Reviews (1,565)

Sorry, I misremembered the author. The story is in a short story collection edited by Anne McCaffrey called Alchemy and Academe (which is _why_ I associate that story with her). The author is actually Keith Laumer, and the title is _The Devil You Don't_ You can also find it in the short story collection _The Lighter Side_ at Baen's Free Library http://www.webscription.net/ Enjoy :-)

Well, Glorfindel and Lisselindë make progress – this time they got along quite well and without incident. This chapter brought up something I had wondered about already. When so many elves sailed after the War of Wrath, what did they do in Aman? Particularly the ones that had never known anything other than being a warrior. They had to find a new profession, and that can’t have been always easy. "Getting devious in our old age, are we, my lord?" he couldn’t help saying and Irmo burst out laughing. Irmo was not the only one *lol* Cheeky elf! That was an interesting bit about Laurendil’s history and why he left Aman. Well, he didn’t escape his destiny after all, even if it took him a few centuries to end up in Lórien anyway. But when Rialcar thought work in the government was Laurendil’s only choice for the future, I am beginning to understand why they don’t get along so terribly well. And I love the explanation why the Maiar don’t speak first :) Oh, poor Mithlas! What a shock for him to meet his mother and sister again in *that* state! But I trust Laurendil to help them. And I have to admit, Lisselindë was rather nice to Mithlas, forgetting her earlier arrogance and simply comforting him. Considering that she said she has learned something about compassion, I really think she’s on a good way now.

Ah...just thought I'd quickly review this one, too, before I forgot again. How lucky I am...TWO welcome home presents! *snuggles meldonya* Thank you! This chapter was lovely, I'm really liking how Glorfi is coming along and how Lisselinde is changing for the better. Mithlas! I love Mithlas. (And he loves juicy apples!) Here we see his family...minus Glassiel and his adar. What happened to Mithlas' father, I wonder? *inquiring look at Fiondil* And there was Laurendil at his "Findarato is my aranya and if you cross him I won't be happy with you" finest. *snort* I'm glad he saw fit to treat Lisselinde as he would any other apprentice. She's the one who needs taking down a peg or two! "Devious in your old age..." *snort!* I'm really having to control my laughter...it hurts! But that line, and the bit about Glorfi repainting the lintel were two of my very favorites. *snuggles Glorfi* No, he's not a prisoner. That wasn't much of a prank. Look out, Nienna, when Glorfi can think of a REAL prank...! Tye-melin, Kaylee! *who is really going to go to bed now, as it's well past 1 AM*

Greatest of virtues, compassion. Now, to learn where Elendir is indeed.

Aw, man. I kind of wished the lintel painting would have stayed. Ah, yes… the Shibboleth. So much trouble from such a little thing. Though I liked the explanation of why the Maiar tended not to speak first. Compassion is a very good start.

Looks like Glorfindel and Lisslinde are starting to show some maturity, at least they are not screaming at each other! Makes you wonder what Glorfindel would have been if not a warrior. I have often thought that Elven warriors should have a backup career, it must get awfully boring being a warrior all the time, maybe taking a break every few centuries would be good for them! A little bit of R & R to break the monotony, try some thing different for a time! Will we ever find out what happened to Mithlas father? Off to see the Orclings and their Adar and Naneth and my ion tomorrow, be back in a week. More please, Lynda

Lisselindë couldn’t help feeling superior to the ellon at the moment - Good grief! Will this Maia never learn!!!! Lisselindë had to admit to herself that she was one of them - hmmmm. Hmmm - again - I think someone somtime might be inclined to wring Eonwe's neck... Lots of stuff to digest in this chapter. Very nicely written with so much to say.

