Reviews (941)

Ellynn · 8 April 2011 · Chapter 63: Audience With Olwë

I love the very end, it made me smile... but it can't not be a true happy smile, knowing what will happen soon. Thanks for another great chapter.

Tari · 7 April 2011 · Chapter 58: Sië Quentë Fëanáro

I think Ingwë is being too hard on himself. Fëanáro's madness is not of his making. It is so sad that many shall die because of this lunatic. It must be very hard for the Valar to sit by and watch.

obsidianj · 6 April 2011 · Chapter 32: Decisions

Uh, oh, why do I get the feeling that Ingalaure will become trouble? Somehow, he seems to be envious of Ingwion and he has not much patience. Also, Findarato is right, Ingoldo cannot be trusted. The plot thickens.

Sunny · 5 April 2011 · Chapter 62: Mission to Alqualondë

It shall be interesting to see Olwë's take on recent events - both Finwë's death, and Fëanáro's shenanigans in Tirion, as well as the oath that he and his sons swore. The little interplay between Ingwë and Fëanáro over Ingwë's escort was interesting. Fëanáro automatically assumed that Ingwë had appropriated some of his people for this, and was evidently all set to be mortally offended _and_ manganimously forgiving of Ingwë's breach of courtesy - I suspect he rather underestimated Ingwë here. Nice to see Manveru and Erunáro again. And also nice to see that not even recent events have entirely destroyed their sense of humor. ;-) There is evidently a fair amount of Eärwen's personality in Findaráto, since he was the one who started singing that naughty song. And perhaps the character traits he got from his mother helped him when he was writing his famous book? ;-)

6336 · 5 April 2011 · Chapter 62: Mission to Alqualondë

Well that's a swat on the nose for Feanaro, also a reminder just who is in charge in Aman, and I don't just mean Ingwe! Good to see those two jokers showing up. So Finderato and Ingwion have made it safely to Alqualonde, in spite of having to spend more time at the graneries than had been planned. I wonder what Olwe will think of what they have to say and also what Feanaro has and has not done. Huggs, Lynda

Fantasia · 4 April 2011 · Chapter 62: Mission to Alqualondë

Poor Amarië (again) Glad to see Erunáro and Manveru, it is like meeting old firends. If only Olwen could have figure it out that Feanor needed his ships to leave. Now that I realize that it was not a precipitated event, I wonder why they were not prepared for the outcome or maybe they were, but no one could have imagined a massacre (don’t know why, Feanor had already made an attempt). Very interesting your story Fiondil, I can't wait for the next chapters, even if I know how terrible the kinslaying was.

Erulisse (one L) · 4 April 2011 · Chapter 62: Mission to Alqualondë

It was nice to have a chance to breathe and to back away from the smoldering anger that is Feanaro embodied at this time. Finderato and Ingwion will find a very different and more relaxed feel to Alqualonde and it will serve them well. It was very pleasant to have the High King finally on his way back to Valmar, and I loved his escort - two warrior maiar should easily be able to handle anything that may come their way. All in all, a nice breathing space for a bridging chapter. Now back to the nitty gritty.... - Erulisse (one L)

obsidianj · 3 April 2011 · Chapter 25: Consultations

So, what are the Valar up to now? Since reading your other stories I have a fond spot for Findarato. I feel dread building up knowing that in the end, he goes to ME and gets himself killed. I liked the discussion about the coherent light coming out of rubies. I remembered the first lasers and your notes confirmed that I was right. On to the next chapters.

Tari · 1 April 2011 · Chapter 57: The Crowning of Fëanáro

This is getting down right scary. That Fëanáro would not give his oath to the high king is not good. I'm sure he already has something evil in mind.

Fantasia · 1 April 2011 · Chapter 61: Preparations for Departure

A very interesting chapter. I always thought that the Noldors’ rebellion happened just after Finwe's death, I mean, immediately. Now, I see them planning, taking provisions, even thinking in those that will stay behind. It really surprise me that Feanor will think of that, another point to add to my Feanor's list "what a waste of talent" I'm curious of why his two half-brothers ended following him at least to Alqualondë. We know that Ñolofinwë went all the way to ME but Arafinwë returned (the wisest of the three) I feel sorry for Nelyafinwë, what a devotion and loyalty to his father, he is such a tragic character, always perceived him as a dark hero, with a lot of shades of grey in his spectrum. Thank you Fiondil, I really like this story.

