Elf, Interrupted: Book One: Glorfindel Redux by Fiondil
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 38: Ingwë Alone
Ah, the need to find the Source, and the terror of finding it as well. A great and awe-filled moment (if a bit melodramatic). (And I speak as one who revels in pathos, you know--so discount anything I say anyway!)
Author's reply
Hey, there's a place for melodrama, and this is one such. *grin*
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 37: An Ancient Lullaby
Ah--the oldest lullaby was the first waking song? And the proper song of comfort to those who waken to the knowledge they have died and need now to heal and find the strength and will to live once more.
Author's reply
Yes, it took me a while to figure out where the lullaby originated but once I knew for sure then it made sense. I even show where Námo learns the lullaby in my other story The Wars of the Valar.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 36: A Lesson In Forgiveness
It was a bit of a bold and rather ruthless move; am glad he was forgiven by all. Although the final threat was rather hard!
Author's reply
Yes, the tactic was a bit bold but it worked. As for the final threat... probably just hard enough to get Manwë's message across. Námo did step over the line just a tad and even he acknowledged it.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 35: Post Mortem
I find I like Ingwion--he is humble enough to admit his mistakes, and great enough to learn from them. Brother and sister-in-law need their correction, though, and I don't know if they'll learn from Ingwe and his son or not.
Author's reply
Ingwion started out as rather arrogant but he has a nobility to him that does come out and eventually he just grew on me as a character. He's one of my favorite OCs now. *grin*
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 34: A Lesson In Manners
That's a rather drastic way both to convince her and to return that set of memories to him as well. I think both would have been happier not to share them.
Author's reply
Drastic indeed, but probably the only way he could see to get through these two hard-headed and stubborn children.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 33: Connecting the Dots
Here my dislike of reading the Sil tends to work against me. Have read it through once and graze on its tales from time to time, but don't remember much in it other than Turin and the creation story. Remembering all the battles with Morgoth just gets beyond me, I admit. Appreciating how Gondolin came to fall takes some remembering, I fear.
Author's reply
The Silmarillion is not easy reading, but it is essential reading. I do know that any number of people have told me that since reading this particular story, they've been able to go back and read the Silm with new understanding and appreciation.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 32: In the High King's Garden
Very interesting, and wonderful tribute to your beta! Heh! Now, does a romance begin here?
Author's reply
I needed to ask my beta for permission to use her name as I didn't want to upset her when I portrayed this Alassiel. SHe's been a real sport about it. As for romance... only time and the Valar will tell. Heh!
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 31: Glorfindel Among the Vanyar
Ah--warning of perhaps another talk with Uncle Namo, eh? And one of THOSE talks we'd rather not get into? Poor lad!
Author's reply
Just the threat of having to endure one of Námo's little talks does tend to take the starch out of people, Glorfindel included. *grin*
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 30: Departures
Ooh, I don't particularly like her, either. And it's good to see her get her comeuppance from Glorfindel, not that she accepts it. I don't blame Glorfindel for being so upset as he rides away.
Author's reply
Tinwetariel is a piece of work, that's for sure.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 29: Travel Plans
A good plan, and healing is set in motion for these two as well. Excellent. Will be interesting to see Laurendil find his healing.
Author's reply
Manwen and Laurendil little realize what a gift they've been given, but they will learn soon enough.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 28: Judgment Passed
Have you ever read any of the Anna books by Fynn? He commented she'd discovered SEX in her appreciation of God's relationship with us--more than what we know of the act between ourselves. I think Finrod has experienced that.
Author's reply
Sorry, I've never heard of these books. What Finrod experiences here goes way beyond and subsumes the sexual, elevating it to something that is beyond mere words to describe.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 27: Judgment Recalled
Poor Elf!
Author's reply
Poor Elf, indeed!
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 26: The Cost of Kingship
I have a few volumes to purchase to bring my set of HoME up to date. I do have the set on the War of the Ring but not Morgoth's Ring or the War of the Jewels or Peoples of Middle Earth. Am so tired of having terribly messed up finances. Now at last someone wants to know what dying's like, and Finrod can't tell them.
Author's reply
I think it's not that Finrod can't tell Laurendil what he wants to know so much as he hasn't found the vocabulary to articulate it to someone who has never undergone the experience, so he's at a loss as to what exactly to say.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 25: Feasts and Follies
I think that if turnips are involved I'd rather NOT hear verse thirty-one myself! heh! And I was wondering when they'd see to it the bet was mentioned--but I thought this was a rather--public--way of making certain both Aranfinwe and his counselor were reminded of their words and put on notice both had lost!
