Chrysalids by Raksha The Demon
Reviews (19)
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pandemonium_213
· 2 January 2010
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
"Chrysalids" was one of the stories on my MEFA09 Wish List for which I am beating myself up over: I did not make the cut off for posting a review for this imaginative and beautifully written piece. However, the MEFA competition may be closed for voting, but happily, this enchanting story is here on Stories of Arda for comment.
You say that this is not your "usual" story, Raksha. I'm not altogether clear on what you mean by that, given that it is written with care, as what I have come to expect of you, and the construction of the story allows for smooth readability, also a characteristic of your style.
Perhaps the subjects themselves -- the three great Valier -- are not those about whom you write? Well, I'll say that how you have portrayed Varda, Yavanna and Vairë here works for me in a big way! Using poetic prose, you've made each goddess distinct in her own powers; I especially like how you've crafted Vairë -- she's kind of chilling like one of the Norns, and one gets a sense of her observing all that unfolds. "Goddess", I think is an appropriate term here. This trio is reminiscent of the major goddesses of the Graeco-Roman pantheon (not surprising that this might influence you). Given that in the earlier developments of his legendarium (published as The History of Middle-earth), JRRT referred to the Valar as "the Gods" (and they more closely resembled the Norse and Greek pantheons in that stage), "Chrysalids" is just perfect as far as I am concerned. I love their mild bickering, too. Again, this is a wonderful nod to the goddesses of the other pantheons mentioned. There's such a strong element of Faerie in this fic.
I also like how you've handled Frodo's reluctance to leave the Shire and those he loves, in particular Elanor, the daughter-of-his-spirit. His communion with Varda is touching. I love the analogy to metamorphosis for many reasons.
This fic is very much my cup of tea, Raksha, and is a nice example of the craft of mythopoiea.
Author's reply
Thanx much for your very thorough review, Pande!
Chrysalids wasn't my usual sort of story because of the place (the Shire) and the characters (Valar and Frodo) - I usually leave them to more Valar-or-Hobbit-savvy scribes. But once the idea of three of the Valier noting the significance of Elanor's birth as the beginning of a new Age, I had a course to follow.
Yes, I envision Vaire as the know-it-all younger sister who can step back and see, if not absolutely All, then nearly All. And the notion of Faery Godmothers who were also goddesses was just too good not to use.
I don't think Frodo wanted to leave the Shire so much as it became impossible for him to stay there and live. His original motivation was to save the Shire; and even if the people there sometimes exasperate him, he loves his homeland. He would have fought to stay; but there is this other, quasi-Elven spirit in him that would have helped him realize that Valinor was his destination, and even thrive there. But the choice and decision had to have been extremely painful for him.
6336
· 5 June 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
Instead of three Good Faries attending her birth, Elanor had three Queens of the Valar! Elanor used well their Gifts!
Lynda
Author's reply
A belated Thank You for reading and reviewing, Lynda. I definitely had the idea of three supernatural beings, i.e. fairy godmothers or fates or whoever, gifting the newborn Elanor.
Nesta
· 18 March 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
That was just lovely, Racksha! An old folktale (fairy gifts to a baby) transported to Middle Earth.
It takes a really exceptional writer to dare to bring in the Valar, but you do it beautifully. And the description of poor withered Frodo brought tears to my eyes.
I always thought the Valar were a bit indifferent to the sufferings of non-Elves in Middle Earth, but this gives a different perspective.
Author's reply
I wouldn't normally write the Valar; they're rather intimidating to me; but this was the perfect opportunity to try. I'm glad you liked how I wrote these three Valier.
I'm not sure that the Valar were indifferent to the sufferings of the Secondborn and others in Middle-earth, but their expedition to rout and finally defeat Morgoth at the end of the First Age destroyed a good deal of real estate (most of Beleriand); and perhaps they felt that stomping over Middle-earth to personally squash Sauron might cause too much destruction; so they sent the Istari. I do think that they might have sent more help (perhaps several thousand Elves), but we'll never know why they didn't...
Thanx much for the review, Nesta!
c ookiefleck
· 11 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
I enjoyed peeking in the window and sseing the love within.
Author's reply
Thanks for reading and reviewing. There was certainly a lot of love inside Bag End; what a shame that love alone could not heal Frodo; but at least it could give him solace during those last months before he sailed.
