FV_Whisper
· 12 January 2015
· Chapter 109: Wedding Reception
Using Ingwë's pov was a nice find to keep the reception interesting.
It should be a quite interesting thing for the kings how many people at the wedding knew Quenya and Sindarin. They were clearly not expecting that.
It must be weird for both The Three Kings as well as their guards to be considered of the same standard here. Something new to both and I think it will keep them thinking for a while.
I thought it was somehow quite funny Ingwë's did not like the meal being served. Whatever it was, it must have been quite different from what he would have been used at a feast.
Ah no speeches. I'm sure everyone was happy about that! I know I don't have the attention span for them and my mother is even worse, she thinks it's the perfect opportunity to think about what should be on the shopping list for the groceries!
lol at Alex sneaky getting Sunrise, Sunset being sung first. What is the significance of the song? I take from the way it has beem mentioned/used it's a typical wedding song?
lol at Ingwë's reaction of even thinking of calling for his guard when Alex was asking the bride for a dance!
Sharing cake sounds better than sharing snails to me. And love this and the other mentions about the Wedding Story. So far, Elrohir and Serindë had a good deal of better luck at their wedding than Finrod and Amarië.
The moonbeam was an amazing moment and a nice touch from the Valar and I think Tilion enjoyed himself in doing so as well.
Well, something really is going on at the end and at least Glorfindel is not happy about it. *grin* Ingwë walking with a couple of gift boxes is a sight you don't see every day either.
"Well, hopefully they would find out soon enough.'
You know you're evil, don't you? ;)
Author's reply
Hi FV_Whisper. The only significance to "Sunrise, Sunset" is that it's from "Fiddler on the Roof" and its sung by Tevye and Golda as the first of their daughters is getting married. Alex was just being funny about having them all sing it.
I'm glad you liked the moonbeam. I'm sure Tilion got a kick out of doing it.
We'll see what's up soon. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated. And of course I'm evil. I'm the author, after all. LOL!
Sunny
· 12 January 2015
· Chapter 109: Wedding Reception
Heheh, the ceremony went well, yes, nobody fainted or threw up. And clearly any surpries at the reception were ones ppropriate to a joyous occasion, like Alex' request for the first song. And certainly nothing like what is described in this poem: http://www.espen.com/papers/fanitullen.html
So the bodyguards got to be guests at the wedding as well. I hope they managed to relax enough that they got _some_ enjoyment from it, at least!
You know, I'm rather disappointed with the kids at this wedding. So well-behaved! I would have expected at least a couple of little ones sneaking up to touch the pretty dresses or the long, shiny hair of the Valinoreans with hands well smeared with something sticky and sweet. Or perhaps crawling into somebody's lap demanding a tale - I'm sure all the Valinorean guests are carrying large, well-lit signs, visible to any little kid, saying something along the line of, "I'm a pushover and a total sucker for kids!"
Well. well, well. That thing with the moonbeam, I guess it was a blessing. But was it also the Valar painting bulleye on Elrohir and Serindës backs? I hope not!
And uh-oh, what has happened that caused Glorfindel to move the party to Edellond? I think I'll move into the Cliff House for the nonce!
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. Sorry to be disappointed with the kids at the wedding. I suspect that their parents kept eagle eyes on them so that they wouldn't importune the royal guests even though said royal guests would probably have had a ball playing with the kiddies.
And I don't think the Valar intended to paint bullseyes on Roy and Sarah's backs; they just wanted to be part of the wedding in some small way and this is how they chose to participate.
As for what's happened, we'll see in the next chapter. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
FV_Whisper
· 12 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
Maiar sure have the most interesting past-time's, now don't they? And some nifty working hours as well, be on duty for 300 years, be off for 100 years.
Elrond is very observing about Derek being in pain, just as I can picture him being.
Some kings are not really happy about Glorfindel's speech with them, and it shows clearly how much they've come to rely on the Powers to look after their well-being. I hope this (and the whole trip to Wiseman in general) will prove to be an eye-opener for them.
