character the Denethor from LotR can be redeemed. Little as that makes rational sense. But here we have one who has concsiously chosen hope, consciously taken it up again and champions it so beautifully, in contrast to that other one who let despair overwhelm him until his shocking, pitiful end.

Author Reply: H Imhiriel, I chose names for the Elves in this story with the idea that they would be common names, perhaps passed down through the generations, and I always liked the name Denethor anyway. Your comparison of this Denethor with the Last Ruling Stweard is very interesting. I never really thought of the parallels between them. Thanks for pointing it out and thanks for reviewing. It's greatly appreciated.

TariReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/20/2013
Ah, redemption. How sweet it is.

Author Reply: Indeed it is, Tari, indeed it is.

6336Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/18/2013
Given my druthers I think death by bear would not be one of them! I don't think Namo or the other Valar would have been to happy if he had been et!

For Maglor to loose his harp just does not seem right, but he did keep the strings, so there is hope that he will get another, they could come in usful for other things though.

I don't think he really wanted to die, I think he just so tired of living.

So he and Denethor and the Harthadrim have met and he has decided to live, at least for the moment.

On to Men Dir!

Huggs,
Lynda

Author Reply: I think you're right about Maglor, Lynda. He doesn't really want to die, he's just tired of living, but now he's got something to live for and we'll see how successful they are in reaching their ultimate goal of finding the Straight Road. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it. Hugs.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/17/2013
Why do I get the feeling that the bear was another delay tactic by the Valar? Oh well, at least it was a more useful one than the blizzard – warm clothing would be rather welcome for his journey, and Maglor will need the meat. Though it's still strange how he struggles to get to Imladris just to die – and how he fights to not die before then!

Finding his shelter, on the other hand, was obviously somewhat important for the other Elves, as it encouraged them to continue.

The second half of the chapter was a lovely reunion with the old oneshot, so to speak, and made me happy. Now we'll find out how this continued! In any case, I still love this meeting and the way Denethor gave Maglor new hope. The news that Dor Rodyn isn't completely closed to him must have been quite the shock for Maglor. The same goes for the knowledge that the Valar even sent someone to find him and bring him to the West.

Now I can't wait to find out how they get along and what adventures they are going to have on their way, and most of all, of Maglor's welcome in Aman.

Author Reply: Hi Kitty. I once read that a person who, for instance, swims out to sea with the intention of drowning themselves, will swim back to shore if someone comes out and threatens to shoot them. Apparently suicides prefer to die by their own hands instead of by another's even though the end result is the same: they're dead. I suspect Maglor is like the swimmer.

And now that we've reached the point where the short story ended we can see what adventures Maglor and the Harthadrim have as they seek the Straigth Road. I hope you enjoy the next part of the story as much as you've enjoyed this part. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/16/2013
About time he gets a move on!

Author Reply: I guess so, Larner.

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/16/2013
At Helm's Deep he killed a bear. Just like that. But what else would one expect from Maglor, son of Feanor? I don't think it would have been a pleasant death, being eaten alive by a bear. Good choice. One of few this Elf has taken over the yeni.

I have hopes for the harp - as well as for the Elf. Glad he kept the strings.

Just being picky at the moment. Wouldn't satchel (small bag - 14th c Fr from Latin) be more appropriate than haversack (oat bag - 18th c Fr from German)?
http://www.etymonline.com/

Again the emotions that the Harthadrim and the Elf feel as they pass by each desecrated landmark are profound. And yes, the landmarks are desecrated, for did they not once hold proud and doughty people/men/dwarves/elves/hobbits?

I'm glad you gave Denethor and his people a sliver of hope with the finding of Maglor's camp.

And the remembrance of Oropher and past history was poignant indeed. As was Maglor's shame at memories of the Helcaraxe. Well done!

This was beautifully written: Before we decided on our course we were a spiritless people, lost to ourselves, to our memories and our regrets. But look at us now.

At the end, if we separate ourselves from others, will we too not lose hope? I'm truly surprised Maglor held out for so long before deciding he'd had enough and sought death.

I loved this chapter. I had to look to see if it the story was marked: Complete, for my heart wanted more - as it always does with your tales.

Bless you for sharing so much!



Author Reply: Hi Agape. I've used haversack in other stories, such as "Elf, Interrupted". Satchel may be etymologically older, but the connotation is indeed a small bag that you can sling over your shoulder, something similar to our modern-day messenger bag, so it doesn't hold much. Aragorn, for instance, might carry a satchel containing medicinals and that would be about it. A haversack is larger, like our modern-day backpack or duffle bag, so it holds a lot more, which you would expect if these people don't have a pack horse and have to carry all their supplies on their backs.

I'm glad to see that you loved the chapter. This story is not over by any means. Indeed, you'll be reading about the adventures of Maglor and the Harthadrim as they search for the Straight Road well into June, so sit back and enjoy the ride. *grin* Thanks for revieiwng. I really appreciate it.

curiouswombatReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/16/2013
Sad to think there is so little sign of Imladris - but not surprising, I guess. I am pleased to see them meet up - and how good to know that there is a little hope at last for The Exiled One.

Author Reply: Hi curioswombat. Yes, it is sad to think that there's nothing left of Imladris save a few piles of rocks. But the important thing, as you point out, is that Denethor and Maglor have met up at last and Maglor has regained some hope for himself. Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

EllynnReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/16/2013
Interesting meeting and conversation. :D
Btw, which season is it?

Author Reply: Hi Ellynn. By the time Denethor and his people find Maglor it's probably early June, having set out on their journey in mid-March. I've been very vague as to time here, because in a sense, it's almost meaningless, especially for Elves, and considering their environment where the ice still holds sway even in the midst of what we would consider summer.

bookwormReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/15/2013
Aw Maglor. I wonder if secretly he's been hoping all this time - "hope does not overcome, it endures" I read somewhere. And well. Of all of the Feanorians, he's the one who has, indeed, kept enduring.

Author Reply: You're absolutely right, bookworm and that's a great line, one that we can all take to heart. Maglor has truly endured and I suspect in the back of his mind he was hoping for this or something similar, because, really, if he really wanted to die, why go to all the bother of traveling hundreds of miles to do so? Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I appreciate it very much.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/15/2013
I questioned Maglor's sanity in the last chapter already. Here it is even worse. I don't think he really wants to die. He had so many opportunities and never took them. Now that he has met Denethor and his gang he can give up the pretense of going somewhere to die deliberately. He still might die on the search for the Straight Road, but as Denethor said he will not be alone. I think the most important part for Maglor is the acceptance of him that Denethor and his group show him. They are not digging out the old tales. They seem to forgive him and welcome him despite everything he has done.

Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. Maglor probably only thought he wanted to die, seeing no other options open to him, but all the while he was looking for those options, otherwise, as you say, he had all those opportunities along the way to die and never took them. Denethor and the Harthadrim have offered him an out and he's taking it and if he does die along the way it will not be by his own hand and that, too, is an important consideration. I suspect that many of those following Denethor wondered if the "Exiled One" wasn't Maglor, so they weren't too surprised when they learned his identity, so were accepting of him, knowing that the Valar wished it.

Thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

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