Reviews (1,161)

Rhyselle · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 54: Language Lessons

Laurendil is growing on me. *grin* I like his sense of humor. The conversation between the three that leads to Laurendil and Finrod giving Eärnur the lessons in Sindarin was fun and interesting and disturbing all at the same time. One of the biggest problems that allows prejudice to continue is lack of communication. It's also why so many people fail in their mental health therapies, when communication fails between them and their caregivers--on one part or the other. The requirement for the Sindar to learn Quenya when their counselors aren't required to learn Sindarin is very likely a reason why the former exiles probably take so long to work their way through their treatment in Lorien... Being able to talk about your traumas is difficult enough when you are discussing them in a common language but to try to talk through your problems when you don't have the level of vocabulary you need to express yourself accurately can only lead to failed treatment. It is probably because Eärnur is young that he is willing to try it and not insist that using Quenya is the only thing to do. Laurendil's description of Sindarin was lovely... particularly the description of its subtlety. "... We considered them uncouth and barbaric." Here, he flashed a grin and ran his fingers through his front braids. "Naturally, some of us took to their ways like ducks to water." MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I love it. :) I was reading about Finrod in the Silmarillion today and I find that my perception of his actions are now quite coloured by the expansion of his character from this story! As I read I began to consider that they were supposed to be discussing Laurendil's fears, but in a way, by doing the language lesson, I think they were. Laurendil obviously feels like he doesn't belong in Aman for the various personal reasons he has, and he misses Middle-earth, and he definitely doesn't like being treated as a lesser being by those who did not defy the Valar way back when. If your therapist isn't willing to learn from you what and who you are, they aren't going to be able to help you at all. Manwen's return to the pavilion was great! I can just picture the look on Eärnur's face. I was in that position in Spanish class once... thankfully the other kids in the class were as clueless about what I'd said as I was... and the teacher managed to stop laughing in a few minutes. But it was three years later that I finally found out what I'd said! LOL! "Oh no, meldonya," Finrod got out between bouts of laughter. "You’re much too young. You’ll have to wait until you’re older before we tell you." Well, that gives him a LOT of incentive to learn as fast as he can. *grin* This was a fun chapter! I keep meaning to thank you for the translations at the end of the chapter. I'm starting to recognize some of the Sindarin and Quenya words now. :) It will be a long time before I am even a quarter as fluent as you are, but it's a beginning.

Edlyn · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 11: Artelemnar and Sador

Oh, no! It's the Roommate From Hall! I think there probably isn't a soul I know who hasn't experienced having to live with someone who is rude, bigoted, or just plain nasty. I was so glad when I had garnered enough rank to have a room of my own in the barracks because I certainly never had a choice of who my roommates were going to be. At least I was used to sharing quarters as I had always shared a room with my twin. I truly can sympathise with Glorfindel and Sador (BTW how is Sador pronounced?) I think one of only things worse than having a roommate from Hell has to be someone who refuses to call you what you want to be called. And poor Glorfindel and Sador are stuck with both problems in the same person. I love harp music and am listening to a recording of harpist PAtrick Bell playing some of Turlough O'Carolan's pieces as I type this. It's an instrument I really want to learn to properly play if I can find an instructor. At least I can read music in both treble and bass clefs already. Four years of music theory, 34 years of playing the flute and more than 20 years playing accoustic guitar, I'd better be able to read music ! I can close my eyes an imagine sitting on the grass and listening to Glorfindel play his harp...sigh. Oh. Finding out that Artelemnar was one of the elves slautering the Sinda at Doriath has to be like discovering the next door neighbor who you've been helping with yardwork and having cook-outs with is a convicted axe-murderer or worse. It's the stuff of nightmares. Glorfindel is the kind of person I wish I was more successful at being. It's very hard to to be generous towards people who drive you crazy and there are a number of very unlovable people out in the world who need to be loved in spite of that unlovableness. Artelmnar is definitely one of the least lovable elves I've yet to meet in any fic. I likely would have bloodied his nose, and felt a righteous satisfaction that he was being dealt with and that it wouldn't be a comfortable experience. But I think what makes me angriest at Artelemnar is that he was attacking someone else. I can put up with a great deal of stuff from people if it directed only towards me but if they direct it towards my family, friends or any person I am responsible for, then watch out! Our Balrog-Slayer not only knows how to love, he knows how to love the unlovable and even better is willing to do so. I was so glad to see that Glorfindel finally accepted permission to grieve for himself as well as the others. It was a catharsis that was most definitely needed. Well, I had better finish this and get myself off to choir practice and make a joyful noise. I promise I'll carry on with reviewing tomorrow, mellon-nin. May you live blessed. Edlyn

Edlyn · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 10: Tea with the Fëanturi

