A powerful and dark tale, Astris! I really liked it!
This phrase — Was fire, in the end, any better than the brittle glass she was otherwise? — leapt out at me. Brittle. That describes Elwing perfectly here. As I read it, her wounds extend far beyond her physical maiming, and it shows at the heart-wrenching audience she gives to Elros, and per Oshun's remarks, it is Elros for whom my heart breaks, but for Elwing, too, for she is so damaged, and you convey that beautifully.
The characterizations are superb throughout: Elrond and Elros, Galadriel (wise and perilous - perfect), Faeleth (excellent OC and foil to Elwing), and the ruined princess herself. I love the use of abandoned Vinyamar as the make-shift haven. I'm seeing some symbolism there!
In the end, this is supremely bleak and terrifying in the best possible way.
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Date: 2014-03-26 11:16 am (UTC)This phrase — Was fire, in the end, any better than the brittle glass she was otherwise? — leapt out at me. Brittle. That describes Elwing perfectly here. As I read it, her wounds extend far beyond her physical maiming, and it shows at the heart-wrenching audience she gives to Elros, and per Oshun's remarks, it is Elros for whom my heart breaks, but for Elwing, too, for she is so damaged, and you convey that beautifully.
The characterizations are superb throughout: Elrond and Elros, Galadriel (wise and perilous - perfect), Faeleth (excellent OC and foil to Elwing), and the ruined princess herself. I love the use of abandoned Vinyamar as the make-shift haven. I'm seeing some symbolism there!
In the end, this is supremely bleak and terrifying in the best possible way.