Author's reply
Well, with Glorfindel and Finrod, they tend not to do anything by half-measures. *grin* I'm sure many people at the feast found it amusing.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 24: The Embassy from Tol Eressëa
Ah, the warrior is proven, and the source of the reports named. And how much more authoritative the report than that given by Namo himself? And the Prince is revealed as the King he has been, not just the son of Aranfinwe. Finarfin has reason to honor his son.
Author's reply
Not even the Amanians could dispute that source. *grin* And Finrod is indeed revealed as the King he was and still is, though not everyone looking on will appreciate it or approve.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 3: Return to Innocence
Read your historical notes as to why I made the comment that Turin was a haunted creature, my friend.
Author's reply
I always forget about those historical notes that I write. *grin*
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 23: Initiation
Those from Elvenhome will appreciate it, I think. And they will rejoice that Sador is so loved by his brothers in guard.
Author's reply
Yes, the elves of Tol Eressëa will understand what the braids mean and will have a greater appreciation of why Finrod and Glorfindel initiated Sador into the warrior's society.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 22: Bathtime and Bedtime Stories
And in the end Sador's death gives peace to them all. Interesting how Earnur keeps creeping into your tales--the Earnur who was Laurelinde's friend; this Earnur who was friends for her Vornondwe, for whom Sador appears to be named.... Don't know how much more I can read today, of course; but I'll do what I can.
Author's reply
Well, these Eärnur are different people, of course. I see the name as being somewhat common especially among the Teleri (the name means "Sea-servant").
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 21: Netilmírë
Quite a momentous day for the poor lady! Heh! But at last she is awakening as well. And our Olorin, who in his time served all the Valar at one time or another, is helping set things right as has become his primary calling. The one Maia whose compassion has never been questioned. He who in the end was the proper foil for Sauron himself. Love this chapter.
Author's reply
Olórin is something of a Maia-of-all-trades. *grin* Very handy to have around for those 'sticky' moments.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 20: Aftermath
"As a father I shall be to you, for a time." Theoden's words could have been spoken by Aranfinwe himself.
Author's reply
Indeed.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 19: Return to the Maze
Am listening to an argument between my grandson and daughter as to whether or not you are allowed to be online due to your physical placement at this time. Both are so certain they know everything, and both are so unwilling to admit s/he could possibly be wrong! Heh! Love this correction of Glorfindel's pride.
Author's reply
Glorfindel has a lot of pride needing correcting. *grin*
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 18: Reflections Before Sleep
Aye, a gift indeed, and a blessing when passed successfully. As for those who refuse to accept that gift--they remain within the Halls until the Remaking.... Did you ever watch Northern Exposure? One of the most profound episodes dealt with former scientists who'd formed a circus and become clowns, troubled because they'd found that quarks define quantification, and that in the end energy and imagination are indiscernible. So, they'd turned from science to the absurd. I loved that episode!
Author's reply
I watched Northern Exposure all the time, though admittedly this particular episode does not ring a bell, but that show did have some profound moments to it.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 17: An Elleth Scorned
Ah--good--she's letting go the anger and resentment, the first steps toward learning to love what IS rather than what WAS. And she's learned something new about her Finderato. (Plus she's had a chance to see just how beautiful he is when unclothed. Heh!)
Author's reply
Amarië's been holding in her emotions for too long and this has been a long time coming. Hopefully, this little lesson will stick and she will progress accordingly into the loving elleth Finrod remembers from before.
Larner · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 16: Progress
One day the story of John, Jonnie, Louie, and their family will be written, and the descriptions of the educational requirements of the Isles of Adam will be well known--I hope--one of which is that those who are judged to have a proper education MUST learn mastery in at least one practical craft as well as well as in at least one branch of the fine arts as well as in at least one form of service. Basketweaving is a necessary craft that combines artistry with craftsmanship, at least. These ellyn need to broaden their horizons.
Author's reply
The crafts which the Reborn are learning will not only provide them with possible employment once released from Lórien but primarily are designed to help them integrate their fëar with their hróar more closely, especially with fine motor skills. Clearly, the courtiers do need to learn not to disparage the abilities of others.
Tari · 12 February 2008 · Chapter 27: Judgment Recalled
Like I could skip a chapter. NOT! Wouldn't it be nice if we could all cleans ourselves this way. Tari
Author's reply
Yes, it would be nice to be able to cleanse ourselves of all that is dark even though the process would not be pleasant.