Back to the Valley by Thundera Tiger
Estel_Mi_Olor · 19 December 2004 · Chapter 2: Epilogue Drabble
Excellent ending, TithenFeredir, in case you ever read this. I love the line "That presence called his proper name and with a swelling of unspeakable joy he answered it." Beautiful! However, I don't think I'd use the word "drabble" to describe this writing! Keep writing (both of you) and I look forward to posts from you!
docmon · 16 December 2004 · Chapter 2: Epilogue Drabble
what a wonderful conclusion to the original story! to see the elf gain his long sought peace is uplifting and hopeful. I loved how in the end he could remember everything. It was a reminder of what he'd been through but also that he'd conquered it all. And wonderfully put, as well. Thanks to TithenFeredir for this! monica
Jay of Lasgalen · 16 December 2004 · Chapter 2: Epilogue Drabble
That was very well done - the poor elf at peace at last, and remembering his name. Thank you for posting this, and thank you to TithenFeredir for writing it. Jay
Bodkin · 16 December 2004 · Chapter 2: Epilogue Drabble
A beautifully phrased conclusion giving freedom to the poor tormented elf. The destruction of his physical body shatters the chains holding him to life and allows him to seek himself again. The idea of him now being free to remember is delightfully put. I am glad TithenFeredir wrote this - and that you added it to your story.
Envinyatar · 25 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
I've never really been able to re-read the Hobbit after reading LOTR. It always seemed so ... childish, and that song was one of the prime examples. Well, you have now completely rehabilitated it - you have a gift for sudden switches in emphasis or register that illuminate things I haven't been aware of before, and I thank you for it. Speaking of Vogon poetry, that was the first thing that came to mind when Treebeard began to sing...
Author's reply
*snort* Now I have this strange image of Treebeard at an Entmoot debating the merits of a new hyperspace bypass and urging them not to be hasty and that they should put up a notice in case anyone on earth wanted to protest... Anyway, you're very welcome for the story, and I hope the sudden switches weren't too jarring. This story was meant to be a *little* jarring, though, just because I wanted the song and the Tra-la-la-lally to have a good entrance. Anyway, many thanks for the review, and also thanks for the image of Treebeard pondering the purpose of digital watches.
Eruvyweth · 25 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
Oh. So sad. I wonder what the Elf's name was. Poor little guy. (Sniff.) Love your title. Ah, me, well, that was my dose of tragic fanfiction for the day. Time to go and read some humor. Buh-bye. ~egf
Author's reply
Glad you liked. I was rather fond of the title myself, and I'm curious as to whether anyone recognized what song he remembered by the title before he actually began singing it. There aren't a lot of "The Hobbit" scholars out there, but there are enough. Anyway, enjoy whatever humor you choose to read, and I'm glad I could provide you with your RDA of tragic fanfiction. ;)
TithenFeredir · 25 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
That was absolutely chilling. I can't get the poor elf out of my mind now. So, if you are through with the story, he perishes in the fall of Barad-dur. I realize that it would mean release for him but it's still so sad. It seems the more that fic writers explore Tolkein's world, the greater the extremes of beauty and sadness they uncover. What would be interesting, if you changed your mind and decided to go on and have him escape or be rescued, (nudge-nudge, wink-wink), would be how he recovered from the state he took on---if he could recover. It's a gut-wrenching fic as it is, though. Dang. Ouch. Bravo. TF
Author's reply
*dodges nudges and attempts to ignore winks* Many thanks for the review, and I'm flattered you think this would be worthy of continuing. But in all honesty, I don't see how it could be. I really am very satisfied with how it was, so this is how it will probably stay. But feel free to continue it yourself if you feel so motivated! Thanks again for the review!
Estel_Mi_Olor · 24 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
Beautiful. Very harrowing to read about that poor Elf and how he was tortured. But I think the most piercing part of this fic was the fact that the Elf chose not to remember. How he tried to forget. I don't think people, generally speaking, can imagine a situation so bad that they would want to forget the memories of their past life. It is a human trait to want to remember. But then again Elves aren't human, are they? ;) Thank you and keep writing!
Author's reply
No, elves are definitely not human, and I think that's certainly part of why he forgot. The fact that he *could* forget says something about him, too, and the fact that he was willing to in order to protect his home says something about his devotion to Rivendell and his kin. So he didn't forget because his situation is so bad. He forgot in order to protect, which I find to be an intriguing notion, especially since he still clings to his forgetfulness even though he can't remember why it's important that he do so. Thank you for the review!
