njomo
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
Hi Fiondil. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your stories, this one included. I've been reading your stories for quite a while, but this is my first review.
I agree with your understanding of what Tolkien wrote about the similarities and differences between Elves and humans. Even today one might expect someone from a different culture to react differently than oneself in a given situation in spite of our biological similarities, and so we should not expect that an elf would react or even think the same as we.
The fact that Elves are for all intents and purposes "immortal" compared to humans seems to me one of the biggest fundamental differences between the two, and to my mind would certainly influence one’s outlook and response to life. I also think it is correct to assume that an Elf who had seen the light of the Two Trees and who had experienced what an elf such as Maglor had in his long life could certainly be expected to have emotional reactions different from a human-and I would expect the same of all elves.
I am reminded of what Tolkien wrote in a footnote to #212 of his published letters. “We cannot write stories about Elves, whom we do not know inwardly; and if we try we simply turn Elves into men.” Now I am certainly not recommending that no one write about Elves. I am merely suggesting that these are good words to keep in mind whether we are writer or reader. I definitely would not want you to stop writing, Fiondil, as the best treat of my week is to wake up Sunday morning to another installment of EI2! I don't want the story to ever end and cannot imagine life without it...
Thanks for the many hours of enjoyment your stories continue to bring me.
Joanne
Author's reply
Hi Joanne. Thank you very much for your lovely review. I think your quote from Tolkien is very appropriate and this is what I keep in mind (or try to) when writing about any Elf. However similar they may be to us, even in terms of emotional register, because they are Elves and not Men, their responses to any situation are not going to correspond directly with ours and I try to convey this, however poorly. I think your example of how even humans from different cultures will respond differently to a situation is very apropos as well. Having lived for two years in China, I know that is very true.
I hope now that you've written your first review you'll continue to write others as the mood strikes you. Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoy my stories, especially, EI-2. I really appreciate it.
shirebound
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 16: APPOINTED: A Secret Voice
This is very beautiful and lyrical. Your writing flows like water.
Author's reply
Thanks you, Shirebound. I truly appreciate you letting me know how much you enjoyed this.
Your writing flows like water.
I take it no pun intended? *grin* Thanks for the compliment.
Elflingimp
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 61: NORTH: News From the South
I have a visual of the twins riding away with the bundles of letters on their horses, a sweet little story and a very supportive and loving family. Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Thanks, Imp. I'm glad you liked this one. Supportive and loving families seem to be getting rarer in our world so it's nice to be able to write about the 'ideal' loving family (and who wouldn't want to have Glorfindel or Erestor as a 'favorite uncle'? *grin*)
Larner
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 61: NORTH: News From the South
Delightful, Fiondil! Truly delightful. One captain is jaded, but may find the new recruit a breath of fresh air!
Author's reply
Let us hope so, Larner. I'm afraid the Gondorian captain has seen too much pain and evil and loss. Hopefully, Thorongil will rekindle in him a sense of hope for Gondor's future.
6336
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 19: BRIDGE: Pá Valaraucar ar Námier
Was watching F.O.T.R. the other night and I wondered if Gandalf knew the Maia who became the Balrog. Maybe I am reading more into it than there was but there seemed to be an element of grief as well as determination on Gandalf's face as he was yelling "You shall not pass!"
Lynda
Author's reply
You know, Lynda, I never thought of that, or perhaps waaaay in the back of my mind the thought was there but not consciously present. You have to wonder. Certainly in my "Wars of the Valar" we see glimpses of the Mãyar confronting friends and family who sided with Melkor and grieving for their loss. I can well imagine that Olórin did somehow recognize the Maia the Balrog once was and was grieved by it. Great observation! Thanks for sharing.
Kaylee
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 61: NORTH: News From the South
A new Tapestry story, yay!! :)
And it's a letter home from Estel, too! This seems to be sort-of gapfiller for Stirrings of Shadow, from the other side, as it were, and I loved it!
I'm so glad Tapestry is continuing! You made me smile today, meldonya.
