Reviews (1,161)

Rhyselle · 5 April 2007 · Chapter 64: Chains of Hate

I have come to like Haldir and Gwilwileth very much in the previous and this chapter. An "ordinary" couple in extraordinary circumstances... trying to cope with a huge change in each of their lives as they begin again to learn to live as husband and wife. I think it was good for Sador to meet them, not just because he was able to help Haldir through the aftermath of remembering his Judgment, but because until now, almost everyone he's interacted with since he left Lorien has been Royal or attached to the royals or of high social standing in one form or other. Haldir and Gwilwileth can remind him of the people that Sador was contemporaries with in Middle-earth, and by their inviting him into their home, they've given him another avenue for friendship. When Haldir said that his family had refused to meet him at the Gates of Return, I began to weep and then when Gwilwileth admitted that she almost didn't go because of her fear of seeing him chained and humiliated, I wept harder. I had wondered what would happen to an Elf who went out of those gates and found no one there for them, and then I remembered returning home from my deployment for the current war three years ago, alone because I'd been held back for some medical evaluations, and so didn't return with the rest of my unit to the fancy "welcome home" thing. I turned the corner into the passage past the security check point and I almost walked on someone's heel because I was craning my neck to see my family on the other side of the glass wall. They were there--with red roses and smiles and tears and hugs, and I literally dropped everything I was carrying in the middle of the airport lobby to haul as many of my kids and my husband into my arms as I could fit, crying with joy. If they had not been there, it would have devastated me. I needed to be met by those whom I love... In Sador's case there was no one to come for him as far as he knew, but Haldir had family, he knew they were there... *sniffle* Oh, here I go again! And then you made me laugh after my tears when Sador and Haldir talked about Lord Namo's threats if they ever showed up in Mandos again. And so Sador leaves Kortirion and goes to Tavrobel and discovers he has happy memories to remember about his family. :) It's a lovely counterbalance to the emotion in the previous section. The discussion with Gilvagor and revealing to him what the Amaneldi had told the Elves arriving on Tol Eressea, and his reaction added to the building tension of the unrest rising in Aman and on Tol Eressea. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how it all resolves. And I loved the final lines of the chapter which reiterated the most important thing to happen because of this journey to Tol Eressea--the discovery of Sador and Netilmire's relationship to each other. *smile* Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Edlyn · 5 April 2007 · Chapter 16: Progress