6336 · 1 April 2011 · Chapter 61: Preparations for Departure

Well by the time they are ready to leave, most small elflings will big enough for the trip! I am not sure I like his attitude to other peoples children, but then his sons are grown. I wonder how many will change their minds before they leave and how many will wish they had before this is all over, a great many will I fear. Indis is a very practical and caring ellith, her care for her people and her compassion for Amarie is very obvious. I am glad that Ingwe is going to let Olwe know just what is going on and what Feanaro plans are. I hope Olwe has the sense to realise that Feanaro will probably want to use his ships to cross to Endore, perhaps if he had had them all out to sea and barred the gates things would have been differant. The Telri are better able to handle the death of the trees as they did not rely on them for light, living to the east of the Pelori as they do, the light was a comforting presence but not necessary for day to day living. Hope all is well in Vinyamar, I don't like knowing that Ingoldo is running around loose and unsupervised! Huggs, Lynda

Erulisse (one L) · 1 April 2011 · Chapter 61: Preparations for Departure

Of course, I love this chapter and the various smaller sections of populace with their assigned duties. I had one problem with a sentence: If they want to drag their brats along, that’s their problem. It seems to me that a man who has seven sons has no problem with children and would be unlikely to dismiss them as "brats". I realize that it is just my opinion, but it seems a bit out of character for Feanaro. That said, I like the fact that you have the two cousins going off to talk with Olwe. That's a good twist. And you have the entire conclave not leaving as quickly as is often portrayed, and that also is good. A bit of foresight before the evacuation of Tirion for lands unknown would be a reasonable thing for any king to think of, even Feanaro at this point in his rule/and his grief. - Erulisse (one L)

6336 · 31 March 2011 · Chapter 60: After the Coronation

Hi Fiondil, Reading through the reviews, I just had the wild thought, that if Feanor had been a President, rather than a king, they would have impeached the little sucker! Huggs, Lynda

Sitara · 30 March 2011 · Chapter 60: After the Coronation

Great. Elbereth Gilthoniel is a hysterical female. ½falling backwards with laughter½ I love this new perspective and it would certainly keep it in mind next time I’d read Frodo’s adventures. And it looks like the Valar handled also this case with their usual competence. And responsibility, of course. The Valar seem to forget that whatever they would do now it’s bound to give rise to suspicion among the Eldar. The Eldar have now every reason to distrust them and for that they could only blame themselves, not Melkor, nor Fëanáro. Guarding Aman was their responsibility, at which they failed, and, technically speaking, despite of what Ingwë may believe, the Trees are dead rather thanks to them than to Fëanáro. After all, if I don’t accept grief or selfishness as a valid excuse, should I consider…..ah, carelessness? I would pay my gold debt to Ingwë in diamonds and I won’t tell him a couple of things he would really deserve to hear. But we’re even now. “grin” So, out of pure malice and only to spit Ingwë, Fëanáro practically cursed himself to the Eternal Darkness? And because he was such a sane person, the poor fool rushed to swear this vile, nefarious and altogether wretched oath before the whole crowd and tools to be used for his evil goals, nearly scaring them off and starting another swordfight (a real one this time) and, to sum it up, endangering the whole endeavour before even starting, endeavour which was pretty much his only remaining purpose in life? Not to mention that he marched off to heroically slay Valar and get back some fates of Arda, only to remember down the road that he has yet to decide how would they actually get there. Ummm….it doesn’t sound very much sane to me. Without making a rebuke of it, Ingwë is clearly outdated by the events and he can only give his assesment of this situation, which I daresay it’s even beyond the Valar’s understanding. Fëanáro was dying even as he uttered his oath and he’d have died anyway, either in Aman or in Middle-earth. Whatever it was, it was definitely not sanity. Not utter madness as it was on Ered Wethrin, but not sanity either. I was and would be always glad to see Fingon. Olórin, on the other hand….after all, after more than three Ages, he would admit to one Peregrin Took a little thing which I find now extremely revealing. “grin”

Erulisse (one L) · 29 March 2011 · Chapter 60: After the Coronation

"I have a feeling that events are spiraling out of our control." Gee.....do you think??? The path is made and the people will walk it. And I, for one, am looking into the future and thinking that the next chapters will be very interesting indeed, especially once Feanaro and the others are away from Valinor. I can't wait to see where you take this story once you're able to steer away from canon... - Erulisse (one L)

