Reviews (15)

Eruherdiriel · 20 July 2014 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

Awww. The last bit with young Legolas was really adorable. I think you made Beregond rather emotionally unstable. He reminded me of a young reborn. Why did you do that? ~Eruherdiriel

ElvenRanger · 20 October 2013 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

Great story. I think Beregond's character was really well-written. Also, the description of Gil-galad throwing him out of the tent "casually" gave such a funny image I couldn't stop laughing for five minutes.

6336 · 28 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

This was interesting, to hear Finrods discovery of the Edain from their point of view. It could have been summer when they came over the mountain, who knows how long they were encamped before they were found. Somebody needs to teach Namburato and Linder how to listen quietly. I wonder how long it took Eonwe to realise that mixed troops did better? Good to hear that Beregond survived and made it to Numenor with Elros, what happened to Namburato, did he make it back to Aman under his own steam or by way of Mandos? Keep them coming, Lynda

Radbooks · 19 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

Oh, yes, a very, very nice Gil-galad story! It would have been very intimidating for a man to sit there and tell a story to elves... especially a story like that and to know they are making sure you have all the facts straight. I'm really, really glad that Beregond got a few licks in on Nambaurato! He deserved everything he got. :) I liked the twist at the end where it was a story Thranduil was telling to Legolas... that was a surprise! I was trying to remember back to when I first started liking Gil-galad so much and of course it's always so hard to pinpoint it. I think it may have been with Nemis's stories on ff.net. I really, really like him in Nilmandra's, but I don't think I read those until later.

Independence1776 · 19 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

"Some of the Elves from Aman had sneered at the thought of allowing any of the Edain leadership roles in the army. However, the Beleriandic Elves, Sindar and Noldor alike, had made it a point to include the lords of the Edain, few though they were, in all deliberations." I am truly not surprised. The ones from Aman had no idea of what had occured. "Also, I think I can speak for all here that this will be the first time we have ever heard this tale from the point of view of the Edain." The best reason to hear. So it isn't just Finrod with his creative punishments... "Tell that to the Belain, my friend. Aman is as paradisaical as you will ever find in this world, but Lord Manwë does like his snow — lots of it." *laughs* Now I'm picturing snow mounded taller than the Elves. "'He may have been a king, as you say, but he could not have been a good ruler, considering what he did.' [. . .] 'He got himself killed for an Adan,' Nambaurato retorted with a dismissive sneer. 'He got himself killed for no good reason when we....'" And once again the inherant assumption of the Amanians that they were superior to anyone who hadn't lived there rears its ugly head. Very glad Gil-Galad gave corrected his assumption. "Of all the Firstborn, he saw the worth of the Edain and rejoiced, for you were more than any had expected and we who have fought the long defeat honor the sacrifices your people have suffered for our sake." Again, something the Elves of Aman don't understand, for they have never been at war before now. The little bit between Legolas and Thranduil at the end was precious.

Sitara · 18 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

You know, it was crystal-clear who wrote this beautiful story from the moment it was posted on Teitho contest site. "wide grin". After waiting nearly a month, I'll take the chance to write down a couple of my thoughts I had reading it. Oropher from Doriath? "That" Oropher? The ruler of Greenwood who resented to join his troops with the High King of the Noldor and submit to his leardership (I don't even want to think who were the ones responsible for that "wiping tears"), the one who perished along with most of the army from Eryn Galen in the battle which ended the Second Age? I don't know much concerning Tolkien's works, beside LOTR, I'm afraid, so I believe I might be wrong. Findarato, as a one of the Powers in Men's eyes..Huh..The Elves from Aman didn't give him too much credit, he was after all the child of third son of the Noldoran. Yet was he named the most righteous from the princes of the Eldar, not another."deep sigh" And the attitude of that Elf from Aman is for me proof that the darkness is present even in Valinor, under the watchful eye of the Valar and the Renewing is as necessary in Aman as is in Middle-Earth. One word concerning Thranduil. If someone deserves my utmost respect, that would be Thranduil. Not only for ruling the most dangerous elven realm that remained in Middle-Earth during the Third Age (Dol Guldur and the expanding Shadow), WITHOUT wielding any Ring of Power (I refrain to make any comments about Cirdan, Galadriel and Elrond), but he did the impossible: he refrained from filling his son's heart and mind with all the hate and bitterness from the past ages.(I suppose I should keep my mouth shut, but I can't: because of those reasons, I would have gladly punched Aragorn squarely in his face for his misplaced comments regarding Thranduil's people at Elrond's Council, altough I like the Man) And so we have the merry Elf we all know from LOTR, a fact that your story depicts perfectly. Waiting eagerly for more, Sitara.

Agape4Gondor · 18 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

Ah!!!! Another fine offering to your devoted readers. I rejoice in seeing a 'different' tale from you - for though I love your other tales, when some new 'piece' of the Tolkien puzzle is attacked by you - I nod my head in appreciation of your writing skills. Another great tale - I laughed often over the constant interruptions - very difficult for a story teller to endure - especially one as young as Beregond. The disdain between elves and men and elves and elves and elves and everyone else is quite remarkable to me... yet I should not be surprised - the 'tradition' carries on even now as we disdain each other, country by country, sect by sect, philosophy by philosophy. How Beregond ever continued, after the first outburst, is beyond me. I would have had a difficult time - having to now chose my words carefully - knowing a hostile audience sat before him..... It is a shame that the tale was never finished.... Finrod Fingolfin is one of my favorite Elves.....

Kaylee · 18 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

Meldonya, what a thrilling tale! *grin* And I liked Nambarauto's name. I was half wondering if it wasn't Namo in disguise, but I guess not. *winks* I loved hearing the story from the Edain's point of view! Finda as one of the Powers! Heh! Not likely, but his harp playing is wonderful isn't it? :) (By the way, you mentioned to another reviewer that you had previously mentioned one of Legolas' brothers' demise but didn't recall where. This would be in "Dinner with Namo and Vaire" when they were telling the story of Brethilion's failed suit of Celebrian.) ~Kaylee!