Greetings, mellon-nin! It's snowing outside as I type this (flurries and it's not sticking but it's SNOW!) and to think that only three days ago it was in the 70s here! While spring seems to be busy reversing her progress, I'm glad to read that our three Reborn and their family members are making progress in a positive manner. As I read each section I found myself relating the different definitions of progress (both as a noun and an intrasitive verb) to each character, including Olwë and Arafinwë. I so enjoyed this chapter, especially the description of how Celeborn and Finrod met and eventually bridged that "chasm." I can just see the fond reminicient (and perhaps a bit sad) smile on Finrod's face as he says: "He came to me and asked for my permission to court my sister." This story has a lot of subtext through it encompassing forgiveness, mercy, growth, spiritual development, and especially bridging differences and bringing people together in understanding. I think I knew the latter was there all along but until you specifically stated (through Olwë, in this instance) the bridging of the cultural chasm between Sinda and Noldo that particular theme stayed in the background for me. Rose gardens make a good place for important and emotionally wrought conversations, don't they? They tend to be private and the scent of the blossoms is soothing (at least I find them to be). Of course, roses mean love in all it's varied forms and forgiveness, too (why else are they the most popular "I'm sorry" gift?). "When I was first re-embodied Lord Námo told me that all judgments have been rendered and all debts paid. I have to believe that, all of us Reborn do. It’s the only way any of us can go on, in spite of our memories." Oh, what true statement! For us, we have to remember that we are loved and forgiven, and to forgive ourselves, as well. I think the times we aren't able to accept the truth of God's love and forgiveness all stem from our inability to forgive ourselves. I think that even with the Gift of Forgetfulness and the stripping of the emotional connections the Reborn may still have trouble forgiving themselves for certain things they did during their lives. Or they may believe in their own forgiveness for a time and then self-doubt rears its head and the belief in their forgiveness slips. And I think it likely that when they do make an emotional connection to certain events it is likely to put strain on their relatively new understanding of being forgiven. I think that section really speaks to me today since tonight I am participating in the Mass of the Lord's Supper and will be participating in all the Easter Liturgies between now and Sunday (inclusing a four hour Vigil Mass!) Forgiveness and thankfulness are both on my mind more than usual. I wonder how many of the Once-Born have been spoken to by the Valar and just didn't recognise that was what was happening (oh, my, that is an awkward sentence!), or like Olwë, decided that it had to be his imagination. How lovely for Sador to be able to share the good memories of Doriath and his family with someone. I had to smile at Sador's response to being asked something he doesn't have an answer for; there's a lot of people who won't do something as simple as keeping quiet when they don't know what to say (myself included at times). And Olwë's promise to make inquiries regarding his family...I'm just ready to burst with happiness for him. (I'm sure that some psychologist has a fancy name for the prediliction to reacting to fictional characters as though they were real people that you interact with in the real world, but if that is a mental disorder, I don't want to be cured! The thing is I have come to love your characters and to care what happens to them, the samew way I came to love and care about hte characters Tolkien created.) Ah, Námo and Manwë are betting again! I bet it drives thier spouses nuts at times. But I have to admit the idea tickles me no end. I'd iketo meet Netilmirë. She sounds in ways like my Laurel (who is a potter BTW - Mistress Nonna the Midwife of Stormgangr - none of her apprentices have been potters: a cook, a leather worker, and a scribe (me), but no potters). Ah, Sador has slipped into the crafting trance. That happens to me when I am working on an illuminated page, or writing or composing music on my flute or guitar. I get started and the next thing I know it's hours later and the project is finished and I haven't a clue exactly what I did to get it that way. I would like to learn the basics of wheel pottery one day but it's been difficult for Nonna and I to get together since she moved to another state (Maybe I might be lucky and the college will offer it as a class over the summer). Oh, Arafinwë is truly wise. If one is granted the gift to create beauty then it is the ultimate sin not to use that gift and train it to its fulfillment. I suppose life would be all right if I didn't make books and paintings and write songs but I think it would be a far more barren and empty life. And to be blessed with the chance to further both your "everyday" employment AND your art? I hate to admit it that I'm jeaulous of Sador! LOL! Oh, dear drunk teenager elves... I can just imagine what they got up to while celebrating! Three cheers (each) for Finrod and Glorfindel for supporting Sador in front of those idiot courtiers. When I read the descriptions of what the two of them learned in Lorien, it reminded me of Baron Lorimer MacAtlin, Baron Flaming Gryphon back in 1980 who was both a puissant fighter and did the most gorgeous embroidery. I haven't tried basket making but I'm sure there have to be secrets to getting it to work out properly, just as there are little tricks to ensuring the gold leaf lays smoothly and stays where one puts it when illuminating a page for a book. I can just see the gobstuck faces on the listening courtiers as they try to reconcile their perception of their Prince with basket-weaving and the warrior Glorfindel with ribbon embroidery . Of, course, all the arts and crafts stuff is really a useful form of occupational and physical therapy, isn't it? Not to mention a useful form of stress relief and a way of expanding one's self-image beyond that held before their death. And it is a way of integrating former warriors into a culture where there are relatively few places of employment in the martial arts. Here's a hug and warm wishes for a blessed Easter. Stay well, and know you are in my (admittedly sometimes scattered) thoughts. May you lived blessed, mellon-nin, Edlyn

Agape4Gondor · 5 April 2007 · Chapter 69: Glorfindel on Taniquetil

Just a little personal note, Fiondil. I've been reading and truly enjoying all your works - this one is particularly good. I wanted to thank you though - the RW has been vicious of late and I have struggled profoundly - thought I was fighting the good fight - but last night I got a piece of news that just knocked all the breath out of me. As I lay on my bed, sobbing and in tears and really ready to give it all up, I thought to myself, "I can't die - I've got to find out what happens to Elf Interrupted." Thank you for sharing your tales...

Bodkin · 5 April 2007 · Chapter 69: Glorfindel on Taniquetil

Poor Glorfindel! He's in so much pain, but so determined - and still scared to death about being found on Taniquetil. It's just as well that the Valar aren't as stupid as the conspirators - and sent Yaravinyon to retrieve him from the snow. He needed some time to begin to recover from the abuse he had suffered, but he is doing well - and the length of the storm is a good reason for him being out of touch for so long while all his friends are running round like blue-tailed flies seeking any information.