I do so like it that the Valar in your stories have a sense of humor. I also like the affection that that is apparent between Námo and Irmo (well, in truth, I see it between all the Valar). Both things are readily apparent in the teasing conversation they have about Glorfindel. Unfortunately, Glorfindel can't appreciate it. I suspect our favourite Balrog-Slayer is suffering from low blood sugar given his level of irritability. I wasn't surprised that Námo didn't pick him up and cradle him after he stopped crying. Glorfindel is not finished growing up yet but he's no longre a baby. He can't have ti both ways. If he wants to be treated like a grown-up he needs to realize that means he's going to be treated like a grown-up in all situations. Hmmmm. I wonder what might be an earthly version of Miruvórë? I once had some homemade mead once that was flavoured with heather and other flowers that might be a candidate, but sadly, the maker of that sublime beverage turned his interests to the making of other liquors and I've never found anything quite like it since. You know, I think Glorfindel has a mouth with a death-wish . Of course, that's one of the things that make him so amusing and charming. It must be refreshing ot the Valar to have someone stand up to them on occasion instead of constantly wilting in fear of the sight of them. Oh, I wouldn't mind a cup of perfectly brewed tea and some strawberry tarts right now. Sigh. The contents of the vending machine down the hall is less than inspiring and the university cafeteria offerings today are even worse. Oh, well. I can vicariously join Glorfindel and imagine what it all tastes like. Uh, oh. I would think that the words "Let us begin" would be especially traumatic to Glorfindel given that he only remembered his judgment that very morning and still hasn't had time to put it in perspective yet. But in a way, it was a good thing that Lord Námo used them. It allowed he and Lord Irmo to be able to provide explanations and to correct Glorfidel's faulty assumptions about what Judgment was and who actually did the judging. Ah, forgiving oneself is always, always the hardest thing to do. That is one thing I like about my current parish priest. I had several conversations with him regarding the sacrament of Reconciliation (as they are calling it now; I still think of it in my mind as the Sacrament of Confession) not too long ago and one of the points he made was that we can't truly accept God's forgiveness for our sins unless we can forgive ourselves for doing them. So reading Námo's and Irmo's words concerning the Ring of Máhanaxar did me some good as well as Glorfindel. Hmmmm. Well, it seems that my interpretation of the Maze wasn't exactly like what Lord Irmo described in his explanation but it doesn't look like what I got out of reading the last chapter is incompatible with the word from the Maze's creator/owner. I can just hear Glorfindel's voice when he asks if he'll be emotionally mature when he leaves Lórien. I can't help smiling because I can hear him thinking 'I'm going to be here FOREVER!' as he asks the question. I wish I could disconnect some of my memories from the emotions that are presently attached to them but if the only way for that to happen is to lose the emotional connection to all my memories, I'll think I'll keep them. Of course, the Reborn need to have that separation or it will drive them insane and they won't heal. Besides, it's probably easier to learn to not make the same mistakes when your thought processes aren't burned into the same rut that they were in when you made your original mistakes. So now, on to more lessons in Lórien for our elf. Well written, mellon-nin. May you live blessed, Edlyn

Edlyn · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 9: In the Maze

Decisions, decisions. Choices, choices. I see the Maze in this chapter as a metaphor for our lives, not just demonstrating the choices available to us but also the way we choose to navigate it (if we even choose to navigate it at all). I can also see the way Glorfindel behaved as a metaphor for the maturation of a person from child to adult. The intial indecision, not knowing what to do and requiring instruction to leave your spot certainly is reminiscent of a very young child faced with something completely unfamiliar. Moving through the the maze seems equal to middle childhood, picking a direction at random, exploring and wandering and letting the situation take you with it, eventually ending up somewher that you didn't know was there. The clearing with the stream, pond, and bridge is equivalent to the onset of puberty where more complicated choices await you (to take any of multiple paths, to turn back, or to stay put, perhaps to watch other people do things). The wanderings in the more complicated pathways are adolescence, experimenting, getting frustrated, thinking you've made the right decision only to find you've made a mistake. Glorfindel's feelings of anger and frustration are something I well remember from my own adolesence. His wondering if others are having the same amount of trouble as he is is another thing I remember wondering myself. Finally making the decision to chose a path and method and stick with it is the beginning of adulthood. The choices in the clearing with the wide stream show if you have taken what you've experienced so far and assimilated to the point to where you can trust your intuition, your gut-feeling, acting as an adult at last. Oh, I've meant to mention that I love the bets that Námo and Irmo have with each other. THe last line of the chapter was priceless, I couldn't help laughing out loud (It's a good thing the office was empty otherwise I'd be getting such odd looks right now). Thank you, mellon-nin. I enjoyed this immensely. May you live blessed, Edlyn

