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The Journey Home  by Fiondil 21 Review(s)
KittyReviewed Chapter: 20 on 12/30/2013
At least the two parties who were abroad are back safe and sound. Though their news weren't that great. It's clear that Thurin killed his brother to spare him a prolonged, painful death, but it's horrible to imagine how guilty he must have felt afterwards. No wonder he went insane, indeed. Even more so as no one was there to tell him he's not a bad guy because of it, as Maglor and the others are now doing. The poor guy must have suffered so many years after this :(

In any case, I am glad the others reacted as they did. Even if circumstances had been a bit different, the way Arthalion has suffered would be enough punishment. And as things are, it was way too much already. It would have broken the poor guy if he had to go now.

The chapter certainly ended with a bang *groans* Though I know already why you did it, it seemed so cruel to Maglor. Sure, it's his way to redemption and all, but still ... Why could they not leave that damn thing where it was? He won't have any peace of mind now.

Author Reply: Mercy killing is never easy, especially when it's done to a loved one. At least Thurin knows that no one condemns him for it and all sympathize and that should help him reclaim himself. And you know me, Kitty. I like cliffhangers, especially the sort with ominous organ music in the background. LOL! Thanks for the review. As always, it's appreciated.

ImhirielReviewed Chapter: 20 on 7/12/2013
Eeeeeek!

*incoherent spluttering*

Now, that was a cliffhanger for the (ice-)ages ;-)...

I don't have anything more sensible to add, other than that I continue to find the story very original and intriguing. And I am so curious how they are going to deal with that Pandora's box you just threw in their midst...

Author Reply: I'm glad you have been enjoying this story, Imhiriel. And the Silmaril is a sort of Pandora's box for the Elves, isn't it? Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

CelethReviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/15/2013
How sad for Thurin - Arthalion - to have to have to watch his brother suffer that way, and then have to deliver the mercy stroke himself. No wonder he reacted the way he did when they brought the carcasses in last time.

Its nice to know that he is already integrating himself into the community, already doing his part. I'm also happy that they understood and accepted him even after they learned what he had to do. Its a close-knit and compassionate community, and one couldn't wish for a better support group.

But about the Silmaril! Where could it have come from? One is with Earendil, and the other two were lost after the War of Wrath. Which one could this be and how did Thurin come by it? Such a lot of questions. Its a good thing Arthalion can now talk and communicate with the others!

Author Reply: Yes, it's very sad, Celeth, but at least he is with people who are sympathetic and willing to understand what he must have endured.

As for the Silmaril and what it means for Maglor... we will learn about that soon enough.

Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.

obsidianjReviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/13/2013
What?!? A Silmaril? This chapter had some unexpected surprises. No wonder Ragnor got back as fast as he could. First discovering the murdered elf... Just curious, how do you distinguish between a mortal and an elf when only skeletons remain? And then the Silmaril... Shows you again, throwing something into a river or the ocean doesn't mean it is lost forever. Now Maglor has to face his personal demons. Poor Arthalion, being forced/coerced to kill his own brother*shudder*, even more reason to lose his mind. But he makes progress, at least he got his name back.
What was that about coincidences? Is it the plan of the Valar that all unresolved issues will be addressed before they get to Aman?

Author Reply: Hi obsidianj. Concerning your question about how one tells between a mortal and an elf when there are only skeletal remains, one cannot, unless the remains are mummified or there is some other evidence showing that it is an elf and not a mortal. Obviously, Ragnor must have had some evidence that the body found was definitielythat of an elf or he would have said differently.

At any rate, you are correct that throwing something into the ocean or a river doesn't necessarily mean it's lost forever. We will see what the consequences of the Silmaril being recovered will be for Maglor. Certainly it looks as if the Valar want certain unresolved issued addressed before these people are allowed to come to Aman. We'll have to see how true your supposition is.

Thanks for reviewing. I very much appreciate it.

Kaylee ArafinwielReviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/13/2013
Atto,

Just so you know, I have read and loved every chapter so far. This story has sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions, and every cliffie has made me sputter and whine to myself 'but...but...IT IS TOO LONG UNTIL THE NEXT CHAPTER!' (yes, unlike Glorfi, I can admit it when I whine LOL!) But finally I managed to think out a proper review - at twenty minutes to midnight, on the chapter that I should be least coherent at reviewing, judging by the general consensus!

I love Thurin - ahem - Arthalion and I feel sorry for him, with what his brother went through. I'm wondering just who they are, of what clan and how old, that he doesn't know Maglor's story - or doesn't remember?

