MJ
· 4 October 2007
· Chapter 11: For Beauty Is Nothing But the Beginning of Terror
Perhaps I'm less sensitive to written imagery (or maybe a little more jaded toward the perils of life in general), but I found this chapter oddly more satisfying than disturbing. In fact, I would not have objected to slightly more direct detail of what Namo experienced in Melkor's clutches. A part of the classic Hero's Journey is the Descent Through Hell, and if we do not see the depth of their trials and suffering, the moment of the Hero's Apotheosis is diminished. One wouldn't think so, but the fullness of the glory of light is not as well appreciated if one never sees the fullness of the terror of dark. That said, one doesn't need to see the actual physical torture if one has a chance to see the depth of the psychological effects it leaves behind, and I think that was handled quite well. For a moment, I was wondering if Namo was going to suffer from a bit of Stockholm Syndrome, but I was glad to see him avoid that (one wonders about some of the Mayar in Melkor's service, though). And I was intrigued by the commanding Voice that urged Namo into the abyss -- was it Melkor's, or Eru's? The immediate thought was Melkor, but then, Eru created Dark as well as Light, and there is more than one kind of Darkness. Good work.
Author's reply
No, Námo definitely was not yet at the Stockholm Syndrome stage, though who knows if thet would not have happened eventually if not for Manwë's timely rescue. And I'm more interested in the psycho-spiritual effects of torture than exploring the actual physical act, which is why I wrote the chapter as I did.
Why your immediate thought about the Voice would be Melkor, I don't know. Námo would have recognized Melkor's voice and would not have obeyed it the way he did here, even though obedience was on a purely instinctual level at this point.
Edlyn
· 4 October 2007
· Chapter 11: For Beauty Is Nothing But the Beginning of Terror
Meldonya, I am absolutely stunned by this chapter. So much so, that I am going to have to wait a while and let the chapter soak in before I can give you a real review. For now just let me say that I think this is some of your best writing ever.
Edlyn
Author's reply
Thanks, Edlyn. I look forward to reading a fuller review when you are ready to write it.
Tira
· 3 October 2007
· Chapter 11: For Beauty Is Nothing But the Beginning of Terror
oh, how angsty! ack! *bangs head* why why why do I read works in progress?
Author's reply
Because you're a glutton for pain and anguish? *LOL* Read on, it does get less angsty after this, at last for a little while.
Imhiriel
· 3 October 2007
· Chapter 11: For Beauty Is Nothing But the Beginning of Terror
Oh, I am very glad we saw the Máya with his whip only indirectly through a memory, not the episode directly! And that the memory faded out before we could see whatever happened (although the hints throughout the further narrative are tantalising, I think I'd really rather not know - my imagination is bad enough)!
Melkor whispered, his voice dark with a desire that was nameless even to him,
For some reason, I liked the fact that even Melkor had no name for this.
Melkor comforting Námo? Ewwww... I think I was even relieved when he slapped him, as it was not such a travesty, but revealed his true character.
And then the rescue! *breathes hugh sigh of relief* Poor, poor Námo - it was all too much for him.
His desperate call for help and the Voice answering moved me tremendously. Now I am on tenterhooks wanting to know where this Abyss is. The Timeless Halls? Can he go back there, after all?
Yes, yes: "stay tuned for the next installment..." *g*
This was a most suspenseful chapter, Fiondil, in a wide range of ways.
Author's reply
I'm equally glad I never saw the full scene of what happened between Melkor and Námo. What little I've seen is more than enough, thank you.
Melkor is as clueless as the rest of them as to what he is actually experiencing through his hröa when he chooses to incarnate. The Ayanumuz (and Melkor included) have no words yet to describe what they are experiencing since what they experience is outside their normal worldview, you might say. It will be some time before any of them are able to articulate what they are experiencing and they may well have to wait until the Children come into being before they can name their experiences because truly incarnate beings will have done so as a natural aspect of their existence.
We will learn in the next chapter what the Abyss is and where. The chapter will also be less suspenseful and more sedate. We all need a breather after the events of the last few chapters, I think. *grin*
Rhyselle
· 3 October 2007
· Chapter 11: For Beauty Is Nothing But the Beginning of Terror
Even having read this when I stood in as beta reader, and having discussed it with you prior to posting, I still get chills as I read this. Like other readers, my mind shys away from the close detail of what happened to Namo prior to this scene--and I'm rather glad that it does!