Erulisse (one L) · 29 March 2011 · Chapter 59: Finwë in Mandos

Sorry I'm late with this review. I'm usually a bit more timely, but I had to read this chapter several times. You packed so much into this, things that will richochet through the ages until the Final Battle. These decisions - those made by the Eldar as well as those made by the Valar, will be the start of the greatest pain to be felt in Arda. I understand that Eru believes in free choice, but this was badly played by the Valar, and their emphasis and focus was misguided. But then, we all know that. After all, this is a retelling up to this point. I found Miriel to be very interesting. Asking to be re-embodied and to take up her craft again, yet to be locked away, in essence, never to be out among the people until the Final Days, rough! I don't think I could do it without becoming yet one more raving lunatic in Valinor. Well done, as always :-) - Erulisse (one L)

Larner · 29 March 2011 · Chapter 60: After the Coronation

We begin to see the formation of the different camps now. Certainly Artanis is already planning her conquests in this new world. I am glad someone is at least realizing that they may not be as welcome in Middle Earth as they would like to think themselves. And I'm glad Arafinwe did decide in the end to turn back.

Ellynn · 28 March 2011 · Chapter 60: After the Coronation

"But he’s the king," Írissë exclaimed. "He cannot just run off willy-nilly as he pleases. He has responsibilities here. We need him." I think exactly the same. He has responsibilities. A person who puts his own desires in front of the needs of his whole people - and so called "desires" are just that: he is not saving, for example, a member of his family, that is, he is not saving a life - he is chasing mere jewels instead - well, such person is not a good person and does not deserve to be a king. Great chapter, just like several previous chapters. I am looking forward for more, but at the same time, I am really sad for what is going to happen in Alqualonde. :(

Fantasia · 28 March 2011 · Chapter 60: After the Coronation

It seems that not all wanted to part; it will be interesting to learn what make them to change their mind. Fingon, Galadriel and her two brothers are the only ones willing so far. Poor Amarie, she will have a long wait for their reunion. Love the mention of Namo and the starts; he was so afraid and insecure after his captivity with Melkor. That was a great story. My only comfort is that something good came after this madness, the Numenors and their descendents one of those good things. I wonder the shock of all the ones that stayed behind, when they learn the deeds, glorious or not, of those that left.

6336 · 28 March 2011 · Chapter 60: After the Coronation

Poor Eonwe, I am glad that Olorin and Manwe were able to comfort him, that oath is terrible and will bring much evil and change to Aman and to Endore. I think if the Valar try to stop Feanaro from leaving it will only reinforce his words about the elves being being thralls of the Valar. Does Finderato go only to protect his brothers and sister, as he does not seem to be to keen at the moment, or does he go to support his father? Huggs, Lynda

Shemyaza · 28 March 2011 · Chapter 60: After the Coronation

"We will have to see what develops," Manwë said. "It may be that once the first flush of enthusiasm passes, cooler council will prevail and the Noldor will come to their senses." Oh dear oh Lord....Poor old Manwe...ain't gonna happens hun! You are going in the direction that I would have gone with in this story. At least Ingwe has recognised the truth of the matter with Feanor and the oath. It was done deliberately, but I have a feeling it was fulminating around in that fevered brain of his ever since the death of Finwe and the theft of the jewels. I think the actual madness only really hits properly when Olwe refuses to give him the ships; that is the point of no return for Feanor and for everyone else in Valinor as it happens. At the moment while he's plotting it is still a kind of insanity but a rational form, if it could be called that. Look at other dictators in the real world, nobody is going to tell me that they were sane while they were calmly plotting the demis of millions. Interesting little vignette between Amarie and Findarato though. The seeds of the dissent between the two love-birds is being sown. Nothing much is said in Tolkien's work about how Amarie never came to follow Findarato but they do make it up and marry after his return to life in Valinor. However I imagine that Amarie would not have been pleased that her betrothed followed the others to Middle-earth. That wasn't in her plans and I would have thought that Findarato wouldn't have wanted her there, not because he didn't love her, but because he thought she was safer in Valinor...and of course he would have been right. Nice dark little picture of the mad, bad and dangerous to know Feanorians huddled over maps in the flickering lights of the candles and plotting their next move. It reminds me a bit of the Guy Fawkes conspiracy in England a few centuries ago! Eonwe...poor soul...gets the sticky end of the wicket every time. Still I doubt that Feanor's oath was any worse than anything he has heard in modern times! ;) I can't help thinking that Manwe's words of reassurance about not every oath being held to wouldn't really reassure him much. He probably ended up thinking "Well why am I bothering then?" Ingwe must be feeling dreadful, leaving the remaining Noldor to stew in Feanor's juice, but he needs to get home tout de suite!

