6336
· 27 August 2010
· Chapter 21: Breath of Arda
Ah, I would have been surprised to hear that the Valar had not had a finger in that particular pie. A bit 'a butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazon and there is a tornado in Omaha', Manwe wafting the feather and singing the Breath of Arda into action.
No, I don't think Namo would have been too happy to have to deal with Denethor, nasty man, if he had had a bit more strength of will he could have done so much more for his people and Gondolin, his father did not help in favouring Throngil though!
I am glad Namo is going to have Nienna and her people with him today, he may be in need of some consolation himself.
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. Well, you can see from the quote from "Following Gandalf" why I was inspired to write this as I did. I thought the image of the feather particularly apt.
Denethor will eventually be healed of his torment. Much of it can be blamed on Sauron taking advantage of Denethor's flaws.
I suspect that Nienna will have her hands full offering everyone -- Mortal, Maia and Vala -- consolation before the day is done.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Lynda. I greatly appreciate it.
Sunny
· 27 August 2010
· Chapter 21: Breath of Arda
A nitpick: " "And look!" Ulmo pointed. "The Heir of Isildur will not reach the city in time to lift the siege, for with my former servant’s black clouds deadening the air, there is no hope of any wind to billow the sails of Elessar’s fleet and hurry them on their way." "
Sauron wasn't of Ulmo's people, so that should be Aulë's or Melkor's former sevant. Alternatively, you could have Aulë speak this line.
Things always look cheerier in sunlight than in dark and gloomy weather, so this would have been a nice bit of psychological warfare on the Valar's part.
Author's reply
Eek! Thanks for the oopsie-alert, Sunny. Not sure how I got the two mixed up. By the way, you could just send me a PM letting me know of any gaffes for me to fix. Less embarrassing that way. *grin*
And the psychological aspects of warfare are as important, if not more so, than the physical actions involved. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 27 August 2010
· Chapter 21: Breath of Arda
Atar Fiondil,
Wow. Just...wow. I haven't had my copy of LotR on me in over a year (lent it to a friend in Southern California and she hasn't given it back yet) so I didn't remember this passage word for word, but I remembered the scene it depicted as I read it. Once I read the whole story, I could see the struggle going on. Wise of Manwe to fight in his realm, on his terms; Arda may be Morgoth's Ring and something Sauron could try to claim dominion over, but the airs are yet under Manwe's lordship.
Well done, beautifully crafted! I loved it from start to finish, though I felt very sorry for Namo's workload increasing, and for Nienna. I thought of Denethor, sitting in that chair with the ring of fire surrounding him in the dark chamber...something your Faramir in Mandos story planted in my mind. It had to have happened that way, didn't it. *grin* At least it's the only way for me to see it now.
Bravo!
Tye-melin,
Kaylee
Author's reply
Hi Kaylee. I'm glad you enjoyed this. It was fun to approach this scene from an different perspective, showing that more was going on than the people involved in the war suspected. And I'm sure Námo and his People are more than capable of handling the workload. It is, after all, their job. *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing. I greatly appreciate it.
Tye-melin,
Atar Fiondil
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 27 August 2010
· Chapter 20: Broken
Atar Fiondil, this was beautiful! I loved the interaction between Legolas and the deaf woman, and that hopefully now she's been inspired to resume her dream. I hope she will do well. :)
"We lost Legolas" had to be my favorite part though. And to find "Legolas" ending up WITH Legolas...now, that put me in mind of a pair of twins and their warrior rabbit Glorfi. *grin*
*hugs Atar Fiondil* I loved it!
Tye-melin,
Kaylee
Author's reply
Hi Kaylee. I'm so glad you liked this one. I enjoyed writing it as it's a bit different from my usual fare. I have every confidence that with Legolas and Aragorn supporting her, Almiel will do very well.
The "We lost Legolas" scene is one of my favorites, too. *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Larner
· 26 August 2010
· Chapter 20: Broken
Excellent! Some years ago one of the greatest photographers of hummingbirds was a totally blind man who managed to hook up a special switch to a camera so as to capture the birds he could hear but not see. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was composed after he was deaf, and there have been several painters who have worked with brushes held in their mouths or between their toes. Nice to see this woman's gift will once again be allowed to grow and be properly nurtured and appreciated!
Author's reply
Thank you, Larner. I think I should have probably waited until October to post this story, as October is Disability Awareness Month, but any time is a good time to make people aware of the fact that someone's disability is usually not the problem; it's other people's attitudes about it that is. A lesson for us all.
6336
· 25 August 2010
· Chapter 13: Instruments of Love
If nothing else they would make great paper weights or he could use them for trophys or just leave them lying about to make his office look important!
