Kaylee
· 28 July 2008
· Chapter 24: The Embassy from Tol Eressëa
"Why do I get the feeling that I’ve just lost control of my own court?" he asked no one in particular. Findaráto blushed and Glorfindel laughed.
"That’s because you have, my lord," the former Balrog-slayer said, suddenly twirling around to let his braids fly, the gems sparkling in the sun. "But we will gladly return it to you, if you wish."
"Why thank you, yonya," Arafinwë said somewhat sarcastically, though the smile that accompanied the words belied the tone. The last few moments had been informative on many levels, as well as being entertaining.
*snickers* Poor Arafinwë, losing control of his own court like that. Sador's been initiated, yay! and so comes Laurendil to the scene...he's one of my favorite characters (as is Sador for that matter) and I'm glad to see him! So Manwen is from Lestanore too, is she? I'm glad she was able to help Sador...
and the whole thing about "I just wanted him to go away" struck me as both funny and sad, if that makes any sense. *hugs Sador* *hugs Laurendil too*
I'm glad the Tol Eresseans recognized Sador's worth, even if it meant stealing Arafinwë's court from him, lol!
~Kaylee!!!!
Author's reply
This chapter sort of wrote itself and it was only much later that I began to see the significance of Laurendil in Finrod's history. Someday I hope to be able to write about them together in Beleriand and how their friendship developed.
A couple of people I know who are veterans or know veterans tell me that very often their initial reaction to a threat situation isn't: I have to kill this person, but rather: I just want him to go away... but the only way to do it is to kill him even if that wasn't their original intention. So Sador's (and Laurendil's) reactions are very true to life.
Kaylee
· 28 July 2008
· Chapter 22: Bathtime and Bedtime Stories
I know I technically began my review of this chapter in the last one. I think this chapter and the one preceding it are two of my favorites; I love seeing the Valar in these parental roles. I think Aule is the perfect atto here and Yavanna is the perfect emme; they're just what Netilmire needed. I'm glad she finally opened back up to them!!!!!
~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
I'm sure Aulë and Yavanna were very happy that Netilmirë finally opened up after more than a thousand years! Oh well... better late than never takes on a whole new meaning when applied to immortals. LOL Glad to know that these two chapters are two of your favorites.
Kaylee
· 28 July 2008
· Chapter 21: Netilmírë
Olorin's wonderful here ^_^ and I like his careful handling of Netilmire to bring her to the safe place she needs to be in so Aule can come and comfort his forlorn "daughter".
Aule's wonderful with Netilmire here too. I wonder exactly how she first got to meet him...I know, I know what Lady Yavanna says about her just turning up covered in clay and she didn't know where she got the clay. That's what intrigues me. Where'd she get it?
Voronwe...That's Sador's Quenya name, according to that pest Celepharn. *wry grin* I wonder how *he's* doing? lol.
~Kaylee!!!
Author's reply
I have no idea how Netilmirë got the clay... if the Valar themselves are clueless, I doubt anyone will tell me. *grin* Just one of those random acts of chaos that makes the universe interesting.
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 20: Aftermath
"If you love me, Atar, you will never ever ask me that question again..." *SHIVER* Oh boy. Finda's really mad there.
"Yonya," he said softly and with great feeling, "don’t you think it’s about time you followed your two brothers’ example and just call me ‘Atar’?"
Before Glorfindel could respond, Arafinwë turned around and strode out the door. Finrod followed in his wake, grinning hugely.
*grin* That's my favorite part of the whole chapter :)
~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
That's my favorite parr of the whole chapter, too. *grin*
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 19: Return to the Maze
"Look at me, Glorfindel." Námo’s tone had softened somewhat but was still colder than the snows of the Helcaraxë. Glorfindel slowly complied, but when he looked into the Vala’s eyes...
*shivers* I didn't think anything could be colder than the snows of the Grinding Ice. Anything. I really don't envy Glorfi here. Although, later...
Námo sat in his own chair and bent over to stroke Glorfindel’s hair. The touch of the Vala’s hand sent shivers through the elf’s body, but whether they were shivers of fear or delight he could not say. He closed his eyes and sighed. Soon the Vala’s ministrations brought him back to himself and he felt connected again to the world around him.
