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History Lessons: The Second Age by Nilmandra	12 Review(s)
fan81981	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/26/2004
I know I have been swamped with work but I didn't realise it was this bad. What do I behold when I finally get a chance to come back to this site - you have updated. Not once, not twice - but three times. I missed three chapters - WAH! Oh well, more for me to read now - make my working on a Saturday worthwile. Now I hope my boss does not come in and see me reading and reviewing. X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X "A moment later the tree crashed through the canvas of the tent on top of them. " How could you do that? Bad enough you went and broke Elrohir's leg but now you dropped a tree on them. Bad Nilmandra. I love the way you manage to keep the action alive. I was expecting you to contrast history with a more sedate pace in the present but you surprised me. A change from the way you handled History Lessons-I but I think a good one. Never let the reader get complacent. "For two centuries she had studied the ring, learning its ways through touch, but not yet had she tried to bear its power. To attempt to do so now, inexperienced as she was with it, filled Celeborn’s heart with dread. " History lives. This is getting exiciting. I wouldn't have thought that Galadriel would have not used the ring yet but it makes sense. She would have to learn how to wield it. Celeborn concern and his conflict is well-done. She really does not deserve him sometimes. ;) I held my breath thorughout the rescue. My co-worker think there is something wrong with me. Probably right - my heart had only now started beating. The young oak protecting the elves really gave this a fantasy flavour. Sometimes your elves seem so real, so human (in a nice way) and then there is just this kind of reminder than this is not our world. It is magical - much like the way you write. "But Galadriel would not dispose of a tool that would aid the elves, for she knew that Sauron was not destroyed." It would be interesting to see the whole ring incident from Galadriel's point of view. I am sending a plot bunny to you by post - if you haven't already addressed this in the next few chapter I will send some food as well for it. I am dying to read the other chapters - but guess I will have to do some work first. Author Reply: You are in worse shape than I am! Its taking me forever to update, what with work and family things going on. Glad you liked the chapter. I think Elrohir is going to be mighty glad to get home - nothing like being injured and feeling as if natural disasters follow you at every turn! Hope work spares you some time for yourself soon.

lwarren	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 6/16/2004
Ai!!!! What is with the weather, anyway? Poor Elrohir! I don't know which would be worse - death by crushing or death by suffocation. Get the elfling home - quick! Just a few quick notes on my favorite parts: * Erestor and Glorfindel - their loyalty and love for Elrond's family is never-ending. Just when I think they can't get any better, they do! g Erestor needs a repeat of the lessons on means and ends, tho'. He sure was feeling guilty about nearly suffocating Elrohir, but what else could he have done? ** the elves and their trees - I love the way they love the trees. I tend to forget Celeborn is not Noldorin, and is quite well-versed in trees and relating to them. The thanks given to the young oak (Arwen's ribbons sigh, and the songs sung) was great! *confrontations on ring use - I'm glad Celeborn and Glorfindel will keep an eye on Galadriel and Elrond. (Galadriel is quite something else, isn't she? So stubborn at times..wait a minute...at ALL times!...and yet so loving, too). the forging of the Three - once again the research you put into this part is amazing. I love the symbolism in relating the color of the ring to its name and its purpose. Wonderful! **Celebrian born....that was a rather steamy scene between Galadriel and Celeborn :-) ! She sounds like a beautiful child...I liked her Ada taking her to the fountain to hold court! Annatar unveiled...Celebrimbor going to pieces....Good stuff! linda Author Reply:* We've had a rainy, flooding spring here, so I think my mind is attuned to that kind of weather. I think the geography of the land also struck me - we had floods up here in the northland that separated Minnesota and the Dakotas for months once - helicopters were needed to get people from one side to the other. It occurred to me when studying the map that a natural disaster like a destroyed bridge could truly isolate people travelling. And I needed reason to get these folks near Eregion...and thus was a story born. Isn't the mind a strangely complex wandering web? I liked your list - those were all themes that were purposefully chosen. For some reason, having Celebrian born out of what seemed to be a split second decision humored me greatly. ;-)