And speaking of Maglor...the Silmaril. I'm guessing it'd have to be the one Maglor seized, since Maedhros' went into the earth with him and the other one is...um, otherwise occupied. No wonder his burned hand twitched, it must be taunting him, going 'ha ha, you thought you got rid of me but...'

Just...SILMARIL.

*lets self go incoherent now and sputters at Atarinya*

SILMARIL. WHAT.

WHY.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

*worries for Maglor and Arthalion and all of them*

Oh, and why didn't...was it Ragnor? ever build that flet, if he stayed in the tree so long??

Sorry for not reviewing for ages, but I have been keeping up here and loving it to distraction (and frustration O Cliffie King, Atto.)

Oh well, you should have seen ME when my internet was broken! I was as crazy as I'm sure Maglor will be now...

Now I won't be able to sleep and I have to be up at 7!! It is YOUR fault! :P But I love you anyway!

Tye-melin,

Kaylee

Author Reply: Hi Kaylee. I'm glad ýou're still reading and enjoying this story. As for what I'm doing, you'll find out soon enough. *grin* More than likely, Arthalion just doesn't remember about Maglor at this stage. And I don't know why Denethor (not Ragnor) didn't buld a flet. Perhaps he didn't want to leave any evidence of someone spying on the Mortals. The tree had to be close enough to the mortal village for him to spy on them and building a flet would've been loud, if nothing else. *grin* Anyway, thanks for reviewing. It's very much appreciated.

Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/12/2013
Yikes!

Author Reply: Indeed. *grin*

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/12/2013
What a thing to find! Is it the one Maedhros took down into the earth, or the one thrown by Maglor himself out into the sea? At least he can fulfill his oath to bring one back, I suppose. And now we know this strange young Elf's name, if not his family.

Author Reply: This Silmaril would be Maglor's since, once the waters of the oceans retreated, it would be uncovered. We'll learn more about it later and what purpose it has for Maglor. Thanks for commenting, Larner. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

curiouswombatReviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/12/2013
Oh wow! Now that is a stunning last line for an exciting chapter!

Author Reply: I'm glad you think so, curiouswombat. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.

LaerReviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/12/2013
Wow, one of the jewels were found. :( Poor Maglor. Arthalion, wonder if he will open his mind up more for them. Maybe it is what the Vala wants. For both of them to face what they feel is the biggest form of evil.

deer and fish instead of goat. That will help them keep their tummies filled.

Author Reply: Hi laer. We'll have to see how Arthalion acts towards everyone else now and I think you may be correct about both Arthalion and Maglor needing to face what they feel is the biggest form of evil for them.

And at least they get a little variety in their diet. That should make them all happy. *grin*

Thanks for reviewing. It's appreciated.

someoneReviewed Chapter: 20 on 4/12/2013
I did wonder at some point what Maglor would do, if he found a silmaril now (as the sea leved was lower, it could be on dry land somewhere), but couldn't even imagine that you would actually do that! That's cruel for Maglor, it seems that he can never be free from those jewels.

'“You hate me now,” Thurin protested. “I bad. I not good. Maglor good.--' It seems that either Thurin has never learnt history or he has forgotten much, if he thinks Maglor could judge him for killing another elf! This solves at least the problem I was thinking of earlier, about Thurin having some sort of crisis when his new closest friend turns out to be a kinslayer. I still don't understand how a big cat could be so poisonous, though. (Should I go looking for answer to that from the previous replies for reviews?)

I know I haven't reviewed this story before, but I'd like you to know that I've enjoyed every chapter and they have brought post-ice age time more alive than nearly anything I have read before.



Author Reply: Hi someone. I'm glad that you've been enjoying this story and that I've been able to bring the post-ice age time more alive than anythign you've read before. It's been a labor of love, for sure, and I've had a lot of fun imagining what Middle-earth might have looked like during an ice age.

Thurin/Arthalion, of course, only knows Maglor in the present and most likely has not recovered any memories of the past and stories about Maglor, so he sees his new friend as 'good' and himself as 'bad'. At this point in time, he's very much like a child with his black-and-white worldview.

As for the cats being poisonous,there are plenty of animals in our world that are considered poisonous to eat. These creatures are distant descendents of the big cats that Glorfindel encounterd in Valinor (see Elf, Interrupted, Book Two), where Oromë says their meat is not good to eat and leaves it at that and no doubt the Maiar were able to cure the fur so it did not stink for the cloaks that Glorfindel wished to have made for his brothers.

Of course, the Harthadrim knowing nothing about any of this, only what effect these creatures have on them and they simply can't tolerate touching them.

I hope that clears things up a bit for you.

I'm glad you took the time to review and I look forward to seeing any other reviews from you when you can leave one. Thanks.

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