Edlyn · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 8: Leaving Mandos

Here I am again, mellon-nin, and this time I hope my review won't be longer than the chapter. It was good to see Glorfindel relaxed and doing better with the gardening. Perhaps part of the problem before was that he was simply trying too hard because he knew he didn't have the aptitude for the job. Now that he's relaxed and not trying so hard it's easier to do things right. I've noticed that the clothing the Valar wear when they choose to embody themselves seems to reflect their state of mind and the reasons they are there. Lord Manwë's robe reminds me of a fascinating bolt of fabric of shot silk that had been over-dyed so that depending on how light struck the folds, the colours appreared to shift through an entire range of greens and purples that I saw several years ago. I couldn't afford to get even a yard of the stuff (it cost nearly $80.00 a yard) and every time I went into the store I'd go and visit the bolt and drool over it (at least until the store either sent it back to the manufacturer or someone finally bought it). The Elder King's choice of heartsease for his wreath definitely displayed that he was present in a different capacity than he'd been in the circle of the Máhanaxar. The softness of the outfit was certainly more reassuring than the stern rigidity of his appearance during Glorfindel's judgment. I can just see Glorfindel's expression after Lord Manwë tells him that is good that he's remembered his judgment. I'm surprised he doesn't have a bruise on his jaw from it hitting the ground! Glorfindel's view that his judgment was a form of humiliation instead of instruction is certainly understandable. Humans at least, tend to think in that way. And I can't see why elves would be the same way. Our elf is thinking as being not children means being a grown up or at least, an adult. However, I think Lord Manwë is specifically referring to him (and the other elves) as eternally being Children of Eru, a distinction that Glorfindel isn't capable of making at this point. He simply hasn't yet grown up enough to be ableto look past the more common meaning of the word 'children'. I certainly can understand Glorfindel's fear of leaving Mandos. As much as he longs to be reunited with Finrod he doesn't want to leave a place where's he feels safe and comfortable, where he has learned the rules for living. When I received orders to go to Italy in 1986 I suffered panic attacks for weeks. I couldn't understand it as Italy was one of the countries I really wanted to see and to live in and I been stationed much further away from my family at other assignments before. I was learning Italian so I could talk to the local nationals, it was a totally irrational fear, but real nonetheless. The panic attacks stopped after I talked to a sergeant who just had returned from the base I was going to, thank goodness! Oh, and I would give anything to be able to ride Asfaloth! I laughed myself silly at Glorfindel's "How do you know I won’t just ride off with this fine beast to some remote area of Aman, never to be seen again?" because I would have said the same thing! I love riding, and horses in general, and I constantly joke with my twin that I have a need to fulfill my "inner-Rohirrim" on a regular basis. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who says thank you to the horse I've ridden. Such good manners our elfling has! A wonderful transistion chapter, mellon-nin. May you lived Blessed. Edlyn

Nikara · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 55: Vanda Mapaina

Hmm... That seems like a little bit of forshadowing for Glorfindel, eh? Not even death can sever the oath? That should play out interestingly. Very nice two chapters. I love the Sindarin lessons. I need an elf to teach me, maybe then I could get by the three or so words I know!

Calenlass Greenleaf · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 55: Vanda Mapaina

The Sindarin lesson was funny. LOL. I understood half of the "orc" phrase, *snicker* well, the lover part, anyway. LOL. Finrod is very admirable...*drool*...I love your portrayal of him. Looking forward to more. By the way, when is Glorfindel going to make an appearance? When the Valar inform Finrod what happened to his friend?

hanci · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 53: Vand' Antaina

What an informative chapter! Finrod leaving Aman so he could meet Bëor... and to think he won't meet Atani again till the end of Arda, that's sad. Well, he won't have much time to think about that, with so many things going on in Aman. Finrod has a task truly worthy of king before him. But he's up to it, although I don't know how he'll manage "the hard part". :o)

hanci · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 52: Nightmare In Broad Daylight

Laurendil and Finrod cooperate really well in helping the Sinda, experience shows. "For some reason only the blood of the person attacked would do..." Finrod doesn't mention that Mithlas thought Meneldil an orc, how kind of him. :o) That was a dramatic chapter. But haven't they (the healers) experienced this kind of attack before? Well, maybe not those present.

Kitty · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 55: Vanda Mapaina

If all of the Reborn and elves from Endorë are as bad as Glorfindel, Finrod and their friends, I fear some of the Valar are needing a long vacation very soon ... *grin* It's amusing to see them poking out their tongues to the Valar and how upset others are by this, taking it for much more disrespectful than it is meant. Meneldir proved to be rather arrogant and humourless and a bit too overbearing. He should be old enough to not take what happened earlier too seriously, but I have the feeling he did. He was rather nasty to all of them. And now he is probably even more furious after having been corrected by Irmó and Námo so publicly. But I have to admit to being very smug about the fact that Eärnur now is officially charged with learning Sindarin. Oh yes, I should probably be ashamed, but I enjoyed it very much to see Meneldir put firmly in his place by the Valar themselves!

hanci · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 51: Return to Lórien

"Orc on the other foot," indeed. :o) A surprise for Finrod! (Laurendil's comment "Sounds familiar," made my day.) Twenty-four years of apprenticeship? That's a long time. Of course, compared to the lenght of their lifes... - And thanks for the note, I wondered about how the years were counted in the Time of the Trees.