Hm, as to the question as to wether Eonwe is espoused or not, I have a feeling he is one of those Maia who is too busy for marriage, though he does like a night out with the 'boys' on occasion!
Lynda
Author's reply
I'm sure Elros found something useful to do with the instruments, or maybe his wife, Emeldir. *grin*
I don't really know if Eönwë is espoused or not. He's very tightlipped about it. In the original Lost Tales version of the Silmarillion, Eönwë was Fionwë son of Manwë who was in love with Arien, but I don't think that applies here.
6336
· 25 August 2010
· Chapter 5: Eönwë Among the Edain
I can quite easily see how Elves could envy Mortals their mortality, the ages must, a some point seem overwhleming, to keep on, going on with no end in sight must be daunting at times, especially when you don't know what will happen at the end of it all!
Elves must have a differant mindset, to know that you will be doing the same thing a hundred years from now, a thousand years even and still enjoy doing it? Not sure I could handle that, I have enough trouble finishing all the projects I start, my U.F.O. pile is enormous!
Lynda
Author's reply
Yes, Lynda, Tolkien does state in the Silmarillion that even the Valar would envy Eru's Gift to Men before the Ages of Arda came to an end. And of course, that would give you a different mindset. Why do today what can be put off until tomorrow or next week or next month or next year or next century? *grin* There's no real sense of urgency as there is with Mortals whom the Elves refer to as 'the Guests'. I would imagine that after a while, Elves would move from one occupation to another as the excitement begins to wane over one's work, so that over time a person would learn many skills, perhaps even engaging in an occupation more than once (i.e. returning to a former occupation after so many years have gone by). And why not? Even us Mortals move from one job to another these days with people starting second and even third careers, so I can see Elves doing it as well.
Anyway, an interesting discussion that can go on forever. *grin* Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Elentarri
· 24 August 2010
· Chapter 20: Broken
Really good story. The missing Legolas bunny was funny! Is there more? :D
Author's reply
Thank you so much, Elentarri. I am so glad you enjoyed the story, especially the missing Legolas bunny. As far as I know, this is a one-shot and the implication at the end is that Almiel will indeed be admitted into the Bards' Guild. With both Legolas and Aragorn sponsoring her, I don't think she will have too much trouble being accepted. *grin*
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Tari
· 23 August 2010
· Chapter 20: Broken
This why Legolas is my favorite Elf. He is turning Almiel's pain into joy by showing her how she can still use her gift to bring joys to other, whether she can hear or not.
I assumed this is a one chapter tale, so I decided to believe that she will in fact become a valued member of the bard's guild.
Author's reply
Hi Tari. I am glad you enjoyed this story. Yes, it is a one-shot, so it is safe to assume that Almiel did indeed win her mastership in the Bards' Guild. While Glorfindel and Finrod will always be my favorite Elves, Legolas holds a soft spot in my heart as well and so I'm happy to write about him whenever the Muse allows.
Thank you for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Fantasia
· 23 August 2010
· Chapter 20: Broken
What a beautiful, compassional tale, Fiondil. It is a fact that disabilities were not kindly treated in old times, even now.
She really could have afuture, with someone help. Good that Legolas is there. The great Bethoven was deaf and it didn't stop him to compose and become one of the greater composers of our world.
Thank you
Author's reply
Hi Fantasia. I'm so glad you found this a beautiful and compassionate tale. That is why I wrote it, as a reminder perhaps that we should never let our disabilities (whatever they may be) dictate what we can or cannnot accomplish in life (or allow others to so dictate to us). Hopefully, with Legolas and Aragorn helping her, Almiel will have her future restored to her and the Bards' Guild will be given a valuable lesson.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it.
6336
· 23 August 2010
· Chapter 20: Broken
Hm, this was good, had a differant flavour to some of your other work but I liked it any way.
Poor Almiel what a thing to happen to a musician, to loose your hearing. I am trying to remeber if it was Beethoven who lost his or somebody else, he had to put his head on the piano to feel the vibrations.
Good one Fiondil,
Lynda
Author's reply
I'm glad you liked this, Lynda. It is a bit different from my usual fare but that was the fun of the challenge. While Beethoven is the best known of composers who went deaf, he is the the onl one. I know Dvorak did as well and there were others. It just shows that one's disabilities should not be a barrier to one's abilities. If Beethoven had given up composing once he went deaf we would never have such beautiful music as his Seventh or the Ninth or anything else he composed and that is true for others.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Sunny. I appreciate it.
Sunny
· 23 August 2010
· Chapter 20: Broken
I suppose Almiel is going to be the Beethoven of your 'verse.
In his fifth Symphony he described fate knocking on his door - but his most beautiful music he composed when he was stone deaf - his ninth Symphony is imho one of the loveliest pieces of music ever written.
