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History Lessons: The Second Age  by Nilmandra 12 Review(s)
NikaraReviewed Chapter: 18 on 6/28/2004
Very nice. I love the details that you put is this. It makes it very realistics. Great Job-I can't wait for more!

Author Reply: Thanks, Nikara. I like the little details, the things that make the characters seem real. Glad you like them too!

FirstMateReviewed Chapter: 18 on 6/25/2004
Okay, now that I've FINALLY got that dreadful update of mine taken care of, I've promised myself that I would get around to all those reviews that I owe other people! Yours is definitely one of the first I need to write. I can't say it enough, but I absolutely adore this story. It has just the right mixture of drama, angst, humor, and caring in it that makes it a wonderful story! It is one that I can't wait to read when I see that you've posted an update. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talents!!

Author Reply: Glad you are liking the story - I am glad the humor and caring come through, as I think those are an important part of family life. Thanks for the review :D

nanethReviewed Chapter: 18 on 6/20/2004
It was so nice to come home from vacation and find an update to this wonderful story! Poor Erestor. I think he must be the Rodney Dangerfield of the elves. He just can't get any respect from those younger elves!

Author Reply: Hehe - well, I think by the time this trip is over, those younger elves will be seeing Erestor in a whole new light! Glad you liked the chapter - thank you for telling me so!

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 18 on 6/17/2004
erestor? Erestor? ERESTOR???? Now, is he not cool, or what? Young elflings should learn that looks can be deceiving, and sometimes the most placid among them conceal a fierce, inventive, and skillful nature. You go, Erestor!!! I dearly loved that first part, especially when he snuck up on the other two groups and flattened one of each! LOL And then Elrohir, bless him, tries to fool brother, gets flattened, as well as called "Orc-bait" and "Goblin-breath"! *more grins* Once again, the interaction of this family (extended and others - they all seem to be connected by their love, whether it be for family, friends, or lord) is just tremendous! When they eat, every young elf gives Erestor the eye -wondering what he'll do next! They're learning...:-)

History lesson story was, as usual, interesting and informative. Celebrian continues to amaze - Warrior Princess indeed! I liked Galadriel and Celeborn's openness with their people about the potential threat, and the story of the scouts sent out to investigate. And it seems that Arwen will follow in her Nana's footsteps with bow and sword! :D

Great job, as always. Well, Elrohir has been put to bed (I'm heading for my own...only wish G and E could watch over me! ummmmm, very tired as you can see! *g*) Looking forward to the next installment. :D

linda

Author Reply: You know, the vision of Erestor and Glorfindel - or any powerful warrior elf - sitting watch over *insert your own name here* is just a wonderfully comforting picture. Must feel like a guardian angel :D

Glad you liked Erestor - he is a blank slate, so we can have some fun with him. I like making him more than he appears.

LKKReviewed Chapter: 18 on 6/16/2004
Feisty Celebrian, taking it upon herself to learn how to wage war.
Sneaky Erestor, showing the younger ones the *real* way to scout.
Gullible Elladan, being tricked by his younger, mischevious brother.
Wise Celeborn, walking the fine line between stirring fear up unnecessarily and keeping his people informed.

All the hallmarks of another fine chapter by Nilmandra. :)
Loved it!

Author Reply: Hmm......feisty, sneaky, gullible and wise...what great adjectives!

I am glad Elladan was tricked, and I think he was too as it means his twin is nearly back to normal.

Glad you liked it - thanks for the review. :D

Jay of LasgalenReviewed Chapter: 18 on 6/14/2004
I like Elrohir constantly repeating 'Erestor?' in increasing incredulity, and then telling Elladan about him as if they'd known for years. It's good that he can tease his twin like that again. And he finally got to ride again, even if it did tire him out - and I love the image of Erestor and Glorfindel both looking after him and each other.

Jay

Author Reply: I think this is a great sign that the old Elrohir is back - he took immediate advantage of his brother and teased him. I also think that he and Arwen have this special bond now - I like the two of them silently colluding about swords. Thanks for the review!

