Not So Happy Returns by Soledad
Larner · 15 December 2014 · Chapter 15: Spring's End
A determined lady, I note. I'd forgotten about her--it's been a long time since I read much from my volumes of HoME.
Author's reply
Yeah, well, she and her brothers are barely more than a footnote. No wonder you forget about them.
Fiondil · 15 December 2014 · Chapter 15: Spring's End
I'm really going to have to read or re-read "Vault of the Dead". I can't remember now if I ever did read it. At any rate, a most interesting look at some of the lesser Valar and your interpretation of them. I ended up turning them into Maiar instead. I figured that was safer. ;)
Author's reply
If you really intend to re-read it, I suggest the FF.Net version. The one posted here had to be seriously butchered to fit the Rules. Rating is the same, but I had to omit an important plot element here without which the story just doesn't have the same impact, IMO.
Fiondil · 14 December 2014 · Chapter 14: Darkness
We carry our own darkness into death and create our own special hells along with it. I firmly believe that. Purgatory is getting rid of the darkness. Some people can't or won't and they remain in hell though there is Light all around. I hope Aredhel is able to shed the darkness and accept the light. Fourth paragraph, the last "she" in the first sentence should be "he" since it refers to the Maia, Nornorë. Good to see him here, btw. I had him helping out in Mandos when Ingalaurë died. It's fun using minor (Maiar) characters that never got into the published Silmarillion, isn't it?
Author's reply
Oh,yes, it is. I would never be able to come up with proper names otherwise. Thanks for the correction.
UTfrog · 14 December 2014 · Chapter 14: Darkness
Utterly chilling. Very, very well done.
Author's reply
Thank you.
Linda Hoyland · 13 December 2014 · Chapter 12: Bereft
Poor Celebrian. This must have been utterly heartrending for her. I like to think that the twins came eventually to join their parents.
Author's reply
Who knows? The Professor never told us, so we can but hope.
Linda Hoyland · 13 December 2014 · Chapter 11: The Longing
I always wonder what poor Elrond's homecoming would have been like. You really made me feel for him.
Author's reply
Thank you. Elrond is a wonderfully tragic character who bears his burden in such an understated way I can't but admire him. :)
Larner · 12 December 2014 · Chapter 13: Light
Oh, but he has his first wife again, apparently! Not so sad as it had seemed. And he has a guide as he resumes his life once more.
Author's reply
I hope for them that it will be a delightful journey.
Fiondil · 12 December 2014 · Chapter 13: Light
Aww, how sweet. I'm sure Turucáno and Elenwë will have lots of fun getting to know one another all over again. *sly wink*
Author's reply
And they have all the time in the world to di so. *g*
Larner · 11 December 2014 · Chapter 12: Bereft
I am sorry for her grief, and for his. But at least the two of them are together once more, and surrounded by caring. Love the description of Gandalf disembarking from the ship.
Author's reply
I can't imagine how Elrond learned to live first with Elros' choice and then with Arwen's.
shirebound · 11 December 2014 · Chapter 12: Bereft
Someone else might not have noticed the marring of his beauty, or how weakened he truly was, but the two of them had been soul-bound for more than an Age There's so much insight and compassion in that passage.
Author's reply
Thank you. Elrond was my first love as Elves go, when I first read "The Hobbit", and I always felt terribly sorry for him.
UTfrog · 11 December 2014 · Chapter 12: Bereft
Beautifully written Thank you
Author's reply
Thanks. I find it easy to write Elrond - he is such an amazing character.
shirebound · 11 December 2014 · Chapter 11: The Longing
Poor Elrond, I see him as one of the most tragic figures in LOTR. I hope he finds the healing he seeks.
Author's reply
In time, I hope he will. You are right, he is one of the most tragic figures.
Fiondil · 11 December 2014 · Chapter 11: The Longing
Yes, that would be the question he would most dread having to answer. I really pity Elrond. I'm sure as much as he desired to sail he really wasn't looking forward to arriving in Aman. Poor ellon. At least he could leave knowing that Glorfindel would remain to look after his children. That had to be some comfort for him.
Author's reply
Elrond's story break my heart every time I read about him. In a way, he looses at every turn of the road. It is not fair; but again, life rarely is.
Larner · 9 December 2014 · Chapter 10: Exiled
Gimli the Elf? Shall he one day meet Gimli the Dwarf, then? They would have a good deal in common by the sound of it.
Author's reply
Unlikely, but you are right: it would be interesting.
