First, I want to say that this is excellent. Besides all the impressive elements that are always present in your writing, I see also an attempt of incorporating some fiery and dark emotions - smoldering and scorching, weaving into the beautiful narative, presenting a conflicted, troubled, and twisted mind.

I did not pity the character as I read. I see Eol's reasoning and logic along with all the tricks played along with them. I see him desperately trying to cling to his last piece of pride and wishing to deny his love, - in his words, his weakness. He blamed Aredhel for discovering and inspiring this weakness; for he could not face it, taking this love for his 'enemy' as a betrayal to his own pride and kindred. But why would he struggle to prove that she loved him? Or, why would he desperately try to convince himself that she did not? What is the shame behind? Whatever he blamed her and her people for, didn't he himself do? When he blamed her for scorning him, didn't he scorn himself?

All these are so well presented in your narrative. No leading to believe, no imposing comments. I could not pity him. He made his own choice, and he paid his price. Just like his son many years later. I like your clever hint of his son's avenging him. Simply brilliant.

The end is a crescendo of all the wrongs and rights mixed. He realized her love, but it was not enough to mend all the feuds, for the hatred did not all rise from this love. When he could finally appreciate the sunlight, would he learn how to appreciate a different kind of fire? Maybe he'd find his answer in the Halls of Waiting, when he came to her arms in the end.

Thank you for another wonderful piece of work.

*sniffling and snuffling* This is...this is WONDERFUL! What more can I say? :)

I had always found Eöl to be one of the most fascinating characters in the Silmarillion (right up there with Fëanor, even!), and your portrayal of him really fleshes out his character. The "disturbed" state fits him like a glove, one that you fashion oh-so-skillfully.

And his relationship with Aredhel...*sighs happily*...well, I've always preferred to believe that Aredhel loved him. And though you write from this viewpoint, you add such an element bittersweetness and uncertainty that the whole thing's just -- just wonderful!

Actually, I've been curious about the Eöl / Aredhel story myself. Not too long ago, I played around with the idea of writing on it...but, as you know, I chose Celebrían's story instead. :)

Again, great work. This story is one of my favorites!

(P.S. You might want to re-check for spelling mistakes.)

Your story changed the way I thought about Eol. It kind of makes you pity him. The writing was beautiful.

Oh my.

*stunned silence while I attempt coherent thought*

Eol is probably the most interesting of the Sindar. (The characters I find interesting are a bit nuts. It's a requirement.) But I certainly wasn't expecting to be wiping my eyes at the end. This certainly is a new look at him, and it's beautifuly written.

That was GOOD! Way to go!
*Sniff* Atleast another person feels sorry for poor Eol! Keep writing more of these stories. They are too good!

- Anarya of Lorien

This is just lovely. Beautifully written, imaginative, clever. I do sympathize with Eol, even while I pity him for his tendency to see love as zero-sum game.

I would normally say "Beautiful ending" but for the fact that, well, he is the dark elf after all. Hm. I really enjoyed this, it being one of the few Silmarillion fics out there.

I liked the ending. It was...I don't know, but the light of the sun and the light of Aradhel...beautiful.

This is a very excellent story so far. I have often wondered what possesed Eol. While this is only one opinion, it is still an excellent story. Off to finish!

Wow.

I'd seen this recommended a couple of places, and now I found it. It's amazing, truly amazing. Just the way you'd got inside his head and brought the story to life and all.

Can't think of anything sensible to say. I just loved all the descriptions and the way you could actually see it happening and feel for the characters...

:)

Wow.

I'd seen this recommended a couple of places, and now I found it. It's amazing, truly amazing. Just the way you'd got inside his head and brought the story to life and all.

Can't think of anything sensible to say. I just loved all the descriptions and the way you could actually see it happening and feel for the characters...

:)

Wow.

I'd seen this recommended a couple of places, and now I found it. It's amazing, truly amazing. Just the way you'd got inside his head and brought the story to life and all.

Can't think of anything sensible to say. I just loved all the descriptions and the way you could actually see it happening and feel for the characters...

:)

That was amazing. I feel rather inadequate to tell you just how good I thought it was, but really, it's wonderful. I just finished reading the Silmarillion, and it fits, very well.

This is the first Eol fic I've read, and it is beautiful! Method in his madness, and madness in his method... and some lovely foreshadowing with Maeglin and Idril at the end.

:)

p.s. Thanks for reviewing my little story! :)

I love the character of Eol (yes, I realise that I may be in a minority here...) and this masterpiece of fanficdom has truly done him justice.

This is the best Eol fic that I've ever read.

Thank you for writing this. This is going on my favourites list.

Amazing. Utterly amazing. *speechless*