MarnieReviewed Chapter: 18 on 6/14/2004
Erestor?!

I enjoyed the Twins astonishment at the thought that one of their teachers could be something more than the rather staid person he sometimes appears, and I liked the scouting theme of this chapter. They are a vital part of any army and often overlooked in favour of 'heroes'.

Good for Celebrian! Her noble blood was showing there; making her decide to arm her people for their own protection, and I was impressed with her parents' reaction to support her all the way. I've often thought that with parents like hers she can't have ever been expected to be helpless - she'd have been taught to fight, and to do all the mystic stuff from her mum. I'm glad Arwen is going to be armed too - it's a fine tradition of the Noldor side of her family, after all!

Author Reply: Glad you liked Celebrian! I think her parents like having a smart and take charge daughter - and I am glad you noticed she was not punished for what she did. I would like to see her practicing her swordplay with her mother, I think. And teaching her daughter.

Erestor is a overlooked - at least the role I see him in as the stealth advisor fits his past as a scout. And if he can have a little fun at the young elves' expense, all the better. Thanks for the review. :)

BeautyIDReviewed Chapter: 18 on 6/14/2004
Aha! So there's more to Erestor than meets the eye, eh? Love that.

My dad just broke his foot, so he's hobbling around like Elrohir. In fact, when I first heard he broke it, I immediatly thought of Elrohir!

I'm so glad Elrohir got to ride. Poor Elrohir... That was nice.

Oh, and I think Galadriel and Celeborn made a very unwise decision in letting their daughter stay in the room when they were talking about Sauron. And poor Celebrian, she just wanted to help!

Another brilliant chapter as always. Oh, and 'History Lessons' got nominated for a Mithril Award, didn't it? Congratulations, you definitely deserve to win.

Author Reply: I am finding much more to Erestor than I thought! And I rather think now that he is on familiar territory, he is feeling a bit competitive with these elflings playing at being scouts. Who knew?

Your poor Dad. I hope he is a better go of it than Elrohir. He has been one rather unfortunate elf this story. Thanks for the mention of HL - I am pleased someone thought enough of it to nominate it. :D

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 18 on 6/14/2004
Oh, this is just lovely. The whole family is just so great together - their affection for each other just shines, while remaining clear of mushiness. I am glad Elrohir is feeling better, and that he had to admit to himself that his leg isn't up to riding - and that he can be kind to Arwen and tease Elladan. I love Glorfindel and Erestor - didn't they realise that he had to be more than a persnickety pen-pusher to be held in such high regard by Glorfindel and Elrond? - and the way they just knew he would beat the young and confident. (There's a lot to be said for experience!) I laughed at the Arwen / Elrond management session - (in a PofE episode already written, there is a very similar remark).

And then - the history lesson. Characterisation again lovely. So good to see Galadriel and Celeborn being parents - it looks as if they were entitled to sit back in glee rubbing their hands when Celebrian produced the twins. A sad but true fact of life - ellyn get to learn how to fight, but ellyth have to get to learn how to fight AND do embroidery.

The advancing threat of Sauron looms over the story - and the different responses of the elves, from immediate flight to Celeborn and his anger at the Valar.

Such a delight to have another chapter. I'll just go back and read it again.

Author Reply: Glad you liked Arwen managing her Ada. Didn't take much, and I think Celeborn understands fully. I think they laughed heartily when Celebrian became a parent, but I rather think Celeborn loves anything to do with his daughter, so grandchildren were a double perk. I think Elrond fortunate Celeborn found *him* suitable. :D

And as for ellyn learning to embroider...Glorfindel would like to remind you of the extreme skill and beauty of his own work, which he will show you for only a small fee. :-) He is such a goof.

KarriReviewed Chapter: 18 on 6/14/2004
Terrific chapter, Nilm! I really enjoyed Elrohir's reaction to learning more about Erestor -- and his throwing it back on Elladan. LOL Enjoyed the chapter very much!

Author Reply: It was nice to see Elrohir goading his twin a little bit :-) That is a good sign he is feeling better. Glad you like it :D

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