Ai, this makes me cry every time, in the sweetest of ways. I only know a little Quenya, and I cannot say all of Macalaure's names. I do not know the words for "Kinslayer" or "Oath" or even "warrior", but I know "atar aranio"- father of kings.

And I have, but do not possess, a Silmaril here. Your story is nearly flawless, beautiful and deep, as Laurelin and Telperion among the trees of this site that contains Nan Elmoth and the Old Forest, not pure and direct as te light of the Two Trees- taken and changed to perhaps not what he intended and set in a certain place and time- and yet beautiful and bright.

And ah, the laughing end! Food for my spirit.

This was very beautiful!

Shouldn't Elros have black hair?

Aw... what a nice ending.

As a fervent Loreena McKennitt fan, I highly appreciate your source of inspiration.

Eek. What an unexpected... but strangely plausible... twist. Neat how the end parallels Galadriel's own "test" of being offered the One Ring in LOTR.

At first, it bothered me that I have absolutely no idea when this story is taking place, but the ambiguity is beneficial to this kind of story.

Your writing itself is beautiful.

Yay! TS Eliot quote! Certainly a new take on "son of man"... but I like it.

Again, quite interesting... I like the poetry and the flashback. Elrond is a great character to write about because he has such a layered history to dissect, and you've done it admirably.

I really like this. It's a fascinating way to delve into these character's personalities. The title of Kinslayer is of course debatable - in Unfinished Tales, it says that Galadriel fought to protect the Telerin, who were her mother's kin, after all - but this is unimportant; the title surely reflects her guilt for rebelling and leading her people on such a treacherous path.

Another good story. I'm so glad to see someone acknowledge Galadriel's shame. It bothers me that she's so shiny and wonderful in Lord of the Rings. I didn't read the Sil until after I'd read LOTR and I was shocked that she'd be held so highly after all that. I liked that Celeborn also had something against her, though I am also a believer in forgiveness. I just like to see some justice, too, and I don't think Galadriel ever got justice for her part.

You had me very close to tears at the end of this story, and it's only because I was sitting in Starbucks sipping coffee that I didn't cry.

"Wavering between the profit and the loss

In this brief transit where the dreams cross

The dreamcrossed twilight between birth and dying

(Bless me father) though I do not wish to wish these things

From the wide window towards the granite shore

The white sails sill fly seaward, seaward flying

Unbroken wings...

...Blessed sister, holy mother, spirit of the fountain, spirit of the garden,

Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood

Teach us to care and not to care

Teach us to sit still..."

Beautiful - you really manage to bring the characters to life in ways that I think the good Professor himself would have approved. Cheers to you!

Without doubt one of the most beautiful stories I have read, and some inspiring thoughts on Galadriel's history.

:-). great resolution. I especially love your fics which theme is forgiveness, they are too sweet. I am a christian and read many christian literature and books which theme are forgivness, but only little can truly capture the true meaning of forgiveness such as you. ( I thought they suppose to catch the meaning better, didn;t they? consider Christianity is revolve around forgiveness and grace.)

Well, I am liberal though, much more liberal that I should be, I think. ;-).

Nice to meet such a person with such deep understanding of life in these which flooded with.. you know what I mean.

Poor Elrond, confused. I understand very well his feeling when he felt very curious about his progress but got only riddle from his "too wise" teacher.. I had had one teacher like that... too wise, made me frstrated. and I was still too simple to learn by such method and grew impatient.

I dont believe I haven't review this! Honestly, Oh well, I did review, by other pen name. This is my favorite chapter and favorite chapter.

I absolutely LOVE your Galadriel. I actually develped her character based on this fic. She is the best teacher I ever see. her methode of teaching is fabolous! I love to teach too, wish someday I could be like her.

And the quotation... they keep ringing on my head. Hmm.. makes me interested in Umberto Eco.