Fiondil's Tapestry by Fiondil
Elflingimp · 8 November 2008 · Chapter 36: NOTION: Bibelot
I loved that, I couldn't imagine what was inside the book now I only wish I could read it too! and I am reviewing on the right page(this time) LOL!! Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
That's great Imp! *lol* Glad you liked this one. Thanks for letting me know.
6336 · 8 November 2008 · Chapter 36: NOTION: Bibelot
What a good way to break the ice between them and bring them together! I am a little surprised though that Glorfindel did not know about Elros, I would have thought that someone, maybe Cirdan would have filled him in on Elrond and his history. I am assuming that Glorfindel was talking about his second childhood when he mentions Earendil, that's if he ever left his first!? Looks like Elves made things to last! More please, Lynda
Author's reply
Glorfindel does know about Elros but was confused by Elrond's words thinking he was talking about Glorfindel not Elros. And Glorfindel would remember Eärendil when he was a child before his death and met him again in Aman before returning to Middle-earth (but that's another story... "Elf, Interrupted" in fact. *grin*).
Rhyselle · 8 November 2008 · Chapter 36: NOTION: Bibelot
Oh! That gave me shivers--the good kind! I can just picture the small book, and Glorfindel standing there, totally absorbed in it. And I really, really liked Elrond making that first little overture of friendship. Our dear Glorfindel sometimes has no idea how intimidating he can appear to a person who has never seen the Light of the Trees, nor met someone who has been Reborn. And, somehow, it seems appropriate that the beginning of a beautiful relationship between our Balrog Slayer and the Peredhel comes into being over the pages of a book. Beautifully done!
Author's reply
Hi Rhyselle, glad this gave you the good kind of shivers. *grin* I think Glorfindel is still feeling his way around Lindon and Gil-galad's court. He's used to dealing with Maiar and the odd Valar or two so dealing with regular elves will take some time. *grin* Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Sunny · 8 November 2008 · Chapter 36: NOTION: Bibelot
Books ... treasures, every one of 'em. I noted a writing error in the last sentence - the verb should be pore, not pour (or what did they pour over that poor book...)
Author's reply
Thanks for pointing out the error. I thought I had corrected it but I guess I didn't. *grin* Glad you enjoyed this fic. Thanks for letting me know.
SurgicalSteel · 4 November 2008 · Chapter 35: VOICES: Shibboleths
The last bit with the mispronunciation causing misunderstanding and 'pulling him' made me laugh, and reminds me of mispronunciations causing bad misundertandings in the L&D suite when I was a medical student. One little consonant makes such a huge difference sometimes! I enjoyed this!
Author's reply
Thanks, SS. Glad you liked this one. Sometimes all it takes is one little consonant and you have a whole mess of trouble staring down at you. *grin*
Larner · 2 November 2008 · Chapter 35: VOICES: Shibboleths
Trust a linguist and philologist such as Tolkien to find a way to tie even the pronunciation of words into the strife known in Aman before the forging of the Silmarils! Fascinating!
Author's reply
I found the whole concept quite fascinating as well so when this particular prompt came up I knew what I wanted to write about and tying it all in. This story actually takes place before Melkor is released from Mandos, so you can't even blame him for this. This is all Fëanor's doing, though I'm sure Melkor exploited the situation for his own benefit once he was freed. Just goes to show that you don't need Evil personified to make people's lives miserable, we're quite capable of doing that all on our own.
artistic sprite · 2 November 2008 · Chapter 35: VOICES: Shibboleths
A strife cause by pronounciations. No wonder the elves ended up in MiddleEarth, I'm sure the Valar are sick of hearing the 's' or 'p' argument! Real hilarious Dil!:D
Author's reply
Thanks, sprite. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks for letting me know.
Kitty · 2 November 2008 · Chapter 35: VOICES: Shibboleths
Really, Fëanor was quite the drama queen. To be offended about this one change so much seems silly. Finwë is right; language changed and is still changing in our times, and Fëanor can’t stem the tide, no matter how much he wants to. And to think that was how the kinslaying and the wars started ... *sigh* And of course, it doesn’t help to know that the Valar are right in their worries. Though I have to admit, their discussion was fun. It so great how one is able to play with words sometimes, isn’t it?
