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Reflections from the Paradise of Elves  by Bodkin 6 Review(s)
ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 49 on 10/15/2006
Gorgeous descriptions....mountains, sunrise, butterflies, hummingbirds, blooming trees above the world...makes me wish I weren't too old for mountain climbing any more!

Author Reply: Just being there and watching the beauty of Valinor unfold ... in the company of friends with whom you share so much!

(I've never been young enough to climb mountains, not even as a kid - but there are some you can approach by easier paths and being high above the world is stunning.)

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 49 on 1/5/2005
Loved this one too. So much fun to come home and get to read all these chapters that I missed. But as an avid bird watcher, I positively adored the last part of this where Legolas sees the butterflies and comments:

My eyes rejoice in the sight of many of these forest dwellers with their plumes of bright feathers, but my ears are delighted by the song of the seemingly insignificant small brown birds.’

about the birds. Those were lovely images and all too true to my experience. Great!


Author Reply: I'm glad you liked it. And the work of having to catch up on all the stories you've missed while away is fun, too. Although the withdrawal symptoms when you leave can be a bit painful.

Little brown birds are so difficult to see and identify - they're quick and conceal themselves (although I don't suppose elves would have much difficulty spotting them), but they do seem to have the sweetest songs.

SharonBReviewed Chapter: 49 on 1/2/2005
Ah, so nice to be back to reading again. We've been catching up on all that last weekend we could not do.

I can understand how that sort of climb might be worth it for the views. I had some of the same terror of heights when we went to Machu Pichu. The beauty does win you over once the terror starts to subside. I can imagine they would have a breathtaking view from up there. Much to enjoy if you can get up and down safely.

Does this make the twins realize more what their children might get into when they remember that there are things their father does not know they did? With some apparent consequences they were able to hide from him. LOL, perhaphs you need to start a "refelctions" journal for the elfings so "we" can find out what the twins and Legolas don't. ;-) Could they cause more havoc with Gandalf's fireworks than Merry and Pip? Now there could be an interesting tale.

Author Reply: The festive season certainly interrupts reading and writing schedules! Still, it's fun, though, to have everyone together for a while.

I wouldn't mind the height, I think, but I really wouldn't care for the climb - put in a swift elevator up the middle of the rock and I'd happily go up for a look.

I suspect E2L do know that their children will be up to all sorts of things - but perhaps, like Elrond, on occasion they would prefer to turn a blind eye. After all, once the brats have made it home safely, there's not too much point in worrying about it. Of course, I don't know if Elerrina, Miriwen or Sirithiel would look at it that way. Miriwen, perhaps - she's quite pragmatic (and Elrin is quite sensible - for an elfling). I suspect Elerrina might get angry, while Sirithiel would be horrified if she knew the details.

They really ought to meet Gandalf, ought they not! He should come and visit his old friends Elrond and Thranduil and catch up on the younger generation. Perhaps he should make an appearance in Elflings.

lwarrenReviewed Chapter: 49 on 1/1/2005
I suppose it is God's way of preserving parental sanity that we are not aware of HALF of the "adventures" our offspring undertake while they're growing up. My daughter was married, with 2 children, before she ventured to tell me how she came to called "Stickerfoot" by her friends. *shudders* It only reinforces that old saying "what you don't know won't hurt you"! lol

This chapter is just another bright example of your descriptive capability, Bodkin...I loved E2L's first reaction to the view and the way one of the twins (I need to start taking notes!) says that during those first days in the Undying Lands, the sun rising was a cleansing fire burning away all the hurts of life in Middle-earth. The view of the canopy, with the flowers opening to the sun and the butterflies and the birds...*sigh*...lovely! Wonderful chapter!

linda

Author Reply: Much better not to know. Much, much better.

Unfortunately, E2L know exactly the sorts of things their little flowers will be up to - probably because they are still enjoying the same kind of activities themselves.

Glad you liked the description. I'm sure there will be more episodes along soon.

Jay of LasgalenReviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/31/2004
Fifty chapters! That is a remarkable achievement. The descriptions in this chapter were beautiful, I nearly felt I was there.

An intriguing comment: ‘I suspect climbing up here could be one of those rites of passage young elves are only too ready to undertake.’

‘Although we know what happens when such challenges are accepted without due preparation, do we not, my twin?’ Elrohir commented.


Elladan may refuse to tell the tale, but you *have* to, Bodkin! You were kind enough to write what happened to Elrohir on a midnight excursion - tell us this, as well. Please!

‘How long do you think it will be before your son attempts this climb?’ Elrohir interjected hastily. Never mind Galenthil - how long will it be before Nimloth attempts it? I imagine she'd be first up the mountain!

Thank you for a lovely end-of-year present (or is it already New Year where you are?)


Jay



Author Reply: The thing is - because they are so short, (and nothing really happens apart from a bit of chat and teasing), they could probably go on until E2L are as old as Galadriel and Celeborn.

The rite of passage, huh? I'll have to wait until it comes to me!

Nimloth and Galenthil - I think they would lead the way, with Aewlin close behind and Eleniel and Elrin trying to avert disaster.

(New Year's Eve. About 6 pm.) I'm glad you liked it, Jay. Happy New Year to you!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 49 on 12/31/2004
Ah the things we do that we don't want our children to do. And the things they do that we don't know about and it's better that way!

Author Reply: Much, much better that way. Parental ignorance should be carefully preserved. Certainly once children get past the stage when you can do anything about it.

Mind you, fully adult, athletic elves doing a bit of free climbing - and a bunch of elflings attempting it - not quite the same thing. I don't think I'd feel too happy about the youngsters attempting this for the next fifty years or so.

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