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| My Birthday Mathoms by Mirkwoodmaiden | 2 Review(s) |
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| Lindelea | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/18/2025 |
| MM! I am finally getting to reading this! (And glad of the opportunity.) It is the time of day when things have settled down, people are out and about or busy with various tasks. Even the cats are napping and not rubbing against my legs, threatening to bite if I don't go immediately to the couch (do not pass GO and do not collect $200, even though a little additional money is always welcome) and make a lap. The play quickly became a game of Dragons. Of course small children steeped in history and legend would play at Dragons! What a wonderful detail. Gilraen's laughter is also lovely, as are Elrond's thoughts. I laughed at "Nor should he!" And again at, "As I did the last two times you have asked." The rite of passage reminds me of an Indigenous tradition of going out in search of a vision. I don't remember anymore where I read about it or any of the details. Gilraen's inner Mama Bear is very apparent here. I don't envy Elrond at this moment. He had not planned time in the Herbarium, but his young son looked so excited he did not want to disappoint him. Excellent way to show Elrond's love for this special lad. I thought of Elros, too, when Elrond did. I wonder what Elros-and-Elrond stories might be out there...? Now I have an inkling of a story, but I must simply make a note of it for future reference because there are still too many WIPs yelling for my attention. (Almost-twelve-year-old Estel is such a delight!) I love the idea of the touchstone. I looked up moonstone, and one of the things I found was "A talisman for travelers (especially at night), believed to offer protection and good fortune, particularly in difficult times." As I have mentioned before, I love your rituals. They show a great deal of thought and care. I loved the place being described as a special glade that responded even to a trace of Elven blood. And Estel's asking permission of his surroundings sounds eminently right somehow. Hmmm, I just had a second thought about the "special tea". Is it similar to the psychedelics used in rituals aimed at visions? (I found the term "entheogenic ritual or a shamanic ritual" just now in a web search.) During Estel's encounter with Arathorn, I suddenly realised what a risk Elrond was taking. Arathorn told Estel who he was! Luckily, the boy didn't remember the details but only his father's love. I was so sad for Estel when he thought he'd failed. I'm extremely grateful for the last line. Wonderful and completely absorbing, as always! (((hugs))) Lin Author Reply: Lin! Ah yes! A full house has its joys and consequences! :-) "Even the cats are napping and not rubbing against my legs, threatening to bite if I don't go immediately to the couch" Our furry masters are demanding to say the least. I remember one time I was sitting on the sofa talking to my mom. Ana, the Grand Duchess, walks into the room falls over onto her side and meows in her demanding little way. I GET UP OFF THE SOFA to sit on the floor to rub her belly! Then I think "Hey wait a minute!" Ana looks at me like, "Did I tell you to stop! Pet me!" So I thought I'm already here so I continued to pet her!! Back to the story! "The play quickly became a game of Dragons. Of course small children steeped in history and legend would play at Dragons! What a wonderful detail. Gilraen's laughter is also lovely, as are Elrond's thoughts." Well of course he would play at Dragons! I was influenced in this by a fantasy series written by Melanie Rawn, called the Dragon Prince series. There, one of the favorite games for the children was to play "Dragons." Also I have always been fascinated by the relationship that must have existed between Gilraen and Elrond. Not romantic (because Elrond still had Celebrian in his heart and Elves mated even beyond death and Gliraen still grieved for Arathorn but they had but a shared love of Estel I think created a close bond between them. "The rite of passage reminds me of an Indigenous tradition of going out in search of a vision. I don't remember anymore where I read about it or any of the details." I have to where I don't remember, various places I should think. I thought that with the Elves bound to Arda it would make sense that they should have such a ritual. And in keeping with the Professor this Ritual isn't really codified. Not "Magic" as such. Just a bond that was. And even trace amounts of Elven blood would suffice. I find it a little mind boggling that Through Elros, Elrond is Aragorn's uncle. More later! Must dash to work! Officially put in for retirement though! (((hugs))) MM Author Reply: Part 2! Lin! "I love the idea of the touchstone. I looked up moonstone, and one of the things I found was "A talisman for travelers (especially at night), believed to offer protection and good fortune, particularly in difficult times." I thought that Gilraen would want to give him something from his time before they came to Imladris. In "the Heir Apparent" Elrond decides that Aragorn cannot know his heritage and Gilraen accedes to his wishes, though she found it a painful thing to agree to. She gives Estel her wedding pendant for the three days to give him something that binds him to his destiny without his knowing it. A bond between him, her and his father that he has not been allowed to know about. I probably looked up the moonstone meaning when I originally wrote the chapter for their marriage in "Heir Apparent." "As I have mentioned before, I love your rituals. They show a great deal of thought and care. I loved the place being described as a special glade that responded even to a trace of Elven blood. And Estel's asking permission of his surroundings sounds eminently right somehow." It seemed to feel right. No elaborate proscribed rituals, just acting from the heart. I added the idea of a special tea but now I think it was to open Estel up to these feelings, he did that all on his own. Maybe it was there is make sure he didn't lose him within Arda. "During Estel's encounter with Arathorn, I suddenly realised what a risk Elrond was taking. Arathorn told Estel who he was! Luckily, the boy didn't remember the details but only his father's love." It was a risk but thankfully Arathorn realized what he could and couldn't say. I tried stay away from cliches in this moment of communion. It was fun to write! Thanks again for writing! (((hugs))) MM Once again | |
| shirebound | Reviewed Chapter: 6 on 12/11/2025 |
| What an utterly lovely story and Rite of Passage! I enjoyed every word. Happy Birthday, my friend, and may your heart be as joyous as Estel's. Author Reply: Shirebound! Thank you so much! It's been a while since I've written anything that hasn't been based in Rohan so I thought this would be nice!! So glad you liked it. It was a good birthday even though I have had a bit of a cold during it!! Now to make presents and write my Solstice story! stay warm and cozy!! (((hugs))) MM | |