Author's reply
I don't know if Almiel will become Middle-earth's Beethoven, but certainly with Legolas and Aragorn in her corner, she will have the future she always wanted. Beethove's Ninth is certainly one of the greatest pieces of music ever written and the fact that its composer never heard a single note of it except in his head makes one take pause.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Sunny. I greatly appreciate it.
Kitty
· 6 August 2010
· Chapter 19: Prayer for an Absent Son
Have to agree with Thranduil here – the cut off head of an Orc isn't exactly the stuff you'd keep *shakes head*
While I felt so sorry for Thranduil who had every reason to fear for his son's life, I was grinning about Thranduil's mental rant about Elrond sending Legolas on that hopeless Quest. Of course, for me it's so reassuring to know Legolas will return, after helping to destroy Sauron. So in the end Thranduil could be terribly proud of his son, even if he doesn't know it yet. And I thought it sweet that he took the stuffed toy with him, opinions be damned.
Author's reply
Yeah. The reader has an advantage over Thranduil here, since we know how it all ends and that Legolas survives this "suicide mission" as his adar probably thought of it. I'm sure, in spite of everything, Thranduil was always proud of his son. I'm glad you thought him taking the stuffed toy with him sweet. At that moment Thranduil was more adar than aran, and, as you say, opinions be damned.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, Kitty. I really appreciate it.
Kitty
· 6 August 2010
· Chapter 18: The Blue Wizards’ Dilemma
Nice to get a glimpse of what these two were up to.
You know, Alatar was asking something I had been wondering about, too – what would happen if one of the five wizards was killed? I know what happened to Gandalf/Mithrandir/Olórin, but you could say these were special circumstances and it may not have been the 'standard treatment' how he was sent back so fast.
Anyway, I'm glad they took care of the refugees. For their own mission it may have seemed more sensible to go and seek advice, but I doubt Olórin could have been of much use here, and it would have been cruel to leave these people to their fate.
Author's reply
Hi Kitty. I'm sure all of the Wizards wondered about what might happen to them if they died, but we only have the two examples of Gandalf and Saruman and their fates were completely different after they died.
I'm glad you enjoyed this story. It was fun to write about these two and imagine what might have happened to them, how they may have disappeared from history. I like to think that they didn't so much fail in their mission as changed their mission when they decided to help the refuges. Whether that was a good thing for the West or not, we will probably never know.
Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Tari
· 30 July 2010
· Chapter 19: Prayer for an Absent Son
I always wondered how King Thranduil felt about his son going on the quest. I'm sure your depiction explains it quite well. It must have been quite devasting to think he might not see his beloved son on Middle-earth again.
Author's reply
Hi Tari. I suspect that when Legolas finally made it home he got quite an earful from Ada about not coming straight home. *grin* Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Ellie
· 30 July 2010
· Chapter 19: Prayer for an Absent Son
This is one of my favorite little stories you have written. You have captured Thranduil's feelings so very well as he goes through the stages of grief over his son not returning yet. I was left with a strong feeling at the end of the tale. I really like your Thranduil here!
Author's reply
Thanks, Ellie. I am glad you like how I did Thranduil here. He's not an easy Elf to get one's mind around but he's a fun challenge and I enjoy writing him on occasion. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Midnight Promise
· 28 July 2010
· Chapter 19: Prayer for an Absent Son
Greetings!
Aw, Thranduil - you temperamental elf, you're such a softie! :3
Loved it, especially since Legolas IS coming back. :) I am curious however about Legolas's siblings - I know you mentioned in previous works that he has some, will there ever be more of them?
Great job, enjoyed it. :)
Have an awesome summer,
MP
Author's reply
Hi MP. I'm glad you liked this story. Thanks for letting me know. As for Legolas' siblings, I really don't know. One has died and is presently in Mandos but as for the rest, I have no clue as to how many and who they are. Perhaps someday Legolas will tell me about them. *grin*
shirebound
· 28 July 2010
· Chapter 1: Starting from Scratch
Sing as thy heart dictates. Sing for love of Atar and the Children who are to come and thou wilt do well.
How lovely!
Author's reply
I'm glad you think so, Shirebound. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Larner
· 28 July 2010
· Chapter 19: Prayer for an Absent Son
At least he has sufficient humility to pray. Love that he holds on to the toy.
Author's reply
Indeed, Larner. I'm glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for letting me know.
Sunny
· 28 July 2010
· Chapter 19: Prayer for an Absent Son
_We_ know that Legolas is going to survive his adventure, but it is quite another thing for Thranduil, who does not know if he is going to see his son again.
Though when Legolas returns - afflicted by the Sea-longing as he will be - Thranduil will have to face the fact that Legolas isn't going to remain.