It seems that Lisselinde had been given more that she bargained for when she agreed to follow Glorfindel around in order to learn more about Firstborn. Let's see...firstly, a fight between an Elda and three Maiar warriors, then a.."cough" meeting with the Lord of Mandos and now Laurendil's lifestory and witnessing how the Elves are returning from Middle-Earth, equally broken and in need of healing, whether they are or not Exiled. Facets of the Elven life. Very moving the moment when she embraced Mithlas, without thinking anymore about the diference between Ainur and Elves, or about proper honorifics. She's now well on her way to become a fine Maia, like Olorin or Tiutalion, for an instance, in my opinion. Her interactions, with both Glorfindel and Laurendil, were meant to teach her some unforgettable lessons, about what means to be a warrior, for example, and that her perceptions about some things were not necessarily true as it seemed to her at the moment. Her small but deferential gestures towards Glorfindel are speaking volumes, from my point of view, compared with her small and not so innocent gestures concerning the language problem. And in order to learn compassion...it was all worth, even a chat with Lord Namo. "grin" The sea longing's effects have always got me frowning. So, if it's affecting Sindar, people and offspring of people that have refused the Valar' summons and the consequences are that grave, that could only mean Valinor was deemed to be the Firstborn home. Perhaps not from the beginning, but certainly after the War of Wrath, if I recall correctly. I wonder if the Sindar were affected by Sea longing before that War.. An excellent job, Fiondil, the way you've managed to create the story of the fall and rehabilitation of Lisselinde. Granted, said story is far from over, but I can see a happy ending to it. Small wonder now regarding Laurendil's outburst towards Irmo when he realised that he cannot avoid making his choice anymore. The pieces of the puzzle are falling, one by one, back in their proper places. ....."taking a deep breath" I suppose you'd know by now that I'm far from done with this chapter. Out of respect for you and for a wonderfully done work, I'll refrain from another bout of ramblings having little to do with the unfolding of this story. But only for now... I'll say only this. Lisselinde's perceptions about the Noldor's flight from Aman were, I strongly believe, based on the deeds of one Elf. A common mistake among the Ainur at that time, in my opinion. There was always a crowd to consider, each with his own reasons and agenda (if I may add), not only one Noldo. Well....I suppose there is always something to learn, even for the Ainur. "smile"

Oh, I really liked this chapter. The conversation about Glorfindel being a warrior from necessity and the bit about him maybe taking Sador up on his offer to teach him to be a potter when it's no longer necessary for him to bear a sword gave me a nice little mental image of when Glorfindel returns to Aman after the end of the Third Age. :) But what I liked best was the part in Lorien, where we saw Lisselinde getting a badly needed lesson in compassion. I just wanted to hug Laurendil when I learned about just why he went along with Feanor's rebellion. The bit about the "th" and the "s" pronunciations was so sad--such a trivial thing to cause so much grief. And then, finding Mithlas there with his mother and sister. If anyone can bring them through this extreme result of resisting the Sea-Longing, Laurendil can do it. And I really liked that little notation of Eonwe recording the oath. We, along with Lisselinde, learned a lot about Glorfindel's motivations as a Warrior, Laurendil and his past, and even more about the War of Wrath in a relatively few words. A very satisfying chapter that still leaves us with questions to look forward to being answered about the characters and the events that made them what they are. Well done!

So Glorfindel painted over his sign. Just as well. That one hardly even registered on the prank-o-meter. And it wouldn’t surprise me if Glorfindel takes a craftsman’s pride in his pranks. ;-) You know, sometimes when Glorfindel is in good form, I am reminded of an old bit of silliness from Anne McCaffrey, where Lucifer comes to Earth to look for help with a certain problem: It seems that Hell was being invaded by alien demons from another dimension… Havoc ensues! :-D But over to more serious matters: Glorfindel understands how war and being a warrior has shaped him, and defines who he is, and _also_ wise enough to _not_ live for war. Instead, he sees the task of the warrior as protecting those who need protection, when and as he can. I suppose that if he were one who lived for war, Námo would not have let him out of Mandos – at least not without that attitude intact – though such an attitude might not survive Judgement. "Getting devious in our old age, are we, my lord?" *falls over laughing* Lisselindë gets angry at not being “my ladied”? *shakes head with worry* I suppose that pride of hers still needs some pruning, or it may take over her personality again, the way weeds take over a garden. But I also suppose the Valar will be keeping an eye on her. She also gets some food for thought: Laurendil’s reasons for fleeing Aman. Evidently she hadn’t been thinking about _why_ the Elves left. Hopefully this will start her thinking - the Elves would have their own reasons for what they do, each reason coming from the personality of the Elf in question. And she says that she learned about compassion. Good thing. That is something she needs in her job. Minalcar – is he Glorfindel’s father? I had a quickie look at _Crossing the Ice_ in your Tapestry series, but I couldn’t see that the name of Glorfindel’s father was mentioned there, and Glorfindel has not used a patronymic in any of your stories. What Laurendil says about Minalcar is certainly not inconsistent with what is said about Glorfindel’s father in _Crossing the Ice_.

Yes, the height of devious minds here! Heh! Hopefully she has learned now.