Kitty · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 54: Language Lessons

Oh, that was *so* funny!! *wipes eyes* Poor Eärnur, how embarassing for him! But Finrod is right, of course - it is difficult to understand why nobody ever cared to learn at least a bit Sindarin. In Lórien it would be truly useful. And I am glad Eärnur was willing to learn. It seems he will have some fun with it, too, at least as long as these two are his teachers *grin*

vaske · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 55: Vanda Mapaina

This is a wonderful surprise to come home to, and it's all about Findrod too! As much as I love hearing about Glorfindel it's nice to know you're not neglecting his friends:) Change seems a hard thing for Master Meneldil to cope with, but I guess it would be easy to fall into a rut after doing the same job for a long time. It was amusing how he was taken aback by the thought of Eärnur just having a good time with his new friends rather than having a formal 'session'. I was aware of the incredibly strong bond between Finrod and Laurendil from previous chapters, but it wasn't until Manwen pledged allegiance to Finrod that I realized how much intimacy and trust there was in this relationship. Thanks for your dedication to the story.

vaske · 14 March 2007 · Chapter 54: Language Lessons

This chapter was so much fun. It's amazing how a simple language lesson quickly becomes a time to teach insults, lol:) It does seem kind of strange that the Lóriennildi haven't learned Sindar over the years, but I guess that's about to change.

Edlyn · 13 March 2007 · Chapter 7: Trouble in Paradise

Oh this chapter made with laugh but it was with sympathy. My mother had a green thumb and loved plants of every type and they definitely loved her back. She had the most gorgeous gardens everywhere that she ever lived. I inherited her artistic talents but alas, I did not inherit her green thumb. I can tend bonsai and cactus (and oddly, German irises) but any other plant unfortunate enough to come into my care will likely have a short life. One time I was given a gorgeous wandering jew plant by a friend along with detailed instructions as to how to take care of it, where it needed to sit to not have to much or too little light and so forth. Within two weeks it was practically dead inspite of my following the instructions to the letter. There was only one short tendril with a couple of leaves on it when I called my mother in despair. She took the pot home with her and within two months it had revived and was trying its best to take over the living room picture window. So I truly understand how Glorfindel feels. Though I admit I never cried over deadheading the roses! I also like the fact that Glorfindel is inept at gardening. He truly wanted to learn but he certainly doesn't have the aptitude (something I think everyone is familiar with that situation in at leastone aspect of thier life). I just wanted to hug him. One thing I have enjoyed about this entire story is the way Glorfindel's experiences can be directly related to thngs that I have experienced in my own life. It feels as though I am right there along side him and I want to turn to him and say, "Oh, I've done that, too. I've felt the same way. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's done X, Y, or Z." Oh, yes. The automatic assumption that an authority figure is angry. A very human response, isn't it? It was fascinating to see Yavanna use her power to change the seasons from summer through autmn to winter. Oops! Glorfindel should have listened to Yavanna. I cringed because I could actually hear Lord Námo's voice as I read the words (Boy, Dad is REALLY mad this time!) In a way I was surprised at Glorfindel's response to the threat of not seeing Finrod but then again I've heard my neices and nephews say similiar things when they are angry and frustrated beyond bearing (I know I said the same kind of things as a child, particularly when I was trying to learn mathematics and failing abysmally--it's very difficult to be mathematically inept when your grandfather is a mathematicican and chemist). I'm glad the maple tree decided to dump Glorfindel out and that it did so in a manner that sent the elf into Lord Námo's arms. I can visualize it so easily! Ah, time for a little talk. I felt amused looking at the scene from the aspect of an adult, and at the same time I was experiencing events from the viewpoint of Glorfindel. Oh, what an elfling! I couldn't help but laugh at Námo's response to Yavanna's invitation to help replant the asëa aranion. And the conversation Yavanna had with Glorfindel about what he could do definitely planted some seeds for the future, didn't it? I'm coming to the conclusion that the Valar never say anything without an underlying purpose . That last reminder from Yavanna reminded me of the old "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature" commercials that ran back in the 70's. And I loved her final comment about Glorfindel's prediliction for running about unclothed. Wonderfully written, mellon-nin! May you live blessed, Christine