Author's reply
As the Valar point out, Fëanor took the language change as an insult to his mother's memory because she used the /th/ sound and was proud of her adherence to the purity of the language. Fëanor decided to make the change a personal thing rather than seeing it as a natural part of life evolving in its many forms, including the linguistic. I had to do a little searhing for words that originally had separate sounds so that their meanings would be clear but now with the blended sounds their meaning could only be gotten from context. Luckily, I found them, hence the fun with them at the end. Playing with words is a lot of fun or at least I find it so. *grin*
Independence1776 · 1 November 2008 · Chapter 35: VOICES: Shibboleths
Well, this certainly gives yet another dimension to the rift. I've known about this, but haven't been able to find HOME XII to actually read about it. Entertaining and yet bitter because we know what happens at the end.
Author's reply
You might be able to find a copy at a local library or at least be able to ask for them to find a copy within the library system if your local branch doesn't have it. And it's available now in paperback at the bookstore so it's not so expensive. This story is rather ironic, especially the last part with the Valar, since they are unaware of the tragedy that will soon come.
6336 · 1 November 2008 · Chapter 35: VOICES: Shibboleths
I can see where Feanor is coming from, but wars have been faught over less. A language has to grow and evolve, look how Sindarin developed from Quenya, plus all the other dialects in Enorath. He would have done better to have turned his thoughts and energies to other things! I know this sounds a bit priggish, but it is so easy to let a language degenerate too, dropping letters and mispronouncing words can cause no end of problems and mirth! More please, Lynda
Author's reply
Fëanor is somewhat like the French who try vainly to keep their language 'pure', but no language is ever 'pure' (unless it's the language of heaven) and a language that doesn't evolve simple ceases to be spoken. I think Fëanor would've been appalled at hearing Sindarin and would've died from shock if Morgoth hadn't gotten to him first. *grin*
Nieriel Raina · 31 October 2008 · Chapter 35: VOICES: Shibboleths
LOL! Just like Feanor to get so bent out of shape over such a thing. :)
Author's reply
Fëanor always struck me as being somewhat obsessive about the wrong things. I'm sure if he were living in our times he would've been placed in a mental hospital from the very beginning. *grin*
harrowcat · 31 October 2008 · Chapter 35: VOICES: Shibboleths
*grin* Reminds me of the quote, "Two nations divided by a common language," about Bitain and America.
Author's reply
A very apt quote for the Noldor as well. *grin*
Rede · 31 October 2008 · Chapter 35: VOICES: Shibboleths
I love your stories, and that you are so well versed in the languages of your subjects. The Glorfindel Books and Tapestries are phenomenal. Your personifications of the Valar, especially Tulkas and Namo, are by far my favorite. I think that if I could believe in a higher power I would want to believe in deities like them. Quick question: I thought that the voiceless dental fricative /th/ was characterized by the barred 0, instead of the hard eth? And thoughts?
Author's reply
Hi Rede. Thanks for letting me know how much you are enjoying my tales. I appreciate it. As for the two /th/ sounds.... if you say the word 'thorn' and the word 'with' you will notice that the first /th/ is the hard sound because you have to put your tongue between your teeth to say it. 'edh' is not hard but soft and is characterized by the /th/ sound in "with". In Sindarin, for instance, the hard dental /d/ suffers 'soft' mutation to /dh/ which is the 'edh' sound. I hope that clears things up for you.
ellie · 31 October 2008 · Chapter 35: VOICES: Shibboleths
Nice lesson in linguistics - both in Quenya and in English. I love the way you teach while you entertain. I wonder if your classes are conducted this way, too or just your literary endeavors? I really like the way you have blended the spoken and the emotional turmoil in this tale and the different perspectives you present on it. It is always a pleasure to read your stories.
Author's reply
Thanks, Ellie. I'm glad you enjoyed this. As for my teaching style... I do try to make it interesting for the students but as for writing, especially anything to do with Tolkien's world, I think it's important to teach without being preachy about it. since my own interest is linguistics I enjoy writing about the linguistic aspects of Middle-earth and if my readers learn something along the way while being entertained as well, so much the better.
Larner · 26 October 2008 · Chapter 34: BEGGAR: ‘Anno ammen sír...’
And so he learns the truth, and accepts responsibility for that which his hubris has wrought in Middle Earth. Alas for Elu Thingol.
Author's reply
Alas indeed, but such is the way of things. At least he learned his lesson at th elast and that's what is important.
harrowcat · 26 October 2008 · Chapter 34: BEGGAR: ‘Anno ammen sír...’
I like how you have Namo dealing with each of his new err... customers? clients? Inmates.... they way that he or she needs.
Author's reply
I suppose all of those words could apply to the ones who find themselves in Namo's Halls. *grin* Perhaps 'guests' or 'charges' might be better words for them. Thanks for letting me know how much you like Namo's handiing of his charges.
