Comments

The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.

adrift alone in the midst of a sea of Unfaith What a great image!

Poor Inzilbeth. Your description of her marriage reminded me of Catherine Parr, managing - just barely - to survive the religious upheavals of her day, and her husband's convictions (and pride) in particular. And it also reminds me of discussions with extremists (of any kind) where, even when you are convinced that you know better, they'll argue in circles until your head is spinning and you can't even sort your own thoughts anymore...

In short, this is a very convincing glimpse at Inzilbeth's situation and her struggle with doubts and a faith that feels abstract at times - such as when her father's death makes her think about the Gift (which of course isn't about dying in accidents, since an Elf might have died of a hoof to the head just as well, but about death of old age), or when she reflects that she cannot know the true reason for the Ban herself.

Thank you very much! It is good to hear that it feels convincing!

I had a critical imp sitting on my shoulder as I finished this, whispering in my ear that I was doing too much telling and not enough showing.

But Inzilbeth's troubles seem to have resonated anyway, judging by the comments I received!

(And I confess I could not have borne, at present, to try and write a blow-by-blow account of her marriage with Gimilzor!)

Ouch. What a difficult road for Inzilbeth, trying to maintain her faith and her independence in a situation that valued neither! But she does seem to be onto something - better to doubt and examine one's beliefs than maintain a rigid, unexamined certainty that can't admit any competing notion.