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| A Darkness Lies behind Us by Bodkin | 57 Review(s) |
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| Imhiriel | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/18/2007 |
| Finarfin's summary of the difficulties and heartache that awaited him when he turned back from the flight, terse and brief as it is, illuminates very clearly his bravery, as well what a struggle it must have been for the Elves of Aman - all Elves - to recover and recoup, and rebuilt peace and frayed relations. To contrast this with what people reproached him and what names they called him (and which is shared, regrettably, by some writers), this makes if all the more poignant. "Perhaps the newly-housed fëar of the slain need the... absence of enmity in their carers." Very intriguing answer to the question of why certain Elves are released when others presumed "more deserving" are not! And it rings certainly true, hard as it is. "Finrod might walk beside his atar under the trees..." Oh, I like how you have used here the relevant quote from the Silmarillion - you have certainly brought it to mind in this story! The plural form of "Elleth" is "Ellith". I like the back-and-forth of showing Finrod adapting to life and what the women are up to in establishing a "care system". "It would be ... pleasant, to remember that I am only a small part of the whole." Very perceptive of you to include this observation. I think it could be difficult to be the centre of attention even if it is all from care and concern of those who love him. To put himself in a more regular perspective in relation to others must be an equally important step towards normalcy. And what a thought-provoking encounter for Finarfin. How indeed has this "problem" of Reborn Elves been dealt with without coming to the attention of the leaders. Author Reply: Thank you, Imhiriel. And the chapter titles are all extracted from the Silmarillion, as well. (I have far more than I can possibly use, too.) Really, the immortality of elves must be incredibly difficult to deal with - fine as long as everything is sweetness and light, but dealing with spite and violence and personal affront and learning to forgive and move past offences that perfect memory can recall in meticulous detail ... Well - I'm only surprised they all manage to get on as well as they do. It would be difficult for Namo to return to life those whose restored innocence would not protect them from the less pure response of those who lived through the past. I think accepting responsibility might be key in returning - understanding your motives and moving beyond them - and that the more damaged the fea and/or hroa the more difficult the process would be. Those who died in innocence or sacrifice might well have an advantage ... but then guilt and culpability are not the same thing. And following commands cannot be used to justify actions when those commands are carried out slavishly to the active harm of others ... Sorry. Rambling. I know (these days) that the plural of elleth is ellith - but I just so much prefer the ellyth spelling that I am reluctant to change. Sorry. | |
| Inglor | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/18/2007 |
| One of the things that is truly striking about your writing, to me anyway, is your imagery. Sight, sound, and especially smell are clear yet understated. It makes the "suspension of reality" completly effortless. And your insights And characters And pace etc. Finrod's comment about nightmares was a masterful stroke, both what he said and how he said it Author Reply: Thank you, Inglor. I have to work to keep the imagery under control - it flows quite easily for me! I'm very flattered by your additions! Finrod is a very strong character, and insightful with it. Glad you liked it. | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 4 on 6/18/2007 |
| I am very happy to see you continuing this story! That was a sweet reunion between Amarie and Finrod. :) Her observation very informative about the nature of Finrod's re-embodiment. Finarfin's conclusions were rather insightful. But, poor Earwen... being told there were already reassimilated (more or less) returnees, when she and the other ladies had come to see their mission as very needful. She had a right to be bewildered and question what was really going on. Her speculation about the best treatment of 'hard' cases was also insightful. It was wise of Finrod to seek official forgiveness and show humility. Olwe too was wise to explain his reasons for giving it - with conditions. I am glad to see that his people respect their king enough to wait upon his judgement and not accost Finrod outright. Although, as yet, it seems most people only resent not having their loved ones back when this prince has been returned. However, I am worried that the 'tendrils of resentment' will become braided into a garrote of vengeance. The Teleri are pretty good at rope-making. But, I fear the kin of someone who has perished in Finrod's company even more. One thing that has to be said is that your writing makes every tale - even those of a pondering nature - a pleasure to read. The well-depicted settings and the little personable details you include draw the reader unsuspectingly into grander themes - not just painlessly, but delightfully. I like this chapter as a bridge to the next movement in the disrupted song of marred Eldamar. Author Reply: The idea of returning to live again in the west becomes more and more complicated as you think about the implications. And the numbers. And quite how you would deal with being reunited with members of your family who died a violent death thousands of years before and who have missed all the experiences that came between then and now. I think Finrod would have realised the need for an official expression of regret. He has the instincts of a king and he is deeply interested in other people. And matters are in flux rather at the moment and could go all sorts of ways - including ways that could prove disastrous. Hopefully the leaders have enough eyes out there to be aware of where they need to push and where to soothe. Thank you, Redheredh. I'm glad you liked it - although it is not a story that is flowing very well. Fits and starts, I'm afraid. But it will continue - I am determined on that! | |
| Agape4Gondor | Reviewed Chapter: 2 on 6/18/2007 |
| This is a truly beautiful story, Bodkin, and I am enjoying it immeasurably. Author Reply: Thank you Agape4Gondor! It's moving rather slowly, I'm afraid, but hearing that you are enjoying it encourages me to go and write some more. | |
| 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. | |
| Nieriel Raina | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/17/2007 |
| How have I missed this before? This is very good. I'm coming to truly like Finrod. Thank you for adding to filling out the character. Every story adds a little more, and this one is really well done. NiRi Author Reply: Thank you, Nieriel Raina! I'm pleased you enjoyed it. Finrod is a rather splendid elf - and one whose returned is actually a matter of record! I enjoy reading - and writing - about him. | |
| 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. | |
| Nariel | Reviewed Chapter: 3 on 6/17/2007 |
| I really enjoyed the chapters you've written so far. Will you PLEASE, Por favor, write more chapters. I've seen so many good stories turn bad because they are/were 'Work in Progresses.' In other words will you please continue the story and hopefully finish it? Author Reply: I've been sidetracked! Apologies. I do have another chapter done, but the one after that has slowed down terribly. Still - I should have rather more time shortly and perhaps get back to a better schedule. But, since you're interested, I'll post the next chapter now. | |