Tye-melin,
~Kaylee!
Author's reply
Yes, this is sort of a gapfiller, though not necessarily for Stirrings which only tells about Aragorn's time in Rohan, but certainly it's from the same 'universe'. I'm glad you enjoyed it and that I made you smile today. Thanks for your review, Kaylee.
6336
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 61: NORTH: News From the South
Oh, this gave me a chuckle, especially the last line. Now I am trying to figure out who wrote the fourth letter, Erestor perhaps or maybe Linder?
Does kind of surprise me that they do not have an address they can write to in Minas Tirith,(I nearly put down their bankers of discretion, then realised that was Larner's idea!)?
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Well, the four people would be Gilraen, Elrond, Glorfindel and Erestor since they, along with the twins, were the only one in the study at the time. The twins, of course, wouldn't need to write letters since they're the ones delivering them.
I'm glad you liked this one, Lynda, especially the last line. Thanks for letting me know.
Natalie
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 61: NORTH: News From the South
Ah, writing letters! This is so awesome! A great way to show someone's concern about their loved son or brother or whoever else. Nowadays we all have e-mails and different kinds of instant messengers, but that's not the same. You know, I've always wanted to write normal letters to someone. Although one has to wait much longer to receive such a letter, it's much more fun to actually hold it and see it! I know I can print some emails, but that's just not the same. I wish I had a friend without the Internet connection... But I'm rambling now.
I absolutely loved that bit about the bird building a nest in Aragorn's mouth. *chuckles at the image of such a thing happening*
"Estel certainly has a way of describing his experiences so you think you’re right there with him,"
No wonder. He must have spent quite a lot of time in Elrond's library. Besides, he might be talented in more than one field. :)
Author's reply
Hi, Natalie. Well, the art of letter writing is indeed being lost to the electronic age. I remember as a child how excited I was to receive a letter, whether from a family member or a friend, and how I would sit down to compose my own letter. You could always find a friend, even if they have internet, and agree between you to write letters. My best friend and I when we were in high school wrote letters to each other using Tengwar, which was great because our younger siblings (we both had two of them) coudn't read them. *lol* So, maybe you can find another Tolkien fan with whom to exchange real letters and not just emails.
Petra
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 61: NORTH: News From the South
I find the idea behind this, the exchange of letters between Aragorn and his family, to be an interesting one. The description of the guard captain in Gondor was well-done.
I found it awkward, though. You shift from a first person POV to third between the first section and the last. The transition between the two segments seemed rather abrupt to me. Additionally, in the second section, you seem to switch rather abruptly from Gilraen's POV to Elrond's. That section would have read more smoothly for me had you stuck with one character's POV.
The conclusion also felt abrupt to me, almost as if you weren't certain how to end the story and so you just picked an arbitrary stopping point.
This might have benefitted from having someone else look over it for you before you posted it publicly.
Author's reply
Well Petra, you seem not to realize that the first section is Aragorn's letter, which Gilraen is reading out loud to the others. I think this is clear from the fact that in the second section it begins with Gilraen quoting further from the letter. I do not see where I switch POVs in the second section unless you object to Elrond saying anything. Nor am I'm sure what you think I should have done with the ending: show them all writing letters? Why? That's obviously what they were going to do. The end result was, not only were those people in the study writing letters, but when word got around, everyone else in Imladris stopped what they were doing to write a letter to Aragorn and Gilhael. That I actually have to spell this out to anyone seems rather odd and to my mind shows a lack of perception. And as it happens I have a beta and a very good one. You presume much on little or no information. May I respectfully suggest that since you obviously don't like my writing, and can't do anything but find fault in it, you should go and find something to read that's more to your liking.
Cairistiona
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 61: NORTH: News From the South
Wonderful glimpse of the warm regard those in Rivendell hold for Estel, and of the war-scarred Gondorian captain. He seems an encapsulation of all the hardships of living in the shadow of Mordor. I really enjoyed this.