Opening his eyes again he saw an expression of concern on Námo’s face. "I’m sorry, yonya. Your fëa fled far from my wrath and I had to search long to bring it back. How do you feel?"
Glorfindel attempted to sit up and Irmo helped him but did not let him go, for which the elf was grateful, for he still felt weak and light-headed. "It is I who should apologize, lord, for... for incurring your wrath in the first place. I am well now."
Námo smiled and Glorfindel, gave a cry, not of fear, but of joy for the forgiveness he felt in that smile. He tried to reach for the Vala and Námo pulled him onto his lap and held him close, softly singing the lullaby that had so soothed the elf when he had been in Mandos. Glorfindel never felt more loved and would have gladly lain in Námo’s arms until Arda was Renewed, but eventually the Vala stopped singing, though he continued to hold the ellon in his embrace.
I like how Namo calls Glorfi "yonya". *huggles Glorfi*
When Glorfindel next awoke, he was back in his own bed and it was morning. He had just enough time to realize that Finrod was standing over him with a wicked grin on his face before the ellon poured a bowl of very cold water over him.
"FINROD! YOU ARE SO DEAD!"
Arafinwë and Eärwen, walking hand-in-hand as they made their way to the family dining hall, stepped nimbly aside as their firstborn son ran past them laughing followed by a dripping and very naked Glorfindel screaming maledictions in several languages.
Arafinwë and Eärwen, walking hand-in-hand as they made their way to the family dining hall, stepped nimbly aside as their firstborn son ran past them laughing followed by a dripping and very naked Glorfindel screaming maledictions in several languages.
Husband and wife stared down the hall at the retreating figures and then looked at each other. "Just like old times, isn’t it dear?"Arafinwë said, his eyes twinkling. Eärwen reached up and gave her husband a less than chaste kiss in answer and Arafinwë responded in kind. When they finally broke apart he noticed Sador leaning against the door of his suite grinning hugely.
"And what are you so smug about, hinya?"
"Glorfi’s chasing Finrod around the rose garden," the ellon said with obvious relish.
"And...?" Arafinwë prompted, knowing there had to be a punch line in there somewhere.
Sador’s grin became wider, if that were possible. "But he doesn’t know that I’m the one who supplied Finrod with the bowl."
King and Queen looked at each other and started laughing. Yes, just like old times, indeed, Arafinwë thought and bent down to kiss his wife again.
*laughs*
~Kaylee!!!
Author's reply
Well, you didn't really comment on this chapter, but I can tell you liked it alot. *grin* My favorite part was Glorfi waking up just in time to get a soaking. LOL
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 18: Reflections Before Sleep
Amarie has indeed improved, and the continuation of the porridge scene was just too funny. *grin*
The "you are the atar of my dearest friend, and therefore you are my atar as well, for mine is lost to me" part made me cry, meldonya. I am glad Glorfi has such a wonderful new atar to look after him. Eru only knows he needs the guidance, lol!
Although if Glorfi still sees Amarie as a problem even after her reform...what's going to happen next?
~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
Of course, at the time I first wrote this I had no idea what had happened to Glorfi's parents. I thought the backstory for that needed to be written as well. Now we know something of why Glorfi *never* mentions his real parents. I'm not even sure he actually remembers them yet. When that memory surfaces, he will need all the love and support his new family can offer him.
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 17: An Elleth Scorned
Amarie learned a valuable lesson in Mandos. And I wish I'd been there to see the look on the cooks' faces when she inquired about the porridge. That must have been priceless. *grin* Oh, and I also liked the "Proprieties, my dear. We must observe the proprieties...unless you would prefer standing around naked?" *snicker*
~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
I'm sure the cooks' expressions were priceless and even more so when Finrod returned asking for seconds. *grin*
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 16: Progress
Finrod grinned and Olwë found himself grinning as well. "So what, besides my inyë’s protestations of love, convinced you that my great-nephew was worthy of your respect?"
Finrod stopped and Olwë was forced to halt as well. The younger elf stared out across the garden without really seeing it, remembering. Olwë waited patiently, willing to stand there all day if necessary. Finally, Finrod came to himself and looked at his grandfather.
"He came to me and asked for my permission to court my sister."
I'm glad to have the backstory for that, meldonya. I still want to hear the tales that Finduilas told on her Unca' Finda, though.
*grin*
~Kaylee!!
