elliska
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 3: Being Brave And Hardy
Of course this and the next chapter are going to be my favorites given the subject matter. :) I enjoyed Fingon and Idril's conversation and her gift of the harp. And I loved Idril's hesitance to tell her secret--how is it that children are most honest when it is most inopportune! Fingolfin's reaction is exactly right. I remember my parents racing over and nearly shaking my friend Missy half to death when I snuck out of the house at night (and all I did was go down the street to another friend's house--Fingon has taken on quite a bit more). But of course the part I liked the most was Fingon finding Maedhros. It's the classic horrible choice--kill the friend you cannot help to end his suffering but somehow this one always gets me when I read the Silm. And as I already have said, I love the eagles. You handled this scene well. I'm looking forward to seeing the conclusion of it. Great chapter.
daw the minstrel
· 23 November 2004
· Chapter 3: Being Brave And Hardy
Oh wow. This is just so good. These people are so real!
Why Fingon would take a harp with him is a good question and it's one I never thought of. And Idril's gift is a good explanation.
Fingolfin is appropriately despairing and Idril is just charming.
I suppose the hand-hacking comes next. I'll cover my face and peek through my fingers, although in truth, I've always thought that hanging by your wrist on a cliff would be far worse.
perelleth
· 16 November 2004
· Chapter 2: A Solemn Darkness
Congratulations, that family is coming alive under a very affectionate light. The interactions between Fingon and his siblings are so... moving, and Fingolfin's inner fight and contradictory feelings are wonderfully explained.
I think it must have been a difficult time for him, caught between duty and honor on one side and his own feelings on the other, and more so when Fingon dissappeared and nobody could know where he had gone or whether he would be back again... Fingon is pushing him to do what he knows he has to, but he's too hurt to admit it...
Being so different those two (Fingolfin and Fingon) there seems to be great love and deep respect between them that allow them to disagree without fighting...for each one knows what the other is feeling deep inside.
I'm loving it, it so perfectly matches my own musings about the subject that.. I'm very thrilled to read about it!!
elliska
· 16 November 2004
· Chapter 2: A Solemn Darkness
You know me well enough at this point to know I love stories that explore why characters did what they did and stories that fill in gaps. One of the stories in Sim that always bugged me was Fingon's rescue of Maedhros--always thought it needed more detail. It was so bold and I love the eagles. So, when you started this, I started to drool and I went back and re-read this part of the Sim. You are doing such a good job with this. You've got all the details of this relationship (I especially like If Maglor or his brothers truly wish my pardon for that betrayal, then they must come here. They must go down on their knees and beg my forgiveness for the hurt they inflicted on my people -- on my family. If they are willing to humble themselves and show that they truly repent of their actions, then I will consider reforging the friendship between our Houses.) and you are making the most of them. And doing it in a way that really brings these people to life.
Great chapter--I loved seeing Fingon come to his decision. His olf friendship with Maedhros and his determination to see their Houses reunited before Morgoth destroys them is coming across perfectly. Love it.
Karri
· 15 November 2004
· Chapter 2: A Solemn Darkness
A terrific chapter, Pony. I am very much enjoying see the family Fingolfin. When reading the Silm, I was conscious that they were a family, but they never seemed as much like father, son, brother, neice, as they do here.
daw the minstrel
· 15 November 2004
· Chapter 2: A Solemn Darkness
Fingon is coming so alive here, FP! His motives and feeling seem real. I also like the way you manage to keep us aware of many members of your large cast of characters without overwhelming us. That must be really hard. Finwe's family was so prolific!
Karri
· 12 November 2004
· Chapter 1: The Tie That Binds
I thought Fingon was a bit over-calm with Maglor, considering that the wroth of the followers of Fingolfin had been palpable enough to prompt the Feanorians to move to the other side of the lake unbidden. Otherwise, I am enjoying this very much. :-)
Narello (from the PPC board)
· 9 November 2004
· Chapter 1: The Tie That Binds
Awesome! I so look forward to reading more! I think you've truly captured a style that fits the Silmarillion, and I particularly like both the fact that your characterization of all in question is distinct, and that you show details of home life, but you don't let it take over the story, it's natural and right, if that makes sense! I really can't wait to read more! I can't think of any good criticism, I'm afraid, I just wish this first chapter had been longer, but it's a great start! Please let me know when you update,I've only been able to visit the PPC board irregularly...drat RL... Again, great story and I can't wait to read more!
perelleth
· 9 November 2004
· Chapter 1: The Tie That Binds
Wow! great topic! Always lwanted to read more about this special part of the story..mostly how Fingon made up the decission of leaving alone (And carrying a harp! gods! I'm looking forward to reading about that!!). I'm looking forward to next chapters.. I'd like to see the rest of the family's reaction... and I've always thought Fingolfin's followers would have had strongly mixed feelings about the feänorians and Fingon risking his life to save one of the traitors... lots of interesting developements and characters interactions yet to come I hope!!!
I loved the detail of the carved vine.. it is so... Noldor!!!
Eagerly waiting for more!
Miss Aranel
· 9 November 2004
· Chapter 1: The Tie That Binds
Ooooh - this promises to be good! I like the beginning so far - there is very good character development and I am enjoying the conflict between the different relatives. I especially like the patriarchal position that Fingolfin is taking, and that you included a little mention of Elenwe's death.
I'll be checking again if I've got time - I don't read much anymore, but this seems worth looking at! Very nice!
daw the minstrel
· 8 November 2004
· Chapter 1: The Tie That Binds
Lots of good stuff here! Maglor's rich minstrel voice, for instance, that has become thin. And for some reason, I really liked this line: "Wherever Maedhros was, he could not enjoy the beauty of this carving." I think it gave me a sense of how lost to his family Maedhros was at this point, and of how awful it would be to imagine what his life was like (and boy did it ever turn out to be awful!). I've always thought that friendship between Fingon and Maedhros was sad, particularly when you read about the burning of the boats.
The dinner table conversation was very real. I could feel this family coming alive.
Molly
· 8 November 2004
· Chapter 1: The Tie That Binds
I was so happy to see this story! I enjoy reading about the House of Finwe, especially Maedhros and Fingon, and am always thrilled to see a new story about them appear. This moment in time has always interested me because Tolkien says so little about it and I love seeing how each author imagines Fingon finding out about Maedhros being captive. Your characters seem different from most of the others I've read about because they don't hate the sons of Feanor. Turgon is angry with them and understandably so, but he doesn't wish them dead. Fingolfin was sweet with the gifts for each of his nephews--but of course that doesn't mean he cares for them! They're a very real and believable family.
I really liked this first chapter and am eager to read more about how the rift will be healed between these Houses.
elliska
· 8 November 2004
· Chapter 1: The Tie That Binds
Ooo. You have bitten off a very juicy bite of the apple with this topic, haven't you. I am very interested to see where it will go. I am no expert on these characters. I've read the Silmarillion, of course, but do not know these characrters well enough to get into their heads to write them. This should be very good. You do angst well and this can't help but have it.
The opening scene was wonderful. Really good characterization of Maglor and Fingon in a really hard conversation. What would you do indeed? That is an impossible feeling. Whew, and that dinner conversation! Great job. I'll definitely be watching this one.