Comments on Ulmo’s Palace

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I adore stories dealing with the relationship between Curufin and Celebrimbor.  From what we know of the events of the First Age, seeing them happy and (relatively) carefree in Valinor makes their father-son time more precious, somehow.  The 'relatively' is important, though, and I loved the way you managed to instill a sense of foreboding in this snippet of halcyon days (to borrow Macalaurë's phrase, as much as Curvo would resent me for it.)  There was the mention of Fëanáro and Nerdanel's estrangement, the book from Indis and Finwë, a slight tension regarding opinions of the Valar, and the presence of Aqualondë with its fond memories for the sons of Fëanáro - and it makes a very real and effective contrast to the fairytales beloved by little Tyelpë.

In short, this is a great one-shot.  Thanks for sharing. =)



Although "The Boy My Daughter Married" was very well done, I'm glad to see you showing Curufin from another angle than only from his mother-in-law's point of view! The first and second chapter contrast in more way than one: the first seemed as leisurely as the evening itself, while this second one seems to pack a lot more material and considerations into less space, but that is quite right, considering the radical change of scene. Sorry not to be able to comment on any details just now!



Oh, thanks so very much for reading! And thanks for stopping to let me know what you liked about it. I couldn't miss an opportunity for contrasting father and son in this case. I believe they must have been very close and yet, there is clearly, despite all this, a capacity for Celebrimbor to cultivate his own independent views which allows him to separate himself from his father at a critical point. Although it is great storytelling, how cruel of Tolkien to allow the reader to hope that Celebrimbor might have been allowed to escape his family's terrible doom and then to crush those hopes. Like you, I really am fascinated by Celebrimbor.