Author's reply
Thanks Cairistiona. I'm glad you enjoyed this little glimpse of Estel's family and his adventures in Minas Tirith. Thanks for letting me know.
shirebound
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 61: NORTH: News From the South
It's heartwarming to think of all these people loving and missing Estel. And Erestor calling him "our youngest", awwww.
Author's reply
Hi, Shirebound. Yes, it is heartwarming. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Sunny
· 24 April 2009
· Chapter 61: NORTH: News From the South
So the twins have taken up new jobs as mailmen. Hopefully they will be able to find Aragorn, and deliver that mail. And hopefully Aragorn will also answer those letters. Though considering the number of letters he is going to receive, that may take some time. ;-)
Author's reply
I think they would prefer the title 'courier'; it sounds more regal. *lol* I'm sure Aragorn will write a 'share with everyone in Imladris' letter rather than respond to each one individually, saving that for the letters from his immediate 'family'.
Petra
· 22 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
In your response to Lintalome, you say:
"One thing that must be kept in mind in all this is that Maglor is not human, he's an Elf, and his emotional responses to situations will not necessarily correspond to what we assume a human in the same situation would be, so if my portrayal of him seems 'off' it is for this reason: Maglor is not human and never has been and we need to respect that."
Yet, in letter #153, Tolkien states:
"Elves and Men are evidently in biological terms one race, or they could not breed and produce fertile offspring."
Which negates that point.
You also say:
"Incidentally, what Maglor does here is what is known as "an examination of conscience", a practice of the Catholic church which people do before entering into the Rite of Reconciliation (Confession)."
Surely you're not intending to suggest that the Elves are Catholic?
From a pure writing standpoint, you seemed to jump back and forth between attempting to tell the story from one character's perception and attempting to be an ominscient narrator. One example:
"He had finally reached the tundra, its desolate beauty lost on him."
If its beauty is lost on him, he did not notice it, and so if you are attempting to tell the story from Maglor's perspective, it should not be mentioned.
I am also curious why your Sindarin elves use Sindarin words for the Valar, but not for Valinor.
A bit of a mess for me, really.
Author's reply
Thanks for your comments, Petra. You will notice that Tolkien speaks of biological similarities allowing the two related spieces to intermarry and produce viable offspring. This, in my opinion, does not negate the possibility, that Elves, being essentially immortal from a human viewpoint, don't 'see' things differently from the way humans do or react differently to the same situation which we might consider 'unhuman' (not to be confused with 'inhuman').
And I am not saying that Maglor or any other Elf is Catholic. You are taking this far too literally. I am merely pointing out that what he does is similar to what Catholics (and frankly anybody) does when examining their conscience to see if they need to make amends toward others. It is not a practice exclusive to Catholics, or even to humans.
As for your other objections... these are minor errors that can be easily corrected when pointed out in a spirit of friendship and wishing to help the writer imnprove their writing, rather than in a negative spirit of pointing out flaws that anyone can make. And even Tolkien was not consistent. "May the Valar turn him aside!" one of Faramir's Rangers says about the Mûmak. If the man was speaking Common, and we assume this because both Frodo and Sam appear to understand what has been said, then it would have been more correct for Tolkien to use the word 'Powers', which is the English translation of 'Valar', for wherever Tolkien uses the Common Tongue, rather than Elvish or some other language, he 'translates' it into English.
But as I said, such things are easily corrected.
Viv
· 21 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
I liked this. Thought it was good writing, especially once the dialogue began. Denethor has a nice voice.
Author's reply
Thanks, Viv. I appreciate you letting me know. I think Denethor has a nice voice, too. I have a feeling he and Maglor will become very good friends.
bookworm
· 18 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
*wibbles at Maglor* I want to cuddle him, except, you know, the whole "great Elven Warrior" bit. I'm glad he's fond a bit of hope now!
Author's reply
I'm sure you and everyone else! *grin* Thanks for letting me know you liked this story. I appreciate it.
ellie
· 17 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
you captured his lonliness and despair very well. i liked the way he was already considering himself a member of the group before he formally accepted. He really did need the companionship more than he realised. beautifully done!
