obsidianj
· 15 April 2008
· Chapter 14: Eärnur’s Tale
That's quite a tale Earnur has to tell. I can understand Laurendil's anger so well. I think the Valar will be in for some scolding. Why did they do this? I guess in their view a few hundred years is even less than for the elves, and sometimes they lose perspective.
Author's reply
Perhaps, but even for elves a few hundred years is as nothing compared to the length of time many have and will live. But I imagine that one or two of the Valar will be told exactly what Eärnur and Laurendil think of them once these two get back to Aman and no doubt the Valar in question are aware of this.
obsidianj
· 15 April 2008
· Chapter 13: In the Valley of Tombs
At least they got out in one piece. And never underestimate an elf. It was quite impressive when they just showed up among the mortals. But who is the mysterious observer of the old customs? Since the yew sprig was rather fresh, somebody had to have been there not long ago. Maybe another ally? Or more danger if they get caught. Now I'm off to read of Earnur's fate. I hope that is what the next chapter is about.
Author's reply
Never underestimate an elf, indeed, and these two are very impressive. As to who might have left the yew sprig, we will probably never know, though it is certainly someone willing to brave the 'curse' and possibly death if caught. Obviously it's someone related to Tar-Aldarion since the yew sprig was left at his tomb, though that is all we know.
Agape4Gondor
· 14 April 2008
· Chapter 15: Leaving the Valley
I'm sorry - I really had to giggle over the title... All I could think of was the Rankin/Bass movie where the Fellowship is entering Rivendell and the Elves are singing Fa la la lally - we're here in the valley.... *snorts*
All right - I'll get serious here. Great chapter as always. Keeping us sitting on the edge of our seats....
My heart went out to Laurendil - he certainly has to stop and think. His world has been turned upside down and by someone whom he really trusted...
However, I felt sorry for Earnur who finally gets out of captivity and can rejoice in being free - and yet he's stuck guarding the young ones... while Laurendil goes off to sulk (I know he's not really sulking, but it is a difficult thing for Earnur). He is most gracious!
Poor Fiondil - should have slept in a tree. At least he would have a little more cover than he does now! Shame on the girls for teasing him - just out of a hideous situation and torture and all... but I suppose a little levity would help.
Vandiel spoke wisely - they better watch that woman - she'll be running the island soon (perhaps if she had, it would not now be sunk!)
Great cliffhanger... I was sitting here thinking that they shouldn't be waiting for Fiondil to wake - just pick him up and throw him over a shoulder and get the heck out of there... but who am I?
Author's reply
Well, when I wrote the chapter the last thing on my mind was that particular scene from the Rankin/Bass movie. LOL
Yes, Laurendil's whole worldview has been turned upside down and I think that's why Eärnur doesn't protest being left to mind the 'Children' for a bit while Laurendil goes and has a think. Eärnur, after all, has had 400 years to get used to the idea and I'm sure that while Laurendil was off 'sulking' Eärnur was quite happy making acquaintance with the elm trees around him.
As for why they didn't just throw Fiondil over someone's shoulder and get out of the valley immediately... well, where's the fun of that? I can't make it too easy for them you know or there would be no story. LOL
Glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reviewin. We'll see in the next chapter just how they do get out of the valley.
Larner
· 14 April 2008
· Chapter 15: Leaving the Valley
They do not as yet appreciate the admonition of one who will be a descendant of theirs: "There is always hope." They will find the way, I think.
Author's reply
Yes, thre is indeed always hope and they will find a way, though it will not be easy and in fact will require great sacrifice.
Larner
· 8 April 2008
· Chapter 14: Eärnur’s Tale
It is a great and somewhat terrible story, and I suspect the Valar ought to have been more honest with Earnur. However, they did what they could to prepare for a vicious future. And obviously Fiondil and perhaps some of the descendants of the fisherfolk are important to the Dunedain who will one day return to Middle Earth to dwell unto the ending of the world.
And I rejoice that Fiondil had training in how to block his thoughts from Sauron.
Author's reply
More is going on than the elves or the mortals suspect and with the presence of Sauron in Númenor, the Valar can read between the lines, though, obviously even they were caught off-guard by what the Númenórëans did in the end or they wouldn't have relinguised their authority to Eru the way they did. Still, I think it safe to say they did what they could as they could and Eärnur has proven to be a part of it, unwittingly so, but then that's true for all os us, I think. If Eärnur hadn't been there when Fiondil was captured, the mortal would not have had the benefit of Irmo's apprentice's knowledge and it's likely Amandil and his entire family would have been destroyed and history as we know it would not have happened.
