well done :)

well done

I found this wonderful thing on your LiveJournal, and was delighted to discover that it's also availiable on .. and then sadded to find that there are only five chapters. So, pray tell me, is there ever more to come? I fully understand that it's an old thing of yours, and that times change and so do our plot ideas and storylines - but then, well, a reader can hope.

In any case it's probably one of the most wonderful written things I've found here. Gondolin is a difficult place to write about, but the way you build it up - I can see it rising before my mind. All your characters spring to life, breathe and talk, it's a glorious thing to witness.

So, if there is more.. let me know.

I really like this! Its like fleeting dreams or something. Eeheehee. ooooo. Its anticipation and giggles. You rock.

Whats next, whats next?

Wow, amazing story, please tell me you didnt abandon it, its so good! I hope for an update:) Good job!

Beautifully done, with that precise touch of tragedy around the edges. I do like this idea of the air smelling of green - I know precisely what you mean there. And Erestor being stitched together from light and dark is a particularly good bit of imagery. Thank you!

It's taken me a very long time to come back to this; for which, forgive me! You do illustrate beautifully the scenery with this lush, languid imagery; and this particularly suits your Erestor, somewhat dreamy, attempting to take in and memorise every line of every face. The conceit of mingling futures with touching hands is very nice. Thank you!

Okay, so I apparently never fav or subscribe to the things I think I have. Perhaps why I am always behind on updates?

"...I will cross any distance to find you." That's a good line, because in light of the impending doom we all know is coming, we, the audience, are at least content with the knowledge that these words are truer than Glorfindel probably meant them to be.

I love the contrast between Erestor and Galor. Galor's job is to be on top of things, often seeming rushed. In the same way there's Erestor who is the person who keeps Glorfindel calm (and yet not so much, but that is purely unintentional on his behalf).

I wonder about the forbiddeness of Glorfindel's love for Erestor (and vice versa), from your one shot "A Golden Thread" I assume this is a social construct, and not a rule laid down by the Valar? I suppose some light will be shed on that later.

I love reading this, your writing is proof that the English language is indeed beautiful. Your descriptions are poignant without being overbearing and contrived, and your characterizations are nothing short of fabulous.

Ooh, one more thing. I am irrevocably in love with Alda, she is glorious. Seriously, her character stuns me, I can't quite pinpoint why, but it just does.

This is just...wow, your writing is so beautiful, it amazes me. Glorfindel's thoughts on Erestor and vice versa are so different. Erestor seems to think he knows how he feels about Glorfindel, and Glorfindel is constantly shuffling his thoughts around, yet it seems Glorfindel has a better handle on it.

I'm so excited for any and all future updates, though the loss of Glorfindel, Ecthelion and probably Alda will be horrible for Erestor. I know you'll write it wonderfully though.

Anyway, all the chapters so far have been awesome, I can barely remember clicking the next button it flowed so well.

This story is absolutely amazing.

As the chapters progress your writing gets better: you had a few pacing problems in the first 2 chapters, namely the random part about the building of Gondolin in the 2nd chapter, but the imagery in Chapter 5 is beautiful.

Keep up the good work-I can't wait to see what happens next.

This is such a great story. I can't wait to see what happens next!

I only get 10 characters here to gush, then I'll have to move to your LJ.

“From without the world, though all things may be forethought in music or foreshown in vision from afar, to those who enter verily into Eä each in its time shall be met at unawares as something new and unforetold.” -The Silmarillion

That fits SO well. Glorfindel enters time twice and I'd say unawares is as close as it comes for anyone expecting that! Perfect quote.

The walls in his room were blue, deep blue, trimmed in grey – the colors ground together with reflective sand before the artisans applied their well-kept concoctions. Once dried, the paints glimmered; the walls seemed to move like water as the days progressed and then retreated.

I want elven paint that looks like water!

Erestor dressed in loose fitting clothes, worn and grey like Ecthelion’s eyes.

*wibble* I'm sorry. I try not to be an Ecthelion fangirl,but you make it very hard. I suspect in the next chapter I may not like your Ecthelion quite so well...*hides*

I don't know if I told you before how I adore your version of Erestor's parents. They are real, down to the soil under her nails and his unreadable self. They breathe, they walk and talk and love. They clearly love their son and he loves them but the relationship is not perfect (and that is so real). The scene in the library (and is that where he first gained his love of libraries...and I hope his love of musical things) is so normal - they speak between the words they say and sometimes,...sometimes it is hard to say what you really mean to the ones you love. The words won't come, the time seems wrong, a shift of light...and it passes.

“Dead – as you will not be if you stay safely behind the gates of this city. Not being dead, you are free to manage the House.” Ecthelion stood and began straightening instruments on the shelf closest to him.

Oh...that speaks of a deep wound. I so want to give your Ecthelion a hug. That's wrong, isn't it? *G*

“You understand my predicament!” The joy was back in Ecthelion’s voice. He caught Erestor in his arms and pressed his mouth against Erestor’s hair, spoke through his kiss. “Never doubt that I love you. I know you will do great things. Do you understand why I am careful with you?”

*is hearing Mandos declaring the doom, watching them cross the ice, building a city they hoped but knew would not hide them forever...* Careful, yes...that's understandable.