Author's reply
Thanks Ellie, I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Midnight Promise
· 17 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
Hello,
I have admired your stories for a long time, and I am (finally) leaving a review. :)
I have always wanted to have a finished tale for Maglor, and this story took the cake! I enjoy your writing style and how you play out the characters, making them come to life.
I do hope you write something more to this piece. . . Really! It would be awesome to see if the group makes it to Valinor, how everyone is received and if Maglor will ever give his apologies in person. Wow, I just got all worked up thinking about it! ;)
Anyway, love your stories and I am looking forward to more!
-Midnight Promise
Author's reply
Thanks Midnight Promise, I'm glad you enjoyed this. We'll have to see about a continuation.
Thalanee
· 17 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
Good reply to that review. If I were you, Mr /Mrs Anonymous would make me want to strangle him, but then again, that would make me just as silly as it would make him/her...
You obviously don´t need another person to tell you not to listen to him/her, so I won´t ;-) I´ll just ask you to continue to write your wonderful stories!
And add my name to the list of those who would love to see a whole story growing out of this chapter *smiling and waving*
Greetings, Thalanee
Author's reply
I have no intention of listening to the CARP since the person has nothing constructive to say. And I have every intention of continuing to write. If someone doesn't like my writing, they can go find someone they do like better and that's fine with me. I don't like everything I read in fandom either, but I don't go around dissing the authors because of it. I just go find something else to read instead.
I think it's unanimous that people want to see more of this story. I will start planning it out soon and we'll see where it goes. At this point, only my Muse knows all the twists and turns this story can take. *grin*
Thanks again for your support and encouragement,Thalanee. I truly appreciate it.
Mr.Namo
· 17 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
What a great story. I really enjoyed it.
Hmmmmmm. Malgor crosses the ice to reach Aman. Maybe the "other" elves will be able to except him a little better when/if he finally arrives. Some elves might be a little upset to find him alive. *grin*
Very good story. Hope you'll continue it eventually.
Author's reply
I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I'm sure there might be some resentment in certain quarters but I think on the whole most of the elves in Valinor will welcome him home, though no doubt with some qualifiers. I think that it's the concensus of the majority of my reviewers that a continuation is definitely in order. I think I will start thinking about it soon. Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed this. I really appreciate it.
Edlyn
· 17 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
Greetings, meldonya! I was glad to find that you had written another piece for your Tapestry but now that I've read it I am more than glad. I guessed from the start that the lone elf was Maglor. If I list all the bits that I loved or that spoke to me I'd be cutting and pasting the entire story. However, I will mention two things that really and truly moved me.
‘Bring the Exiled One home’ - Home. what a wonderful word to hear. There is such love in it and though judgment may await there is most definitely the promise of forgiveness. The voice could have as easily have said 'Bring the Exiled One to Valinor' but that would have had the tone and feeling of judgment without hope of forgiveness. I have always thought that the worst of Maglor's tragedy was that he never felt himdelf worthy of forgiveness, though unlike his brothers he seemed to truly regret his actions.
The other bit that I particularly loved was: "What you say may be true, but we will not be swayed from our quest. Before we decided on our course we were a spiritless people, lost to ourselves, to our memories and our regrets. But look at us now. Hear you not the singing and the laughter? See you not the spring in our steps and the smiles on our faces? For the first time in long years we have hope again. We may indeed die somewhere out on the ice further West, but we will die with hope."
Everyone needs a purpose to be happy and feel worthwhile. I have always thought that the thing that was behind the fading of the elves remaining in Endore during the Age of Man and the ages to follow was mainly a lack of purpose. They were existing, not living. Looking always back and not forward. Perhaps this flaw is the way that the Marring touched the entire race of elves, whereas Men were Marred with the longing for power and wealth. By finding a purpose, the Harthadrim are fighting against the damage caused by Morgoth.