What are those rascally Valar up to now? Nienna sending Lisselindë to Irmo sounds a bit unusual for them. I’m sure there are more Maia than her who could use an attitude adjustment. The next chapter should be most interesting.

I really enjoyed this chapter (I love it when our favourite Vala makes an appearance). +I’m more inclined to make you Glorfindel’s thrall for the next century; the two of you almost deserve each other. However, my brother considers it cruel and unusual punishment for you both, so that option is out as well."+ *snicker* that had me almost rolling on the floor with laughter. Namo certainly loves mazes: one in the entrance hall of his mansion, one in his garden and one at the borders of Lorien Being compared to Melkor must have hurt, but hopefully it will be enough to get her to think and abandon that superiority complex... I wouldn´t want to be on the receiving end of one of Namo´s lectures. So she´ll follow Laurendil around? I´m really looking forward to that! Greetings, Thalanee

"I’m more inclined to make you Glorfindel’s thrall for the next century; the two of you almost deserve each other. However, my brother considers it cruel and unusual punishment for you both, so that option is out as well." You did make me giggle here - even though the poor Maia was undergoing such an awful interview. I would not like to stand in front of Namo!

Meep! This is one conversation I would never like to have. I’m more inclined to make you Glorfindel’s thrall for the next century; the two of you almost deserve each other. *snorts* I'm fairly sure Glorfindel wouldn't appreciate it. However, my brother considers it cruel and unusual punishment for you both, Glad Irmo thinks so! I sincerely hope that arrogance is, at the least, lessened. The Eruhini aren't lesser, just different. I think she needed the comparision to Melkor, for she could not see it herself. Wonderful conversation!

Oh, your muse told you how that ‚little talk’ went? Great! :) Interesting. Lisselindë wasn’t treated any differently than an Elf – she had to walk through the maze and was called ‚daughter’. Another way to rub it in that she is not superior to the Firstborn. I’m more inclined to make you Glorfindel’s thrall for the next century; the two of you almost deserve each other. However, my brother considers it cruel and unusual punishment for you both, so that option is out as well." *grin* Lisselindë might deserve it, but not poor Glorfindel. He’s been through enough, and I am reasonably sure he wouldn’t appreciate the joke ;) Ouch. Being compared to Melkor is hard! But maybe it is shocking her enough that it hits home how seriously the Valar take the case. Hm. Lisselindë may have been observing the elves for millennia, but obviously only from above her throne of superiority, and so never really understood them. She never truly knew what the Firstborn thought, she only knew what she herself *believed* they thought, and that’s not the same. It must rankle to learn that Námo thinks Glorfindel had every right to chastise her :D To think that there are more Maiar who think they’re something better than the Elves is a bit worrying. I hope not only Lisselindë gets the hint, but the others as well. And now poor Laurendil has the questionable honour of her company for tomorrow? Well, I guess he’ll not take any nonsense from her. It will be interesting to see how Lisselindë reacts to these Elves who are probably not in the best shape, to put it mildly ...

Lissalinde has to learn that, sometimes the most obvious way is not the best, Iluvatar is not the only one to draw straight with crooked lines! I like the idea of her following Laurendil around for a day, she has not worked with the newly Reborn I take it? Maybe seeing them as they come fresh from Mandos will give her a better understanding of the Reborn. While I am sure that Melkor would have enjoyed the company I don't think Lissalinde would and I some how doubt that the Vala would have thrust her into Melkors void, maybe her own, personal void? More please, Lynda

The maze – is that the same one Glorfindel visited, once upon a time? If so, I suppose it is a part of the Escheresque geography of Aman. And it is obviously a place that follow the usual sort of rules, since Lisselindë has to walk through it rather than simply thinking herself into the center. ;-) So Lisselindë being Glorfindel’s thrall for a century would be a cruel and unusual punishment for them _both_, would it? I suppose I can understand that. Glorfindel would certainly not care for another Maia following him around all the time. He has certainly had enough of that, and would probably see her as another nanny. And for Lisselindë - it would certainly be an education for her trying to keep up with him. If he didn't drive her completely crazy, that is. 0:-) The “or else” Námo presents to Lisselindë is certainly one that makes her sit up and take notice. As well it should! I am sure she is horrified when Námo starts drawing comparisons between her attitudes and Melkor’s – and what they might lead to. It is to be hoped that a crack has been opened in her hard-headed attitute, through which she might be educated. And I am sure the Valar will be trying their _very_ “helpful” best in providing opportunities for “educational” situations. For Lisselindë, definitely, but also probably for Glorfindel. Though it wouldn’t surprise me at all if surprising events occur. They always seem to do around Glorfindel. ;-) And the first opportunity for “educational” situations will be a day of following Laurendil about helping Returnees. And I suppose they can, in their own way, be as unpredictably “interesting” as Glorfindel. Are we going to see a bit of that? So Lisselindë isn’t the only Maia with a superiority complex towards the Elves? I hope they will get the message. If not – well, _they_ would also be treated to Valarin educational efforts, I suppose. And another "message" would be circulated.

