The Other Balrog-Slayer by Fiondil
Reviews (17)
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Eruherdiriel
· 15 July 2014
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
I like that you did something about Ecthelion. I feel like he's rather overlooked at times.
I also really like how you view Eru. I think you make him a bit distant at times, but the strong love is really true, and I appreciate that.
Where do you find all your language tidbits? Is it accessible to someone who has a few years of high school language (longer ago than I want to admit to) as the only linguistic experience?
~Eruherdiriel
Author's reply
Ecthelion does get overlooked and I wanted to give him his due. And I 'make' Eru as close or as distant as He needs to be (you may want to re-read the part of "Elf, Interrupted" where Eru is pretty much in Glorfindel's face; and the same with Ingwion in "In Darkness Bound" *grin*). As for the language tidbits, there are online sites where you can learn Sindarin and Quenya and I have other hardcopy resources of Tolkien's linguistic papers that have been published over the years.
Thanks for taking the time to read and review, Eruherdiriel. I appreciate it.
ElvenRanger
· 20 October 2013
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
That was sweet since I do feel Ecthelion was a bit overlooked, I mean he slew the Balrog too, surely someone must know??
Author's reply
And that is why I wrote this, since he is often ignored for Glorfindel. I'm glad you enjoyed this story, ElvenRanger. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.
Celeth
· 6 March 2013
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
Lord Namo roosting in a tree!!! Hahaha! I'd have fallen out too, like Ecthelion. Unfortunately, Lord Namo would not have caught me, he'd have let me get a bump on my head (or a broken arm, ouch!) for laughing at him.
This is one of the few nice stories I've read about Ecthelion, and yes, I thought it unusual too that the slayer of Gothmog got so little attention. Thank you for sharing the story. It's a very beautiful reminder of all the unsung heroes out there.
I hope someday you'll have a story reuniting Ecthelion and Glorfindel. They were close friends, weren't they? Glorfindel often mentioned him in EI and seemed to miss him.
Author's reply
Hi Celeth. There are very few Ecthelion stories out there and it is ironic that the slayer of Gothmog gets so little press time while Glorfindel, who slew a balrog so low on the totem pole he's not even worthy of a name, gets all the glory. Someday I would like to write about Ecthelion. In my Valar-verse, they were close friends, though Tolkien says nothing specific about their relationship (assuming they even had one).
Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. I really appreciate it.
6336
· 22 September 2011
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
Hi Fiondil,
I was lying in bed this morning, listening to the trash trucks rumble through and musing on Glorfindel and Ecthelion and why one is remembered and the other is just a foot note in history, could it be that there is no one to remember Ecthelion as most of those who witnessed his slaying of Gothmog are also dead.
There is so much frenzy during battle that not much gets remembered.
Glorfindel, on the other hand, was seeing a group of refugees to safety his battle was seen and witnessed by those who survived, also his body was recovered and given a proper buriel, Ecthelion on the other hand ended up in the fountain with Gothmog with no one to mourn him.
Just musing, I have also just started rereading E.I again, for the fourth or fifth time!
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. You may well be right about that. Poor Ecthelion gets no respect. *grin* I may have to write his story someday. I have him released from Mandos after Glorfindel has returned to Middle-earth, so it would be interesting to see how he deals with being in Glorfindel's shadow and everyone comparing him to the 'great Balrog-slayer'.
Funny thing, I'm re-reading EI as well.
Thanks for your thoughts on Ecthelion. I appreciate you sharing them.
Midnight Promise
· 19 August 2009
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
I love Glorfindel but Ecthelion is my guy, and I hope he gets the same (or even more) respect and praise for what he. I hope to see more of him. . .(wink wink, nudge nudge; gives fudge cake.) ;D
Aw, poor guy, he needs a hug. :)
Nice job, enjoyed it!