Fiondil · 9 December 2014 · Chapter 10: Exiled
Hmm... I vaguely remember this character but I don't remember if he's an invention of yours that I read in one of your stories or is based on something that Tolkien wrote. Seems to me that he mentions an Elf named Gimli, before he transferred the name to the Dwarf. At any rate, you have to feel sorry for the poor guy, exiled in more way than one. I hope that what he believes is the ultimate fate of the Faithful is not the same as what will actually happen because even if the Valar are unaware of them, I doubt Ilúvatar is clueless and has plans of His own for them. At least, that's my hope, but I'll admit I'm a hopeless romantic anyway. *grin*
Author's reply
It's my hope, too. I'm a lot less fatalistic than my own characters. Gimli, the blind Elf, comes from The Book of Lost Tales - apparently, Eärendil & Co escaped because, being blind, he had a better orientation in the darkness than all others. He has no backstory whatever, so I gave him one. He had an appearance in "Elvenhome", so probably that is where you met him. :)
Larner · 8 December 2014 · Chapter 9: Guidance
It appears he took on too many of the beliefs of the returnees when he ought to have remembered the old ways better.
Author's reply
I can imagine that in some ways the beliefs of the returnees would be attractive, even if he pretended not to buy them.
Larner · 8 December 2014 · Chapter 8: Refusal
Well, that's one way to get Namo off your back, I suppose. (Grinning.) So, he goes to find the place for the ones who refuse Mandos hidden in the White Mountains, I suppose.
Author's reply
Indeed. I see you remember that place.
Fiondil · 8 December 2014 · Chapter 9: Guidance
Interesting conversation between these two. I'm sure Eöl will be very happy in Ramandur with his first wife. And those pesky pronouns strike again: "And by that he saved you...". I may be mistaken, but I think you mean "she", referring to Aredhel. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Author's reply
That was a typo, I swear! I have it correctly in the hand-written version. That is the problem with proofreading: you have in mind what you wanted to type, not what you actually did. *sigh*. Thanks anyway. I don't know how happy Eöl will be, carrying the weight of what he has done till the end of Arda, but at least he will be where he belongs and that is something.
UTfrog · 7 December 2014 · Chapter 8: Refusal
Scary! Good job though.
Author's reply
Thank you. I was alwys partial to the Avari - they were summarily put as ide for not going to Aman. Personally, I respect them for that.
Fiondil · 7 December 2014 · Chapter 8: Refusal
Whoa! This is awesome, Soledad, and such a cool interpretation of the Avari. The Faithful, huh? One has to ask, faithful to what or to whom? Anyway, darkly lovely all the way and the Lord of Mandos has much to think about, doesn't he?
Author's reply
They consider themselves the Faithful, aka those who did not leave the place of their birth for an easier life in Aman. It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it? More background can be found in "The Vault of the Dead", if you are interested.
Fiondil · 6 December 2014 · Chapter 7: A Discussion in Valinor
Good for Nienna for sticking up for mercy over law. As Manwë said in the "Statute of Finwë and Mírel" (and I'm paraphrasing here and probably very badly): No one can be forced to tread the high road; that can only come from personal conviction. Therefore one can only counsel patience and allow justice to rule. So, in this case. To not allow the two to come together is to deny Merilindë justice for how she was wronged by Fingon, though I am wondering if a Reborn Fingon even remembers her yet. He didn't seem to previously, so maybe he won't care if Merilindë throws him off. Anyway, an interesting discussion between these three siblings. Now to hear what Manwë has to say about it. I'm sure he has his own opinions.
Author's reply
So am I. Perhaps one day he will even tell me.
Larner · 6 December 2014 · Chapter 7: A Discussion in Valinor
An excellent question Nienna poses!
Author's reply
Yes, I think so, too.
Larner · 5 December 2014 · Chapter 6: The Offering
I can see how things have grown worse for poor Fingon. As for Aracano--he is now in quite a tight and ticklish situation indeed. I don't think she's being quite fair with him.
Author's reply
I don't think she intends to. She wants what she wants and does her level best (or worst) to get it, feeling that she'd been wronged in the past. We'll see how it plays out.
Fiondil · 5 December 2014 · Chapter 6: The Offering
Okay, now this is pure soap opera elvish style. LOL! Meril is a naughty elleth. Poor Aracáno is caught between the (she) devil and the deep blue sea. Yes, a scandal indeed. And those meddlesome Maiar... I've know one or two myself. ;) BTW, in the last sentence, "wait" should be "waiting". Looking forward to the rest, Soledad.
Author's reply
Thanks for the correction. English tenses will be the death of me. Why do you need so many of them? My mother tongue functions perfectly with only three. *g* As for the meddlesome Maiar, you'll soon see what they have to say about the whole situation.
shirebound · 5 December 2014 · Chapter 6: The Offering
unless any of the Maiar were eavesdropping unclad, which she would not put beyond them. They were a meddlesome lot at the best of times. *grins* I'm enjoying these stories very much.
Author's reply
I'm very glad to hear it. Will try to keep up the level of entertainment. *g*