Very sad, but very powerful.

Author's Response: Thank you Melda. I hope you enjoy this. Not all laughter like your wonderful story, but I hope it entertains you.

I like how you seem to be seeing the Lord of the Rings from a different view. It is..refreshing, to say the least. It's a bit strange, but everyone has their own thoughts and tastes and you've started to write something that shows quite a bit of promise. Keep it up. :)

Author's Response: Yes, it is a bit strange isn't it? I actually got the idea from two things. My own (sort of) empathy for the orcs and from part of a letter written by Tolkien about the orcs. He said in that letter that the orcs were not past redemption, and that since evil (i.e. Sauron) couldn't make life orcs were a part of Eru, a part of His whole creation. That they were used as tools, controlled by Sauron by their own fear. Of course, I will explain more in further chapters. Thank you for the review!

Yay! Things are getting happy again. Hmmm, I may not be the best at predicting things but I'm sensing a future pairing of Glorfindel/Erestor/Elrond. Don't tell me if I'm right. I wanna read it for myself! Great chapter by the way. And I do have a suggestion for the title of this chapter. How about 2 steps forward, 1 step back? The 'two steps forward' would refer to Glorfindel and Elrond furthering their relationship, and the 'one step back' would refer to Erestor falling back into the clutches of the Elven sickness. Tell me if you like it. :) And, also, I'm always happy to review!

Author's Response: I am really glad you liked it as it was my first attempt of writing romance and I was afraid it would come out awkward. The title is really fitting and I like it a lot, it perfectly captures the feeling I wanted to get with this 'prologue', therefore you'll find it already implemented ;-) ... thanks once again!

Uh oh. I smell trouble. Poor Elrond and Celebrian. The worst things always seem to happen to the best people. :(

Author's Response: Yeah, I know. Actually after promising you that it would get better I reread the story and ... well it *will* get better, but ... not really until the last chapter I guess. I really feel bad now. Hm, but the sequel is already finished and that has a happy ending! As I mentioned, "The Bitter Glass" was just meant as a prologue and merely meant to explain the situation in which the sequel (I'll probably name it "Scarred Fate") starts. Hope you'll keep reading nonetheless ;-)

I really like this story! It's so sad, but I want to know what happens next! :D

Author's Response: Wow, that was fast ... ;-) Anyway, thank you very much and as I take it that you liked the story and the writing style, I'll upload the next part unchanged right now just for you ... But I'm afraid that it is maybe even more depressing than the first part, but it'll get better, I promise.

Erestor! He's finally back!

Author's Response: ... and gone again. So sorry ;-) but at least Elladan is with him now. Thank you for your comment, Melda ;-)

And you should be :D Stories get so boring when they're no longer fun to write, don't you think? That's why I usually do comedies, they're entertaining for both the reader and writer.

Author's Response: Very true! A story won't be worth reading if the author didn't find it worth writing.
But I found that I suck at humor... my attempts at it have been nothing but pitiful at best, so I stay with angst and my awkward attempts at romance for the moment ;-). I love to read it though...

Yes, I'm still reading! Sorry I haven't been on for such a long time! I really apreciated the little graceful nod you gave me for my suspicions! I would like you to know that as soon as I saw that, I did indeed do a bit of a Yay-me jig...just a bit. :D I still love the story, I just have a lot of..real-world probs, you know how that place works ;)

Author's Response: Welcome back then ;-) Don't worry, I know how that is. Life just has a habit of getting in the way. Glad that you are still reading, and that you still like it even though it is getting more brutal with every other chapter. Anyway, I am currently writing your happy end and have now just finished the first well deserved NC-17 chapter that did not earn that rating due to violence ;-) It's the first slash scene I've ever written and I find myself nervous to send it to my beta, let alone post it ... I am not going to reveal the pairing, though. Want to make a guess in hope of getting the chance to do another 'Yay-me jig'? :D

As for the pairing..hmm...I think Haldir and Lindir should be up next. And, as for this plot twist. I'd have to say that it wasn't unbelievable. I mean, there has been a pairing of an Elf and a Maiar before in Canon, so who's to say it can't have happened again? I thought it surprising, but not absurd. :D

Author's Response: Thanks! You're right, there was still Melian ... I have to admit that I didn't really think of that ... still it's not that common in the LotR fanfiction world and I was not sure how you all would react to that. So I'm glad about the positive feedback!

And your guess is duly received, you'll see in time ;-)

Now here's an interesting dilemma. I wonder what Erestor could be planning? I have an idea, but I'm not sure.... Keep updating, please! Can't wait to read more!

Author's Response: Then I'll give you another two chapters. And I promise to finish this story. I hate it myself when I start reading a story that I find interesting which is then never finished by the author, there are just too many promising stories like that.