Forgive me if I do not discuss the interaction with Melkor--just the mere thought of him makes my skin crawl and my soul feel dirty. Ick! But I had to say that it is totally understandable that Namo would want to flee even those whom he loves when they come in to rescue him. Victims of horrific crimes frequently feel that they are not worthy of the love and care of others, even though it is a false thing to believe. The isolation of a victim from those who care is an additional crime to be laid at the perpetrator's feet.
Thankfully, Namo has the faith--the estel-hope--that allows him to go to the One who is able to heal him. I know that Atar will soothe his soul and help him to face what has occurred and to move on to return to his family and the work awaiting him so that the Children will have a home to come to.
Powerful, scary chapter, and I'm darn glad that the next one is going to be filled with Light!
Author's reply
Hi Rhyselle,
Thanks for your comments, even though I already knew what you felt about the chapter from your beta-reading. *grin* Nämo's estel-hope is, at this point, totally unconscious and he's much like a wounded animal that seeks shetler instinctively. Nämo is acting purely on instinct at this point, even to calling upon Atar for help even though he has no conscious knowledge of what he is doing.
And yes, the next chapter is definitely Light-Filled, as well you know! *grin*
Nieriel Raina
· 2 October 2007
· Chapter 11: For Beauty Is Nothing But the Beginning of Terror
I can hardly see to type for the tears! What a powerful chapter, Fiondil. Horrifying, yet ending with such... awe. Yes, I'll use your word, for that is all I feel.
Poor Námo! I have no doubts he will be well with his Atar. And this brings me to the chapter we just read in EI, where Námo comments of Ingwë and Glorfindel's fleeing their bodies, that Eru did not orchestrate it, but took advantage of it to use it for good... and Námo was very confident in that. I have no doubts he has learned that for himself.
I don't want to comment on the horror part, for I'm sure I don't wish to know what Namo was forced to do, and it was simply... I need a stronger word than horrifying! Bone chilling? You manage to lure the reader into the darkness of the tale so that she is morbidly fascinated.
Now I am greatly looking forward to seeing what happens next and how Atar deals with all that has happened and how Vaire comes into Namo's healing... Great chapter (if short), Fiondil! *applause*
NiRi
Author's reply
Thanks NiRi. I know how difficult these last chapters have been for many. The last part was truly awesome (in the truest sense of the word) for me as I wrote it. When I heard Atar say "Come!" the first time, I was fairly shaking inside.
An interesting way of seeing Námo's words in Elf Interrupted in relation to this (chronologically earlier) story. Thank you for pointing it out to me, it makes Námo's character even more complex and multi-faceted than before.
No, you don't want to comment about the horror part and you don't want to know what Námo was forced to do... I don't want to know, which is why I wrote this chapter *after* the fact. I leave it to the moribidity of my readers to fill in the blanks to their hearts content.
The next chapter will be more light-filled (literally).
Radbooks
· 2 October 2007
· Chapter 11: For Beauty Is Nothing But the Beginning of Terror
*sob* I haven't been able to review the last few chapters, though they were written very well. It was just too hard. But, I've got tears running down my face as I finish this one. I knew Namo would be freed, but what he had to go through was so heart-wrenching. I don't blame him for wanting to get away from everyone and everything especially when it seemed like his Atar had abandoned him too. Yet, in the end, there is no other that can really bring the healing he needs. I do hope Manwe and the others find out where he is soon because they must be so worried for him.
Wonderfully done.
Author's reply
I know these last few chapters have been difficult for mamy people (me not the least as I had to write them!). I do appreciate you taking the time to review this chapter, which I think (and hope) is as dark as it gets for quite some time. The next chapter I think will be healing for everyone involved. It certainly was for me in writing it.
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 10: Pá Morilattar
Námo experiencing being incarnate in more detail and with more attention than before was fascinating and amusing at the same time. I can imagine him grimacing and making face to ease the itch on his nose!