Sunny · 28 March 2011 · Chapter 60: After the Coronation

It seems that those who think that someone who is insane also has to be raving and behaving irrationally. That's not necessarily so - and Fëanáro is acting quite logically and rationally, and is certainly able to plan quite well (and is more dangerous for that); it is just that the basis for his logic is twisted in some places. So when something pops up that might lead away from what he perceives as the straight road towards the Silmarils, and his revenge, he just goes ... off. I am not surprised at Eönwë's reaction here - that Oath must have been horrible for him to record.

Larner · 25 March 2011 · Chapter 59: Finwë in Mandos

All too often coddling a child goes against the child's development, as obviously happened with Feanor. And now Finwe will know the results of that unwarranted coddling and spoiling, and be helpless to see it all set to rights.

Sitara · 25 March 2011 · Chapter 59: Finwë in Mandos

Oddly enough, most of Tolkien’s females are portrayed as sorry excuses for mothers but this one certainly is the sorriest of all. I think you captured pretty well her essence. This is Miriel “Hold me blameless” Serindë, the one who yelled to be left alone and vowed to never return to life every time Finwë went to Lórien and begged her to come back to her family, the one who , after all this, would candidly wish to go back to her life only to resume her weaving . And she would call herself a mother…. Eh…I would say much more about her wasn’t for the fact that this “mercy” offered her by the Valar would prove itself in time much like the one Melkor granted to Húrin. She’ll have her flesh and blood killing and be killed under her eyes and for the lifetime of Arda she’ll be left to ponder “what if” scenarios. And the “Hold me blameless thing wouldn’t work anymore, not even for her own conscience.Don’t really see what good may come out from this, though. In my opinion, this mess won’t be sorted out even after the Remaking. I feel very sorry for Finwë. He deserves to have at least a bit of peace and to start his healing for he bears such grievous wounds. To be denied this it would be cruel. So I hope the Valar wouldn’t leave him to suffer for too much time. Even Melkor was given a chance after three Ages. I cannot let myself to believe they wouldn’t take steps to ensure the strengthening and counseling of the houseless fear. Loved the overall reaction to the Oath (I suppose that was what triggered it) . Though I wonder why the Valar would be so angered by this fact. I hope they would explain themselves further in the next chapters thus not letting me to start speculating. “grin”

Shemyaza · 25 March 2011 · Chapter 59: Finwë in Mandos

As I understand the history behind Miriel Serinde, she was allowed to return to life after the death of Finwe on the condition that she entered the service of Lady Vaire. Her task was to weave all the deeds of the House of Finwe in the Tapestry of Time. A very sensitive depiction of the first meeting of Finwe and Miriel after his untimely death at the hands of Melkor. I would suppose that poor Finwe actually may not have known what his death would do to Feanor and in your telling of the tale he doesn't immediately find out which is probably just as well considering thr trauma to his fea from the violent death. I don't doubt for one minute that Feanor loved his father, but it was an obsessive love and seemed to be underlaid with seething resentment. When he makes the declaration about following Melkor to retrieve the Silmarils and the oath to Eru, his thoughts are not for his father's brave sacrifice but for the loss of the jewels. I doubt that knowing this would help Finwe heal all that well in Mandos. Interesting point about why didn't the Valar stop Feanor and his sons in the Kinslaying, but I suspect that even the Valar didn't think he would go that far and because they had all lived in peace in Valinor for so long and never knew anything else and in spite of Feanor already drawing a sword against a family member, they could not envisage such a savage action taken against wholly innocent people. At the point when Feanor was asking for the ships, he was no longer acting in any sane or rational way. His grief and anger had taken over and he was going to get those jewels back come hell or high water. I don't believe that the Valar or the Maia or any of the other Elves were prepared for the depths of his rage and the recklessness that would overtake him when Olwe refused him the ships. Again what can I say Fiondil, you are an inveterate story teller and the spells you weave with your stories draws people in.