Eruherdiriel · 15 July 2014 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
Absolutely beautiful I like your description of what the Star might have been. ~Eruherdiriel
Sent Unto Men by Alassiel
Reviews (17)
Istarnië · 25 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
This is so beautiful, Alassiel! I have read through it a couple of times; I am sure I will read through it many more. I love the imagery; the linking of Eärendil's ship with the star, the joy of Manwë and Varda that they would be joined by friends long missed (angels) for a short time, the rather profound reference to Finrod in the Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth; and I particularly love this: "Is it the End, then?" She laughed, a heart-lifting sound which brought a smile to his lips. "No! It is the Beginning. Come." You write wonderful, heart-lifting tales. I wish I had begun reading them sooner!
Antane · 3 September 2008 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
Hantanyel for this moving tale! I had wondered just recently whether the Star of Bethelhem was actually that Mariner's ship - what a lovely idea! And glad someone else thought of it too and long before me. Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
harrowcat · 8 December 2007 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
A lovely tale Alassiel. And thanks to Larner for pointing us in your direction.
Author's reply
Since I admire Larner's works, I am grateful that she pointed out this little tale to you. This reply is very late in coming, because I didn't know how to post replies until today, the first of 2008. Still, I am glad you liked the tale. It came very quickly and nearly wrote itself. Blessings, Alassiel
Nieriel Raina · 5 June 2007 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
Oh wow! I had to read this a couple times to get it, but WOW! Thanks for sharing, I truly enjoyed it. I found it thanks to Fiondil. NiRi
Author's reply
Hello NiRi, I'm glad Fiondil wrote his sequel to this tale, as it wasn't finished, but that was all that came to me. It came very fast in December 2004 and practically wrote itself. I'm glad it wasn't too obvious, but I hope it was obvious enough. Blessings, Alassiel
Agape4Gondor · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
Whoops - sorry - got carried away - it was Fiordil who wrote those others... *blushes*
Agape4Gondor · 4 January 2007 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
This was beautiful - profound. I'm sitting here shaking my head. I had come here because of the Safe In My Arms story - which blew me away - I had to find other things that you wrote - and then found that one of my favoritest of Boromir (Drawing Straight With Crooked Lines) was also yours. You are incredibly gifted! PS - are the three kings the three Maiar - Radagast, ??? and Gandalf?
NanaHalfelven · 5 August 2006 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
I just found this....and I can't say it any better than these folks have. Just beautiful...I love your chosen tie-in. I have a small crossover piece along a similar vein, but hadn't ever been brave enough to post it. Not because of the theme, but because I've not been writing within this framework for very long...Love the others you've written also, hope you have more soon!
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked the tale. I just found out how to post replies today, January 1, 2008. If you get this, I would love to know about your story. Blessings, Alassiel
Dreamflower · 4 January 2006 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
This is just beautiful! That Earendel was *the* Star! What a lovely thought!
Author's reply
Well, he is called the Star of Hope, isn't he? Blessings, Alassiel
Darlin · 21 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
I love this beginning. Very nicely done and quite promising. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Author's reply
That was all that came to me, but Fiondil has written a lovely sequel, which I hope you have also read. Blessings, Alassiel
Larner · 20 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
A lovely Christmas tale, I must say. Thank you for this gift.
Author's reply
You are most welcome, Larner. Since I have only today discovered how to post replies, this is a very late response, but no less heart felt. Blessings for 2008, Alassiel
Nerdanel · 19 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
This is absolutely lovely, Alassiel. It is concise and not over-done at all, but very succinctly and beautifully put. I love your reference to "the son of Finarfin" and the ideas that Finrod had about the One and the End from Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth. That is one of my favourite parts of all of Tolkien's work. You do a wonderful job of portraying Manwë and Varda, and at first I was confused what they meant by the others of their kind, that they have not seen for sometime, but now I understand that it meant the angels that came to the shepherds, right? This is absolutely lovely, and wonderful. I love it! Thank you so much for sharing it with us here! My favourite line is: "Always He surprises us," said the King, "revealing new avenues to the fulfillment of the Design." Blessings, Nerdanel
Author's reply
You're welcome, my friend. This is very late, but I only just discovered how to post replies, so I hope you will read these sometime. As for Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth, you know that it is my favorite Tolkien work, especially what I call the "estel quotation". Blessings, Alassiel
Daughter_of_the_sea · 19 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
Thanks a lot! For me it connected the two worlds perfectly. It's a wonderful twist to a old and much read story.
Author's reply
You're most welcome. In one of his letters, Tolkien points out that Arda is not an alien world, but our world in a mythical past. I hope he would not have been displeased with this tale. Blessings, Alassiel
Eruanneth_Luin · 18 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
Alassiel, what a lovely tale of the third theme of the Music begun by Eru so long ago. That the Valar themselves were amazed and rejoiced at the arrival of this pivotal occurance in the History of Earth brings into sharp focus the fact that they were at once divine and yet not gods. The furnishers, but not the finishers of Arda, protectors yet not creators. The half-elven Eärendil once again hearalds the 'salvation' of Arda from the Dark. Thank you for sharing the beauty of this special moment.
Author's reply
Yes, the Star of Hope gets to shine forth for both Elves and Men--the Children of Ilúvatar. I was very grateful to have been inspired with this tale. Blessings, Alassiel
LOTR lover · 18 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
Ah, lovely--and so right for the season. I love the details, especially the globe in Manwe's hand, that the Valar didn't know this was coming either, and their joy that friends they hadn't seen for a while were coming to visit. So Earendil gets to be the Star, eh? How apt.
Author's reply
Greetings at Last, It wasn't until today that I figured out how to respond to reviews, so I am glad to reply. Yes, the Mariner of Arda gets to be the Star, the Star of Hope indeed. I hope you will consider reading Fiondil's sequel to this tale. He is right, it wasn't finished, but that is all that came to me. Blessings, Alassiel
Nilmandra · 18 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
I love this, Alassiel. How perfect for the season, and you are right - many do not know him, but those who do are priviledged indeed. And I love that Earendil was the Star that was the sign! Thanks for sharing it here!
Author's reply
Greetings Nilmandra, As you can see, I have finally figured out how to reply to reviews. Took me long enough, didn't it? As we are approaching Epiphany once again, I am glad to respond to your review at last. Well, after all, the mariner of this tale was called Gil Estel, wasn't he, and what greater hope is there than the birth of Christ? Blessings and Happy 2008, Alassiel
Elena Tiriel · 18 December 2004 · Chapter 1: Sent Unto Men
Well, what a lovely and intriguing beginning! I loved the little details, such as Manwë creating a globe in his hand, and the awe shared by both the Valar and Eärendil. I've never read the Notion Club Papers, so I can only speculate that you're referring to Finrod, but I don't know what he saw. I suspect that this story will have something to do with current holiday season, but I can't wait to see where you go with this! - Barbara
Author's reply
I have just discovered how to post replies, so this is a very late response. As you can see from the story details, it is complete, but my friend Fiondil has written a wonderful sequel, which I hope you will enjoy as well. The reference to Finrod is to Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth in _Morgoth's Ring_, one of, if not my favorite, Tolkien work. Thank you for the review. Blessings, Alassiel