"Return to Me," for fanged_geranium

[dawn_felagund]

fanged_geranium asked for a short story that includes a conversation between grown-up Finrod and Finarfin. Actually, I ended up being seized by a rather large plotbunny on this one, and so this is the first bit of what will likely become a novella someday. But I think that the first part does well enough on its own as a short story

Comments

[fanged_geranium]

Thank you! This is wonderful! I love your descriptions of the Halls of Mandos, and Finarfin's reaction to it - it's very chilling.

Your idea of the process of being restored to life for an Elf is both disturbing and thought-provoking - I've never really considered it in detail before, but it makes sense that it should be a difficult proceedure with after-effects.

The bit at the end when Finarfin says he wouldn't have let Finrod die if he could have changed things seems oddly appropriate for Christmas.

Oh, and sorry about the plotbunny - I didn't mean to set one loose!

[dawn_felagund]

Thank you! This is wonderful! I love your descriptions of the Halls of Mandos, and Finarfin's reaction to it - it's very chilling.

You're welcome! And thank you for reading and for your kind words. :)

I had a lot of fun with the Halls of Mandos. I'm still not sure I've captured the mood I wanted perfectly, but it's there for the tinkering now. ;) But I wanted it to be scary to an Elf...although Namo probably kicks back, puts his feet up and lets his hairless cat crawl in his lap, and watches the mist without thinking anything's amiss.

Your idea of the process of being restored to life for an Elf is both disturbing and thought-provoking

I'd never really considered it either before this. (I have to confess that I had such fun with this piece; it was one of my favorites to write!) I remember hearing once--although I've never seen this in HoMe (but you might know, as you're better versed in HoMe than me)--that Tolkien's original idea regarding Finwe was that he couldn't be reembodied because Melkor destroyed his first body too badly

[fanged_geranium]

I seem to remember hearing that about Finwe too, but I don't know where and I don't have the books around to check - tough luck for Finwe, though, if that's the case!

[tarion_anarore]

Wow. That was very beautiful, and I loved your interpretation.

And I'm glad it's a big nuzzie, because I definitely want to hear more!

[dawn_felagund]

*blushes* Thank you! Yes, this was one of the first to bite. As soon as fanged_geranium said "conversation between grown-up Finarfin and Finrod," I was already conjuring this tale.

I don't know when I'll continue it. But I will! I had so many others that I couldn't do all I wanted on this one. I'm still not sure I have the mood in the Mandos scenes precisely how I want it. But I'll save all that for a rainy day. After AMC is finished. ;)

[tarion_anarore]

I don't know when I'll continue it. But I will!

Well, at least I have a list of stories to read in the mean time!

I like the Mandos scenes...(of course, I don't know exactly what's in *your* mind, only what's in mine! ;P) It's rather creepy. :)

[tarion_anarore]

I also meant to say that certain parts of the scene in Araman sounded awfully familiar...I think you might have stolen it right out of my head!! ;P

[dawn_felagund]

GMTA!

*somewhere, someone sighs and grudgingly drops a dime into a jar*

[tarion_anarore]

Indeed!! Or else we have wandering muses (wait a second...) ;P

Hey, I think we've almost got a dollar!!! ;D

[atanwende]

Like I already told you some time ago, this must probably be my favourite.

I feel so bad for every one in here (well, except Namo, maybe), especially Finarfin. I mean, this supposed to be bouncy!happy!cute!Arafinwe and it nearly hurts to see him this way. Poor one.

Lovely story. *gives chocolates to all protagonists*

[dawn_felagund]

Thank you! :) It's one of my favorites too and was one of the first of the holiday fics to seize my inspriration and not let go. I think I did something like 6,000 words on this story in one sitting. o.O Pour little Arafinwe just poured his heart out....

I mean, this supposed to be bouncy!happy!cute!Arafinwe and it nearly hurts to see him this way. Poor one.

I've actually developed quite an angsty!Arafinwe muse. I've also got a WiP novella about Earwen and Anaire's roles in restoring relationships with the Teleri following the first kinslaying, and I have quite the angsty Arafinwe then too. For all his sweetness, he faced some tough times. I would even be willing to argue that his role as King was the most difficult facing any of the Kings of the Noldor. I'll probably be skewered for that, but it's my belief! ;)

Lovely story. *gives chocolates to all protagonists*

They would thank you, but their mouths are full now! :^D

[atanwende]

Oh the angst potential is certainly there! Maybe even more so because what we remember most is bouncy!happy!cute!Arafinwe and that makes it even more tragic.

I would even be willing to argue that his role as King was the most difficult facing any of the Kings of the Noldor. I'll probably be skewered for that, but it's my belief! ;)

Not by me! I was always of the opinion (once I've thought of it) that the whole process of picking up the pieces must have been rather ugly.

By the way I decided to join silwritersguild. And maybe I'll write a Finarfin fic after all. If only there weren't my don't-know-how-many WIPs.

Caranthir: But he's booooring...

*hits the Noldo to shut him up*

[dawn_felagund]

Not by me! I was always of the opinion (once I've thought of it) that the whole process of picking up the pieces must have been rather ugly.

It didn't occur to me until I started my Earwen novella the kinds of struggles the Elves--especially the Noldor--might have faced after the Darkening and, especially, the rebellion. And poor Arafinwe, utterly unprepared for leadership.... *huggles him*

You know, I think I have to post some of that novella or at least work on it. *pushes NaNoWriMo Elves away* Too many ideas...too little time....

By the way I decided to join silwritersguild. And maybe I'll write a Finarfin fic after all. If only there weren't my don't-know-how-many WIPs.

*engages in very un-professional-moderator-like jumping around and squeeing*

Ahem. I mean, that's awesome! Welcome to the group and even if you don't get to the Finarfin fic right away...well, challenges are good forever. ;) So every month is really Finarfin Appreciation Month.

Caranthir: But he's booooring...
*hits the Noldo to shut him up*Lol! But I think