Author's reply
Glad you liked this, MP. Hint noticed. Will have to talk to the Muse, so I make no promises, but you never know. *grin*
Larner
· 9 June 2009
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
Somehow I missed this one! Wonderful to see Ecthelion's achievements acknowledged, and his griefs and envy assuaged.
Author's reply
For some reason this story got missed by others as well. At least you've found it at last, Larner. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. Thanks for letting me know. I apprecdiate it.
Kaylee
· 22 May 2009
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
*blinks* Have I *never* reviewed this?? In all the reading and re-reading I never once reviewed? *sits in shock for a moment* How could I have not reviewed? *frowns and determines to rectify situation immediately*
Three words. This. Was. Perfect.
Seriously, meldonya, this made me think long and hard about the Ecthelions and Turgons of our own world, our own time...so many soldiers who have been sent off to war who have never come home, no matter what century, what country, what race, they fought and died for their country and for what they felt (or their ruler felt) was right. And like Ecthelion, the men and women who have fought and died for their lands may be unsung next to the heroes remembered in the ballads, but they are no less important.
~Kaylee!
(P.S. Nominated this one at MEFA this year, can't believe it's not been done before!)
Author's reply
Well, at least you're reviewing it now. *grin*
This is the very reason I wrote this story, as a reminder that throughout history we only hear about a few heroes (and heroines) and their names ring down through the ages. Yet, what of the countless others who are never mentioned, even the memory of their existence gone with the wind and buried under sand? Many of us will end up in that category ourselves, yet it is comforting to know that even if no one else remembers us and what we did Eru at least will and in the end that is all that matters.
Thanks, Kaylee, both for your review and for the nomination(s).
6336
· 3 February 2008
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
Does seem a pity that everybody seems to forget about Ecthelion, At least his balrog had a name, I don't think I have ever seen mention of the name of Glorfindel's. Fred perhaps?! Maybe Glorfindel is remembered more for coming back to Middle Earth to serve Turgon's Line! Though it does seem to be a given that to kill a balrog is to die one self, sucide by balrog, a bit extreem if you ask me?!
Lynda
Author's reply
Glorfindel's balrog is never named, and Gothmog is the only balrog given one, but being the Lord of Balrogs, that makes sense. Perhaps you are correct in that Glorfindel is remembered more than Ecthelion because he did return to Middle-earth, plus he was the one charged with protecting Turgon's heir (Eärendil) and that proved important to the history of Arda. We'll never know for sure... at least, as Námo points out, Eru remember's Ecthelion's sacrifice and that's all that really matters in this or any other life. Thanks for reviewing.
Nieriel Raina
· 5 June 2007
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
Another wonderful short. I'm slowly making my way through them all. I love Ecthelion, too. I'm glad to see him with Námo. I'd also love to see a reunion with he and Glorfindel, though I'm sure the Valar would rather that take place later rather than sooner.
NiRi
Author's reply
Even though Ecthelion and Glorfindel died on the same night under similar circumstances, in my universe, they would not necessarily be released from Mandos at the same time. Each fëa would take it's own time to heal and Ecthelion may have needed more time than Glorfindel, although there is some intimation in the beginning of that tale that perhaps Glorfindel was pushed through judgment a little earlier than Námo would have liked (which is probably why he's so emotionally erratic sometimes, but that's literally another story). However, you never know. They may indeed meet before Glorfindel returns to Middle-earth.
Radbooks
· 2 June 2007
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
This is a wonderful story that I somehow missed when it came out! Very, very nice. Poor, Ecthelion and other who killed balrogs and yet they never got the glory that Glorfindel did!
Fiondil, some of your stories have been nominated for MEFA awards, but we need an email address to send you all of the information. I tried using the one here that's attached to your name, but it bounced. If you don't mind and would like to participate in the awards, would you send me your email address to denistonr@yahoo.com and then I will give it to the right people at MEFA. Thanks!
