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Reflections from the Paradise of Elves  by Bodkin 9 Review(s)
LarnerReviewed Chapter: 84 on 10/8/2006
The curse of parents on their children--"May your children be as bad as you are so that you realize what you put us through!" Yes, I've wished that on my own offspring. {Sidespring? Sort-of-offspring? What does one call stepchildren and adoptive children and foster children when "offspring" itself isn't quite right?)

Author Reply: I can just picture Elrond and Celebrian smiling and rubbing their hands as their sons endure the stress inflicted on them by kids. (Of course - Glorfindel will enjoy it all far more vocally. I do hope that one day he has his own children and the twins can enjoy his sufferings in their turn...)

perellethReviewed Chapter: 84 on 6/24/2006
Now, this is prove of elven sense of humour, to charge these three with a swarm of elflings on a summer camp! LOL! Fortunately once they get into gloating about past mischief panic shows up!

It was hilarious. I liked this truth,above all, "I always thought ours were bad because they were ours.’" ROTFL!Someone else's always turn out to be worse!


Author Reply: The comical thing it that if the kids were a few years older they wouldn't have any difficulty - they know just how to manage late adolescents in training! They are just too soft-hearted with younger kids, I think - and not able to multi-task in the same way that mothers can do five things at once.

The thing with your own kids is that you have a better understanding of what they might attempt (they've been training you from infancy) - whereas other people's children - in groups, too - might do absolutely anything. They might go home with a better appreciation of their own children!

elliskaReviewed Chapter: 84 on 6/21/2006
The dialogue in these is great--hilarious to imagine where the truth falls, for example, between Legolas being shoved or willingly jumping. *Snort* And I love the close banter between three people who know each other so well and have shared so much. This particular chapter really makes you feel that. (And I shudder at the thought of being in charge of "summer camp" for elf children). Great chapter!

Author Reply: The kids started off being Galenthil and his friends - but they would be too old. And Ellanthir is too young. So they just ended up as a group of kids. I daresay the three amigos got tricked into consenting to supervise them ... They might move faster next time someone tries to convince them that their skills are being wasted.

They are very much at ease with each other - and at least half of what they say is unstated. They have no need to be polite to each other either. (Which can be fun.)

Thank you - I'm glad you liked it!

RedheredhReviewed Chapter: 84 on 6/20/2006
I love these guys together. :D

But, I don't know that I would trust them as scout-masters... ;)


Author Reply: Most of the time, if we knew what our kids got up to, we wouldn't let them out of their rooms.

It's only when things go wrong that the poor old scout-masters get blamed for not tucking the little darlings in cotton wool. Until then, letting kids have a bit of freedom is considered good! (And these three have survived most things - they know that kids are pretty resilient.)

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 84 on 6/20/2006
LOL at how relaxed these three are when they're supposed to be supervising children. Although.. most do survive in spite of all the dumb things they do, and learn more from their mistakes and failures. I rather think that is why these three are laid back.. they know it. :D

Author Reply: Males! They can be just a touch on the casual side when caring for kids - they take a very linear view of life. Plus, I suppose, there's not much that this lot haven't done at some stage - and, short of falling off cliffs or setting the forest on fire, they're probably prepared to accept that there are some things it's just too much fun not to let kids do it. Ellyn, anyway. I suspect they're a bit more protective of their daughters!

MaidenofValinorReviewed Chapter: 84 on 6/20/2006
‘You were not expecting it – a warrior of centuries’ experience and not expecting it.’
Teehee.

Love the title.

Author Reply: I do enjoy the way these three tease each other! I've just written a newly-arrived twins bit - and it is such a pleasure to see them settled and happy with families of their own!

And a Wood-elf knocked out of a tree ... how embarrassing!

KittyReviewed Chapter: 84 on 6/19/2006
This double view at the problem of looking after the elfling from the POV of a sorely afflicted son and a anxious ada is quite funny. Watching one's children do something ... can I say, insane? ... is entirely another thing than have done it himself once, isn't it?

The end was hilarious. Of course, Thranduil should be wary of teaching his grandchildren too much nonsense - Legolas is able to revenge it! That could be interesting *grin*

Author Reply: My husband tells all sorts of stories of the things he did when he was a kid - he would have been absolutely horrified if any of ours had done anything similar. Somehow a lot of childhood's pleasures are much better in retrospect and when you are not responsible for the kids' safety.

The mixed up ages of elves must have complicated everything. Some time, Celumil is going to have to make a bigger appearance!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 84 on 6/19/2006
All right. These three have lounged around long enough. They need to get a move on. Are they mad? The kids could have done anything by now -- bees, bears, deadfalls, poison plants --- anything.

Author Reply: But they're male. They can't multi-task! They'll just imagine - optimistically - that everything's fine ... until it isn't.

LiannaReviewed Chapter: 84 on 6/19/2006
Oh, my goodness. Now they're camp counselors!

You torture them so. ;)

Author Reply: Poor unfortunate elves! They thought looking after their own children was bad enough!

(Actually, it started being their own children - but Galenthil is too old and Ellanthir is too young, so it just had to be random elflings!)

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