Inkling
· 11 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
A Frodo story from Raksha…what a rare treat! The Valier make the perfect fairy godmothers; no wonder Elanor was so special! I loved the flowers reacting to Yavanna like excited puppies, and the bantering among the three sisters. And the exchange between Frodo and Varda is very moving, as he seizes this chance to make a last, plaintive plea, while her words of comfort make clear the limits of her power.
Thanks for this lovely New Year’s story!
p.s.—the incurable proofreader in me noticed “spiritsoverflow” needs a space inserted.
Author's reply
I thought that Baby Elanor deserved fairy godmothers; and special gifts, and Frodo deserved some particular attention as well.
Yes, the flowers and trees get very enthusiastic when Mama-Yavanna pays a visit to Middle-earth.
There had to be some reasons why the Valar didn't just come on down and help clean up the mess they were largely responsible for allowing in the Third Age; and considering the mass destruction caused by the Valar/Morgoth smackdown at the end of the First Age, I thought that the Valar can't really do much in Middle-earth in their actual forms for fear of causing more continental drift and massive floods, etc. At least not real deeds that might be pull up cosmic forces and tidal waves, etc. But I think Frodo really must have needed a dialogue with Elbereth in particular.
Thanx for reading and reviewing, Inkling; I'm pleased that you liked the story.
Author Reply: Oops; I forgot to mention that I corrected the 'spiritsoverflow' space omission - thanx for the heads-up!
Elena Tiriel
· 8 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
What a lovely heartwarming vignette, Raksha!
I enjoyed the thoughts of the Valier, and how they reassure Frodo.
Well done!
- Barbara
Author's reply
Thanx much for reading and reviewing (and for the research assistance!), Barbara - I think the Valar would have liked Frodo; and both Yavanna and Varda might have had a bit of a proprietary attitude about him.
Antane
· 8 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
An interesting story here! Ring-bearer and newborn both wrapped in love - love that for indeed as Frodo wrote there was no hobbit taken better care of than he. Little did he know that he was writing not only for his fellow hobbits and for his niece but for all of us. Love the hope he was given by Elbereth, another thing that would have eased the pain of his decision. What a glorious being Sam must have seen in his master in the West!
Namarie, God bless, Antane :)
Author's reply
Poor Frodo needed some hope; didn't he. I'm sure he grew in joy and knowledge in the West, not to mention health.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Antane!
SurgicalSteel
· 8 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
Just gorgeous!
Author's reply
Thank you for reviewing, Steel - glad you liked the story!
harrowcat
· 7 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
What a lovely, gentle piece Raksha. I needed to read this today.
Author's reply
I'm glad the story gave you some good moments, harrowcat; and thanks for commenting.
inzilbeth
· 7 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
I'm always thought it a wonderful thing that Elanor was born on the first day of the new Age, but it's even more wonderful that three of the Valier should decide to visit her on that day.
Beautifully written, as we have come to expect!
Author's reply
I doubt that Tolkien had Elanor born on March 25, 3021 by accident. And I could just see at least some of the Valar come to hallow the new Age by blessing its first child.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Inzilbeth!
Cairistiona
· 7 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
This may not be what you usually write, and it's not what I usually read, but I really enjoyed it. The imagery shimmered, and the warmth and love in the piece was poignant without becoming overly sentimental. It had that same sort of joy-tempered-by-sorrow ache to it that Tolkien's works do (and indeed, that life itself has). Lovely!
Author's reply
What a wonderful review, Cairistiona - thank you! It's certainly not every day that something I wrote is compared to qualities of Tolkien's works. And yes, Frodo's post-Ring War years in Middle-earth are extremely poignant, he definitely deserved to grow old in the Shire, whole and well.
Elflingimp
· 7 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
That was so beautiful Raksha! I had tears in my eyes(sniff)Hugs The Imp
Author's reply
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Imp - I'm glad the story moved you.
shirebound
· 7 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
I'm just speechless with wonder. This is absolutely beautiful.
Author's reply
I'm so pleased that you liked the story, Shirebound, considering your experience writing fine hobbit stories. Thank you for reviewing.
eiluj
· 6 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
An absolute jewel of a story, and a most unusual one! I enjoyed your characterization of the three very different Valier, and their appearance in the guise of the Three Fates. And I'm always a sucker for a good bit of Frodo-angst. *sigh*
So now the next question: exactly how *do* you envision Frodo's healing and life in Aman?
A couple of details: The singular form of Valier is apparently Valië [see the Encyclopedia of Arda's article "Valier," http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/v/valier.html].
