News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| A Darkness Lies behind Us by Bodkin | 14 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| lwarren | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/17/2007 |
| I find the thought that the unforgiveness felt by the elves of Aman to be the hindering factor of their kin being returned to them absolutely fascinating and plausible. Why restore the innocence of the reborn, only to have it corrupted by the unforgiveness and hate of the society they are expected to rejoin? But even more compelling is Finrod's statement to his mother about mending the distances that separate his people. "'A big responsibility.' Earwen was not sure she approved. 'But a great purpose.' Anar shone in Finrod's hair and the reflections on the crystal water enhanced the gleam of his pale skin. 'And it is only fair that we should be asked to put back what we have received.' He smiled. 'For we have received so much more than we have deserved.'" His nobility really shines there! Such an interesting time - and I like the thought of houses set up to help those reborn adjust to their new circumstances. Best of all, Finrod and Amarie and Earwen and Finarfin - I love those elves (especially as seen in your vision of Aman). And as usual, Bodkin, you have such a lyrical way with words! "Scents of...salt winds and distant islands, silver fish and pods of sleek dolphins, bright corals and kelp forests. You could take the Teler from the sea, but the ocean remained part of the Teler, despite long centuries in the decorous Tirion, surrounded by trees and the tang of forge-fires." *sighs* Lovely! Between you and Fiondil, I am getting my 'Finrod fix' quite regularly! LOL (well...if I can't have Legolas....) More soon, please..... Linda Author Reply: If the reborn arrive innocent, having paid for whatever sins they have committed, then the last thing the Valar would want would be for them to suffer at the hands of those who bear grudges against them. Finrod makes a great spearhead of a more general movement to ease matters. An Exile, but not a Kinslayer. A king and a victim - a sacrifice. A very personable sacrifice, too, and one who could charm the birds off the trees. I'm glad you are enjoying a fix of Finrod - and thank you, Linda. | |
| Larner | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/17/2007 |
| True mercy is far more difficult to deal with than true justice. We can understand justice; but Mercy exists at a much deeper level, and must be coupled with understanding and empathy and a desire for joy that is beyond justice's reach. A wonderful look at this process, and love seeing Finrod coming to more fully appreciate all he left behind when he would walk away from the mercy offered before. Author Reply: Tough, isn't it! For the elves of Aman to realise that their lost ones won't return to them unless they can free themselves of the bitterness they believe themselves entitled to feel. And of course it will never be perfect - because a bunch of fallible people are striving to achieve something beyond their reach. But the striving is important. Thank you, Larner. Sorry to be so bad about replying and reviewing just recently. There's just too much to do! | |
| Nariel | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/17/2007 |
| Thank you very much! I am glad to find it was long. I really do like to read long, WONDERFUL stories. I especially enjoyed how you made Earwen strong and not a meek, obedient child. In many stories i have read, Earwen always usually in some way begs for forgiveness for the Kinslaying to her father. Another thing that came as a suprise to me (a good one!) was that Olwe didn't sound very forgiving to his grandson. Now that has made this story unique from others. If you search the net for Finrod returns to Valinor stories, Bodkin , you will find that all of them always have Olwe automatically giving his forgiveness on the spot! Terrific, stupendous story so far! Hope to see the story finished! Namarie! Author Reply: Thank you, Nariel. I'm afraid prodding won't elicit the next chapter because it's only part-written - and I'm drowning in paperwork at the moment. Glug, glug, glug. But soon, hopefully, I'll manage to clear the backlog a bit and manage to get some more writing done. I reckon Olwe has come to terms with events - if only because he has had to - but this is a political move as much as a personal one and there is more at stake than simply his forgiveness of his grandson (who didn't, after all, kill anyone). Finrod would need, I think, to earn the trust of his mother's kin - and I imagine he is prepared to work for it. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, Nariel, and will try to move the writing on a bit more quickly. | |
| daw the minstrel | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/17/2007 |
| I like what you show of Finrod's wisdom and restored innocence, stemming from his time in the Halls of Waiting. It's like he's learned to weigh his own actions and be a better person. The factionalism and much-hoarded resentment you show is really interesting. It does seem as if sometimes people can't let go of old hatreds, like they've become part of who the people are. Author Reply: Finrod was, I think, a pretty good bloke all along - but his time in the Halls must have refined him as well as restoring his innocence. And one of the things that seems to me part of being reborn is the acceptance of responsibility - for actions both past and future. Elves are complex, long-lived, contentious people - I cannot imagine the Blessed Realm being a place of placid contentment. And perfect memory would be a prime ingredient for perpetual resentment and the fuelling of old hatreds. Not in everyone, of course. But enough to make it hard for elves to return from Namo's care. Thank you, daw. Sorry about the slow response. | |