Laer
· 12 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
Yikes. Winterdark Tarn needs to be drained and sealed up with some methril. Or am I over reacting? Glad they have a few of the reborn around to chat with Alex and I am glad it isn't always just our two favorite reborns. Besides this will let the others know they are more than just a pretty face or some eye candy background for a computer...not that I would be hanging out with a camera and taking pictures or anything....but well, I think they need some milk and maybe some eggs. No worries. I'll go for them. ;)
Author's reply
I'm sure the Elves would love to drain the tarn, Laer, but it's obviously not going to happen. And I felt it time to highlight some of the other characters that we don't really see much of. The next chapter will have all the reborn there talking to Alex and helping him to come to terms with what happened to him. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Sunny
· 12 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
Way to go, Fiondil! I see you already have people sneakily exploring poetry from reading this! I did not read that sonnet before you put up this chapter, but now I did look it up. And I am quite familiar with the Frost poem. As a matter of fact, I read it first because it was quoted in a short story by David Weber a number of years ago, and I immediately loved it. (In case you wonder which one, it's _Miles To Go_ in _Bolo!_, set in Keith Laumer's Bolo universe.) Of course, I liked the lessons on Poetry in school as well (I may have been among the few who did) and I even read the stuff voluntarily!) (If you want to explore some Norwegian poetry, you might check out _We Own the Forests_ by Hans Børli on Amazon - I think you would like it!)
But back to the chapter - I guess someone may have prodded the instructor a bit when it was time to pick out the pieces of poetry to be explored. I will not be surprised if this will start shaking things loose in Alex' mind. Hopefully he won't go completely off the rails! I guess it's a good thing he has moved into Edhellond for now, and that Valandur has decided to stick around in the daytime.
Hopefully the talk with the Reborn will be helpful to Alex.
So Valandur has had his own run-ins with Námo? Sounds like there are some stories waiting to be told there!
Author's reply
Hi Sunny. Well, I had to actually search through Shakespeare's sonnets to find this particular one that I felt suited the storyline as I'm not all that familiar with the Bard's sonnets except the more popular ones. At any rate, I hope other readers do check out these poems if they are not familiar with them just to see what has Val and Ron worried over them
We'll see how Alex does once he's had a chance to speak with the Reborn.
There are LOTS of stories waiting to be told, but whether they ever will be is problematic. Val's run-ins with Námo... I have no real idea about that but I can imagine over the long ages that Val, being Val, had run-ins with ALL the Valar and not a few of the Maiar, to boot. LOL! He's that kind of Elf.
Thanks for leaving a comment. It's much appreciated.
Larner
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
So, someone has inspired the professor to choose those three poems, all of which are about choices, all highly symbolic, all a bit dark, even the Frost. Again, who and why?
Author's reply
I have no idea who may have inspired the professor to use those particular poems for the assignment, Larner, but it's pretty clear that the purpose was possibly to get Alex to deal with what he doesn't want to deal with, mainly the fact that he died, however briefly. There may be other reasons but that has to be the primary one, and it apparently worked considering what Alex's reaction to the Beowulf poem was. And you are right about the underlying themes of choice that they all share. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
FV_Whisper
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
And Valandur is enjoying himself even more at the academy. He seems to be quite good at settling in at the moment. And once the spymaster, always the spymaster it seems.
My German is still up to par as well it seems based on these quotes. I used to have some German friends, we spake half Dutch, half German and half English to each other and that worked perfectly lol
I loved it how you included Beowulf in the story, seeing how much the Professor liked this work as well. It reminded me how I still want to have a copy of his own translation, now that it is out.
And oh Alex, that's no good! And will not be good for a while too...
Well, I guess I'm caught up again!
Author's reply
Well, seeing as how Dutch, German and English are all part of the same linguistic family, it stands to reason that there would be some mutual understanding between them.
I couldn't not include Beowulf here, especially since the description of the mere fits in perfectly with Winterdark tarn, at least to Alex's mind. I have Tolkien's translation as well as Heaney's and hope to find the time to compare the two translations.