It must be frightening to be so completely cut off, in particular if this is the very first time to be so isolated, even from Eru. I wonder if it is not his very belief that he is cut off from Eru that makes him unable to reach him. Perhaps, if he could calm himself and concentrate, he would succeed?
Yet the passage of time as Eä knew it was an external thing, not touching him except as a referent to the approaching Time of the Children,
Fascinating! As are Námo's later ponderings about Death.
The descriptions of Acairis' actions and how Námo experiences them are chilling and haunting.
For a long moment Námo merely stared at the fallen Máya and wondered. Was this interest in black holes something she had had all along or was it a product of her fallen state? He didn’t know and at this point didn’t care.
I would have expected Námo to wonder about his own interest in black holes, and what that might say about him. Or is he, by this point, no able to form such thoughts?
Take care lest you step too much closer, for it you do, you will never escape even if... if the One, himself, rescues you from Melkor.
This suggests, to me, that Acairis speaks from personal experience, and I like seeing this additional facet to her character.
Author's reply
The description of what Námo is experiencing while in an extended physical form I think is important to see, for no other reason than to show how very alien physical form is for beings whose natural state is Pure Thought. It would be reasonable to assume that something like an "itch" would be frustrating simply because the one experiencing it wouldn't even know what it was they were experiencing. They would have no word for it and by naming something you have power over it. The same thing with his thoughts about Time and Death, two external phenomena that he has not actually experienced within himself.
I try not to make my evil characters so two-dimensional as to be uninteresting. As Elrond reminds the Council, nothing is evil in the beginning and so, there must still be a core of goodness (denied and ignored without a doubt) that exists within even the most evil character that can manifest itself, though not always recognizable as such. This is the case here with Acairis.
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 9: Rescue Run
Aaargh, pushed "Send" too soon!
I also wanted to say:
The oath-taking moved me very much. I often feel intitially odd when you show some so thoroughly human concept like fealty and hierachy. But 1) Tolkien did, too, and 2) it makes sense to somehow organise the "society" of the Valar and 3) it can also be read as paraphrasing and simplifying concepts that would be too alien for us readers to comprehend.
It's funny how it is completely apparent and self-evident to everybody that Námo and Vairë will one day belong together, merely Námo still seems unsure of it.
As a father I shall be unto ye, my children, and welcome ye into my household until such time as I release ye or thy lady redeems ye. May Ilúvatar bear witness that I do full gladly accept thy oaths and welcome ye.
I think that, as Námo is addressing several persons, "thy" is incorrect.
The scene with the butterflies was beautiful and very evocative.
Author's reply
Tolien's entire structure is hierarchical, a product of his Catholic upbrining (and mine, as well), so the concepts of fealty and hierarchy are imbedded into our psyche and just seems natural. Plus, Tolkien cast his Legendarium in a "quasi-medieval" mode where such concepts find their natural home. It's difficult NOT to use them to express what might actually be an alien social structure for which we humans have no other adequate words.
Thanks for the correction. I made the correction in the previous sentence to this but failed to make it here. It has now been correction.
The butterflies are my favorite part of this chapter and I couldn't resist having the Master of Spirits meeting the manifestations of Psyche for the first time. *grin*
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 9: Rescue Run
The attackers had indeed come over the low hills, yelling, and surprisingly, they retreated over the same hills rather than going incorporeal.
I wonder if this also similar to Melkor being bound in one form later on...
Damsel in Distress - yes, but the damsel in question is rather incensed Námo fell for that ploy (and now we know exactly how old that trick is *g*).
She was incarnate, her hröa perfect, though Námo was surprised to see that she had chosen to clothe herself in flesh that was darker in shade than was usual.
I admit I am uncomfortable with this. I'm usually someone who doesn't hold with extreme political correctness, and I know Tolkien had his own (sometimes problematical) colour coding but... When the first time skin colour is mentioned at all, and drawn special attention to the fact that someone is of "unusually dark colour", and this someone is a villain... I don't know, I just don't like it.
