Yes, they return, but how many might have been lost, and how many aboard those ships lost with them. After the loss of the fleet and those who sought to protect them last time, that worry must gnaw at them all!
Author's reply
Aye, it does, which is why Olwe continues to count ships, and will demand an immediate accounting of his people who sailed. There will be more grieving to come, unfortunately, but for Olwe can also look forward to eons of peace until the Dagor Dagorath at the end of times.
Larner
· 11 November 2008
· Chapter 6: Farewell (a double drabble)
The need to bid farewell is grievous, but so necessary. And the worry about how few might return is perhaps worse.
Heart rending scene.
Author's reply
The SILMARILLION does a good job showing the horrors of war on the battlefront, but leaves out things that interest me, like the reactions of the families back home. As I look at the way people react to the current conflict facing our armed services, it makes me wonder if there were elven conscientious objectors in Aman, other than the Teleri, who refused to go and never did repent and relent as Olwe did. Hmmm. There may be a plot bunny in that...
Virtuella
· 10 November 2008
· Chapter 10: Sailing Lesson (a double drabble)
Some men just can't admit that there's something they can't do. It seems that elfs are no different! ;-)
Author's reply
Actually, it was more that Arafinwe is so besotted with Earwen that he dreaded looking the fool in front of her. And, let's face it, who wants admit ignorance before the guy who is going to be his father-in-law? *grin*
Arafinwe needs this sailing lesson, as you will see in a forthcoming ficlet, and Olwe will make certain that his son-in-love is ready for that event. :)
Thanks for reviewing!
Celeritas
· 10 November 2008
· Chapter 10: Sailing Lesson (a double drabble)
"I didn't want Eärwen to think me completely inept."
That is so very cute, and while I would never have dreamed of thinking it myself, very much in keeping with Finarfin's character!
Thanks!
Author's reply
Thank you for reviewing. :) That line came right out of the blue. Originally, it was going to be the whole "I'm a prince and I just can't admit that I don't have a clue what I'm doing, especially in front of a king!" thing. Then I thought about just why Arafinwe would be in Alqualonde instead of Tirion and there it was.
Celeritas
· 10 November 2008
· Chapter 9: Grieving
This is quite possibly the first Ulmo hurt/comfort I have ever seen! And there's nothing quite like grief shared, even when it's from Vala to Elf.
Author's reply
I hadn't actually thought of his as Ulmo hurt/comfort, but I suppose that you are right. :)
I'm very glad that you liked this ficlet. Thanks for reviewing.
Edlyn
· 10 November 2008
· Chapter 9: Grieving
Must you make me cry, twinling?
It is so wonderful though, that the Valar can take comfort from the Children as well as give it.
I particularly love the description of the memory returning ot the forefront of Olwe's mind as well as the wave "hugging" him.
Huggles!
Edlyn
Author's reply
*hands over handkerchief* Sorry to make you weep...
It's funny how the comparisons to ocean things just flow naturally from my mind as I write Olwe. I can't even swim and I'm too nervous to get further into the surf than knee-deep! (and me having been in the Navy! LOL!) But that's how it comes to me, and I'm grateful that the muse is being so evocative this way.
You need to send me more pictures from the coral reefs you saw on your last diving trip, for inspiration!
Virtuella
· 10 November 2008
· Chapter 9: Grieving
Of course! I've never thought of it that way, but it makes perfect sense!
Author's reply
We see so much of Morgoth in the SIL and he is always the enemy. I have to thank Fiondil's "Wars of the Valar" for reminding me that Melkor/Morgoth once upon a timeless time, was as innocent and good as any of the other Children of Eru's Thought, and had been brought forth in love. And so the ficlet flowed from there. Thank you for the commentary you gave me on the other group, btw. I did some tweaking and improved that first paragraph all around, I think, thanks to your advice! :)
Independence1776
· 9 November 2008
· Chapter 9: Grieving
This is heartrending and beautiful. I could easily picture the two of them sitting there together, mourning.
~ Indy
Author's reply
Thank you so much for letting me know what you think.
I wasn't sure if I could pull off Olwe comforting Ulmo, but that is the mental image that triggered this ficlet. I'm very glad that it worked for you.
Larner
· 9 November 2008
· Chapter 8: Listening
Oh, I can so understand! I've studied the Holcaust for years, and one sees much the same thing in the survivors of that tragedy. My your brother find the healing he needs.