Author's reply
This is so weird. Just an hour or so ago, I re-read this very story just for the fun of it! Thanks for the heads-up about MEFA. That's really a surprise. I will send you my gmail and my hotmail addresses. Hopefully one of them will work. Yahoo has been very weird at this end ever since the underwater cables were knocked out by an earthquake back in December. It took a month for Yahoo to come back completely online here in China and it's never really quite worked the way it should since.
As for this story, when you stop and think about it, most of the "heroes" throughout history have been unsung and unknown, or their names and deeds simply lost and forgotten over time. This story was a way of acknowledging these people, whose names and deeds are now known only to God. In the end, as Námo tells Ecthelion, having God's love (rather than other people's acclamations) "is all the glory you need or should ever desire."
Ellie
· 3 January 2007
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
This is wonderful! The love and the acknowledgement of the unsung hero is excellent. Nicely done!
Author's reply
Thanks Ellie. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
J.
· 19 December 2006
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
Lovely...I loved it!
Author's reply
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Eruanneth_Luin
· 14 November 2006
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
Truly, the unsung heroes are worthy of our praise, along with those about whom the ballads portray in the height of their valiant deeds. Without the valor and sacrifice of the Ecthelion and Turgon and countless other brave elves, the remnant of Gondolin would not have had the opportunity to flee to safety. Each played a important role, though most, as Námo pointed out, remain unremembered for their actions.
I delighted in the thought of the love of Ilúvatar flooding Námo and spilling over onto the elf, who was too frail to bear the glory; what a unique blessing from the One.
And you even added a mini-Quenya lesson for a treat.
This story came at a time when I was also feeling rather ‘unsung and unappreciated’, but you showed me that, like Ecthelion, each event in our lives has meaning and purpose, and will one day be remembered.
Thank you for this wonderful tale, Fiondil.
Author's reply
Thanks Eruanneth. I appreciate your comments. I think many of us feel "unsung and unappreciate" sometimes and it helps to remember that even if no one else knows what we've done, there is One who always knows and always remembers. Námo reminds Ecthelion (and us) that Ilúvatar's love is all the glory we really ever need and is worth more than all the praises of Men and Elves put together.
Bodkin
· 14 November 2006
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
Oh, that is lovely. I really enjoyed seeing Ecthelion enduring through a virtual adolescent angst fit as he tries to re-accustom himself to being returned to life. The emotional strain of becoming whole again must be awful - and I loved the parental care and affection that Namo was spending on trying to get Ecthelion to see how unimportant the matter was. That the doing was more important than the renown.
And the care that is going into looking after Turgon - four Maia to guard him and keep him safe.
Beautifully written - and very touching.
Author's reply
Thanks Bodkin. I appreciate your comments. Yes, Ecthelion has much to learn about renown. I think Námo says it best: Ilúvatar's love is all the glory any of us really need or should ever desire, though most of us, myself included, find it a hard concept to accept.
And Turgon has much to answer for, I think, for his arrogance, but in the end, I have faith that he will become whole again. Námo doesn't surrender his charges easily, as Ecthelion is finding out and he obviously is working towards healing Turgon eventually.
Mum's the Word
· 13 November 2006
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Thank you, Fiondil, for this reminder and for this very appropriate tribute.
Blessings,
Mum
Author's reply
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Elflingimp
· 13 November 2006
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
Aw! I dont know what else to say but Aw!
Author's reply
That's praise enough. Thanks.
Calenlass Greenleaf
· 13 November 2006
· Chapter 1: The Other Balrog-Slayer
Poor Ecthelion. It's true, you barely hear about this elf. Most fics about him are usually...well, *wince* slashy in genre or just plain horrible. (make a face)
Beautiful and lovely, this piece of work. It's touching and stirring at the same time.
Thanks for sharing this us, Fiondil. It's wonderful, my friend.
Author's reply
Poor Ecthelion gets no respect. He doesn't even appear in the character list here on Stories of Arda. I've asked Nilmandra to rectify the situation. Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate them (and I'm sure Ecthelion does, too). *grin*