Author's reply
If you are uncomfortable with Acairis' description, you should be. Acairis is very uncomfortable. However, you are brining in your own cultural prejudices into this scene. I don't specify *how* dark Acairis' skin is, only that is is darker than how the other Máyar and Ayanumuz clothe themselves. Tolkien says that the Valar and Maiar, when they clothed themselves in flesh, imitated the Firstborn, who are described (again, by Tolkien) as being "fair". And this is *not* the first time I mention skin color in this story. I describe Vairë's flesh as "alabaster" in an earlier chapter. Therefore, Acairis' flesh would be darker than that, but to what degree I leave it to the readers to decide. I personally see her skin as being olive-toned, similar to that found among Southern Europeans,like those from Italy or Greece (my own ancestry is Italian, btw), as opposed to the lighter tones of the Northern Europeans, like the Scandinavians.
The imnplications of Námo's surprise is that previously, whenever Acairis had clothed herself, her flesh had had the same tonal quality as all the others, but here, she has chosen a different tonal quality, that, for me, is a reflection of her fallen state, a physical manifestation of whatever frequency her aura now generates which would be "darker" than what it originally was.
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 8: Mápaina
I feel it was high time someone took Varda to task for her aggressive and unfriendly attitude towards Námo! I don't think her initial apology was 100% sincere, but at least she learned better once the two worked together:
You have a unique point of view. I confess I don’t always understand or appreciate it, but more often than I care to admit, your insights have proven sound.
The Valar are scattered, just as I suppose Melkor planned ("divide et impera"?).
Erm, question from an ignoramus like me: are there pink stars?
Lol, Eönwë remembering all oaths! Námo certainly knew how Glorfindel felt in the same situation...
Nessa stringing the stars in certain patterns.
Is this an allusion to star constellations?
The sight seemed to settle him and he shrugged off Nienna’s embrace, standing there with implacable purpose.
"SILENCE!"
Such was the force of his command that all motion ceased and they all stared at him in surprise.
*claps Hands and cheers* Yes, Námo, that's it!
Therindë
Finally a name where I can recognise the meaning: Therindë > Serindë > Broideress. Very apt for a follower of Vairë.
BTW, in this context, may I add my voice to the request for a list of names (with a one-sentence description, perhaps, and with their meanings, if possible) for this story, but, much more importantly, for "Elf Interrupted"?
*No one is created for a single purpose, my child,* came the whisper of Ilúvatar’s thought, *and every gift bestowed is multi-faceted. It is for you to discover their depths for yourself.*
Wonderful thought!
Author's reply
Sometimes, we learn to appreciate the "other" by having to deal with him or her on a daily basis. Manwë was wise in understanding this about his spouse, and Námo. While Varda needed to learn to appreciate Námo's gifts and Námo himself a bit more, Námo, in turn, needed to get over his own mistrust of Varda and her famous temper. It does work both ways, you know.
I will eventually create a character list for both stories and one also for "Stirrings of Shadow" since many have requested such, but it may take a while to compile, so just be patient.
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 7: Melyanna
So it was decided, little realizing that their measures were already too little and too late.
Uh-oh... evil Fiondil, for making it even more suspenseful with ominous foreshadowing *g*!
While he rejoiced in the anarchical freedom which Chaos evoked in him, even better was the pleasure he felt when he invoked the more particular freedom of Right Order, with its boundaries and limitations. Chaos for the sake of chaos did not attract him. It was drawing Order from Chaos that gave him special delight. Chaos had its place in the greater scheme of things, but it could not dominate. Chaos was the servant of Order, not its master and Námo was the Lord of Order-Out-of-Chaos to which Order would eventually devolve, for Eä was not the Timeless Halls. Eventually all would come to an end and then there would be a New Beginning.
I love this paragraph, so I had to quote it in its entirety. It says so much about Námo, his abilities and values and attitudes.
They ended up becoming what Aulë, in a fit of rare snideness, called brown dwarfs. Varda was both upset and embarrassed and threatened to do things to Aulë’s aura that would turn him into a brown dwarf.
Lol! Oh, I love your Aulë! And Varda's rejoinder was equally priceless!
...but thank you for the complement anyway.
Correction: it's "compliment".
Aulendil's lies and insinuations towards Melyanna's are a wonderful explanation for Melian's attitude later on towards Sauron.