And then Erestor appeared in the square below the window, his hair wet and tangled down his back. He seemed hurried and determined and looked as if he had slept in his mother’s pool. They had not spoken since the night of Glorfindel’s return and it had been easy for Glorfindel to not miss him when he had been out of sight. But a bright cord in Glorfindel’s heart pulled tightly as he watched his young friend’s deliberate pace below the window; it seemed as if Erestor embodied every fond promise, every reason why the city was built. Glorfindel watched until Erestor was nearly hidden by the leafy shadow of the large oak in the center of the square.

LOVELY image! Sometimes you meet someone, even someone you've known...and bam! Kindred spirit. The bright cord, as you say, is there, and you just never saw it coming.

Glorfindel wanted to call out, but the name caught in his breath. Erestor – his hope, Erestor, who unknowingly, made everything better. Erestor, who somehow seemed made to fit into the empty places in Glorfindel’s heart. Ecthelion’s son was both young and old, and his eyes held the map that drew the winding path toward Glorfindel’s destination. Why had he not noticed before? He should walk away from the window and close himself up in his house.

That is quite the revelation. *g* I love this though. I love that even though it's clear here, his mind shuffles it and makes him doubt what he felt, what he thought. I know Tolkien told us elves know their mates from a young age, and marry early but maybe it's the human in me who likes to see it a bit more subtle, with more layers. The heart is unknowable at times. Sometimes it tells us things and we doubt, then we sweep it under the rug because how can that be true? We muck things that should be simple up with our complexity and thoughts. I suppose I like seeing Glorfindel so the same. ;)

“Erestor!” Galor called and Glorfindel flinched.

His mind no longer held dominion over his body, there was no sense left in him, not when the morning light rose so softly in the eastern sky and Erestor retraced his steps across the square in a meandering, studious path. Galor ducked back into the room to retrieve another list of something that Glorfindel should see to right away, leaving him alone with his new and sudden realization.

Bwahah! It is GOOD to have a Galor. Another of your wonderful OC's, don't think you slipped him past me... *G*

“Are you listening? Tell Erestor to come up.”

“Yes I am,” Glorfindel turned and snapped, “and no, not yet.”

Erestor’s frown was touched with good humor. “What are you arguing about and where have you been hiding?”

“We have been very busy!” Glorfindel said.

“I have been very busy,” Galor muttered as he returned to the window. “Hello Erestor!”

XD Wonderful bit of dialogue! Never a dull moment around Glorfindel's House, I see...

Glorfindel blamed the battle for the mad jumble of his thoughts. The battle and sorrow and trying to return to a peaceful life – he wanted something, something other than waiting, for that was what he felt he was doing, waiting – but for what? If he could name his desire he could tame it or sate it. He had lived so long without want for anything that his sudden and nameless longing seemed like a ravenous creature that threatened to destroy every wall he had carefully crafted, a force that could tear down his house. He thought of the dragon winding its way through the armies and almost called Galor so that he would meet Erestor at the door and send him back out into the safe city until Glorfindel could organize his thoughts.

I love this passage. Love it. It sums him up at this moment so beautifully. For someone who has known himself all of his long life, this sudden not knowing must be nigh unbearable. BUt his hands, his hands that knew how to weild the sword and surprised him, now his heart is also surprising him.

In the distance the bells started ringing out the hour from every corner of the city and Erestor walked toward Glorfindel with his hands offered out before him like two perfectly carved symbols of strength, but strength of different sort. And Glorfindel could not help but think that all would be well as long as Erestor’s hands stayed warm and knowledgeable and true.

Love the bells, oh...I love bells. When he later meets Erestor again, I am wondering if his hands will be warm. And forgive me if this is disjointed. is being really stupid about this long of a review. I'll take it to your Jounal and gush there.

I cannot wait for more. Even if I know sorrow is coming eventually, even if I know there is a long stretch of dark days for Erestor...I love this story, my friend. It is beautiful like the deepest, darkest of red wines. Smooth like silk, rich like chocolate, warming like sunshine, refreshing like rain. I want to soak it up and live in Glorfindel's courtyard, wade in the fountains' pools and follow Alda and her dog around. I want to see the Eagles, hear their wings brushing the buildings, lay with Erestor in Glorfindel's vineyards, hear the bells calling them home, and just...be.

I love this chapter! I love this story! I LOVE THIS AUTHOR!

This is way way way amazing. Everything touches me!

I love how you indirectly describe the setting, where they are right now (Gondolin) before it fell..its so beautiful, and peaceful, like Imladris..and I love ERESTOR! AND GLORFINDEL! AND ECTHELION! I LOVE THEM ALL! You have the best writing ever! Its so ancient and pure and beautiful and innocent and true. Me loves this. Especially how Glorfindel realizes his feelings. Rawr, tiger. The game is AWN!

Please please please update! I cant even describe what this story has done to me. YOU HAVE GOT A HARDCORE FAN ON YOUR HANDS, AND YOU CANNOT MAKE ME GO!

~BGE D

At first (towards the beginning) Erestor is getting dressed in the 'grey of his father's eyes', yet when they speak, his eyes are 'watery blue'. Slight confusion there.

I still adore this story and can't wait for it to continue! You've rounded out the characters so well and there is so much depth that you still manage to control. I don't know it you remember me from my last review since I have no account, but still, all praise! Can't wait for more!