Thanks for reviewing, FV_Whisper. I really appreciate it.
FV_Whisper
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
Finlay being placed in healing sleep in an interesting twist. I wonder how that happened and who has done it. Ester as has been suggested? or someone else?
Had to laugh at Sakari's reacting when seeing Roy undressed. I wouldn't mind being in her place!
“I’ve got all the Valar on speed dial or I can just snap my fingers and they’ll come running.”
Well, it did work for some of the Maiar, so maybe he should just try it! *snickers* I can just thing some might even show up just for the fun of it!
Valandur seems to be really enjoying himself at the police station.
Dave is a stubborn one for sure, even after Nate told him to let the Elves (+ Alex) handle Farell he still has to tell Alex not to.
Author's reply
Hi FV_Whisper. We'll find out who put Finlay into healing sleep soon enough.
I think if Glorfindel did have any of the Valar on speed-dial, they would actually answer just for the fun of it.
Valandur is indeed having a ball and Dave is a police officer. He's not about to let anyone, including any of the Valar, tell him his job.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
FV_Whisper
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 53: Conference Call
Well, I was kinda expecting here something would come up while Alex was brining his stuff to Edhellond, but he managed to reach the place safely.
The talk with Amroth was most interesting. I think if Amroth would have his way, he would come straight over to Wiseman to step into the fray again!
Good to see Zach is settling in and enjoying fight practice.
I think the Elves are confronted with a huge moral problem here: take out Farell for good or hand him over to the right authorities, with the risk of him getting away again. That will not be an easy decision to make of and with Farell being one step ahead of things, it's hard to see what will come up next.
I loved it how after everything was done, Finrod and Valandur were having their very own council. It's a good thing they want to keep Glorfindel out of things as much as possible, he's in no shape for that yet, but he's not going to like it and will not be happy at all if he ever finds out!
Author's reply
There is indeed a moral question here that both the Elves and Alex need to address and it's one that we deal with (at least on a national level) everyday. But in the end, they realize that until and unless Farrell makes the first move, they cannot morally do what they really want to do, which is to take him out of the game permanently. Alex no longer has a license to kill.
Val and Finrod know Glorfindel too well and know that he would want to be in the thick of things whatever his physical state, so trying to come up with ways of amusing him is just common sense, but whether their plans would ever work is another thing entirely.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate it very much.
FV_Whisper
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 52: At Edhellond
Sakari is just like every other woman, when there as chance to do some shopping, go for it. And make sure your husband pays the bill!
“And I am reminded of that every day when I witness small kindnesses among the people here.”
I think this comment shows nicely that now matter what age he is in, Finrod will ever stay the friend of Men.
“Merci, Monsieur l’Ange,”
*grins* I keep liking Sakari with her angels and spirit guides.
I guess everyone will react differently on Elves, but Finlay takes it real badly. Oh, and I liked seeing the Twins playing doctor over him.
Author's reply
Hi FV_Whisper. I suppose she is, although in this case, it's seeing all those books that did her in, but really, using Dr. Seuss as a textbook is a good idea so they'll be put to good use once she and Finlay go back to the village.
And Finrod indeed is and always will be a Friend of Men.
Some people can handle things like angels and Elves better than others. *grin* I'm sure Finlay will come around.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
FV_Whisper
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
O, and I forgot about the poems. It's quite intriguing how there seems to be a connection between those three, that can only be no good!
Author's reply
I had to search long and hard to find these three poems as I did want there to be a connection between them. Actually, I knew I wanted to include the description of Grendel's mere as being similar to Winterdark Tarn, and I am already very familiar with Frost, but the Shakespearean sonnet was one I had to research, slogging through any number of them before I found this particular one. And no, the connection between them does not point to anything good where Alex is concerned, but how this plays out remains to be seen. Hopefully, readers will recall these 3 poems when that event occurs.