Agape4Gondor
· 7 April 2008
· Chapter 14: Eärnur’s Tale
Great chapter. I'm very glad you didn't make us sit biting our nails for too long!
Waiting for the next........... :)
Author's reply
Glad you liked the chapter. You know I don't keep my readers biting their nails for too long. This story gets updated once a week.
Rhyselle
· 7 April 2008
· Chapter 14: Eärnur’s Tale
No wonder Lord Namo was grieved. For he'd obviously forseen all of this. I just hope that Laurendil comes to terms with the long plans of the Valar eventually. I think that even though the Eldar are immortal, they see the future in a manner closer to that of the Edain than that of the Valar. You'd think that the elves of Aman would have learned better by now. *grin* But I can't blame Laurendil and Earnur for not wanting to ask, "Why didn't you just explain WHY? We'd have been perfectly happy to do what you wanted, if you'd just told us!" *grin* (I know I've asked that question myself a time or two when something in my life suddenly made sense long after the fact.
I kind of get chills (good ones) thinking of the fact that Earnur's purpose was to be in a particular place at a particular time to save a particular individual. We each have our own free will, but but I've always wondered if certain choices we are asked to make are fore-ordained. Not what we choose, but the fact that we must make a choice.
I'm still on the cough med with codeine so I know this is not really coherent but I really loved this chapter and the way that Earnur told his tale. Great work, as always!
Author's reply
It must have been heartwrenching for the Valar to ask Eärnur if he would go, knowing what was likely to happen, yet hoping that he would agree to it because otherwise later events would turn out worse than they did. It doesn't negate free will because Eärnur could've refused to go, not having any further knowledge than what he had. What the Valar might have done then or what might have happened, we'll never know. The fact is, Eärnur did go and so events happened as they did.
Eärnur has obviously come to terms with what happened though I have no doubt he has a few things he wants to say to the Valar that he's been storing up for the last 400 years. *grin* Laurendil, on the other hand, still needs time to accept what happened. Hopefully, Eärnur's own calm acceptance and forgiveness will go a long way towards helping him to come to terms on his own.
Radbooks
· 7 April 2008
· Chapter 13: In the Valley of Tombs
I don't think I've reviewed this one for awhile, but I'm really enjoying it! I'm very anxious to see how you get Laurendil and Earnur off of Numenor and back home. I do hope neither of them have to spend time in Mandos. :) Fiondil or any of the others either. I have a feeling that while the immediate danger has passed, they are not out of the woods yet!! :)
Author's reply
No, they are not out of the woods yet, either figuratively or literally, but these are very resourceful people and I'm sure they will find a way. I'm glad you are enjoying this tale. Thanks for letting me know.
Agape4Gondor
· 31 March 2008
· Chapter 13: In the Valley of Tombs
Poor Fiondil - I am not the least bit surprised that he collapsed.
I said Hooray! when I saw that the Elves yet lived... though I had hoped they had not fallen after all this effort!
Poor Fiondil's fea - and I too wonder - and shudder at what the answer might be - 'what did they do to him?'
I thought the dense fog was a good thing - that way anyone looking for them would not be able to see them - though I understand the deadening of ones' spirit and the need for warmth.
I liked Lauredil's levity as to the curse. It is a little too late to be worrying about that.
I like Laurendil's hope and the giving of it to the mortals with him! And the affirmation of Errcasse's oath! Very nice indeed.
As for 'mothers' - hooray. I'm glad someone noted that the woman of Hurin's house also had honor!!!
Excellent chapter as always. Now I'll just sit here quietly, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for a difficult chapter. Perhaps I'll make some tea before reading when you post the next one!
Author's reply
The Valley of the Tombs will prove a haven for our rescuers. Curses do have their uses. *grin* And while they're not out of the woods yet, they do have this respite so Fiondil (and the others) can recover.
And of course I had to mention the 'mothers'.... the 'fathers' weren't doing everything by themselves, and historically women are left out and never given their due. Ercassë is just reminding Laurendil of that fact.
We'll learn in the next chapter what happened to Eärnur during the last 400 years. Thanks for reviewing.
