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A Dwarf Among Elves  by jenolas 4 Review(s)
DotReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/7/2004
Just time for a quickie review, I’m afraid. Internet access is a little restricted these days…

Elisiel and Gimli still seem to be getting on well – I like the idea that they have a similar sense of humour. Gimli needs some friendly faces in this strange place, and I imagine Elisiel is more than eager to get to know her son’s friend and learn everything that happened in the time since she has been parted from him.

It’s great to see Gandalf! It seems that Gimli is quite happy to see someone who isn’t an elf!

I love the mention of the hobbits. You really let their personalities shine through, even though Gandalf says very little of them. Especially Sam – I had to smile at the thought of how happy he was to see Frodo again and so enthralled by everything that he even built a talan! I can just imagine how amused Frodo was.

It was a really striking image of Celebrian desperate to know of her family and Elisiel holding her son’s hand, knowing how difficult it is to speak of those he loved and lost. I really feel for Celebrian. It must have been so hard for her. From the way you wrote it, I get the impression that she had almost been trying not to ask, sitting by as Elrond asked about the events of Middle-earth but eventually being unable to contain herself any longer to the point where she is perhaps unable to even realise the depth of Legolas’ grief, so great is her own. And what an amazing gift her sons sent to her. It’s one of such great love and shows just how strong a connection there is between elves and their parents, making it all the more heartbreaking when they are apart.

I loved the closing conversation between Legolas and Gimli. To the dwarf, Gandalf is still the same person that he always was. Just Gandalf. But Legolas sees deeper than that and understands the power that he possesses, that he is always seen just as he wants to be. It’s a nice reminder not to get too comfortable with him, that there’s always more to him than we might think.



Author Reply: Gandalf is offering Gimli support by keeping his 'usual' appearance andhe is aided well by Elisiel, who has taken a liking to her son's friend.

It is a sad and difficult time for Celebrian, to sit quietly while Elrond and Legolas didcuss those she left behind, and the relatives she will never meet. Legolas understands Elladan and Elrohir's feeling well, for he suffered the same loss as they, and so is only too pleased to act as messenger.

Gandalf always was a bit of an enigma, and that has not changed :)

Elf messengerReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/4/2004
Your story is very good.I like how you portray all of the characters. Keep up the good work!
Namarie.
Elf messenger

Author Reply: Glad you like it so far, thanks.

BejaiReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/4/2004
What a delightful story! I always enjoy stories that take us to Valinor, and I'm especially enjoying seeing it from Gimli's POV. His gruffness is so endearing! Lovely writing, interesting plot points, wonderful images. Looking forward to more.

Author Reply: I am finding it interesting to try and write from Gimli's perspective and I am glad my effort is appreciated. If he is sometimes frustrated by Legolas's behaviour, just imagine how much harder it would be for him to deal with a whole land full of like minded Elves!

LKKReviewed Chapter: 3 on 2/4/2004
I love the idea that Gandalf appears as elf to Legolas but as the same old Gandalf to Gimli. Is this idea one of your own? It's very clever regardless of who thought of it.

I was as amused as Frodo at the idea of Sam building a talan. I recall that he didn't much like being on the flet in Lothlorien. Sam must have really been taken with the elves in Valinor to have built one for himself. I bet it wasn't very high off the ground though. LOL

The twins' message to Celebrian was a beautiful moment, jenolas. Very touching and sweet. Well done!

LKK

Author Reply: As far as I am aware, the idea of Gandalf being able to appear in as 'himself' to Gimli, but as an elf to the others is mine. I do not recall having read it anywhere else, although I guess there is so much fanfiction around that someone else might also have used the idea.

A I think that as he grew older, Sam might have been a little more willing to try something he once was not fond of..especially anything to do with Elves once he arrived in Valinor. (Maybe Gandalf or Frodo or one of the Elves dared him to do it? :)

Glad you liked the message. Thanks for your kind words.

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