FV_Whisper
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
Well, it seems things have calmed down a bit in my life, so I have finally some time for reviewing (nothing too bad though and some things even quite good. Although, if you happen to spot Yavanna around, tell her I could really use some help with the garden)
Ah, those pesky Reborns, they always seem to get caught up in things one way or the other. Alex is in quite a bit of a state, so it's a good thing Ron came up with the idea to ask one of the Reborns to come over and help out, they're the closest to what Alex has been through. I like it how this time, it's one of the other Reborns who gets some time to shine, instead of the two all too well known Reborn troublemakers.
And speaking of one of those two, I'm really wondering now if Nick had ever second thoughts about hiring Finrod by now.
*grin* even in his current state, Alex is not willing to let an elleth undress him.
Oh, and I like how practical and understanding Holly is all the time here, I guess Alex is not an every day client for Ron, and I think that's a good thing either.
Brethorn is handling things really well here.
“Ah, well, Lord Námo is known for his questionable sense of humor.”
*grins* Indeed he is. I guess that is one of the rings that makes Námo such an interesting character.
"Death seems to be on the menu."
lol!
It seems from this all his encounters with Nate haven't been helping much to Alex fragile mental state, even apart from everything else that happened during those encounters. Added to that, I think it doesn't help with Alex how he, unlike the Reborns, has never and the chance to see that other, much more gentler side of Námo.
So I guess Alex is in for a talk with the Reborn club now? That should be fun.
Author's reply
Hi FV_Whisper. The Reborn should be able to help Alex out as we will see in the next chapter.
I'm wondering about that with Nick as well. Poor guy. That's what happens when you hire a former king. He's always being interrupted by circumstance requiring his kingly presence.
And you're right about Alex's encounters with Námo have not been gentle so with everything else going on around him, it's no wonder he's freaking out right about now.
Thanks for reviewing. I greatly appreciate it.
someone
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
Brethorn, like most of the reborn, seems like a happy and cheerful elf. That should help Alex. He is with people who know what it is like to die, and they have learned to live again.
Poor Námo, no one understands his sense of humor.
Did Alex choose his own poems? I thought that the teacher did. Or are Valandur and Vorondur worried about the teacher because of those poems?
someone
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
For a few chapters, it seems that the elves have been in the charm-mortal-women mode, with all the hand kissing!
"We were discussing rearranging the furniture to make it less difficult for someone on the roof over there to take a shot at anyone here" is not a sentence most people would want to hear. It is amusing how the elves can say just about anything and sound natural.
That tarn! Always trouble, even when people are far away from it.
Author's reply
No, that is not a sentence on usually hears in everyday conversation. LOL! And yes, it is interesting that they can make even the most outré utterances sound perfectly normal and expected.
And yes, that tarn is indeed trouble as we will see in a later chapter.
Thanks for leaving a review, someone. I appreciate it.
someone
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 54: The Next Morning
Is it always so that only the one who put someone in healing sleep can bring that one out of it? That sounds difficult, especially if there are a lot of healers around and they all are busy (during war, for example). Well, if there is an elf with the valar on speed dial, it would be Glorfindel.
Michaelson must know that it is not so easy to get rid of agents and elves during an investigation. I'm almost hoping that he will catch Farrell, not the Wiseman agents.
Author's reply
Well, I think usually healers put someone in healing sleep in such a way that other healers can bring the out of it because they are all aware of each other and their techniques, but in this case, since no one knows who put Finlay into healing sleep, they don't know what the 'trigger' is to bring him out of it, so they have to either wait for that person to show up or assume that Finlay will waken on his own when he's ready.
And yeah, if any Elf has the Valar on speed-dial it would be Glorfindel, but I doubt if the Valar have either call-forward, call-waiting, or voicemail. LOL!
Thanks for reading and reviewing, someone. I appreciate it very much.
Tari
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
I am most curious about what about the three poems is so sinister. Could it be that Alex was intentionally give those three to read? Why, remains to be seen. (I hope.)
Author's reply
Well, Tari, you can access these poems online to see why, taken together, the poems are somewhat sinister, at least in this context. And it's probable that the poems, taken together, were meant to force Alex to deal with having died. We'll have to see. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Lindelea
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
Nice to see a bit of one of the other Reborn.
Hmmm. Suspicions of the Lit professor...