Bodkin · 5 April 2007 · Chapter 68: The Hunt

Good thinking, Ingwion! There are some very grim and fierce elves gathering here - and with every intention of writing wrongs and setting things straight. moving like a swift mist under starlight. That must have been some sight, for those there to see!

Rhyselle · 4 April 2007 · Chapter 63: Echoes of Judgment

The Silmaril... :) I love the wording that Namo used to have Sador step from life into afterlife. Very much that of a parent calling a child in from a hard day of play. And Sador's reactions in comparison to Glorfindel's or Finrod's really points out his youth. He might have officially come of age, but he was far from mature. I hadn't thought about how Namo would have become the "bogeyman" for misbehaving elflings and the subject of horror stories amongst the exiled Noldor in Middle-earth. But it makes sense from the Exiles' perspective. Unfortunately, it also means that Sador's reaction to seeing Lord Namo was a lot more traumatic than it needed to be. Once again, I am in love with your portrayal of Lord Namo--showing his Comforter aspect as well as that of the Judge. I do wonder if he gets tired of having to break through the misconceptions that the fea of the dead from Middle-earth bring with them about just what his responsibilities are and what judgment means. Obviously, the Eldar have conflated Judgment with punishment and when told that they aren't the same thing, they don't really get it at first. The sequence leading up to the review of the memories of Sador's life was very interesting, particularly in how Namo explained the reality of the Doom and the Curse that it proceeded from. I admit that I originally thought that Sador's Judgment might be less traumatic than Glorfindel's or Finrod's because Sador's life was so short... but as I read this, I realized that it is not the length of the life that must be remembered, but the content of it, and that in his short sixty-something years, Sador had experienced things that most of the Amaneldi had not in all of their millenia in Aman; particularly awful and scary and horrifying things. The thought of being held and comforted whilst everything one has ever done is replayed in complete truthfullness comforts me. The idea of seeing one's past played out in the moving images on the tapestry was a nice variation on what we've seen on the other judgments so far too. I can see that Sador is afflicted with a touch of Glorfindel's overachieving sense of responsibility for others. He obviously has felt responsible for his younger sister for a good portion of his life, and not knowing if his death meant her survival or not has to be one of the hardest things for him to face. From an outsider's point of view, Namo telling him that "All will be well with her and with you" is very reassuring. Not specifically saying that Ninniach was not slain, but that in the end she, too, whether alive in Middle-earth and eventually in Valinor or as a Reborn elleth, will fulfil the destiny that Eru has for her, as Sador will do as well in his second life. When Namo kissed him on the forehead, did Sador experience something akin to when Finrod got to taste the divine love of Eru? :) I like to think so, even if it was a mere sip of it compared to the draught that overwhelmed Finrod. The revelation of what those Amaneldi told the Tol Eresseans' upon their arrival shocked the heck out of me. What a horrible, horrible thing for them to say and do. The Sindar and the returned Exiles were already in a bad emotional state from the traumas of the War of Wrath--then to be told that their dead loved ones were being punished and that they were judged in chains...!!!! I can't use the words I'd like to use against them in a family forum. The reaction of the Eldar when Lord Namo appeared was rather amusing... even though the situation was quite serious. "Have you been causing trouble?" "No more than usual, my lord" *snicker* I DO remember that it was Sador who gave Finrod the bowl of ice water that got dumped on Glorfindel... *grin* The defusing of the situation was well described--I know that I would not have wanted to be Netilmire while everyone's anger at the Amandeldi was flaring! *giggle* "Well, if you're finished playing..." I find it quite amusing that Ulmo and the other Valar refer to Namo's interactions with the Reborn and the people around them as playing. The Valar do so obviously enjoy the Children of Eru, so I suppose that it could be considered playing when manifesting oneself to interact with them. :) Thanks for the time mark that helped me to see where Sador's timeline fell in relationship to that of the folk in Valmar. Obviously this takes place not that long after Glorfindel's little walkabout since Ulmo is talking about patterns in the time continuum... The description of Namo and Ulmo shifting Realities was lovely. I could see it in my mind... it would make a great effect for WETA or ILM to do if this were in a visual medium! And the last lines were terrific as always. You've got a knack for closing chapters with just the right sentences to either build up tension, or to break it by giving us laughter or relief. That's a talent that I wish I had!