Thalanee · 18 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

That was a wonderful tale! I loved it. Nambaurato.. wasn´t that the elven name Namo used when he, Orome and Tulkas had their little adventure at the Laughing Vala? *"Maybe after all that these people suffered before reaching Beleriand," Lindir suggested mildly, "this place seemed like a paradise to them and everyone knows that no paradise is touched by winter’s frost." Nambaurato snorted. "Tell that to the Belain, my friend. Aman is as paradisaical as you will ever find in this world, but Lord Manwë does like his snow — lots of it."* I can just picture Manwe and the Valar playing in the snow whith the rather disgruntled elves watching them: a hilarious picture. I wonder if Finrod didn´t have a draft of his "Creative Punishments" somewhere in Middle Earth and Gilgalad got his hands on it ;-) I wonder if he knew that the Edain thought him one of the Powers... Thranduil and Legolas sitting together in the cave with Thranduil telling stories to his little elfling was just lovely Already looking forward to more of your stories! Greetings Thalanee

Alquawende · 17 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

Another excellent story from Fiondil! :) I liked reading the oft told story of Finrod's meeting with mortals, for the first time, from an Edain's point of view, especially since Beregond was a descendant of Beor's House. Not to mention, any story that praises Finrod, I just have to read... The other thing I liked was that you brought up the issue that there could've been much conflict between the elves from Aman and the exiled Noldor, Sindar and Edain in Beleriand. Thanks for writing!

ellie · 17 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

THe elves of Aman just don't get it, do they? I can believe that they would act with so much prejudice and that they would suffer for it in battle, too. I'm glad that Amanian lord got put in his place for the mean comments he made. I like Beregond alot. I saw much similarity between this conflict between elf and man and between Turin and what's his face in Doriath. Teh loyalty of the House of Beor is commendable indeed. Wonderful tale! I also liked Legolas enjoying his daddy time so much! Very sweet and true to life that is!

Larner · 17 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

So, Beregond has been a named carried well and with pride by worthy Men for many generations, then? And rightfully so! And the Edain are in the end as much children of Iluvatar as are the Eldar. The Amanian Elves would do well to remember what the Elves of Beleriand already know from experience.

Sunny · 17 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

Those Elves (and Edain) certainly have the right idea about what bad weather is for: staying inside, preferably next to a crackling fire. _They_ spend the time telling tales, _I_ would curl up with a good book – which is a tale in physical form (and an arrangement of electrons on my iLiad can arguably be described so, can’t it?), and if I also have a pot of tea and some nice snacks … Bliss! So the Amanian Elves didn’t care to fight beside the Edain and the Elves from Beleriand, did they – until _someone_ realized that the mixed companies fared noticeably better. Which only makes sense. The Amanian elves would not have learned the bitter lessons of war that the Edain, the Sindar, the Nandor and the Exilic Noldor would now know down to their bones. For all intents and purposes the Amanians were raw recruits for all their technical skill with weapons and theoretical grasp of tactics and strategy. I suppose they _would_ have learned on their own eventually, but this way they could draw on the knowledge of their experienced fellow warriors, while also keeping the body count down. So Beregond didn’t like the Elves being nitpicky about details? Well, neither would I have been, and just who was telling the tale, anyway? Nambarauto certainly has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease. An attitude such as his is certainly one that deserves to be corrected. It would be interesting to see just _how_ such an attitude correction would come to be – do you have plans for a story on that subject? I would make the assumption that the attitude correction would not be a part of a journey to the Halls of Mandos – which would be effective, yes, but not particularly interesting as a story. And after the meeting with Nambarauto’s attitude, Lindir’s choice of music was obvious!

Kitty · 17 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

Lovely story, Fiondil! Yes, that was the perfect occasion to huddle around a fire and tell tales. I really liked Beregond - something that can't be said of Nambaurato, who was arrogant and rude. Somehow I hope he has a nice little encounter with a reborn Findárato in 'King of Nargothrond mode' waiting somewhere in his future *evil grin* It is so nice to know that these Edain still remember Finrod and love him so much; he certainly deserves it, no matter what certain stupid Amanians think. It is embarassing that an Adan has to defend one of the great elf lords against another elf. The question how much the details of the story have changed reminds me of an experiment we made at school long ago: The class had to stand in a line and the teacher told the one at the one end a joke. The first one had to tell it to the second, the second to the third etc., and the last one in line had to write that what he heard on the blackboard. The result had not much to do with the story told to the first one - interesting to see how much these few lines changed in such a short time, going from one to the other. It is inevitable, I guess, that oral history gets changed in the retelling. Oh, and I love the end, Thranduil telling the story to little Legolas during another snowstorm. And I was glad to know Beregond survived the war and went with Elros and his descendants remained faithful.

eiluj · 17 January 2009 · Chapter 1: Once Upon a Blizzard

And the memories of the elves are such that several thousand years later, Oropher's son is telling the tale he heard from his father. Reading (in such cold weather that the faucets are still trickling to outwit the freeze; no snow now, but probably tomorrow) about a story being told (in snowy, cold weather) about a story being told (in snowy, cold weather) about events that may or may not have occurred in winter.... So was it snowy and cold when you *wrote* the story? *lol* I always like to see allusions to Oropher being Thingol's kin; almost everyone seems to have missed the possibility that Oropher was related to Celeborn, if not to Thingol/Elmo/Olwë as well. And now Legolas has older brothers! Though I spose if this is the same universe as "Tâd Edhel a Firion" they must have met a tragic end....