Which brings up another nagging detail. The impossible angle of the shot taken at the cafe keeps popping up. Looking forward to finding out what that's all about.
Author's reply
Hi Lindelea. I thought it high-time to highlight some of the other Elves who came with Finrod and the other Reborn are an interesting mix.
The professor may simply be an innocent bystander in all this, simply being inspired to use those particular poems for an assignment. On the other hand, it can be assumed that he has been teaching this course for some time and it's possible that he has always used these particular poems. We may never know either way. We only know what effect they have on Alex and why.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it very much.
someone
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 53: Conference Call
If this crime is not Farrell's "M.O.", how can we be sure it even is Farrell? He has hired other people before, it might be anyone.
I like the idea of elves setting up a spy network against the valar. That would be amusing, and maybe even the valar would think so.
So many fun things in these new chapters, it would take a lot of space to review all.
Author's reply
That is certainly a legitimate question, someone, one that doesn't seem to have occurred to the Elves or Alex since they are all fixated on Farrell. And it would have been interesting to see if Val could have set up a spy network against the Valar but when your target can incarnate and you can't, it makes it hard to do any spying against them. I'm sure the Valar would find the attempt hilarious. Thanks for reviewing. It's much appreciated.
someone
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 52: At Edhellond
It's nice to see that I can still understand some of the French. Interesting how it comes back, even after years.
It is really nice to see how kind the elves are to Sakari, she doesn't have to feel left out. Finlay, though, has a rough day. The elves really are a bit odd people.
I don't believe the shot came from the roof. It had to come from inside of the building, if the angle was wrong from the roof.
Author's reply
A lot of readers made similar comments about French. I never took it in school but taught myself to read it (read both the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings in French!). And the Elves are naturally courteous so it's not surprising that they would do what they could to accommodate Sakari so she didn't feel left out of things. As for the shot, we may never learn the truth of it, only that it was quite real and could have killed Alex if Námo had not intervened. Thanks for reviewing, someone. I appreciate it.
someone
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 51: At the Gold Nugget Café
Finally a good time to review these. I really like the scenes in the Gold Nugget Café, you can never be sure what is going to happen there! "You may want to duck." *grin* I'm also quite sure that the police were not trained to deal with angels and elves, and wouldn't be too surprised to see a few elves arrested for getting involved with police investigations.
Author's reply
Hi someone. The Gold Nugget Café is my favorite hangout too. *grin* And no, I don't think there's any course at the Police Academy on how to handle angels, Elves and other otherworldly beings. LOL! The police at Wiseman are getting hands-on learning in that department. And I would like to see them try to arrest any Elf. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
6336
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
Talking to a Re-born is probably the best thing for Alex right now, some body who has been there and done that will have a better frame of reference to how he feels. I can understand his reluctance to delve into these memories, it will take time and that is some thing he does not have at the moment with Ratty running loose, hopefully the other Re-born will help him work through this.
I wonder who inspired Alex' instructor to use those poems, they all three seem to be very doomy and gloomy.
Have a good weekend,
Huggs,
Lynda
Author's reply
You're right about that, Lynda. The Reborn are the only ones who know where Alex is coming from. Even Ron, estimable Elf that he is, cannot say as much. But certainly, Alex doesn't need this right now with Farrell on the loose. On the other hand, perhaps he does need to deal with this now for that very reason. We'll have to see how it goes.
Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate it very much. Hope you have a good weekend. Hugs back.
Eruherdiriel
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
Hmmm. So, the Literature professor might be trouble, Alex needs some Reborn, and Namo is scary. I'm enjoying this book.
~Eruherdiriel
Author's reply
I'm so glad you are enjoying this book, Eruherdiriel. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much. More, much more, to come.
bookworm
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
Oh ho. Color me curious. I admit, apart from the obvious Winterdark Tarn reference, I do not see the link... so I anticipate greatly the explanation. Also poor Alex *gives him all the hugs*
Author's reply
Hi bookworm. You can access any of these three poems online and read them yourself. The description of the mere in Beowulf was given in the previous chapter, but I encourage you to look up the sonnet and Frost and read the poems in their entirety. That might help you to see the link between them.