Marnie	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 5/25/2004
Oh dear! I'm not sure my nerves can cope with this - I was just recovering from the disaster in the stream and thinking that everything was better now, when Elrohir nearly gets crushed by a falling tree! In my weakened condition I'm not sure I can cope :) You know what I think? I think Galadriel used the ring anyway - putting together her haunted expression and the way the tree suddenly raised up a few metres. No one tells her what to do, do they ;) But it was great to see Celeborn the practical man of action at work - that's one of his best qualities, IMO And the rapport with the trees involved was wonderful; really emphasised the elvishness of the characters. I found it really touching that Arwen had tied some of her ribbons on the young oak to thank it. I enjoyed too the fact that Glorfindel is of the 'don't use the things' party. I've often wondered where he stood on the matter. And I thought it was very interesting that neither Elrond nor Galadriel had started to use the rings yet, though plainly Galadriel is gearing up to. What starts them off? Loved the scene with Narusel and her dad. Little Celebrian sounds like a stunner with that colouring! And I liked the irony that they finally decided it was safe to have a child just at the point where all hell was about to break loose. No wonder Celebrimbor was taken aback! I'm still not warming to Celebrimbor, I'm afraid. A fine craftsman, obviously, but not a likeable person. Have you decided not to go with the bit where he overthrows C+G's rule, or is that still to come? (Or did I make it up? My mind's gone somewhere beyond recall at the moment.) Thanks for sending me the chapter! I'm glad you're getting some good result out of it :) Marnie :-) Author Reply: Poor Marnie! You should be resting and drinking hot tea. I worried to use another external conflict, but its storm season here and I couldn't help but draw comparisons to the rings and their elements, and how the bearers might first see nature as something they can influence. I live near the mighty Mississippi now (and the Red before, for a while), and when they flood the devastating effects go on for months - and each storm just accentuates it. I am glad you liked Celeborn as a practical man of action - and I am not sure if it was Galadriel using the ring or Celeborn encouraging the young oak that lifted the old tree a few inches. Those old Sindar elves have some power of their own :D. I am not really going with the version that Celebrimbor overthrew Celeborn and Galadriel - I liked the detail about Annatar and Celebrimbor found in that version, but the less detailed one that followed for C & G appealed more to me for this story. Besides, Bejai had done it already, and so well! Celebrimbor is not likeable in many regards - he is rather ambitious and self centered, and I wanted to show that he didn't bear the rings well necessarily. Eregion initially prospered, but he was not wise. Thanks for the nice words. Now go drink something warm and soothing.

Melje	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 5/24/2004
You know, if it goes on like this, the twins will be forever put off setting foot out of Imladris at all! They’ll just stay indoors with Arwen and take up embroidery, never rescue Celebrian, never hunt Orcs, never join the Rohirrim in their battle, never wander with the Dunedain, never catch up with Aragorn at the Paths of the Dead! Now I know why they’re not around in the movies. As usual, I’m amazed at your knowledge of Tolkien’s world, and at the way you manage to make it interesting and fun for your readers (I was never much into the Silmarillion). I wish I had had teachers like you! Rings of water and air... a storm... Elrond and Galadriel would have really made the difference there! Will you write about them starting using their rings? And how come Celebrimbor, even though he couldn’t destroy the rings, didn’t at least keep them safe and recall the one that had already been given to the dwarf? I loved Celeborn talking to the tree. One of my favourite pieces of writing of yours is the bit in Hunting when the Mirkwood trees talk to Elladan, so this goes with it. One of these days I’ll go and try to strike up a conversation with the trees out of my window. What’s Celeborn carving? I thought it was a crutch for Elrohir, but Glorfindel made one already... perhaps a toy for Arwen? Although if it goes on like this, they’ll soon need all the crutches they can get. Talking about crutches, please tell Elrohir to go easy with it. I once injuried my ankle, and since it didn’t heal straight away as I wanted it to (stupid ankle), I caved and got myself a crutch. Freedom at last! I thought. Intoxicated by being able to move about again, I walked and walked and walked... and on the following day I was crippled again, this time because of an aching shoulder, a painful bruise on my forearm, and blisters on my palm! Author Reply: LOL! The twins are tougher than that! How does that saying go: that which does not kill us makes us stronger? I do feel bad for Elrohir. I have used him for an object lesson way too much. I think Celebrimbor did his best to keep the rings safe. That will be in the next few chapters. Poor elf. Beware of talking to trees - sometimes they answer! Elrohir will be stuck in a wagon, not walking for the most part. I am hoping he will be less ornery than I would be if I were him. I don't much care for crutches either - I much prefer a good walking cast when its available :-)