And of course, Eru worked to bring them and Maglor together so that all could start on the way of healing.
By the time I finished reading this I was absolutely certain that they would find the Straight Road and would come safely home.
Thank you for this story, meldonya. It was something that I really needed to read, especially today.
Eru bless!
Edlyn
Author's reply
Hi Edlyn. Thanks for your lovely review. Your analysis of those two quotes are very apt and well thought out and quite true. Purpose gives us hope for a better future. I think you are correct that the Elves who remained in Middle-earth faded because they had no real purpose. As you say, they were existing, not living. These few Elves however found a reason to go on, regardless of the fact that they may not reach their goal. The journey is what counts. I think they will find the Straight Road, too, though just how that will happen I do not yet know. Perhaps someday I'll find out. *grin* Eru bless!
Elflingimp
· 17 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
Sorry but the review below me got me a little angry, your story does too have a soul and connections between people(or elves) you just meet wouldn't be that strong, I saw the reviewer didn't leave their name also which is kinda lacking on their part.I only review stories that move me in some way and I leave my name. Sorry but I just had to say something. Hugs The Imp P.S. Hope I didn't offend.
Author's reply
Thanks, Elfingimp. I appreciate your comments. Whoever this CARP is s/he enjoys leaving negative comments meant to hurt rather than offer constructive criticsm. I think this is the same person who has left other negative reviews for other of my stories and either has a personal vendetta against me or is just one of those sick people who can see nothing good in anything another person does, out of jealousy or whatever. Leaving an anonymous review in my mind is the act of a coward. I try not to let such people deter me from writing what I feel compelled to write. Frankly, if they don't like what I write, and can never leave anything but negative reviews, why are they even bothering to read my stories? They should just go read something the do like. Anwyay, you haven't offended me and I'm grateful that you felt compelled to voice your opinion. I agree with you, that these people are complete strangers to one another, so certainly there can be no real connection between them as yet.
Elflingimp
· 17 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
Fiondil, I loved this!, finally someone gave him hope that he could go home! In all the other stories I have read about Maglor he is always hopeless and never forgiven, Thanks you made my day! Hugs The Imp P.S. This would make a good story if you wrote a sequel!
Author's reply
Thanks, Elflingimp. You just may get your wish, but not immediately. *grin*
Anonymous
· 17 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
You seem to have received numerous glowing reviews for this, and I can see why. It's a compelling story idea and you do write descriptive prose quite well.
What I personally find lacking is a sense of emotional connection to the characters and events in the story. It almost comes across as a creative writing class exercise to write a story with a specific plot. The words and elements are there, but it lacks a soul.
Author's reply
And you seem to enjoy giving nothing but negative reviews and don't have the courage to sign them. I think you need another hobby.
Thalanee
· 17 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
A wonderful story. whenever I read in the Silmarillion that he "wandered the shores of Middle Earth singing in regret" I started to wonder what would happen to him in the end... for some reason I never believed that he would be exiled forever.
I think Denethor is right: the Straight Path will open to them.
the dream was a wonderful touch. It was wonderful to see how Maglor finally begins to have some hope again(all the more considering the fact that he was always the most reluctant of Feanor´s sons).
I wonder if there was something (or someone.. or Someone) that finally gave the Valar a nudge...
Greetings, Thalanee
Author's reply
Thanks, Thalanee. I'm glad you enjoyed this story. I never believed he would be exiled forever either, hence this little tale. I'm sure Someone gave someone a nudge or two. Perhaps if I ever write a continuation of this story we'll find out for sure. *grin*
Cairistiona
· 17 April 2009
· Chapter 60: ALONE: Out of Options
Oh, bravo! This brought tears to my eyes, because I've always wished there was some way that Maglor could find his redemption. This was by turns achingly sorrowful and wonderfully hopeful. Wish I could find more eloquent words, but suffice to say I loved every bit of it!
Author's reply
Oh, Cairistiona, I think your words are quite eloquent. Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed this tale. I really appreciate it.