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Lúthien's Gift  by Fiondil 19 Review(s)
Agape4GondorReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 1/6/2007
Ah - lovely. And I feel grateful, for Melian, that the Valar bowed as she exited.

Author Reply: OH, I was so surprised to see I had a review for this story after such a long time. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story as much as you enjoyed this chapter.

Aislynn CrowdaughterReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/5/2006
Hi! Beautiful story, and wonderfulsolution. I love it!

Aislynn

Author Reply: Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

InglorReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/3/2006
I don't think I have read a better, more well thought through, well spun connection to the present than this one. In the hands of a lesser writer this would have been an interesting read, but you brought it to life and took me there, made it believable. I was only sorry it ended so soon

Some of your points are very subtle and some are like thunderclaps. Your writing is elegant in the strict definition of the word, concise and efficient.

I was/am/are moved.

One word comes to mind: Profound


This story is why I keep reading fanfic.

Inglor

Author Reply: Glad you enjoyed the story. In some ways it was not an easy story to write, as I didn't want it to be too sappy the way some "religious" stories can be and of course writing about the Valar can be tricky. On the other hand, some parts sort of wrote themselves and Manwë himself insisted on having a say about things. Very difficult to argue with a Vala, especially THIS Vala!

"I was only sorry it ended so soon."

But then, the story never really ends, does it?

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/3/2006
This was such a wonderful connection of scriptural events to Tolkien's world! I am amazed at the way you tied all together. And Melian danced again! I can hardly blame her - the message she carried to Miriam would be cause for rejoicing! I must say I enjoyed the author notes at the end as well - and the names for Melian's escort were perfect! Also, I, too, agree that Eru would not be so insensitive to think a male appropriate to deliver this message to a young girl like Miriam. You have done such a good job of blending scripture, history, and Tolkien - I didn't find anything in this offensive in the least. Again, your use of language (in this case, Hebrew) was inspired. And to Melian, the resemblance in form and voice of Miriam to Luthien must have been the final verification of the will of Iluvatar in every aspect of Luthien's life. I liked Melian's realization that nothing in life ever happens by chance - she couldn't see the 'big picture' until now. How wonderful Iluvatar would speak directly to her! A wonderful (can I possibly use that word again?) story, Fiondil. I am only sorry it is over. Thank you for sharing it with us.

linda

Author Reply: Well I'm glad the ending was all you hoped it to be. Alassiel loved the story but then she's prejudiced *grin*. I enjoyed writing it. It's the most fun I've had in some time.

"I liked Melian's realization that nothing in life ever happens by chance - she couldn't see the 'big picture' until now."

It just goes to show that even the Maiar and Valar, as created beings, cannot always "see" things the way they are and have to learn through experience just like the rest of Eru's Children.

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/3/2006
Of course! I had suspected, but was not entirely sure! I do love your characterizations of these three Valar, who in the past have always seemed somewhat aloof. Here their compassion shows, however, and I especially enjoyed the Doomsman and his surprising wink at Melian.

Once the request is made, it is Namo and Melian who captured my interest completely. She had never forgiven Namo or Eru for her daughter, and this perhaps was the bitterness that kept her from Elu, once he was released from Mandos (not wanting to defile his new innocence with her own lingering grief and bitterness). Those tears she shed were the first steps toward her own complete healing, I suppose. I was glad for her. The entire explanation given by Namo, and then Manwe concerning Luthien and their impressions of her was wonderful.

So, Iluvatar is on the move! What a thrill I had reading that phrase! And chill bumps as Manwe asks Melian formally. ..."So I ask thee who was once Queen of Doriath: wilt thou go? Wilt thou put aside thy oath for Iluvatar's sake...and for ours?" and her answer..."Yea, Lord, I will go, for thou dost bid me."

(Mari said you had a wonderful gift of writing dialogue - I must agree wholeheartedly!) This was awesome! (And I find the use of Quenya scattered here and there very effective!)

linda

Author Reply: Alassiel always thought that Námo has gotten a bad rap for being the big party-pooper of all times, and perhaps Tolkien was at fault there in his description of this particular Vala, but no one is that simplistic in character. I wanted to show that there was more to this character than normally meets the eye and make him, if not actually more "human", then more accessible so that readers might see past the stereotypes to the "real" person Námo is, and ultimately to the real persons the other Valar are.