Larner
· 31 March 2008
· Chapter 13: In the Valley of Tombs
A wonderful compendium of herbs with which to treat young Fiondil. A copper bowl would heat evenly, but could also be a problem as copper is poisonous and often leaches into liquids that lie for a time or are heated in the vessels. Copper kettles intended for heating water and copper pans and such were always coated on the inside with tin, which is not as dangerous. From time to time such pans would need to be re-tinned, at which time they would be given to the tinkers who mended holes and re-lined copper items. Later such pans were well enameled inside and out. Copper was often used as waterlines and such are still prized, I know, in older homes as they aren't as likely to corrode as steel pipes and are more flexible and enduring than many plastic ones as well. As long as the water doesn't sit in the pipes long there's little danger from them.
But if you wish to kill your tropical fish, drop true copper pennies or a piece of aluminum into your fish tank. In time both will release enough metal into the water to poison your expensive fish. Aluminum takes longer, though, to be absorbed by liquids, or so I understand. (We learned some odd things raising fish and selling antiques for a time. Heh!)
Author's reply
While I'm sure the elves, if not the mortals, are aware of the dangers of copper, they don't have much choice in the matter here and hopefully, the length of time in which the water is boiled is short enough and the amount of copper that is leached into the water is small enough not to be too harmful. Perhaps the elves were able to neutralize the effects of the copper in the water in some way. At any rate, it's all they have to work with, so Fiondil will just have to take his chances. *grin*
Beruthiels Cat
· 31 March 2008
· Chapter 13: In the Valley of Tombs
Hmmm. Following black stones to end up in a cemetery...very appropriate considering the suspected source of their guidance!
The yew left upon the grave leads me to speculate about someone whose presence wouldn't necessarily be forbidden there, or even if it were, the edict would be ignored by this visitor. A certain royal lady, perhaps?
Poor Laurendil-can't see the forest for the trees, lol...the Valar do have their reasons for everything they do, even providing unexpected backup... Which Laurendil will probably realize when he thinks about it later, *grin*
Cat
Author's reply
Who knows who has left the yew in the remembrance bowl? And why at the tomb of Tar-Aldarion and not some other king, sc. Elros? We'll never know. At any rate, we'll see in the next chapter just how devious the Valar truly are. Thanks for reviewing.
obsidianj
· 26 March 2008
· Chapter 12: Escape
Hmm, you call this escape? Some kind of escape, but not very reassuring. So, the Valar or especially Lord Namo left Laurendil in the dark about Earnur's fate. I hope we get to hear his reasoning on of these days. It seems overly cruel to let Laurendil believe his friend is dead. Or might it even be more cruel to know he is imprisoned in this dank and dark tower all this time and being unable to do anything about it?
I just hope they all will really escape out of this trap.
Author's reply
Well, you know me, I'm always a sucker for happy endings (or near happy endings), so I'm sure some of them will escape for real, but just how remains to be seen. We will see shortly just what happened to Eärnur and why, though I'm sure both he and Laurendil will have some very pointed questions for Námo and the other Valar when and if they get back to Aman.
Larner
· 26 March 2008
· Chapter 12: Escape
Now to see if they are rejoined by the Elves. Somehow Earnur has kept Fiondil alive; now to see them all safely out of the darkness.
Author's reply
We will learn shortly just how Eärnur kept Fiondil alive as well as how he has spent the last 400 years when everyone assumed he was dead.
Alquawende
· 25 March 2008
· Chapter 12: Escape
Can't wait to find out what happens to Laurendil and Earnur. I'm so glad that the humans escaped. Their escape and everything was very well written. I like how the black stones were the ones that led outside, and not the white ones, that someone would usually suspect. Thanks for writing!
Author's reply
Hi, Alquawendë. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Yes, I didn't want to be predictable about which stones were 'safe' and which were not. One has to wonder just where the white stones lead, though. Anyway, we'll see what happened to Laurendil and Earnur in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
Nieriel Raina
· 25 March 2008
· Chapter 12: Escape
Oh you are just enjoying your cliffies this week, aren't you? EVIL MAN! *grin*
I do hope Laurendil and Earnur make it out okay. Because I really want to see Vorondil's reaction to his short hair. *grin*
Excellent chapter. And I liked the fact the black stones weren't the ones that felt evil. *grin* Significant?
Author's reply
Oh, didn't you know? This week is "Cliffhanger Week". LOL You don't think I would kill off these two Elves BEFORE we learn Eärnur's story, do you? And I'm as anxious to see Vorondil's reaction to Laurendil's short hair (and Námo's reaction to Laurendil telling him about Bannoth) as the next person.