And so the wedding day finally arrived. Well, the citizens of Wiseman got quite the spectacle with the parade of Elves across the town.
Alex seems to be in a bad mood. I wonder why and if this will prove troubles later on.
Caleb has his priorities just right for a kid his age: the new daddy first, the wedding and royal guests later. Good to see things are working out between Nicole and Timothy. She and the children need it.
Serindë sounds like a lovely bride, but how else could it be? I didn't realize before Serindë name was Sarah Brightman, coincidence or not?
I agree with what has been said here before how the wedding was a lovely blend between Elvish and mortal traditions, very fitting.
Author's reply
Hi FV_Whisper. I'm glad you enjoyed the wedding.
I think Alex is feeling guilty about hurting Derek and Derek's flippant attitude isn't helping matters. We'll see him in a better mood at the reception.
Caleb is a cutie and I doubt the royal visitors mind playing second fiddle to the kid's excitement at getting a new dad.
I had to look up Sarah Brightman, because when I came up with the name, I didn't know there was a real Sarah Brightman. I gave the surname to Ron originally and figured Sarah was a common enough name and close sounding to Serindë. I suspect our Sarah chose that name way back before the soprano was ever born.
Anyway, thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Lindelea
· 12 January 2015
· Chapter 109: Wedding Reception
Innnnnteresting. Reminds me of the quiet way officials usher people out of a public place when there is some sort of threat. You want cooperation, not panic or baulking with demands for explanations. Sounds as if something is up.
Lovely reception. So many little details. Toasts, un-toasts (leaving out the traditional story telling of childhood and teen and young adult peccadilloes, which while uncomfortable for the groom especially, can be rather entertaining for the tellers and listeners), father-daughter dance, Glorfindel dancing with the tot (so sweet!), etc.
Finrod went back to Elrond's house when he was Reborn? That's new to me. Was he there during the great events of the Third Age?
Looking forward to Friday and hopefully learning what's going on in the background.
Author's reply
Hi Lindelea. I'm glad you enjoyed the reception and all the little details. I'm not sure where you get the idea that Finrod when to Elrond's house when he was Reborn, since Finrod never left Valinor and Elrond was in Middle-earth. Perhaps you mean Glorfindel? We know he resided in Imladris with Elrond. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
rikki
· 12 January 2015
· Chapter 109: Wedding Reception
A lovely view of the wedding reception. It was different to see it from the perspective of the Valinor Elves. Something that would be so common to mortals must have seemed very strange to them.
You had me singing along with the Artic Fringe during the singalong! Now someone should sing "If I were a Rich Man" to Garath. LOL!
In a way I feel sorry for Elladan. Even though he encouraged Elrohir to marry Sarah, after spending eons with each other, it is going to be strange to be alone. Hopefully all will be well when they pack up for NYC.
So is something up with the Elves or is Glorfindel just being nice to the clean-up crew? Nasty cliffie until Friday.
Author's reply
Hi Rikki. I thought it would be interesting to see the reception through the eyes of one of the Valinórean Elves, since most of us have attended at least one wedding reception and know what they're like. Seeing it through Ingwë's eyes makes it more interesting for the reader, I think, especially since he has no context to what he's seeing.
I'm sure Elladan will cope. At least he and Elrohir will still be together in a way as they pursue their surgical studies, so that's all right.
We'll see what's up in the next chapter. It may not be as bad as everyone fears (or hopes).
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Kevana
· 12 January 2015
· Chapter 109: Wedding Reception
Ahh, thanks for the explanation, I would never have even thought of that!
Author's reply
No problem, Kevana. We're so used to seeing the moon that way most of us don't realize why it appears that color at the horizon. Something I learned in my Astronomy 101 class back in the day. *grin*
Kevana
· 12 January 2015
· Chapter 109: Wedding Reception
Lovely reception, nice to see the Arctic Fringe back, and Alex managed to sneak that song in there, ha! The moonbeam spotlight was sweet, even though I'm sure it confused the bejeezus out of people. All in all, a very memorable evening for the happy couple, I'm sure.