And Alex definitely needs all the hugs he can get right now.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
rikki
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
Now you have me reading poetry. I actually pulled up the poems on the internet after the last chapter on Monday to see what they said. Very interesting collection of poems for Alex to analyze. Since he worked at the poems backwards it sort of sets up Beowulf to become the trigger for Alex's reaction. Valandur realizes this and I wonder what Glorfindel will think when he hears about the episode.
Nate and his questionable sense of humor had me chuckling there. The elves who have interacted with Nate from the Lord of Mandos to having him appear at various times in their lives are certainly aware of the power that affects all that interact with him. Poor Alex and his insisting that he will never eat the Cafe again because of Nate will have Ester giving him a scolding the next time they meet.
Here's hoping that the meeting at Edhellond with the other reborns will go a long way to help Alex put his death into perspective. One can certainly get lost in the what ifs and maybes. I have a feeling that this is not the end of it, but Alex needs to be on his toes right now and he needs a strong support to hold.
Author's reply
Hi rikki. I'm very glad you are reading poetry. It took me awhile to find the right Shakespearean sonnet and I'm glad the Bard was so accommodating to my needs. *grin*
We'll see what other people's reactions to all this are in the next chapter. And definitely Alex needs to be on his toes right now and having the Elves, especially the Reborn, provide him with support can only help him.
Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it greatly.
UTfrog
· 11 July 2014
· Chapter 56: Words of Comfort from a Reborn
You kept Alex (and us) going with so many adventures that no one had time to truly process Alex's death. This is a great chapter and I have high hopes for the next. Using the reborn is a wonderful idea. The idea of the darkness in the tarn luring Alex is terrifying. Great job.
Author's reply
That's true, UTfrog, but now with Farrell on the loose, things are coming to a head for Alex and stuff he's put aside for other concerns are now rearing its ugly head, so to speak. It's high time for Alex to deal with this and who better to help him come to terms with what happened to him than those who have gone through the same process? We'll see how much they are able to help Alex in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing. I appreciate it.
Sunny
· 8 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
Val has had a looooong time to perfect his absentminded professorial persona. And then, when everybody around him have completely dismissed his presence, believing that his mind is flating somewhere among the clouds, then bam! he serves up ha comment that shows he knows very well what is going on. And I suspect he just loves pulling the wool over people's eyes, too! This chapter made me start reread vbal's story again! ;-)
Author's reply
He would say the absentminded professorial persona was camouflage. *grin* I just finished re-reading Val's story myself, Sunny. It's still a lot of fun to read. Enjoy!
SashaHoneypalm
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
So I reread the original tarn scene in EA2, and the comments/replies, and at the time you said "Unfortunately, I have no more idea than anyone what lies in the tarn." Have you more or less figured it out by now?
(Also, Val should have no trouble with Shakespeare, given that that was type of English the Newbie Elves were prepped with when they showed up).
Author's reply
Hi Sasha. No. I still don't know what lies in the tarn and frankly I hope I never find out. And you're right that Val shouldn't have any trouble with Shakespeare. He appears to be already familiar with the Bard, since he was surprised that Alex wasn't (presumably) studying one of Shakespeare's sonnets.
Thanks for leaving a review. I appreciate it.
Sarah
· 7 July 2014
· Chapter 55: Haunted Memory
What a lovely little interlude with our language nerds, though I am sad to see that Alex is still shaking off some ghosts. I apologize for the lateness and shortness of this review, we've had some uncharacteristically ah...blustery...weather in my area in the past 24 hours, the result of an itty bitty baby tornado, which did a number on some power lines about half a mile in every direction from my house. Should be in good shape to catch the resolution to this little crisis come Friday. I look forward to it bright and early Friday morning.
Author's reply
Hi Sarah. I'm glad you survived your baby tornado and I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter with the language nerds. Alex still has a lot of baggage to get through, but the Elves are nothing but supportive and in their long existence they've suffered greatly, so they are probably the best to help him deal with his particular ghosts. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it.