*who thinks Sador IS the best potter ever*
Author's reply
I thought it would be fun to give the backstory to this conversation, which is why when the right prompt came along I knew just what I wanted to write. *grin*
And I think Sador is the best potter ever, too. *grin*
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 15: An Unexpected Meeting
"Celeborn. You look like Celeborn."
Yes, I think that would throw Finda off a bit. *wry look* Anyway, I'm glad that Olwe was so understanding with these "elflings". And did Sador sound like a fifteen year old elfling or fifteen year old human? *laughs* because I would say either one, depending on the 'elfling' or child in question. *snicker*
Yes, that sounds like his inye, doesn't it? Heh...I remember Celeborn telling Finrod about calling her Galadriel...
"Artanis, I mean. Galadriel is what I call her."...
"And so, naturally, she hath adopted the name for herself..."
Well, that was another story anyway. *grin* Sorry. Lestanore...Doriath...At least Ondolinde is easier to remember as it looks like Gondolin. Lestanore doesn't look a thing like Doriath. How does that translate???
~Kaylee!!!
Author's reply
Lestanore and Doriath actually mean the same thing: "Fence-land" which refers to the Girdle of Melian.
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 14: Adjustments
Meldonya, this chapter was wonderful. *grin* Finda storming off in a huff, Arafinwe bowing to Sador, Glorfi going after Finda, the two falling asleep in a tree (with their clothes on!) Arafinwe sitting down to watch over them, Earwen joining him and they all fell asleep together...Hey, what about Sador? He didn't get to sleep in the tree? :( Poor Sador, he missed out.
Anyway, I know you said you didn't need a review for every chapter, else you'd be answering them till the Renewing of Arda, but I think you're exaggerating, meldonya. *grin*
~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked this chapter. There was a lot going on in it and much of it very emotional. I don't think Sador minded being 'left out'. I think he was just happy to have a 'family' at all.
Author Reply: I'm glad you liked this chapter. There was a lot going on in it and much of it very emotional. I don't think Sador minded being 'left out'. I think he was just happy to have a 'family' at all.
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 13: iAndondi Entulessëo
Well, they're reunited at last! Glad to see it. And now Arafinwe has THREE sons to deal with (again)! I bet the Feanturi wish him joy of them...at least Glorfi, lol.
~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
I'm sure the Feanturi and all the Valar are glad that Arafinwe now has sons back. His other two sons are still in Mandos and it will be some time before they are released, but with Glorfi and Sador there it will makes things easier for both Arafinwe and Earwen.
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 12: Lessons in Compassion
I love Sador's interaction with Glorfi, I have to say, meldonya. They're wonderful friends. The image of Glorfi covered in clay had me laughing almost out loud (not quite, as I didn't want to wake my amille)
I'm glad that Glorfi and Sador will stay friends, no matter what. And some of those Once-born I think need a good kick in the head. Or elsewhere.
~Kaylee!!!
Author's reply
Sador is pretty cool. I liked him from the very beginning.
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 11: Artelemnar and Sador
Boy, that Celepharn is a piece of work, isn't he? I don't envy Irmo that one. *shakes head* Emma and I were working out Oropher's geneaology and we named Oropher's father Celepharn, since I liked the name *wry grin* Don't know if he would've been this same Celepharn, though. I like to think the House of Oropher is stubborn without being stupid. *snicker*
Though Thranduil was very...precipitous in addressing Lord Namo in your Confrontation fic...but that's literally another story.
~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
Some people take longer to learn certain lessons than others but I think in time Celepharn will come around. I don't think Irmo has lost a Reborn yet and he's not about to lose this one if it can at all be helped.
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 10: Tea with the Fëanturi
Well, here he is in the center of the maze. Choice writ large...I like the wording here. All paths ultimately lead to the Center...at least if one never gives up. Giving up is all too easy to do...but it's not the right thing to do.
I'm glad Glorfi's finally made it to Lorien! Irmo will take good care of him. *hugs Glorfi*
~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
I'm glad you got the message of the maze. It's an important lesson for us all. And Irmo will indeed take good care of our Glorfi... Namo wouldn't have it any other way. *grin*
Kaylee
· 27 July 2008
· Chapter 9: In the Maze
*hugs Glorfi* Aw, poor Glorfi having to wander the maze alone. That voice, like Olorin's but maybe not...Was it Olorin or was it Namo or Irmo, maybe? Perhaps Irmo, since I'm sure he would've recognized Namo? And what bet did Irmo lose this time?