Kitty · 4 April 2007 · Chapter 69: Glorfindel on Taniquetil

Oh, poor Glorfindel! Just now I’m rather angry at the Valar for allowing him to be beaten up so badly at all. They could have given him at least something for the pain, instead of allowing him to crawl around with *these* injuries. Well, at least his feëa didn’t try to run away again; that was what I had feared when he discovered where he was, particularly as Vorondil stole the ring which should prevent that. My heart ached for him when he turned away from Ilmarin instead of seeking help. He would *never* have made it down the whole mountain and to the next inhabited area. Hmmm ... Glorfindel thinks his rescuer is an elf? Not entirely sure about that. I’m too lazy to google for translations, but when I read the description, it was a certain Istari we meet shortly in FotR who immediately came to mind. But you’ll probably not tell me if I am right ... Anyway, I am so very glad Glorfindel is safe and someone is caring for him. But why do I get the feeling this snowstorm is raging only around the cave and only to keep Glorfindel willingly there? Taniquetil didn’t seem so far away from Vanyamar that the weather could be so very different, and down there the bad weather didn’t last long.

lwarren · 4 April 2007 · Chapter 69: Glorfindel on Taniquetil

Hey Fiondil! Surfacing just long enough to say I LOVE this story and I wait impatiently for your wonderful, prompt and numerous updates. Love the fearsome threesome (Finrod, Glorfindel, and Sador) and the Valar, especially Lord Namo and his relationship to 'his' charges. Now, I wanted to pop in and yell, "Is it Radagast (your mysterious good Samaritan)?" but you know I can't keep it short! LOL Wonderful, just wonderful...*sinks back under the weight of end of the year testing and paperwork* Linda

Calenlass · 4 April 2007 · Chapter 69: Glorfindel on Taniquetil

Ah, so we're back to our Balrog Slayer. *grin* Poor Glorfindel. At least someone found him. Someone nice. I await the next chapter. ~Calenlass

Kitty · 4 April 2007 · Chapter 68: The Hunt

Quite unusual to see warriors, armed and armored, in the Blessed Realm. I’m sure the elves at the Laughing Vala must be rather surprised and confused. But it underlines how serious the King takes the matter. As much as I enjoyed to see what happened to Ingwion, Sador and Finrod while separated, now I am glad to have them all together and on the way. It means the bad guys are in for a rude awakening. And I see they are drawing the right conclusions. Very intelligent of Sador to ask who benefits from Glorfindel’s disappearance and of Ingwion to think of Ingoldo at once. Very well done! And if they find Vorondil with Glorfindel’s ring and the other guy with the injury caused in his fight with Glorfindel ... *rubs hands in hopeful anticipation* Hmmm ... Arafinwë threw a dagger at Manwë’s feet, too? You know that’s another plot bunny?? Now I’m curious about the reason ... And of course, there’s the reason why Ingoldo fears Ingwion, but not Arafinwë. If that is not explained in future chapters, it calls for a story, too. Maybe one day?

eiluj · 4 April 2007 · Chapter 69: Glorfindel on Taniquetil

Just wanted you to know that I find this elf Highly Suspicious. I’d be interested in the meaning of his name, which I see you do not provide. [Pause for detour to various web sites.] Okay...? Ah, rereading I see that Glorfindel raised an eyebrow. Quenya not exactly being my forte (!), that gives me more confidence in my translation. If I'm right, it *is* an odd name. As you were so early posting this, I had not written down any formal predictions as to what would happen, other than that *someone* would rescue poor Glorfindel (since he'd be in no condition to get himself off the mountain). It's way too soon to make formal predictions about how this particular subplot will end, but I am entertaining some amusing notions related to this elf and to Glorfindel's arrival in Vanyamar. Which are probably wrong.