Glorfindel dancing with the little girl was the cutest thing!
I also liked seeing things from Ingwë's perspective, and the guards' reactions to sitting with the kings was very interesting. They got a little dose of more egalitarian mortal life for a brief time, I wonder what they would make of it.
I was curious, why was Ingwë wondering about the color of the moon? Had he never seen a red moon before?
Hm, strange goings-on. At least it happened after the newlyweds got to celebrate their day and head out for their honeymoon.
Thank you for the update! Have a great week.
-Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. I'm glad you enjoyed the reception and from Ingwë's POV. I'm sure the guards were wishing they were back in Valinor where they knew their place. Way too uncomfortable for them in such a egalitarian society.
As for the moon, the reason why it often appears orange-red on the horizon is because we are seeing it through pollution, otherwise it would appear white as it does when it's further up in the sky. There's no pollution in Valinor so they wouldn't expect the orange-red color. Hope that explains it for you.
We'll see what the strange goings-on is, if it is indeed strange or something else, in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Dreamflower
· 12 January 2015
· Chapter 109: Wedding Reception
It was interesting to see the reception through Ingwe's POV. He would not know the significance of the various things he was seeing and hearing, and so the reader is able to see familiar things in a fresh way. Unlike the wedding itself, the reception fell pretty much on the mortal side of custom, and the "outsider" viewpoint was perfect.
(At one point I found myself smiling to think of an invisible Olorin observing, and perhaps thinking that his old friend Bilbo would most certainly not have approved of that tableful of wedding gifts!)
The acknowledgement of the couple by the Valar was truly unexpected and beautiful, though I can understand why the bystanders would find it "weird" and the newlyweds uncomfortable.
Now I am curious about the upcoming election!
Author's reply
Hi Dreamflower. Both the wedding and the reception are primarily from Ingwë's POV, since this is a whole new experience for him, hobnobbing with the Mortals in this way. And having an "outsider" viewpoint, as you say, gives what is familiar to us a new perspective.
I'm glad you liked the way the Valar acknowledged the couple, however "weird" or uncomfortable it might be to the bystanders, though Ingwë seemed to take it in stride.
And we will see the election next week.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Soledad
· 12 January 2015
· Chapter 109: Wedding Reception
Uh-huh, this ended on a very ominous note. Now I'll sit on the edge of my chair until Friday!
It was a lovely reception, though, even if the poor guards felt very uncomfortable, sitting with the royals. And did Turgon just envy Glorfindel for being so comfortable with Mortals?
Author's reply
Hi Soledad. We'll see how ominous a note it is on Friday. I'm glad you enjoyed the reception, though, and yes, I think Turgon was feeling just a little bit jealous at the easy way Glorfindel moved among the Mortals.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Eruherdiriel
· 11 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
Beautiful ceremony. And the banter was fun too. I had been wondering what had become of Caleb. He's funny.
I would enjoy hearing about how Glorfindel came to America. Any of Glorfindel's adventures in more modern history would be most welcome, should you decide to write them.
~Eruherdiriel
Author's reply
Hi Eruherdiriel. I'm glad you enjoyed the wedding and everything else. I doubt that I will ever write about Glorfindel's adventures though I may allude to them from time to time when they are relevant to the story line, but you never know. I may just do something like that someday, Eru and the Muse willing. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.
jgmsccc
· 11 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
Just had to add my agreement that the wedding was beautiful. Your description made me feel not only that I was there, but that I was among friends.