And speaking of return - do you think your muse is going to tell about Thranduil getting introduced to his son's new best friend? I am sure that such a story would be full of both high drama and low comedy. Though given Thranduil's temper, perhaps the muse decides to be cautious and stay away... :-D
Author's reply
I have no idea if I will ever write the story of Legolas bringing Gimli home to meet his adar. Perhaps someday I will. You just never know with the Muse. *grin* Thanks for reviewing, Sunny. I appreciate it.
Rhyselle
· 28 July 2010
· Chapter 19: Prayer for an Absent Son
Awwww *sniffle* This was so bittersweet. And I thought you got Thranduil spot on in personality; especially his attitude towards Elrond.
Ah, the stuff toy shows up in yet another story. How appropriately name it is, and I loved the wonderful mental image of the King of Mirkwood striding along the halls of his stronghold with a little fuzzy toy tucked in the crook of his elbow.
An excellent addition to the Tales, my friend. :) Well done!
Author's reply
Hi Rhyselle. I'm glad you think I got Thranduil's personality correct. He's not the easiest Elf to write about. *grin* Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed this. I am very grateful for you taking the time to leave a review.
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 28 July 2010
· Chapter 19: Prayer for an Absent Son
Atar Fiondil! *hugs*
I love this story! Of course, you know that my good friend Emma and I write Thranduil together, although we make him a bit younger than you do here, as our Thranduil was born post-Doriath. But our Thranduil would have reacted just the same way to this situation...indeed is reacting that way, as Kelly, another friend, and I are finding on exploring exactly this. You're on the same wavelength as us here and I love it!
I feel *so* sorry for Thranduil! He will feel so much better when Legolas is finally home! Although...I wonder if Thranduil would risk the trip to Imladris to ream out Elrond himself, LOL.
Loved the bit with him and his Little Leaf's stuffed toy!
Tye-melin,
Kaylee!
Author's reply
Hi Kaylee. I'm not sure Thranduil would risk the trip to Imladris given the situation, although I imagine he spent many a happy hour fantasizing about what he would say (and do) to Elrond if he ever got his hands on him. *LOL*
I'm glad you enjoyed this little vignette, Kaylee. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
6336
· 28 July 2010
· Chapter 19: Prayer for an Absent Son
Aw! One does feel sorry for Thranduil, all his losses, well most of them, can be laid at the Noldor's feet, so being a little pissed with Elrond is understandable.
I am a little surprised that Legolas did not write to his Adar himself, maybe he was not sure what to say, 'Dear Adar, Have gone to help Frodo drop the one ring in Mount Doom, be back soon. Love Legolas ' doesn't quite fit the bill!
He does love his little leaf, a lot, and it shows!
Hey, if a King wants to wander around with a stuffed toy under his arm, heck if anybody wants to, it's his buisness, it only makes him Elven!
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
Hi Lynda. I imagine Legolas spent several sleepless nights trying to write that missive and simply gave up. No matter what he wrote it would still sound lame. *grin*
Glad you liked this one. Thanks for reviewing and letting me know.
Tari
· 14 July 2010
· Chapter 18: The Blue Wizards’ Dilemma
I do hope there will be more to this tale. I'd love to know what happens next. Will the Maiar be successful in rescuing the refugees and with the mission to follow?
Author's reply
Hi Tari. I honestly don't know if there will be a sequel to this story. I didn't really envision one when I wrote it but the Muse will let me know if there is more to write about these two Wizards and the refugees. In some ways, I think people should decide for themselves what might have happened afterwards, since we know that no word of them ever reached the West. Tolkien believes they failed in their mission and became the originators of the mystery religions and such of the ancient world. Perhaps. Perhaps not. We will probably never know. This story was sort of an explanation of why we never hear about them... like the ten tribes of Israel, they disappeared into the East and were lost to history.
Larner
· 8 July 2010
· Chapter 18: The Blue Wizards’ Dilemma
Interesting that you have the Blue Wizards arriving in Middle Earth before the Last Alliance! I'd be surprised had Galadriel not recognized them as Maiar, and hope they enjoyed the recognition.
As for the situation with Zamin and her son--all, all too likely a possibility. I've wondered if just such things might have happened more than once--with long-term plans for growing peace might have been flouted by the intemperate actions of the very ones whose descendants should have benefitted from them.
Excellent look at the Umbari situation.
Author's reply
Hi Larner. In HoME XII, Tolkien speculates that the Blue Wizards might actually have arrived in Middle-earth in the middle of the Second Age, traveling with Glorfindel, since their mission was to travel to the East and South while the other three Wizards worked in the West.
I'm sure that the situation presented here happened more often than we would like to think (and possibly happens more often than we would like to think even in our own world!). History, I'm afraid, is replete with 'what-might-have-beens' and 'if-onlies'.
I'm glad you enjoyed this, Larner. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I greatly appreciate it.