Edlyn · 13 March 2007 · Chapter 6: Awakening

Mellon-nin, I truly liked the way you wrote this chapter. I could feel everything along with Glorfindel. In my opinion it takes great skill with word-smithing to immediately bring your reader into a state of compassion (as "shared feeling" or "shared emotion") and empathy with the character. Many times I will read descriptions in fics detailing things that happen to a character and I feel more like a rubber-necker gazing with that guilty vouyeristic delight at an ugly auto accident (this is unfortunately more common than not in "hurt/comfort" fics, which is why I always make sure to praise those authors who manage to avoid thetendency). Since I am a scuba diver and spend time (not enough, in my opinion!) underwater, essentially weightless, I could easily imagine the sensations that Glorfindel was feeling. The feeling I get when I ascend and break the surface of the water and gravity is once more in effect must be close to what Glorfindel felt when he first awoke. The description of how his body was reacting reminded me of waking up from anesthesia after surgery. I remember opening my eyes and being blinded by the lights in the recovery room and my body and brain not being able work together at all. Then I fell right back to sleep and woke up later with things working again. Were you thinking of something similiar when you were putting that part of the chapter together? Oh, there have been times I wish I could look back and remember certain events in my past without the overwhelming emotions that are attached to them. Perhaps in time I will be able to, as it seems that some of them are not as vivid as they used to be. It occurs to me that gaining perspective is something that is a necessary part of every healing, whether physical or mental. Yes, it is more than reasonable that being Reborn one would have to learn to do everything all over again, including being aware of bodily functions. But of course, that doesn't stop Glorfindel from getting embarrassed by the fact. Olórin's sympathy and straighforwardness about the situation was exactly what our Reborn elfling needed. Oh, the description of Glorfindel's first sight of the garden brought back another memory to me. I was born with vision problems and when I was finally old enough my mother drove me to the doctor to get corrective lenses. I don't remember the inside of the doctor's office when he first put them on me (my mother used to tease me about yanking the glasses off my face and throwing them across the room when the doctor first set them on my nose, though I don't remember doing so) but I do remember sitting in the front seat of the car on the drive home with my nose pressed against the window completely amazed by what I was finally able to see and asking my mother "What's that? What's that?". I sometimes find I still occasionally dream of that car ride and in it I still feel the awed surprise that things had sharp edges and were full of detail I was not able to see before. Thank you for bringing that memory to the forefront of my mind again with Glorfindel's discovery of the garden. The fact it was a maple tree that he chose to climb made me smile. The one tree I truly loved climbing as a child was the large red maple in my grandparents' back yard. It wasn't the only tree there as they had several fruit trees, a lovely magnolia, and an oak as well, but it was the only one that grew in such a way that a four year old little girl could scramble up into its branches easily. I spent hours in that tree, climbing it regardless of season or weather. It was a truly magical tree as far as I was concerned and maple trees have been my favorite trees ever since; so much so that when I first got a computer and started to use the internet I decided to use "2maples" as my screen name, honoring the tree that taught me to climb and the one in the front yeard of the first house I ever bought. Right now I am looking to purchase a maple bonsai for my new apartment so I can have my favourite tree nearby. Now I've read this chapter I'll be able to look at it and imagine Glorfindel sleeping in its branches. Hmmmm. It looks like the experience of being re-embodied initially consists of a lot of sensory overload and the attendant emotional response. Thank goodness for the Maiar attendants! I finished this chapter with a smile on my face wishing I could have seen the shooting star and meteors along with Glorfindel. Thank you mellon-nin. May you live blessed, Edlyn

