The Journal of Alatáriel, Missionary by Clodia

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Fanwork Notes

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Disclaimer: I am not J.R.R. Tolkien and I own neither Middle-earth nor The Lays of Beleriand (1985), to which I am once again much indebted. And “canon” becomes amazingly negotiable when the Unfinished Tales (1980) are brought into play...

Fanwork Information

Summary:

Being a fantastical account of the Lady Galadriel’s journey to Middle-earth by an unknown author; edited and with critical comments by Erestor and Melinna of Ered Luin; preface by the Lord Celeborn of Lórinand, formerly of Doriath, Sirion and Eregion. 

MEFA 2010 Third Place (Times: First Age and Prior: Noldorin Elves).

Major Characters: Celeborn, Erestor, Fëanor, Galadriel, Olwë, Original Character(s), Sons of Fëanor

Major Relationships:

Genre: Experimental

Challenges:

Rating: General

Warnings:

Chapters: 7 Word Count: 10, 992
Posted on 17 January 2010 Updated on 10 February 2010

This fanwork is complete.

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Table of Contents

Title Page, Preface, Foreword
Introduction
Alqualondë and Teleporno
Darkness falls upon Valinor
The Sack of Alqualondë
Arrival in Middle-earth
Epilogue

Comments on The Journal of Alatáriel, Missionary

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Wow, I'm intrigued.

You stopped exactly were the tale is about to begin.

And what was it that Celeborn did NOT say in his preface?

I must say he sounded a bit pompous. Should I assume that his role (if any) in the actual journal minimized him? maybe offended him?

And why was Galadriel "unable to comment at this time"?

I must say that what's hidden is more then what's seen at this point.

I will await eagerly for the next chapter.

Thank you for this interesting beginning

 

Thank *you* for reading and reviewing! 

I must confess, I've been writing this piece on the assumption that it would probably only amuse me, so I will be immensely pleased if it entertains you! Celeborn's pompousness was borrowed from the style of the preface to Mrs Jeffrey's journal, which I used as a model for this piece, but I think it's safe to say that he's not particularly pleased about being turned into a Telerin prince -- and I won't tell you why Galadriel couldn't comment, because that would be a bit too much of a spoiler, but maybe it will become clear over the course of the story.  If not, I have another short story in mind to go with it that should explain everything.

You're absolutely right, in any case: there's a great deal carefully not being said at this point, and I'm very glad you picked up on it.  And I do hope the rest of the story doesn't disappoint!  :D

This is hilarious!  I'm so excited to see where this goes.  I love the idea of presenting Tolkien's alternate histories as fictional accounts created within the world.  What a creative way to reconcile the different versions!  The style is perfect; it fits so well in 19th century prose.  And Celeborn's reaction to being called "Teleporno" is brilliant :-).  I can't wait to see the editorial comments on this record.  Thank you for making me smile!

And thank YOU for making me smile!  I must confess, I've been writing this piece on the assumption that it would probably only amuse me, so I will be immensely pleased if it entertains you!  I'm an ancient historian by day, so I'm very much used to dealing with wildly varying accounts of events -- when the issue of Galadriel's various histories came up in conversation with friends, this struck me almost immediately as the best way to write a story about the most extreme UT version of Galadriel, while still maintaining the Silmarillion version as canon.  I do hope the rest of the piece doesn't disappoint!

(P.S. Who can blame Celeborn for being a little annoyed?  Teleporno is a truly *awful* name.  :'D)

Oh, the commentaries live up to what I'd hoped!  I love their attitude: "an obvious exaggeration," "wholly unnecessary."  Perfect!  And I'm very glad they didn't let this unknown author get away with slandering the Silvan elves like that.  "Fearful hesitance," indeed!  Thank you for pointing out their perfectly valid reasons for making their choices.

Oh, this so called "journal" is indeed a piece of work.

First, the exaggeration, then the inaccuracies. It brings to mind some type of preacher who has an agenda, and NOT the real thing.

Then, the commentaries by the editoers. Perfect how it addresses every point of import, in short cleverly hidden barbs.

I just love the way this story is presented.

It is ammusing, brings to light contradicting view points of canon, and is just a delight to read. 

 

After much research, I found out who the anonymous author of this journal actually is.

I know you'd be surprised to learn that such an extensive research resulted in such simple outcome, but here it is:

The author of this journal is Mary Sue.

And to justify this claim, look closely at how the skills learned by Galadriel are described. Those same questionable in notes #3, 4, and the preceding lines. I think you'll come to agree with this hard worked conclusion. (wink).

As before, I love this story.

I must admit to being quite annoyed with the journal part, but I read it carefully for the "editorial comments" later.

Just great. Thank you.

Oh, a small thing:

"King Olwë, my mother’s brother"

In the Silmarillion it is stated:

"Finarfin was the fairest, ..., and had to wife Eärwen, ..., Olwë's daughter."

 

//The author of this journal is Mary Sue.//

Ahaha, I can see how you could come to that conclusion!  Did you notice Galadriel's Really Shiny Hair (TM)?  All in the UT, I assure you.  :D  Which is one reason why this story exists at all: I was talking to a couple of friends, quite a long time ago now, about how the UT versions bleed all the interesting shadows out of Galadriel and replace them with generic Shinyness and Wonder, which annoyed me, and so Alatariel the Missionary came to be... and yes, she is rather irritating, isn't she?  Which is quite deliberate, and amuses me, but I can see how it would be a little aggravating to read.  I'm glad the critical notes make up for it!

Also, thank you so much for picking up Olwe -- THAT inaccuracy was totally unintentional and rather embarrassing, and I've scampered round correcting it.  I'll have to blame it on a momentary lapse of attention.  Many thanks!

This is so much fun!  I love the anachronisms - yes, why would the author assume that there would be any songs/stories/poems about war in Valinor at the time?  The editors have  pretty good explanation :-).  I have to laugh at Alatariel's unwavering perfection and superiority, and then at the editors' responses.  It's great.

It's great to hear you're enjoying the story and I'm so glad you're laughing!  (So much fun to build in anachronisms.  Seriously, it is *great* to be writing this sort of material for a change, instead of reading and analysing it.  :D)  Thanks for reading, as ever, and for such a lovely comment!