Come to think of it, how often does Namo win a bet, meldonya? *wry grin*
~Kaylee!
Kaylee
· 26 July 2008
· Chapter 8: Leaving Mandos
Ah, and now Glorfi is moving on from Mandos' gardens to Lorien at last. I'm glad that Manwe is smiling here when he wasn't before. I think Glorfi needed to see Manwe as not a completely forbidding figure...after all as Atar's vice-gerent in Arda *grins* he loves all Eru's children (and stepchildren, though almost none come to Aman).
Ah, Asfaloth. Hmm, I wonder when Asfaloth will be reunited with Glorfindel? And now Glorfi comes to the maze...and it's time to choose his path. *hugs Glorfi*
It's also almost time for me to head to bed, as it's 11 PM, but I'm not going to until I've gotten through the tenth chapter. :)
~Kaylee!!!
*enjoying this reread too much to stop now*
Author's reply
Glorfi doesn't know it and he may never be told, but he is as much Manwe's apprentice as Finrod is the Feanturi or Ingwion is Namo's.
As with anybody on the brink of adulthood... Glorfi has to start making choices for himself and this maze is the first lesson in this important step towards maturity.
Kaylee
· 26 July 2008
· Chapter 7: Trouble in Paradise
"In the meantime, Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower," Yavanna said, her voice going stern with the echo of thunder and earth tremors in her tone, "you must never wish to be Unhoused again. That is not your destiny and such a wish is an insult to Ilúvatar who has granted you this time to live once more. Do I make myself clear?"
ROFL!! It looks like Namo isn't the only one who can pull a Wrath-of-Mandos, meldonya. And I felt sorry for the poor maple tree, losing its favorite elfling and its leaves. At least it got the leaves back.
~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
Hey, it's not nice to piss off Mother Nature. LOL I think the maple tree has seen many a Reborn come and go. It may miss them but it knows another will find its branches soon enough.
Kaylee
· 26 July 2008
· Chapter 6: Awakening
Meldonya, I loved the image of Glorfi sleeping in the tree. *grins hugely* Just a wonderful picture in my mind. That and the shooting stars at the end. I loved it, I loved it!
I did feel sorry for Glorfi here, though: At some point he woke to the sensation of warm wetness flowing down his legs and wondered what it might mean. The sound of Olórin making a tsking sound and then the feel of a warm wet cloth on his lower extremities as the Maia wiped him clean brought him to full consciousness and he realized what he had done. Tears of shame came unbidden and he tried to apologize, but his mortification was too great and all he could do was try to curl himself into a ball to hide his shame.
*huggles Glorfi* I'm glad Olorin was there for him! Even if Glorfi isn't his only charge.
~Kaylee
Author's reply
I'm sure Glorfindel was not the first Reborn to suffer this particular embarrassment and I'm sure he wasn't the last. There is a great deal of relearning invovled in being Reborn. Luckily because they are adults and not infants the relearnng comes more quickly the second time around. *grin*
Kaylee
· 26 July 2008
· Chapter 5: Endings and Beginnings
So now the twins have returned to their proper Hall, and Glorfi has been Reborn. I liked that Namo praised him for being a good pupil and the "Does it hurt?"
"Let's find out"
amused me for some reason. No idea why, meldonya. *grin* I'm glad Olorin is there for Glorfi!!
~Kaylee!
Author's reply
I'm glad you're glad. LOL It has to be scary being reborn especially when you've forgotten what it's like to live in the hroa after so long. Luckily, Olorin and the other Maiar are good at easing such fears and helping the Reborn to adjust.
Kaylee
· 26 July 2008
· Chapter 4: Progress Reports
Aw!!! Poor Elured and Elurin...:( Their death must have been so terrible...but at least now they have Glorfi to help them through it. And help them he does indeed. I'm glad that by the end of the chapter they trusted him enough to let go of each other and hold on to Glorfi. It's for the best. *hugs them*
And poor Finrod, chafing at the delay in Glorfi's release. Well, Glorfi has work he needs to do, just as Finda has work he needs to do, I'm sure. And he's not doing it (my amme would say that's naughty *wry grin*. I think she'd do very well helping out Lord Namo...no doubt her classroom of preschool kids are much like Reborn elflings.)