Edlyn · 13 March 2007 · Chapter 5: Endings and Beginnings

Since things are quiet this morning I decided to go ahead and comment on chapter five. This chapter generated an entirely different set of emotions for me than chapter four. As I read I fuond myself smiling with pride for Glorfindel. He has definitely matured along with the twins. I like the approachability of your care-giver Maiar as demonstrated in the fact that Glorfindel feels free to talk to and discuss things with Olórin. The Maiar's sympathy and willingness to explain things, as well as to reassure when those explanations worry Glorfindel, are an image of the Maiar that I much prefer to the stand-offish, proud Beings of Power that some other authors have depicted. The Powers definitely made a good choice when they selected Olórin to go to Middle Earth as Mithrandir (now Saruman--what was his original job in Valinor, anyway? Do you have any ideas?--might not have been the best choice but in the end his attempts to set himself up as another Sauron may have kept the Dark Lord from moving on Gondor and the Free Peoples sooner than he did). "You will know when the time is proper. Now, go and play and worry not." That's something that lots of us humans need to do more often, instead of shutting ourselves away from the fun things in life because we are to busy worrying about things we can't change. It was so good to see that the twins laughing and singing and chattering away after they were silent for so long. Glorfindel was definitely a good friend to them! How true are Lord Námo's words: "This door will take you there, but only you can open it." We are provided with choices, doors to the future amd opportunities if you will, and no one else can make those choices for us. Whether it's to go to a new job, to enter a new relationship (or leave one) or even to change our mind about some issue or belief, others can only offer advice. We're the ones who have to make that choice, unlatch the door and step over the threshold. Of course, Lord Námo knows when his charges are ready to make these choices even if the fëar are unaware of their own readiness. Even so, making a choice is difficult and frightening and there's always the possibility of a fëa who is balanced on the cusp of making a decision to move forward will choose instead to back away from that door(after all, the fëar still have free will even in Mandos). Ah, Glorfindel will definitely be a good parent as he's finally accepted the necessity of letting his "children" grow up and be free to live independently where they truly belong. That was the thing he was never able to do during his earthly life, being so bound within his chosen identity of a protector. I can understand why he was that way. People develop their identities around their job and they fear that if that job is taken away from them, they will lose themselves. Failure at their job--whether self-assigned as was Glorfindel's or assigned by someone else but accepted by the worker--generally equals failure and therefore loss of their selves (As an aside, I suspect that much of the fear of death that people have may be fear of this loss of self). As I had to learn that I was still a person of worth and my skills and talents were still useful elsewhere after I was suddenly medically discharged from the Air Force thirteen years ago, Glorfindel has had to learn that part of a protector's job is knowing when his charges no longer require his active protection. If he hadn't given the twins his permission to leave (while admitting that he really didn't want them to have to--thus reassuring them of his love and care) they wouldn't have agreed to move forward and their fëar would have become smothered and stunted instead of growing into the people they were intended to be. Then Lord Námo gives the news that Glorfindel is moving forward as well. It seems to me that the return of the Twins to the Mardi Winiron was the final test, not to prove anything to Valar but to prove it to Glorfindel, that he was truly ready to move on. Hmmm. I wonder if most of the tests we are given in life are really more to prove to ourselves we can do somethign than to prove it to others. I truly like the idea that one of the last things that a fëa must do before moving on to re-embodiment is to face up to the (many times harsh) truth of the death that brought them to Mandos. Letting go is one of the hardest lessons for anyone to learn, I think. Whether it's letting go of a grudge, letting go of the past, letting go of a person who has grown or otherwise gone away from you, letting go of an identity that no longer functions for you, or letting go of cherished illusions, it is always difficult. But living is an active verb and requires that we move on, which we can't do unless we let things go. While I was reading Lord Námo's explanation to Glorfindel of what he had lost and had relearned I was reminded of the bit in the film Labyrinth where the old woman in the dump was carrying everything around on her back and loading things on the heroine who finally realised the necessity of leaving things behind so she could move on unencumbered. It is always good to remember but we shouldn't drag our pasts around with us to the point that we cannot move forward. We need to remember in our own lives that everyone learns in their own time and that it doesn't matter if you take a longer or shorter time to learn the lesson than someone else. There are some lessons you spend your entire life learning! The image in my mind of Olórin carrying Glorfindel's sleeping fëa through the tapestry reminded me of some of the words of the refrain of a song I sing with my church's choir: "Your love brings us through death into Life." Like Tolkien, I am a Roman Catholic, and I cannot help but see the Christian (or at least theist) subtext that exists throughout the entire canon. I freely admit that I tend to read and analyze LOTR fanfic through the filter of my belief system. But I think that is part why I enjoy your LOTR-fic writing. Your image of Valinor is not that of an atheist. I don't think it's possible to write good LOTR-fic (or for that matter, Narnia-fic) that has the same flavour as the canon writings unless the author accepts that Arda is a world where Godhead exists and is interested and involved (whether directly or through agents) in his creation. This doesn't mean that I don't think someone who is an atheist is incapable of writing good LOTR-fic, but that they need to have an understanding of what Tolkien believed in order to make it really work and have the same voice (as I had to try to imagine what it would be like to not believe in God and extropolate how that would chage my worldview in order to write a piece in the style and manner of an atheist author for a college English Lit assignment several years ago...it was the hardest piece of writing I ever had to do). Now on to Chapter six and Glorfindel's new lessons. I do love this story both because it is an excellent read as well as an interesting take on a period of Glorfindel's history that we know nothing about. You have written a thinking person's fic, mellon-nin, something that is incredibly rare. I would like to think that the good Professor is pleased with your work. May your lived blessed, Edlyn P.S. BTW, thanks for the recommendation on where I can learn Old English online. I've begun looking at the website and it doesn't seem to be any more difficult than the classical Latin that I'm learning.

melinda1121 · 13 March 2007 · Chapter 53: Vand' Antaina

I am continually impressed by your dedication to this story. There are 2-3 new chapters every time I check. I just wanted to tell you (again) how much I enjoy your work. Usually this far along in a fanfic, the author starts to run out of ideas and the flow of the story line starts to slow down. This is when I start to lose interest. Here I am at chapter 52 and I can't wait to read the next one. I have this idea that the Tolkien Enterprise should pick the top 10 lotr fanfic authors and publish their stories as a collection. You guys would make a fortune with all the lotr fans out there. Just a thought! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!! Melinda

