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Reflections from the Paradise of Elves  by Bodkin 5 Review(s)
JuleReviewed Chapter: 24 on 7/5/2004
This is cute. I love these guys is Ada. It is so adorable to imagine Elladan hiding or the Elrin telling a story to the tiny ellon. I love to think about Eleniel telling Elrohir a story but then imediately going into her Ada's arms.
I can't wait for the next chapter.

Thanks for writing

Jule

Author Reply: Thank you for reading! I liked the image of Elladan coming out from the flower border and acting dignified! They are very happy fathers and uncles - it has been a long time coming for them and they are loving it.

NilmandraReviewed Chapter: 24 on 7/3/2004
It is quite a lovely view to think of the these three elves playing with their elflings on the lawn. No longer slaying orcs or siders, no trolls or wargs to ththreaten them. How different this life must seem, but how wonderful to know ththat their children will not face the dangers of Arda marred.

Author Reply: That is probably one thing that would reconcile them more than anything, don't you think? Parents all want to have the world safe for their offspring.

Thank you for reading!

daw the minstrelReviewed Chapter: 24 on 7/2/2004
I'm enjoying this view of these three as fathers. I have always believed that elves loved children and were good with them and these three certainly are. How funny that Elladan was forgotten out there in the grass!

Author Reply: They are enjoying having little ones to play with and I think they will be good fathers. They both have experienced a good role model in Elrond and Thranduil.

Children can be easily distracted - I wonder how long Elladan would have hidden before realising that Elrin was not going to come and find him!

ShemyazaReviewed Chapter: 24 on 7/2/2004
I like your little vignettes about life in Paradise. The only issue I might have with it, is that despite being new fathers (or prospective fathers), they still sound very bored. The one other thing that bothers me about the idea of Valinor as a paradise, is the fact that this perfect place must be absolutely jampacked with Elves from all ages, jostling each other for elbow room! If you add to that, the fact that younger Elves like the twins and Legolas will be having elflings of their own, then I hope to Eru that Valinor has a land expansion programme, otherwise they might all be moving back to Middle Earth just to find a breathing space!

Author Reply: They are not bored now, Shemyaza. When they first arrived they were convalescent - they were suffering from the equivalent of shell shock and they found the transition hard, but they have settled in and found families and purpose. These little chats of theirs take place in those kind of weekend, male bonding moments between their responsibilities to their duties and their families. In fact, I would imagine that as their children grow and their work takes over, it will become more difficult for them to get away, but they will always treasure the time they can spend together.

Yes, I can see Valinor as rather overcrowded, too. That, together with the fact that I cannot see characters such as Celeborn Galadriel and Thranduil settling down happily in a small house in downtown Valinor has me moving them on, like pioneers, to establish new realms in the unexplored far west - which would absorb all their family and involve them in a lot of work! (And if this is Paradise, then surely the Valar can expand the amount of space available, if necessary.)

Population expansion (through refugees and elfling arrival) would be a problem - but the refugees no longer arrive (or only in ones and twos) and the birth rate would be relatively low as I don't think elves have many children and they mostly don't seem to have them when they are very young - I mean the twins are about four thousand years old.

Jay of LasgalenReviewed Chapter: 24 on 7/2/2004
I love the image of the three elfling playing together. E2 and L are clearly very good fathers and uncles, and Elrohir can't wait for his turn at being ada.

The game of hide and seek at the beginning reminded me of my son - if he felt his little sister was annoying him, he'd suggest a game. Once she went and hid somewhere, he would return to playing with his Lego. She would often hide for up to half an hour before realising he wasn't looking for her!

Jay

Author Reply: Older brothers can be very mean - but they just see it as neatly removing a problem. I think E2L would love being fathers - it would give them the excuse to do all those boy things that they are supposed to have outgrown. I can see them treasuring daughters and romping with sons, though I fear they may not be so keen on romping with daughters and treasuring sons! I hope they have tomboys. In many ways I think their experiences have made them value the joys of family life - more probably than those elves of Valinor who have never known danger and fear.

Elrohir's turn soon!

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