It is absolutely my great honor to be asked to beta for such a wonderful story-thank *you* dear girl!
I only wish I could review with the skill such an effort deserves...this is indeed one of your most powerful chapters yet, a vital insight into both Legolas' past and the fragile state of his present being; shedding incredible illumination upon everything which has come before. Glorfindel is everything I'd hoped; not only is he able to fully reveal the depth of his commitment, but is glorious in finally coming into his own. The road ahead of them both may yet prove perilous and difficult, but the pivotal nature of what has happened here will be their solid foundation against whatever may come. WELL DONE...I can't say it any better than that. *hugs*

Author's Response: Thank you so much, Cat! This was something I wanted to bring about for a long time, but never was quite certain how to do it. Then while writing something just clicked, and all of a sudden Legolas' barriers were breaking, and for the first time in his life he allowed himself to share all of his deepest fears and doubts with another. I can't even say just how glad I am to hear that it had that kind of impact on you - it is definitely a pivotal point for Legolas, who will be, I am certain, quite scared by just what he entrusted Glorfindel with. But by now, I hope it has become obvious that Glorfindel will do all he can to show Legolas that he loves him no matter what, and will never look down on him for his fears. *hugs*

I love going back and reading this again! (I'd better be careful, though...I left some spoilers in the last one) I wish I retained better than what I do, because I know I must lose some of the threads along the way. Even so, hope to find out somewhere what became of Valoron. I am enjoying how Melkor and Sauron sowed the seeds of his hatred very early on, turning the weapon they hoped to create back upon themselves...

Author's Response: Thank-you for reviewing, wow, I'm sort of stunned at all these, since it's my oldest story ( it's been taken down and re-posted once ) It's funny you should mention Voloron, as I do intend to speak of him in the new story.

So much enjoy these glimpses of Van's Elven soul...he thinks he has no hope, but the smallest things leave their mark. So sad, the lies he believes about himself. He may be Sauron's son in body, but that was their biggest mistake...giving him the combined power of a Maia and an Elf. His heritage is greater than he suspects...even a fallen Maia had beginnings in Eru's thought...

Author's Response: He does have a very Elven soul, it was always there, but in here and in Lords of the Light when he sees the broken beauty of Finrod's tower, he knows whomever built it must have been completely different to Sauron and the orcs which was what he knew as a young child.

Such a lovely, seamless weaving with the original...absolutely seamless. Favorite: Van meeting the adan, and his seeing into his heart, being willing to help him...Beautiful.

Author's Response: Thank-you, although I write AU, I like it to run parallel to canon rather than race off into the far distance.

Wow...I am speechless. So many threads backwoven here! Especially love Finwe, and his understanding of what the others were facing. I have always felt that if Finwe had not been murdered, that he would have left Aman. The departure would have been entirely different in many ways, of course, but much the same in others. It's an interesting concept, that road not taken. Even if the Sils had been stolen as in the original and yet Finwe still lived, I truly wonder how the circumstances would have changed for all of them. Speculation? Would love to know what you think...

Author's Response: Finwë probably would have left Aman, is my thought. After all, he went to Formenos with Fëanor because he loved him, and unkinged himself, and doubtless was aware that Fëanor wished to leave long before Finwë's death and the theft of the Silmarils.
Fëanor said, in a flashback chapter I wrote in Dark Prince (Oh, Fëanor, my father!) that he was using Melkor to learn about weapons and warfare, and as soon as he had learned enough he would be leaving Valinor.

So, yes, my belief is that Finwë would have gone, although Fëanor, I think would have still made an Oath to recover the Silmarils. I have always thought, however, that although he was obsessed by them, he loved his father more and the Oath was made in the throes of grief.
Thank-you Marty, for taking time to comment. This needed editing for some time - all the accented names put me off, lol! XD

Whatever you do, don't ever stop writing...*hugs*

Author's Response: I am not sure I can stop, actually, that is the thing with writing characters who live a long time d;-) Thank-you so much, those are very kind words. I do love writing, but as I have said, I am not sure I do, like you, the Muses have their own ideas a lot of the time, and I just hang on and type.

I just love this! Had me laughing, but feeling sorry for them also. More, please! and may Valinor brace for impact...

Author's Response: Hey, Beruthiel! I'm really glad you enjoyed and laughed. I think this is more of a oneshot, life doesn't always work out the way it should, but rest assured, they are friends for a very long time after this. Valinor - Valinor I still think wouldn't survive them. Red

I am incapable of sying anything more at the moment than I already have, just so blown away by such an incredible beginning to the next arc of this story. Answers so many questions, provokes so many more. I'm strapping in...this is going to be a helluva ride.

Author's Response: Thank-you so much for your review, Beruthiels_Cat. It is so very appreciated. :) All the questions will be answered when they surface from the cauldron they are going to create XD I am really glad you have reviewed, thank-you so much.

(Grinning from ear to ear!)
Wow...I just want to dive right into this one, there's so much happening!
I really hope everyone is paying attention, oh mistress of subtlety!
Legolas...to be so suddenly and astonishingly presented with his future bondmate...and seeing him not only as he is, but how he *will be*. No wonder he mistook him, even though Glorfindel would have been revealed in his true nature while in full battle mode. It's no wonder Legolas thought he would be capable of bringing back his nana...his youth and innocence is so sweetly portrayed within this context...just beautiful!
No better way for Glorfindel to initiate his 'hands off' policy where Legolas is concerned than in front of such lofty witnesses, either! *chortles*
Threads and music...*grin* I could go on all day with this one, dear girl. :)
And once again, you leave us with a lovely twist...any possibility of nudging you to write faster? *grins and hugs*!!

Author's Response: Aww thank-you so much, Cat. The threads and music are all down to you, let's not forget.

Elgalad, of course, did have this same feeling about Van when he was young ( and even as he grew ) that he could do *anything*, (it's in Dark Prince I) couldn't understand how Van could be enslaved and could suffer. Of course much of that was being raised from a baby by some-one who was supremely competent and confident.
But it struck me "what if this was actually a feeling in him of what *would be*" 'great events casting a shadow before them' to paraphrase.

Legolas was not that different to Elgalad, their being kin, for one thing, and certainly when they were young were very similar in their innocence and loving natures. To have Glorfindel explode into his world, and at a moment when that world had been pulled from under his feet. Perhaps fated?

Thank-you so much for the sharing of your ideas - they dovetail so amazingly.
Lol, I am writing, I would have done more last week but for kerfuffles, but never mind, I am back on track. HUGS!

That laughter was *so* Van, that it didn't even occur to me to think it could possibly be anyone else...Too bad Rosriel couldn't hear him! *evil chortle*

Author's Response: She probably will meet him at some point :DDD