Rhyselle · 12 March 2007 · Chapter 50: Taken

I wish I knew what happened to the review I submitted... I guess the internet ate it. :) So, here I try again. I was rather amused about the decision to leave the inn via the window. Somehow that just seems totally in character for Glorfindel. :) The idea of Vorondil attempting to sound like a servant also amused me... I guess it worked as no one from the inn seemed to notice it. I'd like to know what Glorfindel was thinking when he was standing at Lord Námo’s gate--I'm sure that by now he's fully aware that he's being followed. Vorondil's impatience probably isn't making their little group less obvious! "Welcome to the Máhanaxar, gentlemen. I've been expecting you." So Glorfindel! :) And now we begin to see the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower come forth. It's so easy to forget just how experienced and powerful Glorfindel is, when we've been watching him be "young" for so long since his death. And again we are shown just how young and inexperienced that Vorondil is: it never occurred to him that there would be a need to be armed. The description of the fight was well done. Glorfindel's "come on" gesture was good. I could just see it! I was thinking that had he the opportunity to practice swordsmanship in his new body, he would have likely done even better against his attackers. Unfortunately that many against one, no matter how talented the one is, does usually lead to only one result. It did show how cowardly they were in that they proceeded to beat him up once he was down--and I was quite disappointed with Vorondil's actions of kicking him in the ribs and stealing the ring. The spitting was bad too... didn't his amillë teach him better than that? I felt bad for the Maiar having to let them assault Glorfindel. It certainly would go against their desire to protect and defend the Children of Iluvatar. The taking of the ring really bothered me, even without Tulkas having the reaction he did. I'm wondering just where Glorfindel's fea is going to end up when he awakes. Finrod certainly does NOT need another episode of thinking that Glorfindel is dead, even if he can't remember the first one! Well, at least the poppy juice would also ease his pain, even as it keeps him knocked out. He's going to be awfully uncomfortable when he finally wakes up again. I'm glad to see the Maiar watching over him. I do hope that if there is any indication of his fea taking off again, they'll be able to track it and alert the Valar. It occurs to me that Tulcaner is going to have to come up with an explanation as to why his arm has a knife wound it it. And Vorondil is going to have to keep that ring hidden from those who went to Valmar with Glorfindel and attended his Begetting Day celebration, because all of them will recognize it. I have a feeling that, like the "warrior braids" he is wearing without having earned them, his hubris is going to lead him to wear that ring in the wrong place at the wrong time and what he did is going to come out. And I bet he won't like it one little bit! I just hope that Ingoldo and Tinwetariel also end up getting what they deserve for their horrible manipulations. This chapter didn't feel as much as if I were in any particular character's head as I read it. I felt more like I was watching from the outside rather than from an inside position where I was able to be more cognizant of a characters thoughts and motivations. Perhaps it's because I don't really want to be in Vorondil's head! LOL! Good chapter! :) It really bothered me that Vorondil took the ring