Author's reply
I'm glad you found the wedding to be beautiful and you felt as if you were right there, jgmsccc. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it.
obsidianj
· 10 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
*sigh* What a beautiful wedding. I loved the way you came up with a blend of mortal and elven customs. Even involving "uninvited" guests like Inwe in the ceremony. Luckily at least the ceremony went about without a hitch. Let's hope that the rest of the wedding also stays on the bright side. It would be too bad if something were to happen to any of the elves on this day. Tomorrow is another day *grin*.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed the wedding and the blend of mortal and elven customs, obsidianj. We'll see how the rest of the wedding day goes soon enough. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
obsidianj
· 10 January 2015
· Chapter 107: Dinner Party
Nice dinner! No explosions and all in all really amiable. Galadriel seemed to have had enough time to come to terms with her daughters choice. Gareth and Nielluin should really take her dowry and put it in a safe for unexpected costs. It makes decisions that can go horribly wrong (like starting your own business, buying a house etc.) a lot easier if you know you have a fall back position. At least, you can sleep better. Also as was pointed out in the chapter, college education doesn't come cheap.
It is sad to think the elves in Valinor forgot how to have fun. I think Turgon taking a skateboard back with him and teaching others how to use it might be a good idea. Some people may learn to have fun again while others get so annoyed that they might snap out of their despair *g*.
Author's reply
Yeah, no explosions and everything pretty cool. LOL! Hopefully, the visitors will go home with some ideas of how to liven things up for the others. Turgon with a skateboard would be a good start.
Thanks for reviewing, obsidianj. I appreciate it very much.
Larner
· 9 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
A wonderful wedding! They are married now in the eyes of both cultures, which is only right.
Author's reply
That's right, Larner. I'm glad you enjoyed the wedding. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
ReaderKit
· 9 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
Oh, that was a beautiful ceremony; though I'm curious where your inspiration for the Elvish elements came from. Hopefully there won't be any trouble afterward!
"mothership" *snicker*
Glorfindel's thoughts on the visitors makes sense: 'yes, I love you all, but you are just adding complications right now.' I hope no one was too badly offended.
The image of the Maiar playing in stars and racing comets just boggles the mind.
Author's reply
Hi ReaderKit. Well, some of the Elvish elements are based on Tolkien or on fanon and the rest comes from my own imagination and my knowledge of medieval wedding customs and the like. There really isn't any one particular source.
I'm sure Glorfindel's words hurt but he does have a point and the visitors really don't fully understand just how dangerous their being in Wiseman really is, but they will soon.
I like the idea of the Maiar (and Valar) playing in the stars and I show them doing it in my story "Wars of the Valar" as well.
Thanks for reviewing. I very much appreciate it.
Dreamflower
· 9 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
What a beautiful ceremony! That was such a wonderful blend of Elven and western mortal traditions. I truly enjoyed envisioning it all!
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed envisioning the ceremony, Dreamflower. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
Kaylee Arafinwiel
· 9 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
Atya,
I'm late to the party again I see. Still sick, though slowly on the mend (at least I hope so) but glad I made it to the wedding. :)
What a wedding it was, too! Oh, and a wedding for Nicole in the near future! I'm so excited for Tim, Nicole and the little ones, especially Caleb. *wants to cuddle him every time I see him* He's such a darling. I'm glad Tim will be the husband and father Nicole and her children need.
Elrohir and Serinde's wedding, with its blend of Elven and Mortal customs, was so perfect. I felt as though I was right there. So wonderful! Thank you for the front-row seat, as it were, Atya. Hope all is well with you and you're not too frozen. I must say this weather must provide lots of inspiration for writing about Alaska, though...Have a great weekend!
Tye-melin,
Kaylee!!
Author's reply
Hi Kaylee. Sorry to hear that you're still sick, but I'm glad you're on the mend.
I'm glad you enjoyed reading about the wedding and found the blend of Elven and Mortal customs to be perfect. That was what I was aiming for. Thanks for leaving a review. I really appreciate it.
Tye-melin.
Kevana
· 9 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
Such a beautiful ceremony! I love how they combined the different aspects of it. It was really nice to include Ingwë, too. Their vows were adorable.
It's really sweet that the Lord family's getting a new hubby and father. Those kids are still young enough to get a lot of benefit from it, not to mention Nicole getting a guy who's not going to run off on her. And Caleb is such a cutie-pie. I wonder if this visit is going to inspire any of the extra-dimensional wedding guests to add some young'uns to their families, or encourage other Elves back in Valinor to do so.
