Comments on A Second Chance

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Awww! Well done. I really enjoyed this story. I like the background details that you've given to Amárië. I like the interpretation that you give of the text from the Grey Annals which says, "and she was not permitted to go with him into exile." The implication, of course, being that she wanted to go, but someone stopped her. 



I really like how rebellious Amarie is! It shows how brave she is, even though she thinks herself a coward. It's also nice to see her find a new family, who will support her and her decisions. Also, one that's full of people who are brave in less conventional ways, like her...Arafinwe for turning back to deal with the aftermath of the fight at Alqualonde, and Earwen for holding her two people together through everything.

Great story! It's always fun to read things about the more obscure characters like Amarie.



Thank you! 

Poor Amarië has spent a lot of time regretting not standing up to her parents and running after Finrod. She may be surprised to learn he spent a lot of time in Beleriand thanking the Valar that she wasn't there, much as he missed her... I think Eärwen needed Amarië as much as Amarië needed her. 

This is so lovely. I am sorry it has taken me so long to put into writing what I told you in person at the Mereth Aderthad!

Things I love ...

The clear turning point, when Amarie realizes the convenience of conformity has led her to lose the one she loves, represented by the moment when she leaves her parents' home to go to Findarato's parents. This is such a loaded moment--the leaving of home a symbol of a coming of age delayed by the horror of the Darkening and then her hesitancy to follow Findarato.

The style is simple, the words few, and yet I have tears in my eyes when I read this. Her despair over learning not only of his death but the manner of his death is heartbreaking.

The reembodiment scene ... admittedly, this is a personal quirk because I love stories that imagine this. :) (I wrote a Finrod-reembodiment story myself, but the witness was Finarfin, not Amarie!) Her horror at the sight of him, followed by her joy as she feels the life returning to his body ... again, you are not super-elaborate in telling this story, but the simplicity really works. And of course the very satisfying ending when she realizes what she wants and decides to involve his family this time in helping her to make the necessary decisions.



Thank you! No worries, I'm glad you commented on this story - it reminded me I meant to follow up with more of Finrod and Amarie!

Poor Amarie was convinced by her parents to do what she thought was the right thing, only to second-guess herself once it was too late. Her pious Vanyarin parents never understood, and their reaction to Finrod's death was really her breaking point. 

I tried to keep Lorien/the reembodiment simple but not too simple - Amarie was so overloaded for most of it that she really wasn't able to take in much detail. The only thing she really notices besides Finrod is 'wait, why does Irmo not seem more sure about what he's doing?'