The declaration that song and dance are somehow more worthless and less useful than more "hands-on" work is a thought that reminds me of some of Marnie's stories, for example "Handmaiden of Lorien". She also emphasises the fact that Melian's and Lúthien's gifts of singing and dancing (and IIRC, also Arwen's gift of weaving) were as worthy and admirable as being able to fight or being a smith.
Námo fully came into himself here in his role as comforter. He is way more wise and competent than he gives himself credit for. I think part of the problem is that he is, literally, too self-conscious. If he doesn't think too long about what he should do, he manages perfectly well.
Author's reply
Thanks for the correction. My spellcheker of course can't read English so it didn't know the difference. LOL
Námo and Melkor are very much alike, except in this way: Melkor rejoices in Chaos of the sake of chaos, while Námo prefers Order-out-of-Chaos, so that Chaos has a legitimate role to play but not to the detriment of all else, which is Right Order.
I can just see Manwë holding Varda back as she makes her threats to Aulë. LOL Like I said, they're adolescents here and react accordingly.
Our society often disparages what it considers useless occupations because they aren't prestigious or they don't make a lot of money. I presently teach English at a vocational school here in China and it's only been in recent years that vocational schools have been seen as "honorable" alternatives to going to university. So many parents wanted their children to attend university and disparaged lesser schools, but not everyone is equipped for the rigours of university study. We still need our plumbers and electiricians ans so forth and they should be seen as being as honorable a profession as being a doctor or teacher. Even so, many students still talk about the disappointment their parents feel towards them, which is really sad.
You're right about Námo being a bit too self-conscious of himself. I think that is a product of his gifts, setting him apart, even from his own brother, in that regard. Eventually, though, he will come to accept that part of himself and be less self-conscious about it.
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 6: Interlude On a Nameless Planet
I love very much how you convey the fact that they are incorporeal and "consist" of their thoughts. How that changes their actions and interactions, and how you have to cast it into different language or not.
And then this:
"Let’s incarnate," Vairë said unexpectedly
had me laughing hysterically for some reason.
I also very much appreciate the innocence in their nakedness: there is no lasciviousness, and on the other hand, no shame in their behaviour. Thank you for this.
Privately, though, he was beginning to think of it as Ambar-Vaireva. Perhaps one day, he mused, it might even be renamed Ambaremma.
Oh, he fell really hard, didn't he?
Author's reply
Remembering that they are incorporeal and consist of their thoughts makes it difficult to describe actions and reactions. How can someone nod their head if they don't actually have a head to nod? Yet, our language is inadequate to describe such actions without evoking physicality. Sometimes, I just give up and use the laguage with which we are familiar to express what is a purely spiritual state of being. It's not easy but I do the best I can to convey their incorporeality.
Vairé's "Let's incarnate" is on the same level, in human terms, with teenagers suddenly declaring "Let's go skinny-dipping!" *LOL* and rightly so. They are, after all, at the adolescent stage of their existence, edging slowly into maturity.
In fact, there is no "nakedness" for them. Clothing themselves in flesh is like putting on a good suit or dress, not the opposite. And yes, Námo is falling very hard indeed, though he little realizes it at this point. *grin*
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 5: Collision Course
This chapter was very suspenseful, and the Valars' solution to Melkor's interference very satisfying.
I admit Varda's fits of temper rather take me aback, but I guess she is particularly stressed: the millions of stars are within her purview, and Melkor seems to target them mostly, whereas the other Valar seem to have a broader range of tasks and so more variety.
Varda glowered at them all, muttering, "But they’re my stars. Don’t I have a say in this?"
Uh-oh, dangerous thought, Varda! Don't try to hoard things to yourself!
Námo did not have that fear for his own Máyar, for they were few and for some reason intensely loyal to him, though he had yet to figure out why.
And close upon this thought he shows exactly why his followers are so intensely loyal: because he is humble and compassionate, and because he care about each and everyone.
Author's reply
When you have strong personalities clashing, there's bound to be some friction. Varda is still 'young' at this point (they all are, almost like very precocious adolescents) so she is not as in control of herself as we see her later in the Silmarillion.
