A very lovely and breathtaking story; I'm really enjoying reading of Dawn's adventures in Valinor. That said, Tolkien's world did have its own vampires, and though the details are sketchy, they were unquestionably evil. Thus I suspect that Spike coming here would raise many problems, mostly the old ones of trust and parole and possibly the magical counterpart of his old chip. I'm not sure how well he would take to this, even if it meant hanging around Dawn for an eternity.

Thank you so much.

Yes - Thuringwethil and her ilk are part of the horror stories told to small Elves. (Which reminds me - I am part of a Tolkien drabble writing community - and this one http://tolkien-weekly.livejournal.com/940297.html is about that very thing.)

So, of course, a vampire is going to be about as welcome, generally, in Middle Earth as one would be in our Earth. This is one of those instances where Dawn is so carried away with her own idea that she has not really thought it through...

I love the Squirrel-lover comment. Reminded me of a joke.

A bear and a squirrel were pooping side by side in one of those old double-occupancy outhouses. The bear looked over and said, "Mr. Squirrel. Do you have trouble with poop sticking to your fir?"

The squirrel looked up and said, "Why no, Mr. Bear. I don't."

"That's good." the bear said. And with that he reached over and wiped himself with the squirrel. A couple of minutes later... out came one *perturbed* little squirrel.

--- It's probably funnier if you can get someone to do the voices of Mr. Bear and Mr. Squirrel.

**I love the Squirrel-lover comment. **

Thank you - it made my beta reader laugh too!

** Reminded me of a joke. **

:) You know you can imagine the Noldor telling that joke, but replacing the bear with one of the Galadhrim...

So do Haldir et al not even realize that they are so looked down on by the snobbies, or do they just not care? I would hate to live around so many others who considered me inferior, especially having lived many yeni as they have considering themselves the superiors (to the mortals). Am I missing something? Has this always been a part of elven "politics" and they are all pretty much used to it? Legolas didn't seem to be inured to it, at least. Anyway, thanks so much for the latest update. I enjoy every single one!

I think they will be aware - that the Noldor and the Sindar are not fond of each other has been part of Elven history almost since there was Elven history. But, of course, the lands of the West have always been divided between the Teleri at the coast, the Vanyar hanging out within easy reach of the Valar - and the rest of it being the homelands of the Noldor.

So the Galadhrim have no obvious place to go and will gather around Galadriel - so being the biggest concentration of Sindar/Sylvan around.

They will be inclined to keep themselves to themselves, on Galadriel's estate, Tirion is not really their sort of place anyway, but they will not be unaware...

And thank you so much for reviewing - I do rather like to 'chat'!

I bet Tirion will also be interesting to visit, for many, many reasons. I'm quite looking forward to it ;-)

What are Tindómë & Gandalf talking about, map perspective? Would you consider adding a map (can you even do that?). The Silmarillion doesn't have the right one.

I too would like to know about Gimli and Naltatamë; poor Gimli, I bet Legolas isn't the only one who'd like to know that.

So many things to ponder/comment on, thanks!

Thank you.

I think this will be a fairly short visit to Tirion - but interesting, nonetheless.

I will post links to a couple of maps if I can find them on-line - probably in a chapter or two.

As for Gimli and Naltatamë - perhaps the truth will eventually out - but not for a long time yet - Legolas, and everyone else, will just have to continue to wonder!

All in all the journey was interesting and enjoyable. But then they reached Tirion.

YAY!!!! THEY'RE FINALLY IN TIRION!

Except, does this mean badness happens, what with your use of "But then they" and all.

Haldir - ha, his ego, I swear...

I always enjoy the Legolas POV.

Wonder what Mithrandir and Dawn were discussing...

Good update. Anxious for more. This story makes my week so much better :D

They are unlikely to feel completely comfortable in Tirion... put it that way!!

It is going to become clear, in a few chapters time, that Dawn has been thinking thinky thoughts - brought on by studying the maps....

I should get the next chapter turned around in a week, hopefully.

Not sure I like the sound of the "but" in the last line...

The Noldor do tend to think of the Sindar and, especially, the Sylvan elves as their inferiors... someone in our party may have to bite her tongue.

No! No! You can't stop there.

No - you are absolutely right - if we stopped there they'd never get to visit with the Valar.... :)

It's getting better & better!!! :D

Thank you!

I can't wait for the next chapters to come. Very good story so far.

Thank you, I really do appreciate you taking time to let me know that you are enjoying it. I hope to have the next chapter ready to go by Sunday or so.

wow

Just wow

I don't have words to describe it. I love this entire series and am really looking forward to Tindome meeting the Valar, especially Halidir's' thoughts on some one who is "not even a proper elf" being called to speak to the Valar.


Thank you

Thank you! I am really so happy that you enjoy it and take the time to say so. I promise we will find out more about Haldir's thoughts on the subject in the next chapter.

Hmm, now that is pretty interesting. I'm curious to see how nervous she is about meeting the Valar; even for The Key it must be something else to meet them.

**even for The Key it must be something else to meet them.**

I think you are right. She is likely to be so full of getting there, and what she wants, that it may not make her nervous to start with... but when the time comes - ah, that might be different.

It's getting more and more interesting!

Thank you - that is exactly what I wanted to happen, if you see what I mean. It's cool if the reader first thinks 'oh yeah... Key, portal, Spike zooms in...' and then for it not to be quite that simple!

YES!!!!!!!!!!! YES YES YES YES YES!!!
SHE'S GOING TO MEET THE VALAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THERE CAN NEVER BE ENOUGH VALAR IN FANFICTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmm - I'm guessing you approve... :)

There are definitely Valar in this story!

It's been a rough few days honestly. Only one week into the new year and already had my first death (childhood friend) and the whole household's been I'll since New Year's.

This update was exactly what I needed. Thank you for updating!!! I can't wait for more!

Oh I am sorry life is not good at the moment - I'm glad the update brightened it up for a little. The current rate of update is about a chapter a week...

I'm glad that Haldir had fun and hope gandalf can help!

I wanted Haldir to not be a totally disproving caricature - after all his brothers have said, often enough, that he enjoyed the company of ellyth a good deal! So I'm glad it seems right to you.

As to whether Gandalf can help - I promise the next chapter opens with that conversation.