The only real significance to the black pillars is that I didn't want to use the old cliché about "white" being good and "black" being bad. I suspect some readers would be surprised to know that the white pillars evoke such feelings of horror for those sensitive enough to feels such things.
6336
· 25 March 2008
· Chapter 12: Escape
Ooh! A cliffie! Bad Fiondil!:<)
This time crumbling works!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Thanks Lynda. I'm glad you approve. LOL And there definitely is more, never fear.
Agape4Gondor
· 25 March 2008
· Chapter 12: Escape
*throws up hands in surrender*
All right, all right. I will content myself with this chapter and not curse you as a flaming Balrog for keeping us in the dark! You are a cad. Have I said that before?
Author's reply
Hey, what can I say? *grin* And yes, you've said it before. Doesn't change a thing though. I'm still the evil cliffhanger king of all time. LOL Don't worry, I won't keep you in the dark for too much longer, I promise.
Ces
· 25 March 2008
· Chapter 12: Escape
Oh dear. What could have happened to Laurendil and Eärnur? Somehow I don't think the worst is over for any of them.
The more I read of Laurendil the more I like him. He's quickly becoming one of my favorite elves. I can't wait to see what he says to Namo regarding Eärnur! Should be good.
I sent you an email...did you get it?
Ces
Author's reply
Never fear, our two Elves aren't lost yet. I'm glad you like Laurendil. He's one of my favorite OCs and I'm interested in hearing what he has to say to Námo regarding Eärnur, too. LOL
As I write this I have not yet received your email. You may wish to resend just in case. Thanks for reviewing.
artistic sprite
· 25 March 2008
· Chapter 12: Escape
A cliffhanger!!!!!!!! Good to see that eventhough wounded and with guards at their necks Fiondil still had a sense of humour.
Author's reply
Sometimes a sense of humor is the only thing that keeps people from going off the deep-end in stressful and harrowing situations.
Beruthiels Cat
· 25 March 2008
· Chapter 12: Escape
I knew they were going to get in trouble, lol...talk about bringing the house down! My brain just took a left turn at Albuquerque- (I can see these two falling out of the same tree as Glor and Fin, adding to the heap in the 10th dimension-there goes the neighborhood!)*grin* Is there a typo near the bottom? Black stones...reminds me of someone...*speculates wildly*
Marvelous!
Cat
Author's reply
Well, I doubt that anything like that would happen. Atar wouldn't allow it. LOL Anyway, I changed the word 'stone' to 'pillar' to avoid any confusion, though I really don't know why it should. Glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for reviewing.
Author Reply: Okay, so as not to really confuse anyone else... the word "chthonic" comes from the Greek meaning literally "in the earth" and refers specifically to the underworld or to its inhabitants. You pronounce it as if the "ch" is not there. So no, the word is not a typo.
artistic sprite
· 25 March 2008
· Chapter 11: Inside the Morimindon
Earnur lives!!!!!!!!
Author's reply
Indeed.
Selene Aduial
· 23 March 2008
· Chapter 11: Inside the Morimindon
Wow! Talk about a surprise. Now I know why the Valar sent Laurendil over.
Author's reply
We will learn in a later chapter the reason for Eärnur being where he is. There's more to this than meets the eye.
Agape4Gondor
· 21 March 2008
· Chapter 11: Inside the Morimindon
Taking a few deep breaths..............................
Wow - excellent chapter. I'd forgotten to breathe. What a wondrous sight for Laurendil... now - get them out quick. Before they're discovered! Please.....
I think you like cliff-hangers! Cad!!!
Author's reply
Of course I like cliffhangers. It's my stock-in-trade. LOL! Glad you enjoyed this chapter. Stay tune for more....
Neilia
· 19 March 2008
· Chapter 11: Inside the Morimindon
Oh, what a wonderful twist! Can't hardly wait for more! Love, Neilia
Author's reply
Glad you liked the little twist in the plot. *grin*
Alquawende
· 19 March 2008
· Chapter 11: Inside the Morimindon
I'm so glad that Fiondil is found and alive! Wonder what he's going to tell them about how he got there and everything... Earnur was quite the suprise, but suprises like this are good. Can't wait to read his story of how he got there also. This was a very nice chapter.
Author's reply
Finrod and Eärnur's stories will be told later, though right now they need to escape from the prison, so it will be a few chapters before we find out what happened to them both. Glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for reviewing.