We tend to disparage our own abilities, thinking others are better than we. The fact that Námo has fewer Máyar servatns than the other Ayanumuz must make him feel less than the others, little realizing that quantity rather than quality is what counts. Most of the Máyar are uneasy around Námo because of his unique abilities and air of mystery, but we will see that they will come to appreciate and honor those abilities later and the compassion and humility he exhibits will draw others to him, others like Olórin, for instance, who at this time belongs to the People of Manwë and Varda.
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 4: Hunting Through the Cosmos
"Sorry. I don’t know why he keeps hounding me while he leaves the rest of you alone."
"Are you so sure of that, Little Brother?" Oromë asked quietly and Námo startled at that. Oromë nodded. "We have all been tempted, even Manwë, and more than once. You are not as unique as you think you are."
Oromë is surely right, but I can't help but that think Melkor has a special interest in Námo, due to his particular gifts. Someone in charge of death would certainly be a wonderful asset to Melkor...
Fascinating detail of the various wavelengths of the Valars' auras.
And again, Melkor the seducer ... darkly intoxicating, yes, that's it.
The caresses were so different from Melkor’s, soothing and healing where Melkor’s had been just the opposite. It took long moments before Námo could even think straight and he clung to Oromë as if to a lifeline.
I had to grin at your choice of words: "straight", in this context, seems rather... fraught... with double meaning.
Author's reply
Certainly Melkor may have a special interest in Námo at this time for the reasons you give, but it does not preclude the fact that all are tempted to one degree or another and no one is unique in that regard. This is a lesson that both Námo and we need to learn. Too often, I know, I feel isolated from others believing that my particular situation is unique and no one else could possibly understand or appreciate what I'm going through. And on one level, I'm correct, since my experiences and my reactions to thenm are unique to myself, but that is not to say others have not had similar experiences. To believe I'm the only one is a form of arrogance and pride that can lead to darker emotions if not checked.
If "straight" seems fraught with double meaning here, that is your problem, not mine. *grin* Here it means simply what it means. It's unfortunate that our society has corrupted two perfectly good English words to the point that we can;t use them in their original context without everyone else climbing the walls over it.
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 3: The Máhanumaz
I hate to use the word, but Vairë's and Námo's stuttering "courtship" is rather cute *g*!
"Very musical, but not as... as musical as you... I mean when you sing," he said wondering if he sounded as idiotic as he felt.
Lol!!! I hope I may forego an answer to that question...
He thought the planet was actually quite beautiful in its deadness, but was wise enough not to say such things to the others. Even his brother sometimes looked at him askance whenever he said something like that.
I think this is a wonderful passage. Námo would have to appreciate the beauty in and rightness of death. Even the desert, or the ice-regions of the earth have their grace and beauty, and rightly so.
Author's reply
Yes, young love is rather cute, isn't it? And I don't think there's any question about whether Námo is being an idiot at this moment. *grin*
I think Námo's appreciation and acceptance of the beauty and rightness of death would be an asset in his "job" as Lord of the Dead. I remember sitting in on a presentation given by the late Carl Sagan, showing slides of Mars that NASA had gotten back from the first Mars Lander and apologizing for the fact that the Lander had come down on an, to the scientists, uninteresting part of Mars. I just sat there in awe: in awe of the fact that I was loooking at the surface of an alien world, a world that had sparked the imaginations of poets and writers throughout the centuries (I devoured Edgar Rice Burrough's "John Carter of Mars" series as a teenager) and I was in awe of Dr. Sagan inability to appreciate just how interesting that little corner of Mars truly was and wished I could stand on that "uninteresting" spot for just five minutes.
Perhaps I'm more like Námo in that respect than I thought. *grin*
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 2: Beacons Lit
It's nice to see the Valar and Maiar already exhibiting traits of their later occupations, but very neatly adapted to their current tasks (Eönwë the herald, Aulë the scientist...)
giving Nienna a smile. She had been unable to join in the Song to the very end, yet somehow she seemed stronger than he in many ways.
That's a marvellous explanation for her "job" as the Weeper, because the later themes were already influences by Melkor's dissonances (=meaning the bad that will happen in the world).
I love the combination of canon, science and music.
I may be one of the few of your readers who would prefer not to see scenes with Ilúvatar. I think it is important to convey the love between him and his children, and to hear about specific memories of the Timeless Halls, but I'd rather he be left off the scene, to be a mystery we can never see or know.