Bodkin · 24 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
Poor elf. I hope he finds peace before too much longer. Silly songs, poetry, times tables - I believe they have all been used in similar circumstances. Nuns and priests recite the Bible and prayer books to themselves and I would imagine Muslims could use the Qu'ran in the same way.
Author's reply
You know, there are some out there who think the elf died at the end of the story. So I suppose it's possible that he's found peace. Then there are others (like you) who think he's still alive. And I find this all very interesting, because I wrote it with the idea that he's still alive, but I left it vague enough for other interpretations. I was actually wondering if anybody would view it a different way because in my mind it was absolutely clear that he was still alive. Interesting... Many thanks for the review!
daw the minstrel · 24 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
As I recall, isn't there a "Ha! Ha!" in there somewhere? This was chilling, and the juxtaposition of the silly song and the torment made it more so.
Author's reply
O! tril-lil-lil-lolly the valley is jolly, ha! ha! Yup. In the first occurrence of the song, there are three lines with "ha! ha!" in them. There are also beards wagging and various other strange things. Thanks for the comments, and I'm glad you liked the inane song matched up against the grim and gloom of Mordor.
Jay of Lasgalen · 24 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
Very good. I wonder who the poor elf was, and how he was captured? I wondered if he had been captured with Celebrían, but not if he was in Imladris when Bilbo returned with Gandalf. Jay
Author's reply
Enter the oh-so-convenient plot device of making the elf forget everything. ;) Seriously, though, my own omnisicent authorial story involves an expedition with the Rangers around the southern boundaries of the Misty Mountains that went horribly wrong and resulted in several deaths and one or two prisoners. It would have taken place sometime after Bilbo and Gandalf passed through on the return journey, but not too long after because it's my impression that this elf has been a prisoner for a while. At least fifty or sixty years. *shrugs* That's just my theory, but as our unnamed elf has forgotten, I guess we'll never know for sure.
mistry89 · 24 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
It is an effective device, I believe, and I think that the inanity of the song/ doggerel/thing reinforces the horrible situation of the poor elf. I'm not one for demanding updates, but that elf is just left hanging there ....
Author's reply
If you're asking for an update on this particular story, I'm sorry to say that there's no more. That's it. It's one of those bittersweet endings where it's good for a while but you know it won't last. If you're talking about another story...ah, you'll have to be a bit more specific. I've got a few elves hanging in a few more stories. Anyway, thanks for the review and I'm glad you liked the contrast of song and setting!
Lindelea · 24 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
Vivid pictures, strong emotions, defiant hope in the middle of hopelessness. I will never read those parts (the two times the song is song) of The Hobbit again in quite the same way. Thanks!
Author's reply
Glad you liked it! I'm not going to think of the song the same way again, either, so I suppose I'll have very good company!
Elena Tiriel · 24 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
Ah, very creative, Thundera! I will no longer cringe from inanity when I read that song. I will cringe from associating it with heinous torture. - Barbara
Author's reply
... Which one is better, do you suppose? The inanity or the torture? I think I actually prefer the torture... But at least now you have variety in your cringing! That has to count for something.
docmon · 23 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
ooh, cool and creepy this one! i'm certainly glad this elf remembers that song, for his sake. Careful, though - I think this might prove fodder for future plot bunnies - uh, is that ...Nuzgul? It's giving me a few of my own, and I've never written LotR fic! *g* ok, now, back to writing your longer stories! *eg* monica
Author's reply
Heh heh... Well, if I've foisted plot bunnies upon you, I shall count myself fortunate. Better you than me. Here, take all the Nuzgul you want! *wanders back to "longer" stories*
French Pony · 23 October 2004 · Chapter 1: Back to the Valley
Certainly not the stupidest song Tolkien ever wrote, but what an earworm it is! And now there's a real use for it at last. The ethnomusicologist in me (who is currently taking a course in music and media with current emphasis on inane Indopop music) sighs happily. Have you ever seen Woody Allen's Bananas? I'm thinking specifically of the scene where the government has captured one of the rebels and they torture him by chaining him to a chair and forcing him to listen to light operetta. I'm thinking that the Imladris elves could do quite a number on any orcs or Nazgul who came within their clutches, even if Vilya was at the cleaner's that day. . .
Author's reply
Congratulations! I believe you're the first person to ever use the word "ethnomusicologist" in a review. Glad I could satisfy this aspect of your character! I haven't seen "Bananas," but your reference made me think of "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and the Vogon poetry torture. So now I wonder whether or not really inane elven songs could do the same thing. Just how many Tralalalalallies would you to turn back a Balrog? Maybe we should ask Glorfindel...