Far from Bag End having sheltered "so many generations" of Bagginses, it had been built quite recently, by Bilbo's father: "Bungo, that was Bilbo's father, built the most luxurious hobbit-hole for her (and partly with her money) that was to be found...." ["An Unexpected Party," The Hobbit; the "her" in question was of course Bungo's wife Belladonna Took Baggins.] That sounds -- to me, at least -- as if it was a new smial, not merely enlarged (though it seems difficult to believe no one had built there before Bungo: such a lovely south-facing hilltop property, with what must surely have been one of the best views in the Shire).
Author's reply
Thanks for the reminder about the generations of Bagginses in Bag End - hobbit history is not my strong point. I changed it to three - for Belladonna, Bilbo, and Frodo. As for Valie, the Encyclopedia (that I consulted frequently for this story, along with other sources and of course LOTR itself) of Arda says that Valie is "apparently" the singular of Valier and that Tolkien never used the word Valie; so I won't either.
Wouldn't you love to have these three Valier come to your kid's birth or christening party or whatever? And sewing circles or quilting bees take on a whole new meaning if Vaire is involved!
How would I envision Frodo's healing in Aman? I would leave that to Varda & co. Perhaps there would be some stellar radiation involved, or using the light of Earendil's Silmaril? I'm sure they'll figure it out; if not, writers like Larner (who's written lots of great Frodo stories on this site) will. As for Frodo's life in Aman - I hope he'll find some new kinds of food to like; and writes a few more books, perhaps a biography of Olorin. I'm personally hoping that Tom Bombadil can come to visit and liven up the place.
Thanx for a wonderful review, eiluj.
Dreamflower
· 6 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
Oh, I'm so glad I caught this bit of beauty before closing down the computer for the night!
What a wonderful picture the three had, in their glimpses of the little family, "cocooned in love". And I am so glad that Frodo was able to "speak" to Varda, the Lady who had watched over him in the darkest days of the Quest.
*grin* And I loved the gentle squabbling of the sisters!
Author's reply
Thanks for this lovely review, Dreamflower! I imagine that there was a lot of love in Bag End; and the baby made it even warmer - and harder for Frodo to say goodbye.
I did think that Frodo was a very special soul, and would have been able to perceive Varda, even cloaked as she was.
Oh, I had fun with the three Queens - I think of Vaire as the know-it-all younger sister, Yavanna as the slightly ditzy (she's got a lot to do, and she loves colors and shapes and making new things) middle child, and Varda as the classic oldest sister - well-meaning and responsible and rather full of herself.
6336
· 6 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
So instead of three good fairies attending her birth, Elanor had three Valier!
More please,
Lynda
Author's reply
Sorry, that's all the muse gave me. But thanks for reading and reviewing. Yes, who needs three good fairies when three Queens of the Valar come calling! Elanor was a very special hobbit; gladly awaited and much loved. I still think it's a shame that Frodo couldn't stay and see her grow up...
illereyn
· 6 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
What a lovely start to the year! Thank you, Raksha!
Author's reply
Thanx for reading and reviewing, illereyn. Yes, the story was conceived as a new year's piece; I'm only four-five days late! I'm glad you liked it.
Larner
· 6 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
I, too, have seen Frodo in terms of his chrysalis form, preparing ever to leap out of his last form to rejoice in the new and the new world it opens to him! This is so right, so beautiful, so proper for the birth of the first true child of the New Age, as much a nascent butterfly to be made as the one who cradles her in his arms.
And Imhiriel must be very pleased indeed!
Author's reply
I didn't have your lovely stories in mind when I started with the chrysalis theme; though it makes a lot of sense, doesn't it. Actually, I applied it three times in the story (Elanor, Frodo, and the three Valier when they shuck their temporary forms and tear off through the cosmos for home).
I think Frodo longed for healing and freedom from suffering, but he also loved his home and friends; making that choice would have been difficult.
I'm so pleased you liked the story; since you write such outstanding pieces dealing with Frodo and the Shire during this time.
Linda Hoyland
· 6 January 2009
· Chapter 0: Chrysalids
This is a beautiful story.I loved the idea of the Valar acting as Elanor's "Fairy" godmothers.I am not surprised that Frodo sensed them.It is a lovely idea that Elanor is the first born of the new age.
Author's reply
Well I thought that Elanor would just about have to be the firstborn of the Fourth Age!
Yes, just about the most cosmic Fairy Godmothers around; aren't they?!
Thanx for your wonderful review, Linda; I know the story's a bit outside your comfort zone, so I'm doubly pleased that you enjoyed it.