Well, I'm sure soon our dynamic duo will be reunited. (Actually, I know they will be, lol)
~Kaylee!
Author's reply
We don't know any details of how (or if) the twins died, but left alone in the woods the equivalent of 2-3 year olds... not very good odds.
And in apite of the wait to be reunited... a hundred years isn't all that long for an elf.
Kaylee
· 26 July 2008
· Chapter 3: Return to Innocence
Ah, and so our favorite Balrog-Slayer meets our favorite Prince of the Noldor. :-D Again. *grin*
I recognized the names of the other ellyn (and elleth) from your other fics, but I don't remember ever seeing Saeros again. Will he be returning?
That was a bit forward of Finda's niece, kissing his friend like that. *grin* Hmm, perhaps when Glorfi returns from Middle-earth (again), he'll find Finduilas waiting for him? *snicker* Was she ever espoused or will she wait for Glorfi?
~Kaylee!
Author's reply
Saeros does not appear after this though that is not to say he won't.
And of course none of them know who the other people are. Finrod and Finduilas do not recognize each other. She was actually Turin's beloved. I'm not sure hoe that would affect any other relationship she might have with an ellon.
Kaylee
· 26 July 2008
· Chapter 2: Máhanaxar
Ah, ten years on, Judgement comes...
I liked how the Valar lingered on Glorfi's *good* memories more so than the bad ones, and how they considered all his memories of Earendil with such satisfaction.
I admit to being surprised that it was Este and not Vaire who 'adopted' the role of emme in the Ring for Glorfi, but on second thought it makes sense. She brings rest and comfort to the Children and so it was only natural, I think. *smiles* I'm glad she was there to watch out for him.
Manwe's giving Glorfi 'ecstasy beyond the sexual'...powerful, very powerful. The Love of Iluvatar is a wonderful thing. :) I'm glad Glorfi was cleansed and healed of his guilt. Now he can rest more peacefully...you decide if that was a pun or not. *grin*
~Kaylee!
Author's reply
Glorfindel's judgment is much like the judgment of other Noldor rebels although it is also unique to itself. I think Namo would have preferred that he sleep a few more decades before facing judgment but events are moving in the outer world that require him awake sooner rather than later. Of course that has its own consequences as we see later in the story.
Kaylee
· 26 July 2008
· Chapter 1: Here At the End of All Things
Well, meldonya, I know you've either left on your trip or will be going soon, so here it is...my beginning the re-read of EI1, with my promise to review every single chapter. So here is Glorfindel's journey...its ending and literally a new beginning...with the Consoler at his side to see him through it. And Namo does a wonderful job at that. *smiles* I'm glad he'll be such a support for our Balrog-slayer. Glorfi needs all the help he can get. *wry grin*
Onward to Chapter Two!
~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
It will be interesting to see how far you get before I end my journey. LOL
Namo is indeed the Consoler before he is the Judge. It's his favorite role. *grin*
6336
· 29 June 2008
· Chapter 94: Vanda Envinyanta
I know these flashbacks are necessasary for Glorfindel to reintigrate him self but I wish they were not so disrupting. Poor ellon he really does have a hard time of it, I hope Aman will still be standing by the time he is ready to go back to Endorie and guard Erendil's heirs!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Such flashbacks are distruptive unfortunately, yet a necessary part of the process of reintegration. I'm sure many of the Valar and Maiar are hoping the same thing and probably laying bets as to how much of Aman survives Glorfindel's presence. *grin*
6336
· 26 June 2008
· Chapter 73: Reunion
Re reading this for the umpteenth time and have come to the conclusion that Sador's appearant maturity has to do with the fact that he had less life experiance, being only 68 when he died, than both Glorfindel and Finrod. He has fewer memories to intigrate then them. He seems to be better able to cope with what life throws at him than Glorfindel especially.
Lynda
Author's reply
You are probably correct about Sador... his relative youth at the time of his death means that emotionally he's closer to where he was before he died than either Finrod or Glorfindel. That doesn't mean, of course, that he's not above playing "younger brother" for all he's worth. *grin* I think he enjoys being in that position after having been "older brother" in his first life.
Glad you are re-reading and still enjoying this story. It means I got something right. *grin* Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate it.