Celeritas
· 8 November 2008
· Chapter 8: Listening
Powerful!
Too often when focusing on trauma in the Silm we think of those who had it worst: the Exiles. But in truth all in combat, especially those who had never seen it before, would have had to deal with the madness of war.
Good thing Olwe was there for him.
Author's reply
I like to think, had the situation been reversed, Arafinwe would be there for Olwe to unburden himself to.
Thank you for letting me know what you thought of it. :)
Virtuella
· 8 November 2008
· Chapter 8: Listening
Indeed, he may not have been there, but by listening he takes on his share of the emotional burden. Well done.
BTW, isn't "Noldor" the plural? I thought the singular form was "Noldo".
Author's reply
Ah, you are correct, and I'll pop in and fix the typo.
I have been in an area labeled "Hostile Fire Zone", although I have never been shot at, so I have some understanding of what returning combat veterans have experienced, albeit only in a small way. It is the non-judgmental listening that leads to healing... One can only hope that all such veterans have someone caring to unburden themselves to.
Thank you for reviewing.
Celeritas
· 8 November 2008
· Chapter 7: Return
Great! I'm glad the Eagles as Messengers of Good Tidings was put to use here!
Author's reply
It just seemed so appropriate that Lord Manwe would send word in his own inimitable way. :) And while the Teleri are rejoicing that their loved ones are back safe, Olwe is also very aware of the deeper meaning of the victory in regards to the safety of Arda. Thanks for being a faithful reviewer!
Virtuella
· 8 November 2008
· Chapter 7: Return
You have are certainly succeeding with your intention to write beautiful and polished words. These glimpses are delightful indeed. You show small snippets with the hint of the greater whole and you imply emotional upheaval with a light touch. The seaside imagery is wonderful.
Author's reply
Virtuella, I want you to know how humbled I am by the praise you have heaped upon my ficlets. Your encouragement makes me want to write even better, and it is very reassuring to know that the ficlet format isn't off-putting, as some folk prefer a long, straightforward story. Thank you so very much for being such a faithful reviewer.
Kaylee
· 7 November 2008
· Chapter 7: Return
YAY!!!!!!! The ships have come home! Alaita Eru! ^_^ Oh, how wonderful for Olwe and family to see their people safely return!
~Kaylee!
Author's reply
It's a joyful time... but there's that thread of anxiety as you look to make certain that everyone comes home, knowing that at least some did not.
Thanks for being such a faithful reviewer, Kaylee!
Celeritas
· 7 November 2008
· Chapter 6: Farewell (a double drabble)
Oh, this made me a bit sad as I thought of the many traditions over time of those bidding soldiers farewell. Quite appropriate as Armistice/Remembrance/Veteran's Day is coming up.
Author's reply
My subconscious remembers things better than I do! I had forgotten about Remembrance Day/Veterans Day coming next week. I was thinking more about when I farewelled my friends in the Reserves who were going over to the Middle-East...
Thank you for reviewing!
A marvelous series here, Rhyselle! Poor Elf--having to realize the necessity for the request. Love the reasons for the conditions he places on the loan of the boats.
Author's reply
I was only intending to write the first bit, Olwe's rejection and refusal of the call to arms--but then I knew that something made him change his mind when Elwing asked him to reconsider. It took him from thinking about his own rage and grief, to thinking about his people once more, putting forth their needs ahead of his own.
I think that he did not expect Manwe to agree to the restriction on the Teleri's participation... and so the granting of the wish was an additional blessing.
My goal has been to show changes in Olwe's character... your reviews make me think I'm starting to succeed. :) Thank you!
I'm glad you kept writing (yes, the short ones are great, but I do prefer longer fics -- that's "longer" as in "multiple dozens of chapters"!).
But what about Olwë's grandchildren?
Author's reply
Good question, but by the time of the War of Wrath, all but Galadriel are dead (and I believe that Namo would have let the families of the Kings in Aman know about those deaths). And, well, he's had a long time to let the horror of the Kinslaying fester in his mind. He's not thinking but feeling. It's not until Elwing grieves for her boys that he remembers Galadriel, I think.
Thank you very much for reviewing my tale!
This was really quite excellent--we only hear about the actions that result, rarely the motives behind them or what the characters must have went through before they made their decisions. Olwe's righteous anger was very realistic: often fic that involves non-Exiles either makes them too perfect or too flawed, so I was pleased to read this hitting home.