Kitty · 26 October 2008 · Chapter 34: BEGGAR: ‘Anno ammen sír...’
Well, all in all, Elú Thingol wasn’t too unreasonable. Arrogant at first, that goes without saying, but what he learned was a huge shock for him, and then I nearly felt a bit sorry for him. He was a fool, but he – and all he loved – paid a heavy price for it.
Author's reply
He and his people did indeed pay a heavy price for Thingol's foolishness and he needed to come to terms with it before he could move on.
artistic sprite · 26 October 2008 · Chapter 34: BEGGAR: ‘Anno ammen sír...’
Love the way you potray the characters; first they are serious than you add in a dash of humour.
Author's reply
Thanks, sprite. I'm glad you like the way I portrayed the characters. Thingol is an interesting character and difficult to get a handle on.
Ellie · 25 October 2008 · Chapter 34: BEGGAR: ‘Anno ammen sír...’
This was very well done! I liked the way you protrayed the arrogant King Thingol deflating into the submissive quiet Elu. I'm always bummed to see your stories end because I enjoy them so much.
Author's reply
Thanks, Ellie. I'm glad you liked this.
Independence1776 · 24 October 2008 · Chapter 34: BEGGAR: ‘Anno ammen sír...’
Wonderful story! I find Thingol's reactions completely plausible. "Speak plainly, Balan, for my patience with thee is growing thin." That was not a very smart thing to say... "'Celegorm and Curufin happened,' he finally said and allowed Elu time to make the necessary connection." Wonderful phrasing. I feel sorry for Thingol here, but more sorry for Námo to have to put up with so many arrogant Elves (even if most learn better)! ~ Indy
Author's reply
Thanks Indy. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and found Thingol's reactions plausible. He's not an easy elf to get one's head around. *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Nieriel Raina · 24 October 2008 · Chapter 34: BEGGAR: ‘Anno ammen sír...’
From the moment I saw the summary, I knew this would be good. I was right! :) I really enjoyed seeing Elu face his death and Namo. Well done!
Author's reply
Glad you enjoyed this, NiRi. Thanks for letting me know.
Kaylee · 24 October 2008 · Chapter 34: BEGGAR: ‘Anno ammen sír...’
Oh, meldonya! Now finally Elu's been Judged! It's a good thing he realizes how arrogant he was now...though I feel sorry for him when it comes to Luthien and losing his kingdom and everything. I do pity Elu, really, even though his manners leave something to be desired (just ask Cirdan, lol) Now to find out about Turgon...right? ~Kaylee!!
Author's reply
One dead elvish king at a time, please! *lol* We'll get to Turgon eventually, just not yet. Glad you liked this. Thanks for letting me know.
Rhyselle · 24 October 2008 · Chapter 34: BEGGAR: ‘Anno ammen sír...’
Oh, I liked this very much! Pride goeth before a fall--although I've always interpreted this more specifically as "arrogance". And Elu Thingol had that in spades! Thank you for not writing out the content of the Judgment. I think it was so very effective the way you handled it, without negating the import of it. It all does come back around to Beren and Luthien in so many ways, doesn't it? Amazing the number of elves and men that they affected one way or another with their lives. (And, BTW, you inadvertently gave me an answer to a conundrum that I was facing in working out a thread in "Elladan in Mandos". *grin* We'll see how it works out.)
Author's reply
Well I'm glad I helped you inadvertently or not. *grin*. And I'm glad you liked this little tale. When I saw the prompt I had a feeling this one would be about Thranduil. The tale of Lúthien and Beren is the central story of the Silmarillion and so much revolves around it, either directly or indirectly, so naturally how Thranduil treated them and what followed from that would have a major impact on the outcome of everything else. Author Reply: Oops! I meant Thingol, not Thranduil! lol! Can't keep those two ellyn straight.
naine · 24 October 2008 · Chapter 34: BEGGAR: ‘Anno ammen sír...’
The Ur Lamentation was a nice touch
Author's reply
I thought so too. *grin*
Thalanee · 21 October 2008 · Chapter 18: FAULT: The Doctor Is In
I nearly fell off my chair laughing while reading several of these stories! Sound piece of advice not to eat or drink anything while reading this;-) I have seldom laughed so hard! P.S.:I didn´t know you´re able to speak German (I´m from Germany myself)
Author's reply
Hi Thalanee. I'm glad you've discovered my Tapestry stories and are enjoying them. This one is one of my favorites. While I am presently living in Germany, I don't actually speak it (yet), but I know enough to be able to use a few phrases in this story.