eiluj · 4 April 2007 · Chapter 68: The Hunt

What a shock to find these chapters posted so early! But a happy shock. Wondering what weaponry they have to go with the armor. Lots of weapons left over from the War of Wrath -- and inasmuch as Arafinwë is taking this so seriously, I suppose they did bring some. “Grave consequences for all involved, Hunter and Hunted alike” -- hm. Good for Elessairon, suggesting Finrod. And I’m glad he’s not involved in the Hunt, having considered various scenarios.... Also glad he and the others are safe in Valmar, so nobody’s gonna kidnap *them*. Wondering about the circumstances of Arafinwë’s long-ago upset with Manwë. “’The Valar are not forthcoming with clues’” -- well, at least they’ve decided to inform Ingwion et al that Glorfindel is safe. So the Bad Guys will still be at the hunting lodge when the Hunt catches up with them: good! I was fond of that idea. I’d expected Tulkas to be part of the Hunt as well, but hadn't expected Arafinwë.

vaske · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 69: Glorfindel on Taniquetil

So Glorfindel wound up in a cave with a hermit elf? I never expected that:) I really loved your description of Manwe and Varda's mansion.

vaske · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 68: The Hunt

At last, the hunt:) I like Ararfinwë, I'm glad he's on the hunt too

ellie · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 67: Return to Tirion

Loved Finarfin and Olwe in this! I think it is great that they are working together on this and the trial was impressive. Love your wise Finarfin, well I love Finarfin anyway, but you do his character great justice and have him administering great justice! I think those bad dudes are in for a surprise when they realize that the three kings of Aman are united against them. I loved those last few lines of this chapter. They have soooo messed with the wrong people in going after Glorifndel and Sador... The Hunt is on indeed!

ellie · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 66: ...and Counterattack

I figured Laurendil would be among the the reinforcements, but that rescue was not what I was expecting. The intrigue in this tale is amazing!

ellie · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 65: Attack...

Those kidnappers are a cruel lot, aren't they! I can't believe they cut his braid like that. I am proud of Sador though for thinking through the situation and almost making it out. he is really starting to mature and come into his own.

Bodkin · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 67: Return to Tirion

Interesting that it is some among the Tol Eresseans exploiting the others. Interesting, but not surprising. The sort of people who become multi-millionaires by running sweat-shops. While deploring the prejudice of others who try to keep the refugees down. Olwe and Finarfin - a good thing to see them work in combination. (Although, in a way, it's a shame Finrod wasn't part of it. That might impress the TE's more.) "Certainly the testimony of the Reborn would go a long way towards dispelling such lies among the Tol Eressëans," Olwë commented. Yep. Integration. That's what's needed. Thus, the King of the Noldor was seen riding out of Tirion along the Eastern Road towards Valmar with a retinue that included his ward and Lord Laurendil and many marveled at the sight, for few had any memory of their king riding out in full battle dress with a fell light about him. Wow! I'm glad Finarfin has made it very clear that if you mess with his wards you mess with him. Regardless of whether they are Reborn, Noldor, Sindar, sons of his body or of his heart - people should take note. Times, they are a-changing.

Bodkin · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 66: ...and Counterattack

A nasty but not a very bright bunch of kidnappers. They offered far too many clues to their pursuers. Not to mention, of course, that Sador's unseen protectors aren't about to let morons lop off essential parts of him. Even if they're not supposed to take direct action. "His neck is broken," one of them said, looking up at Laurendil accusingly. Well - you can hardly blame Laurendil for the fool's end! He only turned up at the last minute - and was never on the roof. (And I don't think Lord Namo is going to be very pleased with that elf!) I wonder why Menelgith hates the Amaneldi so much ... There is so much bitterness and hatred hidden beneath the smooth and shiny exterior of Blessed Realm. I've never thought that the elves would get on in a marshmallow kind of way - they are too intelligent and forceful - so there would always be some difficulties. But this has gone way beyond normal friction.

Bodkin · 3 April 2007 · Chapter 65: Attack...

I'm glad Sador got a few blows in before they captured him! Just a potter, indeed! And then a Maia turns up with a clue - they're handy people to have around, it's true, but annoyingly enigmatic when you're worried sick about your disappeared friend. And one of Orome's Maiar - a clue in itself! The Hunt is up. I suppose Sador can spare a braid more easily than an ear. But his kidnappers are proving a nasty bunch.