Sunbathing Maiar, hah!
Glorfindel and Alex really did bring home the point about the possible dangers to the guests. Not to mention I suspect that if the Mortals did anything bad to any of the kings, a good number of the rest of the Elves might very well go on a rampage through Wiseman.
But for now I can only hope the happy couple can enjoy their day in safety and peace, with no more than the typical amount of snafus.
Thanks for the "invite" to the wedding, it really was well written and I greatly enjoyed it.
Have a great weekend! I'm doing some early spring cleaning by sorting through a storage room, but I keep stopping to take pictures of the stuff I completely forgot I had. I feel particularly bad about the huge folder of sheet music I somehow never turned back in to my university's music department...11 years ago...whoops.
Take care!
-Kevana
Author's reply
Hi Kevana. I'm glad you enjoyed the wedding and the combined human/elven traditions. Obviously Roy and Sarah put a lot of thought in the ceremony.
We will actually see what effect this visit has on the Valinóreans, but we'll have to wait until Elf Academy 4 before we do, but that'll be posted soon enough.
We'll see how the rest of the day goes next week and then after that is the election and that should prove exciting for lots of people.
Somehow I don't think your university is missing those sheet music so I'm sure it's okay to keep them or toss them. *grin* Have fun with the cleaning and thanks for taking time away to read and review. It's much appreciated.
rikki
· 9 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
I admit I will have to go look to see why a blue giant is more acceptable to go sunbathing under than our own sun. Sometimes I read something you have written and it sends me into a flurry of research as I want to know more.
Now the great day has arrived. I brought my tissues with me and I was glad I did. The maiar as they disappeared after they had escorted the Elven contingency to the Grange Hall, the lovely but simple wedding setting, the appearance of Judge Harrison as well as the reading of the marriage contract by the high king was all heart warming. Sigh, the mixture of the two different ceremonies was all that a bride and groom could hope for. You did a wonderful job of describing the parts that most of your readers wanted to see and feel. It's trying enough getting everyone into place and getting through the whole ceremony without something going wrong. I am so glad for Sarah and Roy that they could wed with both their parents there. I hope that they have a good photographer to take lots of pictures and video so that those Elves who have to return to Valinor can be remembered by those left behind.
After the wedding comes the receiving line and the reception. Having gotten through the wedding without a blemish, I hope that the good luck continues and nothing happens especially with Alex until everyone makes it home and the wedding couple make it to their honeymoon.
Have a good weekend. I think I will join the others at the Cliff House and gossip about the wedding for a while. I will be here bright and early Monday for the next segment.
Author's reply
Hi Rikki. I'm glad the ceremony was everything you'd hoped for. I'm sure there will be lots of pictures taken by a lot of people. We'll see how the reception goes and what follows afterwards next week.
As for blue giants, they're one of the hottest type of stars in the universe. Ours is relatively cool in comparison, so apparently Mánatamir prefers very hot stars for sunbathing.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
Sunny
· 9 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
That song from Annie Get Your Gun is sort of Galadriel's theme, don't you think? ;-)
Caleb certainly has his priorities straight. When prompted by Glorfindel, he gave those strange new elves in dresses glitterier than any clothing seen outside a drag show a polite greeting before returning to the _importsnt_ stuff - the fact that he is going to get a new dad!
i'm sure that given half a chance, the Valinorean Elves will have young Caleb on their laps, plying him with tasty tidbits and exciting stories. And probably any other child brave enough to introduce themselves to the rather strange strangers as well - even if its just to get a close peek at the _Fabulous_ clothes they're wearing. http://humon.deviantart.com/art/From-Hobo-to-Diva-505373895
And when they have some time to think about it, I suspect the kings will contrast Caleb's family with the one and only "blended" family in Elven history. And there are certainly parallels enough: Míriel Serindë did, in her way, up and leave, just as Nicole's ex did. But the differences are also clear enough: Nicole's kids are delighted about their new dad, and I'm sure the Valar picked Tim out with great care, so I'm sure they'll do great.