Truth to be told, as soon as I saw the title of the new chapter, I was fully prepared to sneer a little at any words of wisdom that the Lord of Mandos might have to say. "embarrased cough" Some old grudges and a rather selective memory, you know. "wink" But I had to wipe the sneer out of my face in the end. Lisselinde's manner of thinking was very clear: the Valar are the Maiar' superiors and the Maiar are the Eldar' superiors. No doubt about it. Yet Námo's answer is, in my opinion, meant to rend speechless even the most dense creature: No one has any superior, save Eru Himself. We, the Valar and you, the Maiar, have the same purpose: to love and care for Eru's Children. Well, this is, in my eyes, far more impressive than even the perspective of facing exile or the Void. Touché, Lord Námo. I believe Lisselinde has finally understood. She seems to be a very determined person, (finding her path through the Lord of Mandos' maze it's a proof to that) and she could become an important asset in the Ainur's dealings with the Eldar. However, I cannot refrain myself from wondering how Lisselinde and Glorfindel would have put up with eachother. "laughing madly". But neither the somewhat short-tempered Laurendil does seem to me an ellon easier to deal with. A very important chapter, in my opinion. Many things, that were said before, I have to admit it, needed to be remembered to some persons.

I chuckled when I read that Glorfindel didn’t appreciate being treated like an elfling when in fact, that is exactly how he is acting. It’s good that he is now in Niondil’s care and learning new and important things that will help shape his future, such as worry about today, tomorrow will take care of itself. I never thought of us as gardeners before, but it makes sense. I can’t wait to see where Glorfindel takes this knowledge.

Knowing as we do whose household Glorfindel will join one day, and some of those whom he will help nurture, this idea of him looking at the portion of the garden to be planted and tended in time is that much more the delightful. Ah, yes, a very good day indeed for him, and now we better understand Lisselinde's trespass. Nicely done.

What a chapter! "Glorfindel nearly gave the Elder King a black eye as he suddenly launched himself at the Vala." This, for some reason, is actually my favorite line. I'm just glad Manwë knew how to handle him. However, I found the gardening stuff somewhat clichéd. But if it helps Glorfindel... His next encounter with Lisselindë will hopefully have less fireworks. I see absolutely nothing wrong with having pancakes, maple syrup, etc. Your reading of the line is how I've always read it.

I like that picture: the future as a bare garden still to plant. It sounds like that the fight (or workout as some maiar call it) was like a storm cleansing the air. It seemed to help Glorfindel to get rid of some of his inner tension and darker emotions. At one point I really waited that Lord Manwe would try to feed the soup to Glorfindel. And is was really impolite of Lord Manwe to send three of his warriors. Two would really have been enough: one to hold each of the disputants back from attacking the other. If people continue like this Lord Namo will get more routine in having "little chats" than he like. And I really like Tiutalion and Niondil and the way they care for Glorfindel.

I liked the fact that Manwe himself showed up to help out Glorfy. What a profound and prophetic dream he had. I like this deeper concept of gardner you have presented. The maiar are wise indeed.

Meldonya! Did you make me hungry for pancakes on purpose? I see I'm not the only one you did it to. And I love Niondil! (I'm not the only one who misread his name, I see. *wry grin*) I wonder what Cemendille thinks of him? Gardener of souls...lovely! What a dream that was...and I sincerely hope that after Lisselinde's, um, talk with the Lord of Mandos she'll have learned better manners. *nods fervently* Hopefully Glorfi and Lisselinde will become friends. *hugs* Sorry I haven't been reviewing lately...I've been through a storm in my personal life. (Rhyselle and Edlyn know all about it; I've wanted to tell you but haven't seen you on IM). Thank you for such a wonderful, thought-provoking chapter! ~Kaylee!