Author's reply
I have attempted, well or poorly, to portray the Valar and Maiar of later ages with the same characteristics with which we are familiar but showing how they may have been in earlier ages. There is no Lord of Mandos at this time, yet the traits which Námo exhibits as the Lord of Mandos at least have to be latent within him. The same with all the others.
I'm glad you like the combination of canon, science and music. Eä was created out of the Song, and as music is pure mathematics, it makes sense that the Valar would continue to use it in their own creations.
Whether or not we actually "see" Ilúatar in future chapters remains to be seen. We know from the Silmarillion that Manwë, and at one point Aulë, has direct communication with Eru.
Imhiriel
· 30 September 2007
· Chapter 1: Riding the Fireball
I admit I have as good as no knowledge about astronomy, and also little interest (apart from liking the pretty pictures from the NASA site and others *g*), but your story has me fascinated from the beginning paragraph on! Such a beauty and splendour in the vast space, and what an original and creative idea!
You describe Melkor perfectly as the seductive Lucifer.
I enjoy this look at a younger Námo; I can well imagine that his gift is one that is difficult to deal with and accept.
I love the images of the Valar playing between the stars. And their personalities match this vastness of their "playing-field": you show them "human" and fallible, with tempers and insecurities, and yet there is always the sense of their power, and them being beyond human understanding.
Author's reply
Thanks, Imhiriel. I appreciate your review. This is rather a departure from the usual Tolkien fanfic, but I decided it was a story that should be and needed to be told. I'm glad you like how I portray the various Ayanumuz (even Melkor). Obviously, as created beings, they would have had an "adolescent" stage (pretty much like us humans *grin*) before they matured into the awesome beings we know from the Silmarillion, yet we see hints of what they will eventually become here. I think we tend to forget how "other" these beings are from Men and Elves (most of us wouldn't think of hiding in the middle of a star and holding onto the star's core like a security blanket *grin*). I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the story.
Agape4Gondor
· 28 September 2007
· Chapter 10: Pá Morilattar
'He tried to open himself to Atar but there was nothing there, just a blank emptiness in the center of his fëa where Atar had always been even when he wasn’t consciously aware of it.'
Devastating -
'She was evil but it didn’t mean he had to treat her with anything less than the respect with which he would treat any of the Máyar. He would not follow her down the black hole she had fallen into.'
Profound -
Wow - an excellent chapter!
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Yes, the loss of communication with Atar would be devestating. The fact that repaying evil with evil only makes you evil is a lesson many do not learn. Námo will not allow himself to descend to Acairis' level whatever the cost to himself. More to come.
Agape4Gondor
· 28 September 2007
· Chapter 9: Rescue Run
Incredibly interesting and intriguing chapter.
I'm very impressed with Namo's personality - I like the fact that he is in command. I liked the Mayar coming to him - glad he didn't have to ask. And I liked the quandry that he was placed in - stay or go.
Very much liked the moment of rescue and then the entrapment. Well well written chapter. Can't wait to read on.
Author's reply
Thanks, Agape. I'm glad you are impressed with Námo's personality. He does grow on one, doesn't he? *grin*
MJ
· 27 September 2007
· Chapter 10: Pá Morilattar
I sometimes think that Acairis is closer to Thuringwethil than Ungoliant, and this chapter makes me feel that even more, the legendary seductive power of the vampire that I never imagined Ungoliant would have felt. But then, I have my own theories about the origins of Ungoliant, so that probably influences my feelings. :) I also suspect that Namo should consult his brother or Este about the proper nomenclature of "itch," since matters of physicality and its behaviors (and misbehaviors) would seem to fall clearly in their areas of interest, and purview.
Thinking these things, however, did prompt me to wonder: what is Namo's sister, Nienna, doing during this phase of things? Almost as much as Namo -- even more so, I think -- one would not think she has much to do, except sit around and cry every time Melkor does something bad, or one of Varda's experiments goes wrong. I think both she and Namo would be equally attractive to Melkor as potential "recruits," willing or otherwise, and yet, I can't recall that anything has been said of what Nienna's up to (that may just be my memory, of course, can't be trusted to remember anything for two minutes, right now). It would seem to me that, even though this is clearly Namo's story, she should somehow enter into it, not just because she is his sister, but also because there are aspects of their natures that are similar, in particular matters of pity and compassion. There is much they might learn from one another, I think, and much support they could give one another. Maybe not. And maybe I'm just jumping the gun. :)
Author's reply
Acairis does indeed have some vampiric tendencies, which is why I haven't explicitly said she later becomes Ungoliant. She reminds me at this point rather of a Lamia of Greek mythology than anything else.