Edlyn · 12 March 2007 · Chapter 4: Progress Reports

Here is my promised review of chapter 4 at last. I apologise for the tardiness of this but the "real world" has kept me rather busy. Things are slowing down now and I can re-read the chapter and do a proper review. The first thing that set my mind wondering and considering was the mention of what I have taken to calling the Halls of Solitude. It is not a long paragraph but there is a lot of unspoken yet understood information in it, particularly given what you told us about judgment in chapter two. First of all, I've come to the conclusion that repentance and acceptance of the forgiveness of Eru is a requirement of re-embodiment. Given the unconditional love of Eru I strongly suspect that the fëar that end up in the Halls of Solitude must be those who refuse to accept the forgiveness that Eru and the Valar freely offer when the fëa repents the mistakes and ill deeds of their earthly life. Being unable to accept that forgiveness they isolate themselves from all, whether it be other fëar, maiar, or Valar, unable to recognize the presence of any. I think it likely that these fëar are incredibly selfish or egocentric and can think of two reasons for a fëa to not accept forgivness (though I'm sure there are likely more): - a flat out refusal to accept the authority of Eru and the Valar. I can accept the idea that some elves would find themselves resentful and antagonist towards the idea of anyone or anything having authority over them. Some people automatically infer that accepting forgiveness from someone means that you agree that the one offering forgiveness is superior to yourself. Hmmmm, this brings up another issue: Is it possible to be an elf to be aetheist? No. I'm not going into that. The can of worms that will open would be a worse mess than a 10-gallon aquarium containing the Watcher in the Water... - pride in one's sins. These fëar refuse forgiveness because they pridefully believe that their sins/crimes are so terrible that even Eru cannot/will not forgive them. This is different than the situation where low self worth creates the belief. The latter fëar are not prideful, but the opposite and the Powers are certainly astute enough to know the difference. Now there are definitely other fëar that flat out refuse to repent of their crimes and those I think, rather than ending up in the Halls of Solitude, likely end up cast out of Arda into the Void. I can certainly understand Lord Námo's grief for the occupants of the Halls of Solitude. He is most definitely a healer and it grieves a healer when someone who is hurt refuses treatment. Goodness, the review and commentary on that one paragraph is almost as long as your chapter! In regards to Time: So Time is a convenience to the Powers (at least in the Halls of Mandos--and likely elsewhere as well). Hmmmm. Time essentially does not exist for the fëar in the Halls of Renewal. That makes sense to me. Children live in the "now" and that's what these fëar are. But this also creates a bit of a paradox. Memory apprears to require existance of Time in order to function. The Reborn have memories of their time in the Halls. So perhaps Time exists but the healing fëar are kept unaware of it save as a general feeling of this has already happened, I met so-and-so before I met him, etc. Silly songs fit for elflings. I suppose I must be an elfling then. I find myself singing the silly songs I learned as a child while I do certian chores (such as laundry, ironing and doing the dishes). It makes me smile, makes my heart light, and makes the mundane jobs fun to do. Finrod is truly an adolescent, in the classical definition of "adulescere" (literally, "to grow up" or "being in the process of" becoming an adult). I'm thinking that oen of the reasons Finrod wants Glorfindel with him "right now" isn;t just because he loves and misses him but he wants and needs a friend who truly understands his experiences. His father and family don't understand (at least not more than intellectually) what he went through though they can sympathise. But Glorfindel has been through it and can comiserate with the emotional instability, frustration and hurt he feels. The situation reminds me of trying to explain to someone who has never been near a firearm in their life what it was like to have a shotgun pointed at my head during the robbery of a bank that I worked for, not knowing if the man was going to pull the trigger even though I was doing what he said to do. They are horrified and say things like "how terrible" and "you poor thing" then expect that I'll be perfectly normal in a few days. But they don't want to know about the nightmares that went on for months, or the worry of never knowing when catching a movement out of the corner of my eye would trigger my memory and send me to the floor with my hands over my head. They didn't experience anything like it and can't imagine the things it did to change me. However, in time I "grew up" and was able to place the event in perspective. Finrod just doesn't yet have the perspective to deal with things, hence his impatience and the need for Lord Námo's reminder and reassurances. My heart simply aches for the twins. It really says a lot about Glorfindel's character that he is the first to notice Elúrin and Elúred and to offer his friendship to them. The nightmare and follow-up scene reminded my of reading about a set of conjoined twins who were separated (successfully) after four years of being physically attached to each other. Once the surgery was over the doctors laid them together in a single bed touching each other and facing each other the way they'd been their entire life. Gradually, they moved the twins apart and after about a week the two children were able to be in separate beds and begin to play on their own without being upset and frightened. I was very glad to see that Elúrin and Elúred's "surgery" was successful for them and their "surgeon." The image of Glorfindel lying with the sleeping twins, one in each arm and them clutching separate locks of his hair, made me smile at the same time it brought tears to my eyes. Most definitely a lovely and thought provoking chapter, mellon-nin. May you live blessed, Edlyn

Nikara · 12 March 2007 · Chapter 53: Vand' Antaina

Hmmm... Nice to see what is going on with the others. I really need to review the Silmarillion. Oh well. Interesting concept for healing, especially the whole blood thing. Out of curiousity, did you come up with that yourself, or does it have some other background? I love the valars' various interchanges. You are leaving Glorfindel in a precarious place though- please continue soon! Also, another quick question- When do you feel that Glorfy went back to Elrond etc.? Just wanted a hint to the timeline going on here!

Bodkin · 12 March 2007 · Chapter 53: Vand' Antaina

"Remembering to call us ‘Master’... and meaning it." That will be tricky! Once a king in Arda, always a king in Arda - wait - wrong set of books. But a special group devoted to healing Aman - that will suit Finrod and give him a long-term purpose.

Bodkin · 12 March 2007 · Chapter 52: Nightmare In Broad Daylight

Goodness! Well - Finrod and Laurendil proved their worth, even if the others didn't really appreciate what they did! Just goes to show that they are needed - for the knowledge and understanding they already have as much as for any they will gain. Mind you, it'll be cats among pigeons.

Bodkin · 12 March 2007 · Chapter 51: Return to Lórien

I can't help but wonder what the problem is between Laurendil and his father ... And why the Valar make him so uncomfortable. (In which case he's definitely in the wrong place - as far as he is concerned, anyway!) Finrod is disconcerted by the idea of being apprenticed! But spending the rest of his immortal life being nothing but Finarfin's son would bore him intensely once he's properly grown up - it's probably a good move, even if he doesn't quite understand it yet.

Bodkin · 12 March 2007 · Chapter 50: Taken

Of course someone used to guarding himself - and others - from Morgoth's creatures would be aware of the presence of Vorondil and his bunch of yahoos! Although the teenage side of Glorfindel's present self may be what makes him believe he can take on so many of them armed only with a knife. Vicious yahoos they are, too. And stupid, if they think that being delivered, clearly beaten up, to the slopes of Taniquetil wiil excite vengeful fury from the Valar. At least, they are if they expect it to be aimed at Glorfindel!