Tee-hee. I see they managed to get Ingwë involved in the wedding ceremony as well! I'm sure that added a bit of extra gloss to an otherwise bright and shiny day! I also really loved Serindë and Elrohir's descriptions of their reactions to each other at their first meeting.
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. I'm not sure about Galadriel, but I think the songs applies equally well to Glorfindel.
Caleb is a cutie and I doubt the Valinóreans minded being second to his news about getting a new dad. And the one other big difference between the Elven blended family and this one is that the kids obviously approve.
I'm glad you liked Serindë's and Elrohir's descriptions of their reaction to each other at their first meeting as well as Ingwë's role in the ceremony. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
UTfrog
· 9 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
You told this so well, I felt I attended this beautiful wedding. Thank you.
Author's reply
You're welcome, UTfrog. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much.
Soledad
· 9 January 2015
· Chapter 108: Wedding Day
Awww, that was a beautiful ceremony! I hope the rest of the day, at least will continue peacefully and nothing will blemish their joy.
Author's reply
I'm glad you enjoyed the ceremony, Soldedad. We'll see how the rest of the evening goes next week. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
ReaderKit
· 7 January 2015
· Chapter 107: Dinner Party
Wow, this is such an amazing series! I read it all from beginning to end in about four days, that's how much you pull me in. When you can make a reader actually want to jump into the story, that's creativity and skill. Nice work! I didn't think I'd end up loving your Alex and Derek, but I do. They're such awesome bros.
Author's reply
Wow! in four days? Did you even sleep? LOL! I'm glad you found this series and have enjoyed reading it, ReaderKit, especially Alex and Derek. They're two of my favorite OCs, too. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it more than words can express, but reading this was a lovely way to wake up on a cold, subzero morning. Your words have warmed my heart.
Eruherdiriel
· 7 January 2015
· Chapter 107: Dinner Party
I loved all the culture-contrasting going on. I really get a kick out of things like that.
~Eruherdiriel
Author's reply
Culture-contrasting is an interesting exercise and I like doing it whenever I can. I'm glad you enjoyed this, Eruherdiriel. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.
FV_Whisper
· 7 January 2015
· Chapter 107: Dinner Party
Esther showing up at the dinner was to be expected. I wonder if her fellow workers will have any idea she's a little more than the average waitress? Of course, if you need a back room, just make sure there is one.
Yes, Alex certainly has the 'luck' to be related to those who have some of the most interesting bloodline's in Middle-Earth. There's a whole group of relatives waiting for him, whether he wants it or not.
After having gotten through the Christmas period, I can sadly just relate on his opinion about his relatives.
‘How to Treat Enemy Female Agents 101’ lol!
Gareth seems to have thought thing out quite well about him and Nell, but he's thinking a bit too much along the lines of modern day standards. Nell too seems to be quite content with her life and prospects here now, but I think keeping on the dowry for the children is a good idea.
And yes, Nell is being quite her mother here.
It's quite disturbing to hear no one in Valinor seems too have any idea what it is having fun anymore. The trouble in paradise is getting deeper and deeper...
Author's reply
I'm sure by now the other café workers know very well who Esther really is and it says something about her that these Mortals take her presence calmly, even when she does something like create a whole back room where there logically couldn't be one given the architecture of the café and the surrounding area.
I'm sure that with a little thought, Gareth and Nell will realize that the dowry would be a good thing as a trust for any children they might have. Children don't come cheap these days and the money will certainly come in handy I'm sure.
Most of the Elves in Valinor seem to have sunk into states of apathy and despair. Hopefully the kings will come away from their visit with ideas of how to bring them out of it and give them hope again. Maybe the Reborn can teach the others how to have fun again.
Thanks for reviewing, FV_Whisper. Your comments are always appreciated.