Edlyn · 2 April 2007 · Chapter 15: An Unexpected Meeting

Good afternoon (Dayton-time), mellon-nin! I think one of the things I truly love about Sador is that he is an accepting soul. He accepts that Glorfindel and Finrod's relationship is a special one and isn't jealous of either of them. He accepts the snobby attitudes of Amarië and other Amanildi with a shrug. He really is a humble soul, isn't he? It hasn;t really sunk in that his situation has changed at this point, has he? I can see how uncomfortable he'd be sharing a meal with on;y a grumpy Amarië, however. He's an adolescent and I don't know of very many young adolescent youths who are comfortable with having to make conversation with an older women when she's in a good mood, much less when she looks like she's about to spit nails. Of course, given the fuedal society of Tolkien's Elves (and Men, Hobbits and Dwarves, it you want to look at the entire canon) in Middle Earth and in Aman, it's not surprising that he is leery about putting himself forward. He is the son of a potter--one of the "middle classes"--and subconsciously is uncomfortable stepping out of his identity from his previous life. I was discussing the medieval "ladder of society" with some gentles at the event I attended two weeks ago and some of the things in Sador's behaviour in this chapter brought the topic to the forefront of my mind. I was trying to correct their misapprehension that Catholics pray TO the saints and explain how the whole "intervention of the saints" thing developed in the medieval period. An individual was born into a particular level of society and he would never leave it. The stability of the world (both physical and spiritual) would be endangered if one tried to ascend beyond or drop below the station that God had placed him at. Thus a potter would find it as psychologically impossible to consider praying directly to Jesus or God the Father as he would to speak directly with the King. The norm of the secular culture was to make use of intermediaries to deal with those above you and the same thing developed in the spiritual realm. Our potter would ask the local knight to present his petition to the baron who might run it up the chain through the nobility to the King. In the case of prayer the same potter would ask one of the saints (who was logically higher on the spiritual ladder) to intecede on his behalf. It's really no different than asking your family and friends to pray for you or to putting someone's name on a prayer roll but for some reason most non-Catholics seem to not get that. OK end of religious/historical digression. Well maybe it's not that much of a dirgression, after all, Tolkien was Catholic and his belief structure underpins the entire Legendarium. People could leave their original social rung under extraordinary circumstances (hence all the stories of poor and humbly born boys doing some fabulous deed of bravery and being elevated to a higher position. The acceptability of those stories were usually tied to the idea that the boy was mistakenly born on the wrong rung and by grace he was permitted to show the world that he really should have been and was always meant to be on the higher rung. Now to bring this back to Sador (I can hear you saying "finally!" as I type this), it's obvious (to me, at least) that our young potter definitely meets the requirement of an extraordinary circumstance in order to leave his original rung. That event, of course, was his death at the Havens at Sirion. Potters don't take up arms and act like knights i nthe general order of things. But Sador did. He behaved as a knight was expected to and so proved that he was more than a potter. By dying while protecting his sister and others he was able to be in a situation to meet and befriend Glorfindel (who as a resident of a "noble rung" was already friends with Finrod). He was orphaned (as are most of the boys in the "jumping rungs" stories as it was easier for the nobles to accept a single individual than an entire extended family) and in need of mentors to take the place of his missing family. Since Glorfindel wasn't going to leave him on his own once they left Lorien, he was able to skip over all the other intermediary levels and is now at the topmost level. He intellectually knows that he is part of the King's social circle now but emotionally he can't believe it. Hence his diffidence concerning asking questions when he finds there are guards all around one section of the gardens. Of course, this diffidence is exacerbated by his emotional immaturity due to his rebirth. And of course, his memories are stabilizing more and more and are being triggered by what he sees, hears and experiences so no wonder he was reminded of his sister. And of course, he weeps because he misses her and its rather hard at this point to think about the fact odds are that he will see her again soemtime i nthe future (either she died and is in Mandos and will be reborn one day) or she survived and will eventually come to Aman when the sea longing hits her. Of course, she could also decide to stay in Endorë, but I think it would be easier for Saodr not to think about that option right now. The matter of fact way Glorfindel and Finrod handled Sador's breakdown makes me wish for friends that tactful and understanding. Glorfindel's and Finrod's words regarding the unnecessarioness of apologies between them also demonstrates that Sador is considered to rightfully belong in his new elevated position in the society (yes, I know not everyone agrees with that but Gareth/Beaumains had his detractors at Camelot, too.). I was so very happy to see the banter and teasing beginning again in Finrod's study and practically fell out of my chair when the three of them burst in on the King. But of course, that led to the "recognition scene" where the youth is publically acclained and his new higher rank is confirmed. Can you tell that I am SO enjoying the parallels with medieval history and literature? "And you thought this was going to be a peaceful visit with family." What a wonderful line. And now the focus is changed to Finrod. What a shock to see Olwë! But shock can trigger good memories as well as bad ones. I was very glad to find that Finrod was retrieving the first sort. And Olwë's request to Sador to talk about what he remembered of Doriath was inspired (hmmm, I wonder which Valra may have had something to do with that?) and led to mroe healing for our new royal ward. And of course, the running joke about Glorfindel whining... we have to have that pop up every so often, just to keep things light. And of course, the healing isn't just for Sador and the other Reborn but for all. And oh, to feel just for that moment that Divine laughter! Thank you, mellon-nin. As usual, I wrote a review/commentary longer than the chapter. Are you sure you want to keep posting them here instead of emailing you? I hope you have a good week and are well. May you live blessed, Edlyn