Bejai	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 5/24/2004
Your timing on this story is always so good! I've been moping around because it feels like none of my favorite writers have been updating recently, and then you post a new chapter! Loved it, as ever. Here are some things I wanted to mention: - Erestor's guilt. Maybe he needs to listen more closely to lessons on "ends" and "means." The ends were right, and the means were all that was available to him at that moment. Reminded me very much of Elrohir's guilt about jumping into that river. - Confrontations over the rings. Powerful, powerful. I'm calling this the "rings" chapter in my head, because that is what everything comes back to. And now it look like Galadriel and Elrond are going to start using the rings. - The young tree, and Celeborn's plea to it, and the songs of thanks. Beautiful. - The idea that Celeborn and Glorfindel will see to it that Elrond and Galadriel do NOT become Sauron's servants should he regain the ring -- even if it involves sending them to Mandos. It's a theme I know a few of us have used, and it seems so spot-on to me. Chilling, but accurate. - Forging the rings. That was simply a perfect passage. I know you must have put a lot of thought and research into the symbolism and what you wanted to say, and it shows. I love too how your comments about the qualities of the rings fit well with the attributes of their later bearers. And poor Celebrimbor! His heart was in the right place. I also appreciated how you explained why Celebrimbor couldn't destroy the Seven and Nine. I'd always wondered why he didn't. And the Three ... well, and inability to destroy them seems to be a common theme. - You did something with pacing here that delighted me. Three scene about forging rings, and one scene about creating life. It underscored the reverence and power in all four of these events. I couldn't help but think, though, that Sauron eventually destroys the beauty in all of them -- the rings and Celebrian. - Celebrimbor's realization that Celeborn and Galadriel have a child. Must have missed out on that whole year of pregnancy thing, birth, and the like. Have we been a bit absorbed, Celebrimbor? - Elrohir's question about the Three makes we wonder if he is aware where Vilya and Nenya are kept? Probably not? Anyhow, enough of my rambling. Wonderful chapter! Author Reply: Oh, Bejai, you picked on something so very subtle here - I really didn't want to elaborate on it, because it is just an idea and one that cannot be known here: Narusel = red daughter, and I used red because it the color of passion. Daughter of my passion. Celeborn saw this newborn child and went home to Galadriel with 'an unquenchable fire within him'. They conceieved a child that day. All the while, Celebrimbor is using the three - learning to wield them, to make Eregion prosperous. Many children were born, and I meant it to mean he might have wielded Narya in a way that created many kinds of passion. I don't mean so much sexual passion, but new life is something the rings might have increased the desire for. So, if Celebrian were created under the influence of the rings (as were many of the other children around that time, in this story) then her being destroyed by Sauron seemed appropriate. Few survived Eregion - and I was going to show those with small children especially fleeing to Lindon and saiing west when they learned about Sauron. I think that is in UT and maybe Tale of Years, that many fled west during that time. Few with children were there for the founding of Imladris, possibly, and that is why Elrond's children to me symbolized as much hope as they could give to their people. It is of course, all symbolic, but I really like that you picked up on that! And Celebrimbor, when wielding the rings, did lose track of time and place around him. Oh, and Erestor - yes, that was meant to symbolize the same thing as Elrohir jumping in the river - and the storm is meant to be an awakening for Elrond and Galadriel that they can influence the forces of nature. Not only does it relate to the elements of their rings, it directly threatens to harm those they love.

