Baggins Babe
· 17 January 2010
· Chapter 3: Shadow and flame
This is such a marvellous description of the fight between good and evil. it is always a disappointment that the book is so vague about what exactly happened between Gandalf and the balrog and this chapter fills in the details perfectly.
Earendil must feel very frustrated at times, knowing that he cannot intervene, yet he gives hope to those who see him. The memories of Gondolin were very moving and the last line made me cry.
Author's reply
Thank you! Yes, that eternal fight of good and evil... I just finished an illustration for this chapter: http://mirachravaia.deviantart.com/art/On-the-peak-of-Celebdil-150710129 =)
I can really feel his frustration when I'm writing about him, but he knows that he is not entirely helpless, and his light can give hope to the ones he's watching...
Thank you very much for your review!
ellie
· 15 January 2010
· Chapter 4: Light and flame
nicely done. good exploration of the choices og Earendil and Elwing. Loved that bit where the herald's word about Earendil are turned around to tell of Olorin.
Author's reply
Thank you! And I love the image of Earendil blushing at those words, they were quite pompous, weren't they? But they were in place there, and are now, also, turned to welcome Olorin back...
Dreamflower
· 15 January 2010
· Chapter 4: Light and flame
What a beautiful chapter! Earendil was so eloquent about Olorin/Gandalf! But I was truly touched by his memories of his journey and of Elwing's following him.
I had never given much thought to the story of Earendil/Elwing until a couple of years ago, when I got a CD, "In Elven Lands"
http://music.barnesandnoble.com/In-Elven-Lands-The-Fellowship/Jon-Anderson/e/825947139428
There is a beautiful song on it-- the last one-- called "Evening Star", and it is Elwing singing about Earendil as he sails away. It's the first time I really thought much about their story!
You rather captured that mood in this chapter.
Author's reply
Thank you for the tip, I didn't know anout this CD! In my view the love of Earendil and Elwing matches the one of Beren and Luthien - Luthien became mortal for Beren, and Earendil became immortal for Elwing...
Larner
· 15 January 2010
· Chapter 4: Light and flame
And, so--which rain curtain did Frodo enter through, then, in your view? To come to Eressea or to go on to death in the end?
But that mystery Olorin has indeed passed through and been sent back indeed.
What gladness to us that he did!
Author's reply
In my view it is the same rain curtain, a gate without retun that you can pass only one way. Frodo left to Eressea, and didn't return to Middle-earth anymore. The ones who are mortal and die, do not return either. To me, the rain curtain is a synonym of that...
Thank you for your review, and I hope I answered your question sufficiently!
Dreamflower
· 11 January 2010
· Chapter 3: Shadow and flame
These are wonderful! I think this last one is my favorite so far.
I love how engaged Earendil is in these pieces, how he is doing all he can do in the position he's in. I kind of wish it was a day by day thing-- because he'll soon know that Olorin is back! I feel sorry for his grief here!
I've often wished for an Earendil's-eye-view of the Quest, so this is just delightful. I hope we will learn what he thinks of the smallest members of the party soon!
Author's reply
Thank you very much, I'm glad that you liked it! Maybe I'll write a day by day story sometimes again, but I fear I'm too busy now. But poor Earendil had to wait for almost 3 weeks to see Olorin returned. You'll not have to wait so long ;) And yes, he quite neglected the smallest members of the party so far, with Aragorn being his descendant and so on, but soon he will really notice them!
Larner
· 10 January 2010
· Chapter 3: Shadow and flame
Beautiful images. Love the line about him dreaming no more dreams! He won, giving all he had--and you have loosed another blasted plotbunny at me! Aargh!
Author's reply
I'm so glad you noticed the line! I like it myself because of the connection to his name... And I'm really glad if I have inspired you! Thank you very much for your reviews!
Larner
· 9 January 2010
· Chapter 2: Green stone
The sailing of the Istari is perhaps a bit early (they arrived in Middle Earth in the middle of the Third Age, at much the same time as the Hobbits entering Eriador from the valley of the Anduin), but the rest is brilliantly done. I can so appreciate his gladness to see the stone on Aragorn's breast....
Author's reply
I'm not sure which place in the story you mean, I didn't state the time when they arrived, so far I know, but maybe something could be understood in other way that I meant... There will a more detailed account about the Istari in the next chapter.
Larner
· 9 January 2010
· Chapter 1: The burden of leadership
How proud the Gil-estel must be of the human Estel....
Author's reply
Oh yes, very proud! And will be even more at the end...
curiouswombat
· 9 January 2010
· Chapter 3: Shadow and flame
What a wonderful chapter - I want to cry and I know it isn't the end for Gandalf.
Author's reply
Thank you for your review! I'm glad if I managed to move you despite that we all know that Gandalf will return!
ellie
· 9 January 2010
· Chapter 3: Shadow and flame
this is really good. and that last line, so very sad...
Author's reply
Thank you for the review! Good that we know that Gandalf will return, isn't it? =)
Inzilbeth
· 22 December 2009
· Chapter 2: Green stone
I loved this story; very well done! It was good to see a glimpse of Tuor who is a favourite character of mine but one not seen often in fan fic. I'm also very glad you chose to expand this version of the Elessar over the Celebrimbor one as it seems to fit so much better. There is also, of course, a third version, the one in The War of the Jewels where there is mention of 'the green stone of Feanor given by Maidros to Fingon' which, as CT notes, can only have been the Elessar.
Author's reply
I'm sorry, I forgot I didn't reply to your review yet! Thank you very much for it! This version of the origin of Elessar just seems more right to me =) I didn't know there is a third version, but I don't like the idea of the Elessar belonging originally to Feanor so much...
Cairistiona
· 21 December 2009
· Chapter 2: Green stone
I so enjoyed this glimpse of the Fellowship from Earendil's eyes, seeing the way he draws the connections between the present and the past both immediate and far distant. The prose slips by like the waters of the Anduin under the grey elven boats--your strength is definitely in how you use descriptive language. Just beautiful.
Author's reply
Thank you very much, o master of action descriptions! =)
P.S: when I guessed 4 chapters for your story, I assumed that you want to post the last one on Christmas =) I probably won't be able to read the next chapters before Christmas, or even New Year, but I'll return to them.
ellie
· 18 December 2009
· Chapter 1: The burden of leadership
I'm so glad you picked it up again. You write an excellent earendil and capture his emotions so very well. I look forward to reading more!
Author's reply
Thank you, I'm glad that you like the guy, I grew quite attached to him, and I look forward to write more! :D
Inzilbeth
· 17 December 2009
· Chapter 1: The burden of leadership
Having an eye on all these scenes must be a mixed blessing, but at least Earendil knows that help is on its way. I especially loved the view from Rivendell.
Author's reply
Unlike the reader of LotR, Earendil does not have to wait for different storylines to unfold, but it can be really confusing to watch that all at once - he must feel like watching many TV channels at one =) Many thanks for your review!