obsidianj · 2 April 2007 · Chapter 67: Return to Tirion

This story turns out to be not quite what I expected. My love lies more with the Northern Dunedain, but the summary intrigued me and I started reading mainly because of Glorfindel who is sadly absent for a good while now. But you hooked me with this story. I find the picture you draw of the Undying Lands, the Valar, and the Maia fascinating. I love the relationship between the Reborn and the Valar you develop, and the relationship between the different kinds of elves and the Reborn. I never really thought about the issues coming up between all these groups and all the resentment building up over the ages between immortals who can't forget. I hope we will hear more from Glorfindel soon and what is it with this hunt? Is this something mentioned in the Silm and I just forgot about it or is this your invention?

eiluj · 1 April 2007 · Chapter 67: Return to Tirion

It’s been over a week since Finrod arrived in Valmar, and no one’s found Glorfindel *yet* -- or if they have found him, no one’s telling Ingwion and Finrod? Surely this is taking evil-cliffiedom to excess! [Well, okay, I’ve come up with an explanation which works. It’s doubtless wrong, but it will content me for another few days. But hopefully Lord Námo is regularly informing Ingwion & Finrod that, yes, Glorfindel *is* still alive -- *somewhere*.] I’d liked the notion that the Hunt catches up with Ingoldo & co. while they are hunting -- the hunters becoming the Hunted. But the Bad Guys have surely returned to court by now -- their hunt was only going to last “several days.” And after all, there *is* more potential for Spectacle at court than there is out in the woods.... Just hoping blood is kept to a minimum, though of course we’ve already had one death. This is not how I’d imagined Valinor, but now I wonder why not. [And I’m sure there’ll be another -- even worse -- time of Morgoth-inspired turmoil before the Dagor Dagorath.] First Ingwion & Glorfindel have an escort of 14 Maiar on their way to Valmar, and that freaks out the denizens of Eldamas. Now for well over a week there have been many odd goings-on in Eldamas. Next, Arafinwë & co. will ride into town armed to the teeth (!). The elves of Eldamas must be wondering what’s up: this is more excitement than they’ve seen in the last few yéni put together! I’m wondering what an elvish gossip-columnist would be speculating.... Patting myself on the back, because I *did* expect to see Laurendil showing up to rescue Sador from some problem.

eiluj · 1 April 2007 · Chapter 66: ...and Counterattack

Well, at least *somebody* has been rescued! So Berethiel was also one of Galadriel’s ladies-in-waiting. Now if only they’d thought to ask if *she* knows of Sador’s kin.... What’s also needed is one centralized list of missing family members. We may grouse about wanting more frequent updates, but certainly we know you're amazing to update this often. [If it were my story, there'd be *several weeks* between chapters, and certainly only one chapter at a time.] I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, looked at my watch, said "Two-thirty! I bet Fiondil's posted!" Well, you get the idea....

Calenlass Greenleaf · 1 April 2007 · Chapter 67: Return to Tirion

You're nicer to your OCs then the canon characters. *glares* At least Sador will be fine. But what about Glorfindel? It's been *counts* 17 chapters! Ah well...even if I have to wait twenty more chapters, I will. *grin* All the nice writing makes up for the wait. ~Calenlass