Nienna appeared two chapters ago when she and Námo were conducting experiments on salinity levels in the ocean (appropriate I thought considering how tears are salty *grin*). She will no doubt continue to make an appearance in later chpaters. She is, after all, Námo's older sister and will be in full older-sister mode once Námo returns to the fold.
Part of the reason I started writing this story was that I had similar questions about all the Valar: what were they doing before they became the Valar? They spent uncounted ages building up the universe before they ever bothered to create Arda and so what were people like Námo and Nienna and Vána, etc. doing before Arda was created and they could get on with their real 'jobs'? Hopefully, this story is beginning to answer some of these questions.
Currently I'm scratching my nose--your comments about "sensation at the end of the nose" was quite amusing! *grin*
Acairis = creepy. What happens to her in the end--does she turn into Ungoliant or something similar? *cocks eyebrow* Of course, I could be wrong...but she oddly reminds of that spider.
Poor Námo. Someone had better come by soon to help...Oh Manwë, where have you gone?
Author's reply
What happens to Acairis at the end remains to be seen. Certainly she exhibits characteristics similar to those of Ungoliant, so who knows? Ungoliant did start out as a Maia, before she turned away from Eru and the Light, then spent the rest of her existence trying to snuff ouf that very Light.
Anyway, help is on the way... next chapter, I promise. *grin*
eiluj
· 27 September 2007
· Chapter 10: Pá Morilattar
Yes: black holes! (My subconscious just kicked me while I was making tea.) *Very* clever of you, Fiondil: Melkor would *love* the concept. But I fear black holes won't be anywhere near as effective in devouring light as he'd hoped. He'll never get it all; he's doomed to disappointment (both now and in the future).
Just hoping the Maiar guards can get out of the way fast enough when those twelve stars go unstable.
Aside from that: poor Námo! Icky Acairis! Glad you put in the humor of Námo's confusion over his itching nose.
Author's reply
I decided before going on with the icky part, I needed to show the absurdity of life even in its most straiten forms. Námo is in a perilous situation yet his most major concern at the moment is to scratch that itch at the end of his nose even though he doesn't know it's an itch and what he wants to do is scratch it. *grin*
Melkor and Acairis are both doomed to disappointment with regards to harnessing the power of black holes for their own nefarious purposes, for which we can all thank Eru.
Larner
· 26 September 2007
· Chapter 10: Pá Morilattar
And does she intend to enter a black hole herself, or consign others to it so as to live the experience vicariously? Alas, she is herself caught beyond the event horizon, I fear, and without probably fully realizing it.
And she's lost touch with Atar. Alas.
Author's reply
Or perhaps she does realize it and therein lies her dilemma: she already knows she's trapped and can't get out, but she can see that Námo might soon join her, and she both desires it and does not desire it, hence her warning. And she has lost touch with Atar, though not the other way around, if she just realized it. But again, she may well realize it, yet, in her prideful lust (or lustful pride) she refuses to seek forgiveness and so she is lost. I think she will take the idea of light being sucked into a black hole for herself as she seeks to consume all Light in an attempt to extinguish the pain she must feel at losing that Light within herself.
Tira
· 26 September 2007
· Chapter 10: Pá Morilattar
"annoying sensation on the end of my nose"....
too adorable, whether intended or otherwise. quite glad that when MY nose itches, I am not bound in manacles and can scratch it.
grrr. now, you realise, I have to wait again for the next chapter?
Author's reply
As a Vala unused to the ways of the flesh, it must have been pure torture on more than one level not only not be able to scratch the itch but not even being able to put a name to what one is experiencing because no one has come along with a name for it yet. I did indeed intend the opening to be humorous, to show the absurdity of life even in the midst of angst.