Author's reply
I am so pleased that you found Olwe's reactions realistic. In the SIL we really see very little of him in a one on one scenario (although that scene where he told Feanor to take a hike is a good one that needs some expansion!), so I do have a fairly free rein when extrapolating beyond the sparse words about him in canon.
I don't like perfect, unflawed characters. *grin* They do not leave one something to write about.
Celeritas
· 5 November 2008
· Chapter 4: Swimming (a double drabble)
Earwen makes an appearance--excellent! And I loved the idea of Osse and Uinen taking on the form of dolphins.
Author's reply
It was funny, I wasn't actually intending to have the dolphins be Osse and Uinen, but the muse suddenly went "Ah, ha!" and the ficlet turned a completely different direction than I'd initially intended.
I'm glad you liked it!
Yay for the Muse saying there was more! That was lovely, meldenya, all of it! It's wonderful to see how you portray Olwe in his interactions with Eonwe, Elwing and Manwe!
As an aside, Elwing could just ask Namo where her sons are...and hope for a straight answer. Maybe she'd get some sympathy from Nienna.
~Kaylee!
Author's reply
I don't know that Elwing would be comfortable enough with interacting with Valar at this point in her life to feel able to ask the Lord of Mandos or Lady Nienna anything. Lord Ulmo, perhaps... not sure. Hmmm. I think there's a possibility of another ficlet here. We'll see.
Levade
· 5 November 2008
· Chapter 4: Swimming (a double drabble)
In my mind the Valar wanted the elves closer and so brought those who would go to Aman, but it seems most writers concentrate on the Noldor (they are fascinating). This makes you realize there were other Powers who didn't necessarily want the elves to be hidden away. I'm not saying it well, but it's really neat to see. I love the Telerin elves, but then I live next to the ocean so I'm a bit inclined to gravitate to their pov! *g* These are great to read!
Author's reply
I was never right on the ocean front more than a handful of times as a child, but the sea impressed me mightily. Now I'm at least 900 miles from the closest ocean with not much chance to get to it anytime soon--but I do have my lovely memories to draw on (as well as a sister who scuba dives and sends me lovely pictures of reefs and fish!).
I always liked the idea of the Valar not always being unanimously in accord in regards to how the elves should best be protected from Morgoth, even though the dissenters did not rebel against Manwe's pronouncements. And I think it says a lot about Olwe that he could argue his case for the delay in Beleriand, and then the coronari that the Teleri spent on Tol Eressea before the call of Aman proper became stronger than the call of the sea.
Thanks for reviewing! It makes my day to know that you enjoy this string of ficlets.
Edlyn
· 5 November 2008
· Chapter 4: Swimming (a double drabble)
Twinling, I love your other three ficlets but this one is my favourite. "I missed you." that broke my heart and made me sympathise with Osse, who is most typically written as pretty much an irresponsible bully and "angry young Maia".
Lovely job!
Author's reply
As soon as the muse told me who the dolphins were, I immediately thought of you and the picture you sent me of your day playing with dolphins in Flordia. :)
In regards to Osse, like all other personalities, he's more than just an archetype, although a lot of writers don't bother to explore what else he might be beyond the Maia who almost followed Melkor save for the determined love of his wife.
Thanks for letting me know what you think!
Larner
· 4 November 2008
· Chapter 4: Swimming (a double drabble)
I have rather a soft spot for Osse and Uinen, now that they keep working their way into my stories. Heh!
Author's reply
I'd noticed that! :) This is the first time that I have written them myself and I have a feeling that I will be going back to them sometime soon to look at Arda through their eyes. Thanks for reviewing!
Levade
· 4 November 2008
· Chapter 3: Ropes
I love how this ties to the faith one. He's had faith, built the ships, made the ropes and now...
Justification!
I also have always loved the image of the swans towing the ships. Am really loving these Olwe drabbles!
Author's reply
I wasn't sure how to end it and then, in my mind's eye, I saw Olwe laughing and it fell into place.
This was directly attributable to the lovely Ted Naismith painting of the swans drawing the ships to Aman. :)
I'm so very glad you are enjoying these ficlets!
Celeritas
· 3 November 2008
· Chapter 3: Ropes
Hah! If I were Olwe I wouldn't help but feel smug, too!
Author's reply
*grin* I admit that I would feel smug too, were I in his shoes. There is some satisfaction at being proved right when no one believes you. Thanks for reviewing!