BeautyID	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 5/24/2004
Ooh, baby Celebrian! Grins I was looking forward to Celebrian showing up in the Second Age stories.... do you think there will be a story about Celebrian and Elrond meeting for the first time? That would be interesting. Poor Celebrimbor. I feel sorry for him. Gah, the tree! Are these poor people going to be alive by the time they get home to Imladris? Another great chapter! Can't wait for the next one. Keep up the impressive work. Author Reply: I promise all live to make it to home to Imladris. It is very hard to kill off even my OC's, I get so attached to them! I am glad you feel some pity for Celebrimbor. He was ignorant and unwise, but not intentionally harmful.

Bodkin	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 5/24/2004
Wonderful. I love the closeness of the family, Celeborn's recognition of Celebrian in the children's personalities, Arwen's sweetness, the understanding the twins have of each other, Glorfindel and Erestor's care of them. Celeborn and Galadriel fighting over the ring - and Celeborn getting her to concede, his understanding of nature. Oh it is all good. And the history part - it is difficult to make Celebrimbor appear too sympathetic, but I feel for him. I can see Galadriel deciding to have a child just like that - and it turning up a year to the day later. Interesting, enjoyable and informative. Author Reply: I was writing a litte undercurrent of symbolic influence of the Rings (as wielded by Celebrimbor) on Celeborn and Galadriel choosing to have a child. In some ways, I am tying Celebrian's birth to that, as it foreshadows some of the attack on all things created under the influence of the Three. I am glad you liked the chapter. I am having fun while my respect for Tolkien only grows.

daw the minstrel	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 5/24/2004
The description of the making of the Elven rings and the meanings of the stones was wonderful. I was just captivated by it. I also liked the way that centuries later we see Celeborn and Glorfindel telling the rings' owners not to use them. These are scary things. Author Reply: I think they are very scary - and I am glad Elrond and Galadriel have the darn things, and not me! Thanks for the beta job even when you had company :D

Elena Tiriel	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 5/24/2004
Oh, Nilmandra, this story just keeps getting better! I love the family... they so dearly love each other (and that includes Glorfindel and Erestor... they are clearly family, too.) I also love how you make the history lessons come alive. I've read the Silmarillion a few times, but it doesn't involve me like your retellings do. I come away feeling that I have a much better understanding of the Second Age. And I also love your Author's Notes. It is a joy to see how your mind works! Thank you for this fascinating story! - Barbara Author Reply: I like learning history this way too, as told by people who lived through them, because events do seem so much more real this way. Glad you liked the author's notes, too. My mind goes on some tangential bends but I do try to have some rhyme and reason (and I only hope it is logical :/)

shirebound	Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 5/23/2004
Wow. I've been hoping so much that you would write this chapter about the forging of the Three. I'm just in awe of your insights, and the care you've taken to decipher the mysteries that surround them. Also, this is so beautiful: "The young oak had been honored in song by the elves, and the four who had been in the tent had laid their hands upon its trunk and given their thanks." I love how the Elves were communicating with the tree, and the tree with them. How utterly lovely. Author Reply: Thank you, Shirebound. It has been very intersting to read a little on Norse, Celtic and other mythologies, and then on the symbolism of rings. Tolkien was brilliant in his creation of this universe. I feel like I am merely uncovering how much he designed. I liked Celeborn's, in particular, communication with the tree. He doesn't need any ring to influence nature - he just calls on his friends! :-)

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