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 2 on 2/3/2006
So much to love about this chapter! The first thing that really caught my attention was your use of "Kortirion, outside of Alaminore proper". There is a poem written by Tolkien called "Kortirion (Alaminore, the Land of Elms)". I love that poem dearly, and loved even better seeing a thriving settlement, rather than the sad "fading town" beset with "grey shadows". The meeting of Olorin and the elflings, and his turning the flame into butterflies was so typical of how I think of Mithrandir - and your Glorfindel, all playfulness and laughter - another wonderful characterization. More interesting history, this time with Melian helping Celebrian begin to heal once she reached Valinor, and fascinating (but logical) to think that it was Frodo and Bilbo who actually provided the most help with her. The ending of the chapter, with the visit to the 'Yana Cormacolindoron' and Olorin's and Melian's reverence for the Ringbearers was, I suppose, my favorite part (among many others in this interlude!) It was gratifying to think that the elves and the Valar would show such honor to Frodo, Bilbo, and Sam! Once again, wonderful chapter! I'm on to the next! :-)

linda

Author Reply: Tolkien often spoke of the elves "fading" but I would imagine that such a thing would happen over a longer period of time, eons rather than millennia so it makes sense that the elves of Tol Eressëa would still be thriving. After all, that is essentially the case in Tolkien's "Lost Road", which takes place nearly 1000 years after this story.

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 4 on 2/3/2006
I am glad you posted this without waiting for me (sorry, my inbox is full and this afternoon is my first day away from work in weeks).

I love your rendition of Melian returning to Aman and her welcome by the Valar and Maiar.. and her life there, and being chosen to be the angel bearing the news to Mary. For all that Mary withstood, surely she did have an angel watching over her.

Very nice tying of events of scripture to Tolkien's world.

Author Reply: I'm just glad I was able to figure out how to post a story on my own! The learning curve on modern technology gets a little steeper every year it seems.

I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/3/2006
I'm not exactly sure what time frame I thought this took place in - I mean I knew it came before "Sent Unto Men", but I was still surprised to see Celebrian and read that she and Elrond were living in Imladris 'Wain with elflings! Then I began to realize this was more towards our end of the time frame (sort of!) and had to slap my forehead! Duh, Linda! Elves...Immortals...remember???

You have made this a very interesting history lesson, of sorts, revealing Melian's long years of recovery through her conversation with Olorin and her thoughts about how he had been the one to help her finally begin to heal. So...when Elu was finally released by Namo, they did not ultimately stay together. She seems happy, tho', romantic that I am, I found that rather sad. But, I assume they have a long distance relationship?

Anyway, the dialogue between Melian, Celebrian, and Olorin was very good (funny,too), and the idea of Manwe, Varda, and Namo acting like "elflings" up to something was one of those giggle-inducing mental pictures. I look forward to the dinner with Elrond, Celebrian, and elflings...and suspect that more gossip will be forthcoming! This is excellent, Fiondil!

linda

Author Reply: For me, the story was never about Melian going to Middle-earth and being the "angel of the Annunciation", but what needed to happen for her to accept the assignment in the first place, seeing as how she had vowed never to return (and with good reason!). So tracing her journey through the ages was important for me in telling the story (and, to me, the most interesting part of the story anyway).

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: Prologue on 2/3/2006
Alassiel told me (probably about the time she beta'd it for you) you had written a companion piece for "Sent Unto Men". I have been looking for it and was so excited to see it this morning. This first chapter of Melian's return to Valinor after her beloved's death - her uncertainty as to her reception by both Valar and Eldar - and then the reaction of Manwe - was so well-written and heartrending (I knew this was going to be great when I found myself gulping back the tears once Nienna and Manwe both went to her). This was beautifully done - you can feel her despair and grief and sense the compassion the great ones on the thrones had for her. (And I loved the picture of the two great eagles gracing Manwe's throne and studying Melian in their own way!) Wonderful!

linda

Author Reply: Yes, I thought the eagles were a nice touch. When Alassiel was beta-ing this chapter, she wondered if they were live or not as the original text was ambiguous. I decided they were alive (pace Odin). Hope you enjoy the rest of the story as much as you enjoyed the Prologue. I welcome your comments.

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